CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

RITCHIE

THE WOMAN I LOVE

W alking through the playhouse, I remembered the sincere look on Tori’s face when she stared into my eyes and suggested we stake out my boss’s girlfriend’s house.

Over the years, I wondered what was so special about a long-term relationship. My boss’s main goal in his role as mafia boss of the Esposito Crime Family was to keep his woman safe. The agony etched on his face when she disappeared spoke volumes. She was an integral part of him, and her absence felt like losing a piece of himself.

When I returned home, I’d kill as many of my boss’s enemies as he demanded. Not just because it was my job, but because I finally understood what love felt like.

When I first saw Tori, I wanted to devour her whole. She was so fucking beautiful. She wasn’t stuck up. The woman knew what she wanted. Me. At the time, the dark thoughts I had around my failures didn’t leave room for Tori no matter how bad I desired her. Yet, I couldn’t stay away from her.

Pain shot through my chest every time I thought about leaving Tori in Chicago. I’d make it back to see her every other weekend or Ezra would have to bring her to Jersey if I couldn’t get away. Having Tori in the same state as me would put me at ease a bit. I had enemies too. They could use my woman against me if she lived in Jersey. With the help of my cousin Nick, I wasn’t so worried.

A smile curled my lips. Tori had no problem killing her enemies. I loved that about her.

The problem was she had an abundance of people who made it their mission to destroy or kill her.

Yeah, she had demons, but when it came to controlling the streets, it was almost like her demons fueled her rage.

Tori and I’d start a family in the next couple of years. I’d like to eliminate as many of her enemies as I could before we brought our children into this world.

This morning, waking up next to Tori put the biggest smile on my face.

The dogs roaming the yard whimpering brought me back from my thoughts. Moving them to the new house was the right move. I smirked as I grabbed the leashes.

“It’s a bomb,” Tori yelled just as the house exploded.

The force of the blast propelled me out of the house, feeling like a heavy sack being tossed aside. My body slammed onto the ground with such impact that I was certain every bone had shattered.

As I regained consciousness, I realized I was lying in the middle of the yard. The dogs must’ve dragged me here. As they licked my face, my mind raced to make sense of what had just happened.

I couldn’t believe we’d bonded the few times I came over to the house to feed them.

The ringing in my ears reminded me of the explosion at the gas station. “I’m ok, Reaper and Slasher,” I mumbled, brushing a hand over their ash filled furry coats.

Reaper ran to the gate, then back to me several times, barking. He was trying to tell me it was time to go. Slasher refused to leave my side. It was like she was my protector and Reaper; well, he was in guard dog mode.

Shaking off the pain, I gathered the leashes on the ground and latched the clamps onto the dogs collars. My body rocked side to side as I exited the gate. I wondered how long the throbbing headache would stick around.

The second I saw Tori’s face, the pain didn’t matter anymore. Just holding my woman in my arms was all I cared about at that moment. If it were up to me, I’d tie her to my bed to keep her safe. But I wouldn’t break her spirit any more than it was already broken. Finding another way to keep her safe was the goal. Brock would have to remain in Chicago. He’d serve as extra protection for the girls.

On the ride to the warehouse, I asked Tori if she was sure she was ok to drive.

She claimed she was, but I didn’t believe her. Neither of us were in good shape to drive. Tori knew these streets like the back of her hand. We’d arrive at our destination faster with her behind the wheel.

Casually, I asked who attempted to kill her. She tried to avoid the question. Learning it was Tyra didn’t completely surprise me. Her body hadn’t been found in Lake Michigan.

My phone vibrated in my lap.

Fuck, I hadn’t had a chance to reply to Catch’s earlier texts. I knew it was him sending another message.

Catch: Since you didn’t respond to any of my previous text messages, I reached out to Brock. He told me what happened. I’m happy you and Tori are safe. Last night, you and I discussed the plan for today.

“Shit,” I muttered.

Catch: I understand the unfortunate incident set you back. I need my best man and Bianca’s maid of honor in Vegas asap.

Me: We’ll be there.

Catch: Great! Can’t wait to see you, brother.

Me: It will be good to see you, too.

I hadn’t had a chance to mention Las Vegas to Tori. It was all about timing with her. Honestly, I didn’t mind. Maybe I was crazy, but I loved that she was wounded. Broken.

Yeah, I knew it sounded fucked up.

Does it make me a bad person for wanting to be the man to provide the tools to put her back together again?

Maybe. So the fuck what. Our relationship wasn’t cookie cutter. We faced problems the first day we met. I’d be there for her through it all.

I told Tori her best friend was getting married. In Vegas. Her eyes were as big as saucers. She didn’t look ok.

“I’ll FaceTime her,” Tori stated.

Tori thought she wasn’t going to Vegas.

“You think that’s all you’ll do? It’s not, Tori,” I growled.

My hand caressed her thigh.

“I’ll get you through the trip,” I stated.

My words bounced around in her pretty head.

She could barely hold it together once we reached the warehouse. Despite my splitting headache, I fucked the panic attack right out of my beautiful woman.

That orgasm would keep her relaxed until we reached the jet.

Tori slept on the plane, so I didn’t have anything to worry about until later that day.

Setting up the cameras in the hotel suite might’ve been over kill. I felt it was necessary. Arlis said I needed to take it easy. Again. Damn, every time I turned around, I had a concussion or other life-threatening injuries.

Wrapped in each other’s embrace, we lay in the oversized bed that felt fit for royalty. My lips brushed against Tori’s cheek as I ran my hand over her curves. She looked so peaceful in her slumber. The mere thought of leaving her and moving back to Jersey made me angry.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated on the nightstand, breaking the tranquility of the moment. Gently, I untangled myself from Tori and swung my legs over the edge of the bed to grab my phone.

A text from my neighbor Gloria appeared on the screen.