It’s the part that Selena never got to witness. The dark part of my soul that was afraid and anxious about becoming the next leader of the Tri-State Syndicate. The part of my soul that was cracked over the loss of my Da. The part that got the chance to experience being a regular, simple man and not a ‘mobster’as Madison once called me. The version of me who enjoyed cooking Thanksgiving dinner in a blizzard. The same one who snuck their girlfriend out of her family home before Christmas ended, just to get the chance to kiss her.

Let’s make one thing clear. I will always,alwaysprotect Madison as fiercely as if she were still mine. The only reason I agreed to Diego bringing Madison along with him to Greece was because I know he feels that way too. I can see it in the way he looks at her and can feel it in the air around us. It’s how I felt when I met her.

“About what you were saying on the plane earlier…” I collect Selena in my arms and carry her to our bed. She maneuvers her body once under the sheets as I slide in next to her. My arm wraps around her as she lays her head on my chest, resting a gentle hand on my stomach. “I think you’re right. I’ve been too harsh with Liam. Perhaps I could arrange something with your brother. Figure out a way to have Liam remain close by on my private yacht. He can keep an eye out for any potential threats, have occasional meetings with Madison, and be there as backup in the event things go south prematurely.”

Sel lazily trails her hand up my stomach and then over my sternum. She leans in and presses a kiss to my chest. “That’s a much better plan. Plus, I’d rather have Liam close by. I don’t trust Geraldo.” She yawns, covering her mouth. “He could be planning something.”

“He’s not the only one I don’t trust.”

“Diego made a mistake, Killian. It was a dumb plan, but there was no malintent. Please try to get along with him. He’s going to be your brother-in-law one day and our child’s uncle. I owe him so much. He’s saved me more times than you can count. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for him.”

It kills me to say, but she’s right. His good does outweigh his bad. Fuck, what was I thinking?Like an eejit, that’s what.Da always said ‘Never make decisions out of anger. Sleep on it. If in the morning it still holds the same intensity, the same passion as it felt in the heat of the moment, then it is a sound choice.’

I woke this morning feeling indifferent, wavering between wanting to plot Diego’s death and wanting to tell him to fuck right off.

Taking his death off the table, he can find a way out of this mess without us, and I’ll bring my family home as one. The problem is, Madison is just as stubborn as Liam. She wants to help and I won’t be the one to take that choice away from her. Neither should Liam. No matter how much having her away with another man bothers us, it is still her choice. The best we can do is sit close by and monitor. If we need to step in, we will.

Sel’s eyes start to flutter closed. “Sorry, I wanted to spend somequalitytime with you tonight, but I can’t even keep my eyes open. Damn hormones.”

I place a kiss on the top of her head and rub her arm reassuringly. “Don’t worry about it, baby. I do have one last question. How far along are you?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but if I was to guess, maybe about eight weeks or so. I need to find an OBGYN around here.”

“I’ll schedule an appointment first thing tomorrow morning. The doctors we have on payroll will provide me with the name of their best associate.” Placing one more kiss on the top of her head, I say, “Get some sleep, love.”

“I love you, Kil.”

“I love you, sweetheart. Welcome home.”

My eyes slamopen in a panic. Selena wriggles her way out of my sleepy embrace and runs toward the en suite, slamming the bathroom door behind her. The sound of muffled retching filters through the door.

Hormones.

The toilet flushes and the sound of running water fills the space between us. I make my way out of bed, rapping my knuckles against the wooden door. Opening it a crack, I stick my head in.

“You alright, love?”

“I’m okay…just give me a minute.”

Giving her some privacy, I close the door and sit at the edge of the bed, reaching for my phone off the end table. The sound of her brushing her teeth has me silently laughing.

She hasn’t noticed yet.I glance at the clock—4:30 a.m. Lena is probably still half asleep.

While she refreshes herself, and I wait patiently, I shoot out a text to Liam.

Killian

I made a mistake sending you to Ireland. Keep this between us. Head to Mykonos. I’ll have the staff prepare The Triquetra for an extended stay. It should arrive there in a few days. Leave tonight. Lay low in town until the yacht is ready. I’ll call you with more details. Until then, stay safe, sweetheart.

Liam

I’m already in Mykonos. I was hoping you would come to your senses, dickhead.

My finger hovers over the call button. I’m about ready to ream him out for not listening to my original orders when the bathroom door flies open. Selena leans against the door frame in nothing but my black t-shirt, and holds her left hand up.

“Killian, what is this?” Her voice cracks as she points to the 3-carat pear-shaped diamond on her ring finger. Tapered baguette diamonds sit on each side of the center stone, collectively resting on a gold band.

I saunter over to her, and grip her fingers, placing a kiss to the top of her hand. “This— is back where it belongs.”