“Did you want me to fight you on this?” I laugh, wincing as my ribs protest. “Because I can start throwing things if it’ll make you feel better.”
“No.” A slow smile spreads across his face, transforming him from dangerous to devastating. “I just didn’t expect it to be so easy.”
“You already know I’m easy,” I grin with a wink. Then I lean into him despite my body’s complaints. “Just know that you can’t change your mind later. This is us, Firestarter. Even if I’m a massive pain in your ass.”
His laugh vibrates through me, warm and real. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Little Thief.”
And as he leads me back to what is now our bedroom, I realize I’ve never felt more certain of any decision in my life. This broken, beautiful monster is mine. And I’m his.
Despite everything that’s going on and still needs to be answered, we’re safe for a breath. Is it wrong that I want to enjoy it for just a little before reality comes knocking again?
“How’s Gia doing?” I blurt out, my brain making the choice to voice the question I was trying to push down. Christ on a cracker. “I mean, is she…”
“She’s alive,” Matteo confirms. “She’s at the hospital and has been through surgery. I have people looking after her.”
Chapter 35
Matteo
The Russo estate looms ahead of us, all old-world Italian grandeur and death-trap security systems. I feel Raven shift beside me in the passenger seat, her fingers tapping a nervous rhythm against her thigh.
This hint of uncertainty in a woman who held a knife to my throat two days ago is almost cute. I reach across the console, capturing her hand in mine, thumb brushing over the pink splint on her wrist.
After our bath and a long nap yesterday, I had the doctor come back and check on my Little Thief while she was awake. He replaced the compression bandage with a splint. Of course, Raven wouldn’t accept anything less than a pink one so it didn’t clash with her hair.
The doc took the color request in style. In fact, he was pretty fucking cool about everything until Raven hugged him and kissed his cheek. He looked at me with so much fear I worried he was going to piss himself.
But how could I be mad? He looked after the single most precious thing in my life; my Raven. Besides, I can’t very well punish people for touching her if she’s the one throwing herself at said people.
“Nervous, Little Thief?” I ask, pulling through the wrought iron gates that part for us like reluctant guardians.
She snorts, tossing that pink hair that still makes my cock twitch every time I look at it. “About what exactly? Meeting your family? Or dining with Mafia royalty?”
“We prefer ‘crime aristocracy,’” I deadpan, and when she laughs, I can’t help joining in.
I park between Remus’s Bentley and Enzo’s Aston Martin, killing the engine but making no move to exit. Instead, I turn to really look at her. The dress she’s chosen is the exact shade of her hair—a defiant, dusky pink that hugs every curve of her body as if it were painted on.
The neckline dips low enough to make my mouth water, and when she crosses her legs, the hem rises to reveal a stretch of thigh I want to bite.
“You look fucking edible,” I tell her, my voice rough.
Her eyes darken. “Save it for dessert, Firestarter.”
I laugh, leaning over to kiss her—a quick, possessive press of lips that leaves me wanting more. “They’re going to love you,” I promise.
“No, they won’t,” she counters, utterly practical. “But they’ll respect me, or I’ll cut off something they value.” She pats the left pocket in her dress.
How do I know this dress has pockets? For two hours after finding out, she wouldn’t shut up about it. She even tested howmany knives the pocket can hold. Four and my lighter, just for the record.
Christ, I love this woman.
Enzo and Piper are waiting at the entrance when we reach the massive doors. My cousin is immaculate as always in a tailored suit. Piper stands beside him like a perfect political wife, though I catch the genuine smile she offers Raven.
“The lovebirds arrive,” Enzo drawls, his gaze cool as it sweeps over us.
Raven’s spine straightens beside me, her chin lifting in that way I’m learning means she’s about to start some shit. “Lorenzo,” she greets, her tone just this side of insolent. “I would say it’s nice to see you…” Trailing off, she lets the sentence die there.
Piper makes a choked sound, somewhere between horror and amusement. Enzo’s expression doesn’t change, but I catch the dangerous flicker in his eyes—the same look he gets before destroying someone’s career.
