Page 123 of The Devil's Heir

"Lily!" I call out and run to her.

"J-Jarek?" Her voice is soft and raspy as she lowers her hands. "Is it really you?"

I pull her into my arms. "Yes, baby, it's really me. I amsosorry."

Lily's whole body starts to shake, and I hear the sobs that break free. I hold her tighter and kiss the top of her head, not caring that it's dirty and ratted up.

"Thank you…" she says through her tears.

"Don't ever thank me, pauper. Have I not proven it before? I will always come for you." I pull away and swipe my thumbs over her wet, dirty face.

Lily winces, and just then, the light turns on and I snap my head back only to see Joey standing by the steps. When I turn back to Lily, I lose all the breath in my lungs. Bruises litter her beautiful face and there's a cut on her lip and her cheekbone.

"Who fucking touched you?" I ask through a clenched jaw.

"I'm okay. Can we just go?" Her hand cups my cheek.

"Not until you tell me which motherfucker hurt you!" I scowl.

Liliana studies me briefly, then sighs. "It was Heath. I bit him pretty hard when he kissed me—"

"Hedaredput his mouth on you?" I explode.

"Let's calm down, Jarek. We need to get her out of here, and then you can rage all you want afterward," Joey says, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Bowing my head, I take a few deep breaths before meeting Lily's eyes once again. Without taking my eyes off her, I order, "Joey, go find me the keys to these cuffs."

My friend leaves immediately, and I pull Lily back into my arms. "I will never leave you unprotected again, pauper—never," I whisper.

I feel her body relax in my embrace and hold her even tighter.

Joey and Koval take the two fuckers to The Reformatory while I take Lily home. I call Owens to come do a house call so he can look Lily over, ensuring that she and the baby are okay.

I haven't questioned who the other guy was with Richards, but I'm pretty sure I can guess who it is. They will both pay, as will Carmen, but my full attention is on Liliana and our child.

"Everything is checking out okay, but if you would like another ultrasound, just to be sure, swing by tomorrow, and we can get it done," Dr. Owens tells us.

"I don't have any pain, Heath only hit me in the face…" Lily stares at me and adds, "Carmen was mad that he had hit me. I'm not sure why."

I don't give a fuck that Carmen didn't want them to hurt her. The fact still remains, Carmen had Liliana and my heir abducted. According to Lily, Carmen gave her an ultimatum—leave the country, or Carmen would ship her off with the others.

I've heard that Greco was into that trade, but I never interfered because it wasn't my business. Carmen has now made it my business. I'm going to take down the Greco family, and I'm starting with that fucking bitch, Carmen.

Owens had already been at the house by the time I got Lily home, so I wasn't able to get her cleaned up. Now that the doctor has left, I leave Lily long enough to turn on the jacuzzi tub and pull out her body wash and shampoo.

I return to the room to find Lily sitting up on the edge of the bed. Rushing over, I stop her before she can stand and scoop her into my arms, carrying her bridal style to the ensuite.

"I can walk, Jarek."

"Not when you don't have to."

"Jarek…"

"Let me do this, pauper—Ineedto do this." I don't mean to sound so gruff, but that's exactly how my words come out.

Lily lets out a sigh and rests her head against my shoulder until I stop before the tub and set her on her feet. I grab the hem of her shirt and pull it up and over her head.

"I can do the rest…"