Page 8 of Royal Bargain

She’s given me an address, and I decide that now is as good a time as any, so I pack my things up and head out.

I need to be there for my kid. No matter how dangerous things get, that kid is now the number-one priority in my life.

4

ANNIKA

Though I had sent Liam my location in response to his text, I’m still taken aback when he shows up at my door several hours later, a look of determination etched across his face.

“You came,” I whisper, my voice nearly breathless with relief. I step back, allowing him into the cramped apartment that’s been serving as our safehouse. He steps inside and his eyes scan the room, not quite meeting mine.

“I want to see my child,” he says, and I nod, crossing the room to pick Lily up from her bassinet. I cradle her gently to my chest and bring her over to meet her father for the first time.

Every instinct in me wants to hold onto her a little longer—to protect her from whatever storm Liam might bring—but I know I owe them this moment.

“This is Lily Volkov-Brannagan,” I say, carefully placing her into Liam’s arms. The tension in his shoulders bleeds out as he cradles her, staring down at her like she’s the most precious thing in the world.

“She’s really mine?” he asks, his voice cracking at the end as tears fill his eyes. I nod, staring at the two of them together.

Lily stares at him, an almost petulant expression on her face as she realizes that whoever this stranger is, he’s Not Mom.

“Hi, Lily,” Liam says, his voice low. “I’m your daddy. It’s nice to meet you,mo stórín.”

Her little features scrunch up as she takes in the sound of his voice and shift into something akin to a smile. I tell myself it’s probably just a bit of gas, but it still makes my heart ache seeing them together, seeing her look sohappy.

Liam continues to rock her gently back and forth for a moment, just taking her in, and as I watch them, I’m struck by how alike they look.

Lily has his dimpled cheeks, his striking blue eyes, and his nose. She has my red hair, but his messy curls. My heart clenches, and I feel a wave of guilt that I kept them from each other for so long. It wasn’t fair of me. It wasn’t right.

“Thank you for coming,” I say, hovering nearby as Lily’s eyes lock on Liam’s and they stare each other down. “I’m glad you’re here.” My lips quirk upward as I watch Lily’s little tongue poking out.

“I came here for her,” he says, glancing at me with a cool expression before turning his gaze back to our daughter, eyes softening.

Nodding, though my heart is breaking inside, I lean against the counter to watch them. Liam has every right to be angry at me for keeping this from him, but hearing that still stings.

Lily begins to fuss after a beat, turning her head to root at his chest.

“Right,” I say, reaching out for her. “I think she’s hungry.” I juggle her as I unbutton my shirt and pull the nursing bra down, bringing Lily to my chest to begin feeding. She latches on immediately, and I settle down on the couch to let her eat.

Liam clears his throat, looking everywhere but at me as Lily nurses, and I sigh.

“This doesn’t need to be awkward, dude,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s only awkward if you make it awkward. Just sit down.”

He rolls his eyes but complies, sitting on the other end of the threadbare couch.

“You can’t stay here,” he says, blurting out what we were both thinking, and I nod.

“I know. It’s only a matter of time before my father’s men find me if I stay. That’s why I was hoping you could help us. We’d be safer with you.”

Liam rubs the back of his head. “Well, let’s pack your shit up and get out of here today, then.”

He studies Lily as her tiny fingers knead against my skin, something fond in his eyes. It reminds me of the way he used to look atme. Before everything fell apart.

“Where am I going to be put?” I ask, curious.

Liam cocks his head, raising an eyebrow. “You’ll move in with me,” he says flatly, as though I’m stupid.

“With you?” I ask, swallowing hard. “In Irish territory?” Suddenly, this plan doesn’t seem as smart as it did a few days ago. “Wouldn’t I be in more danger there?”