by Johnson, Cat
"If I had a dime for every time one of you did something stupid to impress a pretty girl, I'd be filthy rich.” The old man mumbled on his way out.
"What did you do?" EJ cupped my neck.
"The right thing," I whispered.
Before I could stop myself, I caught her mouth. A little moan escaped her lips and sent a desire-induced shock through me. For two years, I’d been drifting from city to city, empty, aimless. In a few hours, EJ had made all of that go away. I didn't care that Rex was on his way here to take me to New York. That was bound to happen sooner or later. At least, I had gotten the chance to do some good.
I deepened the kiss, tasting all of her, until I ran out of breath and had to pull away. "I need to go."
"Okay." She panted a breath as her brows furrowed in confusion.
I wanted to say, "I'll see you later," but that would be a lie. Fuck my life. I strode to the Escalade.
"Drive fast. I want this farce over with."
Twelve minutes later, we pulled into the St. Regis roundabout. I climbed out and headed straight for the hotel bar. Not that a few drinks would wash EJ's taste from my mouth, but I had to try.
When I strode through the threshold, the bar was empty. I rolled my eyes and scanned every dark corner of the place. Sure enough, Rex Valentino sat on the opposite end, legs out in front of him, a whiskey in his hand.
I ambled over to him. "The king himself came for me. I must be moving up in the world." I made a wide gesture with my arms and dropped a curtsy. "My liege."
"Are you done?" He stood.
"What do you want?"
"I was told you were ready to come home." He cradled my neck, cocking his head to look me in the eye. "I wanted to see it for myself."
Rex was a couple of years older than me, same as my brother. We, more or less, grew up together. Even though our families never got along, we all belonged to the same century old secret society of mobsters. Rex's dad had died a few months ago, which meant Rex was now the king of everything. No matter what we called ourselves or for how long, we were all still no more than criminals.
"Just like that. I take off, and now you welcome me back into the fold with open arms?"
He shrugged. "You know how it is."
"Yeah, no one ever leaves."
"Your family needs you. We're under attack. Come home now."
I exhaled, somewhat disappointed that Rex simply wanted me in New York. No retaliation. No revenge. No punching. I had hoped for some sort of atonement. "Is it true? What they say? My sister is living with you now."
His dark gaze snapped up to mine, and he dropped the friendly act. "That was her choice."
"I seriously doubt it. She hates your guts. Always has. Always will." I unbuttoned my suit jacket and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my trousers, leaving myself wide open. "I'd like to remind you of the promise you made to our mother."
"I haven't forgotten. Your sister is safe with me. In time, she'll come to understand."
"You keep telling yourself that. You may be king now, but that doesn't change what you are. You don't deserve her." I spat the words. For whatever reason, EJ's gorgeous green eyes popped into my head.
Rex fisted the front of my shirt and got in my face. "What am I? A beast?"
"We can use your word."
The large double doors to the bar creaked open. The old man strode in and didn't even react when he saw Rex and I ready to go at each other.
"Mikey took the girl. The brother's crew is going after him. We need to get in there before they kill him," he said matter-of-factly.
Two people's lives were at stake and the old man couldn't even muster a wince. I shoved Rex away from me. "Where did he take her?" I asked on my way out.
Rex fell into step next to me, checking his phone. "Looks like they're headed to the hospital."
"Where's the car?" I asked.
"It's coming now." The old man practically walked in front of the Escalade to make it stop.
I hopped in. Two seconds later, Rex did too. "What the fuck is Mikey's problem? He's acting like an idiot."
"He wants a new family."
"We are his family." Rex tapped the seat in front of him. "Go."
Zack means well, but he's an idiot.
EJ's words repeated in my head over and over. Zack had already done a handful of stupid things trying to get the funds they needed to pay for their mom’s medical bills. What would he do now that Mikey was threatening both EJ and his mom? I didn't know Zack at all, but it didn't take a genius to figure it out.
