Page 95 of Sinful Scars

Suddenly, she bolts upright, almost knocking me off the bed.

“Christ.”

“Lev?” She reaches to turn on the lamp, flooding the room with light.

“Yeah.” I hold a hand to my heart. “Are you ok?—”

I’m almost knocked off the bed again when Elle throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly.

My hands find her waist, and I bury my nose in her neck, inhaling the slightly salty scent of her skin.

She’s so warm and soft, and I just want to hold her against me for a little while longer.

“What thefuck,Lev!” She pulls away, hit me on the arm.

“What was that for?”

“You literally ghosted me.”

“Ghosted? What does that mean?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She huffs, folding her arms over her chest.

“Clearly, it does.”

“It means you just…disappeared.”

“I know, but I didn’t have much of a choice. The Koslovs have eyes on you twenty-four seven, and I couldn’t risk getting caught.” It’s not the only reason I’ve stayed away, but it’s enough of a reason to hopefully calm her anxiety.

In truth, I keep trying to stay away, but it seems that my efforts have been in vain considering the reality of our situation.

“You’re pregnant?”

Elle nods, biting her lower lip as her eyes search my face. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I… I don’t know what to think.” I don’t want to lie.

I never once considered having children of my own, considering my upbringing, and so I have no idea what to feel.

“Me neither. What I do know is that I don’t care who you are, or what you’ve done, Lev.”

I open my mouth to retort, but she holds up a hand to silence me. “Please, let me finish.”

I nod, and she reaches for my hand and holds it in her lap.

“We have a connection, Lev, one that only seems to be growing stronger with time, and I think a baby would only strengthen it more.”

“I can’t give you the life you deserve, Elle,” I choke, a gut-wrenching emptiness swallowing me as I think of the child that now grows inside her.

“I don’t care.”

“You might say that now, but one day, I promise youwill. A life with me… You wouldn’t have one, Elle. I’m not good for you or this baby.”

“You don’t get to decide that.” She moves to straddle my lap.

“Elle…”

She wraps her arms around my neck.

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