Page 7 of Ours (The Possession Duology #2)

With his eyes filled with amusement, Kade watched Lexi as she shoved the last bite of her chili cheese dog into her mouth.

He was thoroughly pleased by her voracious appetite.

Since they had entered the suite twenty minutes prior, she had consumed a basket of fried pickles, one large pretzel smeared in mustard, and two chili dogs.

It was more food than he had ever seen her eat in one setting.

“After our son is born, I want you to continue to eat. Maybe not quite like this ...but you will not fall into your old habits again, is that understood?” he asked.

Picking up a glass of sparkling water, Lexi narrowed her eyes. Giving him a scathing look, she leaned against the back of her plush chair. As if he had any say in that matter. “I will eat how I want, when I want. Is that understood, Kade ?” she bit back.

Shrugging his broad shoulders, he nonchalantly leaned down and reached into a brown paper bag at his feet.

While he enjoyed her endorphin fueled confidence, she wouldn’t be so defiant once she began her extensive training.

But for now, he would allow her to believe she had won the conversation.

There would be plenty of time to revisit the argument once she had come to terms with her place in the Organization.

“I have something for you, well, a couple of things. Would you like your first present?” he asked casually.

Perking at his question, her anger melted into curiosity. She wasn’t expecting to be gifted with anything. Well, nothing physical at least. Her emotional terror and trauma were gifts she would always carry with her, deep in her soul. “Uh, sure?” she replied, setting her glass down upon the table.

Pulling a black lacquered jewelry gift box from the bag, he placed it in front of her. While it wasn’t the diamond ring he really wanted to give her, he was just as excited about this token of his love.

“I hope you like it, I had them specifically crafted just for you,” he said.

Reaching for the box, she carefully picked it up.

Looking at the name Annoushka scrolled on top, she leaned her head as she wracked her brain trying to think of where it was from.

It was a substantial box, clearly from someplace a little higher end than the jewelry stores at the mall she was used to.

Opening the lid, her eyes widened as they settled upon a delicate white gold bangle with three charms: the letter “K,” the letter “L,” and a white and yellow gold baby bootie.

It made her heart squeeze to see their initials next to a symbol of their child.

The romantic gesture threw her for another loop.

“Wow, this is…this is really beautiful,” she said truthfully, pulling the bracelet from the box. “And thoughtful. Thank you.”

Taking in a breath, he watched as she eased the bangle over her hand and onto her wrist. He had to pull quite a few strings to have the charms made on such short notice, but seeing her wear what was essentially their family in jewelry form made the headache worthwhile.

“It looks amazing on you. Do you like it?” he asked.

Moving her gaze from the bracelet to his proud face, she shook her head. She felt guilty for loving it so much, it was probably the most heartfelt present she had ever received. It only deepened the confusing emotions he harbored for him.

“No. I don’t like it…I love it,” she replied, a small smile lifting her lips. “I’ll never take it off.”

Thoroughly pleased by her reply, Kade gave himself a mental pat on the back for a job well done.

Her reaction was better than the one that had been replaying in his head.

He was looking forward to seeing her wear the bracelet and nothing else but still had one more gift.

He had a feeling that she might like this one even more.

“Good, I’m happy you love it, but I’m not done just yet. Are you ready for dessert?” he asked, reaching back into the bag and pulling a pink and white striped box from the confines. Eyeing her carefully, he set it down next to the jewelry box.

Dropping her attention to the large pastry box, her mouth immediately fell open.

Eagerly opening it, she took in a whiff of one of her favorite desserts of all time.

Almost on command, she felt a series of tiny kicks under her navel, it seemed as if her son was just as excited for the famous cheesecake as she was.

“I’ve been craving Jackie’s for weeks now. How did you know?” she asked curiously, picking up her silver fork.

Folding his arms over his chest, he smirked as he watched her dive straight into the middle of the cheesecake.

Again, he had to thank Leo for the little tidbit of information.

Her darling husband had posted a picture on Instagram of her looking less than pleased eating a slice of cheesecake from a local bakery.

Underneath was a caption that read, “Looks like our baby only wants Jackie’s.

Anyone wanna send us one and make my Sunshine happy? I’ll forever be in your debt!”

Apparently, Leo was too stupid to realize that he could order the cheesecake online and have it shipped. All it would’ve taken was a simple web search to appease her craving. If he had really given two shits about either of them, he would have found a way to get her the damn cheesecake.

Fucking asshat, a deep voice muttered from the depths of his twisted mind. I hate to say this, but you were right Kade. He needed to be dealt with. It’s better that she’s with us now.

“Lucky guess,” he replied, not letting the sudden emergence of his alter sway him from his current focus.

Cramming another bite of creamy cheesecake into her mouth, Lexi studied the enigmatic man before her.

They hadn’t spoken much since their lustful encounter in the elevator.

Actually, they hadn’t spoken much at all since he had taken her from the restaurant the day before.

Now that she had his undivided attention, perhaps she could get some answers to the questions filling her mind.

“How long have you been awake from the coma?” she asked, licking graham cracker crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

Eyeing her carefully, he pressed his lips into a fine line. He wasn’t quite sure if he should fill her in on all the details of his miraculous recovery just yet. He didn’t want to risk all the progress they had made.

Don’t you dare lie to her, his alter warned.

Letting out a long sigh, Kade decided to listen to his oh so lovely voice of reason; just this one time. “Five weeks,” he answered honestly.

Nearly choking on her cheesecake, she coughed a piece of the pastry into her hand.

