Claimed by Shadows (The Shadowmen #2)

Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“CEILINGS” BY LIZZY MCALPINE

IRIS

T he next couple of weeks fly by in a peace that soothes my soul. The guys take me out of the estate more, and my confidence rises with each outing. It’s almost like before I was sold, almost normal.

My bump grows bigger, and turns out one of the twins’ cousin’s is a midwife, Mae. She was helping Lilly, but now that Lilly’s back in Colorado with her Knights, she’s become my midwife. She comes to do checkups on me and organises a private scan to ensure that Sergi doesn’t get wind of my pregnancy. Because I know without a shadow of a doubt that if he were to find out, he’d take me again, The Fallen be damned.

All the guys come with me, and when I hear the heartbeat and see my baby on the screen, I burst into tears. Even Hunt’s eyes well up, his hand gripping mine tightly as he stares at the screen in wonder. Seeing our child further confirms I made the right decision in keeping it. Bringing this baby into our lives will complete us in a way that we never anticipated, and shows that out of agony, something wonderful can emerge.

After that, the guys double their efforts in building the nursery, just off the bedroom like I requested. They also have to get back to business running the Shadows, but I have at least one of them with me at all times.

One night, we’re all sitting around in the living room, watching a Disney film because I’ve been missing my teenage years with Ember, who has visited several times with her stepbrothers. They’ve become good friends to us, and Ember has painted several gorgeous watercolour paintings for the nursery for when it’s finished. Her stepbrothers have been helping the guys with the more legal side of the Shadows, Hunt refusing to let them help with the business that could land them in trouble.

Both of the twins’ phones go off, making me jump from my place sprawled across Hunt’s lap, my feet in Roman’s. I watch as Roman looks at the screen, frowns, and then his eyes go wide as he raises his head to look first at me, then Hunt.

“What’s happened now?” Hunt grits out, and my heart pounds, my thoughts racing.

“It’s Lilly,” Roman answers, his hand going to the back of his neck and rubbing it as he lets out a long exhale.

“What happened? Are Lilly and the baby okay?” I rush out, sitting up and swinging my legs to the floor.

“They’re fine, well…” he trails off, throwing his phone onto the coffee table and rubbing both hands over his face, then turning to face me. “Julian sent someone to kill her, but luckily it was Ryan, her mum’s old boyfriend.”

“What?” I gasp, my hand coming over to cover my bump as my heart pounds. Hunt doesn’t let me get far, dragging me back against him, pulling me tight like he needs to protect me with his very arms.

“It’s fucked,” Rowan hisses, his eyes wide and jaw clenched. “He really needs to be taken out.”

“Yeah, the Knights are on it. It’s complicated.” Roman sighs, and I know he’s seeing the similarities between their situation and ours. “But for now, they’re sending Lilly away and have made out that she died, to get the heat off her. They want us and Mae to go and be with her, protect her and make sure she’s okay while they sort Julian and their families out.”

“Fuck,” Hunt curses, the muscles in his neck tight. He glances at me, but I’m shaking my head before he can even protest.

“They have to go, she’s in danger, Hunt. Her baby…” I swallow past the lump in my throat, my hand rubbing my bump once more. His eyes dip down, his nostrils flaring as his jaw clenches.

“Fine, but only because you’ll never forgive me if I say no,” he grits out, then turns to Roman. “What’s the plan?”

“Ash has scheduled a private jet, untraceable, for us and Mae, leaving as soon as we get to the airfield,” Roman tells us, getting up, but I glance over to find Rowan staring at me, his brows deeply furrowed, and my chest squeezes at the look of worry that is all over his face.

“I’ll be okay, Lilly needs you more right now,” I tell him, tapping Hunt’s arms so he lets me go. I get up and lower myself in Roo’s lap, and his arms come up around me immediately, pulling me closer.

“I fucking hate being away from you again so soon,” he murmurs, and a lump forms in my throat because I feel exactly the same way.

“I know, Roo, but you’ll be back before too long, right?” I look at Roman, who gives a nod.

“Yeah, their plan comes to a head in three weeks’ time, and then we can come home,” Roman informs me, and I glance back at his twin.

“See, hardly any time at all,” I assure him, though my hand trembles as it cups his face. I hate parting with them again, my gut telling me we all need to stay together, but with what Lilly’s facing, she needs help, and I’m just grateful she has my guys on her side as well as hers. That kind of support is something to treasure. “Let me help you pack.”

I get up, holding out my hand, which he takes, and we head towards the bedroom, Hunt’s voice filtering towards us as he calls Mae. We grab a couple of duffle bags, stuffing in clothes and weapons—the beauty of private travel… I guess no one will be checking bags.

Soon they’re ready to go, and there’s a knock at the door as we walk back into the main living room.

“Hey, Iris,” Mae says, breezing in and pulling me into a hug. “You girls really know how to keep me on my toes, huh?”

I laugh, hugging her back tightly and then releasing her. “Maybe it’s just your specialty,” I tease, and she barks a laugh.

“Yeah, midwife to badass bitches,” she says with a wink, stepping away and heading back towards the door. “I’ll meet you guys in the car.”

My mouth goes dry when I see Roman and Rowan, ready to go, all of my assurances moments ago fleeing at the reality of losing them again. “Take care of yourselves as well as Lilly.” My voice trembles and then I’m in Roman’s arms, his calming scent washing over me as he wraps me in one of his huge hugs.

“I fucking love you, Princess,” he tells me fiercely, pulling back just enough to slam his lips onto mine, his tongue demanding immediate entry. I open to him, my hands clasping him to me as my heart thrashes inside my chest.

“I love you too,” I gasp when he pulls away, his eyes tracing my face. “See you soon, okay?”

“Keep Daddy’s cock hard for me,” he replies, and I chuckle, though it’s a little choked sounding.

“Yes, sir,” I answer, and heat makes the brown in his eyes darken.

“I like that, let’s use it when I’m back.” He gives me a quick peck, then heads over to Hunt as Rowan takes his place in front of me.

“Stay safe. Don’t go out alone. Do you have your knife?” he asks, his hands cupping my face and eyes boring into mine with a focus that leaves me nodding my head immediately just so I please him. “Good, Little Lamb.”

Then he lowers his lips to mine with so much more control than his brother. It’s a tease he often subjects me too, making me wait, making me desperate for him, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. His lips caress mine gently, once, twice, then he finally presses them against mine in a kiss that leaves me panting and clutching him, my body begging for more.

“I love you, Roo,” I whisper against his mouth when he breaks it.

“I love you, Lamb,” he replies, brushing his lips against mine a final time before he too steps back and follows Roman, who’s by the door.

“Stay safe and we’ll see you soon,” Hunt states, reaching out to grab me and tug me to his side. His warmth envelops me, making the parting of the twins that little bit easier to bear.

“Yes, Daddy,” Roman can’t help but tease, and then they’re gone, the door shutting behind them.

“He’s such a fucking brat,” Hunt huffs, though his lips twitch in a smile.

“But you love it, Daddy,” I tell him, snuggling closer to his side, soaking up his body heat to try and ease the sudden coldness at having two of my men, my soulmates, gone from my side.

“Want to finish the film?” Hunt asks, looking down at me, his green eyes soft and full of love. I love him that much more for offering to watch Disney with me.

“Maybe a bath?” I suggest, suddenly needing to feel him all around me, pressed up against me.

“Sounds perfect, Peaches,” Hunt replies, kissing my head and then taking my hand in his, somehow knowing that I need to keep him close. Maybe he needs to keep me close too. After all, they are his family as well.