Chapter 34 #2
I hold the steaming coffee cup up to my face just to feel some warmth.
A coldness has settled into my bones that has nothing to do with the room’s temperature.
“He was the attending surgeon in my third-year residency. He’s a highly respected doctor, and that’s all I saw when he started basically love-bombing me.
I missed the manipulative, sociopath under that fake smile.
I don’t know why he took an interest in me, why he chose me to destroy, but he did.
God, I was so stupid, so willing to see the good in everyone.
” I scoff, filled with self-loathing. “I won’t make that mistake again. ”
He takes the coffee cup from my hand and sets it on the sink. Then grabs both my hands and squeezes. “Hey, look at me, Sam.”
I lift my chin and meet the glowing ferocity in his eyes.
“Men like that only see vulnerabilities they can exploit. Don’t you dare beat yourself up, and don’t let one arsehole change who you are.
Your open heart, your compassion is a fuckin’ gift.
” He holds my stare until I give him a shaky nod.
“That sorted, tell me what you noticed that got you into trouble.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could take this one thing back.
The one thing that changed the course of my life.
“There was a discrepancy with a patient. A homeless man. He was admitted for a cholecystectomy, gallbladder surgery. I’d seen his chart when he was admitted.
But he ended up in the morgue minus some important organs. ”
“Fuck. Organ harvesting? Completely disgustin’, but big money. Messin’ with that business will definitely make you fish bait.” Killian blows out a deep breath. “You know who Barone’s workin’ for?”
“I’m not sure. One of the New York mafia families, I assume. I didn’t want to know.” I glance up sharply. “Not Sandro’s family, though. His father owned the strip club I worked at, and I went to him to help escape. He sent me here to work for Sandro.”
“That’s a relief.” Killian’s thumb caresses the back of my hand before he squeezes and releases it. “But if any of the other four families are involved, this is gonna get messy.” He picks up his cup and takes another sip, thinking. Then he frowns. “How’d you manage to escape with your daughter?”
“With the help of Celia, the brave woman Michael had watching Rona.” The tears break through again.
I pluck a Kleenex from the box on the sink and wipe at them.
“It was seven months ago. She got out with us. I’ve had them both hidden in a safe neighborhood, but I got a text from Michael on my burner phone.
He found me. I panicked and needed to see for myself that they were safe, so I drove there.
” I groan. “It was so stupid. Apparently, they’d put a tracker on my car.
We ran. Michael’s men found us. Celia sacrificed herself so I could run with Rona.
And now she’s…” a sob sticks in my throat. I can’t even finish that thought.
Killian reaches out and pulls me into his arms. He strokes a hand down my damp hair and then gathers it in a ponytail.
Tugging gently, he forces my head back so he can look into my eyes.
“I’m not gonna sugar coat this, love. Havin’ a New York family involved makes it complicated.
But I promise you this, your devil’s days are numbered. You don’t have to run anymore.”
I search his eyes. He means it. But he doesn’t know Michael. The man will kill anyone who gets in the way of what he wants.
He leans down and presses a gentle kiss on my lips.
Then another, slipping his tongue in and kissing the fuck out of me.
It feels so good to be back in his arms, I’m dizzy by the time he sighs and rests his forehead against mine.
“You have a daughter.” His voice is hoarse, reverent.
Then a deep chuckle rumbles in his chest.
I pull back and eye him curiously. “Care to share with the class?”
He shakes his head, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “Just somethin’ my Da said about the best gifts in life are the ones you don’t see comin’. Definitely did not see that one fuckin’ comin’.”
I blink. Is he saying Rona is a gift?
Oh, God.
I’ve been so wrapped up in my own trauma, I forgot about his. About the daughter he never got to hold. Okay, I’ll have to think about all this later. Survive first. Think later. I reach up and rest a palm on his scruffy cheek. “I thought you hated me.”
He rests his hand over mine. “I realized it wasn’t you I was furious with at the warehouse, love. It was the danger he put you in.”
I can tell he’s not comfortable admitting that yet, so I let him off the hook and pull back. “So, what’s next?”
He straightens, squeezing my arms, determination burning in his eyes. “You and your wee one are comin’ to stay with me. I’ll add extra security, and we’ll come up with a plan.”
I cock my head, a smile teasing the corners of my mouth. “A two-year-old. On The Lucky Sinner?”
He shrugs. “Aye. I have a bedroom, so you and Rona can take that. She’ll be tucked away from the activity at night.” He must notice the skepticism on my face. “Just for a few nights, until we can come up with a permanent solution.”
“Okay,” I say, because honestly, I’m tired and I can’t think straight and letting Killian protect us for a few days to recover sounds like heaven.
Killian calls his men to pick us up and drive Sully’s bike back to the docks.
He’s in the back of the SUV with us, his arm stretched over the seat behind me, a haunted look in his green eyes as he watches Rona play with her doll. When they rise to mine, I see the flicker of pain and I understand. He’s imagining what his little girl would be like if she had lived.
I reach up and squeeze his hand, which he moves to the back of my neck, gently massaging it. His touch is grounding and scaring me at the same time. When did hope and kindness become painful?
Killian makes sure no one is around, except Sully and his guards, to see Rona as I carry her on my hip through The Lucky Sinner.
Sully’s gaze ping-pongs between us and Rona, his eyes wide before Killian holds up a hand. “Explain later.”
We get Rona situated in the bedroom with her toys and a snack, then sit on the leather sofa against the wall.
Killian drums his fingers against his thigh. “I think we’re going to have to let Sandro in on this. Tampa is his territory, and he’s got more men than I do here.”
“Okay, I trust him. I just didn’t want to drag him into this.”
He glances over at Rona. “I’ll be askin’ the Italians for a sit down after she falls asleep tonight. I’ll post two guards at the bedroom door, so you can join us, yeah.”
I have to admit, it does feel good to not deal with this alone anymore. “Can you ask Sandro to bring Lennon, please.”
He nods, kisses me and then pushes up. “Get some rest. This is gonna get worse before it gets better.”