Page 47 of Bradi
“Husband and wife?” Peter said in disbelief.
Bradi stepped forward. “Pete, I am sorry. I never intended to fall in love with her. It just happened. I swear to you that the only reason I acted upon my feelings for Marisa was because we believed you were dead.”
Peter snapped his head up. “What? You’re telling me that you’re married to her? Oh gods, when in the hell? You never would have acted on it?” Resignation moved over Peter’s face. “You loved her before the crash, didn’t you?”
Bradi nodded. “I will not deny it. I have loved Marisa since the moment I laid eyes on her. Some part of me must have known that she was my true mate, even from the beginning.”
“I don’t give a shit what part of you figured out what, Bradi. You were my best friend. You don’t do that to friends.”
“Peter, you had little respect for Marisa. How many times did you ask me to cover for you when you were screwing someone else down in the privates’ quarters? How many times did you tell me that although Marisa was,” Bradi put his hands up and made quotes with his fingers, “a ‘looker,’ she wasn’t your type, but her family’s money made it all worthwhile?”
Marisa’s mouth fell open as she listened to Bradi accuse Peter of such awful things. Part of her wanted to think he lied, but inside, she knew what her husband said was true.
Peter locked gazes with her and laughed. “Oh, don’t look so shocked, Marisa. Why do you think I proposed to you without first getting to stick my dick in you?”
“Watch it, Pete. That is my wife to whom you are speaking.”
“And my friend,” Christian added, his tone as deadly as Bradi’s.
Peter chuckled. “No, that’s no one’s wife or friend. That’s a whore and an unfaithful little bitch.”
Bradi was on him in an instant. He pressed his clawed hand to Peter’s throat, as if daring him to say more.
Marisa ran to him and grabbed his arm. “Bradi, no. He’s not worth it.”
Peter’s gaze fell on her. “You let a shifter fuck you? Gods, Marisa, if I’d have known it was that easy to get a piece from you, I would have brought my dog along and let you suck my dick while he mounted you.”
Christian ripped Peter back a fraction of a second before Bradi slammed his clawed hand down. He struck the wall, leaving a gaping hole in place of where Peter’s head had just been.
Bradi growled and lunged for Peter. Christian put his hand out and white light spread forth from it, pinning Bradi in place. “Bradiainn, go and comfort your wife. I sense her distress and it is not good for her. I’ll see to this…thing.”
“Let me kill him, Christian!”
“No, friend. I cannot let you do that. You, of all people, understand the fine line we walk between being like Stegian’s men and staying decent. Allowing you to slay this man that you once called a friend could be your undoing, and I will not let that happen. I will accept this burden. Not you. You are a husband and soon to be a father.”
“Thank you, Christian,” Marisa said, moving to wrap her arms around her husband’s waist.
“Think nothing of it, little doctor.” He winked as he grabbed a grumbling Peter and stalked away.
“I need a bath.” Marisa tugged on Bradi. “Come and join me.”
A sharp pain shot through Marisa’s stomach and she clutched it quickly. It passed quickly and she righted herself. Lying her head against his back, she held him tight. “Why didn’t you tell me about all the things that Peter was doing when we were on the ship? I would have walked away from him.”
“And you would have terminated your employment with the Commission and I would have never seen you again.”
“You let him make a fool of me just to keep me around?” Marisa was shocked.
Bradi turned and pulled her to him. “No, Doc, I let him make a fool of himself just to keep you around, and I would do it again in an instant. I wanted you. And I couldn’t lose you. Come on, didn’t you mention a bath?”
“Yes.” She smiled mischievously. “I did, dear husband.”
