You Loved Me At My Ugliest

by Evie Harper

  However, this time Nick doesn’t return my smile. “Dom and I need to talk to you and Joey later, in private, after everyone leaves.”

  I narrow my eyes, concerned about what this means, but I don’t have a chance to question him because a man who looks in his late forties, skinny yet still fit interrupts our conversation.

  “Hola, sexy,” the man directs to me in a heavy Mexican accent. His eyes lazily peruse my body and an expression of desire in his eyes causes an uncomfortable chill to run through me.

  Before I can reply or excuse myself from his presence, Joey is there, standing across from me.

  “Serrano, we need to chat and Michael’s office is free now, so if you don’t mind, I need to pull you away from the party for a moment.”

  The man sighs heavily in annoyance and walks off toward the office without so much as a, ‘Hey, nice to almost meet you’. As he’s walking away, an ice-cold shiver runs down my back when I discover an intricate, yet disturbingly evil-looking snake tattoo wrapped around the man’s neck and bald scalp.

  “Lexi, party’s over. Head up to your room, now.” Joey’s voice is quiet, but his body is tense and his eyes warn me not to ignore his demand.

  Joey walks off, and I must have an annoyed look on my face because Nick jumps in and defends Joey’s demand.

  “Joseph is right. You should disappear before Serrano gets back. He’s not a man you ever want to notice you or someone you care about.”

  If Nick is agreeing with Joey, then I know I should follow Joey’s instructions.

  “Well, you said you needed to talk in private. Both of you come upstairs with me, and we can talk in my room.”

  They both nod, and we walk out of the living room where the party is being held and stride quickly to the stairs.

  I search the room to make sure Joey isn’t watching Dom and Nick follow me up the steps. I don’t see him anywhere, most probably because he will be with Serrano. But I do spot Michael smiling disgustingly at me as if I’m taking both men to my bed. I school my features and give him nothing, continuing to walk to my room.

  Chapter Ten

  Mr. Fireman

  Joseph

  Serrano is a sleazy motherfucker. When I saw him approaching Lexi, my chest thundered with rage. There is no way I'm going to allow that man near my woman.

  After coming up with a bullshit idea to Serrano for our meeting points and him telling me how annoyed he was, I took him away from a party for that shit. We walked out of Michael’s office and back to the party. I searched the room, and Lexi is gone. Good girl. I watch as Serrano also searches the room and after not finding her, his attention quickly moves on to another woman at the party.

  Just after midnight, I walk Gabrielle and her father to the door to say goodnight when I notice I haven’t seen Nick or Dom since I sent Lexi upstairs.

  Did they leave? Didn’t Dom come with Lucini?

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’m not worried about Lexi, but I’m worried Nick and Dom are stupid enough to go snooping around my uncle’s house and get themselves into trouble they can’t get themselves out of.

  “Sorry, I need to head back in to check on something,” I tell Gabrielle and Frank. I look around and find the same maid I borrowed clothes from for Lexi. “Stacey, can you please show Mr. Lucini and his daughter out, please?” The maid nods and without a backward glance or another word, I’m striding quickly back into the main living area where the party took place.

  I observe the room and can easily see they aren’t here. I hurriedly climb the steps taking two at a time and head straight for Lexi’s room, deciding I will feel better after I check on her.

  I get to her door, turn the handle and walk in quickly. Then straight away I stare up at the ceiling and mutter, “God, give me strength.” I lower my eyes back down and find Lexi, Nick and Dom sitting on her bed playing some sort of card game.

  I close the door quickly behind me as Lexi rushes off the bed still dressed in her gown, with her eyes wide. “Don’t be mad,” she rushes out. “They have information they wanted to share with us and, trust me, you want to hear this.”

  My eyes land on Nick and Dom moving off the bed and standing confidently in front of me, both with feet apart and arms folded across their chests.

  I smoothly pull Lexi into my chest and kiss her forehead, keeping my eyes locked on Nick the whole time.

  He looks away as his lips tip up into a half smile, half snarl.

  “Talk,” I order.

  Dom drops his arms to his side and begins speaking. “Serrano and Lucini are working together to bring down Michael and, if need be, his sons and you as well.”

