Page 65 of Ties That Bind Us

“Does this have to do with my father?” I asked, terrified to know the answer.

“I don’t know who it has to do with yet. But I swear to you, I’m not going to stop until I do. And I will make sure whoever killed that woman today pays for it.”

I was silent, absorbing everything he had just said. I wanted to believe him, but I had a hard time accepting what he was saying. The way I saw it, the shooting was directly related to us, and the thought that someone was trying to kill me was paralyzing.

“Why don’t I get a bath ready for you? It might help you relax,” he suggested, ending the discussion. I knew I wouldn’t get more information out of him right now, and I didn’t have the energy to argue.

I nodded and followed him into the bathroom. A bubble bath actually did sound relaxing, and hopefully it would help quiet my mind so I could get some sleep.

Nick ran the water and left me for a few minutes to undress and get settled. I had to be careful not to get my hideous bandages very wet, but they were high enough I could keep them out of the scalding hot water. I stared at my skin where the nurses had cleaned off the blood, but I still felt like I could see it. Like I’d never be able to get it all off. Like I’d never feel completely clean again. I scrubbed at my skin, but it wasn’t working. My mind knew that the blood was gone, but my body still felt it there. I scrubbed and scrubbed, crying as I did, until my skin was almost raw.

“All set?” Nick frowned when he saw me. “Ava, what’s wrong?”

I shook my head. There was no way I could explain this to him. He came over and knelt beside the tub, taking the loofah and then holding both of my hands in his.

“You’re okay,” Nick soothed, kissing my hands. “I’m going to get in there with you and help you clean it off, okay?”

I nodded. At least if he was with me, I wouldn’t be left alone with my own thoughts. Nick slipped his clothes off quickly and stepped into the tub, positioning himself behind me. He rubbed my skin gently with a washcloth, up and down my body. My anxiety slowly started to disappear as the blood was erased from my skin, and my breathing found an easy pace.

Nick drained the tub and filled it with clean water so I didn’t have to look at the blood anymore. I leaned back against him and he draped his arms over me. Bubbles covered both of our bodies as we sat, melting into each other.

I could feel my mind clearing with his touch. I was overcome with need for him. It hit me like a brick wall, and an ache developed inside of me. I needed Nick to make me forget this day ever even happened.

I rocked my hips slowly back into him and draped my head back onto his shoulder. His lips brushed against the exposed skin on my neck and his hands traveled over my body, seeming to pick up on what I wanted. I moaned into his touch, dissolving all other thoughts in my mind besides the feel of his skin on mine.

“Ava, are you sure—” he started.

I lifted my chin, crashing my lips into his and silencing his protest. That was the only invitation he needed. Nick leaned forward, nipping my ear softly. His hand trailed down my stomach, slowly massaging as he went. He touch was almost too much for me. It was soft at first, then rough, and dug into my skin. He rubbed and flicked at my chest, sending me writhing against him impatiently.

He bit into my collarbone gently and I groaned in pleasure, letting my knees fall open, burning for his touch. His fingers crept between them, rubbing and teasing my thighs and taking his sweet time. After what seemed like an eternity, he slipped his fingers inside of me painfully slowly, as if he thought I might break. He pumped them at a strong pace, kissing me hungrily as he went.

“Please, Nick,” I whispered breathlessly. Most nights I enjoyed the foreplay, but tonight I needed him so desperately that I couldn’t wait.

Nick grunted, shifting himself in the tub and turning me so I was on top of him. I loved feeling him against me, our bodies pressed together, morphing into one.

His lips traced designs on my stomach and breasts as his fingers still trailed along my body. He was careful to avoid my cuts, kissing each bandage gently. Draping my leg over the edge of the tub, I pressed farther into him, begging him for more. He was relentless, taking me so close to the edge but jerking me back before I fully went over.

I moaned again, this time louder, and he quieted me with his kisses, slipping his tongue into my mouth. Just his kiss was enough to make my body shiver with need. After a few seconds, Nick pulled away and smirked again, satisfied with himself. “There we go,” he whispered huskily against my ear.

He held on to my hips, guiding them above him and slipping into me suddenly. Our bodies rocked against each other in perfect rhythm. Nick’s body tensed against mine, approaching climax, and his pace quickened. He was merciless but it thrilled me. With each thrust he got deeper and deeper, filling me up and taking my breath away. His fingers dug into my back, holding me in place as he pushed. All of my stress and concern melted away at his touch, and I found myself floating through a state of pure bliss.

I’d had no idea how badly I needed this. How badly I needed him. Nick was my refuge—saving my life, time and time again.

Finally, we collapsed against each other, panting and breathless. Even if for a brief moment, the pain of today was gone, and I was safe in his arms.

Chapter 25

Nick

It took me hours to get Ava settled down enough to sleep. She was so distraught about what had happened, and I felt like I couldn’t leave her. I didn’t have time to waste, though—we needed to get the ball rolling on some things if I was going to stay ahead of this. For the most part, I believed that Alessandro hadn’t known what was going to happen, but I had a feeling the attempt on Ava was because of his secret dealings with the Russians. They had to know that the hit was coming on their guy a few weeks ago, and they wouldn’t have retaliated in this way. This was too personal.

Attacking the wife and daughters of a prominent Don like Alessandro in broad daylight was pretty blatant. I had a strong feeling that Alessandro had bitten off more than he could chew, and Ava was nearly killed because of it. The second I thought about what could’ve happened, I was nearly debilitated. One inch either way and that bullet could’ve pierced her. Alessandro was starting to graduate from just a thorn in my side to a liability, one that I wasn’t going to take any chances with.

I shut the door to our bedroom quietly and slipped into the living room. I dialed Vince’s number and he picked up on the first ring.

“Everything okay?” His voice was flat.

“Everything is fine here. Are you somewhere you can talk?” I asked, pouring myself a healthy glass of bourbon. It had been a long fuckin’ day, and I had a feeling it was going to get even worse.

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