Unforgivable

Preface

Let It Burn

Rico

“Fuck,” I mutter as shots fire, alerting everyone to our presence. I had hoped we could at least get off the grounds before we or the fire were noticed. We’ve only made it to the back door we need to exit through.

I rush out the doorway and dart by the pool to find cover behind the thick Roman pillars in the backyard. My cousins Eduardo and Aldo are hot on my heels. Eduardo brings up the rear as he covers us. Then the two take the lead and rush up ahead as they continue to return fire.

Pop Pop Pop.

I duck behind the wall with Oni in my arms as shots continue to ring out in our direction. Two bullets hit the pillar above our heads and debris falls down around us. I look down at her gorgeous brown face as she lies unconscious, and murderous rage fills me.

“What have they done to you, baby?”

I’m going to get her out of here. I need to get her to safety. I can’t lose her now, not again.

Not after all I’ve done. All of this is for her; everything I’ve done has been for her. I glance up as my cousin Eduardo calls my name.

He was the last out of the house they had Oni held hostage in. These fuckers thought they could take what belongs to me—over my dead fucking body.

Anyone who dares to touch what belongs to Federico Gallo Jr. learns their lesson. I’m the last motherfucker you want to fuck with. I don’t have the conscience to think twice.

Especially when it comes to this woman in my arms. I’m insane for Oni, always have been. Ruthless is who I was before her. Utter destruction is who I am now.

“I have you covered. Let’s go,” Eduardo yells over the gunfire.

Quickly, I glance behind me and see the mansion burning down. Baring my teeth, I work my jaw. For what they’ve done, I hope those fuckers burn with it.

I’m just getting started when it comes to my wrath. When the dust settles, everyone will understand the message I plan to send. They will all pay.

“Hold on, baby. I’m going to get you home,” I mutter as I turn back to Oni and kiss her temple.

More shots sound, causing me to look up. Eduardo jerks back as he takes a hit to the shoulder. I grind my teeth as his brother Aldo appears, guns blazing. My other cousin catches the guy in the head who shot Eduardo.

“I’ve got you. Come on,” Aldo growls.

I reposition Oni in my arms and make my move. I make it to Aldo, who’s helping a bleeding Eduardo as I’m hit in the leg. I stumble forward but tighten my hold on Oni.

“Fuck, man. You’re hit,” Aldo says as he turns to me.

Way to state the obvious. I want to growl the words at him, but I know he’s just worried about me and Oni. My cousins are putting their lives on the line for the woman I love. I could never repay them for that.

“I’m fine. Get him in the car. We need to be on the move. We’re running out of time,” I bite out.

He grunts and helps Eduardo into the front passenger seat, then opens the back door for me as I let off a few shots of my own. “I’ll drive. Get in,” he commands. I take out two more guys before turning my focus back to getting into the vehicle.

A bullet whizzes by my head and shatters the window of the open back door. I wave Aldo off as he tries to move to help me. He starts to round the vehicle to follow my orders.

I go to climb into the back seat of the SUV with Oni in my embrace. Suddenly, I fall forward and begin to lose focus as I’m hit again. I’ve managed to cradle my body around hers.

“Son of a bitch,” Aldo bellows.

I can hear him moving around to get me in the vehicle and close the door behind me. My back burns something awful. However, I grind my teeth against the pain and try to focus on Oni.

I groan as I push up off her and look her body over. She’s covered in blood, but I think it’s all mine. She’s still unconscious.

If the motherfucker who did this isn’t already dead, I’m going to treat his ass to an acid embalming while he’s still breathing. Those responsible will pay. I already have a list.

Pain rocks through me and I have to fall back into the seat. No matter how hard I try, I’m losing consciousness.

Shit, this can’t be happening. I have her back. I’m almost at the top. One more play and there’s nothing else in my way.

How can I, Rico Gallo, lose now? I’ve fought too hard to have her. We’ve been through too much.

For years, something or another has tried to keep us apart. This was my final straw. I went to war for her, and this is my result? It can’t be.

Everything begins to flash before my eyes. The first time I saw her. Our first kiss.

The moment I knew I loved her and would do anything to have her in my life. The ultimatum I was given to try to take her from me. The way she fought for me like no one else would.

Oni deserves to be by my side. No one else. There isn’t a person in this world who has loved me more than she has. This is the reason they want to take her from me.

I’m stronger with her. There was a time that if you told me that, I would have told you to get the fuck outta here. I’m my own man.

However, truth is … she makes me a better man. I begin to hear her voice in my head. Something tells me that ain’t good. I can’t open my lids at this point.

“Rico, do you love me?” she says.

“Yes, baby. You know I do. I have loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you,” I reply.

“Then prove it.”

“Prove it how, my angel?”

“You don’t get to leave me. They don’t get to win.”