Mikey was as problematic as Zack. The two of them together were an explosive combination. As soon as we pulled into the hospital garage, all my conjectures were confirmed. Zack's crew and Mikey were in a full-on shoot out. I slammed my hand on the door to let out some of my frustration. When I faced Rex, he handed me a gun.
"What's the plan? I want them alive." I rubbed the hollow ache in my chest.
I had literally known EJ for a day and she was already in the crossfire because of me. I had no control over Mikey or her brother, but we were here because I got wasted in Ibiza and agreed to Mikey's fucked-up plan to get back in the game on our own terms.
"Shoot Zack in the leg." The old man gripped the steering wheel.
"Yeah, I guess that would pacify Mikey, make him think he's won." I turned to Rex. "Can you talk him down?"
He braced a hand on his thigh, while the other tapped the seat in front of him. "This ends tonight." He climbed out of the car.
I rushed after him because I didn't trust him. Rex wanted both Mikey and I to come home. If that meant killing EJ and Zack, I was certain he'd be more than willing to go there. I did a quick check on my gun and then cocked it. As soon as Zack came into view, I aimed for his ass. It would hurt like hell, but he would live.
He fell to the cement floor with a cry. Across the way, on the ramp to the top floor, I spotted three of Zack's guys making a run for it. They hopped in their race cars and zigzagged their way down the ramp and out of sight. But to my surprise, the shooting didn't stop from the other end.
For a moment, the deafening blast of Rex’s AR-15 was the only thing echoing in the space. I took the opportunity and ran toward Mikey. Though instead, I found EJ's form tucked behind a tire.
"What happened?" I crouched next to her. "Why are you shooting at Zack?"
"I'm not. These aren't our guys." She pressed her shoulder to the car while she reloaded her gun.
"Where's Mikey?"
"He took off. He went that way." She pointed to the ramp behind us.
"The asshole left you here?"
"He looked panicked." She touched a trembling hand to her forehead. “Is it over?”
“Yeah, you’re safe.” I brushed my index finger down her cheek.
"Massimo." Rex called for me.
“Stay here.” I jerked to my feet and ran down to meet Rex. "What the hell happened?"
“This might be him.” He pointed at the pool of blood by his leather shoe.
“EJ said Mikey went this way. He’s injured.”
"This is what I've been trying to tell you. The society is under attack. I need both of you to come to New York and help me find out who’s after us."
"I understand.” I glanced up to catch my breath. Mikey and I were fools for thinking we could leave our families behind. Sooner or later, we were bound to return home. “If he’s hurt, I know where to find him. But first, I have somewhere to be.”
“You have twelve hours. These assholes—” He pointed at the mayhem the assault rifles had left behind.— “They’re not gonna wait around.”
4
Turn Around
EJ
"What the hell were you thinking getting involved with the mafia again?" I dug deeper. Zack squirmed and screamed, but I didn't ease up on the pressure until I had a firm hold on the bullet buried in his ass cheek. "They don't like being toyed with."
"They sought me out. When Mikey asked for another race, I couldn't say no. I f
igured if his fancy friend wanted a quick thrill, why not win a few bucks in the process and get Mom into that clinical trial." He winced.
I should've taken him to the hospital to see a doctor, but I didn't want to make any trouble. If the doctors saw him like this, I was afraid they would send all of us home, including Mom. She finally had a shot at beating cancer. I couldn't let Zack ruin it for her.
"Stop being a baby." I handed him two Vicodin. "Take them. We'll talk in the morning."
He nodded, mumbling a thanks with droopy eyes. I puffed out a breath, grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed and threw it over him.
When I got to my room, I slipped out of my cocktail dress and jumped in the shower to wash the blood off. I wished I could say this was the first time I had to patch up my brother. The drag races brought in a steady stream of income, but they were dangerous. Though as far as crazy nights went, this was by far the most insane. Holy shit, the hot Adonis in a suit was a mobster. How did I miss that? Oh right, because I spent most of the day thinking about the abs he flashed me when we first met.
