Page 90 of Mafia Underboss

“Well, this is a new development. Guess I missed a lot.” Izzy sinks into a chair as she watches us with curiosity.

“Izzy, I’m so glad you’re okay.” I rush over and give her a hug before going back to Lo. “I still want to look at your bruises.”

He nods as he starts to take his vest off. I push his arms away and unstrap the vest for him. Once I have it undone, I carefully pull it over his head, standing on my tiptoes so he doesn’t have to bend too far. Once it’s off, I look at his stomach. There are no bruises there. He turns, and I see two bruises on his back. One up by his shoulder, while the other one is in his lower back. The sight of the bruises only reminds me he had been shot. He could have died. The tears start up again.

I lean forward and carefully kiss each bruise. He turns and wraps me in his arms. “I’m okay. You can check me out later. Let’s get this debrief done.”

I nod as he leads me to a seat. He sits down and pulls me into his lap. I try to move, but he whispers in my ear, “Stay still. Moving hurts.”

I stop struggling then. I don’t want to hurt him any more than he already is. I already feel guilty enough. He took two bullets because I was stupid enough to leave his home unprotected and jump into a car with someone I didn’t know.

“What happened?”

∞∞∞

“What are we doing here?”

I spent two hours discussing everything that happened with the group. Bash was especially upset. Someone who bore his family tattoo betrayed him. He demanded his name but seemed disappointed when I told him the kid was already dead.

I also told him what the kid told me and everything Fillipo said. After two hours, he finally relented and let us leave. I guess Sofia and he had some business of their own to take care of. They caught Gina before she could escape with Fillipo. From what one of the men said, he actually tripped her as they ran. Guess he got what he needed from her.

Lo was supposed to take me home, but instead we’re now sitting in his SUV outside of his Brooklyn home.

“I don’t think I can let you out of my sight yet. I would take you to Manhattan, but it’s too far and I’m far too tired. Stay with me?”

I take a deep breath. Can I do this? My mind is too tired to fight.

“Okay.”

He gets out and comes to my side before leading me into the house. Sofia lent me a pair of slippers to wear home since I couldn’t fit into her shoes. Thank goodness too. I’m still upset about my lost heels, but I can always buy a new pair.

Once inside, Lo leads me to his room. He hands me a T-shirt from the drawer before he pulls his pants off, leaving him in a pair of boxers.

I swallow hard.

“Don’t look at me like that,mio piccolo angelo. I want to. I really do, but I’m in too much pain tonight. We both need sleep. We can talk about everything tomorrow. I promise.”

I nod and turn so he can unzip my dress. I shiver as I feel his hands trail down my back as he peels the dress off me. He unhooks my strapless bra then takes a step back.

“Put the shirt on, Mia.” His husky voice tells me he wants otherwise, but he’s right.

We need sleep.

I put the shirt on and walk over to the bed. He draws back the covers before sliding in. He pats the spot next to him, and I happily oblige. I almost died tonight—hell, Lo almost died tonight. I will deal with the consequences tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to accept the comfort he’s willing to give.

He lies on his back and pulls me to his chest. I lie my head over his heart and take comfort in each beat. He’s alive. It’s a miracle, but he’s here with me. Breathing.

I send a quick prayer up, thanking God for all my blessings before I allow the pitter-patter of his heart to lull me into a deep sleep.

∞∞∞

I’m hot. Like sweaty hot.

My eyes fly open as I peel my face off Lo’s chest. He’s lying still, but his eyes are open, staring at the ceiling as his hand plays with my hair.

“Good morning, Lo.”

He smiles down at me. “Good morning,mio piccolo angelo. How are you feeling?”