by Erin Trejo
“As impatient as always, aren’t you, Preacher?”
“Only when you stand here bullshittin’ us.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him.
“Fine. I need to have a meeting with you and your men. There are underlying concerns that need to be resolved.” Psycho slides up next to me, Freak on the other side of Grave. The four fucking amigos side by side should scare anyone, but not Enzo. He’s just like us.
“What the hell does that mean? As far as I know, we’ve been straight for years, Enzo.” Grave is becoming agitated; I can hear it in his tone.
“Things are going to be changing and I need us all to be on the same page. This isn’t the time or the place to discuss this. Where can we meet?” Grave shifts his glare to me and back to Enzo.
“Later tonight. Meet us at your strip club. Seems we have celebratin’ to do,” Grave tells him. Enzo nods his head and turns on his heel when the girl standing behind him catches my eye. He throws his arm around her shoulder, leading her away from the crowd.
“Who is the girl?” I ask, nudging Grave.
“Gaia.”
“His sister?” I ask, not sure that I heard him right. Glancing over, he chuckles and nods.
“That’s her. All grown up, I see.”
“Goddamn. I don’t remember ever seein’ much of her.”
“That’s because we didn’t. Daniel kept her under lock and key most of her life.”
“Why?”
“You know the Mafia. Daughters aren’t meant to be in their world. They don’t fit or play a role aside from gainin’ power when they marry them off.” That’s when it all hits me.
“You think that’s what this is about?” Freak asks the question I was thinking.
“I have no fuckin’ idea. We’ll find out tonight.” Grave turns and walks away as I stare into the crowd. Gaia. I remember her name, but I don’t remember much about her. She was younger than us, so that’s probably why.
“You wanna head back?” Freak asks, slapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. I need somethin’ to warm my goddamn nuts up.” He laughs, as I follow him back to the bikes. Grabbing my helmet, I slip it on and throw my leg over. I feel like I’m half frozen. I need to warm the fuck up before I can even think about going to the club tonight.
The ride back is a cold one. The snow is still falling, only not as rapidly as before. Maybe that’s a sign that this shit will stop soon. If not, we are going to be forced back into the cages and no one wants that shit. When I get back to the clubhouse, I pull my bike into the garage and park. Climbing off, I shake the snow off my shoulders and turn to see Betty with her arms crossed over her chest.
“So?”
“So, what?” I raise an eyebrow.
“How was the charity event, asshole?”
“It was good. Raised a lot of money. Hell, Freak kicked ass runnin’ half naked. I think he has a pussy to be able to move like that.” She flips me off and I smirk, following her back inside. I shrug out of my wet shirt as the heat inside warms my skin. That’s when I hear her cry. That tiny little cry perks my heart up. Betty walks away and comes back shortly with baby Faith in her arms.
“She okay?” Betty nods, her eyes coming to meet mine.
“She’s perfect. Did you see all that red hair?” She laughs. I walk closer, peering down at her. She has a headful of red hair just like Psycho and me.
“She is pretty perfect,” I mumble.
“Here. Hold her, I need to go to the bathroom.” I haven’t held her yet. I haven’t wanted to. I’m not good with small things like her. I’m afraid I’ll break her or drop her, or some shit. Betty doesn’t care as she thrusts her into my arms and walks away. Her little eyes are open as she looks around.
“You confused, too?” I ask her. Her little mouth opens and closes and it’s the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen, but I’m scared shitless to move. I’m afraid to walk while she’s in my arms. I don’t want to hurt her. A few guys start coming in and the cold air rushes through the room. Well, fuck! I turn on my heel slowly and walk down the hall toward my room. Once I’m inside, I move toward the bed and sit carefully.
“This is Uncle Preacher’s room. If you ever need to hide from Dad, this is the place to do it. He thinks it’s a fuck pad, he will never look in here,” I tell her when I hear a giggle. Looking up, Loralai stands there with a smile on her face watching me.
