AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Layla sighs, her gaze darting away from mine. She’s clearly worried about her doctor, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. “Anyway, even from a doctor, her words weren’t comforting at all when I felt like I was growing at an exponential rate. And like, where’s the parenting book for half-alien half-human babies? Where do I live? Do I go home? Do I stay here?”
I laugh, turning to face her as we get to her room. “You’re going to be an amazing mom,” I say. “You’re a badass. Your kid is going to be a badass, just like you. And those are all questions you can answer later, with your super nice hot boyfriend by your side. For the time being, all you need to do is take a breather.”
She takes a deep breath, her lower lip trembling. “You’re right,” she says. “I’m so glad you came to get me.”
“Absolutely. I know you’d do the same for me,” I reply. “And honestly, I wouldn’t change a fucking thing.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
?
PENN
Romantic dinners look a whole lot different when you’ve got an alien mob boss, a spy, and a rockstar as boyfriends.
And no, that’s not the setup for a joke.
After I get Layla settled, I find myself whisked away to Atlas’ wing of the villa, where the table is already set. A guard comes to get me from my rooms, guiding me toward what I recognize as the dining room—where I had breakfast with Atlas, Keon, and Corvus just a couple days ago, before we left for Vahar.
They’re in the same position when I enter the dining room, Atlas across the table, Keon at his left hand, and Corvus with his back to me. The seat to Atlas’ right—my seat—is empty, a glass ofincarnetalready poured for me. Corvus’ eyes flash gold when I enter, a smile curving his lips, while Keon looks downright smug.
Atlas is serious as ever, though.
“Take a seat, wife,” he murmurs.
Pleasure simmers low in my belly at the sound of his voice—at how he still calls me his wife. I do as instructed, moving forward to sit where I belong. The guards leave us alone in the room, Atlas shooting an anxious glance in Corvus’ direction.
It’s a little awkward, actually. I have no idea what they were talking about before I got here, but I get the impression it had something to do with me. Corvus’ hand is on top of his glass, his finger skating around the rim in a way that’s almost profane as he stares at me. I take a sip of my drink and then put it down on the table, exhaling in frustration.
“Okay,” I say, looking at Atlas. “What is this about?”
Atlas sighs. “We were just discussing how best to keep you safe,” he says, “now that the Diavolos know of your existence.”
I frown. “What does that mean?”
“You put a target on your back by going on that rescue mission,” Keon says. “And they might be more willing to take women from the First Wave now, too.”
“Good luck,” I scoff. “I already told the Widow about the Diavolos’ deception. First Wave won’t be fucking with them anymore.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to need a whole team of people at your back,” Atlas says. “Layla was vulnerable with only Zaire protecting her, and I won’t see that happen to you.”
“So what are you suggesting?” I ask.
“That you get to keep all three of us,” Corvus says.
My eyebrows feel like they’re going to shoot right off of my face, they raise so high. “Oh.”
“Don’t play coy, darling Penn,” Keon says. “We all know you’ve wanted this since the moment you arrived on Aelydon. And it makes sense…we’re a good-looking bunch.”
Corvus grins over at him, and I sense that there’s more going on here than I know.
“Fair enough,” I say. “I think I’m just confused about why this negotiation happened without me.”
Corvus looks taken aback, cocking his head. “We just assumed—”
“Which you shouldneverdo in this kind of situation,” I say. “New rules: I set the terms of this agreement. Got it?”
The other two nod, while Atlas stays quiet. He’s the one I’m worried about here—not them. I reach for Atlas’ hand, and he entwines his fingers with mine. I meet his gaze, ignoring Corvus and Keon.
