Page 20 of Convenient Mafia Vows

The woman opens her mouth and closes it again, swallowing whatever it was that she was going to say. Her eyes slide back to the screen in front of her. “There’s nothing in Mr. Murray’s diary.”

I doubt that, but I keep this observation to myself. Spine straight. Try to look like I have as much right as anyone else to be here. “Can you please tell him that Victoria is here to see him?”

“I…” Her eyes settle on the top of Abigail’s head briefly. “I don’t think?—”

“VictoriaMurray.” I emphasize the last name. It gets the reaction I was hoping for,

She raises the phone to her ear, turns away, and says, “Miss Ingram, there’s a Victoria Murray here to see Mr. Murray.”

I can imagine Miss Ingram’s face right now. But she must be expecting me too, because the receptionist tells me to take a seat and Mr. Murray’s personal assistant will be down shortly.

Less than a minute later, the elevator door opens, and Miss Ingram steps out, eyes hard as stones and lips forming a narrow line. She falters when she spots Abigail standing beside me, her hand in mine.

“What’s this?”

I knew there was a reason why I didn’t like Miss Ingram.

“This is Abigail.” I force a smile. “My niece.”

“Can we get pistachio ice cream now?” Abigail asks, choosing her moment.

6

CALEB

My smile fadeswhen I see the kid with Victoria.

They look as if they’ve spent the day on the streets in puffer jackets and jeans, rosy-cheeked, and hair mussed up by the late-winter breeze. Victoria watches me wide-eyed, clearly uncertain how I’ll react to the news that she has a kid. Would I have signed up for this if I’d known in advance? The way my cock is aching at the sight of her, I think I already have my answer.

But this … changes things. The world of a mafia boss isn’t exactly the kind of world you want to bring a kid into. I want kids one day. One day when I’m ready to walk away from this life.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Murray.” Miss Ingram grabs my attention, and I can’t help smiling to myself. I can picture her face when she saw the dark-haired kid with the woman she fired yesterday. “If I’d known in advance… I’ll speak to Roxanne at the reception desk.”

“It’s fine, Lauren.”

I don’t take my eyes off Victoria. Something about the way she’s looking at me makes me want to do things to her that would traumatize the kid for life, not to mention get me arrested.

Victoria waits for the door to close behind Lauren before she says, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t have anyone to watch Abigail. Her dad has gone AWOL, and my best friend has an important meeting with an art gallery today that I couldn’t ask her to cancel because she’s waited so long for this opportunity and, well, I didn’t want to keep you waiting.” Her voice dips at the end like she’s burnt herself out getting this all off her chest.

But I’m still dwelling on the wordsher dad has gone AWOL.

What the actual fuck.

What kind of asshole does that to their woman and kid? You don’t impregnate a woman and then continue to live like a bachelor, especially a woman like Victoria. She deserves better. So does the kid.

“What’s his name?” My voice sounds husky even to my own ears. I clear my throat, grateful that at least my cock has responded badly to the news also.

“What?” Victoria furrows her brow. “Who?”

“Her dad.” My gaze flickers to the child who has Victoria’s hair and eyes and already promises to be a beauty when she’s older. “You said he’s gone AWOL.”

Victoria sucks on her bottom lip, and I have the overwhelming urge to take it between my teeth and stick my tongue in her mouth.

“Mason Callahan.”

I press the button on the landline handset, and Lauren answers before it even rings on her desk. “Are they ready to leave, Mr. Murray?”

“No, Lauren. I want you to find a guy called Mason Callahan for me.”

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