Exploding: A Mafia Romance (The O'Keefe Family Collection #1)

by Tuesday Embers

  Fallyn scoffed. “Nice? That’s all you’ve got? Take your shoes off, tough guy. Come on. We’re going swimming. We need a change of scenery and a memory that’s ours. Just ours. Everything we’ve got has our families all over it. This place belongs to us.” She looked around for other people, but grinned when she saw they were alone. She tore off her scrubs shirt to reveal a light green tank top. With a click of her pink lacy bra, it was fed through her tank top and cast to the ground, along with her hospital pants. While her bathing suit was far more revealing, there was something about being clad only in a tank top and pink lace panties that made her thrill at her daring. There was no one around to tell her who to be or how to live. Fallyn was finally granted a day with a man she was in love with, and she was determined to make the most of it. “You coming?”

  Vince’s eyes were wide as he took in her young and firm form. “I thought you said you were a virgin.”

  “I am, and I still will be after today. Funny thing about swimsuits on the fly. You can still be a virgin and wear a tank top and bottoms. Get in here.”

  He’d never been skinny dipping before and wasn’t even sure this counted, but before he knew it, his white dress shirt and undershirt were on the grass. “I can’t remember the last time I went swimming,” he admitted, casting her an uncertain smile before unbuckling his belt and stepping out of his pants. He followed her into the water, which was freezing, despite the mild early fall weather. “Ho! And now I remember why. That’s too cold.”

  Fallyn took his hand and dragged him forward until she was in up to her waist. She bit her lip and took the plunge, dipping completely under the water to immerse herself in the freeze. The freedom of the morning was overwhelming, and when she surfaced, she let out several giggles through her chattering teeth. “Come on!” she urged him. When he hesitated still, she jumped up, wrapped her arms around his neck and dragged him under, laughing as he screamed under the water.

  Vince let out several long expletives in English and Italian when his head broke the surface. “This? This is the memory you want? I can’t feel my toes anymore!”

  She batted her wet lashes at him and swam closer. “Then let me warm you up, sailor.” Her kiss was his only heat source, so he devoured her lips like they were his lifeline. His arms went around her as she pressed her body to his, her curves no longer hidden, but standing proud to greet him. She was buoyant, so she wrapped her long legs around his waist, moaning as he traced the line of her panties and bit at her lower lip. “How are you feeling now?” Her fingertips grazed his chest, and she smirked at his hiss.

  “I’m feeling like I want to tear off these panties and make sweet love to you right there on the grass.”

  “One day,” she promised herself as much as him. “I like this place. I like you in this place. You look happy, and it’s the sweetest thing.”

  “I’m so in love with you,” he confessed again. “The way you handle yourself with your family and with mine. I love that you’re kind, but you can fight if you need to. I like that I don’t have to hide things from you. I like that you run your own store. That’s one of the sexiest things about you.” He kissed her, meeting her playful gaze with a serious one. “Seeing you with William? I’ve never had those kinds of thoughts before. The permanent kind. I love you, Fallyn.”

  “I love you,” she breathed between kisses, rubbing her body to his and seeking out friction where she could get it. Her breasts dragged against his chest, lighting them both afire with lust that matched the connection they knew they couldn’t sever, even if for the greater good.

  He palmed her perfect backside, massaging sweetly between savage grabs at the swell he’d spent too much time pondering. He swallowed her girlish squeaks with a sly smile. “We can meet here every Sunday. Hold babies together and then sneak away to our place.”

  “I’ll bring a proper bathing suit next time.” Fallyn kissed Vince for an eternity, giving more of herself to him than she ever had before. They kissed and held each other, laughing and pledging until they were both too cold to keep going. When they stumbled out of the water and dressed in their clothes, Fallyn spent the next few hours sitting between Vince’s legs under a tall oak tree, her back leaning to his chest with his fingers in her hair as they talked about the things they wanted.

