Page 29 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

“She’ll be at the Masquerade Gala on New Year’s Eve. How are things with your lady? Did you get with her before you left on assignment?” He waggles his eyebrows seductively.

“Yeah, we went at it like two horny teens—until I found out she was a virgin.”

“And … that is a problem…because?” he pushes.

“Because it’s another reason I shouldn’t have been there in the first place. She is too good and pure to be corrupted by all this, Kil.”

“Women are able to handle a lot more than you think, Liam. My woman is like that too, but she’s a fighter. She’s strong. She can handle this life. She chose to be a part of this. I gave her a choice, and she took it—knowing the risks.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I contemplate. I didn’t even give Maddy a chance to choose. I just made thechoicefor her. Perhaps I’ll text her back tonight, see how she’s been. That’s if she even gives a fuck about me after the way I left her.

“Look at our Da. He chose true love and was one of the best leaders. Why can’t we do the same?” Killian slides the final puzzle piece of my scrambled mind into place. I finally see the bigger picture here.

Now that I’ve had her in my arms, I can’t live without her. I don’t want to. And the only thing that’s been stopping me—isme.

I need to tell her.

There are onlya few minutes left of Christmas as I pull up to her family home. The lights are off inside. I get out into the frigid December night, and make my way down the driveway towards her bedroom window. There are a few acorns on the ground left over from fall. I grab a handful and start tapping her window with them. A light turns on, but no sign of movement just yet.She wasn’t expecting me. I told her I had to stay with my family for the night.

My phone vibrates in my hand.

Madison

I wish you were here with me tonight. I keep hearing weird noises outside. It’s freaking me out! ??

I wait a few seconds longer before responding.

Killian

What kind of sounds? Do you want me to send Conor to check it out?

My chest vibrates with a cough in a poor attempt to stifle a laugh. The bubbles jump across the screen as she immediately writes a response.

Madison

No! My whole family is asleep! They don’t need to know I have a bodyguard…or a super hot mob boss boyfriend.

I toss another acorn at her window with a little more force. I watch a shadow cross the room. Her perfect features silhouette the curtains before her head peeks out behind them. Frightened eyes scan the driveway then land on mine. She slides the window open and sticks her head out. “Killian! she whisper-shouts. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“I told you that you are protected, love.” A smile builds on my face just seeing her in person again. My life has been so busy and hectic lately. We’ve only been able to Facetime and text, and that’s not nearly enough for me.

“Merry Christmas, Killian. Looks like I got my gift afterall.” She glances down at her phone, holding it up. “And with one minute left of Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you, my beautiful, amazing,sexywoman.” It’s incredible that I get to call this woman mine. She knows the life I live, yet she looks past my rough exterior, seeing the sides of me no one else does. The parts of me I can’t show anyone…especially if I am to be respected as the next leader of the Tri-State Syndicate.Softness is a weakness. Madison allows me to be vulnerable. And it feelsso fucking goodto take off the mask for a while. To remove all the heavy armor. “Get your arse down here. I need to kiss my woman—and wear something warm!”

I lean against the hood of my car and wait for my gorgeous girl. Within minutes the front door opens, and a small dog starts barking in the background.Damn it. So much for trying to be quiet.

She closes the door behind her and runs towards me like a teenager sneaking out. Her hair is still perfectly curled, and light makeup dusts her face. A black winter jacket with a fur lined hood wraps around her. She is wearing Christmas themed pajamas and slippers.It’s fucking adorable.

I meet her halfway and pull her into me, claiming her lips. Her body against mine makes me think of all the filthy ways I can take her over the hood of my car. Unfortunately, it’s winter, and we probably have an audience. I continue ravishing her lips by drinking her in and not coming up for air. Cold hands run up my body. She pulls my face closer to hers, moaning in my mouth.

We break apart breathless and heaving clouds of condensation into the air.

“I missed you, Kil,” she says as she rubs a thumb over my tingling lips. Her own are swollen and red from my kisses, and her eyes...those eyes hold enough heat to keep us both warm in this weather.

“I missed you too, sweetheart. Now, get in the car. We are going on an adventure,” I gesture towards my Bugatti Veyron. Her eyes widen with delight and a bit of mischief.

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