Hell Week

EMMA

Diablo and I spend the whole of Sunday in bed, only venturing out for food and drinks. We shower, sleep, and most importantly, we make love so many times that I lose count.

We both need this time together. We’re dreading Monday morning when reality will hit us hard, bringing with it the fear of what’s to come.

The rest of the week flies by. My days are filled with training from three in the morning, followed by lunch and an hour of rest, then more training until late at night.

Every night when I get home, Diablo has dinner waiting for me, followed by a soothing bath. We make love every night, memorizing each other’s features, the contours of our bodies.

Alex and Levi are with me every minute from three in the morning until we get home. The impending fight is causing stress for everyone.

Their worry and apprehension show on their faces when they think I’m not looking. It doesn’t help when you’re training as hard as I am.

Diablo has been supportive all week. He hasn’t shown up at the gym, but I know he’s been at the club making sure everything is running smoothly.

He’s also taken over Alex and Levi’s duties with the other clubs and businesses, allowing us to focus on my training.

I decide that Friday, the last free day, should be different. The guys need a break. I do too, but I don’t have the luxury of time.

I need to revise my will. I want Diablo to inherit 80 percent of my assets. The rest will be split between Alex and Levi.

It’s the least I can do for them. They’ve kept me safe and their lives revolve around protecting me.

Untangling myself from Diablo’s grasp is not easy. He’s gotten used to sleeping with half his body on top of mine.

Unconsciously, he’s probably trying to prevent me from leaving. Our relationship has never been stronger. I’ve gotten used to sleeping with his necklace and Dean’s ring, which he hasn’t asked me about yet.

I need a hot shower before getting dressed. When I come out of the bathroom, Diablo is still fast asleep. It’s only five a.m.

I put on a light blue top, a navy skirt that ends mid-thigh, and above-the-knee high-heeled boots. I add my accessories, brush my hair, and apply light makeup.

Leaving a still-sleeping Diablo, I leave the bedroom and head to the kitchen for some much-needed coffee before my early meeting with my lawyer.

I walk into the kitchen to find Levi, fully dressed, making coffee with his back to me.

“Can I have a cup too?”

“Sure, Ems, anything for you.” He doesn’t turn around, which is odd.

“Levi? Look at me. What’s wrong?” He finally turns around, and I see his eyes are glossy, as if he’s on the verge of tears.

“Vi, what’s bothering you? Talk to me.”

“Ems, you know tomorrow you’ll either come home or you’ll be dead. What you asked me to do, I just…I don’t know if I can do it.

“If you lose, I’d rather work on a plan to help you escape. But to help you…kill yourself…or killing you…I don’t think I can do that. I just, I…

“Ems, my world revolves around you. I love you, not the way Diablo loves you but you are my everything. Losing you would mean I failed you.”

I quickly go over to him, wrap my arms around his waist, and rest my head on his chest. He wraps his huge arms around me, hugging me back.

“Vi, I love you too, but you know what I want. I don’t want Mason to touch me, not even for a second. I don’t want to be his wife. I can’t wait for a rescue plan that might never come.

“I know you, Alex, and Diablo will do everything to rescue me but I can’t risk your lives. Please stick to the original plan,” I plead.

“Don’t forget, Dean, Ems.”

“What do you mean, Vi?”

“He’ll also try to rescue you. He’ll be by our side, you know that.”

“Yes, I do, Vi, and that’s exactly why I don’t want to risk any of your lives. I love all of you so much; each one of you holds a piece of my heart. Without you guys in my life, I’d be nothing.”

“All I’m asking is for you to give me the means to end it myself. Please, Vi, don’t back out of the original plan now. I need to go into this fight tomorrow knowing that you have my back.”

“I’ll always have your back, Ems. I love you.”

“I love you too, Vi.” I pull away, grab the keys to the SUV, my phone, and my handbag.

“Where are you going, Ems?”

“I have an appointment with my lawyer. I need to sign some documents.”

“I’ll drive you then.”

“No, Vi, enjoy your day off. I’ll go alone.”

Ignoring me, he takes the keys from my hands and holds the apartment door open for me.

“I want to spend as much time with you as I can, Ems. Let me drive.”

I know arguing with him would be pointless and a waste of energy.

When we arrive at the lawyer’s office, Levi opens my door and escorts me inside the building. It’s only 7 a.m., well before opening time.

Fortunately, Desmond is used to dealing with people like me. He’s been a lawyer for Mafia bosses for over twenty years. Levi and I sign in at security and take the elevator up to his office.

I ask Levi to wait outside for me. He doesn’t need to know what the paperwork is about. I greet Desmond warmly, and we get down to business.

Once the paperwork is all squared away, Desmond and I step out of his office. I give him a quick hug goodbye, and Levi and I head for the elevator.

“What brought you here today, Ems?”

“I was finalizing my will, Vi.”

“~What?~” he roars.

“Vi...please don’t.”

“Don’t what, Emma? Pretend you’re not throwing in the towel? Because it sure as hell looks that way.”

“I’m not throwing in the towel, Vi. I’m just making sure my people are taken care of.”

“It feels like you’re giving up, Emma, and you know it.”

I turn to face Levi, our bodies brushing against each other. He won’t meet my gaze. I reach up, turning his face so he has to look at me.

His arm instinctively wraps around my waist. I slide my hand around his neck, pulling his head down so he can look into my eyes.

