Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
In this moment, with Karina in my arms, the past and future fade. Here, now, I'm her shield and her avenger, and that's all that matters. Not what I've done. Not her father. Not the mafia. Just her.
"I learned the truth about my father today," she whispers. "I've been wondering for a while if he was one of the good guys or not, and now I know. He isn't."
"What happened, cara?"
"He was on the phone with these men. He didn't see me, but I heard things I shouldn't have." She lifts her gaze to mine, her eyes wide and haunted. "They were talking about a shipment. Something valuable."
"Tell me exactly what you heard," I say, my voice a soft command rooting her to this moment.
Her story spills out in fragments, painting a picture I know all too well: deals wrought in shadow, lives bartered for power. It's a goddamn tale as old as time.
As she speaks, my mind races, piecing together the jagged edges of information into a coherent whole. Alexander Santorum, the last Superintendent of Police was involved in something similar. He was dumping large quantities of guns into the streets and then screaming about gun violence to anyone who would listen. We initially thought he was swiping them from the evidence room, but later learned that wasn't the full extent of his crimes. The guns were being shipped into the city.
I'm guessing his contacts intend to pick up with Alessepo where he left off. It doesn't surprise me that Alessepo's involved in the same shady deal. The motherfucker has been dirty since before Karina was born.
But this time, he's overstepped, leaving breadcrumbs that lead straight to his door—and his downfall. We already know about the guns. We've known since Rafe forced Santorum to swear allegiance a few years ago.
"He's playing a dangerous game," I mutter.
"Can you stop him?" There's a plea in her eyes, a desperate hope for salvation from the sins of her father.
I've always known her father was a prick. She's just learning it for the first time. It's hard to find out that your heroes are dirty bastards. I imagine it's even harder when they're your parents.
"I don't know, cara, but I can certainly try."
She exhales a breath, bowing her head.
I pull her closer, resting my lips against her forehead. "You'll be safe, Karina. I'll ensure it," I promise. "No matter what he's mixed up in, I won't allow you to be hurt."
I'll burn the city to the ground before allowing that.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" she asks.
I look down at her, a flicker of surprise flowing through me. She's scared, raw with it. I feel it in the way her body trembles against mine and the way she hesitates to meet my gaze. There's a vulnerability there, the kind that wants to trust but doesn't know how to anymore. In a matter of days, her father destroyed that.
The stronzo.
I tilt up her chin, forcing her to look into my eyes. "You're not just staying tonight, Karina," I tell her firmly, holding her gaze captive. "You're staying with me until this is cleaned up, and I'm sure you're safe."
Her eyes widen a bit at my words, but she nods. She looks so lost that it physically hurts. Fuck Alessepo for doing this to her—for tainting her innocence.
Desperate to give her back a little of what he took—to remind her that she's still the same fierce woman she was just a few days ago, I lean down, capturing her lips in a fierce kiss.
Her gasp is lost to a moan. I pull her tighter against me, needing to feel her, to assure myself that she truly is here and real.
She clings to me like a lifeline as I deepen the kiss, my hands tangling in her hair as I explore her mouth. It's a kiss designed to erase her fear, to replace it with want and need. With every flick of my tongue against hers, every breathless gasp that escapes her lips, I claim more of her.
Pulling back reluctantly, I press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Cristo, the things you do to me, Karina," I groan.
She looks up at me, a tiny smile curving her lips. I see the fire in her eyes now—a familiar spark of defiance that makes my dick throb.
There she is, the fiery little angel who claimed my soul.
Scooping her into my arms bridal style, I feel her wrap her arms around my neck instinctively. I carry her down the short hall toward my bedroom.
A sigh escapes her as I lay her gently on the bed. She fits perfectly against me as we lay facing each other. Her breath hitches when I brush away a loose strand of her hair, my touch gentle as I trace the curves of her face.