Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  “A bit my ass,” Sebastian muttered to himself. It was understandable, and it didn’t often interfere with their sessions. Summer would tear up at any TV show most days.

  “I heard that!” Summer said with a smile as she sat back on Chase’s lap, making herself at home there.

  Chase hugged her close to his chest once more, not ever wanting to let her go. He was interested in how their relationship was with his wife. He felt like he had missed out on so much. And that made him angry at his own actions.

  “Have you told him yet?” Gabriel asked, leaning against the back of the chair with a knowing look.

  Summer shook her head while Sebastian said, “Leave them be, Gabe. She’ll tell him soon enough.”

  “Tell me what?” Chase asked, his attention fully on Summer.

  Summer sat up a tad straighter, her legs dangling over his as she sat on his lap.

  “Well,” Summer said, looking at Chase’s chest. Her hands went to the hem of her own shirt, playing with the seam. “I’m . . .” she looked up through her eyelashes, a fake look of shyness over her face. “Pregnant.”

  “What?” Chase asked, not understanding. He blinked a couple of times.

  The doorbell rang through the house as Summer looked at him concerned. Was he not happy?

  “Chase?” Summer asked, fear taking over her playful mood.

  “Give him a minute, sweetheart,” Gabriel said with an amused laugh. “Let it sink in.”

  “Pregnant?” Chase muttered, letting his eyes trail down to her stomach that looked flat. “How?” His left hand followed the same path, laying gently on her stomach.

  “Do I really need to answer that?” Summer asked, tilting her head to the side in amusement. “I can, but I’d prefer not to. Fayth was kind enough to enlighten me on how that works, by the way.”

  In the next breath, Chase crushed his mouth to hers. Summer gasped, not expecting that, but let him take control.

  His hands went to the back of her head, supporting it as he dominated her lips. She let him. She soaked up the kiss, craving more. She couldn’t help but melt into him. His lips alone lit a fire that hadn’t been there for months. Her hands weaved into his shirt, pulling him closer. She couldn’t get enough of him.

  “Well, hot damn!” Fayth’s voice broke the two up after a few more moments.

  Chase leaned his head against Summer’s, panting. He refused to break his eyes from her life filled blue eyes.

  “I’m so in love with you,” he whispered out, laying one of his hands back on her small rounded stomach, a huge lopsided smile forming upon his lips.

  “So not fair,” Fayth pouted once Summer’s eyes, alight with a need for more than just a steamy kiss met hers. “I want a kiss like that.”

  “If I make it through tomorrow,” Summer said with a promise, watching as Fayth perked up at the words.

  “You will,” Fayth said with a knowing look before turning her eyes to Chase. “I’m Fayth. You must be the baby daddy.”

  Chase simply nodded his head, lost on why Summer and this Fayth seemed so close, among other things. He knew he was missing something between the two girls, but his thoughts were still stuck on being a father.

  “I think you left the poor man speechless there,” Sebastian laughed, laying a hand on Fayth’s arm. “She’s been determined to kiss Grace for a while now. She’ll do just about anything to make sure she gets to before you steal her away from here.”

  “There will be no stealing,” Fayth said, lifting her head proudly. “I go wherever she goes. She has my little niece or nephew in there. I ain’t letting her go anywhere.”

  “So that’s where my wife got her boldness from,” Chase finally spoke, a soft look on his face. If she trusted the redhead, then so would he.

  Summer simply blushed, tucking her head into Chase’s chest, not sure if she should be amused or not by Fayth.

  Her poor husband indeed would have a tough time figuring out just how much, Summer had changed in such a short amount of time.

  Chapter 30

  “What is this?” Chase asked, looking at his plate of food. Another thing he didn’t know what to call. Summer knew a lot of dishes that he had never known before. They never did disappoint, him either.

  Hell, he didn’t even know that Sebastian could cook, let alone be so family oriented.

  On the plate before him was what looked like grated hash browns with some sort of hot dog looking meat cut into bite sized pieces.

  “Hash browns and sausage,” Sebastian said with a shrug, stating the obvious. “One of Summer’s favorite things I make.”

  “Welcome to normal living,” Fayth said with a laugh before digging into her own meal. She couldn’t help but goad him somewhat. Spoiled Prince, she thought.

  “It’s good,” Summer said sweetly. “I’ve been craving potatoes with everything,” she ended with a shrug before taking a bite of her food.

  Of course, she couldn’t help but moan as the flavors of the seasonings hit her tongue. Her eyes closed on their own accord. Chase couldn’t help but stare at her with an opened mouth, and adjust his pants slightly. He had never seen something so arousing from his wife as her eating food.

  Fayth couldn’t help but laugh, loudly. Which that caused Summer to blush a deep red. She just couldn’t help her reactions.

  Chase shook his head, turning back to his food and took a tentative bite. It wasn’t so bad.

  “See?” Sebastian said with a smirk.

  Chase didn’t reply, instead just digging in. It had been a long day and he hadn't eaten much. Even longer since he had a home cooked meal.

