by Stone, M. T.
“It probably wouldn’t hurt, but I don’t know how much ownership they still have in the plantation,” she replies with a sigh. “I’m sure Dad bought them out. He would never leave himself vulnerable like that, especially since he was cheating on Mom.”
“Unless you know that as a fact, I think it would be worth a couple of plane tickets to check it out firsthand,” he replies, causing a tingle to course its way down my spine.
“You know exactly what to say to turn a girl on,” I tell him, snuggling into his side. “I’m still hungry. We’re going to have to order some room service when we get back to your place.”
“Yeah, I never got to finish my meal after the Sandman called. After today, I think I deserve a wagyu rib eye and a nice cabernet.” He turns to me as if he’s looking for my approval.
“I would love some of their lobster spaetzli and the crispy duck confit salad, paired with a nice chardonnay.” I have to laugh at his change of expression as my preferences are completely different from his. “We don’t have to eat the same meals, do we?”
“I guess not, but you do like beef and red wine, don’t you?” His eyebrows crease as he awaits my answer.
“Of course, but I’m in the mood for seafood and a salad,” I explain. “And I don’t really like red wine with seafood. Especially when it’s warm out. If it were December, I would get lobster bisque and a steak salad, which would actually go with a nice red.”
“Okay, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t have anything against red meat and red wine.” His expression relaxes as he sits back in the seat.
“Because that would’ve been a deal breaker?” I laugh.
“I don’t like being judged for what I eat,” he says with conviction.
“I’ll try not to be too judgmental then.” I give him a nudge with my elbow. “You don’t eat red meat all the time, do you?”
“No, of course not!” He laughs so hard he snorts. “I wouldn’t think of it.”
“You’re getting to the age where you have to start thinking about your cholesterol and that kind of stuff.” I add, teasing him.
“Yeah, cause that stuff is way more dangerous than car bombs and sniper shots.” He continues to laugh so hard that he’s literally shaking. “You fucking kill me!”
“I’m serious. You should eat plenty of fish, fruit, and vegetables.”
He simply shakes his head and continues to laugh for a solid minute. “Thanks, I needed a good laugh. I think I’m going to change my order to a double cheeseburger and a large order of fries. Maybe throw in a side of onion rings too.” He maintains the amused look on his face for the rest of the ride. Like me, he seems to have a pretty fast rebound rate. Few people could laugh like that after the week we’ve had, but then again, it’s probably embedded in our DNA.
My phone rings just as we pull in front of the Four Seasons. Glancing down at the screen, I see that it’s my father. “I’m just about to go up to my room,” I tell him immediately upon answering. “I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
“The fact that you can’t talk to him in front of me doesn’t exactly build my confidence,” he says, glaring at me over the top of his sunglasses.
“Conversations with my father are always tense,” I explain. “You don’t need to witness one of our tiffs just yet.” I give him a reassuring smile as I nudge him, wanting to exit the car.
There is silence between us as we enter the hotel and walk through the lobby toward the elevators. “I have a surprise for you,” I tell him as the elevator doors close. “I have a sexy little teddy that I’ve been dying to wear. Do you think you’re up for it?”
“I’m definitely up for that, but no coke, and I’m definitely not in the mood to be strangled. I’ve had enough adversity for one week,” he replies with a sideways glance. “I just want to be with you. The real you. Nothing to hide behind.”
“Okay. You’re sure you’re strong enough to handle the real me?” I ask to make sure he knows what he’s getting into. “Just remember, you asked for it.”
Stepping out of the elevator on the sixteenth floor, I click Dad’s number as I walk toward my room. “Victoria, what the hell was that?” he asks before even greeting me.
“You tell me,” I reply, throwing it back on him. He plays this game all the time, and I used to fall for it. I no longer offer any information until I glean everything I can from him. “Was that sniper one of yours?”
“My sweet daughter. After all these years, you should know me better than that.” He sighs as if he’s disappointed in me. Another of his favorite strategic moves. “Do I like crowds? Have I ever used a small-caliber weapon? Besides, you know I’ve never gotten along with the Irish.”
