She sits on top of me, her fingers weaving into my hair. “Frankie’s my father, Dante. I know you hate him, but I won’t cut him out of my life.”
My hands rest on her hips, and she cuddles into me, resting her head on my shoulder, pecking my neck. Everything I want is right here in my arms, but I’m painfully aware that once the war ends, Layla might not want to be a part of my life anymore. If Frank doesn’t bow out, if he insists on being the last one standing, I’ll have no choice but to kill him. Layla loves me, but the strength of her feelings is a mystery. Challenging times await us both.
“I don’t want you anywhere near him alone. If you want to see him, I’m coming with you.”
“Yes, of course.” Irony coats her words. “Because that won’t end in a blood bath.” She wriggles out of my arms. “Don’t blow this out of proportion. I’m fine, baby, but I do need a hot bath. I’m freezing.” She leans over to kiss my forehead.
“Tell me you’re okay, Star.”
“It’s not my first rodeo with Frank. He’s never hit me before, but it didn’t surprise me. I’m immune.”
That calms me down a little bit. Until now, I wondered if he had hit her before or if she hid bruises under make-up. I wondered if she suffered many panic attacks at the sight of her own blood. Knowing this was the first time stops the tormenting line of questions but doesn’t ease my rage.
“I’m fine. Really.”
I let her go and almost call Spades to cancel the meeting with the V brothers, but I can’t. There’s too much to discuss, and the clock is ticking. Nikolaj might die any minute. I need to be prepared for any outcome or move on Frank’s part.
I get ready in one of the guest bathrooms, and forty minutes later, I enter the ensuite to inform my star that Luca’s due in fifteen minutes to keep her safe.
She lays in the bubbly bath immersed up to her nose, cheeks pink. “You look nice.”
“I have to leave.” I sit on the edge of the tub. “My business partners from Detroit flew in this afternoon. They didn’t announce it sooner.”
Layla smiles, so I stop talking. “You don’t have to explain. If you have to go, you have to go. The amount of time you’ve been spending with me is quite impressive.” She slides underwater and resurfaces a few seconds later, wiping her face, then grabs a bottle of shampoo, glancing at me as if surprised to see I hadn’t moved. “Go. I’ll be okay. I’ll go to bed early.”
I developed a compulsive need to quadruple-check if she’ll manage as if she has two left hands. She proved many times she’s different from the women I dated in the past. Maybe because of her upbringing, or perhaps she’s reasonable, and all my exes were spoiled brats. Either way, I bite my tongue before anotherwill you be okay?leaves my lips, but there’s one more thing to discuss.
“You’re not staying here alone. Frank’s looking for a hitman, and I won’t risk some nutcase hurting you.”
“So, you found me a bodyguard?”
“Luca will be here soon.”
“Luca?” She sits up, testing my concentration, when her beautiful boobs covered in soap bubbles come into view. “You’ve got so many people working for you! Why him?”
At least she’s not trying to talk me out of the security-detail idea. “Because I trust him. I know he gets on your nerves, but he won’t let anyone touch you. You can ignore him or argue with him if it helps you cope, but he’s watching over you tonight.”
She crosses her arms, pushing those perky boobs higher. “I’m trying,” she says, eyeing a large, round glass bowl filled with colorful bath bombs. I half expect her to smack my head with it. “I’m really trying to understand your reasoning. I mean, okay, you’re worried, I get it. Nikolaj’s dying, and Frank feels threatened. I get it. He might do something stupid, so it’ll be better if someone keeps an eye on me. I get that too. What I don’t get is why you chose Luca. The one I hate.” She bites her lip, smiling. “Okay. I do get it. You really are crazy jealous.”
I open my mouth to object but think better of it. Explaining why I chose Luca requires informing her he was the one who killed the guy at the club, and I don’t want to go there.
I peck her lips. “Don’t wait up.”
She brings her hands up to hold my head in place and sinks into my lips, the kiss slow, full of lust. She sighs, grazing her nose along my cheek.
“Damn you, Star,” I whisper. “Wait for me. Naked.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Layla
For the first time since I started dating Dante, I’m relieved when he leaves me alone. I need time to come to terms with everything Frank said. For weeks now, I hoped the plan could be altered, that nothing was set in stone. The deeper I fell in love, the more I believed Frank would let go of his animosity. How naïve of me.
Frank is not the type to let things slide.
He’s dreamt of revenge for years, and my feelings for Dante are merely an inconvenience. Frank doesn’t care that the second his heart stops beating, mine will shatter, and no one will be able to put it back together. I tell myself off for allowing my feelings to trap me. Now, the only way out is through. I have to finish what I started eight months ago. I was thrilled back then to help my father triumph. Now, I want to stop feeling. I want to fall asleep and wake up when the pain subsides.
Dante said Luca’s due any minute and closed the door behind him. I pour myself a glass of wine, sitting at the bar, my head hanging low. I don’t want to cry. Tears won’t help, but there’s no stopping them. I take a deep breath when the alarm disarms, closing my lips on the glass. Luca would’ve noticed my red eyes the second he walked in if not for the dimmed lights.