A Man of Service A John Wick Fanfic

Chapter 23

T/W – adult situations, implied violence, swearing, angst

Kate woke to the sound of her 7 am alarm and popped it off as quickly as she could reach it. Looking dreamily at the other side of the bed, she laid her hand across where John's body would normally be laying on his left side, deeply asleep, and pulled his pillow into her body to hug against her.

How could she love this man so completely? Kate only had 3 other relationships to compare to and in each case, she always kept a part of herself close to the vest, unwilling or unable to give in 100%. There was Derek, her college sweetheart, Michael, the manager of the first venue she ever sang in and then Anthony. Kate had broken it off with Derek and Michael, and she ran screaming from Anthony. Both Derek and Michael were good, kind men who loved her unconditionally but there was just something in her that wouldn't allow her to turn over her whole heart. She wanted to love them forever, but she knew she couldn't.

So how did she fall in love with John before they had even kissed? How did she fall in love with a man with the history he owned? How could she say now with certainty that she would do anything, go anywhere and love him forever?

"Pixie dust," she laughed to herself. The fairies had come to her in the night and turned her whole life around. They made his kiss magical, his touch spellbinding, the very sound of his voice magnetic, the look in his dark searching eyes enchanting. They made him love her in the way she wanted to be loved. There were no holds barred, she was open and free to give herself to him with all the love she held in her heart.

Kate even dismissed the idea that she might never see him again. A love like theirs simply couldn't be denied. She ached for him not just physically, but emotionally as well and she knew if he had any breath left in his body, that he would come to her.

Finally rising from bed, she showered, dressed and went downstairs to make coffee. Opening the front door, she reached for the newspaper and closed it with a hip check, tossing the paper on the kitchen island. It naturally flipped open to the front page and stopped Kate dead in her tracks.

"Anthony Tortorelli, Mafia Chieftan, Killed By Car Bomb. No one else injured in Las Vegas explosion".

She tore though the story quickly and wondered if John was behind it. A feeling of relief went through her entire body. But then she worried. What if they would come after John in retaliation? While Anthony was not a well liked boss, there was still a Mafia code behind everything they did.

Kate read through the story again as her phone rang.

"Kate? It's Gary. Have you seen the paper?"

"Yes," she answered.

"I'm calling to tell you that John had nothing to do with Tortorelli's murder. His consigliere knows this. John had barely got into town before this happened and from what I understand, he's already on his way back to New York. He's totally safe."

"So who is claiming responsibility?"

"Don't worry about that. It has nothing to do with John."

"Gary, you're not putting yourself in danger, are you?" she asked concerned.

"No," he replied. "Absolutely not."

"I don't want to find out that you've been injured or killed because of us."

"You worry too much," Gary told her lightly. "And by the way, are you going to be there tomorrow about noon?"

"Be where?"

"Where you are right now."

"How do you know where I am?"

"Please Kate," he sighed. "Give my family some credit."