“That’s why it seemed reasonable that you would want another one dead,” I counter. “The guy did have his heart blown out.”
“I assumed you were trying to prove to me that your new boyfriend is a tough guy.” He pauses but I don’t reply. “I’ve never doubted his toughness. It’s his intellect that concerns me. Nothing is more dangerous than a foolhardy rogue.”
“He’s not a rogue, and he’s very well-educated,” I reply, instantly irritated by his allegations. “He left Detroit because of the lack of opportunity, and the way he has turned things around down here is nothing short of amazing.”
“I wasn’t impressed by what I saw today,” he replies with a subdued snicker. He’s always been an arrogant prick, able to get under my skin with just a few words. “Do you think the minions were impressed when he and his crony ended up splattered with blood?”
“The more you speak, the more convinced I am that you had something to do with it,” I seethe. “You’ve had it out for him from the beginning.”
“That’s because you are thinking with your thighs, sweetheart.” Judging by his tone, he is definitely amusing himself at my expense. “I’m not sure why you always have a thing for underdogs, but it’s your worst trait. It makes it hard for me to trust your judgment.”
“He’s not an underdog and he’s anything but foolish,” I retaliate. “I’m bringing him with me next Friday and you’ll see for yourself.”
“That’s fine, but I’m afraid the decision has been made,” he says, admitting what I had already suspected. “Ed is somehow making inroads with the Irish that I’ve never been able to achieve. He could achieve a level of solidarity that would be completely impenetrable.”
“Goodbye, Dad,” I sputter, choking on my words. The stabbing feeling that I sensed after the car bombing just became real, and with just a few words, he has now twisted the knife within the wound. Why am I surprised? He has always made strategic business decisions, never basing anything on emotional attachments. After witnessing his cold, detached relationship with my mother, I should’ve fully expected to be treated the same way. I guess a girl just wants to believe that deep down, her daddy actually loves her. But at this point, it seems that I have picked my horse and he has chosen his as well. There will be a showdown next weekend in Manhattan, and there are only five days to prepare for it.
Chapter 11
Devon
Victoria shows up at my door freshly showered, wearing a plush robe and slippers. I immediately know that there is a sexy surprise waiting for me beneath it. Her usual radiance, however, has been replaced by a look of sadness, and the redness around her eyes indicates that tears have been shed. “What did he say to you?” I ask, now realizing why she didn’t want me to be present for their conversation.
“It’s official. He’s chosen Eduardo over me,” she whispers, trying to maintain her composure.
“I’m sorry, baby.” I reach out and take her in my arms. I can feel her trembling as she softly sobs against my shoulder. She has been so strong and controlled all week that seeing this softer side of her takes me by surprise. Then again, no one can hurt you like a parent. I think back to the confrontations with my own father. He had a tough time believing that I would take a step back in the evolution of our family and not follow his lea
d into corporate America. Weeks like this make me wonder whether I made the right choice.
“I’m sorry for being so weak,” she finally says, pulling back to wipe the tears from her eyes. “I just have to accept the fact that he’ll always be an asshole. I was just thinking that maybe he could do the right thing for once. You and I would’ve been a wonderful team.”
“We can still be great together.” I pull out my phone, showing her our flight options. “If we catch the eight am flight, we can be in Cali by two thirty tomorrow afternoon. We’ll both be fucked without a backup plan, so it’s time to be proactive.”
“Thank you.” She leans forward, back into my arms. “Maybe our luck will change.”
She jumps as someone knocks on the outside door. “Room service,” the person announces, easing her concern.
“I can’t believe I’m so jumpy,” she says with a frown. “I don’t like feeling like this.”
“I feel the same way. That’s why it’s time to make our own luck.” I check the security camera before opening the door. There is indeed a young guy with a food service cart standing in the hallway. There are four covered plates and two bottles of wine, one chilled. Everything looks to be in order. Victoria disappears around the corner as I open the door, allowing the bus boy to push the cart inside. “You can leave it right here.” I hand him a twenty and guide him back toward the door, closing both of them after he exits.
