He laughs low and I adore it. “I’d have thought you’d have learned your lesson by now, Adriana. Making deals with me has consequences and I won’t let you out of an agreement. Not now, not ever.”
“I know.”
I’ve never been more certain of anything. It’s a bargain freely made and in full knowledge of what I’m agreeing to. I’m more than happy to give him my word on this and on so much more.
“I promise it’ll be okay.”
“What do you need, Adriana?” Enzo asks. “Tell me what you need, baby. I’ll give it to you. Ask me for anything. Any-fucking-thing.”
I smile and turn my head, grinning as he stares in confusion. “Time, Amaymon. I need time—and you’ve already promised we’ve got all the time we could ever want.”
47
NOT ON MY WATCH
ENZO
My girl looks up at me and smiles. It’s easy and she’s content. Nothing is bothering her and she’s enjoying the afternoon, just as she’s enjoyed the others that have passed recently. Adriana stretches out on the grass and basks in the sunlight, curling her toes in pleasure.
I’m pleased we moved here.
I admit I wasn’t when we first moved in.
I liked the sleek lines of the loft and the ease with which I could track Adriana down. The mansion has far too many rooms, and I have to roam them in search of her. It’s inconvenient and it deprives me of the chance to stare at her fucking gorgeous body.
Her hands stroke her stomach, and I watch her ease her anxiety. I've no idea why she feels the need to touch her bump. It seems to soothe her. It reassures her. Almost as if she needs to check my child is still growing inside her.
My child is far too fucking strong for anything to happen.
Surely she can feel its movements.
I fucking can, and I’m not even touching her.
I watch her closely, checking for any signs of concern. Guarding her and my child. I doubt there’s any need after Lucifer made it clear that we are untouchable but it hasn’t stopped me from protecting what is mine. Obsessively.
Adriana knows I’ve become far too territorial to allow anyone else near her. Her new assistant risks my wrath when she drops the new manuscripts in our room and I’ve come close to lashing out at her on several occasions. Adriana complains about it but then smiles to herself, thinking I don’t see it. I fucking see every smile and smirk, every knowing glance. My girls loves the possessive, protective provider I’ve become and I don’t intend to change anytime soon.
Byron’s keeping a low profile and when he does visit, he makes damn sure that he doesn’t see Adriana. He's nice enough to bring her something baby-related. Things women adore but don’t threaten me. We’re acquiring a collection of soft toys and baby clothes that most parents would envy.
Adriana sits up, and I sit behind her, letting her back rest against my chest. I can feel her heart beat as it pounds against her chest. I feel my child’s heart beating too—it’s quieter, faster and just as determined as its mother’s, who’s currently shifting her weight against me as if I’m not doing my fucking job properly.
Adriana closes her manuscript and tosses it onto the significantly larger of the two piles next to her. It’s the reject pile and my girl’s given up on this book within the first five chapters. She’s irritated it’s a disappointment and sighs as she picks up the next one.
“No good?” I ask.
“Nope,” she replies. “Even you couldn’t make it into a bestseller.”
I smirk and play with her hair. “You underestimate me, baby.”
“Trust me. It was shit.”
Lucifer was right to warn me. The child’s going to be the least of my problems—and the ones it causes won’t be insignificant. Its mother is currently complaining about everything and the book isn’t the only thing receiving a scathing critique. I’m getting fuck all thanks while she runs me ragged trying to meet her needs.
She’s too hot, and then she’s too cold. Her feet are too swollen and then her back is sore. Adriana wants to eat and as soon as I serve her food, she decides she’s nauseous again. She gets bored and wants to go out and then it’s too much effort.
The only time Adriana is content is these few hours in the early afternoon when she sits in the garden and reads. She adjusts herself and I sigh, certain that the peace of the afternoon is about to come to an end. She huffs and her chest heaves, making her tits move seductively. They’re even bigger now, and I find it hard to resist playing with them.
Adriana suits pregnancy and I’m going to make damn sure we repeat this often. She’ll get used to the feeling and I imaginepractice makes perfect and we’ve got an eternity for her to adapt to this.
