Lucien (The Marchesi Family 1)

“I’ve got the worst fucking headache I’ve ever had, but otherwise, I’m fine. Physically, anyway. I’m not fine that I let that guy surprise me. If he’d hurt you, I don’t know what Lucien would’ve done.”

“I’m sure he’d have found someone else. There are plenty of men prettier than me, and surely some of them have stronger stomachs.”

Angelo huffed. “It’s only because of what I’ve seen that it didn’t bother me. I would worry if you were okay with it.”

“We all could’ve died tonight.”

“True. But we didn’t, so we count it as a success.”

How could he sound so nonchalant? “Does the money and power really make this worth it?”

“Most of the time.”

“Are you all right, really?”

“I am.” He was silent for a moment, then he added. “Don’t hate Lucien for what he did tonight. Those men were pieces of shit, and they knew the score.”

Were Lucien and his family any better? They were all criminals who were willing to do whatever it took to stay on top. How did they justify that?

“Yeah, we’re bad guys too,” Angelo said as if he’d read my thoughts. “But Lucien cares about you.”

“He told you that?” I couldn’t quite imagine it.

Angelo snorted. “He didn’t have to.”

“But you don’t trust me.”

“I didn’t, but I do now. You gave us information that helped us tonight. We wouldn’t have been as prepared if we hadn’t gotten that tip, and even when that man had his arm around your neck, you tried to protect my brother. Loyalty like that can’t be bought. That’s the real deal.”

He was right. Even after what I’d seen, I’d still wanted to protect Lucien. When I thought the man who’d tried to take me away was going to kill Lucien, I felt like my whole world was ending. But how could I love someone who could do the things Lucien did?

When we reached the house, Angelo followed me upstairs. “I really just need to be alone in my room.”

He frowned. “I’m supposed to stay with you.”

“Don’t you need to rest?”

He shook his head, then winced. “Since I’ve got a head injury, I’m supposed to stay awake for a while.”

With anyone else, I would’ve questioned how effective a guard he could be when he was injured, but I knew that nothing would stop him from doing what Lucien wanted.

He checked out my room, making sure no one was hiding there. I would have thought that was overkill before tonight, but neither of us had noticed that man hiding just outside the warehouse door. Once Angelo verified that my window was locked and my room empty, he agreed to stand guard outside.

I felt restless, but my legs were too shaky for me to pace, so I sat on the chaise and toyed with one of the pillows, tracing my fingers over the embroidered design. I was anxious for Lucien to return but also nervous. Could I be okay with him now? I would have done anything I could to protect him, but I wasn’t sure how I’d react to seeing him again. My mind kept replaying what I’d seen. The blood, the man’s dead eyes staring right at me… I shivered and pulled a blanket around me.

20

Lucien

I wasn’t sure what state Peter would be in when I arrived. I had no doubt the events of the night had changed his perception of me. Knowing I could be brutal and seeing me kill were not the same, but he needed my protection now more than ever. So even if he asked me to let him go, I wouldn’t. If he couldn’t bear my touch, I would leave him alone, but he was staying where I could ensure his safety.

Can you even do that?

After that night I wasn’t sure, and that made me want to go straight to Damian Ricci’s house, drag him from his bed, and choke the life out of him. I doubted I’d make it back out alive, though, and I didn’t just want him. I wanted every piece of shit who’d allied with him, and everyone who thought to move against me. How dare they come to my home and make me question whether I can keep my lover safe?

I could send Peter to stay with Sabrina. Maybe I would, but first I had to see him. I had to know what he thought of me now.

I remembered the horror on Peter’s face when I’d approached him and the scum of the earth who’d dared try to take him from me. Peter had been terrified but not just for himself, for me too. He’d tried to save me. He couldn’t hate me if he did that, right?

Angelo was standing by Peter’s door. He’d lost most of his color, and there were dark circles under his eyes, but the worst thing was the defeated look in his eyes.