Page 24 of Her Dark Melody
For now, though, she would take his kiss, his promise, and enjoy the rest ofChristmas.
In bedthat night they made love, quietly as the rest of the house slept. Ebony smiled up at him as Atlas moved in measured thrusts inside her, and knew she was falling in love with him. How could she not? He was everything, he was perfect. Wasn’the?
I don’t know, she thought,but for right now, he is perfect for me. Can we be happy?She played out different scenarios in her mind and still didn’t find an answer. As he slept in her arms, though, she knew she would try, and there was somethingelse.
She didn’t know when exactly she’d made the decision, but she knew it was the right one, regardless ofanything.
She was keeping thebaby.
Chapter Ten
In the morning she awoke to raised voices and shouting from downstairs. The bed beside her was empty, and she grabbed her robe and wentdownstairs.
“Youfucker,” one of the twins was shouting. “You have no sense of family, ofloyalty.”
“Mateo,” Cormac’s booming voice echoed around the house, “Who do you think you are to lecture me on my sex life?You, of all people. You and Atlas, neither of you are angels when it comes to women. I mean, all of a sudden, you’re both coupled up and faithful? Comeon.”
“Says the man who is engaged for position and money and nothing else. Does Lydia know that’s why youproposed?”
“Why don’t you ask her? You seemed to have a pretty good idea of what shewants.”
“It was six years ago, and we parted on good terms.” Mateo was almost growling. “I just don’t want to see herhurt.”
“Or maybe there’s unfinished business betweenyou.”
“I’m in love withMolly.” Mateo sounded dangerous now and Ebony shivered at the ice in hisvoice.
“Oh yeah, the teacher. You and your brother have really aimed at the heights with your women. A teacher and a whoresinger.”
“You fuck!” Ebony heard furniture crashing and realized Mateo had gone for Cormac. “You don’t get to call Ebony a whore, and you don’t disparage Molly, youasshole!”
Feeling like she needed to do something before someone got hurt, she hurried into the breakfast room to find the two men struggling with each other on the floor. “Stop!”
Both men froze, and Ebony heard footsteps behind her. “What the fuck is goingon?”
Atlas stepped around Ebony, touching her cheek, then hauled his brother off Cormac, who got upsmirking.
Mateo was still enraged. “Get that bastard out of my sight, Atlas, before I lose it completely.Please.”
Cormac held up his hands. “I’ll go, don’t worry. Another minute in this house playing this family charade would make mesick.”
As he left the room, he stopped in front of Ebony, who recoiled, as he ran his eyes up and down her body in such a way as to make her feel naked, and violated. Cormac smirked at her obvious discomfort and left theroom.
Mateo ran a hand through his dark curls. “I’m sorry, Ebony, Atlas. I’m sorry I lostit.”
“He was trying to goad you all day yesterday,” Atlas said, his hand on his brother’sshoulder.
“And I let him get to me.Fuck.”Mateo looked at Ebony. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Don’t let what he said affect you. We all know it’suntrue.”
Ebony smiled at him. “Thanks for defending me,Mateo.”
“Anytime, gorgeous.” Mateo looked at his brother. “Cormac is poison. He’ll ruin Lydia’s life if we lethim.”
“It’s not our battle, Mateo. Lydia is quite aware of what Cormac islike.”
Atlas and Ebonydrove back to his apartment in the city that night. “Sadly, I will have work tomorrow. What will youdo?”
“Juno and Obe are traveling up so I’ll probably hook up with them.” Ebony told him, stroking a dark curl behind hisear.
