“Shade did.”
“What?” Winter’s mouth dropped open. She started to jump off the bed to go find Shade. “He can just un-hire him.”
Viper grabbed her thigh, pressing her back down on the bed. “Jo went to the sheriff’s office to see if there was any way to press charges on Curt for raping her in high school. Diamond came in, and the three talked. It would be an uphill battle to convict Curt. Neither Jo nor her parents notified the police when it happened. And because it happened years ago, he would probably get away with it if it was brought to court.” Viper shrugged. “Shade came up with the idea to hire Curt. There are men who work at the factory who’ll keep an ear out. If he brags to one of our men, it will help Jo’s case.”
Winter still couldn’t relax. She didn’t trust Curt Dawkins as far she could throw him. “How much is he paying him? He’s promising Megan a lot. Shade didn’t make him a manager, did he?”
“That’s the interesting part. No, he’s an hourly worker. We pay well, but not enough to set up a new business and buy a new car in six months.”
“Maybe his family is planning on giving him the money when he starts a new job?”
“Either that or he’s planning to take something that doesn’t belong to him. We know Curt doesn’t have a problem taking what’s not his. Shade and Jewell will keep an eye on him; don’t worry.”
“All right. Will you tell Shade to listen for whether Curt starts bragging about sleeping with Megan before she was eighteen?”
“Yes, but consent is sixteen in Kentucky.”
“Curt was a school employee when he was the football coach, and Megan was fifteen when she was a cheerleader.”
“If Willa hires her, then Megan might become comfortable enough to let a few of Curt’s indiscretions slip out.”
“I married a very devious man.”
“That’s how I caught you.” Viper kissed her then pulled back when she punched his shoulder.
“Jerk.”
“I try.” He smiled, pulling out the bag he had been sitting on. “I see you had a successful shopping trip.” He pulled out the handful of sleepers and the pink blanket. “I thought you were buying for Fat Louise and Cade’s baby. Who are the pink things for? Who’s pregnant now?” His amused smile slipped when Winter couldn’t hide her expression. “Pretty girl, don’t tell me you bought this for us.”
Winter couldn’t meet his censoring gaze. “Viper…”
“Why do you torment yourself like this?” He scooted closer to her, placing his hand on the back of her neck to lift her eyes to meet his.
“Viper, we can have a baby if you would just listen to reason.”
“Not if one of those reasons involves a chance of me losing you.” She could see fear in his direct gaze.
“The attack was four years ago. My body has healed. I’m in better shape now than even before the beating. My doctor said he believed we could have a successful pregnancy. There are high-risk obstetricians who specialize in difficult births. Just one, Viper. Just one child. That’s all I’m asking.” Winter broke down in tears, pleading with her husband.
He pulled her close, burying his face in her neck. “Pretty girl, please don’t cry. We can’t take the chance. It’s not only you the doctor said would be in danger, but the baby, too. I couldn’t bear losing either of you. I told you I would look into us finding a surrogate. If not in Kentucky, then we could move to Ohio. Fuck, I’d move anywhere to make you happy.”
Winter broke away from him, getting to her feet to stare down at him. “You’d move anywhere for me, but you won’t take a chance on a baby?” She hugged her belly. “I want my own child, Viper. When we tried to adopt, and were turned down, I was upset, but I could live with their judgmental attitudes, because I knew how hard it was for me to keep my job. The only school the school board would let me work in, is the one no one else wanted. I want a child. Even if we do find a surrogate, there would be risks involved. We haven’t even started to look into it yet, because we both know we’ll be putting the fate of our child in someone else’s hands.
Viper tried to pull her down on his lap, but she took a step backward.
“I’d climb a mountain for you. I would starve. I would do anything for you, Viper. Please… please can’t we—”
“Winter…”
“I live in The Last Riders’ clubhouse, even though there is another lot to build us a home behind where Lucky and Willa are building. I never asked for my own home, because I know what the club means to you.” She shook her head. “You’re so afraid of losing someone after you lost Gavin that you won’t even let us try.” She turned her back to him. She could see the refusal on his face.
She brushed her tears away. “I need to take a shower.”
“We need to finish this discussion first.” He got up, pulling on a clean pair of jeans.
“Why? You’re not going to change your mind, and I’m tired of listening to your excuses.”
Viper moved to where she was forced to see him. He opened his mouth to say something, but then his cell phone rang before he could.
“Answer your phone. We’ll talk later.” She brushed past him, going into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her.
Winter took off her clothes, throwing them in the hamper before turning on the shower. She began washing herself, letting the water carry her tears away.
She had always wanted children, always. The darkest day of her life had been when the doctor had come into her hospital room and told her the damage done to her body by the deranged deputy. That had been four years ago, and since then, she had healed and been to several doctors, hoping they could have a successful pregnancy.
Viper wouldn’t be swayed, though. When he made up his mind about something, there was no changing it. The Last Riders depended on that confidence; Winter just wished she could change his mind this one time.
