Page 99 of The Devil's Wrath

“I always am. Now, can we please go downstairs and eat dinner with everyone? I’m starving.”

I nodded, pushing aside my worries for the moment. Hand in hand, we went down to the patio, where the others were already gathered around the table. We settled in next to Kai and Haven, Gage sitting on our other side. Haven smiled genuinely at Wrenly, and they engaged in small talk about the food. I grinned as I watched her converse with everyone, like she had always been a part of the family.

When she saw me staring at her, she leaned in. “What are you smiling at?”

I shook my head, still beaming at her. “Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you here with me, with all of us.”

She ducked her head, trying to hide her grin. “You’re such a sap,” she teased, but I could see the love shining in her eyes.

I ran my hand up her thigh, and she looked at me. Her cheeks flushed as she watched my hand move higher. We hadn’t been intimate since Connor had shot her, and I’d be lying if I said my dickwasn’t hard as a rock right now. When her eyes flicked to the bulge in my pants, she licked her lips subconsciously, and it took everything I had not to rip her clothes off and fuck her on the table for dessert.

Gage cleared his throat, breaking the tension between us. “You’re making me lose my appetite.”

I rolled my eyes and flipped him off, but he just chuckled and took a swig of his beer as Archer stood up.

Archer clinked his fork on his champagne glass. “We have an announcement to make.” He smiled down at Mila. Somehow, I already knew what he would say, and I grinned excitedly. “Mila and I are expecting!”

Everyone jumped up and congratulated them. Wrenly hugged Mila tightly, tears of joy shining in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you both.” Her voice was thick with emotion.

I clapped Archer on the back, pride swelling in my chest. “Congratulations, man. You’re going to be an amazing father.”

He grinned at me, his eyes full of excitement and a touch of nervousness, his hand resting protectively on Mila’s still-flat stomach. “Thanks, brother. I still can’t believe it.”

As everyone settled back into their seats, the conversation turned to baby names and nursery themes. Mila was glowing, her hand resting protectively on her stomach. I couldn’t help but imagine Wrenly with a rounded belly, carrying our child. The thought was new to me, but it filled me with a warmth I had never known before.

Under the table, Wrenly’s hand found mine, and she gave it a gentle squeeze. I looked at her and noticed her other hand resting on her stomach. When she caught me looking, she moved her hand quickly and cleared her throat.

“My stomach is sore tonight.” She gestured toward her scar.

I frowned, concern etched on my face. “Do you need to go lie down? I can bring up dessert.”

She shook her head, giving me a reassuring smile. “No, I’m fine. Just a little twinge. I don’t want to miss out on celebrating with everyone.”

I nodded but kept a watchful eye on her throughout the rest of the meal. As the night wore on, the excitement of Archer and Mila’s newskept the conversation lively and the drinks flowing. Wrenly seemed to relax, laughing and chatting with the others. But beneath the surface, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with her.

When the plates were cleared, Kai and Haven disappeared into the garden, and the conversation wound down. I stood and offered Wrenly my hand. “Ready to head up?”

She nodded, stifling a yawn as I helped her to her feet. We bid everyone good night and made our way upstairs, and I kept my arm wrapped protectively around her waist. Once inside our room, she sank onto the bed with a sigh, her hand again drifting to her stomach.

I knelt in front of her, my hands resting gently on her thighs. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She averted her gaze.

“Wren, what’s going on?” I pressed.

Silence.

“Wren!” I said, sharper than I’d intended.

Her eyes met mine. “I-I was just thinking about the Hunt.”

“The Hunt?” I echoed.

She nodded, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. “I know you said the Hunt wasn’t anything to you, but Archer chose Mila, and Kai would have chosen Haven if they didn’t have to hide their relationship . . .”

I took a deep breath, trying to choose my words carefully. “Baby, the Hunt was never about love or finding a wife for me. It is a twisted tradition, a way for The Brotherhood to assert their power and control over women. What I feel for you is so much deeper than anything the Hunt could have ever given me.”

She searched my face. “But what if I’m not enough for you? What if you wake up one day and realize you settled for me because you couldn’t have your pick of the women in the Hunt?”

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