Chapter 19
Nineteen
Belle
I freeze with my hand halfway to poking Aziel in the chest again. Shit. This day started out miserable and now it’s going to end that way.
The stab of pain between my eyes returns. “That is not how I wanted that news to come out.”
“ Kill us both ? What is that supposed to mean?”
I drop my hand to my flat stomach. In the months to come, it will grow with their child. Our child. “Both,” I say again a little slower. I look to my men. “I’m pregnant.”
Harlon roars with anger and I throw my arm out to stop him from burying his fist into Gage’s face. “Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you for violating my sister!” The rage in his eyes rises to lethal levels. If he mentions the basement this will turn into an all-out brawl with me in the middle.
“Stop your dick measuring and posturing,” I yell right back. “No one did anything to me that I didn’t want. And you don’t get to kill them because I’m going to kill them.” I whirl on my men. “What the fucking hell? You leave me at your home to come and confront my brother? Why?”
“Confront? No. Talk to, yes.”
Gage’s expression is as flat as his tone.
“Do I look like a damsel in distress? Do I need you coming here to ask permission for me to see you three? Do I look like I need the three assholes taking my problems on their shoulders for me? And why the fuck are you all smirking.”
Aziel answers first. “You’re pregnant?”
I nod. Damn them. My anger slips when they all smile.
“I never thought it could happen.” I’ve never spoken those words aloud. Hearing them from my own mouth makes my heart cry and quiver with hope.
Blue eyes hold me captive. “What? That we would have a family? The four of us? Or that you would find love?”
“That I would find men strong enough to take a mafia princess on and win her heart.”
My men surround me and anyone else in the room is forgotten.
“And have we?” Rush catches my chin with a finger. “Won your heart?”
“Yes.” I take all their hands and settle them over my belly. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you know you are our life now. Our world. Our everything. We will not let anything happen to you.” Gage’s words have a ring of finality.
“Damn straight.”
We all turn to look at my brother and his two friends. All three of them have peculiar looks on their faces. “Care for her and you’ll have our support in anything you need. Hurt her and the walls of God’s heavens will not keep me from finding you.”
“There’s not a being or force in this world who will harm your sister, Harlon.”
“You have all of our promises on that.”
“All three of ours.”
All three swear their devotion to me and with each promise, I feel the ties binding us strengthen around my heart.
“Harlon, I’m sorry. I owe you an explanation. Reasons why I did what I did. Hell, I haven’t even told you what I did.”
He holds a hand up. “This family is really good at keeping secrets. Keep yours. You don’t owe me anything but your happiness. I’m only sorry you thought you had to lie to me. I thought we trusted each other.”
I go to him. “You controlled me. The walls only drew closer the older I became. I couldn’t live like that anymore.”
His eyes narrow on me, his tone curt. Cold even. “Only out of love.”
I’m already shaking my head. “You loved too much, Harlon. You suffocated me.” I hate the weakness in my voice. The tears and emotions bombarding me.
I’m crushed to his chest. “Don’t you dare fucking cry, woman. I didn’t want to lose you, Belle. You’re the one good thing left in this world.”
I kiss my brother’s cheek. “You haven’t lost me, Harlon. I’m here. I’m still here.”
He chuckles softly, looking down at me with not an ounce of humor in his eyes. I see pain, loss and hurt there. Plenty of all three, but not humor. My heart breaks for the man. “I won’t admit this outside this room, but I was wrong. You deserve happiness. Go with them.”
“I don’t mean to leave you carrying the family burden.” I have been so busy thinking of what I want I forgot to think of him.
“You’re not, kiddo. He has us.” Cassius and Santi each kiss me on the cheek and tap the end of my nose. They lean their weight against a nearby lounge seat. They cross their arms, arrogance written all over their faces.
“Yes, he does.” I turn. “And I have them.”
Harlon pushes me toward Gage and my alpha man pulls me into his arms. My weakness for the dimples in his smile is never-ending. He wraps my arms around his neck, and I cling to him willingly. “Let’s go home,” he growls possessively. I tremble under his caring touch. The way his hand settles over my womb.
Home. My heart swells so large I have a hard time breathing for a moment.
Home.
Not a suite in the underground’s tower of secrets full of betrayal, hidden enemies and death. But a real home. Where a family can be raised, loved, and live freely.
A home where my filthy seals can do anything they like to me.
Rush and Aziel take the place of Santi and Cassius. I swivel my head and catch Harlon’s gaze over Aziel’s shoulder. I silently mouth I love you . He does the same and for the first time in my life I feel like my life is complete. In my heart of hearts, I know he will find happiness again. I only hope he lives long enough to enjoy it. Death is a constant companion in our world of crime and bloodshed. His world, I correct. While I’ll always be blood and die for my family, I have a new one to protect now.
Gage swings me into his arms as we head for the elevator. “I think we need to call New York and tell them we can’t come after all.”
“You sure about that, sweetheart? You round and plump with our baby would be sexy as hell to show off.”
I turn to make sure we are out of earshot of my brother. “We’ll see,” I say and let them lead the way to the rest of our lives.