His fingerprints slide across my cheek. I close my eyes at the sensation. I love the way his fingers feel. Warm and strong. I want them to touch me everywhere. And at the same time, I’m terrified of that.
I feel his fingers curl around the back of my neck. They’re strong but not too tight. They’re perfect, just like him. He lowers his head, resting his forehead against mine, then I feel his breath wash over my face.
“We move forward, Cidney, together.”
Together.
God, I don’t think there is a better word on this entire planet.
Together.
He lifts his head and holds my focus with his own, then his lips curve up into a smile. “I don’t expect anything today or tomorrow, but I am going to watch over you. Always. I’m going to protect you, and I am going to be here when you’re ready.”
Always.
He leaves me after a soft kiss on my lips. I lift my hand, touching my fingers to my mouth as I flip the dead bolt of the door. Pressing my back against the solid wood, I close my eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
Oh my God.
GOOSE
The last thing I want to do is walk away from her, but I have some shit to handle. Goffredo’s shit to handle. We have a few more days until the sting operation. Piggy has talked with the police department in Raleigh, and they are on board. However, it took a bit of convincing, especially since we promised the strip club owner that they would not get into trouble for any of this.
The police are excited to take out the son of the Front Mob Family and, in turn, possibly get him to snitch on their operations. I know as well as Bullet that this is risky and could bite us in the ass.
Goffredo knows that his father would pull both legal and financial support from him, which is not something he’s willing to risk. Also, he’ll be dead before he can say too much. Just need to get his ass convicted.
The rest will be taken care of… quickly… or not so quickly, depending on Hogg’s mood.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I find Piggy’s name and touch the screen. He answers almost immediately. I don’t think he’s ever answered so quickly before. I almost ask him if everything is okay, but then decide against it. He’d tell me if there were a problem.
“We still on for tomorrow?” I ask.
Tomorrow night is when this all goes down. The police want it done sooner rather than later, and so does the strip club owner, and he has Goffredo’s schedule. The asshole is very easy to follow. He has a routine and hardly deviates from it, especially when it comes to his dick getting wet at that club.
“We’re still on. Cops got a handle, officers inside, and hot mics in the private room to catch everything.”
“This is bigger than I thought it would be,” I admit.
All I really wanted was Goffredo to get put away for something. I didn’t really care what it was, but it needed to be a higher-class felony so he’d be sent where Hogg is sitting for murder. And in all that, I need to keep Cidney safe and able to heal.
“We’re nailing this fucker. He doesn’t get to do what he did and walk away. And we can’t punish him the way he deserves. You’re right in holding back on that. This is honest to fuck the best way for everyone. Lorenzo will know, and maybe he’ll cancel our contract, but nobody else will die over it.”
“And the family?” I ask.
I’m speaking of the Front Mob Family, because that could get ugly. Even if Lorenzo doesn’t order it, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other people who are part of it who won’t retaliate. They will gladly, just like we would do the same. I’m ready to kill a motherfucker right now, and if this plan weren’t already in action, I don’t think I would care who was collateral damage on my way to Goffredo.
“They will be taken care of. Lorenzo says not to worry. He’s got a handle on them.”
I almost laugh, mainly because Bullet would probably have the same assurances. Even though he wouldn’t be able to control everything, there are too many people, too many factors involved to make those kinds of promises.
“I’m sure he does,” I murmur.
“Yeah, let’s stay alert anyway,” he says.
I agree, ending the call with a promise to see him tomorrow night. Lifting my chin, I look up at the apartment window. She’s up there, I know she is, even if I can’t see her. Being that close to her today, tasting her, it was enough to break any man.
When I saw the absolute horror in her eyes, the pain just below the surface, it caused my entire body to ache. I can’t believe that she was hurt, that Goffredo did that to her. An absolute fucking monster of a man to attack an innocent that way. She did absolutely nothing to deserve that, and yet, he did it anyway.
