by Erin Trejo
“I was sick of hearing what they had to say,” she says carelessly. My interests are peaked even more.
“And what was it they were saying?” Amelia crosses her arms defiantly over her chest as she glares up at me.
“They told me I lived with killers. I was a bad person.”
“They weren’t wrong about one of those,” I admit. Her eyes dance with a sureness of that fact that shouldn’t exist in a child.
“They weren’t wrong about the other either,” She adds. Raising my eyebrows again, I nod my head.
“I can’t say that I didn’t see this coming from you. I’ve made you the way you are. It won’t improve over time either, Amelia. This is who we are. This is what we are destined to be, do you understand?” Her arms fall to her sides before she takes a step back watching me.
“I understand, brother. Ava likes to tell me I can be whatever I want to be, but I know it isn’t true.” I figured Ava would tell her as much but hearing her say brother the way she did is what’s getting to me. She knows her role here.
“Ava has a good heart. That is something we lack.” Amelia nods her agreement as I try to reason out what to do with her. I can’t have her going to school and causing problems. That will only drag more to my doorstep and I don’t need that.
“As a Vitale, you know people are going to say things to you. They are going to push every button you have. They want you to lose yourself and snap. You can’t let them get to you. You have to hold yourself to a higher standard and remain calm in the midst of it all. Show no emotion.” Amelia grins.
“These are things I already know, brother. I want to be just like you,” she says firmly. My breath catches in my throat. Is it the fact that she understands me more than I realized or that she aspires to be like me? I can’t say that I didn’t see it coming. You cut someone off of the emotions that they so desire, and they turn into a monster. A monster that shuts out all feelings the way I have.
“Is that why I haven’t heard any crying?” It’s true. The last few weeks have been silent. Not a sound coming from that room of hers. Her head nods as I let that sink in.
“As much as I’d like to say congratulations, I won’t. You are coming to understand the rules of life, Amelia. Don’t drag it to this doorstep, understand?” She straightens her back as she looks up at me. Her eyes are trained on mine as if she’s an adult.
“Yes, brother. I understand.”
“Good now get to school.”
“Yes, brother.” Nodding my head, she turns and leaves the room as I blow out a breath. Calling me brother is something new for her too. I didn’t ask her about it, but I also saw the authority that she has come to gain. She knows her rightful place in this family. Maybe I’ve finally done something right with her. I move to sit at my desk before grabbing the aspirin from the desk drawer. Shaking a few into my hand, I wash them down with a swig of bourbon. Dragging the files in front of me, I start to sign off on a few things when Jordy walks in.
“Midas has a new shipment coming in at the end of the month. He wanted to see about an increase in payment,” Jordy says, as he sits in the chair across from my desk.
“Tell Midas I don’t give a shit what he has coming in, there is no increase.” Jordy chuckles before my door flies open. My eyes dart to Nikolai as he rushes in with his gun drawn.
“We’re moving, Boss. Had a threat.” Pulling my own gun as Jordy does the same, I stand from my position to move towards the door.
“A breach?” I ask quickly. Nikolai nods his head as we make our way into the hallway. I know Amelia is at school so there is no worry there. We inch along the wall when I hear the other guys. Their gunshots ring out through the air. We all turn to glance in that direction before I take the lead. Pushing past Nikolai, Jordy and a few other guards, I round the corner to see the men standing in the foyer.
“Is this some kind of fucking joke?” I growl as I take in the idiots that work for me. On the floor in front of me is a dead dog. A large dog but its dead now.
“We didn’t realize it was a dog, Boss. We saw a breach on the monitors.” Piero glances from the dog to me. Shaking my head, I don’t know what to say here.
“If I’m going to be evacuated, let us please make sure that it’s an actual threat!” My screams pierce the room as chuckles sound off around us. “This is a funny situation for you? Someone leaving the goddamn door ajar for a mutt to get in is amusing?” Glancing around at the fools that were fooled by a dog, I aim the gun at the main laugher. Pulling the trigger, I watch as his body falls to the floor. “Is that still amusing?” Glancing around, the laughter has stopped.
