by B. B. Hamel
“I will, Doctor.”
He rubbed his hair and shook his head, but stepped outside with Evgeni and two of Evgeni’s bodyguards on his heels. They shut the door and disappeared.
I went straight for the stairs. German’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm. The intensity of his gaze made me bite back the angry comment I was about to make, and I glared back up at him instead.
“Rest,” German said. “Don’t let him be stupid.”
“I won’t. Now please let me go.”
He held me a moment longer then released. I hurried past him, up the stairs, and into Luke’s room.
He lay on the side of the bed with several pillows propping him up. An IV stand with a bag of what looked like blood and another clear bag of fluid was connected to a line sunk into his arm. He smiled at me, his eyes dark and bloodshot, his skin sallow and weak. I shut the door softly, walked to him, and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.
“Lean a little closer,” he said.
I chewed on my lip and obeyed. “God, Luke, I thought—”
“First, I’m going to make you get down on all fours. I’m going to make you crawl to me, nice and slow, while I stroke my hard cock. Then, while you’re kneeling in front of me—”
“Oh my god, stop it,” I said, glaring at him. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“You made a promise.” His grin was weak. “As I was saying, I’ll make you explain exactly how you’ll suck my—”
“Luke!”
He laughed then grimaced in pain. “Okay, fuck, maybe a little too soon for that.”
“The doctor made me promise to keep you in bed. Nothing strenuous.”
His eyes were hard then and shone out at me like beacons. “The Lionettis killed Yuri.”
“I know.” I looked away. I could still see Yuri dying on the street, his brains splattered out behind him. “I’m so sorry.”
“I can’t stay in this fucking bed. I need to get out there—”
“No,” I said firmly. “You get up and you die. You’re not good to Yuri dead.”
He clenched his jaw. He clearly wanted to argue, but we both knew he was in no condition to do anything but lie there and breathe.
“I hate this, you know,” he said softly. “Stuck in this damn bed.”
“I know you do.” I put my hand gently on top of his. He took it and squeezed. “German’s downstairs, and Evgeni—”
“The Pakhan was here?” His eyes were wide with surprise.
“He walked the doctor out, but I’m sure he’ll be back.”
“Well, shit. I didn’t realize I was that important.”
“I have a feeling you’re more important than you realize.” I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “What you said to me, downstairs, before you passed out—”
He squeezed my hand, staring at me. “You want to hear it again now that I’m not about to die?”
I couldn’t look at him. The memory of those words swirled around in my mind and maybe I shouldn’t bring this up, maybe it wasn’t fair when he was wounded and vulnerable, but I had to know—
I needed to know if he loved me.
Because if he did then I could stay. Even after nearly getting killed, even after everything, I could stay with him if he loved me. It was all I wanted, that one simple thing, his love and his devotion and nothing else. I could handle anything, so long as when I came home, he’d be there to kiss me, to whisper in my ear, to give me the pleasure I desperately craved, the companionship I needed—the love I deserved.
“Just one more time,” I whispered.
He pulled my hand up to his chest. I felt his heart beating slowly but forcefully against his breastbone.
“I love you,” he said. “I’ll tell you a thousand more times, if that’s what you want. I’ll tell you every day, every morning, every night. I’m sorry you were pulled into all this and I’m sorry you nearly got hurt, but I love you, Cara, and I won’t let anything bad happen.”
“I love you too,” I whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him as gently as I could.
But Luke doesn’t do gently. He pulled me harder against his lips and held me there, even though I knew it must hurt him. He didn’t seem to mind one bit as I tumbled into that kiss.
Eventually, a knock at the door broke us apart.
Luke stared at me with fire in his expression as I sat up straight and tried to get control of myself.
“Come in,” Luke said.
Evgeni opened the door and stepped inside. He looked at me then at Luke, and seemed to understand what he was interrupting almost immediately.
“You don’t waste time,” he rumbled and laughed.
Luke grinned. “Nearly dying has that effect on me.”
“I’m sure it does.” Evgeni stood by the door with his hands clasped in front of him. “Do you know what’s going on out there?”
“We didn’t get to that part yet,” I said.
Evgeni nodded slowly. “The Lionettis are falling apart. Not all at once, but the police arrested several of their top members, and right now there’s a power struggle going on in the streets.”
“You’re kidding me?” Luke stared at Evgeni with his mouth open. “All because of what I did?”
“Seems that way,” Evgeni said. “Whatever you said to those police officers, they took it to heart and are currently working to dismantle the Lionetti network. They won’t succeed, of course, but the Lionettis themselves will take care of the rest.”
“Civil war,” Luke said softly then laughed sharply before groaning in pain.
“Easy,” I said, touching his arm gently.
“It’s just much more than I could’ve hoped for.” Luke grinned at me and shook his head. “And this was all your idea. I don’t think I would’ve approached the chief without you.”
“Well, the chief wasn’t exactly a willing participant,” I said, shifting slightly as Evgeni’s stare bore down into me. “We needed the captain, and that was all you.”
