“You know I couldn’t have done this with you,” he whispered, turning his head toward me.
“I know. I’m absolutely wonderful.”
“Better than that. Why are you still here? You could’ve run away a thousand times and I wouldn’t have chased you.”
I chewed on my lip. “At first, I was afraid the Lionettis would come hunt me down. Then I was afraid you would. But now I guess I want to be here.”
“Because you love me.”
“As stupid as that makes me, I guess I do.” I kissed his cheek. “Now shut up and rest. I’ll go sit downstairs if you can’t be calm in my presence.”
“You know, I can’t, princess.” He reached out and touched my cheek. “But don’t go anywhere. I’ll try to control myself.”
I curled up next to him and breathed his smell, felt his warmth, and knew he’d be okay. Luke was big, he was strong, and he could handle anything that came at him—even if the world wanted to break him and ruin him, he could get through it, get past it, kill it, defeat it, and that was why I loved him, my warrior, my monster, my killer, that and a thousand other reasons.
The chills I felt when he ran his fingertips down my skin.
The way my back arched as I came, again and again.
The way he looked at me like he couldn’t imagine seeing another woman ever again.
I was the center of his world.
I couldn’t ask for more.
23
Luke
Two Months Later
I stepped out of the truck and limped toward Rittenhouse Park. Cara fluttered around me like a worried butterfly but I was fine, despite the dull pain in my ribs. I was healed, mostly at least, and it was time to stop hiding away in my house.
Rehab hasn’t been easy. The doctor came over every day in those first few weeks, followed by more weeks with this overly perky young girl that made me go through these annoying stretches and exercises designed to get mobility and strength back.
Cara hated that, the jealous girl.
German helped run the crew, though all decisions came through me. The Pakhan didn’t put the boys through anything intense, mostly easy drug runs and small-time deals, nothing dangerous despite the city boiling all around them. The civil war inside the Lionetti family was spilling out to all the crews everywhere as the families fought to fill the void the Lionettis were slowly leaving.
The Morozov family had a leg up over everyone, though.
“I almost feel bad,” I said softly as we crossed the street and headed into the park.
“Feel bad for what?” Cara clung onto my arm like she was afraid that I’d fall over, like I was some old, weak man.
But I felt better than I had in a long time. She’d understand that eventually. Right now, the attack was still too fresh for her, and she needed time to process.
“The captain,” I said and laughed when she stared at me with her pretty mouth hanging open. “I know, mafia men aren’t supposed to feel bad for cops, but hear me out. I told him that I’d destroy the dossier and I haven’t. I don’t love making a liar of myself.”
“I don’t think Evgeni would let you, even if you wanted to.” She looked thoughtful. “But maybe we can destroy just one file.”
“I’m sure the captain would be appreciative, but no, as much as I value my honor, I value having him in my pocket even more.”
She snorted and kissed my cheek. “That’s the man I fell in love with.”
We strolled along the pathway until I saw Park sitting on a bench alone nearest the far entrance. He looked tired, bags under his eyes, his gaze twitchy and uncertain. I approached slowly, and he half stood when he spotted me like he was about to bolt, but sank back down into his seat.
“You look like shit,” I said to him, standing a few feet away.
That got a little smile. “You do too. I heard you were dead.”
“Not dead, just got shot a few times.” I nodded at the bench. “You mind if I sit?”
“Go ahead. Nice to see you again, Cara.”
“You too, Park.”
I sat down in the middle and Cara sat on my left. Park shifted uncomfortably, and I caught sight of a gun tucked into his waistband.
“The war’s been hard,” I said, watching as a couple of young girls ran past. One stumbled, dropped her iced tea, and all three of them laughed.
“Civil fucking war.” Park leaned over and spit to the right. “It’s a disgrace. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“And yet here we are.”
“No thanks to you.” He glared at me, but his expression softened. “Then again, maybe I should be thanking you.”
“I hear your faction’s winning.”
“So far. I’ve been gaining more support every day. I think eventually the old Don’s loyalists are going to have to give in and bend the knee sooner or later. The Don’s not coming back from prison anytime soon.”