Page 41 of Little Nightmare

I stared at Ivan. His eyes widened like he knew I was about to fall on my own sword and drown in a pool of my own blood. It felt like I was leaving my body as I whispered, “It’s my fault. If she’s pregnant it’s because of me.” I steadied my own breathing. “I won’t say it was an accident, and I’ll take full responsibility for letting you down, for going back on my word not to touch her, and my code to the five families for daring to think I even had the right to look in her direction.” My gut clenched, and while I knew it wasn’t true, it felt like it was true right down to my soul as my heart cracked open or maybe just shook dust off itself and roared to life.

Quite possibly—by doing the right thing.

"I’m not sorry, though.” I found myself continuing to talk like I couldn’t stop even if I tried. “For coveting something so precious. And that’s the truth.”

Suddenly exhausted, I leaned against the counter. Dante lifted the gun and shot directly between my feet, missing on purpose no doubt. “Then, what do you owe me, Ace?”

I lifted my chin. “A pound of flesh.”

"When can I expect it?”

I held out my hand. “Give me your knife and I’ll do it now.”

"Then I’ll be worried you’ll short me.” He shook his head and shoved the gun back into his pants. “No, both of you, follow me, you were headed our direction anyway for the birthday dinners. You’ll give me my pound of flesh then sing me happy birthday with a damn smile on your face for the family. Speak of this to no one, not until it’s done.”

"It will be done tonight,” I said again.

"Tonight?” He let out a laugh. “I’ll get my flesh tonight, and this weekend, this weekend, I’ll gain a son-in-law.”

"Pardon?” I rasped.

“Welcome to the family. Now get in the fucking car.”

14

RAVEN

A pound of flesh, a present, for the birthday boss.

In all my life, I’d never experienced such a tense car ride. Ivan was staring at his phone like any minute it was going to explode, setting him free from the stress of it all, and my dad has yet to stop glaring at Ace.

I couldn’t believe he actually claimed me and made it seem like he was responsible, knowing full well the ramifications of his choice. I was so stunned I missed my moment to tell my dad he was wrong, and then it just happened.

Multiple times I could have told my dad no.

I didn’t want to get married.

No, the baby wasn’t his.

No, he never touched me in that way.

But selfishly I had to wonder, did I need protection even from my own dad, knowing I was carrying Louis’ baby? Knowing they were still not only investigating his side of the family but trying to find out why I was targeted in the first place?

Would a baby even be safe right now in this environment? With that blood line? And why the hell was our family so deranged it was something I had to even think about?

Bloodlines.

Honor.

Loyalty.

Revenge.

Louis had always been gentle with me. The last few weeks things had shifted, though, and he’d become a bit more aggressive physically. Not like it was unwelcome; if anything, I’d been the one pressuring him telling him how much I loved him and wanted to take things further. I even offered to go to my dad, which seemed to really freak him out.

“No.” He grabbed my hand. “I’d be happy just to stay by your side, maybe hold your purse or something.” He winked. “Love doesn’t need a label or a schedule. Let’s just keep existing the way we are.”

"So you don’t want me?” I teased.

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