Page 164 of SINS & Riley

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But now, in the harsh light of a room with the curtains pulled wide, I see it.

This isn’t Dante.

He’s so much softer around the eyes.

And not nearly as sharp around the edges—though sharp enough to make my skin prickle.

“Dillon?” My voice is barely a whisper. Dante’s twin.

A corner of his mouth curves. “You remember.”

I glance back at the man who’d just checked my wrist. It’s starting to click.

I know him, too. Kennedy’s wedding. Dante’s oldest brother.

Shit, what was his name?

“Steam?”

Dillon chokes back a laugh, ice-blue eyes narrowing at me. “Smoke.”

“Right. Smoke. Sorry.”

He pulls a pen light from his pocket. “I’m going to do a quick exam, all right?”

I nod. My voice scrapes like gravel. “You’re a doctor?”

“Part-time doctor, part-time mob warlord.” He shrugs like that belongs on his LinkedIn. “You know how it goes.”

I don’t. But sure.

He checks me, head to toe, efficient and thorough. Then he presses something into my hand.

A glossy rectangle.

An ultrasound.

My fingers tremble as I lift it closer, light catching the grainy shape inside. My breath stutters.

“When did you take this?”

“While you were out. It’s not the best quality image, but enough for an all-clear. She’s tough like her mom.”

“She?”

“Don’t quote me on that. It’s still early. But all signs point to yes. We’ll know for sure in a month.”

Tears blur as the edges of the picture curl under my grip. I stare in disbelief, terrified it’ll vanish if I blink too long.

“So, she’s… okay?”

My voice cracks on she. Because it isn’t a what anymore. She’s here. She’s real. And for someone so impossibly tiny, I know she’s about to light up my entire world.

The dark, hulking six-foot-four demigod leans over me, rough hands checking vitals, prodding at my side. “You’re both fine.”

“How big is she?”

“About the size of a lime.”

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