Page 179 of Monster

My knees felt fucking weak, and it was a miracle I was able to stay standing.

We got to the room, and her doctor greeted us just as I got Emmy situated on the bed.

“How is Mommy doing today?” Dr. Bryant asked. The doctor was a small-statured, dark-skinned woman with a no-nonsense attitude that I respected, along with an impressive list of credentials. More importantly, Dr. Bryant was a woman.

“I’m doing good,” Emmy said.

I frowned at her.

Her skin was getting pale, and it wasn’t as if Emmy had naturally tan skin on a regular day. If she got any paler, I’d be afraid people would mistake her for Casper.

“Baby, tell the doctor the truth.”

She glared at me. “I am fine, you big mule. I’m only like this because of you and your breeding kink!”

Dr. Bryant barely batted an eye at our conversation. After seven months of my harassing her, I was sure she was used to us by now.

“Dominic is right, Emmy. It’s important to be honest with me so I can provide you with the best care possible.”

Emmy pouted, her eyes shimmering. Fuck me, but I couldn’t handle her tears right now. I would probably tear this whole damned building to shreds.

“I’m in a little pain,” she whispered.

“Baby,” I said, moving closer to her, pushing the strands of her long dark hair out of the way. “What can I do?”

I didn’t feel helpless all that often, but I was now.

“Just your being here helps,” she said, offering me a sweet smile.

“Fuck, of course I’ll be here. I’ll be glued by your side, so much so, you’ll probably get fucking sick of me.”

She let out a light laugh that had my heart clenching in pain and making me feel like I could hold the weight of the fucking world on my shoulders.

I would fucking do it for her.

Fifteen long and grueling hours later, Emmy gave birth to my twin boys, Maddox and Caleb.

Along with my two oldest boys, these little boys were the most precious in the world. Fuck me, but they were so tiny. They were born premature, which we had prepared for since that was common with twins, and they would have to stay in the hospital for several weeks to grow a little more.

They were so perfect.

And I fell at first sight.

Emmy was resting on the bed. I went to her side after the boys were put down to sleep.

I glanced over at the ridiculous bouquet the Four Horsemen had sent in congratulation. The fact that they knew Emmy was in labor and arranged for the flowers to be sent told me they had eyes on my city.

Fuckers.

This partnership better go my fucking way, or I would be burning a trail of inferno all the way to Chicago.

At least they kept their word. After the elimination of the Sons of War, Blue Paragon was hit with a tax audit that resulted in a cool ten-million-dollar fee, along with the CFO sentenced to ten years in prison for fraud.

The Blue Paragon was no more.

Not when all of the investors pulled out, and there wasn’t even enough left of the company to even buy toilet paper.

“Lie down with me?” she asked.

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