Boston Underworld: The Collection

by A. Zavarelli

  I swallow down the emotion in my throat and focus on Lachlan. I can’t believe they have to do this, because of me. It’s painful to watch, and I’m pissed as hell that Lach didn’t tell me about it. Before things get too bad, I take out my phone and send a quick text to Sasha to let her know what’s happening. Even though Ronan won’t admit it, I think it would mean a lot to him if she took care of him after.

  The way that I plan to take care of Lach.

  I shove my phone back into my pocket and cringe when Boris throws out a hook and socks Lachlan right in the jaw. He goes down with this one, and Ronan has to hold me back as I watch the Russian climb on top of Lach. He throws another series of punches, and blood is flying off of Lachlan’s face from every hit.

  “Tell him to tap out!” I yell at Ronan.

  But Lach won’t. He’s too fucking stubborn for that.

  I’m sobbing now, waving my arms across the room at Johnny, trying to get his attention. I need him to stop this. I need him to call it. He sees me waving frantically and gives me a sad shake of his head.

  It’s not over yet. Not until Lachlan taps out or knocks out.

  I watch in horror as the guy pummels Lachlan into the ground relentlessly. Ronan is holding me back, and I’m screaming hysterically while people around me look at me like I’m insane. When his arms go limp and he stops fighting, I start screaming at Johnny again.

  And finally, he calls the match.

  I barely make it into the ring before I collapse onto Lachlan, pleading for him to be okay.

  42

  MACKENZIE

  LACHLAN IS on a good dose of Oxy and whatever else the new doc at the fights pumped him full of before he sent us on our way.

  Now I’m sitting in the bedroom with him, stroking his hair beneath my fingers. I know he’s okay, because he briefly woke up on the way home a few times. He refused to go to the hospital, but Conor’s got another doctor coming over to check up on him and Ronan. Sasha is in the parlor with him, and he’s in about as good of shape as Lach is.

  I’m not expecting any other company, nor do I want it. So when Niall pokes his head into the room, it catches me off guard.

  “Mind if I have a seat?” he asks.

  I give him a tight smile. Like he even needs to ask. I’m still not sure what to make of this guy. But Lach respects him, and so I will too, for his sake.

  “It was a very noble thing he did, wouldn’t ye say?”

  “Noble,” I mutter. “Or stupid. Depending on who you ask.”

  Niall smiles at me.

  “His loyalty to ye has surprised me, I must admit. I didn’t see that coming.”

  “That makes two of us,” I answer. “Is that his payment finished now?”

  “Aye.” Niall nods. “They’ve agreed to wipe the slate clean. And ye know what Lachlan has agreed to give up for ye.”

  I stare at his face in its relaxed state of sleep and wonder if I’m being selfish by wanting to hang onto him. But I can’t let him go either.

  “Do ye love him too, then?” Niall asks.

  “Yes.” I blink back my tears. “More than anything.”

  “Would ye stand by him then,” Niall says. “No matter what may come?”

  “Yes.”

  “Give him children and be loyal to him for the rest of your days?”

  “Of course.”

  “Are ye not afraid to walk this path with him?” Niall asks.

  “Not if he’s by my side,” I reply.

  Niall smiles, and it’s genuine. “Then I believe the lad has chosen well. He’s proven his loyalty beyond measure. And for that, he will be rewarded.”

  It takes me a moment to catch on, but when I do, I feel pride swelling in my chest. “You’re going to promote him?”

  Niall stands and walks towards the door. “I think he’s earned it.”

  And with that, he disappears down the hall.

  A week has passed since Lachlan took the fall at the fights. He’s mostly better now, except for a few bumps and bruises. After I chewed him out, I spoiled him in every way that I could think of. Which included a lot of makeup sex and pancakes.

  Niall stopped by to see him again when he was in a more lucid state of mind to break the news. In fact, the house has had more people in it these last few days than it ever has.

  Scarlett’s been hanging out around a lot. She’s in this world now too, whether I wanted it or not. And Rory can’t seem to take his eyes off her. It’s too bad for him that I know Scarlett won’t let him in. She never lets anyone in.

  Tonight’s the night it all becomes official. The syndicate will promote Lach in some sort of private ritual and then we’re all going to celebrate at Slainte. I’ve spent the last two hours getting ready and trying to pick a dress out. When I finally feel like I’ve decided, Lach appears in the doorway, looking as handsome as ever in his normal clothes.

  “I’ve got something to say to ye,” he announces.

  I tear my eyes away from the closet and move towards him. “Okay, what is it?”

  His fingers are tapping against his thigh again.

  “I know ye didn’t want this life,” he says. “Ye had no desire to be a part of this world…”

  His words drift off and he looks at me, his face uncertain as he continues.

  “And maybe it’s selfish of me to want to bring you into it,” he says. “But I do. I want to take care of ye, and protect ye, and any future children we might have as well. I swear to ye that I will. That I will do right by you, and the syndicate will too. You’ll never have to worry about that again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want ye to marry me, Mack,” he says.

