"I'll get you a stool. Or you can buy a new bed." The one in that room was enormous, wide enough for three people and featuring carved posts. Frankly, my entire house was ancient and in need of a facelift.
She shook her head, then lowered herself until she was flat on her back.
"You've hardly said a word since we left Bristol." It was hard not to snap at her. She should be happy to be here with me, where she could have anything she ever wanted for herself and my baby. We should be in the same bed together, where I would have the chance to learn what she felt like with my baby inside her.
Her eyes slipped closed and a tear escaped before she rolled to her side, facing away from me. Pissed as fuck, I left the room and closed the door behind me with a snap.
Why couldn't she be grateful for what I offered? Why couldn't she see the benefit of living in my house, under my protection? Her safety was my number one priority, which was why I had to pay a visit to my parents as soon as Anna and Maddie arrived.
I headed downstairs to find my business partners. At least they were rational men who didn't cry at the drop of a hat.
As I strode into my office, I asked, "Caden, how long before Maddie gets here?"
Caden looked up from the piece of paper he was perusing. "About ten minutes."
Nodding, I glanced at the paper. "Who did we get?"
"A few lesser foot soldiers survived the car bombs. No one in the Peralta Family made it out alive."
"Something tells me I shouldn't celebrate just yet," I said as I went around behind my desk.
"Since they lost a few members, the Navarros are looking for revenge on whoever set the whole thing up." Caden dropped the list of names on my desk. "Fortunately, they don't have any leads on who it could be."
"So maybe I can have a small congratulatory drink." I walked over to my liquor stash, nearly desperate to pour a glass of whiskey.
"Um, I need to bring up a delicate subject before you do that."
Pausing with my hand midair, I turned to Caden. "About?"
"Your house guest." I had to give Caden credit for meeting my gaze head on, though the entire conversation must have made him extremely uncomfortable.
Turning back to the bottles, I chose one and pulled off the top. "What about her?"
"If you want the baby recognized as your heir, and if you want Kinsley recognized as untouchable . . ."
Sighing, I poured myself a drink, taking it to my desk before replying. "I've thought of that."
"And?"
After I threw back the drink, the glass made a particularly loud noise as I slammed it down. "There's no way she'll agree if it comes from me. Anna knows what to say."
Caden gave me a skeptical look. "You could just have a discussion with her where you spell out the risks involved if she doesn't agree."
"Right, I'll be sure to do that in the middle of her constant tears. Why wouldn't she want to marry a man she despises in order to secure her safety?" I sat heavily in my swivel chair, bitter as fuck that she seemed to hate me now while I was even more enamored with her softly rounded body. "She'll be thrilled."
Hands up in defense, Caden said, "I know it's not the best situation, but I can't help you. You didn't even tell us you were fucking her."
Drumming my fingers, I took several deep breaths before coming up with a response. "I didn't tell anyone. I'm not free to choose, and she wouldn't have agreed to be my máistreás."
"She doesn't have a choice now, and neither do you."
"Mark my words: she won't last long in this life, and I'll be responsible for her misery." Not to mention the shitstorm I would face when I had to break off my arranged marriage.
There was a knock on the doorframe, and Logan stuck his head in. "Anna and Maddie are here."
Caden bounded up onto the balls of his feet, causing me to snort. "Eager?"
"Shut up."
