Page 49 of A Promise For Tomorrow

I was going all in.

Every blow to his body, every slice with my knife, I saw her beautiful face. I saw what is so fucking precious in my life. Never seeingher again, never hearing her beautiful laugh, or being on the receiving end of her quick-witted comments had me in a monsoon of blood.

Mateo was a dripping, mangled mess when my fury finally eased up. Had Madison seen that, she would have ran. And I would have let her. Liam was right in some ways, wanting to shield her from this side of us.

It’s selfish, really.

While I agree she absolutely should not have witnessed my savage meltdown, seeing my handiwork allowed her to form her own opinions about the monsters lurking under my skin. They may have only breached the surface while she was there, but it was enough.

She proved she can handle me.

It was the trauma she would endure from the rest of my techniques that wasnotnecessary.

And between us— I think Liam was happy to take her away… he was looking a little green.

With one last rinse, I shut off the water and step out onto the mat. I search around for towels but come up empty. Looks like I’ll be using a hand towel next to the sink. I claim it, making quick work of drying my body before realizing I have no extra clothes in here. My suitcase is on the bench at the edge of the bed.

Eh…Fuck it.

A few lingering water droplets cling to my naked body as I parade out into the bedroom in a swirl of steam. I’m sure Liam’s view is comical at best. My cock sways between my legs as I saunter over to my luggage. Liam’s eyes bug as he cradles Madison’s sleeping body to him before shifting her back down to the mattress.

“Christ, Diego. Ya couldn’t spare me the goddamn visual?” He stands, huffing out his irritation.

I let out a boisterous laugh knowing damn well he’scomparing the size of my cock to his. Madison stirs. She moans crankily before sitting up disorientedly.

Beautiful. Stunning. Mine.

She touches her cheek, where the bruising is worsening before looking between the two of us. Half-lidded chocolate eyes widen like saucers as she takes in my now jutting cock. I’m tempted to grab it and stroke it with the look on her face. Except…that may prompt her to reenact her dream. And selfishly, I want her all to myself tonight.

Of course, Liam’s dumb ass is still standing by the bed, arms crossed looking at her like she hung the moon. Madison’s gaze volleys between the two of us until her attention lands on my chest and then gradually dips lower.

Lust courses through me, my cock twitching with a carnal need to have her. To take her right now. A delicious blush creeps up her cheeks before she crosses her legs at the ankle. Don’t think I didn’t notice the little squirm that followed.

“Diego. What the actual fuck? Why are you naked? She points her index finger my way before directing her attention back to Liam’s lingering presence. Pointing her finger his way, she asks appalled, “And what the hell are you still doing here?”

“I was just going to shower. I wanted to make sure you were okay, love. I tried to give you two…privacywhen Diego came in. You clung to me like a pair of wet jeans. I couldn’t leave ya like that.”

She nods, biting her lower lip and running her tongue over the stitches at the corner. “Thanks, Liam. Please, don't let me keep you any longer.” Her nervous fingers lace together before she says, “Go get cleaned up. Sorry I kept you hostage.”

“Not a problem. Anytime. I mean it, Madison. Everything we talked about earlier. If you ever need me. I’ll be there.” He winks. A small smile tugs at his lips before he stomps out of the room like a dark cloud, clicking the door shut behind him.

Shiiiit. What’d I miss?

I dig through my black leather bag in search of a pair of sweatpants. The heat of Madison’s stare penetrates me like a tanning bed. It takes great dedication to continue my task of pushing my feet through each leg before pulling the waistband up. Blood rushes south, tenting the crotch. My little butterfly slides off the bed, her bare feet molding to the floor as she plods over to me. Warm arms wrap around my ribs as she lays her head against my chest. Her cheek rests over the butterfly tattoo as my heart beats steadily against her face. A deep breath rattles her chest when she releases a built up sigh.

Instinctively, my arms wrap around her, pulling her flush against me. I lower my chin to rest on the top of her head.

“Want to talk about it?”

She shrugs in my arms. “Which part?”

“Any of it? All of it?” I shrug as well.

“I’m not afraid of you, Diego. And I should be. I should run…far…far…away,” she whispers.

“That’s a valid statement. I can be a scary motherfucker. Yet, here you are,” I confirm, tightening my arms around her and pressing my cheek firmly to her head.

A small giggle breaks the tension between us. A symphony to my ears, clearing out all the phantom screams. Like ghosts, they linger around after a tough assignment or interrogation session.

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