I snort-laugh. “Ben attended the place is filled with smart, funny, attractive women.” His mouth twists. “Oh, maybe a little, but none that saved his life and helped him out of a sticky situation.” He grins. “You are a very smart doctor, but you also have a little bit of a dark streak to you.” I’m taken aback. “I most certainly do not.” His eyes narrow a bit. “I know you bent rules to help him and to help me.” He chuckles softly, “I don’t think you did it just because Ben winked at you. There must be some small part of you that…liked it.” “No, I am not saying that you are like the Wilson family. No, nothing like that. I just say you like,” he pinches his fingers together. “A little bit of the dark side. Like just dip your big toe in the water.” Despite myself, I laugh at his analogy, and he sighs in relief. “You are a very good woman, Chleo. Beni lucky to find you.” I shake my head. “I’ve got to be honest with you, Mrs Wood. This betrothal is a real sticking point for me. I won’
“Yes, you did. He immigrated to the U.S. about five years ago.” Her eyes narrow at me. “Hey, aren’t you dating that rich guy you brought in from the car crash? Isn’t he Russian too?” “Yes, well, he’s originally from there but he’s a U.S. citizen. I almost kick myself for mentioning that. I might as well have declared, my Russian boyfriend is way better than yours. Her smile fades a degree. “That’s nice. So are you going to be able to switch shifts with me?” I frown. “Let me see if I can make that work. We’ll need to clear it with Chleo too, she’s been cracking down on all of that of late.” “I know, such a dragon lady.” “I’ll get back with you by the end of the day, alright?” “Thanks,Chleo. I’d owe you big time.” As she walks off, I can’t help wondering what were the chances that two medical students at the same hospital would start dating Russians within the space of a week. Does Nathan know Kristoff? Does Kristoff work for him? It’s no big deal, by kind of is…weird. I shrug.
Did you kill my father, Sergei? Did you order a hit on your own brother? If he’s out of the way and I’m the new boss, I can dictate how the family proceeds with healing the rift between the two powerful families. In other words, there’d be no need to marry Layla. I try not to focus on it, try not to want it so badly that it skews my perspective when I view the cold, hard evidence. The proof must be iron clad to take out a boss for dishonorable conduct. I go into the Deli and head to the back offices. One of them is constantly reserved for our use. While I wait for Stieg, I make a quick sweep of the place for wiretaps and listening devices. I find none but still switch on the noisy fan to provide enough background interference. His club would’ve have been a far more secure spot, but I’d promised Chleo. I stop to think about all the ways Chleo is changing me and the ways I’ll change her. I refused to meet at Stieg’s club because I promised Chleo, I’d never step foot in there again.
He waves his hand dismissively. “I won’t bore you with the details, but a few of the other captains see the value in pursuing another route for peace. I’ve persuaded enough of them to override Sergei.” I leap out of my chair and throw my arms around his neck. “Oh, Ben, that’s wonderful. Thank you,” I say, pelting his face with kisses. “I can imagine how difficult it must have been, I can’t believe you risked all that for me.” He gently takes me by the shoulders and stares intently at me with those entrancing eyes. “Chleo, you have no idea the lengths I’d go to hold onto you. You’re my world now.” The chilling frisson of excitement and fear courses through me. I want Ben to love me this passionately, but fear what it could mean. I find myself leaning in to kiss his lips. “And you are mine,” I whisper. He grins, “Sit down and eat, you’ll need your strength.” His voice sends a quivering spark right between my thighs. “You know I do have to go to work tonight?” I say as I move back t
He strokes my hair out of my face and stares into my eyes. “Do I have your loyalty, Chleo?” “Yes,” I breathe. “I need to know I can trust you with everything.” I nod. “Don’t ever betray me, it’s the one thing I won’t forgive.” I swallow and nod again. His eyes narrow at me. “You’re shaking…what’s wrong, Chleo?” Tell him about the gun! I scream in my head. I give him a shaky smile. “I’m c-cold.” His furrowed brow softens as a light smile graces his lips. “Let’s get you inside, in front of a fire.” As soon as I get the chance, I’ll throw the gun into the river. But with the cops watching my every move, when can I slip away to do it? Strega Diane driving back from meeting with the Giusto family head in an effort to smooth over some fallout over a recent turf dispute with the Italians. Lives were lost, and property was destroyed, but we came up with an amicable solution and agreed to let bygones be bygones. “Since we’re up this way, why don’t we stop at McCormick’s for some s
“Come on, babe,” he says softly. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.” I obey, putting one barefoot out and then the other. He lifts me effortlessly into his arms and carries me up the stairs, into the house. I revel in the safety and strength of his arms. I rest my head against his chest, feel the beating of his heart, and am comforted. I don’t dwell on the fact that I’d never have been in this harrowing situation in the first place had I not been involved with him. He carries me up the stairs to our bedroom where he wraps me in the comforter. After kissing my brow, he goes to the bathroom and begins running water to fill the garden tub. As I lay there, I watch as he pours in various soothing oils designed to help me destress from the trying ordeal. I must have drifted to sleep because I hear him call my name and feel the gentle nudge. He takes me by the hand and leads me to the full tub, overrunning with sudsy bubbles. The lights are dimmed, and meditative music plays over the
If there’s any chance of getting her out of there alive, I’m going to need a diversion. We make one other quick stop before arriving at the Last Call club. It’s 6:43pm when we pull up, but we have to wait on Yuri. Barging in there without the money will only result in bloodshed. The first bullet would be right to Chleo’s head. “I had to get Vinny. I’ll be there in two minutes,” he pleads when I threaten to rip his head off if he’s not here in seconds. Stieg’s gone to his trunk and loaded up on weaponry. I take an extra gun as well. Everyone of my bullets have Sergei’s name written Chleo. She looked so terrified. If I get her out of this alive, she’ll be traumatized. This could destroy her. “Fuck!” I mutter to myself. I’ve got to hold my shit together. She needs me to go in there and take charge and get her the hell out of there. That’s how this is going down. That’s the only outcome I’ll accept. “He’s here,” Stieg says and nods his head in Yuri’s direction as he pulls up in his b
I stroke her face and wish I could wipe the sadness from her eyes. “If you love me…” “Baby, you know I love you.” “Don’t lie to me anymore. Promise.” “No more lies, Chleo, I promise you.” She closes her eyes and nods. But then they pop back open. “You’re calling off the engagement. I can’t see you while you belong to someone else.” My jaw clenches. “It’s already over as far as I’m concerned, but I have to unwind the contract that I signed. That will take a little more time, but I’m working on it.” Her brow furrows slightly. I take her hand in mine, and kiss it tenderly. “Your happiness is all that matters to me,Chleo. I’ll move heaven and earth to make this happen.” The creases in her brow smooth out and her shoulders sink into the cushions. “You need your rest, honey. Let me put you to bed.” When she doesn’t object, I move closer to her and scoop her effortlessly into my arms. As I stand, she rests her head on my chest and slips an arm around my neck. I carry her up the st