CHAPTERONE

fawn

3rdMonth

My dear friend, Xander Butcher, told me that good things come in threes:

Clay Butcher: Number one.

His heir: Number two.

Family: Number three.

And soon, I’ll understand what the last two wonderful things really mean.

On my knees at the feet of the deadliest man in the city, the Don of theCosa Nostra, Clay Butcher, I lay with my head on his thigh while he reads the paper.

I steady my heart.

Hold my stomach.

I ignore the nerves racketing through me and focus on Luna, stroking her fur and watching how she headbutts my palm to get more affection. She meows and pads around, and she’s so fucking cute I want to smooch her face.

Will she sleep with the baby?

Is she allowed to?

The baby… The anticipation of meetingnumber twosits heavily inside my chest. I gaze up at Clay as his dark brows tighten, distinguished creases forming between them.

I nudge Clay’s thigh a little, copying Luna.

Only he can settle the nerves.

What if the ultrasound is bad?

What if he’s wrong… again?

What if he’s small or twisted?

Is that a thing?

What if I break him?

What if he—

“I know you’re nervous, sweet girl.” Clay responds to my silent need, moving his hand to caress my hair, fingers gliding down the blonde strands to the ribbony tips.

Will I have time for him when we have children?

Oh God, will he have time for me?

I sigh. “Areyounervous, Sir?”

“Such a sweet question. Don’t concern yourself with me today. Should we redirect your thoughts while you wait?”

My cheek rubs along his pants as I nod excitedly, and he places the paper beside him, widening his thighs.

He reaches for a pillow and places it on the floor, nodding an order to it. “Mount it. I want you humping the pillow gently while you suck on me. Do it now.”