  Fuck! Heaviness hits my stomach.

  Those two working together are pretty fucking concerning. Serrano is a rough man. As a drug trafficker, he rarely gets involved with the politics of this business. He buys and sells, end of story. What can he do for Lucini that Michael hasn’t already done for him?

  “Do you know how or why?” I demand.

  Dom shakes his head. “Not all of it, only that Serrano has something over Michael, something he knows Michael doesn’t want his sons to find out. He’s been blackmailing Michael with it for over a year now to get cheaper prices for the drugs and guns and then upping the prices on the streets telling everyone it’s Michael not him, and Michael has been putting up with it to keep his secret. I’m surprised Serrano has lived this long, but him still being alive points to him having this information stored away somewhere as insurance.”

  I examine Lexi and realize she’s come to the same conclusion I have.

  “The sister,” Lexi says, confirming my thoughts.

  “Sister?” Nick asks, confused.

  As quietly as I can, I explain the details and our plans to the two men.

  Afterward, Nick is the first to speak. “Dom and I will find out where or who Serrano is hiding the information with. Then we’ll go and see if the details are correct and find the girl.”

  I glance left, assessing how Lexi is taking Nick offering his help. And by the rapid blinking and biting of her lip, I can tell she is nervous about having Nick involved.

  “No, no, this is a bad idea,” Lexi says, shaking her head.

  Nick smirks. “I’ve been through a lot worse, Lex.” Jealous rage pounds in my ears. That fucking name! “This will be child’s play. Serrano is cocky. Those are the easiest bastards to fool,” Nick finishes.

  Lexi steps toward Nick and instinctively, I move with her.

  She glances up to me, irritation flashing across her face, and I sigh, understanding that I may be overreacting a little.

  I sniff an imaginary sniffle, rub my nose and then casually step back, and waiting over by the bathroom while I let them talk.

  Dom joins me, and I watch as he tries to stifle a laugh.

  “Shut the fuck up. Wait until you find a woman.” I defend my jealous tendencies.

  Dom’s smile turns into a grimace, and I chuckle quietly. “You have a woman?”

  Dom has always been the quiet and mysterious one out of Jake, Nick and Kayne. He was given a job and he did it well, but anything beyond work, the man never speaks or shows emotions, so actually seeing his façade drop is a shock.

  Still grimacing, he says nothing but remains absolutely silent.

  I laugh aloud this time and interrupt Nick and Lexi arguing about Nick helping, and Lexi telling him to go home for Sarah’s sake. I make a note to ask Lexi who this Sarah is later on.

  Nick and Lexi glimpse back at me and I hold my hands up, “Sorry, continue.”

  Both narrow their eyes on me, but decide whatever I’m laughing about isn’t important, and they get back to their arguing.

  Out of nowhere, Dom mutters, “I don’t have her anymore, so don’t fucking tell anyone.”

  I nod casually. “Not my business to tell.”

  That must placate him, because he nods and then says nothing else.

  “Argh!” Lexi groans, frustrated. “Joey, tell him h
e can’t stay. He has to go home,” Lexi directs to me.

  I regard the heavy concern in her eyes. She may not love Nick, but she does care for him. The jealously I expect to feel doesn’t come, instead pride does. My woman is fucking amazing.

  “You know I would love nothing more, but the extra help would be good. We could get this done sooner."

  “Not at the cost of others' lives.” Her tone leaves no room for argument and hearing those words, I have to agree with her.

  I focus on Nick and say, “Lexi’s right. You stay and help us, and you’ll be risking your lives.”

  “It will be worth it,” Nick says, staring intimately at Lexi.

  I grind my teeth and lock my knees, forcing myself not to move. It takes all my strength not to pound those words and their meaning right out of his vocabulary.

  Dom walks past us all, heading for the door and says, “I’m stuck with Lucini at the moment, and so far, he’s following Serrano, around, so I've got no choice. May as well help you guys out while we have the chance.” Dom opens the door and leaves without another word. Nick is right behind him, but he stops and, at the door, and glances at me. “When we have something, we’ll send word for you to pick up a package from the post office.”

