Page 43 of Dangerous Devotion

As soon as he opens the door, I hear a muffled gunshot and watch him fall. Everyone is drawing weapons, and I’m afraid I’m going to be hit by a stray bullet if this turns into a gunfight. Suddenly, I register the face of the shooter. It’s Jack striding through the door. I want to applaud, to fly to my feet and shriek with happiness. Before I can worry about him being hurt or killed or before I can think another thought, the guy who had been cleaning my puke off Carbini’s shoes gets to his feet smoothly and fires his pistol into Carbini’s forehead.

I can’t take my eyes off the carnage, not even to really comprehend that one of these henchman is on our side. Men pour into the space, crowding it. There’s no one to direct the bad guys now that their don is dead, flopped onto the floor with his face blown off. They drop their weapons, hands in the air. The one who shot Carbini steps forward and gives a report, indicates a door guard and Jack nods. They go pick up my dad and carry him out. Louie ushers the other henchman out and I’m pretty sure that’s to spare me the sight of whatever’s going to happen to them now. I feel like I’m glued to this wall. I can’t move. I’m shaking all over.

Everyone’s gone but Jack and me. I keep staring at him like he’s an apparition, like I’m hallucinating out of pure terror. He puts his gun on the floor before he comes to me. He kneels down by me and searches my face. I feel tears on my cheeks, but I don’t bother to wipe them away. I just let go of my knees and hold out my arms to him in mute appeal. His handsome face, that face I love, transforms with a grin. He grabs me and hugs me, picks me up in his arms.

Jack carries me out of that godforsaken place, and we get in a waiting car. He doesn’t put me down on the seat. He holds me in his lap. His thumbs brush my tears away. We are silent a long time. He finally bursts out with, “Jesus, I could have lost you, Serena.”

I’m holding on to the front of his shirt. It has some blood on it from the guy he killed at the door, but I don’t seem to mind right now. I can feel his heartbeat under my hands and the heat of his skin and the smell of him. He’s real and whole and holding me. I let go, sink into his chest and rest there all the way home.

The only thing I’m really aware of is the call Jack gets to tell us that my dad’s okay after being checked out at the ER. He’s spending the night in the hospital to make sure there’s no after-effects of whatever drug they used on him. It’s a relief to me that he’s all right, and that he’ll have the hospital staff looking after him tonight. I don’t think I could do it at this point. I’m overwhelmed by all that’s happened to bring me to this moment.

I feel the change in motion, the car slows and stops. The door opens. I stir in Jack’s arms, blink up at him. For a second, I’m afraid I’m dreaming and that I am still a prisoner in that awful place. He tries to carry me into his building, but I shake my head and insist on walking. I’ll return to his penthouse on my own two feet. Where I belong. And I’ll tell him the truth even if it makes him hate me.

If I lose Jack, I’ll lose him as an honest woman, not a coward. That much I can promise.

Once in his apartment, I turn to him.

“Thank you, Jack,” I say, my voice sounding rusty. “You didn’t have to come for me, especially after the way I left things between us.”

I’m ready to launch into my apology when he crowds me back into the wall, blocking me in and putting his mouth on mine.

“I would always come for you. Goddammit, if you don’t know that—” he sounds like the words are dragged from him, like he’s in agony as his hands cup my face, my shoulders, before they slide to my breasts. I turn away from him and he steps back.

“Are you hurt?” he says, concern darkening his gaze as he studies me. Color floods my cheeks.

“No I’m just wet and dirty and cold.”

“Oh, thank God,” he says, sounding relieved. “Take a hot shower and get cleaned up. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be right out here.”

I smile shyly. An hour ago, I was scared for my life. Now I have a miracle. I’m safe and I’ve been given a chance to tell Jack the truth. I could never hope for more. Not forgiveness for keeping the secret, not a path forward to be with him. Getting to tell him the truth, knowing the only way our baby could ever be safe is under his protection, feels like my purpose right now. As soon as I have a shower.

24

JACK

When she pulls away, I feel the crushing devastation roar back into my chest, all light and hope burn out. Then she says she’s just cold and dirty. I nearly laugh with relief. I didn’t think I’d have the chance to have her back in my arms. Especially not when she’s been held hostage by an enemy, which would seem to confirm her worst fears. Yet she doesn’t seem in a hurry to leave. She is in my shower now.

I keep my body on a leash, determined not to overwhelm her or rush her in any way. It can be enough that she is safe for tonight. If she wants to go to her dad’s house, I’ll drive her myself. I’m just thankful she’s unharmed and safe. I’ll give anything, I’ll even let her go if it makes her happy.

It feels like I’m taking the first full breath since I got that picture on my phone this afternoon. I take off my jacket and tie, my shoes. Every muscle in my body was tense, ready for combat. The sense of release is incredible, the knowledge that Vinny Carbini can’t hurt her or anyone else ever again. It feels like my mission is complete for today.

Serena steps out of the bathroom on bare feet. My eyes travel from her toes all the way up her long legs to the hem of my dress shirt skimming her smooth thighs. I make a throttled sound as my body hardens in response. Her hair is wet and tousled, her eyes bright. Her lips curve into a smile just for me. I wait on the couch even though I want to leap to my feet, cover the distance in two long strides and claim her. Patience, I tell myself severely.

She doesn’t keep me waiting. Serena is beside me, one bare leg tucked beneath her, on the couch. She turns to face me. The scent of my shampoo mixes with the familiar smell of her skin. Serena’s closeness is too much for me. It’s all I can do to marshal my thoughts and keep my hands to myself while I wait for her cue.

“I love you. I know it’s weird to say just out of the blue like this, but I never said it to you before. I should have, a hundred times. Ironically, I was too afraid then. Today, the worst happened, or what could’ve been the worst, and there you were, kicking in the door to save the day.”

“I knocked,” I correct her.

“I’m giving you credit anyway,” she says with a smile, “You saved me, even though I walked away from you and from this—this is everything, Jack. I can’t tell you what it did to me to hear your voice on the phone the other day. I wanted to beg, Jack—I love you that much. More than that. More than anything.”

“You don’t need to say another word,” I tell her. My chest is so full. She loves me, she’s said it out loud. I wrap my fingers around her calf, possessive. She shifts at my touch. I couldn’t resist her if I tried. I see her cheeks flush, the glimpse of her collarbone at the open collar of my shirt.

“We have to talk, Jack,” she insists.

“I’ll listen to anything you have to say,” I tell her mischievously, “in about an hour… maybe two.”

I think she’s going to protest again, but she surprises me. Her fingers open the buttons of my shirt. She trails one fingertip down, from the base of my throat all the way to my belt buckle. My entire body jerks in response to her seductive touch, the fiery trail blazed by her fingerprint down the length of my sternum. I catch my breath, lean forward, seal my mouth over hers.

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