by Chelle Bliss
Sinful Intent
Chelle Bliss
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Sinful Intent Playlist
1. Changes
2. Opportunities
3. Shit-Faced Drunk
4. Sunshine
5. Hottie in Heels
6. Secrets
7. The Weekend
8. Clusterfuck
9. Martini Madness
10. It’s Now or Never
11. I’m So Fucked
12. Oh God
13. Family Dinner
14. I’m Totally Fucked
15. Chick Flick
16. The Morning After
17. The Real Race True
18. Problem
19. Plans
20. The Guy
21. Beg For It
22. Try Me, Princess
23. Don’t Let Her Run
24. I’m Coming, STFU
25. Hell to Pay
26. Darkness
27. Tyler Motherfuckin’ O’Shea
28. The End
29. Dreams and Nightmares
30. Fran DeLuca
31. Paradise Found
32. Sweet as Sugar
33. Hard Choices
34. A Little Race for Lunch
35. New Beginnings
36. Mine
Epilogue
Unlawful Desire Sneak Peek
The Men of Inked Series
About the Author
Other Books by Chelle Bliss
Acknowledgments
Sinful Intent Copyright © 2015 Chelle Bliss
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
This 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 person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Publisher © Chelle Bliss July 14th 2015
Editors Lisa A. Hollett, Editing720, and Mickey Reed
Proofreader Rosarita Reader & Fiona Wilson
Cover Design © Chelle Bliss
Formatted by Brian Morgan
Cover Models Darren Birks & Felicia Lenarczyk
Cover Photographer Darren Birks Photography
For B…
Sinful Intent Playlist
When You Break by Bear’s Den
Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkey
Earned It by the Weekend
100 in A 55 by Pop Evil
If You Want A Bad Boy by Brantley Gilbert
Above The Clouds of Pompeii by Bear’s Den
You & I by John Legend
Love You ‘Till The End by The Pogues
Magic by Coldplay
You Are Mine by Mutemath
Pussy is Mine by Miguel
Addicted by Saving Abel
Want To Want Me by Jason Derulo
Lay Me Down by Sam Smith
GDFR by Flo Rida
Click here to listen to the entire playlist on Spotify
Chapter One
Changes
Morgan
“All right, Ma.” While digging through the pile of unopened mail, I found the invitation I’d ignored.
“You need to see your family. It’ll do you good to be around the Gallo side.”
Fran DeLuca had been on my back since the day I’d come home from the army. I loved the hell out of the woman, but she could be a major pain in my ass.
“Why?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. They were her side and, therefore, superior.
“They have their lives together. Sal knew how to raise boys.”
My jaw tightened. “Are you saying I’m not a good man, Ma?”
“Morgan, you know that’s not what I meant.” She sighed. “You need to get out of this city for a little while and clear your head. Plus,” she added, drawing out the S, “I need you to accompany me on the trip. You know I hate traveling alone. The suitcase is always too heavy for me to lift, and I get lost easily.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled. “Fine, Ma. I’ll take you to Izzy’s wedding. But I won’t be happy about it.”
“Thank you, baby. I’ll call now and tell your aunt Maria to expect us. I want to get there a couple of days early. I’ll book the airfare. You just show up sober enough to be allowed on the plane, Morgan. Understand?”
“Ma, I’m not a drunk, for Christ’s sake.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“I love you,” she said as she disconnected the call.
She showed up at my place, without calling, and found me enjoying a couple of drinks and assumed I’m a drunk.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
I hadn’t seen the Gallos in ages. Izzy had been a gawky teenager with a sharp tongue, and the boys…they were Gallo through and through. They were tough, rough, and always looking for an angle.
I wouldn’t say that I was very different from them, but the bloodline had been watered down with the addition of my father’s side. They were the better half of the family tree.
At least I could spend a couple of days in the sunshine instead of freezing my balls off in Chicago. My mother would have my full attention and use the time to chew my ear off about why didn’t I find a good woman to settle down with already—it was the same conversation we’d had almost every day for the last month.
Before I could even get up from the table, my phone rang again.
“What now, Ma?” I barked as I pushed the chair back.
“I spoke to your aunt and everything is set. You’re going to stay with Joe while we’re there, and I’ll stay with Mar and Sal.”
“Do I get a choice in this?” I stood, wandering over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.
“Nope. Everyone else is full. Joey will be happy to have you.”
“I’m going to get a hotel.”
I hated staying with people, especially when I hadn’t seen that person in ten years. I knew them as well as I knew my father, and he walked out of our lives the day I graduated from high school.
“No, you’re not. That would be such a slap in the face. You’ll stay with Joe and Suzy.”
