Page 93 of Hostile Vows
I hug, squeeze, and silently signal to her that I’m sorry. The faint blend of my cologne and salty sea air clings to her fearless form. I’ve known the tug of destruction since I was a young teen, when my father shoved a rifle in my hands and ordered me to kill or be killed.
It's a rush of shadows and a hit of oxytocin. But embracing this woman, having her delicate bones and exquisite skin right next to me, surpasseseverything.
I want to hold on to her until she suffocates from this curse I’m stricken with and no longer poses a threat to my wayward lifestyle. To break her into tiny pieces and pocket them so I never have to be without her again.
I’m a fucking mess.
“What happened?” I ask, forcing myself to snap out of this uncharacteristic mindfuck and release her. “Did you see their faces?”
“No—” She winces when I put a few inches of space between us. “The Streetfighter’s nippy and fast.” A ghost of a smile plays on her lips as if she had enjoyed the ride. “I weaved in and out of the traffic, but the back tire blew out. They must have clipped it with a bullet. I came off in a crowded street, got to the sidewalk, and mingled in a group of people.” She shrugs like it's an everyday occurrence to escape armed bad guys. “I took off your jacket and moved from bar to bar every few hours to make sure I’d lost them.”
A wash of fury chills my tone when I growl at her, “And you didn't think to call me? To let me know where you were—or that you were alive?”
Her forehead creases, a flash of rebellion sharpening her expression. “There’s no need to be so pissed, Dré. I landed on the stupid thing when I came off the bike. The screen is smashed up. It wouldn’t work.”
“I’m fully within my rights to worry about my wife’s well-being.”
Her chin elevates, surprise and disbelief written all over her pretty face. “Even if I had my phone, I still wouldn’t have rang you.”
“Oh, yeah?” My head cocks to the side. I keep my voice low and controlled while she tucks pale strands behind her ear, showing yet again a bare wedding ring finger. “And why is that? Do tell me.”
She swallows hard, her arms prickling in a visceral response to the flaming track of wildfire shooting from her body to mine. “It occurred to me while I sat in a bar with no money, friends, or even an address for this place, that I’d been ridingyourmotorcycle. Wearingyourjacket. Leaving the clubyoufrequent. Those assholes weren’t after me. They were after you, Hotshot. If I had told you where I was, it would have put you in danger. So I hung out in a few random bars and then walked the city on foot to find your fucking condo.”
“Ourcondo.” I offer a predatory smile to indicate I’m less than amused.
She blinks up at me, slaying me on the spot. I respect her reckless decision. Fucking admire her for it, even. Despite that, my heart still aches from the possibility of losing her. The truth of how I reacted on the inside has scarred me in ways no one will ever see. Which is why I have to follow through on the wild idea I just thought of.
“I will always come to your rescue, Sinéad. No matter where you are,” I say honestly. “Rule number two—you will never hesitate to contact me when your life is in danger.”
I want her so badly.
But not until I’ve settled this once and for all.
“What’s rule number one?” She licks her lips as my gaze settles on her perfect lips. That tempting little tongue of hers is so fucking wet and begging to be sucked.
“You’ll find out later. Rule number three—you willneverwalk about the city alone again. When I’m not with you, you’ll have armed bodyguards.”
Power runs through my veins and a surge of adrenaline spikes my muscles when a whisper of defiance leaves her mouth. “It was my decision… my call.”
So fucking feisty and courageous.
I dip into her, my height threatening her shorter stature. “Is that so? Maybe you thought it was a good idea. It wasn’t. You took an unnecessary risk.” My nose almost strokes hers, her quick breaths puffing over my face. “I’ve told you before, Souzas don’t scurry like hunted vermin. We take a blowtorch to our enemies and dump their ashes in the streets for everyone to see.” My hands ball by my sides as I spin on my heel, locating Reno and Letterman on the couch with India. “Organize a convoy and notify the crew that we’re boarding tonight. We have to stop off before hitting the marina.”
Letterman’s gaze catches mine and he nods. I’ve always been unpredictable, except this particular notion is fully justified whether she agrees to the severity of it or not. I type out a quick message on my phone and hit send.
The typical thing for me to do would be to take her upstairs and show her who the real boss is. To finish what she started in the bathroom at the club and pump my cum so deep inside of her that she’d feel it fertilizing her eggs. However, this plan will cement her role in my life. Now and forever.
Her eyebrows knit together, confusion glistening in her eyes. “Where are we going?”
I clench my teeth, letting my temper simmer under the weight of us. “I’ve warned you before about disobeying me. This trip will save me the hassle of reminding you again.” She shifts, as if troubled by my statement. “And when we get there, you won’t look like an imposter who’s trying to be my beautiful wife. You’ll wear your black hair loose and wild. Your green-blue eyes will watch everything that happens, and when it's all over, you’ll fully understand what the fourth rule is.”
35
SINÉAD
Vibrations rolled over my bone.
It wasn’t exactly painful and not quite pleasant either.
