Page 66 of Deviant

Our first day as husband and wife.

Besides…telling him meant the fight of my life, because I wasn’t getting rid of his baby, and I knew he’d want me to. I understood his reasoning. Part of me even agreed with his thoughts on bringing children into our crazy life. It was the whole reason he’d left his son alone, choosing to give the boy a stable life, because ours had proved too dangerous.

But I could no sooner abort his child than I could stop loving him. I was split down the middle on what to do. If I could keep the pregnancy from him until I reached the second trimester, then he’d have no choice but to acceptmychoice. But not telling him felt fuckingwrong.

I wanted this, but I wanted him to want it too.

Finally spent and stomach empty, I pushed to my feet then washed up and brushed my teeth. My hair was a disheveled mess, but the tangled curls cascading down my back made me feel sexy.

Rafe liked my hair wild and free, so I left it as-is and exited the bathroom to find the bedroom awash in a golden hue from the rising sun beaming through the double skylights. I hadn’t gotten a good look at the cabin last night, but now the sight of our bedroom left me in awe…and a little apprehensive.

The bed was a king, four sturdy bed posts reaching toward the ceiling. Underneath the frame, I spotted a system of chains and tethers. A closer look at the headboard revealed built-in stockades. I moved toward an ornate wooden dresser, and when I reached for the handle, the diamonds in my wedding band sparkled in the sunlight, surrounding the brilliant jade stone. I wiggled my fingers, admiring the way the ring shimmered before trying to pull a drawer open. The thing wouldn’t budge, and neither would any of the other drawers.

The armoire was also locked.

Rafe had locked away every piece of clothing I owned, along with God-knew-what-else inside those heavy pieces of furniture.

With a growl, I thought about the key he wore around his neck. What a way to taunt me, with that key in sight but never fully in reach.

On the bright side, he hadn’t chained me to the bed, so I assumed he wanted me to greet him downstairs, buck ass naked. As I approached the door, I spotted my wedding gown where we’d left it on the floor last night, too desperate to make it to the bed to care where it landed. I folded it, smoothing my palm over satin and lace, and placed it on top of the dresser.

As I ventured down the steps that would take me from the loft to the first floor, I couldn’t express how thankful I was that Jax and Angel were giving us some space. It didn’t matter how many times I’d been naked in front of others—I wasn’t comfortable with it and probably never would be.

I reached the bottom and halted, my mouth gaping at the open space. Windows that spanned floor-to-ceiling faced the Oregon side of the Columbia River, and deep green suede furniture sat grouped together, facing the view.

This was the place where Jax had paddled me last night, but it seemed so different in the daylight. A fireplace sat tucked in the corner of the room, and above the mantel sat an oversized wedding photo of Rafe and me.

Jax must have had it made last night after the reception. My gaze landed on the white paddle hanging next to the fireplace, and I figured my guess was spot on.

“Rafe?”

God, I couldn’t wait to see him. To kiss him good morning and call him my husband. I’d give us this one day before I upended our lives with the news of my pregnancy. As tempting as it was to try to hide it from him, I knew I wouldn’t be able to. My period would come due any day, and he was bound to notice its absence this time.

The opening of a door came from where I guessed was the direction of the kitchen, and I couldn’t stop the smile that took hold of my face.

How was it possible to feel this fucking happy?

“Good morning, Husband,” I said, entering the kitchen.

He was bent, his dark head obscured by the refrigerator door. A chill slithered down my spine. I backed up, my instincts kicking in even before he stood, closed the fridge, and faced me with his too-familiar grin.

A grin that didn’t belong to Rafe.

No.

I thought I’d spoken aloud, but I couldn’t have, because my lips refused to form words. My vocal cords wouldn’t melt from their frozen state.

“Long time, no see.” Zach lowered his gaze in small degrees, every second a stolen moment as he ate up the sight of my nudity. His eyes stalled on my belly and Rafe’s name tattooed there, and dread coiled around my neck like a snake.

His hazel eyes darkened.

“Rafe!” I screamed, jolting into motion all at once. I whirled and sprinted back the way I’d come, frantically searching for the one man who swore to always protect me.

But he was no where to be found.

It was just me and Zach and his arms coming around me from behind, trapping me against his broad chest as I kicked my feet. His lips hovered at my ear, and above the panicked throb of my pulse, I heard Zach’s voice.

Low.

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