by LK Shaw
“Oliver.”
I blinked at my name. Charity’s face came into focus in front of me, her eyes red-rimmed but dry, with a bandage on her cheek.
“Let’s go home,” she whispered.
Absently, I nodded. She helped me up off the floor, my limbs stinging with pins and needles from sitting so long. Her fingers latched onto mine. I took one last look over my shoulder at the blood-stained floor before walking out of the house and into the waiting patrol car. I’d focus on the woman at my side, and take comfort in her love. Tomorrow would be soon enough to mourn the mother who’d sacrificed herself to protect me.
Chapter 38
It had been two days since I’d been taken and Maria had been killed by Sorensen, who, in turn, had been shot and killed by Officer Rodriguez. I still found it hard to believe that she was Oliver’s mother, and that all these years she’d been watching over him, and, more recently, me, by association.
One of her men explained that they’d paid a woman in the shelter to keep tabs on me after Oliver dropped me off that first day. It was how Maria had known to be on that train the morning of my interview with Sam. It had all been an elaborate setup to introduce herself. It was the only way she could think of to get closer to Oliver without actually approaching him. Although she’d hoped to at one point.
Oliver had insisted I see a doctor yesterday. The cut on my face was healing, and despite the amount of blood I’d lost, it had actually been relatively shallow. Other than that, I was doing okay, all things considered.
He, on the other hand, seemed to be existing in a fog.
“Hey,” I said, lowering myself to the end of the couch, and reached for his arm. With a gentle tug, I pulled him down to rest his head on my lap. He shifted onto his back so he looked up at me. I slowly dragged my fingers through his hair, and he closed his eyes on a sigh.
“Sam called again. He sends his love and said to give him a call back when you’re feeling up to it.”
“Maybe next week,” Oliver replied.
In only two days, the dynamic had shifted between us. Instead of him taking care of me, it was my turn as caretaker—a role I’d taken to surprisingly well. Oliver was easy to take care of, though.
“I talked to Yvonne today,” I told him.
“How’s she doing?”
“Not bad. Sore. But otherwise, all right.”
He gave a small nod. “That’s good.”
My fingers continued to gently massage through his hair. I hesitated to bring the next thing up, because I wasn’t sure how Oliver would react. Still, it wasn’t fair to keep anything from him. We were in this together.
“Your dad called as well.”
His body went rigid, and he opened his eyes. “He didn’t insult you, did he?”
“Let’s just say I don’t think he and I will ever be friends.” Which was perfectly fine with me, especially after how he’d raised Oliver to be. He wasn’t someone I wanted to spend much time with.
“I’m sorry for whatever he said to you,” he said.
“Don’t be. You’re not responsible for him or his opinions.”
He let out a heavy sigh, one filled with so many emotions, and his gaze seemed to lose focus. “I should probably tell him about my mother.”
Personally, I didn’t think the man deserved to know, but I’d always been a little spiteful and a grudge holder. From what Oliver implied, his father hadn’t been a good husband to begin with. And according to Maria’s men, the two had still been legally married.
“Whatever you decide, I’ll be there for you.”
“You know I’m not going to be an easy person to be with, right? I have a lot of old habits I’m going to need to break.”
My eyes widened, and I laid my fingertips against my chest. “Hello? Have you met me? You know, the one with crippling anxiety and a whole lot of anger issues? If you can deal with that, then I can certainly handle any cocky attitude you decide to throw my way.”
Oliver actually smiled at that, and I returned it, but then his fell. “Yeah, but I also have the shitty dad and dead mommy issues.”
My heart hurt for him. “No offense, but fuck your dad. Let him be shitty. That’s all on him.” I cradled his cheek in my palm. “As far as Maria is concerned, know that she loved you the best way she could. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but considering what her life was like, I’m more inclined to offer her a bit of grace. Because she did love you, Oliver. Despite the pain, I saw it in her eyes before she was gone. I truly believe she’s finally at peace, probably for the first time since she was a young girl, knowing that you are safe and loved.”
He swallowed and nodded. “It’s just hard, you know? She took that bullet for me, and now she’s dead. I spent my whole life almost hating her for leaving, and now that I know the truth about why, there’s this crushing guilt in my chest. What kind of son hates his mother?”
“One who’s been taught to. You said it yourself. Your father taught you everything he knew. Look how much you’ve changed in just the past few weeks, though, because you didn’t want to live that way anymore. There’s nothing that says you have to keep hating her. Hell, you don’t even have to love her. But, I think you should forgive her. And yourself.”
Oliver locked eyes with me again. He raised himself up and curled his hand behind my neck, pulling me down to meet him halfway. His lips met mine, and I put my all in that kiss. Finally, he pulled back and laid his head on my lap again.
“I love you,” he said.
I smiled down at him, my thumb brushing across his forehead. “I love you, too.”
That was all that mattered. We’d figure everything else out along the way.
Thank you so much for reading POINT BLANK! I hope you enjoyed it. I’d greatly appreciate a review on the platform of your choice. Reviews are so important!
Have you started the Love Undercover series yet? Be sure to check out IN TOO DEEP.
If you enjoyed Oliver and Charity’s story, then you’re going to LOVE Jacob and Brenna’s!
Turn the page for a preview of THE DEVIL I DON’T KNOW, the first book in my new mafia romance series.
Preorder today
The Devil I Don’t Know
Book 1 of the Brooklyn Kings
A brand new mafia series.
