It was for the future, for his future and for my own, too.
Just then, a door near us pushed open and two staff members walked out. They were clearly maids, both pushing carts. One was tall and the other was short, both woman, both probably in their forties. They stopped in the hall and huddled together, talking quietly but still loudly enough that I could hear what they were saying.
“How much blood?” she asked.
“A lot. Tons of it.”
“Wow. That’s scary. I mean, I knew we worked for the mob, but seriously, blood?”
The taller one nodded. “I know. I think there was some sort of attack last night.”
“Really?” the shorter one asked. “These guys always seem so nice. I mean, tough guys and all, but nice.”
“I know. I think someone died. Can you believe it?”
“Geez.” They began to walk slowly down the hallway, and their conversation faded out of earshot.
They must not have noticed me standing there. I was partially hidden by a big plant and they had turned away from me. Otherwise I couldn’t imagine they’d say that stuff in front of me.
But I was glad they had. I felt terrified as I moved back down the hall, walking fast. Fear ran up along my spine as I pictured the worst-case scenario.
What if my baby’s father was dead? He could be lying in the street, stiff and dead, all because of me. Even if it wasn’t him, someone had died because of this war. The shots were no longer digital, clearly.
I practically jogged down the halls and finally stopped outside Vince’s room, my heart hammering in my chest. I knocked hard on his door, gently rocking Alexei to keep him calm.
No answer. Panic began to rise up through me as I knocked again, louder and more insistent.
“Hold the fuck on,” I heard from inside. “I’m coming.”
Relief washed over me as Vince pulled open the door. He was wearing only a tiny pair of black workout shorts, and I couldn’t help but stare at his muscular chest.
“What a surprise,” he said.
“I heard about the attack,” I blurted out.
He stared at me for a second and then sighed. “Come inside.”
I followed him into his room, still gently rocking Alexei. Vince hadn’t even given Alex a second look; he just collapsed onto the couch. I sat down on a chair across from him.
He looked exhausted, but still absolutely handsome. I was glad I had Alexei with me, since he would act as a buffer between the two of us. Ever since I’d given in and slept with Vince, I couldn’t get him out of my mind, and now seeing him without his shirt on was driving me crazy.
I couldn’t believe how badly I wanted him again, even despite all the madness and violence happening around us. It was pure animal lust, and I felt my pussy soaking through my panties already.
“How’d you hear?” he asked.
“Staff was talking,” I said. “I overheard them.”
“Damn,” he said. “I was going to tell you eventually. I needed sleep first.”
“Did I wake you up?”
“Yeah,” he grunted.
“Sorry about that.” I bit my lip. “Someone died?”
“Yeah,” he said again, looking away. “Just some guys from my crew.”
“I’m sorry, Vince.”
“It’s war. That shit happens.”
“Were you involved?”
“I was there,” he said.
“What happened?”
He sighed, stretching out on the couch. He seemed strange, maybe a little distant. He was usually so fast to make some kind of comment, but maybe it was because of Alexei that he was holding back his normal dirty banter.
“Your family ambushed us when we left a deal.”
“The whole mob isn’t my family.”
He shrugged. “Fine. Call it whatever you want. The Russians shot first, but we’ll shoot harder.”
“Vince,” I said softly, “this is crazy. I never wanted a war.”
“Doesn’t matter what you wanted, does it?” he asked. “It’s happening, probably was going to happen eventually no matter what.”
I sighed, bouncing Alex slightly. “I don’t want people to get hurt because of me.”
“Nobody is getting hurt because of you,” he said. “This is because your mob doesn’t respect its superiors.”
I clenched my jaw. “They may be mine, but I don’t feel like I’m one of them right now.”
“Fine. Is this all you wanted, to ask me questions?”
“No need to be an asshole.”
He shrugged. “Been a long fucking night.”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m okay.”
I stared at him and then stood. “You don’t have to keep protecting us. I never asked for a war.”