Page 16

Chapter Fifteen

Pirate

G enesis walks away with her head down and I can’t stand the sound of her sniffling while I stare her adopted father down.

“You made my daughter cry.” I tilt my head slightly in acknowledgement of my actions.

“Won’t be the last time, I’m sure. I’m a fucking bastard after all.” Alfonso snorts and faces the bar in his study, which I can see through the open door.

“Have a drink with me and convince me why I shouldn’t kill you before she returns.” I grin and nod.

“It would break her heart and gain you nothing but sure, I’ll drink your expensive bourbon and pretend to be a part of your world as long as you don’t ever question my ability to protect my wife ever again.” I follow him into the room, which I know has surveillance since Spector hacked it weeks ago.

“You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But I have never questioned you until today. I understand and respect the need to avenge your parents.” I snort and cross my arms.

“Then why did you put a hit out on your only heir?” He turns with two glasses and hesitates before handing me one.

“I wouldn’t. I was hoping you were smarter than that.” I snatch the glass, spilling some of the liquid on the rug.

“Oops, damn shame. It’s Persian, right?” I downed the alcohol and slammed the glass on his table, ignoring the coaster.

“Ezek-” I take two steps and get in his face before he can finish my name.

“Pirate. You haven’t earned the right.” We stare each other down, and I see the moment the old man knows he’s got no chance in hell to intimidate me.

“She is my whole world. The only good thing I’ve ever done. Why would I want her dead?” I step back like he slapped me.

He wouldn’t, and I knew that when I came here, but to see the open honesty in his graying eyes makes me feel like the bastard he accused me of being.

“Now you see.” He sips his drink while I pace his office.

“Marco,” I hiss the name, and if I were waiting for him to confirm my suspicion, I’d be dead and gone for as much as he gave me.

“Why?” I’m missing something, and I hate not being informed.

“What happens to me when I die?” What do I care?

He clicks his tongue and sets his drink down.

“Upon my passing, all my influence, power, and money transfer to my only living heir. Normally, a son, but I was never granted one. So, as is custom, it passes to my daughter. However, she is now married,” he stops talking, wanting me to fill in the blank.

“Me?” No fucking way.

“You really had no idea, did you, son?” Nah, no fucking way in hell!

“She owns nothing permanently as a woman. Her only job was to bear children to continue my name. I tried to marry her to someone half decent, but she refused him rather publicly. Since then, all my efforts have been for nothing. No one would have the headstrong girl. I guess I should thank you for saving me the trouble. However, I think you just made your life a hell of a lot more complicated.” Alfonso chuckles as he brings the glass back up to his lips.

“Another?” I nod, picking up my glass and walking over to the bar to refill it myself.

I’m halfway through my third drink, lost in thought, when Genesis arrives. She’s showered, dressed, and pushing two suitcases while a large bag hangs off her shoulder. I reach for it and grunt.

“Careful, that one has my babies in it.” My eyebrow rises as the bag starts to move.

“What the fuck?” I lift the flap and find two dogs wagging their tails with big eyes looking at me.

“My Pomeranians, Linus and Lucy.” She bends over the flap and makes baby noises at the overgrown rats.

I turn to Alfonso, whose shoulders are shaking with suppressed laughter.

“You really need a better research team.” Either Spector is slipping, or my father-in-law is right, and neither is a good thing for me.

I hate not knowing what I’m getting myself into.

“Clearly,” I groan trying to get comfortable with the idea that I didn’t only steal a wife but inherited her fucking ankle biting monsters.

“Is this all, or should I have the Tools come get more stuff?” She shakes her head.

“Most of my personal stuff is at the sorority house. I only had extra clothes and items of sentimental value here.” Christ, I may need to knock out a wall to make room for all her shit.

“Let’s get going. We have a baby to make.” I slap her ass and she yelps.

Alfonso lets out a snort of laughter so loud we both turned to make sure the old man wasn’t having a coronary. He’s bent over at the waist, slapping his leg and choking in his mirth.

“Alfie,” Genesis has a look between embarrassment and concern as we stand and watch.

“Well, this was fun.” I grab her arm and pull, but she stands firm.

“Go on, Chikita. I may have grandbabies before I die after all.” He clears his throat and wipes his face of the tears he shed laughing.

We enter the elevator, and she waves awkwardly before the doors close us in for the ride back down to the parking garage.

“That did not go the way I thought.” She doesn’t comment, and I stare at her as she checks on the dogs in the bag I carry.

When the elevator arrives, I take a glance before I hold the doors so she can exit first with the suitcases. I placed the dogs in the passenger seat and then took the suitcases from her. I watch her ass now clad in tight jeans climb into the truck bed and close the door.

“Mr. Maldonado, Mr. Torreli would like us to follow you to your destination until your own security is in place. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you on your honeymoon.” The same man who greeted us motions for me to climb into the truck.

“Doesn’t look like I have a choice.” I frown and place my hands on my hips to stare him down.

“No, sir. We work for him, and now you, through her.”

Well fuck.

I drive us to the hotel and check in while I go over everything I just learned. I need a moment to myself before I talk to her about the hit coming from Marco.

“I’m going to hop in the shower. Feel free to look around and get comfortable. I’ll be back soon.” I leave her in the suite, knowing that the guard outside the door won’t let her escape.

I stop short and turn back to the kitchen.

I unplug the toaster and take it with me. She watches me like I’m crazy, and I raise it over my head and shake it.

“Just in case you decide to throw it in the shower with me since there’s no movable microwave.” I’m just about in the bathroom before I hear her call out to me.

“There’s always the iron!”