CHAPTER THIRTY
MADDOX
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I stand across the road in the shadows and pull the phone away from my ear, then slide it into my pocket. My hands follow.
The night air is chilly, and I can see my breath in the air.
How appropriate for a murder scene.
A week ago, Kyra let me make love to her. It started gentle, something I’m not good at, and she berated me for it.
“Touch me, damn you. Properly.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.” I rasped.
“If you don’t, I will find someone else that will.” Kyra pushed at my chest.
Rage erupted, and I pushed her back down on the bed. “No one, and I mean no fucking one, is touching you. You are mine!”
“Then prove it. Fuck me.”
A growl ripped from my chest as I plucked her nipple with my teeth and pulled her legs apart. My mouth crashed onto her pussy, and I sucked her flesh with such passion you’d think I was a dying man needing water.
Or her juices.
Because I did. More than anything. And she needed it just as much.
“My pussy.” I grunted, plowing my fingers inside her.
“Yes.” Kyra arched.
“Only my cock goes here. My mouth.”
“Oh god, yes.”
I fucked and sucked her until she screamed, then almost crushed her as I slammed inside her with my cock. Palming the wall with my hand, I watched her flush with orgasm as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Own me.” Kyra begged.
“You are mine.” I promised her.
“Forever.” Her fingers grappled at my short hair.
She had no idea what she was signing up for. My darkness was much deeper than hers, but I would protect her from it and make sure she only ever saw the light.
Which is why, I knew, before making her mine officially, I had to put the past behind us. To end the cycle. Not just for her, but all the innocent lives that he’d hurt.
Which is why I’m standing here, staring up at my father’s window and waiting.
Not long now.
It takes a couple more minutes and then I see the flash.
No sound—good ol’ silencers—but I saw the moment the gun went off.
And his life was gone.
My phone beeps a minute later, but I already know. Even without the visual proof, something shifted inside me the moment his soul was extinguished.
Freedom.
Ironically, Kyra gifted that to me before this, but knowing he’s gone and can’t hurt anyone ever again feels fucking amazing.
Killing my father never felt like something I could do. As if it would destroy my soul. But the moment he hurt her? Yeah, there was no question.
Now it’s my turn to give her the life she deserves.
I walk over to my car and climb in.
“All good boss?” Mitch asks.
“Yes. Everything is perfect. Let’s go home.” I smile and send Kyra a message.
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KYRA
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I STARE IN the mirror and then glance down at the message from Maddox once more.
Shit.
What am I going to do?
I have no idea how to tell him. I have no idea how he will respond or what he even thinks about this. It’s only been a few weeks since I met him.
Correction. Was kidnapped by him.
For all I know, this could fizzle out and we’ll end up saying goodbye.
Except we can’t now.
“Hey.” Maddox appears in the doorway, ripping off his black coat.
I swallow and push back the lust that is always there when he’s near me. It’s like this constant high which is never satisfied.
He hangs his coat on the hook in the walk-in closet and then steps into the bathroom. Taking my face in his hands, he kisses me like I’m the most cherished thing in his life.
I really hope I am.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, picking up on my tension. “Did your mother call again?”
She’s called every day for a week, and I finally replied yesterday saying I need time and that I’d come over next week to collect my things. That I was living with Maddox now.
I’ll need to get a job.
I need to figure out who I am and what I want with this newfound freedom. Maddox said I can take my time. That I have my whole life ahead of me. He’s so certain that we will be together.
Well, he might be right now.
“No, I...” But I see the moment his eyes land on the little plastic stick. His eyes shoot to mine.
I nod.
“What is that?” He releases me and reaches for it.
“Something I peed on so you might want to wash your hands.”
Those silver eyes pierce me with their intensity.
“I had my mouth on your pussy this morning. Do I look like I care?”
I laugh, but it’s wobbly.
“Kyra.” He demands.
I step into his chest, and he tosses the stick into the basin and pulls me in tighter, gripping my chin.
“We are pregnant.”
Please don’t leave me. Please don’t freak out. Please don’t hate this.
My body shakes like a leaf.
“A baby.” He rasps and there is so much wonder in his eyes I know I’m crying.
“Yes.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. I haven’t even proposed to you.”
I can’t help my relief and the smile that stretches across my face.
“Not tonight. It can’t be tonight.”
“No. I wasn’t. That’s not...I don’t expect.” I mumble awkwardly.
His smile lights up the entire country.
“It’s happening, but not tonight sweetheart.” He rumbles and his conviction sends a tremble through me. “You will marry me, and we are having this child. I want to make that very clear.”
A tear slides down my face.
“Really?”
“Really, little prisoner. I told you I was keeping you. Now I get to keep both of you.”
Then he kisses me like I’m his entire world and I’m starting to think I might be.
Just as Maddox and this child are mine.
Who knew being kidnapped was the best thing that would ever happen to me.
I might have the world's most protective man, but I’ve never felt so free.