by Amy Cecil
“Count on it,” he replies and disconnects the line.
“Michael, are you sure Sainte is the right man for the job?” Ricco asks.
“Absolutely sure. That man is like a stealth plane. He is the only one I trust to get in, get what we want, and get out alive.”
“I know, but he’s no longer a member of this family, perhaps his loyalties have changed,” Alex says.
“Not a chance. Remember, the MC has an invested interest in this mission as well. They lost their VP. And as far as loyalty goes, I’ve told you all before; Sainte won’t flip. I’ve seen him accomplish amazing things. He’s the right man for the job. I have no doubts.”
“Well, you’re the boss,” Alex says, and they get up to leave.
“Alex, can you stay for a minute?” I ask.
He sits back down and waits for the others to leave.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you when I first got back, but thank you. You did a hell of a job keepings things on track while I was in Italy.”
“Thanks, Mikey. That means a lot.”
“How’s Pop today?”
“Ornery as ever, but he is definitely feeling much better.”
“Good. Now that we have a handle on this Gallardi thing and we’re pretty much in a holding pattern, I think I will spend some time with him and catch him up on what’s been going on.” I’ve purposely left my father out of all this. I didn’t want to say anything to upset him and wanted him to concentrate on getting well.
“Yeah, he knows something is up, but I haven’t said a word. I told Sal and Marco not to say anything either. He definitely needs to hear all this from you.”
“Think he’ll be pissed?” I ask.
“Honestly, I think he will be fucking proud of you. Michael, you have taken over this family flawlessly. You have handled every crisis with expert mastery. Hell, I’m fucking proud of you.”
“That means a lot, little brother. Thanks.”
“Want me to come with you when you talk to Pop?” he asks.
“Naw, I got this, but thanks.”
I get up from my desk and decide I’ll go see him now. Alex follows behind me, and we leave my office. Alex heads for the kitchen, and I turn and go up the stairs toward my father’s room.
“Come in at your own risk,” he replies when I knock on the door. My father, the jokester.
I walk in, and my mother is sitting in the chair across the room from his bed, reading. “Whatcha reading, Mom?”
“Oh, you know, another romance novel. I just can’t seem to get enough of them.”
“Yeah, after you read Fifty Shades of Grey, you were sucked in. Is the sex in those books that good?”
“Michael! Shame on you. You shouldn’t talk about such things to your mother,” she admonishes.
My father and I laugh. I love teasing her about the smutty sex books she reads. She gets so offended but reads them anyway. I personally think it’s kinda cute.
“Mikey, sit,” my father says. He looks at my mother and says, “Francesca my love, can you give Michael and me a minute?”
She gets up from her chair, book in hand, and says, “Now, Michael, don’t you upset him.”
“I won’t, Mamma, I won’t.”
After my mother leaves the room, Pop looks at me. “So I know you have much to tell me. It seems everyone else knows but me. I’m not used to that, Michael.”
“I know, Pop. I just wanted you to rest before you knew everything.”
“Well, I’m rested and getting better every day.”
“Okay.” I sit in the chair my mother just vacated and rest my elbows on my knees. There is so much to tell him, and I’m not sure where to start. “The night you were rushed to the hospital, Gallardi attacked the house. They flew in with helicopters and opened fire. That you already know, but what you don’t know is they also kidnapped Zaira.” I watch as horror comes across my father’s face before it turns into confusion.
“What? But she’s here. I saw her just the other day.”
“Yes, she’s fine. We found out Darius was working for Gallardi. We nabbed him at his house the next day. After several hours in the watershed, he finally told us where we could find her. We went in that night and got her.” I’m worried he may say something about reacting without thinking, and I am prepared to come to my own defense on the matter, but he says nothing and I swear he looks pleased with what I did.
“When you say ‘we,’ who do you mean?”
“Ice and his boys, Ricco, and myself.”
“Well, she’s safe now.”
