I blink. Is he saying Rona is a gift?
Oh, God.
I’ve been so wrapped up in my own trauma, I forgot about his. About the daughter he never got to hold. Okay, I’ll have to think about all this later. Survive first. Think later. I reach up and rest a palm on his scruffy cheek. “I thought you hated me.”
He rests his hand over mine. “I realized it wasn’t you I was furious with at the warehouse, love. It was the danger he put you in.”
I can tell he’s not comfortable admitting that yet, so I let him off the hook and pull back. “So, what’s next?”
He straightens, squeezing my arms, determination burning in his eyes. “You and your wee one are comin’ to stay with me. I’ll add extra security, and we’ll come up with a plan.”
I cock my head, a smile teasing the corners of my mouth. “A two-year-old. On The Lucky Sinner?”
He shrugs. “Aye. I have a bedroom, so you and Rona can take that. She’ll be tucked away from the activity at night.” He must notice the skepticism on my face. “Just for a few nights, until we can come up with a permanent solution.”
“Okay,” I say, because honestly, I’m tired and I can’t think straight and letting Killian protect us for a few days to recover sounds like heaven.
Killian calls his men to pick us up and drive Sully’s bike back to the docks.
He’s in the back of the SUV with us, his arm stretched over the seat behind me, a haunted look in his green eyes as he watches Rona play with her doll. When they rise to mine, I see the flicker of pain and I understand. He’s imagining what his little girl would be like if she had lived.
I reach up and squeeze his hand, which he moves to the back of my neck, gently massaging it. His touch is grounding and scaring me at the same time. When did hope and kindness become painful?
Killian makes sure no one is around, except Sully and his guards, to see Rona as I carry her on my hip through The Lucky Sinner.
Sully’s gaze ping-pongs between us and Rona, his eyes wide before Killian holds up a hand. “Explain later.”
We get Rona situated in the bedroom with her toys and a snack, then sit on the leather sofa against the wall.
Killian drums his fingers against his thigh. “I think we’re going to have to let Sandro in on this. Tampa is his territory, and he’s got more men than I do here.”
“Okay, I trust him. I just didn’t want to drag him into this.”
He glances over at Rona. “I’ll be askin’ the Italians for a sit down after she falls asleep tonight. I’ll post two guards at the bedroom door, so you can join us, yeah.”
I have to admit, it does feel good to not deal with this alone anymore. “Can you ask Sandro to bring Lennon, please.”
He nods, kisses me and then pushes up. “Get some rest. This is gonna get worse before it gets better.”
Chapter 35
Samantha
Killian has closed the doors to The Lucky Sinner for the night. He, Sully and I are waiting for the Italian gang in the dining room where Killian’s men have pulled tables together to make one gathering area. His guards are thick on this deck, some of them have assault rifles. It makes the danger feel more real.
It’s almost 10 PM when the elevator doors open on the top deck and Sandro, Rocco, Gunnar and Lennon step out.
As Killian and Sully shake hands and greet them, I hold a portable touchscreen to my chest. The one that’s monitoring the bedroom where Rona is sleeping. Killian’s two cousins, who he trusts with his life according to him, are stationed outside the door. But it makes me feel better to be able to see her physically sleeping and know she’s safe, and the fact that Killian installed this camera just for me to feel better knocks another brick off the wall I was trying to keep between us.
Lennon steps around them and wraps me in a hug. Into my ear, she whispers, “Killian only told us you’re in danger. Whatever it is, you know Sandro has your back.” She pulls back and gives me a worried smile. “We all do. You’re family.”
“Thank you,” I say. “That means a lot.”
The elevator door opens again and Caelian, his younger brother Fausy and Big Tony step out. They’re dressed casually, but all wear serious expressions.
“The gang’s all here,” Sandro says, patting Killian on the back. “Shall we sit?”
“Aye.” Killian motions to the table where a waitress is filling water glasses. There are also plates of charcuterie, fruits, meats, and cheeses in the middle. Killian takes a seat at the head of the table with me on one side and Sully on the other. Sandro sits at the other end, and I expect Lennon to sit at his side, but instead, she takes the seat next to me and Sandro’s men fill in the rest of the seats.
