25. Ella
25
ELLA
S liding the romper’s silky material up my body, I clip it behind my back to hold everything in. The shorts just kiss the top of my thighs, while the neckline plunges to show more cleavage than not, and the straps are thin and clip together like a bra at the middle of my back.
Its midnight blue color is sexy and daring because I don’t typically wear things like this. When I saw it in my closet, however, I instantly loved how it reminded me of Theias and the intensity in his own midnight blue eyes.
I slip my feet into a pair of white heels before standing in front of the mirror to study the finished product. As I turn sideways, I notice how my body is transforming with the twins nestled in my womb. My boobs are bigger, my hips flare, and if I hold the material of my outfit tight, there’s the slightest bump in my stomach. Maybe it’s all in my head, and I’m only seeing what I want, but I like the changes happening to me.
Smiling to myself, I snap a picture, edit it so just my little bump is showing, and send it to Theias. He’s the one who explores my body at every opportunity, and I know he’d love to see this since he was gone before I woke this morning.
My phone dings with his response before I’m out of our room. Daddy T: Fuck that’s a gorgeous sight. Where’s the rest of you?
Smiling, I stop in the middle of the hallway to text him back.
Me: You’ll see me tonight ;)
Daddy T: Difficult woman.
Me: Only for you Daddy 3
Daddy T: Damn straight.
“You guys are so gross,” Ollie mutters in my ear, reading the messages over my shoulder.
“Maybe you shouldn’t read what isn’t for your eyes,” I scold with a smile to take away the sting.
“I really can’t come to the fight?” He pouts adorably as we walk downstairs side by side.
“Sorry, bud, adults only.” That earns me a grimace. “In a year or two, maybe. Do you really want to be around that kind of violence?”
He stops to look at me with a sympathetic gaze. “It’s not the violence, El, it’s Theias. He’s treated me better than…” I take in a sharp breath; the truth stings, though I know he doesn’t mean it to. “He’s like a big brother. He talks to me, includes me in shit, and doesn’t treat me like an annoying kid.”
“I’m really pleased you guys have that.” Cupping his cheek in my hand, I tug him in for a hug. “Life is good, Ollie. I don’t want you to feel anything but love from now on, but this fight, it’s not a good one. Not one you should witness. I promise I’ll talk to Theias, and he’ll decide on one you can come to.”
“You mean Daddy. ” He gags, then laughs.
My cheeks heat as I pull back and slap his arm playfully. “Shut up. That wasn’t for your eyes, you brat.”
“You ready?” Caleb comes out from somewhere with a bag packed for Oliver, and he hands me what looks like an adult Lunchable.
“Yum. Thanks, Caleb.”
He nods as he leads the way out of the house with a few men standing near the two cars waiting for us.
“It’s like a presidential motorcade,” Oliver jokes as a man from each car holds open the doors for us.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I hug him again and watch him leave with four men. “Is there something I should know, Caleb?” If there’s a safety issue, I need to know about it.
“No. Theias is just cautious with you and, by extension, your family.”
I stare at him. He’s stoic and doesn’t flinch, so I nod and get in the car. He follows behind me as two more men sit in the front.
“When are my parents coming?”
Taking out my phone, I decide to play with Theias some more. I stretch out my leg, bending it slightly at the knee, and send the picture.
“Are you teasing him?” Caleb chuckles when I nod. “They’ll be here next week. Theias wants to find them housing first.”
I agree, feeling a surging burst of love for this man who has somehow taken over my entire life with no remorse, and I just go along for the ride.
His response to my picture makes me laugh. It’s a picture of a wolf drooling while hunting a rabbit. That would be the epitome of my man. Impulsively, I stretch out my other leg next to Caleb’s–we aren’t touching–and send that one.
“You’re going to get me murdered, woman.” The man groans as his phone rings. “She’s fucking with you, man.” I can hear Theias issuing threats as he yells at poor Caleb before hanging up. “You want to dig my grave, or should I ask Ollie to?”
Dropping his head back, he sinks into his seat and closes his eyes as my phone dings again.
Daddy T: Woman. You’re asking for a spanking so hard you won’t walk right for a fucking month. Don’t test me.
