Page 23 of Black Mark's Heart

I slapped and punched at Jasper, screaming and cursing at him until I fell exhausted on his chest. My bedroom door flew open, but I didn't turn to look at Zander. I didn't want him to see the agony I knew would show in my eyes. Jasper wrapped his arms around me protectively and spoke soothingly.

"That's it, baby. Let it all out. You don't need that hate. You are going to love this child like you love its father. Whenever you feel that hate burbling up inside you, you will give it to me, so you can focus on loving this child like you always wanted to be loved," Jasper consoled.

Jasper understood what I was going through. I hadn't even needed to explain it to him. He'd taken one look at me when I told him I was pregnant and understood immediately what that meant for me. I clung to him, grateful to have him in my life again, because I needed him. I needed someone who understood what the worst part of what Darius had done to me was.

***

"I can't believe it's taken you three weeks to organize a house warming," Tabitha teased, coming into the kitchen with Alex.

I shrugged, "We had to buy furniture and work out where we needed what." I looked over the living space. Sophie was sitting, talking to Jasper and Zander on the lounge.

"I see you finally called Jasper," Alex smiled, giving me a kiss on the cheek, his hand rubbing the baby bump. "How did he take the news?"

I smiled. "Better than you did."

It had taken both Dad and Zander to stop Alex from going to Darius's house and punching him out again. It wasn't until I'd collapsed on the floor crying that Alex was able to calm down. He'd dropped onto the floor and held me to him as he promised to take care of me.

Alex smiled back at me. "Have you felt it kick yet?"

I shook my head, frowning. "No, but I've heard it can take up to six months before that happens." I took a deep breath, removing my brother's hand. "Which reminds me…Warren is coming tonight and he doesn't know, so no baby talk."

Alex lifted a brow at me. "Um, there is a whole room dedicated to the baby back there."

"Zander and I packed everything away in the wardrobe. There isn't that much since I haven't purchased the furniture yet," I explained.

Alex nodded and put his finger to his lips. "Family secret it is." Alex grabbed a piece of the cheese I was cutting, tossed it in his mouth, and took Tabitha's hand to join the others. They'd started dating a month ago. She was five years older than Alex, but I'd never seen him this happy with Leila, so I was supporting it.

The door buzzer rang, and I looked at the monitor before pressing the button to let my dad in. I finished putting the nibbles on the tray and looked up at Jasper with a smile as he stepped in behind me with a kiss to my neck.

"You should sit down and put your feet up. You've already exerted yourself today."

I smiled, "My doctor recommends I try and walk five kilometers a day and swim."

"Well, I agree with your doctor, but I also know that standing for long periods of time can be bad for your back. Those little critters put a lot of strain on a woman's body." Jasper argued before lowering his voice. "Plus, I plan to be diving right back between your legs as soon as your guests leave." Jasper turned me to face him and kissed me deeply.

"Ah-um," Marshall cleared his throat.

Jasper stepped back and turned to face my not-so-happy father. Standing next to him was an equally unhappy Warren. "Marshall, nice to see you again." Jasper shook my father's hand before holding his hand out to Warren. "Warren."

Jasper gave me another quick kiss as he picked up the tray of nibbles. "I'll take this over to the table."

Warren swallowed and stepped forward, opening the backpack on his back and pulling something out. It was the first time he'd seen me since he'd handed me the annulment papers in Darius's office three months ago.

"Mora, happy house warming." He handed me a bottle of red wine, the good stuff Darius served for Jeremy and Cassandra the night I'd quit working for him. "This is from Steffen, and this is from me." He held out a giant jar of peanut butter with a bow around it.

I smiled, taking them from him then stepped into him for a hug, being sure to keep my lower body away from his. I stepped back and Warren smiled, placing a tentative kiss to my cheek, before he walked away to say hello to his brother.

"You can't eat or drink any of that," Marshall frowned as I placed the wine and peanut butter on the table.

"I know. Luckily the peanut butter will keep."

"You're back with Jasper?" Marshall never really liked Jasper, especially the arrangement we had. Not that he knew the extent of it, but I dare say he suspected.

"Just back to the old arrangement," I admitted.

"Does he know?" Marshall's eyes dropped to the belly I'd hidden under a flowing dress.

"Yes."

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