Page 195 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“I can’t. But if I make it look like I don’t care and don’t want him, then he’s safe. You’re safe if my father thinks I don’t want you. At least until I can bring him down for the crimes I know he masterminded.”

“That’s your excuse!” I berate. “You think walking out of our lives somehow keeps us safe?” I don’t give him time to formulate another answer. “How dare you. How fucking dare you decide that without me! Did it ever occur to you that I’d rather chance you in my life than spend a minute without you?”

I’m beyond mad right now. This is so much worse than thinking he didn’t want me as his girlfriend. This is worse than thinking he didn’t want his son. This is downright stupid. Sure, maybe someone else would see the nobleness in it, but I don’t.

Anything that keeps him away isn’t noble. Maybe it’s harder having us both in his life, but I’d like to think it would be worth it. It would be worth it to me.

“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now. Does it?”

“Yeah?” I bite out. “Why is that?”

“Because I don’t think I can do it again.” His voice breaks, and then he turns his head. Red-rimmed eyes meet mine. I almost choke. “I don’t think I can give either of you up ever again.”

I’d laugh if his words weren’t damn near bringing me to tears with false hope.

“Why should I believe you? You’ve walked away more than once already. How do I know you won’t do it again when you think one of us is in danger?”

“Because it broke me a little more each time I did it. Because I can’t go through that again. And...” He swallows, anxiety thick in his eyes. “Because I love you, Bri.”

“You what?”

Did I hear him right? Did he just admit he loves me?

“I love you.”

I lose it. Tears spill over my eyelids, running down my face. I’d blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but I’ve cried more in the last three weeks than I have in my life combined.

“Baby, we need to talk more. There is a lot I have to say and make up for, but let’s put him in bed first. I’m sure he’s had a long day. I know I have. It’s not right to keep him up when he should be resting.”

“Where is he going to sleep?” I ask.

“Mia has always stayed here off and on. The crib she used to sleep in is still in Luca’s old room. He can sleep there.”

I nod, agreeing, because Drago’s right about one thing: we do have something to talk about.

A big something to talk about.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

“Where are the dogs?” I ask when he walks into his bedroom.

“At Luca’s. I asked him to take them earlier. I wasn’t up for caring for them. I’d just given my son up and knew you’d never forgive me. I just wanted to be alone.”

“You can’t leave me again, D. I won’t go through that hell again. If you aren’t completely sure, tell me now.”

I’m pulled into his arms before that last sentence is completely off my tongue.

“I’m done walking this path without you. I’m done keeping you in the dark. I won’t ever make a decision that’ll affect the three of us without you ever again.”

“The four of us,” I correct, and then bite my lip as I anxiously peer up at him.

“Four? What are you—” his question comes to an abrupt stop.

“I’m pregnant.”

It’s as if all the air was sucked from the room. It’s deathly silent, and then a tear leaks from Drago’s eye, cascading down his cheek before his lips crash into mine, uniting us in a way that tells me he does want us—all of us.

With both hands, he cups my ass, hoisting me up his front until my legs wrap around his waist.

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