Page 38 of Precious Hazard

I dash across the room with Sienna on my heels.

As has become their habit, my brother’s dogs are sleeping in front of Sienna and Drago’s bedroom door, but the moment she and I exit the room, the three of them spring up and trot behind us down three flights of stairs. We reach the ground level just in time to see Drago’s office door shut. Shit. We’re too late.

“Now what?” I ask. “Should I go in there?”

“Yes, that’s a good strategy. Less of a chance they’ll kill each other if you’re with them.

“Okay.” Drawing a deep breath, I set off across the hall.

Until today, it was easy enough to pretend this whole clusterfuck wasn’t really happening.What’s one year, anyway? Twelve months. It’ll pass quickly, right?With my feet practically dragging on the marble floor, I approach my brother’s office.Three hundred sixty-five days tied to Arturo Fucking DeVille. Oh God.

I twist the doorknob and step inside, just in time to witness Drago and the scourge from hell having a standoff in the middle of the room, guns pointed at one another.

“You are not marrying my sister, DeVille.” Drago’s furious voice reverberates through the room.

Great. The happy news has obviously been shared.

“I’m not really looking for your permission, Drago. I asked because some of us still respect old traditions, even in this day and age. But I’m marrying Tara regardless of how you feel about it,” Satan replies in an identical, pissed-off tone.

“Okay, guys.” I take a step toward them, holding my hands out like I’m approaching two snarling predators. Moving slowly, I circle until I stop at DeVille’s side. It might look like I’m supporting my man, but in reality, I need my brother to be able to see me and read my lips. “Could you two please put the weapons away so we can discuss this in a civil manner?”

“No,” Drago growls. “Get out of here, Tara. And stay away from the door.”

“Listen to your brother, Tara,” the devil tacks on. “Leave.”

Right, the two alphaholes have spoken.

I shift, drawing both men’s attention to me even while they continue to point their guns at each other. With my heart in my throat, my eyes frantically flit from my brother to my future husband.Fuck. Fuck! FUCK!!What do I do now? Think, damn it, think!

“I’m pregnant!”

“WHAT?!” both men bellow in unison.

Drago’s nostrils flare, and his murderous glare slashes DeVille. “You got my sister pregnant, you son of a bitch?”

Oh, shit!Wrong move, Tara.Bad, bad decision.

I wedge myself between them, facing Drago. “He didn’t,” I blurt, an instant too late to realize howthatsounds, so I quickly add, “I mean…maybe. But… I might be pregnant. We had sex. Lots and lots of sex. So much sex that I might be carrying twins. Even triplets.”

I chance a look over my shoulder at DeVille. He’s watching me with raised eyebrows. His eyes look like they’re glowing, but I can’t be sure if it’s because he’s laughing or getting ready to shoot me next. His gun is still aimed at Drago’s head, but it wouldn’t take much for him to switch his target.

Well, fuck that! I’ve had enough.

“Lower your weapon,” I snap at DeVille, then turn back to my brother. “You too, Drago, put down your gun. I’m sick of this macho bullshit between the two of you. I’m a big girl and I can decide for myself.”

“And you’ve decided to marry this guy?”

“Yes.”

“By your own free will?” He narrows his eyes at me. “No one is making you do this? And this isn’t some sort of game where you two are just fucking with me?”

“Of course not!”

“You’re actually in love with this jerk and want to spend your life with him?”

Stepping back, I lean against Satan’s chest and grab his free hand, wrapping his arm around me. Immediately, I feel the heat of his body and the hardness of his taut muscles at my back, his warm breath upon my neck, and the flex of his splayed fingers on my stomach as he tightens his hold on me. His spicy cologne invades my senses, the hint of sweet smoke sending shivers racing along my spine. My pulse speeds up, and I hope my smile looks genuine as I say, “I am totally and completely in love with this jerk.”

Exhaling audibly, Drago lowers his gun and slides it back into its holster. He stretches his hand out to me while a strange expression crosses his face. There’s a mix of concern andresignation in his gaze. I take a step toward my brother, but the arm around my waist tightens even more. When I glance over my shoulder, my gaze collides with a dark, smoldering glare.

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