Page 280 of Hate to Love You

“Not now, Ana!” Roman barks.

My attention snaps back to Roman, staring at the ring before staring at him.

“Why didn’t you ask?” I whisper, feeling a tear roll down my face.

“I wanted it to be your decision,” he says, locking eyes with me. “And, you know why.”

It’s then that I understand that Roman is giving me a choice. He knows how important control is to me, especially after everything Garrett Adams did. Not only did he control me, but he also abused me, and sold me into the sex trade, like I was worthless.

Roman would never.

My mafia man has always made me feel desired and worthy.

He gives me strength, without wanting anything in return.

Smiling at him softly, I step forward grabbing his hand in mine. But instead of taking the ring, I open his palm, causing him to drop it. Thankfully he quickly catches with his other hand before it hits the floor.

“You’re bleeding,” I say tearfully, yanking his tie aggressively from his neck.

Gently I wrap his fingers, pressing a kiss to each fingertip as I do.

“So, what do you say?”

“You broke the dagger.”

“Just the handle,” he shrugs, “I’ll get it fixed.”

There’s no stopping the tears that stream down my face uncontrollably, and I inhale sharply.

“You’ve been mine, Little Fox, since the moment I saw you,” he says, his blue eyes holding mine with ferocious intent, as he leans in to whisper against my earlobe. “...in that horrible pale yellow dress.”

A gasp escapes me, realizing that dress was the first dress I burnt after Garrett died.

Silently I stand, appraising this man, the same man who wanted me for years, but selflessly gave me up because he thought I was happy.

My happiness has always meant more to Roman than his own.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, my chest heaving.

“Awww!” Natalie sighs.

Slowly as I watch as the secret I’ve kept quiet for these past four weeks, slowly registers in Roman’s eyes. The most beautiful smile fills his face, and I watch his eyes glisten.

Slowly he reaches for my stomach, pressing gently.

“Mine,” he growls, possessively.

“It’s so romantic!” Natalie gushes.

“Are you crying, woman?!” Jaxon exclaims.

“Shut up!” She sniffles, smacking him again.

“So, Abigail,” Roman asks, taking my hands in his and biting his lip. “What do you say?”

But looking into his eyes, I know he already knows my answer, and he knows that he never really needed to ask at all.

“I do.”