Page 125 of Thorns of Deceit

The thought was terrifying.

A hand came to my back, the soft palm pressing against my skin.

“Are you alright?” Raven’s voice was raspy, and as I turned, I found her watching me.

“Yes.” She sat up in bed, her hands snaking around my waist. I covered her small hand with my big one. “I never got to tell you…” I trailed off.

Her lips pressed against my back. “Tell me what?”

“I’m yours, Raven. I’ve been yours since I put that ring on your finger.” I shifted and pulled her into a hug. “I’ll move heaven and earth for you.”

She looped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to mine, kissing me with a desperation that flowed into my bones.

“I love you,” she whispered against my mouth, her breath stuttering.

“And I love you. I’ll always be on your side, no matter what,” I vowed.

She smiled, her breathing evening out. “You’ve already proven that over and over again, Aiden. It’s me who has to earn your trust after what I did.”

“There’ll be no more living in the past.” I placed her palm on my chest. “From now on, we handle everything together. No running, no hiding.”

She absorbed my words, the captain’s cabin illuminated by the autumn moon, throwing shadows across her face.

“I'm a bit worried,” she murmured.

“About staying put with me?” I asked, half teasing.

“No, because you’re stuck with me for life now, Aiden.” She sighed, looking so exhausted I thought she might collapse into me. “I’m worried that killing Duncan will backfire. I’m worried about Mom.” She flicked a glance to the cradle. “And I’m worried about him. He doesn’t even have a name yet.”

Her voice cracked and it fucking tore at my chest. “I can handle anyone who dares come after us for Duncan’s death. Your mom needs time to heal. We’ll be here for her no matter what. And your baby brother will have all the love he needs. He’ll grow up to become a force to be reckoned with, trust me. You don’t have to worry about him or his name. He’ll have one.”

“Are you sure you won’t mind all my baggage?”

I chuckled. “Haven’t you realized yet that I want all of you?”

I lay back against the pillows, and she smiled as she settled against me. Her eyelids drooped, and she fell into a deep sleep, her soft snores mixing with the suckling noises coming from her baby brother.

We slept tangled around each other, and it was the most at peace I’d felt in years.

FORTY-EIGHT

RAVEN

“Ineed details,” Tristan said, watching me. He was somewhat of a prisoner without shackles here, although I had no idea what Aiden was holding over his head.

“I have to issue a birth certificate, but I can’t do it without listing parents,” he continued.

Mom was resting in her cabin, still refusing to see or discuss the baby.

“She needs time to recover,” I told him, cradling the baby in my arms.

After the birth, we took a slight detour and stopped in Ireland. We’d been docked here for three days now. Aiden and his brothers handled business, visiting some of their warehouses in the country, but Aiden always returned early while his brothers stayed out looking to blow off some steam.

He definitely meant it when he said we’d do this together.

“I don’t think your mom will change her mind,” Tristan said, taking a seat in the salon.

Aiden and I wanted to adopt and name my baby brother, but it didn’t feel right proceeding without discussing it with Momfirst. I was still holding out hope that the shock would wear off and she’d get healthy enough to realize that this baby wasn’t Duncan.