13. Ethan

Chapter 13

Ethan

I lay on my back with my head at the foot of the bed so my arm could dangle over the edge and reach Kira and her puppies on the floor. I still couldn’t believe Orsino allowed me to bring them home and that Andro allowed the dogs inside the house.

We borrowed a kennel from the shelter and were able to fit Kira and the pups in the back of the SUV our bodyguards drove. It was like it was meant to be. I spent the whole ride home thanking Orsino, barely stopping short of giving him a blowjob in the car. But we had taken our time when we got back to the house and parked in the garage.

Everyone in the house fell in love with the dogs.

Actually, I was pretty sure Andro and Joey had already picked out a pup of their own. Anytime I brought Kira and the pups into the playroom, the kids were all over them. The puppies were already used to being handled by people, and Kira didn’t mind the attention at all.

She was good with the children as well.

“I should not be this tired.” I scratched Kira’s head and sighed.

Her ears perked up, but her head didn’t move. She was used to me talking her ear off, and she was a fantastic listener. It had been two weeks since I’d returned to work, two weeks since we had gotten the dogs, and after every shift, I came home and took a quick nap.

But today, that quick nap turned into a two-hour snoozefest. I even missed a text from Orsino asking where I was. Once I woke up, I told him I was resting.

He replied with an image that he must have taken of me asleep in our bed. I know .

There were plenty of reasons why a person would be so tired after working all day, but in my heart of hearts, I knew what the real reason was. The pregnancy test Connor had stashed in the bathroom was waiting for me to gain the courage to take it.

It would be quick. I knew exactly what I had to do, but that didn’t mean I felt brave enough to do it.

Once I had confirmation that I was pregnant, then I had to tell Orsino, and I didn’t yet know if he would consider a pregnancy to be a good thing or not.

I really wanted to have a baby. I just hoped Orsino did too.

The knock on my door made me jump. I exited the bedroom and went into the sitting area of the suite to open the door.

“You really ought to ask who it is before just opening up.” Jeremiah pushed his way inside and gave me a hug.

“Right, I forget. Is it really that dangerous in the house?” We had bodyguards around us at all times, and I’d seen the security room that showed all the cameras they had keeping an eye on the property. It was extensive.

Jeremiah raised a brow. “I told you about Trev, didn’t I? He was shot trying to prevent me from being kidnapped. Andro has gone a little overboard since then.”

That was an understatement. I had been clued into a lot of the family business information, but it was hard to believe it all. I still hadn’t seen any evidence of the danger, and I trusted everyone was right to be worried, but I hoped all that was in the past.

“What’s up?” I was always happy to see him but he didn’t usually stop by without letting me know first.

“Just checking in, seeing how you’re doing. Usually, you come hang out with us for a bit. Since you’ve been back to work, we haven’t seen you as much.”

“I’ve just been tired.” I nodded toward the sofa and we sat down.

“I bet. Speaking of, how are the pups?”

That brought a big smile to my face. “Perfect.”

I was surprised to see him without his brood. “Where are the twins?”

“Hanging out with Felik. It’s important for them to have some one-on-one time—or one-on-two time, with daddy.” He cocked his head and took a deeper look at me. “Are you sure everything’s all right?”

I wrung my hands in my lap and scooched forward so I was sitting on the edge of the seat. Even though we were alone, I still whispered, “I think I need to take a pregnancy test.”

Jeremiah's brow raised, and he smiled. “Okay. Do you want Orsino here with you?”

“No.”

“Here, we can?—”

I shook my head. “No, I’m… not ready.”

Jeremiah stood and tugged me up with him. “Let’s just get it done real quick. The more you dwell on it, the worse you’re gonna feel. Stalling isn’t gonna change anything.”

“Okay.” He was right. Jeremiah led me into the bedroom then pushed me toward the bathroom. “Quick, go in there.”

With his support, I felt a little less scared by the whole idea. After all, all the other omegas had children within the family. Why would I be any different?

It was possible I wasn’t even pregnant. Perhaps I was overreacting.

Within seconds of taking the test, I had my answer.

“It’s positive, isn’t it? You’re too quiet. Is it positive? Is it negative? What is it?” Jeremiah called from outside the room.

“Positive.” I took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.

He pulled the door open and wrapped me in a hug. “Oh, that’s so exciting! Orsino is gonna be so happy, I promise. I know it’s scary having to tell your alpha the news, but… Well, the two of you seem so happy together.”

Perhaps we seemed that way, but were we really happy? I was, but was he? There was still so much I didn’t know. So much I was afraid to ask.

“Yeah, I hope so.” I put on a smile for Jeremiah and did my best to own it. “I’ll tell him tonight.”

“Great.” Jeremiah's phone rang. He looked at the number and shook his head. “I guess I better get going. Felik is calling. He probably can’t find the extra clothes. I am so behind on laundry.” He looked me in the eyes one more time. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I am.” I nodded and took a deep breath. “Thanks for checking in. I probably would’ve debated for a few more days before finally taking the test.”

“Be sure to make an appointment with the doctor, okay? Orsino can help arrange it. Andro went a little obsessive after Joey’s pregnancy, so we have everything we need here. You won’t even have to leave the house.”

“Perfect.” It sounded so perfect. I just really wanted it to be…

Jeremiah gave me a hug. “Thanks for making my brother happy.”

My heart squeezed at that thought. Was that what I was doing? I didn’t even know how his brother truly felt about me. What would happen when the next omega made the very same offer I did? Would I be cast aside? I didn’t think Orsino would abandon me. He’d certainly set me up so I would never want for anything—except for his company.

I collapsed back onto the bed, my arm dangling over the side so I could pet Kira. “Oh Kira, what am I gonna do?”

Then my phone rang. I answered it without looking at the caller ID, hoping it was Orsino. “Hello?”

“Ethan, thank god you have the same number. I don’t know what I would’ve done if they had taken away your phone.” My father’s voice made my blood run cold. This man only called when he needed something. Last time he called, I was forced to sacrifice my freedom for his life.

“Dad?”

He sounded giddy as he spoke. “I’ve got it, son. I’ve got everything I need. We can buy back your freedom.”

“Wait, what? If you’re gambling again?—”

“It’s not from gambling, I swear it. I’ve been going to the meetings you’ve always encouraged me to go to and getting clean. You selling yourself was the last straw for me, son. I swear, I’m a changed man. You can talk to my sponsor if you want.”

He sounded more clear-headed than I’d ever heard in the past, but I was cautious enough not to believe him right away. “Then how did you get the money?”

“An inheritance from an uncle I didn’t know I had. The old me would have spent it on bets before it even hit my bank account, but I know exactly what I’m doing with this. You’re free, Ethan. We can pay off the debt.”