Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Francesca Rose
“You’re staring at her like she’s the most important person in your world,” I say, laughing up at Michael.
“She is,” he whispers, completely awestruck.
Kathy snickers in the corner when he doesn’t even look away from Kennedy’s face to answer.
Earlier today, Michael stepped away to arrange the convoy that would take us home.
As soon as plans were confirmed, he returned right back to my side.
The past twenty-four hours were a whirlwind and this man walked with me through it all.
We’re on our second day in the hospital and Ashton still hasn’t shown his face.
Apparently, he’s closing a major deal in Georgia that couldn’t be put off just because a new life was entering the world.
Kennedy wrapped herself around my heart the moment her little cry filled the room. As she was being placed on my chest I couldn’t believe that she was mine. The way she settled and calmed at the sound of my heartbeat pressed to her ear showed a bond that I could’ve never imagined.
“Francesca, she’s absolutely perfect. Just look at her,” Michael murmurs, leaning in closer to fawn over the baby tucked in his arms.
I know how perfect she is. Last night when I couldn’t sleep, I spent my time watching her snooze peacefully. I focus on his face and how he stares down at my baby girl like she’s his. Watching him with the most important person in my life makes me realize that for the first time, I’m in love.
The door of our room opens quietly. We had been expecting a nurse, but that isn’t the voice that breaks the silence of the room.
“So, my first grandchild is a beautiful baby girl.” The sound of my mother startles both Michael and me.
Kennedy stirs as Michael lays her back in my arms. Michael moves away smoothly, fading into the background, and I hate that he isn’t the man I’m married to. My eyes are on my mother as she moves closer, tilting her head to the side, studying our interaction.
“Hi, Mom,” I say, hoping to bring the attention back to Kennedy.
My mother’s gaze returns to me. I watch the tears fill her eyes as she takes in her lineage. She moves closer to the bed, her hands cupping my cheeks as a bright smile takes over her face.
“How is my baby doing?”
A sting begins behind my eyes at her checking on me first. My emotions spill over as I understand the depth of her watching her baby girl become a mother.
“I’m good, Mama,” I answer truthfully.
“May I hold her?” she asks, wiping my tears as her own fall.
“Of course.”
She sits on the edge of the bed, arms open as I lean forward, placing her grandchild into the crook of her arm.
“We’ll give you two some space. Gonna check out the cafeteria,” Kathy chimes in as her and Michael head toward the door. “We got word Ashton should be here soon.”
“Thank you,” I say.
I don’t miss the grimace on Michael’s face after Kathy’s announcement. It would be a lie to say I’m not worried about Ashton being here. For over a year I’ve been brave and somewhat stood up for myself, but this is different. There’s only so far I can push a crime boss when it comes to his heir.
The door shuts and the room is quiet as we both watch Kennedy sleep in my mother’s arms. For a moment things feel exactly as they should, but those moments never tend to last long.
“Have you lost your mind?” my mother asks in a low tone.
I take a deep breath, preparing myself for whichever way this conversation could go. There’s a high chance this has to do with Michael, but if she is bold enough to question it, she is going to have to spell it out.
“What do you mean, Mother?” Annoyance fills my tone.
“You and that man. Your security guard!” Her voice sharpens at the title. “I remember him from the wedding.”
“Could you really call that a wedding? Father all but had a gun to my head,” I retort sarcastically.
“I saw the way you were looking at him just now,” she declares.
“He was holding my baby. What else was I supposed to do?” My explanation isn’t fooling her the least bit. I just make note to be more aware of lusting over Michael as I watch him gush over Kennedy’s existence.
My mother’s face falls on a heavy sigh. “Francesca, trust me–these things never tend to work out how you would want. It’s best to keep a professional relationship, just that.”
“And how would you know, Mother?” My voice comes out more accusatory than I mean for it to.
Her eyes widen at me before staring down into Kennedy’s sleeping face. When she looks up again, the tears are back, along with the saddest smile I’ve ever seen my mother wear.
“Honey, I’ve lived more of a life than I’ve allowed you to see. Situations like this don’t end well.”
I want to ask more questions but stop short when the door to the hospital room opens again and in walks my husband. I would’ve preferred the argument my mother was insistent on picking to any time spent with Ashton.
My mother stands with Kennedy in her arms and for a moment I think she is going to walk her to him. Instead, she turns to me, gracefully laying my world safely in my arms before shocking me with a kiss to my forehead.
