The Savage One: A Mafia Romance (The Hale Mafia Book 3)

by BL Mute

  Julius shakes his head away from Lucas’s hand, then moves his body until Lucas is pushed off him. “I may not be into the painful shit like you, but I don’t need that.”

  He pushes himself up to his elbows and looks down on Peter. “Dr. Kelly.” He smiles. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  Peter shakes his head. “You’ve lost a lot of blood. I need to sew you up, kid.”

  “Sew away.” Julius smiles again.

  Lucas flicks him on the ear. “This isn’t fucking funny. We thought you were dying.”

  Julius cuts his eyes to him. “I wouldn’t be in this position if you would have helped me, and besides, you should know a flesh wound when you see one.”

  “Fuck you, Jules,” Lucas bites back before standing and walking to sit next to Cat.

  I watch as Dr. Kelly ties stitch after stitch into Julius’s side, then look to Cat and Lucas on the couch. Her concerned eyes stay locked on Julius, and it makes me almost feel bad. Maybe I was too harsh on her.

  I walk to the couch and wedge myself between her and Lucas. “He’s okay.”

  She shakes her head. “That’s a lot of blood.”

  “It is, but Dr. Kelly is one of the best in town. Julius is tougher than he looks too.”

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t really think he’d come back for me.”

  I chuckle. “He’s a man of his word.”

  She goes silent and continues to watch as Dr. Kelly finishes the last stitch.

  “I think you should get checked out while the doctor is here.”

  She finally moves her eyes to me. “I’m fine.”

  I lean closer to her and lower my voice. “I get it’s embarrassing and hard, but it’s best to know now if something is wrong.”

  She shakes her head again with a grimace. “You don’t know what I’ve been through. I’d rather not have another man poking around my pussy when I don’t want him to.”

  “I do know what you’ve been through.” I frown as all of the memories come back, but I do my best to suppress them.

  “What, you’ve been taken advantage of? Drugged? Had things shoved into you that you didn’t want?” she bites back. I guess that’s what I get for being so stern with her, but fuck.

  “Maybe not all of that, but some of it, yes.”

  She scoffs. “I don’t know who you are, nor do I care, which means I couldn’t give a fuck less what you say. I’m fine and I’ll continue to be fine as long as I’m with him.” She points to Julius.

  I raise my hands. “Fine. But whenever you’re ready to stop being a bitch, I’m here for you.”

  She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.

  I stand from the couch and turn to Lucas. “Can you handle all of this for ten minutes? I need to change and get his blood off me.” I hold my hands out palms up.

  He stands and kisses my temple. “I got it. Everything is fine for now. We will figure everything else out later.”

  I nod. I don’t want to tell him I need out of this room because all it’s doing is reminding me of Teddy. Seeing Cat, knowing what she went through, Julius passing out, the blood. All it does is put me on edge and makes me anxious.

  All of those feelings started building when I saw Lucas and Julius fighting, but I thought I was okay. I thought if I could get them to stop, I would be fine, and I was. For a minute anyway. Lucas helped distract me, which was nice, but I can’t use sex to cope. Not while I’m carrying Teddy’s child. It just isn’t right.

  I give him a weak smile, then disappear into my room, letting him clean up the mess this time.

  As Charlie’s door clicks closed behind her, I stand from the couch and walk to where Peter is tying the last stitch in Julius’s side.

  “You need to take it easy. I’ll come by and remove these in about a week.” He removes his gloves and throws them in a disposable plastic bag beside him.

  “You got it,” Julius remarks.

  “I’m serious, boy. If you tear those, you’ll bleed out.”

  “It isn’t that bad. I’ll be good, I promise.” He crosses his finger over his heart.

  Dr. Kelly just shakes his head and stands facing me. “I know telling you guys to be safe is pointless, but I’m going to say it anyway. Be safe and take care of him and Charlie.”

  I give him a firm nod, and he walks out the door.

  I extend my hand to Julius and help him off the floor. When he’s level with me, I give him a light push. “What the fuck, Jules?”

