Worried out of my mind, I rush into the hospital with Kiara’s hand firmly in mine.
Will comes jogging toward me, his face grave as he shakes his head. My heart sinks, and I come to a stop in the middle of the hallway. “Jesus. No.”
“They tried everything.” Will shoves a hand through his hair, visibly shaken by the loss. “I was over at his place, and we were just talking. I was updating him on everything that happened with Finn last night, and the next second he dropped. It happened so fast. I got him to the hospital as fast as I could.”
“Fuck,” I snap, pulling my hand free from Kiara’s. The loss of one of my men is never easy, and I have to breathe through the emotions.
A nurse walks toward us, then looks at Will. “Are there any family members we can call?”
Stepping forward, I say, “No. Jimmy worked for me. I’ll handle everything.”
“Jimmy?” Kiara gasps, her face turning horribly pale. “Jimmy Flanagan?”
The nurse nods, then Kiara staggers back, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. “No.” It’s only for a second. She darts down the hallway and starts to look into rooms. “Where is he?” she calls out, her tone distressed.
The nurse goes after Kiara, while I’m stunned by her strong reaction.
“Where’s my dad?” Kiara screams.
The words hit like a ten-pound hammer.
Holy fucking shit.
Her dad.
Jimmy.
Jesus Christ.
I move, going after them as the nurse shows Kiara to the room. Just as I rush inside, Kiara lets out a broken cry, slumping over Jimmy’s chest.
“No,” she cries. “No.” She pushes herself up, her face torn with shock and grief as she looks down at her father. “No, Daddy.”
Her father?
Will comes to stand next to me, muttering, “Fuck.”
Stunned, I glance at Will. “Did you know Jimmy had a daughter?”
He shakes his head. “No clue. I wouldn’t have told him about last night had I fucking known.”
The news of Kiara’s assault probably fucking killed Jimmy. Jesus.
My eyes settle back on Kiara, who sobs uncontrollably as she wraps her arms around Jimmy, the sounds taking swings at my heart.
Fuck, if I had known…
Why the fuck didn’t I know?
Kristine, the nurse who cared for Jimmy at his home, comes in. “I tried calling you,” she says to Kiara as she goes to wrap an arm around her.
It takes a while before Kiara lets go of her father. She looks at Kristine while wiping the tears from her cheeks. “W-what happened?”
“His heart just couldn’t handle another heart attack. It was quick. Before I could stop Will, he told your dad you were attacked.” Kristine shakes her head while Will mutters under his breath before leaving the room.
Kiara’s voice is hoarse as she says, “Thank you for t-taking care of him.”
Kiara is Jimmy’s daughter. She’s a mafia princess.
When Kristine leaves the room, my eyes lock with Kiara’s, then I do the only thing I can under the grim circumstances. I close the distance between us, and wrapping my arms around her, I hold her tightly to my chest.
Her body shudders, then she sobs, “He’s gone, Liam.”
“I’m so fucking sorry.” I press a kiss to her hair. “Your father was one of the best men I knew.”
A breath shudders through her, then she whimpers, “I killed my dad.”
“God no,” I press a kiss to her temple. “We didn’t know you’re Jimmy’s daughter. Will wouldn’t have breathed a word to him. I’m so fucking sorry.”
Jesus.
I hold her until she manages to pull herself together again, then let go of her for a moment to step closer to the bed. I take in Jimmy’s still face. It looks like he’s sleeping. Lifting the sheet, I pull it over his head.
May you find peace, old man. I’ll look after your daughter.
Walking to Kiara, I wrap my arm around her and guide her out of the room.
Will’s leaning against the wall, looking pissed as fuck.
He’s probably blaming himself.
I give him a look, shaking my head. “You didn’t know.”
He nods, the grim expression not easing.
“Will you take care of the paperwork and bill?”
He nods. “Yeah, you take care of her.”
Kiara covers her mouth, sobs wracking her shoulders as she glances back into the room.
“Come,” I murmur, and tightening my hold on her so she’ll lean into me, I guide her back to the car. Helping her get into her seat, I quickly strap the seat belt over her. I shut the door, glancing for any sign of threats as I walk to the driver’s side.
The drive back is quiet, the sorrow-filled silence only broken by Kiara’s tears.
The moment we walk into the penthouse, I pull Kiara to a stop and ask, “You’re Jimmy’s daughter? Why did he hide you from me?”
Slowly she lifts her grief-stricken eyes to look up at me. “My dad didn’t want me anywhere near the mafia.”
She knows.
Nodding, I can’t help but feel hurt that Jimmy didn’t trust me enough to tell me about her. I thought we were closer than that. We were like family.
My eyes drift over Kiara’s face as she adds, “He did what he thought was best for me.”
Lifting a hand, I rub the pad of my thumb over my lips. “Why work at my company?” My muscles are tense as I wait for her answer.
Her gaze becomes pleading. “I didn’t know who you were. I only found out last week when I visited Dad. You came over while I was there. D-Dad…” Her voice breaks, and she takes a moment to breathe through the grief. “He told me to hide in the kitchen. Until then, I had no idea. I swear.” She tugs at the top she’s wearing. “This was in the shopping bag next to the couch.”
Jesus.
Apprehension slithers through my veins. “So, you know exactly who I am?”
As she nods, the realization and relief hit.
Kiara knew I’m the head of the mafia when she let me take care of her. She didn’t run for the hills.
The relief must show on my face because she asks, “You’re not angry with me?”
I shake my head, and taking hold of her, I pull her against my chest. “Christ, I can’t believe you’re Jimmy’s daughter.”
“Dad just wanted to protect me.” Her voice is hoarse, and I tighten my arms around her as the shock and grief hit her again.
She’s been through so much in such a short time.
Fuck this world for hurting her.
“I’ve got you, baby,” I murmur before pressing a kiss to her hair. “You’re a mafia princess and my responsibility. I’ll take care of you.”
After calming herself down, she pulls back. “You don’t have to. I was never a part of that world.”
Bringing my hands to her cheeks, I wipe the tear tracks away with my thumbs. I wait for her to look at me. “Let me do this. Okay? I need to take care of you.”
“Why?”
I don’t hesitate to answer, “Because you make me feel.” Christ, do you make me feel. My hands frame her face, my eyes burning intensely into hers. “Because I can touch you.” I tilt my head. “I. Can. Touch. You. Kiara.”
Her bottom lip starts to quiver, the sad expression on her face enough to make me lose my mind. “Okay,” she whispers, then her eyebrows draw together as the loss of her father hits again.
I wrap her against my chest, and lowering my head, I take a deep breath of her. “I’ll take care of everything. Okay?”
She nods against me, her arms wrapping around my waist to cling to me. It makes me feel like I’m the only thing keeping her standing.
All my life I’ve had power. I was born to lead the mafia.
But I didn’t know there was a gaping hole in my life until Kiara.
The princess I never knew existed and the only woman I want.
She’s mine. Especially now that I have a right to claim her.
