Page 116 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

I’ve spent the time alternating between the agony of the labor pains and the times in between when I’ve gathered my energy for the next push.

And through it all, he’s held my hand, fed me ice chips, and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

He didn’t even blink when I cursed him soundly for putting me in this position.

Karma and Summer, followed by Isla and Abby, popped their heads around to let me know they were waiting with me.

I told them to go home—it could be hours still, before the baby was born—but they refused.

My brother’s away on another cricket tour, but Abby mentioned she messaged him, and he’s on his way back.

I glance at Hunter’s face as he sprawls back in the chair next to my bed.

"You should go get a coffee."

"Not a chance," he growls.

"It could be some more time before—" I wince.

He leans forward, concern in his eyes. "You okay?"

I breathe through that now familiar pain traveling up my spine.

Only this time, it builds and builds until it’s like a wall that’s pushing into me, shoving into me, cutting through me.

I gasp, and must scream; perhaps, even black out a little.

When I open my eyes, Hunter’s features are pale.

The shadows under his eyes are pronounced, and there’s a drop of blood on his lower lip.

"You hurt yourself, did you bite down on your lip? "

He opens his mouth, then closes it. "I’m never putting you through this again." His voice is hoarse.

"Famous last words." I laugh, then gasp again when the pain begins to build once more. "Oh, no, no, no, that’s too close."

His gaze widens. He reaches for the switch next to the bed. "I’m calling the midwife."

"He’s gorgeous." Hunter’s warm voice cocoons me like a balm.

After he called the midwife, it took another three hours for the baby to emerge screaming into the world.

I was shattered, numb, and shell-shocked.

My entire body feels like it was put through a concrete mixer.

My insides felt like they were torn out…

which, in a way, they were, I suppose. And then, the midwife placed the baby over my chest.

I touch his little nose, take in his eyelashes, the little snub nose, those pink lips, and I fall head-over-heels in love… For the third time in my life. I hold him, and a tsunami of love fills every fiber of my being. I miss Olly so much. He would have loved his younger brother.

I’ve been given a second chance with this little boy, and I’m going to do everything in my power not to screw it up.

The tears slide out of the corners of my eyes.

I’m unable to stop them as I gaze at my son.

Hunter wraps his arm about me and pulls me into his chest, and that only makes me sob more.

Then, the baby opens his eyes and looks at me; my breath catches in my chest, and I nearly swoon.

Blue-green eyes. Hunter’s eyes look back at me, and I fall for my husband and my son all over again.

When the doctor places my son at my breast for his first feeding, he latches onto my breast with only a little coaxing.

The sensation of him suckling at my breast brings forth a fresh round of tears.

Hunter holds me until the sobs subside, and my son falls asleep while feeding.

I carefully wipe his mouth, pull my hospital gown shut, and both of us stare at the wonder we created.

A buzzing sound fills the room. Hunter ignores it. It stops, then starts again. "I think you should get that," I murmur.

"If I do, it means I’ll have to go back to my responsibilities." His eyebrows draw down.

"You can’t keep putting it off." I shoot him a sideways glance. His hair is mussed, his shirt creased. A day’s growth of stubble shadows his cheeks. He looks crumpled and tired, and so damn delicious.

"You’re beautiful, Mr. Prime Minister."

He chuckles. "You, calling me by that name, in that husky voice of yours, might become my new ki— thing," he corrects himself.

"Glad to see you’re managing to hold back your four-letter words."

The buzzing of his phone fills the room again. "You really need to get that, Hunter."

"I never should have turned on my phone, is what I should have done." He peers into my face. "I’ll never forget what you did for me, for our family. You are the bravest, most courageous person I’ve ever met. I’m honored you became my wife.

I thank the powers that be for the day our paths crossed.

If I’m born again, Fire, I hope you’ll do the honor of being my wife in that life, and in all our future life’s together. "

Tears prick the backs of my eyes. I swallow down the lump of emotion that squeezes my throat. "Stop, you’re going to make me cry again."

"Don’t cry, baby. This is your time to be happy." He leans in and kisses my forehead.

"Oh, hope I’m not interrupting?"

We glance up to find Abby lurking in the doorway of the room. "I could come back." She turns as if to leave.

"You’re not interrupting." Hunter rises to his feet. "Actually, I’d be reassured if you kept Zara company while I make a few calls."

With a last glance at me, he prowls out.