Plopping it back into the box, she looked at him with wide eyes.

Per the judge’s orders, she was to be notified the moment he regained consciousness, if he regained consciousness.

It was a phone call she both dreaded and looked forward to.

“Fucking hell, five weeks!? Why the hell wasn’t I told?” she spat.

“I think you know why, Sweetheart,” he replied, unfolding his arms and softening his posture.

Swallowing hard, she stared at him for a long moment.

The Tri-State Area was full of corruption.

Bloodbayne probably owned half of the police force, if not the entire police force.

They were never going to notify her. Why did she think they would?

The disfigured fucker was untouchable. God, she was so stupid.

“So how long have you been stalking me, this time?” she asked, meeting his dark eyes.

Leaning over the tiny table towards his love, he held her nervous gaze.

Little did she know that she had been under constant surveillance the entire time he was hospitalized, and he had been watching her as soon as he was able to leave his hospital bed.

There wasn’t a need to tell her that, though. It would only stress her out further.

“Almost two weeks. I wanted to take you the moment I saw you, it took everything I had within me not to. But I didn’t trust myself,” he said, his voice taking on an icy edge. “I needed to keep my distance. For your safety, and our son’s.”

Soaking in the implication of his words, her skin pebbled in trepidation.

She often wondered how he would feel once he finally awoke.

It was a constant concern that he would be angry with her, that his need for revenge would overshadow his obsession.

Knowing that her worries were justified instantly set her in a defensive position.

“And what about my safety,” she began, placing her free hand against her rounded bump. “ Our safety, now?”

Ohhh. Careful, Kade. Be very fucking careful with her, his alter quipped suddenly.

Heading the phantom voice in his head, Kade took note of the way his love was suddenly gripping the fork in her right hand.

The mental warning was right, his little hellion was getting ready to strike.

He knew that if he didn’t calm her nerves immediately, she would surely stab his carotid artery with the metal utensil.

Fucking hormones, he growled internally.

“Neither you, nor our son, is in danger. I promise you,” he said, purposefully lowering his voice to soothe her agitation.

Swallowing hard, Lexi lifted her rounded chin and tried her best to hide her conflicting emotions. She wanted so badly to believe him. How could she, though? Sure, he may be the father of her child, and the one that held her heart, but he was still a cold-blooded murderer.

Funny, he could say the same about you, Nikki said with a sigh. I can’t believe I’m saying this but trust him, Lexi. Now that Leo’s gone, he’s all you have left. And you will need him to be on your side when you meet Bloodbayne. Or did you forget about that?

Clenching her jaw, she protectively swiped her open hand over her belly. She wasn't sure if she should listen to the bitch in her head, but she had a good point. He was the only lifeline she had left, and she absolutely needed to have full loyalty when they walked into this meeting.

Sensing that his love was struggling with something, he reached over and eased the silver fork from her fingers.

Placing the utensil on his side of the table, he took her hand in his.

He could feel his alter tugging on the strings, trying so desperately to slip into the driver’s seat.

But he would be damned if he allowed him to steal this moment.

He was more than capable of calming his pregnant spitfire.

“Hey,” he began, mentally slamming the phantom voice back in its place. “I won’t let anything ever happen to either of you.”

“Yeah? And what about Bloodbayne?” she asked, a quizzical look painting her face. “You’re his Underboss, Kade. What if he orders you to kill me? What, then? Would you?”

Blinking at her, a deep frown pulled the corners of his lips.

Her fear was warranted, there was a real possibility that Bloodbayne could tell him to kill her and the baby.

If that order ever came, he would be forced to do the deed.

However, he had the crime lord’s word that they were safe from any retaliation. He was banking upon that security.

“He won’t. You’re too valuable,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“That doesn’t answer my question. What would you do?” she asked, arching a brow.

Not wishing to continue the conversation, he abruptly stood from his chair.

Stepping over to her, he helped her from her seat.

Everything was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

He needed to divert her attention elsewhere.

“Come here, let me show you something,” he said, pulling her towards the expanse of rectangular windowpanes lining their suite.

Sighing softly, she stilled her round body as he moved behind her. A small shiver ran down her spine as his strong arms caged her securely against his torso. She knew he was trying to distract her from the issue at hand, and it unnerved her.

“What do you see, my love?” he asked, his hands drifting down to caress her belly.

Scowling as she peered through the window, she settled her gaze upon the famous skyline before her. Dawn was on the verge of breaking, causing an almost picturesque iridescence to dance over the City. In any other circumstance, she would be mesmerized. It truly was a beautiful sight.

“Manhattan,” she answered.

Nodding his head, he pressed his palms against the curve of her stomach. Almost immediately, he felt his son roll beneath his possessive touch. He had grandiose plans for their future as a family. Hopefully, they would ease her apprehension.

“Yes. And it will all be ours someday,” he purred, leaning down to nuzzle the crown of her head. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re both safe with me. I love you.”

Remaining quiet as he held her, she tried to make sense of the jumbled thoughts clouding her mind. She wasn’t sure how to react to his confident declarations. Part of her wanted to believe his honeyed words, while the other wanted to throw him out of the window.

Trust him, Lexi. That’s the only way you’re going to survive this time. Trust him and make sure that he knows he can’t live without you, Nikki said.

Taking her alter’s suggestion to heart, she turned in his arms. Purposefully locking her eyes on his, she gave him the sly smile she knew he couldn’t resist. She had just a little over twenty-four hours to cement his loyalty, and she intended to make good use of them.

“Then take me to bed, Kade. Show me how much you love me,” she breathed.