Wine and Whiskey (Surviving Absolution #1)

by Nikki Belaire

  The pain of Carter’s disloyalty stabs deeper into his chest. Once united against a common enemy, Carter sacrificed their relationship for his opportunity to reign. Yet too blind with jealousy to realize the hollowness of his partnership with Juan, who would have turned on him once Nick was eliminated.

  To be sure, Nick pumps a shot into the hit man’s head and heart before he turns around. Fully engulfed, flames leap higher from the hissing car, threatening to explode. Both Max and Shae remain motionless as Nick races to them, heat scorching his face and hands as he struggles to rouse Max.

  “Come on, Max. I’ve got to get you guys out of here.”

  Max nods and pushes himself up with one hand before sitting back on his heels and holding his head.

  “Sweetness, I have to get you away from the fire.”

  Uncertain if she’s unconscious or dazed, he scoops her up and carries her behind her SUV. Relief pours through him at her soft, scratchy voice. “What about Max?”

  Reluctant to let her go, he kisses her forehead and sits her against the tire. “I’m getting him. I’ll be right back.”

  He hops up and sprints to Max. “Come on. You too.”

  Max accepts his outstretched hand, and Nick pulls him up. Supporting Max’s weight, he guides him to Shae, while Max rubs the back of his head. “I think my ears are fucking ringing.”

  “No, it’s sirens. We’re about to have company.”

  Behind the car, Nick squats in front of her, caressing her cheek. “I’m sorry. All this shit happens to you because of me.”

  Her silky hair tickles his skin as she shakes her head. “I don’t understand what happened.”

  Amidst the chaos, he avoids giving her the real answer. He needs to protect her a little longer from the savagery of his world, especially when instigated by someone she thought she could trust. “Don’t be scared. You’re safe now. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  She leans into his hand, her eyes locking with his, humbling him with her faith in him. “I know. I trust you.”

  A convoy of emergency vehicles races through the parking lot. The ambulance stops closest to the car, and two EMTs jog toward them. A curly-haired woman drops an orange and white bag next to Shae’s foot and kneels down in front of Shae. “Are you hurt, miss?”

  Wrapping her hand around Nick’s, Shae shakes her head. “No, I think I’m okay.”

  Like hell she is. Nick nods to the woman. “She needs to be examined.”

  “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”

  The woman takes Shae’s pulse while the other paramedic talks to Max. Nick squeezes Shae’s hand one last time before he rises to face the approaching officers.

  The older one motions to him. “We need you to come with us.”

  * * * *

  Nick stares at the scratched wooden table under his tapping fingers. Unable to talk to Shae since the police separated them at the abandoned airstrip, he thinks only about her to keep from going ballistic at these idiots questioning him. She needs him with her, not in a jail cell. Or, probably closer to the real truth, he needs her.

  “You’ve had quite an eventful day, Mr. DeMarco. An assault charge filed and rescinded after an incident earlier this morning.” The detective closes the file he’s been reviewing and tosses it on the table before smirking at Nick. “Now, you’re in here tonight with an attempt on your life, three men dead, including your own cousin, and your car and plane destroyed. How would you like to explain all that?”

  He omits Nick’s only genuine concern. Wrapped in a blanket, her hand shaking as she held the water bottle given to her by the EMT, Shae never looked more distraught than when she was put in the back of a squad car. If not restrained by handcuffs, he would have killed to talk to her before she was driven away.

  The man in front of him lowers his voice, like they’re conspirators to the same plot. “Come on, Nick. You’re not fooling anyone. We know someone shot you. You can press charges. Make him pay for what he’s done.”

  Carter doled out his own justice against himself. After what he did to Shae, he probably knew a bullet to the head was the most humane punishment he would receive.

  Good cop fades away, and bad cop makes his clichéd appearance. “We know who you are. We’ve been tracking you for a long time.” He pauses and leans down close to Nick’s face, his mint clicking against his teeth as he talks. “I know you’re not stupid enough to think you can keep getting away with it. We’re going to catch up with you. You’re going to get caught.”

  Questions he may never receive answers to circle in his mind. The betrayal so unexpected, it still doesn’t seem real. Carter, inexplicable in his motives yet precise in his actions, exploited Nick’s weakness to inflict the most damage.

  The detective shrugs before spreading his hands out in front of him. “Might as well make it easy on yourself. Work with us here, and we’ll cut you a deal.”

