Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
LYKOS
Istood in the shadowed hallway, the bedroom door left ajar. I’d only come to check on Dimitros, to make sure he’d settled, but the quiet murmur of voices stopped me in my tracks.
I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop and even told myself to walk away, but then I heard him ask for a hug and my resolve crumbled.
I took a step, pushing the door open to find Violet sitting on the edge of the bed, her arms open and embracing Dimitros. Aria slept soundly next to her big brother while my strong boy accepted the love and comfort Violet was offering him.
I braced a hand against the doorframe as something deep and immovable shifted inside me. My throat went dry and my chest tightened at the sight.
I had spent years protecting my children, doing everything in my power to make sure they survived and had a somewhat normal childhood. But as much as I tried, I hadn’t been able to give them this.
Not like Violet—a real mother—could.
I closed my eyes briefly, listening as Violet responded to his questions.
It didn’t take long to see what needed to happen.
It was time I made Violet Freud mine. Yes, she said she would stay with me—with us—but I wanted so much more.
Our earlier conversation led us in the right direction, but there was so much more to it than just her commitment.
I wanted my ring on her finger so the world knew we were one and I couldn’t lose her again.
Then, as if reading my thoughts, Dimitros asked the very question of Violet, and my pulse stilled.
“Does that mean you’re not leaving?”
I didn’t breathe, waiting for her answer just as much as he was.
“I hope not.” It was a good start, but I needed more. “Not unless your papa sends me away.” A faint, disbelieving huff left my chest. Send her away? Fuck, I fought the urge to handcuff her to me to ensure she never left my side.
I dragged a hand down my face at the intensity of the emotions swirling in my chest. I wanted to knock up the woman so this time we’d do it all together and she’d never leave. It was a tempting thought, but I knew that would be the wrong approach with Violet.
Dirty tricks wouldn’t work with her, so I’d ensure I did things the right way.
As I watched Violet smile at my son, soft but resolute, in a way that made my chest ache, I knew I was down bad for her. She had already chosen us now, but I’d chosen her a long time ago.
I had been hers for a decade.
I watched the three most important people in the world—my family—and I knew this was my new beginning. I’d been fighting demons to keep my children safe, but it was time I made them, Violet, and myself happy.
I stepped back from the door, giving them their privacy again, and headed toward the office, knowing exactly what I needed to do.
The penthouse was quiet and the clock on the wall read 2:13 a.m. while the city glowed out the window under the moonlight.
I was sitting alone in my office, staring at the screen in front of me and flipping through websites while I mentally made a list of everything I should get for Violet and the children. I’d taken care of the kids first, and then moved on to procure everything my woman could possibly need.
Silk pajamas. Silk undergarments. Silk shirts.
I added them all to the cart.
Cashmere sweaters for cool nights. Jeans. Spring and summer dresses in every shade. Sandals and shoes in every color. Black heels. White heels. Pink heels.
Added to cart.
Then I moved on to procuring a variety of toiletries, makeup, jewelry, and even books.
All added to cart.
I exhaled slowly through my nose and muttered under my breath, “I might be going overboard.”
But that had stopped mattering around the fifth shopping site. I wanted to take care of my woman and make her comfortable and happy.
My Violet—stubborn, beautiful Violet—had been so strong and kind. She ignored her own exhaustion and focused on the kids, and that told me more than anything that she would be a good, selfless mother.
Her words to Dimitros played on my mind on repeat, making my chest twist with the need to care for her. And the more I thought about her, the more I clicked and clicked, buying her all I could find.
More jewelry.
“It’s too soon, Lykos,” I muttered, then I bought the necklace anyway.
A small diamond pendant wrapped with delicate white gold. I bought a matching bracelet, earrings, and some more necklaces.
It was all elegant enough that she could wear it every day and I could already picture it resting against her throat.
My pulse kicked hard into overdrive.
I leaned forward in the chair, scrolling for some more bracelets, earrings, and rings.
Luxury skincare, serums, shampoos, and more jewelry.
I frowned at the screen.
“How many serums does one woman need?”
I bought six.
To be fair, I had no idea what any of them actually did. One promised “radiance,” another “hydration,” and a third had gold flakes floating inside the bottle, which seemed medically unnecessary but very Violet somehow.
Into the cart.
My gaze drifted toward the office door.
There were no footsteps yet and a small, selfish part of me was glad, because every minute she stayed with the children felt dangerously domestic and permanent.
It was what I wanted and I hoped she’d want it too.
I rubbed a hand over my jaw and opened another tab before I could think too hard about that. Next were handbags.
“Would she like this?” I asked the empty office, eyeing a cream leather bag.
I imagined her walking through the penthouse carrying it. She’d be wearing one of my shirts because she liked how they smelled.
The image settled warm and heavy in my chest and I bought the bag immediately. Then another. Because if she stayed forever, she would need a lot of them.
My jaw tightened slightly.
There is no if about it. She would stay forever.
I wanted her things beside mine. Her shampoo next to my toiletries in my shower. I wanted her curled up next to me on the couch and sleeping next to me in our bed.
I wanted it all with a kind of hunger that made me feel slightly unhinged.
I glanced at the growing total on the screen and huffed out a quiet laugh because somehow I even purchased scented candles for my woman.
“She’s going to kill me,” I said smirking, then purchased it all with an overnight delivery. “My woman deserves to be pampered and I’m the man to give it all to her.”