Page 124 of Viper

Again, she looked down at the picture in her hand, smoothing a crinkle out of the corner, marveling at the sight of her baby. She was honestly a little terrified to be a parent, but it was a good sort of fear. The kind that was edged with excitement.

She looked at Viper, only then realizing … “You never talk about your own parents.”

He spared her a quick glance. “I never knew them well. I’m a fourth son. We’re given to the holy host when we’re young.”

Her lips parting, she halted in a horrified shock. “Oh, my God.Howyoung?”

He stopped walking. “Six. We’re put through all sorts of education and training to prepare us for the life of a soldier. Parents know this is going to happen, have no way to stop it, and so tend to hold back from you in the hope it will make the separation better for all concerned.”

He said it all so dispassionately. As if it was nothing. But then, maybe a person would have to convince themselves it was nothing in order to emotionally survive it. “This is a rule in the upper realm?”

“Exemptions are made for some—mostly those with status—but not many.”

“That’s just so unbelievably cruel.”

Viper looped an arm tight around her. “Don’t feel sad for me, baby. It’s cold, I know, but I never knew any different growing up. It’s such a common thing that it’s accepted as normal. That said, I’d never intended to have children for that very reason.” His gaze lowered to her belly. “But this is different. I’m not up there anymore. No child we have would be taken from us that way.”

Unless the Uppers tried to kill the baby, which Ella was resolved wouldneverhappen.

Viper pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Don’t let this spoil your mood. I’d take you on a ride to cheer you up, but it ain’t safe while you’re pregnant.”

She knew that, but still she pouted. “I’ll miss it.”

“After the baby’s born, we’ll go out for a ride—you and me. My brothers will watch over Peanut for us.”

“Or Mia can do it.” It was more of a statement than a suggestion.

His brows lifted. “You don’t think my brothers would make trusted babysitters?”

Ghost barreled out of the door clad in a damn superhero suit and started dashing down the hall with his arms out straight at his sides, mimicking a bird in flight.

Ella cleared her throat. “To be honest, no, I don’t.”

“So Ghost wouldn’t make a good sitter,” Viper ceded. “But the others would.”

Just then, Razor came striding down the hallway with a blade in each hand—both of which were covered in crackling ultraviolet flames. “You’re dead, Ghost, I fuckingswearit!”

Her nose wrinkled. “Hmm, you sure about that?” she asked Viper.

He sighed, shaking his head. “Fuck these assholes.”

She chuckled.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Hearing a knock at her front door the following day, Ella blew out a trembly breath and twisted her fingers. She knew it would be Luka, since she’d just buzzed him into the building.

“Want me to get it?” asked Jester, moving slightly as it to lift the elbow he’d rested on the fire mantel. Both he and Dice were here to guard their president while Ella broke the news about the pregnancy, concerned that Luka and his own guards might attack Viper.

Not an unnecessary concern, unfortunately.

“No. No, I’ll do it.” Her belly rolling with nerves, she glanced at Viper over her shoulder. He looked casual as anything, his arms loosely folded, his hip propped against the kitchen doorjamb. Behind him, Mia poured drinks while Dice leaned against the counter.

“You’ve got this, Ella,” Viper assured her.

Another knock, this one harder.

Muttering beneath her breath, she padded over to the front door and pulled it open. Luka stood on the other side of it, his guards close behind him. Ella smiled. “Hey. Glad you could make it,” she said, backing up for them to enter.

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