Page 110 of Ruthless Commander

“Twins?” Edon looked at me in shock as his brother turned around and faced him and his father.

“Yeah,” Mateo murmured, his gaze fixed on his father. “It’s twins.”

“Holy shit.” Edon’s brow rose. He dragged his fingers through his hair, then did something I’d never thought Edon could do…

He smiled.

Like really smiled, showing the whites of his teeth. “I’m going to be an uncle.” He grinned. “I’m going to be a goddamnuncle.”

He moved fast, striding forward to slap his brother on the shoulder. Mateo took the hit. But I saw that tiny tremble at the corner of his mouth, the quirk of a smile before he glanced my way, then that smile died away. My knees trembled. I felt shaky as hell and he saw that.

“We need to get out of here. Xael needs to eat and drink…and rest.”

Both men nodded, following us as we headed out of the door and to the car parked in the lot. No one said anything as we all climbed in. Mateo sat in the back with me, leaving his brother to drive once more.

It felt like mere minutes since Mateo had carried me through the doors. But it wasn’t…it had been hours.

Hours while I’d lay there thinking my world was about to fall apart.

Hours as the world grayed and then brightened. Hours as I came to realize that I wasn’t just pregnant with one baby…but two. I glanced at Mateo as we pulled out and headed for the town. He held my gaze, squeezing my hand.

He really wanted this.

I saw that now.

Saw the fear, as well.

One that stemmed from his own past.

I glanced at the stranger in the passenger seat.

Mateo stiffened as he followed my gaze. He wanted nothing to do with him. I saw that. But I also saw a wound that had never healed, one that would only split open time and time again. He’d always bleed. He’d always hurt. I turned to my husband, watching that deep-seated pain rise now.

“I’m right here,” I whispered. “You can’t get rid of me.”

His brow pinched as he searched my eyes. We drove through the streets, pulling up outside the cafe we’d left. We climbed out. I held onto the car as Edon handed Mateo the keys, then glanced across the car.

They weren’t speaking.

Mateo just scowled, refusing to look at his father.

I sucked in a hard breath. “Mateo, maybe we can just all go inside and have a drink. No pressure. No anything. I just need…” I splayed my hand against the car. “I think I just need a drink.”

His gaze jerked to mine, panic flaring as my leaning registered. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”

He never looked at them, just took my hand instead and led me back inside.

At least the place wasn’t as busy now. I searched the room and pointed to a large, quiet booth toward the back. “Maybe over there.”

He nodded, his hand steady at my waist as we headed over. “Food and juice for you.” He glared. “No arguing.”

I had no choice but to nod.

“I’ll follow.” Edon murmured, leaving his father to slide into the seat opposite.

Like this wasn’t awkward. Still, they left me, needing their own space to talk and headed for the counter.

“You are carrying my grandchildren.” He spoke softly in his thick accent.