Page 14 of Depths of Desire
She exhales. "What happens now?"
“We get on dry land and fix your arm.”
“After that. What happens after that?”
I know what she’s asking. Am I going to let her go or am I going to turn her over to her family?
“I still have time before my father knows I’m missing. I can still disappear. This has only set me back a day. I can figure something out.” She’s staring at me, willing me to say that I won’t tell her father.
“Let’s talk about it once we hit dry land and get you fixed up,” I say, trying to buy time. I don’t want to fight with her here. Adolfo is one of my guys, but I’m not big on letting him witness a fight between Luna and me. It sends out a message, like maybe she’s not as important to me as she actually is. And she isveryimportant to me. If I screw this up, both of my brothers won’t forgive me because their wives won’t forgive them. I can’t be the man responsible for getting Luna hurt… or worse.
As the lights of the harbor rapidly approach, I glance over at her. She still thinks it’s possible. That she can just disappear again. But I know better. Whoever blew up that ship? They didn’t want anyone surviving. And I have a feeling they knew Luna was on board. I was careful to avoid the cameras, but I know Luna wasn’t. She had no reason to be, but more importantly, I’m quite sure it never occurred to her to even recognize that there were cameras on the vessel.
Reality hits me square in the gut like a sucker punch. I have a new traveling companion. One who will need to be glued to my side twenty-four seven. Luna’s not going anywhere. I can’t risk her safety. Not until I figure out who’s behind this.
And why.
CHAPTER FIVE
The steady hum of the boat lulls me, my body sagging against Nico’s warmth. I’m so damn tired. Every muscle in my body aches, heavy and sluggish from the swim, the adrenaline crash hitting me like a freight train. The smell of salt and smoke clings to my skin, the cold air biting through the damp fabric of my clothes. I should move. I should be thinking. But the idea of sinking deeper against him is too tempting, and I ignore everything I should be doing to just take comfort in him.
Nico’s arms stay wrapped around me, his chest rising and falling in an easy rhythm beneath my cheek. His warmth is solid, safe. A dangerous illusion, but one I let myself believe—just for a moment.
The boat rocks slightly as it slows, the gentle lap of water against the hull sounding different now. The engines cut back, and I force my heavy eyes open. The city’s waterfront stretches ahead, dimly lit by streetlights casting long shadows across the wharf.
We’re here, wherever here is. I blink up at Nico, but his gaze is already on the docks, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable.The moment the boat bumps against the wooden dock, Adolfo moves to tie it off.
"Time to go," Nico murmurs, his voice low, a vibration I feel more than hear.
I sit up, immediately regretting it. My limbs are leaden, my body stiff and aching from exhaustion. I barely suppress a groan as Nico stands, easily hauling me up with him. I step onto the dock with shaking legs. The wooden planks feel too solid after so long in the water. I sway slightly, but Nico settles his hand on my lower back, steadying me.
Adolfo unties the boat and gives Nico a short nod before stepping back aboard. No goodbyes, no questions. He just reverses the boat and pulls away from the dock, disappearing into the night as if he were never there.
I take a slow, shaky breath. I need to be like that. Invisible. Moving before anyone realizes I’m gone. One problem at a time.
Nico’s hand doesn’t leave my back as he steers me up the dock. A massive warehouse looms ahead, dark and imposing. Its metal siding is dented and worn from years of use. A single security light glows above the entrance, casting sharp shadows against the building. A Valdici warehouse.
I should be more wary. My father used to have a lot of pull back when the Giordano family was in charge. But when Mia married Renzo, that all changed, just like thefamiglianame. Now the Valdici family. I shiver. Yeah, that name really does instill terror in people. I should be able to handle the fear. I grew up inla famiglia,but the Validicis were a different breed, and right now, I am just excess baggage that I know Nico doesn’t want to deal with.
I shiver again. I just want warmth. Dry clothes. A place to think. I am happy to stay out of the way and then disappear altogether.
Nico pulls open a side door, guiding me inside. The air smells like metal and machinery, the scent of oil and something sharper—something illicit—hanging beneath the industrial sterility. A few men move through the space, but none of them look at us. They know better.
I keep my head down anyway as we pass through the warehouse, heading toward a metal staircase leading up to an office overlooking the floor. No need for anyone to pay attention to me. My father still had loyalists everywhere. I start to stumble. One step at a time. I remind myself to focus, but my body feels sluggish, my limbs screaming for rest.
The office door closes behind us with a soft click. The light Nico flicks on casts a low glow within the room. It’s functional—stark and utilitarian—but at least it’s warm. A worn leather couch sits against one wall, a desk covered in papers and files takes up the opposite side. A small kitchenette, a mini fridge, an old metal cabinet.
Nico moves first, disappearing into what looks like a closet. When he returns, he has a first aid kit in one hand and a towel in the other. "Sit," he orders, nodding toward the couch.
I hesitate, just for a second. Then, exhausted, I drop onto the worn leather, the cushions swallowing me up. God, it feels good to sit. Nico kneels in front of me and sets the first aid kit on the floor. He reaches for my arm, but I jerk back instinctively.
His gaze snaps up to mine, sharp and assessing. "Luna." His voice is soft but edged in warning.
I hesitate, then exhale sharply and let him take my arm.
His fingers are gentle, but his grip is firm as he inspects the gash on my bicep. "You should’ve told me it was this bad."
"I didn’t realize."