“Vi, I love you and Alex. I want to make sure you guys are okay if I’m not around. It’s the least I can do. If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t have come close to achieving any of my goals.”

I pull him down a bit more and plant a soft kiss on his lips. I look into his eyes. I see the same fear and heartache I’ve been feeling for the past week.

“Vi, please don’t fight me on this, not today. I want to make memories today for all of you to remember me by.”

“Ems, what you don’t get is that you’re such a big part of all our lives that even if we tried, we could never forget you.”

I hug him one last time. The elevator doors open and we head toward the SUV.

“Vi?”

“Yes, Ems?”

“Please don’t tell Alex and Diablo. I don’t want to upset them too.”

“I won’t. It’s not my place to tell them. Thanks for trusting me to come with you today.”

When we get back to the apartment, Diablo and Alex are in the living room, sipping coffee.

Diablo jumps up from his seat. “What the hell, baby? We’ve been trying to call both of you for over two hours. Why are your and Levi’s phones off? And where the hell were you?”

“Relax, baby. I had a business meeting and Levi drove me. We had to turn our phones off. We’re safe, there’s no danger.”

“Where were you?”

“Just a meeting, baby. Let’s drop it. I don’t want to fight with you, especially not today.”

Suddenly, he pulls me into his arms, hugging me as if his life depends on it.

“Babe, I can’t breathe.” He loosens his grip and lifts my face to meet his lips, his arm still holding me tight around the waist. Our lips move together perfectly. I let out a soft moan.

I pull away from him, thinking Levi and Alex are still in the room, but it’s just Diablo and me.

“They left as soon as I pulled you toward me. Did you really think I’d let them watch us kissing?” he says, laughing.

“No, but with you, you never know.” I smile back.

I tug on his hand and we head to the kitchen. Levi and Alex are there, each with a cup of coffee. They stop talking as Diablo and I walk in.

“Don’t stop talking about tomorrow, guys. We’re all a bit on edge but I want to enjoy today with my favorite men. Let’s not ruin it.”

“Let’s go have brunch. When we get back we can watch a movie or two before going to the club—or do you guys want to do something else?” I ask.

They all start talking at once.

“Whoa, whoa, I can’t hear all of you. What’s it going to be?”

“I think we all like the brunch and movie idea, but we don’t want to go to the club tonight. We don’t want to share you with anyone.”

I roll my eyes, knowing when I’m beat, and finally agree with them.

“Brunch, home, movies, no club. Deal,” I say, smiling.

Back at the apartment after a lovely brunch, we all agree that comfy clothes are the way to go for movie watching. Everyone scatters to get changed, so I head to the bedroom.

I moved back into Diablo’s room after last Sunday. I pull out a white sports bra and a white mesh shirt to go over it, then slip into short white shorts. As I’m taking off my makeup, I notice Diablo is still in the shower.

I head to the living room. Levi and Alex are nowhere to be found. Getting bored, I turn on the TV, which is conveniently on ESPN. They’re showing highlights from last weekend’s Patriots game.

I spot Ryan’s number and watch him play for a few minutes. He’s really good. The commentator keeps calling him Izzo—I guess his last name is Izzo, which is pretty fitting.

“Are you done drooling over number 85, or should I leave you alone for a few more minutes, baby?” Diablo says, a smile on his face. I shake my head, my face turning red with embarrassment.

“It’s okay for you to look, baby, as long as you come home to me,” he says before kissing me softly.

We pull apart slightly when we hear the guys come in. I whisper so only Diablo can hear, “I’m yours as you are mine,” before giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

The guys went all out. Drinks, snacks, chocolates, everything. All my favorites, even chocolate ice cream with all sorts of toppings. I hand the Netflix remote to Levi and lay my head in Diablo’s lap.

Levi puts on ~Bad Boys~. Levi and Alex head for the couch. Levi lifts me a bit, placing my middle on his lap, and Alex sits down, putting my legs on his.

Are they seriously doing this? Do they want Diablo to lose his mind? They know how jealous he can get. Feeling uncomfortable, I start to move, trying to get onto Diablo’s lap.

Diablo stills my squirming, his whisper meant only for my ears, “I’ll let this slide, baby love. I get that they just want to be near you, but don’t forget who you belong to—me!” He seals his words with a soft kiss.

I can tell he’s finally grasped that they pose no threat to us. They’ve been with me since the beginning of all this. We’ve grown close, but there’s only one man for me.

***

I blink awake, finding myself in Diablo’s bed. I must’ve dozed off on the couch last night. I’m pinned down, Diablo’s body sprawled over mine.

Something about today feels different. There’s no way to wriggle out from under him without waking him. I hate to disturb his sleep, but my bladder is screaming for attention. I give him a gentle shake. He stirs but doesn’t wake.

I pepper his face with kisses, and he starts to rouse, his grip on me tightening.

“Morning, baby love,” he murmurs, his voice deep, raspy, and sleep-laden. A rush of warmth floods my lower body.

This man... what he does to me... but nature is calling.

“Babe, can you move? I need to use the bathroom.” He chuckles and rolls off me, and I sprint to the bathroom. After taking care of business and washing my hands, I step back out.

Diablo is waiting for me, a smirk playing on his lips.

A broad smile stretches across my face, a bubble of happiness swelling in my chest. But there’s a nagging feeling, like I’m forgetting something crucial.

Then it hits me like a tsunami, washing away my smile and the joy I felt just a moment ago.

Today is D-day. The day my life might come to an end.