A slight moan whispers between her pink lips and her hand slides up my chest, clenching my shirt. I stroke her hair. Trying to comfort her. Both of us. As well as quash the panic squeezing my chest that I hope doesn't explode inside of her when she wakes up enough to realize it's me holding her.

"Luciano?"

My taut muscles relax from her relieved whisper. My lips automatically press against the top of her head. Needing to soothe her. Both of us. "Yeah, angel, it's me. You're safe now."

She snuggles in tighter. Regardless of how much I've disappointed her, she still trusts my gentle touch with her. Absolutely no doubt that I will give my last breath to keep her safe.

I nod to Doc Wallace stitching my leg. My body humming from her closeness rather than the pain. He peers closer, examining his work so far.

“The bullet went clean through. Lucky not to hit the femoral artery.”

"You about done?"

The corner of his lip curls up. Irritated with me for rushing him. "Yeah, you're welcome. I always love getting yanked out of bed at three am to patch up your sorry ass."

This is why I love this guy. Busts my balls even with me a ghost’s breath from death if that motherfucking bullet hit only a few inches to the right. Yet, he still examines my woman first. Without me even having to tell him.

He stands and stretches, fingertips kneading into his back as he groans. "Remember, if she's dizzy or confused when she wakes up, call me. Might be a concussion."

I clench up without even realizing it until fire sears through my muscles from the image bursting into my mind again of that fucking bastard hurting her. So fucking glad that motherfucker is dead. "Yeah, I will."

He gestures toward her, cuddled against my good side. “You need help?”

“Nah, I got her.”

And, I always fucking will. I’m never fucking letting her go again. A huge yawn overtakes him while he tosses his supplies into his bag. Already thinking about crawling back into his bed. Just like I am.

Once the door closes, I shove off the chair. Ignoring the inferno engulfing my thigh. Because my pussy ass heart is too happy to feel anything but grateful my angel is safe and back where she belongs. Still limp and groggy, she doesn’t utter a word when I lay her on the cool sheets, tucking the thick comforter around her.

I gingerly strip, trying not to bust my ass with my fucked up injury, and toss the ball of bloody clothes into the corner. Taking the quickest shower I’ve ever managed with a gimp leg and throbbing cock thinking about her waiting for me. She cannot wake up alone.

Her body instantly curls into mine when I slide in behind her. Still damp from my half ass attempts to dry myself. Doesn’t fucking matter. I’d lay here all night, cold and wet, just to be with her.

My dick stays hard for fucking hours nestled against her silky back. Every nerve in my body pulsing from her vanilla scent wafting over us. Her long silky hair bundled against her slender neck. Her fingers curled around my arm on her waist apparently welcoming my touch. Fucking heaven.

A sudden terrified cry slashes through the silence. Blankets whip off our bodies as she jerks up, swaying forward trying to scramble off the mattress.

“Eli!”

I grab her tiny wrist and tug her backward, needing to reassure and protect her. “He’s fine. He’s here, in his bed, asleep. I swear.”

Her woozy gaze meets mine. Searching my face for confirmation. “He is?”

“Yeah, I promise.”

She nods. Erratic bobbing with her injury. “Okay.”

Allowing me to help her lay back down, she doesn’t flinch or protest from me engulfing her. Letting me hold her tighter than I ever have. Yet, her relief is fleeting. The realization of what happened to her must set in, and she convulses in my arms, sobbing softly against my cheek. One of the worst fucking sounds I’ve ever heard. And not a damn thing I can do to alleviate her suffering like this.

Silky strands sway under my lips as I kiss her forehead. “Shhhh. It’s okay. You’re both safe now. It’s all over.”

“I was so scared.”

Motherfucker. “I know.”

“I thought he was going to kill me.”

It takes everything I’ve got not to go fucking crazy. Even thinking for a second about how close I came to losing her makes my body strain with fury. Reeling from how frightened she must have been. Of the chance I took with her and Eli. So fucking stupid not to have more protection on them. “I would never let that happen.”