“Yes, she is, but one of Ice’s men didn’t make it.” He looks down and then back at me. I know it’s not disappointment I see from him. He just knows how this goes and how we risk our lives every day. It doesn’t matter that it was from the MC. A life lost is a life lost.
“Who?”
“It was his VP, Pop. Hawk.”
“Damn, I’ve known Hawk for years. How is Ice holding up?”
“He took it pretty hard but is completely focused on retaliation. Which, I have to say, I can’t blame him.”
My father shakes his head. “Nope, me either.” He pauses and then says, “So what are you gonna do?” My father is eager to hear my plan. I think he misses, to some extent, being in the middle of everything.
“Well, this is where it gets tricky. After all that, we found out Romeo is working for the CIA. He’s untouchable, or so he thinks.”
“Mikey, what are you planning?” I really hate it when he takes that fatherly tone with me as if I’m about to do something wrong.
“We’re going after what he loves most. Sainte is going in, taking his wife, niece, and money. I’ve got it worked out so that none of the blowback falls on the family or the MC.”
“And what do you intend to do with them once you have them?”
I get up from the chair and walk over to the window. Peering out, I say, “I’m gonna give him a taste of his own medicine. He’s gonna know what it’s like to wonder what is being done to his wife.” I turn toward my father, “You know there is only so much I can take where Zaira is concerned.”
My father nods.
“They also give me bargaining power in the event we can’t get the money.”
“I can’t fault you there.” He straightens himself in bed, shifting a little. “Okay, and Romeo?”
“We’re gonna wait until all the dust settles and then I’m gonna let Ice have him. Right now, I can control Ice, but if I let it go too long, I won’t be able to. He holds Romeo completely responsible for Hawk’s death.”
My father is silent for what seems like an eternity, and I’m expecting him to come back and tell me it is a bad plan and that we are gonna fail. To my surprise, he says, “I think you have thought this out well. I’m not saying it’s foolproof, but then again, nothing we ever do is.” He laughs. “I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Pop. That means a lot.”
“So did you bring me a stogie?”
“No! I did not and I’m not going to. We’ll have one when you are completely well and not a minute sooner. And don’t think about asking Alex for one either. He and I are on the same page on this one.”
“How did I ever raise two self-righteous boys?”
“We’re just like you.” I laugh, and he joins in. I really love these talks with my father. He scared the shit out of me when he was rushed to the hospital, but I am thankful he’s doing much better.
Chapter 29
Zaira
“How was your first day?” Michael asks. It’s the first I have seen him all day. He wasn’t at dinner, and Domenic said he was in meetings all day. I can see by the look in his eyes that he’s tired.
“It was fantastic.”
“Well, tell me about it.”
“You’re tired, Michael. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
“No, baby, I want to know. I’m never too tired for you.”
He’s sitting on the bed in a pair of black boxers and his
glasses. He’s looking at some papers in his hand, and damn if he doesn’t look sexy as hell. What is it about black boxers and a man with glasses that is a complete turn-on?
I need to focus. He’s tired and wants to know about my day.
When I start to speak, Michael puts his papers on the night stand and turns his attention toward me. “Well, I met with Laurel first thing and cleared the air between us. Can you believe she was afraid I would fire her because she went on a date with you?”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“Then, I promoted her.”
“You what?” he asks.
“Oh, Michael, you would not believe the knowledge she has about this industry. She’s got experience too. I created a new position for her, told her to find her replacement and then she can start as my new director of corporate development.” When he doesn’t say anything, I begin to worry that perhaps I overstepped. “Michael? Is that okay?”
“I am in awe of you, Zaira, and so very proud. You jumped in, saw a need, and took care of it. Of course it is okay. Bella Celeste needs new blood and new ideas. I know how hard it is for someone to work their way up in the fashion industry. I never spent enough time at the agency to notice Laurel.”
“Well, obviously you did notice her,” I say sarcastically.
He shrugs. “Well there is that.”
“So how was your day?” I ask him.
