Chapter 12 - The Ultimatum
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The helicopter landed on the private helipad of Rafe’s sprawling, heavily fortified estate outside the city. It was the first time Billy had been to his actual home. It felt less like a house and more like a military bunker wrapped in luxury.
Rafe poured her a glass of expensive bourbon in his study, handing it to her with a steady hand.
"Drink," he ordered softly. "It will help with the shock."
Billy took a sip, the amber liquid burning a comforting path down her throat. She sat on the leather sofa, pulling a thick blanket tightly around her shoulders.
"Marco’s friends want you dead because you protected me," Billy said, looking up at him. "You’re losing the loyalty of your own men because of a maid."
"I am culling the weak from my ranks," Rafe corrected coldly, pacing in front of the massive fireplace. "Any man who thinks he can threaten a woman under my protection does not deserve to breathe my air. The capos who ordered that hit tonight will be buried by sunrise."
"You can't keep killing people for me, Rafe," Billy pleaded, setting the glass down. "It’s going to start a full-scale war. My mother and I can disappear. We have the money now. We can leave Boston."
Rafe stopped pacing. He turned to look at her, the dark, intense fire in his eyes pinning her to the sofa.
"You are not leaving," Rafe stated, his voice a low, vibrating hum of absolute possession.
"I am a liability to you!"
"You are the only thing in my life that isn't corrupt," Rafe said, walking slowly toward her, dropping to one knee right in front of the sofa. He reached out, his large hands gently cupping her face. "You walked into my ballroom and tore down a lie that I had accepted. You fought a hitman with a paperweight. You are not a liability, Billy. You are a queen."
Billy’s breath caught in her throat. The physical proximity, the intense vulnerability radiating from the most dangerous man in the city, was intoxicating.
"What are you saying, Rafe?" she whispered.
"I am saying that I am done pretending this is just guilt over your sister," Rafe confessed, his dark eyes searching hers. "I am entirely captivated by you. I want you by my side. Permanently."
He leaned in, the heat of his body wrapping around her. He didn't ask for permission, but he gave her every opportunity to pull away.
Billy didn't move. She closed the distance, pressing her lips against his.
May you like
The kiss was desperate, bruising, and fueled by the adrenaline of survival. Rafe groaned, pulling her flush against his chest, kissing her back with a fierce, consuming passion that obliterated the lines between protector and captor.
They fell together into the darkness, completely surrendering to the dangerous, beautiful fire they had ignited.
