by TL Reeve
“R.O.O.T has less red tape to weed through than the FBI. They can do what needs to be done without questions or people putting their noses where they don’t belong,” he stated.
Bella watched the agent intently. He was good at being emotionless and keeping his hand hidden, but her gut screamed he’d been telling the truth.
“You trust this R.O.O.T.?” She tilted her head. “With your life?”
Duncan didn’t hesitate, break their stare, or fiddle with his cup. “I do.”
Enzo tapped on the table with his fingers. It was how they communicated with each other. The three taps meant he trusted the agent, and so did she. Bella gave a slight nod to Enzo “What’s downstairs?”
Duncan smirked. “Offices.”
“Try again,” she snarled. “We came onto what can only be described as a small compound with guards, cameras, and numerous security measures in place. It goes above and beyond a business complex.” Bella pushed. “What or who is being protected?”
“An exclusive club,” Duncan stated, still withholding information.
She leaned forward, matching the agent’s pose. “What kind of club?”
Duncan huffed. He held her gaze for a second longer before answering, “A BDSM club.”
Enzo chuckled, and she laughed. “That wasn’t very hard, now was it, Agent?” she teased.
“Harder than you think, Bella,” he admitted. The tips of his ears and his cheeks were tinged in pink. Has to be from embarrassment.
Yeah, she could see why he’d feel that way. He was allowing the two gang rats he protected into something so personal as to how he liked to fuck. Bella had no doubt Duncan was involved in the lifestyle in some way, considering his apartment there.
She laid a comforting hand on his forearm and attempted to reassure him. “We don’t judge, Duncan. Never have.”
He jerked his arm from her. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“No, amigo, I don’t think you are,” Enzo added. “More like you don’t give off a warm and fuzzy vibe when you allow people into your life.”
Bella nodded. “Would it help if we let you in on one of our dirty secrets?”
Duncan smirked. “Something different than that you’re gang members—”
She held up her hand and corrected him. “Former.”
“Excuse me, former gang members,” he rectified. “And you used to work for Raul and the Nieto Cartel a little over two weeks ago.”
Bella laughed because she could tell him shit that would make his ears burn, but instead, she went with an easier answer and let him off the hook. “Yeah. I guess we can’t get any dirtier than being runners.”
Enzo snorted, and she kicked him hard under the table to keep his big mouth shut.
“Que mierda, Bella,” Enzo growled. “First you nail me in the balls, now you’re knocking the shit out of my shin. I’m goin’ to be black and blue if you keep this shit up.”
“Don’t say a word,” she warned.
Enzo slammed his hands on the table. “I wasn’t saying anything.”
“You were.”
Duncan raised his hands, his lips twisting in amusement. “All right children, enough. Don’t make me separate you, or worse, punish you.”
Ah, Papi, you could punish me with your dick.
Her gaze clashed with Enzo, and she knew by his expression he was thinking the same thing. This could get interesting. It was a challenge she was up for.
Confident he’d gained control of the room, Duncan continued. “Make a list of things you’d like me to get to help pass the time.”
“That’s easy.” Bella pointed to her brother. “Get him a gaming system.” She placed her hand on her chest. “And I’d like books. Or an e-reader, whichever is easiest and some…ah…yarn and crochet needles of varying sizes.”
Crocheting was something she’d learned from her mom, and it relaxed her. She didn’t flaunt her ability because she didn’t want to deal with the bullshit from others about how a tough chica did something so girly. Enzo knew though, and when he could, he’d sneak her supplies.
Duncan didn’t hesitate at either of their requests. “Done. When I go get food for lunch and dinner, I’ll swing by the store and grab those items for you. Do you care what type of system?” he asked Enzo.
Her brother went into a twenty-minute conversation about which system he wanted and why.
Nerd.
“Bella?’
She blinked, not realizing Enzo had finally shut up. “Yes?”
“What color yarn would you like?”
Since he hadn’t given her shit about her hobbies, she shrugged. “I like soft colors. Pale yellows, blues, and greens. If you mix them, just make sure they’ll match.”
