Page 75 of The Union
He rolled onto his side and tugged me to him. “We’ll get the fucker out of my head.” He growled, then brushed hair off my face. “You’re so fucking beautiful. You know that?” He kissed my nose. “I hope we have a daughter, and she looks just like you. Thick red hair.” He traced an area over my cheeks. “Freckles and those blue eyes. You know, I’ll kill the first boy she meets.”
I snorted, sliding my leg between his. “Why am I not surprised?”
He yawned, causing me to do the same. I suddenly felt like I might be able to sleep through the night, especially with my hunk of a man next to me.
“Sleep,” he whispered. “I’ll be right here if you have a nightmare.” He scooted closer to me, enveloping me in his arms.
I tucked my head underneath his chin and breathed in his masculine scent. Heaven came to mind. There was no other place I would rather be than in Sam’s arms. As I closed my eyes, I prayed we had more of these quiet and intimate moments together. Whatever we were about to face, Sam Mason had my heart and soul for as long as I was alive.
27
LAYLA
The midmorning sunlight streamed in from the wall of windows, giving the open floor plan a warm and cozy feel despite the chill in the air. I stared out at the courtyard below, rubbing my arms, rifling through last night—Steven’s conversation, Junior, my nightmare, a relaxing bubble bath, and making love with Sam before falling asleep in his arms.
While I felt better than I had in a long time, I was anxious to hear what Junior had to say, but I also couldn’t shake the notion that my grandmother and Rianne were holed up somewhere in the city. I wouldn’t put it past Harriet to force Junior to do her bidding.
The hum of the fridge and the gurgling in my stomach sounded ominous, sending more chills to tiptoe down my spine. Something horrible was on the horizon. I could feel a prickle of darkness building deep in the pit of my gut. I believed every word of Steven’s that a war was on the horizon, and no matter if Sam and I hid or not, I believed that he and I would have to fight. Therefore, it was more important than ever that I stayed in shape as much as my pregnancy would allow.
I rubbed my hands together, blowing my hot breath into them, shifting my thoughts to something positive for a moment rather than focusing on the darkness. My mom had always said that your mind could be your worst enemy. Hell, if it wasn’t true. For the last month, I’d brooded and cried and felt sorry for myself. I had to believe there was a rainbow at the end of whatever was headed our way.
A knock on the door snapped me back to reality as Jordyn came in all smiles and rosy cheeks.
“What has you so bubbly?” I asked, basking in her spirited attitude.
She padded across the room in her fur-trimmed black boots. “What has you so pissed or worried?”
I hugged myself. “Life. Granny. Junior.”
She pulled the sleeves of her yellow V-neck sweater over her hands, her burgundy-stained lips turning downward. “I hear ya. Are you feeling okay, though? You look pale.”
“I dreamed I was having twins, and I really think I am.” I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Jordyn since Sam woke up yesterday.
“As I once said, Sam has magic sperm. So don’t be surprised if you have a litter.”
I swatted at her. “Bite your tongue.”
She giggled, and I couldn’t help but laugh with her, and it felt liberating.
She curled brown locks of hair around her ear, her long mascara-coated lashes sweeping over her cheeks as she blinked. “What do you think Junior wants to tell us?”
“Other than Granny wants us? I’m not sure. Maybe Rianne had the nerve to be Carly’s test subject.” My heart skipped a beat. I prayed Rianne wasn’t idiotic enough to think she would turn out just like Sam.
Jordyn shook her head. “I still can’t believe how our sister has changed. But I’m trying to keep a positive outlook. Human or not, the SEALs will take no prisoners. Rianne will die if she fucks with them.”
A string of nerves squeezed my throat. “And you’re surprised?”
She frowned. “I’m sad.”
I was about to agree when Sam strutted in with Junior and Steven.
Junior looked like a hobbit compared to Sam and Steven, and Junior wasn’t a small man. He was bulky, but clearly Steven and Sam had the height over Junior.
My cousin whistled as he took in his surroundings. “Military treats you right. Maybe I should join.” He appeared well rested, recently showered, and had no visible cuts or bruises. Sam wasn’t a fan of anyone in my family except Jordyn and, of course, me. Still, I wouldn’t put it past Sam and my cousin to duke it out. Both had crass attitudes. But Junior’s asshole nature was a five on the dickhead scale compared to ten for his brother, Noah.
Junior lasered his focus on me and faltered. “What the fuck? Youarepregnant. I thought Sam was kidding when he called you his baby mama.”
I opened my arms. “Surprise.” I guess Jack hadn’t told him, which set me at ease. Maybe I could trust my uncle. Though, if he did reveal my secret to anyone, Aunt Tab would be the lucky person.