I send back heart emoji eyes, sighing when he sends a single pink heart back. He means business, but I know he’s all mush on the inside when it comes to me. I don’t doubt the spanking will happen. Hopefully tonight while he fucks me in his office with his best friends watching.
My panties dampen at the visual, and I send back a water emoji, wondering if he’ll understand. He responds with a fire one, and my breath catches. I can’t wait for this fight to be over so I can have him all to myself.
As we arrive at the arena, I’m surprised by the entry lineup. It’s around the block, with hundreds of people dying to get inside.
“I didn’t see anything about this fight being advertised. How do they all know?” I look at Caleb as we drive around back to a private entrance.
“Dark web and personal invites,” he replies, extending a hand to help me out as the door to the building opens, and I’m escorted inside immediately.
Lucas waits for me with a smile as we enter. “You look delicious.” He winks as I blush again.
“Thanks.” I take his offered arm as he leads the way through the arena, giving me a glimpse of what it’s like for spectators. “Holy shit.” The seats are nearly filled to capacity already. “Will all the people outside get in?” I glance back at Caleb.
“Probably not. Everyone gets vetted before they’re allowed in. They also have to hand over their cell phones and accept a pat down before making it past the main entrance. Theias is on top of this one.”
Wow. I didn’t realize how secure it would be.
Leaning into Lucas, I whisper, “Is he going to kill Tank?”
“It’s a fight to the death kind of match. Unless one of them has mercy on the other.”
“What if Theias doesn’t win? Tank was so huge.” My heart hurts at the idea of Theias leaving me tonight, and I can’t quell the tears slipping down my cheeks.
“Look what you fucking did, asshole.” Caleb pulls out a handkerchief and dabs at my face. “Theias won’t lose,” he assures me. “You’re waiting for him. He’s not missing out on that.”
I drop my head slightly, attempting to gain control of my emotions by counting my breaths. “Is there a washroom around?”
“We’ll take you up to his office,” Lucas offers.
We pass a few people who are here to watch the fight as we go. Some give dirty looks; others are curious about who I am. None of them are allowed close enough to speak or touch me, however.
“I feel a bit like royalty for all this fuss.” I laugh as the door closes and locks behind us.
“You are,” Caleb replies simply. “Theias has his hands in every pot in this state. Official, underground, illegal. You know it, and he’s touched it. Not many people are willing to go against him because he won’t hesitate to rip someone apart.”
“Oh.” Should I be questioning my own morals here? I’m with a man who is literally about to beat another man to death for touching me, and it doesn’t really bother me.
Lucas points out the bathroom, and I take advantage of it. Closing the door behind me, I lean my hands on the counter and stare hard at my reflection. A tear streaks down my cheeks, the excitement in my eyes, and the pounding of my heart in my breastbone are all visible.
I worry that Blake has desensitized me to violence. Being exposed to it on a daily basis, I never considered what it would do to my future. Even when Tank showed up at the house, I barely blinked. I didn’t freak out and run when Theias rearranged his face, other than the blood making me nauseous, and that was likely pregnancy-related.
Is there something wrong with me?
I can’t be sure, but I realize something as I refresh my face with cold water. The most brutal man in the state is the only man in my romantic life who has ever treated me with love and kindness without beating me down.
How in the world can there be anything wrong with that?
Maybe I’m not the one who is broken, but the rest of the population because as I think about it, I realize, the love I feel for Theias is larger than myself. Larger than anything I’ve ever known, and I won’t throw it away due to insecurities.
Head held high, I step out of the restroom and stride to the window overlooking the arena. People settle in their seats, and as the lights begin to dim, an announcer steps into the caged ring, his voice booming and filled with excitement as he riles up the crowd for the first three fights.
As time progresses, the atmosphere transitions into something dark and malevolent as the emcee begins announcing the main event, highlighting that it’s a match to the death.
In the first row, I happened to notice Blake jumping and cheering with a girl beside him as he chugged down one, then two, then three beers before the first fight had even begun.
Glancing down at him now, I ask Lucas and Caleb, “He’ll kill him, too, right?”
I catch them as they share a look.