34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: TRUE OR FALSE ROSE AMARA'S POV A celebration is held by Uncle Raven to honor the wonderful news a few days later. The truth of not being pregnant. I dont know why Ethan does such things about this pregnancy. He knows that I don't want to bear his child, yet here we are celebrating this event. I'm not sure why I let it get to this point or how Ethan's deception got me there in the first place. Even still, the meeting's one instance of my being unable to speak was enough to cause everyone to congratulate and wish me well. Then Belle came downstairs, kept herself as busy in the kitchen, and forced me to sit down while she prepared me some healthy food. Every time Uncle Raven sees me, he can't help but smile. He might not get the chance to meet his grandchildren in this life, so I helped him fulfill that desire, yet not to Ethan. I tried to stop myself and shout that it wasn't true, but I was unable to take Uncle Raven's adoring look off his face. He appears to be so content now, so calm, almost as though he is at least completing the ultimate role in his life. Even his terrible coughs had stopped. Even though I've been preparing to kill Ethan, I'm not nasty enough to injure him. Currently, we are gathered around the dining room table enjoying the lavish dinner Uncle Raven made. This time, everyone else is there, including the top guards from each brigade and the killers who are seated at the far end of the table. I look at Hades who is standing near the entrance and greets a guest. It's a rare occurrence for the South and West to invite the entire Brotherhood to supper. Various traditional delicacies, including soup, dumplings, and main courses, have been made by the kitchen crew. It goes without saying that the table is crowded. However, everyone waits for Uncle Raven's approval before touching their dishes. I can tell that he is standing carefully to avoid starting his cough. Recently, it has improved, although it can grow worse when he throws a fit. In his palm, Uncle Raven holds a glass of fine vodka. "Our Rose and Ethan work quickly, and we're here to congratulate the new Amber family member." I clench my hands together and try not to blush, but I can feel my cheeks getting hot. While holding my hand underneath the table, Ethan grinned. He intertwines our fingers and raises them to his face to kiss my knuckles as I try to push him away. If my face had been warming up earlier, it is now burning. Nathan and Uncle Raven exchange looks before Uncle Raven starts to giggle. "Enjoy your lunch." Everyone at the table raises their glasses in unison for the toast before eagerly tucking into the meal. Since refusing to eat when the boss offers is impolite. Ethan smirks as I withdraw my hand away from his. God, why haven't I put this man to sleep in his sleep? It could be related to how exhausted I become from him every night. Because of what he did, I originally tried to push him away, but I couldn't resist being touched. I remind myself that he uses his body just as much as I do. It is merely sex. Sex with no purpose. But every time, Ethan makes sure to enter my body as if he were trying to get pregnant. The joke is actually on him. I obtained a birth control prescription in addition to using the morning-after pill. In my teen years, the shot caused a bad reaction in my body, so I had to take the pills. After all is said and done, this celebration is meaningless. I'll make up a story about losing the child or Ethan speaking too soon before we can confirm it in a week or so. Despite his sadness, Uncle Raven will recognize the loss. I wouldn't let Ethan conceive a child inside of me, not in a million years. At the table, there is a casual discussion about unimportant topics. There won't be any business discussion till after dinner because the wives will also be present. As ordered by Uncle Raven, I'm invited to a meeting. It has to do with how I've been paying the troops over the past few weeks. I might not be invited to external meetings with other leaders of organized crime. Still, I can now secure a long-term spot in the Brotherhood. Uncle Raven is trading pleasantries with Nathan. I gave Zeth, who gave me standing behind me, a quick glance. He walks away while feigning an excuse, trips, and knocks Nathan's chair as he does so. As the elder man's wine drips over the tablecloth, he hastily apologizes. Zeth is being grabbed by the collar by Nathan's senior guard, but his supervisor quietly indicates to him to release his guard so as not to make a scene. Nathan's wine glass is quickly replaced by a member of the kitchen staff, who then bows in retreat. The tiny incident is lost in the general chitchat as Zeth comes back to stand behind me. A few minutes later, Eya is standing opposite from me near the exit when we make eye contact, and she stealthily follows the kitchen crew. We devised this strategy to do the DNA test. This is one of the four opportunities. I've already given Eya Ethan's toothbrush, and as I hardly ever have direct contact with Nathan or Ella, she should soon be able to obtain the DNA results. My attention is back on the event now that the plan is in action. Pharaoah is a sly fox hiding under a façade of politeness. It may be my loudest adversary, but he is the one with the greatest capacity for harm. He does not halt. Ever. He's definitely burrowing into me and attempting to find a way to eventually push me aside so he can get Uncle Raven and the company with his foxlike claws. I'm threatening him with the information that he's keeping a secret because it's the only weapon I have against him. "Do you see what I see? Hades mumbles from next to me, his eyes briefly flitting to Pharaoah and Kian before returning to me. "When did those two get so cozy?" "I warned you not to believe Pharaoah," But at least I believed he was in the middle when he said, "I don't. I'll be forced to attack, and it won't be pretty if he picks the opposite side." I can't try to learn more about Lily because she isn't here. She either has power over Kean or is his weakness based on his response a few days previously. He wouldn't have behaved strangely in response to her warning otherwise. Naturally, he deliberately excludes her from similar situations. But if I have to, I'll find a way to drag her inside. My skin immediately shakes as a hand is placed around my nape from behind, and a dark voice murmurs. "What are you two chatting about?" I took a sip of my soup, trying to ignore how Ethan's simple touch had awakened my entire body, "It's none of your concern." "Princess, I'm your spouse and your child's father. I'm worried about everything about you." I give him a sideways glance, to which he simply responds with his annoying smirk. I try to convince Hades to ignore Ethan the entire evening, but he holds me captive with his hand on my thigh. His smile is still there, but the humor has vanished, and it has been replaced with a menacing darkness. "Please don't disregard me in favor of other males." I hiss, "Let me go." "Are you going to follow instructions?" "Ethan, you can't get in the way of my plans." "What plans do you and Hades have?" I don't miss the arrogant way he pronounces Hades's name. "Plans that exclude challenging Nathan for the top spot." He halts. My chance to look directly down at him is now, and I say, "What? You thought I didn't know? Your intentions are as apparent as the sun." "You're very cute for thinking that." "What does that mean, exactly?" "Stop conversing with other men in my presence or absence of other men." I turned to him. " I asked Hades about the security measures. I already have my report from Zeth and Eya." I answered so I could talk to Hades about it, but if it annoys Ethan, I'm game. He's a jerk, so I'm going to ask him about it anyway. "My lips are already open when humming can be heard between my legs, and it stays open." Sh*t. He immediately set the toy to one of the highest levels. As the inside of my walls suddenly gleamed, the chattering faces and words began to be unheard in the distance. Ethan is getting a punishment again. And God knows I want this to stop.