Page 143 of The Heart of a Villain

She huffs in exasperation. “Of course not, Daddy! In all the books, only other pirates arrive on the island. To steal the gold!”

Aileen has been reading all the real stories about pirates to her before bed, as Grace doesn’t want to hear any fairy tales. I’m starting to think it was a big mistake because my kid became suspicious of everyone.

Last time, a delivery guy arrived by boat to bring a package for Aileen, and the poor guy got interrogated by my five-year-old, wondering if he had some malicious intent.

I kneel before her and pinch her nose, and she laughs. “Darling, you know all those stories about pirates are mostly legends, right?” Playing pretend or not, I want to make sure she understands the real world she lives in and doesn’t have some distorted reality.

“I know, Daddy. Mommy already explained. All of it happened in the past, and now there are no more pirates.” She grins and then wraps her arms around me, my soul flipping inside me at the embrace. “But this is my land, and I shall protect it!” She gives me a big kiss on the cheek, and I smile.

“I think you should look through the scope one more time.” I wink at her as she frowns in confusion. “You might be surprised.”

Or rather excited, considering who I’m expecting.

“Oh all right.” She picks up her scope, looks through it, and then gasps before peering through it again to double-check. “Grandpa and Grandma are here!” she shouts, tossing the scope away, and it rolls to the side of her boat. “Grandpa, Daddy!” Joy practically pours from her when she descends the stairs and gets to the bottom, racing toward the other end of the pier where Lachlan’s yacht stopped, preparing everything to get out.

“Ah, snap. I thought we’d have a battle, like when Rafael visited,” one of the guards mutters, and I laugh, remembering my twin’s face when his boat got attacked by foam and paintballs.

Despite growing closer during my situation, it took us time to rebuild our relationship and push past all the pain we both still carried inside our souls. We started with weekly meetings that rapidly grew into almost daily, and then we found even activities just for the two of us. And now we can’t imagine not having each other in our lives.

I still whistle whenever I remember the shit that happened with him after the Jade situation. I think we grew especially close back then.

A soft and gentle voice belonging to my wife pulls me back from memory lane, and I see my wife standing on the shore, the breeze billowing her hair while her blue dress emphasizes every delectable curve of her body.

Mine instantly goes hard, and the need to have her in my arms consumes me while I go to her, then ask with a growl, “Why aren’t you resting?”

Her bare feet rub against each other as she tells me, “I’d stay inside, but this little thing threw a fuss.” She cradles the bundle in her arms as I hear a light cooing. “He was hungry, but I also suspect he just missed me. He takes after his dad.” She presses a kiss to the baby’s forehead, and my heart swells when I come closer and gently touch my eight-week-old son’s cheek.

After Aileen gave birth to Grace, I didn’t think there was any more room in my heart, and yet when we discovered we were pregnant with a second baby… joy filled the remaining cracks.

My little family of four is my world, and I will never let anyone hurt them. All those years ago, Aileen asked me to be careful in my actions so our children won’t face any repercussions. Staying true to my promise, I still hunt down all the vicious monsters hungry for innocent blood and send them all to jail, but I toned down the darkness.

Turns out, the monster within me can be sustained with love and happiness as much as with chaos and pain.

“We are possessive creatures,” I agree with her and wrap my arms around her, bringing her closer to me, and she tilts her head as I lean closer. “You look stunning, Mrs. Wright.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wright.”

Our mouths meet in a deep, probing kiss, our tongues seeking each other and entwining in the passionate yet soft kiss that silently communicates all the emotions between us, and my hold on her tightens as I swallow her moan.

She grips my shirt, pulling me even closer to her as she angles her head for better access, while we continue to kiss with the sun beaming on us, and I’m ready to drag my wife back to the castle and have my way with her.

But my daughter’s melodic laughter pierces through my lust-consumed mind, and I tear my mouth away from my wife’s, biting her lower lip. “We need to stop, my love. Otherwise, your dad will castrate me.”

She chuckles, hiding her face against my chest while I gaze in the near distance to see Lachlan lifting Grace high up in the air and spinning around, before she circles her little arms around him and yells, “Grandpa! I’m so happy to see you!”

“I’m happy to see you too, princess.”

“Lady pirate, Grandpa!” She palms his head and widens her eyes, which makes Lachlan grin. “I shall conquer the world!”

“For sure,” he agrees and then sways her to the side, where she leans toward Valencia and gifts her with a loud smacking kiss on the cheek.

“Hi, Grandma! You came for a visit!”

“We did,” she confirms and pats her on the back. “And we brought presents as well.”

Grace claps her hands before resting her cheek on Lachlan’s shoulder. “I’m so happy to see you.”

My girl has a very special bond with her grandparents, talking to them on the phone daily and sending them various pictures, while they come to visit as much as they can.

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