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Gavin sat back and raised his eyebrows, a stunned look across his face. “Wow.”
She nodded. “I know. I’m so excited but… it’s not quite the right timing. So since the baby’s due date is set… the wedding date will have to be soon.”
“Of course,” he said, recovering quickly. Then he looked at me. “Are you sure the child is yours?”
“Absolutely. Selena cares for Dominic and Xander, but she hasn’t been with them. This child is mine.”
“When do you want to get married?” he asked.
She’d spun that lovely, convenient lie about being raised by a very religious uncle. “Selena’s family is old fashioned and she doesn’t feel like she can announce the pregnancy to them before there’s a wedding ring on her finger.”
She ducked her head, an embarrassed flush crawling up her neck. I admired the complete control she had. “We’ll pretend the baby is… early.”
“So, soon.” Gavin’s voice had turned icy. He’d already agreed, and he must feel maneuvered into something he didn’t want.
I might have felt some pity if that hadn’t maneuvered me that same way my entire life.
“Soon,” I confirmed. “We can have a small gathering with family and friends next week… if you give your blessing.”
Gavin sighed. “This is all moving so fast, Aiden.”
“I know,” I said, taking her hand and holding it in her lap. I gave it a squeeze. “But I have to take care of my wife and child. Just as you’ve always said.”
“If anyone can pull off a hasty wedding, you can,” my father stood. “And I’ll prepare for the transfer. It wasn’t what I planned, but I’ve been looking forward to retirement. You can do all the work from now on.”
He gave me a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
I whistled once he had gone. “That’s quite the story, Selena.”
She met my gaze. “It’s not a story, Aiden. My period’s late, so I took a test this morning.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
She nodded.
I grinned, wanting to grab her and kiss her, but it wasn’t just my baby. “Dominic! Xander!”
Dominic sauntered in, Rocky at Dominic’s heels. Xander followed, his fingers ink-smeared and his eyes intense.
“Tell them our news,” I told her.
Dominic frowned expectantly. Xander touched his fingers to her lower back, always unable to resist touching her if they were in the same room.
Selena said, “I’m pregnant.”
It took a few seconds for it to register. Then Dominic let out a delighted laugh. Xander grabbed Selena and kissed her. Selena kissed him back, but she was stiffer than usual and she pulled away after a few seconds.
Rocky ran around their legs excitedly, barking as if she understood the joyful emotions even if she didn’t understand the words.
Selena stopped our celebration by raising her hand, though she also dropped to her knees to pet Rocky. “I’m not sure what to do… I’m still a Belladonna.”
She twisted the hem of her shirt in her fingers as she looked up at us, and it was the first time I’d seen Selena genuinely nervous. “I don’t want to bring up a baby while I’m an assassin, never knowing when I’m going to be on the receiving end of my own justice. But I also don’t want to bring my baby up as a criminal… the heir to a criminal empire.”
“But Selena,” Dominic said. “We can use our power for good.”
She nodded. “Like at the pier. But that’s not enough.”
I turned to Dominic. “Like the pier?”
