Dangerous Game

by L. P. Dover

  I felt like one of the three pigs, waiting for the wolf to blow down its house. I didn’t like being the bait. “No,” Dominic growled, his voice low and menacing. He looked over at me and then at Jeffries. “There’s another way.”

  Whatever it was, I knew I wouldn’t like it.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dominic

  The plan was set and I was fucking livid. Not exactly at Faith, but with the idea that something horrible could’ve easily happened to her. Now I knew never to leave her alone, not until Cadoc was behind bars … or dead. What made it worse was that she’d fooled Reed. The woman was smart.

  I’d told Jeffries about my meeting with Cadoc in just two days. After everything that had happened, my guess was that Cadoc didn’t anticipate me making that meeting. With all the other families in attendance, it no doubt was going to be his chance to claim the power of the city. If I was out of the way, he knew no one else would rise to the challenge.

  Little did he know, I was going to be there. I couldn’t wait to see the look on that cunt’s face when I showed up. In the meantime, Faith and I rented a townhouse for two nights under a false name until we were out of hiding. We couldn’t go back to The Chateaux without being seen. The news still aired that I was the main suspect in Philip’s murder.

  Once we got to the townhouse, the media had spread like wildfire. It wasn’t long before both mine and Faith’s phones started to ring. I could hear her voice in the other room as she tried to explain everything to her parents.

  A knock sounded on the door and I already knew who it was. I opened it and Reed walked in, carrying two bags and a bottle of my whiskey. “Thought you could use this,” he said, handing me the bottle.

  Instead of pouring it into a glass, I pulled out the top and chugged it. “You have no idea,” I said, sighing as the liquid trailed down my throat. I needed it.

  Reed set our bags onto the couch. He’d gone back to the hotel to grab us some clothes since we couldn’t be seen. “I packed whatever I could find,” he said, glancing around the living room, “I’m sure you’ll manage for a couple of days.”

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks, Chandler. I owe you.”

  “Where’s Faith?” he asked. “Are you two on good terms yet?”

  Still holding the bottle of whiskey, I sat down on the couch. “She thinks I’m mad at her so she’s giving me space. She has no clue how much Cadoc has fucked with my head. When he started showing interest in her, I was set to have you take her away from here. I wanted her gone before the meeting on Wednesday.”

  Brows furrowed, Reed sat down across from me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  I shrugged. “Because I was selfish. I wanted to keep her with me for as long as I could. If I knew she wouldn’t rebel I’d make you take her away right now.”

  “You’re right, I would rebel,” Faith called out from behind. She stormed over to the couch with her arms crossed over her chest. “Cadoc scares the shit out of me, but I’m not going anywhere.” Then she glared over at Reed. “If either of you think of forcing me away, I’ll cut off all your balls. Got it.”

  She huffed and marched back down the hallway to the bedroom. Reed stood and blew out a sigh. “All right, that’s my cue to leave. I’m rather attached to my balls, even though I know she’d never cut them off. However, I do know she’s capable of anything.”

  I stood and shook his hand. “That she is.”

  “Be here on Wednesday?” he asked.

  I nodded. “And make sure she doesn’t trick you this time.”

  Reed chuckled and turned for the door. “I’ve never been duped by someone before. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. Women are scandalous.”

  “I heard that!” Faith shouted.

  He chuckled again before walking out the door. I took another chug of my whiskey and set the bottle in the kitchen. I could hear the sound of the TV down the hall and slowly made my way toward it. Faith was in the bedroom, lying on her stomach on the bed, scrolling through Facebook.

  “Has my story been shared a million times now?” I asked.

  She sat up and put her phone on the dresser. “Almost. My parents freaked out when they saw me on the news.”

  I leaned against the doorframe. “What did they say?”

  “Well,” she began with a sigh, “my father didn’t exactly sound upset. Guess he hated Philip as much as everyone else. In the end once they learned the truth, they were okay. Now they’re worried for you.” Her lips pursed. “So am I.”

