Page 69 of The Devil's Heir

Liliana

So many emotions flood me at once. Relief that Jarek's alive, excitement because our son won't grow up without his father, and sadness for the fact that I can't show any emotion toward him at the moment. But most of all, I hate that Carmen is killing the man I love, all for money.

I stare blankly at the man before me—once broad and muscular, now a mere shadow of who he was. The Jarek Falcon standing in front of me is not my devil. And yet, he is.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Carmen hisses. "She's supposed to be dead!"

The bitch's true feelings are shining through, and although she catches herself, it's too late; Marino and Ricci already saw it.

"I mean, the news said the poor thing didn't survive," Carmen reiterates.

"I don't know about all that, but this pretty little thing is alive and well and is now mine," Marino states, caressing my arm.

I don't really belong to him, and I'm not his pet. He's been perfectly respectful to me, but we had to make Carmen believe I'm no longer a threat.

When he sees Marino touching me, Jarek starts to move, but Carmen's hand stops him.

"Isn't that nice, baby? She survived after all…" Carmen's attention returns to us as she asks, "And the baby?"

Marino shrugs his shoulders. "I haven't seen the bambino. I'm assuming it died. She knows nothing of it. "

Carmen stands from her chair and walks over to me. I stare blankly like I'm obeying my Master, but my skin crawls as Carmen circles me, tracing my waist with her finger.

"How much for her. I bet she'll fetch a hefty price," Carmen's grin is cynical.

"She's not for sale. I like the way she fucks. I could never give her up, at least not yet," Marino replies.

"He's not wrong," Ricci chimes in. "He let me have a taste of her, too. He'd be crazy to sell her now. Marino's a lucky son of a bitch."

Jarek's hands are fisted on top of the table and when I'm sure Carmen isn't watching, I shake my head as I gaze into his dark eyes.

We just needed him to see me so he knew I wasn't dead, and he'd keep fighting to free himself.

However, seeing him like this, I don't think he's strong enough to fight.

The decision is quick, and my movement is even faster as I snatch up the knife by Marino's plate and spin. I stab Carmen in the shoulder, and she screams as I yank it out. I don't want to kill her, not yet, anyway.

Grabbing the bitch while she's nursing her wound, I spin her around and place the knife to her neck. I move us both, so we're standing between Jarek and her two goons, who now hold guns in their hands, pointing straight at us.

Marino and Ricci pull their guns, and then Lonzo steps into the room, along with Joey, Koval, and Elliott, their weapons also in hand.

"What the hell is going on?" Carmen screeches. "Why are you just standing there? Start shooting!" she orders her men, but they drop their weapons, knowing they're outnumbered.

"Did you really think you would get away with taking what is mine ?" I growl in Carmen's ear. "You fucked with the wrong man, bitch. Jarek has been mine since we were teenagers; I just didn't know it. Now that I do, I'll be damned if you or anybody else touches him."

Carmen's laugh is maniacal. "Oh, you stupid girl. He's my husband. You've already lost him."

"Oh? Have you consummated it?" I ask, amused, already knowing the answer without being told.

"No," Jarek states from behind me.

"Yes!" Carmen lies at the same time .

I press the knife into her throat until a small stream of blood trickles down her neck.

"Want to try that again?" I ask.

Carmen doesn't learn—she's stubborn.

"I fucked him real good on our wedding night. I rode him like a fucking bull. I came all over that gorgeous, young cock of his, and he came inside me like a geyser."

I laugh now. I can't help not to. I shove Carmen toward Joey so I don't accidentally shove the knife into her throat and end her. I want to make her suffer first.

"Nice try, bitch," I tell her as she glares at me, but she's already forgotten as I spin around and run to Jarek.

Standing slowly, I can tell he's weak, but I still throw myself into his arms and kiss him hard. I'm not sure how we don't stumble over, but we remain upright, kissing in front of the crowded room.

Jarek's arms tighten around me as his tongue delves into my mouth. I can feel the tears streaming down my face as I kiss him back with just as much passion.

When I'm finally able to break the kiss, I look and see that he's also crying.

"Pauper," he whispers.

"My devil," I return, smiling through my tears. "You didn't think your friends would leave you here with her, did you?"

"I don't understand. They said you were…that our child was…" he chokes up.

"Dead," I finish for him. "Lonzo ensured that word got out, that way they wouldn't come after us. Jarek—our son is alive and healthy. He's ready to come home to his daddy."

"What!? That brat is alive, too?" Carmen cries out.

I turn to face her, narrowing my eyes her way.

"As a matter of fact, yes. The Falcon Heir is very much alive, no thanks to you!" Rage begins to build the longer I continue to stare at the woman. "You won't live long enough to worry about it, though."

"Ha! Jarek doesn't kill women," Carmen sneers.

I untangle myself from Jarek's arms and move to stand before her. Joey has her wrists restrained behind her back, so she can't try anything .

I lean in, grinning. "If you think I'm going to allow Jarek to take this opportunity away from me, then you're dumber than I thought. No, you're all mine. After all, I have to prove that I'm worthy to stand by Jarek's side, don't I? You just happen to be the lucky one I get to kill first."

