Page 37 of Blissful Devotion

“Which wouldn’t do us any good now, would it?”

Zander smiles at Spencer, holding his hands up in surrender. “I was just sayin’.”

“Anyway,” Jade draws the word out, looking from Spencer to Zander before turning her attention back to me. “Our best bet is to find Trigger and get him to direct us to Lorenzo.”

“And if we kill two birds with one stone, then it’s all the better. Trigger is definitely the type to hold a grudge if you took out one of his head guys.” Kratos sounds like he knows him personally, and while I’m a bit curious, I keep my mouth shut.

Kat first; everything else can wait.

Trent and Jake hand out boxes, and we get down to it. It’s not glorious, and it’s not fast, but it’s all we've got, and I’d do whatever was needed to get her back home with us, safe and in my arms.

Every morning Lorenzo sends Sofia up to escort me down for breakfast. We eat, and I’m allowed time with her in the mansion.

Sometimes he has me join him in his study. I sit while he works at his desk, his eyes roaming over me again and again as I count the seconds until Sofía finally comes back for me. Sometimes he joins us in the garden, kitchen, nursery, or wherever else we end up, stalking me like a terrifying shadow, but thankfully most days I don’t see him again until dinner.

Every day he gets more comfortable, touching me more, lingering longer, his eyes telling me exactly what’s coming in the terrifyingly not-too-distant future.

Every time I have to fight to keep myself from retching, but sometimes I can’t help it.

Yesterday, when he kissed me after dinner, I couldn’t hold it in and puked all over his shiny shoes.

I blamed it on what we ate, told him it upset my stomach, and while he wasn’t happy, he seemed to believe me. Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you what we’d eaten.

I’m not even sure how long it’s been anymore.

Did I miss Christmas?

Through it all, I try my best to seem compliant and even grateful. He’d gone on a rant this morning about how he’d saved me and how cruel his brothers can be. I’d nearly bitten a hole through my tongue, but I managed to stay quiet.

It was a miracle, one I’m not sure I can repeat, so I pray he doesn’t revisit that topic now as we sit down for dinner.

“Come here, Katherine.” My head snaps up when he says my name, and I find his dark gaze fixed on me.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to refuse. I know that nothing good will come of whatever this is, but I also know refusing might get me into even more trouble. Swallowing down my panic, I push to stand, taking ‌two steps forward until I stop between his legs.

He pats his leg, telling me to sit without actually telling me, and despite that being my top guess, I can’t help but feel disappointed.

Steeling myself, I sit, attempting to reassure myself it’s just his leg, like sitting on a chair.

The affirmation only lasts a moment, though, because once my ass hits his leg, he drops his hands to my thighs, dragging me back until I’m seated fully on his lap.

“Eat.” He gestures toward the plate before us, and I swallow down the urge to scream even looking at food right now. How could I ever even think to eat when I can feel how hard he is pressed against me?

My hand shakes as I reach for the fork, but I manage to take a bite.

It tastes like ash in my mouth, even though I’m sure it’s actually delicious. His chefs are probably fantastic, the best money can buy, but with my current situation, food just isn’t as appealing as it probably should be for a pregnant woman.

Dinner takes forever as I pick at my food and Lorenzo doesn’t so much as touch a fork. Instead, his hands remain on my hips, his fingers digging in just enough to make a point and ensure I don’t forget his presence.

As if that were even possible.

I was sure the night couldn’t get any worse when suddenly I’m being lifted. No longer in his lap, I’m now in his arms as he starts out of the room.

Definitely worse.

“You seem tired,” he tells me when I look up at him in panic at what's happening but unable to voice it.

Besides, I doubt he would like to hear how exhausting it is simply surviving him.