Page 143 of Shadow

“I’m trying. It’s just so hard with everything.”

“I know,” Church muttered. “It’s hard for all of us.”

“I didn’t want this to happen.”

“No shit.”

“When is the doctor coming? I just need to get this over with.”

“You could abort and be done with it completely.”

“I don’t want to do that,” she snapped. “Sin told me about Bells. I’m not that fucking bitch.”

“And if it’s Adam’s? Then what?”

She was quiet, and I shifted closer.

“Then… I don’t know. I guess you’ll be an uncle.”

“Why would you want to keep that fucking prick’s kid, Cady?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I know I can give it a good life.”

“How? You’re seventeen. You can’t even afford a decent dress.” The disdain dripped from his voice.

“I can’t believe Rina loves you. You’re such a dickhead. Do you tell her that about her clothes? Because guess what? I bought her those dresses she wears.”

Church chuckled softly. “They look good because they’re on her. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be sure to get her something new.”

Silence descended, and I contemplated knocking on the door before their arguing took a wrong turn and ended in blood.

“Dante, I just… You said I could come to you to talk. You told me this. I’m here wanting someone to talk to. So can you please not be an asshole for two seconds?” Cady’s voice was soft.

“Fine. Talk. What do you want?”

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“I do worry about this baby. I-I have all these confusing thoughts. I don’t want it to be Sin’s, but I also don’t want it to be Adam’s either.”

“Who else’s do you want it to be? How many guys did you fuck?”

She sighed. “Just Adam a-and Sin.”

“I’m not following your crazy train here, Cadence. You want an immaculate conception or some shit?”

“I want it to be Sin’s,” she choked out.

“What? Do you have any fucking idea what that would do to Sirena and Sin? Sirena would accept it, but Sinclair would lose his fucking mind. Don’t manifest that fucking shit.”

“I only want it to be his because I’m terrified of the baby being messed up like Adam was,” she said, her voice cracking. “And I won’t have to do it alone if it’s Sin’s. He’d be there.”

I ground my teeth. She was pissing me off. I knew she didn’t give a shit for Sin, but to want that misery for him knowing how he could be irritated the fuck out of me.

“If that baby is Adam’s, I’ll be there for you,” Church said softly after a moment of silence. “He was my brother. This kid will be my blood, and you’re my specter’s blood. It will want for nothing. I promise.”

I backed away from the door, deciding I needed some air. I went back downstairs and grabbed my jacket and pulled on my boots.

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