water mixed with the deep red blood, turning it pink as I scrubbed.
My thoughts switched between Janson, Dobrow, and unfamiliar regret. Stabbing Janson hadn’t been a mistake. Doing it while Juliet was home had been. I’d let my temper get the better of me.
I’d fucked up.
My job was to protect her, and instead I’d traumatized her.
Turning off the water, I dried myself and wrapped the towel around my waist before opening the door.
Pacing the room, Juliet froze when I stepped out. Her gaze dropped to inspect my naked torso for injury.
“I told you it wasn’t my blood.”
“Just making sure.”
Pulling her into my arms, I was glad she didn’t resist. I inhaled her sunshine scent as I ran my hands across the soft skin of her back. “You okay?”
“A little freaked,” she admitted.
Guilt hit my gut harder.
Seeing it, she rushed to explain. “It’s not that. I’m just freaked because I thought you were hurt. I didn’t really see anything.” A sad smile I hadn’t seen in a while curved her lips. “Even if I had, you know I’ve seen a lot worse in my life.”
I should dig Shamus out of his unmarked grave and shoot him again.
“I have to go,” I said.
“I figured.”
“No more outside today. Marco will be here soon. Vera is always armed. You’ll—”
“Vera is armed?”
“She lived a rough life before coming here.”
“I know,” Juliet said. “I didn’t realize she was packing heat. Makes me glad I’ve always been polite.”
As usual, Juliet managed to make me smile despite the shitstorm brewing. “‘Packing heat’?”
“It sounds badass… just like Vera, apparently.”
“Which is why you’ll be safe.”
But my girl didn’t need reassurances.
“I know. I’m worried about you.” Her voice shook and her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, making me painfully aware that we were only separated by a towel and her thin swimsuit. My dick hardened and her eyes snapped to mine. “Really? Right now?”
Cupping her head, I tilted it back. “With you? Always.”
“You’re insane.” But that didn’t stop her from pressing tighter against me.
As tempted as I was to sink into her and fuck away my anger, I didn’t have time. “I need to get dressed.”
She opened her mouth but closed it and released her hold. “I’m going to grab a quick shower before more hell breaks loose.”
After she closed herself in the bathroom, I pulled on a suit and holstered my Glocks before going to my office.
The blood was already gone from my desk, and the scent of disinfectant hung thick in the air. The carpet was sudsy with cleaner.
“How is she?” Vera asked, looking up from her supply tray. She grabbed a scrub brush before switching it out for a larger one.
“She’s good.”
“Of course. We’re women. Women are always strong.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “You got your Ruger?”
She smiled and lifted her pant leg to show her ankle holster. “Women are also always prepared.”
“Good. Marco is on his way. I want everyone locked in until I get back.”
Approaching, she patted my cheek the way my mom used to—as though I were a mischievous little boy and not a grown man with murder on his mind. “Be safe.” Her features tightened, ruthlessness taking over. “But do what you have to do to make sure you and Juliet continue to be safe.”
“That’s the plan.”
She turned and pulled on gloves before crouching to clean the blood from the carpet, as though it were nothing more than spilled wine. “Then once it’s settled, you can get started making beautiful babies.”
Jesus.
Leave it to Vera to be blunt.
It wasn’t the first time I’d thought about putting my baby in Juliet, but I was a selfish fucker. I wanted her to myself for a while longer.
Shaking my head, I backtracked to the bedroom just as Juliet finished getting dressed.
I closed the distance between us and cupped her head before kissing her hard. “Be good.”
“Never.” At my look, she rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
I started to step away but she gripped my lapels, worry evident on her pretty face. “Be careful.”
“I’d never let anyone take me from you.”
With one last kiss, I headed downstairs just as Marco arrived.
“What happened?” he asked.
I recapped Janson-number-two’s visit and the Dobrow connection.
Scowl growing, Marco remained silent while I spoke. Once I was done, he shook his head. “Fuck.”
That summed it up.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Target
Maximo
WALKING INTO THE plant, I went straight to the limp body hanging from a meat hook by his bound wrists. I slowly circled him. He’d been stripped to his underwear to check for wires, trackers, or anything else he may