  His words send a jolt of both terror and excitement through me. I never thought I’d be the marrying type. I’m so not that girl. But looking up at Lachlan, and after everything we’ve been through together, there’s no question in my mind. I would marry this man today if he’d still have me. I don’t care what anyone else thinks or says. But there’s something else weighing down my hopes.

  “Is it because you have to?” I ask. “To keep me alive?”

  “No.” His face grows serious. “There’s an out if ye want one. A whole new identity. Alexei can set ye up elsewhere if that’s what ye want.”

  His entire body is tense, and I can see how much he wants this. Wants me. Maybe it’s crazy, but I want him too. I can’t let him go. I reach up and stroke his face, and he closes his eyes and relaxes beneath my touch.

  “Every King needs his Queen, right?”

  “What?” his eyes fly open and he pulls me closer.

  “Yes, Lachlan.” I smile. “I will proudly be your wife.”

  Forgetting his injuries, he kisses me hard and then groans.

  “How much time do we have before we go?” I ask.

  Lachlan pulls me over to the bed and starts to undress. “When it comes to you, Mack, I’ve always got time.”

  EPILOGUE

  MACKENZIE

  “THIS IS CRAZY,” Sasha whispers. “I can’t believe you really did it.”

  “I know,” I agree.

  I think I’ve gone half mental. “I’m in it for life now.”

  This afternoon, in front of all of these people, Lachlan and I got married. I swore a blood oath to remain loyal to my husband and followed it up with a hand fasting ceremony. I’m not the flowers and white Cinderella dresses type of girl, which turned out for the best. He made me wear blue. An Irish thing, apparently. There were also some bracelets that involved bells and something about fairies, most of which I didn’t understand. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered to me was the man standing at the end of the aisle, vowing to love and protect me until his last breath. I know he meant it too.

  After everything that’s happened, I was honestly pretty gobsmacked at how easily Niall accepted me into the fold. And even though I can’t help it, there’s still a part of me that feels guilty for all of this. Because Talia couldn’t be here. It’s a bittersweet m
oment as I look out at the new family that has accepted me as one of their own. The thing that I always wanted, and now I finally have. I know that every single one of these men will kill for me now if need be, and my future children as well. They’ve already fought for me. For Lachlan. And for that reason alone I will stay loyal to the organization that protects him.

  Lachlan grins at me from across the room and beckons for me. Everybody is here. Literally, like every frigging member of their outfit and their wives and girlfriends and kids and anyone else they could squeeze into the club.

  “You better go to him,” Sasha teases. There’s a note of sadness in her voice and loneliness in her eyes. “He’ll just come to you if you don’t.”

  “That’s the way it should be,” I tell her with a grin. “Make them work for it every once in a while.”

  She laughs, and I glance across the room towards Ronan. He still hasn’t fully forgiven me, but he is grunting responses now instead of the full on silent treatment. So I guess we’re getting somewhere.

  “You should go dance with Ronan,” I suggest.

  Sasha laughs and shakes her head. “Naw. He’s not the dancing type.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I agree. “He’s more of the sit in the corner and brood type. Maybe you could go brood with him then?”

  She smiles and shrugs, but I know she won’t. The two of them are both more stubborn than Lachlan and I by far, and that’s saying a lot.

  Speaking of the devil, he snakes his arms around my waist and kisses the side of my neck. “Come with me.”

  I don’t have much of a choice since he practically drags me down the hall to his office. He shuts the door behind us, and a minute later he’s got me on his desk, rubbing his hands all over my body.

  “Mrs. Crow.” He unzips his pants and holds his cock in his hand like a weapon as he stares down at me seriously. “Are ye ready for me to put a baby in you?”

  I bite my lip to keep from laughing and nod instead. He’s acting so serious. Like his sheer determination and will is what’s going to do it. I’ve been off the pill for months, and once things finally settled between the territories, we agreed to start trying. Now we go through this every other week when he gets it into his head that this time is going to be the time.

  Maybe it’s wrong to want to bring a baby into this life. But I want these things with Lach. I can’t deny that. I want the whole package. And Lachlan is more protective than ever. We even moved into a new house with full time security. It’s a little over the top, but after everything that’s happened he’s not taking any chances with me.

  He cups my face as he positions himself between my legs and pushes inside of me. He only just had me this morning, but I knew he wouldn’t be able to wait. I don’t want to either. I grab his ass and pull him deeper with a groan.

  He takes his time with me, even though we have a room full of people out there waiting for us. I wait until his breathing grows harsh and then I reach up and bring my lips to his ear.

  “Lachlan.”

  “Aye, sweetheart?” he grunts.

  “You’ve already put a baby inside me.”

  I smile when he comes unexpectedly and then blinks open his eyes, staring at me in disbelief.

  “Ye’re joking.”

  “Nope,” I laugh. “I took a test this morning. Five of them in fact.”

  “Holy shite,” he mutters.

  And then he kisses me hard and deep.

  “I love you,” I murmur against him.

  He brushes his lips down my throat, and I can already feel him swelling inside of me as he thinks about what he’s accomplished.