  Yet, in the end, he saved Shae’s life and Nick’s sanity by ensuring the car was empty when the hit took place. What made him change his mind?

  “A pop star, huh? Beautiful, rich, famous…she told Detective Stone she’s your fiancée. You’re a very lucky man. Although, it seems like she puts up with a lot, being with you.” The man taps the manila folder lying on the table, smirking as he leans forward, his hands flat on the wooden surface. “Maybe she has some information she wants to share about your business ventures. You know how much women like to talk.”

  “Detective Whalen, is it?” Nick meets the officer’s eyes, widening with eagerness, thinking he’s outsmarted him. As if he’d tell this fucker anything. Or let him use his only weakness to break him. “She knows I’m a fucking bastard and loves me anyway. Can you say the same thing about your wife?”

  The officer's face burns bright red, and he jerks up, tipping his chair behind him. “You son of a bitch—”

  A quick knock sounds outside before the door opens. Luther walks in with the chief of police, a loyal member of Nick’s payroll. “Move out, guys. The interview’s over.”

  Nick’s fingers curl around the table edge as he forces himself to remain seated. His attorney better have a god damn good reason for leaving Shae alone.

  “What the fuck, Chief?”

  “The pilots and Miss Armstrong’s stories confirm it was self-defense. We have no cause to hold him any longer.”

  The men look at each other. Detective Whalen shakes his head and pushes past Luther to leave the room, while the other officer picks up the overturned chair before walking out.

  Luther nods to the chief. “Thank you for your assistance. Mr. DeMarco will make himself available as necessary for any other questions you may have regarding tonight’s events. However, now I’d like to speak to my client alone.”

  The man starts to say something, but closes his mouth before turning and walking out of the room.

  As soon as the door closes, Nick jumps to his feet. “Why the fuck aren’t you with Shae?”

  Luther puts his hand up. “When they were interrogating her, things got a little heated. I had to jump in at every question to protect her. They were really pressuring her about you, and I guess it got to be too much. She collapsed.”

  “Fucking shit!” She said she was fine, that she didn’t need to go to the hospital. He’s such a stupid idiot for believing her. After all he’s put her through, he can’t expect her to be okay. “I’ve got to see her. Where is she?”

  “She’s already on her way in an ambulance.”

  “By herself?” His head pounds at the thought of her scared and deserted, except for strangers. She always takes care of him, and now when she needs comfort, he’s nowhere around. “Fuck! Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  Nick races down the hallway. Hospital guards, as well as his own security team, pack the waiting area outside her room. Sitting on the gray and white sofa, Carrie massages her forehead as Nathan quietly talks to her. She looks up at Nick and frowns. “Hey.”

  “How is she?”


  “Asleep.”

  Nathan’s expression hardens into a scowl. “I’ll tell you how she is. Because of you, she’s physically and mentally exhausted. She’s dehydrated and undernourished. She hasn’t eaten anything since this morning with everything that’s been going on. Her blood pressure is low, and of course, she’s worried about the baby.”

  Carrie shakes her head and grasps Nathan’s arm. “Shit, Nathan! He didn’t know.”

  His chest constricts as all the air leaves his lungs. Shae’s pregnant. With his baby. Their baby. Again and again, she gives him everything he didn’t even know he wanted, but will kill to keep.

  Carrie gives him a small smile. “She wanted to tell you herself, but I guess now you know. Congratulations.”

  He can’t help but return the sentiment. Yesterday, he struggled to survive the loss of the woman he loves. Now, he has her back with a child on the way and maybe a daughter to add to their family. A bastard like him doesn’t deserve the blessings he receives. “Is the baby okay?”

  Nathan sighs before nodding. “From what we can tell so far, yes. She’s not very far along, only about six weeks. We’ll have to do the tests Dr. Patterson ordered for tomorrow. Right now, all we can do is wait and see.”

  Six weeks. His soaring heart plummets. Ever since she snuck out of the house without security, he knew she was hiding something. He’s put her through hell, and all this time she’s been too scared to tell him.

  Bile burns his throat as the realization of the timing becomes apparent. He put his hands on her when she’s pregnant, bruised her while she carries his child. God, he’s a fucking monster. No wonder she fears him, and yet somehow, still loves him. “I need to see her.”

  Nathan folds his arms across his chest and shakes his head. “You really are crazy if you think I’m going to agree to that. I don’t know what the hell happened at her house, but from the damage, it’s obviously not good.” He nods to Nick’s bloody shirt. “Then, you get her involved in some kind of shootout at a desolate landing strip. She doesn’t need anything except for you to leave her alone.”

