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“You can’t go on another hunger strike.”
Her stare is withering. “I’m nauseous.”
“Do you want to see a physician?”
“Will they have some cure for the stress of being kidnapped, mentally tortured, then forced to marry a mob boss and be impregnated by one of his…whatevers?”
I blink at her, not surprised at her words but at the anger in them. “Have you changed your mind about all this?”
“No,” she snaps, then softens and puts her hands over her face. “I’m sorry. Fuck, I feel so irrational. I…I feel like I knew what I was getting into on paper, but it’s real now. It’s…God, there’s ababyinside me right now.”
I rise and carefully step toward her, bracing myself on the table while offering her my other hand. It takes her a moment to grab it, but I pull her to her feet, holding her close and tilting her chin. I want nothing more than to kiss her. Hell, I want nothing more than to lay her out on this table and eat her sweet little cunt until she can’t think of any other words exceptyes, andplease, andHades.
Instead, I brush my thumb over her lips like a promise, like a little torment because I know she wants it as much as I do. And the wait is killing her just as much as it is me. “Be brave, little darling. I’ll make all of this worth it for you. And if it helps at all, we’re all shit scared of failing this child. You’re not alone.”
She rolls her eyes, but she seems to hold herself a little easier as I step back, and she wraps her arms around her middle. She’s wearing one of James’ exercise hoodies, and it dwarfs her, and it looks more delicious on her than anything else she owns. She gives me a coy look over her shoulder as she heads out, and I force myself to take a moment because my control is slipping.
This woman—this young thing who was brought up by my enemy—has me ready to drop to my knees.
What the hell have I become?
Chapter16
JAMES
I domy best not to let my impatience get the better of me as we wait for Kane and Alice. Phoenix is sulking in the corner near the piano with a glass of scotch, and Ari’s gaze is flickering between the both of us like he’s trying to decide if he wants to rile us up or not. I’m hoping he’s choosing not because tonight is not the night to start anything.
It took Phoenix three days to assess all of the information he gathered and conduct a little surveillance of his own before he was ready to share. He called me into his office just before dinner to tell me that Rhys has been in contact with Leo Ricci consistently for the better part of a year. Rhys has been cycling through burners, so it took Phoenix hacking into Leo’s records to trace the messages and calls.
There’s nothing to indicate what Rhys is planning except that he plans to allow Leo to have access to Alice at some point during the engagement party. Their messages are vague because neither of them is stupid. They’ve just severely underestimated Phoenix’s abilities.
The most damning evidence is the shots of Rhys’ phone screen from Phoenix’s camera the day on the yacht. Rhys took the bait and was openly texting with Leo as Phoenix was going over the security plans.
Phoenix was trembling with anger, but I know he’s going to trust Kane to handle it. And I also know Kane isn’t going to cancel this party. To call it off would be a show of weakness he can’t afford if his closest members are starting to plot against him.
He’ll have to make this a public spectacle.
Which, of course, is where Ari will come in.
I look over at our little psychopath, and I can see the hunger building in his eyes. Kane’s had him on small errands, but he hasn’t stained his hands red since we rescued Kane. I can tell the itch is becoming unbearable, and I almost feel sorry for Rhys. He’ll have no idea what’s coming.
“Are they taking a fuck break?” Phoenix snaps after what feels like forever.
Ari rolls his eyes and catches my gaze so I’ll interpret for him. ‘That masochist is forcing himself to wait. But if Alice needs something to calm her down, I have time.’
Phoenix and I both stiffen. Right now would be the worst time to leave Ari alone with her, and though Phoenix can’t see me, I know he can read the solidarity of our collective silence.
It will never happen.
Before Phoenix can have another outburst, the door to the study opens and Alice walks in. She still looks shaken, and her eyes move between the three of us before she goes and settles against Ari’s side. It’s a surprise because I know that in spite of her inexperience, she can feel him reaching his limit. Maybe it’s a test to see how far he’ll go now that he knows she’s—
I struggle to even think the word, but I have no choice. She’spregnant. Kane’s plan was a success, and she’s carrying my child. The idea had seemed deliciously abstract because I’ve never shied away from how turned on I get at the thought of knocking someone up. But the reality?
And the danger I know she’s in?
The afternoon had been tense after Kane brought the positive test down. Alice and I had taken a moment to process, but she hadn’t spoken a word about it. She just stared at the little white stick for agonizingly long minutes, then turned on her heel and went upstairs.
When I knocked on her door, she refused to see me, so I spent the remainder of the day in the gym trying to sweat out the nerves that were permanently attached to my gut.