“Didn’t know you were back. Want your girl?” I say, nodding toward the baby. She shakes her head and walks into the room, sitting on the couch against the wall.
“Teaching her all the hiding spots?” she asks. I can see the tears in her eyes, and I hate it.
“Talk to me, darlin’.” She shakes her head as the tears fall. “Come on. We’re all family.”
“I think that’s what it is. I never had that. A real family and now I see all of you doing so much for me and Faith. It’s a lot to take in.”
“It’s because we all love you and Faith.” I glance toward the door to see Psycho standing there staring at her.
“I know you do. It’s just… it’s new to me.”
“Well, get used to it, darlin’. We aren’t goin’ anywhere,” I remind her. Psycho moves to pull Loralai into his arms before kissing her.
“See that? That’s how you got made. They keep that shit up and you’ll have a sister in no time. Can you say fuckin’ rabbits?” Faith’s little eyes flutter shut and the world around us feels at peace.
At least for the moment.
4
Gaia
I lie in the bubbles that surround me in my giant bathtub. This is heaven. Pure fucking heaven. I let my mind relax along with the rest of my body. I hate being the daughter of Daniel Ricci. I hate being a part of the Mafia, but there is nothing I can do about it. I was born into this and most think I will have to face the consequences of that. I don’t agree. I won’t marry Leo just so that my father can turn on Enzo. That’s not how we work.
“Are you lost in thought?” I look up to see James, one of my bodyguards, leaning against the counter.
“Maybe. What do you want?” He chuckles and stands to full height. James is gorgeous. If only I had a cock between my legs. I’m the only one that knows about that, and that fact alone makes me happy. I’m close to James. Almost as close as I am to Enzo. Why wouldn’t I be? He has been my bodyguard since I was three. Granted, he was only twelve when he was put into that position, but he never once left me unattended. I know James lived through his own hell at that age, so I don’t bring it up.
“I’m frustrated,” I finally break down and tell him.
“Sexually?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I hate that he can see straight through me.
“I won’t give Leo the time of day, so don’t even go there.” I sneer in his direction, causing him to laugh.
“I never said you should. I hate that bastard.” I do too. Leo told me that after we are married, he would be firing James. That didn’t go over well with me, but since I don’t plan on marrying that asshole, I suppose I have nothing to worry about.
“I hate this. I hate this life,” I tell him as I run my hand through the bubbles, catching them in my hand. I bring them to my lips and blow, watching as they scatter around the tub.
“I know you do, and I know Lorenzo is going to do everything in his power to handle this, Gaia. You have nothing to worry about.” I nod my head and smile up at James. He rolls his eyes and moves to the side of the tub, kneeling down and dipping his hand into the water.
“Spread your legs,” he whispers. This isn’t sexual for him, but for me? James is hot and knows what he’s doing. His fingers find my clit and slowly begin to work their magic.
“I never asked you this—.” A moan cuts off my question.
“You.” I pop my head up to look at him. A question lingers in my gaze. “I’ve never touched a woman aside from you, Gaia. I have zero interest in women.”
“Then why do you do it for me?” I ask, as a finger s
lips inside of me. I groan, my head falling back but my eyes never leaving his. He smirks and I nearly melt.
“I know you can’t get yourself off. You have never been able to. I hated the look in your eyes when you were so needy. You’re my best friend; I couldn’t leave you unsatisfied,” he says smoothly, as if this is just an ordinary conversation. For us, I suppose it is.
“I never knew that,” I whisper, while his fingers work me harder and faster. The man has huge hands and the way he moves them, damn I don’t know how he’s gay. He thrusts them into me, water splashing over the edge and onto his clothes, but he doesn’t stop. His thumb finds my clit and that’s all I need. I explode, a panting mess, as I come all over his hand. James slows his movements as I come down before pulling them free of my body. Leaning over the tub, he presses his warm lips to my cheek.
