Chapter 43: Forty-Three

It was about five in the morning when Henry woke up. His left side was numb, legs cramping, and his back was killing him. The need to stretch his body made him impatient, but when his sleepy eyes fell on Melina and Eve nestled against him, his heart gave a backflip. He had come back late after a hell of a day and missed Eve’s bedtime. Since they came into his life, he grew accustomed to also put the little girl to bed, and the same as Melina, he looked forward to those moments.

He spent some time admiring them, and a feeling he never thought possible filled his chest. He didn’t see himself deserving of them, and Melina was right to see him as a monster. There was loads of blood in his hands. He couldn’t deny the fact. The first time he pulled the trigger, he had nightmares for weeks. The only way to cope with it was to think of himself as an avenger, purging the world of junk. Henry vowed to himself to never pull the trigger on honest individuals, and he never minded all the torture and punishments he had to endure from Franco when he refused to harm someone good for the sake of his business.

The girls belonged to him, and it was beyond his powers to let them go. He’d never be able to do such an act since he was a selfish bastard when it came to Melina. She complained about waking up alone, and him ghosting her out, and without a drop of shame he’d do it once more. Something changed in her. He didn’t know for certain what it was or why, but she was different. Relaxed, at ease, accepting were a few of the vibes he got from her, and it drove him insane not to unravel the puzzle.

Henry untangled himself from the warmth of his sleeping family and dashed to his house. Melina deserved an explanation from him. They had to finish their conversation, but he wanted her to fall for him before he told her everything, because it would be unbearable for him to see gratitude in her eyes. He wanted love sparkling in those melted chocolates. So yes, he was avoiding her when she could corner him. Today wouldn’t be different, and he had a full day ahead of him.

Donovan had sent all the information about Melina’s parents death, and there was nothing new in the documents, or maybe something he had missed, but since one of the phone numbers got a match with Franco’s business, they were tracing back every soldier who worked for his late boss, may in hell he rests in peace. He thought bitterly to himself. His hackers were getting info on everyone, and he was checking for grudges and the reasons for it. Despite Franco having tortured him quite a few times, he considered him one of his trusted capos, and it could generate envy and unfriendliness from someone trying to climb the ladder.

They had already narrowed down a few names and among them, two connected with Melina’s parents’ execution. They were already researching their whereabouts today. One suspect, Franco, sent him to Rikers Island, and the other, to untrained eyes, got involved in an accident, but to him it was an obvious clipping case. But the guy survived. He knew both of them, but the question was: why did they get on Franco’s nerves to the point of the boss getting rid of both of them? If they solve this mystery, they’d have the answer.

Henry entered his kitchen, all dressed and ready to start his day. Today he needed a good cup of coffee before heading to the inn. It was better in a neutral place instead of having his entire crew here in his house, close to his daughter. After a few minutes, his phone buzzed.

“Yes, Darryl?” Hope of good news filled him, but it would be too good to be true. Darryl, Josh and Eli worked for him since he left Franco’s mob behind and later on fished them out of that life, and finally helped him get the world rid of that ruthless asshole. He trusted them as brothers. “No, I’ll be right there in ha…”

Henry didn’t finish talking. Melina sneaked up on his back and pulled the cell phone from his hand. She caught him by surprise, and he didn’t act soon enough. When he moved to grab her, she was already slamming and locking the bathroom door on his face.

“Melina! What are you doing? Open the door this minute!” He knocked hard at the door. Blood boiling in his veins, and heat spreading to his face. “Melina, give my phone back!”

Melina didn’t believe she had the guts to do what she just did. What else could she do? He was stalling to finish their conversation. She wasn’t stupid. Fumbling with the phone, she found the contact she was looking for and sent it to her phone. Then she erased all her traces. It seemed the courage she felt earlier had abandoned her. Henry was punching the door hard, and by his tone of voice, he was beyond pissed, but just the thought of having him all angry aroused her. She inhaled to calm herself.

“Open this damn door, or…” The door opened, and with a wide smile plastered on her sinful lips was Melina.

“Or what? Is that a threat?” The tip of her tongue darted out, moistening her suddenly dry lips, bringing his gaze to her mouth, his eyes darkening. “Is this what you want?” She held the phone to him.

He snatched it from her, unlocking and checking what the heck she had done to the device, but he found nothing. He’ll have to let his guys check for him. Mischief was written all over Melina’s face, and her eyes sparkled with laughter. She was there at the door threshold, staring at him, still in her pajamas, but all fresh and perfumed, orange blossoms enveloping him in a delicate hug.

“What are you up to, kitty kat? What did you do with my phone?” He couldn’t get distracted by her. Focus was a must, but how he could do it when she stared at him with lust in her eyes.

Goosebumps crawled all over her skin, and a flush covered her face. His voice was a low, menacing growl, and even though furious, it caressed her skin, weakening her knees and warmth pooled between her thighs. Lord, he transformed her into a wanton woman. It was exciting, but altogether scary, and for the worst, if he got pissed, the better. She was definitely losing her mind.

“That’s for me to know.” She tried to push past him, but he was like a wall. “Move, Henry.” He didn’t budge, staring down at her. Melina raised her chin, defying him. “I’m not saying a word about the matter, so drop it.” Melina squeaked when he grabbed her by the waist, bringing her crashing on his hard frame as her arms flung to encircle his neck.

“I don’t have time to play games. So whatever you have in mind it won’t work.” He whispered close to her mouth.

“I don’t have time to play games, either. If you don’t want to tell me the truth, I’ll find a way to get it.” There was eagerness in her voice. She wanted him to understand that nothing would stop her from discovering the truth.

“There’s nothing there for you to find out.” Concern dripped from his voice, and by the way she pressed forward and her brows pursed together, she was onto him.

“Aren’t you pleased you’re not a mind reader?” The wicked smile she shot him got Henry hard against her stomach. “You want me in your life, but I don’t see how. You don’t trust me, you don’t let me in. Everything changed after the day of Eve's disappearance. She’s back at home, she’s fine.” Her fingers fondled the short strands of his beard.

“No, that’s where you’re wrong, Melina. Everything changed when you accused me of what happened. I’m the one not worthy of your trust, it’s not the other way around.”

“I apologized already!” Her voice was soft, and her fingers didn’t stop caressing his cheek. Their mouths were mere inches from each other. If she got on her tiptoes, her lips could touch his just enough to feel their softness, their heat on hers.

“It doesn’t count. You were so fast, passing your judgement on me, I just don’t care anymore. Why should I finish our conversation if in the end you may not believe me, and next time something goes wrong, I’ll be the one to blame?” Anger built in him again, and his heart thundered against his ribcage and so loud in his ears. Melina was his downfall. He didn’t trust himself near her, and he was already showing too much. Time for him to go. Her body was pressed to him, her fingers sending fire through his veins, and her scent putting him in a state of haziness. He could even taste the sweet oranges on his tongue.

“Yes, it does count. I refuse to believe this is the problem. What are you hiding from me? What’s so bad that you don’t find it in yourself to come clear at once, Henry?” It didn’t matter what she said to him. He wouldn’t tell her. It was settled, then. She would take matters to her own hands.

“Now it’s not the time, Melina. I have to go.” He pushed her out of the way. Cold invaded his body, but he didn’t care. Henry marched out of the house without sparing a look to Melina, but catching the echoes of her words.

“You just gave me what I needed, Henry…”