Chapter 33: Crown of Smoke: Chapter 33

I’m speechless as I work to process everything. I know he told me loved me before, but that could have been because of a concussion or pain medication. But here he is asking me to be with him.

I think of all the reasons that should stop me. His criminal family. His focus on violent revenge. His lying about who he was. I realize that today, he and his brothers had the perfect opportunity to kill Ronan, and yet, they saved me. They sacrificed all they’d planned over the last ten years for me.

“You didn’t kill Ronan.”

Pain flashes in his eyes and he steps back, making me regret my comment. “Not yet.”

I touch his bruised face, thinking of how he rescued me today. How he’s always coming for me, protecting me, choosing me.

‘Yes,’ I whisper, then clear my throat to say it stronger. ‘Yes, I’d consider staying, but…’ My voice trembles. ‘There’s something else you should consider before…’

His brow furrows, concern flooding his features.

‘I’m pregnant.’ The words come out in a rush. ‘I wasn’t sure how to tell you, especially after learning who you really are.’

Flint goes completely still. For a terrifying moment, I can’t read his expression. The silence stretches on and on. Flint’s face remains frozen, his blue eyes wide with shock. Even his brothers, who moments ago were pretending to be busy ignoring us, have gone completely quiet.

My stomach churns, and this time, it’s not morning sickness. ‘I understand if this changes things. I know your life is complicated, and a baby doesn’t fit well in your plans for revenge. But you should know before making any promises about our future.’

The silence continues to stretch. One of his brothers, I think it’s Ash, mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite catch.

I’d started to believe we could build something real, despite our complicated past. But now, watching him process my news with that blank expression, doubt creeps in like a cold fog. ‘If you need time to think about it…’ I start to step back, but his hand covers mine where it rests on my stomach.

‘You’re… pregnant?’ Flint’s voice cuts through my spiral of anxious thoughts. ‘With my baby?’

Before I can respond, he pulls me into his arms with such force it knocks the breath from my lungs. His mouth crashes into mine, hungry and desperate, like a man starved. The passion in his kiss steals my ability to think, to worry, to do anything but feel.

My heart soars as relief floods through me. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing closer, feeling the solid strength of him. His hands frame my face as he breaks the kiss, pressing his forehead to mine.

‘A baby,’ he breathes against my lips, wonder and joy mingling in his voice. It’s a tone I’ve never heard from him before. Pure, unfiltered happiness.

His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me impossibly closer as he captures my mouth again. This kiss is slower, deeper, filled with promise. I melt into him, my fingers threading through his dark hair as the rest of the world fades away.

For this moment, there are no Keans, no revenge plots, no complicated pasts. Just us and the new life we’ve created together.

‘I know your world is dangerous,’ I whisper against him. ‘But I also know no one would protect us better than you.’

His arms tighten. ‘No one will ever touch either of you. I swear it.’

‘I love you, Flint Ifrinn.’

Flint’s eyes fill with emotion, making me wish I’d said the words sooner.

Ash clears his throat. ‘Well, looks like we’re going to be uncles.’

‘Looks like someone missed the birds and bees lecture,” Blaise drawls.

“Shut up, Blaise,” Flint says, his cheeks turning pink.

I burst into happy laughter.

I glance over at his brothers. My heart swells with unexpected affection for all of them. Just days ago, I thought I was alone in this, pregnant and unsure in a dangerous world. Now I’m surrounded by Flint and three additional protectors who I know will give their lives for me and the baby.

“Come on,” Phoenix says. “Let’s leave before we have to see any more of this schmalz.” He comes over to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family.” He hugs Flint. “Congratulations.” Ash and Blaise do the same and then leave us alone.

“I thought they’d never leave,” Flint says, and I can’t get enough of the joy I see dancing in his eyes. He really is happy about the baby. “Let me show you around your new home for the time being. Let’s start in the bedroom.”

I laugh as he tugs me down a short hall and into a room. I melt into Flint’s embrace as he pulls me close, his strong arms wrapping around me. In the soft lamplight of the safe house bedroom, the world outside fades away. No Keans, no revenge plots, no looming threats, just us.

