Page 65 of Love Gamble
I want him, and I have for the longest time. This is the man I couldn’t escape, the one who, for whatever reason, kept calling out to me. No matter what was going on in my life, or how angry or annoyed I was at Damon, underneath it all, it was always him.
And now, I don’t know what to do.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Damon
Corey goes quiet after our conversation, and I have to admit that what she said caught me off guard. I watch her with Julian all the time, the way she lights up when she sees him, and dotes on him, and is forever rushing to steal him away from Julianna or Romeo. But I guess that doesn’t mean she would definitely want her own, so this is a conversation I’m glad came up. I think she’d be a wonderful mother, but at the end of the day it’s her choice.
I’ve always wanted children, ever since I can remember, but I also don’t want to lose Corey. I guess I could always play the uncle role to all the MC members’ kids. That wouldn’t be so bad.
But I think it’s fine to say that now. Years down the line, will I regret it?
Fucking hell.
I thought the hardest part of us getting together was over and that it would be smooth sailing from now on, but of course that was naive of me. All relationships require work, compromise, and effort. And even though we are crazy about each other, ours will be no different.
I decide to let it go for now, we’re knee-deep with Tatum, and I know that it’s not going to be long until Gio figures out he’s missing and makes his next move.
“Do you want to go out for breakfast or something? Before shit hits the fan,” I suggest, and she lights up.
“Yes, I’d love that. Let me go and get ready.”
I grab my phone—one of the men found it in the clubhouse parking lot—and I let Romeo know we’re heading out for an hour and ask if we need to get anything on the way.
“I think we’re good, just be diligent,” he says, squeezing the bridge of his nose. “They still haven’t found the camera Jeremiah planted, so we have eyes on them for now. They’re all still there.”
“Good.” I nod, resting my hand on his shoulder. “It’s all going to be fine.”
He cracks a small smile. “Having a kid makes all this shit way more stressful. Normally I’d be in my element right now; instead I’m worried something might happen to Julian or Julianna. Or Corey or Bella.”
“We won’t let anything happen,” I assure him.
And for a moment I wonder if maybe Corey is right, and bringing a child into this environment isn’t the best thing.
She comes out in a denim skirt and a tight white top, and suddenly I’m hungry for something else. Her wide smile as she holds on to her bag, ready to go, makes me unexplainably happy.
“Come on, let’s get you fed, then,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “What are you in the mood for? There’s that new place that does those fancy bagels and cake; I’ve been wanting to go there.”
“Me, too, that sounds perfect.”
We step outside just as a familiar car pulls up to park. And then a familiar blonde gets out of the car, her face turning sour when she sees me and Corey.
Fucking hell.
“What is she doing here?” I mutter, holding on to Corey tighter.
“So, now we know why you broke up with me,” Melinda sneers, looking at Corey like she’d like to strangle her. “What, am I too old for you?”
I grit my teeth, trying to stay calm. “What do you want, Melinda? You aren’t welcome here, and now is really not a good time.”
“There will be no good time to tell you what I’m here to say,” she says with an evil grin. A shiver goes down my spine at her smug expression.
“What?” I demand.
She puts her hand on her stomach. “I’m pregnant. And it’s yours.”
I feel Corey stiffen next to me, and I hold on to her even tighter, panic taking over me. Is she serious? My blood turns to ice.