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“I … I …”

He plants a finger on my lips

“You don’t need to say anything right now, Kitten I don’t expect anything I just want you to give ht”

I frown and look away for a moment, but as I stare down, I realize the dark secret I’ve been keeping from everyone Not just from my mother but from him, too

I’ his baby … and I don’t know if I’m ready for him to know yet

After all, it could only give hi I was running away from the most

But how long can I keep this a secret? How long can I hide this growing stomach of mine?

My heart pounds inhis eyes for a deeperto all of his words If there would ever be a chance for us to be more than just captor and captive If he could ever be so me his

His hand reaches for ently I alo home”

And I decide that, for now, I’ inside me a secret

Not just for the sake of the baby … but for my own safety as well

Marcello

I have her again

She’s here, next tofills

She’s beco to me

An addiction and a distraction all in one

I alot s are worth dying for

If only I’d seen it before

The car pulls up to uards thoroughly checked the area and secured it I doubt Molly and Frank would dare to attack us when they’re still recovering

I climb out first and hold the door open for Harper with a hand held out to help her to her feet

She looks up at me from inside the car Her eyes are filled with emotions that don’t have a name Like she can’t decide whether to kiss me or choke me Her eyes slide from my face down to my hand

“I’ me by

I can’t deny that the distance in her voice hurts, especially after what I just did to pull her out of that hellhole But I don’t respond My words will not do our already fragile love any good

Besides, there’ll be plenty of time for words later

I follow her up the steps ofopen the double doors for us

Harper looks around like she can’t believe she’s here again

The housekeeper shuts the front door with a clang and quickly disappears

We’re alone