Page 37 of Her Dark Melody
Blue ended the call and cursed under his breath. He hated the thought of Franks being out in the world, able to get to Romy. The day she’d been stabbed…it had been the worst day of his life, even worse than the day his step-brother had shot her. Would the woman he loved ever besafe?
“Hey,Blue.”
He turned towards the sound of the soft voice and smiled at Ebony. “Hey, yourself, gorgeous. Everythingokay?”
She smiled at him. “Yes, the baby isfine.”
Blue smiled and kissed her cheek, shook Atlas’s hand. “Congratulations to you both. And don’t let anyone tell you it’s too fast – I wanted to marry Romy and have kids with her the minute I mether.”
Atlas nodded. “Thanks,man.”
Blue looked at him. “Hey, while Ebony is in with Romy, can I grab a couple of words? Nobiggie.”
“Ofcourse.”
When the twomen were alone, Blue repeated what the detective had told him. Atlas’ good mood disappeared. “Fuck.”
“Yep. Look, it goes without saying, security is apriority.”
Atlas nodded. “Considering our combined wealth, we can throw everything atit.”
“Agreed. Look, I think the more we coordinate our plans, the better. Is your mansionsecure?”
“It isnow,” Atlas said grimly. He sighed, rubbing his face. “Look, there’s no way else to say it, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about thethreats.”
“Atlas, there’s no use in brooding over that – at least that’s what I’m telling myself now. Romy’s alive…I’m sorry. I liked Mateo very much, he was a greatman.”
“He was. It’s Fino who I’m scared for. Ebony has been so great with him, as has Molly. Now this thing withCormac…”
“He’s a jackass,” Blue said, angrily. “Anyone who could do this…” He trailed off. “Cormac, we can handle. Atlas. You need testimonies, witnesses, we’re there for you. But Franks is a different prospect entirely. He threatened to kill my kids. He threatened to kill them as he was butchering my wife. Franks doesn’t get to buy his way out ofthis.”
Atlas nodded slowly, holding Blue’s gaze. “Agreed.”
“I swear…Romy, my family, your family…I’ll do whatever it takes to make them safe. Whatever it takes.” Blue could see Atlas followed his deeper meaning as the other man, his eyes dangerous,nodded.”
“Oh yes,” Atlas said in a low voice. “Whateverittakes.”
ChapterSeventeen
Ebony felt Atlas slip his arms around her waist as he got into bed beside her and she turned, smiling at him. “Strangeday.”
“Very.” He pressed his lips against hers, kissing her tenderly, and then sighed, burying his face in her hair. “Today, I got so excited about the baby, and yet when we were looking at the scan, I thought – how can this babynotbe mine? I feel like it is and yet I also feel strange saying that. I’m rambling, I have no idea what I’m talking about,” he added with a laugh and Ebonychuckled.
“Yes, you are, but I get it. Atlas, I wish with every cell in my body that it was your child growing inside me. Today was a wake-up call. I really do know nothing about the child and maybe…maybe I should try and find the father.” She looked at him with worried eyes and saw the slight hurt in them. “Atlas, I love you, as far as I’m concerned, you, me and the babyarea family. Don’t you think though it would be better to know? Isn’t that what Mateo discovered when he found out aboutFino?”
Atlas sighed and closed his eyes, pain flashing across his face. “Of course, I know you’re right. We should try to find out who the father is and give him the chance to be involved.” He grinned at her sheepishly. “But I really hope he doesn’t want youback.”
“Ha, first, he never had me, so to speak, and secondly, no one could take me away from you, Mr. Tigri. Despite everything that’s happened, loving you and this baby are the only things I know I’m sureof.”
“Good.” He took her hand and kissed the top of her fingers in turn. “So, if I asked you to marry me, that wouldn’t be toofast?”
The breath caught in Ebony’s throat. Marriage? Now? Soon she realized her hesitation had grown to more than was appropriate and that the hurt was back in Atlas’seyes.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer that question. Forgetit.”
Ebony crushed her lips against his. “Atlas, you are my everything. I just think we should slow down, take things one-by-one. You ask me that question a year from now? I promise I’ll sayyes.”
Atlas half-smiled. “I told you, I’m impetuous. You’re right, of course.Again.”
