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The house was quiet and felt empty. I glanced into the kitchen, but found the place empty. I headed for the study. In my mind’s eye, I saw London there before I even stepped into the doorway, hunched over, working on tracking Hale down, his eyes brightening when he saw me.
That image stayed with me as I stepped in and found him in the same position I’d imagined.
“Morning.”
He didn’t lift his head, didn’t meet my gaze. There was dried blood splatter on the rolled sleeves of his white shirt. But I’d learned not to ask questions. Mostly because I’d be sickened at the answer. Still, he remained focused on the spreadsheet in front of him.
“I said, morning.”
“I heard you.”
Oh, okay. Pain bloomed like a deadly rose. I swallowed down its foul scent and glanced at the spreadsheet. It was bank statements, lots and lots of bank statements. “Anything I can help with?”
“No.”
“Fine,” I muttered, and turned, feeling pissed off. But the moment I stepped back into the doorway, he spoke.
“The meeting you wanted…it’s tonight.”
I froze, the words resounding as I spun. Had I heard right? No, I must be imagining things, just like I’d imagined him smiling at the sight of me. “What?”
With a hard, slow exhale, he lifted his head and repeated. “The meeting you wanted is happening tonight.”
“But I thought you said no?”
He eased back in his chair. “I changed my mind.”
Panicky, elated thoughts slammed into me. He could be as moody as he wanted. I was about to see Ryth. I was about to see my sister.
I lurched forward, then flew across the room and flung my arms around him. “Thank you. Oh, God.” I closed my eyes. “Thank you, London. I know you didn’t want to do this.”
He gripped my arms, then pulled me close. I buried my head against his neck and inhaled. He smelled like exhaustion and gunpowder. Both made me ache for him a little more.
“I…I want you to be prepared.” His words were strained. I lifted my head, meeting that dark stare as he continued. “Ryth is tired and her stepbrothers are…nervous, as expected.”
He searched my gaze as he spoke, and a heavy feeling dropped into my stomach. There were things he wasn’t saying, things he was holding back from me. Was that the reason for the icy reception? Because he was worried about Ryth’s brothers?
“As we are with you,” he finally added, his gaze moving down to settle on my stomach.
It hit me then. He was scared. He was so fucking scared I was going to lose the baby…
Babiesss, remember?
He was scared I was going to lose our babies.
Then, in a smooth, flawless movement, he slipped from the chair until his knees hit the floor. His hands went around me, sliding up the backs of my thighs until he cupped my ass…and he gently pressed his face against my stomach.
“We’re so close, Vivienne. So damn close. I can’t let anything happen now. I can’t let anything happen to you.”
I looked down at the deadly, ruthless male on his knees for me and saw his fear as clearly as I saw him now. “It won’t.” I lifted my hand, sliding my fingers through his gray-flecked black hair. “It won’t.”
He said nothing, just pressed his face against me. A shudder ripped through him, one so violent it jerked me forward. I’d expect nothing less from this man. I caressed his head, my heart pounding in the back of my throat.
I’d seen him violent.
I’d seen him bloody.
But this silence.
