“Go ‘head, kid. Do it.”
“Axe!” It was Brenna, suddenly at my side, and her voice was soft in my ear. She laid a gentle hand on my bicep. “No.” Her voice caught.
“Get outta here, Brenna,” I snarled. Even now, after all he’d done, she couldn’t see that Ruffino needed to die. “I know you think it’s wrong and that we’re all bad guys, but it needs to be done. Just go. You’re free now, and I need to handle this so you stay that way.”
“You think I give a shit about Ruffino?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Have him whacked in prison. I don’t care anymore. But this would be murder in cold blood,” she murmured. She was hugging my arm to her body and I couldn’t think straight, especially when she pressed her cheek to my arm. “You’ll go to prison and I don’t want to live without you.”
I hesitated, my hand dropping a fraction of an inch.
She didn’t want to live without me? But my thoughts were cut short as Emilio lunged forward, retrieved knife in hand. I squeezed the trigger and his head snapped back. I watched as the life left his eyes and he crumpled on the floor, with the ugly, inhuman snarl still on his face. For some reason, it felt like I had just killed some kind of demon.
Brenna gasped, pressing her face into my arm, as blood pooled across the floor. I gritted my teeth, stashing my gun away, and broke her grip. She stumbled away, hurrying towards the door, then fell to her knees, and covered her face with her hands.
Walking over, my heart filled with both relief and agony, I leaned down and picked her up. “I love you, pecorelle,” I whispered into her hair. “I love you.”
And with Brenna sobbing into my shirt, I carried her from the room, and away from Emilio Ruffino forever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Brenna
Stepping out of the car I’d just parked in front of the prison, I thought about how the last three weeks had felt like an eternity. Never mind the minutes slowly ticking by now.
I’d thought I’d learned how torturous time could be after spending a year on Emilio Ruffino’s leash, but then again, I’d never really had something to look forward to.
Not like this, anyway.
Walking around to the back, I hopped up and sat on the trunk of the Maserati, a black Italian sports car that belonged to Axe, and glanced up at the white-stoned building. Any moment now, the doors would swing open, and he’d walk out.
Swinging my legs, I tilted my face up to the sunshine, and ignored the looks I was attracting from passersby. Whether it was the fancy car or me, I just didn’t care. I was almost shaking with anticipation at the thought of seeing Axe again, and that was all that mattered.
It had been a surprise that morning when I’d found out. I’d known his release was in the works, but it wasn’t until Colt had pulled up, horn honking, that I’d known it would be today.
“It’s Axe’s,” he’d drawled, tossing me a set of keys before patting the hood of the car. “Usually he doesn’t let anyone else drive it, but I think he’d make an exception for you. And I can’t think of a better picture for him to see when he first gets out.”
Even though I’d been staying with Mama Ange for the last three weeks, spoiled by Capestranas, it had been a struggle to keep a smile on my face.
But not today.
After Axe had carried me from that fateful room in the warehouse and out into the night, we’d been met by an army of police. Sirens had been wailing, the sky lit up with bright red and blue lights, and men darting around everywhere. Somehow, I was handed over to Colt and rushed off the scene. Then Axe was on his knees, being cuffed and read his rights.
The rest of the night went by in a blur. They’d brought me to Mama Ange’s house and I remembered walking up the front stairs before my knees gave out, and my hands were pressing on the cold marble.
Sturdy, strong arms went around me – Colt or Dante. One of them had brought me upstairs. I should have been safe and warm. Filled with relief that Emilio couldn’t hurt me anymore. That this was all over.
But Axe wasn’t there. And I’d slipped in and out of consciousness, while my heart splintered into pieces in my chest.
My world was meaningless without Angelino. It had seemed as though I was drowning – the sharp pain in my throat and the pressure on my chest. Meanwhile, guilt nearly swallowed me whole.
That whole next day I’d dozed fitfully. Mama Ange and Trina were always there when I woke up, hugging me, pressing hot cloths to my face, bandaging my wounds, trying to get me to eat, and telling me everything would be okay.
