Chapter Twenty
Faith
" A re you nervous?" Mila asks, watching me pace back and forth across the living room.
"No," I lie and then huff. "Yes." I spin to face her, wringing my hands together. "I don't want him to lose his job because of me. He loves his job."
"He loves you more," she says, smiling at me. She's lying on the couch with her hands on her belly and her feet up. Her belly has really grown since I met her. Her feet are always swelling. The baby will be here soon. She's miserable, but she tries to hide it, especially from Roman.
"Do you think they'll fire him?" I ask, peeking out the front windows again. Octavio and Roman have been gone for hours already. I'm ready to burst into anxious pieces. How long can a hearing really take? It's not like he has to go to court to defend his job or anything. He just has to meet with his chain-of-command. I wanted to go with him, but he didn't want them trying to make me testify. I think he's worried that if he gets fired and I testified, I'll feel like it's my fault.
"I don't know," Mila admits with a little frown. "I don't think so. He's a great detective, one of the best in the city. I think his major is just being a dick." She laughs quietly. "Roman says Jessup is always a dick."
I resume pacing, peeking out the windows every few minutes. Knox is sitting in his truck across the street. He sees me peeking out and waves at me. This time, I don't hide from him. I wave back.
"I'm really glad you're home," Mila says. "I missed you the past few days."
"I missed you too." I turn back to her, blinking rapidly to keep from crying as her words send warmth shooting through me. "You're my first real friend."
Her green eyes light up with genuine happiness. "Of course I'm your friend, Faith. I love you. You're smart and funny and you cook for me and help me annoy Roman. We have to stick together, or our men will never let us out of the house."
I laugh because she's probably right. Octavio and Roman are both bossy and overprotective. "I don't mind it so much," I mumble, my cheeks heating. It's hard to be mad about it when overprotective and bossy Octavio is also really sweet at the same time. He's all alpha, but it comes from a place of love. "It's nice to have someone care about me and what happens to me."
"We all care about you. You're part of our family now, and we protect our family." She struggles into a sitting position. I cross to her to help. By the time she's upright, her face is red and she's panting a little. "Being pregnant is hard work," she huffs, slapping her hair back from her face. "I can't wait until I can see my feet again."
"I'm excited to meet her." I sit beside her to lay my hand on her belly, smiling when the baby kicks me.
Mila's expression melts, her green eyes bright. "Me too," she says softly. "I'm so excited to meet her and hold her and watch her grow into her own little person. I can't wait to see Roman with her. He's going to be such a great daddy to her."
"Yeah, he will." He's so in love with Mila and their baby. He's always touching her stomach and smiling. It's honestly adorable how excited he is about being a father again.
"Octavio will be an incredible daddy too."
I blink at her.
"I'm just saying," she mumbles, grinning at me.
"He told me we're getting married."
Her grin widens.
"I want kids someday, but not yet," I admit. I want time with Octavio first. Time where Nikolai and the Bratva aren't hanging over our heads like a sword, I mean. And I want to go to school and get a degree. Octavio said he wants babies with me, but not until I'm ready. When we talked about it, he told me that we should probably talk to my doctor about putting me on birth control, so he doesn't get me pregnant by accident. He also said a few other things about loving being inside me bare. That conversation ended with him giving me orgasms.
"You have plenty of time," Mila reminds me. "Roman and I didn't mean for me to end up pregnant. It just kind of happened." She shrugs and pats her belly. "I don't mind though. I'm so happy I'm going to be a mom. Even though pregnancy isn't a lot of fun, I wouldn't change anything." She grimaces, her lips curving into a frown. "Except the being shot and almost dying in a fire parts."
"Do you still think about it?"
"Sometimes, but not as much now that I'm in the last trimester and the baby is okay. Every day, I breathe a little easier. I think Roman struggles with it more than I do." She tilts her head, studying me. "Are you still having nightmares?"
"Sometimes," I whisper. "Not as often anymore. They're usually about the shooting. I never want to go through something like that ever again."
