Page 114 of Thorns of Desire

“Also, if you ever get anywhere near Athena again,” I added, “I’ll ensure your last name is wiped off this planet.”

“Ditto,” Danil chimed in.

Athena’s hand squeezed mine, and I imagined all the brutality of this world was probably staggering to her.

“Now that we have that behind us…” Danil steered the conversation back to business. “After we sign a contract, binding Mei to me, and Nicki to you?—”

“I don’t want your goddamned sister. I don’t need a woman who’s pining after another man. Besides, she’s fucking crazy.”

Athena snorted softly. “Look who's talking.”

Danil shrugged. “Exactly. And it is not up for negotiation.” My brother-in-law had a death wish. “In addition, you’ll sign half of your drug and construction business to me, both in Asia and Africa.” Qian’s lip curled at the outrageous demands, but he knew they had him cornered.

“Just look at it this way,” I drawled, helping him out. “You’re investing in your family.”

“Fucking Popovs,” he muttered. “You’ve been a curse since day one.”

FORTY-SIX

ATHENA

Dr. Ferrari read my vitals in our bedroom at home, Manuel holding my hand as if he was scared I’d disappear if he let me go.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. Manuel had always been absurdly attractive, but his days-old stubble made me want to rip his clothes off.

“I have to tell you something,” I whispered, flicking a gaze at the doctor. Ever since we left Qian’s destroyed yacht, we hadn’t had a moment alone. Danil, Soren, and Umbrio came back to the castle with us where my mom and the men that held her prisoner were waiting.

But before any kind of reunion could occur, Manuel carried me straight to our bedroom to be examined—for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.

The whooshing of the sonogram machine sounded like music to everyone’s ears.

“I’m feeling fine,” I protested again.

“Do it for me,amorina. I want to hear for myself that everything is alright with our child.”

“Stress can be bad on the baby too,” Dr. Ferrari chimed in. “Oh, I almost forgot. I got your sonogram photos from yesterday’s… checkup.”

The heart machine started beeping wildly.

“Ma che cazzo?” Manuel rasped, his eyes darting to the monitor. “Is that the baby or Athena? What’s wrong?”

The doctor came over and disconnected the heart machine. “Everything’s fine. Mamma and baby are both fine.”

Manuel pressed his lips to mine. I loved the warmth of his mouth, the feel of his body close to me.

“Because she’s strong.”

“She is. Baby girl and her mamma are doing amazing.”

Our heads whipped up.

“What?” My mouth fell open. “Are we?—”

“Cazzo,” Dr. Ferrari muttered, her head swiveling between the two of us. “I slipped. I’m so sorry. You’re having a girl.”

Manuel grinned.

“A girl,” I repeated at the same time Manuel whispered, “A baby girl.”