  I nod firmly, and he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

  My body relaxes, and I find my eyes searching out Lexi. She’s still standing in the same place, staring at the door her ex just walked through.

  I step toward Lexi and her head spins to look at me. Anguish contorts her features as she fights to hold back her tears. My heart aches while I watch my Lexi fear for another man’s life.

  In a tormented voice, she says, “I made a mistake, such a big mistake leading him on. I should never have tried to give something away that wasn't mine to give.” She shakes her head, and her eyes stare down at the floor.

  I grasp her chin and tilt her face to look at me. My whole body thunders with compassion as her glassy, pain-filled eyes meet mine. “Baby,” I say softly, “he only had to get to know you to want more. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were honest, and you left him. Nick coming after you, it’s his choice, and he’s making it knowing all the truths.” I blow out a breath. “I want to fucking hate him, but any man willing to do right by you has my respect.”

  “He’s a good man,” she says with a shaky voice. “He has a sister, Sarah.” Lexi smiles as she says the woman’s name. “She’s my best friend.”

  My mouth falls open in shock. I try to hide my surprise, but Lexi catches it. Lexi is a hard person to get close to. Losing her family at such a young age and then her aunt, Lexi always kept everyone, except me, at a distance. Caring for others scared her. So her calling this Sarah her best friend is a huge deal.

  I step back from Lexi as she moves to the dresser to pull out some pajamas.

  She laughs and says, “I know, surprising, right? When I met her, we clicked as if we’d been friends for years. She makes me laugh, and she’s always honest and upfront with me.” Lexi turns around with clothes in her hands and a smile still on her face. “Sarah’s also the most adorable, beautiful redhead you will ever meet. Sometimes when we hang out, it feels almost like what I think it would have been like with my brother, had we been able to grow up together, that sibling connection,” she finishes in a whisper, a distant look in her eyes.

  I take a few steps, pick Lexi up in the air and pull her against my body.

  She gifts me with a small smile and I say, “I can’t wait to meet her then.” Lexi’s smile grows into a full grin.

  I carry Lexi to the bed, take the clothes from her hands and throw them to the ground. “You won’t be needing those for what we’re about to do.”

  Lexi giggles and my heart squeezes with happiness.

  “Ooh, let's play the fireman game,” Lexi says excitedly.

  A laugh bursts from lips because this game is cheesy as fuck, but she loves it.

  We strip off our party clothes, and Lexi kneels on the bed while I stand by the door as if I’ve just come in.

  My eyes roam Lexi’s body. Her delicious curves, voluptuous tits and gorgeous face have my cock hard in a heartbeat.

  I pretend to hold an axe in my right hand and carry a ladder in my left.

  “Ma’am,” I say in the deepest voice I can. “You called for help?”

  Lexi giggles, but manages to speak in a sweet voice, “Oh, yes, my pussy is stuck up in a tree, and I can’t get her down.”

  “Okay, ma’am, which tree is your pussy stuck in?” I wink as I continue to play along.

  Lexi points between her thighs and says again in her sweet voice, “Oh, this one, Mr. Fireman. Come quick, she’s desperate to be saved.”

  I climb onto the bed in front of Lexi and push her back to lie down. “Okay, ma’am, put your mind at ease. I’m here now. There’s nothing to fear. Lay back and let me get to saving your pussy.”

  Lexi lays back and spreads her legs wide. It takes all my strength not to grab my cock and thrust inside her.

  I lower my head to her sweetness and inhale her scent, and like a starving man, my body begs me to devour what’s mine. I stare up to her face, but first, view her tightened nipples and her hooded eyes. Her lip’s slightly open, ready to moan when my tongue finally touches her sensitive cunt.

  It's intoxicating to see her like this, being owned by me, craving to have my mouth on her sensitive skin.

  I swipe my tongue over her slit, growling when her taste explodes in my mouth. Lexi moans loudly and grips the bed sheets.

  I growl against her pussy. “Fuck, I can’t wait for your pussy to swallow my cock whole.”

  Lexi whimpers and grinds her hips against my face as I sink my tongue inside her, swirling. I lick between and around her folds and then circle her clit slowly with my tongue before diving in, and sucking and licking at a furious speed.