Coming May 2021
Prologue
“By the power invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I steel myself for the assault. Instead his dry lips barely ghost over mine, and then he’s turning us to face the small crowd comprised of only my family and the two men I assume are his. I can hear the priest speaking behind me, but I’ve blocked out the words again. My mother is crying while my father sits stoically by her side. I can’t look at my brothers and sister. Instead my gaze locks on Granda. His expression is one of satisfaction. Why shouldn’t it be? He got what he wanted.
He rises from his seat. “Come to my office.” He turns on his heel expecting us all to follow.
My—I swallow hard—husband places his hand on my lower back, and I flinch at his touch. I hear a heavy sigh at my side. Like a sheep being led to slaughter, I leave the music room and enter my grandfather’s lair. I stand near the desk. I’m surprised to discover the only people who arrive behind me are my new husband and the huge, terrifying man.
My grandfather scowls at his appearance. “You may leave.”
The man merely ignores the command and positions himself against the wall, arms crossed, with a bored expression on his face. My jaw nearly drops at the blatant disregard.
“I’m afraid Pierce doesn’t take orders from anyone but me,” my husband says, drily, his voice deep and low.
A vein throbs near my grandfather’s temple and his face turns the color of a ripe tomato. No one disobeys him. At least not without suffering the consequences. With a deceptive calmness he moves to his desk and picks up a pen lying on top of a piece of paper. My eyes land on it. Certif
icate of Marriage.
“Sign.” He holds the pen up in front of me.
I stand frozen, unable to move. With my signature, everything is final. There’s no undoing any of this.
I can’t do it. There’s a flash of movement and then blinding pain in my head. Tears spring from the impact of Granda’s hand across my face again. On its heels is a roar of rage. I turn my head in time to see my grandfather pinned against the wall, clawing at my husband’s hand wrapped around his throat.
“I don’t give a fuck how powerful you think you are. If you ever touch my wife again, I’ll slit your throat and bury your body where no one will ever find it. Do you understand?” he growls.
Granda’s face is turning deep purple. He manages a short nod…and my husband releases him. He coughs and chokes and desperately tries to suck in air. Utterly disregarding the man gasping for breath, my husband turns and in a blink he’s standing before me. He towers over my slight frame, and I have to crane my neck to look up at him. A shadow of brutality lingers in his eyes. He reaches out and despite myself, I flinch…again. He merely picks up the pen my grandfather dropped and holds it up.
“Our marriage is a business arrangement, so I understand your being opposed to it. Neither of us wants this, but one thing I can promise is that I will never lay hands on you in anger.”
I shiver at his gruff tone. Wait. If he doesn’t want to be married to me either, then why did he do it? My eyes travel over his shoulder to latch onto my grandfather, who’s still rubbing his neck and glaring at me. Next they move to the massive man who remains lurking in the corner. He’s staring at Granda. His continued silence and steely glare unnerve me. There’s an alert readiness in his body as though he’s waiting to dive into action and defend his boss. At last, I turn my gaze back to my husband still holding the pen in his hand.
I fully take him in again. His dark hair is swept back off his forehead, his eyebrows a sharp slash over eyes that bore into me. A chill dashes across me at their intensity, and I could almost lose myself staring into them. They’re the color of my father’s favorite cognac. Despite the ferocity he displayed only moments ago, they seem almost gentle now.
In a move that surprises me, I reach out and take the pen. Our hands brush. Before I change my mind, I scribble my signature on the line above my printed name. I can feel my husband’s eyes on me. He takes the pen from my fingers, his skin gliding along mine. Goosebumps travel up my arm. Confused over my reaction, I hastily take a step back while my husband—Emilio—signs his name next to mine.
He rolls up the certificate and tucks it into the inner pocket of his suit. It’s final. I’ve signed my life over to a stranger. A man who, only moments ago, showed me how brutal he is. Despite his promise, I don’t know if I can trust him.
Dear God, what have I done?
Coming May 2021
Preorder here: THE DEVIL I DON’T KNOW
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Acknowledgments
I’m feeling a little bittersweet that it’s time to say goodbye to my Love Undercover family. I’ve enjoyed spending the last 16 months with the Rodriguez and Thomas clan, as well as Oliver and Charity. Finishing Point Blank has been a labor of love and there are so many people that I could not have done it without. They deserve all my thanks!
Thank you to Julia Sykes and Autumn Jones Lake. I’m so glad that you are part of my circle. You’re always there for me when I need you.
Thank you to all my amazing “Office” friends who pushed me, encouraged me, and celebrated with me: Simone, Leela, Shelina, Vash, Eliza, and Taige. That sex scene was for you!
Thank you to my editor, Dayna Hart at Hart to Heart Editing. I know you have a love/hate relationship with Oliver.
Thank you to Gabby Barocio for helping me with the Spanish translations in this book. Any errors are my own.
Thank you to all my readers. The ones who support me book after book. You’ve stuck with me over the years, and I appreciate you more than I can say.
Book List
Doms of Club Eden
Forever (DoCE Prequel)
Submission
Desire
Redemption
Protect
Betrayal
My Christmas Dom
Absolution
Love Undercover Series
In Too Deep
Striking Distance
Atonement
Bullet Proof
For Always
Point Blank
Brooklyn Kings - Coming 2021
The Devil I Don’t Know
The Enemy in My Bed
The Beast I Can’t Tame
Other Books
Love Notes: A Dark Romance
SEALs in Love
Say Yes
Black Light: Possession
Saving Evie: A Brotherhood Protectors Novella
About the Author
LK Shaw resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with dark romance and romantic suspense being her favorite. LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.
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