Page 3 of Ours

Opening her bloodshot eyes, she glanced around the tight space surrounding her. Much like her first abduction, she found herself lying on a twin sized mattress. Fluffy down pillows cradled her pounding head while a white faux fur comforter hugged her still numb body. Every so often, she felt herself jerk as the bed lurched upwards by an unseen force.

Pulling her eye-line to the curved wall of the room, she noticed three rectangular portholes. It only took a moment to realize that she was on an aircraft of some kind. Most likely a private jet since she was peacefully cocooned on a bed. Where the hell wasKade taking her now, and why did this abduction warrant such luxury?

It could be worse. You could be hidden away in some underground bunker, again. You gotta admit, this is a vast improvement. Take it as a win,Nikki said with a laugh.

Agreeing with the bitch in her head, she clumsily moved her pregnant body. Rolling onto her back, her eyes trailed to the open door positioned directly at the foot of the bed. Leaning against the jamb stood her captor, his large form filling the narrow entrance. With his arms folded and his shoulders hunched, his body language spoke volumes. He was guarding her like a wolf hiding a juicy rabbit from the rest of the pack.

Hearing a soft rustle behind him, Kade cleared his throat. Narrowing his dark brown eyes, he gave each of the three Skulls a solemn look. With his visual command, the men ceased their conversation. Moving their attention to their laptops and cell phones, they gave their Commander the privacy he needed to conduct his personal business.

Turning in the cramped doorway, he locked his heated gaze on his love. He was happy to see that she had awoke ahead of schedule. It was the proof he needed that the drug didn’t have any ill effect on her, or their baby. He could finally let go of the nagging anxiety that had been plaguing him for the past five hours.

“Hey, Sweetheart,” he began, purposefully softening his voice and plastering a large smile on his face. “How did you sleep?”

Tensing from the abrupt change in his body language, Lexi’s green eyes widened as he stalked towards her. She didn’t trust the loving aura he was trying to project. Did he honestly thinkshe would forget what he just did? Her husband was dead because of him. The bastard was lucky that she couldn’t fully move yet.

Reminding herself that the safety of her son took precedence, she reluctantly swallowed her anger. Deciding to fall in line with what she knew he wanted, she ignored her alter bristling in the back of her mind. Until she was physically able to fight and had the opportunity to escape, she would have to play his little game.

“Better than I have in months,” she lied, eyeing him as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. “But I can’t really feel my body, yet. I’m worried about the baby.”

Nodding his head with feigned concern, he reached over to gently help her into a sitting position. Making sure her back was settled against the tufted leather headboard, he pulled the comforter down to expose her belly. Unbeknownst to her, he had spent the first hour of the flight curled around her on the tiny bed, his rough hands learning every new curve of her body. It was then that he felt his child move for the first time. He knew that it was healthy and thriving. Their baby was a fighter, much like its mother. She had absolutely nothing to worry about.

“Here, let me see if I can feel the baby,” he said, placing his hands upon her pronounced bump.

Watching him intently, she found herself too dumbfounded to say a single word. He was touching her so reverently, gliding his hands over her like he was worshiping something sacred. Awe painted the handsome features of his face, causing her to forget about all of his evil deeds for just a moment.Thiswas the Kade of her fantasies, the one she knew was inside of him all along. Against her better judgment, she felt her heart melt. This was a moment that she had waited so long for.

Yeah, but you see,Nikki interrupted.He won’t have those heart eyes forever. That’s not who he really is. Don’t be blinded by this sweet act! But seriously, how can you possibly forgive him so quickly? He had Leo murdered, and let’s not forget the fact that he has kidnapped you! Again! He’s a dangerous son-of-a-bitch! Don’t you fucking forget that!

Annoyed by the voice in her head, Lexi slammed a mental door in her phantom face. She was fully aware of how sick and demented her harbored feelings towards him were, the last thing she needed was a guilt trip. As if the bitch was some moral compass, she was just as insane as the man now cooing loving phrases to their baby. Rationally, sheknewshe should compartmentalize this moment. Tuck it away somewhere in the dark recesses of her brain so she could continue to hate him. But for whatever reason, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.Why?How could she possibly love a man that was the physical embodiment of pure evil?

Oblivious to her internal conflict, Kade kneeled beside the bed. Carefully leaning down, he gently pressed a kiss against her belly. Whispering promises meant only for his child to hear, he was caught off guard by the feeling of a soft push against his mouth. It wasn’t the agitated, angry kick he had felt earlier. This was warm and forgiving. Loving, even. It made his black heart swell with emotions he didn’t think he would ever experience again.

“I just felt the baby, try not to worry anymore, my love,” he purred, lifting his face to lock his gaze on hers. “What is it? I mean...the baby. Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“You don’t know?” she asked, arching a brow curiously.

Shaking his head, he straightened his long torso. The sex of their child was the one piece of information that Leo hadn’t mentioned anywhere. He had assumed that they hadn’t found out the sex, but the twinkle in her eyes told him she definitely knew.

“Tell me,” he said.

Unable to stop herself from smiling, she practically beamed as the words tumbled from her mouth. “It’s a boy. We’re having a boy.”

Closing his eyes, He soaked in her words. Relief flooded his body, giving him the chance to finally breathe again.A son. She was carrying his son.Now he could take her to Bloodbayne without any reservations, without any fear. Their fate as a family was now secure. Everything was falling perfectly into place.

Unsure if his reaction to the news was positive or negative, she took a nervous breath. When the ultrasound tech had told her the sex, she remembered feeling like she had been punched in the gut. She had since grown to love her son fiercely, but the feeling of initial disappointment was very real. She hoped he wasn’t having a similar reflex.

“Kade?” she asked tentatively.

Opening his eyes, he raised his hands to cup her precious face. Leaning in towards her, he pressed his forehead against hers. He couldn’t believe how blessed they were. It was another sign that they were truly meant to be. “Thank you,” he replied softly.

Furrowing her brow in confusion, she opened her mouth but found herself unsure of how to respond. She had no idea why he was thanking her. It was a phrase she never expected to hear from the man she nearly killed.

“Does this mean you’re happy it’s a boy?” she asked, her voice lifting in hope.

Humming a reply, he pulled away just enough for her to see the look of pure joy warming his features. He hadn’t felt this much elation since the first night they had been intimate; the night they had unknowingly created the life growing inside of her.

“Very,” he said huskily, claiming her lips in a passion fueled kiss.

Caught off guard, Lexi stilled as his lips moved eagerly over hers. After a handful of greedy passes of his tongue and teeth, she melted into the wanton kiss. She knew Nikki was a hair’s breadth away from interjecting, but she couldn’t care less. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she would have this moment. She deserved this little bit of happiness, consequences be damned.

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