Page 80 of The Players

He took out a wrench from his back pocket, pushed his mother aside, and went to work. As he splintered every bone in the loser’s body, howling screams filled the room, leaking outside through the cracks in the ceiling. But, as expected, no one came.

Half an hour later, it was time for job number two. He’d saved the best for last—the snake in Carmen’s garden. Franco’s former enforcer and Carmen’s trustee, Raul. The slick asshole had rented a secluded chalet somewhere in the woods, probably thinking himself safe there. Part of him even admired the man. In a way, Raul had protected Carmen by killing that bastard in the club as a tribute to her. Sy could even understand him taking a hit on him, trying to eliminate the competition. But filling a closet with women’s clothes, all in Carmen’s size, buying her favorite perfumes, soaps, books, and having an exact replica of her kitchen made? That screamed kidnapper-to-be.

He took position on a hill across the chalet. No one was going to tear them apart. No one.

EPILOGUE

CARMEN

Two months later

Carmen put her hands on her hips and stared at the metal monstrosity in the parking lot.

“Really, guys?” she grumbled. “Why not just hire a tank?”

When Sy gave her a look as if he were seriously considering that, she rolled her eyes.

“We’re not taking any chances,” Vince said, as he ushered her into the back seat.

Ah, yes,thatsubject again.

Unlike her, they believed Marni was a crazy, cold-blooded killer and might come back to hurt her. It was a continuing point of discussion between them. Her men believed Marni was deranged and she should stay as far away from her as possible. As for Carmen, she wasn’t giving up on her. They were all the products of their upbringing, and that girl more than anyone.

She sighed as she pushed herself in the huge SUV. Her butt had barely touched the soft leather before Sy sat next to her, strapping on her safety belt. Her guys took being overprotective to a whole new level. It was no use telling them she wasn’t in any danger anymore. Looking into Sy’s pale blue eyes, which seemed to have a permanent hint of worry specked into them, she let it go. She gave him a peck on the cheek, trying to somewhat ease his worry without words. He’d come a long way, her stubborn warrior.

“You look hot, gorgeous. After the baby shower, I’m gonna fuck you real long and hard.”

“Oh, Sy,” she gushed, batting her lashes. “Ever the eloquent gentleman.”

“Yeah, I’ll become a gentleman when you become a lady.” He winked. “The banshee screaming in our bed last night was no lady.”

Her cheeks flushed. He sure did like to make her scream; they both did.

Sy’s hand slid down the front of her red satin dress and rested on her belly. Soon, she wouldn’t fit inside this dress anymore, nor in the spiked heels that went with it. Which was a shame, because it was her favorite dress, the one she wore on her first night out with her guys. It felt like forever had passed, yet at the same time, time had flown by in the blink of an eye. In the midst of it all, they had weathered the storm. Together.

The same went for the wounds Keegan had inflicted upon her. Vince had brought over the best plastic surgeon money could buy. Truth be told, she hadn’t lost a night’s sleep over the scars. She knew her men didn’t care, but most of all, she didn’t really have the time to worry about them.

Her hand automatically went to her rounded stomach. Learning she was pregnant had trumped all other news, eased away any ache, or possible trepidation she might have felt over her scars.

Even months after discovering she was pregnant, seeing her small baby bump didn’t cease to amaze her. It had been the weirdest experience of her life—waking up in a hospital bed and finding out she had survived Keegan’s slicing, and that she would become a mom, practically all in the same moment. Feeling like she had whiplash didn’t begin to describe it.

Whiplashed and gobsmacked.

Awed and inspired.

But most of all, grateful. Thankful she got another chance, this time with two men who loved her, doted on her, and made her feel like she was the center of their universe, just as they were hers.

She couldn’t help but notice that one-half of her universe was frowning at her belly.

“Something wrong?” They had learned about the gender of the baby just yesterday, thanks to a blood test, and though Vince had been over the moon, Sy hadn’t said much. He had just looked… shell-shocked. Yep, that was the right word for it.

Sy cleared his throat. “I think I’m going to jail.”

Vince let out a snort from behind the wheel.

She didn’t get it. “What?”

Sy’s eyes narrowed. “If anyone even looks funny at her… Hell, first thing I’m gonna teach her is how to shoot a man’s nuts off.”

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