by Faye Pierce
“You didn’t have to do that. I appreciate the concern, but I can’t have other people fighting my battles. Melissa will always be a loudmouth idiot breathing fire for no other reason than to hear herself speak. I know it’s hard, but please stay out of it next time,” Midnight says.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. Sometimes you have to put those people in their place. I admired the restraint not to tear her hair out by the roots. You’re far too accepting of their verbal garbage than I would be,” Valeria says.
It’s nice to see they’re getting along.
Valeria is acting like the sister she never had growing up. I’m beginning to understand the importance of having a female influence in her life. I can give her many things, but I can’t possibly understand the mindset of a woman. They are a mystery.
“I might’ve said a few things I shouldn’t in the heat of the moment. She really does get underneath my skin. Most times, I can avoid seeing her, but at these functions, she’s always the center of attention until you came along. She feels that somehow you’re going to replace her by being with Caspian. It’s no secret she wanted to get her hooks into my brother, but now she’s pretending he’s nothing more than trailer trash,” Midnight says.
I’m certain others have seen the exchange between the girls, but they refuse to get involved. I’m not of the same sentiment. Melissa is going to learn a hard lesson about never biting the hand that feeds her. Her father depends on me to bring the bacon home.
I want her to think she is above it all until it comes crashing down on top of her head, courtesy of my manipulation of the market. Knowing how to play the game is where I excel. Unfortunately, the young kids today don’t understand money doesn’t grow on trees.
“That doesn’t give her an excuse to say those things to you. You belong here more than they do, but they don’t want to admit it. Going out of your way to help people is a calling they don’t understand. We both know you’re better than that. Just turn the other cheek, and they will get the hint,” Valeria says.
Midnight sees somebody with deep pockets.
I walk over behind Valeria. She smells delicious with that perfume making an arousing tent in my pants. It’s fun to be her shadow until she turns and bumps into my muscular chest hard enough to spill some of her champagne onto my shirt.
I grab her elbow and pull her out to the balcony.
Valeria
I’m not sure what he wants, but I don’t see the usual scowl on his face. It does hurt a little with his fingers digging into my arm, but I kind of like the way that he takes control of the situation. It’s hard to admit what I want most of all is to have him in my arms working his magic until I’m screaming at the top of my lungs.
“I saw what was going on,” he confesses.
“I hope I didn’t do anything wrong. She’s already told me it wasn’t necessary to come to her rescue. That girl is stronger than most people give her credit for. I’m not going to apologize for what I said to those girls. Somebody had to. I think of Midnight as my sister. It’s hard to sit by and let those girls hurt her in that way,” I say.
He’s licking his lips, still holding onto my elbow. “That’s the first time anybody has shown my sister any kind of compassion. I’m her big brother, but I can’t always defend her honor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You have no idea what she’s been through.”
“I’m a good listener,” I coax.
He brushes my cheek with four fingers, sending a shiver of anticipation up and down my spine. I wonder if he knows how easy it would be to bend me over the railing and have his way with me. Fighting him will only encourage his bad behavior.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into when I married you. I thought I did, but you constantly surprise me. My sister means the world to me. For you to go out of your way to protect her touches me deeply. I will never let anything happen to her again. They’ll have to go over my dead body to get to her,” he reflects.
“What do you mean...again? Forgive me for being so bold, but I know how to read between the lines better than anybody,” I say.
My back is against the wooden railing.
“Most people ask the question, but I know how to deflect. I don’t see any harm in telling you after you went to all the trouble of stepping in to help her. She was hurt when I tried to protect her during a very tense deal when she was 16. I brought her with me to keep her from getting hurt, but I was foolish. The bullet was meant for me, but she selflessly put herself in the line of fire. It makes me feel guilty and responsible every time I look at her,” he says.
“I’m going to go out on a limb to say that your sister doesn’t blame you. She thinks the world of you more than you probably know. She told me in confidence, but I feel it’s necessary to share the pertinent details of our conversation with you. She knows what you do isn’t exactly legal. Just be careful about leaving her in the dark. Thinking that you’re protecting her is only going to tear the two of you apart. Curiosity is a dangerous thing,” I say.
He runs his hands down my arms.
It’s touching off a series of sparks that begin to form into a flame between my legs. The deep sigh has me submitting to the way he’s looking at me with hunger in his eyes.
“I almost forgot about the remote control. It’s been on the lowest setting from the moment we arrived at the party. How do my balls feel inside of you?” He snickers.