Her fingertip traces over the angry red line crossing my tat, still scarred from the night I gave myself to her. Physically and mentally. Reminding both us of what we had. Stirring my greedy cock to life again. That I know she has to feel bulging against her belly.

“I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too angel.”

My voice clogs with need I can’t hide. My heart as desperate as my dick. She looks up again. Studying me with an intensity that threatens to choke me. The internal battle playing out on her face to let me in or let me go. I try to force myself not to move or speak or give into my instincts fucking screaming at me to take her.

But, I can’t do it.

I can’t fuck up this opportunity to redeem myself with her.

So I do the only thing I can. I let her break me.

Dipping down, I softly press my lips to hers. Savoring the taste burned into my soul with the purest branding iron. Then I feel it. The tiniest shift. The smallest stretch. She opens for me.

She lets me break her.

Slow and tentative her lips part, consenting to my tongue sweeping inside. A feeling of home washing over me from the tender touch of her hands sliding around me and pulling me closer. Sheathing her body to mine like she used to. Slaying me with the intensity of her need for me.

Nudging her onto her back, I drive my fingers through her hair, framing the sides of her gorgeous face with my palms. Welcoming the bittersweet smile mixing with her tears. Keeping her gaze locked with mine as I push inside of her.

This is more than making love. So fucking more than making her scream my name or bringing her to orgasm. Instead we couple together so deep and completely that we don’t know the difference between our tangled bodies. Whole. One. Absolute.

Reminding her with my kisses how much I love her. Showing her with my gentle caresses that I cherish what she gives me. Begging for her forgiveness from sins she doesn’t fully understand but despises just the same.

Like always, I tell her the truth. What I can. Whispering in her ear how much I love her. That I’ve been such a fucking fool to jeopardize what we have. That I will do fucking anything to make her come back to me. That she’s my fucking world, and I don’t want a damn thing but her.

“I know.” Her short fingernails scrape over my scalp as she draws my head down again, tucking me deeper into the crook of her neck. “I don’t either.”

I take my time with her. Savoring each second she gives me. So fucking fearful she’ll regret, in the light of day, of having my cock inside her. Of allowing her heart to welcome me back into her arms if not her life.

She’s so close. Hips meeting mine with each thrust. Heavy breaths blowing against my hair. Fingertips clutching my back muscles, flexing and tightening as much as my balls.

“I still love you Luciano. I never stopped loving you.”

Fuck me. “I love you too.”

I push out the words through gritted teeth, exploding inside her like a fucking volcano. All the pent up frustration and fear and shame releasing with her forgiveness of me. My hips bucking over and over against her, unable to stop even in my exhaustion. I need her to be mine again.

She clutches me tight. Never loosening even as my body slows and droops over hers. My dick softening inside her yet unwilling to release her completely.

Tangled together, I shift my weight and lay next to her. My leg and arm slung across her delicate body. Relishing her sweet scent and silky skin. Peace filling my soul from her relaxed expression. “Are you okay?”

“I guess I shouldn’t be after everything that’s happened, but somehow I am.”

“Me too angel.”

So fucking adorable when her nose scrunches up and a light blush glows on her cheeks. “I do need to go to the bathroom though.”

“Okay.”

Loathing the loss of her touch, I roll off the mattress and lift her up, tucking her into my side. She takes tentative steps, leaning against me until we reach the tile and she releases my arm. “You sure you’re all right?”

“Yes, thank you.”

A bit more color brightens her face when she steps back in the bedroom after a few minutes. More stability to her gait that releases some of the concern straining in my muscles. But my reprieve shatters when she heads to the chair instead of the bed. Wobbling as she tries to pull on her dress. I jet over to steady her and yank the fabric out of her shaking hands. “What the fuck are you doing?”

