“You look tired,” Judge observes, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. “Perhaps you should stay home and rest.”

“Says the man who hardly sleeps.” I reach up and stroke my fingers through the back of his hair. “I’m tired because I’m growing two tiny humans inside me. But I’m also tired of resting. I want to go with you.”

He still seems reluctant, and I know why. While I’m desperate to have him near me as much as possible, he’s desperate to keep me at home where he knows I’m safe. It hasn’t escaped me that every time he looks at me, he carries the burden of additional guilt for that too. In some way, he still feels like he failed to protect me even though he’d done all he could. I’ve told him again and again that what happened couldn’t be avoided. Vincent was determined, and even if someone had thwarted his attempt that night, he would have found another time and place. I understand that, but I think it will take Judge time to come to terms with it.

“This isn’t how I’d imagined us spending this time,” he says. “But I want you to know that when this is over, you’ll get your honeymoon. You’ll get everything you want.”

“All I want is you.” I offer him a warm smile. “I’m easy to please.”

He smirks as if it’s the furthest thing from the truth he’s ever heard, and I slap his chest.

“Hey, I am.”

“Don’t worry.” He leans in, his lips hovering over mine. “I like you demanding. Particularly when you’re in our bed.”

I melt into him, wishing we had more time to go do exactly that. My hormones have been insane, and even though I’m uncomfortable ninety percent of the time, I can’t seem to get enough of Judge. I know I’ve been exhausting him more when he comes home at night and I reach for him in the dark, scrambling to get him any way I can. But he hasn’t complained, so I figure it’s fair play.

“Later,” he promises in a raspy voice, clearly amused by the longing in my expression.

And with that dark assurance, he takes me by the hand and leads me to the car. Raul drives us to The Society hospital that’s housed Theron during his recovery, but I know Judge has been making alternate plans. Theron will need rehabilitation, and Judge has sought out the best team for that part of his recovery as well. I don’t know when they’ll be moving him, but I suspect it will be soon.