“I’m going to the cafeteria to speak with Kathy. I’ll be back shortly,” she says softly.
“Okay, Mama.” I gaze into her eyes, wanting to beg her not to leave me alone with him.
We hold contact for a moment longer before she turns to Ashton. “Nice to see you. Congratulations on the beautiful baby girl.”
To anyone else, the words would be harmless and welcoming to a new parent, but Ashton isn’t just anyone. I watch as his posture stiffens and his eyebrows slightly raise before his face falls back into arrogant boredom.
“Thank you, Marie,” he responds before turning his back to her and his deadly cold stare to me.
Briefly his eyes flicker down to Kennedy, sleeping soundly in my arms even as my hold on her tightens.
“A girl?” Ashton questions.
“Perfect and healthy,” I respond, lifting my chin in a show of strength. “Would you like to hold her?”
Everything in me had bet on him saying no.
It was the only reason I offered. The slight pause in his response suggests he has no interest, but then he steps forward.
I readjust Kennedy in my arms and sit up as his arms come out to take her.
My heart is thudding loudly in my ears as I lay her head in the crook of his embrace.
A glance at his face tells me that he has never done this before, so I adjust his tight arms around her small body.
“Relax, Ashton,” I chuckle. “She’s a baby, not a bomb.”
His eyes narrow in my direction, before looking back down at Kennedy. “Does she have a name?”
“Kennedy Eden Rose.”
He just nods, acknowledging my words as he continues to stare at her. The parallels of having just watched Michael do the same is jarring. Where Michael looked to be on the verge of tears and in awe of this new life, Ashton is assessing, guarded, without a flicker of emotion.
“So, who’s the father?” Ashton asks calmly.
My stomach drops as my heart thuds wildly in my chest. I can only pray that I keep the shock off my face.
“What do you mean? She’s yours.”
“Don’t lie to me!” he snaps.
“I have no reason to lie, Ashton.” False bravery fills my voice.
“Interesting. I happened to discover some information recently.” He keeps Kennedy in his arms as he moves across the room, sitting in a chair. “I was told that I’m unable to have children, Francesca. So, this little bastard isn’t mine.”
Fuck. I don’t have a response as my gaze is locked in on his cold, narrowed eyes. Why did I offer to let him hold her? He breaks our eye contact to look back down at Kennedy.
“Doesn’t matter who the father is, this baby is mine now, and you’re going to help me convince our world of that.
You like making deals? Here’s your new one.
You keep my secret and I’ll let you live.
Once Kennedy turns five, she’s mine to start training up for her role as leader,” he says matter-of-factly.
He’s had more time to process this information and plan, but I can’t roll over so easily. Knowing that he is making this deal to save face gives me a little bargaining power.
“Eight. That’s when you can take over her training,” I counter.
Ashton stands, moving back across the room to me.
“What makes you think you’re in any position to negotiate with me? It’s either this deal or death for you both.”
“If we both die, you will have to go through the process of marrying and conceiving another child.” My head tilts to the side and a smirk curves my lips.
“Since it’s actually you with the problem, I think I’m in the perfect position to negotiate.
” I can see his anger building, and I want to snatch Kennedy from his arms, but I won’t give away all my fear, so I lie.
“I won’t fight you when she turns eight.
My purpose in this marriage has always been clear.
I kept my word with the first deal, and I will with this one. ”
“Here. Take her back,” he says, stepping forward with urgency, dumping Kennedy into my arms. “Until she’s eight, Francesca. And if this information comes out at any point, I will kill you both, consequences be damned.”
I release a shaky breath, leaning back, relaxing with my baby back in my arms.
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Better be. I won’t hesitate to end your life with my bare hands,” he says through clenched teeth.
“Knock, knock. I’m just coming in to check that mama and baby are doing well.” Our bright-eyed nurse for the evening moves into the room, effectively ending our dangerous conversation.
I plaster on a fake smile. “Everything’s great.”
“We’re getting close to her next feeding time. If you feel comfortable practicing the nursing techniques from earlier, we can try that again,” she says, clicking away on her computer.
“Yes, I’d like to try again,” I say to her, but my eyes are on Ashton watching him take in this interaction.
“Perfect. If you need any help, just give me a buzz, but you were a pro last time, so I have faith in you.”
Being a pro at anything to do with motherhood is amazing to me. The good feelings her compliment gave me evaporate as soon as the door closes behind her. The ultimate test of motherhood begins now. Keeping my baby safe from Ashton Rose, the man who wants me dead.