Page 104 of The Devil's Heir

"That fucker sent a man to my hotel room to kill me. Only Joey answered the door and took the bullet. Would you like to have a father for the child, or would you rather I forget that Rossi put a hit on me and hope he doesn't attempt it again?"

The moment the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back. Not because I regret the words but because the deliverance wasn't the best. I can see her eyes glistening and know I went too far. In the past, this is where I would walk away; I don't do crying women, but not now.

I pull Lily up and gather her in my arms. "I'm sorry, pauper. I didn't mean to take it out on you. You just have to understand now that I have you and the baby; I will not allow anyone the chance to come in and ruin my family."

I hear the small gasp that escapes Lily's mouth before she pulls back a little and looks up at me. She doesn't have to say anything; I can see the question in her eyes.

"Yes, my family. You're carrying my heir, Lily, which now makes you my family."

"What happens when I leave?" she asks, worrying herlip.

My jaw clenches at the thought of her still wanting to leave, but I don't want to address that now. Instead, I shrug. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

She slightly nods and then very softly says, "I'm sorry, Jarek. I shouldn't have questioned you. I'm not happy about you holding a woman hostage, but I understand why you're doing it. Can you promise me that you won't hurt her?"

I give her a studying gaze, then reply, "As long as she behaves, she will remain safe. That's the best I can give you."

With a heavy sigh, Lily nods again. I brush my lips across her forehead before I let her go. "Please, finish eating before it gets cold."

We finish our dinner in silence, the mood now ruined by our little argument. Once we finish, I take Lily to shower with me and wash away everything I had left behind this afternoon. I don't fuck her; I just clean her up and tuck her back into bed afterward.

"I can go back to my room," Lily says softly.

I shake my head. "I want you with me in my bed from now on. If you don't want to move your things in here just yet, that's fine, but you will sleep here from this day forward."

"You sure are bossy," she states with a slight grin.

"Nah. I'm just telling you how it's going to be." I caress her soft cheek. "I told you that you are mine. There's no way I will sleep apart from you, Liliana."

She fixes her stare on me as though she's trying to figure me out. Good luck because even I don't know what the fuck I'm doing anymore.

"You've changed, Jarek."

The side of my mouth tilts up. "Yeah, well, there's this woman, and I really like her, but she didn't like me very much. I figured I had better do something to change that."

I love the smile she gives me. "Give her time, she may come around. I have a feeling that she may like you just a little bit."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh."

I gaze at her for a few more seconds and then lean in to kiss her lips. I don't take it further; I know she needs her rest.

"Get some sleep. I'm going to get some work done in my office, and I'll be back."

Lily yawns and turns to her side, closing her eyes. "Goodnight, Jarek."

"Goodnight, Liliana."

FORTY-NINE

Liliana

The days following Jarek's return are a whirlwind. My emotions are all over the place. One minute we're loving up on each other, not being able to get enough of the other, and the next, I'm pissed at him for something he's done, mainly where his work is concerned.

I won't deny that I hatewhohe is, but I knew this coming into my situation, so why am I raising such a fuss over it? I can no longer lie to myself—I'm falling in love with the devil, and it scares the shit out of me.

"Just calm down, Lily. Is it really all that bad?" Heidi asks as I pace back and forth in their small cottage.