Chapter 29 | Nick
Nick
After a very early visit to the Bayonne docks, I came home and worked out in the small gym in my basement.
I planned to renovate it one day, but for now it was good enough.
Alexis called it my murder-basement, as she’d done in the safehouse, since it only had tiny windows near the ceiling.
I smiled as I bench-pressed, imagining her making fun of the small space.
Afterward, I showered and threw on some sweatpants before heading to the kitchen to make a sandwich.
I had a few hours before Michael and I needed to be in the Bronx for dinner with Sal DeLorenzo.
Michael wanted to sit down and formulate a viable strategy now that the Carusos and DeLorenzos were essentially at war with the bratva and Marco Nunez.
Looking at my phone, I realized that Alexis would probably be done walking the treadmill with Bianca, so I’d scarf down the sandwich and then go check in on her to see how she was doing.
I planned to ask her to dinner in a few days, once she was completely healed, so we could have a real talk about our future.
I was convinced that urging her to move into the city and pursue a job there was the best course for her.
I was ready to explain to her that it didn’t mean I didn’t love her.
In fact, it meant the opposite. I loved her enough to release her from a world I could never leave.
I just hoped she understood my reasoning. Knowing Alexis, she was going to fight me every step of the way.
I finished the sandwich and turned to head upstairs when loud knocks sounded on my kitchen door. Pivoting, I saw Alexis there and she pointed to the doorknob.
I strode over and unlocked it, and she breezed past me.
“You’re locking your door now. Good. Can’t be too careful.”
“Yes,” I said, turning the lock back in place. “I, uh, was going to come and see you in a few minutes. I just showered and had lunch.”
Her eyes raked over my wet hair and bare chest, filled with a hunger that caused my pulse to quicken.
“Oh, I can see that. You look delicious.”
Breathing a laugh, I placed a hand on my hip. “If you let me get dressed, I’ll go on a walk with you around the back yard so you can get some fresh air.”
She squinted one eye. “I think I’d just rather talk.”
I swallowed, feeling my throat bob. Fuck. I wasn’t ready for the talk we needed to have, and my heart cracked at the knowledge I’d have to tell her I wasn’t going to let her stay.
“You want to talk now? I was thinking we could go to dinner on Saturday—”
“Now,” she said with a nod. “Let’s go into the living room.”
She pivoted and disappeared into the next room, and I sighed, wondering why I ever thought I’d have control of any situation with the stubborn woman.
I found her sitting on my couch, and I lowered beside her.
“How’s your back?”
“It feels much better. I’m still trying to sleep on my side, but it barely hurts anymore.”
My heart constricted in my chest at the thought of how close I’d come to losing her. “That’s good. You’re pretty tough, princess.”
“Don’t you forget it,” she said with a wink.
Facing her, I rested my head on my fist as my elbow dug into the back of the couch. “Okay, let’s do this. I’m assuming you want to start.”
Grinning, she shook her head. “No, I’m just going to finish this before it begins. How about that?”
“Alexis...” I sighed, observing the determined glint in her eyes.
“I just came from Michael’s office,” she said, lifting her chin. “You’re looking at the new Director of Digital Security for the Caruso organization.”
My eyebrows drew together. “What?”
“He gave me a job. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. And we’re going to need it so I can renovate this house to make it livable for us.” She swept her hand across the room. “Especially your murder-basement gym. We’re going to overhaul that room first.”
The corner of my lips curved. “I like my murder-basement gym.”
“Too bad, buddy. That one’s non-negotiable.”
I gazed into her eyes, unable to deny the deep love that swirled there. I was sure it was mirrored in my eyes, and I took a few seconds to breathe and try to remember why I needed to ensure she chose a different path.
“Michael’s business isn’t Google, sweetheart. I know you understand that.”
“I do,” she said with a nod. “And I never thought I’d choose to stay in this world. But things have changed, and we both know it. So, I’m making the best choice for the future I want to build.”
I grasped her hand, gently caressing it as I tried to talk some sense into her stubborn head.
“Building a life with me will be extremely dangerous. Not only for you, but for any children we have. Have you really thought about that, Alexis? Harming a mafia leader’s child is the first step in the playbook.
Are you prepared to live with that threat? ”
Her chest contracted as she released a deep breath. “Do I want to live with that fear? Of course not. But there are dangers in every aspect of life, Nick. We could both choke on a damn strawberry tomorrow.”
I laughed. “That’s not the same equivalence, and you know it.”
“I can’t imagine how scared you were when you heard I’d been hurt,” she said, scooting closer to me and sliding over my lap.
Straddling me, the warm juncture of her thighs encased my cock through our clothes. I was surrounded by her sexy body and sweet scent, and I gripped her hips as she continued.
“I’m sorry you had to experience that,” she said, gliding her palms over my cheeks. “It was stupid of me to search for the devices, and I’m going to make better decisions in the future. I owe you that.”
I swallowed thickly as I studied her. “All I care about is keeping you safe,” I said softly. “And if that means I have to let you go, I will. I won’t have you hurt because you’re my girlfriend or wife...or whatever is cooking in that busy brain of yours.”
“Wife is good,” she said, her teeth flashing as she beamed. Lowering her palms to my pecs, she tenderly rubbed me as she stared into my eyes. “We both know you’re going to marry me, so let’s just accept it. I want to start my life with you.”
“You can still make another choice, sweetheart,” I said, cupping her jaw. “There’s still time.”
“I’ve already chosen.” She pressed her lips to mine. “I choose you. I love you, Nick, and I want to spend every moment I have left with you.”
“That’s a long time,” I teased, rubbing her bottom lip. “You’re not even twenty-three yet.”
“I’m old enough to know what I want.” The little vixen shimmied against my rapidly-hardening cock. “And you are too, old man.”
I couldn’t control my grin at her infinite cuteness. “You’re signing up for adult diaper changing in a few decades. Are you sure?”
“Bring it on,” she said, arching her head back and emitting a joyful laugh.
“I want it all with you. The sleepless nights when we bring our babies home, and the days where we want to kill each other before having awesome make-up sex, and yes, even putting up with your grumpy ass in an old-age home once we get there. I want every last messy piece of it.”
“Even with the danger that inevitably brings?”
She gave a firm nod. “Even with that.”
I took her face in my hands, overcome with emotion at what this beautiful woman was offering me.
“I’m so fucking in love with you, Alexis,” I said, seeing her eyes well with tears.
“You’re all I think about. All I care about.
I’ll do anything to keep you safe and protect you. I just want you to be happy.”
“Then, marry me,” she said, a tear sliding down her cheek. “And let’s really do this. I’m ready.”
My chest lifted as I inhaled deeply. Drawing her face to mine, I captured her lips, devouring them as I nibbled and tasted the woman who owned my soul. She kissed me back, her innocent sexiness setting my body on fire, and my cock surged against her warm center.
“Make love to me,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Pulling back, she rubbed her lip gloss from my lips. “You won’t. I probably just need to stay off my back. You can fuck me from behind.” She bit her lip.
Lust roared as I fisted her thick hair. “Are you sure, princess?”
“So fucking sure. Take me upstairs.”
Realizing I’d won more in this “argument” than I’d ever imagined, I lifted my woman in my arms and carried her to my bed.