Page 115 of Scarred Hearts

The heavy wooden door creaked open, and the group of men filed in. My heart raced as I pushed between them, my eyes fixed on Tyler. Without hesitation, I threw myself into his arms, relieved to feel his strong embrace. “Are you okay?”

His lips found mine in a quick but enthusiastic kiss before he pulled away slightly. “Not even a scratch from the fight,” he reassured me with a smile. “That’s all Ivan’s blood.”

Feeling a rush of emotions, I took a step back to get a better look at him. “What happened?”

“Turn on the news,” Giovanni’s voice called out from the foyer, causing us all to turn and follow Ian and Jenna into the den.

With a click of the remote, Ian switched on the television and tuned in to the news. The two historical warehouses were engulfed in roaring flames. My jaw dropped in shock as I watched the devastation unfold before my eyes.

These warehouses have been abandoned for some time now, so at the moment, it’s unclear what caused the explosion. We tried to get closer, but authorities have the area closed off as fire crews work to put out the flames. It’s also unclear if anyone was inside at the time of the explosion but we hope if they were, they got out in time. We’ll bring you updates as we get them. A homeless man near the area spoke with us off camera and refused to identify himself, but said the warehouses were frequently visited by local crime organizations. He thinks there’s a big secret inside, and someone was trying to destroy evidence, so we’ll see.

Jenna’s eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped. “You guys blew them up?!” she gasped.

Ian shook his head, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. “Not us. Tyler did it.”

Tyler slipped his arm around me, a sense of pride in his voice as he spoke. “When the Mussolini’s wanted to meet with me, my plan was always to have them pledge themselves to me so I could lure them to their demise. It was the perfect plan to end the war. And having the Russians close by was just a bonus. I knew that if there was a way to end it all, it would have to be with them together. Striking twice would be impossible.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “I only had one chance to get it right, and that’s why I kept most of it from the guys until I informed Ian that we needed to get everyone off the property after the fight. That’s when I gathered everyone together for a meeting and made sure we were all on the same page.”

Ian reached over and patted him on the shoulder, a look of admiration in his eyes. “He’s the only one who could’ve pulled that shit off.” Turning to Tyler, he crossed his arms and gave him an apologetic nod. “I’m sorry if I ever doubted your abilities, but you accomplished in one night what I’ve been trying to do for years. And not only did you take out our main enemy, but also other threats along with them.”

“Speaking of enemies,” I gulped nervously, catching their attention once again, “you killed Russian royalty. That won’t end well.”

Tyler’s grin stretched from ear to ear as he gazed down at me. His eyes sparkled with trouble, making my heartbeat even faster. “About that, I found out some disturbing information about Ekaterina and Ivan. Apparently, they were running their business in a sloppy manner, and it led to hits being put out on them by their own family several weeks ago.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Who would report that?”

Jade raised her hand sheepishly, causing Tyler and I both to burst into laughter.

An hour later, after discussing our plans for the children with Jenna and Ian, Tyler turned to them and asked if they could sleep at their place for the night. He wanted the night alone with me but reassured them we’d be back first thing in the morning to pick them up. Luca and Nadia happily went back to my apartment for the night, giving us some much-needed time alone.

In the car, he kept his fingers securely intertwined with mine on the center console as he drove in silence to the house. Once the car came to a stop, he turned toward me with concern etched on his face. “Are you okay? You took quite a beating tonight.”

I let out a snicker, feeling relieved that I could finally relax and wash off all the blood and grime from the night’s events. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. We’re both covered in blood. Just take me to the shower and fuck me.”

28

FROM THE GRAVE

TYLER

The events of the evening had been mentally draining yet exhilarating. As we made our way inside, I couldn’t wait to have Giovanna all to myself. In a moment of relief, I ordered all of Ian’s appointed security to leave the premises now that the war was over. I watched as they departed, leaving us alone in the house. Even Angelo, Frankie, and Bruno were told to give Giovanna and I a night to ourselves and to return to New York, preparing to get those damn bodies off our property.

It was weird and different knowing she and I were completely alone in the house. I set the alarm on the way upstairs, turning on the shower the minute we were in the bathroom. While waiting for the water to heat up, I grabbed her hips. Whirling her around to face me, I held them tighter as I pulled her to my lips with a grin.

“Seeing you in that ring was hot as fuck,” I admitted.

“Was it the fighting that turned you on, or seeing me in this?” she teased, her voice low and sultry. Standing on her toes, she leaned in closer, her lips brushing against my ear. “Seeing you rush into the ring shirtless looking sexy was hot as fuck too, ya know. Had I not been so pissed off about Ivan, I would’ve stopped that fight and fucked you right there in front of everyone.”

I let out a low laugh, tugging her shirt and bra over her head and tossing them over my shoulder. We took turns removing one another’s clothes while I backed her into the oversized shower. The water cascaded over our bodies, steam filling the room as we washed one another. I was careful not to hurt her, gently cleaning her face.

Though the fight turned me on, seeing Ivan pummeling her caused my blood to boil, and I wanted to bring him back from the grave and torture him. I know my blows to his face caused a lot of damage, but it didn’t compare to the damage he inflicted on the woman I loved. Rage swelled in me all over again as I examined her eyes, knowing I could’ve gotten her out of Penthouse L.A. much faster had I just?—

“Ty, stop.” Her voice broke through my thoughts as she cupped my cheek, tilting her head.

“I should’ve saved you so long ago.” I furrowed my brows.

Pressing her thumbs to my forehead, she smoothed them out. “It was always about the timing. Back then, you would’ve only saved me, but tonight, you saved everyone in both our families. Because of you, our children, nieces, and nephews will never have to go through what anyone else did.” She pressed her fingertips to my lips. “It happened how it was supposed to. Everything about you is perfect but the words that exit your lips should never again be anything you should’ve done. It should only ever be about what you will do.”

She never ceased to amaze me. I pushed her hair off her shoulders, unable to take my eyes off hers. They sparkled in the lighting, beckoning me and causing me to instantly calm.

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