Page 190 of The Contract

And just like that, the air shifts.

The room spins.

Takes about three seconds to get my bearings.

Absently, I eat another cookie without thinking, because apparently my nervous system runs on adrenaline and sugar. After two more, I snap my head on straight.

First things first:

I, lord of eternal darkness and damnation,

am going to be a father.

What the fuck hits me like a cattle prod to the heart.

And I’m too covered in blood and knee-deep in Torture Guy cleanup to fully process that now, but believe you me, I fucking will.

Second:

For trying to keep this from me, Zapretnaya will take the full weight of my wrath.

All of it.

To the hilt.

Damn well starting tonight.

Riley.

My forbidden fruit.

My Pom.

---