Bad Intentions by Tara Wyatt

21

Olivia leaned back in the bath tub, letting the hot water and bath salts soothe her sore muscles. She had a killer adrenaline hangover, and she still felt a little lightheaded. She’d nearly passed out in the car on the way back to the city, and she’d felt sweaty and overly hot despite the fact that she was barely wearing anything at all. Only the scent of Lucian’s shirt had kept her grounded.

She closed her eyes, and everything that had happened played on a continuous loop. It was a lot to process and would take time to work through, but one thing was certain: she’d always known that Lucian would come for her. That he would do whatever it took to get to her. She didn’t know how many men he’d killed. She didn’t know what this rescue had cost him, emotionally, mentally.

What she did know was that she was sorrier than she’d ever been in her life that he’d had to do it in the first place. What if…she opened her eyes, swirling her fingers through the water. What if it was too much for him, having her around? Too dangerous? Too distracting? What happened today was her fault. She’d walked right into Massimo’s trap, and she’d put everyone in danger. What if that was a dealbreaker for him?

The bathroom door inched open and Lucian poked his head in. Her heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him. She’d ridden back to the city with Killian, who she assumed was still sitting in Lucian’s living room.

“Can I come in?” he asked, and she nodded, so much love coursing through her just at the sight of him that she felt floaty.

“Of course.”

He stepped inside, and she noticed that he was wearing a plain white T-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants, and his hair was wet. He’d clearly cleaned himself up somewhere else after taking care of Massimo.

He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes roving over her, as though checking for injuries. Making sure she was still whole.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice like sandpaper.

She nodded. “I’m okay. I knew you would come, and I’ll heal,” she said, gesturing at her face. “I’m just…” Emotion clogged her throat and she took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry, baby. I feel so stupid for letting him trick me, and putting you and your guys in danger. This was all my fault. I’m so sorry.” Her eyes stung and she shook her head.

Lucian’s eyes blazed and he pushed away from the door and pulled his shirt off over his head, then shoved down his pants. Before she knew what was happening, he was in the tub with her, sliding in behind her and settling her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing.” There was a pause. “How did he trick you?”

“He called me using some kind of voice modulator to sound like you. You—he—told me there was a surprise for me, and I just needed to get into the car…” Her voice broke and she shook her head. “I’m so stupid.”

He stroked his hands up and down her arms. “You’re not stupid. And I’m the one who’s sorry, Liv. I’m sorry that I pulled you into my world. It’s ugly and dangerous here, and…” He sighed heavily. “I understand if it’s not for you.”

Her chest tightened and she turned, settling herself on his lap so that she was facing him. “I told you a long time ago that nothing about you or who you are puts me off, and I still mean it. If you want me to accept that this wasn’t my fault, then you need to accept that it’s not yours either. You are who you are, and I love and accept you, every single part.” She leaned forward. “It was fucking hot seeing you be such a badass.”

He chuckled, the sound trickling through her, warming her insides. “What was fucking hot was watching you stab that motherfucker.”

“Who is now dead.” She just needed the confirmation.

“Very.”

“Your world doesn’t scare me, baby. You don’t scare me.” She lifted her hands and cupped his face. “I’m in. Now. Always.”

He kissed her, gentler than usual. Her lip throbbed, but she didn’t care. She cared more about kissing him than about the dull pain from her small wound.

“Good. Because there will probably be more of this in my future,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“Today felt right to me, taking out the scum and protecting someone innocent. I don’t want to just be the neutral judge in this world. There’s a difference between judgement and justice. I want to focus on the latter. I want to make the city safer. Better. The Kings of Hell’s Kitchen aren’t going to be anyone’s puppets anymore. We’re going to make our own decisions and put a stop to the kind of shit Massimo was trying to pull.”

She smiled, so wide that she felt the pull of her split lip. “See? You really are Batman.”

He kissed her again, his fingers stroking over the back of her head. “And you’re really okay with this? This life? What it entails?”

“It sounds dangerous and complicated and like what you need to do,” she said, curling her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. “I think it sounds perfect.”

“It’s not going to be easy,” he said, kissing her neck.

“I wouldn’t think dispensing vigilante justice is.”

He kissed her again, this time with more heat and passion. “First things first, we need a code word or phrase so that no one can ever impersonate me again.”

“Batman. It should be Batman.”

He chuckled. “Fine. Batman it is.” He sighed, tightening his arms around her. “You changed my life, Liv. You brought me out of the darkness and into the light. You gave me something I didn’t ever think I’d have. You made me change who I am and what I want.”

She nipped at his bottom lip. “For the better, I hope.”

He took her hand and laid it over his heart. “For a long time, any time I thought about the future, I usually assumed I’d either be wearing an orange jumpsuit or six feet underground. I didn’t see any other options.”

“And now?”

“Now I see you. Us. A future with a family and happiness.”

Warmth flowed through her at his words. “And a better, safer city.”

“That too. Even though I’ve basically just started a war with every single crime family in Manhattan.”

“Even Sal?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. I hope not.”

“I think you and the Kings of Hell’s Kitchen can handle whatever comes your way. They should all be scared of you.”

He chuckled. “As long as you’re not scared of me or the world I live in. We live in.”

She shook her head. “Never.” She leaned forward and kissed him, pouring everything into that kiss. Her love, her trust, her happiness, her hopes for the future. All of it.

“Love you, Liv.”

“Love you too, baby.” She nuzzled her nose into his neck. “I just have one last question.”

“Anything.”

“How come you’re not inside me yet?”

He laughed, the sound filling up the hollow places caused by the day’s events.

“Excellent question.”

And it was one he answered very, very quickly.