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Death.
I can’t stop. I keep ripping off the leaves with all the vigor I wish I could put into silencing the gunfire still ringing from Mirko’s open window. My fingers are cramping, and my palms are raw from pulling at the branches of the bush, but I don’t stop until there isn’t even a single red leaf left within arms’ reach. The low-hanging branches of the shrub are stripped, many broken. But the ruin I’ve caused is a futile result of my impotent rage.
I wish I could rip out the feelings I have for my husband as easily as the leaves. Just tear them out and throw them away.
People say that loving someone is the most amazing feeling ever. It’s not. It is absolutely the worst. The more you love them, the more it’ll hurt when they’re gone.
The deafening sounds of the gunfight suddenly cease. I look up to see Keva closing the window above my head, cutting off the radio broadcast. It’s somehow easier like this, no longer hearing what is happening.
Zeus takes a tentative step toward me and nudges my shoulder with his nose. He’s been observing me as I lost my shit this entire time and hasn’t interfered. I wrap my arm around his neck and stare at the destruction laid bare at my feet.
* * *
The rumble of approaching vehicles brings me out of my thoughts. Several cars, and the distinct roar of a bike, fill the stillness of the night. The men are back. I should run and see if Drago is okay, but I can’t make myself move. My foolish idea is that if I stay hidden, bad news can’t find me. Have I reverted into a naive child covering my face with my hands, believing that the bogeyman won’t come?
“Three hours ago?” Drago’s voice reaches me. “If she’s not found within the next five minutes, I’m going to gut someone! Sienna!”
I take a deep breath. He’s okay. Angry as hell, judging by all the yelling, but okay.
Crawling from under the branches of the burning bush, I leave my hiding place and rush across the lawn toward the front of the house. My hands and pants are stained with soil and vegetation, and I’m pretty sure I have some twigs and leaves in my hair, as well.
Drago is in the middle of the driveway, holding the guard I passed earlier by the front of his shirt and shouting into the man’s face. He notices me as I come closer, and shoves the man away. The ambient light falls on his face, revealing every sharp line. His jaw is clenched, his nostrils flaring, as he glares at me through narrowed eyes. He looks ready to strangle me. I stay rooted to the spot as he approaches. His long but slow strides eat up the ground until his chest almost bumps my face.
“What the fuck are you doing outside in the middle of the night?” His voice is low and strangely steady. A calm before the storm.
I raise my hands and press them to his chest, then slowly glide my palms down across his rock-hard abs. When I’m done with the front of his torso, I trail my fingers up his arms to his shoulders and down again on the other side, checking every part of him. No injuries. His back is next. I press my forehead over his breastbone and slide my hands under his jacket. Nothing at the small of his back. I glide my palms upward and over his shoulder blades, making sure I don’t miss a spot. This is as high as I can reach. I think his shirt would be wet if he was shot higher, but I need to be absolutely sure.
I step back, take the front panels of his jacket, and start pulling it off.
“Sienna.” His voice is hushed. Soft.
“Shhhh.” I throw the jacket on the ground and shuffle around him to scan his other side.
There are no blood stains on his shirt, but I rise onto my toes and pass my palms over the tops of his shoulders, and his upper back just in case. When I’m done, I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek on the expanse of his back.
“Satisfied?” he asks, turning around to face me.
I nod and tighten my hold on him.
“You have leaf crap in your hair, Sienna. Care to explain?”
I shake my head. He can think whatever he wants. Maybe he’ll decide that I’m nuts.
Rising on my tiptoes, I pull him down for a kiss, then jump into his arms. Drago’s lips feast on mine, sucking and biting as he carries me inside the house and up three flights of stairs. Only when we reach our bedroom does he release me from his hold, and only for a moment while we tear off each other’s clothes. And then, I’m in his arms again. Trailing a line of kisses along his chin before peppering them all over his face. He’s alive. He’s okay.
Chapter 19
I trail my hand along the soft skin of Sienna’s back and thread my fingers into her hair. She stirs a little, pressing her face into the crook of my neck. We had sex three times last night, but having her naked body plastered to mine keeps my cock perpetually semi-hard. Any slight brush of her delectable curves across my groin, and I’m instantly ready to go. For a moment, I consider waking her for another round, but then change my mind and keep massaging her scalp. She needs to rest. Instead, I use my free hand to grab my phone off the nightstand.
Last night, my wife sent me a bunch of messages, but there was too much shit going on, so I read only the first three and never had the chance to respond. At the time, they came across as trivial, but as I scan over the message thread now, I realize it was anything but.
22:23 Sienna:I need to go buy some cosmetics tomorrow.
23:39 Sienna:You should take Zeus to the vet. I think he has an ear infection.
23:48 Sienna:Found the shoes you got me. You need a better hiding place.
23:57 Sienna:I think I’d like to go to your club again.
