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I’m not worthy of her.
I took her anyway.
It should have sated my desire. One taste and done. But no.
Instead of burning in hell when I die, I’m forced to live in hell now because one taste only fueled my aching need for more.
Once I left her room, I got in the shower, hoping to wash away my sin. Wash away Kate from my soul. I thought it might have worked until I found her in my room. Oh, sure, I acted like a dick, continued to treat her poorly, but inside… fuck.
I run my hands through my hair as the ache throbs. If I weren’t already sitting, it would bring me to my knees. I’m forced to rethink keeping her close. I have to acknowledge that I’m lying to myself when I say I need her here to protect her.
The truth is, I want her here because I can’t seem to free myself from the need for her. But it’s a distraction, one that neither of us can afford. Whatever the fuck is going on with me that can’t seem to live without her is going to get us both killed if I can’t overcome it.
The good news is that she hates me. She sees me as a murderous monster. It guts me even as I know it’s the right thing. I think she’ll comply with the rules now, but she won’t submit again. That will be my savior.
I pull my shit together and head down to my office, calling for Robbie to join me. I sit at my desk, considering asking Niko or Donovan to take Kate in.
Considering Niko’s wife is about to give birth, perhaps Donovan is a better choice. Plus, Lucy is no slouch when it comes to being fierce. Lucy is the one Kate had called, which suggests she’d be comfortable with the arrangement.
But I have to consider how it would look if I, the new leader of the Bratva, asked the Mafia for help. Sure, everyone knows I did work for Niko, but that was different. I wasn’t in the Bratva.
As a brand-new leader, it could look weak if I go to Niko beyond asking him to look out for Babichev. Then again, Babichev is on his heel and not stupid enough to fuck with Niko. Can I risk having the men who are still on the fence about my leadership decide to go with Babichev?
“What’s up, Boss?” Robbie enters my office. It’s late, and I imagine Cherry would rather he be in bed with her. Robbie would likely prefer that too, but we’re in a war and Robbie is a good soldier.
“I need to move Kate to another safehouse. Secluded. More secure.”
He nods. “I can make the arrangements. Do you have a specific location yet?”
I hesitate. I don’t worry about Robbie’s loyalty, but I’m not ready to pull the trigger and send Kate to Donovan. Still, I can move her closer. “New Jersey.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“No. Go be with Cherry.”
He smiles like a man who is looking forward to fucking his woman. “Will do, Boss.”
Once he leaves the office, I open my laptop and see a message from my FBI contact.
Picked up Golav. Trying to throw under the bus, but know he’s Babichev’s. Making him sweat. Stephans wants to offer WitPro.
I like Golav, one of Babichev’s men, being off the street, but I’m not thrilled about his going into Witness Protection. His living free could be a liability for me and Kate.
Watch your back. Babichev is off radar.
I return a quick thank you. Then in a weak moment, I ask about the possibility of putting Kate back in Witness Protection. Elena won’t like it, which means Niko won’t like it, but Kate’s safety trumps all.
I hit the Send key and the lights go out. Immediately, I’m on alert. Gunfire rings out, and I’m out of my chair like a shot, gun in my hand, bolting upstairs to Kate’s room.
I burst in just as shots shatter her window. “Get on the floor!”
Ignoring my own safety, I rush to the bed, grab her, and tug her onto the floor, covering her body as glass rains over us.
“Liam!” Her fingers clutch at my chest, and while it’s the wrong place, wrong time, I’m ridiculously happy that she’s not pushing me away. That she understands I’m going to do whatever I can to save her, even if it’s sacrificing my own life. Right now, I need to get her out of here.
When the bullets pause, I move quickly, pulling her with me out into the hall and toward the stairs, shouting commands down to my men.
I press her body against the wall as I block her. “Are you hurt?”
