“Ana...,” Alex softly says, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Bethany couldn’t have been here. You might have been looking for her in the crowd and just—”
“No, I saw her,” I firmly say, but even as I think about it, the more I wonder if I’ve gone completely insane. “Or at least I think I did. I haven’t been sleeping because of my dreams, maybe I’m just going mad.”
“You’re not going mad at all,” he soothes me. “The dreams, the magic that goes with them must be showing you something. Maybe warning you. But I don’t believe for a second that you are going crazy.
Liam and Mason come running over, Phoebe and Skye with them. “Are you alright?” Liam asks, sounding worried.
“Yes, I will explain later,” I say, my eyes fixing on Phoebe. “I think I’m going to walk away from the party a little and get some fresh air. I’m not feeling a hundred percent.”
“I will go with her. Why don’t you take the girls on the rides?” Alex suggests.
“Are you sure?” Mason asks, looking in my eyes. I nod, walking to him and cuddling him for a second. I kiss Skye and Phoebe on their heads, and Liam wraps me in his arms for a long moment.
“I still want that kiss on the Ferris wheel,” he whispers to me. “I won’t forget.”
“I promise you’ll get one,” I tell him, kissing his cheek and stepping back. Alex links his fingers with mine as we walk out of the crowds and onto the beach. It’s well-lit for a little bit until only the moonlight guides us as we walk down the sand and onto a rockier part of the beach a good half an hour away from the party. Alex finds us a flat rock, well hidden by others and big enough for us both to lie on. He takes off his coat, laying it down before sitting on it and leaving room for me. I sit next to him, wrapping my arms around my knees the best I can with my bump as I look over the sea.
“I miss Bethany. So much,” I admit. “How messed up is that? I miss the sister who tried to kill me.”
“It’s not messed up. In every way, Bethany was a sister and mum to you for a big part of your life. Even now, when she has done evil things, it doesn’t mean that is an automatic cut off for your love for her,” he replies and somehow makes it all the more reasonable for me to love my murderous sister.
“The worst thing about this all”—I stop, turning away from the sea to Alex—“is that I would kill Bethany in a heartbeat if she threatened any of my family. I would kill her.”
Alex moves closer, cupping my cheeks with his hands. “I will destroy her the second I can because she will always be a threat to you. She nearly took you from me, Ana. Nothing and no one is going to get that chance again.”
“I should hate you for that, but I love you more. I understand you,” I admit with a long sigh. “I love you so much it hurts, Alexander.”
He kisses me passionately, pulling me on top of him, my legs spreading around his hips. His hands cup my breasts over my dress, and I quickly undo his trousers. He pushes my panties to the side with his fingers before sliding them inside me. I moan, leaning back, knowing I want so much more than his fingers inside of me. I pull his cock out of his trousers, and he removes his fingers with a cheeky grin that only Alex could do. I lower myself down on top of him, taking in every inch of him until he is completely inside me, feeling more amazing than ever. Every time Alex is inside me, it is better than the last time.
I never want these moments to end. I roll my hips again and again as his hands dig into my thighs, holding me tightly as he groans and bites down on his lip. My orgasm catches me by surprise, crashing over me like a wave, and he thrusts inside me once more, coming hard.
I lie down, snuggling into his side and closing my eyes for a long time as I just enjoy us being together.
Whatever is coming next…we will face it together.
Chapter 16
Anastasia
These dreams can just go away now. Thanks.
“To family!” I say, holding my glass in the air as I stand up at the end of a long day. Everyone is here from Raine to Phoebe. My guys sit on either side of me, but the chair at the other end of the table is empty. I still smile widely. “To everyone still here.”
“What about me, sis?” Bethany’s voice crackles behind me. I spin around, the glass dropping from my hand onto the wood floor where it smashes into tiny pieces. I freeze, staring at my sister who is covered in blood. “What about me?” she asks again.
“I-I,” I splutter, speechless. A baby cries in the distance, and I turn towards the door to my bedroom. I feel my flat stomach, and fear starts to crawl up my throat as Bethany grins.
“Should I see the baby?” she asks.
“NO!” I scream, but she runs to the bedroom anyway, and I never catch her in time.
The sea air brushes against my cheek as I wake up, my heart beating fast in my chest as I stare at the sun rising above the sea in front of us, marking it as super early in the morning. I look back down at Alex, his head resting on his bent arm, and he looks so at peace. Sitting up, I stare over the sea, trying to push the bad dream to the back of my mind.
My baby is safe, and Bethany will never be a threat to him or her. I wouldn’t ever let that happen.
“Morning,” Alex groggily says, sitting up
