“We did come.”
He smiled. “Kiss me again. I need to know this is real.” His voice was barely audible, cracking and wheezing but I understood every word.
My lips caressed his, drinking him, loving him. It was a chaste kiss. No tongue, only breath and heat and a promise of never leaving.
Pulling away, I asked, “If he killed you—how are you alive?”
Q looked away, hiding the torrent of memories. “He had ta—Taser. Amazing what a volt of el—electricity to the heart can do—to prolong things.”
His grogginess evaporated as his hand suddenly shot between his legs. Relief slackened his face. “Thank God.”
I pulled back. “What? What is it?”
Q shook his head, alertness battling back his weakness. “Nothing. I’m still in one piece. That’s all.” He sighed heavily, looking worn-out and barely conscious. His eyes narrowed. “Why is there blood on your cheek?”
Because it was my blood to take.
Franco appeared in the doorway, using the dreaded walking stick he’d scorned before. “Ambulance is on its way.” Smiling at Q, he added, “You should’ve seen her, Mercer. Fucking scary as hell. But she killed him for you.” Franco glared in my direction. His eyes blatantly vowing that what happened downstairs would remain between us.
I nodded, accepting his promise. I’d done what I needed to do. Q didn’t need to know the details.
Q’s face darkened, overshadowed with the strain of talking. “What?” He growl-croaked, “You killed Lynx? That’s his blood on your face?”
I made him believe my lies and stole his life.
I nodded, fierce pride resonating in my heart. “He stole you from me. He had to die. And I had to be the one to do it.” Taking his hand, I squeezed. “I know you’ll understand, and I know you’ll accept when I say it’s done and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Q flinched, untangling his arm from the blanket. With a shaky hold, he cupped the back of my neck. I bowed over him, never looking away from his eyes. “What did you do, Tess? Please tell me you didn’t undo my hard work.” He stopped, sucking in a breath. His eyes were tight with agony. “Tell me you didn’t ruin yourself by killing him for me. You didn’t have to do that. I never wanted—”
“It won’t happen.” I knew his fears. He worried I’d relapse for hurting another like killing Blonde Hummingbird. But I wouldn’t because I’d done the right thing. I was happy. I accepted my brutality and would gladly live with the knowledge I wasn’t pure anymore. I was never pure. And if I went to hell for saving the man I loved—then that was the final debt I would pay.
I kissed him softly. “Taking his life granted me power. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m in control of my fate, and I give it to you wholeheartedly.” My stomach clenched, remembering his letter. “But if you ever leave me a note again, after planning your death and telling me nothing of the dangers you’re in, I’ll kill you, too.”
Q leaned back on the cushion, his energy rapidly fading. “I did that to protect you.”
“Well—I want to protect you in return.” My heart lurched realizing just how vulnerable we all were. How quickly life passed—how much I wanted to live it. “Marry me, Q. Now. I don’t care where or how.”
Q’s fingers added pressure to the base of my skull, bringing me down to kiss him. His lips moved against mine in a dance belonging completely to us. His tongue entered sweetly, seductively. He didn’t kiss with misery or happiness or lust.
He kissed me with reverence. Thankfulness.
When we broke apart, he murmured, “Je t’ai déjà épousée dans mon cœur, Tess. Au moment où j'ai posé les yeux sur toi, tu étais à moi pour toujours, mon amour.” I’ve already married you in my heart, Tess. The moment I set eyes on you, you were mine forever.
Looking over my head, he said to Franco, “Call Suzette. Find out where she organised the wedding.”
“Wait—Suzette?”
Q smiled, reopening the small cut on his lower lip. “We’re getting married tomorrow. Suzette’s been arranging it.” His last reservoir of strength petered out, leaving him pale and breathing hard.
Franco towered over us, two injured warriors together. “I’ll call her, and I’ll do anything else that needs to be done—but you—you’re going to the hospital.”
Q opened his lips to argue but winced as Franco deliberately patted his sliced up legs beneath the blanket. “Hospital, Mercer. Then wedding. Don’t make me kick your ass.”
