Page 86 of Claimed By Ruin

“Always.” I buried myself deep and came so hard my vision blurred. I gripped the sheet next to her head, my body shaking with it, and she held me, her arms around my back, her legs locked around my waist, her lips pressed against my temple.

Afterwards, I didn’t move. She didn’t make me.

I rolled off eventually, pulling her against me. Her back to my chest. My hand on her stomach. She laced her fingers through mine. Squeezed once.

I pressed my mouth against her neck, feeling her pulse under my lips. She was quiet long enough that I thought she’d fallen asleep.

She hadn’t. “Jack?”

“Yeah?”

But she didn’t say anything. Eventually, her breath evened out, and her grip on my hand loosened but she didn’t let go.

I stayed awake. Listened to the quiet of the farm, which finally, fully, felt peaceful.

Then I felt it. A flutter so faint, I almost missed it.

But I didn’t miss it.

I tightened my hold on her stomach, pulling her closer, and closed my eyes.

THIRTY-ONE

Jack

Five Months Later

“Can’t believe you would show your face again after slipping out in the dark,” I said.

Dante smirked.

“I had somewhere to be, but I owe you and Clan Marku owes you. Neither of us leaves obligations unfulfilled,” Dante said.

“You owe me, yet here you sit at my table, taking up space and resources,” I said.

“Had to check the place out. But I got a couple things that I think will more than make up,” he said.

“I’m listening,” I said.

“I need to talk to the lady in charge,” Dante said.

I smiled, but didn’t contradict him. “Me first,” I said.

“You really think your brother’s still out there?” Dante said. He chuckled at my arched brow. “I figured your casual questions weren’t so casual. Lourdes filled in the blanks, and before you take it out on her, she asked if I could help.”

“Sounds like her. And yeah, he is,” I said. I had to believe that he was.

“Got a couple guys willing to go look for him with you,” Dante said.

“Another mission. Just to help me out? I’m skeptical, Dante,” I said. My words were calm, but I tried to ignore the way my heart pounded.

“Like I said, big country out there. Lots of resources. Looking for places to expand. Don’t see why helping you out a little bit at the same time would hurt.”

“Yeah, I’ll pass,” I said.

Dante quirked a brow.

“Can’t risk it,” I said. “Baby’s coming in a few… I can’t risk it.”