Page 50 of Owned By Shadows

“Roman!” I hiss.

“No, it’s good to get all the facts.” Dr Clive chuckles. “So, it doesn’t need to last hours. One or two orgasms are fine, and um, maybe keep it to one partner at a time.” The last part is the first time I’ve heard him sound a little flustered. I just want the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

I’m not ashamed of my unconventional relationship. I just never thought I’d have to have this kind of talk with a stranger with everyone present. I swear I hear Bubby mutter “cringe” under his breath, and it takes a lot for me not to hide my still burning face with my hands.

“Got it, Doc. Thanks,” Roman states casually as fuck while making another note on his phone, and I give him the stink eye.

“You’re welcome, son,” Clive replies, looking back at me. “Any questions, Iris?”

“Um, I don’t think so. It’s a lot to take in,” I answer, some of the colour draining from my face at just having to deal with another thing.

“I know it can be a bit of a shock, but you seem to be in excellent hands, and I’m only a video call away if anything changes,” he assures me before saying his goodbyes, and the screen goes dark.

“Before you hopped on, I asked if we needed to relocate to somewhere more populated,” Andrei states from across the table. “He said not right now, the stress of travel could makethings worse, but I’m going to add that into our planning just in case things change.”

He looks from me to Hunt, then Nik, whose jaw is clenched tight. “What we do need is the specific medications he’s sending through and better monitoring equipment, ideally for blood pressure and the fetal heartbeat.”

“Can we get those things from the mainland? Or do we need to contact Alexei again?” Rowan asks, and it’s the first time he’s spoken since we discovered my new condition. His voice is quiet, but his body is tense, poised, and I can feel the tension running off him as he leans against the wall.

“Roo?” I ask softly, and he turns to look at me, a gaze of drowning in his eyes. “Come here, please.”

He doesn’t hesitate, just walks over, and I get up, stopping the protest that I can feel about to come from the others. Then I make Rowan sit in my chair before I settle in his lap. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close, and he takes a deep inhale, his nose buried between my neck and hairline. His body loses some of its tension, and I know this is what he needed. To make sure I was okay.

“To answer your question, we could definitely get those things on the mainland, and that would be quicker than waiting to contact Alexei and then for him to procure the items,” Andrei answers, and I glance at Hunt, then Nik.

“Hunt should go with Andrei and Dima,” Nik states, and I see it costs him to let Hunt go and not demand he’s the one to do it. “My face is too well known, and if my father’s men are there, which I bet they are, they’ll know me straight away.”

“But won’t we need Andrei to monitor Iris?” Roman questions, and I’m nodding.

“I can show you what to do, but I think just keep her resting for now until we can start the medication is the most importantthing,” Andrei tells him, standing up. “Can we organise to leave now? Then we’ll have nightfall to cover our return.”

“I’ll call the boat I have a contact with. It’s smaller than the Knight yacht, so will be more inconspicuous.” Nik strides off to make the call, and I let Hunter help me up.

“Back to bed with you,” he orders, though when I open my mouth to protest, he just gives me that look. The one that means I won’t win this.

“The twins can join you. Nik and Bubby can make sure you’re safe while we’re gone. Please, Iris.”

I soften, my protests dying on my lips at his plea.

“Okay, Daddy,” I whisper, letting him lead me back to the bedroom that we all share. “I’ll be good while you’re gone.”

“That’s because you’re my special girl,” he tells me softly, pulling back the covers and helping me get into bed. I actually am tired. I guess the stress of the past couple of hours is hitting, plus my headache still is making its presence felt.

My eyelids drift shut as he leans over to place a kiss on my forehead, the bed dipping either side of me as Roman and Rowan get in.

“Aren’t you guys gonna be bored sleeping with me?” I mumble, snuggling into Roman’s chest as Rowan wraps himself around me from behind.

“Nah, I often watch you sleep, Lamb,” Rowan comments casually, like that’s normal. I guess for him, for us, it is, because it’s actually super romantic and I really like that he does it.

“Yeah, I could spend the rest of my life lazing around with you and die a happy man,” Roman adds, kissing the top of my head and sighing.

“This is the best place in the world because you’re here, Princess.”

A happy breath falls from my lips across his skin as I let sleep take me, knowing that whatever this new challenge is, however scary it is, I’m not facing it alone. Not anymore.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“BONES” BY IMAGINE DRAGONS

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