by J. M. Walker
I shivered at the mere intensity rolling off of Luther in waves.
“He was supposed to take care of me and…” She sniffed. “And you.” She leaned back, cupping my face. “I know he had his moments. I know he could be a dick, but I promise you, he’s not the monster you were made to think he is.”
Luther glanced at me over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded, giving him encouragement. I was so damn confused. Hopefully Georgio could shed some light on what the hell was going on.
He turned back around to someone who used to be his partner, best friend, the only person he could trust.
“Tell me,” he demanded.
“Vanessa’s pregnant,” Georgio finally said.
Luther passed a glance at his sister. “You’re pregnant?”
Vanessa nodded, cupping her stomach.
He released Georgio and walked up to her, placing his hands on hers. “This baby will want for nothing.”
She sniffed, nodding.
“You were upset,” Luther said to Georgio.
“Of course I was fucking upset. I found out and lost my shit.” Georgio shrugged like it was no big deal. “There, are you happy now?”
“Nope.” Luther walked back over to the safe. “Not one fucking bit.”
“He didn’t just lose his shit.” Vanessa scoffed. “Is that why you killed him? Were you jealous?”
“Of course I was fucking jealous,” Georgio yelled. “But I didn’t kill him because of that.”
“Then why would you?” Vanessa’s chin wobbled. “Why would you take him from me?”
“Because of this.”
All of us turned to Luther sitting on the floor, holding up an image of Georgio standing with a man.
I frowned, recognizing the other man from seeing him in the paper or on TV. He had been every bit as powerful as Luther.
“That’s…” Georgio looked between all of us. Suddenly, he spun on his heel and charged out of the room.
“I know something that might help crack your case.”
I turned, finding Luther on his cell.
“I have no idea what’s going on right now,” Vanessa muttered.
“Neither do I.” I stood at the same time Luther did.
“I’ll be at your office in half an hour.” He hung up, stuffing the cell back in his pocket.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Georgio recruited me to bring you down. Was that…I feel like that was all a lie.”
“I have a feeling it was, pet.” Luther cupped my cheek. “While I’ve had Georgio at my side for years, little does he know that I’ve actually been keeping tabs on him. But I never had any proof. I actually contacted Charlie after he started working for me. I paid him to help me find out whatever he could on my business partner. Charlie was good. He got a little too close though. Georgio found out and that’s why he killed him. Charlie was innocent, Lexi. I promise he was and I’m sorry he lost his life because I asked him to help me. I’m also sorry that I never told you and that I made it seem like he came to me.”
“So he never came to you? At all?”
“He did but not to the point I let you believe. I promise everything will be explained but I need to take care of Georgio first.” Luther shoved his cell in the pocket of his dress pants.
“Who are you going to go meet up with?” I asked, unsure what to believe anymore.
“A federal agent I’ve dealt with on and off again throughout the years.” Luther reached for my hand, bringing it up to his mouth and placing a soft peck on my knuckles. “I promise, I will explain.”
I shook my head, the new revelation finally making sense. “So…Charlie wasn’t bad like Georgio said?”
“No, baby.” Luther gave me a soft smile. “I actually have something for you.” He glanced over my head. “For both of you.”
“I don’t know what’s going on right now,” Vanessa said, her voice dripping with contempt. “But I swear if that man…” She took a sharp inhale. “I’ll kill him myself.”
“It won’t come to that,” Luther promised.
“Should we go after Georgio?” I asked, still not understanding what was going on.
“He’ll turn up.” Luther kept a firm grip on my hand and led me out of Charlie’s bedroom. “He’ll feel guilty and that guilt will force him to turn himself in.”
“How do you know that?” Vanessa demanded. “I still don’t know what the hell is going on. I don’t like this. Luther, please tell us something. Anything.”
“I know it because it’s how he is.” Luther paused in his steps, forcing us to come to a halt. “He acts all lethal and shit but he’s truly not. Georgio is a pussy.”
I snorted. “Well, he did ask me for my help.” I couldn’t believe this was all happening.
“Let’s head home and we’ll talk and show you what it is I need to show you.” Luther brought my hands up to his mouth. “Okay?”
I nodded. “What about the person you spoke to on the phone just now?”
“I’m still meeting with them. They can wait worst case. They know my word is gold. But I need to show you and my sister something first.”
I passed a glance at Vanessa.
She shrugged.
I wasn’t sure what was so important that Luther refused to go after Georgio or even to the authorities like he said he was going to. I was confused. So damn confused. But also elated at the same time that Charlie wasn’t as bad as I thought he was. Looked like Georgio set us both up.
God, Charlie. My eyes pricked with unshed tears, my nose burning. Guilt sat heavily on my shoulders. Knowing there was nothing I could do now that he was gone, all I could do was hope that he died, not blaming me.
Lexi
ONCE WE ARRIVED AT our home, Vanessa left the vehicle first. When we were alone, Luther cut the engine and turned to me.
“Lexi.”
I sighed, meeting his gaze. “I’m confused.”
“I know, pet,” he said gently. “All of your questions will get answered. I promise. But I wanted to tell you...” His dark eyes burned into me.
