Page 17 of One Love

Hell, maybe I’d find a way to fuck a couple of his, too.

Just as quickly as it begins, Dmitry pulls away without ever taking his eyes off me. Lips swollen and smeared with blood, he lets a smile spread across his mouth.

“I can’t wait to make you mine.”

And just like that, the moment is gone and my senses come rushing right back.

My knee jerks up without a second thought, making unapologetic contact with his balls before I push him off me and step to the side.

Putting my knife away, I snarl at him as he hunches over, gripping his crotch and chuckling the whole time, eyes—always, always, always—on me.

Not quite knowing what to say that wouldn’t sound like I’m justifying myself to him, I reach out for the lock, turn the knob,and open the door just as a woman, nearly twenty years older than me, has her fist raised and ready to bang on the door again.

I stop, look over my shoulder, then smirk.

“He’s all yours.”

Chapter Six

J

“Three in one night so soon after Eddie’s kid tells me one of two things. The killer’s either getting close to their end game, or something made them mad enough to take risks.” With my arms folded across my chest as I stand like a bouncer outside the church, I sigh.

Fizz chews the inside of her cheek and nods in agreement. “But what’s the end game?”

“Fuck knows. Maybe an all-out war between us and the Greeks. The thing is, whoever it is clearly has no idea that since Aleko shot his brother Yiannis dead and all that business with the Ambrosios, the Greeks haven’t really been a problem. They’re basically extinct here in New York. Pinning all these deaths on them feels too suspicious to me. Too meticulous. Yiannis and his crew were never neat about the way they gouged out their victims’ eyes, keeping them, apparently, since they’ve never been found.”

Fizz shudders, and I don’t blame her. Seeing that for the first time all those years ago almost made me lose the contents of my stomach.

“Whatever happens, I don’t want you going anywhere on your own until we catch this fucker.” My words are soft but the message is firm. This killer is working his way through the soldiers under Marco and his capos, and while my Reapers haven’t been hit yet, at this rate, it’s only a matter of time before he tries.

“Yeah, yeah, Crank’s already given me that speech.” We both turn in his direction and pride warms my chest at how well our Reapers work together. “It hits a little too close to home, huh? Losing Eddie’s kid like that?” I nod, still watching Crank, wondering if there was anything we could have done to prevent it. “Anyway, he insisted on staying outside with us instead of joining the service in the church.” She tilts her head over to Crank, who’s leaning against his truck behind Marco’s Aston Martin on the side of the road.

“You could’ve gone in, ya know?” I gesture toward the entrance.

“Oh no. Nah-ah. Nope. No churches for me, thank you.” She shakes her head vehemently and purses her lips, her brows furrowed. “Had enough of them when I was a kid. My mom forced me to go every Sunday. Said it was the only way to be close to my dad after he died.” She sighs deeply, as if lost in thought, and I don’t push her or try to fill the silence. “I was in the church choir, attended Sunday school, until I realized it was all about appearances. I was the perfect little daughter with a wild imagination and she was the perfect little wife…to the biggest monster I’ve ever laid eyes on. If God could allow him to…to…well, then that’s not a God I want to put my faith in.” She goes silent then, determination on her face before she turns to me. “I guess it’s been a while since I’ve been this close to a church.” She laughs lightly, almost a scoff, and I get it.

These subjects aren’t off limits for us, but this is new information to me. If I were anyone else, I’d wrap her in a warmhug, tell her everything is going to be okay, but I don’t think that’s what she needs. Besides, I don’t do hugs unless I’m being ambushed by River. Fizz didn’t just open up to me for sympathy. To be honest, I’m not sure she meant to tell me any of that at all. I understand that this place could be a trigger for her though.

“Wanna go home or you good?”

She smiles in response, her brown eyes glittering in the late afternoon sun. The weather’s starting to turn as the evening draws in, but it’s fine for now.

“I’m good, J. Thanks. Sorry.” Fizz is a strong woman, but like all of us, she has her demons. This is one that I could slay for her. Or with her.

“Don’t you dare apologize for telling me about your past. Or anything, really, unless you fuck up on a job. Then…ya know…” I wink, and she laughs properly this time. “You can always talk to me, Fizz. Hell, you all know enough about my past since this Irish shit storm rolled in. Maybe we should have a mass share sesh.” I’m only half joking. If we knew more about each other’s pasts, maybe we’d be better prepared for what may come at us.

“We’d all have to get fucked off our faces for anything like that to happen and you know it.” We both laugh this time.

A few more minutes pass in a comfortable silence before I notice Fizz fidgeting beside me.

“So, how are you doing with the Hallie situation?” Her words are almost tentative, and while I’m happy to listen, I’m not so much about the talking.

“Yeah, fine.”

She nods once and replies with a smile. “Okay, cool.”

Ten minutes later, the church doors are opened up behind us and Fizz immediately heads toward Crank by the side of the road. “Later, J.” She turns to wave before jumping into the passenger seat of his truck as people begin exiting the church.

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