“That’s very clever. You think you are amusing, but it’s just another way to make you feel more important. To answer your question, they did feel a little uncomfortable, but they’re beginning to grow on me.” I can feel the slight vibration.
My legs become like jelly when that sensation gets a little stronger with a flick of his wrist.
My hands slap down onto the railing with my ass pressed against it while looking into his eyes. That desperate feeling to experience a mind-altering orgasm is right there, ready for him to take advantage of me.
“These people don’t understand anything. Money is nothing unless you know how to use it. The two of us are well aware of the pitfalls of climbing too far at the risk of falling from the lofty perch. We know what it’s like to fight for what we believe in. It’s a dangerous habit to get into when you believe money is going to protect you. You grew up in this life, but I can see you didn’t become jaded by the money and power wielded by your father,” he says excitedly.
“My father taught me to have respect for others no matter where they came from,” I say with a rush of blood to my head.
It’s making me feel a little dizzy and anxious.
My heart is beating out of my chest. I’m begging for a kiss that doesn’t come right away.
“Life is always going to throw you curveballs. We all get knocked down, but it’s the strong ones that stand up to fight all over again. We are survivors. I saw that the moment I met you at your brother’s funeral. It was a somber affair. I didn’t feel it was prudent to introduce myself. My sister extolled my condolences on my behalf,” he says.
The wind on the back of my neck makes me feel alive.
“I often wonder where I would be without my father’s influence. He tried to open doors for me, but I was adamant about making it on my own. I even changed my last name so nobody would become aware of my lineage. It’s not easy to be taken seriously when my father’s name instills fear into those that hear it for the first time. Fortunately, there are very few photographs of me after the age of six. I can blend into my surroundings, but that is a moot point after our marriage became public,” I say.
“I can see how that would make things hard for you. But, it was never my intention to keep you from living your dream. You have shown me tonight the woman you can be, and that deserves a reward,” he adds with a smile.
I thrust out my chest. “What do you have in mind? Remember, this is a public place. We don’t want to create unnecessary rumors around the water cooler.”
He reaches down and lifts my foot out of my heels until it’s on
the railing. This causes my dress to ride up significantly. Then, he kneels, and I can feel his breath on my panties.
I bite my knuckle to prevent myself from moaning when he touches the fabric with the pad of his finger. It makes me breathe a little deeper. He gently grazes the inside of my thighs with his fingernails before pulling the fabric aside.
I’m waiting with bated breath to feel his tongue. The balls are vibrating. Trying to stand still isn’t easy when my legs threaten to collapse at any moment. He opens me up and tries to pry loose the two balls until they are visibly and audibly buzzing in the palm of his hand. They are covered and glistening in my juices.
“I have this funny feeling your protests were for my benefit. We are going to have to revisit using these very soon. It’s fun to see the expression of wanton desire on your face. This party has outlived its usefulness,” he says.
He stands up, and I can feel the heat of his arousal inside his pants pressed against my panties. He moves my hair back behind my ears while lightly caressing the lobe, with his lips getting closer by the second.
My lips pout, and his presence suddenly electrifies me. The kiss follows with his long-experienced tongue foraging inside my mouth. It’s amazing how he knows just how to excite all of my senses with one passionate embrace. I become enamored by his lips and how he pulls lightly at my hair while we are making out in a public place.
Chapter Ten
Caspian
I’m not sure what has come over me, but I know this is what I want. Her lips are warm to the touch, and the fire in her eyes burns out of control. My hand doesn’t remain idle for long.
They slide down her side, and I feel her twitch while we’re making out passionately. There’s no denying the chemistry, but I still haven’t heard what I want her to say. She knows what I want but refuses to come to me willingly without an ultimatum to make her comply.
I press my knee between her legs to rub with not so innocent intention. The friction makes her wet in desperate need of satisfaction. I’m not sure what to equate what I’m feeling for her, but I’m afraid it’s more than a dominant need to process her.
It’s a measure of a man to protect his family and those that he cares about the most.
I’ve gotten caught up in the moment, and I don’t hear the footfalls of somebody approaching. A familiar voice clears its throat to reach me through the fog of sexual confusion surrounding me.
I pull away but not before biting with some force on her lower lip.
I turn to find Leo looking around nervously.
“I hope you have a good reason to interrupt me.”
“There’s a problem at the casino demanding your attention. The pit boss called in -frantic, but the phone went dead before he could answer a few questions. I tried calling back, but the phone went directly to voicemail.” Leo informs with his right hand underneath his arm.
He’s purposely touching the gun in his holster.
