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I crouched down and Gabriel giggled as he leaned against me. “Mommy likes flowers.”

“I know, silly,” Jessica told him.

I bit back a laugh.

“Yes, it is a special day,” I told them both. “But more special because the two of you are here.” I tweaked Jessica’s nose before taking a deep breath of the roses. They were incredible.

Just like the man walking toward me. I should say swaggering toward me. He had that way about him.

I knew all about who and what he’d been. There’d been no secrets left between us after the horrific kidnapping. My father had warned me placing all my trust into a man like Alejandro could get me killed. That had been early on.

Then he’d changed his mind, relying more and more on his son-in-law with regard to his own empire.

At least for now, it seemed we were one big happy family.

Subject to change at any time.

As he approached, I waved to Zoe while she fanned her face behind Alejandro’s back. “Sorry about Zoe. She’s a bit wild.”

“No wonder you two are friends,” he said, grinning. When he didn’t remove his sunglasses, I did it for him, tucking the earpiece under the collar of his shirt.

“Very funny. At least you arrived and look, almost on time.” I checked my watch on purpose.

“Be careful, Firesong. I might need to pull you over my lap.” he whispered.

I pressed my finger against his luscious lips. “Not in front of the children. Are you ready to head to the carnival?”

“Soon. There’s someplace I need to show you first.”

“Why does that terrify me?”

He wrapped his arm around me. “You should always be terrified of me. But not today. There’s a house I’d like to take you to.”

“We already have a house.”

“Yes, but not here. With you needing to spend time at the clinic, I thought we’d purchase a second house.”

“Let me guess, complete with a caretaker’s quarters for the soldiers. Right?” I was teasing.

He wasn’t.

“You’re serious,” I said, surprised as I always was with the man.

“I am. Why not?”

“For one thing, the kids are going to be entering kindergarten in the fall. We’ll need to figure out where they go to school soon.”

“It’s the start of summer. We’ll figure it out.”

“What about business?” I pushed.

“There happens to be this thing called the internet including for emails, internet banking, and Zoom calls. Since I know my way around a computer, I doubt I’ll need a hot secretary.”

“Secretary, my ass.” I slapped my hand over my mouth, cognizant of the children a little too late.

He nuzzled his face against my neck, whispering in my ear. “Speaking of which. I plan on fucking that tight little ass of yours later tonight. Just so you know.”

As always, a shiver slid down my spine.