Page 114 of Pretty Lethal
After everything went down with the Elites, Wilder visited his grandfather. He got a physician to assess him and ensure his medication was stopped; since then, his grandfather has become morecompos mentis. Unfortunately, it didn’t change his personality, and he’s still a raging asshole.
Wilder attempted to mend bridges with him, to establish a connection with his blood relative, but his grandfather couldn’t get past the fact Wilder wanted nothing to do with the Elites or his ‘rightful legacy’. He took massive issue with Wilder being with Emilia—who is apparently of the wrong stock, as though she’s a fucking show pony.
I didn’t like the guy the first time I met him, and I dislike him even more now. Although I was wishing for Wilder’s sake, his grandfather could have gotten past his own issues. After realizing his grandfather would never change or accept him, Wilder stopped trying. There’s the occasional family dinner that he attends, but that’s it. Wilder knows who his real family is now, and from what I can tell, he seems happy. He doesn’t need his grandfather when he’s got us; when he’s got Emilia.
Looking over at the woman herself, still clapping at the nameless, faceless students as they cross the platform, I can’t help but grin as I take in her flushed cheeks and broad smile. My gaze sinks lower, admiring her breasts practically spilling out of her cute sundress. They’ve gotten noticeably bigger in the last month, and I’m not the only one loving the change. I woke up to Wilder fucking them this morning, which started a whole round of sex that we most definitely did not have time for.
Finally, my eyes sink to the swell of her stomach, and as it always does, my heart stutters with so much love and admiration for this woman who is carrying my kid—ourkid.
Turns out, Wilder was correct—for once. Emilia got pregnant that night after everything went down with the Elites. We have no idea whose child it is, and we don’t care. We’ll probably have a fair idea after he or she is born, but for now, as long as they and Mama are healthy and happy, then so are we.
Catching me looking, Emilia smiles before leaning forward to capture my lips in a kiss. “We better go find them,” she says when we break apart. Her lids are at half mast, her voice coming out an octave deeper. My dick twitches in my pants, and I groan as I take her hand and pull her to her feet. Damn woman is horny all the time now. Makes it near impossible to get anything done, and we have hada lotgoing on recently. I’ve been busy with work and setting up the nursery while Wilder and Hawk have been studying hard for finals, not to mention Emilia’s Mom has been visiting so frequently since we announced we were pregnant that we’ve made up a permanent room for her at the brownstone. She’s still not entirely sold on us or our relationship with Emilia—and annoyingly seems to have grown closer to Wilder than Hawk or I. However telling her she was going to be a grandma went a long way to bridging the gap.
Now that finals are over, and school is out for the summer, Hawk and I have taken a leave from work, and the four of us are going away for the next two weeks. We’re planning to visit my parents for a few days. They know all about Emilia and have Skyped with her and the guys, but this will be the first time they’ll meet in person. After that, the four of us are going glamping—the closest to camping I could get Emilia to agree to. The idea is to enjoy some time to ourselves before the baby is born. Just us, nature, and a chiller ofvirginMai Tai’s, since Emilia has forbidden any of us from consuming alcohol in her presence.
We push our way through the crowd of graduates and attendees until I spot Wilder, Hawk, Hadley, and the guys clustered together.
“Ahh, congratulations!” Emilia squeals, launching herself at Hawk. He’s careful not to put too much pressure on her stomach as he cradles her to him, his hand caressing her bump as he grins down at her with the same love and adoration I experience every time I look at her.
She hugs Wilder next before moving on to Hadley, West, Cam, and Mason, murmuring congratulations to each of them.
“So, celebration at yours?” Hadley asks.
“Bring on the champagne!” Cam hoots, bouncing on his feet.
Emilia pouts. “No fair! God, what I’d give for a glass of wine.”
Chuckling, Hadley links her arm through Emilia’s. Heads close together, she says in a low voice, “I’ll be your sober buddy. We’ll get them drunk then play pranks on them.”
“Oooh, I always wondered what Cam would look like with a curly mustache,” Emilia responds conspiratorially. Cam’s too busy talking to Wilder to hear them.
“I think this is my opportunity to give Hawk a black eye. He’s too good now to get a shot in on the mats,” Hadley says thoughtfully.
I just shake my head at their antics, making a mental note to only have one glass of champagne. I donotwant to have to go to work tomorrow with a permanent marker doodled over my face.
Although, I would pay good money to have to watch Hawk do it. Or Wilder. Tomorrow will be his first official day at Nocturnal Enterprises. I’m excited to see what he can bring to the team. He’s been training with Hadley and Hawk in preparation, and while he won’t be out on any missions any time soon, it will be nice to know all of us are working together.
“So?” Hadley asks as we make our way to the car. “Did it come?”
I hide my grin, letting the two of them gossip.
Emilia doesn’t say anything, but Hadley must read the answer on her face.
“No way!” she practically screams, drawing attention from onlookers. “You got in? Of course, you got in. You’re Emilia Harrison. Soon to bedoctorEmilia Harrison.”
Emilia laughs. “Not for a while yet.”
Emilia applied to graduate school at Ridgeway to obtain her Ph.D. with the eventual aim of becoming a professor within the English department. She just received her acceptance letter in the mail yesterday. With graduation today, she hadn’t wanted to steal anyone’s thunder—although we all told her she wouldn’t be—so she’s kept it hush hush, until now at least.
“I’m so proud of you,” Hadley says sincerely.
We all are. Immensely proud.
“What about you?” Emilia asks, nudging Hadley’s shoulder. “Have you figured out what you want to do next?”
“I have,” Hadley states, piquing my interest. Until now, she has vehemently refused to think beyond graduation, choosing to enjoy her college years and worry about everything else afterward.
“And?” Emilia asks impatiently when Hadley doesn’t further explain.
