Chapter 31Lily withdrew from James's embrace, cleaning her wet cheeks. "I'm so sorry, I look messy right now. It's just...I've been so scared to tell you about my past. That was why I was so scared when Chloe reappeared...I'm sorry."James shook his head. "No need to apologize, babe. We all got baggage." He shot her a wry look. "Hell, you've seen how crazy my family can get. The Watsons aren't exactly Leave It to Beaver material."That startled a watery giggle out of Lily. Leave it to James to find the humor, even in such an intense moment. Her husband had a gift for cutting through the tension with his blunt charm."I suppose you've got a point there," she conceded, feeling herself relax a little. "Your grandmother certainly seems like a piece of work."Michael cleared his throat then, reminding them both of his presence. "Sorry to interrupt this heartfelt moment," he said dryly. "But maybe you could fill us in on what you found out, James? About Chloe's situation?"James's expressi

Chapter 33 One Year LaterLily stretched out lazily on the front room chair, soaking up the warm sun. She sighed contentedly as a moderate breeze ruffled her hair. Man, this private seashore within the Bahamas was an absolute paradise."You look entirely too relaxed over there," James's deep voice rumbled from beside her.She cracked one eye open to see her husband watching her with an amused smile, those intense blue eyes of his sparkling. He was shirtless and bronzed from their tropical vacation, looking like some kind of ridiculous romance novel cover model.Lily grinned back at him cheekily. "Well, why wouldn't I be? We're living the dream, babe."James chuckled low in his throat. "Fair point. Still getting used to this whole life of leisure, I suppose.""Better get used to it fast," Lily teased, poking his rock-hard ab muscles playfully. "Because I could get accustomed to this level of luxury and pampering."It was wild to think how much their lives had changed in just one short

Chapter 35Lily stared in shock at the groaning, beaten guys lying on the ground. Her heart became nevertheless pounding from the insane fight they had just been through. One minute, the whole thing turned into the best.She glanced up at James, who also looked at her with concern. His top became ripped, and he had a cut over one eye, however, in any other case, he appeared ok. Lily felt a surge of alleviation washes over her. If whatever had passed off to him...She shuddered at the idea."Are you okay, baby girl?" James's gruff voice snapped her out of her daze. He reached out and cupped her face, eyes searching hers closely.Lily managed a shaky nod. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just...stunned, I guess. Who the hell were those guys?"James shook his head grimly. "I have no idea. But we're sure as hell gonna find out." He turned to his security team, who were roughly restraining the last couple of intruders. "Get these assholes locked up tight. I want them ready for interrogation ASAP."The gu

Chapter 37Lily sat unmoved on the sofa, her heart pounding in her ears. She could hear the shouts and the sounds of struggles coming from outdoors. James had rushed out there to handle the new intruders, leaving her behind for her safety. She wanted to go help, to have his back like she promised. But she knew he might in no way forgive himself if something passed off to her or the child. Their baby - Lily's hand drifted to her flat stomach as a wave of fierce protectiveness washed over her. She was carrying their child now. James was right, she needed to stay out of harm's way.The noises of the fight seemed to be getting closer. Lily tensed, straining her ears to try and figure out what was happening. She could make out James's deep voice snarling orders amidst the chaos.Suddenly, the study door burst open. Lily gasped as a large, burly man in dark clothes came barreling inside. He was clutching a nasty-looking knife and his beady eyes locked on her immediately."You're coming wit

She could only nod breathlessly in response to his vow, utterly spellbound by the blazing determination burning in those navy depths. Whatever existed beyond this meager sanctuary, whatever bloody gauntlet awaited them next - Lily knew she was ready to face it head-on at this man's side.His hands were everywhere, stoking the raging inferno of need coiling low in her belly. Lily arched and writhed against James with wanton abandon, surrendering herself over to the scorching riptide of their passion.When he finally sheathed himself inside her with one powerful thrust, she cried out - part pleasure, part primal release. This joining, this most intimate meshing of two souls into one, was what they'd both been starving for in the face of the new threat looming over them.James set a punishing pace, every driving slam of his hips seeming to stake his claim on her more ferociously. Lily matched his intensity with hot, shameless demands for more, nails scoring lines down the flexing muscles