Cautious (Sequel to Disastrous)

by Montes, E. L.

  What People are saying about Disastrous

  “Five stars from me for a sequel brilliantly told! In my review of Disastrous, I said: ‘Passion, heartache, laughter, tears, drama, intrigue. Disastrous had it ALL. In Cautious be prepared for the same!’” Author Melissa L. Delgado on the Disastrous Series.

  “I found myself laughing during this book at certain times. I found myself nervous during this book at certain times and also found my heart breaking for these characters as well.” Author Gail McHugh on Disastrous.

  “Disastrous is about the angsty, emotional, intense relationship between a 1st year law student and a powerful, drop-dead sexy lawyer with a secret life. With such an original premise and relatable characters, I was sucked in, gutted, and completely captivated by Marcus and Mia’s tragic love story.” Author S.L. Jennings on Disastrous.

  CAUTIOUS

  Sequel to Disastrous

  E.L. Montes

  CAUTIOUS

  E.L. Montes

  Copyright © 2013 E.L. Montes

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.

  Cover designed by David Goldhahn

  www.davidgoldhahn.com

  Edited by Theresa Wegand

  Proofread by Miranda Petrillo

  This one is for the couple that started it all, Marcus and Mia. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story. After all, it is YOUR story. I just wrote it. It was quite a roller-coaster ride, but I enjoyed all the ups and downs. You will always have a special place in my heart.

  Love,

  The boss lady ;-)

  Table of Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  COMING SOON

  Sneak Peek of Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  PROLOGUE

  As I entered the room, my blood was still pumping with adrenaline from what just happened. I blinked a few times as the cloud of smoke from the gunfire filled the room. My eyes searched for the one person I feared for the most. It was a rampage and guns continued to fire. I quickly ran around searching but could not find that familiar face.

  My heart picked up its pace as I hovered over lifeless bodies and held a tight grip on the gun in my hand, ready for anyone who got in the way. As I continued my search, I finally spotted Jimmie. He was kneeling on the ground, hovering over someone. My throat closed, and my entire body stilled as I saw the person before him. For a mere second, I grew faint but managed to force my trembling legs toward them.

  Jimmie quickly turned and aimed his gun at my approach. His mouth dropped opened in relief at the sight of me. Tears swelled in his bloodshot eyes, and breathing heavily, he stared at me, ready to break. “I’m so sorry. I tried, but I . . . Fuck! I fuckin’ tried . . .” Immediately, he turned his attention back to the person before him. “Come on, don’t do this to me.” With bloody hands, he pressed against the wound as he grunted. My body shuddered, terrified as I leaned over his shoulder to have a closer look.

  My heart was ripped out of my chest as I gasped. My mind was screaming and yelling, but I stood mute. I collapsed beside Jimmie, and the gun I held dropped onto the cement floor, making a distant clinking noise. Forcing Jimmie aside, I looked down and witnessed the one person that I loved more than anything in the world covered in blood. I couldn’t breathe as my beloved was gasping for a last breath. I watched as the face of my truelove turned slightly blue while continuing to gulp for air, and then the eyes locked with mine before the lids shut closed and the jaw spread open.

  Traumatized by what I was witnessing, my throat collapsed as fear coursed through my veins. Reaching down, I gathered the body and pulled it into mine. With a shaky hand, I tried to locate the gunshot wound.

  I shook my head viciously. This could not be happening. This had to be another nightmare. I’m not going to lose you. Come on, wake up. Come on, wake up! My eyes blurred with tears, and I blinked them away as I brought that face against my chest. “Come on, baby . . . Come on, you need to get up.” With bloody hands, I caressed the perfect skin. I tried to wipe the blood off, but it continued to smear along the perfect cheek bones.

  I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs as I rocked back and forth, trying to keep myself from breaking down. I wanted so badly to be strong. There wasn’t much I could do, but I needed to do something as I pressed my fingers along the soft eyelids. “Come on, baby, open your eyes. Just wake up for me.” AHHH! I needed to do something. I was useless! The love of my life was motionless and helpless, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  I felt a hand press firmly against my shoulder, pulling me away, telling me that help was close by.

  But help wasn’t there at that moment. Something needed to be done now! “No, I have to do something. I have to at least try.” Still rocking, I pressed my lips against the frigid lips that I had kissed a thousand times before, those perfect lips that used to make my every worry and bit of stress disappear once they touched mine.

  In between small gentle kisses, I began CPR. “Come on, baby, don’t leave me. I need you.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Nine weeks earlier

  MARCUS

  Mia let out a slight moan as her back slammed against the wall. She was so fucking beautiful in every way. Her hair, still soaked from the rain, framed her face as strands lay along her collarbone. Her shirt clung to her body, exposing her breasts as she breathed heavily. I should have savored this very moment and taken things slowly, but the past three weeks without her had been nothing but excruciating. She was finally mine, and I was not going to let time slip away. Before I realized that moment might’ve been a dream, I attacked her with all I had. Forcing my body into her, I gripped her wrists and pinned them against the wall over her head.

