Claiming His Unexpected Baby (Assassins Guild #2) - Michelle Howard Page 0,52

suddenly picked him to be Fleur’s dad when you arrived here. That would have looked suspicious.”

Sulen had to withhold his chuckle at how cleverly she worded things. Roan fumed and started to launch into a new tirade when the Head Enforcer stopped everyone. “This office received a call in reference to the disappearance of the child Fleur Czen. Witness accounts state Roan Dunn took her from our home.”

“Because she’s my daughter!” Roan yelled.

The Head Enforcer continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “We have received word from the lab along with a notice from the court system. Both are clear that Roan is of no relation to Fleur. A crime was committed. Roan will be taken to the appropriate authorities to be officially charged and pay for his actions.”

“No!” Aviana cried, darting a look around at the accusatory stares aimed her way. “Do something, Father!”

The ambassador stuttered and brushed out his clothes. “Uh...well. I was under the impression Roan only wanted access to his child.”

“She’s not his,” Sulen growled. As far as he was concerned, Fleur had always been his, he just hadn’t known it at the time.

Aviana tugged on her father’s arm but he waved to his entourage. “Come along. I need to leave and continue my trip. It seems there was a gross mistake but the authorities have everything in order.”

He turned and marched out with his chin held high. Aviana gaped then looked around once more. Her gaze settled on Roan behind the bars and narrowed. With a sharp cry, she chased after her father. The ambassador’s people quickly followed suit leaving Roan without a backward glance.

When Roan realized he’d been abandoned, his jaw dropped. He started yelling again but Sulen linked arms with Amelie and turned to leave. He’d contemplated ending Roan but the thought of him spending his days toiling away at a penal colony was even better. He’d pay for his crime in the best way possible, always knowing the Amelie and Fleur were finally free of him.

Chapter 19

Amelie had a full house again and her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She’d been content with her life on this Gerelin colony over the last four years. It was a safe place for her to raise Fleur and the people were welcoming. Getting the job at the garden center increased her feelings of contentment and of course, having Scarlett, her best friend and sister nearby was perfect.

Now Amelie felt she was drowning in an abundance of riches. Her friend circle was growing and not with superficial relationships. She was building bonds forged through shared experiences.

Amelie pulled out the dessert she’d baked and glanced around her home. Conversation flowed around her.

“We moved all of our things two weeks ago but it took forever to get everything set the way I wanted,” Saedra said to Scarlett.

“I’ll have to come by for a visit. I still live in a one bedroom unit near the medical facility.” Scarlett grimaced.

Garik played with the ends of Saedra’s hair, his look indulgent as she and Scarlett chatted back and forth.

Amelie wasn’t sure why Scarlett hadn’t bought a larger place to live. They’d have to discuss it later since she’d complained before about her tiny unit.

“I like cookies!” Fleur sang out, having smelled the dessert.

She spun on her toes from person to person, secure in the knowledge that she was safe. Amelie had been worried there would be lingering issues from her experience with Roan, but to her relief, her daughter had moved past it. There had been nightmares for two or three nights but once Sulen sat with Fleur and explained that he’d never let anyone hurt her, she’d relaxed.

Amelie let her gaze settle on Sulen. He stood in conversation, head to head with his friend Amar. The assassin had not been pleased with Roan’s sentence of five years on a penal colony. According to Sulen, Amar had wanted to eat her ex. She still wasn’t sure what that meant and Sulen hadn’t explained it further.

His tawny hair, chiseled features and engaging smile set Amelie at ease immediately. She couldn’t thank him enough for helping to save Fleur. And unlike Garik, Amar didn’t make her afraid to turn her back on him.

Sulen looked up and caught her stare. He raised a brow in inquiry and she widened her smile to let him know she was fine as she started cutting the cake, not cookies, into even squares.

Scarlett joined her at the counter and leaned a hip against it. “Sooo. Tell me about