Page 121 of King of Praise
“Not sure. Could be days. Weeks. Nicolo likes to play games, so who knows.”
She nods. “Will you have to meet with him?”
“Yes.” No point sugarcoating it. “But you’ll be safe. Zeke’s already arranging a secure location outside his reach.”
“No.” The word emerges with a force. When I raise an eyebrow in question, she continues, “I’m not hiding while you face danger. We do this together or not at all.”
Part of me wants to argue—to insist on her safety regardless of her preferences, to protect her from further exposure to the violence that shapes my world. But I recognize the steel in her spine, the determination that allowed her to survive Lucas’s abuse and emerge stronger. She’s earned the right to make this choice.
“It’ll be dangerous,” I warn, though we both know she’s already decided.
“So was charging Francesca.” A small smile plays at her lips. “Didn’t stop me then.”
I groan at the reminder, pulling her closer. “Still can’t believe you did that. Took years off my life, watching you tackle an armed mob boss.”
“Worth it.” She kisses my chest, right above my heart. “I’d do it again. Will do it again if anyone threatens what’s mine.”
That hits me harder than any bullet—this woman protecting our connection, protecting me with a fierce determination that matches my own. I kiss her again.
When we separate, both breathless, I rest my forehead against hers. “Together then. But you follow my lead with Nicolo. He’s a different level of dangerous. He uses manipulation instead of force.”
“I understand.” Her hand cups my cheek, thumb stroking my beard. “I trust you to keep us safe. Just don’t ask me to watch from the sidelines while you face threats alone. Not anymore.”
I close my eyes, overwhelmed by competing emotions—pride, fear, profound love. When I open them again, decision crystallizes.
“Meeting aside,” I say slowly, choosing words with care, “we should find a permanent place to live. Somewhere that’s ours.”
Her eyes widen, hope warring with uncertainty. “Really? It’s finally safe to take that step?”
“Yes.” I nod. “Time to stop running, start building something real. If that’s what still you want.”
Her answer comes in a kiss that carries all the promise of the future we’re fighting to secure. When she finally pulls back, her smile could illuminate darkness itself.
“Yes,” she says. “That’s exactly what I want.”
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes again. Reality intrudes once more, reminding us that challenges remain before we can claim the future we envision.
I reach for my phone to see what Zeke needs now. Just another update, nothing urgent.
I set the phone aside, turning to find Naomi watching me with mixture of concern and determination.
“Shower?” she suggests. “Then you can tell me everything I need to know about dealing with Nicolo.”
I pull her close for one more kiss, memorizing the sensation of her body against mine.
“Shower,” I agree. “Then we get to work.”
She leads the way to bathroom, hips swaying in a way that suggests showering might take longer than necessary. I follow without hesitation, knowing battles await but choosing to savor this moment of peace with the woman who has become essential to my existence.
Whatever Nicolo brings, whatever challenges arise from Francesca’s death, we face them together—stronger for the connection we’ve forged, more formidable as a unit than either could be alone. This knowledge steadies me as we step toward our uncertain future, reminding me some things are worth any risk, any sacrifice, any price fate demands.
The water starts, steam beginning to fill the bathroom as Naomi adjusts the temperature. She turns to me with a smile holding invitation and challenge—promising pleasure now while acknowledging difficulties ahead. I step into her embrace, letting warmth envelope us as we prepare for the storms gathering on the horizon.
We have fought for this—for each other, for the future we envision, for a love that transcends conventional morality and criminal hierarchy. Now comes the test of our resolve, our unity, our determination to protect what we’ve built.
The water cascades over us as I pull Naomi close, her body fitting perfectly against mine as steam rises around us. Whatever tomorrow brings, this moment belongs to us alone—sanctuary rebuilt through connection that defies explanation yet defines my existence.
This is worth fighting for. Worth dying for, if necessary. But more importantly, worth living for—every day, every moment, every breath we share.