  He stumbles backward holding his side. “Dude, you heard the doctor. I’m supposed to be taking it easy.”

  “This isn’t fucking funny,” I grind out through clenched teeth.

  “Hey,” I hear Cat call behind me. “Maybe you should take it easy on him.”

  I roll my eyes, then look at Julius. “Get rid of her.”

  His eyes challenge mine for a moment before he looks over my shoulder to Cat and points down the hallway. “There is a door down there to the right. Wait for me there.”

  I can hear her footsteps grow softer and softer until they’re completely gone. “Julius, I told you not to do anything stupid. What were you thinking?”

  He shakes his head before walking to the front door. As his hand grips around the knob, he looks at me. “Are you coming or what?” I shake my head and follow him.

  Stepping outside, the cold air hits my bare chest and sends a chill down my arms. I lean against one side of the porches railing as Julius leans against the other. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes, then lights one. He takes a long drag and stares into the distance for a moment before letting it out. “When did it happen for you?”

  I cross my arms, trying to keep what warmth I have. “What are you talking about?”

  He smiles and takes another drag. “With Charlie. When did you know you loved her? Or are you still denying it?”

  I huff. “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know when or you don’t know if you’re still denying it?”

  I think back and try and pinpoint the moment. The one that made me fall so hopelessly in love that I forgot about everything else. She and I shared so much, but I can’t put my finger on the exact time. It could have been the first time I saw her. When I was watching her with Teddy, making sure she was safe. Or maybe even the first time she kicked my ass, but then there is the first time we kissed too.

  “I don’t know when it happened. It just—”

  “Happened,” he finishes.

  I nod. “Exactly. It feels like I’ve loved her forever at this point,” I admit.

  “I know. And that’s how it feels with Cat. Maybe not love, but it’s something. Something strong.”

  I let out a breath. “I get it, but what you did was stupid. I only wanted to wait to make sure we would all be safe.”

  He smiles with a slow shake of his head. He takes another puff of his cigarette, then flicks it to the ground. “And now you know why I couldn’t wait. I wasn’t going to just let her sit there while we tried to figure things out.” He walks back inside without another word.

  I linger outside and think about everything he said. I get it, I do. And now I feel like nothing more than a hypocrite. He’s right. If it were Charlie, I wouldn’t think twice. I’d kill anyone who stood in my way. I just wish he would have told me. Would it have changed things? I’m not sure, but it would have been nice to know his true intentions.

  I push open the door and walk to Charlie’s door. When I hear the shower running, I push open the door and step inside. Steam rolls out of the bathroom as the sound of water hitting the shower floor sounds out. I see my phone on the floor and grab it, then slip back into the living room before she can notice.

  I send Carl a quick text and ask if he’s found anything, then dial Sebastian’s number. It rings a few times before it connects. “Sebastian?” I settle onto the couch.

  “I don’t appreciate you hanging up on me,” he scolds.

  “I had some things that neede
d my attention.”

  I can hear shuffling around before a door closes. “I hope one of those things involved your brother. Did you hear about the casino?”

  I rub my fingers over my temple. “Of course. It’s handled.”

  “What do you mean handled? Because I just spoke to Emil, and he wants to cut a deal.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

  I stand from the couch, ready to get Julius. “What kind of deal?”

  “Don’t worry. He has nothing more to offer me. I’m better off sticking to our arrangement, I just thought I would be courteous and let you know.”

  I roll my eyes and plop back onto the couch. “You’re probably one of the loosest-lipped people I know, Sebastian. That can’t be good for business.”

  “Oh? Would you rather me stay silent? Because I can do that.”

  I shake my head and change the subject. “It needs to happen soon.”

  “Patience, child. Desi is already handled, and I have a meeting with Emil tonight. He’s currently on a plane to me. I’ll call you by the morning with an update.”

  I go to say more, but the line goes dead. “Asshole.”

  “What’s going on?” Charlie asks from her doorway.

  She’s in an oversized T-shirt and flannel pants with dripping hair and tired eyes. I want to tell her not to worry about it, but that will do no good. She’ll push until I speak up and give her everything I know.