“Relax now, Gaia. Your brother wants you ready to go by seven.” I nod my head, satisfied for the moment. James stands and heads toward the door when I call out to him.
“James?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you too, babe.” With that, he leaves me to the scented bubbles in the bath. Completely sated and content, I close my eyes and try to relax. I saw the guys Enzo was talking to. I’ve heard all about the Royal Devils over years, but I was never allowed around them. I think Enzo said that I was at their clubhouse twice when I was a baby, but that was it. I wouldn’t remember that time even if I tried.
After what seems like hours, I finally drag myself out of the tub and get dressed. Heading down the hall to find Enzo, he finds me first.
* * *
“Are you going to be stripping tonight?” he asks, raising an eyebrow as he takes in my outfit.
“Is that an offer?”
“Not a chance in hell. You should change.”
“I’m not changing, Enzo. I’m sick of being told what to do,” I snap in his direction. He chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulder as he leads me down the hall.
“I don’t care what you wear, but it’s cold as sin outside. That’s my only concern about your attire,” he adds, easing my tension. Enzo is very protective of me but also laid back. It’s a strange mix, but it works for him.
“Why am I needed there for this meeting?” He takes my coat from the butler and I shrug into it. He nods at him and the man walks away, leaving us alone.
“There are things that we must discuss and some of that involves you. You know I don’t like keeping you in the dark when it comes to your life, Gaia, but this must never get back to Father, understood?” I see the harsh look in his eyes and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my brother. I nod my head, knowing I’d never give my father any kind of information, anyway.
“Okay. You know I won’t say anything.”
“I know that. It’s just a reminder.” He leads me out to the waiting SUV and we both climb in. When we’re settled, I look at him once more.
“What do I have to do with the Royal Devils?” Enzo sighs and runs his fingers along his jawline, much like he does when he is contemplating things.
“What do you know of them?” I shrug.
“Just what you’ve told me over the years. I’ve also heard Father discussing things with Cash.”
“Cash is no longer in charge. His son, Grave, is,” he tells me.
“You are friends with, Grave, yes?”
“We used to be. That was many years ago. We haven’t spoken much over the years. What else?” He pushes me for more.
“They run a lot of the Chicago streets that Father doesn’t. They are ruthless when need be. They have chapters, as they call them, all over the states. They’re dangerous.” A smile curls his lips as he nods his head.
“That about sums them up. Father had dealings with Cash. Now that Grave is in charge, I want to replace Father. I want to run any business they had between the two of us because it’s only a matter of time before Father is out of the picture.”
“I understand that, but I still don’t understand why I’m needed,” I remind him again.
“Gaia, you are going to need protection. Leonardo isn’t going to just up and walk away from you. He was promised something, and he wants it. He doesn’t care if he has to take you by force and he will. I, on the other hand, will not let that happen.”
“Are you going to give me to them?” I ask, almost in horror. If they are as bad as I’ve heard, I want nothing to do with them either. I’d rather take my chances with Leo. Enzo laughs a deep laugh while shaking his head.
“Why would I give you away, Gaia? You are a Ricci. More importantly, you are my family. I would never do that to you, but we will need outside sources when it comes to keeping Leonardo at bay. Anyone within the organization can’t be trusted. There is too much at stake.”
“James can be.”
“And he will be. I have no intentions of pulling James from your detail, which is why he’s in the car behind us,” he adds with a smile. I find myself smiling back at him. I didn’t know that he had James coming along for this. That in itself makes me feel better. I hate the idea of all of this, but I understand it.
“Do I have any say in this?” I finally muster up the courage to ask. Most of the time I go along with whatever Lorenzo decides, but this time feels different.
“You do, which is why you’re coming along. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and if any of Grave’s men make you feel that way, we find another option.” I nod my head and lean back against the seat, closing my eyes. Maybe this won’t be as bad as I’m thinking.