“Busy. I’ve had meetings all day, spent some time with Pop and then more meetings. Dina had to bring me dinner in my office. I’m sorry I couldn’t have dinner with you.”
“It’s okay. I understand, but don’t make a habit of it,” I say, admonishing him.
“I won’t. Once the Gallardi stuff is settled, things will go back to normal and I won’t be working so much.”
“Good. I don’t want to be one of those neglected Mafia wives,” I tease.
“Neglected? Get your sexy ass over here, and I’ll show how much you’re not neglected.”
I smirk. “But you’re tired, Michael.”
“Oh, baby, never too tired for that.”
I crawl up on top of him and straddle his waist. I feel his erection pushing against my core, but he’s gonna have to wait. I want to play. I move my hands to his chest and run my fingers lightly over his skin, and I can see the goose bumps appear. When I lean forward to kiss his neck, my breasts—nipples hard and ready—brush against his skin. He notices and reaches up to touch me, but I shoo his hand away. We’re doing this my way.
I slowly trail kisses down his neck and his chest until I reach his nipple. I nip at it at first, then graze my teeth against the hardened nub. His cock grows harder beneath me. Enjoying his reaction, I suck at the taut skin. I can see he’s getting frustrated when he tries to touch me again and I won’t let him.
“If you don’t stop trying to touch me, Michael Vitali, I’ll tie you up.”
He raises his eyebrows in challenge. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Don’t push me. I’m not afraid of the big Mafia Don.” I quickly scan around the room and see Michael’s tie lying on the chair. I get up as he tries to grab me, but I’m too quick. I run to the chair and grab it. Walking back toward him, I ask, “Are you ready for this?”
“Bring it on, baby,” he says, and the sultry, wanting expression I see on his face gives me the confidence I need to proceed.
I hold his hands together and wrap the tie around them. Then, with the end of the tie that is longer, I pull his hands up over his head and secure the tie to the bed. I remove his boxers, and now he is lying completely naked and helpless before me. Hot damn, he looks so sexy. I crawl back on top of him. I kiss his neck and again work my way down his torso toward the long streak of black hair that is a direct line to his very erect penis. I lick along his pelvic bone, purposely avoiding his cock. I know it’s where he wants me, with every buck of his hips, but I’m not done playing.
“Zaira, sweetheart, you keep this up and I swear I’m gonna spank your ass.”
“Really?” I ask, and the thought of him spanking me sends shivers down my spine. I think I would like that.
I can’t take the teasing anymore, and my mouth descends on his cock. He moans with pleasure, causing me to moan. My moan vibrates around him, and he growls at me. As I continue to lick and suck him, he moves against my mouth. I’m empowered that I have him at my mercy. I move my hand to his thigh and inch it to his balls. I massage them while I continue to suck him from base to tip.
He groans. “Oh God, baby, don’t stop.”
I couldn’t stop now even if I wanted to, and I feel him tense. He shoots his seed in my mouth, and I take in every drop. When he’s done, I lick him clean and lick my lips.
Crawling back up his body, I nuzzle his neck. He’s breathing heavy, and I revel in the feel of him. “Uh, Zaira? Are you gonna untie me, babe?”
I giggle. “Oops, forgot about that,” I say as I untie him.
The second he is loose, Michael flips me over, and his lips come crashing down onto my mouth. He’s kissing me deeply as his body blankets my own. He’s hard again as his cock nestles at my core. He teases me, rubbing himself against my pussy’s lips.
“Michael, please,” I beg.
“Oh, so who’s begging now?” He teases, and in one swift thrust, he’s balls deep inside me. He continues to thrust into me harder and harder each time, my hips trying to keep up. Our bodies are slick with sweat as we continue this sweet erotic rhythm. I know I’m close when my pussy clenches around him, and I call out his name. Michael comes too, and my orgasm combined with his consumes me.
“Holy shit, babe, you are fucking amazing! You can tie me up anytime you want, darling.” He rolls off of me and pulls me against him.
I snuggle closer and say teasingly, “You’re not so bad yourself, Don Vitali!”
