Page 29 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)

“I know. And it’s still a good plan, but it’s also fucking frustrating.” Niko runs his hands through his hair. “What about Chief Emerson? Any word?"

Liam stiffens, just for a second, before he's back to his usual ice-cold composure. "Captain Emerson is still MIA. Presumed dead.”

“Who?”

Liam shrugs. “Could be you, for all I know.”

Niko shakes his head. “Not me. I’m thinking Giovanni. Elena was friends with Emerson’s daughter, and that fucking bastard likes to make his daughters pay.”

“What makes you ask?” Liam goes to the bar for another drink.

“Elena’s friend is important to her. It would be nice for her to have her friend around.”

I’m surprised by how much Niko is bending over backward for Elena. But then, that’s love, right? He values his woman above all else. But it pisses me off that while he wants to bring Elena’s friend back, he a moment ago wanted to send Lucy back to Italy, use her as bait to get Giovanni. Fucking hell.

“Is it possible to bring Kate back?” Niko asks.

“I can look into it.” Liam, ever the stoic agent, nods once, sharply, but there’s something to it that I can’t place. Kate Emerson seems to be a topic Liam is uncomfortable with.

The meeting breaks, and I decide to take another pass through the penthouse to insure all is well. Needing a break from the penthouse, I head down to the garage. I check in with the men and decide to hang with them. I’m still doing my job protecting the women, I’m just doing it far enough away to avoid seeing Lucy.

At nearly ten, I head back up and do a final walk-through of the penthouse. It’s like a fortress, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential weak spots.

Speaking of weak spots, I think as I pass by Lucia’s room. I stop, thinking how easy it would be to knock on her door. To pick up where I left off hours ago. I can already taste her lips. Feel the softness of her body.

My dick is hard as a rock. Every muscle in my body is taut. It’s scary how fucking much I want her. But at what risk? At what cost?

"Damn it," I whisper, clenching my fists. My job here is to protect, not to indulge in selfish desires.

I take a step back. The retreat feels like defeat. Since when do I give in to fear? I stare danger in the face every day. Yes, indulging in Lucy would be a gamble, but some gambles are worth the risk. She could just be the biggest gamble of all.

But not tonight. Tonight, I have a date with my hand in the shower.

9

LUCIA

God, that man! I hate him.

How could he do that to me? He’s Mafia, that’s how.

I faceplant on my bed, angry that I brought my humiliation on myself. Of course he’d kiss me like that as a punishment or simply to remind me that I had no power. My despair is made worse by how much I liked his kiss. How feminine and desired I felt. But it was all a lie. God, he’s probably laughing at me right now, at how gullible I am.

Lying on my bed and wallowing in my humiliation only makes it worse, so I force myself up and go on with my day, doing my best to rid Donovan Ricci from my mind.

I sort out the items I bought and think about when the best time to show them to Elena will be. Then I clean up my room that doesn’t need cleaning. I read a book without knowing what it’s about. I can’t get Donovan’s kiss out of my head, but I’m determined to try.

That evening, I join Elena and Niko at dinner. Elena chatters away and Niko simply smiles.

Me? I’m still trying to forget Donovan’s lips on mine, which is hard since I swear I can still taste him.

"Lucy, you're quieter than usual." Elena's brow furrows with concern across from me.

I look up, feeling a bit like a deer in the headlights. “Ah… uh… just thinking about Giuseppe.”

Elena’s eyes soften, turn sympathetic. "Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

Guilt fills me that I’d use my dead husband to hide the truth about kissing Donovan. "No. Tell me how the wedding plans are coming along."