“Just today when I got incredibly ill before lunch. I cut my day short and got into bed. I woke up every hot and Ri- um, Takeda-san,” I quickly amend. “Took care to draw me a bath, then we saw the blood.” Heat flames my face at sharing such intimate details.
“Okay, let’s have a look, shall we?” Lifting my top, she smears warm jelly low on my pelvis. The presses the Doppler there, moving it around as she look at a small screen it’s attached to.
Almost immediately we hear a fast swooshing sound. Riyu’s grip sharpens before it gentles into a barely there caress.
“Heartbeats are strong, Mrs. Takeda.” She smiles at the screen before turning it to us so we can see our baby for the first time. Based on the size and position they look to be around eight weeks gestation.”
“They?” Riyu sounds stunned.
“Yes. Congratulations, You’re having twins.” She looks up beaming at us.
Chapter 18
? ~ Love
Bridget
“I know you fucking lying.” Groggily, I stare down at the velvet box I just opened and my copper IUD winking back at me.
“I know this motherfucker?—”
“If were you, I’d be very careful of my next words.” Comes the wrathful words from the figure cloaked in darkness, standing in the shadows of the room before the windows that spill out onto the grounds of the forest beyond.
Clamping my mouth shut, I watch as Takashi approaches our bed.
Crossing my arms over my breasts, I watch him as he sinks down right next to me, turning in my direction, crossing his legs way too nonchalantly for my comfort.
“Ah.” Gaze narrowing, he regards me, eyes narrowing with razor blade’s sharpness. “I see the recklessness abates, but the cravenness never ceases.” His language is sharp, almost guttural, as he lambaste me.
“I’m no coward.” I seethe, hating him for how his words make me feel. We’d been getting on rather well in the weeks since Ev and I returned from the Shipmoores. We’d beenworking on a presentation for BITE, our company, to present to Tekmoto, an arm of Takeda Industries, when Ev found out she was pregnant. The word spread among the family once the baby was said to be doing well.
Happy for my friend, I didn’t miss the not-so-subtle change in Takashi when his twin shared the news that he and Ev were going to be parents in about seven months.
To his credit, Riyu hasn’t been too overbearing, steeling himself for checking on Ev several times a day.
I should have known Takashi would be suspicious.
“Having kids is not even on my radar, Ti.” Shrugging, I give him the facts.
“Ever?” Stone cold, the question holds no emotion.
“This would have been a great discussion to have before you and your brother stole Ev and me from our life, don’t you think?” I can’t seem to help the snark in my question. “I don’t know, maybe not. I know that makes me unsuitable for a wife of the exalted Takeda and the legacy y’all hold so dear.”
If I was expecting him to be crestfallen, I’d be sorely disappointed.
Instead, he smirks, shaking his head before letting out a rough chuckle, before throwing his head back for a full-bodied laugh.
He even swipes tears from the corner of his eyes before his gaze rests on me again.
Leaning in, he cups my chin. Taking my lips, his mouth claims mine.
“If you think I give a fuck about that, you have a lot to learn, my little vicious one.”
Standing, he looks down at me, his expression severe once again.
“We will revisit this when you want to. Then you can have your little device removed.” Taking the velvet box, he snaps it shut.
“Y-you didn’t have it removed?” Emotion nearly robs me of words.