Up till yesterday, I can’t say I believed them. The family had been busy since the whole showdown. Lots of payola, “lost” evidence, and conflicting stories. The cops were so disgusted, they’d all but begged the Feds to take over, and as the crime had crossed state lines at points, they were happy to do it.
Ellis had been found and was in custody awaiting extradition in Canada.
And Axe’s father had finally worked out all the little nitty-gritty details with the remaining men on the Ruffino payroll. He’d told us everything yesterday at lunch, looking both exhausted and pleased. The thugs in the Ruffino organization had waved the white flag, agreeing to hand their business over to Salvatore for a percent of the profits. In exchange, the hired help wouldn’t do time. But the rest of the big guns, Emilio’s brother and son who had been at a weapons expo when the whole shit-storm had come down, had gone down with the ship. Even Gabrielle had wound up behind bars. They were now awaiting trial for human trafficking, amongst other things, thanks to their own guys rolling on them.
A little something Sal and Agent Mike Westfield had come up with together, once we’d confirmed that Ellis had, indeed, been working for the Ruffinos alone. Giving up the guppies to land the big fish.
As of now, the auction was dismantled, the girls were free, the bounty on my head was gone. I was as safe as a person could be, given my ties to the Mafia, that is. But I was okay with that. Especially considering the last and best news of all.
Axe was coming home soon.
Sal had ruffled my hair and winked at me when he told me that, as everyone else erupted into loud excitement, dancing around, yelling, and uncorking wine.
Now here I was. Wearing a gorgeous new coat and dress. I should’ve felt confident, ready to meet my man. Instead, I was jittery and unable to sit still, worrying that maybe Axe wasn’t my man after all.
Chewing on my lip, I stared up at the building, and jiggled my knees. Maybe he’d had too much time in there to consider everything. He had been held without bail for three weeks – waiting on a court date to be tried for murder.
A murder he’d committed to save me.
Maybe he realized what a mess I’d made of his life.
Maybe I should have let his brother pick him up and explain everything.
Maybe he didn’t feel the same way anymore.
My thoughts jerked to a halt as the doors swung open and Axe emerged. I sat up straight, then hopped down, as my mouth went dry. He was blinking in the sunshine, looking around as he loped down the steps, and then paused for a moment when he saw me.
Even though my heart was leaping around in my chest, I was frozen in place as he continued down the stairs and strolled over. Every last inch of him was the confident Capestrana man I’d fallen in love with.
“You’ve been working out,” I managed to squeak out as he stepped up to me. It was meant to be light banter to quell the nervous tension knotting up my stomach, but Axe did somehow look more muscular than when I’d seen him last.
“Not much else to do inside,” he said with a half-grin, making his one cheek dimple. I bit my lip, feeling flustered. “I thought Colt was coming for me.”
“Change of plans.” I shrugged, fighting the urge to throw myself on him. “Um, will you come with me somewhere?”
Axe was looking at me with a softness to his gaze I’d never seen before. It made my breath catch.
Hopping into the car, we drove to the coast to music play
ing on the radio. There was so much to say, and I still had to work up the nerve.
It was difficult to focus on the road, especially since I could sense how he kept looking over at me. Not to mention, I was finally feeling complete again, my heart overflowing with happiness in spite of the nerves spiraling up and down in my stomach.
When we reached the place by the shore that I’d picked out, we parked in front of the water. We got out and meandered down a path to a little lookout. The wind was light and calm, the sea dancing with ripples. Even though it was mid-afternoon, the sky had a gentle dreaminess to it, the sleepy colors of winter.
It was as though we’d stepped into a painting of a fairytale. Something in a book my mother might have read to me. And I smiled at Axe, knowing how she would have loved him.
“This is nice.” He leaned back on a big rock, so that we were almost at eye-level, and returned my smile. “Wanted me to get some air, worried I was going stir-crazy in there?”
