“I’ll protect everyone. You just need to come in and show Mass you’re playing along. You thought I was in trouble, and you came to save me. He won’t hold it against you.”
“I really don’t think you know your husband as well as you think you do.”
I push back and stand. A part of me worries Gabe’s right. Mass agreed to these terms, but I could tell he wanted to do this his own way, which would have involved a lot more violence and a whole lot of very protracted and brutal torture.
“Come on. Let’s get moving. We have a long flight back.”
But Gabe doesn’t move. He studies me for a long moment. “Tell me something before we go. Are you sure you want this?”
“It’s the only way you walk away unhurt.”
“No, I mean, are you sure you want to be with him? Are you sure you want this marriage to Mass?”
I bristle slightly. “It’s not as simple as you think.”
“But it really is. You two are married, and you get a say in it. Tell me now before we can’t speak openly with each other anymore. Do you really want him?”
“Yes, I do. I really do. Now let’s get moving.”
He sighs and pushes to his feet. “Lead the way.”
I take him back through the house and down the stoop. Outside, the evening looks as gray and cold as it did earlier. But now the block is dead quiet. Nobody moves. Nobody makes a sound.
I notice the people, though. Several are standing nearby. More are sitting in cars. A couple across the street. One on the adjacent stoop.
All men. All big. And all well armed.
Gabe notices them too. His eyebrows are up as he slowly raises his hands. “You weren’t joking. Your husband really does want me.”
I push his arms back down. “You’re with me, remember?” I say it loudly so everyone can hear. “Nobody’s going to hurt you.”
A man comes striding toward us. Mass looks beautiful in a pair of dark jeans and a black sweater. The clothes cling to his muscular body. He’s staring at my brother with a steady, intense gaze laced with hate and anger.
“There’s the traitor,” he says, low and steady. “I hope Allie explained that this is going to go smoothly if you play along. She’s the reason you still have fingers and a tongue.”
“I always knew my sister was a good person.” Gabe’s smile is strained. “I’m doing what’s best for my family.”
“That’s the only reason you’re still breathing.” A car pulls up. Mass opens the back door. “Get inside.”
Gabe gives me one last look before obeying. He climbs into the car. “Hope we can get to know each other some more, brother-in-law,” he says with a grin.
Mass slams the door and scowls at me. “I still want to cut out his tongue.”
The car drives off as I lean against my husband. “Please don’t.” I get on my toes and kiss him. “Exactly how many men did you bring with you, by the way?”
“A lot.” He pulls me tightly against him. “New York’s not entirely safe for us anymore, love.” His lips are soft as he brushes them against my neck. “We should get out of here.”
“You don’t want to stay? Spend a night together for old times’ sake?”
I’m teasing, but I can tell he’s tempted. “One day maybe, but not right now.”
“Your loss.”
MASS
It’s not right.
He should be missing at least a hand by now.
