Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Lulu

“Alright, Piglet, time to do some schoolwork. Daddy’s orders,” I call out, grabbing her subject books out of the school supply box.

“Awww.” Her groan carries out into the living room, making me laugh.

“Has she ever been enrolled in a public school?” I ask Ajax.

“No.” He shakes his head, not glancing up from the laptop he’s typing on. “I need to be able to travel whenever I need a . . . release.” He hesitates, his eyes meeting mine.

I gulp at what I see, pleasure and anticipation.

“I refuse to leave her at home. I can’t protect her if I’m not there.” He frowns, turning back to his work .

“What . . . what about her mom?” I whisper, chewing my lip.

His fingers freeze on the keyboard, and my heart stops. Ajax slowly lifts his eyes, blazing a trail up my body.

“Gone,” he answers shortly.

Why did I open my big mouth? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I stand frozen. Ajax continues to stare, his anger obvious. Andrew would have beaten me by now. I wait for Ajax to stand and advance, but he doesn’t. Instead, he blinks and turns back to his emails.

My hands are shaking as I thumb through the books.

“English, science, and math today, please.”

His politeness after seeing such anger on his face throws me off, and I don’t know what to do. Chewing my lip, I pull out the books he wants.

I flinch when his large hand covers mine, his body looming as he stands beside me.

“You’re mine.”

I don’t look up at his words.

His right arm crosses over his body, and his finger hooks the side of my chin, turning my face toward him. We’re millimeters apart.

“I don’t hurt what’s mine.”

His lips are gentle, sweet.

“Punishments are harsh, and they’re meant to teach a lesson. But they’re earned.”

My chin quivers, but I nod. Ajax and Andrew are not the same .

“I have a few more things to sort with the hunting lodge bookings, but then I’ll go set up outside. You won’t run.”

“I won’t run,” I repeat.

His smile is breathtaking, and our kiss is loud. A giggle behind us makes me spin.

“Mary Lou, you are not dressed.” Ajax frowns.

“Am too,” she argues, tugging at her pajamas.

“You know what I mean.” He sighs.

“Lulu said we can match,” Mary explains, waving her denim overalls.

“I did,” I defend.

“Don’t encourage her.” Ajax rolls his eyes. “I know when I’m beat.” He holds up both hands and retreats backward to the table where his laptop still sits.

Mary and I share a smile.

“Trade?” I ask, holding out the books.

Mary nods, passing me the overalls.

“Start with the math please, baby. Daddy will be over soon to do the reading.”

Mary’s face lights up at the mention of reading. I make a note to buy her a new book or two next time we’re in town, right after I ask Ajax for the money. I cringe and glance at the man in question. Our eyes meet, his gaze questioning.

I lick my lip and turn away, shifting my attention to the ripped denim.

“Do you have a sewing kit?”

“Over there. ”

I follow his finger, refusing to look above his elbow. His sigh makes my eye twitch. Sitting with the supplies I need, I try to calm my nerves.

He’s not Andrew. No, he just murdered Andrew. There’s that twitch again.

I start threading the needle through the denim, and the large flower takes shape quickly. I stop every few minutes to help guide Mary through her assignments until Ajax joins her on the floor.

He picks a book and encourages her to start reading. I peek over at the two discreetly. My heart races, and my womb flutters the more I watch him with his daughter.

He’s patient and encouraging, everything my parents weren’t. Well, Greg Maxwell had been. I just didn’t get to live with him for very long.

Ajax is many things, all bad and ugly, but he’s a good father. My heart lurches again.

I could be pregnant, and the idea terrifies me for obvious reasons, but something deep inside me feels differently, and that scares me even more than carrying a serial killer’s child.

Shit.

I hiss loudly, ripping my finger away from the needle. Blood beads quickly.

“Show me,” Ajax demands, jumping up.

I don’t get to deny him. His fingers are strong and confident as they squeeze the skin around my tiny wound.

”Ahh,” I object, trying to pull away. At his look, I immediately stop, shoving my hand toward him quickly.

“Better,” he mutters. “It’s not deep, but we’ll clean it anyway.” Ajax lifts my hand as he speaks. A gasp flies out of my mouth when the heat of his mouth surrounds my finger. He sucks the blood off, and my body instantly reacts.

Ajax chuckles as my body shivers. Why was that hot? What the fuck is wrong with me? His grin annoys me, and I let it show.

His short chuckle has me turning back to my project. I swallow an insult when his lips press into my hair.

“Okay, Piglet, back to the subject books, please. Daddy’s going outside.”

“Okay,” Mary says, but her pout is anything but agreeable. One look from her and my annoyance at her father melts away.