"I don't blame you." Mila reaches for my hand to squeeze my fingers. "I can't even imagine how scared you were. But I'm proud of you, you know? Despite everything, you let Octavio in. You learned to trust people again. You've already changed so much since he brought you home."
"I'm happy," I mumble, my cheeks heating at her praise. "I've never been this happy before."
She grins at me. "Happy looks good on you."
A car pulls in outside. I jump up and rush to the windows, but it's not Octavio or Roman. Michael Kincaid climbs out of an SUV and circles around to the passenger side to help January down. Once she's on her feet, he puts his arm around her, and they head toward the front door.
"It's Kincaid and January," I mumble to Mila, hurrying to the door to open it for them.
"Thought we'd find you here," Kincaid says, dropping a kiss to the top of my head once they're inside.
January wraps her arms around me in a big hug. "I miss not being neighbors with you," she says before releasing me. "You're way more fun to gossip with than he is."
"Hey, I'm fucking awesome at gossiping," Kincaid protests, crossing to Mila's side to pull her into a hug.
She laughs, wrapping her arms around him. As usual these days, her belly kind of gets in the way. It's large and in charge.
"You doing good, sweetheart?" he asks her, letting her go when January steps forward to hug her.
"I am." Mila laughs when the baby kicks and January jumps, her eyes going wide. "She's being an acrobat today."
"Your men aren't back yet?" Kincaid asks, looking between the two of us.
I shake my head.
He frowns. "They didn't leave a bodyguard?"
"Knox is parked across the street." I like Knox. He's nice, but he usually stays outside instead of coming inside. I don't know why because he doesn't scare me anymore. But anytime we tell him he can come inside, he just shakes his head and smiles at us, telling us he's good where he's at. I think Octavio told him he has to stay out there.
Kincaid crosses to the windows and peeks out, grunting in satisfaction when he sees Knox out there. He drops the curtains and turns back to us. "I have news, but I'd rather wait until Octavio is here to tell you."
"Okay." I shrug, preferring to wait for Octavio too. With him by my side, I feel like I can face anything. Without him…well, I'm still figuring all of that out. All I know is that I feel stronger when he's with me.
January smiles at me like she gets it. Maybe she does. She spent a long time living without Kincaid, and I don't think it worked out very well for either of them. January has told me a little about what happened to them growing up, and how they ended up apart for six years. I'm glad they found each other again. And I'm really glad January is okay, and Kincaid didn't go to jail. I love them both.
"I have something for you!" January cries like she just remembered. She hurries to the door, only for Kincaid to catch her around the waist and move her aside.
"I'll get it, baby girl," he murmurs. "You shouldn't be carrying shit."
"Cade, I'm fine," she huffs.
"I know." He picks her up and sets her on the chaise beside the couch, beaming down at her. "Now you can be fine sitting your little ass right there in that chair while I go get your shit out of the car for you."
She rolls her eyes at him but doesn't argue, which makes Mila laugh softly.
"He's impossible," January mutters once the front door closes behind him. Her emerald eyes sparkle with happiness, making it obvious she doesn't mind that he's bossy and overprotective where she's concerned.
We chat back and forth for a few minutes before he comes back inside, carrying a box.
"For you," he says, setting it at my feet.
I glance from him to the box, smiling at the stack of textbooks inside.
"So you can study for your GED," January explains. "All the subjects are in there. I can help you study if you need me to." She's a teacher, but she's been off work since Kaleo shot her.
"Thank you," I whisper, hugging her as tears of gratitude well in my eyes. Octavio set me up to take the test in a couple of months so I'll have time to study first. I'm nervous about it. I really don't want to fail. "I'd love your help."
She beams at me.
"I'll help with the English portions," Mila offers. "Not the math though. I hate math."
January's nose wrinkles at the mention of math. "Everyone hates math," she mutters.
"I don't hate math," Kincaid protests.
"That's because you're basically a genius." She smiles like she's proud of him.
"You're ruining my street cred here, baby girl."
She smirks at him, rolling her eyes.
"Thank you, Kincaid."
