Devil's Gamble

by Michele Arris

  “Kayla was half his size, right, Lucas?” Bailey said.

  “It’s like birthing a toddler,” Lucas joked as he was handed the baby. “Yes, essentially, my daughter was half this baby’s weight when she was born.”

  “When you, Gavin, and Connor get settled at home, I’d still like to throw you that baby shower,” Bailey said. “Connor arriving nearly three weeks early ruined my plans.”

  “He was eleven pounds, fourteen ounces. I’m glad he was early,” Sienna returned.

  “If you’re looking for an event planner, I happen to know of someone who could assist,” Sean put in. “She’s starting an event planning business. I’ve been helping her with the process.”

  “Would she happen to be the woman you’ve been crushing on for nearly a year?” Dax grinned.

  “Dude, shut up.” With an awkward smile, Sean looked at Bailey who wore a smirk of her own. “Just let me know, and I’ll provide you her information.”

  “How about the two of you come by for dinner? I can meet her and talk about the details.”

  “I’ll mention it to her.”

  A knock came at the door, drawing everyone’s attention. Murtagh Kavanagh entered. Dressed in a charcoal gray, wool, three-quarter length trench coat over a finely tailored gray suit, his massive presence seemed to swallow up the entire room.

  No one moved. Even the air felt stalled around them as the monstrous figure came forward.

  Gavin stood up. “Pop, what are you doing here?” His head turned to Sienna when she reached out to Lucas for Connor, and the baby was laid in her arms.

  Murtagh stepped over to Dax, Lucas, and Sean, giving each man a firm handshake. “It’s been some time since I’ve seen you boys. How are things?”

  Each responded with a few respectable words.

  Murtagh turned back to Gavin. “I learned that my lovely daughter in-law delivered my grandson. I knew she would.” His proud grin stretched wide. “I thought I’d come get a peek at the wee lad.”

  Gavin and Sienna exchanged a questioning look, then they looked back at Murtagh. “How would you know that? I haven’t spoken to anyone in the family about it.” Gavin scowled. “You banished me, remember? How did you find out about the birth of my son?”

  Without replying, Murtagh smiled and pulled from his coat pocket a small, perfectly wrapped box. “I wanted to stop by to give my grandson his birthday gift.” He handed the box to Gavin. “It’s your sterling silver spoon. I’d given it to you when you were born. Your name is engraved on the front of the handle and there is room to add Connor’s name on the back.”

  Connor. Gavin blinked, not sure what to say. The man knew his son’s name. None of it should have come as a surprise, yet it did.

  There was nothing soft about his father, all rough edges and stern demands. The mere thought that he’d kept his infant spoon all these years showed a caring, fatherly side of him that Gavin had never seen, hadn’t known existed. A sadness crept into his chest, constricting, wishing that he’d grown up with the Murtagh Kavanagh that stood before him now. Mentally shaking himself loose of the what ifs, he set the gift box on the side table. “Thanks.” He looked around at everyone, who all stood like statues, staring at his father.

  “May I hold him?” Murtagh’s tone was surprisingly tentative as he addressed Sienna.

  Gavin turned to her. She held Connor nestled in her arms protectively close at her breasts. “Sie-Sie, it’s okay.” Staring unblinking at his father, she eased her hold. Gavin took his son into his arms and passed him off.

  Murtagh smiled down at the baby as he rocked him lightly. “Will you look at that. He has my green eyes.” He looked around at everyone, happiness lit bright his stern features. “He’s beautiful. Solid, this one. You’ve done me proud, son, you both have.” Connor twitched his little frame. His tawny face scrunched, looking on the verge to let loose a wail. “I think he wants his mam.” Murtagh came forward and gently laid the baby in Sienna’s arms. “Thank you for this fine boy and for loving my son. You are a lovely addition to the family.” He placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.

  Gavin saw the look of utter shock flare in his wife’s eyes at the man’s surprisingly earnest warmth, then narrowed, displaying blatant objection.

  “What about your banishment? You kicked my husband out of your family simply because he didn’t want to follow in your footsteps. Now, you show up here as if that never happened.”

  “Baby, it’s okay.” Gavin stroked her leg atop the blanket. “I’m cool with it. My family is right here.”

  “No, it’s not okay,” she argued and looked Murtagh squarely in the eyes. “Well?”

