“She needs to get well.” I’ve kept my distance for the past few days while she’s recovered. She feels comfortable with Lito—which I fucking hate—but I didn’t want to spook her and compromise her healing.
Besides, I was running on fucking adrenaline and monstrous rage when I nailed those hands to our wall, and once I slept some of it off, I realized my peace offering may have had unintended consequences. Then again, she should get used to it. If anyone dares hurt her again, their penalty will be even worse. I’m a violent man when it comes to defending what’s mine. No one can change that, not even her.
With the distance, though, I itch to see her. To poke at her. To get her to talk to me like she did the night when she was hurt. And not just talk—I want her. All of her. I want to make her mine and take her body roughly, gently, every way there is. But this time it’s not to punish her for her last name. I’m not playing games with her anymore.
When I saw her tearing through the rain, fear in her dark eyes and terror in every step, something inside me snapped. I’ve wanted to hurt her—but I never wanted her to get hurt. It’s a fucking paradox that I’m not going to bother trying to untangle. But I simply knew when I saw her that I would fight for her. I would kill for her. And I have. Multiple times.
Then when she told me about her brother, about that yawning sense of loss inside her, I could feel it, too. I’m right there in the dark with her, mourning a missing piece of my soul. My parents died young, ripped away from Lito and me when they should’ve been showing us the way. I have more in common with Lucretia than I could’ve guessed, and I’m not going to keep denying the connection I feel for her or the way I’ve wanted her from the moment I first began stalking her years ago. I’m a goddamn psycho, and it’s time she accepts it.
“I’m glad she’s on the mend.” Red lines up his shot again. “I wish we could kill that motherfucker all over again.”
I couldn’t agree more, but we need to look ahead, not behind. “So the meeting is Saturday?” I ask Sonny.
He nods. “Yeah, Sarita is pitching it as a wake for her sons, but it’s really a way for her to swing more sentiment her way. All the families have agreed to attend, so I don’t need to impress upon you how pivotal this meeting is. We need Vincenzo to speak on our behalf. He’s the only one who’ll carry as much weight as you, and he won’t have the taint of self-interest on him.”
“He’ll come.” I watch as Red misses his shot.
I get up and study the table.
“I think you should bring Lucretia, too.”
“No.” I find the perfect shot.
“Hear me out.” Sonny holds up his hands. “The wedding was a scene. A bad one, but I’m not re-litigating that with you. It’s done. But if the families see Lucretia with you, unharmed, then—”
“She’s not unharmed, though. She was assaulted in her own home.” I grit my teeth.
“You dealt with that, and now the men jump at her shadow.” Sonny continues, “But as I was saying, the families were in an uproar over what you did. You shook them up, badly. They want to feel safe again, and the best way for you to play your part in that is to bring Lucretia to the gathering. Show her off. Let her shine.”
“No. She’s not fully healed, and I won’t risk her.”
Sonny lets out a frustrated sigh. “You’re risking her by not taking her! Think of all the stories people will make up. Sarita will say you’ve killed Lucretia, or Carmen might claim you’ve been keeping her away from her daughter out of spite. You can put all that to bed, put the families at ease, and give them a sense of security.”
“I’ve been keeping Carmen away from her daughter as a favor to Lucretia.” I glower. “And we all know what Carmen and Leonard deserve, right along with Sarita.”
Red nods. “They’ll get what’s coming to them.”
“The meeting has thrown off my timeline, but I’ll still have my vengeance, Sonny.” I point my pool cue at him. “Nothing is going to stop that.”
“Fine, just put it on pause. Wait for this to blow over, then get back to your plans. But please take Lucretia with you. We’ll all be there, too, keeping an eye out. She’ll be safe, and you’ll smooth all those ruffled feathers.”
I take the shot, knocking it in with ease, then I toss my pool cue on the table and walk away.
“What the fuck? I could’ve won that round,” Red complains. “Where are you going?”