by Grace Risata
“Oh, crap,” Chrissie mumbled, putting a hand over her face. “He just had to ask about Pete, didn’t he?”
“Pete is in a coma!” Betty Jo wailed, bursting into tears and shoving me aside so she could collapse in Samuel’s arms. I couldn’t help but take notice of the way she held on a little too tight, rubbing his muscular biceps and inhaling the masculine scent that clearly drove women wild. Was that a fucking grin on her face? Who fondles a guy while pregnant with another man’s baby? Especially when the aforementioned man is in a fucking coma?
“Like sands through the hourglass,” I muttered, “these are the Days of our Lives.” I swear, all I needed was a three legged dog to come stumbling out of the trees and alert us to a boy stuck in a well somewhere. How I longed for the simpler times when all I had to deal with were rival gangs, turf wars, and deceitful employees.”
Okay. I’m done fucking around here.
I grabbed Betty Jo by the braid and gently tugged her weeping ass off my man. It’s not like I could throat punch her…she was pregnant after all.
“Who the fuck are you, why is Pete in a coma, and what the fuck is going on around here? Am I being pranked or what?” I asked in disbelief.
Bitch had the nerve to put her hands on her hips and dare to give me some attitude.
“I’m Samuel’s ex-girlfriend, not that it’s any of your business,” she replied, moving her head back and forth like a viper sizing up its prey. “Who are you?”
Your worst nightmare, whore. If you weren’t knocked up, you’d be swallowing your teeth right now.
Puffing out my chest and breaking into a Cheshire Cat smile, I held up a hand of my own and flashed the ring finger.
“I’m his wife, which makes everything about him my business. If you touch him like that again, you’ll have a broken hand. Do I make myself clear, Elly May?”
As per usual, Chrissie gasped in shock at my threat. Betty Jo was not so intimidated, unfortunately.
“My name is Betty Jo,” she replied defiantly, soon turning her attention back to the prime target. One very amused man.
“You didn’t really get married, did you Sammie? Why is she lying? Is this woman not all there in the head?”
As if to make her point, Betty Jo did the twirly finger motion by the brain that you do to imply someone is a few bricks short of a load.
“We’re definitely hitched,” he confessed, staring her straight in the eye and telling one hell of a whopper. If the bitch really was his ex, wouldn’t she see through his lies? In order to seal the deal, Samuel added, “I’m sure you heard all about her from Todd and that’s why you just happened to show up today, am I right? He texted you that I was back in town with a new wife, and you couldn’t help but run over here to see if it was true?”
“Yes, Todd might have told Shana Lyn and she might have passed that information along to me. His wife is my best friend, what did you expect? It’s just been so long, Sammie. I missed you,” she squeaked in a high pitched voice that one would use to talk to dogs or babies.
Are you kidding me right now? The same Cousin Todd that eye-fucked me was married to some unlucky twat named Shana Lyn who just so happened to be the best friend of Betty Jo? How many people live in Kansas? Twelve?
“What about Pete?” I reminded her not-so-gently. “You know, the coma victim that knocked you up?”
She narrowed her eyes at me and said, “I don’t like your tone. You would be wise to watch your mouth around here. We don’t take kindly to newcomers unaware of their proper place in the pecking order. And, by the way, Pete is my husband and not someone who ‘knocked me up’ as you so crudely put it.”
I leaned in as close as I could get because Samuel was holding me back, and warned, “The only place that’s my ‘proper place’ is riding my husband’s cock…all night long. If you try to threaten me again, you’ll find yourself in a coma to match Pete’s current predicament. That’s a promise.”
Betty Jo’s eyes widened and she backed up in shock.
“You’re not seriously going to let her speak to me that way, are you Sammie?”
“I’m pretty much done here,” my bodyguard admitted with a shrug. “Catfights don’t impress me in the slightest. We were just about to leave to grab a quick dinner. Goodnight Betty Jo, and congratulations on the baby.”
