by Penelope Sky
“There’s still time to make one.”
Claw winked and clinked his glass against mine. “Then what brings you here? Looking for another woman to give you a son?”
“Just here to check on our investment.” I crossed my legs, and my elbow rested on the table. “You’ve borrowed a lot of money from me, and I hope you’re on track for paying it back.”
“You don’t need to play the banker with me,” Claw said. “We always pay. You know that.”
“And I always check,” I countered. “You know that.”
His smile faded. “Don’t worry another minute about it, Cato. Production is going smoothly. Once we sell our first batch, that’ll be more than enough to pay you back in full—along with your interest rate.”
“Good.” I clinked my glass against his. “Loaning nearly a billion dollars overall to one group is pretty generous. We don’t do that for just anyone.”
“We don’t,” Bates said in agreement. “And on that note, what do you know about Micah and Damien?”
Normally, I would roll my eyes or tell Bates to shut his mouth, but in the presence of Claw, I had to roll with the punches. It was a stupid question to ask, a question that was wasted.
“Haven’t spoken to Damien in a while.” Claw leaned back in his chair. “It doesn’t seem like they’re distributing drugs the way they used to. Maybe there’s a bigger player that’s come to town.”
“Then where are you getting your fix?” Bates blurted.
I intimidated my allies and my enemies. But I didn’t interrogate them.
“I get my fix everywhere,” Claw said. “But you know what my biggest fix is right now?” He grinned widely. “Pussy. Lots of pussy. The ones that aren’t virgins go through a strict quality-control check by us before they get on that stage.” He nodded behind him.
Before Bates could fixate on his obsession with Damien and Micah any longer, I kicked him under the table.
Bates clenched his jaw but didn’t make a sound.
“Your next payment is due in a month. Hope you deliver on time.” I finished my drink before I rose to my feet. “Until next time.”
“You aren’t gonna buy a bitch for the road?” he asked, not rising to his feet.
Bates stood up and pulled out a business card with his phone number written on it. “Let the bartender know I’m looking for a good lay if she is.”
“And I’ll pass,” I said. “I don’t pay millions for pussy.”
I didn’t pay for pussy at all anymore. There was only one woman in my bed—and only one woman I wanted in my bed.
Siena called me on the way home. “Where the hell are you?”
I was just down the street from my estate. I’d hoped I would be able to slip in and out without her noticing I was gone. I liked having a woman to come home to at night, but I hated having someone to answer to whenever I left. There was no way around it, none that I could see. “I’m down the street. I’ll be home in five minutes.”
“Is everything alright?” she asked, desperation in her voice.
“Yes, baby.” I spoke in a bored tone, but I liked hearing the concern in her voice. It was the same sensation I felt when she said she loved me. She had me wrapped around her finger, and I loved knowing she was wrapped around mine.
“Then why are you sneaking out in the middle of the night?”
“I’m not sneaking. Just didn’t want to wake you.”
“But why are you leaving the house in the middle of the night?”
“Work.”
“Work?” she asked. “It’s almost four.”
“Which is early if you ask me.”
She growled into the phone then hung up.
Wow, she hung up on me. She really was pissed.
I loved it when she was pissed.
I arrived at the house minutes later then entered the bedroom. She sat up against the headboard, her large stomach stretching my t-shirt. Without looking at her, I stripped off each piece of my suit.
She walked up to me, the fire still burning in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but then shut it again once she smelled something in the air. “Why do you smell like smoke, booze, and perfume?”
“Because I was at an underground auction.”
“A what?” she asked.
“It’s a place where rich men buy women.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, her attitude in full force. “And why you were there?”
“I told you. Work.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You think I snuck out in the middle of the night to cheat on you?” I asked incredulously. “If I wanted to fuck another woman, I would do it. You could watch for all I care. I can do whatever I want.”
Her eyes dropped their hostility. “Did you smoke?”
“I promised you I wouldn’t. But I can’t stop other people from doing it—including Bates.”
Her anger started to dim further. “Then what were you working on?”
“The Skull Kings took out another loan from me. I was just checking up on it.”
“Did they miss a payment?”
“No. But that’s not how it works. I drop in on all my clients—to remind them what will happen if they don’t pay me back when they’re supposed to.”
“What?” she asked. “You kill these people?”
I didn’t blink. “Yes.”
“If you’re that concerned about it, don’t loan your money in the first place.”
“I make too much off it. This deal alone puts two hundred million in my pocket.”
She rolled her eyes. “What’s two hundred million to a man worth six billion? Do you understand how ridiculous you sound?”
“You’re the one who’s ridiculous. Everyone in the world wants money. You’re the only one who doesn’t.” I finished removing my suit and tossed it into the hamper. I dropped my boxers next, semi-hard because her anger turned me on.
