“That’s it.” Clayton nearly screamed like a woman.
“On three,” Devin whispered, wrapping his hand around the doorknob.
I cocked my head slightly, dropping to my left knee. Blood roared in my ears as I readied myself for what was behind the door.
“One, two, three.” Devin pushed open the door.
I spotted Clayton right away, his naked back to me, standing in front of a table. I shot once and watched him drop.
Mia screamed as someone elbowed me in the kidneys, taking all the air out of me as I dropped to my knees.
Devin spun around, his eyes raging as he pointed his pistol at the person behind me and pulled the trigger. I spun around to see the man’s shoulder grazed. In an instant, I brought my pistol up and shot the man between the eyes. He fell toward me, but I dodged him and ran to Mia as Devin began to untie her ankles.
She was only dressed in her bra and underwear, her eyes wild as she searched my face as if I didn’t really exist.
“I’m here, baby. I’ve got you.”
Devin undid her wrists, and she reached up, cupping my face. “I knew you’d come for me. I knew it.”
“Your brother wanted to be here,” I whispered as she pressed her cheek against mine. “But I made him stay down the street.”
She nodded, not really listening to what I said. Regardless of how well she’d kept it together, she was falling into a state of shock.
“Okay, hun. I’m going to carry you to the car. We’re going home to your brother and Hannah. Everything’s going to be okay.” My eyes scanned her body, checking for wounds that needed to be cared for immediately. I didn’t see any, but that didn’t mean they didn’t exist.
I’ve got you,” I said softly, slipping my arm under her knees and under her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispered, burying her face into my chest.
“You have nothing to thank me for.”
Devin glanced around the garage, but I kept my gaze in front of me. I saw enough tools when I first stepped foot inside to know we got here just in time. I stepped over Clayton’s partner, careful not to leave any shoeprints in the blood, as I carried Mia outside.
“Is he dead dead?” she asked as I carried her through the yard.
“Yes, baby. He’s dead dead. It was something I should’ve done the first time.”
She let out a deep breath, and I held her tighter as we made our way through the darkness.
Dampness spread through my shirt as the first of Mia’s tears finally escaped, and I prayed I’d never have to let her go.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mia
“The tranquilizers will help take the edge off.” The doctor was talking to Luke at the end of my bed. “The fluids should help her regain strength.”
I hated that they were treating me like I couldn’t hear them. Drake was sitting next to me, watching them both, his hand wrapped around mine. I’d swallowed two pills and patiently waited for something good to come of it. Every breeze, creak, or rattle made my pulse spike.
“She needs sleep,” the doctor continued
“She is right here.” I couldn’t help myself. The doctor spun around and apologized.
Not to me.
To Drake.
“Mr. Volkov, I apologize. I shouldn’t be discussing this with—”
Drake parted his lips, but shut them quickly and glanced at me. The doctor followed his lead.
“Miss Dufort, please accept my apologies. The prescription I gave your brother should help take the edge off. I have given him a few pills until the prescription can be filled tomorrow. I’ll be right down the hall if there is anything you need tonight.”
“Thank you. I just don’t want to be invisible. I appreciate your help. I didn’t mean to—” I tried to swallow, but a lump formed in my throat. Why was I getting mad at this poor doctor?
“No apologies necessary. I’m at fault.” The doctor’s smile was kind, and he glanced at Drake, who gave a nod.
As the doctor left, the guy who’d been with Drake walked into my room.
“All taken care of?” Drake asked him.
“Like it never happened.” The guy glanced at Luke before coming over to the other side of my bed. Now more than ever, I didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t know if everyone could sense my fear, or if they were worried to let me be by myself. Either way, I was grateful for the company.
“I’m Devin Volkov, the good-looking brother.” He smiled and held out his hand.
I smiled and turned to look at Drake, who winked.
“How many brothers do you have again?” I asked him.
“Too many.” Drake grinned.
“I’ll be downstairs if you need anything,” Devin told his brother. “Same goes to you.” His striking blue eyes caught mine, and I definitely saw the family resemblance.
Before Devin made his way out, Luke stopped Devin and grabbed his hand, pulling him in.
“Thank you for risking what you did to save my sister.”
“That’s what we do. We have each other’s backs.” Devin glanced at his brother. “The world you want to believe we’re a part of is far more complicated than—”
“Devin,” Drake cut his brother off.
Devin let out a sigh, but he left the room while Luke made his way over.
“I don’t understand how you found me.” My eyes steadied on Drake’s. My chest was still tight from exhaustion and worry, but I couldn’t sleep.
“As soon as I got your text about the rose, I came right over. Your brother and I make a good team.”
I hid a smile and glanced at my brother, who didn’t dispute it.
“Try to get some rest,” Luke said, touching my forehead. “There’ll be all the time in the world to get answers.” He stood up and kissed my forehead, and I flinched.
Luke’s expression fell, and I felt horrible.
“Sorry.”