He turned to leave as she stomped her foot and whined, “It’s not just one! I’m having twins! They’re both boys!”
Samuel ignored her as he took my hand and we walked up to the house. Instead of going inside, he turned around, leaned close, and shot me a very dirty look.
“You think so little of me that you assumed I would get a woman pregnant and then leave her? I saw the way you frantically calculated the baby bump math in your head, and the obvious relief when it became apparent the child was not mine. Thanks a lot, Leandra. Good to know I’m such a fucking asshole in your eyes.”
He glared at me, shook his head, and grunted in disgust.
“You have three minutes to grab your shit and get back downstairs or I’m going without you,” he demanded. “I’m not kidding.”
Samuel stormed off into the kitchen, while I stood frozen to the spot in stunned amazement.
Could things get any more complicated around here?
Chapter Seventeen
Samuel
I could really use a beer right now. Unfortunately I have a rule never to drink while working, and technically I’m still on the clock. Protecting Leandra was a full time gig because she managed to get herself into so much trouble.
However, alcohol was not currently an option. Namely because there wasn’t a drop to be found in this damn house. I also had to march my ass right up the stairs to help Leandra find her backpack filled with cash. No way in hell was I leaving almost eighty grand lying around in plain sight. If my parents found it and started asking questions, I had no answers for them.
The minute I entered the room, my boss started peppering me with questions.
“Where’s my—”
“Somewhere safe,” I replied, going over to my closet and lifting up the rotten floorboard where I always hid everything important. The fifteen year old version of me used to stash porn magazines, and now I had somehow graduated to concealing dirty money. Great. Just great. “Take what you need and leave the rest here. We’re going out for a quick dinner and then stocking up on the bare necessities only.”
I saw her count out at least five grand and it made me wonder if she knew the meaning of ‘bare necessities.’
“We’re leaving in two minutes,” I warned, taking the remainder of the money and returning it to the closet like I was a pirate burying my treasure.
“What?” she asked in outrage. “First off, I’m sure as hell not going out in public looking like a sweaty, homeless derelict. Second of all, who died and put you in charge?”
Typical Leandra. Always had to call the shots, always had to do things her way. Not anymore. Not tonight.
“After the shitty day I’ve had, I’m not taking orders from anyone. I’m giving them,” I growled, daring her to argue with me. I stood up to my full height and crossed my arms while staring at the feisty woman. “We’re doing what I say, without question, for the remainder of the night. If you don’t like it, no one is forcing you to come along. Do I make myself clear?”
I really had no idea what got into me. I guess the events of the day had taken their toll. From my dad thinking he could talk down to Leandra, then Todd sticking his nose where it didn’t belong and accusing me of bailing when things got rough, to Betty Jo walking back into my life like she somehow belonged there…it was just too much. The time for putting up with people’s shit was over. At least for today.
“So, you’re in charge?” she asked softly, gazing up at me with an odd expression on her face. It appeared to be…obedience. Was Leandra actually afraid of me right now?
“Yes,” I stated firmly, not taking my eyes off hers.
In response, she licked her lips
and quietly moaned.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear those words, Samuel. Dominate me. I’m yours to command.”
That beautiful mouth of hers twitched ever so slightly and I had to force myself not to take her right then and there. Did Leandra not realize how much I held back? How it was a struggle every second not to grab her, lift up that voluptuous body, toss it on the bed, and give my boss everything she craved? I wanted it too. Possibly even more than she did. The fire in her eyes when she grabbed Todd by the balls and brought him to his knees…the hypnotizing sway of her ass when it wiggled back and forth as she pushed the wheelbarrow to the wood pile…the fierce jealously on display when Betty Jo tried to re-claim what was never hers to begin with…fuck. I was hard as a rock just thinking about it.
Unfortunately, my body betrayed me and Leandra noticed just how much her words were turning me on. My fucking cock had a mind of its own and the bulge in my jeans was unmistakable.