Duncan nodded before he pushed a piece of paper towards her. It already was filled with her brother’s chicken scratch of what system and games he wanted. “Write it down, all of it, and I’ll get everything. If you need any personal items or clothes, note that also.”
Bella tapped the pen on the table. At some point she was going to need feminine products for when Aunt Flo reared her ugly head, so she wrote that down, along with some other things she didn’t necessarily need but wanted.
“Done.” Duncan folded the paper and put it into his pocket. “I should be back in a few hours. If you need anything, Omar is outside.”
Bella nodded. “Not like we’re going anywhere.”
Duncan laughed. “Touché. Lock the door when I leave.”
“Yes, Dad,” Enzo teased, before rising from the table. “Geez, we’re not six.”
Duncan smirked. “Calling a Dom ‘Dad’ is kind of kinky.”
Bella laughed. “I knew you were a freak.”
Duncan winked at her as he left the apartment. “Remember, lock up.”
Bella glanced at Enzo and grinned. “You heard your daddy, lock the door.”
Enzo trudged to the door and did as she said. “You’re always such a hardass.”
“It’s why you love me, Enzo. Don’t you forget it.”
Chapter Four
Bella stepped under the spray of water and sighed. They’d been stuck in the apartment for three days. She hadn’t seen her sister or talked to her yet, but Duncan assured her Iliana was being taken care of and soon they’d be reconnected. Soon couldn’t come quick enough. Being away from family under the circumstances sucked. She couldn’t even bury her mother.
Hot, fresh tears streaked her cheeks and were washed away the next second. Her emotions were all over the place. The grief was overwhelming one minute and then she could breathe. It didn’t make sense to her. Unfortunately, nothing did. The only constant in her life was Enzo. He was her rock. Her stabilizer. If she lost him, she didn’t know what she’d do.
She snorted. Enzo.
Fuck.
He came into her broken life at the right time. She’d been caught in a cycle of violence not even her mother could stop. Her father had been gang member for longer than she’d been alive. They had parties whenever the notion struck, and they also caused more trouble than it was worth. During one of their parties, a rival gang did a drive by, killing six, including her father. Enzo, cute little Enzo, threw his body over hers, while his father covered her mother.
He sustained a gunshot wound to his shoulder while his dad took one in the thigh, thankfully missing the major artery. From that day forward, she called Enzo her Papi Chulo. They were stupid fucking kids. She smiled. The old ladies called their men that all the time, and at fourteen, she came to the conclusion Enzo was hers.
Six months later, Enzo and his father moved in. Something about her grieving mom and needing a man to protect them and keep her company. Bella knew better. She often wondered if Ignacio hadn’t put the hit out on her father just to get an in with her mother. Guess it didn’t matter now, since they were both gone.
When she was fifteen, she lost her virginity to Enzo. It was tons of fumbling from both of them—nothing like the movies where everyone had smooth moves or what
ever. It hurt like hell too. Enzo called her his old lady afterward, even if they had to keep it a secret, because their parents had gotten married in Vegas two months prior to her birthday. But Enzo had a bigger secret he hadn’t been ready to tell her. She didn’t blame him. Guys like him were used and abused in their lifestyle. With his size and stature, he’d become a scrapper. When he wasn’t running interference for the gang, he was in the gym, training. He did a little of everything from boxing to MMA. He was proving himself every chance he got.
Then, she walked in on him after a match. The guy Enzo beat the shit out of stood over him while Enzo sucked his dick. The scene startled and aroused her. It also felt like a knife had been plunged through her heart. She had her suspicions about Enzo, but she never asked because she wanted him to feel comfortable talking to her about it. Standing there watching them, she also couldn’t pitch a fit, because they kept their relationship a secret.
That night their whole relationship flipped upside-down.
“Hermosa, you okay?” Enzo stood outside the shower, his shadow filling the frosted glass.
