Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Before I got pregnant, I trained with Kai every day though. I didn’t want to feel uneasy if I were ever put in a situation where I needed to defend myself. Judah agreed, and the training I started when I first arrived, advanced, and just before they all forbid me to do anything too strenuous, I was doing well.
But having two babies inside me, kicking non-stop lately, I don’t have any inclination to do anything physical. Even sex has slowed down. I don’t feel sexy, even though Judah, Kai, and Valen have fought me tooth and nail on the fact. They’re still trying to convince me I look even sexier now than I did before.
I don’t believe them.
Sighing, I push to my feet, and slowly move toward the windows. There are gardeners outside working on the flowerbeds. Two summer born babies are coming and everything has to be perfect for their arrival. I know why though, we’ll have the whole organisation here. All the elders will want to see the children, and welcome them into the clan.
There are so many rituals and ceremonies that come with being in the mafia, and so many rules to follow, it can be exhausting at times. But, I can safely say, so far I’m getting used to it.
I glance down at the ring on my fingers with fondness. I didn’t think I wanted to love him when I first saw him, but my heart knew better.
I close my eyes and recall the day I walked into the lawyer’s office. My father introduced me, and I was a mix of emotions. Hate, anger, frustration, but there was also desire. There was no denying it because Judah Venier is more than handsome.
Even then I didn’t want to admit how much I craved him. Each time we fought, argued, or bickered, every moment he was close to me, I ached.
But that wasn’t the end of it. When I walked into the Venier mansion and I saw Kai and Valen, something inside me had clicked into overdrive. I thought perhaps I had just not had enough sex before arriving at the island, but it was just fate toying with my future.
I was thrown into the lion’s den, and there was no getting out. I didn’t want to escape after a while. Now, I know I was brought here for a reason and I am happy. I find myself more at peace now than I ever was as a child growing up.
“Are you lost in thought again,” Judah joins me then. It’s been a year since he took over the helm from his father, and the organisation is running perfectly. There haven’t been too many issues, nobody has needed any torture, and he has only killed a small handful of enemies.
I can’t believe I find that so normal now. Before, it would have appalled me and I would have been a mess. Now though, I know my husband is here, wanting to keep our family safe.
“I was just thinking back to the day I met you for the first time,” I tell him as I press my lips to his stubbled cheek. He’s got a small smattering of salt in the dark strands of his hair which makes me smile. He’s getting older, maturing, and just like a fine wine, I can drink him in all day.
“Oh,” he says, “You mean the day you fell in love with me but hid it because you were too scared to admit how handsome you thought I was. And it was also the day you realised that your needs were far more complex than you thought they were.”
“How so?”
“It was the day you came to Black Hollow, and fantasised about me, Kai, and Valen fucking you.” There’s a knowing smile on his lips, and I realised he must have seen me that night. The warmth that heats my cheeks makes me want to shy away and hide. I can’t believe he was watching me.
“You were there?” I whisper as I glance up and find the flicker of desire in his eyes.
The corner of his mouth ticks upward, the slight dip of a dimple creases in his cheek, and he nods. “I was coming to your room to tell you that dinner would be ready. I did want to make sure you ate so you could keep your strength up, but then I heard the shower, and let’s just say, I’m curious.”
“Far too curious for your own good,” I retort, slapping him on the shoulder. “Why didn’t you say anything? Or even tell me when we finally admitted our feelings?”
Judah shrugs. “I don’t know. It wasn’t something I wanted to use against you in any way. I wanted you to find your emotions out for yourself, but also, when I did see you, I was so angry in that moment, I didn’t want to admit to myself that even then I wanted you so fiercely, I struggled with my emotions.”