Chapter Three

BAYLOR

Icollapse onto my husband’s chest, craving the warmth of his arms around me before he claims me completely.

If Silas kisses you, I’ll slice his lips off his face. Cairo’s words play in my head on repeat.

I’m certainly not telling Cairo when I saw Silas yesterday in my dad’s office. He kissed the back of my hand.

If I do, he’ll leave right now track Silas down and kill him.

Cairo can’t afford to go to war before he takes the Baccaro throne tomorrow.

Our lives have been a total thrill ride. We’ve snuck around behind our fathers’ backs.

To keep up appearances, we each pretend to be with other people. My fake boyfriend Joshua Vanderbelt III, who comes from a wealthy family, is willing to risk it all for me.

No one outside our immediate circle of friends knows Cairo and I are married. My fake boyfriend thinks Cairo is my boyfriend. And he doesn’t care that he’s in the mafia.

He says his father has more money than God. And he’ll happily kill Cairo. He thinks his father’s wealth can protect him from the Baccaro crime family. Men are easily fooled by my innocent, bookish persona; they don’t know I’m lethal. Only my family and Cairo do. I’ll kill the pretty boy before he can get close to my husband. Just like I plan to get rid of Tiana.

Joshua is just another issue that I have intentionally left out. The secrets I keep from Cairo continue to pile up.

Tomorrow, after he’s crowned as the Baccaro mafia boss, I planned a romantic late night for us here at our secret home. It was meant to be the perfect birthday present and special announcement: we’re going to have a baby.

Three months ago, I stopped taking my birth control pills. A decision that felt right at the time. But now, with the looming threat of war and my father’s plans to marry me off to Silas, complicate everything. I can’t bring myself to tell Cairo about the pregnancy. The news would only add more weight to his shoulders.

Silas thinks I’m pure as untouched snow. He has no idea I’ve been intimate with Cairo for years. However, my father found out years ago after I returned home from the clinic with Lee Lee. He permitted me to use birth control pills because he didn’t want me to become pregnant with a Baccaro baby. I told my father I love Cairo.

A cocky grin crossed his lips. “You’ll be at Stanford. And Cairo will be oblivious.”

Dad left my room. He felt so proud of himself when he put his plan in motion to keep us apart.

I push all the drama aside and peer into my husband’s blue eyes. “Fuck me, Cairo. I want to get lost in us tonight.”

I unhook the bra and let it fall down my arms, then fling it aside.

Cairo’s eyes rake over my body as he sheds his clothes quickly. I love when we’re naked and our bodies come together as one.

His huge dick stands at attention between us. The veins snaking up the sides call out to me. I kneel before him and take him into my mouth. Our eyes lock as he slams his dick down my throat. I focus on my breathing, so I don’t choke on it.

Cairo holds the base of his cock as he pulls it out, stopping at my lips. “Lick the tip, wife.”

My pink tongue glides across the slit and a moan slips out. “So good,” I mutter.

“Fuck, I love that you’re mine.”

Cairo helps me to my feet.

He scoops me up and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist. He carries me across the room, my lips falling onto the letters BAY tattooed above his heart.

Cairo twirls his hand around my hair, pulling my head back until my eyes meet his. My back meets the cool wall.

“When do you see that fucker again?”

Cairo asks.

“Sunday at the rehearsal dinner.”

His jaw clenches tightly. “He’s not to put his lips on you. Do you understand?”

“Cairo, yes. I understand,”

I reply, feeling my own temper flare. “And the same goes for your fake girlfriend. The charade is almost over.”

“I got it, Baylor.”

He knows he can’t say anything. Because she’s kissed him before when it wasn’t necessary. The bitch did it right in front of me.

Cairo’s fingers grip my thigh as he slams his cock deep inside my pussy.

“Oh fuck, yeah,”

I cry out from the pleasure.

“You’re my wife,”

he grumbles against my neck.

I hate to see him like this. The stress is mounting.

My fingers tangle in his soft, dark curls as he continues to move within me.

He palms my neck again, delivering long strokes. My breasts bounce up and down between us. My feet are burning up. Even though the white fur boots look so pretty on my feet as my husband fucks me into the wall.

Cairo carries me over to the pink Christmas tree. He pulls out briefly and places me on the fluffy white carpet.

“I want to fuck my beautiful wife under the Christmas tree. You are the only present I want this Christmas.”

He hovers over me.

I grin up at him and cup his stubbled jaw. “That’s sweet.”

His tranquil blue eyes soften. “I’m serious, Baylor. You’re mine on this earth and beyond.”

“I am Cairo.”

His tongue glides over the first three letters, CAI, that are tattooed under my right breast.

Cairo reaches back and yanks one boot off my foot.

“Oh, that feels so much better,”

I breathe.

His brows lower. “I figured your feet were hot,”

he says as he snatches off the other one.

“That’s because you know me so well.”

Cairo grins. “Fuck yeah, I do.”

He places my leg against his chest then drives into my needy wet walls.

“All we’re missing is the fire,” I moan.

“Hey Siri, start a fire,” he yells.

I glance at the fireplace. “Perfect.”

Cairo leans down and sucks my hard nipple into his mouth.

“Fuck, Cairo, it feels so good.”

He increases his speed, thrusting into my heat.

“I’m coming, Cairo.”

“Wait, Baylor,”

he orders.

He sits up on his knees and places my other leg against his chest. Sweat trickles down his handsome face. My husband looks totally content. When we’re together, we both feel relaxed.

“Come all over my dick, Mrs. Baccaro,”

he commands as his cock hits my sweet spot and causes my body to shake uncontrollably. A scream escapes from my lips.

Cairo’s cum fills my pussy. His chest rises and falls as he smiles down at me. “I love you so much, Baylor.”