  “Sebastian.” I raise up my phone and shake it. “Emil tried to cut a deal with him, but he said he won’t be taking it. He’ll benefit more from our deal.”

  She leans against the doorjamb and crosses her arms. “Do you believe him?”

  I shrug. “No, but don’t feel we have a choice at this point. We just need to sit back and see how things unfold.”

  She nods as she pushes off the jamb and walks toward me. “What about Carl? Have you heard from him?” She sits next to me and leans into my side.

  I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Not yet.”

  She lets out a heavy breath. “I’m so tired, Lucas. I just want all of this to end.”

  My chest pangs with the hurt in her voice. “I know, baby.” I kiss her head and pull her closer to me. “It will be soon.”

  When the door opens, I already know it’s Emil. I’ve been waiting on him. I normally do business in a mutual area or outside, but things with him will get messy, so we are in the furthest room from my living room.

  “Sebastian?” he questions as he enters.

  “Please.” I motion to the chair in front of me. “Come sit.”

  He looks around, and I can see his shoulders relax when he realizes it’s only us. “I’m glad you agreed to meet with me on such a short notice.”

  I grin as he settles into further into the chair. He crosses his ankle over one knee as it bobs. “Nervous?”

  He chuckles. “Not necessarily. I’m just ready to talk business and get some things handled.”

  I nod. “Are you alone tonight?”

  He tips his head. “I’m not. I have my right hand outside, waiting.” His eyes level with mine.

  “Oh? You replaced Desiderio?” I lace my fingers together and lay them in my lap. I want to see how much he knows. I told Mike I wanted his death to stay quiet. Hopefully, he kept his word.

  “You know how business goes. I had no choice.”

  I give him another nod. “How is he? I assume you’re taking good care of him in there.”

  He uncrosses his legs and leans back. “I am, and he’s as well as he can be. I’ll get him out soon.”

  I fight back a snarl. One thing I can’t stand is liars. If he were taking care of him like he said, he would already know he’s dead. But that’s just how this business works. You lose one person, then just replace them. You have to in order to stay on top.

  “That’s good. Now, tell me what it is you want from me.”

  He sucks in a deep breath. “I’m willing to split my businesses with you if you help me take out the Hales. It seems they have everyone eating out of their hands but you. One of them caused a pretty big mess at my casino and got some of my shit closed down. Now I’ll be dealing with the FBI I’m sure. I need them gone.”

  His words come out strong, and I’m almost sad to have to do what I’m doing, but unfortunately, this is business and the Hales are offering me more. “What got shut down? Why would it bring the FBI in?”

  His eyes shoot to the floor. “I have an escort gig. All of my girls are willing though.”

  Liar, liar.

  “If they’re willing, there shouldn’t be an issue. If you want my help, you have to be honest with me, Emil.”

  He shakes his head. “I only had a couple that weren’t.”

  “We’re both criminals, Emil.” I smile. “Have you forgotten that?”

  His eyes bounce around the room almost like he really has. “Most don’t agree.”

  “I can see that.” I stand and walk to the door. I open it only for a second. “Miguel! Bring us some drinks, por favor.”

  As I close the door, I take a second to try and let my anger simmer. It’s not time yet, but hearing he’s using women against their will pisses me off. He should know better. No one around here would agree. I don’t see how he even got customers.

  I walk back to my seat and sit. “We don’t fuck with women, Emil. You should know that.”

  “I—I know. I’m stopping though.”

  “Stopping? Only because you were caught?” I shake my head. “I can deal with a lot of things. Drugs, guns… But I won’t tolerate innocent women being beaten and raped. They’re too fragile, too pure for this shit.”

  The door opens and Emil looks over to see Miguel enter empty-handed. “Where are the drinks?”

  I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “Oh, Emil. You should have known I wouldn’t help you. The Hales got to me first and offered more, but honestly, after hearing what you’re doing, I probably would have done it for free.”

  “No, you can’t hurt me, Sebastian.” He holds his hands up and stands. “My men can be here in a second. Unless you want a war, you’ll let me go.”

