by Bethany-Kris
“You don’t have to remind me of that. I just don’t want you getting your hands any dirtier than you have to.”
Melina smirked. “Okay. We’ll do this your way.”
Mac leaned across and kissed her softly on the lips before he exited the car. Before she could touch the door handle, he was opening the door and helping her out. When she stood beside him, he gave her a low whistle of appreciation.
“Watch yourself, Maccari.”
“No time for that. I have to watch you.”
Grinning at Melina, he took her hand in his. As she walked with Mac, she took in her surroundings. This was a part of town that she’d never been in before. Then again, there seemed to be a lot of firsts, when it came to Mac. A light sheen of snow and gravel crunched under her boots and even though there was still snow on the ground, Melina was grateful that no cold wind blew. The black leather coat she wore kept away most of the chill.
A rusted silver warehouse rose up in front of them. There were spider-web cracks in the windows and a sliding aluminum door that stood open. Shiny silver chains hung from the door handles.
“Is someone here already?” Melina asked.
“They’d better be or there’s going to be hell to pay.”
From the look on Mac’s face, Melina didn’t doubt it. He let go of her hand and opened the doors of the warehouse. He motioned her back as he took out his gun and stepped inside. She waited a minute, trying to keep her nerves calm in the process. When he stepped back outside, his gun was in his pants and he motioned for her to follow him.
When she entered the warehouse, Melina nearly gasped. The place was full. There were boxes from the floor to the ceiling. She didn’t even want to ask what was inside of those boxes. Sitting in the middle of the warehouse were six vehicles, being taken apart piece by piece. Melina leaned close and whispered in Mac’s ear.
“Chop shop?”
“Among other things. Give me a minute, okay?”
Melina nodded before Mac walked away and headed towards one of the men directing the dissembling of the vehicle. She watched the two men shake hands and start talking, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying over the noise of the machines. When Mac nodded in her direction, the man he was speaking to gave her an appreciative glance. From the glare Mac gave the man, it seemed her lover was two seconds away from giving the man a hit to the face to remind the man that he was walking a subtle line between disrespect and appreciation. A few minutes later, Mac walked back to where she was standing.
“Follow me,” he said in a terse tone.
She allowed him to lead her to a corner of the warehouse that housed a small room with a plate glass window. Inside was a small office with a desk and fold-up chair.
“Let me guess. You want me to stay here while you work.”
“Yes. You’ll be able to see everything and keep out of sight if anything starts to pop off with any unhappy customers.”
“How long are we going to be here?”
Mac shrugged. “As long as it takes.”
“You know, I could’ve stayed in bed if this was all you had in mind.”
Melina flopped down into the folding chair. Mac kneeled down beside her.
“I told you I brought you with me for appearances sake, and while that part is true, it’s not the whole truth.”
Melina crossed her legs. “So, what is the truth?”
“The truth is that I like having you close, even when that means I’m being selfish in the process.”
“So, he finally admits that he has flaws. Wow. This is a big day. I’m going to mark it down on my calendar.”
“If wanting you is a flaw, it’s one I’m damned-well happy to have.”
He stood up and winked at her before he turned on his heel and headed back out into the main part of the warehouse.
So, he liked having her close.
She wished that she could ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach, but she couldn’t.
There was something real developing between her and Mac that she’d never expected. Yes, circumstances had forced them together unexpectedly, but he could’ve walked away from her at any time, leaving her to fend for herself.
But he hadn’t.
Instead, he’d been there with her every step of the way, helping her navigate her way through a life that she knew nothing about.
A new life that could very well be the cause of her death. Somehow, she knew Mac wouldn’t let that happen. Whatever happened, they were in this together and as she watched him take down and open boxes, she couldn’t help but be glad that there was someone who finally cared about her enough to watch her back.
Almost two weeks had passed and things were quiet, which was not at all what Melina had expected. After all, with her on the Pivetti boss’s list of people to watch, she’d been waiting for something to happen. Perhaps someone tailing her, but that hadn’t happened. Even the cops had backed off and for that, she couldn’t be happier. Those ridiculous charges had mysteriously been dropped, as well.
She and Mac had settled into somewhat of a routine. He slept over a few nights out of the week. Those nights usually ended with them tearing up the sheets, enjoying their fill of one another. Having sex with Mac was slowly becoming her new addiction, and it was one she didn’t mind having. But she was starting to enjoy more than just the sex. Mac had a way about him. She found herself laughing and smiling more than she had … since she was a child.
The realization had startled her earlier that morning, when she’d left her place with Mac. They’d been together pretty regularly, as she accompanied him some days while he worked. She’d seen Mac and his fellow crew members unload more hot goods than she could keep count of. Not to mention, the stolen car parts they’d sold. Her eyes had grown as big as saucers when she saw the stacks of money Mac made every day. Then she’d promptly let loose a stream of curses when Mac told her he only kept thirty percent of his take.
Bullshit.
