Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(85)

“I am Nicholai Veis, second in command of the demon nation, and Simone Brightston is my mate and the mother of my unborn child.” He pierced each one of them with a hard look. “The demon nation will not accept one of our own being killed by you. Such an action would be tantamount to war.” Yeah, he had no problem making it clear that the easy choice for them was to find Simone not guilty.

Peter’s mouth dropped open. “You mated during lunch?”

Nick didn’t turn to see Simone’s expression. “The timing is hardly relevant. But it is done, so heed my warning.”

“War,” Sal said grimly.

“War between our nations.” Nick flashed his teeth. “In addition, there is nowhere any of you can hide if you put a bounty on my mate’s head. I will find you, and I will make you wish you’d never heard my name.”

Peter banged the gavel. “You will not threaten the Council.”

Nick lifted a shoulder. “The defense rests.”





Simone swept into the guest quarters at the rear end of Coven Nine headquarters, her temper simmering. The studio apartment was sparse with bed, table, and couch. . . and nothing good to throw. “What in the holy hell were you doing today?” She whirled on Nick, who’d walked calmly in behind her. “You confess to killing my father, inform everyone that we’ve mated, and then threaten the three sitting council members?” She set her hands firmly on her hips.

Nick shut the door. “Pretty much.”

She shook her head, and her hair tumbled out of its knot. “Do you really think that was smart?”

“Yes.”

Her breath heated enough to burn her lungs. “Did you mate me because of the trial?” A hollow feeling emptied her stomach. “To win, I mean? To make the claim that the demon nation would avenge me?”

His gaze softened. “I mated you because I’ve loved you from the first time I set eyes on you. A century ago.”

She blinked and drew up short. “Wh-what?”

He gestured, palms up. “Many soldiers who’ve fought in wars, who’ve killed like I have, wonder if they have a heart. I’ve never wondered.”

“Why not?” she whispered.

“Because you’re in it and always have been.” He reached her in three long strides. “My heart is yours and always will be. Everything I’ve done in this life from the good to the truly terrible has been to make the world a better place for you and any children we may have.” His hand flattened over her abdomen. “Everything I am or will ever be belongs solely to you.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Nicholai.”

His chin lifted. “No woman has ever been loved more than you are right now, Simone. It’s impossible. I promise you.”

Geez. When he brought out the good words, he did so with a vengeance. “I—”

“Let me finish.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m difficult, I’m sure. Possessive, protective, and downright bossy.”

“You’re not that bad.” She reached up and ran her palm across the stubble on his chin.

“Good, because I’m not going to change.”

She paused. “Huh.”

“You stay safe, period. Whatever I have to do to ensure your safety, I’ll do it.” He leaned in, his face an inch above hers. “Fight me all you want, but I don’t recommend it.”

Fire cracked on her hand, and he jerked his face away from the burn.

“There’s more where that came from,” she said, keeping his gaze. “We’ll protect this baby together, and I love you, too. Always have and always will.”

He smiled then, his face taking on a stark, masculine beauty. “We’re going to have some fun through this life.”

Aye, if they didn’t kill each other.

He kissed her, going deep, using gentleness in a way that stole her breath. Before she knew it, she was undressed and on the bed. He stood over her, so large and powerful, and definitely hers. He removed his clothing, piece by piece, and her mouth was watering by the time he stretched over her, all hard male.

She ran her fingers through his thick hair and traced his eyebrows, nose, and mouth. “I hope she looks like you.”

“He.” Nick leaned down and nibbled on her mouth. “The first one has to be a boy, just to help me with the next one, which will probably be a girl.”

“Maybe you’ll need help with the boy,” she whispered against his lips.

He grinned, his mouth tickling hers. “I have no doubt your children, boys and girls, will be absolute hellions.”

God, she hoped so.

He kissed down her neck and across her collarbone to her breasts, licking and sucking until she was a writhing mass of need beneath him. Nick’s tenderness brought on a slow burn that was no less intense than the heated desire they’d shared in the conference room. But somehow, the sweetness went right beyond her body to her heart.

When he slowly slid inside her, it truly felt like she was home. Finally.

He moved out and then back in, setting up a rhythm he matched with his teeth and tongue on her breasts and up her neck as he kissed her deeply. The first orgasm rolled through her, taking her worry. The second caught her unaware, and she sighed his name. The third sparked her on fire, and she held on so hard she burned his shoulder.