Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Lincoln says, having joined us about an hour ago. “Is it a girl or a boy?”
“It’s a boy,” Micah chokes out. “A beautiful, strong, healthy little boy.”
He moves the phone, bringing Sienna and the baby into view. She looks exhausted, but in the best possible way, as she holds her little bundle of joy and waves to us.
“And what’s his name?” Donna asks.
“Colton Lincoln Alexander. Colton because we like it, and Lincoln in honor of my brother, since he’s the reason we met.” Micah’s eyes move to where Sienna is sitting. “If he wouldn’t have hired her, I’d be a lonely old man.”
Everyone chuckles at his dramatics.
“That’s a beautiful name,” I tell them. “Congratulations. Let us know when you’re up for company and we’ll come by.”
“You can come now,” Sienna says. “Donna is going to bring the girls in the morning.”
“We’re on our way!” I jump up, excited to meet my nephew in person.
After changing, since I was still in my bathing suit and cover-up, we drop Raelyn off at her room with plans to have brunch in the morning, and then we head to the hospital.
Baby Colton is absolutely precious, and if I could, I would hold him forever. But since it’s late, we only hang out for a little while, taking some pictures and making sure Sienna and Micah don’t need anything.
“This will be you in a few months,” Sienna says with a smile when I place Colton back in her arms so she can feed him.
“I’m scared shitless,” I admit with a laugh. “You make it look so easy.”
“It’s not always easy, El,” she says. “Parenting has its good moments and bad. Happy and sad. Some days, you’ll question what the hell you’re doing.” She looks at me with a soft expression. “But then your baby will smile at you, tugging on your heartstrings, and it will all be worth it.”
“I wish I would’ve been worth it,” I blurt out, immediately regretting bringing up our past.
“You are,” Sienna says. “Maybe not to her, but you’ve always been worth it to me.”
“And to me,” Lincoln adds, squeezing my shoulder. “And it’s because of what you’ve been through that you’ll be the most incredible, loving mom to our babies.”
“Babies, huh?” Sienna laughs, lightening the mood. “Already planning the next? Guess it runs in the family.” She smirks at Micah, who shrugs, and we all laugh.
After saying goodbye to them, Lincoln and I head out of the hospital. Since we drove ourselves—with Chris, another one of Lincoln’s guys, following as protection—we walk back to the parking garage. Lincoln opens my door for me, and as I get in, a weird feeling comes over me. I glance around from the passenger seat, and my eyes lock on a gentleman standing in the darkened corner, a chill racing up my spine.
I take my eyes off of him for a second to see where Lincoln is, but when I glance back, the man is gone, leaving me wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me.
“What’s wrong?” Lincoln asks when he gets in, attuned to my emotions.
“I thought I saw someone.”
“What?” He looks around and pulls out his phone, already dialing somebody. “Who?”
“I don’t know. He was standing in the corner, and then he was gone.”
“Did you recognize him?”
I think hard on it. Something about that man felt oddly familiar, but I can’t place him now...“I don’t think so.”
Lincoln relays the information to whoever’s on the other end of the line, then hangs up and says it’s being investigated.
When we get home, we take a shower together, something that’s become a part of our routine, and then after we’re both dressed, we cuddle in bed. I’m exhausted from today’s events, and it doesn’t take long before my eyes close and I fall asleep...
Emerald eyes.
Cold.
Calculating.
“You’re supposed to be my dad! Please, if you love me, you’ll let me stay with Sienna.”
“Love you?” He scoffs. “Love doesn’t belong in this world. It makes you weak. My family didn’t get to where they are with love. We got here with power, brains. We made smart choices.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with me?”
“You will be a smart choice.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re my blood, Eliza. And from what I’ve been told, a virgin. In my world, that’s worth a lot. There are many men who would pay a considerable amount in both money and favors to marry you.”
“What?” I shriek. “You’re going to sell me? Are you crazy? I’m your daughter!”
“Enough! Everyone has a part to play. You will play your part, or your sister will pay the price.”
“Ellie...Ellie, wake up.”
I snap my eyes open and find warm, hazel eyes staring at me instead of cold, emerald ones.
“You were having a nightmare.”
“Yeah,” I choke out. It was actually a memory, but nightmare works as well. “But it’s over now.” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him over to me. “Thank you for being my safe place.”