Page 97 of Vow of Vengeance
Marissa's eyes widen before lifting to Declan. "I'm sorry! I panicked!"
I feel my brow furrow as I wonder when they got close enough for Marissa to apologize to him. She's not much of a feely person, and she doesn't often do apologies, which has never bothered me since it's not like we've ever had any issues.
When I turn to Declan, I'm surprised to see that, despite Marissa's apparent anxiety about whatever she just confessed, Declan merely looks amused.
"I don't think Soren speaks whatever language that was."
My confusion deepens when Marissa laughs, burying her face in my collarbone as her laughter rattles through both of us until I'm giggling too, entirely unsure why. It's absurd, but it feels right... until the searing sensation cutting through my stomach reminds me of the stitches and I stifle my laughter and groan in Declan's neck.
We must look absolutely ridiculous to the nurse who walks in a moment later, pushing something in ahead of her.
"Who's ready to see this baby?"
At her words, I sober enough for suspicion to crack through everything else. When I stare at the nurse in confusion, she simply grins back.
Realization hits me when Marissa pulls away. I don't get a chance to ask about the fresh tear tracks rolling down her cheeks, because Declan threads his fingers through mine and guides our hands to my stomach, to the spot just below where Vin stabbed me.
"I told you I'd get you justice for the life you lost. You remember what else I promised you in Costa Rica... what you promised me?"
A lot happened in Costa Rica, but my brain defaults automatically to the promise I made him... the one I wasn't even sure why I was agreeing to.
"When it's our baby, I'll eat."
One side of Declan's mouth lifts in a proud grin.
I blink, unable to process what I think they're trying to say... what Marissadidsay.
Declan grins like he’s proud of himself.
"You two had better get to planning a wedding if you don't want this baby getting my name before you do."
thirty-five
Soren
“Whatdoyouneed?”Wes asks quickly, getting to his feet. I blink away the remnants of my sleep, my vision clearing as I grab my glasses from the nightstand. “More water? Are you hungry?”
I stifle a laugh at his earnestness. I'm not sure how long I slept, but I'm willing to bet he's a little bored and looking for something to do considering he was in the same spot when I fell asleep.
When we came home from the hospital earlier today, I was surprised to find Wes and Violet still here. The house smelled amazing, because apparently Violet stress cooks… and stress bakes. I ate as much as I could manage, holding true on my promise to Declan, but it wasn’t a lot.
I’m exhausted… every inch of me feels like it’s been curled into a ball and wrung out to dry. But I haven’t wanted to sleep. I’m enjoying the peace too much, this rare feeling of being so encompassed.
“I have to pee.” I laugh. “I’m afraid you can’t help me with that one.”
Wes cringes. “You’re right. Can’t help you there, I’m afraid.”
I grin down at Declan as I trace my fingers along his skin, appreciating the way he’s so completely passed out. It’s tempting to take advantage of how dead to the world he is right now, but I don’t have the energy to move anyway. And I really don’t want to disturb the others.
Declan’s upper body is draped across my legs, and I think he’s drooled on my thighs for the last two hours, but seeing him sleep for once is something I don’t want to ruin. He crawled into the bed opposite where Marissa was lying at my other side and didn’t even ask her to move so that he could have more of his own bed back.
They left us alone while Marissa told me where she’d been the whole time we searched for her, and we cried together through it all as she recounted how obsessed Khan was with her, how insidious he had to be to cover that up for years.
I don’t tell her that Khan paid Vin so he could do whatever he wanted to me, or the entire extent of what I know about my husband. Similarly, I think she withheld some details about her abuse during her time as our best friend’s captive. We don’t need to know the grisly details to support one another through this… we just need to be together. Declan seems to understand that, and I think I fell in love with him a little more when he told me she can stay as long as she needs and as long as I need.
I don’t know how long Wes and Violet will be staying; we never actually offered for them to stick around. Somehow, they just jumped into action and took care of things to the point where it doesn’t even feel like there are strangers in my home. Because it is my home now. I’m going to marry this man, who’s passed out across my lap like he hasn’t slept for weeks. And to be fair, I don’t think he has.
“He’s really crashed.” I laugh, my eyes finding Wes’ where he sits in the chair across from me, beside his sleeping wife.
