Family First

Chapter 55

James strode back into the bunker, his jaw set in a hard line. He saw Lily sitting at the cot, gently rubbing her swollen stomach. Seeing her like that, so susceptible but fiercely protective in their unborn toddler, made his heart clench.

"Lily," he stated gruffly, "We need to speak."

She looked up at him with those big, soulful eyes. "What's going on, James?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This wasn't going to be clean.

"After speaking to Louis, it is clear we are managing some primary players here - the Petrov crime family. They've been bankrolling everything to take me down, including that rat Spike."

Lily's eyes widened. "The Petrovs? But they're incredibly dangerous..."

"Exactly," James cut her off. "Which is why I can't have you anywhere near this fight."

He could see the protest forming on her lips, but he held up a hand. "I'm serious, Lil. These aren't just street thugs - they're ruthless mobsters who won't hesitate to use you or our baby as leverage a