Page 75 of Redemption
“I would send an entire army with you if I could,” she says. “Whatever it takes for you to come home to me.”
“It feels selfish to let him come. What if neither of us—” I cut off the words as Keira reaches out a palm to stop me from speaking.
“That’s not something you’re allowed to focus on right now.”
She’s right. I have to remove that thought from my mind permanently. I can’t focus on the possibility of failure—but I do have to admit that it’s a possibility. I can’t go into this naive. I know what I have to do, and I know the dangers that could accompany it.
Lachlan Mount has to die.
DuFort won’t be satisfied with anything less. He says he wants me locked up, but I know the truth. I’d be murdered inside as soon as he could arrange the hit. I’m well aware of his plans. I’ve been following the news all week. The manhunt is ongoing. They’re watching the French Quarter. They’ve questioned my known associates. With each public statement DuFort has made, his frustration has been evident. It has taken everything I have in me not to think about what has been happening in New Orleans and instead enjoy this precious time with my family. It’s like I’m two different men—one trapped in the past and one tasting the sweetness of a new future.
Even if DuFort didn’t want me dead, I know I can’t continue living this way.
Lachlan Mount has to die.
I can’t be him anymore.
I can’t live the life I used to live.
I see now that there is so much more available to me in this world than violence, darkness, and death. Before, I didn’t know exactly what would become of us when we walked away from my empire. Yes, I’d made provisions, but I’d be living the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. That was the one factor I couldn’t figure out how to eliminate. And now, I see the solution. I can be Luca Giordano. I can be a cherished son, surrounded by the love of his family.
I can give my family a life that I didn’t even know existed.
But first, I have to face my past. I have to do what’s right. I have to pull the pin and let it all explode and pray I’m able to walk away, unscathed.
DuFort also has to go down.
That’s not in question.
He can’t be allowed to make this a vendetta that lasts a lifetime. I won’t let that happen. I won’t let the tentacles of that federally sanctioned criminal family reach this beautiful world I’ve been shown. It can’t be allowed to happen.
My dead man’s switch is lethal. It will eviscerate many. The city of New Orleans will never be the same.
But that all begins tomorrow.
The unexpected guilt for drawing my brother into my mess could drown me tonight, but I won’t let it. They’ve all made their choices. Tonight, I make mine.
“I just want to hold you and Rory all night and forget the rest of the world exists.”
Keira comes toward me, slipping into my arms like she was born to fill that space.
“And that’s what you shall have, my love. We’re yours. Always. No matter what. I would wait thousands of lifetimes if that’s what it took for us to be together again. Know that. Feel that.”
My arms lock around her, and I cradle her tightly against me, breathing in her scent, remembering how, in my ignorance, I thought I could own her. Now, I thank everything that’s holy that she gave her love to me of her own volition.
“I still don’t deserve you, but I am beyond grateful that you’re mine.”
Her arms tighten around me, and for a few seconds, the world fades away, and nothing exists but our hearts beating against one another.
“Ma-ma,” Aurora says, and we both turn instantly. Our hands reach out in tandem as she crawls close to the edge of the bed.
“Baby girl,” I whisper, sweeping her up in one arm to cuddle against us.
This is what I’m going back to preserve. This is what I’m fighting for. This is what I’m willing to die to protect. This. Right here.
“Daddy loves you, princess. I won’t be gone long. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I say, meeting Keira’s gaze as it shines with tears.
“Damn right you will be,” she whispers back to me. “As fast as humanly possible. We’ve got a new life to live, and it’s amazing.”
