Page 62 of The Devil's Heir

Liliana

"Oh, Jarek…yes! Right there—God, that feels so good," I moan into my hand.

"Jesus, Lily, you're going to have me coming in my pants if you don't stop making those noises." Jarek pauses massaging my foot to chastise me.

"I can't help it; those hands of yours are amazing…"

I've been on my feet all day, helping Fran and Heidi get things ready for the small baby shower they're throwing for me. They kept trying to shove me out of the kitchen, but I wasn't having it. I needed something to do, or I was going to go crazy.

Jarek spent the morning and most of the afternoon at the office, and although the baby shower isn't until tomorrow, my friends wanted to get all the baking done today.

I never knew that Fran could bake or decorate, but apparently, she worked in a bakery in her younger days, along with working at the Falcon clubs.

We've all settled into a routine over the past few months. However, the fact that this Rossi guy hasn't contacted Jarek about his daughter still looms over us. Either the guy doesn't care about his own flesh and blood, or he's putting a plan in place, and I'm betting on the latter.

"I can show you just how amazing they can be, pauper." Jarek slides a hand up my leg and rubs small circles over my clit through my leggings.

"Mm, now who's teasing?" I grind my hips against his hand.

"Fuck, Lily…"

"There will be no fucking going on right now." Fran's voice, the one Jarek would consider obnoxiously rude, reaches us as she walks into the media room where we are watching a movie.

"Oh, and why is that?" Jarek asks, annoyance evident in his tone.

He doesn't stop rubbing me, though. He simply pulls a blanket over me to cover up his hand. I giggle but slap his hand away and struggle to sit up. Jarek sighs, and holds his hand out to help me.

"Because Liliana needs to get fitted for her new clothing. The seamstress will be here any moment," my friend states, reminding me of the appointment I made myself.

"Damn it, I totally forgot." I sigh heavily and glance at Jarek. "Rain check?"

His head falls back as he exhales. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

Giggling, I lean in and reply, "Nope." I give him a peck on the cheek and stand.

"Well, if you need me, I'll be in my office, suffering."

I look downward and see the huge bulge outlining his pants. I feel bad, but he'll live. I meet Fran by the door but turn back to Jarek, licking my lips.

"Don't be touching anything until I can join you," I tell him seductively.

"Then I suggest you hurry back, pauper. A man of my stature can only hold on for so long."

I grin and send him a wink. I'm not sure where this new Lily came from. I've never flirted in my life. Maybe it's the pregnancy, but I've been doing it more and more. Jarek seems to like it, and I guess that's all that matters.

The baby shower starts at three, and it's a little before noon, so I plan on surprising Jarek by swinging by the office with lunch.

Jackson parks out front and walks me inside the building with another guard, Devin.

They flank my sides as my foot taps to the elevator music while we ascend to the top floor.

My fingers mindlessly play with the charm on the new collar Jarek got me as I watch the numbers count up.

"Can they not get better music?" Jackson snickers.

"It's elevator music. It's not supposed to be good," I quip .

Both Jackson and Devin scoff.

The elevator dings, indicating our floor, and the doors open.

I step out, still smiling, to an empty reception area.

We walk down the hall toward Jarek's office, but then his door opens, and Lucinda steps out, buttoning her blouse.

Her skirt is a bit wrinkled, and when I look over her shoulder, I see Jarek running his hand through his messy hair.

Lucinda stops short when she notices us standing there, guilt written all over her face. I shake my head and take a few steps back. I hear Jackson curse under his breath.

"Lily, don't assume anything. Go in there and find out what's going on," Jackson urges, but I continue shaking my head.

"Fuck that, and fuck him. She can have his sorry ass…" I turn and flee.

I'm not sure where I'm going, but I can't stay here.

I was such a fool. I don't want to hear any of his excuses.

Here I am, carrying his child, and he's out screwing his secretary!

Apparently, I'm not enough for him, but he should have thought about that when he learned I was a virgin with barely any experience.

"Liliana!" Jackson calls out just as I get on the elevator. The doors shut before he can reach me.

I'm sorry, Jackson, but this isn't going to work anymore. I can't do this—I tried.

As soon as the elevator stops on the ground floor, I rush out, not caring who's seeing me dash out like a mad woman. I take a deep breath of fresh air once I'm outside, but then I spot a cab dropping off a passenger and rush over to it.

I jump in, not knowing where I'm even going. "Just drive, please. Give me a minute, and I'll tell you where to take me."

"Whatever, ma'am—it's your dime," the cabby states and drives off.

Thankfully, Jarek had set up a bank account for me, so I have money for a hotel, at least. I have no idea how long I'll have it.

I know what I need to do when this thought comes to me.

I tell the cabby to take me to my bank, and when he drops me off, I give what little cash I have in my purse and hurry inside.

