Page 102 of Debt to the Mafia King

But I had never seen her look more beautiful than she did now.

The moment I had seen her, I knew this time, I wouldn’t be able to ignore her. Even when Ivan went to get rid of her, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from going to her because she was my person. She always would be.

“Hello, Printsessa.” The smile that spread across my face was probably the first genuine one I’d had in months, and it felt good on my face. Just not as good as she did, even with her red face and her huge, swollen belly.

Hell, even the puffy ankles were the hottest thing I had ever seen.

“How have you been?” Again, I let my eyes rake over her. Landing on her face and meeting her eyes. “You look good.”

Wasn’t that the truth, but it didn’t really do her justice. No wordscould, but I might have tried if we had been alone, only we weren’t, and I could feel the others watching us.

“Thank you,” she closed her eyes for a second, and I moved without really thinking about it. Sliding my fingers up her face to cup her cheek. She made a choked sort of sound in the back of her throat and leaned into my hand. My heart twisted.

“What are you doing here, Leah?” My hand dropped to the side. It didn’t matter how much I wanted her, or even how much I needed her.

For her and my child’s safety, I had to let them go. The kidnapping had proven that. And I never wanted to see her battered and bruised like she had been. I never wanted to see her in pain. Even if it meant I walked away and took that pain myself.

And it had been painful. I had people watching her. I knew everything happening in her life, but I never went to see her myself.

Because I couldn’t. It just made it too hard.

Her eyes snapped open. “I just wanted to—” absently, she brought her fingers to her lips and began to tear at her nails with her teeth. I watched for five whole seconds before I couldn’t take it anymore. Reaching out, I dragged her arm down and held it there.

“Don’t hurt yourself like that, Printsessa.”

Her eyes widened. “You still call me Printsessa?”

I chuckled. “Of course I do, Printsessa. That’s what you are to me.”

I reeled back. I ran my hand through my hair. I hadn’t meant to say that. To give her hope when there was none, but the words just slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“I mean,” pursing my lips, I blew out a breath, “what can I do for you today, Leah?”

She had to be Leah now because there had to be some distance between us.

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“I’m sorry, Leah, but this isn’t a good time for that. I’m just on my way out.”

Her face tightened, and her lips thinned until they disappeared altogether. All of the color drained from her face.

It was like someone stabbed her. She stumbled forward, and I caught her under the elbows to steady her.

“Leah, Leah, what’s wrong?” Her best friend rushed out of the car. His face was a mask of panic. “Leah.”

“I’m—” hunched over, she rubbed across her stomach. “I’m

Ok.”

“How long have the pains been coming?” That was Stephen, and we turned to him in shock.

“What do you mean?” Wildly, I looked around.

“Isn’t it clear, Viktor, she’s in labor.”

It was like a shock wave went through me. I moved without thinking. Wrapping my arms around her shoulders

“Is Stephen right? Are you in labor? Why did you come here and not go to the hospital?”