Page 56 of The Kingpin's Omega Lover
“An arrogant prick with a mangled prick.” King kissed Malori’s temple. “Are you really okay?”
“My asshole’s a little tender, but it’s worth it for the way that fucker screamed.”
“I wish I’d heard it.”
“Boss,” Patch said. “Found another hotel key on the bastard. Commonwealth. Uptown. Sleeve has the number six-oh-four on it.”
Malori jerked in his arms then looked up. “My son’s there. I thought he might be here, but Aleks said Junior was at another hotel with the nanny. We have to go get him.”
King nodded, recognizing the fire in Malori’s eyes. He wasn’t taking no for an answer, not when a reunion with his son was so close, both in time and distance. King called Bishop’s cell. “Situation secure. Garvey and Patch have the package. I need you to meet me in the parking garage of the Commonwealth Hotel as soon as possible.”
“Baby shower location change?” Bishop asked, using coded language they’d come up with earlier that evening. They never knew when the authorities were listening, hoping to catch King in something illegal.
“Yep, last-minute change. See you soon.”
“Yeah, boss.”
King shoved his phone into his pocket, and then he kissed Malori solidly on the lips. “Let’s go get your baby back.”
FIFTEEN
Malori expectedit to take a lot more convincing for Davia Valdachi to open the hotel room door and allow him and King inside. She was an elderly woman with a thick accent, visible scars on her neck and cheeks, and an air of exhaustion that hung heavily over her like a wool blanket. King had simply knocked on the door, introduced Malori as the baby’s birth parent, and asked to be let inside.
“He has your eyes,” Davia said to Malori as she stepped back, pulling the heavy door with her.
Malori said nothing. A pack-and-play was set up in the corner of the room, between the wall and the dresser. The only light source was a fixture above the farthest of the two queen beds, and even in the faint orange glow, Malori saw his sleeping son. The baby lay on his back, a blue blanket covering most of his body, a stuffed cow by his head. The room was silent, except for a white noise machine he didn’t care to locate.
My boy. Oh, dear gods, my son!
Something inside of Malori had split in two when his daughter was taken. That broken piece had fractured again when Aleks absconded with his second-born. The second fracturesnapped back into place, and Malori released a sound from deep within. A noise of pure joy that startled his son awake.
The instant cry spurred Malori into action. He carefully picked Junior up, amazed at how much he’d grown in a year. He wriggled and whined, probably confused by this stranger in the dark. “It’s okay, baby, Daddy’s here. I’ve got you.” Hot tears trickled down Malori’s cheeks. Tears of pure joy and love. Total elation, and he wished he could bottle this feeling for later.
He was vaguely aware of King and Davia speaking. Junior quieted and he stared at Malori with wide, suspicious eyes. Pretty, pale eyes that did look like Malori’s. Malori carried him to the nearest bed and sat, so he could adjust the way Junior was sitting. They stared at each other, mesmerized. Malori studied every millimeter of skin, every wrinkle and imperfection, and the wisps of dark-blond hair on his head. The milky scent of his breath. The firm grip as his tiny fist wrapped around Malori’s finger.
“Hey, little man. I will always protect you, I promise. You never should have been taken from me.”
Malori lost himself in the joy of this moment, and he wasn’t aware of all the activity around him until King sat beside him. Gently squeezed Malori’s elbow. “It’s time to leave,” King said.
“Yes.” Malori finally looked up. The pack-and-play was closed and by the door. Davia stood near it with both a diaper bag and a small carryon. “She’s coming?”
“Yes, she is. Davia overstayed her visa last year, and Aleks exploited that to make her work for him for practically nothing. I promised to give her a new job with much better pay, and we’ll work on citizenship.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” King traced a fingertip along Junior’s forearm, down to where his fist clutched Malori’s finger. “He’s gorgeous. He looks like you.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Malori laughed. “Is this real? This is really real?”
“It’s real, angel. My people will come back and clean the room, remove all traces of Yovenko, but we need to go. The night isn’t over yet.”
No, it wasn’t. Malori pressed a hard kiss to King’s mouth. “You’re amazing.”
“You deserve amazing. Come on.”
King helped him stand so he didn’t have to release his baby. The pajamas he wore were acceptable for a late summer car ride across town, and it was late enough that few people would be out and about to really notice them. Especially this close to the stairs that should lead straight to the parking garage.
By the time they got to the car, Junior had fallen asleep with his head on Malori’s shoulder. Bishop was driving, and Malori had no idea when or how he’d procured a car seat, but it was there, in the backseat. Malori was unpracticed at this, but he got the sleeping baby secured, and then climbed into the backseat with him. King rode up front. Davia went in another car with the rest of the baby supplies.
