Chapter 37 #2
“Well, I do,” I said, forcing a smile. “Sort of.” I inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
Part of me, the Owl’s Talon, wanted to mark the corpse so the Juarez cartel would know it was a warning.
The other part only wanted to get Elin somewhere clean, to run warm water over her until every stain was washed away.
“I can see your gears turning,” she murmured. “You’re thinking about next steps. But you’re also . . . worried about me?”
I didn’t answer. I kissed her quickly, tasting blood, and led her toward the utility sink that had never served a purpose more vital. “Come on,” I said. “Before I chain you up somewhere safe instead.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t work. I’d get loose. Always do.”
“Yeah,” I said, unable to keep the warmth from my tone. “Besides, I’m not sure I’d survive the punishment from you if I did try to lock you up.”
Dominance sparkled in her eyes as she said, “Oh, you’d survive, but your cock and balls would hurt so bad, a gentle wind would make you cum from the denial I’d give you.”
“Yes, Goddess.”
Striding over to the sink, I washed in silence. The water ran rust-brown, then sickly pink, then finally clear. I watched the red spiral down the drain and felt something settle in me—not peace, but purpose.
I dried my hands and scrubbed them with the lemon disinfectant Harley kept under the sink, then handed her the rag. Elin glanced at me, the corners of her lips twitching. “I look like a horror show.”
“Better than most of my dates,” I replied, and she let out a short, sharp bark of laughter. Before it was always about the power, the family honor, but her delight reminded me why I did this now: not for power, not for the family, but for moments like this in a world that wanted us both dead.
I helped her up the stairs, where at the top, Harley stood waiting, phone pressed to his ear, his face an impassive mask. I gave him a curt nod.
“I want anyone who was to be part of her abduction to be removed from this world. Understand?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Who covers the shift tonight?”
“I’ll call Moretti. He owes me.” My mind was already racing, slotting variables into place with the speed of a man who trusted no one—not even himself.
Harley’s gaze flicked to Elin and lingered. I tensed, but he just nodded in respect. “Efficient,” he said to her.
Elin gave a faint, businesslike smile. “Thank you. I aim to please.”
“Go on,” Harley said. “Three’s a crowd. I’ll clean.”
We threaded through Paradise’s back hallways, avoiding the main floor.
House music thumped behind closed doors, covering our escape.
At every turn, I checked reflections for tails, but tonight my paranoia felt precise, cold, deliberate—nothing like the wild fear of my childhood or the betrayal written in my father’s eyes.
Only when we reached the elevator did I allow myself a breath. I thumbed the security fob and ushered Elin inside. The mirrored box sealed us off from everyone and everything.
I closed my eyes, leaned back against the steel, and let the silence stretch. Adrenaline drained away, replaced by an exhaustion that settled deep in my bones. I felt her watching me—felt her hand measure the weight I carried, the new shape of me.
“You okay?” she asked, mirroring my own question.
I managed a half-grin. “Not even close.”
She pressed her palm against my chest, as if she could steady my heart through skin and bone.
I covered her hand with mine. In that moment, I found that the killing calm that flowed through my veins as the Owl’s Talon hadn't completely relented.
As we waited to stop on the third floor, we held each other's gazes, knowing not to say a word until we were in my office.
The elevator pinged. Third floor. I caught Elin's eye in the mirrored wall, both our reflections speckled with drying blood.
My hand found the small of her back as we stepped into the empty hallway, my fingers pressing just hard enough to guide her.
At the door, my fingers danced across the keypad, muscle memory taking over.
Inside, I moved with practiced efficiency: curtains drawn until darkness swallowed the room, the soft blue glow of the bug-sweep monitor casting shadows across Elin's face.
The screen flashed green. Clear. My lungs finally expanded.
I peeled off my ruined shirt, the fabric sticking to my skin where blood had dried. Elin disappeared saying she was going to take a shower, returning twenty minutes later in fresh clothes, her hair damp at the temples. We'd barely settled on the leather couch when the door opened.
"What's the plan?" The fluorescent light from the hallway caught the red under his fingernails.
"Keep the girls safe."
Elin huffed out an irritated breath. “Dad trained me well. I can take care of myself.”
I looked at Harley, who rolled his shoulders.
“Elin, we aren’t talking about our local families.” Gavriel said softly, but when our eyes locked, he continued with more resolve. “This is La Legion Mexican cartel. Juarez is the San Diego contact. These guys are not to be fucked with. He knows that if he has you, he controls me.”
“You think I don’t know that? I understand what is at stake here, Gavriel.”
“Do you?”
She looked at me flabbergasted. “Seriously?” Both Harley and I just stared at her.
“I recognized that the life and safety of Rhea is at stake. I recognize that the future of the Azzaro family is at stake. I also recognize that my revenge and justice for my father is at stake. Your father will die. If we can take out Juarez along with him, that would be ideal. Otherwise, we get Rhea the fuck out of the state and under protection so deep no one finds her ever again, until we do. Now, are you still on board for this, or am I going at this alone.”
“I’m yours to wield. I told you that.” She had to understand how completely I was hers to command.
Harley didn’t hesitate as he added, “And Don Azzaro knows that my loyalty is to Gavriel, so . . .”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Her attention didn’t leave either of us.
“Yes. We are with you.” I said, going to my knees before her. “I just need you to understand that the cartels don’t play by the same rules we do here. It’s not uncommon for the cartels to destroy whole families to get their points across.”
“I understand.” She let out a long breath, leaning against the couch, feet tucked up under her as she chewed on her thumb.
"Whatever happens, whatever we have to do .
. . I need you to know something." I waited, watching as she seemed to wrestle with herself before continuing.
"I've spent years thinking you were a cocky, petulant child, then hating you when I thought you were the man who killed my father.
I planned revenge. And then I met you—really met you, beyond our history.
" Her eyes held mine, steady and certain.
"I fell in love with you, Gavriel Azzaro.
Not just the Pretty Boy who submits to me, but the man who stands beside me now, ready to sacrifice everything for those he loves. "
Her words stole my breath as if I’d been kicked by a horse. We'd danced around this for weeks, both knowing but neither saying the words.
"Elin—"
"Let me finish." She turned on her knees, facing me, her hand moving to cup my cheek. "I need you to know, in case things go wrong tonight, that you are loved. Completely. Fiercely. Violently. I need you to be safe and come home."
I covered her hand with mine, turning to press a kiss to her palm.
"I've loved you since the night you fell asleep in my arms," I admitted, my voice rough with emotion.
"Maybe even before that. When you took control that first time in your office, something in me recognized you. Like my soul had been waiting for you."
Harley cleared his throat. "As touching as this is—”
“Yeah, yeah. You don’t like the mushy shit.”