  “A larger winery,” Vince admitted. “Our family owns a vineyard in Italy. I love it there. I want to expand what we’ve already got going. Once Fairfield isn’t taking up so much of my attention, I want to build up the family fortune that way.”

  “I could picture you running a winery. Really, I could picture you succeeding at anything you do. You’re too stubborn to fail.”

  Vince’s chest moved as he chuckled, kissing her neck as they watched a family of ducks swim across the lake. “This is nice. Do you think we can have more of this? More than once a week?”

  “I wish, but I don’t see how. I can live with being this happy once a week. Can you?”

  “It’s better than never taking the time to be happy at all, that’s for sure. But I want you every day.”

  Fallyn reached up and patted his cheek, dragging her fingers along the stubble. “One day, honey. One day.”

  The two fell asleep under the tree, wrapped around each other and held together with a comfort they had never before experienced.

  A few hours later, Vince drove Fallyn back to the mall where her car was parked. The sun was just starting to set when they finally decided they should stop making out in the backseat of his car like teenagers. “I know I’m not supposed to say this, but I’m too old for backseat necking,” Vince admitted.

  Fallyn responded by rubbing his shoulders, easing the tension there that built from falling asleep on the grass and then bending at odd angles to wrap around each other in the backseat. “Sorry about that. I forget you’re getting on in years. Next time we’ll just hold hands.”

  “Not a chance. Get back here. Let me feel those lips again.”

  “You have to go home!” she protested with a laugh. She tried to leave, but he pulled her across his lap so he could kiss her a few more times. “Goodnight, boyfriend,” she said, kissing his lips one more time.

  “Buonanotte, moglie,” he breathed.

  Fallyn stopped short halfway out of the car and turned to narrow her eyes at him. “Hey, I speak enough Italian to know what that means. This was our first date, Vince. I’m not your wife yet.”

  Vince shrugged off her concern that things were moving too fast. “Soon enough, dolcezza. Soon enough.”

  Fallyn kissed her index finger and pressed it to his heart. “I love you. Be careful tonight.”

  “Bambina, don’t you know? I’m only careful with you.”

  “I didn’t expect you to pick up,” Fallyn admitted.

  James’ voice was pinched with anxiety when he answered. “Isn’t one of your brothers a cop?”

  “Yes. Carrigan is. Why?”

  She could hear shuffling of fabric on his end. “Because there’s been a cop car parked outside of my building all day! Is it your brother?”

  Fallyn sighed her frustration. “Probably. I’ll get him out of there as soon as we hang up. Sorry about that.”

  “This is my day off, Fallyn. Your family’s psychotic! This isn’t… It’s not what I signed on for.”

  “I know. You’re right. I’ll call Carri off, and you’ll never have to hear from us again.”

  “For the record, I liked you. It’s them I don’t like. And the way you are around them. I’ve never seen you like that.”

  Fallyn swallowed her tart response. “I’ll make sure your life goes back to normal. It was nice meeting you, James.”

  The succinct farewell was expected, but was a weight lifted all the same from both their shoulders.

  Fallyn hung up the phone with a firm determination that only Vince was strong enough to stand up to her family by her side.

  34

  Permission Too Late

  Monday morning brought many a song to F
allyn’s smiling lips. She was on cloud nine as she dressed before dawn and went into her store, greeting Loretta with a dreamy grin as she went over the books and then started in on the custom cakes. When nine o’clock came, Fallyn greeted her eldest brother with a hug that startled him and a kiss on his cheek he knew he didn’t deserve. “Can we talk in your office?” Killian requested.

  Fallyn noticed the obvious tail between his legs when he sat with stooped shoulders on the other side of the desk from her. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said the other night. I don’t want you to die alone. That’s not what Saturday night was supposed to be about. I had a talk with the others, and they’re going to back off. If you want to date James, we won’t stand in your way.”

  “Carrigan get your memo? He was parked outside of James’ place yesterday.”

