She bit down hard on her lower lip and pressed her hand tighter against her belly. She had really roused the leopard. She curled deeper into the chair, grateful that Elijah paced back and forth on the opposite side of the aisle, keeping it between them. She knew he was attempting to make her feel safe by staying on the other side of the room, but she could actually feel the oppressive air, so heavy with his temper.

He didn’t want to tell her anything. That was a really bad sign. Still, she couldn’t back down. She wanted to—for him. For herself even. But she couldn’t, for her child. She sat in the chair, watching Elijah closely. He was angry, yes. She could see that, but not at her. That took a moment to sink in. He was angry with the situation and it dawned on her that he was afraid of losing her. He didn’t want to lose her. Her heart melted even more.

She’d been honest with him. She couldn’t have her child living in a situation that wasn’t safe. Or that was illegal and totally wrong. Drug trafficking? Gun-running ? What exactly was Elijah involved in that he didn’t want her to know about? What had her grandfather been involved in aside from having their friends murdered?

With a little sigh she got to her feet, took a deep breath and padded barefoot across the room, to the other side of the island where Elijah stood. She moved in close and wrapped her arms around his middle, leaning her weight into him. He stood stiffly for a moment, every muscle locked in place, his body feeling like a steel wall. Very slowly, almost reluctantly he put his arms around her, locking her to him.

“Honey, I’m asking for an explanation. You said to me you weren’t a good man. When you said it, I thought . . . I’d hoped you meant you were dangerous. That you were capable of doing things to protect your family, not that you did something illegal such as selling drugs. I need to know what my grandfather was into because I have the feeling that I inherited his businesses. I have the feeling you know exactly what he was into. He didn’t have a reputation, not like your family has always had. So I need to know what you’re into so I can make an informed decision.”

His hand came up to the back of her head, his palm fitting there, holding her to him. She felt the tension coiled so tight in him.

“I can’t lose you, Siena.” His voice was raw with emotion.

When she tried to lift her face away from his chest so she could look into his eyes, he held her still.