Grim Ambition

by Jennifer Reinfried

  She blushed and put a hand on his. “I’m all right, but thank you, Dean.”

  Alex cleared his throat.

  “Hungry?” Slatter asked. “I know you cleared the place, but Joey here can whip up a mean stew.” He jerked his thumb at the taller bodyguard behind him.

  Emma giggled behind a hand. “A little. Maybe after the meeting he could show off his skills.”

  Alex stared at them, anger welling inside him. He forced it down. “Redborough’s other families fell to their knees when Vance rose to power.”

  Slatter reached out and rested his hand on Emma’s thigh, smiling at her. Then he turned to Alex. “I’m aware of Vance’s influence in this city. I had business agreements with both the Esposito and Bianci. When they fell, the Acerbi were quick to contact me, to try and scoop up what their enemies had lost, but I’m not one to act quickly when it comes to large amounts of money, or risking jail time.”

  “Vance has ruled here for over a decade. The families fell two years ago.”

  “Like I said.” Slatter winked at Emma. “I like to take my time.”

  Alex’s left eye twitched. He could feel his nails biting into his palms as he clenched his fists underneath the table.

  “Why should I align with you instead of them, Alex?”

  “Simple. You have no choice.”

  Emma threw a glare at him, but he ignored the look.

  “Excuse me?” Slatter’s arm was slowly moving back and forth, his hand no doubt massaging Emma’s thigh underneath the white tablecloth, out of Alex’s sight.

  “The Acerbi family is strong, yes, but they lack leadership as well as simple manpower. We have both, more than enough to rule in every part of the city. If they attempt to rise above Vance, we could cut them down faster than the others fell.”

  “That sounds like a threat instead of a choice to me.”

  Alex noticed as Emma glanced at her lap, then shot Slatter a coy expression. He coughed into his hand as the most intense flare of anger he’d ever felt pulsed through his chest. She’s mine. She’s mine. She’s fucking mine. Unballing his fists, Alex placed his hands on the table before him, attempting to come across relaxed.

  “Then there’s your monthly cut, should you join with us.”

  “Ah, yes.” Slatter grinned at Emma. “The one you’ll deliver to me. Would you by chance be bringing it to my home directly? Or am I going to have to beg you to come over again?”

  “That’s enough!” Alex screamed. Rage twisted his face and flew throughout his body, numbing his senses and dulling his train of thought. He jumped to his feet and flung the table onto its side. Slatter’s bodyguards both reached into their jackets simultaneously to withdraw their firearms while Slatter leapt to his feet, hands up in defense, shock plastered on his face. Alex deftly drew his pistol, but Marcus was already in motion. Without hesitation, he squeezed off a single round. The face of the taller bodyguard opened below his eye, and his body jerked backward. Alex brought his fist into the nose of the other guard as the first crumpled to the floor. Slatter let out a yell and turned to run.

  The moment Alex snapped and flung the table, Emma had slid her Ruger out of her purse, ducking in the opposite direction of the fight. She held her gun level with the man Alex had punched, who was now on the ground, with her lover’s fist pummeling his face in a jealous rage. The guard swiped his legs out and caught Alex’s ankle. He grunted and tripped, falling to one knee, but continued to beat the other man until his movements stilled. Breath coming out in ragged bursts through gritted teeth, he clambered back to his feet and took aim at the downed guard’s head.

  Alex glanced at Emma, who now stood with her weapon pointed to the floor, wide eyes fixed on him. Slatter was fleeing behind her, and neither she nor Marcus had given chase.

  “Shoot him, Emma!” Alex screamed.

  “Are you fucking kidding?” She safed her Ruger. “We need him!”

  Alex felt a grunt escape him, and he turned, pulling the trigger of his own weapon. The guard he’d been holding at gunpoint twitched back, his head spraying gore through the air, splattering along the floor.

  “Goddammit!” Alex stepped over the lifeless bodies of the men they had killed and stalked up to Emma. He didn’t stop advancing, forcing her against the wall behind her, his face inches from hers. “What the fuck was that?” he screamed, fury throbbing within him.

