~Klaus~“This is a surprise,” he murmured, lips stretching to a sinister smile. “A very pleasant surprise.”Mindful of the sniper on the captain’s deck, I faced Dominguez, wondering at his choice of weapon in a gunfight.“We planned on using your wife as bait so you’d walk into this trap,” he motioned with both hands on the entirety of the ship. “I was in the middle of scheming a new plan since Davide had been ‘compromised,’ only to find out that my target gave me a gift of showing his pretty face on my turf.”Disgusted, I spat, “I know I’m pretty, but I never thought you had a thing for men.”His eyebrows twitch, but he masked his annoyance by smirking. “Always the comedian.”I tilted my head to the side, eyeing the two daggers he was twirling in his hands. “Aren’t you the punchline of this episode? Daggers in a gunfight?” I raised my M16, and pointed it at his forehead, ready to take the shot and I am lucky to have a very very clear shot this time around.Unphased, Dominguez planted
~Rylee~There was a heavy feeling in my chest when I opened my eyes the next day. I knew in my gut that something was not right.I was alone in our bed, and an eerie sense floated in the air.Getting up from the bed, I pushed aside the throbbing sensation in my head and body. I grabbed the bottle of pain reliever on the bedside table, downing two, hoping to find some relief for this pain. A knock on the door echoed as I reached for my phone, expecting to know where Klaus was.“It’s open,” I announced. Markus opened the door, a somber look on his face.“Dad…” I stood, wincing at the sudden pinch of pain in my left side.Vicente appeared behind him, a tender smile on his face.“You…”“Why does he get ‘Dad’ and I get a stone cold ‘you?’” he asked, skirting past Markus, inviting himself inside our bedroom.“Is something wrong?” I ignored Vicente’s comment or his snooping on pictures of Klaus and me that hang on the wall.Markus was supposed to be in New York, polishing up the family busin
~Rylee~‘Stable.’ I’m starting to hate that word. It was all Dr Marino had for me when she checked Klaus for his vitals this morning. It had been two days since the port yet still no development in Klaus’ status.Waiting, that’s all I could do. Wait for Klaus’ body to recover. Wait for the Velocity’s effect to wane. Wait for him to open his eyes and come back to me.Two days and I’m already going crazy. I don’t know if I could go for another two days like this.Sighing, I stepped out of the recovery room, dragging my feet. I need to take care of myself. I’d be no good if I don’t eat or take a shower in the least.Closing the door behind me, a woman in a nurse’s uniform stepped out next door. She gave me a curt smile, passing in front of me, greeting me ‘good evening.’“Hey,” I called, eyeing the door where she had been. “It’s Laura, right?”She faced me, a gentle smile on her lips. “Yes, Signora Martinelli. Can I help you with anything?”I pressed my tongue to the insides of my cheeks
~Rylee~Warm water pelted my skin. I sighed, pressing my palms against the wall as I closed my eyes.A mother who didn’t want me and willingly handed me to a stranger the moment I was born, a self-centered sister, and a drug lord for a father… I huffed, shaking my head. The irony of my life. We truly cannot choose which family we are born to.Lucky for me, that stranger treated me like his own blood, cared for me like I was his own daughter. I met people who loved me like a family and now I have a husband who gave light to my entire world.I took in a sharp breath, reached for the soap, and lathered my body. Negative thinking will do me no good. The need to be on Klaus’ side compelled me to finish my shower and head back to his room. I want to be there when he wakes up.Every second that passes by, this hollow in my chest grows exponentially. He’s within my reach, yet I’m missing him so much. His touch, his smile, his sexy smirk.An army of goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. I di
~Klaus~“Are you out of your mind?” Claudia fired as soon as Rylee parked the bike in the mansion’s roundabout.Claudia and I have known each other for ten years. She was still studying when she stumbled into our business, which made me wonder why me sneaking out of the infirmary still came as a surprise for her. She knew I hated being confined in that disinfectant-scented room, where everything was white and bright all the time.Much like Cali, I hate hospitals or any room that resembled and smelled like one. It makes me think of death, of how close I was to take my last breath.Hopping off Harley, I removed my helmet, and I lifted Rylee by the waist.‘God, I missed holding her.’Rylee squealed, surprised. She removed her helmet and smiled at me.‘Fuck. I want to make love to her… now.’ But I have to deal with Claudia and Dad first.“I’m out of danger,” I said, throwing an arm over Rylee’s shoulder.Claudia replied with a groan. The grim look on her face says she wasn’t happy with my
~Klaus~I moved to the coffee table and cupped her face, giving her no other option but to give me her full attention. “Rylee,” I murmured, using her name so she knew how serious I am about what I am about to say. “The result said slim, not zero, there’s still a possibility.”Claudia and whoever specialist she trusted to look into Rylee’s medical history, I’m sure they are the best at what they do. And if the result says there’s a slim chance, I will hold into that hope.“Klaus…” Rylee stared at me, her melted hazel hues misting. “And apart from my training at Black Hand, there was a point where I was caught by the Triad spying on them. They tortured me and injected me with a lot of drugs, which affected my body in irreversible ways. It’s hard to accept the truth, but somehow, a part of me kind of expected something like this.”I shook my head. This cannot be it. I don’t believe that her dream of having a child will end like this. I won’t allow it.“What about the turkey baster? And a
~Rylee~The golden sliver of light passes through the gaps of the curtains. My eyes squinted. I curled into a ball, instantly realizing that I was alone in bed. An army of goosebumps rose from my arms to my legs. I pulled the covers closer to my body, smiling at feeling eyes watching me in the distance. Even without peeling my eyes open, I knew it was Klaus.“Perving?” I murmured, voice raspy with sleep.“You like me perving,” Klaus said. I could hear the smile in his voice.I opened my eyes. He was sitting on the edge of the table wedged on the cream-colored wall. His injured leg was hanging from the desk. Klaus looked domesticated dressed in gray sweatpants and a dark blue cashmere sweater. His feet were bare. Add his tousled dark curls and day-old stubble… he looks sexy as hell.Damn. I want him for breakfast.“Breakfast?” he asked, a knowing smirk tugging his lips.He knew what was running into my mind, yet he motioned for the tray of food beside him.I gnawed my lower lip, pullin
~Rylee~His lips hovered over mine, ghosting but never touching. His minty breath laced with the wine we had over lunch sent my stomach twisting in knots. Klaus’ grip on my waist tightened as I tipped my chin up, begging him to kiss me.But he didn’t.He smiled, gliding his fingers down my cheeks to my throat. Lowering his mouth down the columns of my neck, he jabbed out his tongue, licking my pulse, my senses gone haywire.I looped my arms around his neck, pushing my body to his. “Please, Klaus…” I beseeched, turned on beyond belief.It had been so long since he last held me like this. My core muscles clenched at nothing, imploring to be filled by him. I know he wants me. His massive erection pressing on top of my mound as I stood on my tiptoes was my proof, but I also knew Klaus loved to keep me on edge.He pulled away. His eyes were dark emeralds, burning with lust and desire. “But not yet,” he kissed the tip of my nose, letting me go completely.I felt devastatingly cold when he t