wanted to pull some strings to free up a room, I wouldn’t say no.”
“Name the weekend.”
“I’ll be a damn hero.”
Heading to where Ash and Cole stood guard at the gate, I said, “It’s done.”
Ash exhaled, over a month’s worth of rage and tension releasing as satisfaction coated his expression.
Maybe now he can let the guilt go and move on.
Going to the SUV, I peeled off my filthy, bloodied shirt. The bandage Ash had stuck on was still clean, so I didn’t change it before pulling on the fresh shirt I kept for emergencies.
“You going home?” Ash asked.
“Not until the slab is laid.”
“I’ll wait around, too.”
“No, go home. Take the week off. Enjoy a break before the next shitstorm blows in.”
“You just want to keep the excavator and bulldozer rides to yourself,” Ash bitched, but he was already heading for Cole’s car.
Going back into the worksite, I grabbed a cup of shit coffee from the office trailer.
Then I waited for concrete to be poured, which was almost as thrilling as watching paint dry.
_______________
Shit, I’m beat.
Pulling into my driveway that afternoon, I killed the engine and got out just as the front door whipped open.
Juliet came flying out, running full speed. I braced as she launched herself at me. Her arms wrapped tight around my neck, and I winced at the pressure on my shoulder.
That didn’t stop me from cupping her sweet ass and lifting her into my arms. “Where are your shoes?”
“You’re home,” she breathed instead of answering. She leaned back to meet my eyes. “Is everything okay?”
I’d once told Juliet she was worth starting a war for, and I’d meant it.
But I hadn’t started the war. Viktor Dobrow, Mugsy Carmichael, and her own piece-of-shit father had.
I’d just finished it.
Which was why my words were nothing but the truth when I said, “Everything’s perfect.”
“It always is,” she whispered.
My gaze dropped from her tired green eyes to the dark circles under them. “Did you not sleep, Juliet?”
Her body trembled at my tone. “Not really. You know I can’t sleep without my Daddy wrapped around me.”
So damn perfect.
When I carried her inside, Marco was waiting.
“Everything set?” he asked.
“Done. I’ll fill you in later. You guys have the week off.”
“Got it.” He closed the door behind him.
“Sheesh, so chatty,” Juliet muttered.
I was anxious to get her upstairs, into the shower with me, and then in bed on top of me. Unfortunately, I’d barely taken a step when Vera came from the living room.
She opened her mouth, but I spoke first. “You’ve got the week off.”
“I’ll grab my things.” Smiling, she added, “And you can get started on what we talked about.”
With that, she rushed from the room.
“What’s she up to?” Juliet’s narrowed eyes tracked Vera. “She had a mischievous smile. It’s her tell.”
“What’s my tell?” I asked, avoiding her question.
Her eyes went hooded. “I’m not saying because then you might stop, and I like watching it.”
“I like watching, too.” Squeezing her ass until she whimpered, my voice was low and rough. “Right now, we’re going to shower and then I’m going to fucking love watching you ride Daddy’s cock.”
A harder tremble went through her. “I can do that.”
“That’s my good girl.”
Carrying her up the stairs and into the bathroom, I lowered her to stand. My fingertips skimmed and teased as I stripped her. Distracted by the sight of her naked body and desperate to feel it against me, I didn’t think before unbuttoning my shirt and peeling it off.
At her gasp, I looked down at her furrowed brow. Her gaze was aimed at the blood-stained bandage on my shoulder. “What happened?”
“Just a graze,” I said, pulling her close.
Her big green eyes darted to mine. “You were shot?”
“Grazed.”
“By a bullet?” Juliet’s body tightened and fury poured from her.
Everyone had their limit. At the way she glared at me, I wondered if I’d found Juliet’s.
Before I could offer an explanation, her rage-filled eyes shot to mine. “Did you kill them?”
I should’ve known better than to doubt her.
Because from the very beginning, Juliet understood who I was. She knew the monster she was getting involved with. Who she was falling in love with.
Who her Daddy was.
And she’d never tried to change me. She wanted me exactly how I was, handing me her body, trust, and heart because she knew I’d kill to protect them.
Right then was no different. My girl wasn’t pissed at me.
She wanted vengeance for me.
I lifted my chin. “Carmichael, too.”
Her brows shot up as the pieces clicked together. “Wait, Mugsy Carmichael was involved? Did