  Murtagh looked around the room. He chuckled. “I really like this woman.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You fit right into the family.”

  Her lips pursed, undoubtedly to hold her ground, but Murtagh brought up his hand. “I also came by to tell my son that I was wrong to banish him. In truth, I’ve kept eyes on him, on you both, while I settled things following my birthday party last summer. I made sure you all were looked after during my reorganization.”

  “You mean during your turf war.” Sienna didn’t mince words, and he merely smiled.

  “Now that everything has been ironed out,” he said cryptically, but Gavin along with everyone in the room understood it for what it really meant—he’d taken control of the territory by taking out those he felt were a threat. “I’d like to visit my grandson on occasion . . . with his mam present of course.” He fiddled with Connor’s tiny hand, and the baby latched onto his finger. Smiling, Murtagh straightened to his full height. “He knows his grandpop already. Don’t you, my boy.” He cooed. “He’s a beautiful babe.”

  Gavin noted his wife held her stern stare upon his father, not allowing his sweet, grandfatherly behavior to sway her.

  “Is Gavin out? You won’t bother him anymore about succeeding you?”

  “He’s out.”

  “And you won’t bother us about Connor, because I will tell you right here and right now, he will never become a part of your organization. Do we have an understanding?”

  “We do.”

  “Good. Then I will consider letting you visit your grandson . . . with me or Gavin present.”

  He nodded. “Much appreciated. Well, I will leave you to enjoy that precious wee one.” Murtagh looked around at everyone. “Good day to you.” He left the room as smoothly as he’d entered it with the door quietly closing behind him.

  Dax was the first to come out of his catatonic state, blowing out a breath. “Damn, bro, that man chills my blood.”

  “Wow, he’s massive,” Bailey said.

  “Sienna, it appears you’re able to put the man in check,” Lucas remarked.

  “Oh, don’t think for one second he doesn’t scare me. I know what he’s capable of.” She gestured a hand between her, the baby, and over to Gavin. “But this right here, I will safeguard against the devil himself . . . believe that.” Chuckles broke out at her firm, yet light mocking.

  Gavin took a seat in the chair. Looking at his beautiful, strong warrior woman cradling his sleeping son in her protective embrace, how could he have been so fortunate? Ultimately, he’d taken a gamble on opening his heart and won the woman of his dreams.

  Smiling, he leaned in, and she met him halfway to accept his kiss. “Believe that, huh?”

  She smiled. “You know it.”

  Author’s Note

  Though inspired by the northeast region in and around Washington D.C., please note that some events and locations mentioned in this book are fictional and are meant solely for you to escape and enjoy.

  Acknowledgments

  My heartfelt thank you to my wonderful editor, Jessica Verdi, for her tremendous eye for detail in helping me hone Gavin and Sienna’s story. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate and enjoy working with you. Also, thank you Julie Sturgeon for working with me in choosing and developing a terrific cover and for responding to my late-night emails. Y
ou continue to make the process enjoyable. And many thanks to Tara Gelsomino and the entire Crimson Romance/Simon & Schuster team for the countless hours of hard work to help bring the Tarnished Billionaires series to life.

  Many thanks to my agent, Brittany Booker. Your continued cheers are much appreciated.

  A huge thank you to my family for riding with me on this journey. I could not do this without your constant support. I’m extremely grateful to have you all by my side.

  Finally, I am forever immensely grateful for the support from readers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for enjoying my stories as much as I love writing them.

  About the Author

  Michele Arris is a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® award-winning author. Her work is edgy and downright steamy with a melting pot of strong, diverse characters. When she isn’t stationed in front of her laptop spilling her wayward imagination onto the page, she’s jotting scenes in her head. “It’s enjoyable to write stories where two people are guaranteed their happy ending.”

  Michele loves to hear from readers. To see what happens next in the Tarnished Billionaires series, please visit her website at michelearris.com. While there, check out pictures of the settings where the books are based. Also subscribe to her occasional newsletter for information about upcoming projects.

  Visit her Author Profile page at simonandschuster.com.

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  Copyright © 2017 by Michele Arris.

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  First Crimson Romance ebook edition NOVEMBER 2017.

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  ISBN 978-1-5072-0704-8 (ebook)

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Simon & Schuster, Inc., was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.