Page 60 of Thrown into the Mob

“I’ll confide in you next time.”

We had to be realistic. He would try to do it again, but while he was processing, he had to let me in.

“Even when it’s dark and scary, I need to be there with you.”

He nodded and lifted his head. “Guess what?” His eyes lit up. “I’m pregnant.”

I squeed. “Oh, we’re going to be dads.” I kissed him, and he kissed me back.

I moved my hands to his stomach. There was nothing to feel yet. Just more warmth.

“Are you happy?” Conrad asked.

“I’m terrified, and I've never been happier in my life.”

Against my palms, his stomach was so warm, and my wolf pressed into my hand, wanting to feel it too.

“We have to tell the family.” Though our lives were in disarray, news of a baby would lift everyone’s spirits. I’d have to call my folks, but Conrad had no one to tell other than people here in the compound.

“Mmmm. I’ll let you decide how to do that.”

After phoning my parents, the first person who had to be informed was Grandpa.

“Do me a favor. Try not to give birth in a car. Poor Grandpa was horrified when Brock delivered Lua in the back seat.”

“Okay, I’ll put that on the naughty list and inform my dragon it can only happen where the bedding thread count is high and there’s food on demand.”

I giggled. “I think that’s the least he’d expect. Grandpa has high standards.”

TWENTY-NINE

CONRAD

Both of you. Meeting room, now.

The text was in Flint’s blunt style, and Madd and I wasted no time in getting there. Ranger and Hunter were inside when we arrived, along with a few senior pack members.

Flint was holding a large envelope, and he tossed it on the table. “This just came.”

We all stared at it, and Madd gasped and grabbed my arm. “What is that?” He leaned over and inspected the handwriting. “Did you write this?”

“No, but there is someone on this earth who has almost identical handwriting.”

“Evander.”

My twin and I had learned from the same tutors and practiced the same drills. Even our signatures were near identical, which had been useful. I’d never admitted to Madd that the day in the garden when I asked Evander to sign the papers, I could have signed on my twin’s behalf. Evander was not aware I’d ever done this, so he wasn’t suspicious.

“A local delivery driver was paid cash to bring the envelope to the gate,” Flint explained. It didn’t trigger any alert because we accept deliveries every day, and the guards signed for it.”

I was unsettled by a letter from my brother, not just because of his handwriting but also because of the message it sent. Not the actual words which I had yet to read. But the underlying one that spoke louder.

I know how to reach you without detection and violate your privacy.

And there was no digital footprint, so we couldn’t track it. It may have had his fingerprints, but his handwriting had already ID-ed him.

“I’ll let you read it.” Flint shoved the envelope across the varnished table, and it slithered over the slippery surface. I caught it with one hand and ripped the envelope.

Oh gods. There was no way to hide what it said, and I reached out to Madd with my free hand.