My job was to get to my woman. Get her out of that hellhole. Then get her home where she can heal, and I can love her.

How the fuck did I fail? I had one job, one job only. Don’t die.

Oni

I feel like I’m floating underwater. Although I feel like I’m lying on soft clouds, my body aches. My head is pounding, and I can’t find the energy to open my eyes.

I get the feeling when I do, I’m not going to be safe. Bad things are waiting. I’ve been holding on for so long.

That much I know. I’ve been waiting on something or someone. What or who, I can’t remember.

Frustrated, I try to remember what’s going on. Where am I and why haven’t they come yet—whoever they are? I try to push at the surface of my consciousness one more time.

I’m a fighter. I can’t give up. I have reasons to survive.

What those reasons are, I can’t figure out through this fog. However, I know I have something important to survive for.

Survive. I’m a survivor. I’ve always had to survive, and I always find a way to.

I’ve got it out the mud before, right? Ugh, my thoughts are right there. He will come for me.

Who is he? Why don’t I feel fully confident that he will? Something happened and he might not find me.

What happened? Think. You have to think.

Let’s start with the basics. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Who am I?

Oni Raven. Yes, that sounds right. I’m Oni Raven.

How old am I? Thirty? No, thirty-one.

Okay, good. I’m thirty-one, but sixteen is ringing in my mind as if it’s important as well. I push that nagging thought back.

I know I’m thirty-one and that was the question. I want to stick to facts that can help me figure out what’s happening to me now. What happened to you, Oni?

Hazel-gray eyes pop into my head. It’s him. He’s who I’m waiting for.

I grab ahold of those eyes and try to figure out who he is. I love the man those eyes belong to. I have for a very long time.

His face begins to become clearer as his dark hair fills my thoughts. I remember running my hands through those dark locks more times than I can count. I’ve seen it in many styles before.

Those fleshy lips. I’ve kissed those lips before. I know the way they feel and how they taste.

I love the voice that comes from them. It’s warm and deep and brings me so much comfort. When he speaks, my entire body tingles.

What happened to take him away from me? He keeps me safe, so what has happened? Where is Rico?

Rico! Oh my God. His name is Rico, and he always protects me. He has been my protector since the first time we met.

I try to remember how we met, but my head begins to hurt more. I try to reach out for the memories and push past the pain. I have something to tell him, something he needs to know, but first I need to remember who he is to me and why we’ve been apart.

That feels really important. Rico is a safe place for me … I think. Or I could be wrong?

I’m hurt and he’s not here. Why? I want him here. I need him here.

Why can’t I remember? I try harder even as my head hurts. Finally, I grasp a small memory.

“I’ve found you, bitch. This time, nothing will save you. You have nowhere else to run. With you out of the way, I will finally get what I deserve.

“Knock her out. Fucking nuisance. What does he see in her?”

I was kidnapped, but where was Rico? Where were my men? I am Oni Raven.

Oni Raven is that bitch. I’m that deal, so how am I here? Where is my man?

Another memory comes as the other fades. I grab ahold of it and force my focus on it. Maybe this one will be another clue.

I’m standing in a room with Rico. He’s holding me close as he nuzzles my neck. I savor the feel of his beard against my skin.

“I only want to see you happy, Oni. I wish you would talk to me and tell me what’s going on. Is it my family? Has someone done something to you?

“No, Rico. I’m fine,” I murmured.

He pulled back and pinched my chin between his fingertips, lifting my gaze to his. Searching my eyes with his gorgeous hazel-gray ones, he inhaled deeply. Guilt filled me, but I didn’t say a word.

“You would tell me if someone was fucking with you, right?”

“Yes. I would, but I would handle it myself if they were. I’m fine, Rico. I promise no one is bothering me.”

He brushed his thumb against my lip. I held my breath as he leaned in to kiss me. The moment his lips crushed mine, I felt like everything would be okay.

He pulled me into his body and held me tightly as he devoured my mouth. I released a moan and pushed my fingers into his hair. My love for him spread through my veins.

“I love you, Oni. Nothing can tear us apart. I will always protect you. I will always find you. There will never be a day that I don’t love you. You are mine,” he breathed against my lips.

Yes, Rico is safe. He will come for me. All I have to do is hold out for him.

Suddenly, the fog is broken as I hear voices. I’m not alone. Others are in the room with me.

I note the scent of cologne. I know the fragrance right away, but can’t place where I know it from. I check my body to see if I can fight back if I need to.

“She’s still not awake?” someone says.

I try to grasp ahold of the voice. It feels familiar. I push harder to burst through the fog that’s holding me back. Pain explodes in my head, but I’m determined to stay focused on the voices in the room.

“No, I don’t know what to tell her when she does.” Another familiar voice fills the room.

“Rico would want us to tell her the truth. Nothing less.”