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“That’s not true. You were wonderful and still are.”
“Nah. I was a delinquent, always getting into trouble. Mike was the one who had pick up the pieces. He had every reason to demand that I stay away from you. But I’m not that man any longer. Now, I take what I want. You’re the light to my darkness, the fire that burns in my soul and the only woman who could ever keep the demons from dragging me straight to hell. You’re mine. Not just for right now or another night or two of passion, but forever. Get used to it, baby, because I’m never letting you go.”
When he crushed his mouth over mine for a second time, I allowed a single tear to fall. His words tumbled in my mind, my stomach a mess of swarming butterflies. I’d wanted to hear those words for so long that the rush of joy was so intense I couldn’t breathe.
But another pang of fear and worry did its best to mask the happiness. I refused to let it, at least for now.
The strong taste of whiskey assaulted my senses, but not nearly as much as the coppery stench of blood. Still, I wanted to remain in his arms, pretending as if the danger didn’t exist. I was the one who finally broke free, touching his stubbled cheek. We both took gasping breaths and I rested my forehead on his.
“Let me help you, Danny. Please.” When I lifted my head, he was still smiling.
He nodded, allowing me to back away, leaving the room. I grabbed the oversized first aid kit then brushed my fingers over several of his suit jackets. There were far too many reasons to feel melancholy, but as I stood with a portion of Danny’s world surrounding me, I’d never felt giddier than I did at that moment. He cared about me. He really did.
I’d also never felt so anxious, as if I already knew what would happen in the future. No. I refused to think that way. We would get through this somehow.
Then maybe, just maybe my fairytale could come true.
* * *
Viper
Pain.
I was used to it, more so than I had any intention of mentioning to Madisen. I’d suffered through four bullet wounds, two knife attacks, and four falls, one causing a broken arm. I’d refused painkillers on every occasion but one. The anguish I hadn’t been able to tolerate was the thought of losing her.
Even though Stephen had caused a false alarm, I was thankful I could trust him with keeping her safe in my absence. The worry had changed everything.
Perhaps I was out of my mind, but Madisen belonged to me. Period.
When she returned with the box in her hand, there was no doubt from the look on her face just how concerned she remained.
“You need to take off your shirt for me,” she said so quietly I had to strain to hear her.
Hissing, I did as she asked, tossing the shirt aside then returning to the edge of the counter. After grabbing several towels from the closet, she turned around, her jaw clenching.
“I need to take you to the hospital.”
I glanced at the wound, grateful the bullet had gone all the way through. After looking in the mirror, I confirmed that was the case. The point of impact was a hell of a lot messier than the exit. “You can do what’s necessary. I have faith in you.”
“This isn’t about faith, Danny. You’ve lost a lot of blood and I’m not medically trained.”
“This is all we can do right now. Okay?”
“Stubborn bastard.” She planted the box on the other side of the counter, jerking the top open with force. “You brought this back with you from overseas, didn’t you? This is for handling surgery in the field.” She lifted her chin, narrowing her eyes. The rebellious side of her had returned, the one that could possibly keep her alive if the shit hit the fan.
“That obvious?”
“A suturing kit. Surgical knives. Enough painkillers to knock out an elephant.” When she held up a small hatchet, shivering, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s not for what you think it is.” Although it had been used in two necessary amputations, something I never want to relive again.
Exhaling, she pulled out various items then grabbed a washcloth. “Who is Killian that you and Gio were talking about?”
“Irish mafia in New York. One of his men is in town keeping tabs on me.”
“Oh, fabulous. Now you have two mafia organizations hunting you down. This is going to hurt. Do you want a painkiller?”
“No. I can’t dull my senses at this point.”