“We make a good team then.” Luke beamed at me then turned his head toward Evgeni. “What I don’t understand is, if the Lionettis are currently tearing each other to pieces, why would they come after me?”
“Revenge,” Evgeni said with a shrug. “I have a feeling the outgoing Don ordered your death as his last act before getting thrown into prison and having his communications cut off. I can’t say for certain, but I do believe they won’t come for you again. They’re much too busy killing each other.”
Luke leaned back against the pillow and laughed. I held his hand tightly, and tried not to smile.
“So it worked,” I said, shaking my head. “It actually worked.”
“All thanks to you.” He stared at me with such a strange, wild devotion, and I felt like a goddess descended from the heavens. If I stood and commanded it, I was sure he’d kneel in front of me—just like he wanted me to do to him in his little fantasy.
“Well, I thought you’d like to know what your little scheme had wrought.” Evgeni’s smile was tight and devious. “I’m very pleased with how this turned out, Luke, despite the headaches and the deaths. We’re in a very good position now as a family.”
“I’m glad, Pakhan. And as soon as I’ve healed—”
Evgeni held up a hand. “Say no more. Your crew will be compensated and made whole, and when you are on your feet again, I will put you to work.”
Luke nodded, looking almost relieved. “Thank you, Pakhan.”
Evgeni looked at me and I wondered what went on in that slow, lizard brain of his—and what he saw in Luke now. Maybe a rival, or maybe a worker he could exploit, or maybe a man that was loyal to him beyond anything Evgeni ever dreamed of. I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t trust him, not at all. I only hoped that Luke was smart enough to remain cautious.
Evgeni left and shut the door behind him. Luke looked at me and smirked, but I could tell he was losing steam. I crawled into bed beside him and stretched my legs out, and loved the way he looked at them, despite be
ing only half-awake.
“You know I couldn’t have done this with you,” he whispered, turning his head toward me.
“I know. I’m absolutely wonderful.”
“Better than that. Why are you still here? You could’ve run away a thousand times and I wouldn’t have chased you.”
I chewed on my lip. “At first, I was afraid the Lionettis would come hunt me down. Then I was afraid you would. But now I guess I want to be here.”
“Because you love me.”
“As stupid as that makes me, I guess I do.” I kissed his cheek. “Now shut up and rest. I’ll go sit downstairs if you can’t be calm in my presence.”
“You know, I can’t, princess.” He reached out and touched my cheek. “But don’t go anywhere. I’ll try to control myself.”
I curled up next to him and breathed his smell, felt his warmth, and knew he’d be okay. Luke was big, he was strong, and he could handle anything that came at him—even if the world wanted to break him and ruin him, he could get through it, get past it, kill it, defeat it, and that was why I loved him, my warrior, my monster, my killer, that and a thousand other reasons.
The chills I felt when he ran his fingertips down my skin.
The way my back arched as I came, again and again.
The way he looked at me like he couldn’t imagine seeing another woman ever again.
I was the center of his world.
I couldn’t ask for more.
23
Luke
Two Months Later
I stepped out of the truck and limped toward Rittenhouse Park. Cara fluttered around me like a worried butterfly but I was fine, despite the dull pain in my ribs. I was healed, mostly at least, and it was time to stop hiding away in my house.
Rehab hasn’t been easy. The doctor came over every day in those first few weeks, followed by more weeks with this overly perky young girl that made me go through these annoying stretches and exercises designed to get mobility and strength back.
Cara hated that, the jealous girl.
German helped run the crew, though all decisions came through me. The Pakhan didn’t put the boys through anything intense, mostly easy drug runs and small-time deals, nothing dangerous despite the city boiling all around them. The civil war inside the Lionetti family was spilling out to all the crews everywhere as the families fought to fill the void the Lionettis were slowly leaving.
The Morozov family had a leg up over everyone, though.
“I almost feel bad,” I said softly as we crossed the street and headed into the park.
“Feel bad for what?” Cara clung onto my arm like she was afraid that I’d fall over, like I was some old, weak man.
But I felt better than I had in a long time. She’d understand that eventually. Right now, the attack was still too fresh for her, and she needed time to process.
“The captain,” I said and laughed when she stared at me with her pretty mouth hanging open. “I know, mafia men aren’t supposed to feel bad for cops, but hear me out. I told him that I’d destroy the dossier and I haven’t. I don’t love making a liar of myself.”
“I don’t think Evgeni would let you, even if you wanted to.” She looked thoughtful. “But maybe we can destroy just one file.”
“I’m sure the captain would be appreciative, but no, as much as I value my honor, I value having him in my pocket even more.”
She snorted and kissed my cheek. “That’s the man I fell in love with.”
We strolled along the pathway until I saw Park sitting on a bench alone nearest the far entrance. He looked tired, bags under his eyes, his gaze twitchy and uncertain. I approached slowly, and he half stood when he spotted me like he was about to bolt, but sank back down into his seat.
“You look like shit,” I said to him, standing a few feet away.
