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Even if I were interested in starting that kind of business again, I wouldn’t do it with him. He didn’t know what it was to be loyal. To put the needs of your family above your own. He was a selfish bastard looking to make a buck in the most disgusting way possible.

“Okay, let me be clear.” The whiskey glass snapped as I set it down. I leaned across the table, piercing him with my gaze. “I want nothing to do with selling women.”

Aaron was unbothered by my quiet rage. In fact, this fucker’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Is it that different from your escorts?”

He was provoking the monster inside me. If we weren’t in a restaurant surrounded by businessmen having lunches and mothers with their kids, I’d grab his neck and smash his face into the table. Arrogant prick.

“The women who work for us want to do the job. They’re paid very well and have our protection.”

We would never hurt them. Force them to do something they weren’t comfortable with. Alessandra even spent time with a lot of them. Helping them heal. A few had left the life.

But there were always more coming. We weren’t exactly a charity, but it kept them off the streets.

The alarm on my phone blared, cutting off our staring contest.

“I have somewhere to be.” I stood, buttoning my jacket. “This conversation is over. Don’t seek a meeting with me again. Don’t go to our clubs. Do not approach my girls. I trust I’ve made our position clear.”

His mouth pulled into another arrogant smirk. “Crystal.”

The idea of smashing his face in was getting more appealing, but my alarm buzzed again. As much fun as that would be, I had something more important to do.

36

Grace

Stepping out of the shower, my eyes were drawn to the mirror. My fingers brushed the towel, but I didn’t grab it to cover my body.

My gaze lingered on the scars. Some were thin lines. Others deep gashes. There were circular burns and thick, raised skin.

I dropped my hand from the rack, instead running them along my stomach. But I didn’t see the scars. I didn’t feel them as I pictured a baby bump. I cupped low on my belly like it was already there, but it wasn’t.

Maybe soon I would have the thing I craved.

I grabbed the towel, turning away from my image as I walked into the bedroom. Placing my foot on the bed, I rubbed lotion into my skin. In the month since Vander and I started sleeping together, I’d gotten my hopes up, but my period had come a week ago.

My focus on having a baby was stronger than ever. I tracked my cycle. Took my temperature. Cut out alcohol. Doing everything in my power to make my body a welcoming place for a baby.

A place they’d want to stay. Where I could keep them safe. I wouldn’t fail this time.

I jerked in surprise, clutching the lotion bottle tighter as the door to my bedroom opened. Well, Vander’s bedroom. Our bedroom.

True to his word, I slept in here now. He moved all my things over, and I pretended the other room didn’t exist.

I enjoyed being in here. Seeing his clothes in the closet. Smelling his scent on the pillow. Feeling his arms around me at night.

“What are you doing here?” My body relaxed as Vander walked towards me. He held up his phone as he closed the distance between us.

“My alarm went off.” My mouth watered as I watched him undo his tie with one hand, exposing the tan skin at the base of his neck. “You’re ovulating.”

His statement pulled me from my momentary distraction. “You’re tracking my cycle?”

“Of course I am, Sunflower.” His devastating smile had butterflies erupting in my stomach. Or maybe it was watching as he yanked his shirt from his suit pants. Or his words. “You want a baby, and I’m going to give you everything you want.”

My chest constricted, tightening with emotion. “I thought you had an important meeting.”

He grabbed me around the waist, pulling me to him. He felt so strong against me. But instead of being afraid, an overwhelming feeling of safety sunk into my bones. “Nothing is more important than my wife.”

I didn’t respond because he stole my breath with a kiss. His fingers threaded through my hair, dislodging it from the ponytail I used to keep it dry during my shower. He groaned as pieces fell around my shoulders. I responded with a whimper of my own as his tongue glided along mine.

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