  “It has to be done,” I said in all seriousness. “I’m not using you as bait. This is the only way.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “What if he kills you? Going to that meeting is a suicide mission, not only for you, but the other families. Every top boss in the city’s going to be there.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not how it works with Cadoc. He’s not like my father.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Who cares? It’s too dangerous. When he sees that you’re free, it’ll piss him off. There’s no telling what he’ll do. Especially, if you provoke him.”

  I looked forward to that. I was going to make sure he knew his plan failed miserably. Faith grabbed one of the pillows and held it tight to her chest. The uncertainty and terror in her eyes was apparent. I walked over to the bed and laid down beside her. She cuddled against me and I held her in my arms.

  “Why can’t you walk away? Let the police and the FBI handle this,” she cried.

  I kissed the top of her head. “It needs to be me, Faith. I can end this. Once the Cartwrights are over, we’ll go to Wyoming.”

  She looked up at me. “Promise?”

  Sliding my hand up the back of her shirt, I rubbed soothing circles on her skin. “I promise. I’ll do anything to make you believe me.”

  A small smile spread across her face. “Anything?”

  “Anything,” I said.

  She lifted her lips to mine. “Then lie back. I need to burn off some steam. I don’t want to think of anything but you and me right now.”

  Entwining my hands behind my neck, I laid back on the pillows and watched her slowly take off her shirt and shorts, letting them fall to the floor. I wanted to feel every inch of her, inside and out; to see her back arch, pushing her breasts higher as we fucked. I’d never felt another woman’s body as perfect as hers.

  Climbing onto the bed, she straddled me, wearing only a pair of black, lacy thongs that matched her black bra. I fingered the black strap and smiled. “Sexy.”

  With a smirk, she slowly slid her hand down my stomach and unbuttoned my pants. I kicked them off and slid out of my T-shirt as well. My cock was so hard, it fucking hurt. She reached into my boxers, wrapping her hand around me; I thought I’d go insane.

  Licking her lips, I knew what she was planning to do the moment she slid my boxers down my legs, and oh God, how much I wanted to feel her mouth on me, sucking me as hard as she could. But I didn’t want this to be about me.

  She shrieked as I flipped us over and basically ripped off her underwear and unclasped her bra, taking it off as fast as I could. I bent down to suck on her perfectly taut nipples, one after the other, the tips getting larger the more I teased them. Moaning, Faith spread her legs wide and pushed her hips up against mine. I intentionally kept my cock as far back as possible so I could tease her.

  “Please,” she begged, trying to move down in search of the friction she desired. When I pressed my weight into her and bit her bottom lip, she opened her closed eyes and gasped.

  “Uh-uh, not yet,” I murmured. I trailed my tongue down her stomach, stopping between her legs. Right there in the middle was the sweetest taste of all, the one thing I craved. So wet and swollen.

  I groaned in anticipation because I knew the first taste would be the best. Sealing my lips around her clit, I felt her body tighten. She moved her hips against my face as I moved down a little further and fucked her with my tongue, burrowing as deep as I could.

&nb
sp; “Dominic, please,” she begged. “I need you. Make love to me.”

  Ignoring her request, I pushed a finger inside of her, flicking my tongue on her clit. The wetter she got, the more I wanted. Spreading her legs wider, I sat up and rubbed my cock around the wetness of her opening, and without warning, entered her.

  Gasping, she screamed out a pleasured cry and wrapped her legs around my waist. Reaching for me, she pulled me down. Taking her face in my hands, she gazed back at me with hooded eyes and lifted her mouth to kiss me. I opened her lips further with my tongue, tasting her … claiming her. She was mine, and only mine.

  Moaning in my ear, she dug her nails into my back and her body clenched so tight around my dick, I was close to exploding. The tighter she got, the harder it was to keep going. Her moans grew louder, and as soon as she let go, I pumped into her hard, filling her up deep inside. It was unreal how much I craved Faith’s touch. I’d spent my whole life without it, and now I couldn’t get enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Dominic

  The time had come for the meeting.

