Page 86 of The Merciless King

Cristal.

Braxton takes a glass of dark liquid, which I assume is whisky. Likely Macallan.

I spot a few other people in the room. The friends Mia said they were entertaining. One of the women is pregnant and I feel a pang of jealousy.

Braxton and I have been very irresponsible with the use of condoms in the past few days. His eagerness and our passion make us completely forget.

I took one morning-after pill and will need to go to my doctor to discuss whether I can take it a second time.

I’m sure my parents would lose their minds if I ended up pregnant by another man. The Baldoni family would not accept me then.

I assume.

Or it would be aborted, and I’d have no say.

I place my hand on my stomach, suddenly protective of our child, which doesn’t exist.

Probably.

“Of course.” Connor laughs in answer to my question.

Mia and I don’t know each other well, so she doesn’t know all that much about me, but I’m hoping we can be friends. I’m also secretly hoping that by staying close to Mia, if—or rather when—Braxton leaves, he might return.

I could be married by then.

Depending on when he returns.

Would he entertain an affair? Could I get away with one?

“Let’s go out onto the balcony. It’s a beautiful evening,” Mia says.

Braxton stays close to me as we walk outside, and then we are introduced to the others.

“This is Mack and Summer,” Mia says. “Mack works for Connor, and Summer is his wife.”

“Nice to meet you.” I smile at them.

“Braxton,” he says, shaking Mack’s hand.

So, he doesn’t know Connor’s friends. Then he must have just done business with him. What kind of business does a man like Braxton do with a wealthy CEO who is in the private security industry—among other things?

Yet again, he’s a mystery to me.

At least James did the research. I wouldn’t have a clue about these things. I do trust my instincts, though. From the start, I have known he’s keeping secrets.

But then the people in my world always do.

“I hear you grew up together,” Summer says, sipping from a long, tall glass.

Clear liquid.

“Oh, I’m expecting.” She smiles, lifting the glass.

“Congratulations.” I return the smile as unexpected jealously washes over me once again. When I glance at Braxton, his jaw is tight, and he’s staring into his drink.

Is he worried about me being pregnant?

I quickly glance away as a sense of rejection slices through me. It hurts more than I expect.

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