33. thirty-three

Lying in bed, Lucia's small frame is nestled into mine as I spoon her. I've had my fill of her—for now—but even if I don't need to be inside of her, I want the feel of her skin on mine. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her back until her naked body is flush against mine, and she lets out a soft, exhausted groan, "Again?"

"No, little lamb," I lightly chuckle. "I just like having you pressed against me."

She shimmies backward to get closer to me, and her ass lightly dusts against my cock.

"But keep that up, and I might change my mind." I smile as I press soft kisses along her bare shoulder. "Go back to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."

My arms wrapped around her, and my lips resting on her shoulder, I close my eyes in an attempt to take my own advice. I've barely slept in three days, and I doubt I'll get a solid night's sleep until this is over.

"Raf?" Lucia's hand tenderly rubs over my forearm resting against her chest.

"Yes, my little lamb?"

Tipping her head toward her chest, she places a soft kiss against my arm before resuming the light massage of her hand.

"What happens tomorrow?" Her voice is sheepish as she poses her question.

"We kill the man who thought he could throw you into hell without consequences."

"I know." Her lips dust against my arm as she pulls them tighter around her. "I mean after…for us."

"For us?" I repeat her question and squeeze her tighter, like I know she wants. Like she needs. Reassuring her that I'm here as I pepper kisses along the side of the neck. "You're mine. That is not dependent upon whether Hector is alive or dead."

"I'm yours," she echoes my sentiment and firmly hugs my arms embracing her.

"And when you're no longer his wife," I whisper in her ear. "You can be mine."

"When he's dead, everything my father left behind becomes mine." Her serious tone quickly becomes jestful, "Then we'll be sworn enemies, and I'd have to kill you."

"Or you can marry me." My tone is serious. "And we can forge a fucking unstoppable empire."

"Okay," she mocks me with a chuckle and a hint of sarcasm. "We've known each other for weeks, but sure, we can run off and get married."

"Good. I'm glad you agree." I speak the words against her neck with a smile spread across my face and warmth in my cold heart.

Thinking I'm joking with her, she doesn't press any further. But there isn't an ounce of me that isn't serious. I've been fucking obsessed with her since the first moment her lips pressed against my forehead.

Fuck.

Maybe even before then.

There were women before her, but nothing I would even remotely consider a relationship. They were physical—purely sex. No emotions. If there were any, they were completely one-sided and definitely not from me. Everyone in my life has always been disposable or replaceable.

But not her.

It"s so different with her. She's not disposable. She's fucking irreplaceable. There never has been, nor ever will be, another like her.

The first time she clung to me because I was safe.

I've never been safe. Not for anyone. My heart is black. It pumps violence and death through my veins. I earned my seat in hell when she was a still a child, and I have spent decades securing it since. Yet, there's something about me that gives her the comfort and safety she so desperately needs.

Protection that I'll give her until my dying breath.

Lucia is still in my arms, her breathing shallow and slow as she sleeps peacefully in my embrace. I place a string of kisses along the back of her shoulder as I whisper, "I don't need to be your husband to know this is forever. I love you, little lamb."

Shifting her weight, Lucia nuzzles into my embrace, her soft, warm breaths now blowing over my arm as she quickly drifts back to sleep. Not wanting to disturb her, I hold her just a little tighter, and she mumbles, "I love you, Raf."

Closing my eyes, holding her tightly, sleep creeps over me.