I shook my head, twisting my hands, and plunged in.
Be brave.
“I wanted to get some time alone with you. Because I owe you an apology. Again. You ended up in jail because of me.” I tried to stem the rambling but it was no use. “I, um, I spoke to Agent Westfield – Mike, y’know? They know you shot Ruffino in self-defense. And his other guys that got, um, hurt won’t testify. Your gun went missing and they claim that they don’t know who attacked them. I guess Mike and your dad cut them a deal.” I hesitated, looking down. “Turns out the whole organization is kaput.”
Axe smiled a little, looping his fingers through mine. “I heard bits and pieces, from the family, but nothing was concrete. This is all I wanted for you. You didn’t have to thank me or apologize – I’m the one who’s sorry it even came to all of this.” He gazed at my face and I knew he was seeing those injuries from Ruffino, ones that had finally faded away last week. Axe’s breathing got raspy. “If I just trusted my instincts… Thank God you didn’t get hurt worse.” His lips tightened.
I paused, shivering a little in the wind off the ocean, and Axe reached up, brushing my cheek with calloused fingers. “I’m fine,” I whispered. “It’s all over. Now I’m just tougher is all.”
“There’s that fiery pecorelle I know.” Axe tried to smile, but then winced, seeming to force the next words out. “But, you were right about this life. When I saw Emilio holding that gun. You all bloody and beaten?” His hand squeezed mine harder. “God, that was--” I saw his throat working. “I couldn’t even see straight at that point. I understand why you don’t want this life.”
He bent his head a little and I reached out, rubbing my palm on his face. His eyes closed. “I saw the look on your face.” It was a look that had haunted my dreams. Axe, standing still in the doorway, as though someone had ripped his heart out.
Axe shook his head. “I’d leave it behind for you, Brenna. But it will always be a part of me. It’s like a stain that won’t ever wash out.” He hesitated and frowned. “I’ve seen too much, I’ve done too much. Can you handle that?”
My head spun as my heart took off. I could feel the pressure in his hand holding mine increasing.
I leaned in and kissed him. “I’m never leaving your side. You make me happy. You keep me safe. I want you.”
Axe’s smile made my heart sing and purr at the same time. He locked his arms around me and we kissed again, with all the pent up relief and fear we’d been holding inside.
“Listen,” I broke away, gasping a little. “I know we can have a good life together. We’ll figure all that stuff out.”
Axe nodded, still smiling, and spoke in a low, sexy voice, “I’ve already started.” Heat flared in my stomach as he ran his fingers up my spine and then through my hair. “I’m thinking custom, high-end hot rods. Totally legit. Catering to guys like my dad and the fam, but all on the books.”
“You don’t have to do that, Axe. As long as there’s nothing awful and we stay honest with each other, I can live with--”
“No.” His voice went gruff. “I want to be a Capestrana. But I also want a family with you, Brenna. Kids, the whole nine. I want to do this. Not just for you. But for me too. Colt is the one who wants his life to be about the mob. I went along for the ride and because I love my family. But I can love them just as much and find my own way to make a living and provide for us.”
My throat ached and I nodded, heart so full, I thought it might burst. “Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Axe slid his hands down to my elbows, holding them gently. “Have I told you how much I love you, Brenna Fiore? I love you so damn much, it almost hurts. But in the best kind of way. I didn’t know you could feel like this. I know you think I was the one who did the saving around here.” Axe paused, eyes bright, then said gruffly, almost embarrassed, “But you saved me, too.”
I smiled tearfully then, putting my hands on his chest, and felt the pounding of his heart. “Since when does a big, strong Capestrana man need saving?”
“I almost forgot I had a heart till I met you,” Axe muttered. “It’s like you woke me up.” He stared me down, then treated me to his signature cocky smirk. “I hope you know you’re gonna be my wife one day, pecorelle. You better bet I’m never letting you go now – you and me. Together forever. Hope you like the sound of Brenna Capestrana.”
