The Rules Series

by LaShawn Vasser

  The buzzing of my phone shook me out of my inner thoughts. I picked it up to see who was calling then clicked the talk button. “It’s about damn time.”

  Chapter 13

  “Where the hell did you find this woman? Of all the women for you to run into leave it to you seek out the most complicated one.”

  “I met her at the Capital today. Just tell me what you’ve got, Carl. I’ve been waiting all day.”

  “Can you see me on the other side of the phone shaking my head? I’m telling you this Gina Lee-Xiou is not someone you want to mess with.”

  I hadn’t asked for his commentary. I just wanted to know her background. “Again, just tell me what you’ve got. I’m a big boy; I can make that decision all on my own.”

  “She’s from Guilin, China here on business for some RICO mess her father made.”

  “I know that. I got that from a quick internet search. I called you so that you could tell me what I couldn’t uncover on my own.”

  “Okay. Okay. I see you’re getting a bit testy, so I’ll just run it down for you. Her father, Chang Lee-Xiou was allegedly the head of an organized crime syndicate called The Family. When he died, it threw the entire organization into chaos.”

  “That’s her father’s background. I want to know her story. He’s dead, so I don’t have to worry about his goons showing up at my front door with guns.”

  “You might not have to worry about his goons, but hers is a different story. It appears Gina is gunning to replace him.”

  “Damn. That would explain the flying bullets this afternoon.”

  “What the hell? Are you serious?” Carl didn’t even try to mask the alarm in his voice. “Brody, I’ve worked with you for a long time. I don’t care how sweet her ass is, she’s bad news.”

  “I gotta tell ya, her ass is pretty sweet, but there’s something else driving me to find out more about her. When I brought her home this afternoon ....”

  “What? You brought that woman to your house! That’s the story that’s all over the news. You and Gina were caught up in that?” I could hear him fire off a myriad of curses away from the receiver of the phone. When he brought it back to his lips, Carl breathed in deeply. “It didn’t really matter what I was going to tell you did it? You’re not going to listen to me.”

  “I always listen. You provide valuable information. Just because I don’t always handle situations in the manner you think I should doesn't mean I don’t hear what you’re saying. I asked you for information, and you provided it because what I don’t like are surprises. In business and in life, I always want to know what I’m dealing with. Now, I know.”

  “I guess I am resigned to sit on the sidelines and watch this horror show. Out of all the women you have to choose from why her?”

  “Instinct. Pure instinct. I’ve always gone with my gut, and it hasn’t failed me yet.”

  “You just met her a few hours ago and already you’re being shot at. That doesn’t seem to me like a good first date. If you’re not going to listen, then all I can tell you is tighten security andؙ - be very careful.”

  “Hold on a minute, Carl. Someone is knocking on the door. Come in.” Anita poked her head inside. “What’s up?”

  “You asked that I let you know when Gina was awake.”

  “Good. Thanks. Is dinner about ready?”

  “Yes. Everything is all set the way you asked.”

  “Great. Thanks again.”

  Anita nodded to me and quietly left the room.

  “Call me, Carl, if you find out any other information you think I should know.”

  “Why? What would it take to make you change course?”

  “Absolutely nothing.”

  *****

  I needed the sleep and that shower. Now maybe I can think clearly. First things first, as comfortable as this fluffy white robe is, I need to put on some clothes and high-tail my ass back to China. Obviously, taking care of Mr. Wong wasn’t enough to keep these fools from trying to take me out. At least he had the decency to mask his intentions by rigging one of my cars to make my death seem like an accident. Whoever showed up to the Capital garage didn’t care how they took me out. They just wanted me gone. Mistake number one was thinking I’d be an easy target and mistake number two . . . not having a good aim.

  I rolled over onto the other side of the bed and picked up the phone. Hahn answered on the second ring.

  “It’s me.”

  “Where the hell are you? The shit has hit the fan.”

  “I know. I can’t say just yet. I’m sure you’ve heard that Max is dead.”

  “Yeah. Your attorney, Lim, called and told us. But you’re good? You’re safe?”

  “For now. Yes.”

  “Unfortunately, our problems have just gotten bigger.”

  “Other than people trying to kill me?”

  “Yes.”

  “What could possibly be bigger than that?”

  “The list of potential people making the attempts on your life. Zheng has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Chang as head of The Family.”

  “What! How? His father already sits on the Council. There can’t be multiple family members on it. It’s against the rules.”

  “Well, apparently, they’ve changed the rules. He convinced them that they needed to add the energy of youth to the Council. They agreed and voted on it this afternoon.”

  I bit my bottom lip as I ran the math through my head. “Okay. So, that means, Mr. Xei is a no vote. I have three in my pocket. There are still four more outstanding votes to get. Zheng will need all four of them, and I will only need two. Maybe even less if we find out that it was someone within the Council who tried to kill me.”

  “I think it’s a good idea for you to lay low where ever you are for the next couple of days. Let us do our job and find out who was behind what happened today.”

