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  “I think I can handle your mother. She’s very nice and she asked normal questions that anyone, especially a mother, would ask.” He lowers his head. “I’ve missed you.”

  He stops my reply with his lips. He said exactly what I’ve been feeling. I missed him too. Tomorrow is Friday and we will have known each other for one entire week. This situation is nuts. Then again, so are his lips. Full and so damn perfect. I wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders and lean into the kiss. He tastes so good. I’m a very bad person because on the day of my father’s funeral, I wish we had time to do more than kiss. I need to reaffirm life and maybe this is normal. I can’t trust my thoughts right now, so I allow the kiss to soothe me.

  He breaks away and peers down. “I’m truly sorry about your father.” He says it with so much emotion in his eyes. He knows the heartache of losing a parent. I can’t help the tears as they roll down my cheeks. He catches one and licks it from his finger. “I’m starved and I refuse to exist off your tears,” he says with a tender smile.

  I was seconds away from breaking down when he makes me laugh. He’s such a wonderful man and one day he will find a woman who lives up to what he needs. I turn away and wipe my cheeks before opening the door. His hand rests on my hip as we walk into the crowded living room. It takes thirty minutes of accepting more condolences before we find our way to the dining table. We fill our plates and head to the back screened porch, where no one has ventured. It has an evaporative cooler and ceiling fans, so it’s not as hot as it is outside. I’m actually thankful that Moon and Mak didn’t come back to the house after the service. This place has been home for so many years to my mom. Really though, it’s in a lower middle-class neighborhood, which has seen better days. It’s the house I grew up in. I’m not embarrassed; my father worked very hard to buy it. It’s just a different world from where Alex lives. Alex says nothing about the old ratty furniture when we sit down on the lumpy sofa. These thoughts make me ask a very stupid question before I can pull it back.

  “Independently of Moon, are you wealthy?” My face heats as soon as the words are out of my mouth. Alex laughs at my obvious embarrassment. I lower my head and look at my shoes.

  “I have my own money if that’s what you’re asking,” he replies softly.

  Is it? I’m not sure. I look up and say honestly, “You paid for the funeral.” I look away again. “You paid for me.” I slide my gaze back to his. “I’m not sure who I’m in debt to.”

  Alex moves a wisp of hair from my face. “There is no debt, Celina. My personal money has paid for everything. Even if it hadn’t, Moon would never take payment from you. I have more money than one man needs and so does he.”

  This seems so easy for him. I never want to take what he’s done for me for granted. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  A sexy grin lights up his face. “I’m hoping when you’re back at the house, you thank me repeatedly.”

  He’s teasing and I love him for that.

  Love.

  Six days and I love him. If I’m lucky, I have another week before it’s time to continue my real life. I will never forget him. It’s selfish of me, but I want to be sure he never forgets me either.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Alex

  WE RECEIVED NEWS THIS morning that the guns were delivered to our connection in Mexico. Corbin kept his word. With the added stress over the past few days, the unwanted images continue to play in my head. I’ve worked out, meditated, and worked out again. Yesterday with Celina helped more than all the cardio and weights combined. She’s my temporary cure. The picture of my father came out of nowhere. It’s happened before and caused problems. Moon extricated me from one very bad situation. I think he’s known for years that I hide something deeper behind an easy smile or a joke. I refuse to discuss it with him. He’ll think I’m insane. Hell, I most likely am.

  There’s been no word on Danita and our frustration builds. She’s gone to ground and I know she couldn’t do it without help. We also don’t have a date on the return of Manuel’s body. The Feds had a sit-down with Moon and his attorney yesterday afternoon. Moon said nothing and let his attorney speak for him. The last thing we need is for the Feds to get their hands on Danita. She really knows only one aspect of our operation, but that doesn’t mean she won’t scream bullshit to make a deal. We need her to permanently disappear.

