Page 59 of Gangster's Empire: Leeza & Havel

She heaved until her stomach cramped, Havel holding the basket in one hand and brushing her hair off her face with the other. “I think I’m empty,” she groaned as she pushed the wastebasket away.

Havel placed the basket outside the door and came swiftly back, kneeling on the floor in front of her, pushing her sweaty bangs off her forehead and smoothing his hand down her arm as she sat limp in the chair. He was such a big man that even kneeling he was as tall as her. It seemed so odd that it was her unassuming, standard-size ex who was the serial killer, and Havel was… well… also a serial killer. But less of one. Or maybe just a different kind; a killer with ethics. At least a few. Fuck, now she was moralizing murder. A hysterical laugh bubbled up her throat.

“Okay, sweetheart, time to stop thinking about this shit.” He stood, picking her up in his arms and cradling her against his chest. He headed for the door.

“No!” she said, struggling against him.

He frowned down at her.

“I don’t want your people to see me like this.” If she was going to become his wife, she needed to project strength.

“I don’t give a shit what any of them think and you’ve had too many shocks.”

She shook her head emphatically, still pushing at his arm. “Please don’t make me look weak in front of them. I couldn’t stand it.”

He hesitated, as if debating between his desire to protect her and his desire to give her what she wanted. Finally, he set her on her feet, but instead of letting her go, he gripped her shoulders, holding her in place.

“You could never look weak.”

She tilted her lips in a tremulous smile. “Would you want to be carried through your office in front of all your people just because you had a shock?”

“Fuck no.” He took her hand and said, “Let’s get out of here so I can take care of you without having to worry what the minions think.”

“Minions?” she asked a tinge of amusement to her voice. “I didn’t know you were into kid’s shows.”

He frowned. “Is that where it’s from? Ayaan calls herself and the others minions. Guess I picked it up.”

He led her through the office with a hand on her elbow.

Leeza kept her chin up and avoided the gazes of Havel’s staff. She wasn’t built for sympathy. She’d been raised to stand on her own feet and take any punches the world threw at her. She was a Koba and Kobas were nothing if not resilient.

Ayaan got on the elevator with them but remained at the door to their condo, silently stationing herself in the hallway where she would remain until a night guard arrived to relieve her.

As Havel closed the door behind them, Leeza said, “Must be a boring job.”

“Some people are built for protection service.”

She wanted to ask him if that’s what he was built for, but Shaun and Fatima, who were sitting on the couch together, stood, catching Leeza’s attention.

“How’s Kris?” Leeza asked anxiously.

“Kris is fine. He’s playing in his bedroom. He believed your story about seeing a spider. I thought it best to send Oliver home though.”

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Leeza was desperate not to lose the Kris’s tutor. It had crushed her boy to leave Oliver behind when they went on the run.

Shaun smiled warmly. “He’s quite dedicated to Kris, and to you. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. He didn’t see anything, but he knows enough about our family to guess what was in the box.”

Our family. It was the first time she’d heard Shaun connect herself to the Kobas. Even Fatima was looking at her daughter with equal parts pride and concern.

Leeza understood because she felt the same way about her own child. He would grow up a Koba because there was no other option, but she never stopped worrying about what it would mean for his future.

“As much as we appreciate your staying with Kris, it’s time to leave.” Havel turned and opened the door.

“Don’t be rude,” Leeza admonished. “They can stay as long as they want.”

“I’m never rude.” Havel gripped her by the back of the neck and pulled her against the side of his solid body. She absorbed his warmth, giving into her desire to lean against him while Shaun and Fatima prepared to leave. “I want my woman and my home to myself.”

Shaun touched Leeza’s arm. “You should come by the mansion tomorrow. Catch a ride with mom and hang out with us. I think your sister will be there, too.”

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