Page 97 of Maverick

I froze. “Wait, so… the test says she’s not Alexander’s kid?”

A rustle on the line. “It did say she’s related to… a powerful man.”

“Who?”

“Handsome fellow, but a mean son of a bitch. Big dick.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Kingpin?”

“Test says Lexi is really related to me. Dipshit.” Kingpin sounded weirdly resigned. “I guess Dirty Diana was blackmailing me for a reason. She always threatened to reveal something big, but I never figured… Anyway, her DNA matches me. She’s my daughter. Like I said, no forging required.”

Shock pulsed through me. Lexi is Kingpin’s daughter? That was a revelation I never saw coming. “You sure you didn’t rig that test?” I asked, half-joking, half-panicked.

He gave a dry laugh. “I wanted to. But the doc said it was a perfect match. So that’s the truth. I fathered a kid with Diana I never knew about.”

I raked a hand through my hair. “Jesus. That means… She’s your daughter. And I… we, uh…” My mind scrambled. I was in love with Kingpin’s daughter? Had a kid with her. His grandson?

He growled. “I’m not thrilled about you being with her, Pig. Even if I never knew her. But it solves the Getty problem. She’s not an heir, so Ralph and Marciano have no claim. She’s free.”

My head swirled. “So now what?”

He grunted. “If you truly want her, do right by her. Otherwise, stay the hell away. I never liked you anyway. But I guess, I’m a grandad.” He ended the call abruptly.

I stood there, phone in hand, the pine-scented breeze ruffling my hair. Lexi is Kingpin’s daughter. That explained Diana’s threats. A wave of relief mingled with dread. At least she was safe from the Getty empire, but now we had the awkward reality that she was the daughter of my longtime enemy. So be it. I wouldn’t let that keep me from her if she wanted me.

The clubhouse was quieter than usual, most of the Kings out on a charity ride. The small apartment above was quiet, too. I rapped lightly on the door. A second later, Lexi opened, baby cradled to her chest. She looked tired, but there was a glint in her eyes, some combination of worry and curiosity at my arrival.

“Hey,” I said, stepping inside.

She shut the door behind me, fiddling with the baby’s blanket. “Hey. Did you hear something?”

I nodded, keeping my voice low. “Yeah, Kingpin got the results. You’re not a Getty. You’re… his daughter.”

“They forged the results, then.”

“No, oddly enough, your mom had been telling you the truth all these years. Even if she was blackmailing Getty, you weren’t his kid. You were a random biker’s kid. Kingpin’s. That’s why when Ralph and Sky came after her and you, she wanted to spill her secrets on Kingpin. You weren’t Getty’s, you were his.”

Her expression froze, color draining from her cheeks. “So, it’s actually true?” she whispered. “I’m Kingpin’s kid?” The baby fussed, as if sensing her distress. She tried to soothe him with gentle pats. “That’s insane. I, I never imagined.”

I stepped closer. “He said your mom used to… hang around his club, Royal Road, around the same time she was with Alexander Getty. Kingpin slept with her back then, too. It aligns with everything. Look, the bottom line is you’re safe from Ralph. No more mob claims. No more Mark. You’re free.”

She exhaled, tears brimming. “Free. Right. But I still can’t go back to my old life. I… I’m married to Mark, and even if he can’t hold that arrangement over me with the mob, he might still fight me for custody.”

Pain lanced my chest at the idea of losing her again. But I tried to keep calm. “You can divorce him, Lex. If he tries anything, you have me behind you. I’ll fight that bastard if necessary. Besides, little Adam is my child. We’ll prove it. He won’t take him.”

She swallowed, placing the baby in a portable crib near the wall. Then she faced me, her eyes flicking with panic. “Maverick, you have to realize how crazy this all is. I barely escaped with my life. Now I find out my father is… a man you claimed was your sworn enemy. And I’m here in Maine, with you, after you basically kidnapped me. My mind is a mess.”

I reached for her hand, and this time she let me take it. “I know. But I’m sorry, I had to do something. I couldn’t let you stay with that snake. You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

Her gaze locked onto mine. “I… I don’t blame you for rescuing me, but it’s a lot to process. And we have a baby, yours, not Mark’s. What do we do?” Her voice cracked, tears pooling.

My heart knocked as I gently cupped her cheek. “We make a fresh start. I’ll take you and the baby in. We’ll stay in Maine if you want, or somewhere else safe. I want to be a family, Lexi. Marry me.”

Her eyes went wide, tears spilling. “Marry you?” She let out a shaky laugh. “I’m already married, remember?”

I grimaced. “We’ll get it annulled or divorced. Once Mark realizes the mob has no interest in you, he can’t blackmail you. We have Kingpin’s arrangement that you’re not a Getty. He no longer has a stranglehold, right?”

She hesitated, looking down at our joined hands. “I guess so, but Mark might not give up easily. He’s a vindictive bastard.”

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