Page 58 of The Hitman's Omega Priest
Kensley’s stomach chose that moment to release an angry growl, and he chuckled. “Can we find food first? I’m eating for two, remember?”
Bishop kissed him. “Of course. I’m sure someone has invaded the kitchen by now. There are a lot of mouths here tonight. Do you want to eat with the others? Or take food to our room?”
“With the others, I think. I’ve been isolated for so long. First the cabin, then the island, and then all of this. I need to be around people. Is that okay?”
“Of course. But we aren’t sharing the pregnancy yet, right?”
“Right.” Kensley glanced around, but Dr. Melish had given them privacy. And the doctor wouldn’t blab Kensley’s private business, not even to King. Right? “I’ll have to tell King soon, but not tonight. Not until we know what our next step is.”
“Agreed. We don’t have to know every single thing right now. What’s most important is that we’re in this together. We’re going to be a family.” Hesitation crinkled the corners of Bishop’s eyes. “If that’s what you want?”
“Definitely!” He blushed, having not meant to shout that. “Iamhappy about this, it’s just so unexpected. Getting pregnant this soon was not how I anticipated our relationship going, but I chose you the first time we had sex, Bishop. I don’t want to be with anyone else, not ever. I love you.”
Wonder and joy spread across Bishop’s face, and a wide smile told him everything before Bishop said, “I love you, too, Kens. I’ve loved you for a long time and from a long distance but no longer. I can love you front and center, for the world to see. From now on, it’s you and me. Side by side.”
Joy filled Kensley’s heart to bursting. “Yes. My charus.”
“My charus, as well. My always.”
Bishop tried not to hover too conspicuously during their meal of steak and eggs, plus sides of salad, dinner rolls, and canned fruit, but he couldn’t help it. Every instinct in his body screamed to protect Kensley and their child at all costs—especially after the horrible news that Malori’s own two children had been stolen from him. If anyone ever took Kensley’s child, he’d burn the world down until he found them again.
But Kensley wasn’t kidding when he said he needed to be around people. He spent every possible moment chatting with the other men and women they’d saved. None of them had been recently wounded, or as physically traumatized as Malori, and while they were all shy and tentative to ask for things, they showed a lot of fighting spirit, especially the young alpha female named Ember. Her courage and tenacity glowed as brightly as her name suggested. From what Bishop overheard of their conversations, Ember had been the newest person sold into sexual slavery, about three months before Kensley arrived. She was angry but unbroken.
King didn’t eat with the group, passing through the dining room to the kitchen for a plate, and then leaving the same way he came. Bishop wanted to talk to his friend, but he also couldn’t leave Kensley’s side. Not yet. Not with the pregnancy news still so fresh. And even though the lodge’s perimeter was surrounded by trusted guards, anything could happen at any time. If their enemies somehow tracked them here and struck, he needed to be near Kensley.
He needed to be with his family.
Even after the food was cleared, the group remained in the dining room, talking quietly, seeming to like being clusteredtogether, rather than off in separate rooms. Bishop couldn’t blame them for not wanting to be alone, especially if they were kept as isolated from each other as Malori had been. Such an existence was impossible to comprehend, and more horrifying to know all those souls had lived it from three months to three years.
Bishop didn’t want to think about the victims who’d died in that brothel.
King’s men remained at points around the room at all times, observant without interfering, so when King texted him at seven o’clock to meet in the parlor, Bishop kissed Kensley soundly on the mouth, and then excused himself. It took him a few minutes to find the parlor in the sprawling lodge. King sat in a tall, upholstered chair, which was angled toward a lit fireplace. An open laptop was balanced on his thighs while he typed on his phone.
Without asking for permission, Bishop sat in the matching chair opposite King’s and waited.
King finally looked at Bishop, his normally stone-cold expression stormy. “I’ve got Hartford in charge of the six people we rescued. I’ve arranged for a private, secure location for them to continue their mental recovery, and for him to help them ease back into civilian life over the next few months.”
“That’s good.” Bishop didn’t bother asking where. The fewer people who knew that sort of information, the safer those damaged souls would be. “Six?”
“Kensley is obviously staying with us.”
“Of course, he is. And Malori?”
King’s left eyebrow twitched. “He’s coming with us, too. He’s still medically fragile, and I want him close to Dr. Melish.”
Just to Doc Melish?Bishop didn’t voice the thought. It wasn’t his business, and Kensley would love knowing Malori was staying with them. “And we are going…?”
“Back to the city. Despite everything that’s happened these last few weeks, barring attack by helicopter, my penthouse is the safest place for us right now. I hate taking Kens out of one prison and putting him in another, but even if I thought he’d go back to the abbey, it’s not safe anymore.”
“No, he definitely wouldn’t go back.” He’d likely be excommunicated because of his pregnancy, once it was known. “And your penthouse is a far cry from that apartment.”
“But not quite as luxurious as a beach house on a private island?” King’s lips twisted, hinting at his teasing.
“Definitely not. But your rooftop patio is a great place for a tan when the weather warms up.” Bishop leaned forward and braced both elbows on his knees. “Boss, now that we have Kens back and everyone is safe, are you really okay with us being together? Me and him?”
“Yes. I wasn’t blowing smoke to make you feel better in case Kensley was lost to us. You know that’s not my style. If you make each other happy, if this is real and you are actually charum, then you have my complete blessing.”
I need to hear that now more than you know.Not the time or place to lay the baby bomb on him, though. Kensley more than deserved to be present when King’s head metaphorically exploded. “So, when do we go home?”
