CHAPTER SEVENTY – FOUR ROSE AMARA’S POVIt would hurt so much if he treated me differently, as if I were a broken doll. I would think he no longer wanted me, that what I experienced today made him hate me. But that seems far from the case now when he kisses me with so much wildness I can’t keep up. It’s like he’s sucking at my life essence and giving me his in return.He lowers his hand down my body until he grabs the globes of my ass. “I’m going to own this soon, baby. You better be ready for that.”I don’t know if it’s his words or the strange rush of arousal, but a tinge of impatience grabs hold of me. I want him inside me. Anywhere would do, even if it hurts—especially if it hurts.His cock nudges against my entrance, and I spread my legs wide, locking my ankles around his waist as he slams inside me with one brutal thrust. I cry out, flattening myself against the rugged ridges of his muscled chest."Fvck, Princess." He stRosens at how my inner wall tightens around his length.I
CHAPTER SEVENTY – FIVEROSE AMARA’S POVPregnant.I think the doctor just said I’m pregnant.“I can’t be pregnant,” I blurt. “I’m on the pill.”The doctor double-checks the papers in his hand. “You are, miss.”“There must be a mistake.”“No. Your blood tests came back with a considerable amount of hCG, which is the pregnancy hormone.”I stare at his face, my mouth falling open. “Then…then…how can I get pregnant if I’m on the pill?”“If you missed a day or so, it could happen.”“I never have.” Because the brute Ethan keeps coming inside me all the time and is so vehemently against wearing a fvcking condom, I take them religiously.My gaze slowly slides to his. He’s grown quiet, his face expressionless. What is that supposed to mean? Is he also shocked?I’m going to put a baby in you.My eyes widen as his words from before slamming back into me.No, he didn’t.He…wouldn’t.“Is this the first time you’re finding out about the pregnancy? If so, you should see an OB-GYN,” the doctor contin
CHAPTER SEVENTY – SIXETHANS POVThe covers slide down her body, revealing her nightgown that rides up her bare thighs. It’s a plain white one, not the red I was promised tonight, but, oh well—I didn’t expect her to wear it after the fiasco in the hospital.Her hair is slightly damp, which means she took a quick shower.I'm tempted to lie beside her like this, but I don't want any of the blood marring my clothes and skin on her. She can make me feel like I do have filthy hands, and those hands keep on tarnishing her over and over again.If I were sane enough, I would've stopped this vicious cycle of tainting her every step, but I'm fvcking insane about this woman.I strip on my way to the bathroom and shower quickly, letting the blood cascade down the dRosen.When I return to the room, Rose is still curled on her side, but a frown is etched deep between her brows this time. My chest tightens at what she must be dreaming about—the memories from today.All I want to do is erase them and
CHAPTER SEVENTY – SEVENROSE AMARA’S POVEthan isn’t there when I wake up in the morning.In fact, he hasn’t been there since I said those words. He pulled out of me, and although he didn’t leave the bed, he didn’t hold me either.He was there in body but not in soul. He slept with enough distance between us for the first time since we married that I shivered in the cold.And in a way, it felt like he disappeared again.I should've seen that coming when I said I'd get an abortion. However, predicting something is entirely different from witnessing him withdraw from me. I guess a stupid part of me hoped he'd rectify his mistake by letting me have the final decision and actually respecting it.Instead, he didn’t talk to me, didn’t fight, and didn’t even make one of his distasteful passive-aggressive remarks. He just left as he usually does.I try to ignore the soreness between my legs as I prepare for my day. I shouldn't have let him fvck me last night.I really, really shouldn’t have.
CHAPTER SEVENTY – EIGHTROSE AMARA’S POVI realize he's speaking to Zeth and Sasha since we're the only four here.Zeth doesn't move until I nod at him. Sasha hesitates, staring between me and Pharaoah, her lips parting in worry.“Boss—”“What part of fvcking leave do you not understand?” He cuts her off without sparing her a glance.She jerks upright as if his command is a whip, then gives a sharp nod. Before moving, she chances one last unsure glance at me and slips out, closing the door behind her.Pharaoah and I sit across from each other. I want to break his glasses and jam them in his eyes for how he yelled at Sasha, but I remain calm since he's the type of freak who gets off on strong emotions."I didn't realize we were close enough to sit for tea after breakfast, Pharaoah." I take a sip of my coffee while staring at him over the rim of my cup. I always need to watch the cunning fox to somehow grasp him.“We’re not. Fortunately.”“Fortunately. So to what do I owe this honorable
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE ROSE AMARA’S POVI hate seeing her anguished like this. It feels as if I'm amputating a limb or something. I hold her to my side by the shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Maria. Everyone was there, and I couldn't endanger your life." Her brows stay drawn together, unconvinced, so I continue, "Your absence was like having an empty hole in my chest, but I couldn't bring you in. Not when your life, Arden's, and Karl's are at stake."That makes her wrap an arm around my waist. “I know, but it still sucks.”“I’m sorry.”"Sorry doesn't fix the fact that you hid it from me." She pushes back. "I can try to understand not being invited, but we talk all the time—how come you never mentioned it? Would you have ever told me if Ethan hadn't come to visit?"I glare at him. The jerk is meddling in business that doesn’t concern him.His expression remains the same, and even though he’s playing with Arden, he’s barely smiling.“It was an arranged marriage. I didn’t think it would last,” I
CHAPTER EIGHTYROSE AMARA’S POV“Maria…”“Fine, fine. You were protecting me and whatever.”“I would do anything to make sure you’re safe.”“I have no doubt, but don’t cut me out of your life. I hate that.”“I’ll try to be more present.”“As you should. Now, tell me all about you and Ethan.”A deep sigh heaves out of my lungs. “There’s nothing to tell.”“What do you mean there’s nothing to tell? There’s so much tension between you two that it can be cut through with a knife.”“Have you seen the way he looks at me?”“Like he wants to hate-fuck you, then slowly fuck you?”“No, like he’s erasing me.”She stares at me incredulously. “Whoa. You’re hopeless.”“What?”“You’re such a great judge of character in mafia things, but you suck in the affection department, Rose.”“What is that supposed to mean? He really looks like he doesn’t care.”“No, he doesn’t. He just seems a bit heartbroken.”"Because I said I would abort the baby, that wouldn't have happened if he hadn't switched my birth co
CHAPTER EIGHT - ONEROSE AMARA'S POVZeth stays with them as a guard, which reminds me to ask Uncle River to send a few more to Maria's side. He always wanted to put guards on her, but I respected her wishes of wanting to live an everyday life.As the car moves, I stare at Ethan, who's passed out beside me. His head is slung back on the leather seat, and his lips are slightly parted. The first two buttons of his shirt are open, revealing his taut skin and lean, muscular build.Was he always this attractive, or am I just too drunk on him as he is on wine?I'm mad at him, but I can't resist it as I reach out a tentative hand and palm his cheek. My touch is soft and experimental. I've never actually touched him to my heart's content before. It's always felt as if he's the one who does that, and I needn't do anything.His head tilts until it falls on my shoulder. I suck in a deep breath, but all I manage to inhale into my lungs is his masculine scent mixed with the wine.He wraps an arm a