Page 58 of Submitting to Daddy
“Cillian…”
“I know, firecracker…” I stroke her back, my fingers tracing along her spine. “I’d burn the world for you. I don’t give a fuck how we got here. All that matters is that you’re still in my arms and that no one will ever take that from me. Fromus.”
She nods, pressing her lips to my chest like she’s making a vow of her own.
I stay awake long after her breaths become slow and even, my hand resting on the small of her back. Even then, I don’t let her go.
Because I’ll never let my wife go.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER
As I’m sitting on the sidewalk patio of the small coffee shop down the street from the apartment, the sun warms my back.
I cradle my coffee between my hands, the ceramic mug warm against my palms, and try to soak in the rare moment of peace. Across from me, Eavan lifts her sunglasses onto the top of her head and grins over the rim of her iced latte—a much better choice of beverage in this heat.
“I have to admit,” she teases with a smirk. “I didn’t think your first couple of weeks as a King would include a courthouse wedding, a federal arrest, and full-blown war crimes worth of sex bruises.”
I laugh at the absurdity that is my new life. “Neither did I. But I guess I should’ve expected nothing less, right?”
“You really shouldn’t have.” She winks. Her expression softens, and she reaches across the table and lightly squeezes my hand. “But you’re one of us now. For real. And no matter what happens next, that means something. To all of us.”
Emotion tightens my throat for a second. Eavan doesn’t owe me this kind of welcome, especially not with how things started. But she’s looked at me like a sister from the moment Cillian moved me in with him.Into our home. There’s no judgment in her eyes. Just quiet solidarity.
“Thank you.” I return her squeeze. “For not hating me. For… giving me a chance.”
“Please. If we started kicking people out of this family for being a little morally flexible, the penthouse would be a damn ghost town.”
If that isn’t the fucking truth.
“So… Um…” She takes a breath, her gaze flicking to the street and back to me. “There’s actually something I want to tell you.”
I blink, leaning forward. “What is it?”
She presses a hand to her stomach, and a small smile blooms across her face. “I’m pregnant.”
My eyes widen. “Eavan!Are you serious?”
She nods, biting her lip, and her eyes quickly fill with tears—happy ones.
“We found out for sure two days ago. Haven’t told anyone else yet, but… I wanted you to know first. You’re family now.”
I push my chair back and round the table, throwing my arms around her. “Oh my God. Congratulations!”
She hugs me tight, laughing into my hair. “I’m scared shitless. But I’m also so damn happy. Enzo’s already talking about making this one a brother or a sister.”
“That sounds about right.” I laugh.
Finishing my coffee, I swear I hear someone calling my name. I glance around, but don’t see any familiar faces. “Roark!” The deep voice slices through the air behind me, and my heart drops into my stomach. I turn slowly, dreading who I am going to find. Standing a few feet away on the sidewalk, dressed in a sharp navy suit and aviators, is the FBI agent who interrogated me when I was in custody. He pulls off his sunglasses and slowly eyes me suspiciously.
“Agent Warner. Or is it just Gary, since I’m no longer in custody?”
His jaw tightens. “Funny.”I thought so.
Eavan sits back in her seat, eyes narrowing and hands slipping beneath the table.
“Can I help you with something?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral.
He steps closer, completely ignoring Eavan. “Just wanted to tell you in person that we aren’t done with you.”