My body heated. “What is it?”
“After all of this…” He cleared his throat. “I need you. In every way. I can wait. This isn’t the right time, but I need you, Lexi.”
“I don’t know what that means but I’ll…I’ll do whatever it is you need.”
“You’re fucking incredible.” He cupped my cheek. “You do know that right?”
“I don’t think I am. Not really anyway.” I covered his hand. “But I’m willing to try for you.”
A soft knock on the window made me jump.
Vanessa opened the door. “I hate to ruin this moment, but I would like to know what the hell is going on and the baby wants a gyro.”
Luther slid from the car. “I can have—”
“Nope.” Vanessa shook her head. “I don’t want your cook to make me anything. Thank you though. There’s a place by me that makes the best fucking gyros known to man.” She groaned. “So good. That’s what I want anyway. Although, I think I would drive hours just to get one with how bad this craving is.”
I laughed, hooked my arm in hers, and led her up the steps. “How far along are you?”
“Almost four months.” She placed a hand on her stomach. “I asked if I was further along because I didn’t think I could be showing this much already.”
“Four months. I didn’t know you and Charlie…” I hesitated. “Anyway.”
“I met him before you, pet.” She stopped, stepping in front of me.
Luther walked by us, his hard gaze watching her.
I raised an eyebrow.
Our eyes locked.
“Give us a moment?” I asked gently.
He nodded, heading into the large house.
“He’s jealous.” Vanessa laughed. “I would say that he has no reason to be but if you weren’t his, I’d snatch you up.”
My cheeks burned.
She cocked her head to the side,
giving me a small smile. “I can understand what he sees in you though.” She brushed her fingers down my cheek. “So submissive.”
“Tell me how you met Charlie.” I needed to change the subject off of me. It was weird. Way too weird. And I could feel Luther watching us. I didn’t bother turning around, knowing I wouldn’t see him anyway. He was probably watching us on one of the security cameras.
“Charlie came into The Club.” Vanessa shrugged. “It was no big deal at first, but he was stressed about something. And I was intrigued. So I went up to him and well…I loved him. I know Georgio and I have a rocky history but what I had with Charlie was nothing like that.”
“I wish I would have known.”
“I know. I’m sorry for not telling you but Charlie was adamant about keeping it a secret. I’m not sure why but I have a feeling that it has to do with all of this shit that’s going on.” Vanessa rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t know but we need to find out.”
“Let’s go see what this thing is that Luther wants to show us.” I went to walk up the stairs when Vanessa grabbed my arm. Before I knew what was going on, she pressed her lips against mine. My eyes widened.
The kiss quickly ended.
She gave me a lopsided grin. “Yup. I would definitely go for you if you weren’t with Luther.”
My face heated.
She laughed, placing a soft peck on my forehead. “I loved your brother even though he’s gone but there’s something about you, pet.”
I stepped away from her and headed up the steps. Well that was weird.
As soon as I went to the door, it slammed open.
Luther stared down at us with his arms crossed. “Enjoy your little talk with my girlfriend, Vanessa?”
Vanessa scoffed, walking past him. “Please. She’s all yours, brother dearest. I was just seeing what the fuss was about.”
He grunted. “Meet us in my office.”
She huffed. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” She gave me a wink and headed through the foyer and down the hall to the left.
“Pet.”
I met Luther’s hard stare. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.”
He cupped my face, tilting my head back. “I’m not mad at you. My sister is a little…much sometimes.”
My cheeks burned. God, I couldn’t stop blushing around these two.
He smirked, placing a soft peck on my mouth.
Snaking my arms around his shoulders, I pulled him against me and deepened the kiss.
A soft growl escaped from somewhere deep in his chest. “Lexi,” he murmured against my lips.
Running my fingers through his hair, I dove my tongue even further into his mouth. I wasn’t sure what had come over me, but I knew that I needed to just feel him. To have him hard, swollen, begging for that release I always wanted to give him.
Luther ran his hands down my back, cupped my ass, and pushed me up against the wall. “Stop.” He broke the kiss, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. “My little minx.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, breathing hard. “I just…”
“You need me,” he whispered, licking up the length of my neck. “Just as much as I need you.”
I nodded, a shiver rippling down my spine.
“I don’t think you’ll ever need me as much as I need you,” he muttered. His voice had been so low, I wasn’t sure if I heard him correctly or not but either way, he was wrong. I would always need him. Just as much. Maybe a little more. He grabbed my hand, linking our fingers and placing a kiss on my knuckles. “Let’s go before I fuck you right here.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad.” But I stepped out of his hold.
He chuckled, giving my ass a light swat. “You got me nice and hard, pet.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll make you pay for that later.”
“I look forward to it.” I stepped in front of him, reaching out to cup him over his pants. Standing on tiptoes, I placed a soft peck on his chin. “Sir.”
He shook his head. “Let’s go and get this done and over with.”
I didn’t know what was going on but when Luther sat both Vanessa and I down in front of his computer, the nerves fluttering around in my belly only became worse as time ticked on.
Vanessa grabbed my hand which earned us a growl.