A tense moment existed before Q nodded. “I think that ass kicking can wait, don’t you?” His gaze fell to Franco’s missing thumb. A rosebud of blood decorated the bandage where his digit used to be. Q frowned, taking in the sling and Franco’s cane. “Thank you for coming.”
Franco shrugged. “Couldn’t be late to this party. Look how much fun you were having.”
I cringed at the morbid humour, but Q smiled. “The fun I could’ve done without—but I’m grateful to you, Franco.” His eyes fell on me. “And forever in your debt, Tess. You should never have had to do that on my behalf. I’m sorry.”
Sirens sliced the morning peace. A flashing ambulance pulled into the driveway, its lights visible through the windows. Kissing Q’s cheek, I whispered, “No apologises. I did what I needed to do.” I nuzzled his cheek. “Your chariot awaits, maître. And your bride will be with you every step until she becomes your wife.”
Q’s body stiffened, fighting off a wave of pain. “And once you’re my wife—you intend to leave my side?”
My heart was no longer a heart—it became a beacon, beaming with brightness, lighting the way to my future. “When I’m your wife, our lives will become one. I won’t be by your side. I’ll be inside you. Forever.”
Q sucked in a breath, his eyes glowing with love. “In that case—get me to the hospital.”
You are my saviour
My forever
The hospital was a necessary evil.
As much as I wanted to leave Spain and never return, I had to endure needles, questions, and doctors.
Hours upon hours of tests, MRIs, and stitching up the slices on my legs frayed my patience, giving time the opportunity to turn my injuries into bone-deep aches. My head pounded from hanging upside down and everything inside was bruised—my kidneys, my stomach—even my spleen. My heart was also banged up, but surprisingly fine—despite the rigorous assault it’d endured. My spine was swollen from the baseball bat, but I had sensation in my legs. Thank fucking God. And the bullet hole was no longer a hole after surgery sewed me up.
The catalogue of injuries went on forever but after everything I’d endured the only broken part of me was a cracked rib. That and my heart. Tess had done something irreversible down there. I’d hung unconscious while she did something I would never be able to delete.
Twisting my head on the pillow, I looked at her.
She hadn’t moved from my side. She’d been there while the doctors numbed my legs and practiced fucking cross-stitch with my flesh. She’d held my hand while we waited for the results of my heart and blood pressure readings. She screamed at any doctor who tried to remove her from a procedure.
I fucking loved her. I couldn’t stop looking at her—knowing she’d killed for me. She’d willingly crossed that threshold where no human should have to go. She took a life in payment for mine. She truly was my perfect other.
Tess glowed, a smile spreading her lips. “Do you need anything? Something to eat? Water?”
I couldn’t stop the involuntary shudder at the mention of fucking water. Vile liquid. Killing liquid. I never wanted another sip or to see a bucket or towel again. That had been the worst part. I didn’t care about the baseball bat or even the cuts on my legs. It was the black wetness that turned my stomach.
It was the breathless horror whenever my mind relived the past. I’d died. I’d given up. And that made me fucking weak. While I’d given up, Tess had become my saviour.
It made me proud. It also made me furious. Hospital staff loo
ked at me as if I were a fucking invalid—compounding the emotions I battled. How could I ever thank Tess for what she did? How could I ever live with myself for being so fucking stupid?
Police had arrived to take my statement and for once I could tell the truth—the whole truth and not fear any repercussions. They’d left us in peace after the main activities and needlepoint on my legs.
Finally, after what seemed like days, I’d finally been left alone in a private room. Finally able to breathe without disinfectant or antiseptic stinging my nostrils. The grogginess from the anaesthesia wore off, leaving me stiff and sore.
My nervous system had a hard time tabulating it all. One moment an ache flared in my chest, the next my lower back. But despite the flushes of agony, I felt fine. I felt whole. I felt content.
I survived.
Tess squeezed my hand, bringing my scattered thoughts back to her. “Q—would you like a drink?”
