DOM: Alliance Series Book Three (118)

I point a finger at him. “You are impossible.”

“Impossible to resist.”

Snorting, I turn away from him and walk out the door. “Watch me.”

“Always a pleasure,” he calls after me.

The only good thing about Dominic recovering from surgery is that his diet is currently made up of oatmeal, soup, and crackers, which happens to be the same sort of food that I’m able to eat.

The morning sickness isn’t awful, but it’s there.

I shift the tray so I can hold it with one hand against my side as I hold the railing with the other hand and make my way downstairs.

King and Savannah flew down while Dom was in emergency surgery and insisted that I get looked over by a doctor as well.

I didn’t argue because I knew it would be pointless. Savannah also insisted on staying in the exam room with me, so when the doctor asked if there was a chance I was pregnant and I told him yes, she had to slap a hand over her mouth to keep in her shout. I wasn’t sure what emotion she was trying to keep in, but when she lowered her hand, showing me the smile underneath, we both broke down into tears.

And then the doctor tested for himself.

We’re still waiting on the official blood test, but the pee test was another positive.

Luckily King didn’t ask why we’d both been crying when we came back out. And I made Savannah promise not to tell him until after I’d told Dom.

And I’ve been meaning to tell him.

I really have.

But I need him to be better first. Because I’m pretty sure he’s going to be the most overbearing baby daddy imaginable once he finds out.

I’m setting the wooden tray down next to the kitchen sink when there’s a knock on the front door.

“Uh…” I say to the empty room.

We’re not expecting anyone to show up at the door.

I stand in the middle of the kitchen, unsure what to do, when Dom’s voice echoes down from upstairs. “You can answer it.”

“Okay!” I shout back. “Stay in bed.”

My feet pad against the floor as I cross the room in my leggings and oversized sweater.

Even though Dominic told me to open the door, I still check the security screen.

I pull the door open. “Hey!” I greet King and Savannah.

Then my eyes widen as Aspen, Payton, and Nero all file into the condo as well.

I smile. “What’s going on?”

My smile fades when I see the serious expression on King’s face.

“What’s going on?” I ask again, my tone dropping.

“The girls are gonna stay here with you,” King replies, and I notice the overnight bags in his and Nero’s hands.

“And where are you going to be?” I look back and forth between him and Nero.

“We’re taking a few boys south. With your husband,” Nero answers.

“What?” I look back to King. “You can’t take Dominic anywhere. He just got out of the hospital!”

“That’s what I said.” Savannah crosses her arms.

“And I’ll tell Val exactly what I told you.” King crosses his arms in return. “This is Dom’s call.”

“But he can’t. It’s…” I spin away and hurry across the great room.

He would’ve told me if he was leaving.

I rush up the stairs, angry with myself.

Of course he wouldn’t tell me.

I’m breathing heavily when I step into our bedroom.

And standing before me, buttoning the last button of his black shirt, is Dominic.

“Where are you going?” My voice cracks before I even finish the sentence.

He steps closer to me. “Colombia.”

“But you’re still hurt. You’re supposed to rest.” I stretch my arms out toward the bed.

“I’ll be careful.” His tone is so calm. So steady. And it makes me so mad because I’m panicking.

“Dominic, you c-can’t go. Not now. Not with—” I press a hand to my stomach.

He reaches out and cups the side of my face. “I’ll come back to you, my Valentine.” His thumb strokes my cheek. “The woman I love.”

I lift my free hand and press it over his heart as emotion swamps me. He hasn’t said it to me since that first time. And I haven’t said it to him at all.

“I love you, too.” I feel his heartbeat beneath my palm. “So much.”

His eyes close, and I watch him inhale as he listens to my words.

Dom opens those beautiful blue eyes and bends down, stopping with his lips an inch away from mine. “Say that again.”

Lean in.

I blink, loosening another set of tears. “I’m pregnant.”

The room is so quiet I can hear his puffed exhale.

Dom brings his other hand up to hold the other side of my face. “Say that again.” Emotion chokes his voice.

“I love you. And we’re going to have a baby.”

Dom opens his mouth, but he closes it and tips his forehead to mine. “You’re the good woman who changed my life.”

“Dominic.” I say his name like a prayer.

“I’ll come back to both of you. I promise.”

Both of us.

Just like that.

His acceptance is everything I’ve ever wanted.