5
Preacher
Lorenzo Ricci’s strip clubs are a far cry from what I’m used to. This place is loaded—from the finest drinks to girls that look like they should be on the cover of a magazine, not spinning around a pole. My eyes scan the room anyway, looking for any signs of a threat. I’ve never been to Top Hat, and that alone sets my nerves on edge. This could be a setup, but I don’t think Enzo is like that. At least not when it comes to us.
“Goddamn,” Freak grunts, adjusting his cock as he watches a little blonde giving a guy one hell of a lap dance. I have to agree. That is the most sexual thing I’ve seen in a club before. Grave swats him across the chest.
“Remember your old lady?”
“What was her name?” Freak asks, bringing his finger to his lips as if he’s thinking. Katrina would have his nuts in a blender if she saw him acting like that.
“Yeah, keep fuckin’ around!” Grave snaps.
“Calm the fuck down, brother. I was only watchin’. Hell, I watch you and Silla all the damn time,” Freak adds. I shake my head and smirk. He ain’t lying either!
“Fuck off, you freak.”
“That’s how I got the name!” Grave flips him off when the air in the room thickens. Glancing toward the door, I see Enzo and his men walk in. Right in the middle, at his side, is a girl dressed way too sexy to be Gaia. I narrow my eyes at the little skirt that barely covers her ass and the shirt that clings tightly to her chest as she removes her coat. It’s freezing outside! Surely, he didn’t let her out of the house like that.
“Fuck me,” Psycho adds while I nod.
“I was thinkin’ the same thing,” I mumble.
“Shut the hell up, both of you.” I roll my eyes but look back at the girl. She’s not big at all. With those heels off she is probably all of five feet tall. Her frame is small, but her tits are big and suckable. I mentally slap myself for checking out Lorenzo’s little sister, but fuck! She is rocking that little skirt. One of the guys catches me staring and steps up next to her protectively. I smirk. At least he is doing his job.
“Stop fuckin’ starin’ at her. She’s like your sister,” Grave snaps, pulling my attention to him.
“She ain’t my sister!” I remind him. He shakes his head, but I see the look in his eyes. Lorenzo and his posse come toward us and I shift on my feet, crossing my arms over my chest. He stops and extends his hand to Grave, which he takes before Gra
ve motions for us to follow him. As we walk, a man comes up next to me.
“It would do you well to keep your eyes off of her,” he snaps in a low tone. I chuckle and smile up at him.
“Is that a request or a threat?”
“Take it as you wish,” he says, before moving ahead to the rest of his guys. Psycho slaps a hand on my shoulder and laughs loudly. I want to mimic him, fuck with him a little, but I don’t know what this meeting is all about. Instead, I follow along as we walk into a large office. The door closes behind us and I hear the lock click into place. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Unease slips through my veins.
“I’ve asked you to this meeting to discuss multiple issues,” Enzo begins. He walks behind his desk and takes a seat, motioning for us to sit too. No thanks, I’ll stand. I move toward the door and lean against it knowing that if shit gets real in here, I will get my brothers out.
“Which is?” Grave asks, watching him closely.
“First thing, my father and yours had dealings. I don’t think it comes as a surprise that I want him out of the way, just as you wanted your father out.” Oh shit. That’s news to me. I knew he hated the old man but not to the point that he wanted him out of the way. This I find interesting.
“Is that right?” Psycho asks. Enzo nods his head before leaning back in his chair.
“That’s right. All the dealings that this club has with my father, I’d like to have them go through me from now on.” Grave glances over between us but I shrug. Then the thought hits me.
“What’s the guarantee that your dad won’t come at us for that shit? We got enough of our own problems and to add him to the list isn’t ideal,” I remind him. I’m sure he already knows that much.
“I can guarantee that most of his men are against him at this point. As far as allies go, that’s an issue.”
“We don’t deal with any other family but yours, Enzo,” Grave tells him. He nods his head, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it up. He offers all of us one, but we decline.
