“I killed a man, and I know I’m supposed to feel some remorse, but I don’t. Is that bad?”
I whistled out a long exhale.
“I lost my ability to judge anyone’s morals and what keeps them up at night a long time ago. That’s for you to decide. This is my job. It’s who I am and all I know. But when I kill, there’s a purpose, Gio, whether it’s an assignment or in self-defense. It’s not a sport.”
“I’m not trying to be a serial killer, if that’s what she’s worried about. I’m just tired of being the outcast or being treated like a kid. I want to prove to her and my parents that I’m just as capable.”
I climbed on my bike as the climate of our conversation drifted into territory I wasn’t too comfortable with. We all had our demons, and maybe I hadn’t been all that truthful.
“Sometimes it’s more important to prove certain things to yourself.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. Maybe.”
“You should let me take you for a ride one day.”
Gio’s eyes widened like goddamn saucers, and he shook his head almost violently. “No, thank you. Have you read statistics on motorcycle deaths?”
“You think they’re as bad as sneaking into an ambush, in a building with armed men trying to kill you, then pointing a gun at one of them?”
The corners of his eyes crinkled into a smile. “Touché.”
I couldn’t help laughing as I tugged the helmet over my head. “I’m heading out, kid. Remember what I said. Just give her some time.”
I needed to take my own advice.
“Kai, I wanted to say thank you.” I wondered if he could see my perplexed look from beneath my visor. “Thank you for being my friend and for not treating me like everyone else—as if I’m a child. I knew I liked you.”
“Well, at least one of you does.” We laughed, and I clapped him on the chest one last time.
19
Coolleather pressed against my bare skin as I lay on the massage table and slipped my face into the headrest, waiting for Daniel to finish his prep. My muscles were practically buzzing for his gifted hands to work their magic and relieve the stress weighing on me over the last several days. With everything going on, I’d been overdue for my weekly massage, and fuck was I feeling it.
“Señorita Amalia, would you like me to start your usual playlist?”
“Yes, please.” I wanted to tell him to hurry the hell up, that I didn’t care what was playing so long as he worked out the knots in my shoulders and neck.
His warm hands were finally on me, and he tensed slightly before applying more pressure. “I see you needed me today.”
I didn’t answer and closed my eyes, letting his touch and the music take me far from the hacienda, from Texas, and all the worries and doubts plaguing my soul. The wedding was just days away. We amped up security for the occasion and changed locations to avoid unwanted guests at my home, butthat did nothing to ease my concerns. Someone on our family’s payroll had been bought off. That was the only explanation that made sense behind the attack on my father’s shipment and the ambush at the compound.
Daniel’s hands were suddenly gone a little sooner than I expected, though he probably needed more oil. Seconds ticked by longer than it would have taken, and I grew impatient.
“Is there a problem?”
Instead of words, I was met with a firm stroke at the base of my neck. His hands were no longer soft and smooth but rough and firm, hitting all the right spots in the best way.
Kai.
That unique scent of his was unmistakable. Calloused fingers smoothed up the back of my nape and into my hair. I clamped down on my jaw as I moaned and attempted to escape as his other hand moved down my back and over my bare hip. He pushed the towel aside just enough to give him better access, though he was obviously trying to avoid suspicion.
A smile crept along my lips when an idea came to mind.
“Daniel, your hands are magic, you know that? No one hasevertouched me the way you have.”
Kai’s movements ceased for a moment, and I thought I heard him say something low under his breath, but the soft music in the background drowned it out.
“I’m sorry I rescheduled our last appointment. Things have been crazy. I missed you.”
