Page 56 of Dirty Legacy

“I guess this is a pregnancy thing, huh?”

“I have no idea.”

“Right, we’re in this for the first time together.” She sits on the couch near the fireplace, eyes fixed on the mantle. “You know what I wish I could do?”

“Tell me.”

“I wish I could Google what the hell is going on with me.”

My shoulders tense. “I got you a phone.”

“You got me a dumb phone that can barely text. Please, I want my own.”

I take the coffee from the tray and move toward her. My stomach flutters with worry. What if she does something stupid? What if she tries to get help?

But I know better than that. I’m being selfish and controlling. I can make sure her phone isn’t capable of doing anything I don’t know about, and besides, half the NYPD is on my payroll.

She took care of me last night.

Now I can do the same.

“Alright, angel. I’ll get you your phone.” I hold up a hand before she gets too excited. “But I will monitor everything you do on it.”

Her expression falls. “That’s psychotic.”

“I don’t care. It’s for your own good, at least until we trust each other.”

Her hands grip the mug tightly. “Fine. Whatever. Spy on me all you want. Gonna steal all my old nudes too?”

“You already sent me those, remember?”

She blushes, her eyes dropping to the floor. “I want one more thing.”

“Name it. I’m feeling generous. Whatever my pregnant wife wants, she can have. More clothes? Movies? Books?”

“My mother.”

I take a step back. “I told you⁠—“

“Today, Connor. I want you to bring her here today. No more delaying. You showed up last night covered in blood, which means this war thing is real. It’s really happening, and I don’t want my mom to become another victim. Bring her here.”

I turn my back on her. I hate it, but she’s right. I’ve been using the promise of her mother’s safety as a cudgel to keep her in line, but that can’t last forever.

“I have guards watching her right now. I’ll make them bring her in.”

“Thank you. But wait—you’ve been watching her?”

“I’m a monster, angel. I’m not a fool.” I turn to face her again. “Now here’s what I want.”

“I didn’t realize we were negotiating.”

“We’re not.” I step closer and fall to my knees beside her. I take her hand tightly and hold it close against my chest. She blinks rapidly in surprise. “You will take care of yourself. I’ll arrange for a doctor to make a house call. You will do everything the doctor says. Vitamins, bedrest⁠—“

“Pregnant women don’t need to stay in bed all day.”

“Some do. You will if that’s what’s needed. You will not make trouble. You will not harass Colm. You and your mother will stay in this part of the house until I say it’s safe.”

“So we’re still prisoners, then?”