Luke shook his head. “I’m sorry for wasting my time focusing on the wrong man.” He glanced at Drake and nodded before exiting.
“I can’t tell if your brother likes me or not.” His brow quirked, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I can’t either.”
Drake laughed and shook his head.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I knew you’d come. I just didn’t want it to be too late. I was so worried it would be like . . .” I couldn’t finish, but Drake nodded.
“You’re safe now.”
“I wish I’d been stronger. I just can’t believe I let him sneak up on me. I wish could have been less—”
“You’re not at fault and have every right to live your life without some psycho changing who you are or what you do. I don’t surround myself with cowards, and you’re no exception.” He touched my cheek. “Your strength and resilience are inspiring. You survived. He didn’t.”
“Thank you for that.” I didn’t know what came over me, possibly exhaustion, but what tumbled out of my mouth next would have ended most conversations.
“My brother said that Artur’s fingers were chopped off.” Saying it aloud made my stomach turn. “His teeth were pulled, and . . .”
“Jesus.” Drake’s eyes widened, and he cringed in horror.
“What?” I whispered, tilting my head.
“Artur’s body was never found, but word on the street was that it only took a single bullet between the eyes. That usually does the trick. Of course, I wouldn’t know the details, but why would I—”
“You didn’t torture him before you . . .?” I interrupted, raising my brows.
He shook his head with a disgusted look on his face.
“I get the job done—whatever the job might be—but I don’t get off on this shit.”
“I just thought because of your sister, it was somewhat warranted.” I felt ridiculous for even justifying it now, but I was completely relieved that even he was horrified at the rumors.
“Does your brother think I did that?” he asked, his brows furrowing.
“I guess it pays to know what rumors are running on the streets about my family.”
“Probably makes your job easier, though. That kind of reputation. Street cred and all.”
“Street cred?” His lips curled into a smile.
I laughed.
“I don’t know whether to be flattered or frightened. I mean . . . you’d come back for more, even with that knowledge?” A glint of satisfaction flashed through his gaze.
“Well, when you put it that way.” I let out a sigh. “It does sound kind of crazy, but I figured you had a good reason.”
Drake’s smile widened, and he shook his head. “Maybe it was a chance encounter that led you to me after all. It takes a special kind of woman to reason like that.”
“Had I been any good at my job, you never would have noticed me that night.” I grinned, feeling the exhaustion deepen. The first dose was already working wonders in my system.
“That’s true,” he agreed. “But you’re impossible not to notice.”
Drake ran his hand along my arm, and even with everything I’d been through, I responded to his touch. What I was feeling for Drake wasn’t sexual. It was an undeniable connection that couldn’t be reasoned with and couldn’t be denied.
“What?” Drake touched my cheek, his eyes full of kindness.
“I just wonder if we’d met a different way, at a different time, if we’d have a shot.” I asked.
Sadness flashed through his gaze and he nodded. “I’ve wondered the same.”
I reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“You deserve a better life than what I can offer, Mia.” He bit his lip, and his gaze dropped to our hands.
I shook my head, and he stood up slowly, walking over to the window.
“All I could think about tonight was not being able to tell you how I feel,” I began. “I never meant to hurt you, and if I could take back how I lied to you about that night, I would.”
“You’re young, free to live your life however you want.” He dropped his head to his hand and rubbed his forehead. “You’ve got your whole life to look forward to, and I don’t see a way to fit into it.”
“Life isn’t about fitting in. It’s about expanding and finding the right people to let in,” I whispered, remembering how good it felt to be in his arms. “You’ve made me feel things I didn’t think possible. I’m not ready to let that go yet.” My lids were getting heavier, but I didn’t want to succumb. I wasn’t ready for sleep. I wasn’t ready for what the morning might bring.
Drake stepped away from the window and took a seat on the leather chair, locking his hands behind his head. It was impossible not to let my eyes canvas this man’s body. Every square inch of it was carved and sculpted with precision and strength, and more than once, he’d used it to save me.
“I didn’t know the opportunity spending one night with you would bring,” Drake said, his eyes fastening on mine.
“Opportunity?” I asked.
“It gave me the opening to imagine a different life.”
“What kind of life?” I asked.
“One that involved you.”
His words sent warmth through me.
“Then maybe we should start over as if we’d had a chance encounter in the city and none of this other stuff matters.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” He stood up and walked over to my bed.
“I wouldn’t ask you to change. I wouldn’t ask you to leave the life you lead.” My hand ran along his cheek.
“I know you wouldn’t, and that’s why I can’t—”
I sat up and slowly brought my lips to his. Our kisses deepened, and the desire to be held in his arms overwhelmed me.
“Stay with me,” I whispered between kisses.
He slid his lips from mine and nodded.
“Anything you want, Mia.” His eyes darkened as I looped my arms around his neck.
“I want this to work,” I whispered.
