Page 82 of The Mafia's Bride
Tilting my head, I let my fingers smooth his brow. I know it’s because this marriage became real to him when he admitted toloving me. Just like it is to me, will be when I say those words back. “You’re worried.”
“About your safety, yes.” He leans into my touch, soaking up my warmth. “You shouldn’t pick fights with Linwood.”
I smile, rolling my eyes. “Dear husband, are you worried that the hitman will hurt me?”
Lex stares at me, eyes plagued with frustration and anxiety. “If he so much as breathes the wrong way in your direction, I’ll put two bullets between his eyes.”
My smile grows because I know he means it. Lex will do everything to keep me safe.
It’s the first time I’ve ever had that. Unwavering safety and loyalty.
“I know. But he won’t.” I kiss his cheek innocently. “And you don’t have to worry about up there.” I point to the ship. “I know you’ll keep me safe. You’ll protect me.”
“With my whole life, menace. Every single bit.” He kisses me passionately, sucking in my breath and keeping it inside his soul. “Remember, you’re with me. No words. Just silence. Understood?”
I nod, tasting him on my lips. He gives me another chaste kiss, pulling me up the walkway.
Once on board, Lex directs me to the far corner where three large crates are sitting. Killian is already digging into one crate, Tony holding a light over him, a clipboard in the other.
For being drugs, this seems very official, almost routine.
“Crate one passes,” Killian drones, throwing a package of pink pills back down. The same pills Danica had given me the night in Lex’s club.
They move to the next one, Tony making a note on his paper.
A man with more hair than teeth hobbles over to Lex’s side. He smells like day-old body odor and seaweed and when I glance at him, he’s staring pointedly at my chest.
Lex clears his throat, pushing me just slightly behind his body. The captain doesn’t even look the least bit remorseful.
I see the anger start to swirl in my husband’s eyes at the disrespect.
“Ah, Alessio,” the man greets, palming the gun in his waistband. “Wasn’t expecting you. Where’s Dom?”
“Marco. He called in sick,” Lex says tightly, ignoring the weapon. I can see Lex’s gun on his hip and the outline of another behind his back. At least I was smart enough to grab my knife and put it into my coat pocket. “Is there a problem?”
“None at all, sir.” The man bows, but it’s done sarcastically.
Lex notices it too and his lips curve into a frown.
A few men walk by, hanging over the deck. I see a few of them higher up, watching the dock for anyone coming that’s not accounted for. There’s a gleaming gun in every man’s hand.
The tension in the air rises as these two men have a stare down. It tickles the nape of my neck and I still, holding my breath, waiting for something to happen.
“Crate two passes,” Killian continues, stalking to the final crate. Either he doesn’t feel the tension or doesn’t care. Tony follows along, adjusting the light and paper, making a few marks without looking up.
“Forgive me for asking, Alessio,” the captain asks slowly. “But why are you here? If Dom was sick, you could have sent another man to direct us.”
Lex drops my hand, pulling his gun quicker than I can blink. The click of the safety being turned off, as well as a few other dozen guns locking pulls my attention.
My body freezes, blood pumping loudly in my ears.
Fight or flight takes over and apparently, I can only freeze. Just like in the alleyway, just like here, I’m locked, fear coursing through my veins like a poison.
A body comes up alongside me, brushing the cuff of my wool jacket. Cool mint hits me and I try to still my heart. Killian edges into my vision on my right, while Tony stands by my left. Both have guns expertly training on the captain, each of their shoulders providing a shield if a stray bullet were to hit me.
Lex doesn’t look back at me, but I feel his awareness. He did this. He made sure I would be covered if things went south on this ship.
He places the barrel of the gun against the captain’s forehead and snarls, “Because I’m the buyer of your product, Marco.” The man winces against the tip. “Because it’s my neck that’s on the line for these shipments and for some reason, over the last few weeks, they’ve all gone missing.”