A sigh blows through her swollen lips. Aware I mean so much more than hiding her gorgeous body from me.

"That doesn’t fix things.” She nods to the bed. Sheets still crumpled from our love making. The musky scent of our arousal floating through the air. “As much as I love you, I can’t be with you. I know you’ll never be honest with me. You’ll never really share yourself with me. It’s too much‒.”

Fuck this. Fighting through the damage to my jacked up leg and mutilated heart, I scoop her up, surprise granting me a few seconds before she tries to twist out of my arms. She wants to know so god damn bad, then I’m going to fucking tell her. Then she’ll at least know what she’s punishing me for. Understand the reasons we're both ending up alone.

“Put me down!”

I toss her on the bed. She thrashes back and forth, her hands shoving against me. Unable to do a damn thing with my huge fingers clamped around her shoulder and thigh. “Stop fucking fighting me. You know I’ll never hurt you. I just want to talk to you.”

Rage seethes her muscles from me overpowering her. I push her onto her side so fast she can’t do anything but fucking roll over. I jerk her back against my chest, yanking the covers over us. An elbow to my ribs that does nothing but fucking turn me on.

“Damn it, Molly. Lay still, or I’ll spank your pretty little ass too.”

A huge huff rustles the sheets but at least she settles down. Anger stiffening her defiant posture. Crossing her arms over her chest in righteous indignation.

Somehow it’s easier to talk to her this way. Not see her beautiful face crumble because of me. Not watch her repulsion when I confess my sins. Admit all the crimes I’m guilty of. Seeking forgiveness I’m not used to.

Trying to find my lame ass courage, I blow out a deep breath making goosebumps sprinkle across her shoulder. That would look so fucking gorgeous with my brand on her ivory skin. "I'm a mobster. I do illegal shit. Gambling. Drugs. Insurance fraud. The feds are breathing down my neck and they could show up any minute with a warrant to throw my ass in jail. Is that what you want to hear? Is that what you really want to know?"

This time a small gasp rattles in her chest. Uncertain if it’s from my admission or my antagonizing tone. But fury battles with fear that I’ve already lost her, and I can’t hold back my ferocity.

"I kill people. With these hands." I release her waist and hold one out to her, still balled into a fist, before I unclench my fingers and point at the night stand. "With that gun."

This time I rest my hand on my own thigh, clutching my sweat pants. Letting her choose if she wants to stay. If she wants to listen to the rest of the truth.

"Or my men do it from my orders. They’re the ones who attacked Hunter. Because I told them to."

She flinches but doesn’t move. Her body remains stiff and unyielding. "Th-that really was you."

"Damn fucking straight it was. He fucking hurt you. So if you think for even a second that I'm sorry, I'm not. I killed that bastard, and I’m glad he’s dead."

Heavy silence hangs between us. Only the pounding of my own racing heart sounds in my ears. She’s too damn quiet. Terrifying me that she’s already gone. So I offer the only profession I have left to give. The only offense I genuinely feel guilty about. “Sean was right about everything he told you. I bought your Dad's loans and threatened your landlord so you'd have to stay here. I was so fucking crazy in love with you and didn't want to lose you. It seemed so perfect. I thought you could be a mother for Eli.”

My heart slams against my rib cage when she looks back at me. Her expression finally softening at the mention of little man's name. At least she believes in my love for my brother. "And a wife for you?"

I can't hold back and slide my finger around hers, grasping the smooth skin where her ring used to be. Where it fucking should be. "Yeah, angel. That's all I've ever wanted. But I wasn't sure if you'd want me."

“Why wouldn’t I want you? You’re an amazing man. It would have happened.” A bittersweet laugh brings a half smile to her beautiful face. “Maybe not quite as fast as it did. But it would have. I know it.”

“I want to believe that.” She'll hate me even more than she does now if she knows the truth. "But, I..."

Rarely am I at a loss for words. Only she can humble me into a muted submission.