“So you make these deals for money, catch them off guard in the middle of the night, and threaten them? That sounds like too much work, too much risk for someone who’s so rich. It’s beneath you, Cato. You should just walk away while you still can.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“You will put Martina in danger every time until you do. Just something to think about.” She glanced at my dick. “And you better put on some boxers because I’m not fucking you tonight. Not after that stunt.” She went back to bed and got under the sheets.
“That’s what you think.” I turned off the light and got into bed beside her.
“I’m serious.”
“You’re mad at me for doing my job?”
“I’m mad at you for sneaking off in the middle of the night while I’m pregnant and alone.”
“You have fifty men here.”
“They aren’t you, Cato.” She pushed me off her and turned onto her side. “Now, go to sleep.”
“You really think I would ever put you two in danger?” I grabbed her shoulder and rolled her to her back again. “No. Never.” I moved to my knees and placed myself between her thighs. “And I want to fuck you like this as much as I can. This next month is going to go by fast—and there won’t be sex for six weeks.”
6
Siena
Martina’s room was exactly what I wanted it to be.
The walls were painted pastel purple, the crib was pearl white, and her changing station and toys were all set up. The room was filled with so much love for a baby who hadn’t even been born yet. A rocking chair sat in the corner, and I imagined that’s where I would rock her to sleep in the middle of the night. Her mouth would latch on to my breast, and I would feel her in the most primal way.
I took a seat in the chair and rocked myself, holding the stuffed giraffe Cato had picked out for her. He hadn’t been that interested in shopping when we were at the store, but he found a few items that resonated with him. One of them was the giraffe—and a set of pajamas he liked.
I didn’t know why I got so upset w
ith Cato last week. When I realized I was the only one in bed, I got scared. I worried something had happened to him, that something might happen to me. I called him in near hysterics, and then when he came home smelling like booze and women, I let my insecurities get to me.
My body had changed so much with the pregnancy. My stomach was enormous, my thighs were thick, and I was in so much discomfort, I wasn’t the carefree and spontaneous woman I used to be.
Cato was used to an endless line of beautiful women.
I feared he’d gotten tired of me.
I believed he loved me, but the hormones made me crazy sometimes.
Cato opened the door in his sweatpants, his eyes scanning for me like he’d been looking for me throughout the house. He spotted me slowly rocking in the chair with the giraffe held to my chest. “Should have known you’d be in here.” He stepped inside and walked past the crib as he came close to me. Perfectly chiseled without an ounce of fat on his body, he was as gorgeous as ever. Even if he weren’t a billionaire, he could have whatever woman he wanted. Supermodels…yoga instructors…anyone.
“I like it in here. Peaceful.”
He rested one hand on the crib as he watched me rock back and forth. “Can I join you?”
“You’re very fit, but I don’t think I can hold you.”
He smiled. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t know…I think I’m too big.”
He rolled his eyes like I was being ridiculous. “Get up.”
I moved to my feet then he sat down.
Slowly, I lowered myself onto his lap, my legs resting across his. I held the giraffe against my belly.
Cato supported me with his arms and gently rocked us both with his foot. “You’re right. It is peaceful in here.”
“It won’t be after she’s born,” I said with a chuckle. “There will be lots of crying and screaming.”
“Not much different than it is now,” he teased.
I smiled and smacked him playfully on the arm. “I scream a lot. But I don’t cry.”
He moved his lips to my hairline and gave me a soft kiss.
It was a sweet, affectionate gesture, the kind that made me close my eyes and feel the warmth in my chest. It made me feel special, knowing he’d never done that to another woman. “I feel so uncomfortable right now…”
His hand moved to my stomach. “I know, baby. But it’ll be over soon.”
“I feel so fat…so ugly.”
He gave a sarcastic snort. “What the hell are you talking about? You’re pregnant, not fat.”
“Whatever. I’m huge. When you went out last week…I guess I was scared that you were…” I didn’t finish the sentence, feeling too guilty to say the words out loud. I never thought I would be the insecure type, to constantly accuse their partner of cheating just because I had no self-esteem.
“What?” he pressed.
“Don’t make me say it.”
“No, I’m gonna.” He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “What did you think I snuck off in the middle of the night to do?”
The guilt smothered my words so I looked away. “I know the kind of lifestyle you’re used to. I know the kind of women you like.”
“For the last ten months, I’ve been with the same woman every single night. I’ve watched my daughter grow inside her belly, and with every passing day, I’ve become hotter for her. The way your back arches, the way that stomach protrudes, the glow in your eyes…sexiest thing in the world. Trust me, my eyes don’t wander. Whenever I have a moment to myself at work, I’m thinking about you. I’m thinking about getting home as quickly as I can so I can be with you.” His fingers moved under my chin and forced me to look at him again. “I’m an honest man. If I want another woman, I would tell you. But I really don’t—just you.”
Tears hit my eyes, and I blinked them away quickly so they would stop. My attempts to ward them off weren’t good enough, and they pierced through my eyes and dripped down my cheeks. “I’m sorry I got jealous.”
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “It turns me on when you get jealous.”