“Stop,” she said to Luther. “I need…”
“We need each other,” I told him.
He looked between us both. “Fine. Press play.” He moved behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder and running his thumb back and forth over my nape.
I curled my fingers in Vanessa’s and pressed play on his laptop.
Charlie suddenly came into the camera.
A gasp sounded from the room. I wasn’t sure if it was from me or from Vanessa or from both of us.
“This…this fucking sucks. A lot. Because if you’re watching this, obviously I’m dead.” Charlie chuckled, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair. “I know you have questions. And I can only assume that both of you are there. My sister and my…” He swallowed hard. “My girl.”
Vanessa’s breath hitched.
“First, I just want to say how sorry I am. To both of you. I know you have questions and I promise I’m going to answer them.” He sat back. That was when I realized he was in his bedroom at our apartment. “I’m just going to come out and say it. Georgio is a fucking bastard. I’m assuming it was him who killed me.” His face paled. “Fuck, saying that out loud is…anyway.” He cleared his throat again. “There’s no easy way to say this so I’m just going to come right out and say it.” He inhaled a deep breath. “I’m with the FBI.”
My eyes widened.
“Holy shit,” Vanessa exclaimed.
“Lexi, remember that job I had applied to a long time ago but didn’t think I got it? Well this was it.”
“I remember that conversation,” I murmured.
“I don’t think I got the job,” Charlie grumbled.
“Well, maybe you’re too good for them.”
He never gave me any more information or told me what the job was that he actually applied for.
“When I applied, I was told I couldn’t say that I was even applying for the job. That’s why I made it seem like I never got it. It was very hush-hush. Once I was hired, I definitely couldn’t say anything at that point. I had one job. To take Georgio out.”
My heart started racing. “Is he…”
“Whatever you’re thinking, Lexi, is probably correct. I was hired by the FBI to kill Georgio.” Charlie leaned forward. “But it clearly didn’t work, and he got to me first. He’s good. He’s really fucking good. Vee, I know you and Georgio have a history but please promise me that you will never go back to him. I don’t want that fucker anywhere near our baby or you.”
“I promise,” Vanessa whispered.
I squeezed her hand.
“I made this video so you would have proof. There were so many times I wanted to tell you both what was going on, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to put either of you in danger. So I asked Luther for help. I had seen pictures of them together. We also had so many files on them but they’re good boys and haven’t been caught yet.”
Luther grunted, pulling a chair up beside me and sitting.
“Lexi,” Charlie continued. “Georgio recruited you to get to Luther but I don’t think he expected you to fall in love with him.”
My cheeks burned.
Luther cupped my knee.
“I also assume you found the pictures,” Charlie said.
I nodded even though Charlie couldn’t see me.
“I took those pictures of you two to throw Georgio off my trail. Although, it didn’t work.” Charlie let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, bottom line is I’m not who I said I was and I’m sorry for that. I’m also sorry for being a dick and making it so you couldn’t trust me in the end. But I promise, everything you were told about me was all lies. I never passed around a picture of you, Lexi. I never sold you to Luther. The Club set up was real, b
efore you ask. It was very real but that was all your choice. And that shit about me being a dark web master was all lies. I had help. Again, to throw Georgio off. He’s into some dangerous shit. He was trying to set Luther up. Some business partner you have there, buddy.”
“Asshole,” Luther muttered.
“But I get it.” Charlie sat back, leaning against his headboard. “It’s hard not trusting someone who’s been with you your whole life. But enough of that. Georgio is a dick and needs to be put down. And the bottom line is, I’m dead and Georgio isn’t. Luther, I know you’re watching this. I need you to take care of my girl. To take care of my sister. To be the best damn uncle my baby has ever had. Lexi, I need you to be the best aunt they could ever have.” Charlie’s breath hitched. “Alright, I need Lexi and Luther to leave so I can talk to Vanessa.”
“Oh God.” Vanessa wiped under her eyes.
I stood, grabbed Luther’s hand, and pulled him from the office. “Luther, I—”
“I’m sorry.” He wrapped me in his arms, holding me against him. “I’m so fucking sorry. For everything.” He cupped my nape.
“It’s not your fault.” I leaned back. “It’s Georgio’s. I’m glad. I’m so fucking glad that Charlie isn’t who I thought he was. But I feel guilty because I thought the worst of him.”
“That’s not your fault either.” Luther placed a soft peck on my head. “We’ll figure this shit out. But I want you to know that I’m not going to the authorities with this.”
My eyes widened. “You’re not? But you said—”
“I know what I said. I had a package couriered to them with no return address. They’ll get all the info they need but when it comes to Georgio…” Luther pulled away from me. “Georgio will die by my hands and my hands only.”
“Luther.” I went to him, but he only stepped away. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Men like him will only get put in jail and released right away because of who he knows.” Luther chuckled. “I can’t believe this. After all this time. I’m the one who helped him get to where he is today. I’m the one who made him become big and powerful. Me, Lexi. And what does he do? He tries to fucking ruin me and kills my girlfriend’s brother and my sister’s boyfriend.”
