Blame it on the shame Part 2

Chapter 9 (Ricardo)

 

I stretch my gloves over my hands and continue walking down the alley.

It's the first time I ever left Lou-Lou while she was asleep in my bed. Hell, it's the first time I ever outright lied to her, but this shit has to be done.

According to Emilio, Luke should be walking out of the club any minute.

Emilio tried to talk me out of doing this—he said it would make DeLuca suspect something between Lou-Lou and me, but it fell on deaf ears.

The piece of shit hurt the woman I love...there's no way in the world I could ever let that go.

I look up just in time to see the slime ball walk out. Anger pulses through me when I see his black eye and bruised face. Fuck, I went too easy on him earlier. I'm losing my edge.

I lean my back against the wall of the building and count his footsteps so I know when to make my next move.

I thought about bringing him to the warehouse, but being that he's been DeLuca's most trusted ally for over 30 years—he knows the drill of being lured there. He also has DeLuca on speed dial and he'd definitely try and weasel his way out of it. He'd probably blame Lou-Lou and try to get her killed.

I hear his footsteps round the corner and I bite back a smile.

A moment later, my fist meets his face and he stumbles back. "What the fuck?"

He shakes his head and looks up at me in surprise. "Jesus, earlier wasn't enough for you?" He scowls. "I know what you think you saw before, Ricardo. But trust me...that was all her. She was begging for it. She's always had a thing for me but I've never taken her up on it because I'm so close with your pops."

He laughs and shakes his head. "She's always been a crazy bitch. Shit, the first time I met her was the night DeLuca and I caught her jumping out of her bedroom window. Broad's got some serious issues." He pats my shoulder. "I completely understand why you two don't get along. Personally, other than her looks, I really don't know what the fuck your father sees in her. So, don't worry, junior—I won't tell your pops about you beating me up earlier."

He continues walking but I drop kick him until he's lying flat on the ground.

"What the hell? I just told you what happened." He makes to stand. "You know what? Forget it, I'm calling DeLuca right now."

I kick him in the balls so hard he goes flying across the pavement.

He curses and bellows in pain.

I walk over to him and he grunts. "You've made your point. Now help me the fuck up."

He extends his hand out to me and I take it.

Then I squeeze it until I feel every single bone in it crack. When I catch sight of the first few tears rolling down his face...I step on his hand and stomp it into the ground.

The very same hand that he tried to shove down Lou-Lou's pants.

"What the hell's your problem, man?" he barks through loud sobs.

I grab his shirt, pick him up off the ground and shove him into the building.

"My problem," I grit, as I knee him in the stomach. "Is that you touched what's mine and I don't take kindly to that, shithead."

He looks up and recognition flashes across his face. He opens his mouth wide. "Well, I'll be damned..it's you."

I don't know what he's talking about and I really don't give a fuck.

At least, not until he says, "Wish I'd figured that out before I told him his little whore was fucking someone else."

I feel the color drain from my face and panic grips me.

He snickers and reaches for his phone with his good hand. "Man, I'm definitely going to tell your pops about this."

It's obvious he doesn't register the hand that's making its way around his throat. "No, you won't," I say as I begin strangling him and his phone drops. "Because you'll be dead."

My smile grows wider as he begins choking and his eyes start popping out of his head.

I practically salivate as I watch life leave his face and I feel his body go stiff.

I pick up my phone and call Emilio. "Call a cleanup crew."

I hear him sigh before he says, "Alright I'm on it." He starts to hang up the phone but I halt him. "I have to ask you something."

I let go of Luke's throat and watch his body drop to the ground.

Then I lean over and spit on his face before walking away.

"What's up?" Emilio asks.

"I have a few questions about the council and DeLuca." I swallow the lump forming in my throat. "And my mother."

 

 

I slip into bed next to Lou-Lou who's sleeping soundly. She looks so beautiful, I have to catch my breath.

Her hand stretches out until she finds my waist and her head nuzzles my shoulder.

I think she's still sleeping but she looks up at me. "I love you," she says while stroking my cheek.

Her touch is soft and sweet and I can't help but lean into it. My chest clenches because I realize all over again just how much I love her.

She shifts so she's lying on top of me. "I'm happy you were born, Ricardo." Her voice shakes. "I really need you to know that."

She reaches down and links our hands together. "And no matter what happens—I will always love you."

Her eyes become glassy and tears start flowing down her face.

I know she's scared.

Hell, I'm fucking petrified.

Especially now that I know Luke told DeLuca she's been sleeping with someone else.

I decide I'm not going to tell her about Luke just yet. She's already a wreck. I don't want her having a panic attack that will cause her to do something stupid...like run away.

Or worse...calling DeLuca and admitting her transgressions, thinking he'll respect her honesty and go easy on her.

That would be the worst thing she could do.

And seeing as DeLuca didn't hop on a plane right after Luke told him what he suspected...there's a chance he doesn't believe him.

I freeze and my heart stops.

Because if he does believe him?

No matter how much he says he loves her...DeLuca will kill Lou-Lou.

I break out in a cold sweat and this palpable need to protect her washes over me.

I have to protect her...and there's only one way I can think of to do that.

It's the same thing that's protecting me right now...DeLuca blood.

After talking to Emilio, he let it slip that DeLuca was supposed to pay for killing my mother.

According to him, women who bring DeLuca's into the world are just as protected as we are. At least, they're supposed to be.

But, the only person DeLuca had in his life that they could ever retaliate against and kill...was me.

Well, before Lou-Lou that is.

Emilio told me that's the reason he kept her under wraps for so long. He even went as far as to forbid her to ever leave his mansion without him. He was afraid of the council finding out about her and seeking their vengeance.

However, now I know that Lou-Lou carrying my child will keep her from being killed by DeLuca as well as the council.

Because my child will be the next in line. And if he even attempts to go after her, I have every right to petition the council for permission to kill him.

Hell, even if I don't petition them...I doubt they'd go after those I care about for protecting my wife and child.