I wiped my tears away with my fingertips. “I thought insecurity would be ugly.”
“Not with you. You could walk into any bar, right now, and pick up a handsome guy. The fact that you’re spending your time worrying about me instead of finding someone better is sexy. You’re needy, possessive, jealous…and I like it.”
Bates was walking into the house when I reached the last stair. “Damn, you’re huge.”
I gripped the rail as I made my way downstairs, taking my time because the extra weight was painful on my joints. “Thanks.”
“I didn’t know women could get that big.” He stared at my stomach like it defied logic. “Can you even bend over?”
“Yes. And I can also kick you in the nuts.”
He covered his crotch with his hands and stepped back. “Whoa, let’s calm down. I wasn’t trying to be insulting.”
“Well, you were extremely insulting.” If Cato hadn’t reinvigorated my self-esteem, I would probably be in tears right now. “Why are you here?”
“Work. Cato and I have a conference call.”
“Oh…” If I had it my way, Cato would retire. But talking him into that was impossible. Even if he did it, he would probably resent me for it. “Where do you live, anyway?” I had no idea where Bates’s residence was. Did he live in Florence? Did he live in Tuscany?
“Why? You wanna come over?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“You nearly broke my nose just outside this house. So, no.”
“Hey, that was nothing personal. That’s just how we treat traitors.”
“And you’re lucky I won’t tell Cato you made a pass at me.”
“I didn’t make a pass,” he argued. “Unless you’re saying yes…” He waggled his eyebrows again.
“I really am going to kick you in the crotch.”
He stepped back farther. “I live a few miles away from my mother. So, I live in Tuscany. I’ve got a big, beautiful house just like Cato. My chef isn’t quite as good, but she’s nice to me, so whatever.”
“That must be pretty hard to do…be nice to you.”
“I’ve been told that before.” He slid his hands into the pockets of his suit.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I blurted, surprised we were having a somewhat civil conversation.
“You think this is nice? You should see me with my ladies.”
“It’s definitely an improvement over being called a manipulative gold digger all the time.”
“Not to mention whore, bitch, and dumb bitch.” He counted all the names on his fingers. “But signing those papers really proved yourself to me. You recused yourself from any kind of inheritance from Cato. So, if you really are only with him for the money, there’s no point in sticking around at this point. “I’m not saying I like you since you did betray my brother, but I don’t want to snap your neck anymore either.”
“Oh good,” I said sarcastically. “I feel so much better now…”
“You should. This is me making an effort to be somewhat nice to you. But not too nice…can’t have that.”
“Even though I’m giving birth to your niece?”
“Regardless of who gives birth, she’s still my niece. Blood is blood.”
“Your niece will have half my blood, so that means you and I will be family.”
He shook his head. “The only way we’ll be family is if Cato marries you. And that’ll never happen.” He walked past me and headed to the office where he and Cato usually met.
Getting married had never been important to me, but now that Martina was almost here, I wished Cato and I were something more. I wished he would tell me he loved me. I wished he weren’t just the father of my child…but also my husband. But I couldn’t rush Cato into anything. If I questioned him about it, I would only be met with his silence.
Cato walked out of the kitchen, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt. “Everyth
ing alright?”
“Your brother is waiting for you in the office.”
Cato knew me better than anyone, even my own brother. He could read my body language like it was words written on a page. Even feelings I tried to hide from him somehow got pulled to the surface. “What did he say to you?”
“Nothing.”
He didn’t believe me at all. “What did he say, Siena?”
“Nothing that I want to disclose.” I moved past him. “I’ll see you later.”
I couldn’t sleep at all.
She was kicking so hard. In the beginning, it was cute, but now it was just annoying. Her feet slammed on my belly constantly, my feet were so swollen, and everything hurt. It didn’t matter what the AC was set to, I was always hot. I became so uncomfortable that I didn’t even want sex, which was shocking since my lover was Cato, the most beautiful man in the world.
I rolled from side to side then eventually settled, breathing through the discomfort as I fantasized about it being over. Labor would be painful and terrifying, and even when I returned from the hospital, I would be sore and exhausted. On top of that, I would have to take care of a crying baby nonstop. I had a long way to go before I had a good night’s sleep.
I suddenly felt a sensation between my legs, a flood of wetness that dripped over my thighs and to the mattress beneath me. “Oh god…” Both of my hands flew to my stomach as the panic settled in.
Cato was instantly awake at my words. “Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?” He opened his eyes, and his hand flew to my stomach.
“My water just broke…”
He stilled at the announcement, taking it in while half asleep. Then he sprang into action. “Alright. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He grabbed his phone off the nightstand and told his men to prepare the car for the hospital. Then he called someone and told them to prepare for my arrival. He pulled on jeans and a t-shirt with a jacket then helped me change into my clothes for the hospital.
“I can’t believe this is happening…”
“She’s here, baby.” He helped me slip on my shoes. “She’s coming. All we have to do is push her out.”