Page 92 of Bartered Innocence

I wave off her hands and stand straighter, my hand moving to cup my belly. Her attention falls there and the worry on her face turns panicked.

“I’m fine,” I assure her, reaching out to squeeze her elbow as I let go of the small tracker that falls into her open bag. “It was just a small bump. The little one gets more shaken up during my Zumba class.”

Gianna’s shoulders slump in relief, laughing slightly. “Thank god. I’m so sorry again, I should pay more attention.”

I move out of the way to the hallway that leads to the bathroom and give her a tight smile. “It’s okay. Have a good day.”

She nods before moving to the bathroom and my heart starts to finally slow. When she disappears through the door, I pull my hair down and make my way out of the small coffee shop. I grab the hat that I left on the table when I went to the restroom and tug it on my head to cover my face. It seems like the minutes stretch as I try to walk inconspicuously through the lobby, out the door, and to the car parked on the curb.

Climbing into the backseat, I glance at the blue eyes of my husband. The car pulls away, speeding deeper into the streets that we own.

He grabs my waist, pulling me closer and nearly onto his lap. “I didn’t like leaving you there on your own.”

I relax into his hold. “I didn’t like it either. I think I’d rather stay home and just have normal anxiety.”

He chuckles, kissing the top of my head before his hand moves to my stomach. “Thank god because I was ready to argue till I had to fuck you into submission.”

Biting my lip, my eyes flicker up to him. “I mean, I’m sure I can find something to argue about.”

“Fucking hell. Save it for when you’re alone,” Cillian groans from the front, tugging away his own disguise. Declan swore that he had control of the cameras, but Rian said it was better to be safe than sorry. Especially after discovering how complacent they’ve become to allow so much through the cracks.

I settle on his chest, laughing as Rian kicks at the back of the driver seat before he says, “Call Sebastian and give him the link to start tracking. We don’t know how soon she’ll discover it.”

Cillian mockingly salutes him before opening the glove box and tossing me a bag of snacks. I grab them eagerly, moaning at the first handful of M&Ms. “God, I can’t get enough of these. Why can’t I have healthy cravings like vegetables?”

“Ah, give my little nephew what he wants!”

I roll my eyes at Cillian and Rian puts a hand on my belly.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good. And it still may be a girl, even if the brotherhood has decided it will add another boy. Aisling needs a small partner in crime.”

My husband laughs, both of us shaking at the rumbling from his chest. “I love that you’ve already determined he will join the brotherhood.”

I pause. “They have a choice not to?” While I certainly hope Rian wouldn’t force them, I figure it will be their legacy. The more I get to know everyone, and some of their operations, the more I realize it's more diplomatic and less murderous assassins that Ricky made them out to be.

“Our children can live any life they wish.”

“You truly mean that? They can live normally with no pressure to join you? They will be your heirs.”

Rian shrugs. “They will never live normally as they will require guards at all times. But if they wish to be clean and operate within businesses that are completely legal, then I have a few choices for them.”

My heart is pounding away and tears blur my vision. I gulp in the air before turning to face him. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my family.”

He swallows, the bob of his throat giving away his emotions. “I know, baby.”

Then he looks down at me, a strange smile pressing on his lips.

“I have a surprise for you for being such a good girl.” Even with the tease, I can tell he’s nervous.

My hand rubs at my belly. “For me or the baby?”

Rian covers his hand over mine and presses a kiss to my head. “Both of you, but mostly just you, love.”

I frown. “Where are we going?”

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