Page 123 of Corrupted Pleasure

“Why can’t Killian be your heir?” I asked, though remembering what the girls have said I suspected the answer.

“I considered Killian my son and to follow me when the time came, but I was aware of the possibility that people would hold it against him that he isn’t related to me by blood. I hoped he’d prove himself and people would follow. He has proven himself. Multiple times. But families in this organization are old fashioned. They insist on someone of blood relations to inherit.”

“D-didn’t your father have brothers?”

He shook his head, his fingers brushing my hair off my shoulder.

“If I don’t produce an heir, others within our organization will try to take over. Fight over it. It will put my sister and Wynter in danger. Juliette and Killian too.”

“B-but why?” I didn’t understand his reasoning. “And if you had a baby, he or she won’t be able to help you for decades to come.”

“It is human nature to fight for power, and people within my own organization are no different. But they fear me and respect me. It won’t be the same with Killian if I appoint him as head of the family. Some might find Juliette and Killian obstacles and eliminate them. The Russians will try to exploit weaknesses in our organization that will inevitably happen and then, they’ll attack, get their hands on Wynter and her mother.”

“Jesus Christ,” I breathed. I had to admit that this world scared me slightly. After all, I’ve only been a criminal for a few weeks. “And you want to bring a baby into this world?”

“With a baby, they’ll see the future for our family and organization. And I can count on Killian to help until our children are old enough.” Goddamn, that was a lot to digest. When he blackmailed me into this marriage, it didn’t even occur to me that babies would be involved. I thought he had two grown children and starting over was the last thing on his mind.

But Juliette, Wynter, and Ivy always came through for me. If I could protect them with this simple act, I knew without a doubt, I had to. Just as Liam was protecting them.

“Why didn’t you marry sooner then?” I whispered. He was one of those men that attracted women’s attention everywhere he went. I knew it without a doubt. He wouldn’t have had issues securing a wife.

“I never caught a woman stealing from me,” he teased, affectionately taking my bottom lip between his teeth. He nipped it, then eased the sting with his tongue. A shiver coasted through me. He tasted like my happiness. “And there has never been a woman that made me remotely interested in taking that leap,” he mused.

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you mocking me?”

“Not at all. Your sassy mouth makes it hard to resist you.”

Goosebumps broke through my skin and his arms wrapped around me, his body providing me the needed heat. The last few weeks had all gone awry but somehow in all the clusterfuck that the girls and I managed to achieve, I felt happier now than I ever had.

“I guess we’re having a baby,” I rasped, emotions choking me. Jesus, if I was emotional before the hormones kicked in, I’d be a mess during pregnancy. I shifted so I could lock gazes with him. “I’ll make an appointment to have my implant removed. All I ask is that we don’t rush it.”

“Just like that?” he asked, disbelief evident on his face.

“Well, you got my grandfather transferred to a fancy facility here in the city just like that,” I told him. “This is no different. You do for me, and I do for you.”

His eyes studied me, his piercing gaze seeing deep down into my soul.

“It’s so much more.” He cupped my cheek, holding my gaze. “Having a baby is a lot more than me helping your grandfather. You care for him and bringing him close allows you to see him more frequently. Like I told you, I had a selfish reason behind it too.”

I blinked, tears filling my eyes and threatening to spill over. “It means so much to me,” I told him softly. “He’s doing so well. The girls and I visit him almost every day. He’s happy and you’d think he gained years back. Selfish or not, you have made me so happy.”

He pressed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Good, that makes me happy,” he said, his deep voice warm. “Your happiness means the world to me.”

I grinned stupidly. “Control freak.”

“You know it, woman. You’re mine and I’m not letting go.”

I pressed my cheek against his. “You’re mine too, then.”

“I am.” Not an ounce of hesitation or delay. This man knew what he wanted and I was it. And I’ve never been happier.He’s mine, I thought happily. I just have to get this heist done and then we’d be working on having a baby. To protect all the people I love in my life.

“The girls have been there for me a lot over the last four years,” I admitted softly. “If having a baby with you keeps them safe, along with your sister and Killian, and you, then we do it.” I brushed my nose against his. “I always wanted a big family. And I kind of like the idea of being yours. Maybe having baby duty will tire you out sooner in the bedroom and I won’t have to beg for a reprieve. All I ask is that we don’t rush into it.”

“You’re a unique woman, Davina. And I’m so goddamn lucky you decided to spy on me while in the shower.” My cheeks heated at that memory that seemed a lifetime ago.

“So am I,” I confessed shyly. This man fucked me six ways from Sunday and I blushed at the memory of watching him jerk off.

His mouth skidded over my forehead, down my cheek and then hovered over my pulse. The pulse that was my lifeline and beat for him.