Page 116 of Royal Flush

The man I loved.

As soon as I opened my eyes, he was right there.

“You’re not a mirage. Are you?” I managed, my voice tight.

“I’m not a mirage, baby. I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry. I just… I should have called.”

Braxton took my hand into his, pressing my knuckles against his lips. “You’re safe and alive. That’s all that matters.”

I didn’t feel that way. I felt like a shit for leaving like I’d done, refusing to contact him even after my mother had encouraged me. I’d been afraid and angry, hurt and confused. When I’d found out about the baby, I’d come close to panicking. “I’m so sorry. I was horrible to you.” Emotions unlike I thought I’d ever experience hit me hard.

“You were frightened and pushed. Including by me.”

“How can you be so understanding?” Tears formed in my eyes.

“Oh, I assure you that you can make it up to me when you’re feeling better.”

I touched my stomach, uncertain he knew. “I…”

“I know about the baby and he’s fine.”

It took me a few seconds to understand what he was saying. The shit-eating grin and look of relief on his face provided all I needed. “Him?”

“A baby boy. I was thinking we could call him Braxton Royal, Junior.”

“Not on your life. There will be no juniors in our little family.” Everything ached inside and I was so tired, but the joy filling me was more healing than what any doctor or hospital could provide.

When he bent down to kiss me, a moment of panic washed in. “Santini did this. I know he did just like he killed my father.”

“You’re right, baby, but you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about that. He’s been taken care of.”

I felt my entire chest stiffen. “You killed him?”

He laughed, kissing my lips and backing away. “You helped me realize I’m many things including merciless but I’m not a killer. It didn’t hurt that my two brothers were there to yank me back into my place if I even dared fall out of line. They reminded me all I had to lose, which is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Then…”

“He confessed, well, to me. But I was recording it and let’s just say his ass won’t see the light of day again for a long time.”

A sense of relief flooded my system. “You’re sure?”

“I’m positive. Now, you need to get some rest.”

“What about Maggie?”

“She was used as a bargaining chip. Her father was a man considered an enemy. The man was trying to discredit your father by sending you to me. It would seem there was an entire network of powerful men, one betraying the other. That’s just my guess.”

Sadly, it made sense. “Oh.” What else could I say?

“Now, rest.”

“Wait. I need to say something to you.”

The way he peered down at me was enough to keep me rattled. “One thing. You are going to learn to obey.”

He had a way of disarming any situation. I’d found it interesting that of all the people in my life. “Only if you’re a good boy.” It was wonderful to hear him laugh. I’d pined away for him for months, both my mother and Ashton calling me a fool. In overhearing what he’d said about my father, my sense of loyalty had kicked in. It had taken both women to explain alpha men were like that.

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