  The DC is quiet and that makes us antsy too. If Dax is in trouble, he hasn’t asked for our help. Moon left this morning for New Mexico and it’s one of those rare times that Madison accompanied him. There’s a big extravaganza for charity tomorrow night and she’s being forced to wear an evening gown and heels. She’s more comfortable in military boots. Her idea of heels are the one-inch sandals she wears to work. It isn’t her first social event and it won’t be her last. It’s part of the political game Moon is so good at. He keeps friends in high places. Jess, Marcus and Colby went with Moon. Two-dogs too. Madison doesn’t travel without him. We also have good men in New Mexico who can handle anything that comes up. So why do I have an itch that won’t stop bothering me? Hopefully having Celina back in the house will eliminate it.

  Celina and her mother are arriving shortly. Gabriella is currently with Kiley in the kitchen. I took Kiley to the pool after my workout and we put our feet in the water. She smiles at Two-dogs and that’s about it so far. Madison has a goat up north in Flagstaff. I wonder what Kiley would think of him and cut off that thought. She will have a life outside of mine.

  Kiley’s lack of progress will be frustrating for Celina. I wish I knew the secret combination that would unlock the child. Maybe Mrs. Thomas will have some ideas. Gabriella says patience is the key. I think when Kiley finally speaks; Spanish may be her first language. For a child who spent three years with skinheads, this seems fitting.

  Bottom line—I’m restless. I don’t like this feeling. I check in with security and they feel it too. In our world, we listen to these instincts. I’m leaving the security room when I hear the front door open. Now, I’ll have a child and the mother of the woman I’m sleeping with here. I can deal with her mother because I’ll have Celina in my arms tonight.

  Mrs. Thomas is as overwhelmed as Celina was when she first entered the house. I would have been happy in a small house like Celina’s mother’s. It was comfortable and lived in. If it weren’t for Moon’s eclectic artwork, this mansion wouldn’t work for me. I’ll admit that having Madison here has turned it into more of a home. I wonder what Celina’s presence would add. If she stayed. I shake the thoughts away and take Mrs. Thomas to the kitchen to meet her granddaughter.

  Kiley clings to Gabriella. Celina’s mom takes it in stride and gives Gabriella a huge hug as a thank you for taking such good care of Kiley. I believe Gabriella has met her match, and her normal stodgy behavior won’t work this time.

  Two hours pass before I have time alone with Celina. Gabriella is having lunch by the pool with Mrs. Thomas and Kiley. The cameras throughout the house pose a problem when all I want to do is grab Celina in the hallway and fuck her against the wall. After one deep kiss, I drag her laughing behind me. Her laughter comes to an abrupt end when I shut my apartment door behind us and push her against it. My hands immediately roam beneath her shirt as I kiss her neck and inhale her scent.

  “You smell so fucking good,” I tell her gruffly.

  “You have a sweat fetish,” she moans back as I lick the skin I just kissed.

  “If I remember right,” I tug on her ear with my teeth, “someone came to the gym when I was hot and sweaty and never gave me time to shower.”

  Her fingers clench my biceps. “That would be me,” she breathes. “We need to hurry. I can’t leave my mother for long.”

  I lift my head. “Don’t worry, she’s in good hands. Gabriella can easily handle your mother with one hand tied behind her back.”

  “No, you goof, my mother will know what we’ve been doing if we take too long.”

  My fingers freeze on the front of her jean
shorts. I can’t stop my burst of laughter. “We’re taking our time so she knows for sure that I do it right.”

  She slaps my shoulder. I grab her hand and lift it above her head and then snatch up the other one. “Your job is to keep your hands right here and not drop them. If you do, I’ll spank your ass until it’s a cherry red.” Like her lips, but I don’t say the last part. Her eyes darken and the hitch in her breathing makes my dick harder. She’s taken over my senses—her scent, her laughter, her soul.

  I push the shorts down and snag her panties. “Kick the shoes off,” I tell her as she kicks her shorts away. I lift the hem of her shirt and take her bra with it. I toss them aside and now she’s exactly as I want her. Completely bare. Her nipples are hard and I haven’t even touched them. I have no doubt she’s wet for me too.

  “You have too many clothes on,” she whispers.

  “Not yet.” I lick a path from her neck to her shoulder, adding gentle bites. I don’t feel gentle at the moment, but I like resisting the temptation to throw her down and fuck her until she can’t walk. I take it slow.

