Chapter 18

Taylor

My head rests against Soren's broad chest, his hand laying gently on the soft swell of my belly. Nearby, Steffan and Lee are talking and joking about the upcoming Halloween party. Another masked party this year to celebrate the changes. And because it's a lucky tradition, since that's what brought me into their lives. Something Soren loves to remind me of. As if sensing I'm thinking about him, his head tips down and our eyes meet.

"Are you staring at me, Little Mouse?"

I nod, letting my smile grow wider, my fingers combing through his hair. "Not in a creepy way."

Soren's eyes fill with heat, his own playful smile on his face. After everything, he looks relaxed, and more similar to his brother. "No, it's in the you want us all now way." He bends his head closer to me. "Should I invite them over? We can fill each one of your delectable holes?"

I shake my head, feeling mischievous. "I think we should give them a show instead."

Soren's eyes light up and his fingers reach for the button on his shirt. "I like the way your devious mind thinks, Little Mouse."

Shifting up onto my knees, I make a show of trailing my fingers over my sides and down to the hem of the summer dress, pooling at my hips. I love feeling this in control and having my men wrapped around my finger at my every whim. Having them whenever I need them.

"That's right, Taylor, lift it slowly. Tease me, baby."

I let the straps fall down my shoulders, slowly, soaking in the way Soren's eyes darken more with every inch of exposed skin. My nipples pebble through the fabric, needing to be free, needing his hand and his mouth all over me.

"Are you starting the fun without us?" Steffan's voice calls, and soon he and Lee are walking over.

"I think they are." Lee laughs, his perfect face, lighting up with lust at the scene before him.

"Busted, Little Mouse." Soren smirks while reaching for the button on his pants.

Not that I really mind. I want them all more than anything. Until I notice the dark clouds rolling in behind us. The sky turning angry, black, and something like fear rolls down my spine. I try to sit up, until a pain shoots across my abdomen.

"So much blood," Soren whispers.

"She needs to be taken to the elders." Steffan's eyes light up with glee and Lee reaches for me. I scramble back, wondering how my perfect dream is suddenly turning into a nightmare. Why would we go to the elders? They're gone.

"That child can restore peace," Lee says to me, but his words are wrong. That child? It's our child. His face contorts and blurs until its covered in blood. A scream tears from my throat and I try to escape, but they have me.

"No!"

"Taylor, baby, wakeup," Steffan's voice cuts through the fog, and slowly my eyes open. "Take a few deep breaths, it was just a dream."

My chest rattles with shaky breaths, one after the other, until I feel the terror from my dream slipping away. I roll and Steffan groans when our bodies make contact.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry." I go to move from him, but his arm wraps around me, instead.

"It's fine. I'd rather have you next to me anyway."

"Your stitches," I remind him and shuffle over. This time he groans at the loss of my body against his. I pull back his bandage and look at where the doctor had stitched his side. Each of them had accrued battle wounds after their showdown with The Illicit a few nights ago. Nothing I say or do can describe the absolute relief I felt when they came back to the house. Even covered in blood and bruises, and a few wounds, they were glorious. The rulers of their empire. A new Illicit is in the works once they finish filtering out true members from those who were only trying to save themselves.

"He'll live, Little Mouse. Besides, the only time I get him to sleep is if he's near you," Soren announces as he comes waltzing into the room. His long-sleeve t-shirt is covered in dirt and speaks of blood. His hair is swept back and sweat drenches the collar.

Steffan's brow lifts. "Did Allison eat?"

Soren smirks. "Our girl won't be missing any meals for a while."

They both laugh while I resist the urge to gag. I have nothing against Allison. I know she is the only reason so much evidence will never be found. But thinking about her munching a human body makes my stomach swirl.

"I need to get up." I scoot to the edge of the bed and stand. Soren chuckles at the look on my face.

"Want to join me for a shower, Little Mouse?"

It's on the tip of my tongue to agree to that, right as Jose knocks on the door. "Lee is awake."

We all scramble for the door. Soren takes my hand while we rush down the stairs and to the office. Of course, the one time I sleep in an actual bed in the past few days, and he would open his eyes.

"Don't worry, Chanda was with him," Soren tells me, reading the guilt and sadness on my face.

"I wanted it to be us." I can't help the ache in my chest, and I bite my lip to keep from tearing up. I know I'm a crier, but… "These damn hormones."

Soren chuckles darkly. "Maybe they're extra worse for you. You know twins are hereditary, right?"

My mouth drops open, and I punch him lightly in the side. "Don't even say it."

His and Steffan's laugh follows us into the room where the next best thing I've ever seen in my life is. Lee is propped up on pillows, his good eye is open, and his lips are sporting a tired but happy smile. My eyes run over him, loving seeing him awake.

"Lee…" I run to the bed, and fling myself on top of him. He chuckles, and the rumbles of it in his chest spreads warmth to my entire body.

"I'm okay, Tay." He presses a kiss to my head.

This time when I pull away, he's still smiling, but even the smallest gestures are exhausting him. "Do you need anything?"

He shakes his head and glances at his sister. "Chanda got me some water. I'll try eating later."

"Okay. I'm glad you're awake."

"We all are. You scared us," Steffan adds and joins me to stand by Lee's bed. His hand cups my shoulder.