“Mmhmm,” she purred, taking a step closer until my back was pressed to the wall and there was no place to run. “You’re definitely ready to take control of the situation, aren’t you Samuel?”
Leandra reached out and began to run her finger down the front of my jeans.
Shit. I had about three more seconds until I unzipped my pants and buried myself balls deep into her pussy.
No. Not now. Not like this.
I closed my eyes and did the only thing I could think of to get myself out of this mess.
“You know why I’m so hard?” I asked in a breathless voice. “You know what I’m picturing in my head that’s got me so fucking excited right now?”
“What? Tell me,” she demanded.
“Betty Jo…on her knees…with my dick in her mouth…sucking me off…”
Leandra instantly froze and I opened my eyes to see if that brilliant move on my part finally did the trick to put some distance between us.
I saw hurt, I saw betrayal, and then I saw something else.
She suddenly smiled at me.
“Nice try, cowboy, but I’m not buying what you’re selling. Just because that dumb bitch was too blind to recognize a lie when it’s staring her in the face, doesn’t mean that I am. Your real ex-girlfriend can’t read you as well as your fake wife. I call bullshit and you know it. When you decide to man up and quit playing games, I might not be here waiting for you. Remember that,” she threatened, promptly turning and walking away.
Fuck.
That’s exactly what I was afraid of.
I took off my sweat-soaked shirt and threw on something clean, all the while wishing I’d never come home in the first place. On one hand, the guilt was killing me and I had to know that my family was alright. On the other hand, I realized just how much my life had changed since I’d been gone.
A hushed conversation in the hallway captured my attention and I went to go see what the hell was going wrong this time.
“What are you guys doing now?” Chrissie asked with interest. It wasn’t hard to see that Leandra had fully captivated my sister in the short time we’d been here.
“We’re going to grab supper and you’re coming with. My treat. All that hard work today deserves a payout. After we eat, we shop. I’m done with the bologna and tap water,” Leandra insisted, a hard edge to her voice.
“Oh, that sounds great. Where are we eating? I don’t like weird food.”
“Chrissie, would you please give us a minute in private?” I requested, hustling Leandra down the stairs and leading her outside, much to the annoyance of my sister who trailed not too far behind.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring her with us,” I began, quickly spelling out all the reasons why this should not be a group outing. “You’re going to start spending money left and right, but there’s no simple explanation as to why we were too poor for a wedding yet you’re throwing around cash like it’s burning a hole in your pocket.”
She narrowed her eyes at me and confirmed my suspicion.
“Oh, I’m going to make it rain hundred dollar bills like a rich old man at a strip club desperate to get a pair of fake tits in his face. You better believe that shit,” Leandra admitted. “As to the reason why I suddenly have all these Benjamin Franklins? Well, I’m sure you’ll figure something out, Samuel. You seem to have a new fondness for lying.”
Evidently someone is still pissed off about the ‘Betty Jo’ comment. Although she’s pretending to be a hard ass, I can tell it bothered her. Leandra doesn’t like to be kept waiting and she’s growing impatient with my constant refusals. Too fucking bad. I’m not her toy.
With a sigh of resignation, I went back into the house and grabbed a set of keys off the pegboard.
“Those are mine!” Chrissie yelled. “I’m coming with!”
She bolted out the door and quickly caught up with Leandra in order to lead them to a beat-up black SUV parked not far from my truck.
I jogged over and opened the passenger door for my boss, more out of habit than anything else. Quickly shaking her head, she had the nerve to jump in the back seat instead. I guess our ‘I’m calling the shots tonight’ conversation landed on deaf ears. My sister was happy to ride shotgun and immediately began giving instructions.
“Okay, Sam. The black beauty is in need of some maintenance, so you’re going to have to go easy on her. No driving over fifty-five miles an hour, don’t hit the brakes too hard, and you better hope there’s not another storm because the windshield wipers don’t work.”
