Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
We move through the house together. It’s quiet, like my father’s impending death cast a hush through the halls. I can’t imagine the staff much cares—he wasn’t a kind employer—but I do like that they have enough respect not to take glee in his painful end.
Mother meets us at the entrance to his room. Her eyes are red and wet from crying. “Carson. Oh, honey, he’s—” She doesn’t need to finish.
I’m too late.
I wrap my arms around my mother. Ash stands nearby, looking distraught. She must’ve wanted to give me a chance to say goodbye. But what she doesn’t realize is I told my father goodbye already, when I made it clear that I’d control the family after he was gone whether he liked it or not. I tighten my hug until my mother gathers herself, wiping her face with a tissue.
“He’s not suffering anymore,” she says.
If he’s lucky. “Yes, you’re right.”
“Carson…” She hesitates, glancing at Ash.
“You can say whatever you want. Ash knows everything.” Mother hasn’t gotten used to Ash’s status in my life just yet. Many mob wives aren’t intimately aware of the business, but I keep nothing from my partner. At least when she asks.
“Your father named you as his successor. You’re the new boss of the Crowley Organization.”
I let that sink in for a long moment.
I should feel something. Elation, excitement, victory.
Instead, it’s like a weight settles on my shoulders.
“Thank you,” I tell my mother. “I’ll take care of the funeral and make sure Father has a service worthy of him.”
“Thank you.” She lets out an exhausted breath. “Now, I’m going to go lie down for a little while. Ashlyn, good to see you.” Mother walks off, moving stiffly.
Leaving me alone in the hall outside of my father’s bedroom door.
“Do you want to go in?” Ash asks, slipping her hand into mine.
“Not at all.” I pull her close and kiss her. “You know this makes you the boss’s wife now, right?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Please, you like the power. It’s been getting to your head.”
She rolls her eyes. “I still can’t stand to give the staff any orders without apologizing first.”
“That’s because you’re still a decent person, but we’ll fix that.”
She laughs, leaning against me. “Things will change now, won’t they?”
“No, they won’t.” I pull back and kiss her. “I won’t ever change, not with you.”
Her smile unties all my knots, smooths out all my sharp edges, and eases the burden of what’s to come.
Chapter 43
Ash
Two Months Later
I take the test in Smoke’s bathroom. When it comes out positive, I nearly faint.
“Okay then,” Bernie says, squinting down at the little lines. “Looks like you got knocked up.”
“Don’t say it that way!” I lean against the wall, heart racing. “This wasn’t planned. I mean, we talked about having kids and I know he wants them, but still.”
Her eyebrows arch. “You’ve been using protection, right?”
“Uh—”
“Then how the hell are you surprised right now? With the way you two are humping all the time—”
“We are not humping!”
“—It’s a shock you haven’t gotten pregnant sooner.” Bernie puts the test down. “Go on, take another. Then when that comes up positive, we’ll go talk to your husband, okay?”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “It’ll be fine, right?”
“Ash, that man worships you. He’s obsessed with you. When he hears that you’re pregnant with his baby, he’s going to lose his freaking mind with happiness.”
A little grin crosses my lips. “That’s a good point.”
“Take the second test to be sure.”
I do as commanded, and sure enough, I’m pregnant.
Fitz picks me up a little while later. Bernie swears not to tell the others for a while—not until we’re out of the early danger zone. Back at Carson’s house—my house now, I have to keep reminding myself of that—I sit in the kitchen nervously waiting for him to get home.
Carson arrives ten minutes after me, storming into the room. “What’s wrong?” he says, looking around with a wild, angry expression. “What happened? Did someone—”
“Carson.” I hold up my hands. “Easy, it’s not bad.”
He stands, breathing hard. “I thought you were in danger. You told me to meet you at home as soon as I could. I raced here—”
“Shit,” I say, trying not to laugh. I didn’t think he’d take it literally, but I should’ve known my husband better than that. “Sorry. But I’m glad you got here so fast, because this is important.”
He visibly composes himself. “Next time, make sure you note that you aren’t in mortal danger.”
“Will do. Come sit down.” I gesture at the seat next to me.
He cautiously takes it. “What’s going on?”
“I got some news today.” Nerves jangle down into my belly. What Bernie said plays through my mind—Carson really is obsessed with me, and I really do think he’s going to be happy. But I can’t help feeling nervous anyway. “I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”