Darkest Sins (Perfectly Imperfect #9)

“I won’t allow a potential threat to you to draw a single breath more than necessary!” I bellow. “Can you imagine my shock when I came across a contract for a hit with your picture on it? Or when I saw that the Sicilians already took the job? I couldn’t fucking breathe—too worried about your safety—while I was running around your home, trying to pick them off before one of the bastards could get to you!”

“Do not raise your voice at me. You saved my life, and I’m grateful for it. But that doesn’t mean you can yell at me.”

“You could have died,” I growl. “The kill order on you is closed now, and there won’t be one again. But that doesn’t mean that whoever submitted it won’t try using other means.”

This morning, I called Rafael, the head of the Sicilian group, and made sure they dropped the job. Then, I made another call—to a guy who acts as a mediator for all high-level hit jobs. I explained, in excruciating detail, what would happen to his insides after I’m done with him unless he takes down the listing of Nera’s hit. And, I extended the threat to anyone who considers taking on the job of killing my cub. I might not be sociable, but I know most people in my line of work. And, more importantly, they know of me.

Nera closes her eyes and swallows, gripping the handrests of her chair. Her hold is so hard that her knuckles are white, but she doesn’t seem to realize I can see right through her present bravado. It’s the first sign of unease she’s shown since I walked into the room. Even when I slashed the throat of her security chief, she barely batted an eye. When I got back to Boston two months ago, I noticed right away that she seemed different, but it was only today that I became aware of how significant that change is.

“All right,” she whispers and meets my stare. “You can oversee my security, and you’ll be compensated for your services. We’ll sign a contract with a six-month duration.”

My body tenses, each of her words scorching my soul. She wants to give me money in exchange for keeping her safe?

“I’m not signing a fucking contract with you, cub,” I growl. “And why six months?”

“That’s when my stepbrother gets released from prison. He’ll be taking over this shitshow from that point on.” She rises and walks across the room until she’s standing right next to me.“I’ll inform the household members and staff about the change in the security department. Someone will come to escort you to your accommodations. They are in the other building.”

With those words, she steps over the dead body lying in a pool of blood and leaves the room.

I grit my teeth and fix my gaze on the knife buried in the tabletop, trying to smother the urge to go after my cub. To take her in my arms and hold her to my chest like I wanted to last night. Like I’ve dreamed of doing every day for the three years I was rotting away at that damn compound, and during these past months, while I’ve secretly been watching over her again.

But I won’t do it. I won’t let the hands that killed her father touch her ever again. If I do, I won’t ever be able to let her go. The cold shoulder I can handle. I broke the promise I made to her, and I will accept the consequences of that. I will even sign that damn contract if it makes things easier for her.

Leaning forward, I wrap my fingers around the handle of the knife and pull out the blade.

But I will not be sleeping in the other building.

Chapter 32

“Yes, you’re to follow Mr. Mazur’s orders with regard to all security-related matters,” I say into the phone.

“But, Donna Leone . . . we had that surveillance equipment installed three months ago,” the butler says on the other side of the connection. “It’s top-of-the-line.”

“Did he elaborate on why he wants the equipment changed?”

“I tried asking, but that brute put a knife to my throat and warned me to either replace the equipment with what he ordered, or he’ll replace my head. I didn’t find it funny.”

“He wasn’t kidding, Timoteo. Just do what he says.” I cut the call and approach Zara, who’s standing by the window, looking out at the yard beyond, and ask, “Is he still doing ‘interviews’?”

“Yup.”

Kai had the entire security staff, all three shifts, called in. He had them line up in one long row next to the staff quarters building, like prisoners facing a firing squad. At first, I thought he might be asking each man about their credentials, special skills, or something like that, but he just told them to stand still. Twenty-six men, and all they’ve been doing is standing there with their backs to the wall for more than twenty minutes.

“What the hell is he doing?” I say under my breath, watching my demon as he waits in the middle of the lawn—hands in his pockets, observing the security guys.

“I’m not sure this was a wise decision,” Zara whispers.

“Yeah.” I press my forehead to the window frame. “But it’s the only way to keep us safe. Other than you, he’s the only person I trust completely.”

“He left you, Nera. You were pregnant with his child, and he just disappeared.”

“He didn’t know.”

“If he called you, even once, he would have.”

“Let me rephrase.” I let out a sigh. “He’s the only person I trust with our lives.”

“Are you going to tell him about Lucia?”