Page 81 of Truth (Wicked Empire 2)

“Our—what?”

I stared at him, gaping, and he tugged on my hand and, then walked me up the two small stairs.

There was a tiny little porch that we stood on, and he pulled out a key and unlocked the door.

“We’ll obviously have to make some upgrades,” he said, eyeing the conventional lock.

Knowing him, he wanted something much more high-tech.

“Come on,” he said, a smile on his face.

I followed him inside and froze, stunned.

“It’s so big.”

“Yes, much bigger than it looks on the outside.” He grabbed my hand.

“This is the living area. And over here is a study.”

He pulled me deeper into the house.

“Kitchen. Which has been upgraded, not like that matters to you,” he said.

I laughed. “It’s true,” I said.

“And there are three bedrooms in the back. One that I think would be perfect for the baby,” he said.

He walked me through, and I looked, stunned, mostly silent.

“What do you think?” he said after we had gone on the tour.

“I…love it. Especially the yard. I can take him out to get sun and fresh air, and we can play. It’s nice,” I said.

“So you want to live here?”

“With you?” I asked.

He blinked. “Um…yes,” he said.

That was a stupid question, but it been the first thought in my mind.

The house was beautiful, perfect, but as we walked through, I had become more convinced that it was where he planned to stash me and the baby.

“So, just so we’re clear,” I said, looking at him.

“Yes?” He stared at me expectantly.

“You’re going to live here with us,” I said.

“Yes. If you want me to,” he added quickly.

“I do,” I whispered, not wanting to show so much, but unable to avoid the emotion.

“Then it’s settled,” he said.

“I guess,” I responded.

He hugged me and then pulled back. His gaze bored into mine, conveying so much that I knew neither of us were ready to speak.

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