  The FBI had pinpointed Allison’s location and they were close to finding her. Once they did, getting her to talk would be the problem. Cadoc would have her killed if she spilled anything about him.

  I straightened up my tie and grabbed my Ed Brown 1911 Signature Edition 9 mm. off the dresser. It was a gift from my father. The metalwork was specially engraved with our family crest. Faith watched me through the reflection in the mirror with a look of concern on her face as she leaned against the doorframe. “I’ll be okay,” I told her, sliding the gun into my holster. “Marco’s coming with me.”

  She started toward me and nodded toward the hall. “He’s here. Reed let him in.”

  Turning to face her, I reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close. “I won’t be gone long.” The police were going to be close by just in case Cadoc did have something up his sleeve, but I knew the man. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I walked through the door.

  Faith’s lips pursed as she stared up at me. “You’re not going to get pissed and kill him, are you?”

  That brought a smile to my face. “I’d love that, but I’m not an idiot. I’m curious to hear what he has to say to the others.” I kissed her quickly and grabbed my suit jacket off the bed. “I have to leave.”

  She followed me out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room where Reed and Marco waited. Marco stood and hugged me. “So happy you’re okay, son. Isaiah and Luca are at the hotel, making sure everything’s safe for when you return.”

  “Good.” Marco let me go and I focused on Reed. “Where are Micah and Connor?”

  Reed sat down on the couch and stretched his arms out. “Micah’s helping the police, and Connor’s at the hotel, spending his time working out in the pit.”

  “Perfect,” I said, sliding into my suit jacket. “Tell them we’ll be back at the hotel tonight.”

  Reed nodded. “Will do.”

  Marco headed toward the door. “I’ll be outside.”

  I walked over to Faith and hugged her one last time. “I love you,” I murmured in her ear.

  Her arms tightened around me. “I love you too. Please be careful.”

  “I will.” I kissed her cheek and let go. Marco stood by his car, smoking a cigarette when I walked out. “Thought you quit,” I said, getting into the passenger’s side.

  Marco coughed and tossed the cigarette onto the ground. “I did. All this shit with the Cartwrights made me start back up again.”

  We got in the car and Marco drove us toward the meeting spot, a restaurant by the bay that was considered neutral ground. I peered over at Marco, and it was the first time I’d seen what the years of stress had done to him. There were more wrinkles around his eyes and he looked older than what he should. He’d wasted all the good years of his life by following my father around.

  “I’m leaving town,” I said.

  Marco’s eyes widened in shock. “What?” We stopped at a light and he turned to me. “When?”

  I shrugged. “Whenever this shit with the Cartwrights is done. I’m moving to Wyoming with Faith.”

  The light changed and he focused back on the road. “What about the hotel?”

  “I’m keeping it,” I replied. “You, Aunt Marjory, and Luca can stay there anytime you want. Hell, you can come to Wyoming with us.”

  His brows lifted. “And the pit?”

  “The pit is done.” I waited for his response, and was surprised to see him smile. “I take it you’re okay with all of that?”

  Marco’s shoulders relaxed and he chuckled. It’d been a long time since I’d heard that sound from him. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted out of this life. The only thing that kept me around was you and your sister.”

  I patted his shoulder. “Not anymore, Uncle. I’m done with it all.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “I never thought I’d hear those words.”

  We arrived a few minutes late to the restaurant, but that was the plan. Marco pulled us around to the side so we could go in through the back door. I didn’t want any of the others to see us coming. Once inside, I could already hear Cadoc.

  “I’m sure you all have heard the news,” he announced, trying to sound sympathetic. He was such a fucking prick.

  Several voices murmured in agreement and I recognized them all: Viktor Kazakov, Michael O’Brien, Riccardo Rossi, and Lorenzo Salvatore. They were the top bosses in their families.