  “I’m completely mad for ye, sweetheart.”

  We’re both smiling at each other when something breaks the silence between us. It’s my cell phone. And normally I wouldn’t even think twice about answering it. Except for the fact that everybody I already know is right here in this building.

  Lachlan sees the expression on my face, and hands me my bag. I rifle through it and flip open the phone, bringing it to my ear.

  “Hello?”

  “Mack?”

  My heart leaps into my throat and tears spring to my eyes when I hear the voice on the other end of the line. “Talia?”

  “Yes,” she whispers. “It’s me.”

  “Are you okay?” I ask. “Please tell me you’re okay.”

  “I’m okay,” she answers. “I can’t talk very long though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I just…” Her voice cracks, and then it grows stronger and more determined with every word. “I just wanted you to know that I’m okay. And that you shouldn’t worry about me anymore.”

  “What do you mean don’t worry about you?” I demand.

  “I’m safe,” she repeats. “And I’m not coming home.”

  “Talia…”

  “I have to go, Mack,” she says. “I just wanted to say congratulations on your wedding. And that I love you, and I miss you so much. But I’m okay now, and I have you to thank for that.”

  I don’t even get a chance to reply, because she hangs up, and the line goes dead. I look up at Lachlan, and we both say it at the same time.

  “Alexei has found her.”

  * * *

  THE END

  REAPER

  BOSTON UNDERWORLD #2

  Sasha.

  He’s dark and mysterious. Quiet and lethal.

  An Irish mobster.

  Pure sin wrapped up in a beautiful package.

  But there’s also something off about him.

  He doesn’t feel anything. He shows no emotions.

  Sometimes I question his humanity.

  He hasn’t spoken to me in two years. Not a single word.

  But we share a secret, he and I.

  And if it ever comes out, I have no doubt in my mind…

  He won’t have a problem killing me too.

  Ronan.

  I’ve slain for her. I’ll do it again.

  When it comes to Sasha, there isn’t a line I won’t cross.

  I watch her. She doesn’t know it.

  She thinks I hate her. Sometimes, I think I might too.

  But I’m always there, lurking in the shadows.

  Craving her. Trying to keep the beast within at bay.

  I’ll keep her safe. I’ll slaughter anyone who tries to hurt her.

  The only thing I can’t do… is protect her from myself.

  PLAYLIST:

  Lonely Day- System of a Down

  Magnetic- Flyleaf

  Your Guardian Angel- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

  Battlescars- Guy Sebastian

  Say Something- A Great Big World

  Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day

  Perfect- Pink

  Animals- Maroon 5

  If I Ever Leave This World Alive- Flogging Molly

  Broken- Seether and Amy Lee

  Angel- Theory of a Deadman

  Love the Way You Lie- Eminem &Rihanna

  Set me on Fire- Flyleaf

  Jar of Hearts- Christina Perri

  My Darkest Days- Perfect

  Thread- Flyleaf

  Stand by You- Marlisa

  I Will Follow You into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie

  All or Nothing- Theory of a Deadman

  All Around Me Flyleaf

  My Demons- Starset

  Stand by You- Rachel Platten

  PROLOGUE

  SASHA

  “I DON’T like you going out with that guy,” Ma says.

  I bend down to zip up my boots so she can’t see the expression on my face.

  “It’s fine, Ma. I can handle him.”

  “I just don’t understand, Sasha.” She launches into another one of her tirades. “I raised you to be a good girl. You were always such a good girl. You had the smartest, brightest future ahead of you. A real chance to get out of this neighborhood and do something with your life. Now you’re wrapped up with these guys…”

  She gl
ances at my sister Emily across the room as if the very mention of the word mafia might influence her too. The disappointment is plastered all over both their faces every time they see me with Blaine. They don’t know why I do what I do. They’ve got no idea, but it’s better that way.

  Safer.

  I squeeze my eyes shut and try to blink away the pressure behind them. Five things, my father’s voice echoes inside my head. Find five things you can smell, hear, see, and touch. Ground yourself, Sasha.

  So I do.

  Nobody knows this about me. That I do this almost ten times a day. I’ve always been wound too tight. My Ma didn’t know how to handle it, like many other things, so she left it up to dad. His voice calmed me. The humble voice of a hardworking man who loved and provided for his family. If he were here right now, he’d know exactly what I should do. Exactly how to stop me from drowning.

  But he isn’t here. He hasn’t been since I was twelve and he died from a heart attack on Emily’s birthday. Now it’s just the three of us, living like a house with no foundation.

  Ma falls into another coughing fit, and my stress comes back full force.

  “You need to go back to the doctor,” I bitch at her. “You’ve been hacking like that for weeks. I don’t like it. You smoke too much.”

  She throws her hands up and curses at me in Portuguese. Although she moved from Brazil at a young age, she still uses her native tongue frequently when she gets hot headed. Which is pretty much all the time.

  “I smoke too much because I’m always worried about the two of you.” She reaches up and tugs on her hair. “You give me all of these gray hairs. Make me look like an old woman.”