Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Unless the Uppers tried to kill the baby, which Ella was resolved would never happen.
Viper pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Don’t let this spoil your mood. I’d take you on a ride to cheer you up, but it ain’t safe while you’re pregnant.”
She knew that, but still she pouted. “I’ll miss it.”
“After the baby’s born, we’ll go out for a ride—you and me. My brothers will watch over Peanut for us.”
“Or Mia can do it.” It was more of a statement than a suggestion.
His brows lifted. “You don’t think my brothers would make trusted babysitters?”
Ghost barreled out of the door clad in a damn superhero suit and started dashing down the hall with his arms out straight at his sides, mimicking a bird in flight.
Ella cleared her throat. “To be honest, no, I don’t.”
“So Ghost wouldn’t make a good sitter,” Viper ceded. “But the others would.”
Just then, Razor came striding down the hallway with a blade in each hand—both of which were covered in crackling ultraviolet flames. “You’re dead, Ghost, I fucking swear it!”
Her nose wrinkled. “Hmm, you sure about that?” she asked Viper.
He sighed, shaking his head. “Fuck these assholes.”
She chuckled.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Hearing a knock at her front door the following day, Ella blew out a trembly breath and twisted her fingers. She knew it would be Luka, since she’d just buzzed him into the building.
“Want me to get it?” asked Jester, moving slightly as it to lift the elbow he’d rested on the fire mantel. Both he and Dice were here to guard their president while Ella broke the news about the pregnancy, concerned that Luka and his own guards might attack Viper.
Not an unnecessary concern, unfortunately.
“No. No, I’ll do it.” Her belly rolling with nerves, she glanced at Viper over her shoulder. He looked casual as anything, his arms loosely folded, his hip propped against the kitchen doorjamb. Behind him, Mia poured drinks while Dice leaned against the counter.
“You’ve got this, Ella,” Viper assured her.
Another knock, this one harder.
Muttering beneath her breath, she padded over to the front door and pulled it open. Luka stood on the other side of it, his guards close behind him. Ella smiled. “Hey. Glad you could make it,” she said, backing up for them to enter.
They stalked inside … and then went completely still. Luka’s gaze darted from Jester to Viper.
As she half-turned so that she no longer had her back to Viper, the archangel inclined his head at her anchor and smoothly greeted, “Belinsky.”
Luka’s brow furrowed. “The fuck are you doing here?”
She snorted. “Charming.”
Luka refocused on her. “Why would you have invited these three to a family dinner?”
“I’ll explain that once Melodie and Jocelyn get here. It’s a long story, and there’s no point in me starting to tell it to you only to have to restart it once they arrive.”
Luka pressed his lips together and stared at Viper, his gaze now speculative. “You know … it once occurred to me that you hang on the periphery of Ella’s life. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Now I’m wondering if maybe I should have.”
Viper stared at him steadily, one corner of his mouth ever so slightly bowing up.
Ella inwardly sighed, having no faith that the upcoming conversation would go well. There was no way to reveal the overall picture—minus certain details, of course—that would result in merely smiles and a round of congratulations.
Luka turned to her, folding his arms. “What’s this about?”
She straightened. “I told you, I’ll explain everything when my mom and Jocelyn get here.”
“Or you could do it now.”
She didn’t, but he carried on pestering her to spill something right up until the intercom buzzed again.
As expected, it turned out to be her mother and aunt. Ella admitted them into the building and soon after opened the apartment door wide for them. They breezed inside, their smiles easy. Smiles that froze when they spotted the Black Saints.
Melodie turned to Ella. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she guessed, her smile flitting away. “What’s happened?”
“And why are they here?” asked Jocelyn, so much contempt lacing the word ‘they’.
Closing the door, Ella inwardly sighed. “Let’s all go sit down.” She turned and headed straight to the kitchen. Viper backed up, allowing her to pass.
At the table, Mia briefly looked up, clearly a bag of nerves. “Hi, everyone.” Her greeting was just a little too bright. Each and every guest narrowed their eyes on Dice, who still leaned against the counter. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
“I hope you’re going to in the meantime explain what’s happening, because I can’t wait until after we’re finished eating,” declared Melodie.
Ella gave a slow nod and settled at the head of the table. “Everyone please sit.”
Luka took the chair directly across from her, Melodie claimed the seat on Mia’s right, and Jocelyn sat beside Melodie. Viper stood behind Ella’s chair while Jester stood beside Dice. Luka’s guards planted themselves at his back, their uneasy gazes flitting from celestial to celestial.