“Boss!” Closing my eyes, I hope we don’t have any other animals in here the way Victor is yelling.
“What!” Snapping a little louder than necessary, I turn to look at him.
“There’s a call you may want to take,” he says. The seriousness in his tone has me moving towards my office.
“Who is it?” I ask as he catches up where we walk back down the hallway.
“Ava. She’s distraught.” My chest tightens. Why would she be calling me now? I head into the office and drop into the chair before picking the phone up.
“Ava?” Her sobs fall through the earpiece as I wait.
“I heard something I shouldn’t have, Cord.” She heard something? That’s why she’s calling me?
“What do you mean, Ava? I don’t have time for this.” And I don’t. I have meetings I need to attend and dealing with a hysterical woman isn’t a part of that.
“I heard my father talking to Daniel.” Those seven little words send a shiver over my body. They aren’t the words I want to hear.
“What did you hear?” I demand. Her sniffles don’t stop.
“Where are you, Ava? I’m having someone come to get you.” Her sobs come harder making this whole conversation set me on edge.
“Ava! Where the hell are you?” snapping into the phone, something has to get her attention.
“At Taren’s. Her address.” Cutting her off, I already know the address.
“Someone will be there in a few minutes. Be ready.” Hanging the phone up, I can’t deal with hormonal women right now. I put a call out to Jordy to get a car there immediately before I pull the aspirin from the desk. Pouring a few into my hand, I swallow them down with the water sitting in front of me. This seems to be happening more and more lately. Whatever has Ava all emotional can’t be good if she’s calling me. I can only imagine what the hell I’ve gotten myself into with this woman. Placing my head in my hands, I let the silence of the room take hold of me. The need for sleep is undeniable but the need to keep control overrides that. As much as I’d like to run away and hide out, if only for a day, I know that isn’t an option. My place in this family doesn’t allow for that. Sure I can take a vacation at any time but what kind of leader would that make me?
I have an empire at my fingertips and the only thing I need to focus on is building that empire. Eventually I want the Vitale businesses to be self-sufficient. I want it to run of its own accord without my constant need to be bothered. With time and diligence, I will have that. For the most part, ninety percent of the operation runs flawlessly but there is always that other ten percent that I have to be on top of.
“One day,” I mumble to myself before pulling the bourbon from my desk drawer.
The house is quiet. Too quiet if you ask me. I walk the halls remembering my uncle when he was alive. It all seems like so long ago, when in reality, it was just a short time. We were never really close, he and I, and I find myself wondering if I miss him or the freedom that I had when he was in charge. The time I could spend away from everyone and everything just being me. I miss fighting if I’m honest with myself. It was a release of sorts. Now I find that I use my gun way more than I use my fists. If he hadn’t died though, I don’t know where that would have left me. I value my place in this family. I’ve made myself a better person, or so I’d like to think. I take what I need to, but in the end, I�
��ve earned my place. Hearing the front door, I head in that direction.
When I lock eyes with a crying Ava, my heart leaps in my chest. That’s something it hasn’t done in a long time. Her eyes are haunted before she runs towards me. Lifting her in my arms, she cries into my shirt. I try to soothe her the best way I can which isn’t saying much. I run my hand down her hair as sobs rip through her body.
“Do you need anything?” Nikolai asks before I wave him off and lift her in my arms. I carry Ava up the stairs and straight towards my bedroom before kicking the door closed behind us. Without putting her down, I walk us to the bed and sit with her still cradled in my arms.
“What’s going on?” Her cries eat at me. I never want to see her like this.
“I overheard my dad talking. I tried to talk to my mom, but she wouldn’t listen to me!” Ava screams through the tears but nothing she’s saying makes any sense to me.
“You’re being a little vague, Ava. I don’t know what you heard.” Sniffing a few times, she leans back and peers up at me.
