Page 101 of Reaper & Ruin
Even hours later, when Rowan and Silver had gone to a nearby motel to crash, and I was back inside pretending to be sane again, I still felt that ache. That clawing desperation in my throat, begging me to sit and wallow. But I ignored that bitch. I let those thoughts join the rest in the dark pit at the bottom of my brain where useless things went.
Instead, I concentrated on what Ididhave. Like the man beside me, and the other one who said he would be home soon.
Gio was slumped back against the couch cushions, his shirt undone and hanging loosely around his shoulders. The newly stitched gash on his side was stark against his olive skin, the angry red of the wound bright against the dark smattering of hair across his chest. He looked worn; the exhaustion seeping into every tense line of his body. He was still hot though, and I made sure to let him know that, so he had something to feel better about.
“You okay?” I asked softly, brushing my fingers against the back of his hand where it rested on his thigh. “Do you need anything? More drugs? A blowjob? A slap on the face for getting yourself shot?”
His dark eyes flicked to mine, and for a brief moment, something unguarded passed across his face. Vulnerability, maybe. A crack in his usual bravado. But then he nodded, his jaw tightening. “I’m fine,amore mio. You can suck my dick if you want, but I think I may fall asleep. Nothing to do with you; these drugs are just making me drained.”
“Liar, you arenotfine.” I murmured, leaning closer until our shoulders touched, the heat of his body warming my skin even through the chill that seemed to cling to the air.
Gio sighed, tilting his head back to rest against the cushions. “I’ve had worse.”
“Doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck,” I countered, letting my head rest on his shoulder. His steady breathing comforted me. “Let me be nice to you. You know I’ll be mean again in the morning, so you need to enjoy this offer.”
“I can’t believe he’s dead,” Gio said suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.
I didn’t need to ask who he meant, but I did anyway. “Your dad?”
He nodded, his jaw clenching as he stared into the fire. The muscle in his cheek twitched, his fingers curling into a fist against his thigh.
“It should’ve been me who did it,” he muttered, the words heavy with regret. “All of it. Years ago. All I’ve done is put you at risk more than I have by loving you.”
I reached over, wrapping my hand around his, squeezing gently. “Gio, you don’t have to carry that. He’s gone. That’s what matters.”
His laugh was bitter, a sound that felt like it didn’t belong in this quiet space. “But his brothers aren’t,” he said, his voice low and full of warning. “They’ll come. And they won’t just come for me. They’ll come for all of us.” He sighed. “If they ever find out you shot him, they will want to do unspeakable things. And now all I can think about is who knows? Does anyone outside of Atlas and me know you pulled the trigger first? Was there a camera or something we missed?”
The idea sent a cold shiver down my spine, but I refused to let it show. Instead, I tightened my grip on his hand. “Then we’ll deal with it,” I said firmly.
His lips twitched, a faint attempt at a smile. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re a hitwoman, like you said. I’m just a fool.”
“I think I’m a terrible hitwoman,” I admitted, my voice softening. “I don’t think I enjoy murdering. But I will do it if I have to. The same way you’ll do anything for me, as would Atlas. So regardless of what happens, we’re in this together.”
He turned to me, his dark eyes searching mine. I wasn’t sure what for. Reassurance, maybe. Or strength. Whatever it was, I hoped he found it, because I meant every word.
“Together?” he asked, his voice quieter now, almost unsure.
“Always,” I replied, leaning in. “You’re stuck with me forever and ever, even if you don’t want me.”
“I think I am happy with that.” He grinned as he kissed me.
The kiss was gentle, a promise in the way our lips moved against each other. I stayed gentle when I moved our clothes out of the way. Then again when I rode his dick, soft and careful, more for connection than pleasure.
So I could make sure he was okay. And so he knew that I was too.
When we pulled apart, both spent and panting, I let my forehead rest against his, breathing in the shared warmth between us.
The moment was broken by the sound of the front door swinging open.
“Honey, I’m home,” Atlas called, his voice cutting through the stillness with mock cheerfulness. “Oh, what a pretty welcome home gift. You’re both messy and sweaty. How delicious! I’ll enjoy watching that video later.”
I looked up to see him strolling in, his blonde hair slightly damp. His sharp blue eyes glowing with a glint of softness that belied his usual self-assured demeanor.
“Miss me?” he asked, sauntering over to the couch with his signature smirk. He grabbed my breasts, giving them a squeeze. “I missed these, too. I’ll have to cuddle them later.”
I didn’t bother answering, letting him kiss me first. Then he turned to Gio, pressing a softer kiss to his mouth too.
“Always,” Gio replied dryly. “Who else is going to feed me now that I am incapacitated?”