  Lexi’s hips rock back and forth and she moans louder. She’s close, so I stop and climb up her body. She stares at me with furious eyes. I chuckle. “I want to be inside you when you explode. I want your cum all over my cock as it clenches and drives me crazy, and then drains me dry.”

  Her eye's hood and she squirms while I align my dick at her entrance. Right before I thrust into her, possessiveness surges through me, and a desire to fuck her so hard she can’t walk tomorrow takes over.

  “Do it,” Lexi whispers. “I want it hard, Joey. I want to be sore, to feel you inside of me until you're actually there again.”

  Anticipation surges through me as she gives me permission to fuck her without restraint, to show her how much she drives me crazy, how much I crave her.

  I grasp her wrists and hold both her hands in one of mine above her head with only one of my hands.

  Lexi gasps, her eyes alight with excitement. I press my weight down on her, causing my heavy, aching cock to push slightly inside of her.

  Lexi moans.

  With my other hand, I grasp a tight hold of her right hip and then slam into her, groaning as I slide into her silky, warm pussy. Her walls close in around my dick.

  Lexi wraps her legs around my waist and locks her ankles together, knowing what’s coming.

  I pull back and slam in again. Her body arches as she gasps. And then I pound in repeatedly, ruthlessly. Lexi’s moans grow louder as her walls clench down around my cock. When I know she’s close, I slip my hand into her hair and tug it to gain her attention. Her eyes shoot to mine and I growl, “Alexa Kingsley, you’re all fucking mine, only ever mine.” I end the words on a shout as I explode inside of her, staring into her eyes as they widen and her mouth opens for a scream. I slam my mouth down and catch the scream with a searing kiss.

  Warmth spreads through my body and my heart begins to calm its racing beat as we both pant heavily into each other's shoulders.

  After a moment, I gaze down and find Lexi flushed and content. Her eyes are closed and a smile plays on her lips. I peck her softly, pull out of her warmth, and lay down beside her, dragging her b
ody into mine. Circling my arms around her, I wish she never had to leave my embrace. I kiss her neck and she sighs happily.

  My eyes close slowly as I inhale her musky scent, my Lexi, my forever.

  Chapter Eleven

  Stuck In The Middle Of A War

  Alexa

  It’s been a week since the party, yet we’ve heard nothing from Nick and Dom. Today is the appointment I booked with Mr. Diaz. Joey doesn’t want me to go. He thinks we should wait for Nick and Dom to find something out, but Matthew, Alexander and William are desperate for news, and so am I. If I find the answer sooner, then Nick can stop searching and go home safely to Sarah.

  I glance up from my breakfast to a brooding Joey who’s reading the paper.

  I kick him under the table, and he peeks up at me. I give him a sarcastic smile with all my teeth, and he gives me a fake, cheesy one back. I love this man.

  Michael appears at the door, dressed in a suit, with a coat hanging on his shoulders and his walking cane in his right hand. He looks to William, who is cleaning off his breakfast plate in the sink. When Will’s finished, he walks to Michael, and they both leave the kitchen. We all breathe a sigh of relief when we hear the buzz through the house that indicates someone coming in and going out the front door.

  We got lucky when Michael asked William to tag along on a business meeting in Acapulco at one of the many hotels Michael owns. Now Will can keep tabs on Michael and make sure he and his guards are nowhere near Mr. Diaz’s office while I’m there for my appointment.

  “You ready for today, Alexa?” Matthew asks from across the table.

  I nod, shoving a forkful of eggs into my mouth and swallowing. “Joey’s going to drive me to Mr. Diaz’s office where he’ll wait in the car while I go up for my appointment. I’ll say my name to the receptionist. She should give me some kind of sign that she knows who I am, and then I’ll be taken in to Mr. Diaz’s office. After talking for a few moments, the receptionist will call him out for an emergency. I will look behind a painting and open the safe with seven, two, six, eight, and find Michael’s will, search for your sister’s name and whereabouts, then quickly put the file back, close the safe and sit down, and when Mr. Diaz comes back in, I finish making up my fake will.” I raise an eyebrow, daring Matthew to question whether I’m ready or not.