Page 75 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

She lifts her head, anger brewing as she goes rigid in my arms.

The lights flicker before coming back on.

Madison squints her eyes at the intrusion before sliding out of my arms and off the bed. She tosses the throw blanket around her like a cape. I stand, following her as she walks towards the bathroom.

“I’ll be in here until Killian or the doctors need me,” she says, turning around to look up at me. With a sigh of frustration and tears pooling in her lower lids, she clicks the bathroom door closed in my face.

Six months later

“Again,”Liam commands, holding the punching mitts out for me to strike. I bend over, bracing my hands on my knees and catch my breath as sweat drips down my nose and onto the wide planked wooden floors. I inhale deeply through my nose.

“I’m done for today, Liam.”

“You’re doing well, sweetheart.”

I stand up straight, putting my rings back on, and walk out the doors off the living room to the balcony. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore instantly soothe my racing heart. The sun has set and the stars have begun to rise along with a stunning full moon. It cast a magnificent glow on the ocean before me. I lean against the railing, closing my eyes and inhaling the salty air. Sapphire blue eyes pop into my mind's eye, as the warmth of the breeze wraps around me in an embrace, reminding me of a different time.

It’s been six months since we scattered Diego’s ashes into the Atlantic Ocean, here in Miami. His cousin Antonio temporarily took over running the syndicate, until Selena and him sort out what will be best for everyone.

Diego had a vision. A new direction for the Cuban-Miami Syndicate. The whole reason Diego got all of us into this mess. It would be a disservice to him to not do everything we could to build the syndicate and leadership he wanted.

I open my eyes and stare at my wedding bands sparkling under the moonlit sky. Upon Diego’s passing, Selena and I were required to sit down with his lawyer. Selena was gifted an insane amount of money for Diego’s future nephew. Which, was in fact confirmed through a blood test. Selena burst into tears at her gender reveal, knowing her angels are keeping her baby boy safe.

My jaw just about hit the table we were sitting at when the lawyer then announced the rest of Diego’s assets went to his wife.

TheBone Breakerleft everything to me.

Our marriage was legitimate and not a sham—as I had once thought. Turns out, Diego De La Cruz was an insanely wealthy man. I immediately hired a lawyer to set up a trust fund for Selena’s future son. He helped prepare documents in regards to Diego’s private jet and the insurance money that came in on the yacht.

There was a full criminal investigation on the cause of the explosion, ultimately being closed and forgotten about.Just like Geraldo and his lackeys.The men we collectively left behind handled all theminordetails that would have prevented the case from closing. The Greek government had their suspicions that Diego was to blame. At one point having authorities search for his whereabouts in Greece and at home. When they came to talk to me, I offered them his death certificate, effectively avoiding any further interrogation.

The jet remains in my name—for now. I only use it occasionally, visiting New York here and there to visit Selena and my family. Anyone in this organization is welcome to use it as long as they go through Antonio for permission. The insurance money fromPontusis being used to build shelters down here for women and children involved in domestic violence.

The only thing I decided to keep temporarily was the island. I transferred over the deed to Selena. She and I discussed me living here until I am ready to head back to New York. At that point, the house and jet will all be hers. Still so unsure of what my future looks like, I put a small amount of money away for emergencies.

Killian and I haven’t spoken much since the night of Diego’s death. I couldn’t quite put aside my hatred.And I had hated him.If it wasn’t for him, Diego never would have been shot in the back and then the thigh—ultimately leading to his untimely death. Did Liam have something to do with that as well?Absolutely. I haven’t forgiven him either. He may have saved Diego’s life twice, but it washisbullet that ended up leaving a hole through my husband’s back.Late husband, now.

After the funeral, I decided to stay here on the island. It had been renovated after Killian and Diego went on their mission to retrieve me and destroyed a good amount of it. I find it extremely comforting and peaceful here. Minus the dungeon. I can barely look at that door without getting chills and flashbacks.

Diego’s presence is all around here. Even his scent still lingers on his linens. I’ve been sleeping in his shirts and sweatpants, craving a sense of closeness to him. At night as I sleep in his bed, I can almost feel him here with me. Somehow, knowing he’s there has allowed me to get the sleep I need. If not by the act of some spiritual assistance, then it’s due to the pure exhaustion of sparring and training with Liam.The man doesn’t go easy on me.

Selena and Killian came down for the memorial and stayed for a week to tie up loose ends. They went back to New York and haven’t been back since. Killian needed to get back to a routine as the leader of the Tri-State Syndicate. Conor was sent back to Connecticutto runThe Triskelion. And Liam was assigned to go with him, but he fought his brother—and me—tooth and nail to stay. Killiankindlyagreed to him dividing his time between Connecticut and Miami. Which means Liam spends the week with me. On the weekends he’s back on a flight to New York, then off to the club and his own house.

So here we are. Liam currently sleeps down the hall from me in this big empty house. He originally wanted the room next to me, but I couldn’t have him that close. Needless to say, he was disappointed when I told him I wanted him to sleep at the other end of the hallway. The walls are thin here. He didn’t need to hear me cry myself to sleep every night. Or when I was feeling lonely and needy, cry out my orgasm, after sliding my hands under the waistband of my pajamas.

As isolating as that may seem, it’s not. Antonio has some of his men surrounding the property, keeping me safe, and Killian allowed Kieran to stay behind as well. And hey, Monday’s have even become game night.That’s a start, right?Liam, Kieran and I play cards, usually poker while drinking a few beers.

About a week after the memorial, Liam presented the idea of getting all my anger and frustration, my grief, even my confusion out by training. He knows if I am going to remain in this life, I need to be able to defend myself. Diego wanted that for me too. I could almost feel him smiling and throwing some sly remark my way when I readily agreed.

It’s definitely working. I can already see muscle building where it once never existed.

Sparring gives me a way to take all my anger towards Liam and Killian and dish it right back. Every hit to the bag, every jab I get in on him, everytime I defend myself, I feel empowered; stronger.

Liam and I haven’t discussed ‘us’ or our situation since our conversation on Diego’s jet to New York from Greece. The spark between us is still very much there. I’ve caught his eyes lingering longer thannecessary when we train. He always looks ready to say something more but never does.

At night, he sits on the balcony and smokes a cigarette, usually lost in thought. Occasionally, he’ll have a nightcap, having significantly cut back on his alcohol as a coping mechanism. There are so many nights I wish to join him but don’t. Not wanting to confront my feelings or to give him a sense of hope.

He’s given me the space where I need it, but I do find moments of missing him. His touch. The comfort his embrace brings to my whole nervous system.

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