“Yeah. I needed a minute.” She grabbed the bottle of Duncan’s fancy shampoo to wash her hair.
“We’re alone,” Enzo said.
The corner of her mouth ticked upward. “Are we?”
The rustle of clothes drew her attention. Enzo had given her space since they’d been found in Raul’s club. He’d cared for her. They cried together and huddled together just like they had when they were fourteen and stupid. He was her everything. The sliding door opened, and a naked Enzo joined her. His rangy form loomed over her, and she stared up into his beautiful brown eyes. The play of emotions across his features ranged from aroused to love to fear and determination.
“What do you want?” She arched a brow.
“You gonna make me beg, hermosa?” He didn’t touch her.
“Do you want to beg for it?” They always played these little cat and mouse games. It made the sex hotter. Made her come harder. They never had a name for it though. Now... After their conversation with Duncan, she wondered if they were in some kind of weird kink-related relationship.
“You’re such a bitch, hermosa.” He advanced on her, forcing her to retreat until her back touched the cold tile wall. “Making me go to my knees to get a taste of your pussy.”
“You’ve never complained before.” Her husky purr spurred her arousal. “Are you tired of it, Papi Chulo?”
“Fuck, keep talking like that and I’ll come all over you.” He fisted his hand in her hair. “Suck me off, hermosa then I’ll fuck you real good. Make you scream my name.”
“Since you asked so politely,” she murmured, going to her knees.
Enzo directed her over him, pumping his hips as she licked and sucked his cock. The startled sound he made when she pressed her pinky into his ass spurred her on. She understood what he liked. Knew what it took to get him off turned her on to the point her pussy became sloppy wet. Bella moaned, taking him to the back of her throat. The second she swallowed around him and rubbed his prostate, his dick kicked in her mouth. The hand in her hair tightened, and Enzo let a string of curses loose while coming down her throat.
“Fuck, Bella, baby. Why’d you make me blow my load so fast?” He caressed her cheek as she continued to suck on him.
“You needed it.” She took him into her hand, stroking him. “We both do.”
“Yeah? You soaked, hermosa? Is your pussy aching?” He stared down at her. His features were tight with unspent arousal.
Yes. Her pussy throbbed, dripping with cream. Her clit tingled and pulsed, and her nipples were hard points desperate for his touch. “Papi...”
“Show me. Get your sweet little cunt off on your fingers.” The harshness of his tone had arousal spilling into her veins, intensifying her excitement.
Bella ran her fingers across her slit and cried out. She was on edge, close to orgasm. She speared her sex with two of her fingers and clenched around the intrusion. She trembled, bracing herself on the floor of the shower as the warm water rained down on her. The force of her need slammed through her the minute she began to fingerbang herself. She chased the sensation wracking her body, yearning for the sweet bliss of release.
“Do it, hermosa. Come for your Papi. Show me how much you want this dick.” The strain in Enzo’s voice added to the feelings pinging through her.
“Enzo!” She cried out as pleasure snapped across her flesh.
In the next second, Enzo had her on her feet. Her breasts pressed to the cold tile, adding another lay of arousal to her sensitive flesh. He entered her in a single stroke as she continued to ripple and twitch from her climax. The force of his actions caused another smaller orgasm to wash over her, and she went to her tiptoes, riding it out.
“Fuck yes.” He groaned in her ear. “I’ve missed this. Missed the flutter of your snatch. Missed feeling your mouth on me.”
She shuddered. “Me too.”
“We’ll get through this together, hermosa.”
She agreed. As long as Enzo was with her, they’d could do anything. “What else you miss?”
“You asking if I miss a good dicking?” His strokes became rougher, pulling startled cries from her due to the intensity of them.
“Yes.”
“I do. Most of all, I miss watching your face when I come. I miss seeing how excited you get. Miss fucking you while being fucked.” He moaned. “You got me on edge, hermosa.”
Her skin was flushed, pulled taut with expectancy. This was what they needed. This connection. It burned hot and fast and left her more relaxed than smoking a bowl ever could. Her fingers clawed at the wall for purchase, since she was afraid she’d slip from the sheer force of her release.
