Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I clasp his hands. “Please come with me.”
“I can’t,” he says, squeezing onto me tightly. “I’m responsible for myself. And for you, Liliana. This is the best way to give us both a chance.”
“What if you’re right? What if I’m part of a power play? Damien might give me to Gabriel.”
I don’t believe it. He could’ve given me away right then, but he didn’t.
My voice is shaking now, my tone taut, making me feel like I’m going to scream.
“He won’t,” Nick says firmly. “Damien is tough when he needs to be, but he’d never resort to human trafficking. Your father wasn’t trying to leave the Cartel, Liliana. He was trying to leave….”
Nick stands as if he’s said too much.
Leave what?
“Be smart. Be safe. I love you.”
Before I can respond, he turns and strides across the room. I jump to my feet far too quickly, my head spinning as though the room is suddenly going to collapse in on me.
I need to stop being a baby.
Nick is fast. He’s already on the other side of the room. I watch as he slips out of a side door, remembering the stories Dad would sometimes tell me about his big brother Nick and all the crazy things he did in the Army. Nick never talks about it, though, except to let me know he’s got the skills to keep us safe.
To keep himself safe.
My footsteps come to a stop. Looking around, I realize I truly am alone.
I don’t belong with the Cartel. I never have. But I’m not sure I belong with the Bratva either.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Damien
“You did well tonight,” I say, staring out the window because looking at Liliana is too difficult.
We’re taking a hired car out of the city toward the safe house. After the showdown in the hallway, I did my best to avoid looking at my woman.
Even here, in the closeness of the car – with her scent tempting me – I know I’ll leap on her if I stare for too long. I won’t be able to stop myself from consuming every inch of her.
The party went as calmly as possible, with Gabriel sulking but doing nothing to Liliana. The conversation was short and awkward. But it was better than what could’ve happened.
Now Liliana is safe, away from him.
For now, unless Gabriel starts a war. With most men, I’d say the showdown in the hallway wasn’t enough to trigger something so drastic. But Gabriel’s been looking for an excuse, eager for a fight. He might just seize on this, let his anger guide him, lash out at our businesses, our people.
I wouldn’t put anything past him.
“I wish my uncle had agreed to come.”
I can’t fight it anymore. My gaze drags across to her, moving over her breasts as she folds her arms, pressing them together.
Does she know the effect she’s having on me?
The driver is separated by a soundproofed screen, meaning I don’t have to worry about him getting a look at my woman’s round and beautiful breasts. It’s the way she pouts, too, like she’s ready for her man to teach her some manners.
Fuck.
She makes me ache.
I want to cradle her to me, to tell her everything’s going to be okay. But once I start, I won’t be able to stop. I’ll have to tell her everything.
It’s why I left the hallway so quickly.
I was going to roar.
“Nick is his own man,” I mutter.
She flashes me a look, all haughty, eyes wide. “And how would you know that?”
I resist the urge to reach over and take her hands. I’d end up holding her too tightly, too possessively, telling her through touch alone that she’s mine. She’s got a crosshair on her wrist, fine. But she’s put one on my heart, too. And she’s pulling the trigger with every look, every word, every little thing she does.
“I’ve known about him for a long time, even if we haven’t worked together directly. During the war, I learned as much as I could about all of Gabriel’s men. Nick is strong and well-trained, and he served overseas. Without you….”
“It’s okay,” she says, softening a little. “He said the same thing. Without me holding him back, he’ll be able to survive a lot better on his own.”
I nod, admiring how calmly she can face the blunt truth, even if there’s still a flicker of sassiness touching her expression.
There’s something else there too. I wonder if she’s holding anything back.
“What were you doing, anyway?” I ask. “Back at the party. You said you were looking at the kitchen? Do you want to be a chef?”
She looks at me, then down at her hands, as though the admission makes her feel vulnerable somehow. Her cheeks turn that tempting shade of crimson again.
“Yes,” she says quietly. “Whenever we get invited to these things, I always try to get a look at the kitchen if I can. But it’s never ended like that before.”