Devil You Know (The Diavolo Crime Family 2)

I shake my head. “No, there was no need. I was building an empire. Everything I’ve learned, I learned on the streets. There isn’t exactly a degree program for street justice and commerce.”

“But there has to be something you wanted to do before you created your… empire.” Her tone says she wants to use a different noun, but I let it go.

“No, when our parents were killed, there wasn’t any time to consider what we wanted. For a long time, our lives were only about survival. And after we finally established our territory, our goal became growth, maintaining, and vengeance.” It’s the reason I keep my secrets to myself. To know me is a burden more than a gift.

She nods against me, dropping her gaze. There’s no need to bring up the facts again and ruin the moment, and I’m thankful she doesn’t want to start a fight right now. Not when I’m primed to do damage. I’d never hurt her like that, but I might say something she doesn’t want to hear and won’t forget easily.

I look at her from this angle. Fuck, she’s beautiful. The soft slope of her nose leads down to full plush lips I love to look at. One day, I’m going to buy her every shade of fuck me red lipstick just to watch her put them on.

One day, like we have a future, an actual life. The idea comforts me, easing my shoulders down from my ears further.

“Do you want children?” The question slips out without me thinking about how she might take it first. But she doesn’t act like it’s strange.

She nods at me. “Yeah, of course. I want a huge family, lots of kids running around. I love babies. They smell so good.”

“And do you plan on staying home with all these children, taking care of them?”

Her smile is bright as she lifts her face to look at me. “Yes, of course. While I used to study psychology as a hobby and wanted to go to school for it, I always knew that eventually, I’d want to raise a family. I’ve never had a real one. My sister was the closest thing to familial love I’ve ever gotten. I want to have babies and give them all the love I didn’t get when I was a child. To love them and teach them how to be kind and caring people.”

I tilt her chin to kiss her lips. “I think you’ll be an incredible mother.”

Her pink flush warms something in my chest. “Thank you.”

I signal the driver to take us back to the house. Since her punishment, the vision of her swollen with my child has been stuck in my mind. I can’t get enough of her. And right now, I want to lie between her spread thighs and come inside her until she’s full of my seed.

When we reach the house, Soo is lurking in the foyer.

I kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear. “Go up to the room and get naked. Then lay down on the bed and wait for me.”

If arguing enters her mind, she doesn’t show it. To my amazement, she nods at Soo and heads up to our bedroom.

“I tried to call you,” Soo says. “Sorry to interrupt your afternoon plans, but we need to think about the next steps.”

I sigh. “You’re right. But there’s something I need to do first, or I won’t be able to focus on it.”

“What’s that?”

I glance up at the hallway leading to our bedroom. “I need to make sure Celia can’t slip away from me again, no matter what happens.”

“You think she’ll try to run?”

I don’t anymore, but it doesn’t mean I’ll take the risk with her. “No, but I want to make sure she doesn’t have the option. I need to make sure.”

He nods. “Okay. I’ll start on my own while you handle your business. Let me know if you need anything.”

Any other man, it might have been a taunt, but I trust Soo completely, more than anyone in my life. Ever since the day we were sixteen, staring down the barrels of another gang’s guns. Neither of us had a reason to trust, but somehow, when we looked at each other, we agreed. We’d get out of it together. And we did.

I clap him on the shoulder, my focus shifting to my princess lying naked in our bed.

I race up the stairs and down the hall. When I open the door, I breathe out a sigh. And damn, I should say a prayer of thanks.

She’s completely nude, stretched out flat on top of the made bed.

“I love it when you follow directions so prettily,” I say, already stripping clothes as I cross to the side of the bed.

She scowls up at me but doesn’t comment. No doubt remembering how much I enjoy punishing her when she lets her smart mouth run free.