Page 71 of King of Wrath

Another man comes to the end of my bed to look at the chart, scanning over the information. “We’ll set everything up at the compound for her medical needs.” This he directs to Jake, his gaze barely touching me.

The suits have all gathered around Toni and are speaking to the police. “Who are they?”

“Lawyers,” Jake answers. “Don’t worry about them.”

“And what about Toni?”

“As soon as he comes to, he’ll be taken to prison.”

I peek over the side of the bed. He’s starting to move.

“And you?”

“I go where you go,” he answers, touching my cheek with feather-light fingers. It’s the kind of touch that might make a woman melt. I lean into it, closing my eyes. Because that sounds wonderful to me.

I know we have some hard conversations ahead. What were his original plans? Is this ring on my finger all a lie?

Where do we go from here?

But I don’t care about the answers just this moment. What I want to do is be tucked into Jake’s protection and let the rest of the world melt away.

Toni is carted out on a stretcher, the officers trailing behind. I watch him go, truly hoping to never see him again.

Toni Carcetti is a book I’d very much like to close forever. But what you want and what you get very rarely match.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Nia

It takesa few hours to leave the hospital, but after that, I’m loaded into the helicopter, the doctor joining Luke, Roman, and Jake as we lift off.

I have no idea where we’re going…again.

But this time, I’m not scared. I sink into Jake’s side, closing my eyes. I had no choice but to wear the jeans I’d had on this morning, but they’re covered in dust and grime, my shirt too.

“As soon as we get you to the house, you can take a hot shower. We’ll get your clothes tomorrow, promise.”

I nod, not really caring. Just as long as he sleeps with his arms around me, I’ll be fine. I close my eyes and burrow into his side.

I know there is still so much unsaid, and I have no idea what will happen after. Which is why I don’t speak at all. Just close my eyes and breathe in his scent.

His arm is tight around me, his nose in my hair. I spread my fingers out on his chest, letting my hair cascade over my shoulder.

It’s over. Toni’s in prison, or he will be soon. I never have to live in fear of him again.

“Here,” I hear one of the other men say.

A soft cloth touches my face and I jerk my eyes open, stiffening. It doesn’t smell like Jake and my eyes flick down to a handkerchief before I look back up at Jake’s face.

“It’s Roman’s,” he says, kissing my forehead. “For your tears.”

I didn’t even realize I’d been crying. I swipe at my eyes, averting my face so the other men can’t see. I don’t know them, I don’t trust them—Roman in particular—and I don’t want to show them any weakness.

But facing Toni…it’s stripped me raw. Or maybe it was staring into that pillow and being so certain that was the end.

Jake hugs me tighter, pressing the soft square into my hand. I swipe at the tears some more, even as a soft sob breaks from my lips. “Shit.”

“It’s all right,” Jake nuzzles my ear. “You’ve earned a good cry.”

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