The Wrong Wife (Morally Grey Billionaires #5)(120)

"Oh, sweetheart, don’t cry." Penny drops to her knees and holds out her arms. "Your mommy and daddy asked us to take care of you because they can't be here anymore. We love you so much, darling."

She sniffs, then takes a step forward, another. She releases her hold on her foster mother, and instead, grips the kitten with both of her hands. She walks toward Penny. "Are you my new mommy?"

"I am, baby."

"And you won't leave?"

Penny's chin quivers. "No, we won't leave you. We'll be here for you forever and ever and—"

She throws herself at Penny, who hugs her close.

Penny buries her face in Bianca’s hair. "I have you, baby, I have you."

I look down at the two shiny blonde heads, so similar to each other, and my heart expands in my chest. I blink back tears as a warmth fills me, and a tingling shivers up my spine. It’s a sensation that tells me I have everything I want. Everything I didn’t realize I was looking for, and it’s been given to me. This time, I’m not going to screw it up. This time, I’m going to ensure I hold onto it and be grateful for it every day that I’m alive. This is why I came back. This is why my life was spared. So I can do my best, every single moment, for the rest of my life, to become the kind of human who makes them proud. I squat down until I’m on eye level with both of them.

"I’m Knight. I was your daddy's best friend."

Bianca steps back, one hand now gripping Penny’s. "You’re my new daddy?" She looks at me with those big blue eyes, and for the second time in my life, I’m a goner.

"I am, honey. And I’ll make sure you’re always cared for. I’m here to take care of you from now on."

She slowly closes the distance to me, then reaches up and touches the scar on my cheek, the one I almost forgot about. "Did it hurt?"

I nod. "But I’m okay now, thanks to your mama."

Penny smiles at me. A real smile. No more fake smiles for my woman. I plan to give her every reason to mean each one of them. Bianca looks at me from under her eyelashes, a shy expression on her features. "My kitty also has a scar." She holds up her ragged, soft toy and sure enough, there’s a tear on her face that was stitched up.

"Do you want me to kiss it better for her?" I ask.

When she nods, I lower my head and carefully, and with utmost seriousness, press a kiss to the kitten’s forehead.

She brings her kitten to her ear and pretends to listen to it. "Kitty says she’s feeling much better now."

My lips quirk. "What else does she say?"

"That I’m going to be very happy."





"Is she asleep?"

"Out like a light." Penny sinks down onto the sofa next to me. "She couldn’t stop telling me how much she loves her room and her new toys. I’m sure she’d have loved Tiny, too, if he were here."

"It would have hurt her when he moved back with Isla and Liam. We did the right thing in asking Rick to dog sit him until they return."

"That’s true." She cuddles into my side. "That little girl has seen enough loss in her life. She needs stability and routine."

It’s why we moved out of the penthouse and into a townhouse before bringing Bianca home. No more glass and chrome, this place is wooden floors, high ceilings, and sunshine pouring in through the big bay windows. And there are no hidden rooms. I don’t need one. I’d be lying if I said I don’t wake up with nightmares about my ordeal, but their frequency has decreased. The sessions with the psychologist have helped, and curling my body around my wife’s in our bed at night ensures I sleep well most nights. She supplies the comfort I seek. As for the control I’m searching for? Isn't it obvious? I get it when I dominate her. This compulsion to keep her safe and secure, and above all else, to care for her feeds my need to stay in charge.

From the moment Penny entered my life, it began changing for the better. It’s thanks to her, and now, Bianca that this place feels like home. We chose a house with a big back garden with a swing-set and a slide so Bianca can keep herself entertained. And the bonus? It’s next-door to Cade and Abby’s. And it's within walking distance of the Seven—who've all purchased homes in the neighborhood—and Michael’s, as well as JJ’s—on Primrose Hill. When Abby told us this place was going on the market, it was a no-brainer.

She lifts my arm, then nestles in under it. "It’s nice to be close to everyone. And with so many of us here, it feels like we own all of the Hill."

I laugh. "Today Primrose Hill; tomorrow the world," I laugh, do my best impression of a comic book villain.

Penny joins my laughter. "That reminds me, has Rick accepted his role as the Captain of the London Ice Kings?"

"Not yet, but he’s considering it.”

"I have to say, it came as a surprise. I didn’t realize he played ice hockey professionally."

I nod, "For the NHL, no less. But he had a falling out with his manager. Lost his temper, beat up the guy, and was expelled from the team."

"Rick?" She frowns. "You mean the same Rick who barely speaks, and went on to join the Royal Marines?"

"Guess he grew up. He was drafted in at seventeen, amongst the youngest ever, played until he was twenty-one, until this unfortunate incident, then quit, returned to the UK, joined the Marines, and went on to serve with me. He’s older than me and was a captain when I joined. "