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Rafe stared at him. He ran his hands through his hair. “How the hell did that happen?”
Behind him Oskar chuckled. “Oh man, this is going to take a while. So a long time ago there were some birds and some bees.”
“Shut up,” Rafe growled.
Oskar held up his hands. “Sorry man, I was trying to give you the basics. If you don’t know how babies get here, I can help. But you have to listen closely.”
Rafe ignored him and stared at the doctor. “You’re sure she’s pregnant?”
The doctor nodded. “Yeah. It’s early. Like I said, this is nothing that can’t be solved with rest and proper nutrition. She should be fine. I did recommend that she start her prenatal vitamins right now though, especially folic acid.”
The doctor left, and R
afe stared at the door in complete shock. He knew how this had happened, of course. That day. He’d shoved her up against the wall. He’d been so angry. But he’d also known in that moment that he loved her and didn’t want to let her go…
Noah’s voice was low. “Do you need help? You want Lucia to go in with you or something?”
Rafe shook his head. “I got this.”
He pushed open the door of the room then shut it quietly behind himself. She lifted her head and gave him a small smile. “See. I told you. I’m fine.” She tried to sit up, but he was on her in a flash, pushing her back down gently.
“You are not fine. Doc said you need rest.”
She waved her hand. “Oh, come on. I’m totally fine. It’s low blood pressure. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
He stared down at her, and then his knees buckled. Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm then placed his other hand on her belly.
When his gaze drifted up to hers, her eyes were wide with surprise and fear. “You know?”
He nodded. “I know.”
“I was going to tell you. But I just wanted some time first.”
He frowned. “What? Why?”
“I don’t want you to be with me just because I’m pregnant. I wanted you to be with me because of me. Because you love me. And we’ve had too much stuff going on. And this baby I just—”
He swallowed hard. “You want the baby?”
She scrambled backward on the bed and nodded emphatically. “Of course I want the baby. I just— I didn’t want to tell you until we knew what was happening with us.”
He breathed a long sigh of relief. “Okay. Thank God. Here’s what’s going on with us so that we’re perfectly clear. I belong to you. You belong to me. And I will maim or kill anyone who tries to hurt either of you. Understood?”
Her lips twitched into a smile. “Well, when you put it that way.”
Rafe changed positions so he could sit on the edge of the bed. When he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, he made himself a promise. He was going to keep her safe. It didn’t matter what it took.
Even if he had to sacrifice his life to make it happen.
Rafe looked down at the hand resting on Diana’s belly. There wasn’t much to see there yet, just a gentle curve under the skin. If he hadn’t known what she looked like before, he might have missed it. But there was no denying the change. A change brought about by his baby. He was almost knocked over by the bone-deep wave of possessive love that flowed through him at that moment.
Mine.
He fought to keep his expression neutral when he knew he must look like a feral animal. Diana could never know the true depth of how he felt about her. If she did, she’d run away at the first opportunity. It wasn’t something that he could even explain; it was just a feeling. That she was his to protect and care for. It was the greatest honor and purpose of his life. One he’d perform until he had no breath left in his body.
“I know you said you’re okay,” he started.
Before he could even finish, Diana glared at him. “Don’t start with me. It’s way too early for you to go all crazy protective on me. I passed out just because I’m exhausted and overwhelmed by everything that’s happened. But I’m fine. Physically anyway.”
