Page 36 of Give Me You
"What if I just want you?" I continue, taking a step closer. "What if I just want Emilio Ardyn, the Omega who stole my heart the first time he graced my bed? What if I just want to share you with my brother the way you deserve?"
Emilio's breath catches, his hands still protective over his stomach. The fear in his eyes doesn't disappear, but something else joins it. Hope, maybe. Or disbelief that an Alpha could actually mean what I'm saying.
"You deserve to be loved and cherished but not owned," I say, my voice dropping lower. "I don't want your club. I don't want your money. I don't want to control your life. I just want you, Mili. All of you. The sassy, stubborn, brilliant parts. The soft parts you try to hide. All of it."
Moving closer, I cup his face gently before I glance at Akira to see the red mark Zaden left that could have hit Emilio, and rage flickers through me again at the sight. But I push it down, focusing on what matters. Emilio needs to understand that I'm serious, that this isn't some Alpha posturing or manipulation.
Leaning down, I kiss him softly. Not demanding, not claiming. Just tender and sweet, trying to communicate everything I can't quite put into words. Emilio melts into the kiss, his body leaning into mine like he's been holding himself away for too long and finally giving in.
Akira comes up behind Emilio, his chest pressing against Emilio's back. We're holding him between us again, surrounding him with our presence and our scents. Creating a safe spacewhere he doesn't have to be strong or independent or in control. Where he can just be.
When the kiss breaks, I drop to my knees in front of Emilio. My hands move to his hips, steadying him, and then I press my face against his stomach. The small swell is more pronounced now than it was a week ago, the baby growing every day. "Hello, precious," I murmur against the fabric of his shirt.
"It's a boy," Emilio says quietly, his hand coming down to rest in my hair.
The words make my chest tighten with emotion. "Really?"
Emilio nods, and I can see the pride in his expression. "I haven't picked out a name or anything, but yeah. A boy."
Tears prick at my eyes, and I don't bother trying to hide them. This is everything I never knew I wanted. A child. A family. An Omega who makes my heart race and my instincts sing. Looking up at Emilio, I let him see the emotion written all over my face. The joy, the love, the absolute certainty that this is what I want.
"I'm going to make you proud to have me as your Alpha, okay?" My voice comes out rough with feeling. "I'm going to prove that I don't need anything from you. Just you. Just this. I promise."
Emilio twists around to look up at Akira, something vulnerable in his expression. Like he's asking if Akira feels the same way, if this is real for both of us. Akira laughs, the sound warm and genuine.
"I'm not good with words," Akira admits, his hand coming up to cup Emilio's face. "But yes to all of that. I want you to be mine. And slowly, I'll prove that I'm good enough to be yours."
The smile that spreads across Emilio's face is beautiful. Radiant. He reaches up and kisses Akira softly, the gesture so full of trust and affection that it makes my chest ache. This is what we could have. What we will have, if Emilio lets us prove ourselves.
Standing back up, I brush a kiss against Emilio's temple. "Now we just have to figure out who killed River and get Zaden charged."
The mention of practical matters helps ground all of us. Romance and declarations are important, but we still have real problems to deal with. Charles is still out there, probably planning his next move. Zaden is still trying to destroy Emilio. And someone murdered River, which means the police investigation isn't going away.
"One thing first," Emilio says, pulling away from both of us. His expression shifts from vulnerable to determined, the mask of control sliding back into place. "I need to make an announcement. On the main page of the club's website, on social media, everywhere. I need everyone to know the truth."
He rounds his desk and fires up his computer, his fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. "I'm proud to be a daddy. Why would I hide it?"
The question hangs in the air, rhetorical but meaningful. Emilio has been hiding the pregnancy out of fear, out of the knowledge that being a pregnant Omega would make the investors doubt him even more. But now, after everything that's happened, he's ready to take control of the narrative. Ready to announce it on his own terms.
"I'm ready to tell the world that I'm having a baby boy," Emilio continues, pulling up the club's social media accounts. "I don't know why I didn't say something sooner."
"Because you were protecting yourself," I say gently. "And protecting him. That's what good parents do."
Emilio glances at me, something soft in his expression. Then he turns back to the computer and starts typing. His announcement is carefully crafted, each word chosen for maximum impact.
To our valued patrons, investors, and community,
I'm excited to share some personal news with all of you. I'm expecting a baby boy in the coming months. This pregnancy has been a journey, and I'm grateful for the support of my Alphas, Akira and Liam Stark, as well as my incredible team at Aurum Pulse.
Recent events have brought challenges, but they've also shown me the importance of transparency and trust. I want to be clear about my commitment to this club and to the legacy my parents built. Aurum Pulse will continue to thrive under my leadership, with the support of people who believe in our vision.
To those who have stood by me, thank you. To those who have worked against me, I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. This club is my family's legacy, and I will protect it with everything I have.
Looking forward to celebrating this new chapter with all of you.
- Emilio Ardyn, Owner and CEO of Aurum Pulse
The announcement is perfect. Professional but personal, strong but vulnerable. It acknowledges the pregnancy without apologizing for it, makes it clear that Akira and I are involved without giving away too much detail. And it sends a message to Zaden and Charles that Emilio isn't backing down.
