The harbor is deserted, silent with the hum of cars in the background dying behind angry, crashing waves.
I didn’t expect to actually be standing on the docks of Boston Harbor, watching a large ship coast through the dark waters toward us. When Lex explained what we were doing, I didn’t think he meant these docks. I thought he meant the strip club The Dock in the back alley of Little Italy, between the Polish bakery and laundromat.
In the cool air, saltwater spray hits my makeup-free face as a plastic bag floats by on the dark water. Lex’s hand grips mine firmly, grounding me.
The way he comforted me, took care of me, admitted to loving me, sits like a burning coal in my chest but it doesn’t hurt. It warms me, practically making me glow in the night.
He didn’t ask me if I loved him, because he won’t push. But I know, in my heart, that I do.
I just don’t know if I’m ready to voice it. By admitting I love Alessio De Luca, it makes this marriage real. It means never running away again. It means having someone here, through the good and bad times. That someone, Lex, will always be in my corner.
It terrifies me to know he won’t leave. Even after the chaos, the mess, the fights. Lex is still here, wanting me. No one has ever done that before.
If I’m being truly honest with myself, I’m scared to screw this up. If I admit to loving him, this all becomes very real, and I have a very bad habit of screwing up good things in my life. Or running from them before they can get good. I don’t want to run from Lex anymore.
“You’re looking better,” a deep voice says to my right.
The man who was in Lex’s office earlier, who I’ve seen haunting my family’s home the last few weeks stands to my side.
Recognition lights my face. He looks different. Older. More calculating.
Also not wearing the alternative rock band tees, he was so fond of in our youth.
“Killian?”
Lex starts, wrapping me into his arms. His protectiveness shields me from the hitman.
It won’t work, given who Killian is.
“So you do remember me.”
“Hard to forget someone like you.” I laugh, hearing the growl of displeasure from my husband.
Killian Linwood has been a permanent fixture in my family’s home since he was a boy. A kid my father found on the streets, he’s been in and out of our lives for almost two decades. My father adored him, revered him even.
He was my father’s favorite runner, promoted to higher ranks almost immediately. He didn’t spend much time with me, but when he was home, he was always available for an impromptu fashion show or to watch me twirl in my tutu.
“You know each other.” Lex’s voice is tight, jaw clenched.
“Of course.” I jerked a thumb to the man and smile. “He’s been living in my house for years. If Pops’ favorite wasn’t already Collins, I would have assumed Killian took that title.”
Killian smirks, rocking back on his heels. I didn’t recognize him in the manor, probably too focused on the fact I’d be meeting my future husband, but now, it’s easy to see the boy who showed up one night and never left.
Dark, black eyes that are absent of light, with pale olive skin that seems more pallor than bright. Probably from working too many nights. He’s always been tall, he’s got a few inches on Lex, yet nowhere as bulky.
“Does Maeve know you’re here? She must. You’re probably staying at the house.”
His face closes off. “Not exactly.”
Odd. Maeve and Killian grew up together, only a few years apart. There was always a rivalry between them that bled over to things outside of clan matters.
One time, Maeve stabbed Killian in the arm for trying to take the last chocolate cupcake after dinner. He has a nasty scar down his forearm.
If he’s here, it’d only make sense Maeve should know about it.
Before I can ask, the ship blows a low horn, alerting us to their presence. Startled, Lex holds me tighter, keeping me from falling over.
Tony stands on Lex’s other side, arms crossed, bald head reflecting the spotlight from ahead. There’s a dark mark on his neck and I know that’s from my hysterics in the office. He doesn’t appear to hate me though, shaking my hand before we stood, waiting for the ship to dock.
A heavy rope is thrown over the side, a few dockhands grabbing and securing it. They appear out the shadows, just to return to it once the rope is knotted.
All the men watch the boat and hold still, as if waiting for something. Glancing to Killian, I elbow him. “What are we doing?”
Rolling his eyes, I can’t help but smirk. It’s the same annoyed face he used to give us kids whenever we’d follow him around and beg for him to play with us.
“We aren’t doing anything.” He looks pointedly at Lex’s arm around my shoulders. “We’re checking shipments. You’re staying here.”
“I am not,” I argue, feeling Lex’s eyes on us. He doesn’t intervene though, trusting me to handle this. “I’m as much into this as any of you. Even more so. I’m married into it. What are you? My sister’s lapdog?”
“Menace,” Lex cautions, but Killian just smirks.
“Woof.”
“Asshole.”
“Sloane.”
“To answer your question, Sloane,” Killian drawls, withdrawing a cigarette from his pocket, lighting the tip with a practiced ease. “I am here because your husband asked for my help. You shouldn’t be here. Do you want to know why?”
“Why?”
“Because if you get hurt or something happens to you and she finds out, she’ll burn this entire fucking city to the ground.” He shoots Lex a telling look. It’s almost pitying.
I’m still stuck on Killian’s words, his declaration that Maeve will avenge me. Does he know something I don’t? Maeve’s retaliation is legendary, and I’m sure she’ll react to protect what I am—a liability—but it intrigues me to know my big sister might actually fight for me.
She’s never fought for me. At least, to my knowledge.
Killian flicks away ash. “Or will, once she finds out about earlier today. You better pray you know what you’re doing, heir.”
Lex growls, “Stop worrying about my job and fucking do yours, reaper.”
The ship finally stops, engines turning off. A few men call down and Tony answers in a clipped, cold tone. Killian doesn’t look back to me or Lex but takes the lead up the metal walkway, boots stomping in his hurry. He flicks the cigarette into the ocean.
Lex grabs the back of my neck, turning me to face him. “Remember, little menace, you follow my orders. Don’t speak to anyone up there. Don’t leave my fucking side.” His jaw clenches, irritation pulling at his features. He’s worried about me.