I smiled, soaking in her perfect face. “I would murder for a shot of whiskey.” My voice cracked and failed. According to the doctor, my throat suffered multiple lacerations from either screaming or trying to breathe H2O instead of oxygen.
The fucking bastard really hurt me. But I was alive, and he was not. All because I had people behind me. I had goodness on my side. I had my esclave. My fearless strong esclave.
“You’re not drinking.” Her forehead wrinkled. “Who knows what you’ll get up to if you have alcohol on top of the painkillers they’ve administered.”
I chuckled. “I can think of a few things.” I wanted to try out my cock—make sure it hadn’t died in sheer terror at the threat of being cut off. I didn’t know how close Lynx came to delivering his final threat. All I remembered was endless water torture, more cuts, more electricity, and welcoming darkness.
I’d been tired. So fucking tired.
Still was, actually, but now it was a sated tired. Satisfied with the knowledge I could sleep with Tess beside me, and we’d both be safe.
Tess blushed, love filling her face with a gentle fire. She carried an inner flame—a torch she’d been missing for so long. After everything I’d done, she was the one to bring back her light. She’d claimed her own destiny once again and in the same breath handed it over to me.
Her gift humbled me, layering my guilt for what the slave did the night before. Another woman’s lips had been around my cock. How could I ever tell her that? But how could I ever not? Would the secret fester until it turned me into a rotting cavity? Or would she understand I didn’t do it willingly? My body and soul were hers. Through and through.
You can’t tell her. Not yet.
Maybe one day I would—but not yet. Not until I’d sorted through the memories and dealt with them in my own way. Not until I’d talked to the girl and apologised.
Blair came into the private room where Franco, Tess, and I were awaiting the final results. I’d suffered countless x-rays to find out if the baseball bat had punctured any organs or caused internal bleeding.
“The plane is fuelled and ready to go, sir. The flight plan has been lodged and Suzette has been informed of an ETA of twelve hours.”
Blair smiled at Franco passed out on a bed. His snores sailed from the other side of the room. The doctors had reassessed him, given more painkillers, and changed his bandages. No sooner had they stopped prodding him, he’d passed out cold.
Sleep was a miracle cure, and I wanted some myself.
I need to sleep so I don’t look like a fucking corpse on my wedding day. I honestly didn’t know how I’d function after everything my body survived but I wasn’t waiting another day. Tess would be mine tomorrow. It would come true even if I had to say my vows in a wheelchair and not consummate for days.
“I’ve also made arrangements for Franco’s future care. It will all be arranged when you return home,” Blair said.
“Merci.” I nodded. “Appreciate everything you’ve done. I’ll leave you in charge of disbanding the team and arranging safe transportation for any women ready to return home. Work with the police. Give them any information they need and advise them to contact Frederick if they need more details.”
The blond man, who’d killed beside me in Brazil, grinned. “Will do. I’ve got it under control. See you in France, sir.” With a small salute, he left the room, leaving Tess and me alone once again—minus Franco snoring in the corner.
Tess moved, perching higher on the edge of my bed. She smiled, linking her fingers with mine. “Are you sure you’ll be okay to travel? The doctors said you should stay here. Wait a few days at least.”
“They always say that. They’ve done what they can for me. Now it’s my body’s job. I can heal in other places than just a hospital.” Hiding my wince as a bolt of agony tore through my thigh, I added, “I wouldn’t miss the biggest day of my life. I’m marrying you tomorrow whether you want to or not.” I hoped I looked threatening and not a man very aware of his mortality. “Lynx would’ve had to kill me to prevent that.”
I shuddered, remembering just how close he came—multiple times. I’d never been one to cry for help—but he’d made me scream. Fucking asshole.
“I’ve already cleared it with the hospital staff to bring along one of the head doctors and a triage nurse,” Tess said. “You both need experts if you’re stupid enough to leave before they say.”