That got a little smile. “You do too. I heard you were dead.”
“Not dead, just got shot a few times.” I nodded at the bench. “You mind if I sit?”
“Go ahead. Nice to see you again, Cara.”
“You too, Park.”
I sat down in the middle and Cara sat on my left. Park shifted uncomfortably, and I caught sight of a gun tucked into his waistband.
“The war’s been hard,” I said, watching as a couple of young girls ran past. One stumbled, dropped her iced tea, and all three of them laughed.
“Civil fucking war.” Park leaned over and spit to the right. “It’s a disgrace. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“And yet here we are.”
“No thanks to you.” He glared at me, but his expression softened. “Then again, maybe I should be thanking you.”
“I hear your faction’s winning.”
“So far. I’ve been gaining more support every day. I think eventually the old Don’s loyalists are going to have to give in and bend the knee sooner or later. The Don’s not coming back from prison anytime soon.”
“But there will be plenty of blood before that happens.”
Park nodded slowly. “Plenty,” he echoed.
“What can I do to help you?”
“I want you and your family to back my play,” he said, shifting slightly toward me. “With the Morozovs behind me, I think I can finish this in the next few weeks at most. There’ll be some pockets of resistance and a few guys won’t be able to fight alongside you Russians, but most of them are pragmatic enough to see the necessity.”
“You’re really selling me here,” I said drily.
He laughed. “Help me win this war and our families can be allies for years to come. You’ll have my personal guarantee that the Lionetti family will never go against the Morozovs again, so long as our interests aren’t directly crossed, and I’ll even throw in some territory and some money.”
“I’ll have to talk to my Pakhan, but I have a feeling he’ll be interested.”
“This can be good for both of us, Luke. You’ll have a direct line to my family through me, and I’ll be secure in the knowledge that you have my back. We can rule this city together.”
“You can rule it alongside my Pakhan.” I glanced at Cara and she looked back at me, lips pursed. “I’m not as ambitious as I used to be.”
“Ambitious or not, this is going to be good.” Park stood up slowly and nodded down at me. “You know how to get in touch. Think it over and let me know, but do it quick. I’m not sure how long I have. Shit can change at any moment.”
“I’ll let you know.”
Park waved to Cara then strode off. Several men peeled away from benches, from trees, from lingering near trashcans, and walked alongside him.
I let out a breath. “He sure as hell came with backup.”
“He’s not stupid,” Cara said. “What do you think? Are you going for it?”
“It’s not a bad idea.” I leaned back on the bench and sighed. “The problem is, I suspect the Pakhan would rather destroy the Lionettis than work with them.”
“You’ll have to convince him then.” Cara kissed my cheek. “This’ll be good for everyone, right? It could bring peace to the city?”
“I think so. The other minor families won’t be able to stand up against our combined forces.” I looked down at her and smirked. “Since when were you so political?”
“Since the start. I’ve been whispering in your ear this whole time, guiding you in the right direction.”
“And look at me now, making deals that’ll change this city for years to come.”
“And that’ll make you rich and your family powerful.” She kissed my neck. “That actually kind of turns me on. Does that make me bad? Am I just a broken individual now?”
“Absolutely,” I said and kissed her lips softly. “And I fucking love it.”
She laughed and leaned against my shoulder. “When did I become such a mob wife?”
“When you decided that you couldn’t live without me.” I stood up slow and took her hand. She followed me back along the path but this time I took the long way and strolled
at a leisurely pace. I draped my arm across her shoulder and hugged her close against me. “What do you think about getting a place together?”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize I wasn’t already living with you.”
I smiled a little. “You know what I mean. We’ve been shacked up in that safe house, but I’m talking about an actual home. Some place you have some say in.”
“Your current decor isn’t exactly my style.” She made a face. “It’s a little… masculine.”
“Guilty as charged. What do you think then?”
“I think I’d love it.”
“Good. Now I think we should talk children.”
She laughed. “Luke, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” I stopped walking, her hands in my own, and stared into her eyes. We were right in the middle of Rittenhouse, surrounded by trees, and nearby a woman played a slow violin song to a group of tourists and pedestrians.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She laughed, a little nervously.
I slowly got down on one knee. “When I woke up in that bed after the doctor saved my life, I knew I had to do something.”
“Luke.” Her voice was soft, far away.
I took the ring box from my pocket. “I knew I had to make you mine. But I thought I never wanted to get married. I thought marriage was for suckers and boring middle-class suburban people with their little dogs and their happy children and their clean lives. Over the last couple months though, I realized I was wrong about all that.”
“Luke.” She put her hands to her mouth as the violin played louder.
“I love you, Cara. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life worshiping the ground you walk on. Will you be my wife?” I opened the ring box.
She gasped. “Holy shit. I mean, yes, god, yes, of course I will.”
I slipped the ring on her finger. It was a single large diamond with a cluster of smaller stones set around it. She stared, then kissed me when I stood and threw herself into my arms. I grunted in slight pain but held her tight, my future wife, the only good thing in my world.