Page 104 of The Devil's Wrath

She placed her hand over mine, her eyes shining with tears. “I was going to tell you,” she whispered. “But I didn’t want you to be distracted and get hurt if you were focused on this. I wasn’t sure how you’d react . . .”

I silenced her with a bruising kiss, pouring all my love into it. When I broke the kiss, I cupped her face, my thumbs brushing awaythe tears. “I am the luckiest man in the whole world,” I murmured reverently. “Nothing is more important than our family. You and our baby are my everything now. Anyone who tries to harm either of you will beg for death before I’m through.”

She shivered at the dark promise in my words, but I felt her lips curve into a smile against my skin. My savage queen knew the lengths I would go for her.

I nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent. “You’ve given me the greatest gift, little bird. Love, devotion, and a legacy to carry on my bloodline.”

I kissed her once more before sliding down her body, trailing kisses over her creamy skin until I reached the gentle swell of her stomach. I pressed my lips there, worshipping the life growing inside her. She threaded her fingers through my hair as I whispered promises and declarations of my undying love against her belly.

My mind raced with visions of our future together—her belly growing round and full, heavy with our child. I pictured her nursing our baby at her breast, a Madonna and a gift of our own making. She would be a fierce and protective mother, and our children would inherit her strength and our darkness.

I lifted my head to gaze at her, this incredible creature who had ensnared me completely. “Marry me,” I said. “Be mine in every way, now and forever.”

Her eyes widened at my unexpected proposal, but then a brilliant smile broke across her face, radiant as the dawn. “Yes,” she breathed, happy tears spilling down her cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ve always been yours.”

I knew she spoke the truth. Our fates were irrevocably intertwined, a bond forged in blood, lust, and now, new life. I had hunted her, claimed her, but in the end, she had snared me just as surely. She had burrowed beneath my skin and invaded my every thought until she’d consumed me. We were a matched pair, predator and prey, lovers and soulmates.

THIRTY-SIX

WRENLY

It had been a week since Theo had asked me to marry him. I’d asked him a hundred times if he was marrying me because I was pregnant. He’d promise that he had always planned on marrying me whether I was pregnant or not—sometimes while his face was between my legs, other times when he’d thought I wasn’t awake. He had whispered sweet promises in my ear while his hand gently touched my stomach.

Now, we lay in bed, the morning sun streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow on our intertwined bodies. Theo’s hand rested on my belly, his fingers tracing circles on my skin. I turned to face him, studying the contours of his face, the way his dark lashes fanned out against his cheeks.

“Are you sure about this?” I whispered. “About marrying me?”

His eyes fluttered open as his gaze met mine. I watched his face for any subtle changes to his expression that would convince me that his acceptance was a ruse. But there was none. He smiled at me and pulled me closer, our noses nearly touching. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” he told me. “I love you, Wrenly Morgan, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Whether you were pregnant or not, I choose you.”

I wanted to believe him, to trust the sincerity shining in his green eyes whenever he spoke of our future together. But a small, persistent voice in the back of my mind couldn’t help but wonder if he would still want me, want us, if it weren’t for the tiny life growing inside me.

“You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?” His gentle teasing pulled me from my thoughts. He reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek.

I looked down to avoid his gaze. “I can’t help it,” I admitted with a sigh. “Everything is happening so fast. The baby, the engagement . . . Sometimes, it feels too good to be true.”

“Hey, look at me.” He tilted my chin up, forcing me to stare at him. “I love you, and that will never change. Baby or no baby, you’re the one for me. No one else exists but you. Do you believe me?”

I searched his face, waiting for doubt or hesitation but only found love. Slowly, I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I guess I have to believe you,” I teased.

“Good.” He planted a quick kiss on my lips. “Now let’s go tell my parents.”

“Wait, what? Your parents? Right now?” I sat up on my elbows in panic.

A mischievous grin spread across his face. “No time like the present, right?”

I bit my lip as nerves fluttered in my stomach at the thought of meeting his father. Theo hadn’t spoken much about him, but I knew he was intelligent and a shark in the courtroom. There was no lawsuit against The Brotherhood he couldn’t get overturned. I’d read about him on the Internet once when Theo had been out on a job, and I’d admit I was impressed.

“But what if he doesn’t like me?” I asked, voicing one of my deepest fears. “What if he thinks I’m not good enough for you?”

“Baby, not only are you the most amazing girl I could ever hope to be matched with, but you’re the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Morgan, his leader and a family for whom he holds nothing but absolute respect. My father was devastated when your parents died. Personal feelings aside, my father is a businessman, and even heknows the two of us together is a match made in Heaven. And my mother adored yours, so just don’t be surprised if she is a little . . .excited. After all, her only son is getting married to and knocked up the finest piece of ass in New York.”

“You pig.” I crinkled my nose and playfully smacked his arm.

He laughed and grabbed my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. “I’m just stating facts, baby. You’re the total package—brains, beauty, and now the mother of my child. My parents are going to be thrilled. Now, come on, let’s get dressed and head over to my parents’ place. They are excited to officially meet you.”

With a resigned sigh, I allowed him to pull me out of bed.

An hour later, we stood on the doorstep of an imposing brownstone on the Upper East Side. I’d opted to wear a black long-sleeve lace dress with black heels, and he was dashing as always in a crisp maroon button-down and black slacks. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before ringing the doorbell. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a distinguished-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair and green eyes similar to Theo’s. Next to him was a woman with black hair and honey-brown eyes. Theo had her features—high-cheekbones and full lips that were currently curved into a warm smile as she looked at us.

---