Page 97 of Coerced Queen

“I would’ve told Saverio in my own time and my own way.”

“Would you?”He studies me with a tilted head.“You said the same about the loan and Bennett, yet you never did.You took a dangerous fucking bet without telling anyone.”He waves a hand toward the bar downstairs.“Well, except for Livy, who would’ve done what exactly to protect you if necessary?”

“Livy knows how to shoot.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?”I ask, losing my patience, especially as Claire’s crying reaches me from the office.

“The point is that Saverio would’ve found out eventually, and if he didn’t hear it from you or me, how do you expect him to trust either of us?”

Fine.It makes sense.“You’re right.”

When I make to move around him, he blocks my way.

I raise my arms.“What?”

“I don’t want bad blood between us.”

“I understand why you did it.No hard feelings.”

He searches my face.“Do you mean that?”

“Yes,” I say, my tone laced with frustration.“Now let me pass.My daughter is hungry, and you’re standing in the way of her only food source.”

“Sorry.”

His flustered grin is disarming.I can see why women find him irresistible.Dante is a curious mixture of danger and charm.

He steps aside.“I’ll never be as cruel as getting in the way of my goddaughter’s meal.”

“I’ll tell her that,” I say over my shoulder as I carry on down the hallway.

“You do that, Lady Luck.”

Gritting my teeth, I don’t reply.He’s just baiting me to get a reaction.

A few men hanging out on the gallery nod in greeting as I pass, their respectful, “Morning, Lady Luck,” following me to the office.

Saverio stands by the window, rocking Claire in his arms when I walk inside.Smiling down at her, he says, “See?I told you.Mommy is right here, angel.”

I go over, wanting to wrap both of them up in my arms.

Gently, Saverio hands her to me.“She already finished the bottle Livy packed this morning.It seems it wasn’t enough.”

I sit down behind my desk and throw a cotton feeding blanket over my shoulder.I’ve barely adjusted my blouse before Claire latches on to my breast.

Chuckling, I caress her head.“Such an impatient little girl.”

“Mm.”Saverio perches on the edge of the desk, watching us with pride and an odd dearness I haven’t seen on his face before.“Just like her mother.”

“I’m not impatient,” I exclaim.

His smile is wicked.“It depends on the situation.”

Dante sticks his head around the door.“Do you have a minute, Sav?”

“Not now,” Saverio says, the words a warning that rumbles in his chest.“Anya is breastfeeding, and if you catch a glimpse of my wife naked, you know I have to kill you.”

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