He nods in response.I gather he doesn’t want to confirm more in front of my new guards, which puts me on alert.
“May I ask how often you go to the gym and hone your self-defense skills?”he asks me.
I can’t help but chuckle.He’s so formal.“Hayes, you don’t have to be so formal with me.I haven’t gone in a few months because of rehearsals and work.”
“We’ll be working on that weekly, if you’re okay with that.Until…” He pauses and glances down at my stomach.
I place my hand there, and a thought hits me.I haven’t had my period in a while.I’m always regular.It’s one of the reasons I’m not on birth control.
“I’m…” I pause.I’m not sure what to say.
“It’s okay.The way Paddy has been acting, I’ll assume he’s going to rectify that situation soon.I know when I finally find my girl, if I ever do, that’s how I’d tie her to me.”
“You would?”
“I would, but I believe in different relationships than you and Paddy have.Someday, I’ll explain.Let’s just say I’ll be with a woman I completely take care of, no matter how capable she is.”
“Oh, you like alternative lifestyles.My brother and Lyric have some kind of kink.She hinted at it one time, and I told her not to share anymore.”
He laughs, and I join in until I think about what happened this afternoon.
“Did you find out who put a hit on Patrick?”
“Jordon is working on that.Andrei also has Mikhail running a deep dive search to find out more information.”
“I’m so glad our families are working together.I was worried in the beginning, but I’m not now.”
“Good.You should know Paddy would do anything for you.”
“I know, but I would never ask him to compromise himself with his own family.I know he feels privileged to have his men’s and their families’ respect.He takes his position seriously.It’s one of the reasons I love him so much.”
As I speak, I notice the soldiers in the front shift in their seats.I hope hearing what I said will help ease any fears they may have.Patrick did tell me his men’s respect is important to him.He worked hard to earn it.
“Daria, we are honored to have you join our family.We respect you and your position with the family, and with your own highly too.”
“Thank you for saying that, Hayes.I’ve often struggled to figure out where I belong.When I was growing up, we never mingled with my uncle very much or his organization.I knew about Alek, but I didn’t know how close he was to the Bratva until we found each other in January.Can I ask a question?”
“I’ll try to answer you, but some things I won’t be able to for your safety.”
“Why aren’t you using Lyric?She’s amazing with computers.I’ve watched her do some stuff and couldn’t believe how she does it.”
“She is a highly accomplished hacker and researcher.As a matter of fact, we are using her for another assignment.”
We pull up to the Bellagio hotel.A bellhop runs out to open my door, but Sloane steps out and stops him.Hayes gets out and walks around the vehicle.I can’t believe we’re here, and I don’t know what is going on.
As soon as Hayes opens my door, I step out.The three of us head for the entrance, while Harry drives off with the SUV.I assume to go park it.
We bypass the concierge and front desk and head straight for the elevators.Hayes flashes a card across the scanner as we step inside, and the penthouse floor lights up.He presses the button, and the doors close as people watch us.I want to ask questions, but I know I should be patient and wait.
As soon as the doors open, we step out.There is a door ahead, flanked by guards.That must be where we’re heading.Patrick is taking our security seriously after today’s attempt.One of the guards sees Hayes and opens the door.I step in with Hayes, while Sloane stays in the hallway with the other guards.
Roisin is sitting in a chair in the spacious living room.She jumps up and rushes to me.
“I’m so sorry.I didn’t mean to insinuate you were a floozy or any such thing.My brother has been keeping you secret.I just wanted to know.But when he explained everything, I felt so bad.I’m sorry.”
I can’t stop myself.I pull her into my arms.“It’s okay, Roisin.I jumped to conclusions, and it was a huge mistake.”We hug for a moment.
“It was a huge mistake, sweets, because I told you you’re never getting rid of me.Never.”
