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“My anchor,” she whispered, “and my lifeline.”
“Always,” I choked out, knowing I’d walk across burning coals, jump in front of another bullet, or whatever else it took to ensure her survival. I did it once and I’d do it again.
“I’m scared but I won’t let them win.”
“Don’t be. I’ve got a plan. They won’t be breathing for much longer,” I swore, pulling back enough to stare into her pretty blue eyes. “I’m your vindicator, sunshine. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure you’re free.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“They sent an assassin to the hospital.” She gasped. “Don’t worry. He’s dead.”
Her eyes widened. “Shit.”
“I don’t regret it. That piece of shit was selling girls.”
She nodded and bit her bottom lip with her teeth. “Why are you doing all this for me?” Mimi shook her head. “I don’t know that I’m worth all the effort.”
“Don’t ever say that,” I warned, “You are. I can’t stand knowing the men who hurt and abused you are alive. So, I’m gonna take care of it. That fragile, beautiful, patched-up heart of yours can’t hold anymore darkness, sunshine. So, it’s my job now to seek vengeance on your behalf. My blackened soul that will become further tarnished. Not yours. I’m gonna soak up all that wrath, hatred, and pain and unleash it until everyone who ever harmed a single hair on your pretty head is burning in hell for all motherfuckin’ eternity.”
Her arms slid around my waist as she rested her cheek over my heart. “This nightmare never ends.”
“I swear to you, Mimi,” I vowed, wrapping my arms around her slender body, “this will all be over soon.”
“Did you get in trouble?” I asked, anxiously scanning Shadow’s face.
He took a bite of the Rueben sandwich in his hands and chewed, shrugging his shoulders. Once he swallowed, he answered with a smirk. “Not much. Could have been a lot worse.”
He didn’t elaborate and that irritated me. Club rules had to be obeyed and loyalty was admirable but Shadow didn’t know shit about the Russians and how they were related to me. We never talked about it since the memories were painful. He really didn’t know the connection or he would have never allowed me to leave, especially after what happened to Stefanie.
“You gonna fess up the truth or make me sit here clueless?”
“Easier said than done.”
“What is? The truth?”
“Yeah,” I answered, staring down at my plate. I barely ate three bites of the grilled ham and Swiss sandwich or the red skin potato salad. Picking up my glass of iced tea, I downed half the contents in preparation of the upcoming conversation.
“Do we need to go someplace else to talk about this?” He dropped his Reuben on the plate and leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. “I’m your friend, Naomi but I don’t need to know if it’s gonna hurt.”
God, he was so understanding. I really appreciated his compassionate nature. Shadow had more in common with Patriot than either of them liked to admit.
“I carry a lot of guilt,” I began, glancing around and noticing the nearly empty dining area. Almost everyone had already eaten lunch and were busy elsewhere.
“I know something about guilt,” he deadpanned.
Narrowing my eyes, I gave him a look.
“Fine. I’m shutting up.”
“I left behind friends I cared about, especially Katya.”
Tilting his head to the side, he contemplated what I meant. “Left behind? What does that mean, Naomi?”
“I know more about the Russians and the trafficking of girls in Nevada than anyone else.”
Shadow’s arms uncrossed as he swallowed hard and shook his head. “Don’t tell me they hurt you too.” Anger briefly flashed across his young and handsome face. “Fuck, Naomi.”
“I know what Stefanie went through . . . because I experienced almost the same exact thing.”