"Just be honest, Luciano. Please. Tell me everything." Her impassioned gaze meets mine. More confident than I am that we can survive this. "Tell me the truth."

So fucking innocent. She has no idea the real me. The man she'll loathe. Might as well get it over with. She's going to leave anyway. “About a year before I hired you, Ty and I were out partying, and we brought home a woman to fuck. I had my dick inside her, and I was such a fucking selfish bastard, I didn't even know her god damn name."

My stomach rolls from the memory. Not that I'm much better now. But at least I finally realize there's someone I love more than myself. That I could actually accept her love in return. "But, then she went limp. Curled against my shoulder. I was so fucking pissed. I thought..."

“What?”

Goosebumps lift on my skin from the fear in her whisper. Matching the terror racing through me that these are our last moments together. That she’ll climb out of this bed and walk out that door forever. Killing me. And Eli. "I thought she was hugging me. It was supposed to be a one night stand. I didn't want a relationship or her emotion. So I jerked away, and she fell.”

An involuntary gag engulfs my throat. Almost like I can still fucking hear the sickening sound of her body crashing against the concrete. Smell the bitter concoction of sweat and sex and her coconut lime perfume twisted in a kaleidoscope of blood and cum. I can barely whisper. “She slammed her face against the floor and broke her nose. Except that as horrible as it was, it didn't even matter because she was already dead.”

“Luciano...”

I hate the pity in her voice. None of which I deserve. “Her name was Rachael. She had an undiagnosed heart condition. Her parents sued us, even though we weren’t at fault. It could've happened at any time. But they were heartbroken. Embarrassed she died fucking us. We settled out of court. Paid them ten million dollars to make it all go away. And never speak of it again.”

But that was too damn easy. Although Ty and I never talked about what happened, it's all I could ever think about. Owning my every thought and action. To know this woman died so pitifully with the two of us, who didn't even know her. Didn't give a damn about her. Until she became a problem. That we had to fix. That we had to find a way to cover up.

“I’m so sorry. For all of you.”

I shake my head. The pillow case cool against my burning cheeks. Unable to accept her sympathy. “Not me, just her.”

"Yes, you too. She was with you because she wanted to be, whether her family liked it or not. It’s no different than if all of you had been in a car wreck or there'd been a fire.”

If only it was that simple. But in my fucking house, our naked bodies using each other for nothing but wanton pleasure, it’s too intimate. Too personal. Too raw.

“It’s a form of survivor’s guilt or post-traumatic stress. You think if you’d done something more or something different, then she would still be alive.”

She entwines our fingers and pulls my arm back around her body. Shocking me to my core that she wants to comfort me. Isn’t too repulsed to touch me.

“But we both know that’s not true.”

Beyond the lawyers and my brother, I’ve never shared this secret with anyone. Never let another person see how truly fucking broken I am. And within just a few minutes she has me and my fucked up head all figured out. My beautiful, brilliant angel. “How do you know so much?”

“Lots and lots of counseling. I blamed myself too for what happened with Hunter. What if I really was a tease? Why did I accept the drink he laced? Was it just ‘boys being boys’ and I overreacted?” Darkness overtakes her expression. Her own demons battling within her head and heart. “It took a long time for me to accept that I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Unable to understand how she could ever have those doubts, I extinguish the anger flaming in my muscles from the reminder of what that motherfucking bastard did to her. She deserves my tenderness, not my rage. I caress her wet cheek. Tears for both of us. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“It wasn’t yours either. You have to believe it too.”

Simple absolution granted through an impassioned whisper in the darkness. Not sure if I can accept it. But I will damn sure try. For her.

We lie quietly. Both of us lost in thought. No sounds until her huge yawn. My own exhaustion sets in, and I tug her closer. Kissing her forehead before my eyes fall shut. Letting go when her head tucks under my chin. Uncertain what the future holds but content for now that she knows she’s safe and loved. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

* * *

Freezing. Alone. Trapped.

