Page 100 of Coerced Queen

That warm, fuzzy feeling I always get when I’m with Claire heats my chest.

Livy laughs.“She’s awake, all right.She’s probably talking to her mobile again.Do you want me to fetch her?”

“That’s okay,” Anya says quickly, her golden eyes trapped in my stare.“I’ll go.”

I press closer still, letting her feel the bulge in my jeans—what she does to me.I enjoy how her body fits against mine for a second longer just because I can and because Claire isn’t crying yet.Anya swallows, her delicate throat moving with the action.I’m tempted to use her hair like a rope and reel her in before dragging her to the nearest room—my study—and bending her over my desk.Then I’ll lay her out on the desktop and fuck her until she’s hoarse from screaming my name.

The things I fantasize about must be written as clearly on my face as it’s evident in my jeans, because Anya flattens her palms on my chest and gently but firmly pushes me away.

I step back reluctantly, not keen on giving her space.She uses the opportunity to dart around me.If I let her get away, it’s only because we have an audience and guests waiting at the door.That’s all right.I’ll get her alone later tonight.And then there’ll be no running from me.

While Anya escapes upstairs, I walk with painful steps to the door.The guards could’ve just as easily opened for oursurpriseguests, but we try to keep up a semblance of normality.

Nicole and Logan’s faces stare at me from the alarm panel screen.They’re carrying covered dishes and a bottle of wine.

Heaving a sigh, I open the door.The guards stand at attention, staring straight ahead with their hands folded in front of them.Neither Nicole nor her husband comment or react to their presence.They understand why it’s necessary, and despite that, they’re still here, which commands my respect.After all, showing up on my doorstep means risking your life.You never know if you’re going to get bombed or shot at.Although, with the war waging against the Morellis, I’ve stepped up security around the house.The men may not be visible, but there’s a small army out there to protect us, and they’re on high alert.We have enough alarms in place around the perimeter of the property to warn us if a spider dares it over the wall.

“Sav,” Nicole says in greeting, hugging me with a dish and a bottle in her hands.

Logan extends a hand.“Thanks for the invitation, man.”

I shake his hand.“Thanks for accepting.”

Anya and I will have a word about this later.Scheming little minx.I know why she didn’t tell me she invited my acquaintances.She didn’t want to give me a chance to object.I’m not a social person, but I know how tough it was for her to lose Tersia’s friendship because of who I am.Nicole doesn’t have any qualms about what I do for a living, and Anya can do with a friend.

In all fairness, Nicole is more than an acquaintance.Over the years, we became friends.We’re not close friends, but Nicole gets me like few people do.Plus, she doesn’t put up with my bullshit.I met her via Rachele at a formal do a few years ago.We’ve been running into each other at galas since.Rachele was a patient until we got married.After that, she changed ob-gyns.Nicole and I never exchanged numbers or chatted outside of public gatherings, but we liked one another.Whenever we attended the same fundraiser or social event, we searched each other out for a drink at the bar to kill time with banter and people watching.It made those obligatory parties less boring.It’s only since Anya became a patient that I called Nicole more regularly, mostly with questions about Anya’s wellbeing during her pregnancy.

I invite them to the back where Livy is mixing gin and tonics.Nicole puts her dishes on the table—potato and carrot salads—while Logan adds the wine to the makeshift bar set up on the side table.Livy adds a sprig of rosemary and a slice of lemon to each G&T before handing them around.

Anya returns with Claire in her arms.Our baby girl is dressed in a warm fleece jacket over her pajamas.

“Let me,” I say, taking Claire from Anya to free her hands so that she can greet our guests.

“There you are,” Dante says, making his way down the step onto the terrace where the small group is gathered.“I saw myself in.”Meaning a guard opened the door for him.“I hope you don’t mind.”Inviting himself, he takes the drink Livy hands him.“This looks nice.Are you guys having a party?”

“We’re just going to throw a few steaks on the grill,” Anya says.“Why don’t you join us?”

“Yes,” Livy pipes up.“There’s plenty of food.”

“Great,” I grumble.“Another surprise guest.”

“Hey.”He makes a wounded face.“You’ll hurt my feelings.”

“What feelings?”I scoff.“You don’t have any.”

Anya gives me a stern look.“Be nice.Don’t spoil our first barbecue as a married couple.”

Our first barbecue.Fuck yes.It has a nice, normal ring to it.I have no intention of spoiling that.

Once the introductions are over, Nicole steals Claire from me.“How’s my gorgeous goddaughter doing?”

While they’re fussing over Claire, Dante pulls me aside.Glancing at where the others are gathered around our baby, he says in a lowered voice, “I have news.”

I tense.“What happened?”

Nothing can go wrong now.We have Raphael as good as cornered.He’s taken shelter in his house where his defenses are the strongest, but he’s been sufficiently weakened to no longer be a match for us.We’re ready for the final attack.My orders are clear.Morelli is mine.No one touches him.I want him alive so that I can look into his eyes before I pull the trigger.

Dante clenches his jaw.“Raphael went into hiding.”

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