  There were so many questions to ask, but no one dared to speak any of them as they ate. Instead, Fayth couldn’t help but give Summer knowing looks. She could see how happy the unexpected visit was. She knew Summer would get through tomorrow with less stress now.

  Summer tried to not blush under all the eyes on her, as they kept glancing over at her. Even when Sebastian shot her a loving fatherly smile from across the table.

  As Summer was the first to finish her food, she didn’t stop herself from laying her left hand on Chase’s knee that was closest to her. She just couldn’t stop touching him.

  Chase, in turn, laid his own hand on top of hers, giving her a soft smile when their eyes met. His heart swelled with how willing she was to touch him. Even after their time apart.

  “Ah, young love,” Heidi sighed out happily. “Don’t you remember those days, Gabriel?”

  “Of course, dear,” Gabriel answered with a wiggle of his eyebrows at his wife.

  “I can’t wait till I can take you to bed,” Chase whispered in Summer’s ear. He didn’t expect anything. All he wanted to do was sleep with Summer in his arms. He wouldn’t be opposed to more if it went that way, of course.

  Summer simply gave his knee a tight squeeze and a shy smile while ducking her head. She couldn’t help but like the way his words hit her in her core. It ignited a small fire inside of her.

  It wasn’t much longer until everyone else finished eating, and between Sebastian and Fayth, the table was cleared, the left-overs packed into the fridge, and drinks were refilled. Chase flat out refused to let Summer get up unless it was to go to the bathroom. He didn’t want her out of his sight for a second if he could help it.

  “So, what have you been up to?” Gabriel asked out towards Chase. “I heard about that small take down at Trent’s shop.”

  “Yeah,” Chase laughed out. “That was not part of the plan, but oh well.” He shrugged but went on when Summer looked at him with question filled eyes. “A few of John’s men turned up at Trent’s shop, thinking they could sneak up on both of us. Turns out, they were only out for money, not blood. But they hit the panic button that was placed and wired into the fire alarm on one of the outside walls. The sprinklers were activated and flooded the entire shop.

  “They certainly weren’t the brightest threat we’ve dealt with. Trent and I tackled them, and now the men have to pay heav
y fines for hitting the button, as it caused the Fire Department to come out for a false alarm.” he finished with an amused look. “Trent wanted to tie them up and leave them inside the building, but I didn’t want to deal with more clean up.”

  Chase was pleased that there had been no gunfire, at least. Some lasting damage to the computers and other electronics, but all replaceable.

  “Other than that, not much. Trying to track down John, which was a lot harder than it should have been. That man kept moving every time I got close. Plus, he’d send men there to distract me and whoever I brought with me.

  “Kayla redecorated the entire house, though,” Chase said, meeting Summer’s eyes. “I haven’t gone into all the rooms. I . . . can’t. Not without you there.” He knew that some of the rooms were all set up for the children Kayla expected Chase and Summer to have. A place was set up for Clare’s baby while they waited to figure out what kind of house they wanted to be built on the huge amount of land Chase offered them.

  “Clare?” Summer asked quietly. She was afraid to know that answer, though. She couldn’t help but worry about her sister.

  “She’s doing okay,” Chase answered. “She can’t wait to see you again. She’s been staying in her old room in the main house with Asher.” He purposely left out her health. She was still fighting preterm labor. Kayla wasn’t sure she’d last for another week as her stress levels were getting too out of hand once again.

  “She really misses you.” that was an understatement. She asked often on when Summer would be back home.

  “I miss her too,” Summer said, fighting back tears.

  “So,” Fayth drawled out. “Why are you here? I mean, after three months, you just show up out of the blue.” Although her posture was calm and laid back, her voice demanded answers. There was no way Chase would be able to bypass her questions.

  “Ryder said I needed to be here,” Chase shrugged out. “I had enough time away from my wife. There was no way I would let her go through tomorrow alone. I know your entire plan, Gabriel.” He glared at the man, knowing well enough that the most important part was left out when they had last talked.

  “Figured you would in time,” Gabriel replied curtly with a nod of his head. “I had hoped Ryder would have sent you before now. He will be here soon enough as it is to make sure the Princess is left unharmed.”

  “Ryder had made sure that I was hardly out of his sight. I knew you were in this state, just no clue as to where,” Chase said, meeting Summer’s eyes. “I tried a couple of times to leave, but between Trent and Ryder, I didn’t make it far. Plus, Clare . . . . well, she didn’t want me to leave, but yet she wanted me to go get you and bring you home.”

  “Is she really okay?” Summer asked out, knowing there was more that no one was saying. Was her sister okay? What was he hiding?

  “Mostly. She’s going through a hard time, and being pregnant is taking its toll on her,” Chase said, unwilling to lie to his wife.

  “I want to be there for her,” Summer said sadly, knowing that wouldn’t happen.

