Page 24 of Unruly Protector
“I’m going to get you something to drink.Tea?Water?Warm milk?Something stronger?”
Her head comes up.“Warm milk is gross.”
The corner of my mouth twitches.“Definitely no warm milk then.Why don’t I make us some coffee?It’s not like I could sleep and it seems like you won’t be able to either.”
She slides off the bed.“I’ll help.”
We head downstairs into the kitchen and work next to each other, bringing two steaming cups of coffee into the living room with us.I turn the TV on, flipping it to some kind of documentary about turtles.
We sip and watch in silence until I’m holding an empty cup and Rina suddenly says, “Daniel Sneyder killed Mattia and would have killed me too if Mattia didn’t save me.”
Liquid fury rushes like molted metal through my veins.That motherfucker.We’ve been trying to find him and Dustin for the last few days, but it was as if they vanished into thin air.I had little hope Daniel would just get in a car or a plane and move across the country.But this?The little shit is as big as a damn ant compared to me.And I desperately want to step on him to make his brains decorate the pavement.
Except neither he nor Dustin know I’m looking for him.This being said, why the hell would a small-time drug dealer lash out at the person who practically runs this whole damn state?
“Clemente took one of us, now I’m taking two of his.”Her voice and words enter my ears but my mind is playing catch-up.
“What was that?”I question.
She places her empty cup on the table.I do the same and turn slightly to face her.
“Daniel entered the bathroom when I was washing my hands.I didn’t know it was him.I just heard the door open, then a male voice and he fired his gun right away.I recognized him from the pictures in the file you had.I reached for the gun in my purse and then he said how you took one of his and that’s why he would take two of yours.Mattia shot Daniel at the same time Daniel aimed his gun to kill me.That’s why I was only slightly injured.I fired my gun, and so did Mattia, Daniel has at least two gunshot wounds.I’m guessing that’s why he hightailed out of the bathroom.I rushed forward and locked the door.The custodian must have forgotten to take the keys out because there were keys in the lock.”Her hand starts to shake and she grasps it with her other hand, making her knuckles white from squeezing so hard.“I couldn’t reach you, so I called Beck to warn him to keep Flora and himself safe.What if Daniel went after Beck?Did he even know they were there?No...he was there for me and Mattia.He said so.”
She takes a deep breath and swallows hard before she continues.“Mattia was already dying when I rushed toward him.I wanted to call an ambulance but when I was kneeling right next to him, he...he died.I saw the light leave his eyes and his body went slack.He died protecting me and now he’s gone.Just like that.”
Guilt assaults me from missing her call.I have no words to give her.And there’s nothing I could say that would change this situation.Reaching out, I take her into my arms, needing to feel her close and give her comfort.
They say there’s a first time for everything but this right here is most definitely a first for me.Fire burns through my veins, itching for retaliation to rip Daniel apart for inflicting pain on my woman.But at the same time there’s an unknown feeling repressing everything else in this world, making me fully focus on the woman plastered against me.
I have always prioritized the Famiglia and the responsibilities along with it.Though right now, heading out on a murder rampage to hunt down the one who attacked my future wife and soldier, is something I’m placing into the hands of others.For my hands are where they belong right now.
I grab my phone and call Arturo, he picks up on the second ring.“It was Daniel.I want him found.He’s injured.Get the word out to any doctor he might contact.”
“On it.Anything else?”
“No.”Though, I would really like to reply with “His head on a plate,” but instead, I demand, “I expect some information within the hour.”And end the call.
Shifting on the couch, I pull my woman onto my lap and settle in.Her hand is fisting my shirt right beside where her face is buried in the fabric.Her body gently starts to shake without any noise.I close my eyes and hate the feeling of not being able to take away her pain and grief.It’s a part of life, but until Rina, it’s something I never gave a second thought.I tighten my arms and place kisses on the top of her head.
“He was a good man, Rina.A good friend, a good soldier, and loyal till the end.I owe him.From what you told me, I’m damn fucking sure I wouldn’t be holding you if it wasn’t for him.And I’ll make sure the one responsible will pay.”
I can feel my shirt getting wet with all the silent tears soaking through.Somehow it rings louder in my ears and it feels like acid pouring onto my heart.
Fucking hell, not even two weeks into my life and this woman is already deep underneath my skin.“I’m right here for you,mia cara.”
I nuzzle her head and release a deep sigh of relief when she starts to sob, surrendering to every single emotion throwing havoc inside her body.Showing grief and emotions is nothing to be ashamed of.
Even for this woman who has a strong personality.No matter how much you prepare, train, or manage to control your body; emotions have a way of taking over when life smacks you right in the face.
The sobbing ebbs away and her body goes slack in my arms.She’s obviously drained and gave into the sleep her body needs to recharge.I rub my chin over the top of her head, my hand gently stroking her back.
Simple soothing motions and they might seem unnecessary since she’s oblivious to the world right now, but I fucking well need it.The fury might have been shoved to the background but it’s still vivid in my brain.Tonight could have gone very differently.The warm body filling my arms could have been cold and stiff if it wasn’t for Mattia.
I could have lost her before I so much as had her.And within this moment I’m very aware of the fact that this woman already took root in my heart because the mere thought of not having her in my life is unbearable.
