Page 10 of A Killer's Heart

"That’s beautiful,” she declares. “I'll add it to her chart." Then she steps to the side to give me some privacy. I spend an hour holding Mary, leaving her only when I’m told I can see Poppy. Returning her to the nurse physically hurts, but Poppy needs me, too. She’s asleep when I get there, though she wakes shortly after, smiling when she sees me. Then she jerks, gasping at the pain from her c-section.

“You’ve been through hell and just had major surgery," I remind her as I gently urge her to her back once more.

"Where’s our baby?" She asks on a sob and I inform her of everything I know. Poppy relaxes at the news she’s okay, but she’s clearly still worried about something. "Tell me that it’s over. No more running or hiding. I want to be safe." Her plea breaks my heart and I promise her that it’s done because it will be soon, then we can move forward.

“You and Mary are my life now."

"Mary?" She wants to know. I share her full name, to which she whispers, already falling back asleep, “I love it.”

"Rest, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter 12

Smith- 2 weeks later (France)…

Waiting in Ernest’s office, feet propped on his desk, I flip through his paperwork. The past twenty-four hours have been busy as I’ve spent it all hunting. Except for the man whose space I now sit in, every member of the family is dead. Those not related by blood had a choice to make, leave and never return or face the same fate. Once I deal with Ernest, his entire enterprise will be wiped out. Having never cared for drugs, it’s not really a loss for myself nor my friends. Of course, I’m sure they’ll begin looking for someone they can trust to take over this territory as soon as possible. Boden already sent word to the family in Argentina, wanting them to know what happens when you cross not only the Crime Kings, but the Boogeyman, too. Suffice it to say, they listened to the warning and removed all of the men they had in Paris.

When Ernest steps through his door, he stops at the sight before him. That could be because of me or the fact his eyes are trained on his son’s lifeless body. Max’s death was not quick. I drew it out, wanting him to suffer for what he did to Poppy. “I’d apologize,” I tell him with a shrug, “but he had it coming.”

False bravado has him asking, “So, it’s you that’s been killing my men. All this over some slut my son knocked up?" Before he can blink, I stand and pull my knife out, throwing it at him all in one single movement. It hits his upper thigh and he screams in pain as he drops to the floor.

“Want to rephrase that?” I threaten him.

"You took the job!" He yells and I nod in agreement, thankful I had. If not, I would’ve never met Poppy. Somebody else would’ve accepted the assignment and completed it. The thought alone makes me sick to my stomach.

"True.” Withdrawing my gun, I point it at his head, informing him, “Time to go.” He curses me, wanting to know if he gets any last words. In response, I fire and he falls right beside Max. I lean down to remove my knife from him, wiping it off on his pants, then walk out.

I call Boden who greets me with the question, “He dead?”

"They all are,” I assure him. “I'm coming home." It’s something I've never had before, so saying it still gives me a little thrill. Poppy and our daughter made it such. It doesn’t matter where we are as long as we’re together. And we’ll stay that way for the rest of my life.

* * *

Poppy- New Orleans…

I rock Mary in my arms, my gaze focused on her. She's so beautiful and I still can't believe I made her. The past few weeks – hell, months – have been crazy. We couldn’t bring Mary home for seven days after her birth, just to make sure everything was okay. Thankfully, it was and she’s now healthy as can be. I had to stay in the hospital a few days myself, and while I was there, Smith found a house for, much like Boden’s compound, and purchased it for us. The security has been vetted by both men, which helps with the fear I haven’t quite shaken yet.

The door opens, followed almost immediately by him seeking me out. He was only gone two days, his mission to take out any threats to me, and I missed him like crazy. "Did I miss her feeding?" Once he’s settled beside me, I transfer Mary to his arms, a huge smile lighting up his face as he looks at her.

"She just finished and is ready for cuddles now."

"I can give her that all day," he admits. There’s no doubt in my mind he loves her, even if he hadn’t put his name on her birth certificate as her father. And he definitely is that. She may not be his by blood, but he is her daddy in all other ways. "Foster and Annabelle left?" he asks.

“They left yesterday they were sorry they couldn’t stay longer.”

"I think Mary gave them baby fever."

"I can see why. I want at least six more.” His face is is bright with a smile.

“Are you serious?”

He assures me he is. "Or as many as you'll give me," he states with a kiss. "Quinn and Molly should be here next week, and Porter and Faye not long after that. The rest will make their way here soon, too.” He sounds upset about it, but I know he isn’t. He’s grateful to have them. Boden and I have become quite close since we met and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest. Annabelle even added me to the group chat the wives have. I’m having a blast getting to know them. It’s an endless source of entertainment, support, and advice. Snuggling against Smith, we both look at Mary, soaking her all in. I’m hesitant to ask, not wanting to ruin the moment, but I need to know.

"Are we free?"

“The Donald family is no longer an issue. They’re all gone.” I know I shouldn’t condone murder, but they were very bad people. Mary’s safety matters more than my morals. Besides, they wanted to kill both of us, so I refuse to feel guilty that I’m glad they’re dead.

"Thank you."

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