I'm not dumb—Jarek will start searching for me soon. He won't have to look far because I'm sure there's another tracker in my collar, which I cannot remove without cutters, and I have no doubt there's one on my phone. I just want to get to a hotel so I can lock myself away from him.

Jarek will come for me, and I don't know if I have the strength to stay away from him.

I'm hurt and emotional, and there's no telling how manipulative he will be—I'm his possession , after all—and he doesn't take kindly to losing his possessions.

He says he loves me, but I think today has proven that isn't the case.

I'm not sure whether the bank will allow me to take all the money out since I'm not the one who set up the account, but I walk up to the teller with confidence. I'm praying my nervousness doesn't show as I smile at the woman while resting my hand on my protruding stomach.

"Hello, how can I help you?" the teller asks, friendly enough.

"I need to withdraw some funds, please."

"Of course," she states, then slides a piece of paper over to me. "If you could fill out your account information and the amount you would like to withdraw, I'll be happy to help you."

I smile at the woman and start writing my name and account number. I've never used my account because I never needed to, so I'm not sure how much is in it. Feeling a little embarrassed, I give the teller a little smile.

"Could you please tell me what my balance is? I don't remember where I'm sitting at the moment."

"No problem," the woman says, smiling. She reads the numbers off the slip of paper and types them in. "Oh, I think you will be fine, Miss Sumner. Unless you're closing the account, you can withdraw whatever you need."

The teller turns her screen toward me, and I think my eyes actually bug out when I see all the zeroes. Jarek deposited two point five million dollars into an account for me.

Clearing my throat, I smile once again. "Of course, I don't need that much." I rub my belly and say, "It must be pregnancy brain."

"How far along are you?" The teller asks as I write down the amount of my withdrawal .

"Oh, I still have a few months to go yet."

Two hundred grand should do. I'd rather have more, but I just need to get on my feet, and then I'll be fine. When I hand her the slip, she glances at it and smiles.

"I'll need to grab my manager to approve this, but it won't take long. Can I see your ID?" the teller asks.

I hand her whatever she needs and then wait. Thankfully, Jarek took care of all my important documents when I moved in with him. Since I had fled Heath's, I had nothing to prove my identity, which is why it was hard to find a real job.

My fingers strum impatiently on the counter while my eyes stay trained on the door. I'm worried Jarek will get here before we can finish the transaction, and I really don't want to make a public scene.

The teller approaches the window, accompanied by another middle-aged man who smiles kindly at me. After asking me a few questions, ensuring I know the info on my ID, and he signs off on the transaction, the teller counts out the money for me and sticks it in a zip-up shoulder bag.

I'm about to thank the woman when I feel a hard object pressed into the side of my stomach. A rancid smell invades my nose as a deep, raspy voice sounds close to my ear.

"If you move one inch, I'm going to shoot."

"What—" I try asking what he wants, but he growls at me.

"Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch, and do as I say!" The stranger then addresses the teller, "Get everybody the fuck out of here, or else I'll shoot you before I shoot the brat."

The teller gives me an apologetic look before running away, ordering everyone to leave the bank. I don't understand what this guy's deal is—isn't he supposed to keep everyone hostage?

"You c-can have my money. I-I don't need it…"

"Oh, I'm going to take your money, alright, but that's not why I'm here." The man goes silent as he waits for the bank to clear.

There are sirens closing in, and I sigh with relief that someone had the mind to press the button to call for help. I'll just wait it out and do everything he asks of me. It doesn't take long at all for the bank to become surrounded by police .

A phone rings nearby, and the guy answers it. I still haven't seen his face; he's kept my back to him the whole time.

"Yeah?" I hear him answer. He remains quiet for a beat and then states, "I want to talk to Jarek Falcon. Send him in here; otherwise, his woman is as good as dead."

What the fuck? How the hell did he know who I was?

I feel a vibration coming from my purse, but I barely hear it.

It must be Jarek, and although I wouldn't have answered it ten minutes ago, I'd give anything to answer it now.

I'm torn about having him come here and having him stay away, but I have to think of the baby, and I know he'd give his life to save his son.

Not even fifteen minutes later, Jarek bursts through the bank's front door, calling out, "Liliana!"

"Here!" I call back, but my hair is grabbed, and my head is yanked back.

"Shut the fuck up!" the guy sneers at me, then points his gun at Jarek. "Stay right there, Mr. Falcon."

Suddenly, a deafening blast shatters the air around us, and the building rumbles beneath my feet.

My ears ring as I stare in horror—Jarek is propelled sideways by the explosion.

I have no time to react because the guy shoves me, sending me sprawling.

My head cracks against the counter, and everything tilts. I hit the floor, dazed and gasping.

The bag is torn from my grip. Through blurry eyes, I watch the man rush over to Jarek, peel off his own clothes, and hurl them into a nearby fire. Now dressed in a police uniform, the stranger looms over Jarek's unconscious body.

Black dots dance in my vision. Before I know it, darkness consumes me, and I know no more.