Alexis gasped, and I told myself to stop before I fucked her right here in the damn bathtub. I was overjoyed she was okay, and wanted nothing more than to hold her...andclaimher...but now certainly wasn’t the time.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I whispered before removing my hand and letting her go. I kissed her forehead and stood. “Relax and take as long as you need. It’s dark outside, so we’ll stay here tonight and head home tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
She looked like a sultry mermaid, floating in the water as wet tendrils of dark hair framed her face. I took a mental snapshot, knowing I’d never be able to forget this moment; how close I’d come to losing her, and how she’d made me laugh when she recovered to let me know she was okay.
I exited the bathroom, closing the door behind me and leaning back against it. Heaving a sigh of relief, I rested my hand over my heart, grateful she was okay.
Joaquin approached, curiosity in his gaze as he held out some clothes.
“Bianca gave these to us for Alexis to wear when we found you all.”
“Perfect,” I said, taking them so I could set them on the bed for her. “Thanks for coming to find us. It’s been rough. John Armetta is a fucking asshole, and I can’t wait to murder him.”
“Too late. Michael got him on tape admitting he didn’t give a shit about his men. Left him in the warehouse on Atlantic and Hoyt, and he was...taken care of.”
“No shit. And what about his loyalists? Rossi’s loyalists?”
Joaquin pursed his lips. “Most of them pledged their loyalty to Michael after that. The ones who are left have hits out on them. I don’t think Michael wanted it to come to that, but he can’t leave them alive.”
“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck, admitting this was a good reminder why Alexis wanted out of my world. Sometimes death was the only justice in the mafia, and that was a truth that would never change.
“You gonna tell Bianca you’re in love with her daughter?”
My eyes narrowed as I shot him a glare.
“Got it,” he said, showing his palms. “That topic is off limits.”
“Off limits as fuck,” I said, my tone deadly serious. “Not a fucking word, Joaquin. We clear?”
“Clear as rain, Nick.” He backed away and headed down the stairs. “Enzo and I are cooking dinner. We’ll have some ready for you both when you come down.”
I allowed my glare to linger, letting him know I meant business before walking to the bedroom and placing the clothes on the bed for Alexis.
Sighing, I realized that my feelings for Alexis were going to be a huge fucking problem. If Joaquin had seen them that easily, then any of my enemies could.
And that was something I couldn’t allow, because it would make the world extremely dangerous for the woman I cared about very deeply in every crevice of my soul.
My shoulders slumped as I trailed down the stairs; my body inwardly recoiling at what I knew I had to do.
Tomorrow, we’d return home, back to reality and to our futures.
And when we were home safely, I’d have to do the right thing and let her go...
Chapter 17
Alexis
That night, I slept in the warm bed in the upstairs master bedroom. You could say what you wanted about the mafia, but my three companions hadn’t even considered taking the comfy bed. The men who worked for Michael had honor, even if they lived in a dangerous world.
There was a small guest bedroom upstairs which Nick slept in, and Enzo and Joaquin slept on the two couches in front of the fireplace downstairs. I slept for over nine hours, grateful to rest my exhausted body.
When the sun rose, we headed out early. Anticipation swelled as I longed to hug my mom and put this chapter of my life behind me. When we arrived at Michael’s home, I burst inside and Mom rushed toward me, enveloping me in a smothering embrace.
“My baby,” she whispered, placing kisses on my hair as she squeezed. Drawing back, her eyes roved over me as concern marred her expression. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do we need to bring Adrian over to see you?”
“I’m fine,” I said, rubbing her arm. “Nick was the one who was grazed by a bullet and ripped half the skin off his hand trying to help me.”
