Page 68 of Mob Bride

“But I don’t think you do it to get your jollies or to get your rocks off. That’s exactly the way Jacek is. Pushed too far, that’s the way Bartlomiej is too. You do what you do because it’s a job, and I get it now. I understand just how important family is to you and how much people rely on you.”

“I’d never do any of the things I have or the things I will do if it weren’t necessity. It truly is life or death in most situations.”

“I know. I can’t fault you for that, so I don’t think you’re a monster.”

“But, Carrie, you need to understand there’s nothing I won’t do to protect you. You have to be okay with knowing I have no limits. If Bartlomiej or Jacek get too close, then I’ll do whatever I have to, to not only make sure they can never touch you again but so all syndicates understand you’re off limits.”

“I know, Shane, and I don’t know what kind of person it makes me because not only can I agree to that, I want that to happen. I want to know I’m safe. But I also want to know if we have any future together—whatever type of relationship it is—it means that much to you. You shouldn’t underestimate my willingness to protect you as well. I’m relying on you right now, but I’m not without means or ability.”

“I know, Carrie. I saw what you did to Jacek. I know you wanted him to suffer by bleeding out, but have you killed anybody point blank before?”

“Yes.”

She says it without hesitation, and the steel in her voice tells me whatever situation she was in, she doesn’t regret the decision she made. I want to ask her about it, but for the umpteenth time, that feels like it would be unfair to expect her to reveal something like that when I can’t tell her even a fraction of the number of people I’ve killed.

“Shane, it was in the line of duty each time.”

Each time?

What the fuck does that mean?

“I can practically hear your thoughts, Shane. If I had to guess, you’d say, ‘what the fuck does that mean?’”

She smiles at me. My expression is completely neutral. I doubt it was that obvious that’s what I think. Most of the time people have no idea what’s on my mind unless I want them to know.

“Shane, your face betrays no emotions, and that tells me more than if you said anything aloud.”

That makes sense.

“They were all in the line of duty, but there were a few times when maybe that wasn’t my only recourse. But it was the best one I thought I had. It’s not like I’m regularly in shootouts, and it’s not like I believe my only course of action is to shootrather than talk. This isn’t some stupid tv show where the law enforcement officers kill a guy when they could maim him and get the information out of them.”

“That irritates me so much.”

I grin because it’s true. If neither of us had context for those sentiments, it wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t want her to think I’m fucked-up, but then I smile like the fucking Joker. When she laughs, I know we both need to lighten the mood.

“What do you want to do, Carrie? You’re safe here, so if you want, we can keep talking about whatever you wish. You could take a nap. We could watch a movie. As long as we stay here at the house, you can go outside as well. But for right now, there’re parts of the yard I want you to stay away from. They’re too exposed. My men are around the perimeter, and I have a tall wall, but it doesn’t make you completely invisible.”

“I—I’d like—I—um…”

She stutters over the words, uncertain whether she can reveal whatever it is she’s thinking. My hand goes to her arse and squeezes as hard as I dare. Rather than squirm away from the pain, she sinks into it. I run my hand up her ribs until I cup her tit and squeeze just as mercilessly. Then my hand creeps up to her throat. It’s not breath play. It’s just resting there heavily.

“Little girl, I told you, you’re mine, and I will do everything I must to protect you. I’ll do everything to take care of you, too, and right now, I think my little girl needs to come to make her relax a little. Is that what you want,cailín?”

“Yes, Daddy, please.”

“Good.”

My hands roam over her body as she sits up enough for me to touch her. Our lips come together in a fiery kiss. Then I’m sliding my hand down her pants. I stop when I feel her panties. I noticed them when we were at Dillan’s, but I said nothing. Now I do. I cup her pussy tightly.

“What are you wearing?”

“Uh, panties, Daddy.”

“And what did I tell you?

“Not to wear them anymore.”

“You knew you were going to come to me, didn’t you?”

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