Page 88 of Debt to the Mafia King
“No.” My eyes flashed, and she fell silent. A wry smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I want to change the agreement.”
She bit her lip and her eyes danced away, looking at the trees heavy with snow and the lawn of pure white in front of us.
“I’d like to take the year clause away from you. The money I promised you is already in your account, so that won’t change, but I want to make this a marriage of—”
I paused and cleared my throat. What were the words I was looking for? Here I was getting all tongue-tied again. It happened a lot around her.
“I want you to want to stay with me,” I ended lamely.
“Ok.”
I frowned. Just ok. I was telling her I wanted her with me for real, and all she could say was ok with that faraway look in her eyes.
But then, could I really blame her? She had told me she loved me, and I still hadn’t been able to say it. Me asking her to stay with me as my wife, not for a year but forever, was as close as I could get.
“Good, now let’s talk about what is going to happen next week.” The arm I had slung around her waist moved to her front. So I could press my hand against her stomach. It was still flat, but there was the smallest of curves to it now. It was invisible to anyone who wasn’t intimately in tune with her body, which I was.
It would only be a few weeks now, and she would start showing. We wouldn’t be able to hide the pregnancy from anyone.
Not that I wanted to hide it. Why would I? Except, her being pregnant put her at increased risk. I hadn’t shown her that side of my business yet, although she was aware of what and whoI was. We would need to discuss her safety soon because once my enemies realized she was carrying my heir, they would target her to get to me.
I tightened my grip. If I had learned anything in the last few weeks, it was that I couldn’t let anything happen to Leah. I would have to increase her security, which was fine. Ivan and Stephen would deal with it. They would find the best people.
“Viktor.”
Her words cut through my thoughts, and I shook my head.
“Sorry, I was—”
“Plotting and planning.” She grinned.
I laughed. “Something like that, but I did want to talk about the doctor’s appointment we have next week.”
“We?”
“Well, you have, but I’m coming as well.”
“You are? But I thought you would need to get back to business. Isn’t there a lot to sort out now your father has finally signed the last of the paperwork?”
My eyebrows shot up. “And how did you know about that?” I knew I hadn’t told her.
Giggling, she surged upwards and found my lips. “You can’t keep secrets from the staff, and they tell me everything.”
“Because you are mistress of the house.”
“Because I am their friend,” she corrected me, and I just smiled anymore.
“It’s true I do have to touch base next week, but I wouldn’t miss our first prenatal appointment. Or any other appointment you have. Now I’ve been reading, and a lot of reports say there might be another scan. You will have a few, and they might be able to tell us what we are having.”
She blinked at me rapidly. “Wait, you’ve been reading up!”
“Well, I’ve never been a dad before,” I said in a rush. “I don’t think I’ve ever held a baby, and I want to be prepared.”
“Yeah, I get that. I feel the same, but when exactly are you reading these baby books? We have spent every second of every day together.”
I gave her a small shrug. “I read a few chapters when you are asleep.”
Her whole body shook as she laughed. “You have turned into a completely different man, Viktor. The Viktor I met at the gas station, who was so aggressive and dominating, is now reading parenting books. Who would have thought it?” She shook her head.
