Royal Blood

by Victoria Renteria

“Don’t be a douche canoe. I’m serious. You’re lucky as hell you are injured or I would kick your ass.”

  “First, ouch. . .” I grumble, rubbing my shoulder. “Second, I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t change things or make it any better, but I really am. If I could go back and change it, dragging your sorry ass with me, I would. I sure as hell could have used a friend.”

  “Hell yeah you could have. You fucking died on me.” The torment lacing Sam’s voice is like a blade to the heart.

  “Shit, Sam. I don’t even know what to say. I was so distraught over everything I just went in and did what I had to do.”

  “Dammit, AJ. You’re not the only one going through things here. Stop thinking about yourself and think about the impact you have on everyone around you. Do you realize what would have happened if you hadn’t made it?” His chest heaves, his breaths coming in quick furious pants.

  “Jesus, Sam. I am so damn sorry. I don’t know how to make this right. Tell me what I can do to fix this. You’re my best friend and the last thing I want is to lose that.”

  “Never pull a stunt like that again. I don’t want to have to administer CPR to you ever again. Shit like that changes a man,” he says, rubbing his chest.

  “I promise to bring you with me from now on, does that count?” I say, knowing good and damn well I can’t make the promise he wants in our line of work.

  “Yeah, it’ll have to do,” he grouses.

  “So, what is it that has been bothering you?” I toss out just as the door opens to Kylee’s smiling face.

  “Another time, brother,” Sam says, giving my shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

  “We good?” I ask, covering his hand with my own.

  “We’re good.”

  Pivoting, he walks to the door, his broody expression lessening. With a small smile, he calls out a goodbye. As the door firmly closes, my gaze trails over to the woman that stole my heart. Beckoning her to me, I wait with bated breath as she climbs into the bed, resting her head on my shoulder. Snuggling close, she breathes me in deeply, her eyes falling shut as she succumbs to slumber. As I lie there watching her sleep, I can’t help but feel blessed.

  Like everything in my world is finally right side up.

  Ten Years Later

  “GOOD MORNING, WIFE,” ALEX DRAWLS, placing an open-mouthed kiss just below my ear.

  “Good morning, husband,” I respond, embedding my fingers in his hair.

  Alex’s lips travel down the breadth of my neck, sucking and nibbling at my skin along the way.

  “A-Alex,” I rasp, his dexterous fingers brushing across my sensitive nipple.

  “Hmmm?” he murmurs into the curve of my neck.

  “A-Alex, the twins.” Whimpering, I arch upward, thrusting my breast into the palm of his hand.

  Alex chuckles. Raising his head, he peers down at me. “So is it the twins in the other room you’re worried about or the pair in this room?

  “You’re such a beast,” I retort, scowling playfully.

  “Mmmm. But a beast you love,” he replies, letting his hand rove over my distended belly.

  “This is true,” I say, placing a hand on top of his.

  “Are you ready to do this again?” he asks, his voice filled with love and affection.

  “What, have sex? I always want to have sex with you, Alex, pregnant or not.”

  Rolling his eyes, he smirks, the ends of his mouth curling to show the barest hint of teeth. “That is not what I meant and you know it.”

  “Yeah, but that didn’t make my statement any less true.” I sigh.

  “Aw, does my baby need some lovin’?”

  “Always,” I breathe out.

  “Do you think we’d be able to manage anything before the twins wake up?” Taking my lip between my teeth, I worry it, looking from the door to Alex and back again. Incessant worry took over my life from the moment I gave birth to Noah and Sasha. Every waking moment is spent trying to ensure they do not have a childhood like mine. Taking my chin between his fingers, he tilts my head so our eyes meet.

  “Baby, they are ten years old. At this point, they can take care of themselves.”

  “No, they can’t,” I balk.

  “Yes, they can. You just refuse to see it and that’s okay. It’s what makes you a great mother. They will always need you no matter what. Besides, we get to start all over again with another one in a few weeks. And as soon as you’re healed, I can put another bun in that oven.”

  “Good lord, Alex. Can you let me get this one out before you go knocking me up again?” I ask incredulously.

