Page 41 of Breathtaking

“Five. And back then, she had stuff going on she had to deal with and asked me to walk away. And man, it was the hardest thing I ever did. But it’s what she needed and what she asked for, so I did it.” I hate the words even more, once they’re said out loud. I sound like a whiney little bitch. “But seriously, she was the one who got away. Then a few months ago, she showed up in town during a damn snowstorm. Wrecked her car, and I found her.”

Just thinking about that night pisses me off.

Not because it wasn’t incredible.

But because it ended the way it did.

“So what happened?” Callen’s invested now. The asshole is hanging on every word. He’s not even touching what’s left of his dinner.

I look at him, and he smiles, proud. “Now, that’s what I call playing the long game.”

“Says the ass who’s been quietly in love with my sister for years,” I grumble, and his grin grows.

“Yup. So that was months ago. What happened between then and now?”

I pace the floor, hoping Anastasia doesn’t wake up. “My brothers showed up the next day and mentioned I’d slept with her cousin. She got pissed and left. And she showed up at il leone today and told me she’s pregnant.”

“Oh. My. God,” Caitlin gasps from the other side of the room. “Ohmygod. Oh please,please, please can I be the one who tells Mom?Please?” she begs.

“Cait,” I warn her. “This isn’t funny.”

“Yeah, it is,” she deadpans. “You were so pissed when you found out I was pregnant.”

“I was pissed you two were messing around behind my back. It had nothing?—”

“Don’t even, Maddox,” Caitlin warns me. “Don’t go there. You were pissed. Dad was pissed. Mom wasn’t thrilled. And karma’s a bitch you pissed off. Oh man. This is freaking fantastic,” she giggles.

“Caitie,” Callen tries to rein her in, but once she gets going, there’s no stopping her.

“You banged two different princesses and knocked up one of them.” She claps her hands excitedly. “Is there any chance they’re both pregnant?Thatwould be freaking amazing.”

“Caitlin—” I try to stop her. “No. I haven’t even...”

Her eyes narrow like a cat about to play with its prey. “Haven’t what?” Her eyes grow wide as my words click. “No shit. Not since last spring?”

“I am not having this conversation with you.” I walk over to her and give her my niece. “I’m out of here.”

Cait takes Anastasia from me and pouts. “Don’t go. I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not, but I’ll stop. I promise.” She sits down next to Callen and kicks her feet up in his lap. “So what are you going to do? Do you like this girl? Wait... how pregnant is she?”

“Jesus, Cait. Take a breath.” Callen looks almost worried she’s going to hyperventilate, she’s enjoying this so much.

“I was with her early spring. Like late March. So however pregnant that makes her.” I pull the sonogram from my pocket and lay it down in front of my sister.

Caitlin’s entire face softens, looking at it. “Wow, Maddox. She’s due on December twelfth. You’re going to be a daddy,” she whispers, awed. “What are you going to do?”

I think about the way we were already at each other’s throats earlier.

About her fucking engagement.

About that connection between us that always sparks to life the second I see her.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

“Looks like you’ve got about three and a half months to figure it out.”

Holy shit.

“That’s it?” I ask, my mind blown.

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