I donned a pair of shorts and a tank top and headed downstairs to get a bite of that steak Massimo had ordered. A smile pulled at my lips, and all I could think of was the desire in his deep blue eyes when he kissed me. How was it possible to have this kind of connection with someone I had just met?
The doorbell rang. I padded down the hall, still thinking of Massimo and all the things we didn't get to do on our date. I swung the door open, and my breath hitched. It was as if I had conjured him.
"Why did you leave the hospital?" he barged in. "They could've gone after you."
"You shot my brother." I stood my ground, meeting his gaze.
"He was shooting at my friend."
"Because he kidnapped me."
"Okay." He put up his hands.
I glanced at the clock over the mantel. "It's three in the morning. What are you doing here?"
"I didn't get to talk to you. What happened?"
"Mikey showed up here shortly after..." I swallowed. "You know, our date. He said he was out of time and needed Zack to concede and let him run the crew. Jesus, it doesn't work that way. He can't just show up and mobster his way in."
"Why were you doing all the shooting?"
"When we arrived at the hospital, Zack was there waiting for us. But so were these guys wearing masks."
"How many?"
"Five. Zack's crew scattered. They had come for me, but they quickly realized we were in the middle of something big. Mikey gave me a gun. I figured shooting at the bad guys we didn't know was the better option." My hands trembled as I told Massimo the rest of the story. Up until now, I hadn’t realized how scared I had been.
"I believe you." He closed the space between us and stalked me toward the wall until he had me caged with his hard body. His laugh was both confusing and so fucking sexy. "You're not afraid of me?"
"No."
"But you know what I am."
"I do." I traced a finger over his full eyebrow. "You're a lost mobster with a heart of gold."
"I was lost, but not anymore." He cupped my cheek. "As for the heart of gold...." he shook his head, "I was wrong before. I can't leave my family, but that doesn't mean I can't do right by others."
"Does that mean Mom can stay in the trial? You're not mad at us?" I searched his eyes. "I thought you were going to blame Zack's crew for the shooting."
"No, that wouldn't be fair. That shit show had nothing to do with you, the crew, or your mom. She's in the trial." He bent down to ghost my lips. "I want to kiss you. Actually, I want to do way more than that."
"Yeah?" A ribbon of desire spiraled from my chest down to my clit.
"Where's your brother?" He nibbled my earlobe in between raspy breaths.
I uttered a bunch of words that meant to say Zack was upstairs, highly medicated, and out for the night. We were practically alone in the house to do whatever we wanted. And I wanted nothing more than to see this man out of his fancy tailored suit.
"Do you always get in the mood when people shoot at you?" He slipped his fingers under the strap of my tank top and pulled on it so the fabric would rub against my hardened nipples.
"You’ve been on my mind all day." I inched my hands up his chest and pushed his jacket off his shoulders. "If you leave, I know I'll regret not following my heart tonight."
"I think I know what you mean. I was ready to let you go earlier. But after seeing you hold your own at the hospital, I started thinking maybe you and I could make this work. If you wanted." He didn't wait for my answer. Instead, he crushed his mouth against mine in a desperate kiss. "I feel alive when I'm with you." He mumbled on my neck, grazing his teeth over my hot skin.
"Take it off." I started with his shirt buttons.
When he took over, I moved down to his belt and pants. His erection sprang out of his trousers, rubbing on the inside of my thigh. A sound, something like an appreciative moan, escaped my lips. Of course the man was huge. I peeked at him through my eyelashes. "Are you for real?"
His chuckle sparked a shot of adrenaline between my legs. "I've never had any complaints."
"I'm not complaining."
"My turn." His smile lit up the hallway as he pulled down my tank top and kneaded my breast.
If anyone had told me this morning that, before the day was over, I would have my tits hanging out for Massimo Alfera to see, I would’ve said they were high AF. But we were here, and his mouth on me was an absolute turn-on.
