I draw a shuddering breath, look at the top of his dark head as he bows it into the crook of my neck, his breathing labored, cock still throbbing inside me. I bite my lip so hard when the words come that I taste the copper of blood to swallow them back and shove them down. And when he looks back up at me, something’s inside his eyes I can’t name, and I wonder what he’s swallowed down. If it’s lodged in his throat like the words are lodged in mine. And I think how sad we are. Even now.

Santiago rolls to lie beside me, our heads on one pillow, face-to-face. He brushes my hair back, wiping away stray tears, and here come those words again, that choking emotion. They want out, but I swallow hard.

Because I can’t say them.

Because I can’t love him.

“Did you come for the baby?” I ask instead. It’s important we’re clear. We’re each where we belong and know where we stand, even if it hurts.

He looks confused, and it takes a moment for him to reply as if he’s considering. “I came for you.”

7

Ivy

Santiago doesn’t leave my side. After bathing me and helping me dress, he stands at the wall, arms folded across his chest, watching as the doctor asks me questions and explains what they’d injected me with. A muscle relaxer rather than an anesthetic, albeit a strong one.

Santiago snorts when this doctor uses the term doctor about that other man. “He was no more a doctor than I am. More like a piece of shit.”

“It wasn’t harmful to you or the baby. That’s the most important thing,” the doctor continues after clearing his throat. He turns my head to study the bruise at my temple. “You were lucky.”

“Lucky?” Santiago interrupts again. “I’m not sure I’d call her lucky.”

“I meant any damage will heal.” He smiles, giving me a wink. He takes a card out of his pocket and sets it on the nightstand. “If you need anything or have questions, I’m available day and night to the members of The Society.”

He’s a Society doctor.

“We want our members to feel safe and well cared for, and you certainly are, Ivy. Especially during such an important time.” I guess he means the pregnancy.

I glance at Santiago. His hair is still wet from the shower, but he’s dressed in a fresh white button-down and dark slacks and looks more like himself. It makes me smile a little. He’ll be a cantankerous old man, I think.

He shifts his gaze to me and momentarily appears puzzled by my expression, but then there’s a knock on the door, which is open just a little, and to my surprise, Eva peers inside.

“Eva!”