Page 87 of The Devil's Heir

My response surprises Jarek; he jerks back a little as though I've slapped him. "No? Why not?"

"Because it's the only thing in place that protects me."

I can't be sure, but I think I just saw hurt flash across Jarek's face before his stoic disposition settled back into place. He walks around the desk to stand before me and places his hands on my shoulders.

"I don't think you understand, Liliana," he says, using my real name this time. A look of possessiveness shines in the dark depths of his eyes as he adds, "You're not going anywhere. You are mine, and now that you're carrying my heir, I will never let you go."

Anger rears up inside me, and I tear myself from his grip. "We had a deal!" I say through clenched teeth as I point to the contract.

A wicked smile appears on Jarek's lips before he confesses, "That contract has always been null and void. It was a ruse to get you here."

I gasp. "W-what do you mean?"

"I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation, Lily. You have been mine since the moment I laid eyes on you when you walked by me all those years ago. I vowed that I would have you, and now that I do—I'm not letting you go."

I become lightheaded and have to sit down. Jarek drops to a knee before me and looks up into my eyes. I can't quite make out the expression on his face, but when he speaks again, his voice is softer.

"I'm not trying to be a dick, Lily. I just need you to understand how much you mean to me. You are carrying my child now"—he places his hand on my flat stomach—"and I will not allow anything to happen to either one of you."

"I know this, Jarek, but afterward—after the baby is born…" I let my words trail off.

"You will still be mine, and our child will need their mother," Jarek states matter-of-factly.

Oh God…I didn't think any of this through. Breathe Lily.

Jarek doesn't let up as he goes on to say, "I don't know much about love, but I do know that I've always hated women—until you. You are the only woman I've ever been able to tolerate—the only one Iwantto be close to."

I don't know how I should take this. I know it must be taking thegreatJarek Falcon a lot to say these words to me, but at the end of the day, he's not considering my feelings at all. Yeah, maybe he does feelstrongly about me, but by taking my choices away, he isn't earning himself any favors.

"Jarek, I don't know what to say except that you can't make someone stay with you just because you want them to."

Apparently, those were not the words he wanted to hear because his face hardens, and he stands. Moving over to the window, he clasps his hands behind him, gives me his back, and stares out the window.

"You've got the rest of the pregnancy to come to terms with your position in my life. The faster you realize it, the happier we both will be."

I glare at Jarek's back before standing and walking out of his office. I slam the door behind me. Childish, I know, but it's like having the last word in the argument. I can't believe he thinks it's okay to tell me I'm now his and not going anywhere! That's not how this works. My plans haven't changed.

I bring my hand up to my stomach but drop it instantly. I can't get attached to this baby. If I'm to leave in the end, the child will stay here as agreed upon. Unless things change, meaning Jarek actually grows a conscience and learns to talk things over with me, then my plans stay in place, and I'll leave once the baby is born.

FORTY-TWO

Jarek

"She's so fucking frustrating! What more does she want from me? I've given Lily more than I've ever given any woman, and still, she fights me!"

I'm sitting in a private booth at The Reformatory with Joey. I came here as soon as Lily stormed out of my office, which, looking at my watch, had been three hours ago. I don't typically drink more than a couple; I don't like being inebriated, but then I've never been in this position before.

My best friend finds it amusing, which only pisses me off more. When a cute brunette comes bouncing up to me and offers me a lap dance, I don't think twice before waving her away. No matter how pissed off I am at her, my pauper is always at the forefront of my mind. Nobody holds a candle to her.

"What exactly did you tell her?" Joey asks. "I thought you two were getting along great lately."

I hadn't wanted to go into detail with him when I first arrived, but now, I'm a blabbering fool. I've got liquid courage or some shit like that because I don't give a fuck what I say in front of my friend right now.

"I thought I was doing something she would want by allowing her to rip up the contract we have. She turned it down!" I growl.

"She did? What else did you say?" he asks, taking another drink from his scotch.

"I don't know. Something along the lines of her being mine and that I won't let her go. I thought she would love hearing that. God only knows Sasha would have loved to hear that from me," I mumble.