She pushed the thought from her mind as she leaned against the wall of the store, watching Mac. Today they were doing the collection bit. That morning, Mac had allowed her to collect the money from the more upscale of those businesses, before giving her what was his cut without batting an eye.
“I told you I’d take care of you, didn’t I?” he’d asked softly.
So far, Mac was proving to be a man of his word. Her landlord had called her two days ago and thanked her for paying her rent early for the next two months. When she’d asked Mac about it, he’d just shrugged and smiled, pretending he had no idea what she was talking about. She was learning that was his way. He liked to do things without receiving recognition. The man liked to move in silence and shadows, but sometimes you needed to step out into the light. Perhaps she could persuade Mac to do that, at least for tonight.
“We’re out of here, doll.”
He reached for her hand and led her outside.
“Are we done for the day?” she asked.
“Don’t tell me you’re tired? Not the invincible Melina,” Mac teased.
“Hardly.”
“Then what is it?”
He squeezed her hand.
“We haven’t had much time to spend together, since you’ve been working so much.”
Mac stopped walking and looked at her. “We’ve been together almost every day.”
“But you’ve been working. There hasn’t been that much time for …”
“For what, doll?”
He stared at her hard.
“For us.”
His hand caressed her cheek. “So there’s an ‘us’ now?”
“I thought that’s what we were moving towards. That is, if you still want it.”
“Of course that’s what I want. Hell, it’s what I’ve wanted since the moment I laid eyes on you. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling neglected, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
Melina shook her head and looped her arms around Mac’s neck.
“I’m not talki
ng about me. I’m talking about you.”
“Me? I’m not feeling neglected.”
“Well, you should be. You’ve been working non-stop, sneaking behind my back and paying my bills. Not to mention making sure I don’t end up in a pine box. And during all of this, not once have you thought about yourself or your own needs. Tonight, I’m going to do something about that, provided we’re done with business for now.”
“Melina, a real man puts others’ needs above his own. I learned that at a young age.”
“I won’t disagree with you there, but sometimes everyone needs someone to look after them and I want to do that for you.”
Leaning forward, she kissed him softly before pulling back to smile at him.
“What did you have in mind?” His eyes danced with amusement.
“I could try to cook you a nice dinner, and we could enjoy a nice bottle of wine before moving on to dessert.”
Mac raised an eyebrow as one of his hands traveled lower to caress her backside. “Dessert, huh? What kind of dessert?”
“A one-of-a-kind delicacy you’ve started to enjoy very, very much,” she whispered.
“I’m sold. Your place or mine?”
“Mine. I’ve got the big bath tub, remember?”
“That you do, doll. How did I get so lucky to land a woman like you?”
Melina shrugged. “Maybe you did something good in a past life.”
He laughed. “I’ll go with that. Now let’s get out of here.”
Cupping her face in his hands, Mac kissed her hungrily, silently promising that they had another long, hot night ahead of them. Melina’s body heated in anticipation. When Mac pulled away and tapped her nose, she couldn’t help smiling. She’d been doing a lot of that lately and it felt good.
Cars raced down the street behind Mac, except one. As it crept closer to where they stood on the sidewalk, the back window slowly lowered. Melina’s body tensed as alarms rang in her head.
“Mac.”
His head whipped in the direction she was looking and then gunfire exploded.
Mac pushed her behind a parked car and then to the ground. Melina barely had time to brace herself.
“Keep your head down.”
Bullets continued flying and the sounds of glass shattering and screams filled the air. It was a drive by, and the only thing that was clear was that someone wanted blood. Hers or Mac’s, she didn’t know. What she did know, was that she’d had enough of this shit. Rolling away from Mac, she grabbed for his gun.
“Melina, don’t!”
He reached for her, but she eluded his grasp as she scrambled to her knees behind the shot-up car that had shielded them. The gunfire had stopped. Melina peeked over the hood of the car and saw a silver Dodge Charger. Melina fired, putting a bullet in the back headlight. The car revved up, and Melina carefully aimed one more time.
The car rolled to a stop seconds after the bullet shattered the back window. Melina had managed to hit her target.
Mac grabbed her, jerking her to her feet.
“We have to get out of here. Now.”
He snatched the gun from her and tucked it into his back pocket before nearly dragging her down the street to where they’d parked. Melina didn’t know who was after them or why, but she could damn well guarantee that when word got out, they’d think twice about coming after her and Mac again.
“You have really got to stop grabbing people’s guns and shooting with them,” Mac muttered.
Melina shot a look over her shoulder, probably in the direction of the car. “Why? I get the job done, don’t I?”
“Not the point.”
“It’s the only point that matters when someone is shooting at you.”
“Fair enough.”
“I thought so,” she said.
“Your father?”
Melina nearly slipped in her heels, but Mac caught her around the waist and drew her to his side. It was becoming second nature for him to keep bringing Melina closer. She was better there, safer, and happier. She deserved to be there.
He just wasn’t sure how to deal with it.
In his arms, Melina kept a steady pace, seemingly unbothered by the fact she had probably just killed a man. She never failed to shock Mac, but he liked it. He liked her.
A lot.
