Page 268 of Remy

My heart is in my throat as I approach the opening to the living room when a little girl’s face peeks into the hall, her beautiful blonde hair loose around her shoulders.

Her eyes widen at the sight of me. She squeaks, then dashes back out of view.

I can’t help smiling. Okay, so maybe I can handle the contagious exuberance of an angelic child. Adults, on the other hand…

I reach the end of the hall in time to see her jump onto the sofa in her bright pink dress and fall dramatically into Remy’s lap.

He grunts with exaggeration, then wraps her in his arms. “I hope you weren’t getting into mischief.” He narrows his eyes on her with playful scrutiny. “You know I can smell trouble.”

She nuzzles into him, completely at home in his arms.

I stand stunned, in awe of the man capable of such viciously violent atrocities who is equally adept at dispensing compassion and protection.

I never imagined this side of him, though. The paternal aspect.

“You, my dear girl—” He tickles her ribs. “—are a gremlin.”

“She is not.”

I turn my gaze toward the woman’s voice carrying from across the room, my heart poised to break at the thought of him fathering someone else’s child until I see his sister standing in the kitchen, palming a steaming coffee mug. She’s flawless in a stylish pantsuit, her blonde hair cascading down her back.

“She’s a principessina.”

Remy rolls his eyes. “Since when do you know Italian?”

“Since Bishop started whispering things in my ear during adult-time that I don’t understand.”

Remy gags. “Do you want me to vomit on your kid?”

“Yuck, Unkie Remy.” The little girl claps a hand to his chest.

I clear my throat, wanting to make myself known before I intrude any further. I slowly pad into the room, the weight of everyone’s attention making my cheeks heat. “Morning.”

“Hey.” Remy plops the little girl on the sofa cushion beside him, stands and walks toward me, entirely edible in dark jeans and a black T-shirt. “How are you?”

I force a smile, then find it isn’t hard to maintain once he sweeps an arm around my neck to place an affectionate kiss to my temple. “I’m doing better.”

“Did the gremlin wake you?” he asks against my skin.

I shake my head and snuggle farther into him. “Thanks for the clothes. Did you go out while I was sleeping?”

“No. I’d never leave you without notice.”

I pull back. “Then who?”

“Abri and her scary-ass husband.”

His sister snorts. “I heard that.”

My heart gives an exaggerated thud. “Who’s her husband?”

“Bishop. He was at the funeral yesterday. Apparently Lesley took a shining to him. The old girl must be a sucker for ugly bastards with hideous scars.”

“I’ll tell him you said that.” His sister takes a sip from her mug, still standing in the kitchen. “I’m sure he’d love to hear your opinion on his appearance.”

“It’s not like I wouldn’t say it to his face…” Remy speaks into my hair. “If I had a substantial head start at a run to freedom.”

I lightly tap his chest in a subtle attempt to regain his attention. “They spoke to Lesley?”

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