I jerk awake, clawing out of the deep sleep swallowing me. Fighting with the sheets tangled around my legs, strangling my movements. My racing pulse slows when I catch sight of her on the balcony. My t-shirt hanging on her petite frame like a dress. Signifying her decision to stay, physically and mentally.

Climbing out of bed, I hustle to her and slide my hands around her tiny waist. Welcoming her body leaning back to meet my embrace. I press a gentle kiss to the velvet skin on her shoulder. “What are you doing out here?”

“Just thinking. We’ve been so broken and now…”

“What?” Terror rages through me from her cracking voice, and I spin her around. Blond strands flitting through the air from my force. I need to be fucking gentle, but when something hurts her I’ve got to fucking find out what it is. “Why the fuck are you crying?”

She winces under my forceful grip on her arms. Pulling her up to her tip toes so I can see her face better.

"I'm pregnant."

Pregnant.

My angel’s pregnant.

I swear to fucking god the world stops. No movement or sound. Except for my damn phone blaring from the nightstand. Yet I can’t comprehend anything but her sobs. Can’t see anything but the misery darkening her tear-streaked face.

"You’re not happy? You don’t want it?"

Which I will never let fucking happen. Anger tightens my grasp, and I have to fucking check myself not to lose absolute control. I will keep her fucking prisoner if I have to before I’ll let her destroy our happiness.

"Of course I do!"

A fierceness I’ve never heard before thunders in her voice, and she attempts to yank away from me. Pissed that I would accuse her while relief unfurls my fingers from her delicate arms. But I still don’t let her go. I’ll never fucking let her go. “Then what?”

"I was thinking how lucky I am that a man who loves me so much turned around and gave me the greatest gift he can." Shiny eyes meet mine and her tone softens, filled with what I hope is love that I haven’t completely smothered. "You filled me up with your baby, Luciano. Now every other motherfucker will know you've been there and they never will. I only belong to you."

I can't fucking take any more. My sweet angel talking dirty, repeating back to me the words I whispered in her ear the first time she gave herself to me. I drop to my knees in front of her. Of them. My soul truly alive again with her acceptance of me as our baby’s father.

My cell vibrates again, chiming from the bedroom over and over. Blowing up with messages I don’t give a damn about. All I can fucking think about is taking care of my girl and our child. Soft skin shudders against my lips. Loving both of them more than I thought possible. “Thank you.”

“You’re wel…”

She jerks in my embrace, swaying against me. Forcing me to grab her hips to keep her from falling.

“Oh!”

What the fuck? My head flies up from kissing her stomach at the pain sharpening her gasp. Trembling fingers brush her shirt saturated with red.

Blood.

Fucking blood.

“Something hurt me?”

Confusion coils in her wobbly voice, and she blinks from the scarlet coating her hand before studying me. Wondering what the fuck happened to her. Questioning how I could let someone harm her again.

A flash of metal flickers in the darkness before more shots ring out. Men. Too many to count descending on my house. Hurting my angel.

My fingers dig into her back when I jump up, hustling her inside the house. I swipe my buzzing phone off the side table, finally catching the warning Nick was trying to send me with his slew of messages flooding my screen: Sebastian’s coming.

Fucking shit. I steer her down the hallway. She stumbles on the steps, shock slowing her acceptance of my urgency and ability to walk. Fuck me. I’ve got to protect her. All of them. “Run Molly. Find Eli and hide in the tornado shelter.”

“What? Where?”

“He’ll show you.” She remains frozen, a hollow expression looking right through me. I point toward Eli’s room. “Go, damn it!”

Finally she seems to understand, flinching from me screaming at her. Nodding and scurrying in the right direction. We’re engulfed in darkness just as she turns the corner. Glass shattering and voices yelling still able to ring through the shrieking alarms. Letting the intruders know we are on to them, and they will not fucking survive.