“What about my father?” Melina asked.
Mac made sure the gun was safely tucked into the waistband of his jeans. “Was he the one who taught you how to shoot like that?”
Melina laughed. “Yeah.”
Mac nodded approvingly. “Damn. I would have liked to meet him. Shake his hand. Thank him, maybe.”
She didn’t respond. Mac didn’t mind. He knew how touchy of a subject her father was.
Thankfully, Melina kept up with Mac’s jogging pace down the sidewalk. The street had gone completely quiet of noise. When the first burst of gunshots had rung out, people dropped to the ground or scattered into the closest businesses they could find.
No doubt, the cops would be showing up soon.
Mac didn’t need their brand of trouble. Neither did Melina. God knew the cops had been a big enough nuisance in their lives lately.
“Fucking surprising,” Mac muttered.
“Hmm?”
Mac held Melina tighter. “I was thinking it was surprising that those dumbass detectives weren’t following right behind us today. They usually are.”
“Maybe we lost them earlier.”
“Must have. Get in,” Mac demanded the second they came up beside his black car.
Melina did as he wanted. No arguments.
It was a damn good thing she wasn’t her usual combative and difficult self when shit was going down. Mac appreciated that about Melina, amongst many of her other interestingly wonderful qualities.
Mac went to shut the door, but Melina stopped him. Her brown gaze, wary and concerned, found his. Despite their situation, it calmed Mac just to take a moment, push aside his panic, and stare at Melina.
And that’s how he knew.
That she was his?
His girl?
Yeah, that was how he knew.
“We don’t have time to stand around and chat, doll. What do you need?” Mac asked.
“My father,” Melina said.
“What about him?”
“He would have loved you, Mac.”
Mac’s hand tightened around the metal edge of the passenger door. A heaviness pooled in his stomach, grounding him. It didn’t feel entirely bad, though.
“You think?” Mac asked.
“I know,” Melina told him with her usual fierceness.
“I’m not the kind of man that fathers usually want their daughters running around with. There’s not a whole lot about me that’s good inside.”
Melina never took her eyes off Mac for a second. “There’s enough good where it counts.”
Mac supposed she was right.
And as long as he was what Melina wanted, nobody else mattered to Mac.
“We have got to go,” Mac told Melina.
Melina moved her hand from the door, letting Mac shut her inside the car. The pressure that had been steadily building in his chest deflated slightly. Melina wasn’t entirely safe just yet, but being inside a vehicle was better than being way out in the fucking open.
Mac crossed around the front of the car quickly, sweeping both directions of the street with his sharp gaze. He didn’t want to be caught up in another drive-by situation with whoever.
Mac’s stare narrowed in on the silver car down the road. It was still resting where it had come to a stop after Melina shot the driver. It was still running, too. No one had even tried to approach the vehicle, yet.
Who, was the question.
Mac wanted to run down, take a quick peek at the driver, and get the hell out of Dodge. He couldn’t afford to take the risk. He didn’t want to stay in the area for any longer than was necessary.
As it were, they had already been there too long.
He
wouldn’t put Melina in more danger.
Mac would always take care of his girl.
No matter what.
Sliding into the driver’s seat and shutting the car door, he slid the key into the ignition, shifted gears, and spun the tires on pavement when he pulled out of the parking spot. Melina cussed under her breath, her hands flying out to the dashboard to steady herself.
“Who did that?” she asked. “Luca? That enforcer—Vin—maybe?”
Mac tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I don’t know.”
And that was a fucking problem.
Mac glanced over at Melina.
It was a problem he intended on fixing.
It had taken Mac the majority of the evening, but he finally convinced Melina to stop worrying and take a nap. Their plans of a nice dinner, a dessert, and a quiet night together had been ruined by her concerns and his lack of answers.
Mac felt bad.
He wanted to be able to tell her it was all right and mean it. He couldn’t do that.
Leaning in the doorway of Melina’s bedroom, Mac watched his lover toss and turn in the sheets. She was sleeping, but fitfully. More than anything, he wanted to crawl in the bed with her, bring her closer, and take away whatever nightmares were troubling her sleep.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t do any of that.
Not tonight.
Mac had other business to attend to. No doubt, if Melina knew what Mac was planning, she would demand to go with him and be a part of his dealings. Mac couldn’t bear the thought of putting Melina back into yet another position where she could be hurt or in some kind of danger.
As it were, she had enough attention; she had enough problems.
Too many were caused by his involvement in her life.
Mac fingered the cross hanging down from his neck. It hung off a leather cord, and he never took it off for anything. Not even when he fought. Usually, touching the cross would give him some sense of relief, or even hope.
He didn’t find it.
Something else had taken its place for calming him when he needed it. That something else was Melina.
Tugging the leather cord up over his head, Mac watched the cross swing in front of his face for a second before he enclosed it into his fist. Crossing the bedroom as quietly as he could, he bent down over the side of the bed and pushed a few stray waves of hair from Melina’s face. Her lips curved upward in her sleep, seemingly pleased at his touch.