I know if I didn’t, the person I wanted to be, the dream I had for Grayson and me, would disappear completely.
“There.” West grazed his pointer along my jaw, from ear to ear. “I think she’s learned her lesson.”
It didn’t feel over, not by the look in Arthur du Lac’s eyes.
Grayson was barely holding it together, flexing and unfurling his fist.
Arthur’s hand fell to his belt. “You know the rules.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Dad,” West bit out.
Rules.
Flashbacks to Madame, her ruler landing between my shoulder blades.
I can’t protect you if you refuse to learn the rules.
West bent down, wrapping his arm around my waist, dragging me up to his side. “You see, I can’t let anything too rough happen to her.” He held up a small, black postcard.
The sonogram.
“We’re expecting.”
Twenty-Nine
STORY
I stared at the sonogram in West’s hands. Our little lemon, Grayson’s Christmas present to me, in his hands.
Lottie was the first to speak. “You’re expecting?”
I broke off before the word left my lips.
Don’t. Speak.
Learn the rules.
So instead of apologizing, I just…was quiet, and tried to
get around the person.
“Is it really my brother’s baby?” Lottie’s eyes swiveled from me to her brother.
Why did she sound so desolate? And why did I want to tell her the truth?
I could only focus on Grayson. Nostrils flared, jaw clenched so tight the muscle bounced. And his eyes…they were the sun. Burning with a pain so stark I wanted to look away before they blinded me. Pain so hot it lanced.
My little Meyer lemon was not West’s.
Her face crumpled. “Con-congratulations.”
“She’ll be taking the du Lac name, then,” Tansy eyed me, eyes sharp.
I opened my mouth to say of course not but it was like West could sense it. He gripped my elbow painfully. “Of course.”
Lynette eyed me, venomous. “Wonderful.”
West used his grip to spin me, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine. I closed my eyes tight, my lips tighter.