“I love you, too.”

He lays down next to me on the floor, his hand gently caressing my stomach and my body tenses.

“I can’t wait to get you pregnant. We just have to hold out for a week.”

A smile lifts my cheeks, then I kiss his lips. “Just a week.”

The next day, after the dreaded wedding dress fitting, I decide to make an appearance at Cairo’s ceremony, where he’ll be crowned the new mafia boss. I don’t have a legitimate excuse to be here, but luck is on my side—Benny, Cairo’s close friend and Lee Lee’s boyfriend, is at the event, too. An hour ago, Lee Lee called Benny to ask where he was, and he told her. He probably didn’t think she’d actually show up, especially since he had no clue, she even knew the location. But as Cairo’s wife, I know everything he does. So, finding my way here was easy. With Lee Lee as my cover, it looks like I’m just here to kick it with my best friend and her boyfriend. Of course, I wouldn’t dare wear the ring Silas gave me—it would only set Cairo off. And here’s hoping Cairo doesn’t crash the rehearsal dinner. If he sees Silas’s engagement ring on my finger, there’s no telling what he might do.

The private club is crawling with made men. I notice Tiana standing beside Cairo. Her fingers lace his as he carries on a conversation with Elio, his father.

Elio smiles warmly at Tiana. I feel my anger boiling.

The room starts to spin. Oh shit.

This pregnancy fainting keeps happening. I refuse to fall out here. I take a seat at a nearby table.

“Are you ok?”

Lee Lee asks.

“Yes, I just need a sec. Go talk to Bennie,” I push.

After sucking down a glass of cool water, I take deep breaths. Fifteen minutes later, I look up and notice Tiana has disappeared. Shit, where did that bitch go?

I move from my seat to where Bennie and Lee Lee stand. “Hey, I’ll be right back. I have to go to the restroom.”

They nod, then continue on with their conversation.

It doesn’t take the water too long to go to my bladder. I hurry up and use the bathroom so I can search for Tiana.

I step out of the stall, barely masking my irritation.

“It’s a nice night, isn’t it?”

she says, her voice dripping with false charm.

Be cordial, Baylor.

“Yes, it is.”

I keep my tone neutral as I wash my hands, dry them, and reach into my purse for a tube of lipstick.

In the mirror, I catch her fluffing her raven curls, her blue eyes meeting mine with a smug glint. “Cairo’s dad told me he can’t wait until I’m his daughter,”

she purrs.

I nearly choke. “What?”

I manage to cough out.

“Yes, Baylor, my man is the new boss. And a boss needs a wife,”

Tiana smirks.

He has a wife, I want to say.

“Well, nice chatting.”

She lets out a dark chuckle. “Actually, it wasn’t. I can’t stand you.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Tiana.”

She rolls her eyes. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my man. He’ll be nice and drunk soon. I plan to ride the fuck out of his dick.”

She spins on her stiletto heels, strutting toward the door with an air of victory.

I reach out and grip her neck, pulling her back to me. “You must’ve forgotten who you’re talking to. Don’t make me smash your pretty face into this counter. Now we both know your relationship is fake. Stop trying to level up to become his real girlfriend.”

She hisses. “Are you jealous, book girl? I can be with him out in the open and you can’t. You think he’s going to want to continue to keep your fling going? Even if he’s the boss now. Your father won’t let you be with Cairo.”

Her ugly laughter pours from her red lips circling around us, filling my ears.

It takes everything in me not to toss her body against the mirror and watch the glass dig into her skin. I release her with a shove. Tiana stumbles forward, grabbing onto a stall door.

She glances over her shoulder as she opens the restroom door. “If you’ll excuse me. I have my boyfriend’s dick to ride.”

My fists curl at my sides and I run toward her. Lee Lee’s face comes into view. She walks in, wrapping her hands around my arms.

“Calm down, Baylor. This isn’t the place to confront her. You don’t want this getting back to your father.”

Cairo doesn’t need her anymore.

“You’re right. I’ll chill. He doesn’t need her after today anyway. I know he’ll end it.”

“I agree. Now come on. Let’s get fucked up,”

she chuckles.

Following her out the door, I think about how to get out of drinking cocktails.

Lee Lee and I talk with Bennie as we wait for a waiter to come over with our drinks. My eyes roam the room. I don’t see Cairo and that slut anywhere.

I nod my bodyguard over.

“Yes, Baylor?”

Creek asks.

Creek works for my family and Cairo. Or I guess you can say he’s paid extra by Cairo to keep our relationship a secret.

I wave his six four frame down to my level at five seven. “Have you seen Cairo?”

He whispers in my ear. “He’s in his car,”

Creek pauses. “With Tiana.”

“Thank you.”

I glance at my bestie. “Girl, I have to go.”

Her eyes widen. “You can’t leave.”

“Enjoy your time with Bennie.”

I kiss her cheek.

“Fine, bye. Talk to you later.”

I smile and greet several mafia guys as I stroll to the exit. My bodyguard is grumbling under his breath the entire time. Two more of my bodyguards are parked in the parking lot. A shiver runs through my body. I left my coat in my SUV. Didn’t think I’d need it.

As I storm through the parking lot looking for Cairo’s black Rolls Royce Ghost, I curse under my breath.

“Baylor, you can’t make a scene here,”

Creek warns, his voice low.

Blink, blink. My eyes must be deceiving me. But no—that’s Cairo’s car, and it’s rocking. I glance back at Creek, barely holding back my rage.

“I’m going to commit murder,”

I hiss, already striding toward the car.

He doesn’t stop me. Fog clouds every window, but I don’t care. My hand slams against the glass, my heart thundering in my ears.

What the hell is going on? Has my husband been lying to me?

“Go away,”

I hear Tiana’s mocking laughter from inside.