Page 156 of Unbreakable Thread

Sol’s legs tremble against my hips, the muscles quivering and giving out. I grip her thighs and hoist them up, hooking her ankles over my shoulders, her calves pressing warm against my neck. The angle shifts everything—she gasps as I sink deeper, the new position opening her farther, my finger circling her clit, and she clenches tight around me, driving me insane as I thrust forward, my hips meeting hers with a firm, wet slap. Her back arches off the mattress, fingers twisting into the sheets.

“Tell me, baby, who owns this?” I rub faster still, thrusting balls deep inside her.

She covers her mouth to cover her screams, then floods her release on me. I’m so close, I keep going faster, bucking my hips, her beautifully flushed face staring into mine. “You,” she answers. Her sexy, raspy voice sends me out of this world. My body shakes with an eruption, violent and virile, leaving me gasping.

Still inside her, I say, “Look at me, amor.” She does. Her silk black hair a beautiful mess. “Don’t let them steal your energy from you. Those fuckers are not around, and they still want to drag you into the dark. Don’t let them. You don’t fucking need them. I’m your family. Our kids. Our future. That’s all that matters. They have already taken so much from you. You know this. Don’t let them have any more of you—or at least, try not to.” A tear slides down, and I move to position myself beside her. “Every time I see you sinking into the unknown, I’ll pull you out of it. If I have to make love to you from dusk till dawn to distract that pretty mind of yours until all you think of is me between your thighs, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes. If you want to go on a trip around the world, I’ll take you. If that’s what it takes for them not to claw into your mind, I’ll do anything for you because you are the love of my life. They don’t deserve you, baby. Not an ounce of your thoughts on them. In that letter, all she said was to find me to tell you the truth. That’s it,” I tell her. That’s all she needs to know.

She turns to her side. “I know there is more to the letter. I see it in your expression. Thank you for protecting me. You did as I asked, and I’m grateful for it.”

She doesn’t say it, but she wonders.

Chapter 47

Max

The announcer’s voice cuts through the noise of the crowd. My hands are already up. This guy has been in my head all day—the way he leaned into the microphone at the weigh-in, the specific thing he said about Sol got me in his face. They pulled us apart. It only fueled me to get him in the ring. He’s bigger than me, no question. But I’ve watched every fight he’s ever had on tape.

By the fourth round, he could barely see past the cut I’d opened under his eye when I had him cornered. Blood oozes down his cheek. His corner men cleaned it up, but it was only going to get worse.

By the sixth round, his shoulders drop, and his combinations get sloppy. Right now, his hands are fast, and I let them be, slipping left, catching the rest on my forearms, waiting. The bell rings. Seventh round. My feet move like something hunting.

My fist catches him on the jaw. He staggers back into the ropes, bounces off them, and goes down. His hand shoots out for the rope, misses, and he’s flat on the canvas. The ref is already crouching over him, two fingers up, then three. The man’s left eye is a red mask. He tries to push himself up on one elbow and can’t find his footing. The ref waves it off. The fight is over.

The crowd roars my name, but I’m already looking past them. Drake and Xander are climbing into the ring. My dad, too. I let them pull me in, raise the belt. The only person I’m searching for is my wife. I found her. There she is.

My wife. She’s absolutely breathtaking. Sol stands at the barrier in a black dress, and even here, even now, she’s the only thing I can actually see. Her smile does something to my chest I don’t have a word for.

She mouths, “I’m proud of you, champ.” She can’t exactly climb into the ring right now. I drop down and go to her. I bring her into my arms, and our lips collide into small, breathless kisses. “Congratulations, Max. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become.” Our foreheads touch.

“Thank you,” I say, still catching my breath from the fight.

Water splashes on my leg.

“Oh, shit,” Sol cries out.

She peed.

My eyes widen as I try to cover her up. “Do you need to use the restroom?”

“They’re coming.”

“Who?” I ask, peering into the crowd.

“The twins. My water just broke.”

Relief and excitement course through me.

“Let’s go.”

I wave my dad and the guys off. Before I rush out, the announcers try to stop me for a brief interview. But, when they see Sol, they say something on the microphone. I’m already heading to the back rooms of the arena. “Call the valet. Tell them to have my car ready,” I bark at Henry.

It’s been three days since the doctors released Sol and the twins from the hospital. It has been one of the most rewarding days of my life. It was like I have been waiting for this moment all my life. Shortly after arriving at the hospital an hour later, she delivered our son. At first, a minute of silence, then he wails. My heart erupted at the sight of him, and warmth seeped into my bones. Then, four minutes later, we welcomed our daughter into this world. So many emotions clawed at my chest. The perfect little princess. She pouted, and then cries erupted. Tears rolled off Sol’s cheek as she stared at them, then at me.

“You did good,” I praise her. It’s a moment I’ll carry for the rest of my life.

The shower sprayer turns on, indicating Sol has stepped into the shower. I peer at the two beside me on the bed with hearts in my eyes. My little Leo stares up at me with his cinnamon eyes, like his mom, and his dark black hair. Milk drizzles down his chubby cheeks. We named him after his uncle. It was only fair to give him the name of the man who saved them. Leo’s bravery will not go unnoticed. Sol said Leo asked to name him after him. Leo smiles as I wipe the milk from his mouth. “You’re too cute. I love you.” I laugh at his adorable smile. My little princess grips her brother’s hand but stares at me with her long eyelashes. Her eye color is a mix of gray and green, like a storm. My dad said that in a couple of weeks, her color will change to a darker green. Juliana’s cheeks puff up, and her lips purse. My smile widens at the softness of her pink cheeks. “You’re too pretty. Aren’t you, mi vida? I love you.” She scrunches her body, then she… “You couldn’t wait to take a shit until your mom got out?”

She pouts.