  “They’re falling in line today. You can have your fun with that James guy, if that’s what you want.”

  Fallyn fought down the rage that rose up in her at their gall that they assumed she needed their permission. “It’s too late for that, and you know it. That’s over.”

  “I’m sorry, Fally.”

  “No, you’re not, but it was a nice lie.” She straightened the papers on her desk. “But I’ll take your offer for the next guy I date. In fact, you can spread the word that it’s nobody’s business who I’m dating. I have a dad, and it’s not you.”

  Killian swallowed hard before nodding. “Noted.”

  “I think I’ve earned the right to be pissed at you all for a while, so you’ll leave me alone and back off. Don’t think I didn’t see Carrigan’s patrol car this morning following me to work.”

  “Carri’s worried you’re hiding something. He thinks you’re sneaking around with James still. It freaked him out that you’d been seeing someone he hadn’t run through the system.”

  “Carri can bite me.”

  “You were gone all day and didn’t come home until after dark.”

  Fallyn cast him a simpering smile. “Well, I was working the stripper pole yesterday. No place to clip a cell phone. Picked me up a great guy there while I was looking for a ride home.” She tapped her pencil on the table. “And what do you have to say to that?”

  Killian glowered at her, but answered through gritted teeth, “He sounds swell. I can’t wait to meet him, which will be whenever you say.”

  Fallyn leaned over the desk and patted the top of his head. “That’s a good boy.”

  Killian checked his phone when it buzzed. “Vince is out front. Come say hi and be cordial.”

  “I’ll do my very best, Dad.” She saluted him with mock obeisance. Killian flinched on his way out the door.

  Fallyn brought the two coffee and scones, but nearly dropped them when she saw Vince. He wore sunglasses, but she could see a large bruise blooming on his cheek. When he nodded at her, there was a stiffness in his body language that told her he was hurt in other places, as well. “What happened to you?” she demanded, taking off his glasses to get a look at the damage.

  Vince tried to keep all emotion off his face, though just the sight of her made him swell with need. “I told you I was going to run the dealers out of town. Turns out a few of them weren’t up for the jog.”

  “I don’t like this,” she ruled, turning to Killian. “Can’t you guys help them? I mean, the sooner his part of the city’s safer, the sooner everything’s better all the way around, right?”

  Killian held up his hands. “I want to, Fally. But the second we cross over, we’re all targets.”

  Fallyn pointed to Vince’s face. “He’s a target now! Can’t you see that? The only people who want you out of there are the ones he’s driving out anyways. When they’re gone, there won’t be any more territory disputes.”

  Killian considered this. “I don’t know.”

  “Fine,” she shrugged, taking the seat next to her brother and crossing her arms over her breasts. “Then I’ll go with the D’Amatos.”

  Killian threw his head back as Vince stiffened. “Obviously not,” Killian ruled. “Are you still trying to punish me for James?”

  “No, I’m trying to get the job done before something happens and Vince gets killed.” She tried not to look directly at Vince. “If he dies, it’ll be chaos. It’s in your best interest to help the only D’Amato you’ve got a good relationship with. Vince gets dumped in the river, and we’re looking at Tony running things into the ground. Is that what you want?”

  “I’m alright, Little Keefer. I appreciate the offer, but we’ve got it under control.” Vince blew on his coffee. “Go on back to your Easy Bake Oven. I’ll find you to talk about the order exchange when we’re finished up out here.”

  Fallyn narrowed her eyes at Vince and pointed down at the table. “Don’t you dare ‘big man, little woman’ me. My gun’s as good as anybody’s. I’m a far sight better shot than Joey, that’s for sure.”

  Vince pointed to the backroom. “Get.”

  Fallyn sneered at the men, but left them to their talk. She finished icing a first communion sheet cake and went on to a sweet sixteen three-tiered cake. When Killian and Vince came back, Loretta took her break as if on cue. Killian picked up a warm muffin and took a bite. “I’m going to talk to the guys. You alright by yourself with Vince, Fal?”