“I need it to work.” Drake slid next to me and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into the strength of his embrace before peace finally found me.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Drake
She sucked in a breath as she stared in the mirror in our walk-in closet. I knew she was trying hard to make a good impression, and that in itself made me lose it around her. Everything about Mia was goodness and light. She didn’t just light up my world. She brightened the lives of my brothers, and that was nearly an impossible challenge.
I shook my head and smiled. There was nothing for Mia to be worried about. All the Volkovs loved her, and my mom wouldn’t be an exception.
“You do realize you look sexy as hell, right?” My eyes raked over Mia. Her bare arms and dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a wave of desire followed. I could never get enough of this woman.
“I don’t think that’s the look I’m going for to meet your mom.” Mia laughed, and the sound made our house a home.
It didn’t matter if we were at her beach house in California or at my apartment in New York. All that mattered was that we were together. We’d been nearly inseparable for the last three months. I still had work to do, but now I had someone to come home to, and it somehow lessened the burden of my job.
“Blake said she hates all women you boys bring home.” Her eyes widened, looking at me in the mirror. “And I can’t afford to fall into that category.”
“He might be slightly over-exaggerating.” I sucked on my lip, willing myself to behave.
“I’m changing. Not worth the risk.” She huffed, but before she had a chance to turn around, I slid my finger under the spaghetti strap of her dress and slid it to the side.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, her voice wavering.
“Making love to the woman who saved me from myself.”
Her eyes connected with mine in the mirror, and longing flooded through my body at an unstoppable pace.
“You’re too smooth for your own good,” she breathed.
I spun her slowly as I peeled her dress down her body, dropping it to the floor. She stepped out of it, and her breath caught.
“We shouldn’t. We can’t be late.” She said the words, but her eyes told another story.
We were each other’s drug. She was the only one who could satisfy my craving, and I needed her now.
I cupped her chin between my fingers and ran my mouth across hers, her breath catching at my absence, which told me everything I needed to know.
“I love you, Mia Dufort,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers as her gaze stayed on mine.
“I love you,” she whispered, bringing her mouth back to mine.
She tasted sensational. She always did.
The urge to take her right here overpowered common sense. I kicked a pile of folded clothes out of the way and laid her on top of the chaise.
She tipped her head, her gaze filled with the same longing I felt running through my body as I ran my fingers along her pink lace bra.
Mia licked her lips and wiggled toward me in the way that told me she was ready. I smiled and reached my hands under her back, unfastening the clasp, and freeing her breasts.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, circling her arms around my neck and bringing my lips down to hers.
I loved everything about her. The way her tongue swirled against mine, the way she knew where to move her hands, how to leave me wanting so much more. She parted her lips, and my tongue moved deeper into her mouth, her warm breath filling me with desire.
Her hands quickly worked open the buttons down my shirt, her fingers tracing along my chest. The softness of her touch made me so hard that my ache for her was deliciously painful.
“We’re going to be late,” she murmured.
My fingers pushed the lace aside, feeling her softness as her body trembled from my touch. Heat climbed through my body with overwhelming desire.
&
nbsp; “I don’t care,” I growled.
She giggled, and I moved my mouth to her breasts, the nipples hardening under the light sweep of my tongue. Her body arched into mine as I took more of her into my mouth, my fingers still working her into a delirious state.
She let out a moan, and my body shuddered from the sound.
“Please,” she whispered, her eyes locking on mine, pleading with me.
I stood up, and her eyes canvassed my chest as I kicked off my pants.
“How did I get so lucky?” she asked, moving her arms above her head and wriggling her hips to entice me. She slowly licked her lips, and I grinned.
“I feel like you always knew what you were doing.” My eyes narrowed on this beautiful goddess, and I knew I was the luckiest man alive. “Like I played right into your hands.”
“Quite possibly.”
I hovered over her, taking in every single thing about the woman I loved and would forever spend my life with.
I would always protect Mia, no matter the cost. She was my everything.
Her fingers lightly scraped my back and dug into my skin as I nudged her legs apart. I balanced on my elbows as I entered her, feeling the tightness surround me as I felt her body quiver under mine.
“I love you more than life itself,” I said as she closed her eyes, feeling me inside her.
She was mine, and I’d never let go. I pressed into her as deeply as I could, her body working with mine as she wrapped her legs around my waist, her body quivering.
I let myself go as she tightened around me, and my body shook in an ecstasy only Mia could bring. I tried not to collapse onto her as I caught my breath.
I opened my eyes to see Mia looking back at me, smiling. She combed her fingers through my hair, and I shook my head.
“Maybe that dress is too much,” I whispered, and she giggled.
I climbed off and made my way to the shower. She quickly caught up and climbed into the warm water, her small hands working the soap into a sudsy lather all over my body.
“Now, I think you’re the one trying to make us late.” I looked into her eyes and saw the woman I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with.
Mia: A Standalone Romantic Suspense: A Luke Fletcher and V Mafia Crossover Novel (Luke Fletcher Series Book 4) Page 18
