Falling for the Killer

Sirens blared nearby. The cops on their way. “Fuck,” I said.

“Go,” Brett said, taking deep breaths. “The cops will keep me alive.”

“Brett,” I said, squeezing his hand.

“Go,” he said. “Damn it. Run.”

I stood and strode to Ash. She gaped at me, and I grabbed her wrist. I didn’t look back as I started jogging, pulling Ash behind me, then started running straight out. I yanked Ash along and she didn’t fight, like she’d lost the will.

We barely got away. I slipped down a little alley next to a jeweler and dragged Ash against me like we were on some date as a cop car crawled past, probably looking for a guy that matched my description.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

She looked up at me and shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“It’ll be okay.” I held her hips tight. “I got you.”

“They kidnapped me. Brett’s probably dead. What’s going on, Gian?”

“War,” I said then looked out at the street, at the wild frontier of my kingdom, and knew there’d be more blood, gallons of blood splashed across the pavement of this city, all my soldiers, all my people, bleeding their lives away for me.

And I had to stop it. I couldn’t let things get worse. Brett didn’t deserve that, the stupid fucking kid—I never wanted him to get himself killed for me. I was supposed to protect him, and yet he lay bleeding on the pavement, maybe dead, maybe alive, but definitely in police custody.

All because of me.

“Come on,” I whispered, and tugged her down the alley. We came out the other end then walked back to my house.

This time, she didn’t get in the bath. I sat her down on the couch and knelt in front of her.

“I want to end this,” I said. “Will you help me?”

She tugged at her hair. “How?” she asked.

“We’ll go talk to the Don,” I said and took her hands gently into mine. “I have an idea, but you might not like it.”

She stared at me without moving. I knew something heavy hung in the air between us, some decision she didn’t know she had to make. I wanted her, wanted to my baby, wanted this to keep going—I wanted to be a better man for her and for my child.

But I couldn’t force her. It had to be her decision.

“I met with an old friend tonight,” she said softly. “And you know what I realized?”

“What?” I asked.

“My life before this meant nothing,” she said. “It was empty. It was all money and privilege and nothing. I want to stay here with you. I want to have my baby and raise it with you, if you want me to.”

I leaned forward and kissed her gently. “We’ll go see the Don in the morning,” I said. “For now, I need to see if Brett survived and figure out what we can do for him.”

“I’ll be here,” she said, nodding slightly to herself. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I smiled a little then stooped down to kiss her again. “That’s my girl,” I whispered, then headed out back to make some calls.

19

Ash

The Don’s house seemed darker and more foreboding than I remembered.

I should’ve been comfortable walking into a massive mansion. I grew up around money and I knew the way money was supposed to act. I was a well-bred rich girl with all the right connections, the perfect education, a good smile, a proper name—and yet this place scared the hell out of me.

Brett was still alive. I didn’t know what Gian would do if Brett had died, but I had a feeling the war wouldn’t end anytime soon and he’d tear up the streets getting revenge on the Healy family. If Brett died, I didn’t think there’d ever be peace, as the cycle of retribution continued.

I prayed Brett lived for a very, very long time.

Bea, the housekeeper, answered the Don’s door and led us inside back toward the study. “He’s in a good mood today,” she said, talking quietly. “Been back there with his son for the past hour. I think they’re talking about money.”

“They’re always talking about money,” Gian said.

Bea winked at him. “The boys like their toys and their cash, I’ll admit to that.” She laughed to herself. “Would you two like anything?”

“No, thank you,” I said, and Gian shook his head.

“Well then, you holler if you want anything, or if that salty old bastard’s being a jerk to you.” Bea grinned and left after depositing us in front of the Don’s office door.

Gian took my hand before we went inside and came close. I smelled him, musky and salty and warm. I tilted my chin up and kissed his neck.

“Follow my lead,” he said softly. “No matter what, remember that I have your best interests in mind.”

“Should I be worried?” I asked, which was a silly thing to say. I was already trembling with fear and uncertainty.