[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Chelle Bliss

  “What is it?” he asked as he grabbed the envelope from my fingers.

  “A card from Thomas.”

  I could feel his chest tighten before he tore the envelope open. His eyes scanned the card, his eyebrows drawing together as he read the message from Thomas.

  “What does it say?” I asked, dying to know what Thomas wrote.

  City sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before handing the card to me. “Read it for yourself, sugar.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked as I opened the card. He nodded and closed his eyes. Inside was a brief message from Thomas.

  Joe,

  Sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding. I’m in deep…too deep to get away, even for your wedding.

  I’m safe, my cover still intact. Shit’s worse than we thought and I’m trying to bring them down as soon as possible. I couldn’t take the chance of blowing my cover and risking the lives of our family. This is the path I’ve chosen, and I refuse to risk anyone’s life but my own.

  Please know I love you and can’t wait to meet Suzy. Give my love to everyone.

  Love Always,

  Thomas

  I closed the card and handed it back to City.

  He shoved it in the inside pocket of his suit. “Who gave it to you?”

  “The man over there.” I pointed down the bar where James and Izzy stood with shots in their hands. “The one with your sister.”

  “Who is he and why is he having a drink with my sister?”

  “He’s Thomas’ friend and I invited him to stay and enjoy himself. Izzy will take care of him.”

  He rubbed his face. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said, his chest expanding before he exhaled.

  “Don’t worry, City. They’re like oil and water,” I lied. “You don’t have to worry about him. He knows all about your sister from Thomas.”

  “That may not be a good thing either. I’m going to go introduce myself,” he said, trying to break free of my grip.

  “Oh no you don’t. Give them some time to talk.”

  “I want to talk to him about Thomas,” he said, turning to face me with no smile on his face.

  “Come on, kids,” Mrs. Gallo interrupted. “It’s time to be seated for dinner.”

  I smiled at him, happy that he couldn’t barge into the conversation his sister was having with James. It looked heated and made me giddy inside.

  “I would say you’re both in cahoots if I didn’t know any better,” he said before kissing my lips.

  “You’re going to need some fuel for our wedding night.” I laughed, burying my face in his chest.

  “Sugar, I could live off you alone.”

  “Pfft,” I said, pulling him toward the table at the front of the dance floor. “I wasn’t born yesterday, City. You do need to eat.”

  He leaned down, his hot breath against my ear. “The only thing I need to eat is your pussy.”

  My core convulsed; the sated feeling I felt before evaporated and was replaced with lust and an ache between my legs. “Don’t you start,” I said as I took my seat.

  “I’ve only just begun,” he whispered in my ear as he pushed in my chair.

  I smiled, looking at the crowd, wishing I could run out of here and back to the suite with him. It would be hours before we could escape this place. I figured I’d use the time to torture him as much as he tortured me.

  Our guests started clinking their glasses as the rest of the wedding party was seated. I leaned over, placing my lips on his and inhaling the scent that was distinctly him—musky and male and pure sex. I ran my hand up his leg, resting it against his cock and squeezing. His body twitched as he sucked in a breath. He broke the kiss, looking at me with a mischievous grin.

  “Do it again and I’ll take you in the bathroom and fuck you. I don’t care who’s in there.”

  I bit my lip, trying to hide my laughter. He wouldn’t dare. I loved this man, caveman attitude and all.

  I played nicely as we tried to eat our food, constantly interrupted by the clinking of the wine glasses. It was cute at first, but then it just became annoying. I was starving, and eating had become impossible. After ten minutes of trying to choke down the steak, we both gave up and headed into the crowd to greet the guests we missed earlier.

  The rest of the evening was fantastic. It was amazing being surrounded by so much love. Everyone I cared for was there. Sophia and Kayden, minus the little bundle of boy. My friends from work, the boys from the Neon Cowboy, and everyone else that played a role in our life. My parents and sister were there too, but they mainly stayed with my side of the family and stuck to themselves. Pity, really. The two sides would probably never mingle, but then again, I could choose whom I spent my time with.

