Page 68 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
I expected snark, but her eyes widened and then softened. And then she was in the shower, letting me touch her. On her knees, giving me the blowjob of a lifetime.
I'm thrilled at the change in her, and yet, I’m cautious about what it means. She wants freedom. Once her father is gone, she can have that. I want it for her, a future where she can breathe without looking over her shoulder, laugh without it being laced with bitterness. She deserves to live, really live, not just survive.
What she doesn’t want is this life I lead. Fucking hell, she doesn’t even know that I’m the one who will take over her father’s business when he’s dead. It's a conversation we need to have, yet the words stick in my throat. I don't want to shatter this fragile peace that has settled over us, not when for once, she looks at me and I see something other than disdain in her eyes.
Maybe I can’t tell her everything yet, but there are a few things she needs to know. “I have to stay in New Jersey for a bit. You’ll return to Manhattan with Niko and Elena."
Her body stiffens against mine, and she turns to face me, eyes narrowing into a glare that could rival any made man’s.
“I don’t respond well to orders, Donovan.” The defensiveness in her voice reminds me that she's had too many people trying to control her moves.
I lift my hands, palms out, a gesture of peace. "Hey, you said you wanted to be back with Elena. She'll be in New York. That was the deal, right?"
She flinches, and I feel like I’ve said the wrong thing. “The deal. Right.” She sags back, pulling away, and I’m desperate to close the distance she’s putting between us.
"You go back, stay safe with Elena. That's what matters."
She nods slowly, and I can tell I haven’t fixed whatever I’ve fucked up. I feel like a big pussy bending over backward to make her feel safe and in control. A part of me wants to give up and act like she expects me to, tell her how things are and how they’re going to be.
Instead, I ask, “Is there a problem?”
“No. You said this was a deal and I guess it is. If you want me to go?—”
“Want you to go? I never said that.”
Her dark eyes jerk up to look at me. “You just said?—”
“I said it was the plan.”
She looks down, and the vulnerability in her expression rips through my chest. “Do you want me to go?”
“Hell no. I just…” Is that what this is all about? She thinks I’m trying to get rid of her? “I thought you wanted to be with Elena. Besides, I’ll be busy.”
She adjusts her body, sitting up. She’s magnificent and regal as she stares down at me. “What business do you have in New Jersey?”
I look her in the eyes, tired of pussyfooting around. “I’m going to kill your parents. And then I’m going to run their business.”
She doesn’t react until I tell her I’ll be in charge. Her brows narrow. “Niko is giving it to you?”
I nod.
“You’ll be a Boss.”
I nod again, wondering what the fuck is going on through her mind and wishing I didn’t care so much.
She looks down for a moment. “I can help you with my parents.”
My brain comes to a screeching halt. “What?”
This time, she’s looking me in the eyes. “I can help you take out my parents.” The determination in her voice surprises me.
Her resolve rattles something loose in me—a mixture of admiration and terror. She's remarkable, braver than most men I know. But the idea of her in harm's way…
"Lucy, it's dangerous," I start, but she cuts me off with a look that could stop a bullet.
"More dangerous than everything I've already survived?" Her chin lifts, challenging me.
"Point taken. But the other point is that you’ve survived. Your father nearly killed me. I suspect he’ll have no qualms about killing you.”