A Banachi Family Novella
Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author
Winter Travers
Copyright © 2021 Winter Travers
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be a reproduction, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) utilization of this work without written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
For questions or comments about this book, please contact the author at [email protected]
Also by Winter Travers
Devil’s Knights Series
Loving Lo
Finding Cyn
Gravel’s Road
Battling Troy
Gambler’s Longshot
Keeping Meg
Fighting Demon
Unraveling Fayth
Forever Lo
Devil’s Knights 2nd Gen
Passing the Torch
Riding the Line
Royal Mess
Skid Row Kings Series
DownShift
PowerShift
BangShift
Fallen Lords MC Series
Nickel
Pipe
Maniac
Wrecker
Boink
Clash
Freak
Slayer
Brinks
Kings of Vengeance MC
Drop a Gear and Disappear
Lean Into It
Knees in the Breeze
Midnight Wreckage
Thrill Seeker
Livin’ on the Edge
Powerhouse MA Series
Dropkick My Heart
Love on the Mat
Black Belt in Love
Black Belt Knockout
Nitro Crew Series
Burndown
Holeshot
Redlight
Shutdown
Royal Bastards MC: Sacramento, CA
Playboy
Six-Gun
Monk
Sweet Love Novellas
Sweet Burn
Five Alarm Donuts
Stand Alone Novellas
Kissing the Bad Boy
Trapped with the Bad Boy
Daddin’ Ain’t Easy
Silas: A Scrooged Christmas
Wanting More
Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool
Tangle My Tinsel
Banachi Family
Taking Greer
Taking Greer
Apollo Banachi is tired of waiting.
He’s taking what belongs to him.
Greer Cassidy doesn’t stand a chance.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
About the Author
Coming Soon
1st Chapter of Loving Lo
One
Greer
My hand shook as I grabbed a champagne flute off the passing tray and took a small sip. I needed to calm my nerves, and Apollo Banachi being in the same room as me wasn’t helping. He’d been watching me all night. His steely gaze never leaving me, even when he was engaged in conversation with someone else.
“I see someone hasn’t taken their eyes off you all night,” Kent murmured under his breath as he glided next to me. “Methinks that strong, broody, hunk of man wants you, Greer.”
I rolled my eyes and took another sip. I didn’t want Kent to be right, although I knew that he might be. “I think you need to get your eyes checked, Kent. Apollo Banachi is the last person in this room who would be looking at me right now.” There were at least twenty other women in the room who were more worthy of Apollo.
“Oh, he’s not the only one looking at you, sweet innocent Greer. He’s just the only one who looks like he’s ready to take you right here in the middle of the dance floor.” Kent chuckled and shook his head. “You’re blind to it for some reason.”
“He is my brother’s best friend, Kent. I’m sure he’s just keeping an eye on me for Kane.” That was what Apollo always did. He was just being a good friend.
Kent rolled his eyes and grabbed my glass out of my hand. “I think he wants to keep something else on you besides his eyes.” Kent tossed back the rest of my drink and set it on another passing tray.
“Hey, I needed that,” I scolded. Liquid courage was all I had going for me right now. I knew that it was only a matter of time before Apollo made his way over to me. He’d been circling me like prey the whole night, from the fight where he sat three tables over to now where he was only ten feet away.
“I think tonight you may want to have your wits about you, sweetheart. I believe that fantasy of yours where Apollo Banachi finally sees you is about to come true.” Kent wiggled his eyebrows at me and nodded his head over my shoulder. “Because here he comes.”
“Don’t leave me,” I gasped as I grabbed his arm. I wasn’t ready for this. My mind went blank on everything, even what my name was. Poof, gone, all because Apollo was coming over. The man affected me like no other.
Kent looked down at me and winked. “I don’t think Apollo is into the same kink I am, sweetheart.”
I slugged his shoulder and scoffed. “Not like that.” I wasn’t sure what Apollo was into, but I knew it wasn’t the same things Kent was.
“You really think you should be hitting me in a dress like that? It’s not very ladylike,” Kent grumbled as he rubbed his shoulder. “You hit like a man.”
“Leave me, and I’ll hit you again,” I threatened.
Kent scowled, but he didn’t move. “I’m the token gay friend, Greer. You’re not supposed to hit the gay friend. I’m a damn unicorn, and you should feel damn lucky to be my friend.” He dropped his hand from his shoulder. “
“I am lucky you’re my friend, now be a good friend and don’t leave.” I didn’t care Kent was gay. That wasn’t the reason I was best friends with him. I was best friends with him because he was a caring and downright amazing person.
Kent gulped loudly and looked over my shoulder.
“Kent,” Apollo greeted low and smooth.