I glance over my shoulder. “I’ll have the driver take you home. Wait for me there until you hear from me. Don’t argue. I don’t have time for 20 questions. This is the one time I’m going to ask you to trust me and just do what I tell you to do. Grab Midnight, and don’t let her out of your sight.”
The only thing she can do is nod her head politely. She’s a little flushed from the make-out session. My lips are still tingling, but I need to concentrate on business.
We avoid the party and go around to the front of the house by crossing over the expanse of green lawn. His black suburban is idling at the curb, still with the keys in the ignition. My place is in the back behind the tinted-glass and armor-plated windows.
Leo navigates down the winding driveway until we are on the main road heading back into the city of lights.
Las Vegas soon blinks into focus with neon signs welcoming visitors from all walks of life.
I make myself busy by looking at the tablet. I’ve learned the hard way never to watch Leo drive like a maniac through the streets. I want to tell him to slow down, but I know he won’t listen.
I’m checking the cameras online, but they are inoperable. I can usually log in and see everything. It’s one of the advantages of being technologically savvy. I can be anywhere in the world and still be able to be that fly on the wall. They don’t know I’m watching, and that’s the beauty of having the controls at my fingertips.
“It’s quiet. I don’t like it. We should’ve brought a few men with us. They are only a phone call away,” Leo says with the phone in his hand, about to dial.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. We don’t want to cause a scene. Let’s just go in and see what all the fuss is about. Julian is probably overreacting. It’s his first day on the job after I fired the previous management.” I recall the fear in his eyes - sitting in the chair with Leo hovering in the background, waiting for instructions.
“I still don’t like it. It makes me nervous. Stay behind me. I’m the one wearing the bulletproof vest. I don’t know how many times I have stressed the importance of you wearing one. They make them almost undetectable to wear under your clothes,” He informs.
I’m sitting in the back, watching the front door to see nobody coming out. That seems rather strange, considering this is the peak time for gamblers. It’s almost midnight. Those that were drinking or sobering up about to head down for a few hours of uninterrupted games of chance. Everybody has a vice, and we cater to those looking for excitement.
“I think you’re overreacting, but I appreciate your due diligence,” I mention.
He gets out of the suburban and immediately takes out his gun from his holster. That man is wired tight, but I want him to be on edge, ready for anything.
He stands in front of my door and taps lightly with one hand while holding the gun with the other.
I slip out and stand behind him with his bulky frame blocking any possibility of seeing what’s going on. I don’t want to admit how nice it is to have him acting as a human shield.
“Follow my footsteps and don’t deviate from them. This is what I do, and I’m very good at it. Becoming complacent is the enemy. We always need to be vigilant. Some people wish to harm you. They’re going to have to get through me to get to you,” Leo says.
We’re making our way to the front door. The parking lot is full, but I don’t see any movement in or out of the building. It makes me swallow hard, my body becoming tightly strung. A trickle of sweat runs the length of my spine.
It’s difficult for me to let Leo take all the risk, but he is the one that insists.
I spot something out of my peripheral vision. It’s there one second and gone the next. It’s enough for me to back away from the front door with my hand on Leo’s shoulder.
He’s already two steps ahead of me.
There’s another gun in his hand, and he’s using both outstretched in opposite directions while keeping his head on a swivel.
“Get back to the vehicle and lock the door behind you,” Leo shouts before he begins firing at no particular target.
He must see something that I don’t.
A man grunts in pain, but I don’t see where he’s hiding.
I leave the safety and comfort of Leo’s protection in a mad and frantic run back to the vehicle. I can see it, but it feels so far away.
Something burns against my shoulder, sending searing pain down my arm. It knocks me off balance, and I slam into the back door with my face plastered against the glass. My body squeaks down the paint, leaving a smear of blood until I’m on the ground holding my shoulder. It’s bleeding through my fingers as I attempt to apply pressure to the wound.
I hear the gunshots and see Leo dive to the ground while continuing to return fire.
He tosses me one of the guns, and I manage by luck and good sense to grab it from the air. My finger pulls the trigger laying down cover fire for my best friend and protector.
My aim is off, but I give them something to think about.
It’s obviously an ambush, and I w
alked right into it. Unfortunately, being blinded by passion can be detrimental in my line of work. However, it doesn’t stop me from thinking about Valeria and my sister back home, hopefully locked down with guards stationed nearby.
Leo lifts me to my feet and opens the door with his other hand. He tosses me into the back seat and shuts the door as a barrage of bullets peppers the side of the suburban.
I hear the tires puncture with a hiss, but they immediately inflate to help keep us on the move instead of a stationary target.
