Page 47 of Stolen Bride
“I didn’t know I was pregnant until now. My stomach being in knots could have been from my fear of leaving, butwhen I was here, I woke up sick, unable to stop. We weren’t careful.”
“Subconsciously, I wanted my child in you so I’d be forced to change my word. I’m the biggest fool.”
“No, but why didn’t fucking Gracie tell me about your past?” she snaps, trying to push me off again, but I’m not having that.
“She doesn’t know,” I sigh. As I say it, I feel like a bigger prick. Gracie has no idea how much of a betrayal her actions were. To her, Stella needed to be freed, and I needed to see the error of my ways.
“My relationship with my sister is in a bad place. I may have reacted poorly to her actions.”
“Oh, no. Please tell me you didn’t hurt her.” I slam my eyes shut, unable to look at my wife. Her rejection is more than I can handle.
“Dame, tell me, is she alive?”
“Of course, but I might have been a little out of control. My father and Gabe stopped me from choking her.”
“I need a moment.”
“Please don’t go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I give her the space she needs, but she doesn’t move far. She only sits on the edge of the bed. “I feel so bad for going to her for help.”
“Don’t. This is between Grace and me. She knew what she was doing even if she didn’t know about my grandfather. It was like she was doing it to spite me. To try and prove that she wasn’t this sweet little naïve girl I thought she was.”
“She did want to prove she isn’t a child anymore.”
“That’s because she thought I didn’t see her as more than a piece of meat for men and too weak to take care of herself, but I was only doing what big brothers do. A big brother with more power than any other.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s in front of them.” Stella releases a soft yawn.
“Oh, I’m sorry, little angel. It’s been a trying day. Let’s sleep.”
“Will you stay?” she asks, sliding down under the covers.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.”
A soft smile spreads over her face. “Can we go home tomorrow?” she asks, staring up at me as I undo my cuffs.
I consider returning, and despite the lack of traction on Jones’s whereabouts, I’m not ready to head back. “No,” I answer, undoing my shirt.
“No?” Sadness fills her eyes.
“Don’t look so devastated, my angel. I owe you a proper honeymoon.” I strip down to my boxers and slide under the covers, dragging my sweet wife into my arms. “Now close your eyes and get some sleep.”
Holding her soothes some of the tension that has been there since the moment I knew she was gone. My phone rings as my queen falls asleep. “What is it?” I snarl at Benz. I’ve already learned from my people that Benz is a traitor. Anything he says should be taken with a grain of salt. His sister is that slut my father killed all those years ago. He may have changed his appearance completely, but a recent slip up gave it all away.
“There’s movement outside the motel room. We’re getting ready to move on it, and it’s Rocco.” I know damn well itisn’t Rocco because we have eyes on him back in Miami, but my priority is getting Stella back.
“Shit. Hurry. I left Stella alone to get some dinner for her.” I untangle myself from Stella, snatch my clothes off the floor, and dress. “Baby, wake up.” I need you to put your clothes on fast. She starts to dress while I look for my bag, which is in the bathroom. My gun is in there. I’d been in such a rush that I’d forgotten I dropped it there when I saw the pregnancy test. My Sig is inside, ready to be clipped. I load the magazine as the door busts open. Fuck. I hide in the shower stall with the lights off.
“Ah, you little bitch.” Fuck, Jones is inside. “I knew he would leave you unprotected. You were just a way to get back at Baker.”
“What are you doing? I don’t have anything you want.”
“Oh, but you do. I’ve been waiting all these years for you. Young, ripe pussy that I’ve wanted to tap. After I take your pussy, I’ll dump your dead body for your husband to find.”
“Come near me, and you’ll regret it.”
“Hey, you’ll let me get a turn too. I’ve waited so damn long for my revenge. Once we’re done with her, his bitch little sister is next,” Benz says.