Machine gun fire synchronizes with my rapid steps as I race through the foyer. So fucking grateful my guys have already organized a defense. I get off two bullets, hitting the bastards rushing through the door way before I slide into the dining room, banging my thigh against the black serving buffet.

Adrenaline pounds through me, and I swipe at the sweat dripping into my eyes. Catching a glimpse of a stubby bastard coming in from the back deck, I floor him with a shot to the forehead. His buddy comes from the other side and slams into my jaw, hurting like a son of a bitch. Bitter metallic liquid filling my mouth.

I heave off the cabinets he rams me into and shove my Glock into his jiggly belly. His beady eyes widening in surprise as the slug rips through his intestines. One more bullet to the back of the head after he slumps to the hard wood just to make sure.

“Luc?”

Ty staggers in, hunched and clutching his stomach, his huge hand glistening from the bright red streaks coating his fingers. As much as I fucking hate my brother sometimes, ice races through my veins from the sheen of perspiration glossing his ashen skin. I jerk him into the pantry to check his wound.

“It just grazed me.” He twists away. Unwilling to let me examine him. “I’m fine.”

He fucking better be. I don’t have time to babysit his stupid ass. Not when I’ve got to fucking find Molly and Eli. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m fucking sure.” Bolting out of the alcove, he glances back at me right on his heels. “Upstairs and outside are clear. Mason’s sweeping this floor now.”

We dodge corpses strewn across the floor, an ocean of red swirled on the beige tile. Leaving scarlet footprints on the carpet as I follow her path. I kick open Eli’s door. Glass sparkles on the caramel carpet like diamonds. God fucking damn it. Motherfuckers have been in here.

I fall to my knees in his closet. With shaking hands, I yank off the false floor. Ty’s flashlight sweeps through the darkness, and it feels like a fucking bullet ripping through my own chest. Eli’s small body wraps around hers, their faces pressed together. Clinging to each other in terror and solace.

Neither moves. Or speaks. Or breathes.

Dead.

They’re dead.

My angel and my brother are dead.

“Look what those motherfuckers did. Look what they’ve done to them.”

Ty’s crazed shriek echoes in the sparse space. Broken and angry and helpless. But I’ve got nothing. Unable to fucking yell or scream or curse.

I am dead now too.

The light they created extinguished. The joy they instilled stolen. Now only evil remains. Without their goodness, the demon inside of me surges back to life. Desperate and hungry for revenge. Thirsty to revel in the broken bones and mangled guts of the man responsible for this. Swearing to avenge both of them, he will be tormented for as long as we both live.

“Luc?”

A perplexed whisper breaks the silence before Eli’s head bobs, lifting a few inches. Blinking in the bright stream of light after hiding in the blackness for so long.

Fucking shit. I yank him out of the hole and crush his body against mine. Relief and torture mixing in a bitter avalanche. He cries too. Hard and erratic. For her. For himself. For me.

“She…told me…to be…really quiet. That you’d…come for us.” He sputters and sniffs, fighting to get the words out. Searching for reprieve from his turmoil. “That if I…was quiet you would…save us.”

He trembles as I stroke his hair. Just like she used to. The sobs die down, and hiccups wrack his convulsing body. Clutching onto Ty after he drags our little brother away from me. Shielding him from the woman we both love. Now truly an angel.

Wisps of her beautiful long hair flutter from the breeze of me dropping down onto the carpet. Once a solid smooth beige. Now dappled with crimson from her and my baby’s blood. Fuck me. She’s still warm against my skin. Her limp body easily curls to mine without protest or complaint. I tuck my face into her neck, pressing my lips against her delicate throat.

“I’m sorry angel.” I shake with tears I haven’t shed since I was a fucking kid. My heart never ripped apart as brutally as this. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

My chest pounds from the hint of movement under my mouth. A pulse. Weak but there. So god damn fucking there. Fucking Jesus Christ. She’s alive.