Beneath His Vow (Knocked Up and Locked Down #1)

by Jessica Ames

“You make me a monster, Lex,” he says it softly, so at odds with how he’s just taken me, and how he spoke to me. “I lose control around you.” “You’re not a monster,” I pant, my breath hot against the wood beneath my cheek. “You’re my world.”

“Honestly, there are days when I think I should listen to Casey and just quit. Stay home all day and watch bad TV.” “You’d be bored in an hour.” She’s not wrong. Annoyingly. “At least I’d stay out of prison,” I mutter darkly. “We’re in agreement, right? We hate that asshole.” “Oh, yeah. He’s a dick.”

Who am I killing? I pause. From anyone else, that would be a funny joke. But Casey isn’t playing. If I give him the word, he’ll make my problem disappear without leaving a trace. And that’s why I say nothing. James is a dick, but he doesn’t deserve to die.

My wife. My girl. My whole fucking heart.

“I’m pregnant, not dying. I don’t need a bodyguard.” I don’t care what she thinks she needs. I’m going to take care of her how I need to. The thought of something happening to her while she is pregnant unravels me. I hold her hips and kiss under her navel, my hands shaking. “No one gets to look at you, breathe near you, exist in your sphere.”

I’ve always been obsessed with her, loved her harder than is healthy, but this creates vulnerability I didn’t expect.

“You two are gonna be the death of me by the time this baby comes.” I grin. “I’ll make sure you have a nice funeral.”

“I wanted to be pretty for you.” “You’re not pretty, Lexi. You’re a fuckin’ work of art. You’re perfection. A dress doesn’t change that.”

“Don’t fucking touch me,” I hiss. “Maybe Janice would be interested to know her golden boy can’t keep his dirty hands to himself.” He smirks, folding his arms over his chest. “Oh, sweetheart. You honestly think they’re going to believe you?” I recoil as he leans into me, and my heart slams against my rib cage as I try to melt into the door behind me. “If you go to HR now and complain about my behavior, they’re going to assume you’re saying it in retaliation for getting written up.” He’s right. If I complain now, no one will believe me. Any opportunity I had to say something about his sleazy ass is gone, and I’ve never felt more helpless than I do right now.

Should have told casey months ago, he would have taken care of this ass

I’m handling it, okay?”

Im getting tired of this phrase. Let your husband help you.

I pull my phone out and dial Nitro. The call connects after a moment. “Prez?” “I need you to look into something for me.” I give him everything. Her workplace, the names she’s mentioned—especially fucking James—and I tell him to dig deep.

Yes!!

I want to keep my job, but there are days when I wonder why I’m still fighting for my place here.

There are other jobs out there.

“No one has the mid-forecast figures,” Tasha says. “I know you’re new to this role, James, but those reports aren’t compiled for another month yet. Do you need me to go through the schedule with you? I’d be happy to make sure you’re on the same page as the rest of the team.”

Love her!

But giving up, letting James push me out like this pisses me off. I’ve never backed down from a fight in my life, but it’s not just me to think about anymore.

Getting help, having support, is not backing down.

“Casey… Please… Make it hurt,” she whispers, her throat bobbing. Fuck, this woman. My amazing, strong wife.