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Especially when someone seems to have it out for her by spreading lies about her parents. I triple checked the story she told me and she’s right. Her parents are dead and buried. So, she has no one else to protect her.
“Have you thought more about moving in with me until the baby is here?”
Though I phrase it as if she will be free to leave once the baby is born, she won’t be. I lost my family once. I’m not going to lose my new one. If she wants to move out of my house after the baby is born, I’ll build her a house of her own on my property.
No matter what, I’m not going to be letting either of them out of my sight.
Hadley sighs and pulls her hair over one shoulder, toying with the soft curls. “Jovan, I really think it’s a bad idea. I want to keep our baby away from the cartel. Living with you and watching the shit that goes on in that life isn’t something I want for the baby.”
“And what about what I want for the baby?”
She stops and faces me, a million different emotions flashing across her face. “I don’t know what to tell you. Your life is dangerous. There is no way to make sure that the baby is away from all the shit that follows you if we’re living in the same house.”
I cross my arms and step closer to her, keeping my voice low. Even though the town is quiet and I’m friends with several people here, I keep my business to myself. There is no reason to bring anything that has to do with the cartel up here.
“Haven’t you figured out that people will realize I have a child? I’m sure as fuck not staying away from my child. Sooner or later someone will make the connection either way. If you’re with me, it’s easier to protect both of you.”
She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head. “Can we just have a nice day together instead of arguing about this? When we get back to Miami, we can talk about it.”
I scowl but back down. Whether she knows it or not, she won’t have a choice in the matter once we get back to the city. Making her move in with me is going to piss her off, but I’m beyond caring about that right now.
Their safety comes first.
Maybe there is a way to make this work without forcibly removing her from her life. I don’t want her to hate me. I don’t want to control her.
I just want her safe.
“Alright, we don’t have to go into detail right now. However, before we talk about this again, will you at least consider allowing me to assign a couple men to protect you?”
“You want me to think about bodyguards?” Hadley looks like an argument is on the tip of her tongue as she puts her hands on her hips. After a moment, her shoulders drop and she nods. “Fine, I’ll think about that.”
“Thank you,” I say as I take her hand and pull her to me.
The frown melts off her face and a smile takes over as I loop my arms around her waist. She runs her fingers through my hair, pushing it back from my face.
“You know, there’s a place around here that has an amazing bacon cheeseburger.” I kiss her quickly and hold her a little tighter. “I was thinking cheeseburgers and a milkshake sound like a pretty good idea.”
She raises an eyebrow, a smile curving the corner of her mouth. “The leader of a cartel wants to get burgers and share a milkshake?”
I chuckle and run my hands along the curves of her waist and hips. “Don’t go telling people when we get back to the city. It will ruin all the credibility I have.”
Hadley kisses me, her mouth slanting against mine in a kiss that is slow and sweet. It’s the kind of kiss that makes me think of a future where I get to spend the rest of my life with my new family.
“Well, lucky for you, I can keep a secret.” She steps out of my embrace and takes my hand. “Lead the way to the burgers. Me and the baby could use something to eat.”
I weave my fingers through hers and head down the street to the diner. “Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll even buy you one of their famous chocolate pie slices for dessert.”
Hadley laughs, and the sound is music to my ears. Seeing her happy is worth the rough moments that we’ve had together.
I could easily spend the rest of my life living to hear that laugh.
It’s after midnight when we fall into bed that night. While Hadley falls asleep easily, I sit in the chair by the window and read a book. The light is dim but she doesn’t seem to even notice that it’s on as she rolls over and buries her face in the pillows. I smile as I watch her, wondering how I’m going to go back to a life without her falling asleep in my bed every night.
I can’t let that happen.
My phone buzzes in my lap as I turn the page in my book. With a sigh, I set the book on the table and turn off the light. The phone keeps ringing as I slip out of the bedroom and close the door behind me.
“Hello,” I say as I enter the kitchen and turn on the lights that run beneath the cabinets.