  I cup her breasts and suck one tight little tip.

  “Alex,” she sighs and goes to her toes as her neck arches back. I pinch the other nipple a little too hard and the sigh turns to a low moan. I haven’t spent much time playing with her breasts. Feeling and hearing her reaction makes me wonder why. Maybe it’s the scent and taste of her pussy that keeps me going back for more. But I’ve been missing out. Her breasts are full, the skin silky and her nipples hard pebbles that beg for my mouth. They are so fucking pink.

  Her hands lower to the sides of my head and I growl against her.

  “You’re killing me,” she moans in protest.

  “You’re so fucking soft,” I say as I draw the other nipple into my mouth.

  “Please.”

  “Please what, Celina?” I bite down enough to cause discomfort. “Please this,” I say as I flick my tongue over the tender flesh.

  The small gasping noises she makes go straight to my cock. “Please everything,” she whimpers.

  I give in and step back. I’ve never removed my clothes so fast. Her eyes are closed and her hands are in her hair. I’m afraid she’ll pull it out. Her chest rises and falls as she pants for air. I will hold this image for a long time.

  “Look at me, Celina,” I command as I move in closer. Her eyes blink open and I wonder if she’s had an orgasm. “Hands on my shoulders.” She doesn’t hesitate. I slide my hands beneath her thighs and lift her until I can lower her onto my cock. I slide into the sizzling warmth of her pussy without time to process the feeling as she begins bucking in my arms. I splay my fingers over her ass so I can control her—nice and slow.

  Her frustrated groan makes me laugh huskily. “You’re so hot and tight,” I whisper against her skin.

  “I need to come. You drive me wild. Faster, Alex, faster.”

  She asks so desperately and I can’t deny her. I thrust my hips up as I bring her down on my cock. Our ragged breathing fills the room as we both chase fulfillment. Her nails dig into my shoulders and my fingers into her ass. She’ll leave scratches, I’ll leave bruises. She cries out and clenches her heels into me while I slam into her. The pulsing waves shatter through me and where I end, she begins. Our bodies, wet with sweat, mold to each other.

  We remain locked together and slowly I realize our hearts are in sync. It’s an incredible feeling and one I never expected. I’m so high on her and understand what an addict must feel. It’s most likely a poor analogy, but I can’t describe this moment any other way. “Tell me something about yourself that no one knows,” I whisper.

  She hesitates. Have I crossed a line? She’s needed me. Hell, I’ve needed her more, but I can’t tell her that. Her leaving will be hard enough. I refuse to make it harder on her.

  “I wanted to be a singer when I was a little girl,” she finally answers.

  God, I love the sound of her voice. She would make an amazing singer. “Why didn’t you?”

  She lifts her head and her lips quirk in the sweetest smile. “I’m completely tone deaf.”

  I love her.

  There are so many reasons. She makes me smile and laugh. I’ve lived with the horrible images for so long that before her, I accepted them as the evil that lives inside of me. Is Celina my redemption? If so, how the hell do I let her go?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Celina

  I FIND MY MOTHER in the theater room having popcorn and watching a movie with Kiley. My niece is snuggled up against her. My mom picks up popcorn and holds it over Kiley’s hand until the little fingers uncurl. Such a small thing, but Kiley is responding.

  They’re watching an animated movie that I remember from when I was young. I walk in and sit beside Kiley and share some popcorn. She scoots closer to my mother and another small piece of my heart breaks. She makes headway with everyone but me and I have no clue why. It sounds ridiculous, but is there something in her that senses I never wanted children? That’s completely untrue now. I watch the movie and ignore my guilt. Alex is making phone calls. My mom smiles at me over the top of Kiley’s head and I see tears in her eyes. For her, Kiley is a small piece of heaven. This will work out and I need patience more than anything.

  The movie ends thirty minutes later and Kiley has fallen asleep. “She’s precious,” my mother says quietly. Her full head of red curls is in disarray and she seems so peaceful in sleep. Somehow I will break through her reserve.

