Page 71 of Dark Truths

“Okay.” Rose smiles at me and then squeezes my hand. “I can’t believe there’s going to be two new babies in the family soon.”

I return her smile, feeling a small weight lift from off my heart. A ton of it still remains, but at least for now, the pressure eases.

“I wonder if they’ll have his eyes,” Rose ponders with a dreamy, far-off look.?

I eye her. “Should my brother be worried about you fantasizing about Dimitri’s eyes?”

Rose snorts and waves her hand like my question is a bothersome fly. “Of course not. But that doesn’t mean a girl can’t appreciate a handsome trait like that.”

I can’t argue with her there because I’ve fallen for those damn blue eyes myself more times than I care to admit. They hold a depth as captivating and mysterious as the ocean’s abyss they resemble.

A knock on the door interrupts us and a second later, Michael’s muffled voice asks, “Everything okay?”

Rose walks over and opens the door, revealing my two brothers and Enzo. My oldest friend has been a little more depressed lately because Evie had to return to England for some family function and he misses her fiercely. I’ve never seen him so entranced with a woman and I’m happy to say the feeling appears mutual. Evie is equally enamored with my tall, blond, Viking friend.

“All is well,” Rose announces before placing her hands on Michael’s chest and rising on her tiptoes to press her lips to his. Like magic, my brother is immediately under her spell and before she can pull away, he wraps his arms around her and deepens the kiss.

“Some of us would like to not wait outside in the hall.” Enzo grunts before he shoulders his way past the lovesick couple and through the doorway.?

Raphael follows with an exaggerated and deliberate shove to his twin’s shoulder. The movement forces the pair apart and Michael reaches out to shove his brother back, catching his back.?

Lily meets Raphael halfway with a hug and then leans her head back, presenting her face to accept his kiss. I’m happy for my brothers. I really am. Rose and Lily are their perfect matches in every way, and it’s honestly hard to remember what life was like before they arrived. Their children, Mei and Liam, my niece, andnephew, complete our family. And soon…the babies growing in my belly will make our family even larger.

“Evie not sexting you back?” Rose taunts the large man.

The friendship, if you can even call it that, between Rose and Enzo, is unique. Rose loves her best friend like a sister and owes Evie her life. She used her insane amount of wealth and resources to help Rose escape Miami and set her up in a small town outside of Venice. A few months later, Liam was born and for a little while, they were safe there, until her father found them. When he did, he sold his daughter to a human trafficking ring, the same one Lily had been sold at years prior. Thankfully, Michael rescued her from her buyer just in time before he could harm her and then reunited her with their son. It took only one look into that baby boy’s eyes to know his father was Michael. Which opened up a whole other thing because my brother thought he was sterile. He had been told he was, which ended up being a lie that led to his divorce from Sophia.?

Good riddance. I never really cared for the woman while they were married and now? I really don’t like her. Just the very idea of her and Dimitri together makes me want to hurl.

Rose’s suggestion keeps replaying in my mind. It’s a crazy idea…but possible. If I can get everyone to agree to it. And if not? Well…then I’ll be a single mom with a massive village around me to help. Either way, my focus now revolves around keeping the twin babies inside me, safe and happy and warm until I can do the same for them in my arms.

“How do you know about that?” Enzo asks, like he’s been offended.?

Rose tilts her head and gives Enzo an are-you-serious face. “She’s my best friend. We tell each other everything.”

Michael glances up from his phone in panic when he hears that. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Yeah, what?” Enzo echoes, equally as panicked.

“Everything,” Rose repeats with a sly smile.?

Enzo sees the challenge and his panic transforms into a devious smile, and I know Rose just opened the door wide to something she can’t stop. “Oh, so you know that night we watched Liam for you two? Did Evie tell you how I bent her over that Jacuzzi tub of yours and fucked her seven ways to Sunday before doing the same on that rug in front of the fireplace?”

“Okay,” Michael interrupts in a loud voice. He tosses his best friend a pointed look. “You owe us a new rug and tub now.”

Enzo snorts before crossing his large arms over his big chest. “Then I won’t tell you about everything else we did that night.”

Rose narrows her eyes. “Seriously?”

“I need to get home to Mei,” Lily interrupts, peering up at Raphael.

Her comment is like a bucket of ice water, reminding Rose about her son. “I should do the same for Liam. Your mother had to watch them all night, and I’m sure she’d like to come visit Gabriella.”

The thought of my mom coming by makes me smile. I could use the visit to tell her about the pregnancy. She was there for me during my miscarriage, and I know she’ll be thrilled about this pregnancy, regardless of the father’s identity or current situation.

“You guys go.” I wave my hand toward the door, snuggling back against my pillows and drawing my blanket further up my body. “I’m getting sleepy anyway and would like to not be dead on my feet when Mom visits.”

My brothers give me the same disappointed look.?

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