“Same.” She whimpered. “Papi.”
“Shit... When you use that tone, it drives me insane.”
He lowered his hand to her sex. The first flick of her clit, Bella whined, pressing back to him. Enzo buried his face in the crook of her neck. The harsh sounds rumbling in his chest combined with the way he manipulated her clit, sending her over the edge. She screamed, shaking in his arms as his tempo increased until his patience snapped. He shoved deep, filling her with his release.
They stood together under the rapidly cooling water, panting. Bella was afraid if she moved her legs would buckle. Without a word, Enzo cared for her. He helped her finish her shower, and after he wrapped a towel around her, he cleaned up as well. She missed the normalcy of his actions—their actions. Being with Raul had been a trial. The man was a suspicious fuck, always getting paranoid when shit didn’t go exactly the way he wanted. Their ability to sneak around had dwindled while with him.
“We’re going to follow through with Duncan, right?” Enzo tucked her into his side when they finally climbed into bed.
“We don’t have a choice, do we?” With Raul on the run killing all those who could be seen as a threat, Bella wouldn’t risk Enzo or Iliana.
“True. I never thought when we got into this...” He sighed. “My pops, he got real shitty in the end, you know. I-I thought maybe the birth of Iliana would’ve settled him more.”
“Naw, your dad saw money when my dad was killed.”
“Bella.” Enzo gasped.
“It’s true. It’s okay though. Him and mom opened the garage together, but I think he believed mom would always be a cash cow of sorts.” She shrugged. “She wanted to send us to college.”
“You should have gone,” Enzo murmured.
“Should have. I could’ve done a lot of things different in the beginning. But I saw what was happening, and I couldn’t leave my mom or Iliana unprotected.”
“Shit, I would’ve been there.”
Bella glanced up at him. “You would’ve tried.”
“How’d you get so fucking smart?” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “We’re so fucked here.”
“We got the kind of deal we want. Unless you’re catching feelings for the agent?”
He chuck
led softly. “Homie isn’t being straight. You caught that, right?”
She nodded. “Baps. That shit ain’t American. He’s as white as they come, so where’d he learn that word?”
“And did you catch the accent? It was there for a second then he covered it up.”
A knock came at the door, and Enzo glanced down at Bella. No one showed up at their apartment without Duncan telling them first. Had someone found out what they’d done? Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. If Duncan found out, would it change how he dealt with them? Would he pull their deal? The knock sounded again, and Enzo sat up.
“I’ll get it.” He threw on a shirt and sweats before he strode to the door, giving her a minute to put on some clothes as well. “What are you doing here?”
“Duncan called. Said he’d be a few more hours. So, I’m here in the interim.” Omar, the militant looking guy, entered the apartment.
Bella threw on a pair of sweats and one of her snug tank tops. “It’s late though, aren’t you tired?”
Omar’s gaze caressed her form before he shuttered himself from her. “Nope. We’re taught to stay up for long hours. It’s part of our stamina training.”
Stamina training? She snorted. “Sure. So, what’s in the bag?”
“Dinner. For me.” He retrieved the sandwich and drink from the sack. “Did you want something?”
She was still full from her own dinner. Duncan sent them food from a local restaurant. The portions could have fed her and Enzo three times over. Their leftovers were in the fridge if she wanted a midnight snack. “No, we’re good. We were going to bed though.”
“Yeah, I hadn’t thought about that when Duncan called me. I should have a key to this place just in case.” Omar took a bite of his food.
She cut her gaze to Enzo. “Oh, good idea.”
“Anything on?” Omar grabbed the remote off the small coffee table and turned on the television.
“We don’t watch it much.” If Omar realized what he almost walked in on, he either didn’t show it or was completely oblivious.
“Do you mind if I watch one of the sports channels?”
Enzo gave her a what the fuck look, and she shrugged. “Sure, we don’t care. What’s your favorite sport?”
