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“And what about raising our father?” I begin. “He’s toxic. You know this.”
Athena smirks. “We’re all toxic. Nothing is going to change that. But something about Ani tells me she’s accepted that fact.”
I sit back down and stare at my sister. “I know for a fact that I want Ani. I want this baby. I have no idea how everything else will work, but I know the basics. There is a primal need inside me that wants her in my arms. Never to let go.”
“I think you have your answer,” Athena says.
“I do, too. My gut is screaming for me to listen to my heart and to tell my cautious mind to shut the fuck up.” I run my hands through my hair and take in a deep breath. “Jesus Christ. Am I really considering this? What am I saying here?”
“I think you need to take the Godwin jet to Madrid,” Athena answers.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
Ani
“You can go fuck yourself,” I say as I try to slam my bedroom door in his face.
How dare Phoenix just show up here and try to enter my room as if nothing had happened. When Phoenix’s shoe blocks the door from closing, I add, “You said my penance was over once I’m pregnant. Well, I am. So, now you have to leave me alone.”
“I’d like to come inside,” Phoenix says. “Hear me out, and then I’ll leave if you still want me to.”
It is odd to hear him ask permission and not just demand his way in. There is no aggression, no threats, no intimidation. That alone has me backing away as he opens the door fully and enters.
“I expected you to remain in Olympus Manor… in the attic,” I say softly.
“I was,” Phoenix says.
I have my hand on my belly protectively until I notice him staring down at where my palm sits.
“How do you feel? Dio said you were ill during the travel here,” Phoenix says.
“Just morning sickness,” I answer shortly. I don’t know why he’s in my room appearing to care, and it unnerves me. “The doctor arrived this morning and examined me. Everything is fine, and the baby is fine. He said the heartbeat sounded healthy.”
Phoenix lights up before me in a way I have never seen before. His usual dark eyes sparkle as he continues to stare at my stomach. His eyes are fixated as if he can see the baby inside.
“I’m about six weeks along,” I add.
I have no idea why I am not seething any longer or at the very least afraid that he’ll treat me like he did in the manor. I should be calling him every name in the book but instead am excited to talk about baby news with… the father of my baby.
“When will we know the sex?” Phoenix asks.
We? That word seems so foreign to me.
“In about twelve more weeks. It’s also too soon for the doctor to tell if I’m having twins or not. He said with you having twins in your family, it’s likely I could.”
After a moment of awkward silence, Phoenix speaks up. “Why don’t we go for a walk? One of the reasons I liked this place when buying it was that it sat on a few acres of beautiful countryside. I think we should go check it out. Some fresh air could do us good.”
It’s unlike Phoenix to want to go outside so easily, but this is a different place. Not his home. Not his safety zone. Does he feel like the walls are closing in on him just as much as I do? Now that we aren’t in the manor, the energy between us is different, off in many ways. Uncertain, for sure.
I am angry. But not really.
I am hurt. But also happy he is in front of me.
I am confused… very much so.
“The shoes you bought for me in the closet are a little too big,” I say as I go to find a pair to put on. “But I was reading in a pregnancy book the doctor gave me that I could expect my feet to expand and swell. So, I guess that’s a good thing.”
“I’ll get you more shoes,” Phoenix says.
I have no doubt. I am sure that when it comes to materialistic items, Phoenix will buy me whatever my heart desires. The thing is… I am not a materialistic person. I want so much more. Things that don’t cost money, and things that this man clearly isn’t willing to give.
As we head outside, Dio is standing by the front door with two other men in suits.
“All is secure,” Dio says. “Cameras, sensors, security gates around the full property. I personally toured the premises myself.”
“Thank you, Dio,” Phoenix says. “There’s an envelope inside on the kitchen counter waiting for you. But I’d like you to stay for a few more days. I will need to brief you on some security business for Medusa in the States I will want you to handle while we are here.” Phoenix places his hand on my lower back as we take the stairs down.
