It was early, perhaps too early for her after all that happened yesterday. She was usually an early riser, eager to get her protein-rich breakfast before heading to my private gym.
With all the danger and consequent adrenaline rushes from that smuggling run being ambushed, it seemed like her body—and maybe her mind—needed more of a rest than she’d typically allow.
I sat there in bed for a moment, watching her and marveling at how lucky I was to have ever encountered her. Among all the possible women in the world, she was the one I’d ended up with. Not by seeking her out. Not with me putting active energy into hunting down a woman. But because her brother had wanted her out of his way in the Cartel leadership.
Thinking of Arturo Garcia worsened my mood immediately. I narrowed my eyes, losing the peace of sleep and the happiness of merely watching Carina sleep.
If he actively tried to stop that run…
If he seriously wanted to take us out with a direct attack like that…
I bit back a growl, letting my fury wake me up even more.
He would never get away with it. He would face swift retaliation and certain death, no matter how conflicted Carina might feel about it.
Only one way to start getting answers about what that asshole could be trying to do.
I wouldn’t accomplish anything waiting in bed and sleeping in. Not even with the wounds I earned in protecting my wife. Fresh agony radiated from the gashes on my arm and side where the bullets had grazed my skin. Carina had done a fine job of disinfecting them and wrapping them up, but I wouldn’t be overdoing anything today.
I carefully slid out of bed and smiled at her sleeping form.
Except you.
I’ll always doyou.
Taking her against the wall of the shower last night probably hadn’t been my wisest idea. But as I rotated my shoulders and moved to get the kinks out, I realized that the slight discomfort was worth it.
You will always be worth it.
Before stepping away to get dressed, I leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, gently so as not to wake her. It would be easier to go to Lev’s and question the captured man without her there. I didn’t like the idea of hiding anything from her, butthis was something I bet I’d be able to address better without her next to me. Just in case the news of Arturo officially being labeled as an enemy to the Bratva was something she couldn’t handle yet.
I went straight to Lev’s and I wasn’t surprised to find both of my cousins there. I hadn’t told them when I’d be coming, but it seemed like they were eager to question the man themselves.
Alexei looked up as I entered the house. Lev preferred a ranch-style residence, but it was so sprawling and twisted with rooms and corridors that it probably had more square footage than my place.
“Just in time,” my older cousin greeted wryly. He resumed looking down at his hands as he wiped blood from his knuckles.
Lev came into the living room right then, holding a water bottle, which he handed to his brother. He acknowledged me with a nod.
“Just in time for what?” I asked.
“Just in time to start asking that fucker some questions,” Alexei said, rising to stand.
“You visited him already?” I asked.
Stupid question.
He clearly had. The blood on his hands was from the man we’d captured on the side of the road.
An indifferent shrug was his reply. “I stopped in to see how he’s appreciating the accommodations.”
Accommodations.That was a fancy way of putting it. Lev had brought the man into one of the cells in the basement of hissafehouse. Blood and body matter stained the solid concrete surfaces there. Urine and fecal matter likely remained in spots, too, concealed from society with no way out. The “guests” who went down there never came back up alive.
“And is he?” I asked sarcastically, playing along with this indirect approach to the conversation. Alexei hadn’t visited the man with any interest about how we’d rank in hospitality. He’d come to see if this asshole would be in the mood to talk.
“No,” he replied bluntly, tilting his head to the side to gesture for me to go with him.
Lev and I joined him, heading straight to the multiple locked doors toward the dungeon of cells.
