Page 260 of Red Marked

I can’t.

“Who were the three people?” I ask.

“Magma first. He’s been trying to get me to see reason for weeks. He’s been trying to pull my head straight for years. That male deserves a medal. Then Scarlet told me I was an idiot for letting you go.”

“No!” I cover my mouth. I drop my hand. “Please tell me she didn’t.”

“Yep.” He nods. “She did, and she was right.”

I groan. “Oh, Scarlet.” I love her so hard.

“It’s fine. She cares about you. Then Atlas, and he didn’t pull any punches.” He looks into my eyes, and his whole face changes. All the tension goes out of it. “I built all these walls, and you got through every one of them. Despite my best efforts. I’m so in love with you I can’t see straight. I want to hear your food-gasms every day. I want to hear your orgasms every day too. I want you, Star. And it isn’t only about sex.” A panicked look crosses his face.

I giggle.

“I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to get to know you better. The thought of mating someone and having kids still terrifies me. I’m not going to lie about that. But when I think about doing those things with you, about having a whole life with you, I’m⁠—”

His phone goes off again.

“Fuck!” He yanks it out. “It’s Magma. He’s destroying this moment. Why does he keep calling me?”

“Take the call, Flint. It must be important.”

“What?” he snarls into the phone. It’s really cute to see him so rattled.

Magma’s voice comes through loud enough that I can hear every word. “Hello to you too, you asshole.”

“I’m trying to get the girl here. I’m begging Star to take me back.” Flint’s eyes come to mine and go soft. “I had everything I was going to say all planned out, and you’re ruining it.”

He planned this.

“What is so important that it can’t wait five fucking minutes?”

“Carla is in labor.”

“What?” Flint’s eyes go wide. “Since when? It’s far too early, though, isn’t it?”

“Since last night, and yes, it’s far too early. It can happen with twins.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“It was the middle of the night, Flint.”

“So what? You should have called.”

“We were hoping to stop it. They admitted her to Draig Hospital and put her on an IV. For a while, it looked like it was working.”

“It obviously stopped working.” Flint sounds worried.

“Yes, her water broke. They’re coming. As in right fucking now, and I’m terrified. I’m about to be a father.”

“I’m on my way.”

“What about getting the girl? You need to get the girl first.”

“I’m on my way, Magma. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Okay. Hurry. It’s all happening really quickly. I’m about to be a father. You’re about to be a godfather. Fuuuuuck, Flint.” The line goes dead.