Page 71 of Sacrifice

"Well, I mean.... I didn't want to tell you about the test because I could be jumping the gun, Vincent. Janice and I were going to talk over pie as we waited for the test to be done."

Helping Aribella get into her SUV, I hand her the test. "Mi reina, you know I will let you do almost anything you want. All you have to do is tell me where you are going. That's it."

Putting the seat belt on her, I touch her thigh. "I know, Vincent. I'm sorry. I just wanted to be sure before I told you. That way, you wouldn’t be disappointed."

Her lower lip trembles and I grab her face and touch her mouth. "Shh, it's alright. You aren't in trouble, Aribella. I'm fucking stoked that you may be pregnant. I'll see you at home in two hours, alright? That way, you can take your test with Janice and have your time with her at the diner. But come straight home, understand me?"

She graces me with a smile, and I feel better. Goddamn, this girl is going to wreck me. I laugh at myself. Who the fuck am I kidding? She's already wrecked me. And while I am letting her have her time with Janice, I follow her to make sure she gets into the diner safely. It’s not like I can’t watch her from the cameras at home.

Epilogue One

Six months later

"Mi reina, are you straining yourself?" Vincent comes up behind me and holds my bulging stomach. Our baby grows inside me and I couldn't be happier.

Through hard work and a lot of therapy, I am finally able to sleep through an entire night without waking up in fear. Vincent has been here for me the entire time, even if I have tried to push him away. He doesn't let me go far and if I'm being honest with myself; I don't want him to go far from me either.

It's taken some time, but I'm now able to be in the same area as Diego without worrying he is going to hurt me. He's been so kind and patient with me as I work through everything. Then again, he's not around a lot. Something about a war between him and someone called Bianchi. I don't ask questions anymore. Instead, I focus on the baby I'm going to be meeting soon.

"Mi reina?" Vincent asks me, and I shake my head, clearing myself from my thoughts.

"Sorry,mi rey bestial. I got lost in thought," I chuckle and blush. He kisses my cheek and licks my ear.

"Are you worried about today?" His hands keep my belly up and the relief on my back is instant.

"Thank you for holding me, Vincent." I kiss his jaw and he chuckles. "I'm not worried. I know Diego is safe, and I won't have to be fearful of anyone today."

"That's right, my love. You are safe with us."

Mossimo comes in and Espresso is, as usual, in his arms. They are inseparable and I'm kind of jealous that he took over my cat, but I can't blame Espresso. The cat is wearing a little crown and a suit. I laugh and Mossimo beams at me.

"We couldn't let Espresso go out without some clothing, now could we?" He has that baby talk voice going on and Vincent busts out laughing.

"Mossimo, it's a cat," he says and I gasp.

"That is Mossimo's baby and my little boy. He has the right to be spoiled." I look at Vincent, outraged that he would call Espresso just a cat.

"Oh,mi reina, you are precious." He kisses my forehead and massages my stomach.

Miguel walks in with his wife, Liliana, and she makes a beeline for me. "How's the baby doing?" She can't have children and has become my mother hen. I adore her and wouldn't have it any other way.

"Kicking me every few seconds, but I'm sure it's because she is hungry." A soft smile lifts my lips as she rubs my belly along with Vincent.

"You know it's a girl?" She pops her head up and I shrug.

"Educated guess. It doesn't feel like a boy."

Vincent growls. "It's not going to be a girl. I don't need another girl in this house."

Diego chooses that moment to walk in, laughing. "You don't get to choose what you are having, Vincent. If it's a boy or girl, you'll love it all the same."

Miguel comes over and gives me a hug as Diego makes his way into the room. I hug Miguel back and smile as he takes Liliana into his arms.

"Diego, I thought you were bringing a date." I look at him and he winks at me.

"She kind of got busy and tied up with work." That's all he says as he makes his way over to the open bar.

Vincent's body tightens, and I look up at him. "You alright?"

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