Page 151 of Stealing Blinds

She rolls her lips in, sliding her hand over her stomach, already in maternal protective mode. “That’s not a great start to anything, but okay.”

This is one of those just-rip-the-Band-Aid-off scenarios, so I do. “I silenced the alarm and didn’t tell you.”

“What?” Her arms fly out to her sides, and it’s more indignation than dread painting her gorgeous face now.

Breathtaking.

“Now, see, you’re thinking that I’m crazy, but …” I circle my finger around her twisted expression with my typical blasé bravado, but then I change tactics. “I knew I was falling in love with you. I knew you wanted a baby. And I just thought, if it happened, I’d be thrilled. But if I didn’t tell you and you didn’t notice, it would be natural and meant to be. No pressure. Serendipity.” I plop into the chair, hoping my meddling doesn’t taint this incredible outcome. “We could’ve waited, but the thought of you carrying a piece of both of us … I kinda got attached to the idea. That’s why I kept pushing my cum back inside you.”

“Okay,” she says, shocking me. She takes a deep breath and sits across from me. “I’m not mad. I’m oddly touched. I mean, you are crazy. I might even love you more for it though, but …” She finally peers at me with glossy amber eyes that overflow with brokenness. “What if I lose it?”

Oh shit.

Instantly, my mind goes to everything she did today, including soaring into the sea—thanks to me. But I don’t share that internal spiral. I’ll get her examined the second we board the yacht.

I crouch down in front of her, taking her hands in mine again. “Then it will hurt like hell, and we’ll deal with it.”

She licks a tear off her lip and nods. “Deal with it together.”

“Always.”

She hangs her head again, drops of anguish dotting her legs. “What if they find out I can’t have a healthy pregnancy?”

I wipe her cheek with my thumb, palming her head and forcing her attention to me. “Then we’ll deal with that too.”

“If that happens …” She shakes her head with aching resolve. “Half of your family is pregnant or trying. I’ll be a mess. Impossible.”

Rena told her. I wish I’d known that.

“Sharing your mess—our mess—would still be my greatest gift.”

Her chest deflates, her lips dipping into a resigned frown. “Cash, what if …”

“There is no end to that sentence that changes anything.” I pull her forehead to mine. “You are my whole world. I think I knew you would be before I ever knew your name.”

She presses her lips to mine, serenity finally washing over her. “I love you.”

“I know.” I shrug, flashing her my smile. “It was inevitable. And after how forward you were at Mardi Gras and that filthy mind, I braced myself.”

“You’re ridiculous.” She rolls her eyes with the feistiness that enthralls me. “And delusional.”

“And right. Pretty much everything I’ve ever said to you was spot-on.”

She rewards me with a laugh for that, like I hoped. “You’re the worst.”

Progress.

“And you love me.”

She throws her arms around my neck, nodding against my cheek. “I do. So much.”

“It’s good to practice those vows.” I kiss her temple, breathing her in and squeezing her tighter. “I love you, Sylv. We’re having a baby.”

A content sigh leaks from her. “We’re building a life.”

Sylvie is perched in a chair in the dining car, Jax on one side, me on the other, and her burner phone open on the table. On speaker.

“I see your train coming,” E says. “Are you alone?”