**Josie''s POV**


    I awake wrapped in Deacon''s arms. I can''t keep the smile from my face, it wasn''t a dream. I am bonded with Mr Collins! I close my eyes, absorbing the feel of his body against mine when I suddenly remember the other life-changing event. I''m freaking pregnant! I wonder how my bonds are going to take this news. Will they be happy? I think Theo will be excited. Axel will probably be even more protective. Luke will no doubt focus on how this happened and Mason will... crap I have no idea how Mason is going to react to this. He doesn''t have a good family experience. Will that make him more determined to show this baby how a family should be? Or will he hate the idea of having to raise a child?


    "Everything will be okay," Deacon says in a groggy tone as if he''s not fully awake yet. His hand moves to my abdomen, holding me protectively.


    "How do you think Mason is going to react?" I ask and Deacon is silent for a moment and my nerves wind tighter.


    "I''m not sure," he breathes, "He''s not been in a good waytely. If he does initially react negatively I dont think we should judge him. I think he might be angry at himself for putting you in a position that you previously told us you were not ready for,"


    "He can''t me himself for this, it''s not like he did it on purpose,"


    "He mes himself for you being here because it was his dad that took you," Deacon sighs.


    "That wasn''t his fault, and he doesn''t need to worry about his dad anymore. I got rid of him," I shrug.


    "Ah, the murdering part that Freya so elegantly put it. What happened?" he asks and I dont feel any judgement from him, just curiosity.


    "Yeah, about that, you''re going to need a new assistant," grimace.


    "She was already fired, even before she helped take you. Whatever you did I''m sure it was more than deserved," he shrugs.


    "She wasn''t happy that Cash brought me along, she told him to kill me. Cash nned to keep me as his new project, whatever that means," I shudder at the thought.


    "Mason was his first project, he already deserved to die for that. You did the right thing, no one is going to judge you for it. Our justice system is not like the human one. If someone goes rogue and abuses their power then they need to be put down. Plus it sounds like it was a kill-or-be-killed situation so I hope you don''t carry any guilt over it," he reassures.


    "Not an ounce of guilt," I admit.


    "Good. Now let''s get breakfast. We have a busy day ahead and I need to make sure you are well taken care of," he says, climbing out of the bed and heading to the bathroom. I watch his fine, naked ass as he goes and almost suggest we just spend the day in bed. As tempting as that idea is I would rather take steps in getting back to the rest of my bonds. Once I have them all under one roof I don''t n on any of them getting out of my bed for at least 24 hours. I hear the shower turn on and I get out of bed. I throw on yesterday''s t-shirt and route through my small bag for an outfit for today. I only have two options as that''s all I''d brought from my house. I wonder how long these clothes will fit me. How long do I have until my stomach grows enough to be visible to others? A light knock at the door startles me and I quickly shove some shorts and open the door a crack. Freya''s grinning face looks back at me and I blow out a relieved breath opening the door a little wider as Deacon opens the bathroom door in just a towel. Freya''s eyes widen and her mouth parts slightly as her eyes track Deacon behind me. Once he sees that it''s


    Just Freya and I''m safe he closes the bathroom door again.