  I step closer to him. “War? With what army?”

  As he’s focused on me, Miguel grabs him from behind by his arms. He clamps one hand around both of his wrists, then feels all over him with the other. He pulls a gun from the back of his slacks and throws it to the floor.

  I circle him slowly. “You know just as well as I there is no one anymore. It’s just you. You’re falling without Desi, Emil. He was your peacekeeper.”

  “I still have Desi and his connections, so I dare you, touch me!” he yells.

  I sigh as I stop in front of him again. “It’s really a shame how pathetic you are.” I spit on his shoes. The ultimate disrespect. “I had Desi killed. He’s probably dust at this point.”

  Horror flashes in his eyes, and it does nothing but make me laugh. It’s always amazing to see big, bad men get scared when they realize there is nowhere left to run. Nowhere left to hide.

  “Take him out back. Let the dogs do their job. I’m going to go have a chat with his buddy outside.”

  Miguel nods without a word and hauls him out the door. I really wanted to be the one to do it, the one to end him, but that would be too easy. He deserves a slow, painful death. I follow them out and walk down the hall as I hear his screams echo around me. They get quieter and quieter, until finally disappearing as they slip out the back door into the night.

  I pause when I make it to the front door and shake out the excitement I feel knowing Emil is getting what he deserves. I don’t want his right hand to see me so happy. It’s not usual for someone like me, but I can’t help it. Bloodshed brings me bliss.

  When I step outside, I see a dark-colored Impala waiting on the other side of the white picket fence. I let my shoes slap against the brick walkway harder than necessary just so he knows I’m coming.

  The window rolls down when I get close. When I’m about a foot away, I stop and
lean down. The guy in the driver’s seat looks young. Not too young, but younger than I’m used to seeing. His sand-colored hair is unkempt and falls over his forehead. “What’s your name?”

  He squints, and his eyebrows pull together. “Where is Emil?”

  I roll my eyes. “Do you know who I am?” I ignore his question and ask my own.

  He nods.

  “Good. Then you know I don’t play. What’s your name?”

  “Antonio,” he finally lets out.

  “Antonio.” I nod. “Emil is being killed as we speak.” He reaches under the seat not so slyly, so I pull my gun and rest it on the edge of the window. “I wouldn’t do that.”

  His eyes bounce between mine and the gun over and over. “What do you want?”

  “You know—” I open the door and slide into the passenger seat. “—you would have been killed in a week sticking with Emil, so you should be glad I have a job for you.”

  He turns his back to face the door so he can keep his eyes on me. “And what is it?”

  “I want to see how the Hales react to seeing you. Find them, follow them, then attack them.”

  “Attack them?” His eyes go wide.

  “That’s what I said.”

  “They will kill me.”

  “Well.” I raise my gun. “You either do it, or I can kill you now. Your choice. Try and be sneaky so they don’t see you coming or have me blow your brains out now.” I shrug. “With them you at least have a chance. You don’t with me.” I pull the hammer of my gun back.

  “Okay, okay.” He faces forward and places both hands on the steering wheel. “I’ll do it.”

  I smile. “Great. Report back to me if you survive.”

  I step out of the car and watch as he drives away before I turn around to go back inside.

  Sleep never came last night. It’s not surprising because it’s rare it ever does, but it doesn’t make it suck any less. I turn over and look at Lucas sleeping next to me. I want to run my fingers over his skin, tangle them in the gold chain around his neck, but I don’t want to disrupt his sleep. If I can’t sleep, he might as well.

  I study his bruised face, and immediately my mind wanders to Teddy. He’s the most violent kind of daydream. Wrecking my mind, breaking my heart over and over again, and he isn’t even here. I kick myself because I shouldn’t be thinking about him when I’m lying next to another man, but I can’t help it. One of the last images I have of Teddy, he was in Lucas’s exact position. Beat up, bloody, bruised… Only he deserved it. Did Lucas? Maybe not, but tensions are so high right now. I can practically feel the testosterone rolling off the twins as they battle for dominance.