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Liam stormed off at one point and Jo wandered back to my side, handing me my phone. She’d showed up to the ER with a bag of clothes and shoes for me so at least I wasn’t in the stupid bridesmaid dress anymore. I tucked the phone into my pocket and kept watch over Jaime. I was exhausted, weaving on my feet, but I couldn’t go to sleep until I knew he was okay. Once he woke up, I could finally let myself rest.
“He got hurt protecting me once…” she murmured.
We’d been silently watching him for the most part but when she spoke I turned my attention onto her. She looked heartbroken.
“That’s why we’re so close. They nearly killed him and I got taken. We both suffered together and that kind of bond… Liam doesn’t really get it. It’s never been about what he thinks it is. After everything, while we both recovered, Jaime stayed by my side. And once we were better, he became my bodyguard full time. Jaime is a good man.”
Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I frowned at her. “Why are you telling me this?”
When she looked at me there was a look in her eyes I didn’t recognize from her. She wasn’t the kind and outgoing woman I’ve met. Her face was dark and her chin went up and when she spoke, her voice dripped with fury.
“I’m telling you this because I know what’s going to happen to your family for what they did. I want you to know it’s worth it. He’s worth it. The people who tried to hurt you? They aren’t.”
Shifting my gaze back to Jaime, I nodded. “I know.”
“It’s belated, I guess, but welcome to the MWC.”
When I frowned at her, she smiled softly. “The Mafia Wives Club. Where you have to go through something insane to end up with guys like ours.”
* * *
Not long later,Liam made Jo leave, despite her protests. With my father targeting their family, it wasn’t safe for her to stay so I promised to update her and he pulled her away. A few men would stay here to protect Jaime while the rest returned home to prepare for an all out mafia war. The doctor, who finally introduced himself as Liam’s brother Sean, set me up in a chair next to Jaime’s bed and I refused to move an inch until he finally opened his eyes and looked at me. His hand squeezed mine and I jerked my head up with a gasp.
“Hey baby.”
Relief flooded me and I immediately burst into tears, launching myself out of my seat. His hand dove into my hair the minute I slammed my lips to his and he refused to let up until the alarms went off and I yanked myself away from him. Dr. Sean came hustling in but when he saw Jaime’s hand grip on my hair as I leaned over him, he sighed.
“Seriously? You almost died a few hours ago and you’re already causing trouble?”
Jaime grinned. “Gotta keep you on your toes, man.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “Shut up. How are you feeling?”
He lifted a shoulder and winced. “Could be better, I guess.” His gaze moved to me. “You okay?”
I nodded quickly. “I’m okay. Jo did her job, Dmitriy showed up before they could take me.”
He let out a slow breath. “Remind me to thank her. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better–”
“Stop. Neither of us knew that was going to happen. He shot you!”
He actually looked annoyed. “I know. I’m sorry baby, but I look forward to returning the favor. I said it before, I’ll say it again. Your family is shit.”
I couldn’t argue that. He didn’t feel like my father anymore. He was very clear what he intended to do to me. I had no loyalties to him or anyone in my family anymore. He tried to kill the man I love, he deserves what’s coming to him.
“So, Doc. When can I get out of here?”
In an effort to spare Jaime from being pummeled by Dr. Sean, I kissed him quickly to shut him up. He was grinning like an idiot but I was so happy to see him alive that I didn’t really care. I just wanted him to be okay. Dr. Sean eventually moved him out of the ICU and into his own room with an absolutely massive hospital bed. Apparently the mafia wives have landed here so often that they’ve been upgrading things for when spouses eventually refuse to sleep anywhere but next to their significant others. Jaime took full advantage, pouting until I climbed into bed with him on his good side, cuddling close. I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat and just reminding myself that he’s okay. He’s alive. And once he was better, Liam wasn’t the only one going after my father. I had evidence against him, I was going to use it.
He said I wasn’t good enough at my job to be useful. I was going to show him exactly why people sought me out. He’s been underestimating me for years. Now the gloves were off and I was going to tear him to pieces. I’m Rebecca freaking Sloan. I can and I will, damnit.
ChapterThirty-Two
Jaime was allowedto go home after two days of being monitored. He has his own little apartment downtown but Liam refused to let him stay anywhere but with the family so he was set up in a room at the end of the hall on the second floor. A somewhat familiar room.
“Why do I feel like I’ve been here before?”
A slow grin passed over Jaime’s face. “That’s because you have.”
