Page 52 of His Wife

“Understandably so. Well,” he reaches out, and we shake hands, “let me know if you change your mind. Your wife is more than welcome to join the festivities.”

My cock instantly reacts at the thought of Leandra joining me at one of Gabriel’s lascivious affairs. If our night at Mito indicates how extraordinary it can be between us in an environment where nothing is taboo, a night at Myth with Gabriel as the host would be mind-blowing.

“You know, Gabriel. My wife and I might just take you up on your offer.”

“Fantastic. Just say the word, and I’ll make sure I have some special arrangements in place for the two of you.” He turns to face Nicoli. “You, Caelian, and Isaia are welcome as well.”

Nicoli stands. “I accept. Unlike my brother, I’m not married or pussy-whipped with my dick in a twist, so I’ll definitely be there.”

Gabriel snickers. “Good. Well, thank you for the whiskey, gentlemen. Looking forward to our future endeavors.”

Nicoli opens the door for our guest and I watch as Gabriel saunters out. His life is the embodiment of a rags-to-riches life story, going from a poor boy to one of the wealthiest men in America.

“We better catch this fucker before Gabriel’s party,” Nicoli says, closing the door.

I bring my glass to my lips, appreciating the oaky aroma of the whiskey. “Don’t worry, brother. We will. Soon.”

ChapterTwenty

LEANDRA

My heart is lodged in my throat as I count the weeks on my fingers. I’m trying my best not to panic, taking one deep breath at a time, allowing the oxygen to reach my lungs. I keep telling myself there’s a reasonable explanation for this apart from the obvious. There has to be.

I’m never late. Ever.

I stare at my birth control pills, and it only confirms it. I’m late. Really fucking late.

“Jesus,” I curse, pulling my fingers through my hair, flipping it over my shoulder. The knots in my stomach keep twisting tighter and tighter, my mind reeling with thoughts, yet not a single one makes any sense.

I’ve taken my pills every single day. Religiously. Alexius has been making sure I have a replacement pack at the end of each month, being just as cautious. Yet here I am with a gut full of dread, counting weeks, and it’s not adding up. At all.

Maybe I’m not pregnant.

Maybe I’m just stressed, or my body is going through some out-of-whack hormonal change. That could explain the on-and-off nausea and tender breasts.

Oh, God. I’m pregnant.

“Shit.”

I grab the birth control and shove it back in my bedside drawer like it’s a child who didn’t do what they were told and now gets to have a time-out. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”

I bury my face in my palms as I sit on the edge of the bed. I have to be sure. But how? Alexius has eyes and ears on me twenty-four-seven. Since we came back from Rome, Alexius has doubled security here at the house. Mira and I aren’t even allowed to leave without giving Maximo a day’s notice so he can put the necessary protection in place. It’s been insane. But after Mira overheard a conversation about murders at the clubs, we’ve been less inclined to complain about the muscle following us around.

Mira.

I have to tell her. She’s the only one who’ll know how to get a pregnancy test smuggled in without Alexius knowing. I can’t tell him if I’m not one hundred percent sure.

Or ninety-nine percent. Fuck.

There’s a knock on the door, and I almost jump out of my skin as I leap to my feet.

“Leandra, are you in there?”

Thank God. It’s Mira. “Yeah.” I rush to open the door, glancing up and down the hallway before grabbing her hand and pulling her inside.

“Whoa.” She rights herself as I shut the door. “I just wanted to ask you if you’d like to have lunch on the porch. It’s a beautiful day outside. Wait.” She stills, raking her gaze up and down my face like she’ll get any answers in my expression. “What’s wrong?”

“I, um…” I scratch the scar behind my ear, nerves pressing air from my lungs. “I need to ask you a favor.”

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