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“Sweetness.” He reaches over, putting his hand over mine. Just that little touch by him helps to settle my nerves.
“This is the right choice,” I reassure him. I want him to know I’m with him every step of the way. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this man.
I bet his mind is running through all sorts of scenarios, the same as mine is. I’m sure his are far bloodier than mine, but I have no doubt he’s going over all kinds of possibilities and outcomes. There is no way the Butcher has lived as long as he has without being steps ahead of everyone else.
He might not be the leader of the Palermo family, but it’s clear to me there is way more to this man than just torturing information out of people and brute force. You’d need a lot more than that to stay alive. He’s cunning.
“You’re scared.”
I smile over at him. “You’re so good at reading me. Sometimes I think we’re an old married couple with how attuned we are to one another.”
“But I don’t know what you’re scared of.”
“Honestly, I’m having an inner battle. Part of me doesn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me and the choice I made to pick you.”
“I kidnapped you,” Fernando points out.
I roll my eyes. I still picked him. I don’t care what he says.
“Another part of me wants them to know what it means to come for Angelica and me. For them to see what true loyalty is. They hurt women and treat us with no regard. I want them to hurt.” I pull one of my hands out from under his to set it on top. “Does that change how you see me? I know you’re the Butcher, but I’m the light to your darkness, but I just….” I trail off, not sure how to explain myself.
“It’s our souls, Bianca.” I know when he says my real name he’s being serious. “They’re coming together.”
A giant smile pulls at my lips so big it almost hurts. “The Butcher, such a romantic.” I laugh. It dies away as I squeeze his fingers. “Are you scared?”
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “I’m a ruthless man. I was before I had nothing to lose; now I’m not sure what I’m going to be. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you.”
I stroke my fingers on top of his hand. “Is it terrible that I think that’s kinda hot?”
“Sweetness,” he growls.
“I’ll always be your sweetness, Fernando. I want you to know that. You will be the only man to ever own my heart or any part of me. You were the first man that has ever shown me kindness. It pisses me off that these people have the audacity to call you the Butcher.” A smirk pulls at Fernando’s lips. “What?” I huff.
“It’s cute. You standing up for me, but sweetness, you get a side to me no one else gets to see. I’d be a liar, which I told you I’d never be to you, if I didn’t admit that I enjoy collecting the souls of some of those men.”
Fernando pulls up to the gates of the Palermo estate. They swing open for us. “Then today is going to be a good day for you, Fernando. I want you to collect as many as you can.” I turn to look at him. “My father’s being one of them.”
21
BUTCHER
“You ready?” Antonio tucks his Glock into the waistband of his pants.
“Always.”
“This isn’t a slice and dice operation, Fernando.” Gilly slides his pistols into their holsters, then pulls on his coat over them. “You need to keep a cool head.”
“I’m as cool as ever.” I stash some knives in holsters at my ankles, then more along my wrists.
Antonio sighs. “I can feel you seething.”
I holster my own pistols, then face him. “I won’t let them have her. I need you to know that, Antonio. I don’t care what happens or what the families try to decide for her. She’ll never be anything except mine.”
“I understand.” He and Gilly exchange a look.
“What?” I narrow my eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Antonio sighs and runs a hand down his face. “Angelica told me you and Bianca have …”