He laughs and holds me. It doesn’t take long for his exhaustion to catch up with him and I hear him softly snoring. The sound is comforting, and I quickly fall fast asleep.
***
When I wake, Michael is gone. I’m slightly disappointed, but I know it’s a busy time for him. I quickly get ready for work. I still can’t believe I actually have a job. Once I’m dressed and ready to go, I make my way to the dining room. Everyone has already eaten, so I quickly grab a muffin and step outside. Gio, my new bodyguard, is waiting outside for me to take me into the city.
When I get to my floor at Bella Celeste, Laurel greets me with a smile. “Good morning. Zaira.”
“Good morning, Laurel,” I reply.
She follows me into my office and says, “We had to bail Rachel out of jail last night.”
I stop in my tracks. “What?”
“Seems our top model decided she wanted some Victoria’s Secret underwear and felt she didn’t have to pay for them,” she says.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” I shake my head. “She makes over six figures a year.” I am completely flabbergasted by this.
“Oh, Zaira, this stuff happens all the time. When I was with the other firm, we had to bail a model out of jail for stealing a banana from a fruit stand. She wasn’t even embarrassed by the ordeal.”
I shake my head in disbelief.
“You meet all kinds in this business,” Laurel says. “It can be insufferable at times, as you can expect. You’ll meet a lot of superficial people. But then, there are the ones who are really smart, really hardworking, and are some of the most creative people I have ever met.”
“Oh, I have a lot to learn.”
“Which is what you have me for,” she says proudly.
Chapter 30
Sainte
Why do I keep getting myself mixed up in this shit? Because I’m the fucking best, and everyone knows it. I thought life with the MC would be simpler. I thought I was done with these types of missions. Fuck that shit. It ain’t any different, but the MC has more promise for me. Ice and I go back a long way. And there are things I need to deal with in regard to Emma too, which is I came back with
Ice in the first place.
And oh, hell, I can’t forget the feisty Honey. That woman has enough piss and vinegar to make me hard every time I look at her. I know her heart is breaking now, but I guarantee I’m gonna have that woman begging for it. There is a story there, and you can make damn sure I am gonna get to the bottom of it.
The plane just landed just outside of Nuevo Laredo. I’m supposed to have my men with me, Zach and Jake, but instead, sitting across from me are four members from my new biker family. “Michael is going to have my ass when he finds out you boys are here,” I say to them.
“You don’t fucking work for the Vitalis anymore. You’re on my payroll now,” Ice says.
Well, he does have a point. I just feel like I’m doing something behind Michael’s back. I’m doing what he’s asked, just not with whom he wanted me to do it with.
“I have to tell you, we’re pros at this kind of shit. But even with pros, I sure as fuck hope you have a plan, Sainte,” Ice says.
“I always have a plan, and you all better follow it to the letter, or so help me, I’ll fucking send you all back in body bags. No rogue cowboy shit to get your hands on Romeo, Ice. I mean it. Everything Michael does, every decision Michael makes has a reason behind it. I’ve learned that as long as I follow Michael’s instructions to the letter, it all works out. I just fucking pray having you boys here doesn’t change that.”
“I know, and I know what he said. I promised him I won’t touch Romeo, and he can count on it,” Ice replies.
“Good. One less thing I need to worry about.” I pause and look at everyone. “So you boys straight on the plan?”
“Yeah, we got it, but why don’t you run through it again, just to make sure,” Rebel replies.
I nod. “We leave here and go straight to the compound. We spend the rest of today scoping out the place until dark. We cover every fucking base, and keep in mind the intel we have already received. Ricco said Gallardi’s compound or estate has a guard station at the main gate, and he’s got two guards posted there. There is a long driveway to the main house, where it is my understanding he keeps six guards posted. That’s it. Apparently he thinks he doesn’t need anything more than that, but we’re gonna show him differently. Michael said the plane could only wait two days for us, so forty-eight hours from now, we’re either on it or shit out of luck.