  With our faces mere inches away, her breath hitched, and my eyes traced from the most beautiful green eyes down to the perfect plump lips. Those lips I’d missed and wished to kiss over and over again. Before another moment was wasted, our mouths crushed into each other’s. Her lips were still cold and moist from the rain. I devoured t
hat kiss, breathing her in, tasting and remembering exactly how she felt.

  Letting go of her wrists, I dug my fingers into her damp hair and wrestled my tongue with hers. The tiniest whimper escaped her. Fuck, I’d missed her so much. She was all I’d ever wanted and needed. There was no way I was ever letting her go again.

  Mia arched into me as my name escaped her in a soft sigh. The way she said my name with so much yearning sent me over the fucking edge. Groaning, I shoved my tongue further into her mouth, forcing her to lift to her toes. She moaned again as her body fell weakly in my arms. Very slowly, she dragged her hands over my shoulders and made her way toward the back of my neck. Mia pulled me in closer, bit down on my bottom lip, and dragged her teeth along my flesh. What the fuck? That’s when I lost control. Her sweet scent, the way she felt underneath my touch, her lips, everything about her made me go wild for her and only her.

  “God, Mia, I want you so bad.” My hips flexed into hers, and she flashed her eyes open with a pleasurable sigh. Her lips slightly parted as her breathing became heavier.

  “I’m yours, Marcus. You just have to take me.” She demanded as the burning desire in her eyes pierced into mine.

  I did just that. I reached down, gripped her thighs, lifted her, and wrapped her legs around my waist. Screw the fucking stairs. I went straight into my office and sat her on top of my desk. I stood back to admire her. How could I have ever walked away from her?

  With my hands, I framed her delicate face and lowered my head so that we were at eye level. “We’re never going to be without each other like that again. Do you understand?” She simply nodded. I shook my head at her response and firmly held my grip on her face. A nod wasn’t good enough for me. I needed to hear it. “Say it, Mia. We are never going to be without each other again. I won’t be able to survive it another time.”

  Her emerald green eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I love you, Marcus.” Was that all she could give me? It wasn’t the promise I wanted, but hearing those words from her felt as if someone had dug into my chest and began tugging at the thrashing muscle. It was a painful but pleasurable feeling. How could she ever love a man like me?

  “Come with me.” I reached for her hand and dragged her out of the office.

  “Where are we going?” She breathed out.

  As I led her up the stairs, I dragged her along without responding. I just continued down the hall and into my bedroom. Mia didn’t resist after that. As soon as I locked the door behind us, I lifted and tossed her over my shoulder.

  She squealed and playfully kicked her legs. “Marcus! What are you doing? I could walk, you know!”

  “Yeah, but this way is faster.” She giggled after I tossed her onto the plush mattress. God, I never knew how much I could miss and adore such a simple sweet sound.

  Kneeling on the edge of the bed, I sat there and watched her. I’d put her through so fucking much within the last four months. Yet here she was with me. Through it all, she still believed in us. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be here. My key goal was to make up for the heartbreak I’d caused, every single tear she had shed because of me, and every single doubt she had harbored about us. I wanted them to be erased from her memory. I had no clue how I would make up for all of it, but I’d try my hardest to find out. I wanted to show her that there’s a side to me that’s worth fighting for.

  Mia popped up on her elbows and tilted her head as she studied me with a wary expression. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  My heartbeat grew rapid. Why was I so fucking nervous? I shook my head in response, but she wasn’t convinced. Slowly rising, she made her way toward me. The both of us now kneeled before each other.

  Mia reached up and cupped my face with her hands. Her thumbs rubbed my cheeks. I closed my eyes and exhaled into that familiar warm touch.

  “I missed you, Marcus.” My chest expanded as I let out a long draining breath. “Look at me, baby.” She pleaded with a soft voice. I opened my eyes and searched hers. “I did. I missed you so much. I was broken without you, and as much as I was hurt, I thought if I painted a picture of my life without you, it wouldn’t ache as much. I was wrong; it was painful.”

  Hearing her say that caused a bit of annoyance to surge through me. I knew I had no right to be pissed, but I had begged her to take me back for days on end, and she had refused me. “Mia, at one point, I thought you were completely done with us, even when I wouldn’t give up and you wouldn’t hear me out. I just thought maybe you didn’t care enough to try anymore.”

  “Marcus, I . . .” Hesitantly, she let out a shaky breath as tears began to swell her eyes. “We still have a lot to work on. It’s going to be hard. Our relationship was rocky from the beginning. What do you expect? For things to be as if the past few months had never existed?”

  It was true. Our relationship wasn’t fucking hearts and flowers. We weren’t skipping around town holding hands. We argued all the time. At times, she frustrated me and drove me insane. At others, she made my heart swell, and I couldn’t stay away. It was a fucking headache one minute, and the next it was perfect in this odd, fucked-up way. Mia had a hold on me that couldn’t be broken, even if I fucking tried.