He narrows his eyes on me. "You call me Michael, sweetheart, remember?"
"Forgot," I mumble. Octavio and Roman always call him Kincaid. I'm still trying to remember that he likes for me to call him Michael. I don't think he likes for me or January or Mila to see the side of him that Roman and Octavio see…the dangerous man who is more than capable of killing to protect his family.
He shakes his head, smiling at me.
Another car pulls up outside. I jump up and run to the windows again, pulling the curtains back to look out. Octavio and Roman are both climbing out of Roman's truck. They both look so handsome in their formal dress uniforms, but I can't take my eyes off Octavio. He's so damn hot. He looks toward the house like he knows I'm watching him. His sepia eyes meet mine through the window, but I can't get a read on his expression.
Worry whispers through me. If they fired him, I'm going to be so upset for him.
"Sup, fuckers?" Kincaid asks, holding the front door open for them as they jog up the steps.
Roman flips him off, but Octavio ignores him, coming straight to my side. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him. I lay my head against his chest and breathe him in, not even caring when a piece of my hair gets caught in the name bar on his chest.
" Te extrané ," he murmurs, his voice gruff.
"I missed you too." I pull back to look up at him, too worried to wait any longer for news. "How did it go? They didn't fire you, did they?"
"No." He strokes his knuckles down my cheek. "I think it went well, angel. Jessup was a dick, but Chief was more understanding, especially with Finn and Roman there to testify that you were being released from protective custody before I brought you home with me. Your statement to Finn helped."
"It did?"
He nods, smiling gently. "It did. I'll probably be suspended for a little while for failing to disclose our relationship, but I don't think they're going to fire me."
"They better fucking not," Roman growls. "You helped bring down several of Tarasova's people and a dirty cop. They should be kissing your ass for that."
"It is what it is," Octavio says with a shrug, not taking his eyes off me. "I'll live with whatever punishment they decide to dole out so long as it means I have you."
"You do have me."
He leans forward to press his lips to my forehead. I cuddle up against him for a moment, just enjoying the release of stress and worry. I don't think I realized how much it's been weighing on me until today. But if he thinks everything will be okay, I believe him.
"What are you two doing here?" Roman asks Kincaid and January.
"I have news," Kincaid announces.
Octavio's body goes rigid before he sighs and reluctantly pulls back. He doesn't let me get too far away from him. Instead, he wraps an arm around my waist, tucking me against his big body. Roman and Kincaid are both holding their women the same way, making me smile. The three of them are so different, but they're so much alike in all the ways that count.
"Tarasova agreed to most of your terms."
"Most?" Octavio arches a brow.
"He can't free his sister."
"Why the hell not?"
"She's missing," Kincaid mutters, pushing his hair back from his forehead and shooting a look of genuine bafflement around the room. "Tarasova says she's been gone for over a week."
"He's telling the truth?" Octavio asks.
Kincaid nods. "I thought he was lying too, but I checked into it. She's MIA. No one knows where she went."
"Oh no," I whisper, clutching my throat. All eyes turn in my direction. "Ivan and Victor knew how obsessive Nikolai was about keeping her safe. If they betrayed him by coming after me, they probably went after her too." Poor Sienna. If they got their hands on her, they probably killed her.
Octavio turns a troubled frown in my direction before sharing a look with Roman and Kincaid. I don't understand the silent conversation that flows between them, but they all seem grim and a little worried. Roman jerks his chin in a nod, like he's agreeing to something.
"I'm sure she's fine," Octavio murmurs to me a moment later, stroking my cheek again.
I hope he's right. I don't know her, but she deserves the chance to have a life of her own. I send up a quick prayer that Ivan and Victor didn't get their hands on her and then turn back to Kincaid.
"And everything else?" Octavio asks after a moment. "Tarasova agreed to our terms?"
"He's agreed to send anyone who laid a hand on her out of the country," Kincaid says. "He's made it clear that anyone who doesn't agree will likely face criminal charges."
Octavio tenses like he wants to argue.