  “What the fuck was what?” she yelled back as fear and anger clouded in her eyes. “What the fucking hell is wrong with you?”

  “Are you fucking serious? Did you have to act like such a slut?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “What did you call me?”

  “Oh, damn,” Marcus said. Alex glared at the other man, who had doffed his leather coat, revealing a plain white t-shirt and the intricate ink of multiple tattoos that decorated his forearms and biceps. He knelt by the guard Alex had shot to dig through his pockets. He paused at the tone of Emma’s voice, one eyebrow cocked.

  “None of your business,” Alex growled. Marcus shrugged and continued to search the dead men.

  Emma was staring at him with resentment. Alex felt adrenaline wearing off, and his hands began to tremble. He took two steps back, breathing loudly and quickly through his nose. He slid the gun into a black leather holster underneath his suit coat. Placate her. Placate her or lose her.

  “I’m...I’m sorry, Emma.”

  “I was doing my job. You know, what I’ve had to do for fucking months to get anywhere? So you attack me for doing what I’m told to do, because you’re what, jealous?” She stepped toward Alex and pushed his chest with her palm, and he stumbled backward. His anger spiked.

  “I have a hard enough time doing nothing but this kind of work because you refuse to see my potential, keep giving me jobs that make me use my body to get me anywhere. Marcus is the only one around here that acts like he fucking respects me, him and Isaac. For fuck’s sake, you’re the one who gave me this assignment, and because we started fucking, you decide you don’t like it? I did my part perfectly. You fucked it up.” She shoved him again, almost snarling her words, rage apparent.

  “Stop that.” He tried to keep his voice calm.

  “No. Fuck you.” She shoved him again. Alex shot his hand forward and grabbed her wrist, his fingers tight, a sneer on his lips. Her skin was soft and warm. So delicate. So fragile. She glared at him fiercely, but he could detect a shine of unease in her eyes. Good.

  “Emma.” He kept his voice low. “I said I was sorry.” His breathing had finally returned to normal.

  “I’m getting out of here.” She wrenched from his grip. “You can take a cab.”

  Placate her or lose her. “Emma, wait. Please...just listen to me.”

  She paused, and he knew he had her. He made his voice soft, as if he was close to tears. “Please?” he said again.

  “I’m still here, aren’t I?” Emma snapped.

  “Look, we need to skedaddle in case Slatter called the cops,” Marcus interrupted.

  “Grant will inform us if anything we do lights up the RPD.” Alex stared at Emma as he spoke, eyes pleading. “He knows we’re here.”

  “Regardless.” Emma tugged at the hem of her skirt. “I’d really like to leave and change into something that doesn’t make me feel like a slut.” Her eyes flashed at the word.

  “Guys, we don’t have time for this shit.” Marcus stood, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Then wait in the goddamn car,” Alex growled.

  Marcus held his hands in front of him, then shrugged, grabbed his jacket, and left. Alex turned back to Emma.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “You said that already.”

  “Emma, I don’t think that of you. You know that. All I did was say you were acting like one, not that you are one. Okay?” She didn’t reply, and his stomach churned. Don’t lose her...“Listen. I know I overreacted. It’s just...” Alex paused and looked at the floor. Just say what a woman wants to hear. “You had me believing you. I t
hought the other night we really had, I don’t know, connected.” He stepped toward her. Emma’s eyes watched his every move with a hard glare. Alex reached forward tentatively and circled an arm around her waist.

  “That doesn’t mean—”

  “I know.” Alex pulled her to him. “I had no right to act the way I did. I already said I’m sorry. I...I care about you.”

  Emma’s body relaxed against him, but hurt was still in her eyes, along with anger.

  “I was upset. It was insulting, seeing you have to act that way just to get Slatter to work with us. I had no idea how degrading your work was to you until then.”

  Emma’s gaze went soft.

  “I was just overcome with the urge to protect you, and got carried away.” Alex rested his forehead against hers. “I promise, that will never happen again.”

  She pulled back and looked up at him. Alex reached up and stroked her cheek with the fingers of one hand. That was easy.

  “Let’s get the hell out of here. Okay?”

  Her eyes were still wary, but she nodded.

