Chapter 36
Killian
The next two weeks go by in a blur. If it wasn’t for the tension of everyone being on guard, I would consider them perfect.
I spend the morning with Sam and Rona, having breakfast, swimming, coloring.
Bloody coloring. If my men saw me, I’d never hear the end of it. And falling hard for both of them.
Rona’s tiny fingers wrapped around mine when she wants to show me something, her giggles, her hugs, her silly dances…
she’s the most enchanting creature I’ve ever spent time with.
Besides her mam, of course. I catch myself wondering what my own daughter would’ve been like at this age.
It hurts. But I realize it’s more of a sweet ache, not a knife to the gut.
Spending time with Rona is somehow healing that gaping wound.
Then Sam puts Rona down for a nap and trains the dancers while I work and have meetings.
We eat an early dinner, and she bathes and tucks Rona in for the night. Once the lass falls asleep, Sam joins me on the floor.
I love having Sam by my side. When she’s not there, I feel an emptiness, like a piece is missing from my soul, which is probably not healthy, but who gives a fuck.
No one expects a healthy mobster. I’ve also learned how much of a fighter Sam is.
I mean, we’re both fighters, but where I use my fists, her weapons are brains, grit and empathy.
Everything about her just knocks the wind outa me.
After the club closes, we find a private space to try and satiate the appetite we have for each other. Unfortunately, each time I’m buried inside her only makes me more addicted. No matter what happens, I will always remember this as one of the best two weeks of my life.
And the club is doing well. Tonight is Friday, so my captain will take us out to sea to open the legal gambling deck.
I walk up behind Sam as she clutches the railing, watching the sun sink into the horizon. I shoot a deadly look at two men eyeing her ass.
Not on the menu, boys.
They wisely turn away.
My arms wrap around her possessively, and I rest my chin on the top of her head, trying to ignore the tight round ass against my thighs.
She’s wearing a red wrap dress, one of the dozens of outfits I had a personal shopper buy her.
I love her in red. Like a flashing warning to all the fuckers who even think about touching my girl.
I freeze. My girl? Where in the bleedin’ hell did that come from?
In all the chaos, I haven’t thought further ahead than keeping her and Rona alive until we can deal with her devil.
But… is it possible for us to have a future?
Be a family? A ray of hope burns in my chest, and it’s more painful than a bullet ripping through my heart. I shove those thoughts away.
She places her arm over mine and entwines our fingers with a heavy sigh. “I wish I knew that Celia is okay.”
I squeeze her tighter, wishing I could take away all her worries. “Soon, love.”
She turns her head so I can see her profile. “This can’t last, can it? This peace? He’s coming for us.” A shiver runs through her body.
My jaw tightens as I move my gaze from her worried brow just in time to see the last of the fiery orange ball sink below the horizon. It feels like an omen. Our time is almost up.
What I haven’t told her is despite Sandro’s efforts, Joey Amato has refused to hear me out. That’s not even the worst part. He also sent back a warning that interfering with Mr. Barone would be considered an act of war against the family.
Michael Barone is a dead man. There’s no question about that. And I will start a fuckin’ mafia war to make that happen.
I have an idea. It’s a long shot, but if it works, I can take Michael off the board without retribution from the Italians.
“Come on.” I keep our hands entangled as I lead her back through the crowd and into the elevator.
I’m on high alert, watching every person.
Even with the extra security and my guards patting down everyone for weapons, I know I can’t let my guard down. “I have a surprise for ya.”
When we exit the elevator on the main floor, her gaze travels past the stage where two girls are dancing for a crowd and lands on Lennon and Sloane at the bar. Her eyes light up. My chest loosens. There she is.
They wave and I smack her ass. “Go be with your friends, love.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and looks up with those adoring liquid honey eyes that make me wish I was a better man. I lean down and press a soft kiss on her lips, tasting her fruity gloss. “Thank you.” Then she leaves my arms with a huge grin.
I head into the elevator and back up to the gambling lounge, where I know Sandro and the boys are.