“What?”
“Bullseye is your brother, but Layla, she is not your sister.”
“Excuse me?” He said, sitting up.
“Her mother Donna Franks had an affair. Layla’s biological father is Angelo. When Pops found out, he had her killed. He tried to kill Layla too, but Moonshine intervened and hid his sister and the kids. All was good until the Vultures realized who Layla really was. That’s why they took her. They wanted an in with Diablo. They figured if they had his daughter, they’d make bank.”
Massacre jumped from his seat and ran out of the room. Yeah, this was bad. Really bad. Since Reaper and the boys returned, Player hadn’t left Layla’s side. We all thought it was weird since Player never gave any woman more than five minutes of attention. He was aptly named because he went through women like water. Yet, since returning, he’s been off his game, so to speak. He didn’t want anyone. He just sat with Layla, tending to all her needs.
“Does Diablo know Layla is his daughter?” Reaper asked.
“I don’t know,” Matrix stated, shrugging his shoulders.
“Just to be clear,” Reaper seethed. I could tell he was holding on by a thread. Much more, and he was going to fucking blow. “I have a fucking asshole for an Uncle who is hell-bent on killing my whole family and me. Said Uncle is also the very man who had me kidnapped at fifteen. He is also the grandson of the biggest mafia family on the planet, who has issued a death warrant for anyone related to his kidnapping and his mother’s murder. And the icing on the cake…we have the fuckers daughter lying unconscious down in our clinic. Have I left anything out?”
When Matrix shook his head, Reaper grabbed the gavel, slammed it down, and roared. “Church is over. Get out!”
The second the door was closed, I heard Reaper lose his shit. Chairs were thrown against the wall, glass shattered, but when he roared out in pain, I knew there was nothing I could do. It wasn’t every day that someone learned the cause of all their problems was a fucking family feud. That their own family was so fucked up. I thought my family was terrible because of Malachi, but knowing what I knew now about Reaper’s family, I really felt for the man.
Leaving him alone to digest everything, I headed towards the kitchen when I saw Remi waddling towards me. She looked adorable with her swollen belly. God, I wasn’t sure there was any more room for that baby to grow. She looked ready to pop any second.
“What’s wrong with Max?” she asked, concerned.
“Just give him some time, babe. He needs a few minutes.”
“He’s tearing church apart.”
“Yeah,” I said just as another chair shattered into pieces. Cringing, I looked over my shoulder and sighed. “He just needs a few more minutes. Why don’t you come with me? You don’t need to be up moving around anyway.”
Remi smiled. “I’m pregnant, Ghost, not an invalid.”
“Well, let’s not give your old man something else to worry about. Let’s go see what the girls are up to.”
Nodding, she turned, and I followed her as Reaper continued to destroy everything behind me.
Thirty-Six
Aariaani
Slowly closing the book in my hands, I placed it on the nightstand, then turned off the small pink lamp. Leaning over, I gently kissed Rebekah goodnight and quietly left her room. I had spent the last hour reading to her, and though I could have stayed up all night with her, she fell asleep lying next to me.
I had a wonderful day with Rebekah, and I couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would hold. She truly was a special little girl. Since that horrible day when her Uncle took us, she had been clingy, but I didn’t mind. I actually enjoyed having her around. She was funny and always eager to do anything, from watching a movie to helping me cook in the kitchen.
Tired myself, I walked into my bedroom to find Balthazar no longer in his clothes as he laid on our bed, naked. His silver-grey eyes locked on mine, and I melted. I had an excellent feeling about what would happen next, not that I would deny him anything he asked. His eyes took in my whole body as he licked his lips, skimming my body up and down. He smiled slowly, his eyes landing on mine once again. “I wondered how long it would take for you to show up. I was beginning to think that you were reading for your enjoyment, not Becca’s.”
I blushed. Well, technically, he was right. I did love the book Rebekah and I were reading, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended, but he didn’t need to know that. Yet, with the way he was looking at me, I felt my body flush, and for some reason, I felt very vulnerable.
“I did enjoy it very much. It’s an excellent book.” As I said the last words, my eyes dropped as I could no longer meet his gaze.
“I want you, wife,” He said in a low voice with a sharp tone. I jerked my head back up to find him stroking his appendage. My mouth watered, and my body heated instantly.
“You gonna just stand there, or are you going to come over here and help me with this,” he said, jerking himself stronger.
Suddenly I felt a little foolish standing in the hall with the door open. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, my feet rooted to the floor as I was lost again in his gaze.
“Take off your clothes,” he growled. “Slowly.”
I nodded, my gaze never leaving his as I did as he requested. I wanted to rush into his arms, but instinctively I held back. Something inside told me tonight I would see a whole new side of the man I married. I would admit that I was eager to see.