“Who takes care of you?” Leandra asked in horror from the backseat. “You should not be driving this piece of shit if it’s in such poor condition, Chrissie. It’s not safe at all.”
She then threw me a look as though it were my fault. Did no one understand I was doing the best I could with what I was given?
“If I win the lottery,” I growled with anger, “then I’ll be sure to upgrade my sister with a new set of wheels. Until that time, we’ll just have to make do.”
“It’s fine,” Chrissie mumbled quietly, head down in shame. “I’m lucky to have a car at all. Sam had to work for three summers in order to save up for his first truck. This is an old hand-me-down from mom and dad. I didn’t have to pay them for it.”
By some miracle, the SUV started on the first try and we found ourselves flying down the highway at a safe and respectable fifty miles an hour.
“Where exactly are we going?” Leandra asked. “What town?”
“Oxville. It’s about half an hour away,” I explained.
“You’re going to like it,” Chrissie further elaborated. “It’s the closest big city and they have a Super Wal-mart and everything. Oxville has a population of thirty-two thousand people, so you know it’s packed full of decent restaurants. There’s a pizza buffet and a place with chicken wings. They even have a Thai restaurant, not like I’d ever go there. I don’t eat strange food, as I think I’ve already mentioned. Another fun fact about Oxville is that I go there every weekend with my best friend and we take vegetables to the farmer’s market. That’s how I make some extra money to help out with the bills.”
I sucked in a deep breath and forced myself to practice the stupid meditation that I’d watched Leandra attempt on a weekly basis. In her case, it involved sitting on a yoga mat wearing sexy as hell tight clothes while pretending to find inner peace. In this instance, I was simply trying to stay relaxed so I wouldn’t blow up.
Breathe in, hold it for a five count, exhale. Breathe in, hold it for a three count, exhale.
“What are you doing?” Chrissie asked with concern. “Are you hyperventilating right now?”
Leandra chose that moment to lean her head into the front seat and stare at me. Of course, she instantly recognized the change in my breathing and impending eruption that threatened to force its way to the surface.
“Why?” Leandra demanded softly. “I can’t fix it if I don’t know why.”
“The life you’ve shown me…I would give anything to let her
live it for even a week. The good part of it. Fancy cars that don’t need a laundry list of repairs, weird food that she would love if she gave it a chance, designer clothes, luxury, not having to worry about selling vegetables to pay insurmountable debt, freedom. She’ll never know what it’s like.”
I stared straight ahead, unable to face either one of them after my rare moment of weakness. I knew Chrissie wouldn’t understand my words, but Leandra knew. She understood that I would never be able to provide for my family the way she took care of hers. At this point, I felt like a failure who wasn’t even a man at all. Worthless. No future.
A pair of soft, yet strong hands began to massage my shoulders, firmly kneading the stress away.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, Samuel. I grew up around that life, observed it, memorized it, and figured it all out until I felt confident with what I was doing. I busted my ass, analyzed every angle, and made sure my ducks were in a row before I even attempted to take over. This is the only real freedom I’ve had since my dad left. Every fucking day I have to hustle my ass off, question everyone’s motives, and keep my shit together because the entire operations falls on my shoulders. If I make one simple fuck up, it all goes down in flames. Antonio was a fuck-up. I got careless, too self-assured, too invincible. It taught me a lesson. Right now all I’m doing is buying myself time to strategize here. Nothing’s really stopped in New York. It’s all going on without me, constantly buzzing in the back of my mind. That life has consequences. She doesn’t need any part of it. Better to eat a bologna sandwich and sleep with a clear conscience, than walk around in Louboutins and constantly have to watch your back.”
Truer words have never been spoken. That little kick in the ass was exactly what I needed to clear my head.
“I have no clue what’s going on with you guys right now,” Chrissie said in confusion.
“Good,” Leandra replied. “Let’s keep it that way.”
She removed her hands from my shoulders, sat back and suggested, “Change the subject, Samuel.”
