Page 99 of Obsession & Oath

Behind me, Rocco lets out a sharp snort. “Damn. And how would you know a thing like that, Dante?”

I ignore him, my pulse hammering.

Dr. Alvarado stares up at me, her expression shifting from fear to quiet pleading. “She’s in danger,SeñorGrasso. She sent me to find you.”

The world narrows to those words.

Carmen sent her.

My grip slackens, my breath catching in my throat. I don’t even realize I’ve let go of her entirely until she straightens, rubbing her wrists.

“Why?” My voice is hoarse, barely controlled.

Dr. Alvarado’s eyes dart to Rocco before settling back on me. “Do you trust this man?”

I glance at Rocco, who raises his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, you’re the one getting cryptic messages from imprisoned princesses. But if this is a setup, don’t expect me to bail your ass out.”

I turn back to Melissa and nod once.

The doctor stares at me for one long moment, hesitation spreading across every inch of her face.

And then.

Then.

“Carmen is pregnant.”

For a moment, the world tilts on its axis.

I hear the words. I understand them. But my mind refuses to process them.

Carmen is pregnant.

With my child.

A sharp, painful breath drags through my chest as I stare at Dr. Alvarado, waiting for her to take it back, waiting for her to tell me this is some sick game, another move on the board of this godforsaken war.

But her face is solemn, dark eyes filled with the kind of urgency that leaves no room for lies.

“She’s carrying your baby, Señor Grasso,” she repeats softly, “and if she does not get rid of it, Hernando Lacruz will kill her.”

The words are a death knell ringing in my ears.

The war, the Cartel, even my loyalty to the Prince’s Guild, disintegrates into nothing.

The only thing that matters now is Carmen.

And I’m not going to let them touch her.

I don’t realize my hands have curled into fists until Rocco steps closer, his voice cutting through the roaring in my head.

“That’s a hell of a claim,” he says, eyes narrowed at Melissa. “Why should we believe you? For all we know, you could be setting us up.”

Melissa stands her ground, lifting her chin.

“I have known Carmen since she was born,” she says, steel in her voice now. “I have watched her grow, watched her struggle beneath her father’s expectations. She is a good girl, a brave girl. My conscience will not let me stand by and do nothing.”

Her eyes flick between us, desperate, determined.

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