Page 40
Liam
We oversleep. So wrapped up in each other, we don’t notice the sunlight streaming through the windows. I only stir awake because Brioni murmurs my name in her sleep. The sound of it is pure bliss.
I prop myself up on my elbow to better see her beautiful face. Lit golden by the morning sun, her soft expression radiates peace. She is the sole island of serenity in my vicious world. As she breathes through her slightly parted lips, a lock of hair stirs across her face. Delicately, I reach to brush it behind her ear.
She lurches awake, and I curse myself.
“You’re safe,” I tell her. She twists to face me, then lets out a breath of relief that makes my heart sing. She knows she’s safe with me. With pride, I watch the sense of peace return to her features as she gazes at me.
“Liam,” she whispers, and my cock twitches beneath the sheets.
I lost control last night. When she took my hand in hers, she told me without words that she needed me in the same way I’ve needed her. And it went beyond our physical urges, as strong as they were. My need for her spans past our bedroom, into every facet of my life.
I’m the soon-to-be leader of a criminal empire, a dangerous organization. I should be protecting her from that danger, keeping her separate from that side of me. But last night, my worlds collided. Brioni dancing with Seven set my blood on fire. I was so ready to tear that man apart, to inflict every possible violence on my enemy and destroy our all-important truce in the process.
But then Brioni stepped in front of me. She soothed my violence with that flawless serenity of hers. She stopped me from making a catastrophic mistake.
I need her.
With her at my side, I am a better man, a better leader.
I’d kept her separate from that side of my life for so many reasons, in part because I didn’t want my innocent Brioni to have to take on anything too dark for her to handle.
But then she stared down Seven without flinching. She even taunted the fucker. She proved she has what it takes to thrive in my world.
She thinks she isn’t cut out for mafia life. But she’s wrong. She’s the wife I need, the real wife I’m supposed to be searching for. She’s already right here at my side. Where she belongs.
Last night, Brioni gave herself to me in a way that we can’t undo. And I have no intention of letting go.
With the morning sun shining behind her, she’s an angel in stained glass, a creature too pure for me to possess. But I’m keeping her all the same. I’ve glimpsed the preview of what she’s capable of, the hidden depths of her less-than-innocence. As glorious as she looks right now in the brilliant light, I can’t wait to see more of her darkness.
She grins at me over her shoulder, and there’s a naughty wickedness to it that hardens my cock in an instant. Then she claps a hand to her forehead. She leaps out of bed.
“What time is it?” She rushes over to her abandoned purse and pulls out her phone.
From across the room, I admire her naked form, that perfect body that’s mine to keep. Then suddenly, I’m on high alert. Brioni’s face is drained of color as she stares at her phone in horror.
“What’s wrong?” I demand, out of bed and striding over to her. Whatever’s the matter, I’m here to fix it now.
“Nothing.” She shoves her phone back in her purse, shaking her head to herself. “Um, Mass. I missed Mass this morning.” Her expression is so earnest that I can’t help but chuckle. Of course my Brioni feels guilty about missing Mass.
“I’m sure God will forgive you,” I say.
When she turns to me, her eyes drop immediately to my stiff cock. We’re both naked, and I’m straining for her. She bites her lip at the sight. With her eyes wide at my impressive size, I’ve never felt prouder. I step toward her, but then she mumbles something about the bathroom, turning away. As an afterthought, she snatches up her purse before hurrying into the en suite. A moment later, I hear the spray of the shower.
I try to swallow down my disappointment. I know I lost control last night, but only now do I feel a twinge of guilt about it. At the shooting range, she’d told me how difficult it was for her. It’s just, from behind, I can’t. My cock deflates at the memory of her fear. I didn’t take her from behind last night, but it’s possible her anxiety extends past a specific position.
I clench my hands into fists. Harrison caused my Brioni’s trauma, and for that, I will make him pay. We haven’t tracked him down yet, but as soon as we do, I’m going to end that miserable fuck.
* * *
Brioni goes to the range with Cora for the afternoon. With Gus guarding her, I know Brioni’s as safe as she can be without me. But letting her out of my sight always causes my heart to fracture. It’s like tearing out a piece of myself each time. I’m constantly aware of her absence, no matter how many other responsibilities demand my attention.
Today, I’m supposed to be focused on the recruits. Brady may believe that the mole isn’t a new guy, but I’m not convinced. I need to verify the recruits’ loyalty for myself.
And since I’ve assigned Finn to take charge of their training, he’s the one I bring to the South Side with me. My occasionally volatile younger brother surprises me with his levelheadedness. I’d expected him to rail against his unwanted assignment. Instead, he coolly reports that he’s already coordinated with Peter. After the recruits’ laziness yesterday, Finn and Peter decided to restart their training, kicking them back to square one. Patrol duty. They’ve all got a long way to prove themselves.
The mention of patrol gives me an idea. When I tell Finn the new plan, he considers it for a moment, then shrugs. I want to shake my head at his disinterest. Finn understands loyalty in his soul. But when it comes to responsibility, he prefers the more exciting tasks that come with being our family’s enforcer. My new plan for today offers little chance for thrills. But it’s a good place to start.
