“Knox…”
He holds up a hand. “Just hear me out.”
I nod.
“I could have helped, likely they wouldn’t have tried if I’d been there. The only reason Spyder, Reaper, and Mayhem got a jump on me is because they’re fighters.”
“And they had weapons,” I add.
“Yeah, there’s that. So, what I’m thinking… I want to stop fighting and work for Cage, Russo Security.”
Shocked. That’s what I am. My expression reflects it, no doubt. “Do you know what the means?”
He nods. “I do. I’m cool with that.”
“You’d be part of la Famiglia, babe. That’s… not something to take lightly.”
“I know. I’ve thought about it since the attacks. It seems logical…”
“And deadly. I won’t lie or even hide this part, Linc, that scares me. The thought of you…”
“And the difference between that and me in the ring isn’t much.”
“Guns. Guns are the difference,” I remind him.
He nods. “I know how to shoot. So do you.”
“The difference is, I don’t think I could live with myself if I killed someone,” I admit.
He lifts a brow, “Not even if it meant your life or theirs? If they were going to kill you? Or even me?”
I sigh. “That’s not fair.”
“None of this is fucking fair, E.”
“You’re right. It’s not. And I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt you—without hesitation.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, so why not join the security team for you guys? I’m here all the time, I’d rather travel with you than be separated.”
“Well, if you’re going to be logical about it…” I tease.
He chuckles, then holds his ribs. “Ah, fuck. Broken ribs are the worst.”
“Mine mustn’t be as bad as yours. It’s my hand, fingers, arm, and that fucking hole in my back. That’s what hurts me the worst,” I confess.
“Ribs, head, and shoulder for me. I can live with a broken arm.”
“We’ll need to talk to Cage and Giovanni Russo. This isn’t just something they let anyone join, you know? It’s fucking mafia. It’s organized crime. Jesus,” I mutter, running a through my hair.
Linc guides me slowly over to his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as we lie back against the pillows.
“I don’t want you getting killed,” I admit.
“I get that, E. But I don’t want anyone hurting you again. You or any of the rest of us.”
“Okay. We’ll see what they say. But if you die, I’m going to kill you.”
He chuckles lightly then kisses the top of my head. “I know, babe. I know.”