  They departed the restaurant, Alex’s arm around her waist as they walked through the afternoon light toward Nate’s waiting SUV.

  After a short, uncomfortable drive, they arrived at Emma’s apartment. He shut the front door behind him gently and turned to her, watching as she shed her heels.

  “You’re welcome, by the way.” Emma stooped to pet her dog, who had bounded up to her side.

  “Oh?” Alex leaned against the back of her couch, arms crossed.

  “If I had shot Slatter, we’d be in a shit ton of trouble already. Admit it. You were wrong.”

  Already at an emotional high, Alex’s temper flared once more at her attitude. Instead of replying, however, he straightened, then reached down and undid his belt. Emma watched as he slid the leather strap free from the loops of his dark dress pants, then folded it on itself and gripped it by the buckle.

  “You don’t know how much I hate being jealous,” he said in a quiet, stern voice.

  “Oh, come on. I need something to eat after I change. It’s after three, and I’m starving.” Emma turned away from him and started to walk toward her bedroom.

  Alex ignored her. He followed her without a word, watching her walk, the sway of her hips maddening. Shutting the door behind him, blocking the dog from entering, he strode up behind Emma. He reached out and gripped her wrist again, pulling her to a stop.

  “I care about you Emma.” His grip tightened. “But you need to be punished.”

  She gave him a long, steady look before pulling out of his grasp. Alex’s anger peaked at her disobedience.

  “Not funny.” Her eyes held caution.

  Alex rolled up first one shirt sleeve, then the other, not taking his gaze from hers. “You need to be punished,” he repeated.

  Her uneasy look changed to a playful squint. “Oh? You don’t like it when I’m bad?”

  Alex removed his tie, the soft material swishing from his neck. “I don’t like it when you disobey me.” He stepped forward and sat on the edge of her bed, then pointed at his lap. “Come here.”

  Emma’s eyes grew mischievous. She closed the small distance between them in two steps and sat on his left leg, smiling. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his. Alex kissed her back for a moment, then pushed her forcibly from his leg. Emma landed on the floor, the hem of her dress high on her thighs.

  “What the hell?”

  Alex pointed to his lap again. “Here, Emma. Now.”

  He could see the anger in her eyes as she glared up at him from the floor. “If you think this is funny, you seriously need to reconsider your advances. There’s no way I’m doing anything with you after that.” She stood and turned her back on him. “I’m changing into something more comfortable, then I’m going to make a—”

  Alex reached out as she passed him and gripped her forearm. Without hesitation, he pulled her forward and down, directing her body so she stumbled across his lap, chest and stomach pressing into his legs.

  “I told you, you need to obey me.” Alex held his hand out in front of her face. “Now give me your wrists.”

  To his delight, after a pause, she complied. He bound her hands together using his tie, securing them in front of her with a tight knot.

  “Good girl.” Alex touched his fingertips to the nape of her neck. He slid his hand along her back, stopping when he reached the end of her dress. His heartbeat picked up speed as he slowly slid the fabric up along the back of her legs.

  “Alex. This is uncomfortable.” She attempted to shift from his lap.

  He reached beside him and picked up his belt. “Struggling will only result in more lashes.”

  Emma’s movements stilled. Before she could say a word, Alex lifted the leather into the air and brought the strap down hard against the skin of her thighs with a loud crack. The sound she made at the contact brought a wide grin to his lips. He raised the belt again. Leather met flesh with another slap and this time, his breath caught as Emma’s body twitched and she moaned his name. One final lash caused her back to arch. Alex frowned and put his belt aside.

  “Only three?” Emma was breathing heavily.

  Alex trailed his touch along her thighs, which were already beginning to swell, staring at the red marks he’d caused. “You’re enjoying this,” he murmured.

  “Yes.” She let out a soft moan. “Do it again.” Her voice was thick with lust.

  “You teased me. Mercilessly. Admit it.”

  “What?”

  “You knew damn well some of the things you said to Slatter were only to make me jealous. Admit it.” Alex pulled her from his lap and to her feet. He pointed to the bed as he looked down on her.

