Page 140 of The Devil's Heir

"Or maybe she knows Jarek isn't dead. Perhaps she has other plans for him…" I say more to myself.

"What do you mean?" Joey asks with a furrowed brow.

I study him for a moment, thinking back to conversations I've had with the bitch. "I think she's had a thing for Jarek. She's commented that she's still young enough to give him an heir."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to just kill him? As the only living kin to Jarek's uncle, she would inherit everything," Joey states.

"Yes, but I think she was obsessed with Jarek."

"Hm, this is new information. I will make sure my father looks into it."

"Why don't you?" I ask, my tone edged with frustration. "You're his best friend, are you not?"

"Yes, I am," he replies. "And that is exactly why I'm focusing all of my energy on you. You are the love of his life, and you're carrying his child. That makes you my priority—because I know that's what he would want."

Joey's response shuts me up instantly.The love of Jarek's life?

"Look," he continues, adding, "You may not believe me, but Jarek is like a brother to me. I know his feelings towards women, but you have always held a special spot in his heart. He was ruthless after he lost you for those four years and then again after you were taken. I've never seen him treat a woman as he treats you."

"I-I don't know what to say…"

"You don't need to say anything. Just know that if Jarek is alive, we will find him, and people will pay. We can't take out the ones responsible yet because they're the only ones who know what happened to him. Don't think we're letting them get away with anything."

There are more footsteps just outside the door, and Dr. Owens walks in with Jackson behind him. I smile when I see my friend, and it causes the floodgates to open. Jackson rushes forward, and I hold my arms out. My friend hugs me tightly.

"I'm so happy you're awake, Lily. You had me so worried," Jackson states softly.

A throat clears, and I look over my friend's shoulder to see Joey frowning. I scowl at the capo and continue hugging Jackson for a moment longer. He pulls away first but continues holding my hand.

"How's everyone else?" I ask, not needing to say their names.

"Fran and Heidi are doing well. Mr. Lonzo put them up in one of his apartments for now, but they miss you and visit your grave often."

A chill passes through me at the thought of a grave site with my name on it. I gaze into my friend's eyes and see how much my absence has affected him.

"I'm so sorry I scared you."

"It's okay.As long as you don't pull that shit again…"

"What shit? What exactly happened?"

Dr. Owens steps up to the other side of the bed. "Don't mind me. I just want to check you and baby out; make sure you're both still in good shape."

Jackson proceeds to tell me what happened that fateful day—why I was at the bank—or at least, why he thinks I was at the bank.

"Jarek cheated on me with Lucinda?" I gasp.

"It sure looked that way, but after everything happened, and we went in to look at the video feed, it seemed we had it all wrong. He walked into his office to find Lucinda getting it on with some guy. Jarek beat the shit out of him, then lectured Lucinda before firing her. What we saw when she walked out was because of another man…" Jackson explains.

"You know," Joey chimes in and says, "It's pretty low of you to think that Jarek would do something like that to you after everything he's done for you."

I know Joey's words are true, and yet they anger me.

"I may not remember that day, but trust me when I say that if I had doubts, it was because of what he had done in the past. Don't judge me for thinking the worst when I've had Jarek mistreat me."

"Try and stay calm, Lily," the doctor says softly. "You're not quite out of the woods yet."

"Joey?" A female voice reaches us, and we turn to see a beautiful woman standing in the doorway.