Page 45 of They Call Him Reaper

“Yes. It’s hard to watch you while looking for him.”

“Watch me?” My voice rises slightly as Andrea whispers something in Dante’s ear.

“It’s hard to keep you and the-” Dante begins, and Theodore nudges him. “…ourbaby safe while being on the run and looking for Father.”

“And when did you plan to tell me this?”

“Was it something you wanted to know in advance?”

“Yes!” River and Delaney say it in unison with me.

Dante gives them a surprised look that also holds a tinge of a warning for them to mind their business.

“I’m going to check on Tatum,” River announces on her way out.

“I’ll help,” Delaney offers.

I feel deep down that Dante wouldn’t hurt them, but they don’t know him like that. I’m sure they know their husbands will protect them, but Dante is still a work in progress on emotions and connections. I know his eyes lack the luster of their husbands’ eyes. It can be alarming.

Dante grabs my wrist and pulls me away from the rest of our audience. I don’t know what he’ll say without his counsel, but he is a person raised to act on instinct. Once we’re alone in the kitchen, he grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes.

“Look, I know a woman’s emotions are complex, especially during pregnancy, but we don’t have time for this. These are the facts. I did what I thought was best for your protection. Telling you he was on the loose wouldn’t have given you the chance to relax. We both know you can’t fight anyway.”

I don’t why, but the last statement tickles me in a moment that’s not funny. My laughter bubbles and spills out before I can even consider stopping it.

“You’re a big-ass assassin. I could fight a regular woman if I had to fight a fair fight.”

Dante smirks and grips my chin like he always does when he’s being sweet but wants me to pay attention.

“This wouldn’t be a fair fight. You just need to trust that I’ll do whatever possible to keep you and our baby safe.”

It's cute that he says it without coaching or prompting. “Say it again, please.”

“Say what?” he asks, genuinely confused.

“The last part of your statement.”

“Safe.”

I giggle again. “Before that.”

He pauses for a second. I know he didn’t forget what he said; he doesn’t forget anything. Dante is just now realizing what he said. His eyes drop down to my abdomen and his hand covers the swell of my belly. There is a little more warmth in his eyes when he looks at me again.

“Our baby.”

I feel his smile against my lips when I steal a kiss. While this would be minimal effort for a regular man, I’m all too aware of the hill Dante is climbing just to gain some level of normalcy. I appreciate the effort, and it makes me feel less alone with being in love.

He’s still smiling at me when we break the kiss, but our alone time has expired.

“He can smile,” Andrea says from the door. Dante’s smile disappears so fast that Andrea can’t help but laugh. “I’m not trying to be nosy. I just came to tell you I called one of my lawyers.”

Dante shrugs, back in business mode. “Okay, he or she can come, but I doubt I need a lawyer. As far as they know, Dante Orejón has been in Costa Rica for the last five months, according to my passport. If I can get a ride there, I’ll buy a commercialflight from Costa Rica to the states and proceed to act ignorant of everything that’s been going on. The key is to appear cooperative and not get fingerprinted. Not that they’d find one anywhere.”

My nerves churn at the idea of him going into a nest of law enforcement. He is guilty on all counts, after all.

“I know this doesn’t bother you, but based on the look on your woman’s face, let’s hear out the lawyer before we take you to Costa Rica,” Andrea offers.

Dante looks at me, and I nod. He’s not used to having anyone waiting for him or worried, but I’ll do both.

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