"Chanda was telling me about what I missed. I'm sorry I missed it. I wish I could have seen the demise of the elders. Judging by Soren's attire, I'd say the questioning and torture was going well." His brow rises.

"It's my specialty," Soren replies, shrugging his shoulders like they're discussing something more mundane.

I glance at Chanda, and notice the woman also looks tired. Jose has his arm wrapped around her, but they both look like they could use some rest and some time to grieve.

Lee looks between us all, and I swear his eyes are seeking out the one person who is missing. He swallows before glancing at me. "Kali?"

Her name sends an echo of pain in my heart. When she left with the guys, I was mad, frustrated, and hurt. Those feelings will always haunt me.

"She's dead," Steffan breathes out. The shock of the situation is still new.

"Walter killed her," Chanda adds.

Lee's eyes burn with emotion, and also resignation. It's the same tug-of-war of feelings we've all been going through since we got the news. I miss my best friend. I loved her and she will always be missing from mylife. I also feel safer now, knowing the person responsible for so much blood and terror can't get to me anymore.

Lee looks at his sister. "I'm sorry."

Tears stream down Chanda's cheeks, and Jose squeezes her harder. "It's not on you. We both made the decision to step up with her. Walter did what he thought he had to do to protect us all."

"I wanted to believe change was real for her. Maybe it would have been."

"Or it might not have," Chanda adds, and gives him a reassuring nod.

"Still, I'm sorry, Chanda. I'm sorry for not being the brother I should have been. I wish I could have done more to stand up for you and everything you went through. I don't want to make the same mistakes. I don't want to be him." Lee squeezes my hand, but his emerald eyes shine while he speaks to his sister.

"You won't be," she reassures him. "We all have each other."

"Damn straight," Soren grunts. "I think we need a drink. To the new Illicit."

"The new Illicit," Lee hums in approval. "Take care of my sister, Succo. I swear if anything happens to her under your watch, I will feed you to Allison."

Jose snorts and pulls his woman closer. "It will never happen."

"Good." Lee nods and lays back in his pillows again. His gaze turns back to me. "I heard you have something to tell me."

A flush creeps up to my cheeks, and I suddenly feel shy, even though everyone in this room is already aware of the situation. I take his hand in both of mine and place it on my still-flat stomach. "You're going to be a daddy."

Soren scoffs, "I still think it's going to be a Carmichael."

Lee's lips split into a grin, and he pulls me into him. "Whether it's mine biologically or not, I'll love the baby because it's part of you and my best friends."

I tilt my head up and press a kiss to his lips, being careful of the gash. The doctor will be by later to change his dressings and check on his wounds. There is a great chance Lee's face will forever bear the scars from where his father's bullet grazed his face, but he'll still always be beautiful to me.

The doorbell rings and I smile to myself. "That must be the doctor." I hope it is. I asked the doctor to help me give the guys a surprise. Something we all deserve right now.

"I'll go get it." Jose rushes from the room and everyone around us chats about updates. I just keep looking between my guys. For the first time since I've known them, they look less on edge. More relaxed, happy even. The darkness they carry around is a little lighter.

"Ahhh, Mr. Concord, you're awake I see," the doctor replies, as she glides into the room. Her heels click on the wood floor. I shift off the bed while she performs her tasks for Lee. This time she gives us and him instructions for caring for his wounds and dressings.

"I won't be back to check on him for a few weeks now that he's out of the woods. Just make sure he takes his medication, and the bandages are reapplied daily."

Steffan nods and takes the package she has for him. Then she turns back to me, and her lips turn up in a conspiratorial smile. "Are you ready?"

I nod and shift again to lie on the bed, before raising my shirt.

"Woah. What the hell?" Soren jumps in, moving to cover me.

"Just relax." I laugh at him and push him back so she can reach me. "I have a surprise for all of you."

I get comfy while Steffan watches her carefully, and Soren scowls at all the little instruments she pulls out of her bag. The liquid gel hits my bare skin and I flinch from the heat. Lee hisses under his breath, his eyes hardening.

"It just surprised me. I've always heard it's cold," I reassure him, patting his hand.

"Yes, I like to make mommies comfortable. I keep this heated." The doctor grins before grabbing her wand and rubbing it over the gel on my stomach. "Okay, so we should be able to see a little something today."

The portable screen flares to life; grainy, white blobs move around. Once she focuses, we finally all get a better look. In the center of a black sac is a little blob. "And there is the baby."

Soren shifts to look closer, studying the image. "Only one?"

A laugh escapes the good doctor. "Only one."

Soren grumbles, but Steffan jabs him in the side. "One is perfect."

"And here is a little extra." She turns the volume up, and soon the room is filled with the fast whooshing noise. "Your baby has a strong heartbeat, Taylor Mae."

I grin excitedly and tears spring to my eyes. It's the best sound I've ever heard. I look around and take in my new family. Jose and Chanda standing close, sharing in the excitement, before gazing around at all of my guys, only to find them already watching me. Love, lust, and the promise of forever stare back at me. The emotion in the room rises until my heart feels like it will burst. I would do anything for them. I would give up my world, my life, to make sure this family stays safe. Kali's methods didn't seem right to me, but now, staring at my baby on the screen, I realize I would do anything for this child too. A mother's love is fierce. I would die for the family. And I would kill anyone who tried to take them away from me.