I lay a hand on his arm and wait until he looks at me to shake my head. "Most of the ones who hurt me are already gone," I remind him. "I don't want to fight him about this."
"I don't like it."
"I know." I smile at him. "But I'm willing to accept it if it means I'm free."
"Fine." He narrows his eyes on me. "But if they step foot in this city ever again, they're going to prison."
"Agreed."
Octavio turns back to Kincaid. "And the rest?"
"Tarasova is willing to testify against your mother," Kincaid says to me. "He's also going to look into what happened to Octavio's sister. He won't come after you again and neither will any of his men. He'll keep his people out of Tarzana and away from you and Octavio."
"So it's over?" I ask, digging my nails into Octavio's arm.
"Yeah, sweetheart. It's over."
I blink once and then again, trying to process that, but I don't even know where to begin. "It's really over?" I ask him…just to be sure. "Nikolai is going to give us what we want?"
"Almost everything you asked for, he agreed to give you." Kincaid smiles at me, his expression soft. "You're safe now, Faith."
Shock and relief flow through me. I turn my face up to Octavio, blinking through watery eyes. All I've wanted for the last five years is finally mine. No more living in fear. No more being locked away from the world. No more pain. For the first time in my life, I don't have to answer to anyone or do anything I don't want to do.
I'm free.
"It's over," I whisper to Octavio, tears spilling over to slide down my cheeks. "It's really over."
" Es libre, conejita ," he says, his eyes shining with moisture. He picks me up in his strong arms, spinning me in a circle. A single tear runs down his cheek as he smiles at me like I'm the most incredible thing he's ever seen in his life. "You're free, little bunny. You're free."
I throw my arms around his neck and sob.
"I have something for you," Octavio says, picking me up from the couch and putting me on his lap. I curl up on him, resting my head against his chest. He wraps a muscular arm around my torso, securing me to him. His lips touch the side of my head, lingering against my temple.
Everyone left a little while ago, leaving us alone for the first time all day. Finn and Lola came over to celebrate with us too. Even Knox came in to say congratulations. The only one missing was Luke, but I know he'll be back as soon as he can. I'm so happy they were all here to celebrate, but all I want right now is to be alone with Octavio.
"What?" I press my face to his throat and inhale. His familiar scent is as intoxicating as ever. It's peace and safety and home.
Home. I finally have one of those. He's my home. And now nothing and no one will ever take it away from me.
He reaches for my hand and flips it over, dropping something in my palm. His lips brush my temple again as he curls my fingers around whatever he just gave me. My heart rises toward my throat, my eyes locking with his as I realize what I'm holding.
"Look at it," he whispers.
I open my hand slowly.
"Octavio," I breathe, stunned at the sight of the ring resting against my scarred palm. It's so beautiful. The band is platinum, with a large square cut diamond surrounded by delicate vines. On each side, three additional diamonds are placed so they take the shape of a rabbit. " Te amo, mi conejita. " has been engraved inside, along with his name.
"You're free now, Faith," he whispers, using his thumbs to wipe away my tears. "You can go anywhere and do anything, but I'm kinda hoping your first act as a free woman will be to marry me. You're my world. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. I'd kill for you. Die for you. I'll choose you every day of forever, little bunny. Now I'm asking you to choose me too. ?Quieres casarte conmigo? Will you marry me, angel?"
"Yes."
"Yes?"
I laugh, bobbing my head up and down and smiling through tears. "Yes, Octavio. I'll marry you."
His hands shake as he slips the ring on my finger. Something predatory flares in his gaze as he stares at his ring on my finger, turning those sepia orbs into twin beacons of dark flame. The look is fierce protection, gentle possessiveness, and intense need all at once. He inhales a shaky breath, dropping his forehead to mine.
" Me haces tan feliz ," he whispers.
"You make me so happy too, Octavio. I love you so much." I press my lips to his, though I'm not sure if I taste his tears on them or my own. His tongue touches mine, and I lose track of everything but him and the sheer joy pumping through me with every beat of my heart.
