Page 109 of The Mafia's Bride
Killian grabs him by the throat like a discard doll thrown into the trash. He swings in his grasp easily, feet kicking into the air.
The reaper smiles and my body shakes anew from the rage pooling there. Looking up into Maeve’s face, her solid arms holding me pressed to her front, hands in my hair as if to make sure I’m really there, I see the same emotions reflected there.
It’s a tarry, soulless anger that pours out of her eyes. It’s all directed at Dom on my behalf. Because he dared to hurt me.
If I didn’t just go through hell, I’d be touched by sentiment.
“You’re in trouble, Dom,” Killian drawls, tsking lightly. “So much trouble.”
The house crashes in on itself, the roof collapsing, glass exploding as the heat escalates. It pounds into our sides, a living beast ready to devour all.
“Hold him,” Nico demands, panting as he sits on the ground. Maeve still hasn’t released me, watching Killian toss Dom into a few soldiers’ arms with surprising strength. He thrashes, face bloody and body black with soot but they don’t release him.
I fight to break free of Maeve, but she shakes her head, hands not releasing me. “Wait.”
A warm blanket comes around my shoulders seconds later. She lets me step back a fraction of an inch, tugging the scratchy fabric to cover my body. I didn’t realize how badly the dress was ruined or how naked I was. Everything is exposed, a thin belt of fabric the only thing left of my clothing.
When I’m covered, Maeve nods to Lex. “Stay with him. Ambulance is coming.”
I don’t glance back but drop wearily beside my husband, checkinghis pulse and feeling for his breath. I do this a few times, praying that he’ll be okay.
I hear the loud sirens just as Lex’s eyes flutter open and he groans.
Rubbing his head, he tries to sit up, fingers coming back red.
I steady him as others behind us move. I don’t take my eyes off my husband, don’t dare let him out of my sight. I’m frightened if I do, he’ll be gone forever.
We were so close to losing each other. A few extra minutes and we’d both be dead.
“Sloane?” Lex croaks, leaning against the base of a tree. His voice is strained, body covered in soot.
The tension in my chest dissipates as I see his eyes, feel his heat, hear my name on his full lips. Carefully, I cup his face, thumbs brushing over his charcoal covered cheeks, tears falling from my eyes.
“I’m in love with you,” I blurt out, words rushed. “I’ve been in love with you probably since you edged me to near insanity. Maybe even when I threw a wineglass at your head. I love you. And when I thought Dom would kill you, I knew I couldn’t let you die. Not until I told you.”
Lex’s amber eyes soften, full of all the love he’s shown me. Has always shown me, I just didn’t want to admit to it. Admit that this marriage was real, that we were real, that neither of us would be going anywhere.
He wraps his arms around my waist, nuzzling my neck and inhales my scent. Smokey roses and blood and burnt hair. But he doesn’t pull back, doesn’t push me away. Only hugs me tighter.
“It’s about time, little menace.” Soft lips press to mine and that fear, that numbness, evaporates.
44
SLOANE
The charred estate is nothing more than crumbling stones, burnt bushes, and smoke damaged walls. All those memories, gone.
The firefighters are still putting out the smaller flames in the back of the mansion, calls and shouts echoing around us. Across the way, Lex sits in the ambulance as they close the wound on his head. It’s a small gash but he refused to go to the hospital to see it tended.
I glance down at the bandage on my right breast, wincing despite myself. All things considered, we got out with only a few injuries. Nico’s side is wrapped, the bullet a clean shot, and he's already taking charge of the cleanup in the opposite direction.
Once the ambulance arrived, his guards showed up. Those who were loyal to Dom have already been taken away through Maeve and her men. Those who were loyal to Lex were helping pay off the cops who showed up at the scene.
I’m happy to see Tony there, directing traffic. I never doubted him.
Sitting on the lawn, I breathe through the pain in my chest and cough out the last bit of smoke. My body aches and I feel fuzzy, lungs hurting but I’m alive.
I can’t believe I’m here and alive. If I hadn’t believed in myself,that I wasn’t worthless, that I was strong enough, I’d be in that fire, abused and dead. Instead, I fought back. I’m here because Lex believed in me, and I took that and turned it into strength.
