AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Could you do all that? Be all that and not go insane? Now before you answer and doom me to a fate you aren’t sure you’d survive, tell me you’d still think the same way if this was your daughter we were talking about. You’d be okay with Ruby walking in my shoes?”
Orion’s jaw ticks as Luna looks like she wants to throw up.
“No matter what I can do, I’m still a person. No more and no less than you.”
“Bullshit,” Crew snaps.
I jump at his tone, and Zig moves to stand behind me, his chest pressing against my back and his large hand resting on my hip.
“Careful, Crew,” Zig warns him.
But Crew walks over to me, ignoring Zig and Oz completely as he cups my jaw. “You are more than all of us here put together. Call me a coward, but like fuck could I do any of that. I like to think I’m a good guy, but I’m no martyr. You saved their lives, and that makes you my friend for as long as you’ll have me. Ignore anyone else who tells you otherwise. Opinions are like assholes; everyone has them, and some of them are just plain shitty.”
I screw my nose up in distaste, but I can’t help the chuckle that comes with it. “That is both sweet and gross. Thanks, I think.”
He winks at me before standing next to Zig, crossing his arms as he glares down at Orion, clearly showing who he stands with.
One by one, the other Apex guys walk over to me, place a kiss on my forehead, and stand with me, letting me know exactly which side they are on. I don’t even try to stop the tears from flowing down my face.
Standing up, Luna slowly approaches me. "I see why my brothers love you, and I'd love to get to know you better if that's ok." She shuffles a little closer. This whole situation is fucked-up, but I’m not going to start breaking this team apart when I think we could all be so much stronger together. Plus, I think we could be really good friends.
“I’d like that.”
"Good, but to be fair, you really didn't have a choice," she tells me dryly before smiling broadly. And I can't help it. I laugh.
I pull away from the guys and step up to her, both of us leaning in for a hug. A flutter against my stomach makes me gasp as she pulls back.
“You felt that, huh?” She laughs.
“I didn’t think you were that far along. You’re tiny.”
“I know. I think I’m carrying a boy because everything about this pregnancy is different from the first. I sure as hell didn’t look like this at five months with Ruby.”
“Want me to tell you?” I ask before I can think better of it.
She looks at me with wide eyes before Orion stands and walks over to wrap his arms around her shoulders.
I drop my hands and take a step back.
“No, don’t be fucking scared of me. I’m a lot of things, and some of them aren’t good, but I don’t hurt women, and I sure as shit won’t be starting with you,” Orion’s gruff voice tells me.
I nod quickly, but I keep my distance.
“You can really tell what she’s having? We have a scan booked for next week, but…” Halo trails off as he looks at me.
“But you can’t wait?” I grin.
“It won’t hurt you, though, right?” Nash asks from behind me.
I laugh, and something loosens in my chest. “No, this won’t hurt at all. May I?” I ask Luna, but I keep my eyes on Orion.
He doesn’t say anything, he just moves his big hands to Luna’s stomach and slides her T-shirt up.
“Do I need to lie down or anything?”
“No, this is fine.” I reach forward, placing both hands on her stomach, and concentrate until I can find what I’m after, then smile.
“Well, hello, little man.” My smile falters when I find something else.
