The Darkest Of Light (The Kings of Retribution MC)

I look to my sister wondering who the voice belongs to. She gives me a reassuring look before walking to the door and opening it. A beautiful, young woman with long, black hair and stunning green eyes steps in, shutting the door behind her.

"Alba, this is Gabriel’s sister Leyna. Remember me telling you about her a few weeks ago? She’s been staying here at the clubhouse."

Of course. How could I have completely forgotten about that conversation? Looking to her I say, "Leyna, I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"Me too. And from what I overheard, it seems my hermano brother is going to be a papi daddy," she gestures to my protruding belly. "I told him he was foolish to do what he did months ago. I promise you Gabe is a good man. We are familia now, so can I hug you?" She asks with her arms stretched out in a warm welcome and a smile.

Accepting, I hug her in return.

Our introduction is cut short as the bedroom door bursts open, splintering at its hinges, causing all four us to jump back and Leah to shriek.

Looming in the doorway is Gabriel, all six feet four inches of him.

Silence fills the room. Like the calm before a storm.

The stillness of the moment is defining as his intense stare carefully appraises me. His movement is so swift I don’t even have time to react. Falling to his knees in front of me, Gabriel places his large hands on my belly before he hoarsely whispers, "Alba."

Overcome with emotions, I quietly sob. When he stood in the doorway I didn’t know what to expect. For a split second I found myself afraid. Not afraid of Gabriel harming me—not physically.

Fear of rejection again.

Fear of him rejecting our baby.

I look upon his face in wonderment. A sea of pride, joy, and love for his unborn child swells in the depths of his deep, brown eyes. The heat from his touch penetrates through my shirt, causing goosebumps to cover the surface of my skin.

A lifetime, that’s how long it has felt since the last time he’s touched me. Somehow, this moment feels so much more earth shattering. A sense of calm settles through my soul.

His rough, raw voice breaks through the stillness as his softly spoken words to our unborn child leave his lips.

"Your mother is my sky, and you… you are my star. I didn’t know just how much my heart needed you," Gabriel’s eyes lift to mine, "needs both of you. You both give me strength. You give me purpose."

Hearing sobs other than my own, I turn my head noticing my sister, Leah and even Leyna watching intently and quietly sharing the moment with me.

I quickly return my attention back to Gabriel. His handsome face becomes a blur as I study him. No longer able to ignore my heart I completely lose myself to him and my knees go weak, then I’m lifted off my feet. Nestling my face into the crook of his neck I breathe him deep into my lungs as he carries me out the door.

Chapter Sixteen

Gabriel

You ever have those moments in life where you say fuck it and give into the forces of nature? When you finally stop fighting what is obviously meant to be? When you realize your destiny has been right under nose?

I’ve purposely done shit, stupid shit to fuck things up with Alba because I thought I was doing the right thing. But then again us men are always fuckin’ shit up, so that’s nothing new. I’m pretty sure women expect nothing less. Which is why they’re the stronger of the species. They take on all the bullshit we dish out, then quietly dust themselves off, hold their heads high and keep on pushing. And that is exactly what my Cariño Sweetheart has been doing for months.

Alba is so brave, so strong. I felt all that change though, the moment I scooped her up into my arms. Her walls come crashing down and her fight was gone. Her bravery had run out and her strength vanished. Did this mean I was off the hook? Hell fucking no.

My woman has fire, and I know she will be handing me my ass soon enough. I will be taking whatever she dishes out too, because I sure as fuck deserve it. I can take whatever Alba gives and it still would not equal to the amount of hurt I have caused her.

Walking into her room moments ago, seeing the array of emotions play out on my woman’s face literally brought me to my knees. First there was shock, then longing, but it was the look of fear that broke me. Alba’s big, beautiful blue eyes were full of fear. Like she was expecting me to lash out. To be angry at the fact she was pregnant with my baby.

She fully expected me to reject our child the same way I had rejected her. I did that to her. My brash stupidity was the reason my woman stayed away from her home, kept secrets from her sister and was going through what should be the happiest time in her life alone.

With Alba’s arms tight around my neck, and her breath fanning my face, I stride down the hall towards my room. Walking in, I kick the door shut behind me with my booted foot before sitting down on the edge of my bed with her still in my arms. She’s holding on so tight, as if she’s afraid to let go. There’s no fuckin’ chance of that happening. I’ll never be able to let her go again and I’ll die before I let her be taken from me.

I need to find who the hell thought they could fuck with my woman and continue breathin’. But that shit’s for another time. Right now, I need to focus on Alba and get things straightened out between us. And there IS going to be an us.

"Cariño Sweetheart," I choke out past my own emotion as I place my finger under her chin, guiding her to look at me. When Alba raises her face away from the crook of my neck and her gorgeous tear-filled eyes meet my dark ones, I can no longer hold back and I crash my mouth down on hers. I should be taking things slower, but all logic is thrown out the window when Alba tugs on the front of my shirt pulling me closer. I don’t know how long we go on like this. Seconds?

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