Bratva Sinner (A Possessive Mafia Romance)

I needed to know if he loved me.

Because if he did then I could stay. Even after nearly getting killed, even after everything, I could stay with him if he loved me. It was all I wanted, that one simple thing, his love and his devotion and nothing else. I could handle anything, so long as when I came home, he’d be there to kiss me, to whisper in my ear, to give me the pleasure I desperately craved, the companionship I needed—the love I deserved.

“Just one more time,” I whispered.

He pulled my hand up to his chest. I felt his heart beating slowly but forcefully against his breastbone.

“I love you,” he said. “I’ll tell you a thousand more times, if that’s what you want. I’ll tell you every day, every morning, every night. I’m sorry you were pulled into all this and I’m sorry you nearly got hurt, but I love you, Cara, and I won’t let anything bad happen.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him as gently as I could.

But Luke doesn’t do gently. He pulled me harder against his lips and held me there, even though I knew it must hurt him. He didn’t seem to mind one bit as I tumbled into that kiss.

Eventually, a knock at the door broke us apart.

Luke stared at me with fire in his expression as I sat up straight and tried to get control of myself.

“Come in,” Luke said.

Evgeni opened the door and stepped inside. He looked at me then at Luke, and seemed to understand what he was interrupting almost immediately.

“You don’t waste time,” he rumbled and laughed.

Luke grinned. “Nearly dying has that effect on me.”

“I’m sure it does.” Evgeni stood by the door with his hands clasped in front of him. “Do you know what’s going on out there?”

“We didn’t get to that part yet,” I said.

Evgeni nodded slowly. “The Lionettis are falling apart. Not all at once, but the police arrested several of their top members, and right now there’s a power struggle going on in the streets.”

“You’re kidding me?” Luke stared at Evgeni with his mouth open. “All because of what I did?”

“Seems that way,” Evgeni said. “Whatever you said to those police officers, they took it to heart and are currently working to dismantle the Lionetti network. They won’t succeed, of course, but the Lionettis themselves will take care of the rest.”

“Civil war,” Luke said softly then laughed sharply before groaning in pain.

“Easy,” I said, touching his arm gently.

“It’s just much more than I could’ve hoped for.” Luke grinned at me and shook his head. “And this was all your idea. I don’t think I would’ve approached the chief without you.”

“Well, the chief wasn’t exactly a willing participant,” I said, shifting slightly as Evgeni’s stare bore down into me. “We needed the captain, and that was all you.”

“We make a good team then.” Luke beamed at me then turned his head toward Evgeni. “What I don’t understand is, if the Lionettis are currently tearing each other to pieces, why would they come after me?”

“Revenge,” Evgeni said with a shrug. “I have a feeling the outgoing Don ordered your death as his last act before getting thrown into prison and having his communications cut off. I can’t say for certain, but I do believe they won’t come for you again. They’re much too busy killing each other.”

Luke leaned back against the pillow and laughed. I held his hand tightly, and tried not to smile.

“So it worked,” I said, shaking my head. “It actually worked.”

“All thanks to you.” He stared at me with such a strange, wild devotion, and I felt like a goddess descended from the heavens. If I stood and commanded it, I was sure he’d kneel in front of me—just like he wanted me to do to him in his little fantasy.

“Well, I thought you’d like to know what your little scheme had wrought.” Evgeni’s smile was tight and devious. “I’m very pleased with how this turned out, Luke, despite the headaches and the deaths. We’re in a very good position now as a family.”

“I’m glad, Pakhan. And as soon as I’ve healed—”

Evgeni held up a hand. “Say no more. Your crew will be compensated and made whole, and when you are on your feet again, I will put you to work.”

Luke nodded, looking almost relieved. “Thank you, Pakhan.”

Evgeni looked at me and I wondered what went on in that slow, lizard brain of his—and what he saw in Luke now. Maybe a rival, or maybe a worker he could exploit, or maybe a man that was loyal to him beyond anything Evgeni ever dreamed of. I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t trust him, not at all. I only hoped that Luke was smart enough to remain cautious.

Evgeni left and shut the door behind him. Luke looked at me and smirked, but I could tell he was losing steam. I crawled into bed beside him and stretched my legs out, and loved the way he looked at them, despite being only half-awake.