Page 65 of Scornful

I step away to help Dasha while Fern sits with Florencia, grateful for the distraction.

Taking Cali from Dasha's arms, I start swaying, humming softly.

The baby settles almost immediately, her tiny fingers wrapping around my thumb.

Her weight is comforting, grounding me in the moment instead of letting my mind spiral with worry about Geirolf.

"You're a natural," Mom says, watching from her seat on the couch. "Ever think about making me a grandma one day?"

The question catches me off guard.

With Laken, the thought of children had filled me with dread—his constant criticism, his need to control every aspect of my life, had made me fear bringing a child into that toxic environment.

But now, being with Geirolf… it’s changed everything.

"Maybe someday," I murmur, focusing on Cali's peaceful face.

The baby's soft breathing, the warmth of her small body, it all feels so right.

"She's beautiful," Rayna says, coming to stand beside me. "Both of them are. Rio's so lucky."

I smile at her, adjusting Cali in my arms. "How are you holding up?"

Rayna rubs her pregnant belly absently. "Just trying not to think about it. If something happens to Magnus.." She trails off, unable to finish the thought.

"Nothing's going to happen," I say firmly, even though I'm not sure I believe it myself. "They know what they're doing."

Starla approaches with a tray of sandwiches nobody's touched. "Anyone hungry?"

We all shake our heads.

Food is the last thing on anyone's mind right now.

"I hate this," Meghan mutters from her spot by the window. "The waiting. Not knowing."

Fern moves to stand beside her, wrapping an arm around her woman's shoulders while Florencia starts to fall asleep on the couch. "It never gets easier. But this is part of the life we chose."

"Did we choose it, though?" I find myself asking. "Or did it choose us?"

The room falls silent at my question.

These women understand what I mean—the way we’re pulled toward these dangerous men.

"Both." My mom’s the first one to speak up. "We chose them, and they come with this life. Can't have one without the other."

The sound of motorcycles in the distance makes everyone freeze.

The engines grow louder, closer, and then cut off all at once.

I pass Cali back to Dasha, my heart hammering as footsteps approach the door.

"They're back," someone whispers, and we all surge toward the entrance.

The door swings open, and I scan the faces of the men filing in.

Runes comes first, looking tired but unharmed.

Then my dad, his expression grim.

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