Series: The Rossi Crime Family Series by J.L. Beck
Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
They put me on the marble top dining island, pushing all the contents to the floor in one swoop. Sophie comes into view and I reach for her hand without thought. She wears her emotions clearly on her features, her adorable little nose is wrinkled, her thick dark brown brows are pointed down, well her lips show a perfect pout.
Mine. All mine. Until the day we die.
“I’m guessing you don’t want anything for the pain?” Mac mumbles, tearing my shirt off my body. I grit my teeth the movement jarring my shoulder. It feels like Mac is already digging his fingers around in the wound.
“I’m fine. Just dig this fucking bullet out and stitch me up. I can deal with the pain once this thing is out of my fucking body.”
Mac puts his gloves on, the sound of the latex snapping against his skin fills my ears and then the real pain starts. I grit my teeth and breath through my nose as he cleans the wound before digging around in it. I try to concentrate on anything besides the excruciating pain that comes with him pulling on the muscle and tissue inside my shoulder.
I close my eyes and think about Sophie…Sophie in my bed, in my arms, her skin rubbing against mine, her on top of me, under me. When my dick starts to press uncomfortably against my zipper, I realize I need to think about something else. His meaty fingers grasp the bullet, and he pulls the bastard out. He throws it, and it lands in the kitchen sink with a loud cling.
Then he starts to sew me up, which still sucks but doesn't hurt quite as bad as the last part. Sophie comes up beside me and takes my hand into hers once more.
“Are you okay?” I ask, making her smile.
“You are asking me if I’m okay? I’m not the one who was shot. And I’m just worried about you.”
“This is nothing. I’ve had way worst injuries that this.” As soon as I say it, I realize those words might have freaked her out more than calmed her down like I intended them to do.
“I just don’t want to see you hurt anymore,” she whispers so softly I almost don’t hear, and my heart cracks a little hearing the sad tone in her voice.
“It comes with the job, baby. I would much rather be shot then have a bullet touch your beautiful skin. But I will make a better effort...for you.” I grin.
Mac shakes his head. “I would love to see the day you don’t have to call me to sew you up or tend to your wounds.”
“It will happen and then what the hell are you going to do for work?” I tease, earning an eye roll from Mac.
“Oh, I don’t know, enjoy a night or two off.” He scoffs, cleaning the outside of the wound one last time. “You’re good to go, until the next bullet wound, or busted lip, or eye needs tending.”
I chuckle, “Thanks man. I really appreciate it.”
He gives me a curt nod, and walks over to his bag, putting his stuff away. Ivan comes into view, and I swivel my head around realizing Dev, Violet, and Luke are also in the kitchen. In fact, Luke has got a couple bottles of water out of the fridge.
“You want one?” He asks, offering me one.
“Yeah. I’m just waiting to sit up because I know I’m going to be dizzy as fuck.”
“What’s the plan?” Ivan asks.
“What do you mean?” I quip.
“Are you keeping Luke here for right now? I could always bring him to the compound with me. We need a few extra men.” My head is too much of a mess to think about that right now.
“Let’s talk tomorrow. I feel like shit, and the last thing I want to do is discuss more of this bullshit.”
Ivan’s eyes glitter with amusement. “You know this isn’t going to go away, Roman. This is our life and though I would love to tell you it’s going to get easier, it isn’t. What happened today changes things. Dante might be dead but there are always going to be more fuckers causing trouble.”
“I know,” I interrupt.
Ivan nods. It’s obvious Violet and Sophie are taken back by what’s being said, but there’s no sugarcoating what’s to come. There will always be more bloodshed, more lives lost, more chaos. Hopefully, at the end of it all, we can continue to protect what is ours.
“If anyone else is going to fuck with us, we’ll take care of it. We both know Xander will be behind us no matter what. And between all of us, we have enough men to fight whoever comes at us.”
“Yeah, I’m sure, but let me heal up first,” I laugh.
“Okay, brother. I’m going to take Violet home. I’ll be in touch. Call me if you need anything at all.” I give him a nod. Mac and Dev follow close behind them, saying their goodbyes, leaving Sophie, Luke, and I alone in the house.