Page 123 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Thea swiped at her eyes and nodded, but she bit her lip, digesting what I’d said. Finally, she swallowed, and a fresh tear rolled down her cheek. “Okay. Now tell me that test will be positive and that I have not spent the last two days trying and failing not to fall in love with our child, only to find out...”

And there was still fear in her voice, but there was also love. Fierce love. The kind of love I knew she would give unconditionally as a mother. I couldn’t stop myself. Hooking an arm around her, I drew her to me. As our lips met, I could feel the tension leave her body, and with it, the veil between us lifted. Golden warmth flooded through me—her magic—and I groaned against her mouth, relieved as its return. My hand reached for hers, and I pressed our palms together, answering with my own . As long as we had this, as long as we had each other, we could face anything that came our way. We were two halves of the same soul, and through our love, we’d made a miracle.

When we finally broke apart, she took a deep breath. “I guess I should take that test.”

“About that...” She was either about to be very pissed at me or relieved. I couldn’t be sure which. Thea lifted an eyebrow, but I pressed on. “You asked me to tell you that the test will be positive.”

Her breath caught, but she managed a nod.

“It will be,” I confessed, moving our joined hands to her stomach. “This morning...”

“What?” she gasped, clutching my fingers so tightly I thought she might actually break them.

“I heard it. I heard the baby’s heartbeat.”

Her eyes widened, her mouth hanging open slightly.

I continued quickly, “If you still want to take—”

“You heard the baby’s heart?” she said, her face going from dazed to awestruck. Then her eyes narrowed. “So, you planned to take me out on a boat because you knew?”

“Actually, I took you out because I needed to get my mind off it before I went crazy,” I admitted with a harsh laugh. “I was trying to respect your needs, pet.”

Her lips curled into a faint smile. “I know.” She held out her hand. “Give me the test.”

“You don’t trust my superior vampire senses?” I feigned outrage.

“Magic is great, but I’m a mortal, remember? I want to see it for myself.”

I rolled my eyes and handed it to her. But she didn’t move.

“Julian,” she pressed, shooing me away with her hand. “A little privacy.”

“Seriously?” I stared at her. “We share a soul.”

“Not a toilet. Let’s keep a little mystery alive.”

She continued to squawk at me as she pushed me toward the door. I took my time. Perhaps enjoying being the one to drag this out for once. When I finally had both feet out the door, she locked it behind me.

I can break the door down.

I heard her laugh on the other side of it. And whatever lingering worry I felt eased. I couldn’t blame her for being anxious. Fuck, I understood that. I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and tuned out her movements. She wanted her privacy. But that sent my thoughts drifting to the future—to those fears about the safety of her and our child and whether I would be a good father. I shook free of them. Together, we could face anything. And nothing and no one would come between us.

The door opened and Thea appeared, the test in her hand, as heavy footsteps pounded overhead. I lunged in front of Thea, knowing instantly it wasn’t the sound of my own security team.

“We have company,” I said through clenched teeth.

“Maybe the Queens sent—” The thought cut off as vampires streamed down the stairs into the cabin. Their black clothing bore the insignia of the Vampire Council.

“Stay back,” I warned her as they leveled guns at us.

“We’re for her,” the one in the lead shouted.

“You’ll have to come through me,” I snarled. I’d take on every one of them and rip them to shreds for daring to breathe the same air as my mate.

“No!” Thea shouted, trying to move around me.

We’re outnumbered.

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