  “Eh, I don’t know. You’re kind of hard to resist when you’re pregnant. You’re like a sex kitten all hopped up on catnip and spiked milk.”

  Arching a brow at his stupid comment, I laugh. How did I ever live without this man? “I’m going to take that as a compliment and assume you mean you love having sex with me whether or not I’m pregnant.”

  “Damn right you are,” he comments.

  Laughing, I place a kiss on his temple. “I love you, Mr. Grant.”

  “And I love you, Mrs. Grant.”

  Brushing his thumbs over my cheeks, he leans in, fusing his lips to mine. My heart kicks into a swift rhythm, heat and desire pooling in my core from his simple kiss. Alex’s soft and firm masculine lips slant, dancing across the expanse of my mouth. Moaning, my lips part, the tip of my tongue darting out to taste his lips before pushing inside. Alex’s control cracks, his shaft pulsing against my side as his tongue delves into my mouth. Our tongues brush against each other’s, thrusting and retreating in a hot and fiery kiss.

  Nipping at my lips, he pulls back, our breaths mingling together as one. His voice becomes deeper than usual, raspier when he admits, “Baby, I really want to slide into you right now.”

  The deep timbre of his voice washes over me, eliciting spontaneous reactions from my body. A shiver of longing rushes through me, my nipples beading as they chafe against the silky material of my dress. Groaning, I arch forward, my breasts thrusting up and out, Alex’s heat burns through my nightgown as he leans in, pressing closer to my side.

  “I want that too.” My voice is low and husky, filled with sensual hunger.

  “Fuck, woman. You’re gonna be the death of me,” Alex curses, sliding down the bed.

  Lifting my nightgown to just under my breasts, he shifts lower, placing a loving kiss on my rounded belly. Going lower still, he leaves my line of sight for a moment, tugging away the soft, wet cotton covering me and tossing it off to the side. Divesting himself of his shorts, he hovers over me for a moment, stealing one last kiss before nibbling his way down my body. Sinking back on his haunches, he lifts my legs, entering me slowly, his eyes trained on his shaft as he slides into me inch by agonizing inch. Sighing in pleasure, my hands latch onto Alex’s massive thighs, my nails flexing into his skin.

  On a groan, he snaps his hips forward, sheathing his cock in my slick heat. We both grow still, savoring the pleasure, small sparks of energy flowing savagely between us as he begins to rock back and forth. His gradual unhurried movements shoot through me, ratcheting my desire for his unbridled side.

  “Alex,” I groan, grinding down on his hard shaft. Cursing, he looks up, heat flashing in his violet eyes.

  “You’re being a brat,” he grits out, panting each word through his teeth.

  “I need more,” I say, clenching my muscles, drawing him in further.

  Another curse. His eyes turn molten, pure liquid amethyst. Sinking his fingers into my thighs, he pulls out until only the tip of his cock remains.

  “You want it harder?” he asks, accentuating his question with shallow thrusts.

  “Y-Yes,” I whine, rotating my hips in an effort to make him lose control.

  Chuckling, he grasps my hips, halting my movement.

  My nostrils flare in irritation, my eyes blazing with fury as I snap, “I’m pregnant, not fragile. Stop teasing me and fuck me already.”

  Alex’s snarls, lust
raging in his violet irises. Pulling out completely, he slaps the side of my thigh and commands, “On your knees.”

  Warmth bathes my core, little tingles of pleasure trigger a shudder that dances across my sensitive skin. Flipping over, I brace myself, glancing over my shoulder as he runs his thick palms over the smooth expanse of my ass. Wiggling the round globes at him, I smile. Alex hisses, carnal desire flaring in his lavender eyes. A loud smack rents the air as his palm lands on the cheek of my ass.

  “Mmmm,” I groan, pushing back into his hand.

  “Dammit, Kylee.”

  Grasping my hips with one hand, he positions his cock at my entrance with the other and drives into me with the force of a wild stallion. Plummeting into me, his hips swing hard, flesh slapping against flesh in a primordial meeting. Molding his front to my back, he reaches around, taking hold of a pert nipple, rolling it relentlessly between his fingers.

