Page 157 of Lourdes & the Mafia
“Tell me this is real,” he whispers, his curls hauntingly close to his lashes, giving him a somber, heartbroken look. “Tell me you’re alive and my mind didn’t make this up.”
“I’m real, Kane.”
A tear slips down his cheek and he leans up, pressing his lips to mine. “Then know this, Lourdes Rivera, know that I’ll tell you what I was too afraid to accept before I saw the life leave your eyes. I love you. I love you with everything I am. I never knew happiness before you, I never knew sorrow until I lost you. And I could not bear to lose you again.”
Pain is a fierce spear that hits me in the chest. I never meant for the ruse to do this. I never meant for it to hurt the men I love and care about.
“I’m sorry.” I take a breath. “I only wanted to trick Thuriel, because I thought I was going in alone. I thought I wouldn’t have backup and I needed that extra layer of protection, so I took the bracelet—”
“Ssh.” Kane stands, towering over me. The familiar position is one of comfort, wiping the thoughts from my brain, though not calming the sobs that are wracking through my body. “I am going to slap your ass until you’re screaming for that later, but for now give me this moment, and if you feel the same, tell me you love me back.”
A giggle bursts from my mouth. “Of course I love you.” I kiss him then turn to Lorenzo, reaching and standing on the tips of my toes to kiss him, and finally, to Ramiel. “I love all of you,” I say as I pull away. “I love the Underworld. I love you guys. This… this feels like home. I don’t want to lose this or leave you. I love the weird little gargoyles with aprons and the shadows scuttling along the walls. This place… it feels like I belong here.”
“Youdobelong here, Amore.”
I flash Lorenzo a smile. “I’m so glad you think that.”
“It’s true,” Ramiel cuts in. “Vidente, you are our mate. I have known from the moment I accidentally stepped into your vision and saw you. Nam Cara. My mate.Ourmate.”
The words send a ripple of shock through me. I know some paranormal creatures are ruled by baser instincts. Creatures like wolf shifters and vampires, creatures that claim mates and are bound together by a deep connection.
I’m a mentirosa if I say I haven’t dreamt of finding a mate before.
And now, I’ve found three.
“And I’ve known I wanted you and that I’d have you since the moment I ran into you outside that restaurant, listening to you rambling on about the lingerie you planned on buying,” Lorenzo purrs near my ear.
My face flames. I can recall the exact instant he’s talking about. Queenie had recently left the Krakens and we’d gone out to eat. I thought going lingerie shopping would put a kick in her culo depresivo. I remember standing up and ramming into a hard body. I remember being hypnotized by a beautiful face, unable to look away, only to forget it the moment that I did.
“That was you?”
Lorenzo smirks. “Surprised?”
I roll my eyes. “What else are you guys keeping from me?”
At my question, they all shift uncomfortably where they stand, looking away and careful not to meet my eyes.
“What else are you keeping from me?” I repeat the question, narrowing my eyes.
“Well…” Ramiel reaches to rub the back of his neck. “When we were at Sinful, I tortured Leon and killed him.”
I blink at the bluntness of his words, and the lack of remorse in them.
“Of course you did.”
“Are you mad?”
I sigh. Am I mad? I’ve known from the beginning who and what they are and they’ve never lied to me. Kane may have broken a promise, but he’s more than made up for it with his actions. He’s protected me, defended me fiercely. They all have. They protected me when I thought I couldn’t protect myself. And thanks to their careful guidance, I’ve realized how strong I truly can be.
In ways that I never thought possible before.
So, am I mad at them?
No.
Because they’re the fucking Mafia of the Underworld. They’re ruthless and cruel and brutal.
And they’re mine.