"Lily, you don't have to—" Jarek starts to say, but I cut him off.

"Yes, I do. It's my duty to protect you just as much as it's yours to protect me. She tried to take something away from me and my son, and I will never allow her another chance to do it again. I'll let you take care of the others involved, but this cunt is mine."

I'm not sure where I find the strength or even the mindset right now, but what I do know is that I need to do what's best for my family. Jarek is Keirnan's father, which makes him family in every way.

Jarek smirks and saunters over, slipping his arms around my waist from behind. "My hero," he murmurs, amusement lacing his voice.

Chuckles and a few coughs are heard around the room, and I can't help but tilt my lips in half-smile.

"Joey, take her and her men away," I order as I turn in Jarek's arms.

"Everyone, get the fuck out," Jarek growls and the room clears out immediately.

"I know what you're thinking, and it's not happening, Mr. Falcon. You're going to get checked out by Dr. Owens first."

"Listen to you—thinking you can order me around…"

I step back and out of his reach, crossing my arms as I cock my eyebrow. "I will do what I must to ensure Keirnan's father and the man I love is taken care of, so suck it up, buttercup."

Jarek stares at me, a look of love and wonderment entering his eyes. "You named our son after my father?"

I nod. "I hope you don't mind. Joey said that you loved your father and had a lot of respect for him."

Jarek shakes his head, a smile slowly appearing on his lips. "No, I don't mind. I love that you thought of me when naming my heir."

"I didn't name your heir, Jarek. I named your son— our son."

"Yes, of course. He's our son…" Jarek says before pulling me into his arms and stealing my lips again.

"They're here!" I call out excitedly when I see the cars pull up.

You would think the President of the United States was pulling into the driveway at the Falcon Estate with as many cars as Jarek had escorting our son and Jackson back home.

He's been on pins and needles, waiting to meet Keirnan, but I made him see the doctor and then rest before we brought the baby home.

As much as I missed having my son glued to me, I needed to ensure that Jarek was well enough.

It turned out that Jarek was right. Carmen had been using traces of arsenic to poison him. After rushing Jarek's bloodwork, Dr. Owens started him on chelation therapy. He inserted an IV with medication to help remove the metals in his blood from the arsenic.

Jarek ate a hearty breakfast this morning, and we showered together to ensure he was strong enough, or so he said.

I knew better, but I wasn't going to argue with him.

Last night was the best night of sleep I've had in a long time.

Sleeping beside Jarek had put my mind at ease once again.

I've always felt protected with him, and even after everything that has happened, I still feel that way.

When I call out, Jarek comes out of his office. He's still slower than usual but already looks much better than when we arrived yesterday evening.

He takes my hand, and we go to the door together. I won't let him walk all the way to the car. We stand together as we watch Jackson climb out of the back seat, smiling and waving at us. He reaches back into the car and pulls out Keirnan's car seat.

Jarek squeezes my hand, but he stumbles when he tries to step forward. This is likely due to his emotional state, not his physical state. I wrap my arms around his waist to help him stand steadier when Jackson stops in front of us and turns the baby carrier around.

"Your son, Sir." Jackson smiles proudly.

Keirnan is sound asleep, snuggled under his thin blanket. His full head of dark hair lays nice and smooth on top of his head, and his dark lashes flutter while he sleeps .

"He's so—tiny," Jarek breathes softly.

I scoff. "He didn't feel so tiny coming out."

Jarek chokes on a sob, and I tighten my arms around him.

"I wish I could have been there."

"You will be there for the next one…" I reassure him.

Jarek snaps his head to me, looking surprised.

"You…will have another baby of mine?"

"Why not?" I snicker, then ask, "Do you plan on getting rid of me?"

Darkness clouds his eyes as he fixes them on me, "Do you want me to punish that ass in front of everyone here?"

I smirk, but his words cause a slight ache between my legs. Ignoring his question, I then turn us, saying, "Come on. Let's go inside so you can hold your son."

Jarek leans into my ear. "Don't think I'm going to forget that you blatantly ignored my question, pauper."

"I wouldn't dream of it…" I give him a sexy little smirk and a wink as we sit on the couch. Then, in a low, seductive voice, I add, "I'm counting down the days until you're strong enough to punish me for being such a naughty girl."

Jarek gawks at my playful banter as Jackson sets the carrier on the floor before me.

I pretend to ignore him as I busy myself with lifting our son from his seat.

Once he recovers from the shock, I set Keirnan in Jarek's arms. I sit back and let myself take in the sight of father and son for the first time.

This is what's been missing—Keirnan's family as a whole.

I guess you can say I've fully forgiven the devil for his past transgressions.

I'm not sure if I would have, had I not been given his life story last night as we lay in bed.

Jarek finally opened up to me and told me about his life after his parents died.

Knowing that his life was just as fucked up as mine, if not more, it was easy to forgive his bullying. He didn't know how to show his love, and after knowing Carmen, I understand why he didn't want to bring attention to me where his family was concerned. Carmen never would have accepted me.

None of that matters now. What truly matters is moving forward and striving to be better than those who came before us—even if we are head of the Mafia. In the end, the good we do in life has the power to balance the inevitable bad that comes with it. One can only hope, anyway.