His hand slides down my chest, then settles over my stomach. He rubs slow, careful circles there, like he already knows exactly what he’s touching.
“I don’t know for sure,” I whisper. “The dates line up. I missed my period. I’ve been sick. It just… it all points to the same thing.”
His eyes close. He leans forward until his forehead rests against mine, breathing me in like he needs it to survive. “I hope you are,” he says quietly. “I really fucking hope you are. I’ll pray for it when I walk into that church today, and I’ve never prayed a day in my life.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him like letting go might break us.
“I want it too,” I admit. “I just… I don’t want to get excited yet. Not until we know. I just want you to come home.”
He nods immediately. No hesitation. “I will.” His voice is steady, resolute. “And I swear to you, Lily, I’ll be the best dad I can possibly be. I won’t let you down.”
He shifts down the bed, gently lifting my cami to expose my stomach, and presses a soft, reverent kiss there.
I thread my fingers through his hair and let him have this moment—because I know what today means for him. I know how dangerous this is. And we both know the truth neither of us will say out loud.
Every time he walks out that door, there’s a chance he won’t come back.
That’s the price of his life.
And I really need my Drago to come home.
“Once this is over,” I whisper, “we’ll get a test. Then we’ll know for sure.”
He looks up at me with a smile so full of hope it almost breaks me. “I don’t need a test,” he says softly. “I can feel it in my soul. Our baby is in there.”
I nod, because I feel it too. Like my body’s been whispering it for weeks and my heart is finally listening.
He crawls back up until his face is inches from mine and kisses me, slow and full of promise. “Just one more day,” he murmurs. “Then we give this little one the life every kid deserves.”
“I love you,” I breathe.
“I love you,” he answers without hesitation. “Forever.”
Then he stands, forcing his body away from mine as if it physically hurts him.
“Lev will bring up your water,” he tells me.
Then he blows me a kiss with a wink, taking two steps toward the door before he pauses and turns back like he can’t help himself.
Our eyes meet.
His expression is possessive and sweet and devastating.
Like he’s memorizing me. Like he’s promising me the rest of his life if he gets to keep it.
Then he’s gone, and the silence that follows makes me feel hollow, and a wave of nausea makes me jump out of bed straight to the bathroom.
I need today to just be over.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Drago
I follow behind Declan, watching as he drops his gun into the box the priest is holding.
I just keep reminding myself Lily is safe. She’s with Lev. This is the end. I’m going to be a dad. That’s the one thought that is getting me through this.
I was always going to fight like hell to get back to my girl. But knowing there is a chance she’s carrying our baby. Our fucking future.