  “Ahhh,” I pant, the frenzied combination of his thrusts and fingers quickly bringing me to the edge.

  Alex’s thrusts grow harder, deeper as he ruts into me with intractable force. Releasing my nipple, he pulls back, one hand on my hip, the other finding my clit, applying delicious pressure.

  “Ah, hell,” he groans, squeezing my hip to the point of pain.

  Tensing, my walls tighten around his shaft, holding him to me. Alex pulls out only to snap his hips forward with a punishing thrust, burying himself to the hilt. Little tremors start in my core, working their way out, rapture exploding throughout my body like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Alex continues hammering into me, riding through wave after wave of pleasure. Picking up his tempo, he pounds into me hard and fast. Our cries of ecstasy fill the air as we reach the crest of our climax. Harsh pants fill the air as we desperately try to catch our breath. Placing a kiss in the center of my back, he pulls out, retrieving his discarded shirt from the night before to wipe each of us down.

  “God, Alex. Some things never change.” I laugh, pointing to the shirt.

  “Nope.” He grins, a crooked smile that melts my heart.

  Jumping on the bed, he flips me over and lays a hand on my belly. Gliding it across my stomach protectively, he coaxes me into a relaxed state. Time moves slowly, each of us coming down from our high, rejoicing in the fruits of our love. My eyes start to drift shut when a muffled voice sounds from under the door.

  “Are you done having sex yet?” Noah asks.

  Noah and Sasha both snicker, their breaths whooshing underneath the door. Alex groans, throwing an arm across his face. Laughing loudly, I poke him in the chest.

  “Those are your children.”

  “Oh, so they are my children when they act like that?”

  “Uh, yeah. Have you seen their uncles? Sam? Brighton? Cooper?” I joke, jabbing him again.

  “Oh, don’t you even pretend like Taejo and your dad are any better. And come to think of it, their Aunt Em is worse than all of them.”

  Alex’s body shakes, rumbling with laughter. Well, hell. He got me there. But I’ll be damned if I admit that to him.

  Slapping him playfully on the chest, I reply, “Get up, you big oaf. We have to make our children breakfast. Who in the hell taught them to put their heads under the door, anyway?”

  “Ooh! Mommy said a bad word!” Noah yells under the door.

  Alex roars with laughter and I smack him in the back of the head. “Stop it. You’re encouraging them.” Grabbing my hand, he places a kiss in the center of my palm.

  “Yeah, but you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  My heart melts as it does every time he shows how much he cares with his gentle actions. Sitting up, I close the distance, taking his face in my hands, and kiss him deeply. Lingering for a second too long, I barely escape his large hands in order to get dressed and exit our room. As with any morning breakfast, it is a flurry of action, someone always dropping by the house to visit. So it comes as no surprise when the doorbell rings halfway through the kids shoving pancakes into their mouths. Sliding out from behind the table, I waddle to the door, delighted to see the smiling face of my uncle.

  “Taejo, this is a wonderful surprise,” I say, opening the door. Enveloping me in a hug, he brushes my cheek in a gentle kiss and drops to his knees.

  “And how is my little niece or nephew today?” he asks, caressing my belly. Normally, anyone rubbing my overly large stomach would send me into a flurry of irritated rage, but Taejo seems to have a way of calming this little soldier growing inside of me. A genuine smile spreads across his face as the baby moves to the sound of his voice. Touching his shoulder, I bring his attention to me.

  “You know, I can’t actually see you down there, right?”

  Taejo chuckles. “Ah, how is my favorite niece today?” he asks, coming to a stand.

  “Better now that I see your smiling face. Come inside. The twins will be happy to see you.” He smiles again, he face lighting up with joy.

  “Yes, I have missed those little devils. It’s been, what? Two days since I’ve seen them.”

  “Three. But who’s counting?”

  “Uncle Tae!” Noah yells, barreling down the hall with Sasha hot on his heels. He crouches, encasing the twins in a simultaneous bear hug as they begin to pelt him with questions.

  “Noah, Sasha, your uncle just arrived. How about we let him get into the house before we throw the Spanish inquisition at him, okay?”