  “Good idea, Hahn. My message to the other families apparently wasn’t loud enough. I’ll have to send another one. Make sure this one rings loud and clear. Put everyone on notice that if I have to go to Plan B for every gottdamn member on that Council, I’ll do it.” My voice was rising. I needed to reign it in. I hoped whoever was knocking on the door didn’t hear me.

  “Lim told me to inform you that there are ears all around so be careful with the statements you make.”

  “Lim is always trying to get out of earning his ridiculous salary. I’ve got to go. Someone’s at the door. I’ll lay low here for the next couple of days, and if anything changes I’ll call you.”

  Chapter 14

  I hung up the phone.

  “Gina. Is everything alright in there?”

  “Umm . . . yes. Give me a second.” I rolled off of the bed and tightened the belt on my robe before opening the door a crack.

  Sexiness greeted me at the door. “I thought you might want to eat a little something.”

  Brody had already invited me to stay at his place for the next couple of nights, but I wasn’t sure if that invitation was still good. Considering he probably had an opportunity to get some background on me. Yet, I couldn’t tell anything from his facial expressions. He was holding whatever he knew close to the vest.

  Since no one knew of our connection, staying here would be the best place to disappear for the next couple of days. I would do whatever it took to ensure he didn’t kick me out. A little breathless, I responded. “I’m starving.”

  “Good. I had my cook make us a little something.”

  I looked back over my shoulder then returned my gaze to his. “I don’t think it’s very appropriate to dine in a robe. My clothes are a mess. Maybe I’ll just eat here and take a raincheck.”

  That lazy smile that made my insides tingle appeared. “If it will make you more comfortable, I could change into a robe as well.”

  “Strangers in robes—and nothing else—having dinner together would make for a fascinating evening.”

  “Very.”

  My eyes challenged his. “Then I guess I’ll me
et you downstairs after you’ve had a chance to change.”

  “Ten minutes in the Great room. Everything is already set up.”

  “See you in ten.”

  *****

  When I arrived to the Great room, Brody was standing in front of the fire in a black robe. His legs were spread apart as he stared into the fireplace sipping a drink. Imagining what he looked like under that robe was sending my libido into overdrive.

  “Are you going to stand there all night and ogle my ass, or are you going to join me for dinner?” Brody half-turned around.

  “If I weren’t so hungry maybe I would. I’m not quite sure.”

  “Hmm. You’re late. It’s been twenty minutes. I thought we agreed on ten?”

  “Now that you’ve ruined my grand entrance I guess I could have come down in ten.”

  “Is that what you were doing? Because it looks to me like you were staring at my ass.”

  I walked further into the room. “Let’s get one thing straight, Brody. Whatever my intentions, I never pussyfoot around them. I’m always crystal clear.”

  “Then that makes two of us. I thought we’d eat here in front of the fire.”

  “On the floor?”

  “Does that expression on your face mean you’re too good to eat on the floor?”

  “I am too good to eat on the floor. Although, it does look like you went through a lot of trouble to create this romantic environment.”

  “I think you started it by trying to get me naked. Come on . . . have a seat.” He sat down then reached his hand up to me. I grabbed it and sat down next to him. “Here, have a glass of wine.”

  “Let’s not pretend you aren’t game. You wanted to be naked, Mr. Windham.”

  Brody spread warm hummus over shawarma and brought it to my lips. “So, have you already decided how this night is going to end?”

  Rather than answering, I put my wine glass down, stared into his eyes as I opened my mouth to accept the food he was offering. I could have just taken it from him but decided to pull his fingers deeply inside the hot cove of my mouth until they disappeared. As I pulled back, slowly, I sucked off every bit not leaving anything behind.

  Those crystal blue eyes quickly darkened.

  “I haven’t quite decided yet.” I knew the sensuous display I put on as I swallowed the food hit the mark. I wasn’t going anywhere for the next couple of days.

  His eyes followed the movement as it slid down my throat. “What if I haven’t decided yet?”

  I shrugged nonchalantly. “Then I’ll just have to change your mind. If, that’s the path I want to travel. For now, I’m starving for food.”

  When Brody reached out and pulled me by the lapels of my robe barely inches from his lips, I lost my breath. His eyes bore into mine as his lips crushed mine—hard. In my surprise, he slipped his tongue inside the small opening into my mouth.

  The kiss was wild and hungry. Each of us warring with the other trying to establish dominance. My eyes closed as I felt myself being lowered onto the floor. I let a moan escape. His kiss was like a powerful drug. I liked being in control, but I didn’t have any control over this, or the wetness forming between my thighs.

  Just as suddenly as the kiss started, it ended. Brody pulled back from me. Our breathing was heavy, labored. I leaned into him as he caressed my cheek. I loved the feel of his skin against my skin.

  “I haven’t decided what I want yet. I’m sure we’ll end up in bed but will it be something other than a good fuck or will it be something more. Until I’ve made up my mind, I think we should have dinner and talk.”

  Chapter 15

  I was still reeling from the way his kiss made me feel as we sat side by side in front of the fire. If a kiss alone could do the magical things that were happening inside of me, then I’d be happy with just a good fuck.

  Brody fed me another piece of chicken. This time, I behaved. Through chews, I answered. “What do you want to know that you haven’t found out already?”