  The most memorable part of the evening was our first dance as husband and wife. We picked “All of Me” by John Legend as our song. It was City’s choice; I loved it and couldn’t deny him his request. It was perfect. It was our story tied up in one song. It was written for us, or at least it felt like it had been.

  City sang it in my ear as he held me against his body and we danced. Tears formed in my eyes. The man could be romantic, and I believed every word of the song. Hearing his deep voice in my ear professing his love through lyrics made me melt. I buried my face in his chest, wiping my tears against his jacket as the song came to a close.

  He grabbed my face, looking into my eyes before he kissed me. The love I felt in this moment was almost overwhelming. Sometimes his touch made me feel weak in the knees, like a teenage girl that was lovesick.

  I was blessed to spend an eternity with this man.

  12

  City

  We spent two weeks in Italy, touring my homeland, and I showed her the vineyard my family owned. It had been her first time outside of the US and I wanted her to experience the beauty that Italy had to offer. Suzy fell in love with the people of Italy. The culture is so different than in America. Life was slower; people enjoyed the simple things and didn’t move through their day at breakneck speed.

  Although neither of us wanted to say goodbye to Italy and head back to reality, the moment we walked into our home, everything felt right. I carried her over the threshold, not wanting to break tradition and also being told by Suzy that it was a requirement. I laughed when she refused to walk into the house until I picked her up and carried her inside.

  Waking up in our bed made me feel more rested than I had in over a month. Suzy slept peacefully at my side with the sheet covering half her body. Her breasts were exposed, her hair flowing around her head, as she softly snored.

  I kissed her neck, feeling her pulse under my lips. She stirred, a small moan coming from her lips.

  “Morning, sugar,” I said against her skin.

  “Morning, husband.” She stretched, the sheet cascading down, exposing her entire body.

  “I love the sound of that,” I said as I partially covered her body with mine.

  I slid my hand up her side, stopping on her breast, feeling the fullness in my hand. I rubbed my palm against her nipple, feeling her twitch. I grabbed it with my fingers, giving it a slight tug.

  “Ouch,” she said, her face contorting.

  “Sensitive today. Is it time for your period?” Typically that was the only time she complained that my touch was too tough or abrasive.

  “I haven’t been keeping track. It must be,” she said with a yawn as I cupped her tit in my palm.

  “They feel fuller than usual,” I said, squeezing them lightly.

  “I probably gained ten pounds in Italy. The food was so amazing.”

  I looked down at her. I knew her body like I knew my own. I’d spent hours worshiping it. “Suzy, are you…?” I sucked in a breath. Suzy’s body hadn’t changed in the year since we met. No amount of pasta or Gallo family meals had added a curve to her hourglass perfection. Missing her period and her overly sensitive nipples had my mind spinning.

  “Oh no,” she said, sitting up quickly, grabbing her breasts. “I
can’t be.”

  “I’m greedy and want you all to myself, but when it happens I’ll be the happiest man alive, sugar.” I touched her stomach, resting my hand against her skin and smiling.

  “I’m on the pill, but I missed a couple days with traveling. I can’t be,” she said, blowing out a puff of air, resting her hand against mine. “I’m sorry I forgot my pill, baby.”

  “I fucked you so much there should be quadruplets in there.” I laughed, moving to rest my head against her abdomen. She snaked her fingers in my hair, massaging my scalp. “There’s no greater honor than for a woman to carry a man’s child. Don’t ever say you’re sorry. When it happens it happens, but let’s try to not have it happen so soon.” I kissed her stomach, making a ring around her belly button.

  “Your mom would be so damn excited,” she said, pulling my face up.

  “You’ll make her the happiest woman in the world someday, Suzy.” I kissed her lips, enjoying the feel of her against me. “But would you be happy, sugar?” I asked, looking into her eyes.

  “I’m not ready to give us up yet,” she whispered. Suzy swallowed hard and rubbed her forehead. “City, what if I am?”

