“Not here,” Dario mutters, and Mateo gives a nod in agreement. He turns to the heavies Dario had brought with him.
“Get rid of this piece of shit,” he says, thrusting the writhing man toward them. Mark blurts a string of curses, but Mateo is oblivious as the man is dragged away. He spins around to face me and lowers himself before my knees. I’m still hunched in my seat, my hands over my face, as if I can block out the hurt somehow. It’s not possible. That feeling lives too deep inside.
“Andy! Are you okay?” he says, his voice laden with urgency. “Are you hurt? Did he touch you?” I shake my head, not resisting when he peels my fingers away from my face. “Thank fuck!” he says hoarsely, then cups my cheeks. “Tell me you’re okay,” he demands once more.
“I’m fine,” I whisper. Though my heart feels shattered. He makes a low groaning sound as he rests his forehead against mine.
“I should have been here. Should have been taking care of you. Should have made sure he wasn’t around,” he says. “God… I could rip his fucking heart out!” He pulls me closer and brushes his lips over mine. I stare at him, letting the sight of his face wipe away the image of Mark that had been there.
“He’s gone,” I say. “He’s gone now,” I repeat, feeling that somehow, it’ll make it more real.
“I’ll never let that happen again, I swear it.” He stares into my eyes, his hands still holding my face. “You’re mine to take care of. Mine to protect, do you understand, Andy?” I shake my head. I’m not his responsibility. He doesn’t have to be in this mess with me. But I don’t say the words because I’m still staring into those beautiful chocolate eyes. And then he speaks again, and the whole world shrinks into that place where only the two of us exist.
“I love you, Andy,” he whispers. “I love you so damn much. I don’t know what I’d fucking do if anything happened to you.”
Chapter 2
Andy Carter
Ilove you, too…
The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t say them. Can’t say them…although I’ve never wanted to so badly before.
“God, Andy,” Mateo’s voice is husky with concern as he pulls me against him. I want to melt into him and never let go.
“I’m okay…I’m okay…” I say into his chest. He smells so good. Feels so warm…
I love you so damn much. I don’t know what I’d fucking do if anything happened to you.
The words he said play themselves over and over in my mind. The first time anyone said those words and they meant anything to me…and still, I can’t say it back. When he pulls away from me again and stares into my face, I’m mesmerized by those dark, beautiful eyes. It feels like my heart is pounding so hard it’s going to burst from my chest.
“This isn’t the end, Ricci! This isn’t the fucking end!” I hear a voice from behind us. I turn my head, craning my neck to catch sight of Mark being hauled off by Dario’s huge security guards. He has a hand clutched to his throat, his lip split, a bruise already forming around his eye. I’m pretty sure his nose is broken.
Good!
Though, I wish it had been his balls. I wish Mateo had kicked him so hard in the nuts that his testicles had burst. I wish he’d been left emasculated and never able to use that vile cock of his again.
“She’s mine, Ricci! Do you hear me? You’ll never get to keep her. I’ll end you if it’s the last fucking thing I do!” Mark is screaming, struggling against the rough hands that hold him. The room has gone silent; the many guests mingling around us all frozen as they stare at the madman being hauled from the room.
I sense Nikki moving closer. Dario hovers protectively beside her, his arm around her waist. He’s glaring after the cluster of men taking Mark from the room.
“Make him hurt a little,” I hear him call out.
“Fuck you, Caraldi!” Mark screams. “You’re next, do you hear me? I’ll be back. And I’m going to gut you like a fish!”
Dario chuckles darkly. “I’d like to see you try.”
I shudder, wanting to cover my ears as Mark’s voice gradually fades into silence. Then the babble of conversation picks up again.
“He’s gone,” Mateo murmurs, tilting my chin toward him with his fingertip. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
I swallow hard and pray that it’s true. Mateo’s no fool, but I don’t know if he really understands just how powerful Mark Whitlock is.
“You don’t…you don’t know what he is…” I whisper hoarsely.
“Andy,” he brushes his lips over mine. “Sweet woman. Have a little faith.”
I flash my eyes up to his. They’re crinkling around the corners slightly as his mouth lifts at the edges.