  “Who is the woman behind the tough exterior?”

  That was an excellent question. I picked up my wine and took a small sip. “I–I have to be tough. Otherwise, no one takes me seriously. You, you were born a man—a white man. There is a privilege that comes along with you being born in the body you’re in. That affords you certain luxuries that I will never have.”

  He nodded. “I don’t necessarily disagree with you. But why is being head of The Family so important to you?”

  He caught me off guard with that question. I almost choked on the wine and spilled the glass on the floor. My words were quiet. “You know about that?”

  “Yes.”

  I narrowed my eyes and hardened my voice. “You’re trying to play me. You knew who I was all along.”

  “I’m not trying to play you. I’m trying to understand you. I just found out about your connection to them a couple of hours ago.”

  “Uh - uh. I don’t believe that.” I shook my head side to side. “What exactly do you want from me?”

  Brody put his glass of wine down on the floor. “I’m attracted to you like I’ve never been attracted to anyone, which is strange because you’re the most closed off woman I’ve ever met. I want to understand this and get to know you better.”

  “If you know that my intentions are to be the head of The Family, why would you want to get to know me at all? People like me don’t fall in love. It’s a weakness I can’t afford.”

  “Why do you want it? I mean, you were dodging bullets today. Does losing your life mean nothing to you?”

  “People die or leave all the time. It’s life. At least this way, I can control what’s going on around me.”

  “So, it’s a control issue. Why do you need to be in control?”

  “My goooooooooood Brody. Is this a therapy session? I thought we were going eat and screw. Maybe I should have taken dinner in my room.”

  I started to stand, but he stopped me. “Gina. Look.” He ran his fingers through his hair. If he hadn’t pissed me off, I would have wanted to do that for him.

  “I’m not trying to run you off. I just want to talk. I saw something in you today, and it’s been calling to me ever since. We’ve got the physical chemistry down, but maybe I want to see if we could have a little more than just fantastic sex. You and I both know it’ll be good, but maybe I want explosive.”

  Slowly, I sat back down. “If you haven’t figured it out, I’m not very good at the interpersonal part of relationships.”

  “No, I can’t say you are. How about I pull up just a bit. Tell me about your family? What was it like being Gina Lee-Xiou?”

  I stared into the fire. “Explaining that is almost as difficult as explaining to an almost virtual stranger about an organization that may or may not exist.”

  “Really? Talking about your family is difficult for you? Rough childhood?”

  “How about no childhood. I was raised by a nanny who was really my mother until my father had her killed. My twin, also killed by daddy dearest.” I snapped my finger. “Oh . . . wait a minute. He didn’t actually kill her, he just thought he did. Dead sister has risen from the grave. Hallelujah!” I put my hands in the air as if in celebratory praise. “Only she faked her death to get away from him AND me. She calls both of us monsters. The funny thing is she’s the only person I would have gladly given my life for. In some ways I did. Anyway, she’s back after fifteen years wanting half of my father’s estate. You’d think maybe she’d want to rekindle her relationship with me or her daughter, that I’ve tried so hard to protect all these years—but no. She’s back for money.

  “I’m fighting her, and I’m fighting members of The Family to take my rightful place. So, when you asked me earlier who was trying to kill me? Hell, it could be anybody that I know.”

  Silence. He didn’t say a damn word. I suppose if someone went on a diarrhea-of-the-mouth rant about things you only read about in books, you probably wouldn’t have very much to say either.

  After several
quiet moments, Brody pushed my hair back behind my ear. I stiffened at his touch and only relaxed slightly when he kissed the tender flesh on the side of my neck. He whispered into my ear. “I get it. It all makes perfect sense.”

  I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath. My voice cracked just a little. “W–what does that even mean?” Never had I ever been this open with anyone, and I wasn’t exactly sure why I’d chosen him.

  Brody pulled me into the crook of his arm. “It means you’re a complicated woman. I see the many layers in you, and I just might want to spend some time peeling them back. My instincts, for the most part, have always been right on. I don’t think this time is any exception.”

  Chapter 16

  I woke up in bed naked with a heavy arm draped just underneath my breasts. Instantly, my nipples hardened the moment I realized that Brody’s body was pressed up against mine. We were in a spooning position. The skin on skin contact was a delicious feeling, and the way our bodies melded together was perfect. I closed my eyes to bask in the feel of him for just a moment.

  Sex. I knew how that could make me feel. But mind-blowing sex mixed with something more than just the act of getting a release—that was new to me. Even with Alexandro, I had to pretend to be someone I was not. As good as we were together, it was never explosive, but that’s what Brody promised. He said it would be good between us, but he wanted explosive. If the semi-hardened state of his manhood was any indication, I would not have been disappointed by either.

  The clock on the nightstand said 2:03 AM. My body was screaming for a release. I pressed my thighs together in an attempt to calm the dull ache between them. There was no way I was going to make it until morning without getting the release I craved. I pressed my ass against him then rolled my hips just a little. The next thing I knew lips touched the heated flesh of my shoulder.

  “Mmmm…that feels good.” I moaned and whispered into the darkness. “How did we get here?”