  “Uh oh, we better go, Noah, or mommy is going to give us another history lesson,” Sasha warns.

  Scowling, I put my hands on my hips, glaring playfully at my daughter. “Just for that, I really should.”

  The twin’s eyes blow wide, their pupils eating up their violet irises as they slowly back from the entryway into the living room.

  “Now that was just plain mean,” Alex says, placing a kiss on my cheek.

  “So you want one too?” I inquire, arching a dark brow at him.

  “So, Taejo, it’s good to see you, man.” Alex extends a hand for my uncle to shake.

  My eyes grow misty as I think about how far my family has come. We’ve been through so much in such a short period of time. Our trials and tribulations have only made us stronger. Alex and Taejo adjourn into the living room, putting on a local news station and chatting while the kids play on the floor. Waddling toward them, I’m stopped at the chime of my cell phone. Retrieving the device, I smile as I often do when I get a text message from Gavin.

  Opening the message, my smile wanes, a frown creasing my brow as my eyes peruse his words.

  G: Remember this clown from school? Guess karma finally bit him where it counts. Click the link to see the full article.

  Clicking on the article, I gasp. The heading of the article reads: Teacher arrested in child pornography ring. Reading on, I absorb the article with wide eyes.

  Jeremy Ruffin, an elementary school teacher in Haskins, Georgia was arrested late Friday afternoon. Ruffin was taken into custody for allegedly being part of an international child pornography ring. Sources reveal that Ruffin was currently under investigation by the school board for sexual harassment. The new principal declined to make a comment on the ongoing investigation. However, several others close to the situation were inclined to say that this was not the first incident of Ruffin harassing someone. This is just the first time it’s escalated to this level. Ruffin was booked into federal custody and is currently awaiting trial.

  Air gushes from my lungs with such force the baby kicks, forcing me to inhale several soothing breaths. Damn this kid is strong. Smiling, I waddle into the living room, wedging myself in between Alex and Taejo on the couch.

  Noticing my smile, Alex cants his head to the side, observing me studiously.

  “Everything good?” he asks.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “You just have that big cheesy ass grin on your face. The one that says you have a secret.”

  “We’ll talk about it later,” I say, patting him on the leg.

  Shrugging, he goes back to watchi
ng Noah build his Legos. Taejo slides closer, his shoulder butting up against mine. Linking our hands together, I lay my head on his shoulder only to snap it right back up.

  “Alex, turn the television up.” My demand has him snapping his attention to the TV. His shocked gasp fills the air as he turns the volume up so we can all hear.

  “What’s going on, Mo—”

  “Shhh. Not now, baby. I’ll explain later,” I say, waving away Sasha’s question.

  “In international news today, a Colonel with the United States Army has been executed in North Korea. The North Korean government issued a statement in regards to Colonel Charles Black, in which they listed espionage and hostile acts against the state among the charges. An American woman who’s identity has yet to be confirmed was detained in connection with Black.” Images of Sabrina and Black flash boldly on the television screen.

  “The North Korean government has made no decisions on how they’re to proceed with the unknown female at this time.”

  The broadcast comes to a close and I glance at Alex out of the corner of my eye. Blinking several times, he looks at me and smiles.

  “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it?”

  “Oooh! Daddy said a bad word,” Noah snickers, pointing at this father.

  “Yep, Mommy’s gonna spank him for sure.”

  Sasha nudges her brother, and they both eye Alex laughing. Alex launches off the couch toward the twins, tackling them to the floor in a fit of laughter. Grappling on the floor, he tickles them until they’re fighting for air and start offering him the same tickle torture. Taejo nudges my shoulder, his lovely brown eyes filled with love and devotion.

  “See, I told you everything would work out.”

  Sighing, I rest my head on his shoulder. “That you did, Uncle. That you did.”

  Quietly, we watch our family roll around the floor in laughter until his soft voice breaks the moment.

  “Have you ever wondered how our family came into their power?”

  “Not really,” I reply dismissively.

  “It wasn’t always this way, you know. Our families are descendants of royal blood . . .” The chiming of our cell phones interrupts him.