Page 125 of Viper

They stalked inside … and then went completely still. Luka’s gaze darted from Jester to Viper.

As she half-turned so that she no longer had her back to Viper, the archangel inclined his head at her anchor and smoothly greeted, “Belinsky.”

Luka’s brow furrowed. “The fuck are you doing here?”

She snorted. “Charming.”

Luka refocused on her. “Why would you have invitedthesethree to a family dinner?”

“I’ll explain that once Melodie and Jocelyn get here. It’s a long story, and there’s no point in me starting to tell it to you only to have to restart it once they arrive.”

Luka pressed his lips together and stared at Viper, his gaze now speculative. “You know … it once occurred to me that you hang on the periphery of Ella’s life. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Now I’m wondering if maybe I should have.”

Viper stared at him steadily, one corner of his moutheverso slightly bowing up.

Ella inwardly sighed, having no faith that the upcoming conversation would go well. There was no way to reveal the overall picture—minus certain details, of course—that would result in merely smiles and a round of congratulations.

Luka turned to her, folding his arms. “What’s this about?”

She straightened. “I told you, I’ll explain everything when my mom and Jocelyn get here.”

“Or you could do it now.”

She didn’t, but he carried on pestering her to spillsomethingright up until the intercom buzzed again.

As expected, it turned out to be her mother and aunt. Ella admitted them into the building and soon after opened the apartment door wide for them. They breezed inside, their smiles easy. Smiles that froze when they spotted the Black Saints.

Melodie turned to Ella. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she guessed, her smile flitting away. “What’s happened?”

“And why aretheyhere?” asked Jocelyn, so much contempt lacing the word ‘they’.

Closing the door, Ella inwardly sighed. “Let’s all go sit down.” She turned and headed straight to the kitchen. Viper backed up, allowing her to pass.

At the table, Mia briefly looked up, clearly a bag of nerves. “Hi, everyone.” Her greeting was just a littletoobright. Each and every guest narrowed their eyes on Dice, who still leaned against the counter. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

“I hope you’re going to in the meantime explain what’s happening, because I can’t wait until after we’re finished eating,” declared Melodie.

Ella gave a slow nod and settled at the head of the table. “Everyone please sit.”

Luka took the chair directly across from her, Melodie claimed the seat on Mia’s right, and Jocelyn sat beside Melodie. Viper stood behind Ella’s chair while Jester stood beside Dice. Luka’s guards planted themselves at his back, their uneasy gazes flitting from celestial to celestial.

“Well?” Melodie prodded, anxious.

Ella calmly rested her hands on the table and linked her fingers. “It would help if you could all stay quiet until I’ve finished talking, because there’s a lot to unpack.”

“We’ll say nothing,” agreed Melodie with a nod.

Ella subtly heaved in a long breath. “First of all, I’m pregnant.”

“What?” her mother burst out. “You are joking!”

“Oh my God, who’s the father?” demanded Jocelyn. Her eyes drifted to Viper, and her body went still. “Please don’t tell me it’shim.”

Ella clamped her lips together.

A growl rumbled out of Luka. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

And then the ranting began.

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