  Instead of obeying, Emma raised an eyebrow and knelt before him. Hands still bound, she used her fingers to work at the zipper of his dress pants. Moments later, they were around his ankles. His boxer briefs followed, and pleasure filled his groin. Her mouth was warm, and her tongue was doing wonders as she locked her eyes with his. Alex moaned and tangled the fingers of his free hand in her hair. His head tilted back. She’s getting out of her punishment.

  Reluctantly, Alex stopped her. “Get on the bed.”

  Emma obeyed. She lay on her back on the mattress, bound hands above her head. The sight of her nearly took his breath away.

  Alex knelt on the bed and forcibly spread her legs, relishing in the gasp that came from Emma. He crawled forward until his face was above hers. Reaching down, he slid her panties to one side, trailing his fingers along her wetness.

  “Please, Alex.” Her blue eyes begged him to continue.

  “Admit it.”

  “Stop saying that.”

  He slid his erection inside of her with a forceful thrust, adrenaline shooting through him at the cry that escaped her throat.

  "Admit it.”

  “No.”

  Her refusal escalated his anger, and Alex shoved his hips forward again. He relished in the way her breath seemed to stop, her eyes and mouth wide, breasts pressed against his still clothed chest. Emma’s legs wrapped around the small of his back, and he couldn’t hold off any longer.

  Her gaze held Alex captivated, a look of desire and eagerness. She hadn’t obeyed him, but her allure, how she felt underneath him, the way she was able to tantalize him with a single sentence, all made him lose the grip on his control, and he fucked her with a fast, animalistic hunger. She knows she’s mine. And it’s going to stay that way.

  —-

  Shawn needed a drink, something stronger than the beer he’d been sipping after a quick dinner of leftover Chinese food. He wanted to celebrate the success of the weapons deal attack from the night before, even though Jaxon had been furious at him earlier in the day, shouting at him for nearly getting killed yet again. He worries too much, Shawn thought as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

  Pressing a button on its side, he waited for the automated voice: Command?

  “Mellon.” He grinned
at the memory of Jaxon setting up his phone, using commands from their favorite nerdy movies and comic books so Shawn could operate the device with ease.

  “Command?”

  Shawn frowned. “Mell...on,” he said, slower.

  “Unlocked. New command?”

  He hesitated, knowing Jaxon was still mad at him. “Call Cassie.” We’ll get him to come out.

  Her phone rang three times before she answered with a, “Hey.”

  “Hey, Cassie. What are you up to?”

  “Jax asked me out for a drink. We’re out at The Ruffian right now. He’s been acting strange.”

  “Oh?” Shawn frowned. He was way angrier than normal this morning.

  “Yeah. All twitchy, keeps looking over his shoulder. Crankier, too.”

  “He’s mad at me.”

  “So am I, after what he told me you did last night. But I don’t think it’s because of that. This is...a different side of Jaxon.”

  “Isn’t he like, right there?”

  “No, I excused myself to the bathroom. Come on.”

  Shawn laughed. “Sorry, sorry. Well, do you want me to come out? Try to help cheer him up? Or do you think he’ll just be a dick to me all night?”

  “You know he’s just worried about you. He just shows it by yelling at you once he knows you’re safe.”

  “I know.”

  “You hate going out.”

  “But he’s my brother. And if you’re worried, I’m worried.”

  “Well, get over here. We can at least try to get him to relax enough to tell us what’s going on.”

  “Will do. Be there soon, Cassie.”

  Within forty-five minutes, Shawn had changed, pulling on a dark t-shirt and a light jacket, called a cab, and arrived at the entrance to The Ruffian, a hole-in-the-wall bar that always somehow smelled of sawdust, machine oil, and dampness.

  “In here, dude.” Jaxon’s voice filtered over to Shawn before he could pull out his phone. He felt his brother grip his elbow, and he folded up his walking stick, letting Jaxon lead him into the bar.

  Once he’d settled himself at the small table they sat around, Shawn grinned.

  “Nice to finally get out of the house,” he said over the din of other patrons’ conversations and horrible twangy country music playing from the digital jukebox in the back. “Jax, how did the day treat you?”