Chapter 50
REGGIE
The hum of Inferno never stops. The most elite sex club in America, yet right now, it feels anything but sexy.
In fact, I’m itching to fucking leave. I come here for work purposes only now. I’m done with that part of my life. I’ve had a taste of a future I never dreamed of even wanting. Yet, now I can’t let go of it.
But somehow, my past always seems to catch up with me. And here I am.
Lyla sits across from me, legs crossed, red nails tapping the armrest like she’s counting down to her next performance.
I pour whiskey just to have something to do with my hands.
“Alright,” I say, leaning back. “You said it was important.”
Her gaze flicks to my glass, then to me. “I’m pregnant.”
I take a slow sip. No flinch. No blink. Nothing.
She always hated that she couldn’t read me.
“Congratulations,” I say flatly.
Then I laugh low. “Creative opener.”
Her eyes flash. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” I swirl the whiskey, watching the amber burn against the glass. “I had access to your notes, used condoms religiously. And let’s face it—most of the time, I wasn’t the one fucking you. I’m calling absolute bullshit.”
She crosses her arms, trembling slightly. “You think I’d make that up?”
“Yes.” Calm. Cold. “You’d set fire to a church if it meant getting my attention recently.”
The mask slips for the briefest second, and now the venom is peeking through. “You’re such a fucking bastard.”
“Only when people waste my time. We had an agreement. That ended. We’re adults. This needs to stop.”
She stands, hands shaking. “You want the truth?”
“I’d prefer it,” I say, voice even, “but honestly? I couldn’t give a shit. There’s no way in hell you’re pregnant with my baby.”
“It’s not yours,” she snaps. “It’s Rowan’s.”
The glass hits the floor.
I stare at her. Every muscle locks tight. “You want to try that again?”
Her chin lifts in defiance, eyes shining with tears she refuses to drop. “You heard me.”
Something twists in my chest. Not anger—something colder. A hollowness that spreads fast.
I’d do anything to protect my brother. If this stopped him and Bella… maybe it was worth it. Even then, I’d look after him.
“Get out,” I say.
She doesn’t move. I know she’s lying. I know it in my bones. But Rowan can be reckless, especially when I’m not there.
“Reggie—”
“I said get out. What do you want? Money? Fine.” I throw a stack of fifties at her feet.
When I rise, she flinches—not because I touch her, but because I don’t.
Stillness from me is always worse.
“If you’re pregnant,” I grind out, “hand your notice to Declan with the medical proof. Only then will I hear you out. Until then, stay the fuck away from Rowan.”
I shove open the heavy door, and the noise of Inferno slams into me—heat, bass, bodies, the club roaring like it always does.
“Reggie, wait!” Lyla stumbles after me in heels.
I’m halfway down the hall, heart pounding, when I see them.
Rowan. Bella.
At the entrance—her hair beautifully messy, his shirt half undone. A smear of chocolate on her collarbone catches the light.
My stomach drops.
Rowan freezes. Bella goes pale.
“Reggie,” Lyla breathes behind me.
She grabs my arm. I yank it free.
“Come on, lover boy,” she purrs loud enough for the whole damn club to hear. “Back to the private room. I need more of you.”
Everything in me goes quiet.
Two brothers. One woman.
A single heartbeat of stillness before it all goes to hell.
Rowan shakes his head, disappointment slicing through the tension.
Bella’s gaze flicks between me and Lyla. Rowan squeezes her hand like he’s trying to steady her.
“Oh. Wait. Is that your fiancée, Reggie?” Lyla croons. “Why’s she with your brother? I saw them together before.”
My fists clench. “Lyla. Leave. Now.”
“And miss this drama? Not a chance.” She smirks. “While we’re all here—Rowan, I have—”
“Shut your fucking mouth.”
If I walk away now—if I play the villain to protect him—then it’s over with Bella. She’ll think the worst of me. But I can live with that. I’ve done worse to protect my family.
Bella steps forward, fire in her eyes.
“I don’t know who you think you are,” she says to Lyla, voice sharp as glass. “But you’ll leave both of these men alone. Or we’ll have a serious problem.”
Lyla scoffs. “Please. You’ve been here five minutes. You think I’m scared of you?”
Bella laughs. Then she looks at me, and I see the warning in her eyes. If I don’t stop this, someone’s going to bleed.
“Lyla,” she says sweetly, “do everyone a favor and take your desperate, fake ass out of here.”
Lyla plants a hand on her hip, glancing between us with a smug grin. “What? You can’t decide which one has the better dick before you marry one? Let me tell you, it’s—”
Her sentence dies when Bella lunges. On instinct, I grab Bella’s wrist mid-swing.
“Princess. Not here.” My tone drops.
She turns slowly, nostrils flaring. “Is this really what you want to do, Reggie? Because this—” she gestures between us, between all of it, “—this is a choice.”
Something inside me cracks.
By stopping her, she thinks I’m protecting Lyla.
And maybe I am, in the smallest, ugliest way, because if Lyla isn’t lying, I can’t let Bella destroy her in front of the entire club.
Conan steps out of the shadows, ready to intervene, but I hold up a hand.
“You fucking bitch!” Lyla shrieks, lunging at Bella.
Rowan grabs her, holding her back as she thrashes.
“Don’t you dare fucking touch her,” he snarls.
Bella’s eyes cut to me, volcanic fury and heartbreak burning in them. Because of me. Again.
“You want a punch in the dick now or later, Irish?” she hisses.
I blink. “Excuse me?”
She jerks free of my grip and slams her knee straight into me. Pain explodes through my stomach.
“I didn’t need Lyla to finish her sentence when I already know the answer,” she spits.
And just like that, my heart bleeds out.
Tears pool in her eyes as I straighten, ignoring the ache.
“Bella, please, let me explain all of this,” I whisper.
She shakes her head, swallowing the tears. Always fighting not to break. I know how that feels. And I hate that I’m doing this to her.
But, as I look up at my brother, I don’t have a choice. Until I can confirm Lyla is lying, I need to protect him.
“You’re all fucking crazy!” Lyla shrieks, tearing herself from Rowan’s hold and storming out.
Rowan doesn’t stop her. His fury is all aimed at me now.
He steps beside Bella protectively.
“Precious,” he says quietly, “go home. We’ll meet you there and talk about this like adults.”
He looks directly at me. “It’s about time, for all of us.”
She nods, brushing her hand against his as she turns away.
Just another hit to the ribs.