“That’s illegal.”
“Wives sometimes go missing. It’s an act of protection. Not all of the members are lucky enough to be married to runners.” He flashes me a weak smile. He’s a far cry from the raging monster at the clinic.
“I want to end our marriage. I made a mistake.”
“No.Idid.”
“How do we annul the marriage?” I look up at him, my eyes aching.
“We’re not going to annul our marriage. You can keep the baby, Selena. We’ll work around it. You and I know this is not an ideal situation, but it’s not the baby’s fault. We made a mistake, and we made a life.”
“I don’t want to think of him as a mistake,” I say softly.
“Him?”
“I don’t know. He gives me boy vibes. I’m so sick all the time,” I laugh a little because that sounds horrible. I’m sure my nausea isn’t morning sickness yet, just nerves. I’ve been terrified since I ran from the altar.
“That sounds about right for a son of mine,” he says with a grin. “Look. It’s six in the morning. I drove all night to get here. I’m tired, and you look like you could use some real rest. But I’m not staying here. Let’s get your things and find a suitable hotel.”
He lets me go and picks up my purse. “Is this all you have?”
“I left straight from the hospital.” I shrug. Then I look up at him. “Griffin. This is too much. I can’t just fuck you and raise a surprise baby you don’t want in a penthouse by myself while you disappear to work. It’s lonely. At least Landon liked me.”
“I like you.” He cups my face and kisses my cheek. “The truth is, I’m afraid to love you. And him.” He touches my belly, softly.“I’m terrified of love. But if there is a person in this world who is worth trying for, it’s you. I don’t deserve you. I rented you for a year, and you have every right to leave me. I can see it in your eyes.” He swipes his thumb over my tears. “A marriage and a baby shouldn’t do this to you.”
“But we made a deal. I agreed to it. You were very clear about what you wanted, and this isn’t it.”
“If I didn’t want a baby, I should have been more careful. My DNA is under my control, and I let go. That baby is mine. You are mine, whether you want to be or not. I married you. I chose you to bear my name.”
“Only so you can make partner,” I remind him.
“If all I wanted was a wife, I could have ordered one through the Society. It is a service we can request. I could have gotten a beautiful bride who wanted nothing but citizenship or money. But I wantedyou.”
“Why?” I ask, feeling small. “Just my body?”
“Your body. Your snarky little personality. I wanted to catch the only girl who ran. I wanted you dripping in diamonds and cum.” He laughs at himself.
“Well, that went to plan.” I glare at him, and a small laugh escapes me.
“Yes. But it turns out what I like most about you is your big... fucking heart. It’s enormous, and it is the best thing about you.” He kisses my lips gently. “Now, I have to get out of this motel because I’m going to itch for a week. I want to discuss plans. The most pressing one is that I want to meet your sister.”
I’m shocked.
“I’ll fly her out here. Wine and dine her so she likes me. I also think tomorrow we should look for a house. Something with a yard.”
He’s clearly lost his mind.
“Griffin?” I touch his arm. “Maybe we should just get out of here first. You’re spiraling.”
“Okay.”
I let him lead me out to a waiting black SUV.
“Of course you have a driver.”
“I have people for everything. Don’t give me flak; I had to come get you. Unlike your previous lover, I’m not letting you go.” He helps me into the car.
“To the Greenhouse Inn,” he tells the driver, then closes the partition.
