feet.
She raced for Saedra and climbed in her lap to hug her. “I was worried. He hit you and you felled down.”
“I’m fine. We were really worried about you.” Saedra held her close against her chest and closed her eyes.
And then Fleur broke. The sobs pouring from her were enough to have every adult in the room filled with murderous rage.
Chapter 18
Garik and Saedra left with promises to touch base in the morning once they saw how exhausted Amelie and Fleur were. Sulen locked the doors and waited while Amelie gave Fleur her bath and settled her in bed. She didn’t last long and was out like a light.
Amelie reentered her living area to Sulen seated on her sofa, one arm stretched over the back. She walked toward him suddenly shy. He caught her hand and tugged her onto his lap.
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “How are you feeling?”
Looping her arms about his shoulders, Amelie nuzzled his jaw, took in his musky scent and sighed. “Better now.”
Amelie allowed herself a few moments to borrow his strength then sat up. “Where is he?”
He knew exactly who she meant. “My friend managed to track him to an animal den. He was hiding in filth.”
That wasn’t enough for Amelie. “Where is he now? I want him to hurt for what he did to Saedra and what he did to my baby.”
“You have no idea the hurt Roan is in,” Sulen muttered.
“Take me to him. I can call Scarlett to sit with Fleur for a little bit but I want to see him. This needs to end here and now.”
“You’re right.” Sulen stood with her in his arms and set her on her feet. “Call Scarlett and I’ll notify Amar to meet us at the Enforcement Center where Roan will be taken into custody.”
“Is...is he an assassin too?” Amelie wasn’t sure how much she was supposed to know about Sulen’s work. Saedra stressed to her the importance of secrecy while they were still active.
“He’s from the Guild, yes. Later, though, you and I need to talk about our future.”
Which reminded her. Hoping he was as receptive to the news as she thought, Amelie said, “While you were gone, Roan filed claims for custody of Fleur based on paternity and he also demanded a test to prove he was her father.”
Sulen stiffened. “When I found them in the woods, he kept shouting at her that he was her father and that you’d lied.”
Amelie bit off the hateful words she wanted to say. “Well, he lost the custody suit. I think that’s what made him react and kidnap Fleur.”
Sulen blinked. A crease formed between his brows. “He lost the custody case? Did negative information come to light regarding his background?”
Taking a deep breath, Amelie blurted, “The test came back with Fleur’s father being Gerelin. Your medical record was on file and cross matched. You are Fleur’s father, Sulen.”
Sulen scrubbed a hand down his face. He shook his head and asked, “What?”
It was hard to explain, let alone believe. “I know it doesn’t make sense. It’s like a weird medical miracle. I’ve never been so grateful in my life for whatever caused Fleur’s genetics to be changed because of the hormone my...friend stole.”
Sulen hiked a brow and sent her a knowing glance. “Your friend Scarlett, I presume?”
Amelie gripped his arm. “Please don’t take it out on her. She was only trying to help.”
“Fleur’s my daughter?” he repeated.
Was that relief and pride she heard in his voice? “Yes. Without a doubt, she’s yours.”
Sulen pulled her back into his arms and kissed her like his life depended on it. Amelie moaned and laughed through the kiss.
“Roan can wait. Amar won’t let him go anywhere.” Sulen picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.
“This is getting to be a habit with you.” She joked as he laid her on the bed.
“I have a daughter,” he said softly and there was a glow of amazement on his face. No anger. No regret.
“We have a daughter.”
“It’s four years late but it seems only fitting that we consummate her birth.”
Amelie burst into laughter again as Sulen ripped off his clothes and joined her on the bed. Naked, he crawled over her prone body and suddenly, she wasn’t laughing any more.
“Since we consummated the bond, I agree it’s only fair we mark the occasion of your fatherhood with sex as well.”
With loving care, Sulen removed her shirt and pants. When he got to her bra and underwear, he ran his hands