I press a hard kiss to the top of her head. Bitterness coats my tongue. Because she shouldn’t have had to make the hard choices. Not only did she experience her first kill which can bring upon a toll to the mind she also killed her father. A man at one point in her life who she had loved. Who had shown her affection. All until it was time to make a choice between protecting her or protecting the crime family.
But in the very same breath I can’t help but feel proud of her. My wife did what was necessary. She eliminated the threat. Thought quick with Kirill. Protected me with her life.
She did what a leader was born to do.
“Does this upset you? How easy it was.”
She toys with her fingernails. I hold her hand to comfort her. “No. And maybe it should. I know it should. But I had to protect you. I had to protect ma. It was the only way.”
“I told you that you would save yourself. But saved me, too, Imogen. Long before this. I believe you saved me the moment I met you. And I can never thank you enough for that.”
Tears glisten in her eyes with a watery smile. “You never have to thank me. You just have to keep loving me.”
“I love you, gazzella. In life. In death. Always,” I vow.
CHAPTER 48
Rico
3Months Later. . .
“The first shipment of guns was a success,” I grumble over the phone to Constantine.
I had hoped there would be a complication. A delay even. Anything for me to complain about this newfound business with Kirill.
Unfortunately for me the shipment had come on time with the guns secured. Kirill had even thrown in a case of vodka to celebrate the new partnership.
Imogen softly chuckles as she sits on the kitchen countertop, her legs gently swaying side to side.
Even with my agitation towards the bastard my blood spikes with lust as I eye her bare long lean legs.
“You sound disappointed,” Constantine notes rather amused.
“He had left a parting gift for my wife along with the shipment,” I say stiffly. It was one thing to leave the case of vodka. But a stuffed animal bear with a note saying,‘until we meet again, princess,’left more than just my blood boiling. My vision hasn’t cleared from the haze of red since. And stranglingthe bear before throwing the damn thing in the river didn’t quench my need for violence.
Constantine snickers. “I’m sure he had left it in good faith.”
“And how would you feel if he had done the same for Carina?”
“I’d be livid.”
“If the bastard doesn’t quit it I will kill him.”
“We need more reason than your jealousy to kill him, Rico,” he tells me mildly. I grind down on my teeth. It’s more than enough reason for me. “Our emotions can not govern our actions. Your words, remember?”
“Si. But that was before I had a mad man who has taken a liking to the woman I love.”
Her hand comes to rest on mine against the countertop. And it should be considered witchcraft for how it immediately soothes me.
“As soon as he fucks us over you have my permission to kill him.”
“I already have it planned.”
Constantine’s laughter is boisterous. “Of course you do.”
Imogen scoots her ass along the countertop and stops when she places herself in front of me. Her calming scent of lilies fills my nostrils.
Being a tease she toys with the button by her breasts. Even with a vast wardrobe she still prefers to wear my clothes. She looks better in them anyway.