My body quivered at the one word, and I closed my eyes for a brief second. Thankfully my back was turned to Apollo, and he didn’t see me swoon. I needed to gather my wits for a second before actually looking at him.
“Apollo. Good to see you.” Kent tried to pull out of my grasp, but there was no way I was going to let him go, not yet. My tight grip on Kent was the only thing between me standing and falling flat on my face. My legs turned to Jell-O, and one wrong move would put me ass up on the ground with my Louboutin’s in the air.
Apollo’s voice drifted around me. “I couldn’t miss the fight between The Ripper and The Bone Crusher.”
“It was a good fight, but was there really any doubt that The Ripper wouldn’t win?” Kent followed MMA fighting, and he had begged me to come along with him tonight. I was regretting my decision. I should have stayed home in Chicago and brought in the New Year with my two cats and a bottle of champagne. Simple, quiet, and no Apollo.
“Do you think I could have a word with Greer alone?�
�
“Ah…” Kent’s eyes bugged out, and he looked down at me. “We were actually going to run to the bathroom.”
“Together?” Apollo drawled.
I could only imagine the smirk on his lips as he eyed up Kent. Apollo had a way about him, and all it took was one look from him, and you would be doing what he asked.
I knew the second Apollo gave Kent the look that Kent was going to abandon me. “You’ll thank me for this, sweetheart.” Kent brushed a kiss to the side of my head and pulled his arm out of my grasp. “Trust me.” Kent nodded his head at Apollo and disappeared into the crowd.
“Traitor,” I whispered under my breath. What was the point of having a wingman if they left at the drop of a hat? He was going to get an ear full from me once I was able to get away from Apollo.
“Turn around, Greer,” Apollo whispered into my ear. His warm breath washed over my skin, and a slight shiver ran through my body. His hand slid around my waist and my back pressed against his body. “Please.”
I never, in my fourteen years of knowing Apollo Banachi, heard him say please. It’s not that he was rude or an asshole, it was just that whenever he spoke, things got done. No please, and thank you were necessary.
I turned around in his arms but took a step back when we were face to face. His hand dropped from my side, and I took a deep breath that I desperately needed. “Apollo.”
His eyes fell to my feet, and his gaze slowly traveled up my body. I thanked God I had taken the time to actually shop for a new dress and not just pulled an old dress out of the closet.
Kent and I shopped all day yesterday, looking for the perfect dress. When we walked into a small boutique on the strip, I instantly fell in love the second my eyes fell on the black and jungle green dress. It really wasn’t a secret to anyone that my favorite color was green, so the illusion neckline with black and green tribal embroidery panels with alternating sheer panels was a dress that was made for me. The dress hugged my breasts and hips and fell into an A-line to the floor that was stunning paired with my black slingback heels.
“Green has always been your color, hasn’t it, Greer?” His deep, velvety voice floated over me as he reached up and brushed his hand down my bare arm. “Although I don’t think you could wear anything that could make you look less than gorgeous.”
“Have you been drinking, Apollo?” I murmured. His words shocked me. Never had Apollo uttered a word like the ones falling from his lips. They were words I had always wished he would say but never heard. I was just Kane’s little sister to him.
“I haven’t touched a drop of liquor all night, Greer.”
I tilted my head and looked up into Apollo’s dark, mesmerizing emerald eyes. I couldn’t help but let a smile settle on my lips. If only Apollo knew the reason why green was my favorite color. His eyes were what my dreams were made of, and since the age of thirteen, when I first met him, green became my favorite color. “Bump your head today?” I guessed. There had to be some reason why he was telling me I was gorgeous.
Apollo shook his head, and the same smirk that I’d seen the past fourteen years graced his lips. “No drinking, and I haven’t bumped my head.” He grabbed my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. I have to say you were a surprise that I wasn’t expecting.”
“It’s not really a surprise if you were expecting it, is it?” I laughed.
“I suppose not, but I’m not a fan of surprises unless I’m the one doing the surprising.” He squeezed my hand and tugged me closer. “I think you’re the only one I wouldn’t mind getting a surprise from.”
“You’re always two steps ahead of everything, so you can’t be surprised, and you see me back home, Apollo. I don’t know what the difference is from now to then.” Sure, he hadn’t known I was going to be here, but it shouldn’t have mattered to him.
His hand that was holding my hand wound around my waist pulled my arm back, and my chest arched into him. I stumbled forward, my legs tangled with his. “The difference is, I’ve tried to keep my distance from you, but this dress and those heels you are wearing are testing my restraint.”
“Restraint against what?” I mumbled.
“You, my sweet Greer. I’ve been trying to restrain from taking you for the past nine years.” He brushed my hair off of my neck and leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. “Eleven years, if I’m honest,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted you since you were seventeen, Greer.”
