Page 121 of Gamble with Me

“I’m still pissed,” he replied, his eyes glued to my tingling, swollen mouth. “What are you going to do about it?”

I smiled, many ideas popping into my mind, but all were rejected by the simple fact he was severely injured.

“I’ll put you in the bed,” I started, grazing his cheek with my index finger. “Give you your meds, cover you from head to toe so you can rest, and I’ll keep watch so no one disturbs you.”

“C’mon, Mommy. Give me something hotter.” His voice dropped to a plea, making my insides twist with an unfamiliar excitement his words caused.

“Be a good boy and rest. Then you’ll get everything,” I promised, capturing his lower lip between my teeth. He instantly took advantage of the opportunity and turned my teasing into a feverish kiss, ignoring my protests.

“I love you, Valeria,” he claimed when he released me, brushing my hair.

“I love you, too, Zyon,” I muttered, lost in his gorgeous eyes. “Forever.”

“Always.”

-55-

Zyon

Gripping the edge of the sink, I leaned into my palms, observing my reflection in the mirror. Three days after the attack, I looked like Hell had chewed me up and spit me out. I certainly felt like the Devil himself held me by my balls, reminding me I wasn’t invincible.

“Fuck it,” I hissed, arrogant smirk forming on my lips.

I was fifteen years old when Dad’s enemies tried to kill me for the first time. The garrote wire’s scar on my neck was covered with a tattoo, but the memories of that dreadful day would stay with me forever. Then it was a planted bomb in my car when I was nineteen, a gunshot when I was twenty-one, and an attack in a bar with a knife when I was twenty-eight. All those unsuccessful attempts fueled the legend and rumors circling me.

People assumed I was indestructible. For over a decade, I believed it, too, until Chester and hisbrilliantplans caught me unprepared. My men died while protecting me. My friends, companions, and partners lost their lives because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was my duty to avenge their sacrifices. It was my responsibility to purge this world of the men who screwed us. It was an obligation toward those who worked day and night to keep my organization prosperous with me. My people wouldn’t suffer for nothing.

My breathing quickened, and the stinging in the wound worsened. My hands gripped the sink so tightly I almost ripped it off the counter. I was furious, barely containing my anger.

Swallowing the painkillers, I decided to go to the kitchen. I was impatiently awaiting a call from Malin, and I didn’t want to wake Valeria up. She slept like a baby, and news about the hunt on Chester and his comrades would only upset her.

As quietly as possible, I left the bedroom and walked down the stairs. Two guards in the living room jumped to their feet when they saw me, but I waved them off. If everything was taken care of, I didn’t mind if they watched TV or played cards during the night shifts.

I walked into the kitchen, sticking my head into the fridge. I craved something but wasn’t quite sure what. I was just in the middle of deciding whether to eat chocolate yogurt or try a pineapple when my phone buzzed.

Hastily, I fished it from the pocket of my pajama pants, throwing pineapple slices back.

“Speak,” I barked into the phone impatiently, sitting behind the island because the pain in my abdomen was blinding.

“Everything went to plan,” Malin reported, engine starting in the distance. “We put the families into the van, and boys will drive them to Mexico. They’ve been warned about the consequences if they ever return.”

“Do you have signatures?” I asked, a boulder in my stomach melting. I was nervous about whether Malin and Dorian would succeed without trouble.

“Yes, they signed everything,” Malin grunted. “I’ll tell you details later.”

“Great job,” I praised, cutting the connection.

Leaning into the chair, a victorious smile stretched across my face. My plan worked flawlessly. Two bosses of the ruling Italian families transferred their assets to my shell companies and met their maker tonight. All channels would announce a tragedy in the morning, but the remaining three bosses would understand the message.

I was going after them. They would think my brothers were avenging my death, but the truth was much more diabolical. I wanted their heads for what they had done to me, my family, and the Italians who refused to sign with them. They would all fall. But for Chester Kellerman, I had a special treatment prepared, and I couldn’t wait to capture him. Hewould regret the day he put a hand on Valeria. He would beg for mercy, yet no one would help him.

The nudging against my knee cut the thread of my murderous plans, and I looked down at Bluff. He nipped on my pajama bottoms, gently tugging them. He wanted me to follow him.

“What happened, boy?” I asked, scratching him behind his ear before I stood up. He ran toward the stairs, back to me, and again to the stairs, growling at me to hurry.

“Sorry, but I can’t be quicker,” I told him, stopping after four stairs. The pressure in my abdomen grew, and I felt like the stitches could tear at any moment. I needed Dorian to check them. I was still at a high risk of infection.