Every day that passed, she felt her hope slip further away. When they had first married, she’d had a picture of their child in her mind. Day by day, the picture became dimmer. She was afraid she would one day wake up and it would be gone; her dream would have died.
Epilogue
London
Céleste allowed Nick to usher her through the door of his London townhouse in Mayfair. She had reluctantly agreed to leave Paris for the rest of the season, but only because Nick had promised they would return while André was away at school. Of course, that was not the only reason.
“I know a damned good physician in London who shall deliver the baby,” Nick had said. “This is our baby, after all. Only the best medical professional in the world will do, and the Home Office happens to keep the best in London. So London is where we shall go.”
She had fully expected his residence to have been decorated by a professional until she asked whom that professional might be, and he replied with himself. At that moment, she envisioned a typical masculine abode. He was a soldier. He was a man. It would be dark, simple, and not at all fashionable.
She had been wrong.
Veined white marble columns lined either side of the domed vestibule. The ceiling was decorated with an intricate scene of angels and cherubs in little strips of cloth amongst flowers and trees.
Céleste’s mouth dropped open.
Nick chuckled, closing her mouth with the tip of his finger.
The butler, who was introduced as Harding, appeared to take their travelling coats, hats, and Nick’s cane. Then, without the slightest pause, he took Nick’s coat, seeming to have no issue at all with his employer walking about only half-dressed.
Céleste watched Nick’s muscles bunch under the fine lawn of his shirt, and a small smile curved her lips. She didn’t have any issue with it, either. Nick completely out of his clothes would be even better.
Her cheeks flushed. They had made love several times on their way to London. Still, the thought of intimacy was something she wasn’t quite accustomed to. The sight of his well-formed body was something she wasn’t quite accus
tomed to either, and the thought heated her blood, pooling hot liquid between her aching thighs.
Nick turned the warmth of his smile to her, the promise in his gaze unmistakable. He was ready to help her become more accustomed to it, and she was ready for him.
They had been married that morning by special license. It had been a quiet affair with André, the Duc and Duchess de Béarn, the Marquess and Marchioness of Ainsley, and the Earl of Saint Brides.
André couldn’t have been more pleased, which had touched Céleste’s heart. She had been accepted into the precious boy’s life in one of the most important roles. He had even winked at her and Nick before leaving with Lord and Lady Ainsley, whom he would be staying with for the next couple of weeks.
Céleste clasped Nick’s arm and went with him up the two steps into the main hall where the entire staff was soon assembled and speedy introductions made. Then they were moving up the stairs to the master apartments.
“The house is lovely,” she admitted as they passed a small gilded side table with a matching mirror and two chairs set against the wall between two guest chambers.
She stopped to run a finger over the small statue of Venus sitting on the table next to a delicate vase and a candelabrum.
Nick captured her hand and brought it to his lips. “Not half so lovely as you, m’dear.”
She melted into him when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. His tongue stroking hers reignited the ready fire that built within her at the mere feel of him.
His muscles bunched under her fingertips as she clung to him.
“Merciful heavens,” he murmured as he trailed open-mouthed kisses down her neck. “If our daughter grows up to look like you, I shall have to lock her in a tower and set a dragon to guard it.”
Céleste laughed, the throaty sound giving away the need burning hot and heavy inside her. “It could be a boy.”
He lifted his head, smiling down at her. “We can only hope.”
His gaze shifted to a spot beyond her left shoulder. She tried to turn to see what it was, but he tightened his grip on her and smiled.
“You are not going anywhere, Lady Pembridge.”
From behind her, she heard the soft fall of footsteps.
“Harding,” Nick said, “we are not to be disturbed for several weeks… except for food. We must keep Lady Pembridge properly fed.” He glanced down at her with a warm tenderness in his smile. “For the baby,” he murmured.
Céleste’s face burned all the way up to her ears, and his lips twitched. Wicked man.
“Of course,” Harding said dutifully. “I have a missive for you, my lord.”
Nick chuckled as he took the folded paper and opened it without releasing her.
She watched his face as he read the scrawl. The playful smile fell, and his brow knit. Her stomach knotted.
“Nick, what’s wrong?”
“It was Renaud,” he muttered. “Saint Brides recognized her handwriting. He matched it to the documents taken from my father’s study fifteen years ago. I cannot believe he kept them. What am I saying? Of course he kept them.” He blinked as if coming out of a trance and looked down at her. “It was her.”
The significance of this revelation was not lost on her. “Then it is over.”
He balled the paper in his fist and let it drop silently to the ground. Then he pulled her more securely against him. “It has been long over. You and I, however, are just getting started.”
He grinned as he dipped to hook one arm under her knees and the other around her shoulders. He carried her effortlessly down the hall, waiting at the last door only long enough for her to twist the knob. Then he carried her into their bedchamber, kicked the door shut, and loved her again. And again. And again.
To Win a Scoundrel's Heart (The Lords of Whitehall Book 2) Page 28
