Bad Bishop by L.J. Shen - 56

Fintan’s body resurfaced in Lake Mead, Nevada, three months later.

It was in pristine condition due to being kept in a Bratva freezer for the duration of his mysterious disappearance. Minus, of course, the organs I chopped off him.

The Bratva assumed responsibility for the death among the underground circles, claiming retaliation for Igor’s death.

“Killing Tyrone would’ve been redundant. He already died the day my father slaughtered his wife,” Alex had explained to his soldiers while they didn’t know I was on the other line. “Now, Fintan, who Tiernan actually loved. I got him where it hurt. We’re now even and ready to start doing business together.”

Now, I waited for my beautiful wife in my car outside of the community college she was attending. She breezed out of the doors, Nero strapped to her chest in a BabyBjörn. Her flawless face broke into a grin when she spotted me.

She quickly kissed her two friends goodbye, tossed her backpack across her shoulder, and speed-walked toward the Mercedes. A line of cars formed behind me, honking in protest of my double-parking. They could wait. Weather forecast said there could be a drizzle, and I wasn’t going to let my wife and son get wet.

I got out of the car and helped her take Nero out of the BabyBjörn, strapping him into his car seat. He was fast asleep, his red, thick hair dancing in the wind.

I gave Lila a long, sweet kiss on the month. “How was class?”

“ Great. My teacher wants to display your portrait in a gallery. He thinks the blood is acrylic paint and praised me on how realistic it looked. ” Lila looked amused.

“Always happy to be of help.” I opened the passenger door, helping her climb in.

I slipped behind the wheel, kicking the car into drive.

“ Did you hear about Fintan? ”

It didn’t feel great not telling her Fintan was her attacker, but she was on such a high after Gennaro was born, it felt cruel to poke in that wound one more time. As far as she was concerned, the matter was dealt with. And it was.

I nodded. “I did.”

“ Why do you think Alex killed him? It sounded like you and he already buried the hatchet. ”

I allowed myself one lie to her. One, white, tiny lie in the entire length of our marriage. And only to protect her and Gennaro.

“He needed to save face after what happened in Vegas, and Igor. He had my blessing.”

“ Are you sad about it? ”

“It is what it is,” I said vaguely. “Comes with the job.”

When we got home, Lila put Nero in his crib and took the baby monitor with her before we left his room. Imma was in the kitchen, preparing enough food for an army. Lila’s mother and brothers were coming over for dinner, but we still had an hour to burn, and I knew exactly what we’d do with it.

We walked silently side by side to the ballroom. Opened the doors and reached the center of the room. There was no need for music. I kept my promise to her from the day of her baby shower, and we danced every evening.

We started moving to a soundless tune, our only music our heartbeats thudding against one another.

“Six weeks,” I said. She was going to get surgery for a cochlear implant. Everything was booked and ready to go. “Are you excited?”

She nodded. “It’ll be practical to hear, but I don’t feel like I need it anymore.”

“It was your dream to listen to music,” I pointed out.

Lila often wore her hearing aids, but not always. She attended speech therapy twice a week and joined the National Association of the Deaf, where she volunteered and helped with donations.

We swayed together, her arms tightening around my shoulders, her body pressing against mine, letting me know what she needed.

“I think…” She licked her lips, her eyes heavy-lidded.

“That’s always a good start,” I drawled. “What are you thinking, Gealach ?”

“That I would like another dance.”

“Yeah?” I smirked.

“A horizontal one.”

“I see.”

“Without any clothes on.” She bit down on her lower lip, grinning. “It’ll help me find my muse for this next painting I’m working on.”

“Well.” I pretended to weigh her request seriously. “You’re the artist. Who am I to question your process?”

And I dove in, kissing her hard, drowning in her perfection, never coming up for air.