Page 109 of King Of Order

‘I’m taking you home.’

My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

She nodded her assent, and I helped her stand, keeping an arm around her waist as we left the gallery.

Every step reminded me that I hadn’t been there when she needed me most.

Once we returned to her place, I led her to the bathroom.

I filled the bath with warm water and eased her out of her clothes, careful not to touch where she hurt.

She winced as she lowered herself, the heated soak already beginning to soothe her battered body.

I sat on the edge of the tub, wiping the blood from her cheek with a soft cloth, then kissed the unbruised part of her forehead. She leaned into me, her breath still shaky.

‘When you’re ready to tell me everything about the Barbieri deal, please do so,’ I whispered into her hair.

‘I can tell you now,’ she said pulling away so she’d gaze into my eyes.

‘Not this very moment, it can wait until tomorrow.’

She shook her head. ‘No, I want you to know more now. I’m not that groggy or out of it.’

I conceded with a deep exhalation.

She outlined how Claudio borrowed from loan sharks to fund his excessive lifestyle. ‘Myfratellinow owes a significant amount of cash to the Barbieris, one of the most ruthless Maltese drug syndicates and money lenders.’

I pressed my lips. I had to make peace, for a war with the Barbieris was not one I wished the Calibreses to get mired in. Neither did I want to leave my woman hanging in the wind in fear.

Truth be told, I wanted to be her knight.

‘I’ll get Mauri to watch over you while I’m away,’ I said, knowing I couldn’t leave her alone now.

Her head snapped up, her eyes dilated with alarm. ‘Gone where?’

‘To find Nicco. To stop his relentless harassment.’

When she began to protest, I let her see my ice, and she stopped speaking mid-sentence.

‘OK. Find him and say hi to him from me,’ she whispered with a slight upturn of her lips.

‘This is no joke, woman,’ I growled, pissed off she was taking this all too lightly.

Which pointed to signs of a woman too used to abuse.

It was enough to make me lose my shit. Not at her but at a dark world that shaped her fucked up sense of self.

‘Mauri? Who’s he?’

Her question deflected some of my rage. ‘He’s an associate,’ I rumbled. ‘You can trust him,bella.’

She stared at me for an extended moment, weighing her faith in me.

‘Fine,’ she said, exhaling shakily. ‘But don’t take too long.’

I kissed her again before getting up.

I dialed Mauri, knowing he’d be there in minutes.

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