  Cadoc cleared his throat. “With Corsino being out of commission for a very long time, I think it’s time we reestablish the boundaries.”

  Viktor scoffed. “What the hell is this, Cartwright? You can’t just piss around the city and claim it’s yours.”

  Cadoc chuckled. “No pissing involved, actually. I’ve been buying up businesses all around New York. As soon as The Chateaux goes under, I plan on getting it too.”

  So that was his plan. The Chateaux was one of the biggest moneymakers in the city. Not to mention it had a reputation for its hidden desires. He’d have the whole underground to play around with.

  “That’s not going to happen,” I called out as I turned the corner. Marco joined me and we stared them down. Viktor and the others looked on in surprise while Cadoc first appeared shocked, but then the anger took over. Cadoc was the youngest of them all besides me. All the other top bosses were older with white and gray hair. They were getting to the age where starting a war wasn’t in their best interest.

  “Thought you were in jail?” Cadoc said through clenched teeth.

  I greeted him with the biggest smile I could muster. “Sorry to disappoint you. Guess killing my girlfriend’s ex-husband and blaming it on me didn’t work.”

  The room fell silent, but then Viktor stood. “I don’t know what the fuck’s going on, but I want no part in it.” He turned to leave and the other men followed suit, only when they opened the front door, there were two of Cartwright’s men in the way.

  Cadoc glared at me, and then walked over to them. “Change of plans, my friends. I’m going to have to ask you to sit down again.”

  Viktor glanced back at me and I nodded. Out of the other families, I respected Viktor the most. His family was the only one who didn’t do anything illegal to make money. Viktor sighed and said a few words to the other men. They all turned and made their way back to the table.

  Cadoc waved for me to join them. “Come. Let’s discuss this like civilized men.”

  Once all the others were seated, I took my place at the table while Marco stood guard on the other side of the room with his hand ready to reach for his gun if need be.

  Viktor glanced over at me, and I could see him out of the corner of my eye. “Is it true? Did Cadoc try to frame you?”

  “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” I said, keeping my focus on Cadoc.

  Cadoc shook his head, waving me off as if what he did was nothing. “Lies. If I was guilty, don’t you t
hink the police would’ve already come after me?” Not yet, I thought to myself. But they will. The room fell silent again and Cadoc beamed as if he’d won.

  “So let me get this straight,” I began, “from what I understand you want to buy my hotel and take over the city? Is that right?” When Cadoc opened his mouth to speak, I held up my hand which pissed him off even more. “Oh, wait,” I cut in, “you can’t because I’m still here. Your plan failed.”

  Cadoc slammed a hand down on the table. “Fine. You want the truth, you got it. That was my plan. I was going to make sure the Corsinos were done in this city for good.”

  I held out my arms. “I’m still here. What are you going to do now?”

  Tension filled the room and I could feel the rage coursing through my body. I’d wanted to beat the fuck out of Cadoc for years. All I had to do was reach for my gun and end it. But I couldn’t.

  Cadoc snarled. “I challenge the Corsino family to a fight. Winner takes all.”

  “All of what?” I growled.

  Cadoc stood and spread his arms wide. “Everything. I want the power, the money, the hotel … you name it. It’s time for the Cartwrights to take over.”

  “Dominic,” Marco warned.

  I held up my hand, but I didn’t dare look at him. I knew his answer. The other men stared at me as if I was stupid for even considering it. I couldn’t back down. It was time Cadoc Cartwright faced the reality that he was inferior to me. My family might be smaller now, but we were stronger. With the biggest grin on his face, Cadoc held out his hand, taunting me.

  “Faith is not included in the deal,” I stated boldly.

  Cadoc agreed with a nod. “Of course not. My nephew plans on getting her all on his own. This deal is between you and me.” The thought of William breathing near Faith had me seeing red. Grabbing his hand, I squeezed with all my strength.

  “And,” I growled, getting to my feet, “the loser has to step down. That means leaving New York for good.”