  “She is precious,” I agree. My stomach rumbles. “I need something more substantial than popcorn. Where is Gabriella?” It’s not that I’m spoiled by Gabriella, though I am, but there is no way in hell I will enter her kitchen and feed myself. Just because we have a truce it doesn’t mean I’m not scared to death of her.

  “Gabriella had errands to run and said she would be back within two hours. She should be home any moment. She’s an amazing woman. She’s taken care of Catch since he was a baby.”

  It’s an odd name and even odder to hear him called anything other than Moon. I hear a noise at the door and check over my shoulder. Alex stands there dressed to kill in one of his amazing suits that he’s so comfortable in. It makes him look the gentleman even when what we did earlier is the exact opposite. Just thinking about it sends heat to my cheeks. My voice is breathy when I talk. “Could you carry Kiley to your spare bedroom?” Can he read my thoughts? His eyes flash and I think he can. I hope my mother isn’t as perceptive.

  My mother intercedes. “She can lie down with me in the room upstairs if you don’t mind carrying her up there, Alex. I need a nap as much as she does.”

  Alex strides over and lifts Kiley. He covertly pinches my hip and I’m sure it’s because I’m blushing. It’s stupid to feel this uncomfortable. My mom’s the one who told me about the birds and the bees. I’ll be sleeping in his bed tonight and one way or another, my mom will figure out that Alex and I have that kind of relationship. I guess it wouldn’t bother me as much if I’d known him longer. I’ll die if my mom gets nosey. I really suck at lying, but she can never know what I did to keep Kiley safe.

  Alex gives me an inquisitive look. I return it with a tight smile. Why are life’s lessons so hard? Alex walks in front of us as we exit the room. I’ve taken maybe three steps past the door when my mom gasps. I peer around her and Alex because they’ve stopped walking.

  A strange woman is standing at the end of the hall and holding a handgun to Gabriella’s head. She has a large handful of Gabriella’s hair. Gabriella doesn’t look afraid, she appears furious. Even with the tight grip the woman has on Gabriella’s hair, it doesn’t stop her from struggling. The woman hits Gabriella on the side of the head with the butt of the gun. Gabriella grunts. Her mouth is bleeding, so it’s obvious this isn’t the first strike she’s taken. Her legs become unsteady and the woman jerks her tightly against her side.

  The strange woman must be in her sixties. She looks horrible. She has black hair with a strip of gray at the roots.
Her hair is oily and stringy. Her face is bright red and her dark eyes have a crazy gleam in them.

  Gabriella yells something in Spanish. I only make out the word, “Puta.”

  “Shut up, bitch. I’d like nothing more than to put a hole in your head.” She never takes her eyes from Alex. Oh, God, he has Kiley against his chest with her head on his shoulder. “Gabriella was nice enough to inform me that Moon and his wife are out of town, but she failed to mention the party. Oh, Alex, you’re the last person I ever thought I’d see with a baby in his arms. A hooker, yes, you’ve done enough of those.” She waves the gun around before bringing it back to Gabriella. “Does the young woman behind you know how many women you’ve fucked or how many men you’ve killed?”

  My mother gasps again and brings her hand to her throat.

  “Put the gun down, Danita. Your game is up.” Alex sounds disinterested, but I’m not fooled. Alex turns partially. I move my mother back and inch up behind Alex. A noise to the side makes us all turn toward it. Two men with guns drawn come from the front living area. “Jose, Cal, lower your guns and back off,” Alex tells them firmly.

  I’m relieved that they’re on Alex’s side. Alex hands Kiley off to me.

  “Don’t move,” the woman yells and points the gun at Alex.

  It has no effect on him. He steps in front of me and Kiley. My hand lands on my mother’s arm and I all but push her into the room behind us. I’m shocked when the gun in the woman’s hand explodes. Alex grunts and goes to his knees. The two men aim their guns again, but the woman pulls Gabriella so she’s in front of her. “Back off,” Alex yells at the two men. He places his hand against the wall and stands. Blood is pooling on the floor at his feet.

  Everything happens so fast after that. Gabriella throws her head back and connects with the woman’s face. Gabriella then drops to the floor. Alex rushes the woman and she fires again. Alex bends forward and takes her at the waist. Another gun explodes from behind me.