Page 77 of Thorns of Desire

“Are you sure? Maybe I can get my Italian daddy to fight Aiden?”

Raven’s chuckle crackled in my ear.

“Let the two of them kill each other. That’s not a bad plan.” It was ridiculous, but my chest twisted at the thought of Manuel being hurt. The man exuded power and strength—I saw it for myself last night. Thankfully Raven rejected the offer. “No, I’m fine. This thing with Aiden is long overdue. I can’t keep running from it.”

“Give him hell this time.”

“Oh, I fucking will. The man will be begging me to leave when I’m done with him.”

My lips curved into a smile. “That’s my girl.”

We talked for a few more minutes while I snooped around the room. When we hung up, I made my way into the giantwalk-in closet filled with men’s clothes that smelled like Manuel. Leaning in, I pushed my face into the expensive material and inhaled deeply. My stomach warmed and dipped, my lungs squeezing tight as I sighed.

“You’re awake, I see.”

I whipped around at the familiar voice and flushed crimson at being caught. “What are you doing here?”

He chuckled. “I live here.”

“I didn’t hear you come in,” I breathed.

His gaze traveled over to the opposite side of the closet. “Whatever is missing, you can order it or we can go shopping.”

My brows furrowed, following his eyes to find a whole section of brand-new clothes, from yoga pants to designer dresses. Even La Perla bras and panties.

“Umm, thank you.”

“The first drawer has a black Amex with your name on it. I remember you telling me you like to spend money.”

I’d been joking, of course, but I still padded over to the drawer. “What are you going to do if I spendallyour money?”

He chuckled, the sound deep and raspy. “Amorina, we have enough money to last us five lifetimes. I’m counting on you to make a solid dent.”

Well, damn.

The words every woman wanted to hear and who was I not to oblige?

THIRTY-ONE

MANUEL

Icouldn’t wait to spoil her and our baby. Athena was to be healthy and happy throughout her entire pregnancy, and if that meant being at her beck and call, then so be it.

“Get dressed,” I told her. “We’ll have breakfast, and then I’ll give you a tour of the island and our estate.” Her eyes lit up. “Then we’ll pick up your prenatal vitamins.”

The light in her eyes dimmed and it saddened me, but I was confident she just needed time to come to terms with everything. After all, she was significantly younger than me, and she’d be the one to go through a myriad of changes.

“Is having a baby with me such a terrible thing?” I asked her, keeping my voice soft.

She met my gaze but remained stubbornly quiet, so I cupped her face and ran a thumb across her cheek.

“Tell me what troubles you,amorina, and I’ll fix it.” Her lips parted, a blush rising to her cheeks as she lowered her eyelids, and I tsked. “No hiding.”

She lifted her eyes and met mine. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“It’s just… a baby’s a big responsibility. Massive.”