  Fallyn shot him a baleful look. “Please. He looks like he could get bowled over by a stiff breeze. I think I can handle him. See ya.” When her brother made to kiss the top of her head, she pushed him away.

  “Fallyn!”

  Fallyn shrugged at her brother, as if to ask him what he expected. She turned her back on him and marched into her office. When Vince joined her, he locked the door behind him. “So I take it things are going well with your family.”

  35

  Taking Care of Each Other

  Fallyn pointed at the chair in her office, her finger shaking. “Show me every bruise and every scrape.”

  Vince looked up at her as if she was the most peaceful sight he’d ever laid eyes on. He was weary and had not gone to sleep yet, though it was half past nine in the morning. “You do love me. Whataya know.”

  “Don’t play games with me. Take your shirt off and let me have a look at you.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to play games. Trying to get me naked, are you?”

  Fallyn lifted the hem of his shirt, gasping at the black and blue blooming across his left side. He had gauze secured with masking tape onto his hip, and he hissed when she touched it. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

  “I’m alright. It’s just a few scratches.” His smile was only half there due to his split lip, but it beamed only for her. “Look at you being all sweet, worrying about me.”

  “Shut up!” she snapped. “Don’t you dare argue with me about this. I’m driving.”

  “I’ll get blood on your car.”

  “Good thing I know a guy who’s got buckets of bleach.”

  Vince chuckled, but the slight movement made his ribs burn. “I don’t want to go to the hospital. I’ve got a doctor who makes house calls for the family. I’ll give him a ring when I get a minute.”

  “You wanted me in your life? Well, this is what it looks like when I love someone. You aren’t allowed to get hurt like this, do you understand? I’m not trusting your ribs to a house call doctor. You need an actual x-ray.” She picked up her purse and opened the door. She popped her head into the front to explain where she was going to Jen, who nodded uncertainly.

  Fallyn opened Vince’s door for him and pulled back the seat so he could lay down on the way. She broke two traffic laws getting him to the emergency room, and when the nurse who checked them in told her there was about an hour’s wait, Fallyn tapped into her family’s signature Irish temper, moving the wait to a mere five minutes.

  Fallyn worked Vince’s shirt off for him, her eyes watering at the depths of the beatings he’d taken. She held his hand through the examination and the stitches, and then waited impatiently for him through his x-rays. The su
m of it was a cracked rib, four areas that needed stitches, and a recommendation of a few days of bedrest, which Vince chuckled at.

  After Fallyn redressed him, they sat on the hospital bed together so he could hold her while she fell apart. “You don’t get to go out like that anymore. I mean it. Send Angelo and Tony. Tony needs a good kick in the face. You don’t.”

  Vince could scarcely feel the pain of his many injuries anymore. That someone worried about him, loved him enough to tell him not to risk his life anymore rose in his chest like a balloon, pushing out all other concerns. “You don’t have to worry about me. This is all about what I expected. We were able to clear out Seventh Street, so now we can move onto Eighth tonight. It’s a slow process, but we’re starting to add people to our numbers. A lot of neighbors want the crack houses cleaned out and the dealers gone. They want it so bad, they’re willing to fight for it. Big sense of community loyalty’s coming about, and they’re rallying around my family, so things are changing. I can finally see it.” He kissed her lips, which were wet with tears. “I wasn’t expecting you to ask your brothers to help, but man, if they got involved? Then the community would see our families united, and border lines would actually start dissolving. Killian and I talked for a while about that, and I think he might actually come help us. You’re a genius, baby. Pure genius.”

  Fallyn pressed her cheek to his. “I love you, Vince. Please don’t go back out tonight.”

  “I have to, miele. Can’t give them time to regroup or form a plan. The cleanout has to happen this week.” He reached into his pocket, permitting a few grunts of discomfort since she already knew exactly how injured he was. “I almost forgot. This is yours now.” He handed her a black credit card.