“I heard my father talking to Daniel. They are going to kill my mother and come after you.” My hold on her instantly tightens. This is news to me.
“What exactly did you overhear?” Trying to remain calm when all I want to do is find that asshole, Gambino, I hold her tighter.
“My father and Daniel were having a meeting. I overheard them talking about a gun trade or something. I started to walk away from the door when I heard Daniel ask about my mother.” She has no idea what she’s done to herself eavesdropping like that.
“What else?” I need to know everything she heard before I can make a decision.
“My father said that he was going to have her killed when she went out on Friday. That he needed her to be out of the way.” Shaking my head, this makes no sense.
“Are you sure that’s what you heard?” I ask more for myself than her. She climbs out of my lap. Cocking my head to the side, I take her in. The strength that has taken hold in the matter of seconds draws me in.
“Don’t you dare condescend me. I’m not a fool, Cordae!” My full name leaving her lips shouldn’t be so sexy at a time like this, but my cock instantly knows what it wants.
“I am in no way condescending you, Ava. I need facts! Cold hard truths!” My tone has grown harsh as she raises her eyebrows.
“Do you think I’d just call you for no reason, Mr. Vitale?” Oh how that makes me that much harder. This woman and her mouth are going to pay for that.
“No, I don’t believe you would, Miss Sinclair, but how can I be assured that you aren’t a part of this scheme that your father and Gambino are plotting against me? Who knows the inner workings of my home more than you?” I watch her as she gasps for air. It’s almost as though I’ve punched her in the stomach. Without another word, Ava turns to walk out of my bedroom. That isn’t an option.
“You will stop right there!” I roar loudly. Much to my surprise, she does. Her movements cease. I stand and make my way towards her in a few short strides with a new purpose.
“Why would you tell me this and walk away?” Leaning closer to her, I breathe against her neck. She can feel the heat coming off me, I see her shudder.
“They said they were coming after you. I thought you should know.” She tries to keep her breathing calm but she’s failing miserably.
“Is that the only reason, Miss Sinclair?” Brushing her hair over her shoulder, I expose her neck to me. Brushing my lips over her flesh, she moans slightly.
“Is everything about sex to you?” When I bite down on her shoulder, I can feel just how much she wants this, she wants me.
“Not everything, Miss Sinclair. Just where you come into play. You seem to evoke the darkness in me.” Ava’s breath catches before she spins around to face me.
“So you admit that I am a sex toy for you?” The trepidation in her eyes amuses me. Is that what she’s afraid of?
“Miss Sinclair, did you realize that in this lifestyle it’s best to show no emotion? I can see the fear behind that question.” Blinking rapidly, she tries to look away but that’s not happening. Grabbing her face roughly in my hand, I snap her gaze back to mine.
“Don’t look away when I’m speaking to you.” The low growl jolts her slightly.
“Yes.” The only answer I needed to hear. Lifting her, I place her on the bed before ripping her clothing to shreds. Tossing the remains to the floor, I strip quickly before sliding the condom on.
“You, Miss Sinclair, have played with my mind enough for one day.” Shoving her legs apart roughly, Ava watches me with intent. I climb on the bed between her thighs before lowering my head.
I run my tongue through her wetness as her body arches off the bed. So much fight in her yet with the flip of my tongue, it all vanishes. I groan against her pussy as I continue to work her over with my mouth. Alternating sucks and flicks of my tongue before sliding my fingers inside of her. Ava moans and I know just how close she is already. It makes me harder thinking of how easily I can instill an orgasm on her little body.
“My cock hasn’t even been inside of you yet, mia bella ragazza.” Whispering against her little bundle of nerves, I pump my fingers into her at a faster rhythm.
Her pussy clenches around my fingers as I suck at her sweetness. In another world, I could get lost in all things Ava but not in this one. Thrusting my fingers deeper inside of her, she clenches before letting her juices flow.