“Mmm, it smells good,” she comments, coming back out to see what I got her.
“Lobster spaetzli, the duck confit salad, and a bottle of chilled chardonnay,” I tell her as she begins lifting the lids. “I decided to stick with the wagyu ribeye, but I got a Caesar salad to go with it.” I give her a wink, knowing that she will applaud my decision.
“You can joke all you want, but I know you didn’t get these ripped abs from eating burgers and fries.” She opens my suit jacket and undoes the bottom two buttons of my bloodstained shirt. “Why haven’t you changed out of this and into something more comfortable?” She gives me a confused look, continuing to work her way up the buttons.
“Honestly, I’ve been making plans for us and hadn’t gotten around to changing.” I shrug off my coat and shirt while she moves down to my belt. “I guess I should take a quick shower too,” I suggest after looking down at my bloodstained skin. I step out of my pants after they drop to my ankles and head to the bathroom to rinse off.
“I poured you some wine,” she informs me, holding out a glass for me as I’m lathering up. I’ve never even thought of having a glass of wine while showering. After taking a large sip, I have to wonder why I’ve never done it before. As I’m rinsing my hair, music begins to play through the wireless speakers. She has obviously chosen the seventies disco channel as the Bee Gees instantly liven up the master bath. It’s been a long time since I heard Night Fever, and I can tell I’ve gotten older because I’m actually starting to like it.
Grabbing my towel and exiting the bathroom while I’m still quite wet, I give her a couple of hip twerks as I push the food cart across the room and toward the bed. Grabbing the plate of steak and a fork, I drop onto the bed in nothing but a towel. “Now it’s your turn. Let’s see what you’ve been hiding beneath that robe,” I tease, looking for a sexy show to go with my meal.
“So, now you’re going to make me dance for my dinner?” she asks seductively, peeling back the lapel of her robe and swaying her hips. She kicks off her slippers and goes up on her tiptoes, accentuating those gorgeous legs.
“I plan on making you work off your dinner as well.” I take a juicy bite of steak, savoring it while her robe slides down the length of her arms. “Wow, that is a beautiful teddy.” The sheer black lace material barely obscures her incredible features. The way it’s cut hits her curves perfectly, making her look like a goddess.
“I thought you might like it,” she murmurs, coming close enough to brush my cheek with a pert nipple before pulling back. “Can we eat later? I’m thinking maybe we should work up more of an appetite.”
I reach out, slipping my hand around her bottom and pulling her to me. “You read my mind,” I reply, glancing down at my rigid cock that has pushed the towel aside.
“I think he missed me,” she coos, slipping onto the bed next to me and stroking it in a way that instantly makes me crave her even more. I had intended to take my time and thoroughly enjoy being with her, but the surge of hormones that I’m feeling makes me want to ravish her. Taking a deep breath, I forgo the immediate gratification and simply watch her play with my dick. She runs the fingers of her other hand along the inside of my thigh, causing a tingling feeling that travels up my leg and into my balls. She then begins teasing my balls as if she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. She then quits stroking me and starts running her fingertips along the underside of my shaft. I close my eyes, determined to enjoy this tantalizing treatment.
“Are you looking to unleash the tiger within me or something?” I moan as she continues to use light pressure and teasing strokes. Taking deep breaths, I manage to keep my emotions in check. In recent years, I’ve come to realize that delayed gratification can dramatically intensify the result.
“I’m impressed,” she replies, smiling mischievously with her eyes. “I thought you would’ve thrown me on my back and ripped off my teddy by now.” She continues her teasing ways as she talks, constantly changing up her rhythm to keep me off balance. “Your dick is so hard it’s actually pulsating,” she informs me, bending down to take the head between her lips. Her hot tongue teases the most sensitive area just below the tip before once again abandoning it. I’m left with nothing but the coolness of wet skin and a deep yearning that is nearly impossible to contain.