Looking over at snoring Franco, I grinned. “I’m not concerned about my own wellbeing, but I agree he’s a bit of a mess. Best to have someone who can knock him out if he gets out of hand.”
Tess clamped her lips together. “They really hurt him. Just like they hurt you.” Her focus turned inward, no doubt remembering the rush to find me and the mess I’d been in when they did.
My heart squeezed as shadows cast over her face. “I’m sorry you had to see me like that, esclave.”
Her eyes flickered to mine. “Sorry? What on earth do you have to be sorry about?”
I sucked in a breath. Not prepared to tell her just how much I had to apologise for. I’d been completely reckless. Idiotic. “I should’ve had more security. I knew they would come eventually.”
She sucked in a breath. “I want to ask one question, then I’ll never mention it again.” Her face turned hard. “Will you answer it?”
My temper intertwined with the morphine in my blood, making me wary. She knows.
Goddammit, I wasn’t ready for this. “What is it?”
“You knew something like this would happen. I know why you went with them—to protect me. But, Q, you’re a billionaire. You should never have been in harm’s way. You were reckless. Travelling with only one guard. You made it look like you were protecting yourself with fake names and guns but really—you let them take you—didn’t you?”
Shit. How did I ever think I would get away with it? The way she’d watched me at the restaurant—her hesitation when we first arrived in Rome. She’d fed off my awareness—searching for the men I knew were stalking me.
My eyes narrowed. “You want the truth?”
She nodded.
“Fine. Yes, I made it easy for them.”
“Why?”
“To use them as an example.”
Franco stirred before falling back into sleep. “I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life, Tess. Messed with a lot of men who are just as rich as me and have the means to hunt and kill without ever being seen. It was the choice I made in order to avoid dying one afternoon by a sniper rifle and never returning home to you.”
“But you could’ve brought more security. You could’ve—”
“No, Tess. It wouldn’t have worked. They would’ve found a way, and I refused to run that risk. What if they’d killed you by mistake? What if they came after you again? This was the logical way—even Franco agreed with me.”
“Agreed with you on what?”
I sighed heavily. “I had to look weak to appear strong.”
Tess frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”
I shifted against the pillows, already feeli
ng stronger. I was calm—for the first time since the press aired my dirty secrets. “Not only did I remove Red Wolverine’s operation, but you and Franco took out Lynx. Two major players who others respect. What do you think other traffickers will do? Now, I’ve proven twice as hard to kill?”
Tess shook her head. “I know what you’re going to say, but how can you be sure?”
“I can’t.”
Tess fell silent before murmuring, “You think they’ll keep their distance?”
That’s what I fucking hope. “I aim to use Lynx as an example. He came for me. He hurt me. But he died for it. And not only did I exterminate his team, steal his women, and disband his business, but I have the law on my side. No one will put me in prison for killing them. No one will make me stand trial for saving women.” My body heated with the knowledge I’d built a protection detail better than mere men. I’d bought word of mouth respect and a reputation for invincibility. I’d done everything in my power to ensure I lived a long fucking life. “They won’t try again—not for a while.”
Tess suddenly stood. Her eyes glittered as she tore off her jeans and sweater. The smear of blood still marked her cheek—her trophy from battle. Her stomach muscles danced, slinking from her clothes.
My mouth went dry, staring at her body. She only wore knickers—no bra—the blush from the candle wax faint on her breasts. “You’re impossibly stunning, esclave.”
My cock swelled, filling with desire for the woman who’d saved my life. She truly owned me. It was undeniable now.
I wrenched back the covers, inching over for her slim body to fit against mine on the small hospital bed. The moment her delicate form pressed against me, I breathed heavily. “Don’t hate me for accepting pain. It was an insurance policy.”
“To protect me.”
I kissed the top of her head, wincing a little at the ache in my chest. “To protect you.”
“You don’t have to protect me anymore,” she murmured.
I smiled, relaxing against her warmth. “Tess, I will protect you till my last breath on this earth—and even longer if I can. You’re mine. You should expect nothing less.”