“We’ll talk about it later. I have shit to do.”
“Start packing, Morgan. I’ll book our tickets for the day after tomorrow.” Click.
Ma was the queen of hanging up before I could say anything more.
Staring out at Lake Michigan, I rolled my neck and counted to ten. I could handle a few days with the family.
Maybe they’d help get my mind off all the fucked-up shit I’d seen. My faith in humanity had evaporated while I’d been in combat, but the silence and calm of being a civilian had me climbing the freaking walls.
I needed to get out of here.
Old friends, the kind who were trouble, had been lighting up my phone since the day I returned. They weren’t the type of people I needed to be hanging out with.
As a kid, I found myself in trouble more times than I liked to remember—small crimes, petty theft, and other bullshit things kids do. The last straw came when we stole a car and were quickly popped for the cr
ime.
Instead of spending time in jail, I was given an option—enter the service and turn my life around or head to the slammer and do some time.
The military seemed like the better choice. At least I’d be free and see the world. But the only part of the world I’d seen resembled a barren wasteland, not even close to the tropical paradise the brochures promoted.
I’ll say one thing about the military—it did straighten my ass out and made me a man. I wasn’t the same punk who’d left for basic training.
The last thing I needed was to hook up with my buddies who had never left “the life.” I knew they were still pulling jobs that could land them in prison for much of their natural life. I’d finally been given my freedom back, and there was no way in hell I’d give it up to make a quick buck.
Spending quality time with my quiet family should help me unwind and figure out my future, right?
Who was I kidding?
The Gallos had never been quiet a day in their lives. They were loud and obnoxious, but they were my family, and it would be nice to spend time with them.
It was time to get my shit in order, head down to the Florida sunshine, and get the fuck away from the Windy City.
Chapter Two
Opportunities
Morgan
“I’m so excited to see Sal and Mar,” Ma chattered as she stared out the window, watching the palm trees whiz by as I drove.
“I hope she has food. I’m starving. What’s with the peanuts on a three-hour flight?” I complained as I glanced at the GPS.
We were close, within ten minutes of their house.
“Do you think about anything but food?”
“Yep.” There was so much on my mind, but in that moment, all I could think of was a home-cooked meal. The thing I remembered the most about Aunt Mar was her food. Ma wasn’t a good cook, but we made do. When we’d visit the Gallos, I made sure to memorize every taste until the next trip. “But right now I need to eat.”
“I can’t wait to wrap my arms around my brother. It’s a shame I haven’t been back in so long.” She sighed, fidgeting with her fingernails.
“Why haven’t you, Ma? We used to come here all the time, and then you stopped visiting.”
She placed her hand on my arm. “I felt ashamed after your father left. I couldn’t bring myself to face them.”
“Ma, if they judge you—”
“No, no, Morgan.” She brushed her fingers against my skin. “They aren’t like that. It was all in my head. Then you left for the army and I was scared to go anywhere.”
I glanced at her. “What do you mean you were scared?”
“I always waited for the man to come tell me that my son died serving his country. I was too petrified to go anywhere in case I’d miss that.”
“Jesus,” I said as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”
Her hand flew from my arm and smacked me upside the head. “You just had to sign up for the army,” she nagged as her voice grew nasally. “You couldn’t go off to college like the rest of the kids. I had enough stress in my life besides having my only child serve during a time of war.”
That was classic Fran DeLuca.
Hard-core nag and guilt-tripper extraordinaire. I cursed the gods every day for making me an only child. She gave me all of her attention. Sure, it had been great when I was a little kid, but now? Not so much.
When my father left, I knew she’d be up my ass. That’s one of the reasons I decided to join the army. I wanted to get away from everything, including her attention. I couldn’t imagine if I ended up in jail—she’d probably visit every day to yell at me.
“Can you be any more dramatic?” I shifted my eyes, glancing at her.
“I saw the names of the soldiers killed in action as I watched the news each night. Do you know what that does to a mother?” Her voice was almost shrill.
“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”
“You’re lucky I love you,” she said as she stared out the window again.
“Uh-huh,” I replied as I pulled onto the freeway exit, getting one step closer to the Gallos.
This entire week, my mother would be out of my hair. She’d be too wrapped up in her brother and sister-in-law to care about what I did.
The rest of the way, we drove in silence.
“You have arrived,” the robotic GPS voice stated.
“I remember it being bigger,” I said as I took in the sight of their house.
“It’s the same, but you were small.”
“I was never small.” I put the car in park.
“You’re so full of shit, Morgan. Let’s go. I can’t sit here another minute.” She opened the door and climbed out quicker than I’d seen her move in years.