When he stands up from the couch, I wrap my arms around his neck. Our lips never part as he carries me down the hall toward our bedroom. He strips me bare between kisses, shrugging out of his clothes along the way. I can't resist wrapping around him.
He follows me down to the bed, pressing his naked chest to mine.
"Fuck. I love the way you feel against me, angel," he murmurs, leaning back to scatter kisses across my face. His lips are gentle against the fading bruise Ivan left behind, a little angry growl rumbling in his throat over it.
" Estoy aquí ," I remind him, running my hands up and down his strong back. " Estoy a salvo ."
"You will always be safe," he vows before working his way down my body.
I cry out, throwing my head back as he places hot kisses all over me, leaving no part of me untouched by those gorgeous, wicked lips of his. He whispers a prayer against the burn on my abdomen, and then another as he touches his lips to each cigarette burn on my thighs.
"You're so damn beautiful," he whispers, gently shouldering his way between my thighs. "So perfect."
"Octavio!" I grasp onto the bedding as he makes love to me with his tongue, not letting up until my legs close around his head and I cry out my orgasm, shaking and shuddering my way through it.
"You taste so sweet," he croons, kissing his way back up my body.
His heat leaves me for a moment before he settles over me, pulling my leg up over his thigh. I hear a condom wrapper tear and then feel him roll it on before his length presses against my sex, making me moan and tremble again.
"Faith, angel." He groans long and low as he sinks into me, stretching me around him. "I never knew how good life could be until you. Never imagined I could feel like this. Dios , little bunny. I could spend the rest of my life inside you, and it still wouldn't be enough to satisfy me."
"Octavio," I moan, raking my nails down his back and then grasping onto his firm ass as he pumps in and out of me. Each time he pushes into me, he hits the spot that makes me see stars, the one I didn't even know existed until he found it. " Te necesito. Te necesito ."
"You have me. You've had me since the minute you put your hand in mine and agreed to help me, angel." He holds me tighter, striking deeper. His breath comes in choppy pants as he makes love to me, his hips holding me captive beneath him. His lips close around one of my nipples, pulling a cry of ecstasy from me.
I lock my legs around his waist and dig my nails into his upper back, clawing as he bites down on my sensitive flesh. An orgasm rears up out of nowhere, knocking me breathless. I jerk beneath him, whimpering and whining as heat twists through me, turning me inside out again and then again.
"Fuck yes," he groans, throwing his head back. "Let me feel those nails in my back. Mark me so everyone knows I'm yours." He adjusts my leg around his waist, opening me even wider for him. The bed shakes as he pounds into me, his balls slapping against my ass with every powerful thrust. "Fuck, I want to feel you coming on my cock again, Faith. Give it to me."
"Please," I beg, though I'm not sure if I'm begging for more or if I'm begging for mercy. My entire body feels overly sensitized, like the slightest touch might break me into little pieces. I want to break for him, shatter into stardust, and then start again. I'm addicted to him. To the way he touches me and the things he says to me. To the way he speaks to me in Spanish but rarely uses it with anyone else who knows the language…like it's our own, something reserved just for me and him. To the way he protects and defends me, and the way he never lets me go through anything alone. To his love and how powerful he makes me feel.
"I love you. I love you."
I'm not sure if I'm chanting the words or if he is, but I feel them striking against my heart like a gong. They rattle through me, shaking me, shaking me, shaking me…and then I break.
I scream his name as my inner muscles clamp down on him and I come hard, convulsing and crying out his name. My arms and legs lock around him, trying to keep him as close to me as possible.
"Faith. Oh God, Faith." He pounds into me without rhythm as he catapults over the edge with me, his entire body taut. He spills into the condom over and over, moaning my name. He buries his face in my throat, whispering it there like a prayer and I feel it everywhere. Feel him everywhere.
As we come together, I'm a mess of sweat and love bites, engulfed in his arms and branded on his heart. Orgasm burns and gnashes and claws, ripping its way through me and stripping me to the bone. What it leaves behind isn't broken, and it isn't scarred, either. For the first time in my life…I'm finally whole.