Page 103 of Savage Reign

“Baby, they’re my brothers. It’s my job to protect them. Just like it’s mine to protect you.”

“But do you think your life is somehow worth less than theirs? Than mine?”

He didn’t answer me. But his nonanswer was answer enough.

I leaned up and looked him in the eye. They were a soft blue. “Don’t you think you’re important too?”

“That doesn't have to do with anything.”

“Yes, it does. You’re important to me. And I know you’re important to Killian and Silas. They would be lost without you. I would be lost without you. What would I do if you keep taking risks?”

It was his turn to frown at me. “I’m not going to apologize for protecting my little brother.”

“I’m not asking you to. I just want you to see the importance of your life. To know that you matter too. That you’re not just here to play protector.”

He cupped my cheek. “I know that, little monster.”

“Do you?” My lips trembled. I grabbed his hand and placed it on my stomach.

His frown deepened as I kept his touch there, feeling my heart gallop in my chest.

“What would we do without you?”

For a moment, there was nothing but silence and a distinctive roaring in my ear. It wasn’t how I had planned to tell him, but fuck, couldn’t he see just how much I needed him?

“We?” he asked, his voice low.

I swallowed. “I’m pregnant.”

“You’re—” He closed his eyes, almost as if he was in pain. “Fuck. You’re pregnant?”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I nodded. “Yes.”

“And I… Fuck. We’ve been so rough with you.” His eyes widened when he suddenly thought of something. “The fucker Killian drugged and tattooed you!”

I winced as his words got louder and louder until he was actually yelling at the end. I didn’t think I had ever seen Maverick so emotional. He made a move to get up, wincing when he pulled on his stitches. I placed both hands down on his chest and pushed him down. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get the doctor here. Fucking hell. Why didn't you say anything?”

I looked away from him, not really sure how to answer that. I could say it was because I was scared of their reactions, but I knew how ridiculous that sounded now, considering they had been purposely fucking me without a condom. Perhaps I was just waiting until I felt like I had more control over my life.

He cupped my cheek and turned my head until I was looking at him. “Baby?”

I shrugged.

“Fuck. I need to get the doctor here. And get you on prenatal vitamins. And doctor visits. And—fuck!”

Okay, so perhaps this wasn’t the right time to tell Maverick. I almost wished I could take the words back. And when the door opened and both Killian and Silas stood there, guns drawn and clear worry in their eyes, I really,reallywished I could take it back.

“What the fuck happened?” Killian asked, looking around the room for the imaginary threat.

I looked at Maverick, hoping he could read my eyes and not say anything.

The fucker ignored me. “She’s pregnant.”

I looked down at my lap with the dead silence that followed.

Killian spoke first. “What?”

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