Chapter 26
A maris is unconscious and I have no clue why or what might happen to her. Maven and Luci have been getting an earful of my anxiety-driven worries during the entire ride back to Luciano’s house. One of the doctors who came out tonight for the girls is already en route while another quickly patched up the wound from when Amaris stabbed me.
Luckily, we were able to get sixteen girls out of there and most of the people running the show got their heads blown off. If they didn’t, they’re next on the list. Maven’s crew will go back and ensure the place is burnt down to ashes as soon as they confirm there are no more hostages.
After most of my panic subsides, different emotions start pouring out. I don’t know if it’s due to the fear of losing her again or if being around Luci just makes me want to open up.
“She breathes life into me, Luci. She showed me what love feels like. I want to learn how to love her properly, the way she deserves, and show her just that every day until my last breath. She can’t go before me, I won’t allow it.”
For the first time in my life, Luciano visibly softens at my words. He looks down at a sleeping Amaris on my lap, then returns his gaze to me with a hint of amusement.
“Never thought I’d see the day, Kincaid. I think she’s good for you, man.”
Maven chimes in. “That makes two of us. She did the impossible and thawed out that frozen, black heart of yours.”
I can’t even argue with them there. I remember when I used to think the same as them.
That no one could ever love me, nor I love them in return. That my heart would stay charred forever. On nights when I couldn’t stand to look at myself, I only hoped to never turn out like the man who raised me.
But I will never be him. I’ll be better, in every way that counts.
Upon arriving at Luci’s house, the doctor is already waiting for us inside. Amaris’ limp body sways in my arms as I rush her into the guest bedroom where the doctor set up her supplies. Maven and the doctor assure me they’ll give me answers as soon as they have them, then promptly kick me out of the room, locking themselves in.
For several minutes, all I do is pace outside the door, but it only serves to heighten my nerves. Luci is deep in thought when I enter his study, a signature glass of rum sitting in his hand. I pour myself a glass of my own and take a seat across from him, sitting in a comfortable, but heavy, silence for a while.
“What’s your next step, Ky?” Luci cocks a brow up, catching me off guard. He knows before I say anything what I plan to do, like always.
“I want out. When she gets better I’m taking her away from this life. Anywhere else but New York.”
“What if she doesn’t want to go with you?”
I narrow my eyes. “Leave that to me.”
The thought crossed my mind, but I refuse to think about it. I’m not above kidnapping, but after what she’s been through, that doesn’t seem ideal. All I know is I need her by my side, always.
Fuck, it’s killing me not knowing what happened to her. The only thing keeping me sane is knowing she’s safe with me now.
“Either way, this life isn’t for me. I want to do something that fulfills me instead of leaving me drained or feeling sick most days.”
For a while he’s pensive, then he drops it. “Well then, that just leaves the matter of who will run the syndicate.” His lips tug up in a smirk when I give him a blank expression. “I guess I’ll need to find somebody to take my place now.”
There is no doubt in my mind who he will appoint as capo to take over his crew, but I leave that to him. We continue to discuss both of our next moves until the doctor comes back. For someone who always showed determination for the hot seat, there was a hint of dread swimming in Luci’s eyes throughout our conversation.
“Amaris is okay,” she tells us. “The blood on her clothes wasn’t hers, but she has a few bruises on her legs and face. Due to the extreme stress and trauma she went through, her blood pressure dropped too sudden for her body to handle, causing her to faint. She also hasn’t had a meal in the past twenty-four hours, so I gave her some rice with beans and chicken that Maven found in the fridge. She’s awake now, but be gentle with her. Lord knows she’s been through more than enough for one night.”
My body doesn’t relax until I’m in the room seeing Amaris and the light back in her eyes. I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding ‘til then, too. She looks so drained and it kills me, but she’s alive and that’s what matters right now.
“Hey, foxy,” I say hoarsely.
When her eyes land on me, they shut and a single tear slips out. Rushing over to wipe it off, I whisper, “I’m so sorry.”
“I need time, Kylo,” is all she says, still not looking at me.
Tipping her chin lightly, I rub my thumb along her cheek. “Look at me, please.”
This woman turned me into a beggar. I’d happily get on my knees and do anything she asks of me if it means I get her back for good. I know I still have shit to work on and things to make up for, but I’m ready to do it all.
Her eyes open to mine and her nose turns a light shade of pink as she fights back tears. “I can’t go back there. Go home,” she whispers.
“Baby, that place never felt like home to me, you do. We can leave all of this behind, go anywhere in the world, and start fresh. Together.” I grab her hand in mine and plead, hoping she can see the sincerity in my eyes. “It can’t be too late for us.”
“Maybe it’s not. But I still need time right now. Would Lucifer care if I stay here tonight?” I’m assuming she calls Luci by that name.
It’s not too late. I can feel it, but I know I need to respect her wishes and give her some space. Slowly but surely, I will gain her trust again. For the meantime, there is still the matter of Renato. By now if no one has found out that he’s gone, they will soon. I have to handle shit over there before I can think of taking Amaris away.
“He won’t mind you staying here. Did you want me to send over anything from the compound?”
She looks down to where her hands are fiddling together. “Would you care if I have Ace here, just for tonight? I need to see him and make sure he’s okay, too.”
“He might be more your dog than he is mine at this point. I’ll have somebody bring him for you.” She nods and thanks me. It takes the last bit of my strength to pull myself away from her and out of the room.
When I get to the compound, half of the soldiers are outside buzzing with whatever gossip they think they know about what happened. They don’t notice me at first, so I stick to the shadows until I’m almost at my house. That is when a hand grips my shoulder and I whip around with my gun out reflexively. Marco stands with his hands in the air and I blow a breath out.
“You can’t be grabbing people like that around here, man.”
He passes his hand over his hair nervously. “Maven told me you got her out of there, but I haven’t heard anything else. Is she okay? That’s all I want to know.”
The genuine concern in his eyes softens something inside of me, knowing she still has someone to worry over her and be there. Since he and Amaris started to get close and spend time together, I looked deeper into him and started watching him. He doesn’t have any real family, and when Amaris didn’t think she did, either, that seemed to bond them together.
“She is fine now, but would you actually do something for me? It’s more for her than me really, but I think she would like another friendly face right now.”
His confusion is evident when he agrees, but I just turn and say, “Follow me.”
Waiting outside my door while I head inside, the crease between his brows deepen when I walk out with the dog on a leash. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen Ace on a leash, either.
“Amaris is staying with Luciano for the time being. She requested Ace, but she doesn’t have any clothes or anything with her, so we’re going to go over and grab the necessities. Then you can take a car and go over there. Ace is going to be fine. They gave him something to knock him out, otherwise he has no injuries.” He nods in acknowledgment.
Inside the house, my throat closes up when I inhale her scent. Her heels are discarded in the living room, and when Marco first walks inside her room, he turns to me then quickly looks away. Not quick enough. When I go inside I see the hole in the wall and the trash bags she half packed. Catching myself staring for too long, I clear my throat and say, “Take the bags she packed, don’t worry about the rest.” Then I go wait outside.
I see Marco out, handing him the leash and letting him go on his way. Based on the chatter I overheard when I first arrived, everyone likely thinks Renato is missing.
Tonight, I’ll deal with the estate.
Myra bombards me with questions when I walk in, but I dismiss her for the night and head straight for the office. There’s a random book on the floor by the bookshelf and when I pick it up, a picture falls out. I’d know those almond-shaped, amber eyes anywhere.
This must be where she disappeared to during the party and what triggered her memory. Why did Renato have this picture? I tuck the picture into my pocket and place the book back where it went, then resume my focus on the task at hand.