His words stunned me and left me speechless. A gasp escaped my lips. “What…why did…who…” I couldn’t form a coherent thought to save my life. Apollo Banachi has wanted me since I was seventeen?
“Breathe, Greer. Is it really that much of a surprise to you? I only crave the finest things in life, and you are at the top of my list of things that I crave. Greer Cassidy, the thing I’ve always wanted but known I couldn’t have.” He pressed a kiss to my neck, and his right hand glided up my body and cradled my head. He pressed his lips to my ear, and a shiver ran through my body. “Until tonight,” he growled.
I melted into Apollo, unable to hold back any longer. I had wanted this man for as long as I had known him, and now I was wrapped up in his arms, exactly where I wanted to be. Whoa. “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up,” I whispered.
“Come back to my room with me, Greer, and we’ll make both of our dreams come true.” He released the arm I had behind my back, and his hand spanned my lower back as he pressed me closer. “I need one night with you.”
“One?” I wasn’t sure I could handle only having one night with Apollo. I didn’t think forever would be long enough with him, but I knew one night was not enough.
“I’m starting with one. But I’m sure there will be more,” he whispered into my ear. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you, Greer.”
“I don’t think-.”
“No, stop,” Apollo cut me off. “No thinking tonight, just feeling. Come with me, please, Greer.” He leaned back and looked down at me, desire burning in his eyes.
My words caught in my throat, and I slowly nodded my head.
One, ten, or fifty nights with Apollo? I would never say no.
Two
Apollo
I pulled her behind me through the crowded ballroom, wishing I had approached her sooner so we didn’t have to battle through the crowd to the door. It was half-past eleven, and everyone was crowding around the windows, trying to get the best view of the fireworks that would be going off soon.
I watched Greer all night, knowing that I couldn’t stop myself anymore. It had been eleven long years since I noticed Greer, and every day seeing her had been pure torture knowing that I couldn’t have her. Except for tonight, I didn’t give a flying fuck about all of the things that were keeping me from her.
Our age. Seven years wasn’t that much.
Her brother. Screw, Kane. I’d deal with him later.
Work. Well, work wasn’t something I’d entirely figured out, but Greer knew what I did. Her accepting it was something we would have to work through later. The Banachi’s were a family everyone knew about. The extent of what most knew was limited, but Greer knew more than most.
“Apollo,” she gasped, “you’re going to pull my arm out of the socket.”
I looked over my shoulder and saw her struggling to keep up with my long strides. “The shoes are hot as fuck, Greer, but they’re slowing us down.” If we didn’t get out of here right now, I was going to take her right here on the ballroom floor.
Greer tugged on my arm to slow me down. “Waiting thirty seconds longer to get back to your room, Apollo, is nothing compared to twelve years. Slow down before I end up on my butt,” she whined.
I slowed down, slid back next to her, and rested her hand in the crook of my arm. “The only place your ass is going to end up tonight is in my bed, Greer. That’s a guarantee,” I promised
We finally made it to the end of the room and slipped out one of the side doors that led into
a dark hallway. “Where are we?” Greer asked as she looked around.
“Back of the house.” I pulled my phone out and sent Trey a message to bring the car around to the back. “Two more doors then left.”
“How do you know your way around?” Greer asked, bewildered. “I could barely find the restroom before.”
“Always know your surroundings, Greer. You never know when you’ll have to make a quick escape.” I winked at her and opened the patio door.
“Something makes me think that this wasn’t the reason you know how to get around here.” Greer swept through the door, and I couldn’t help the grin that settled on my lips. “This seems rather planned.”
“You always were too smart for your own good, Greer.”
She scoffed and brushed her hair off of her shoulder. “I know that I should be scared of you and what you do, Apollo, but I have never been able to walk away from you. You and your cousin may run the underground of Chicago, but it doesn’t scare me. I’ve known you too long to think that you’re some evil man.”
“You’re right; Leo is the evil one. I’m the good one.” I wiggled my eyebrows, and Greer giggled. “Don’t tell anyone.”
She looked me up and down and shook her head. “I still firmly believe that you’ve been drinking tonight, Apollo. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“Like what?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the closed door.
“Carefree. Nice? Happy?”
“I think I should be offended by that, but you’re probably more right than wrong. But I thought you said that you weren’t afraid of me?”
“I’m not,” she murmured. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not fully aware of what you are and what you do. Apollo Banachi, right-hand man to Leo Banachi. The family that runs Chicago.”
I nodded my head. I couldn’t deny anything she said. “That generally scares people.”
She shrugged her shoulders and looked up in the sky. “I’m not afraid of you, Apollo,” she said simply.
Taking Greer: A Banachi Family Novella Page 1