His fingers thread through my hair as he tilts my face up to his. ‘You changed everything, Lucy. You and the baby are my first priority. I promise.”

“I believe you.” I realize that I’ve been his first priority since the night we met and he saved me from Kean’s men in the alley. I feel guilty for not recognizing just how committed Flint has been to me. How much he’s sacrificed.

Our lips meet in a tender kiss that quickly deepens with passion. His touch is gentle yet possessive as he lowers me to the bed.

“Are you sure you’re up to this?” I ask, remembering only a few days ago, he was on death’s door.

“You tell me.” He takes my hand and presses it over his erection.

I laugh. “I guess you are up to it.”

We undress, and Flint covers my body with his. He kisses me, trailing his lips down my neck, over my chest, and across my stomach. ‘Hello in there, little man.’

‘It could be a girl, you know.’ I run my fingers through his dark hair as he continues pressing soft kisses across my belly.

He glances up at me, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes. ‘Maybe it’s both.’

‘Both?’ My hand stills in his hair.

‘Twins run in my family. Just look at me and Blaise.’

“Twins?’ The word comes out as a squeak. One baby felt overwhelming enough, but two?

‘Scared?’ His thumb traces circles on my hip.

‘Terrified,’ I admit. ‘But also… kind of excited?’ The idea of two babies, maybe one with his dark hair and one with my blond hair, like him and Blaise, sounds nice.

‘They’ll have three uncles wrapped around their little fingers.’ He presses another kiss to my stomach. ‘Plus a dad who will move heaven and earth to keep them safe.’

‘I love you,’ I whisper, tugging him back up to kiss me. He wraps me in his love, and I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so cherished and safe.

I open to him, and he sinks inside with a long sigh. He looks down at me, his blue eyes filled with the same love I feel for him. He gently brushes my hair from my face. “My reckless love.”

“My recklessness is why we’re here.”

He nods as he bends down and sucks on my lower lip. “You’ve won me, so you can stop.”

“Wait… you think I was reckless to get your attention?”

He rocks his hips, the sensation forcing a moan from me. “You terrify me, Lucy. Please promise me you’ll be careful. No more walking into Kean properties.”

“I promise.” I’ve learned my lesson. And if all goes well, the Keans’ threat against me and those I love will be a thing of the past shortly.

“I’m going to hold you to it.”

“What about you? No more getting your ass beat up.” I squeeze said ass.

“It was just once and only because they cheated.”

“Promise me.”

He laughs. “I promise not to get my ass kicked again.” He’s not promising not to fight, but I can’t challenge him as he’s now moving and the sensation is too delicious to do anything but feel.

We move together in perfect sync. Is it possible that there’s a single person who is made for you, who understands and respects you no matter what? Loves you warts and all? Fits with you like a perfect puzzle piece? If so, I’ve found my match.

Together we give and get pleasure, reaching higher and higher until the sweetest bliss crashes through us both.

Later, wrapped in his arms with my head on his chest, I listen to his steady heartbeat. The sheets are tangled around us, and moonlight streams through the window, casting shadows across his face.

‘What are you thinking about?’ he asks softly, his fingers tracing patterns on my bare shoulder.

‘How strange life is,’ I murmur. ‘A few months ago, I was just chasing a story. Now I’m in love and pregnant.’

He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. ‘Are you scared?’

‘Yes,’ I admit. ‘But not of you. Not anymore.’ I take his hand and press it against my stomach. ‘I’m scared of the unknown, of bringing a baby into this complicated world we live in. But when I’m with you, those fears feel manageable.’

“I’ll always protect you. And the rest, well, we’ll figure it out together.’

I believe him. Despite everything—the lies, the violence, the danger—I trust in us. In this connection that sparked from the moment we met, even when we were hiding parts of ourselves from each other.

His arms tighten around me protectively, and I snuggle deeper into his embrace. Whatever challenges lie ahead, whether from the Keans or just the everyday hurdles of building a life together, I know we’ll face them united. I can’t wait to get started.