“This is almost more intense than last night,” I whisper, coaxing her up next to me. I look into her beautiful eyes and see a look of vulnerability that I haven’t witnessed until now. “Everything is going to work out,” I assure her. “I’m going to take care of you.”
She smiles, but then it quickly fades, as if she wants to believe my words but knows too well the daunting forces that we face. She’s right when she says she grew up on the inside and has witnessed things that most people couldn’t imagine. I grew up in a fairly normal household, one generation removed from the Mafioso lifestyle, and still, I witnessed more than my share of street justice. She knows that the only thing keeping her alive is the blood that she shares with Victor. In fact, that’s the only reason both of us are still alive. I feel that same sense of vulnerability creeping into my consciousness and I don’t like it. The reason I chose this city was because I am meant to be the puppeteer, not a mere puppet. My power grab begins tomorrow, and I will make things right for her in the process.
I kiss her soft lips, guiding her onto her back. I slip my hand between her thighs and release the snaps that hold her teddy in place. The stretchy material scoots up her midsection, taking her by surprise. “Whoa, this thing would make a good slingshot.” She giggles, pulling it back down.
“I want you completely naked.” I coax her to sit up while slipping it up over her head. “I like the feel of your bare skin against mine.” I move on top of her and kiss the side of her neck.
“This does feel pretty good,” she admits as I continue caressing my way down her body using my lips, tongue, and hands. “This is a body that deserves to be worshipped.” The subtle taste of her perfume hits my lips as they travel between her luscious breasts. The testosterone-fueled lust that I’ve been feeling is giving way to a deeper appreciation for her. I have known right from the beginning that she is an amazing, one-of-a-kind woman. I’m actually relieved to see a sense of vulnerability coming from within her instead of just the Teflon exterior. I lift myself as her nipple falls from between my lips. I’m captivated by her beauty as I gaze into her deep amber eyes and kiss her softly.
“I need you,” she moans as the tip of my cock touches the sweet, slick heat between her thighs.
“I’ve never needed anyone like this,”
I admit, moving my hips just slightly as I devour her lips. The feelings welling up within my chest are nothing short of amazing. They actually create a tightness within my throat. These feelings of need are something completely foreign to me. I’ve never needed anything or anyone this way. I want to give her everything. I want to lay the world at her feet. Where are these feelings coming from? I snap back to reality, feeling a flash of anger for allowing myself to feel them. I still can’t be completely sure that this isn’t all an elaborate scheme of some kind. Not long ago, she admitted that her father had given her the task of neutralizing me. Based on the yearning within me, I would say she has been successful. I feel completely neutralized.
“Oh, fuck,” she gushes as I push inside her. “God, you feel good.” My tongue seeks hers as I begin moving within her. “Right there,” she moans as I begin focusing on the spot that sent her over the edge the previous night. It seems as if we’re a perfect fit for one another. I resist the urge to thrust deeper within her and instead maintain a steady rhythm. She kisses me hungrily and begins to squirm beneath me, confirming that she’s enjoying it as much as me.
“I love that spot,” I whisper, lacing my fingers with hers and pushing her hands above her head. “It feels so amazing.” I continue to kiss her hungrily as I adjust my hips just slightly until I feel the pleasure of the perfect angle. No longer able to hold back my passion, I increase the intensity, giving her the long, full strokes that bring instant moans from her lips.
“Oh, fuck, yeah,” she cries, pushing her head back into the mattress. “Right there, right there,” she begs, spreading her legs even wider and allowing me full access.
The feelings that have been building within me all evening suddenly take control. My mind goes blank and I’m left with nothing but unadulterated carnal desire. I let go of her hands and slip mine beneath the small of her back, raising her just slightly in order to give her the deepest possible experience. She begins to move her hips with the rhythm of mine and wraps her arms around my neck while moaning incessantly. We’re like two lost souls on a quest to fill our voids by reaching a sexual peak that neither of us has ever experienced.
