Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners #3)(83)

Walking into the house, I hear Nisa say, “Slower, Agnieska Hanim! You don’t have to clean everything in an hour.”

“Don’t snap at her,” Murat mutters, and in a gentler tone, he continues, “Agnieska, I think it’s time for a break. Take a walk in the garden with me.”

“I wasn’t snapping,” Nisa huffs.

My eyebrow pops up, and I head toward them. Just as I come down the hallway, Agnieska and Murat exit one of the sitting rooms, his hand on her lower back.

“What’s happening here?” I ask, my eyes searching Agnieska’s face for any sign of fear or panic. Not seeing any, I relax.

“Nothing,” Murat answers.

“The question was directed at Agnieska,” I mutter. Locking eyes with her, I ask, “Are you comfortable with Murat?”

She nods quickly. “Yes, Gabriel.”

I turn my attention to Murat. “Don’t push her into doing anything she doesn’t want.”

“I’ll never do that.”

When I nod, they continue to walk toward the side doors as I stare after them. It’s clear as fucking day that Murat is interested in Agnieska even though he’s ten years younger than her.

I let out a chuckle, shaking my head, then the realization hits that Agnieska is only four years my senior.

Holy fuck.

It makes me realize how much younger than me, Lara is. Sixteen years. It’s never even crossed my mind until now.

Doesn’t change a fucking thing.

Like Luca said the other day, ‘Age is just a number.’

Taking the stairs up, I hear laughter coming from the east wing. When I walk into my grandmother’s private sitting room, I find her and Lara knitting.

“He used to run around without pants, his adorable bottom on display for the world to see.”

“Babaanne,” I mutter, realizing she’s telling Lara about my childhood.

“Oh, you’re home early,” Lara comments, a wide smile on her face and laughter dancing in her eyes.

“Work isn’t so busy anymore.” I press a kiss to my grandmother’s forehead, then walk to Lara, placing my hand on her shoulder. “Finish what you’re doing.”

“I’m done,” she says quickly, shoving the needles and wool into a basket.

I notice what they’re knitting, and my eyebrow lifts. “Are you seriously knitting baby shoes?”

“Yes,” Babaanne answers, then she gives me a triumphant smile. “Lara said it’s only a matter of time before I’ll get to hold my great-grandchild.”

“Is that so?” I shrug. “If Lara says so, who am I to argue.”

My words make my grandmother’s smile grow.

Lara gets up, and I take her hand. I pull her to our bedroom, and when I shut the door, I pin her with a questioning look. “Babies?”

She nervously tucks hair behind her ear, then explains, “Your grandmother wants a great-grandchild, and I couldn’t bear to tell her no. I said you have to agree as well, but that I’m okay with it.” She gives me a pleading look. “The news made her so happy, Aşkım.”

Tugging her against my chest, I stare at her until her teeth worry on her bottom lip. “You want to give me children?”

Lara doesn’t hesitate to nod.

A smile curves my lips, and I place my hand over her abdomen. “I’d like to see you pregnant with my child.”

The nervous tension leaves her, relief filling her eyes. “I’d like that too.”

“But first, there’s your twenty-third birthday next month. I have a surprise planned for you. After that, we can talk about having the implant removed.”

“Okay.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I press a kiss to her mouth. Her lips eagerly part, and time slips away as I show her how much I love her until her lips are swollen and we’re both breathless.

She rests her cheek against my chest, and I just hold her, so thankful I didn’t accidentally kill the women I want to spend the rest of my life with.

“I need to help Nisa prepare dinner,” she murmurs.

“Okay.” I free her from my arms, and I walk with her to the kitchen.

Emre’s sitting at the kitchen table, shoving Baklava into his mouth.

“When will you find a nice woman to settle down with?” Nisa asks.

“Never,” he mutters around a mouthful. “I plan on becoming the most eligible bachelor in Seattle now that Gabriel’s off the market.”

“Allah Allah,” Nisa exclaims, throwing her hands in the air.

It’s good to see my cousin at home, getting some well-deserved rest.

I grab a slice of Baklava, and popping it into my mouth, I leave Lara with Nisa and go look for Murat and Agnieska to make sure she’s okay.

I find them by Babaanne’s rose garden just as Murat picks one to give to Agnieska. She takes it with a blushing face.

Hating to disrupt their moment, I say, “Murat, give me a moment alone with her.”

He gives her arm a squeeze, then moves out of hearing distance, still keeping an eye on her. I scowl at the man who’s quickly becoming possessive of Agnieska, before turning my attention to her.

“How are you holding up?” I ask.

“Much better.” She still struggles to meet my eyes, but she doesn’t look as terrified anymore.