Risqué by Elena M. Reyes
Six months later…
Istand to the side and watch with pride as Callum cuts his palm and let’s a few drops of blood fall into a crystal chalice his uncle is holding. My eyes are riveted by him, watch every move he makes, and my heart fills with so much happiness as I take in the people inside the room bowing their heads.
My Callum.
My savior.
Their boss.
Closed fists bang on chests once and he follows suit, his gem-colored eyes flicking to me. But then again, he’s always seeking me out. Even inside the same room, he needs me nearby.
Come, he mouths, and his father places a hand at the center of my back to help me up the walkway and then the small staircase which lead to him. The platform isn’t large, but it’s secure, and I have my own vows to make.
And while not as official and sacred as his, it’s important for the wife of the boss to pledge her loyalty.
I’m his.
Today. Tomorrow. Always.
“Don’t be nervous, little one. We’re not like other families, and the women aren’t shunned,” his father whispers, tone affectionate and sweet. But then again, he’s been like that since I came to live here.
One look at me, and I was claimed by the same parents that failed him. Weird, in a way, but the arse is having too much fun watching them fawn over me. He also gets a kick out of saying I’m the reason he’s not the product of a broken home.
The two bickering old people have united with me as their goal.
Or better yet, to be the kind of grandparents that our child deserves.
“Easy for you to say, Abuelo.” I’m out of breath already, but being nine months pregnant does that to a woman. “I’m the size of a whale, and everything makes me feel like a hundred-year-old chain-smoker.”
My father-in-law bites back a laugh. “Would you prefer to be carried?”
“You wouldn’t?” I turn to look at him, eyes narrowed. “I’ll tell on you so—"
“He wouldn’t what?” Callum asks from the bottom of the stage, his eyes dancing with mirth. “Carry you in front of all these people? You know the answer to that, Venus.”
“Don’t you dare!”
“My apologies, your majesty.” And then, I let out a low squeal that makes those closest to the stage chuckle. Not at me per se, but how often I get caught in this type of situation. The moment he sets me down, though, I smack his arm and walk over to Uncle Jameson. He’s another softie. “Get your nephew to leave me alone.”
“You heard her.”
“I did.” Callum’s tone holds no remorse. “Are you ready, love?”
“Yes.”
He takes my hand in his, and together we face the men and women who work for the Jameson family. My family. Giannis and Dwayne are a part of that group now, as is Kray and Lindsey, who stand a few steps from the stage and to the left of Mariah and Casper.
Everyone is smiling. Happy for us.
“You will lay your life to protect her.”
“Aye.”
“You will respect her as you do me.”
“Aye.”
“I will never forsake my family. We are one blood.”
“One blood.”The last unanimous chant is loud, and it almost drowns out the music coming from the other room where politicians, heads of countries, and a few generals mingle and drink, unaware of what’s happening within this room. We’re celebrating more than just his blood oath, but the grand opening of Jameson Arms.
Don’t let a country at war fool you. They all rub elbows in one way or another.
“My Venus,” Callum’s voice is reverent. So low no one else can hear, but I do.
“I love you, Mr. Jameson.” However, the smile turns into a frown when I gasp a minute later.
“Aliana, baby?”
“Callum, I think…” I feel wet, not a lot, but like I had one of those accidents all pregnant women have. You sneeze or laugh at the wrong time and things happen down there. “Callum, I think my water is about to break.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Out,” his voice booms, and everyone but our family leaves. They’re crowding us now, worried, but Aurora meets my gaze, and she gets it. Gentle hands cup my face, thumbs rubbing across my cheek. “Are you in pain?”
“Not yet, but I feel off. Some pressure, but our doctor said that’s normal.” Callum’s mom stands to our left, her hand massaging my lower back where I’m most uncomfortable, and I shoot her a small smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m so excited, Aliana. My heart is racing!”
“Mum, let me get her to a seat. We need a—"
“Casper, honey. Don’t just stand there. Please bring the car around the back.”
“Gem, what’re you—”
“I swear to God, if my best friend has our niece or nephew here because of you, I will smite you.” At his wife’s words, he nods dumbly but then jumps into action, rushing out of the room with all the men in this family on his heels. “Well, that lit a match under them. Pussies.”
I’m surrounded by crazy people. I laugh at that, full-on giggles, but it quickly turns into a grimace as wetness rushes down my leg and feet. So gross. “Yeah, that was definitely my water breaking. I’m going to need a change of clothes.”
“We have some in the car.”
“Which one?” I ask, but Callum just shrugs and mouths all of them.
“You’re that prepared?” Carefully, he picks me up, not caring about his clothes, and walks us down the stairs and across the room to a side exit. “When did you even have time to do all this?”
“While you sleep.”
While I sleep. It’s things like this that make me a believer in the possibility of a long and happy life with the person you love. Because only someone who cares will plan while you’re asleep to make life easier. They’ll sacrifice their rest and comforts so that when the moment comes, you never go without.
This man loves me for me.
With the good, bad, and ugly. Through sickness and health.
He holds me when I cry.
He understood my need to never discuss my family again, including Jorge being my brother and not the cousin I was led to believe all my life.
He respects, loves, and protects.
Callum is why I’m not afraid to become a mother. To take this step, because I know no matter what life throws our way, he’d never allow what happened to me to happen to our children.
He’s caring and loving and so patient.
My brothers already lean on him. Look up to him.
And when its time to push a few hours later, it’s his eyes I focus on. All I see and understand is his hand in mine, fingers intertwined, while my body handles the rest. The entire delivery lasts a few hours; there was one moment where my blood pressure was high and a concern, but then she cried, and I lost my heart to the Jameson charm all over again.
Paisley Camila Jameson
Sex: Female
Weight: 6lbs 9oz
Height: 19 inches