  He accepts the fury Nathan unleashes on him, yet right now he doesn’t have the patience to argue. His only goal is seeing Shae and making up for everything he’s done to her. “Damn it, Nathan, if it was Carrie, you’d want to see her.”

  “If it was Carrie, I wouldn’t put her in danger in the first place.” His voice tight with frustration, Nathan jabs his finger in the air. “I told you—”

  “No, Nathan.” Carrie grasps his hand and holds it next to her thigh. “Don’t do this now. Shae doesn’t need an argument between you two.”

  “Fine.” He shakes his head and puts up his other hand. “With Shae’s status as a public figure, access to her room is severely restricted. Carrie’s listed as her next of kin. She decides who can see Shae until she can make those decisions for herself.”

  Carrie used to be his only supporter. Now with everything that’s happened, her backing may be gone too. “Please, Carrie. I have to get to her.”

  She bites her lip, looking between Nathan and him, hesitation filling her eyes. With Shae’s fragile state, forcing his way into her room will only scare her and jeopardize her health, as well as the baby’s. Shae would hate her friend being caught in the middle, but he has to do whatever it takes to get Carrie’s approval. “I swear to God I won’t do anything to hurt her. I just need to see her.”

  She runs her hands through her long hair before placing them on her head. “I’m fucking pissed at you for what you’ve done to her.” Her eyes lock with his, burning with doubt. “I’m only doing this because I know it’s what she wants, and I don’t want to upset her more. Don’t fuck this up. If you do, I won’t ever help you again.”

  “I promise I won’t. Thank you, Carrie.”

  He takes a deep breath before opening the door to Shae’s room. She lies curled on her side, the usual pink glow missing from her creamy white skin. An IV bag hangs from a silver metal hook with its tube coiling down to the needle in the back of her hand, tucked halfway under the covers. A bottle of water and untouched tray of food sit on the side table.

  He drops into the chair beside the bed and studies her, unable to fathom how she can actually love him. She forgives him when he doesn’t deserve it, protects him when he should be punished, believes he’s a good man when he’s really a horrible bastard. Just like Evan said—a thug not worthy of a beautiful angel like her.

  After a few minutes, her eyes flutter open. She meets his gaze and a slow smile lights up her face. “Hi.”

  The turmoil around them falls away at her happiness to see him. He leans forward and kisses her temple. A light red scratch runs from her eye to under her hair. Fury surges in him at the thought of Carter’s gun to her head. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Okay. I know it’s terrible to be in the hospital when you’re not really sick. But I’m so tired, it feels good to lie down.”

  She can have anything she wants, and she’s grateful to rest. God, he fucked her up even more than he realized. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” She tries to stifle a yawn but can’t hold it back.

  He strokes across her cheek and down her hair. “You need to get your rest. Go back to sleep.”

  “Will you stay with me for a little bit?”

  Only death would make him leave her again. “You can’t get rid of me that easy. I’m not going anywhere.” He eases off his bloody shirt, flinching at the pain of pulling against the bandages Max hastily applied, before lifting the covers and sliding in behind her.

  Her soft laugh releases a bit of the tension straining his body. “What are you doing?”

  “Coming back to where I should have been all along.” He wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her against his chest, nuzzling her neck.

  She closes her eyes, but the smile doesn’t leave her face. “Good. I’ve missed you.”

  “Me too, sweetness.”

  “I’m sorry I—”

  Not as sorry as he is. For everything he’s done to make her think, for even a second, she isn’t his whole world. “Shhhh. You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

  “But, I’ve—”

  “Whatever it is, I don’t give a damn. As long as we’re together, that’s all I care about.”

  “Okay.” She snuggles against him and sighs. “I love you, Nick.”

  For the first time in three weeks, he enjoys the peace only she can give him. He’ll deal with Carter, Juan, and Jessica tomorrow. Tonight, all of him belongs to Shae. “I love you too.”

  *The End*

  About the Author

  Nikki writes contemporary romantic thrillers and admits to a weakness for alpha males and bad boys, especially ones who can’t live without the strong women they love. She spends more time in her characters’ lives than her own. But when she’s in the real world, her passions include reading, wine appreciating, running, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

  www.nikkibelaire.com

  @NikkiBelaire

  www.facebook.com/NikkiBelaire

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com