He kept rubbing slow circles into her back while the kettle began to hiss. The intimacy of the moment frightened her more than his armed guards ever had.

Then the baby kicked. Leo felt it. His free hand twitched at his side. Chloe took his wrist and guided his palm to her stomach. The baby kicked again.

Leo went completely still. The man who controlled warehouses, unions, nightclubs, and politicians stared at the curve beneath his hand as though the universe had just revealed a secret meant only for him.

“He’s strong,” Leo whispered.

“He’s violent.”

“He has excellent instincts.”