“Me?” I’m proud of the shock I manage to convey in that single word. “Detective, I’ve been here with Maximo. I don’t know what these awful people have been doing that could have ended so terribly for them, but I can’t say I’m not happy to hear that they won’t be hounding him anymore. Ever since he tried to do the right thing and help the police shut down their illegal enterprises, he’s been targeted by them. It’s almost cost him his life. It still might yet…”
“I know you’ve been by his side, Ms. Monroe. I already spoke with our officer who’s been escorting you. I want you to know we’re committed to doing everything we can to keep you both safe. I’m sorry to bother you with these questions. Please understand that it’s a normal part of our process. Frankly, I’m with you. I think it’s most likely that there was some sort of fallout with this biker gang Ms. Volkov had employed after all the blowback they suffered. We’ll keep trying to piece together exactly what led to the incident at the park this morning, but I wanted you to know that our main suspects for the assaults you suffered are deceased.”
“I…well, thank you, Detective. As I said, I hate that we won’t be able to confront them directly and have them answer in court for everything they’ve done. But at the same time…I can’t say I’m not relieved.”
“I understand, Ms. Monroe. That’s why I wanted to call. I’m going to request that our officers continue to keep watch over you for the next couple of days, but I’m hopeful that with the passing of Irina Volkov and her son that there won’t be any more incidents.”
“I can only pray for the same,” I tell him sincerely. That’s one thing I definitely don’t have to lie about. “Thank you for calling. Please feel free to contact me if you want to check in on Maximo or have any other updates for us.”
“I will, Ms. Monroe. I hope that you and Mr. Luciani have good news moving forward and that he recovers. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything or have any other concerns.”
“I will, Detective. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Ms. Monroe,” I hear him say before I end the call and let out a long, slow breath. I realize I’m smiling for the first time in what feels like days, and that I’m filled with a quiet hope that things are going to be all right.
Over the next few hours, Trenton comes and goes from the room. He only stays for a few minutes at a time, then begs off for various reasons. Mostly reassuring me that he’s calling Leonard and Adeline to keep the family updated or pleading that he needs to go smoke. The nurses and Maximo’s doctor come and go as well, checking on his vitals and the output of his drains. They quietly work around me, respecting my privacy as I sit there holding his hand and praying.
“I almost feel dirty begging God for help,” I whisper to him late that afternoon after the last nurse has left us alone. “After everything I’ve done, I can’t imagine He wants to hear much from me, you know?” I bow my head over him and kiss his hand, the same gesture I’ve repeated dozens of times.
When Maximo suddenly shifts in the bed and groans my head snaps up to his face. His eyes crack open and roll sightlessly before they focus, and his gaze falls on me. “Who wouldn’t want to hear from you, firefly?” he asks me in a hoarse voice.
“Maximo?” I gasp as I stand up and try to snake my arms around his neck, suddenly desperate to hug him. “Oh God, Max. How are you feeling?”
“Alive. And better, seeing you here. Oof, watch my side, though,” he complains as I practically crawl into the bed with him. “Are you all right, though? The nurses wouldn’t tell me anything except that you had been to see me.”
“I’m fine, Maximo. Trenton is okay, too. Joey…Joey didn’t make it.”
“I remember.” He huffs out a sigh as I ease back into my seat and continue holding onto his hand. He gives it a squeeze and says, “His warning gave Trenton and I enough time to react. I’m going to take care of his people. He took care of mine,” he adds.
“Maximo, why did you jump out there in the shooting? What were you thinking? Look what happened! I almost…I almost lost you!”
“Hey, don’t cry, firefly. I’m sorry I worried you. I wasn’t thinking, I suppose. I just knew I had to protect you. I was furious, and I panicked. I didn’t even think about myself.”
“You better think of yourself in the future! And we’re getting a permit for me to carry a gun too; do you hear me?”
“Of course we will,” he says and chuckles weakly. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea though. I had one and look at the insane cowboy move I tried to pull. I blame all those westerns I watch.You see Clint Eastwood do it a few dozen times and you think you’re a hero.”
“You are my hero,” I whisper.
His eyes close and he lets out a deep sigh. At first, I think he’s passed out again, but then he speaks. “I was having the strangest dreams. It didn’t feel like I was asleep, but I wasn’t completely awake. Does that make sense? I was just drifting along through one odd dream after another. I heard your voice,” he says. “I think those dreams are what helped bring me back. Your voice was telling me we were going to be married and have a baby. It’s like you were telling me about a future we could have together if I could just wake up.”
“We are going to have a baby, Max. Oh my God! You did hear me!” I exclaim. “I’m pregnant. And I will marry you; that wasn’t a dream. That was me, right here, making my vow to you. I want to be your wife. I’m going to be the mother of your children. You just have to get better and get back on your feet. I’ll be here with you through everything.”
His eyes open again and his other hand fumbles towards the bed controls. He finds the button to lift his head, and the bed pushes him up into a sitting position. “It was all true?” he asks me through a broad grin. “We’re going to have a baby together? And all I had to do to get you to agree to marry me was get shot again?”
“No, you idiot, you didn’t have to get shot!” I laugh at him. “I was already warming up to the idea.”
“We’ll make all the arrangements just as soon as we settle with the Volkovs, then.” His smile falters and his eyes narrow grimly. “I’m going to pay them back in blood for what they’ve done. Is Trenton with you? We have some things to discuss in that regard.”
“He’s outside, but you don’t have to worry. Irina Volkov and her son are dead.” I can’t hide the pride in my voice or the smilethat blossoms on my face when he looks at me in wide-eyed surprise.
“That’s great news! But how? Did my men take some action, or did the police catch up to them?”
“No, baby.” I bring his hand to my lips and kiss it again. “Ihappened to them. I took your phone and followed through on your plan. I had those bikers, the Savage Kings, give me more of those explosives they used on the Gargoyles’ clubhouse. They built a bomb for me that I strapped to Jacob. I forced Irina to meet me to trade the Bianchi boy for her son, and then I blew them both back to hell.”
“Constance, I…that’s incredible, but what if you were you seen? I can’t lose you now to the police! I’ll call my lawyers, whatever you need to make sure…”
“Hush.” I reach over to place a finger to his lips and interrupt him and lower my voice. “Detective Tillman called me a while ago to tell me that Irina and Jacob were found dead. I’m sure he has suspicions, but I was careful. Trenton, Jamie, and some of their crews helped me set everything up. They’re getting rid of the vehicles we used even as we speak and covering the last of our tracks. As far as the police are concerned, I’ve been here with you the entire day. We even had one of Trenton’s girlfriends pose as me to help give me an alibi.”