  “If you are,” I said, rubbing her cheek with my thumb, “I won’t be pissed off. You’ll be carrying a part of us and we’d still have nine months to ourselves before our world would be rocked.”

  “I’m not ready,” she whispered, her eyes closing as she frowned.

  “Sugar,” I said, touching her chin and forced her to look into my eyes. “You can handle anything. You’re stronger than you think, and I’ll be here with you when it happens. Let’s not worry about something that we can’t control. We’ll find out soon enough if you or aren’t. You worry too much. I’m sure it’s just the stress of the travel. Let me help you forget.” I smiled as I watched her gnaw on her lip.

  “You’re right. I’m sure it’s from the stress of the wedding and travel. How are you going to make me forget?” she asked, and wiggled her eyebrows.

  I crushed my lips to her mouth, devouring her lips. She melted into my touch, her mind occupied by the feel of my rough hands gliding across her soft skin. I made love to Suzy in our bed for the first time as husband and wife. Life couldn’t get any better.

  Christmas

  Suzy and I decided that we’d wait until Christmas day to share the news with the Gallo family. My parents had everything they could ever want, and buying a gift for them was a bitch. The one thing we could give them that they couldn’t get anywhere else was the news of their first grandchild.

  “You ready for this?” I whispered to Suzy as we sat down on the couch.

  “Who’s going first this year?” Anthony asked, sitting next to Izzy on the floor.

  “I’ll go last,” Izzy said, leaning back, looking uninterested.

  “That’s total bullshit, Izzy. You always want to be first,” Michael said, sitting down next to Mia on the love seat.

  She placed her hands on her chest as she spoke. “Being the baby earns me the right to always go first. I was left out of everything growing up. Christmas day was mine, all mine.”

  “Please, you were so far up our asses, you were never left out of anything,” Michael said, laughing and wrapping his arm around Mia.

  Suzy leaned over, whispering in my ear. “I’m kind of nervous. Everything is about to change.” Suzy turned her attention back toward the family.

  I nodded, leaning over so only she could hear. The shit was about to hit the fan, but for once, it would be a great thing. “Just be ready to have your eardrums shattered.” I laughed. God, the Gallos could be loud, but I imagined my mother’s happy screams would be near window-cracking volume.

  “Why don’t we start oldest to youngest,” Anthony said.

  “That’s not necessary; your father and I don’t need presents,” Ma said, sitting in her chair next to the Christmas tree.

  My parents had outdone themselves this year. The Christmas tree almost touched the ceiling. They never went with an artificial tree. My pop had to cut down a tree each year. My parents spent days finding just the right one on their property before cutting and hauling it inside. Thank God they had boys, because it took all of us to help him carry it inside and set it up. Ma spent days decorating it, adding ornaments that dated back to our childhood. The woman kept every decoration we ever made, and they lined the tree.

  “Ma, stop. You and Pop deserve presents. You’ve always spoiled us and now it’s our turn to give back,” Izzy said, turning toward Ma. “Not really happy about the oldest-to-youngest thing, but I can wait.”

  “You’re a sweet dear,” Ma said, leaning forward, stroking Izzy’s cheek.

  I rolled my eyes. The sugarplum fairy must’ve invaded my sister’s body.

  “Open my present first, Ma,” Izzy said, reaching under the tree and pulling out a small box wrapped in red glitter paper and a silver bow, which she handed to Ma.

  Ma shook it, putting it next to her ear. “Hmm, I wonder what it is.”

  “Just open it,” Izzy said, bouncing on her knees.

  “Patience, Isabella. It’s a virtue,” Ma said, pulling the ribbon and removing the bow.

  “Virtues and me don’t get along,” Izzy said, her laughter growing loud.

  “You’re a Gallo, none of us do,” Pop said as he smiled at Izzy and chuckled.

  Ma opened the box, a giant smile spreading across her face. “Oh, Isabella, it’s beautiful.” She pulled a bracelet lined with rubies and diamonds from the box.

  “It’s our birthstones together, Ma,” Izzy said, crawling closer to her. “Can I put it on you?”