“Nah, I don’t like it.”
His brows caved in and he shot me a thunderous frown.
“I love it. It’s perfect,” I whispered. “And I love you, Angelino.”
He growled as he kissed my neck and I began to laugh, then squealed with delight. My mind filled with daydreams about our future together, thinking about happily ever after, and the years ahead with the Capestranas.
A few tears slipped out and I laughed again as we broke apart, gazing at each other.
“See that house over there?” I asked, pointing a few hundred yards away to a faded cottage on the shore.
He nodded and eyed me questioningly. “I do.”
“Well, I rented it. It’s ours for the next four days. I promised Mama Ange I’d bring you back and share you with the family after that. What say I take you there and show you around a little?”
Axe
We stepped into the cottage, but I never did get a tour. Instead, I got an armload of Brenna. The second our bodies touched, the anger and fear and uncertainty of the past month came out in a burst of fiery passion.
Brenna was insatiable. Her mouth met mine, tongue darting in, and her fingers trailed over my chest. With a growl, I dragged her up into my arms and carried her to the bedroom. There was no gentleness in me as I tossed her onto the bed and yanked my clothes off. When she saw what I was doing, she nodded her agreement and tore off her dress just as quickly.
I was about to climb on the bed to join her, but paused for a second, frozen in place at the image in front of me. For a while, I wondered if I’d ever see it again. Her beautiful lips swollen from my kiss. Those perfect breasts, nipples hard and waiting for my mouth. That trim waist and rounded hips, begging for my hands to grip them tight.
Now that she was truly mine, I needed to have her. Feel it through my whole body. My cock ached and throbbed to be buried inside her, making the last three weeks in lock-up feel like a year.
Her eyes flashed fire as I pinned her body to the mattress, knees on either side of her of hips, my hands running up and down her sides, and she arched against me, digging her heels in my ass.
I hadn’t even realized she’d wrapped her legs around me until her already wet, hot slit ground against my swollen cock.
She gasped, breaking our kiss, and arched up. “Axe, do whatever you want… Please. Give me all of you,” she panted, gaze blazing with unbridled need.
Need ripped through me, and I had to look away or this would go far quicker than I wanted it to. I didn’t respond, just focused on kissing her neck, breathing in that heady scent.
Fuck, I loved this woman. And this time, for the first time, I knew I’d neve
r have to let her go.
I couldn’t hold back any more than I could keep the sun from setting and, luckily, Brenna didn’t seem to want me to. She sat up to press her mouth against mine, our tongues battling as I groaned into her mouth, tasting her sweetness.
She broke away with a groan, latching her mouth onto one of my nipples and I grit my teeth, all rational thought flying out of my head.
With a growl, I yanked both of her arms over her head, and she drew her head back, looking at me with hazy lust.
“God damn, you’re sexy,” I muttered.
Pinning her wrists together in one hand, I bent my head down, taking her straining nipple in my mouth and kneading the other breast with my free hand.
She let out a sexy whimper at my touch and I slid my free hand down…down until I found her creamy, waiting center. Her hips bounced as she wound her fingers into my hair.
“Oh, yeah, Axe. So good.”
It was good to me too. So good, I never wanted to stop. I sucked harder and massaged her slick little clit until her gasps became pleas.
Then I slid two fingers in.
Brenna arched up, calling out my name. Her legs slid from my waist and I began to pump in and out of her, curling my fingers and hitting her G-spot.
“Ah, Axe, please. I can’t…I want to come together,” she cried. “With you inside me.”
Her words wrecked me and it took all I had to pull my fingers from her clutching heat.
But my cock was more than ready to take point. I fisted my rock-hard member and positioned the distended head against her entrance, realizing with a shock that I didn’t have a condom.
She must’ve read my mind because she shook her head furiously against the pillow.
“No. Not unless you’re worried about…?”
“I’m not worried about anything, love. This would be a first without one for me. I’d never risk your safety.”
Better to Eat You Page 35