One large hand reached behind me and grabbed my ass, pressing me closer to his rock-hard cock while his mouth moved from one aching nipple to the other. Just when I thought I was going to melt into a puddle of want at his feet, he reached inside my shorts and pulled gently on my strip of hair.
“Massimo.” I gripped his shoulders.
“Did you change your mind, Ms. Holt?” He cupped my mound. “Say the words.”
“Yes.” I panted a breath. “Damnit, you knew I would.”
“Hmmm.” He nibbled my earlobe as he slipped a finger between my folds and rubbed my clit.
My channel squeezed tightly with every stroke. A tiny orgasm sparked at my core, and I muttered something like "Omigod.”
"I bet you taste sweet." He planted wet kisses from my chest down to where his hand was working its magic on me.
"I don't know." I panted, squeezing my legs together.
"Relax." He stood and captured my mouth again, swirling his tongue in a gentle motion until I surrendered to him completely.
Before I could object, he knelt in front of me and shoved his entire face between my thighs. I was so close to orgasming, which was a first for me. Normally, I had to make the guy stay put and finish the job. They all seemed to lose interest after they got off. What Massimo was doing to me now though already had me on the very edge. Jesus, this guy was so out of my league.
Was that what this attraction was all about? Massimo Alfera, the mafia kingpin from New York, was definitely bad for my health. The rain of bullets from a few hours ago was proof of that. Beyond his association with the mob, this magnificent man also had the ability to break my heart into a million pieces. Even now, in the midst of what I knew would be a life-changing orgasm, I couldn't help but be afraid of what would happen when tonight was over.
Who wouldn’t want more? Or, at the very least, a repeat, maybe several repeats.
"Let it go, sweetheart. You can trust me." He glanced up at me.
His intense gaze unraveled something inside me, and then, it was all I could do to stop the avalanche that burst at my core. I climaxed hard on his fingers and his face, thrusting my hips forward, so he wouldn't stop until every raw wave of sexual bliss was spent.
"What the hell?" My heart pounded in my throat and ears. I fisted his soft hair and let my legs give out from under me.
"Not so fast, gorgeous." He rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I need to see that perfect ass of yours." He carried me down the hallway t
o the living room and set me down gently in front of the sofa. "Turn around." He brought a wrapper to his mouth and tore it open before he rolled the condom over his cock.
I took the opportunity to run my hands all over his abs and cup him.
"Turn around." His deep voice had a determined and final tone to it.
And for whatever reason, that got me going again. With a smirk, I leaned on the sofa and stuck my ass in the air.
He hissed, squeezing and separating both of my cheeks. "Good girl." He entered me with a deep plunge.
I tightened my walls around his length and moved toward him to deepen our connection. The pace he set for us was fast, but somehow, I managed to keep up with him, meeting every one of his thrusts until he climaxed. The guttural sound that escaped him made me come again. Tiny lights exploded behind my eyelids while he continued to fuck me into freaking oblivion.
"Where are you going to be in two weeks?" His ragged breath brushed my cheek.
"What?" I twisted my body to face him.
"I have to go find Mikey and then fly home. But there's no way in hell this is it for us. I want to see you again. And definitely do more of this." He kissed my shoulder.
I laughed and collapsed on the sofa. "Can I catch my breath first?"
He wrapped his arms around me. “Am I right to assume you're headed for New York with your mom?"
"Yes. I need to be there in exactly fourteen days." I raised an eyebrow.
He knew exactly where I'd be because he had already arranged the entire move. “I’d like to take you out on a real date.”
"I’d like that too."
5
Epilogue
Massimo
I stared at the smiling idiot in the mirror and adjusted the silver cufflinks on my shirt. The last couple of months had been pure bliss with EJ living in the same building as me. Well, her mom and brother lived two floors down while EJ spent every single day at her garage and every night in my bed. Her mom had reacted incredibly well to the new treatment, something that made EJ beyond happy, which in turn, made me feel complete. My world was a different place with her in it.