  Nodding my head in agreement, I said, “I know we have a lot of straightening out to do.” I traced my thumb along her moist cheekbones, wiping away the tears that fell. “It’s going to take some time for things to be the way they were.”

  She quickly shook her head, “That’s the thing, Marcus. I want things to be better than the way they were. We were a train wreck. All of the secrets and lies, I can’t take that anymore.” Mia leaned back to sit on the heels of her feet. She let out a deep breath and lowered her head. “I don’t want it to be as it was. I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it. We need it to be better or it won’t work.” Peeking up through her long lashes, her eyes pleaded with mine. “Please, promise me. No more secrets or lies. From here on out, we are completely honest with each other one hundred percent.”

  “Mia.” I placed two fingers under her chin and lifted, forcing her to fully look at me. “I know it’s not easy to deal with all the baggage that comes with my lifestyle, and you’ve accepted me even when you should’ve left. There’s no one in this world I trust more.” Pausing, I let out a gulp of air before continuing. “I promise I will never lie to you again."

  It pained me to witness tears run down her face, tears of uncertainty. I wanted to take all of her worries away, but I knew actions spoke louder than words, and soon she’d see that I meant every single word. Lowering my head, I pressed my lips against hers and kissed her hard and passionately.

  ***

  The next morning, I was awakened by a loud buzzing noise. Moaning, I shifted to my side and exhaled deeply, thinking about how comfortable the bed felt. I couldn’t remember the last time I had gotten a good night’s sleep, and then Mia popped in my head. My eyes flashed open, and I caught sight of her beside me. Thank God. A slow smile crossed my face as I dropped my head back down to watch her sleep.

  Mia was lying on her chest with the side of her face resting on top of her arms. Her hair was tangled and tossed down her back and over her shoulders, perfectly. Her bare, curvy body was tucked underneath the silk sheets. She looked peaceful and content as she breathed evenly in her sleep. Without being able to control my impulses, I reached out and grazed the side of her face with my fingertips. Her lips gently twitched to a smile, but she remained asleep.

  The buzzing noise that had originally awoken me went off again. After I glided my fingers over Mia’s lips, I turned and reached for my phone by the nightstand. There were a few text messages from Lou. Before taking a look, I sat up and leaned against the headboard.

  Lou (2 hours ago, 8:00 a.m.): I need you at my office now.

  Lou (1 hour ago, 9:00 a.m.): Was I not fucking clear about NOW!

  Lou (10 mins ago, 9:50 a.m.): Either you get your ass to my office or I’ll drag your ass here.

  Lou (1 min ago 9:59 a.m.): You have ten seconds to
respond to this text.

  Me: Can I have a fucking life? What’s so important?

  Lou: My office in 30 mins.

  Me: Yeah, I’ll be there.

  After several attempts of trying to wake Mia, I realized it was useless. She was in a deep sleep. I quickly threw on my clothes and left a note that read, “I’ll be back soon. I love you.” Then I ran out of my house. The rain from the night before had picked up again, and I was soaked by the time I reached my car. I didn’t give a fuck at that moment. I just wanted to get this shit over and done with.

  Lou Sorrento had known my father since they were kids. Both of their fathers together ran one of the largest crime organizations in Boston. Lou and my dad grew up knowing nothing else. It was something that was taught to them at a very young age. It was as if they had no choice but to choose that lifestyle.

  My father wanted different lives for my brother Jimmie and me. He wanted us to have this successful life, full of the best education money could buy, but he forgot one thing: to leave that criminal life behind. So even though he wanted it to be different for Jimmie and me, we still were surrounded by it every fucking day: the drugs, the money, and the hits. In the end, it cost my father’s life and turned out to be Jimmie’s and my fates.

  My father was in charge of the organization. I guess you could’ve called him a mob boss. After his death, Lou took over and became the ultimate boss of them all. He made deals with other mobsters and cartel groups with whom my father would’ve never dreamed of doing business. He gained enemies in the process. To make a statement that he was not one to be fucked with, he killed people, only Lou’s were not simple, one-shot-to-the-head murders. No. Lou loved to make his enemies suffer, torturing them for days or even weeks. Once the word spread around about how Lou handled his business, he became indestructible. No one even thought to touch or even look at Lou Sorrento.

  After finding parking, I entered the three-story brick building located in Dorchester Bay, an area of South Boston. This was the “finance business” my father and Lou started over thirty years ago. It was also a spot where we all met up when he wanted to speak with any of his men immediately. Anything that involved trades or deals was handled at my Club. We’d get together and hang around in the VIP room to discuss the details. Stacy, a longtime family friend and Lou’s assistant, greeted me from the front desk. “Marky!” She slapped her hand against her hip as her bright red lips spread into a wide smile. “How’s it possible that you grow even more handsome, every time I lay eyes on you?” She lifted her right hand, pressed her fingertips against her lips and blew a kiss. “Gorgeous! You’re the spitting image of your father.”