  “Yes, I’d love that.” Ma handed the bracelet to Izzy. “It’s beautiful. I love you, baby girl.” Ma leaned forward, kissing Izzy on the head as she snapped the bracelet around Ma’s wrist.

  “Love you too, Mama.” Izzy moved the bracelet so the stones sat on top and were visible, before crawling back to her spot next to Anthony.

  “City, why don’t you go next,” Michael said, winking at me.

  “Did you tell him?” Suzy mouthed at me with wide eyes.

  I shook my head, because I hadn’t said a word to anyone. “No, brother, you go ahead,” I said, trying not to spoil their gifts by going before them.

  “I can’t follow up Izzy’s gift. You always give strange things to Ma, so I’d rather go after you,” Michael said as he slapped his knee.

  Everyone laughed, and Mia elbowed him. I always bought Ma something special and meaningful. The woman didn’t care about price; she only wanted something that was heartfelt and meaningful.

  “I hadn’t planned on giving Ma our gift so soon, but we’ll go now just to make you happy,” I said with a smirk. He’d shit a brick in a moment…it served his ass right for his shitty comment.

  “I want to give it to her,” Suzy said, placing her hand on mine before pushing off the couch.

  We’d spent hours talking about the best way to break the news. Suzy decided to have a shirt made that said “World’s Greatest Nana,” along with the first ultrasound photo tucked underneath. Damn kid looked like a jellybean, but I knew it was enough to make my ma squeal.

  “Izzy, can you give me the big box with the snowman paper, please,” Suzy said as she approached the tree.

  Izzy grabbed the box, shaking it as she handed it to Suzy. “Is it an ugly Christmas sweater? You know a girl can never have too many of those.” Izzy smiled as Suzy ripped it from her hands.

  “Shush it, you. I’m still mad at you,” Suzy said, sticking out her tongue at Izzy. She turned toward my parents, sitting in their favorite chairs next to the tree, side by side. “We had something made for you this year, Mom.” Suzy handed her the box and came back to sit at my side.

  “That’s so sweet of you, dear,” Ma said, tearing the paper slowly.

  “It’s for both of you,” I said, grabbing Suzy’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “Thanks, son,” Pop said, watching Ma open the box.

  As she pulled
the shirt from the box, Izzy said, “I knew it. Ugly Christmas clothes. Nice, brother.”

  “Izzy,” I warned.

  My ma’s eyes grew wide, her lip trembling as my pop grabbed her arm. Her mouth dropped open as she read the shirt. “Really?” she whispered.

  Pop reached in the box, pulling out the ultrasound photo and bringing it close to his eyes.

  “What the hell is it?” Michael asked.

  Ma turned the shirt around, a giant smile on her face. “Promise me you two aren’t joking?” she asked, holding the shirt in the air.

  “We would never joke about that, Ma,” Suzy said, squeezing my hand and leaning into my side.

  The shrill scream from my ma had me covering my ears. She hopped from her seat, coming at us quickly.

  “Fuck,” Michael said, clearly understanding the error of his previous statement.

  My ma was so lost in her baby haze that she didn’t even flinch at his statement. She stopped in front of us, tears just starting to stream down her cheeks. “When?” she asked, clutching the shirt in her hand.

  Suzy laughed, hopping to her feet. “August,” she said, wrapping her arms around my ma.

  “Oh my God, August is so far away, but there’s so much to do,” Ma said, grabbing Suzy and squeezing her tightly.

  I stood, walking toward my pop, holding out my hand. “Congrats, Grandpa,” I said, waiting for his response.

  He placed his hand in mine, pulling me toward him, embracing me. “I’m proud of you, son. Damn proud. There will finally be someone to carry on the family name…about damn time.” He laughed, patting me on the back.

  “Only if it’s a boy, Pop,” I said, sighing and feeling completely content.

  “Look around; boys are genetic. Girls are an anomaly in this family.”

  Ma grabbed me, pulling me from his arms. “And you, how could you keep this from me?”

  “We wanted to be sure, Ma. Don’t be mad,” I said, kissing her cheek.