Tilting my head, I let my fingers smooth his brow. I know it’s because this marriage became real to him when he admitted to loving me. Just like it is to me, will be when I say those words back. “You’re worried.”
“About your safety, yes.” He leans into my touch, soaking up my warmth. “You shouldn’t pick fights with Linwood.”
I smile, rolling my eyes. “Dear husband, are you worried that the hitman will hurt me?”
Lex stares at me, eyes plagued with frustration and anxiety. “If he so much as breathes the wrong way in your direction, I’ll put two bullets between his eyes.”
My smile grows because I know he means it. Lex will do everything to keep me safe.
It’s the first time I’ve ever had that. Unwavering safety and loyalty.
“I know. But he won’t.” I kiss his cheek innocently. “And you don’t have to worry about up there.” I point to the ship. “I know you’ll keep me safe. You’ll protect me.”
“With my whole life, menace. Every single bit.” He kisses me passionately, sucking in my breath and keeping it inside his soul. “Remember, you’re with me. No words. Just silence. Understood?”
I nod, tasting him on my lips. He gives me another chaste kiss, pulling me up the walkway.
Once on board, Lex directs me to the far corner where three large crates are sitting. Killian is already digging into one crate, Tony holding a light over him, a clipboard in the other.
For being drugs, this seems very official, almost routine.
“Crate one passes,” Killian drones, throwing a package of pink pills back down. The same pills Danica had given me the night in Lex’s club.
They move to the next one, Tony making a note on his paper.
A man with more hair than teeth hobbles over to Lex’s side. He smells like day-old body odor and seaweed and when I glance at him, he’s staring pointedly at my chest.
Lex clears his throat, pushing me just slightly behind his body. The captain doesn’t even look the least bit remorseful.
I see the anger start to swirl in my husband’s eyes at the disrespect.
“Ah, Alessio,” the man greets, palming the gun in his waistband. “Wasn’t expecting you. Where’s Dom?”
“Marco. He called in sick,” Lex says tightly, ignoring the weapon. I can see Lex’s gun on his hip and the outline of another behind his back. At least I was smart enough to grab my knife and put it into my coat pocket. “Is there a problem?”
“None at all, sir.” The man bows, but it’s done sarcastically.
Lex notices it too and his lips curve into a frown.
A few men walk by, hanging over the deck. I see a few of them higher up, watching the dock for anyone coming that’s not accounted for. There’s a gleaming gun in every man’s hand.
The tension in the air rises as these two men have a stare down. It tickles the nape of my neck and I still, holding my breath, waiting for something to happen.
“Crate two passes,” Killian continues, stalking to the final crate. Either he doesn’t feel the tension or doesn’t care. Tony follows along, adjusting the light and paper, making a few marks without looking up.
“Forgive me for asking, Alessio,” the captain asks slowly. “But why are you here? If Dom was sick, you could have sent another man to direct us.”
Lex drops my hand, pulling his gun quicker than I can blink. The click of the safety being turned off, as well as a few other dozen guns locking pulls my attention.
My body freezes, blood pumping loudly in my ears.
Fight or flight takes over and apparently, I can only freeze. Just like in the alleyway, just like here, I’m locked, fear coursing through my veins like a poison.
A body comes up alongside me, brushing the cuff of my wool jacket. Cool mint hits me and I try to still my heart. Killian edges into my vision on my right, while Tony stands by my left. Both have guns expertly training on the captain, each of their shoulders providing a shield if a stray bullet were to hit me.
Lex doesn’t look back at me, but I feel his awareness. He did this. He made sure I would be covered if things went south on this ship.
He places the barrel of the gun against the captain’s forehead and snarls, “Because I’m the buyer of your product, Marco.” The man winces against the tip. “Because it’s my neck that’s on the line for these shipments and for some reason, over the last few weeks, they’ve all gone missing.”
“That’s not me!” the smelly guy yells, hands up high. “I swear. I come in, Dom checks the crates, and they leave. I swear it!”
“Then you won’t mind answering some questions.” Lex shoves one more time before removing the gun. “We have a man who excels in getting the right information.”
Marco’s eyes dart from Lex, to me, then Killian at my side. His bottom lip trembles in fear.
“I believe you’re familiar with Killian Linwood.” His pale face goes ghost white, fright knocking his knees together like a ringing bell.
“No. No. I’ll do anything. Anything but him.” I almost feel sorry for him.
Killian just smiles. And it’s then I see the man everyone has been so afraid of. The man Lex thought would hurt me for speaking out of turn.
The captain does something daring. He raises his gun at me.
I take one step back, fear pushing me to run. Another gun in my face in the span of twenty-four hours and everything slows.
Lex reacts instantly. His gun rises once more, three bullets striking the captain. Two in the head and one in the throat.
The body drops with a wet plop, and the rest of the crew freezes, no one daring to strike now. My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline surging into my limbs.
Air rushes out between parted lips as his blood seeps into the floor, trailing toward my Gucci boots.
Lex killed a man. For me. To keep me safe.
I should be frightened, terrified. Instead, I’m grateful my husband chose to protect me than second guess his morals. He chose me, over everything else.
“Killian, grab that one,” Lex dictates to a crew hand to our left. He looks ready to vomit. “Tony, call a crew to come clean this up.”
He steps over the body, grabbing my hand. Carefully, he searches my eyes, smiling as he notices not one trickle of fear mars my face. I’m not afraid of him.
“For your Captain daring to rise his weapon at my wife, I’ll be sure to give Linwood extra time,” he says to the man, Killian grabbing him around the neck to shove him at the exit.
Lex doesn’t take his eyes off of me, leading me back to the car, letting his men take care of the rest.
