Page 24 of Bred By the Mercenary

It’s a lot to process, but sitting here with Daxton, feeling the genuine care and connection, it feels like maybe, just maybe, things could really work out this time.

I pick at my fruit as Daxton piles a plate of pancakes, sliding it in front of me with a grin. This man is addictive, and staring at him still leaves me thinking that this can’t be real.

“I know we still have a long way to go,” he begins. “But we now have all the time in the world to do just that. Somewhere you’ll be safe.”

“I definitely want my own place, but I guess let’s see what happens with…” I glance down to my stomach. I’m getting giddy at the thought of actually falling pregnant. Things are happening so quickly. “I’m a bit anxious about how quickly things are moving.”

He takes a sip of coffee, pondering for a moment, studying me the whole time with those piercing green eyes.

“There was this one time, early in my days as a mercenary,” he starts. “I was assigned to a job that was way out of my comfort zone. It was high risk in a volatile region. My nerves were shot, and my mind was all over the place.” He pauses to take a bite of his pancake, then continues. “The night before the job, I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t calm the hell down. So, I went out for a walk to clear my head. I found myself at this small, rundown gym. It was open 24/7, and the place was empty.”

“So, you worked your nerves away?”

He chuckles softly. “I ended up spending the entire night there, just hitting a punching bag. It was therapeutic in a way I can’t fully explain. With every punch, every drop of sweat, I felt calmer. It grounded me, reminding me of who I was and where I came from. And why I was about to take out a dangerous serial killer.”

“Wow! Do you ever worry about anyone coming back for you?” I ask.

“I made sure to always cover my tracks, to finish the job, so none of them are alive. Well, the one job I fuck up was at the masquerade ball. I was distracted, and my head wasn’t fully on the job.” His hand is on my thigh, and he gives a slight squeeze, grinning at me.

“Oh, so you’re saying it’s my fault?”

“Definitely, it’s all on me, but you have distracted me.” He takes another bite of pancake.

“Well, then you shouldn’t have come to my rescue.” I pout.

“And you shouldn’t have been so irresistible.”

“Daxton, what are we going to do? Is this really happening?”

“Yeah, we’re doing this.” He leans in, rubbing his cheek against mine, then kisses me across my lips. “I will make us work, and I’m not going to stop breeding you, every day and every night, until you fall pregnant.”

That word is slightly terrifying. I’m twenty-four, still young, and yet going nowhere with my life or career. But it’s still a bit much…

“Let’s not talk about that now, please. I need time to get used to it.”

“Of course.” He grins, his hand still on my thigh.

The rest of the day with Daxton passes in a blur, a welcome escape from reality. We both decide to take the day off from work, a luxury of him being the boss. For the first time in a long while, I find myself smiling, genuinely happy. We spent the day bingeing shows on TV, then he showed me the gym and pool in the hotel. Not to mention, I then ordered some clothes online, which he insisted on, and he paid for them. He also said he was going to my apartment to bring me some more clothes and shoes. I don’t have a lot of personal objects, so I will go back there when I feel I’m ready to face it again. Right now, I want to stop worrying and stressing or be reminded of how everything I thought I owned was destroyed.

The next day, I’m back in the locker room at work, stuffing my bag inside, still trying to process the whirlwind of events. Jessi bursts into the room.

“She’s alive!” she exclaims. “Girl, I thought you were kidnapped or something.”

I laugh, relieved to see her, and we share a long hug.

“You have no idea what crazy I’ve been going through.”

Her eyes light up with curiosity. “Please tell me it involves our super-hot boss and that he has an elephant trunk you rode all night long!”

My cheeks flush with a shy grin. Jessi’s expression changes to one of excitement.

“Oh my God, you did it, didn’t you? Shit, is he that big because you know what they say about big guys with big feet?”

“Well, if you must know, yes, but there’s so much more,” I say, and go on to relay everything—the confrontation with Ryker in the parking lot, finding my home trashed, and calling Daxton. I tell her how I’ve been staying with him since.

Jessi listens intently, frowning. “That fucking bastard. I told you I didn’t trust Ryker, and you should have dumped him ages ago. What a dick! While Daxton, he suits you. You’re beaming, babe. I don’t remember you looking this happy with anyone else.”

I sigh, a mix of joy and apprehension. “I’m just worried because good stuff doesn’t stick to me.”

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