“Good girl.” Licking at all she has to offer, I smile to myself. It amazes me that only a few light touches have her coming undone before me. When I’m satisfied, I climb up her shaking body and thrust roughly into her. Gripping her hips in my hands, I slide so deep I never want to come out. Ava’s hands grip my arms as I roll myself deeper.
“You like being in the dark, Ava?” Her eyes open and latch onto mine as I push her limits. So haunted, yet beautiful, I find myself wondering if she could understand any of this. This world, me. Shoving the thoughts aside, I focus on solely her pleasure. I lean down and take her nipple between my teeth, tugging and flicking my tongue over the nub as I feel it harden in my mouth.
“Mmm.” I don’t know that I can ever get enough of her. Even when I want to strangle her or push her away, I find myself being drawn to her again. If I were any other man, it would be a distraction, but my focus is exactly where it needs to be.
Ava is my distraction in the bedroom, but that’s as far as I’m willing to let it go. Anything beyond that, I would be a foolish man. That is one thing I am not. Pushing back up, I let my fingers travel down her stomach to stop at her clit. Flicking my finger over it a few times, she arches her back.
“Cord.” Her voice whispers my name like it’s always supposed to be there.
“Say it again.” Feeling myself so close to release, I want to hear it, I need to hear it. Thrusting harder into her, she says it again.
“Cord!” Her whisper turns to a scream as I reach between us and circle her clit. Her pussy clenches and her legs lock around me. A few more rough thrusts and she comes hard. My body shakes with my own release but seeing the pure look of fulfillment on Ava’s face makes everything else worth it. My cock jerks inside of her as I give into what it wanted. Ava’s body shivers as she comes down from the orgasm that ripped through her body. I lean forward, resting myself on my arms as I cage them around her beautiful face.
“What role do you play in all this?” I ask her softly. It wasn’t meant to be offending to her, but I can see the look on her face.
“Get off me!” Shoving at me does little to make me move.
“That’s not what I meant. Do you think they know you heard them?” Ava visibly relaxes before closing her eyes.
“I don’t think so. I hurried out of there. The only person I passed on the way out was one of my father’s men.” Hearing her say that is a slight relief.
“Good. I don’t want you in the crosshairs.” Pressing my lips to hers, I let them linger. The taste of her mouth is otherworldly. I�
�ve never met a woman quite like Ava. She’s strong yet weak in a way. She’s full of life but she craves the darkness that I give her. Time after time, she lets me rule her body in ways that she never thought she would. Pulling away, I look down at her before I speak.
“You will tell me if they suspect you.” Ava shakes her head as I realize she thought that was a question. “I didn’t ask you that, Ava. I’m telling you. You will tell me if you ever feel threatened by either of them.” She locks her eyes with mine, a silent understanding washing between us.
I may not have the right kind of feelings, but I refuse to let anything happen to her. I pull out of her as she whimpers, making me grin.
“You enjoy my cock that much?” Her smile says it all. Anything and everything I need to know is plastered across that gorgeous face.
“How’s Amelia?” Ava sits up taking the sheet with her as I discard the condom.
“She’s learning her place here.” I won’t go into detail with her about what that entails. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want to know that either.
“Why did you tell me that your father and Gambino are plotting against me?” Stalking back towards the bed, I grab my pants and pull them on. Sitting on the edge, I watch her, waiting for an answer.
“You want honesty?” Isn’t that what I always want?
“Of course.”
“There’s a part of me that loves you, Cord.” She can’t. That isn’t possible. I start to open my mouth to protest but she stops me.
“Don’t say anything. Just listen.” With a slight nod, I let her continue.
“I’ve never known anyone like you. I have seen you raw and in the flesh. I understand that you are closed off and that’s how you want to be. I also see something else in you. I can’t explain it. I know I’m not the only woman that you’re with but there is something about you that pulls me back every time. I don’t see you and I feel lost. I know you can’t say it back to me, but I feel it.” I can’t say it back. No matter what my heart wants to feel, I can’t allow it.
