The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

Livie had described. “I do know. But there was no need to beat up my men just to speak with me. After all, a friend of my wife is a friend of mine. Though I wasn’t aware you’d arrived back in the country. Livie will be happy to see you.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Livie is the purpose of my visit.” She suddenly cocked the hammer of her gun. “I will not warn either of you again.” She glanced briefly at Rowan, who had moved his hand closer to his jacket. “Do you wish to never father children? Because do that again and that is what will occur.”

There was such a look of consternation on his friend’s face that Seb couldn’t help but chuckle. “Leave us, Rowan. And close the door behind you.”

“Leave you with the she-devil?” Rowan spluttered. “Never.”

Lady Kaitlyn’s eyebrow rose at the comment, but she stayed silent, her whole body relaxed but braced for action, her weapons at the ready.

“I’ll be fine,” Seb assured him, watching as Rowan reluctantly stood and, skirting well away from the lady, stalked from the room, shutting the door behind him.

“You can lower your weapons,” Seb offered. “I will not harm you.”

Lady Kaitlyn seemed to find his comment amusing, for she laughed. “You could try, Mr. Colver. But I wouldn’t like your chances.”

A part of Seb agreed. Though she appeared every inch the lady, her eyes showed a depth of darkness that was similar to Seb’s own. The woman had seen horrors, and had most likely killed, too, of that he would lay money on. Plus, she’d obliterated his men in short order, meaning she was clearly a woman to take seriously.

She uncocked her pistol, though left it resting by her side as she slipped her knife back into her belt. “Now, you can start by telling me how you coerced Livie into marrying you. And I swear to you, if you lie to me, you will not like my response.”

Seb could tell the woman was genuinely concerned for Livie, and that fact earned his respect instantly, and he knew he had to be honest with her. Clearly, she would fiercely protect those she loved, and Seb really didn’t want to fight and potentially hurt Livie’s friend. Though he was honest enough to imagine he would also be a fair bit bruised and battered in the process, considering how she’d dealt with his men. This was a woman to reckon with.

“I didn’t coerce her,” he answered. “I love her and she loves me. It’s as simple as that.”

“The Bastard of Baker Street doesn’t love anyone,” she replied. “’Tis rumored you love only money.”

“I can’t deny I love money.” He shrugged. “But you’re wrong about me not loving anyone. I love Livie with all my heart, and I will protect her with all that I have. I would give my life for hers in an instant, and that, Lady Kaitlyn, is the truth.”

They both stayed silently staring at each other for the longest time.

“I’ve seen what you did to that man Flintock,” Kat’s voice broke the silence. “And I promise you, it’s what I will do to you if you ever hurt Livie or break her heart. Do you understand me?”

Seb smiled. “I normally don’t take well to being threatened. But considering you are doing so to protect my wife, I like you all the more for it.” And it was true. There was something about Lady Kaitlyn that reminded him of himself. A most unusual lady, and one he imagined would scare most men, regardless of her beauty. Though of course, she wasn’t as beautiful as his Livie. No woman would ever be as beautiful as Livie.

The door to his office suddenly swung open. “Kaitlyn Montrose! What on earth are you doing?” It was Livie standing there, fury burning in her eyes. “Storming into Sebastian’s office, hurting his poor workers out there, all to do what? Threaten my husband? Before even coming to see me, after months abroad?”

His wife stalked into the room, her cane decidedly sharp as she jabbed it against the floor until she stood in front of Kaitlyn, her belly protruding between them.

“You’re pregnant?” Lady Kaitlyn said, appearing slightly surprised and surprisingly uncomfortable as she glanced down at Livie’s belly.

Who would have thought his wife being pregnant would throw Lady Kaitlyn, when a whole corridor filled with ex-boxers hadn’t?

“Yes, I am pregnant, Kat,” Livie replied. “And you are going to be this child’s godmother, so you better start getting along with my husband instead of trying to fight with him. Do you understand?”

Lady Kaitlyn could only nod, an expression of perhaps fear in the woman’s eyes with the news.

“My darling, surely being angry isn’t good for the baby?” Seb stood and walked over toward the women. “Why don’t you sit down.”

“Don’t you ‘my darling’ me!” Livie spun around to him. “And don’t you treat me like an invalid, just because I am pregnant with your child.”

His wife had been a touch cranky over the past few months as she’d gotten larger with his child. Sebastian, on the other hand, had gotten much more patient in response.

“Perhaps you should sit down, Livie,” Kat said, appearing slightly alarmed at Livie’s outburst. “You seem rather out of sorts compared to usual. And I imagine he’s right, anger is probably not good for the baby.”

“Of course I’m out of sorts!” Livie declared, throwing her arms in the air. “I had to waddle here like an elephant when I heard news that you had returned to the country, seeking out my husband instead of me.”

“How did you know I’d returned?” Kat asked with a frown.

“I asked Fenton to let me know, for I knew you’d be on the warpath if you heard I’d married Sebastian. Thinking I’d probably been forced to do so. Am I correct?”

Kat had the grace to look slightly abashed. “Perhaps.”

“Hmph. I knew it,” Livie declared, placing one hand on her hip. “But if you had visited me first, I