Page 53 of That Time I Accidentally Took Over the Mafia

“Enzo?” My voice cracks, barely a whisper. I’m afraid saying his name might shatter this fragile moment.

Jax quickly turns Enzo onto his side, and he begins coughing violently, expelling water from his lungs. Relief crashes over me like a tidal wave. He’s alive. He’s really alive.

I reach for him instinctively, my fingers trembling as they touch his damp face. “Enzo, please...” My voice is thick with emotion.

His eyelids flutter open, his gaze unfocused but alive. When his eyes finally lock on mine, they fill with recognition.

“Delaney...” His voice is a raspy whisper, barely audible over the sound of the rushing river and my pounding heart. But hearing him speak breaks the weight crushing my chest.

“I’m here. I’m right here,” I say, pressing my forehead against his, feeling his warmth even through the cold dampness.

He winces slightly, the pain hitting him, but his lips twitch into a weak, familiar smirk. “You’re... crazy,” he mutters, his voice rough but teasing.

I let out a shaky laugh, brushing his wet hair away from his face before kissing his cheek, then his mouth. “Yeah, well... you’re lucky I’m crazy enough to keep you alive.”

Jax exhales a long, relieved breath, sitting back as he wipes his face with the back of his hand. “Holy shit, both of you are going to fucking kill me one day,” he mutters, a mix of relief and irritation in his tone.

Luca’s arm tightens around me, and I feel the strength of his hold, a comforting anchor in the storm. His other hand grips my hip like he’s afraid to let me go. He’s trembling, and I don’t know if it’s from exhaustion or the emotional weight of the moment.

I turn in his embrace and cradle his face in my hands. His hold feels like a shield, and I bury myself against him, pressing my face into his neck. “You fucking scared me, Len,” he murmurs, his voice raw with emotion.

“You came for us,” I whisper, my breath caressing his skin.

“Always, Lenny.” His forehead rests against mine as he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. “A day won’t pass that I won’t be here for you, baby.” He cups my cheek, pinning me with his piercing gaze.

“Luca—” I choke on his name, unable to form another word.

“Shhh.” He kisses the top of my head. “Later, okay? We’ve got to go.”

I pull back slightly, needing to see him. He winces, and my heart twists at the sight of his pain. “I really fucking want to kiss you right now, Lenny.” His thumb brushes my bottom lip, his gaze lingering on my mouth.

“Then kiss me.”

The zing of a bullet snaps through the air, and my body tenses instinctively. Everyone flinches and ducks—of course, this is how it’s going to go down, right when I was about to get kissed senseless for the first time in years. Seriously, the universe is a cock-blocking asshole.

“Give me a gun,” I demand, eyes narrowed as I scan the landscape around us, ready to take out my anger on the assholes who ruined my moment. But before I can even complete my sentence, Jax is already up, gun in hand, firing off shots. The body of a sniper falls from the rooftop of a building across the bridge with a sickening thud. At least we’re good at this whole shoot-first, ask-questions-later thing.

“Calm down, Rambo,” Luca mutters, rolling his eyes as he stands up and effortlessly lifts me in one smooth motion, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Hey! I can walk!” I thump my fists against his back, but I know it’s a lost cause. He’s already moving with purpose, his grip strong and unyielding.

“I know you can.” His hand slides up my leg, giving my ass a swift smack. Well, that’s one way to remind me I’m not wearing panties. I don’t think I realized it until that exact moment and—oh, look—Jax turns around just in time to catch the entire show.Awesome.

“Goddamn, that is the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Jax drawls, his voice thick with amusement as he stares unabashedly. “Never seen a more gorgeous pussy in all my life.”

“Christ almighty, Delaney,” Luca growls under his breath, his gaze darkening as he lowers me to the ground near the SUV. “This is fucking painful.” It’s more to himself, but I hear the undercurrent of frustration—and something deeper.

I place my hand on his arm, feeling the heat of his muscles under his jacket. His jaw clenches. “It doesn’t have to be,” I murmur, my voice quiet, just for him.

Luca looks at me, and for a second, the weight of everything seems to press down on him. His lips tighten, and his gaze hardens. “Later.” His voice is clipped, but the unspoken promise lingers in the air. He opens the door for me. “We need to talk,” he adds, his eyes flicking to my mouth before he looks away.

I get in with a small nod, silently agreeing because I know we need to hash things out. But honestly? A part of me wouldn’t mind a ride on his giant disco stick first.

I need to look for some cream or something, or I’ll be chafing soon from the monstrous amounts of cock I’m getting these days. Her Vagesty has been rusty and dusty for four long years now, never satisfied by the few dates I’ve gone on. I’m surprised she hasn’t gone into shock, getting orgasms from someone other than Bob.

As I slide into the back seat, Enzo is next to me. He looks like shit. Paler than I’ve ever seen him, his eyes are half-lidded but still watching me. His exhaustion is evident, but I don’t want to bring it up. I don’t need to add more fuel to the fire.

I don’t even get my own door fully shut when he shifts toward me, his hand circling my waist and tugging me into his lap. “You’re cold,” he mutters, his voice rough and low.

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