"Come on in." I gesture to the girl. She walks over with a big bunch of flowers that she places on a table already overflowing with bouquets and toys. "Wow, this room smells like a garden," she exclaims.

"All of the Seven and their wives have sent me flowers and toys for the baby," I murmur.

"You mean the Seven who run the 7A company—"

"Yes, and the Sovranos."

Her gaze widens. "The Sovranos, as in, the Italian Mafia?"

"As in the Cosa Nostra," I nod.

Her eyes grow even bigger. "Aren’t they criminals, of sorts?" she whispers.

"Doesn’t everyone have skeletons in their closet?" I retort.

She flushes a little, glances away, then back at me. Huh? That was a guilty look, if ever there was one.

"You’re not good at hiding your thoughts, are you?"

Her cheeks grow brighter, if that’s possible. "It’s the curse of having such fair skin."

"Or a pure mind." I half-smile. "It’s okay to be innocent. In fact, it’s preferable one retains a core of innocence at heart. Just don’t be naive when it comes to making decisions, okay?"

She nods. "Thanks, Zara, I really appreciate you taking me under your wing."

"You’ve more than pulled your weight over the past few months on the campaign. Without your efforts, my husband couldn’t have been elected Prime Minister."

She hunches her shoulders. "Th-thank you so much."

"Raise your chin."

"Eh?" She blinks.

"Raise your chin, girl, and accept the praise. Own it like a mother—ducking—fitch." I stumble over my words. Guess Hunter’s not the only one who has to watch his language around the little ears.

Abby laughs. Then peeks down at the little bundle in my arms. "He’s sooo small."

"He didn’t feel that small when I pushed him out of my va—a—ah—ina. You know what I mean?"

"Jesus, that’s too much information," a new voice declares.

I glance up to see my brother inside the doorway. His familiar features wear an unfamiliar, uncomfortable expression.

"You’re perfectly aware of how the birthing process takes place," I scold him.

"Yes, but so far, births and anything to do with them have only been a concept. Just like the fact you’re a mother now is something I’m still getting my head around."

He walks over to stand on the side of the bed opposite Abby. In his hands, he’s holding one pink and one blue balloon, which say ‘baby boy’ and ‘baby girl,’ respectively.

"Covering all my bases," he explains to me, then glances down at the baby. "Wow, you really are a mom."

"And you’re an uncle."

Cade’s face lights up. He thrusts out his chest, pulls back his shoulders, and folds his arms across his chest. "I can’t wait to teach him how to play cricket."

"Would you like to hold him first?"

Cade looks alarmed. "Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Umm. He’s too fragile. Maybe when he’s a little older?

" Then he takes a step back to punctuate his words.

The balloons flutter above him. "I guess I should tie these somewhere?

" He pivots and crosses the room to one of the chairs, then ties them to the back. Apparently, it’s going to take my brother a little longer to be completely comfortable with the idea of holding his nephew.

"Oh, now I realize what’s wrong, the pink says baby boy," Abby explains.

"I’m aware." Cade spins around, then walks back to take his place on the side of the bed opposite her; this time, putting more distance between the bed and himself.

"Shouldn’t it… I mean… Shouldn’t it be the other way around…?" Abby chews on her lower lip, and I notice my brother’s shoulders tense. His gaze is fixed on her mouth, and there’s a look of something I can only define as lust in his eyes. Talk about TMI.

I clear my throat, and my brother seems to snap out of his reverie.

"Who am I coming to visit, hmm?" He addresses his question to Abby.

"You’re coming to visit Zara." She frowns.

"Who is…?"

"Your sister?" she replies hesitantly.

"And?"

"Uh, she’s very much a feminist, a strong woman, ah—" Her brow clears. "I get it now. You were making a statement that you knew she’d approve of."

My brother smirks. "You’re smarter than you look."

Abby’s lips firms. "And you’re not as dumb as you look, either."

My brother blinks. "Dumb? Did you just call me dumb?"

"You know what they say, when you have a good-looking face, chances are good, there’s nothing between the ears."

Cade’s jaw hangs open, then he chuckles. "Very good."

"You talk as if you didn’t think I could hold my own in a conversation." Abby huffs.

"Oh, I’m sure you can. If not, my sister wouldn’t have hired you."

"I took her on because Abby showed a lot of potential. In fact—"I turn to Abby. "I see something of me in you."

Abby’s features light up. "You do?"

I nod. "You have the same hunger, the need to prove yourself. That thirst for success that pushes you to try harder, to go that extra mile—"