Page 88 of Chicago Sin

“Anytime.” He shrugs. “I've been in this life long enough to know the risks. I'm not some innocent bystander who got caught up in your mess, Armando. I made my choices.”

Despite Marco’s words, guilt gnaws at me like a ravenous wolf. I clench my fists at my sides and look away from them, trying to fight the urge to rage and kill someone.

“Marco shouldn't have been there,” I say, my voice strained. “It should've been me in that alley. The bullet was meant for me.”

“Armando, you can’t—” Hannah begins, but she's cut off by the sudden entrance of Marco's brother, Leo.

“What the hell happened?” Leo saunters into the hospital room.

“I got shot in the butt.”

“So I heard.” Leo barks out a laugh. “Well, at least it wasn't something important.”

“Ha, very funny.” Marco gives a rueful grin. “I did what I had to do.”

“So now you have two holes in your ass?” Leo continues. “So you are a double asshole now.”

“Keep it up, little brother,” Marco growls.

“Listen,” I interject, addressing Leo. “This is my mess. I'll make it right. I promise.” The weight of responsibility settles even more heavily on my shoulders. I glance over at Hannah, who studies me like she can feel it. I’m sure she can. The girl feels everything.

I can’t read her thoughts.

Leo stops joking with Marco and turns toward me. “Count me in, on finding the fuckers who scarred my brother’s lily-white ass.” Leo’s face is serious. “We'll make sure they regret ever crossing our family.”

As we discuss plans for retribution, Marco interjects, wincing as he adjusts his position on the bed.

“Before you guys go all vigilante on their asses, there's something we need to consider.” He tips his head in Hannah’s direction. “Maybe it's best if she gets out of town for a while, too. Like your mom.”

“Absolutely not,” Hannah responds immediately, her voice unwavering.

Fuck. Marco’s right. If anyone connects me to Hannah, she’ll be a target. The stronzos who want me dead were in the alleyway behind her shop today. They may have already tied me to her.

Then again, it could be they thought I’d be there because of Rocco’s. Because it’s where they found me last time.

Hannah puts her hands on her hips. “No. I have a business to run. I’m not going anywhere.”

I’m a double-asshole because the truth is, I don’t want her to leave. I don’t want to stop hiding out at her place. I don’t want to let her go. She’s the only color in my black and white life.

“I don’t think she’s a target. Just me.”

“True. I heard them yelling ‘that’s not him’ after they shot me,” Marco says.

A small sliver of relief worms its way through my chest. “That’s good. Hannah stays, then.”

She steps in close to me, and I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, inhaling the scent of her hair—a mixture of fresh flowers and warm vanilla.

“You stay, but we'll need to take extra precautions.”

“Okay,” she murmurs, her arms tightening around me.

“All right, then,” Leo chimes in, his expression still serious. “We'll make sure to keep her safe while you deal with this. And I’ll help you handle the retribution, Armando.”

“Hey, don't forget about me,” Marco calls out, attempting a grin despite the pain etched on his face. “I might be down, but I'm not out. I'll be back on my feet soon. The retribution should be mine.” He yawns. “But right now, I need to close my eyes and enjoy the high from all these pain meds.”

Leo leans against the wall as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Yeah, man, and now you're gonna have all the nurses here fighting over who gets to change your bandages.”

“Maybe I should get shot more often, huh?” Marco chuckles, wincing slightly from the effort.