Tanner tipped his head to the side, conceding that Knox had a valid point. “Then our most likely suspects are Alethea, Belinda, and Roan.”

“We’ll have some members of the Force watch them,” said Levi. “But we can’t spare many, what with Crow being on the loose.”

In Harper’s opinion, the person they should be watching was Alethea. Belinda was an annoyance, but she didn’t come across as someone ambitious enough to seek control of the US. Roan was a prick most of the time, but he was also a momma’s boy. He would surely kill Crow for harming Carla.

Soon enough, they reached the jet. Once inside, Levi and Tanner headed to the front cabin as per usual, giving Knox and Harper privacy in the rear cabin. The stewardess served them both drinks before disappearing to the front of the craft.

Harper clicked on her seatbelt. “You know, I never thought of having kids until Delia told us about Crow’s vision. I know most women wonder about it at some point – even if only when they’re kids themselves – but I never did.” Which was probably weird, but she was weird, so she shouldn’t really expect anything else of herself.

Opposite her, his legs bracketing hers, Knox rested one hand on the armrest and balanced his glass on his thigh with the other. “You don’t want kids, baby?”

“It’s not that.” Though she’d never asked herself that question before. “I guess I just worry that I wouldn’t make a good parent.”

He frowned at the ridiculous idea. “Of course you would.”

Harper blinked, surprised at the surety in his statement. “Knox, I don’t know anything about parenthood. And although Lucian has plenty of other offspring and Carla has Roan and Kellen, I never grew up with any of them. I never had to be responsible for anyone.”

“Sure you did,” said Knox, taking a swig of his gin and tonic. “You took care of Lucian. He didn’t raise you, Harper. He relied on you. Like you’ve often said in his defense, he can’t meet his own needs. One conversation with him was enough for me to see that he’s a grown spoilt, self-centered child. You were the parent in that relationship. And you somehow coped with him.”

She could admit that her father hadn’t been… well, a father. And she could admit she’d taken care of him in a lot of ways, but Knox was missing something. “That’s not the same as taking care of a baby. As raising it and teaching it right from wrong and all that stuff.”

His grip tightened on the armrest as the craft started to move. “I have every confidence that you would make a great mother.”

She cocked her head. “Why?”

“You’re protective. Responsible. Caring. You have your priorities in the right order, and you’re good at whatever you put your mind to.” He nudged her leg with his. “Don’t worry so much, baby. I never had siblings either. I’ll be just as out of my element as you’ll be. But we’re two very capable people. I’m sure we can manage.”

She had to smile. It had to be great to be so utterly confident. She envied him that. “Do you ever doubt yourself in any situation?” she asked, curious.

“To do that would be to hold me back in life. I don’t see the sense in doing that. Self-belief is a powerful thing.”

He had a point there, she thought.

“Nora said there would be a child one day. She didn’t sound as if she meant someday soon,” Knox pointed out. “Let’s just cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Harper sipped at her Coke. “What bothers me most of all was that Nora also said people would come for the baby.” She stilled as his eyes very briefly bled to black. That idea clearly riled his demon.

Knox spoke, menace in every syllable. “If we ever have a child and someone comes for it, they’ll suffer so horribly they’ll beg for death.” Only that reprieve wouldn’t come until Knox was ready to give it to them, which could very well be never. His parents hadn’t protected him when he’d needed it. He’d be damned if he failed his child the way they failed him.

“Can I watch you torture them?”

His mouth curved. “Bloodthirsty little thing.”

“Surely this is not new information to you.”

His smile widened. “No, it’s not. And I like that you’re bloodthirsty.” She was a good person, but not innocent. “Innocent” would never be able to handle him or accept him. “Now stop worrying about things that haven’t even happened, get over here, and give me your mouth.”

She sniffed, though she did unclip her seatbelt. “Bossy.”

“Surely this is not new information to you.”

Straddling him, Harper laughed. “No, not new at all.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Harper looked up from her sketchpad as the door swung open and Raini strolled inside their office with a Deli takeout bag. The scent of fresh bread, mayonnaise, smoky meat, and hot peppers wafted over Harper, making her stomach rumble.

“Time for lunch,” said Raini.

“Good, I’m starving.” Standing, Harper did a long, languid stretch.

Raini leaned over the desk to take a closer look at one of the sketches of an owl tattoo. “That’s cool.”

“The client doesn’t like it.”

The succubus frowned. “Really? Why not?”

“She has lots of grand ideas, but she doesn’t know how she wants the tattoo to look. So we sat down and discussed it in length. I did a few rough sketches of different styles, and she agreed that something like this would be great. However, every time she came back to look at what should be the final design, there was something minor that she didn’t like about it. The one you’re looking at is the initial design.” Harper held up another sketch. “This is the seventh revision. I’m hoping that she’s happy with this one.”