  “You can be there soon,” Chase promised with a tender kiss to her head. “She’d love to see you after the baby is born, I’m sure. Kayla doesn’t think she’ll be able to hold off on labor too much longer.”

  Summer made a mental note to ask Clare about exactly she was going through when she would get back home.

  Home. She missed that place, but Summer knew she’d miss it here too once she left. Her heart yearned to go back. Yes, she’d miss this place, but she knew without a doubt that her family here would likely follow her wherever she went.

  “Hey,” Chase said, cupping Summer’s cheek in his palm. She couldn’t help but lean into it, closing her eyes briefly. “It’ll all be okay.” She soaked up his warmth he radiated.

  “Of course it will be,” Fayth said in her own special way. “How could it not? We are the good guys here.”

  Chase simply shook his head with a light laugh, letting his hand drop from Summer’s face. Although he never wanted to stop touching her. Hell, he hadn’t even got to kiss her hello yet!

  “Is everything set up for tomorrow?” Chase said unwillingly. He hated to bring back what was to come, but it needed to be done before he lost himself in his wife.

  “Yep,” Gabriel said. “We should arrive a couple of hours before any of John’s men will arrive, so Summer will already be in place. No one will see any of our men, except for Sebastian as he will be the one that will deal with that show-off. No open fire until John shows his face.”

  “I won’t let her out of my sight, of course,” Sebastian butted in. “But if I happen to, there will be other eyes to keep her safe.”

  “I want a gun,” Summer said, surprising herself, along with the rest of the table.

  “Uh, Summer . . .” Chase spoke up, not sure how to respond. Did she even know how to fire one correctly? And if she did, would she panic like the last time?

  “Of course, figila,” Sebastian answered, expecting nothing less. He was already planning to have one hidden on her anyways. “Just your pregnancy needs to be hidden as much as possible. Can’t have John having ideas there.”

  “Already planning it,” Summer said, relieved. She wasn’t sure anyone would let her have a gun, even with her target practices being dead on most of the time.

  “You know how to handle a gun?” Chase asked, his voice laced with surprise, his eyes alight with lust. He couldn’t help but be in awe of such strength she possessed.

  “Yes,” Summer said sweetly his way, looking at him from under her eyelashes. “Sebastian and Heidi taught me. I can hit targets pretty good.” She didn’t want to gloat or anything. Plus, she’d love to show Chase just how well she could handle herself, knowing he’d be even more in awe of how she had grown.

  “Pretty good?” Fayth asked out, shocked. “Chia! You make me horny every time you hit the target! And that’s saying something! She’s the most bad ass chick ever!”

  “Okay,” Chase gulped. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to be turned on right then or fearing for his life. Why was her newest friend so into her?

  His response made Summer laugh lightly at him, not able to help the blush that covered her cheeks. Fayth always knew what to say to make everyone proud of the blue eyed girl.

  “I was thinking,” Sebastian said, clearing his throat. “Summer. You can be whoever you want to be in front of my oldest brother. Either a shy and scared little girl. Or you can be who you are now: a brave outgoing Princess, either way, will piss him off. The latter more so.”

  “I’ll see how I feel tomorrow,” Summer said with a wink. She hadn’t decided how she wanted to present herself to that man.

  Yep. She’d been hanging out with Fayth way too much.

  “Can I be there?” Fayth asked out with a bounce in her seat. “You know, he always wanted to see me be one of those pets.” She said the last word with a hiss. She hated how men like that would look at women with sick thoughts.

  “It’s your life,” Sebastian shrugged. He knew that Fayth could handle herself well enough.

  “Sweet,” Fayth responded with a wicked grin, mentally rubbing her hands together. “I’m so staying the night here, by the way.”

  “You get the couch,” Summer winked her way. The few times that Fayth had stayed the night here, she’d stay with Summer in her room and sleep in the same bed. It never bothered either girl as they kept to their own sides of the bed. With the dog between them.

  “Awe,” Fayth pouted for a moment before smiling and giving Summer a wink and smile.

  “I’d watch these two if I were you,” Sebastian laughed out.

  “We aren’t that bad!” Summer said but kept a smile on her face. If it wasn’t for Fayth who had pulled her out of her depression when she first got here, she wasn’t sure what Chase would have seen tonight. Fayth had helped her so much to find herself, if not more so than Sebastian had.

  Fayth only stuck her tongue out at Sebastian.

  ~oOo~


  Later that night, and after Summer almost fell asleep leaning against Chase on the couch, they finally went to bed. Sophie refused to move from her spot by the fire and Fayth, who had made a small mountain of pillows her bed for the night.

  Once Summer had changed her clothes, in front of Chase, giving him a tease, they both laid in bed. The full moon shining in through the window, casting the room in a soft glow.

  Summer slowly pushed herself up so she could see Chase’s face outlined. She took in the dark shadows under his eyes, his non-smooth face, and his eyes. His lips parted as she gazed at him. God, she couldn’t remember him being so handsome before now.

  “I missed you,” she said weakly. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to see you again. But I have. You’re really here.”