Hitman Next Door

He spotted Rocco’s car.

After parking in the only available space, he climbed out and went toward the house, stepping up the three short steps to get to the door.

Nate slammed his fist against the door, three times.

One. Two. Three.

He wanted to scream, to demand he saw Lemon.

Patience.

He didn’t fucking have any.

Clenching his fist, he was about to slam it against the door again, but Rocco chose that moment to open the door.

“What are you doing here?” Rocco asked.

“I’m here to see Lemon. You know why I’m here.”

“She doesn’t want to see you right now.”

“Look, Rocco, I know you just want to play concerned dad and I get that, but I need to see her.”

Rocco stepped in Nate’s way. “I think you’re forgetting who the boss is here, Nate. You should leave.”

“No,” Lemon said.

Nate looked over Rocco’s shoulder to see Lemon in the doorway.

“Lemon, you do not have to talk to him.”

“I know I don’t, but that’s why I should do it. I should just get this over with and then he can leave.”

He didn’t like that. There was no chance of him going anywhere.

Rocco stepped aside and Nate walked toward Lemon.

“I can explain.”

She held her hand up. “Don’t touch me.”

“Damn it, Lemon. You know I won’t hurt you.”

She licked her lips, looking up at him, and he saw the hurt in her eyes. She had never been able to hold anything back. “You lied to me.”

“I know, but I did it for your own good.”

“Wow, you’re going to play that card? It was okay to lie to me because you had a good reason?”

“There was never going to be a good reason,” he said. “Your life was in danger and your father wanted to take care of you. He loves you very much, and I’m damn good at what I do.”

“You’re a killer?”

He gritted his teeth. This wasn’t exactly going how he wanted.

“Not exactly.”

“But you’re not in security?”

“I am in a way. I’m a hitman, Lemon. I take care of your dad and the people within his organization, which includes you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not part of his life, Nate.”

“You are. Just by being his daughter, you’re part of this life. There is no getting away from that. The men that attacked tonight, they were after you in order to hurt him.”

“He told me that already.” She looked down at her hands. “I don’t know what you want from me, Nate, but I … you’ve got to go. We can’t do this.”

“I’m in love with you.” He let the words spill out into the air.

“You don’t believe in love.”

“No. I don’t believe in cursed houses bringing people together, but what I do believe in is my love for you. You’re the one for me, Lemon. The woman I love. I would do anything for you. Be anything. Please.” He took a step toward her, wanting nothing more than to cup her face, to touch her, to kiss her.

He was thankful she was alive, but not being able to touch her was the worst feeling in the world. It made him sick to his stomach.

“Please, Lemon, fuck. I have never begged a woman for anything. I’ve never cared enough to be with them. You, you’re different. You know this. I’m in love with you. I want to be with you.”

“You better go.”

“Lemon!”

She turned away from him, and as he went to grab her, Rocco stopped him.

“Don’t do it.”

“I love her.” He pulled out of Rocco’s hold and glared at him. “You can hunt me down, kill me, punish me, but I am in love with your daughter.”

“Good, then it means no matter what, you won’t give up.”

****

The following morning, Lemon entered the kitchen. It was late, a little after ten, and she was still so very tired, and hurting. For most of the night, she’d been crying. Her father had wanted to talk, but she’d just wanted to go to sleep.

She couldn’t believe she was staying in one of his safe houses. After the vows she had made, this was ridiculous.

Looking through the kitchen cupboards, she found the mugs and worked out how to brew the coffee machine. The scent of coffee was a welcome relief. Closing her eyes, she gripped her shoulders and stretched, trying not to think about Nate.

He loved her.

She couldn’t believe it, could she?

He was a liar.

“I thought I heard you awake,” her father said, coming into the kitchen.

He was dressed in a business suit, not a single hair out of place, while she was … in pajamas, her hair was a mess, and she hadn’t washed her face, so there was probably sleep in her eyes.

“Do you want coffee?” she asked.

“I’d love some.”

She reached for another mug.

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” he asked.

“No.”

“Lemon, it is important.”

“He’s on your payroll, right?”

“That is correct.”

“Does that mean you’re going to … kill him?” she asked.