Page 65 of Bound to the Crime Lord

I shook my head, the heaviness of my heart drawing down to the deepest pits of depression.

I had seen a lot of violence and death in my life. I had taken lives as many as I had spared. I was used to my hands being tainted red with blood.

But never in my wildest imagination had I ever thought that her blood would taint my skin. Never did I think that I would cradle her in my arms while she clung to life with all her might.

I had power, money, and more connections than the President of the United States. And yet, here I was—powerless. There had never been a time in my life when I had felt so helpless.

My mother held onto my hand with an iron grip. “She will live,mijo. She willlive.”

“I hope she does.” That was all I could say. There was no guarantee, my mother didn’t know, and I sure as hell didn’t either.

I could do nothing for her except wait and pray she woke up.

I was not one for praying. In fact, I was almost certain I had been crossed off the heavens list a long time ago. But I was so out of hope that I was willing to turn to the heavens. I would have bargained my own life if the heavens let me.

The first tear fell from my eyes and landed on the back of my hand that held my mother's. I could not remember the last time I had cried before the day she was shot. I had held her in my arms as she fought to keep her eyes open.

She’d wanted me to promise that I would take care of Ethan, and I promised I would. But she didn’t keep her promise to me. She promised me that she would survive, that we would live a long life together.

My entire heart shattered at the thought of losing her. I couldn’t lose her. Because if I did lose her, then the world would burn for taking her away from me.

My mother left shortly after I had finished my lunch. I knew she would be back in time for dinner, to make sure that I ate again. I was thankful for her. Had it not been for her and Rigo, I would have completely fallen apart.

I grabbed her hand and sat beside her again. I brought her knuckles to my lips and kissed each one gently. “I’m sorry,amor. I’m sorry I dragged you into this life. I’m sorry for not protecting you. But above all of that, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I love you too. You set my world on fire in a way that warms it instead of burning it. You are my polar opposite in every way, yet you fit with me perfectly, and I with you. I shouldn’t have taken you. I shouldn’t have wanted to claim you as mine, but I was selfish. And even now, I cannot be selfless. Not when it comes to you. I’m too jealous of a man.”

My throat tightened, and I tried to control.

“Don't stop now,” a hoarse voice filled the room. “You were on a roll.”

I lifted my head and caught her barely opened eyes.

“Juliette?” I jumped out of my chair, flinging it to the floor. “¡Ay, Dios mio!You’re awake! You’re actually awake!”

I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this what happened when prayers were answered?

I wanted to throw myself on top of her, but I was aware that she was still in a very fragile state.

She looked up at me with that same gentle gaze that had me hooked from the moment I laid eyes on her. Even though she had been lying comatose in a bed and she had likely just cheated death to come back to me, she looked every bit as gorgeous as she always had.

“You almost died, Juliette.”

She gulped, and a flash of pain crossed her eyes before it melted away. “I know. I also held a gun for the first time.”

“You did.” I reached for a small strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. I palmed the side of her face and she leaned into my touch. “Don't ever do that again. You took away a good ten years off my life.”

A tired smile made its way to her lips. “Don't worry. I’ll stick to mending the wounded instead of becoming one from now on.”

I couldn’t wait any longer.

I kissed her with everything I had in me. I poured my entire heart and soul into that kiss. All the love that my body could muster, I transferred it to her. I wanted her to know, to feel, that I was all hers and she was most definitelyall mine.

When I finally pulled away, I was out of breath, and the heart rate monitor was going crazy. I pressed my forehead against hers and our breaths mingled together in a hot, plummy cloud.

She laughed and I joined in with her, loving the fact that I could hear this melodic sound again. There was a moment when I thought that I would never hear her voice, see the blue in her eyes, or taste the sweetness of her lips again.

“I love you, Juliette Ballard.” Finally, I could tell her the confession I had been holding onto for weeks. “I love you with every breath, tear, and laugh. You are my entire universe.”

Her eyes softened. “Took you long enough.”

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