Turning off the car, I started to pray as I climbed out. “God grant me the serenity.”
“Franny!” Aunt Mar yelled as she came running out the front door with her arms outstretched. Uncle Sal strolled behind her like his usual cool self, looking like it was just another day and he was heading to the grocery store.
“Mar!” Ma yelled back, jogging toward her.
It was going to be one of those weeks. Loud, loving, and sweet enough to make my teeth hurt. I leaned against the car with my arms crossed and watched the scene unfold.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen my mother as happy as she looked in that moment.
One by one, my cousins piled out of the house, but a few new faces followed them.
“Yo!” Mike called out as he stalked down the driveway toward me.
The boy had grown into a man. He was beyond jarhead size; the man was built like a brick shithouse. Then I spotted a drop-dead gorgeous brunette standing next to him.
“Hey, shithead,” I replied as he got closer. “Lookin’ bigger than ever.”
“Fuck off, dickface. Gimme a hug, big man,” he said as he held out his arms to me.
I rolled my eyes as he put his arms around me. “You people are way too touchy-feely for me,” I muttered as he smashed my body.
Mr. Ray DeLuca hadn’t been a hugger. My mother showered love on me, but rarely did I ever experience it from another man. Only when we visited Ma’s side of the family did I realize I’d missed out.
“You’re such a whiny bitch, Morgan.”
“I’ve heard you’ve turned into quite the pussy.” I jabbed him in the ribs.
“Was that a fly or did you hit me?” he asked as he backed away, holding my shoulders and laughing. “It’s so good to see you, li’l cousin.”
“You too, Mikey.”
He slapped me on the shoulder, almost throwing me off-kilter. “You’re still an asshole. That’s why you’re my favorite cousin,” he said with a grin.
Peering over his shoulder, I gawked at his woman. She had pink cheeks, wild curls that fell over her shoulders, and matching warm brown eyes that sparkled in the sunlight. “Who do we have here?” I asked, giving her my best smile.
Mike cleared his throat; his glare was inescapable as he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. “This is my wife, Mia.” He emphasized the wife part.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mia.” I reached for her hand.
“She’s mine,” Mike warned, pulling Mia toward him.
She gave me a playful smirk. “Hey, handsome.”
Mike pulled her closer. “Mia,” he snarled.
“Get over yourself, Michael. It’s your cousin,” she told him, motioning toward me as she pried herself from his grip.
“Oh, I like her already.”
“Hey, little cousin,” Thomas said, pulling me into a bear hug as a beautiful redhead stood behind him. “It’s so good to see you, man.”
“It’s nice to see you made it out alive,” I told him. His years undercover had aged him, but his getting out in one piece was nothing short of miraculous.
“I could say the same to you. I want you to meet my wife, Angel.”
“Hi, Morgan. It
’s wonderful to meet you.” She held her hand out.
Instead of taking her hand, I did it the Gallo way and wrapped her in my arms. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Angel,” I whispered before releasing her.
“Morgan!” a woman screeched from behind Angel, pushing her out of the way. “I’ve missed you!”
“Izzy?” I asked as I looked down at her and shook my head, shocked that she was no longer the little girl I’d pictured.
My little cousin Izzy had always been beautiful—well, maybe not during that awkward teenage phase. When she was little, she’d follow us around, trying to do whatever we were. I couldn’t imagine dealing with a little sister all the time. I would’ve gone batshit crazy.
“You’ve grown more beautiful with age,” I teased, but it was the truth.
“You’re still a bullshitter, DeLuca.” She kicked the dirt near her feet much like she had when she was a little girl.
“Where’s my hug from the bride-to-be?”
She flung herself into my arms. As I squeezed her, I watched as Ma greeted everybody too with a giant smile on her face.
“You’re like hugging a damn hard teddy bear,” Izzy said as her fingers dug into my back.
“Must be a Gallo thing,” I replied, noticing that I was similar in size to her brothers.
“Choking me,” she whined with a strangled voice.
“Sorry, babe,” I said as I set her feet on the ground.
“You’re a big lug.” She laughed as Auntie Mar approached us.
There was something weird about seeing my family after having been apart for many years. Although they were different people and had grown older, we fell in like old times. The familiarity hadn’t vanished. We shared memories of the way things used to be, and that drew us together, making us one.
The number of new names I’d have to remember was daunting. Angel was Thomas’ wife, James was Izzy’s husband-to-be, Max was Anthony’s wife, Suzy was Joe’s wife, and Mia was Mike’s. Plus, they each had children. Maybe by the end of the trip I’d have the names down pat. It was enough to make my head spin.
