Page 105 of The Devil's Heir
Fran went to the Garden center because she's been working on the outside flower beds around the little house. She says it keeps her busy. I'm afraid of what she would say if she knew about my feelings for the Falcon Heir.
"He kills people, Heidi!"
"But they're bad men, aren't they?" Her brow raises as she questions me.
"That's beside the point."
"Is it? It seems he's doing some good by removing other dangerous individuals from the streets."
"Yeah, because they've pissed him off. He's not doing it to be a good Samaritan," I remind her. "He does it because he's powerful and because he can."
My friend remains quiet momentarily until I stop pacing and look at her.
"Tell me, Lily. How often have you been nice to people and then got treated like shit in return?" Heidi asks.
I roll my eyes. "My whole life. Why does that matter?"
My friend shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe it's time you take a few notes from Jarek's book and stop being so nice."
I gape at her. "Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my friend?"
Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes when she stands and walks over to me. Taking my hands, she sighs. "I've seen Jarek around you, and he really cares about you. Aside from Fran and I, he may be the only other person who's ever given a shit about you since your parents died."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, maybe what he does shouldn't matter all that much. If he cares for you and wants to protect and take care of you, then who cares if he's the Mafia King Pin."
Is she right? I mean, I know she's right to an extent. I know Jarek cares for me, but can I turn a blind eye to his work? He'll protect me, especially from people like Heath. After all these years, seeing him has sent me into a tailspin, and I refuse to leave the house again.
Jackson wouldn't let it go until I told him about Heath and what he had planned to do to me. He didn't see him that day at the shopping center because he was too busy trying to get Carmen to leave, but he was pissed after I told him, and he wanted to return to the shopping center, but I wouldn't let him.
I used to feel the same way about Jarek, but that's all changed. I place my hand on my stomach. He would never put his child in jeopardy, and I know he wouldn't put my life in jeopardy, either. He's made it perfectly clear that he would never allow anyone to touch what is his, and I am his.
A knock at the cottage door draws our attention, and Heidi opens the door to a smiling Jackson. "Hey, Jax, baby. Whatcha doing?" Heidi asks.
She's started calling him that nickname because it irked him, but he doesn't seem to mind so much now. They've become good friends, too, and that makes me happy.
"The boss wants to talk to Lily." His eyes land on me. "He's in his office."
"Okay, I'm coming."
I say goodbye to my friend and make my way back to the main house. Thankfully, it's not too far. The short walk is a welcome break— I get a bit of exercise and a moment to clear my head.
Jackson stayed behind to talk to Heidi, which is probably for the best. My mind is still tangled in uncertainty. I understand what Heidi was saying, but can I really set aside the morals my parents instilled in me—for the mere possibility of love? If that's even what this is.
When I get to Jarek's office, I knock lightly on the door when I realize he's on the phone. He motions me inside, and I come forward.
"I don't care what my uncle has done in the past, I want a hundred grand to be given this year. What's the shelter going to do with a measly twenty grand?" Jarek argues with whoever is on the phone.
My eyes widen when I hear his conversation. Jarek donates to the shelter?
"And I want another hundred grand to go to the fire station. They need new equipment." Jarek slams the phone down on his desk and leans back in his chair.
Sighing, he holds his arms out, and I immediately go to him. My body is trained to crave him regardless of what my brain tells me to do.
Jarek pulls me into his lap, so I sit sideways, and he takes my lips. I open for him willingly and slide my hand into his hair before fisting it to keep him from pulling away.
He chuckles at my action and mimics it, drawing a moan from me. Jarek doesn't take it any further and when he does break the kiss, I want to bring him back for more, but I don't.
