Page 84 of Kinks of a Billionaire
Chapter 40
Royce
My wife’s here. She and the baby are safe.
The words spun around in my head as the doctor examined her.
“This would be easier if?—”
“I’m not letting her go,” I snapped for the tenth time. I tightened my arms around Willow as shivers rippled through her body. She’d been so brave since we got here, but I knew she was hurting.
He was cleaning her cuts and wounds, examining her bruised back. My anger flared again at the sight of her in bright daylight, but I tamped it down.
“Is my baby okay?” Willow asked, her voice shaking. The doctor dragged over a sonogram machine, his brows furrowed with worry.
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” I murmured, shooting the doctor a look. “I’m sure he’s just double-checking everything is as it should be.”
She buried her face into my neck, keeping her sobs at bay, but she couldn’t control her shudders. Fierce protectiveness burned in my chest, hating that I failed to protect her. I shouldhave never left her this morning. Nothing was worth risking her safety.Theirsafety.
“I think the doctor’s scared to examine you with your husband hovering over his shoulder,” Asher said wryly. “Let the man work, Royce.”
A wet laugh slipped from Willow’s lips, and I held her even tighter.
I was glad Asher was here. Despite wanting to punch him, I appreciated him cracking jokes. I sure as fuck wasn’t in the right head space to be making light of anything. Not until she and our baby got a clean bill of health.
One thing Icouldrest easy about was the manner in which Stuart’s parents found their untimely death. I was sure I’d get the full rundown eventually, but all I knew was they were gone, and they did not go peacefully. With Asher’s connections, the bodies were being buried in unmarked graves.
While I wanted the pleasure of tearing them apart over a prolonged period of time, none of it mattered to me as much as Willow.
“H-how did you find me?” Willow asked, shifting so the doctor could run a sonogram.
“Asher has some connections,” I said, rubbing a hand over her back. “We were able to track them through Venezuela, and they eventually led us to your location.”
“Ahhh, there’s your heartbeat, Willow,” the doctor announced, the dull whoosh-whoosh sound coming through the machine.
“Is she okay?” I rushed out. “Is the baby okay?”
“Yes, all is in order. That softer sound is the baby’s heartbeat. Both are strong.” He smiled at us with assurance as my heart roared to life. “Would you like to know the sex of the baby?”
Willow and I shared a glance before we both answered at the same time. “No.”
After we were assured all was okay with mom and baby, I took Willow back to the boat. Asher had to come along and drive us because I refused to let go of my wife. On the way there, he stopped and picked up local dishes.
Once I had her settled, I helped her shower, then changed her into one of my clean shirts. The sight of her in my clothing tugged at my heart and I couldn’t stop touching her. I’d almost lost her. I needed to see her, touch her, comfort her. Reassure myself she was actually here, safe and sound.
“I’m okay,” she whispered, squeezing my hand tightly. “I was just worried about the baby.” She faced me, her small hand still holding mine. “Areyouokay?”
She’d gone through a traumatic experience, and I worried the consequences of the day would haunt her. Yet, she was askingmeif I was okay.
“Now that you’re here, I’m good.” I rubbed a knuckle over her soft cheek, happy to see the color was coming back.
“Ditto,” she admitted, shifting so she faced me fully. “You and this baby are all I need in my life.”
A smile crossed my lips. “It's a good thing you have me. Forever. Whether you like it or not.” I reached for the gift I’d tucked aside after tidying up while she was in the shower. “Happy anniversary, baby.”
Her eyes, now more green than blue, glistened as she took a lip between her teeth.
“Two months,” she murmured. “I… I didn’t get you anything.”
