Silver Shield Security Box Set

by Dee Bridgnorth

  “You need a haircut,” she said softly.

  He leaned forward and nibbled on her neck. “Knock yourself out.”

  She laughed, opening her eyes, “Cheapskate. You just don’t want to pay for a haircut.”

  She felt him shake his head. “Wrong. I want your sexy hands on me.”

  His words unleashed a wave of passion and she felt a wetness between her legs that had nothing to do with the water.

  “I love your sexy hands on me,” she murmured in a husky voice.

  One hand cupped her breast while the other slid down to her heat and slid between the already swollen lips of her labia.

  “Like this?” he asked on a groan. “Damn, you’re so wet.”

  She parted her knees further to give him better access as a moan fell out her lips. She loved what he was doing. He stroked her there, gently stoking the fires of her desire. When he slipped in a finger, she began to tremble.

  “Oh,” she moaned again and tiny shock waves went through her body. She bent her head and wet her lips as she felt the passion slowly enveloping her.

  Nico pinched her nipple and slipped a second finger into her heat. The combination sent sparks through her and she began to gasp as she felt an orgasm coming. She moved her hips, keeping rhythm with the movement of his fingers in and out of her center. He teased, stroked, rubbed and continued to drive her crazy until she could not bear it anymore.

  She reached out and held on to the wall as her knees suddenly became too weak to support her. She panted as he intensified the strokes. Then he slipped a third finger into her and suddenly, it was too much.

  “Oh, Nico,” she moaned.

  “Like that, baby? Should I stop?”

  “Don’t you dare!” she growled through clenched teeth. She was almost there, if he stopped now she would have to kill him and that would be a pity, especially when he was so talented with his hands.

  He laughed then his laughter ended in a groan as she began to pant his name. “Oh baby, you’re killing me,” he groaned again.

  “Oh Nico,” she said as she felt the walls of her vagina begin to clench around his fingers. When he suddenly twisted the nipple he’d been fondling, she stiffened and pressed back against him, trying her best to hold back the scream she could no longer contain.

  “Let it out, babe. I want to hear you scream,” he said in a voice thick with desire.

  Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, she let out a scream as she crested. Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her and she felt Nico’s arm around her abdomen as he secured her from melting unto the floor of the bath.

  When she’d stopped trembling, he turned her around and his hand went to the back of her neck as he pulled her in for a kiss that was so hot and passionate, she felt her desire stirring once more. She lifted her hands to his head, loving the feel of his grown out hair.

  The water suddenly stopped. Tamika pulled back and looked around her hazily. She had no idea for how long she’d been in the shower, and was sure that her skin would have begun wrinkling as a result. But she didn’t care.

  “What happened to the water?” she asked.

  “Shower time’s over,” Nico murmured against her skin as he skated kisses over her neck, down her shoulders and back up again.

  She tilted her head to give him better access. “Is that so?”

  “Hmmm.” He returned to her lips, kissing her lightly before drawing back.

  He slid the shower door open and picked up a towel from the towel rack, then gently wiped the water from her body before doing the same for himself. Then he flung it in the general direction of the basket she’d noticed earlier on and stepped out of the shower.

  She traced a glance over his body, stopping to admire his rock hard abs. Her eyes trailed down to the significant erection he was sporting and her tongue darted out to moisten her suddenly dry lips. She could not wait to have him buried inside her, right to the hilt of his hardness. She drew in a breath and her eyes became heavy. Would she ever have enough of this man?

  “Like what you see?” he asked, flashing her a smile.

  “Very much,” she answered in a husky voice.

  Nico swept her up unto his arms, pausing to press another kiss to her hot mouth before walking out the bathroom and into the bedroom.

  After several hours of insatiable lovemaking, they eventually came up for air. Tamika stretched, feeling more limber than she’d felt in a long time. She rested her head on Nico’s chest and absently stroked his belly. He laid on his back with a hand behind his head and another loosely cupping her hip.

  “Are you okay?” he asked in a drowsy voice.

  “Yeah.”

  “I keep thinking when we make love that it’s the best lovemaking I’ve ever had. Then we do it again and it blows my mind.”

  Tamika heard the sincerity in his voice and it echoed exactly how she felt. She raised herself on an arm and peered at him. He had his eyes closed. She gazed at him and felt emotions stir. She thought about his offer to Keisha, even though she knew he did not like the woman, and frowned. Why had he offered?

  “Stop frowning, you’re giving me indigestion,” he said in a sleepy voice.

  “What now? And how did you know I was frowning? Your eyes are closed.”

  A slow smile appeared on his mouth. “I told you it’s giving me indigestion. Can feel your frown.”

  She shook her head. He was so full of bullshit, and each day, she fell a little more in love with him. The realization brought her up short. She could not afford to fall in love with Nico. She had to guard against that at all cost. Very soon he would discover the truth about her and leave. Then where would she be?

  He sighed and she looked up to find him watching her with through a hooded gaze.

  “What is it now?” he asked.

  “Why did you offer so much money to get Keisha’s daughter?” She could not tell him what she’d been thinking at that moment, so she’d gone with the previous thought. He seemed to accept that because he closed his eyes once more on a sigh.

  “Because you were going to give her your savings.” He opened his eyes and shot an accusing glance at her.

  Tamika sat up. “Yeah. But she’s my sister.”

  “You only just got to know about her and you were going to give her your savings.”

  “You don’t even like her and yet you’re offering to give her five grand.” She countered.

  He shut his eyes and refused to say anything else.

  “Nico.”

  “What?”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  She sighed impatiently. Really, the man could test the patience of a saint. “Why did you make the offer to Keisha?” she asked patiently.

  He opened his eyes and she thought she would drown in the pool of emotion she saw there. She was arrested by his eyes and could not break his gaze even if she wanted to.

  “I couldn’t let you give up your savings, Tamika.”

  He’d done it for her. With that realization, she felt another piece of her heart give way. Without a word, she crawled up his body till her eyes were on the same level as his. Half laying on him, she framed his face with her hand.

  “Thank you,” she said simply before kissing him.

  She could not put the myriad emotions swirling through her into words, so she let her kiss do the talking. His arms came around her and he pulled her closer to him. Afterward, he drew her into the crook of his arms and she snuggled closer as they both went to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  The text message came in around four am. Tamika was the first to wake up, coming instantly alert. She noticed that it was Nico’s phone and debated waking him. But instinct made her gently shake him awake.

  Nico woke up, his eyes gritty and hurting from not enough sleep. He flicked on the lamp by his bed to find Tamika peering at him intently.

  “What is it?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. It felt like he’d just gone to sleep.

  “You’
ve got a text,” she said.

  “You woke me up for that?” he grumbled.

  “Please just check what it says.”

  He huffed and grumbled some more as he reached for the phone. He felt his insides twist when he saw what the message contained.

  “Who is it?” Tamika asked.

  “Fuentes,” he said shortly, reading the text message again. “We are to meet him at an address by ten a.m.”

  Tamika nodded. She turned to the other side of the bed and picked up her phone. She tapped into it, relaying the information to the others. He was not surprised when he heard the phone beep as she got responses to her message. The Silver Shield people always seemed alert and ready to go within a moment’s notice.

  She read the messages and placed the phone back on the bed stand then shifted back to where he was sitting up on the bed.

  “We need to get some sleep,” she said softly.

  “How can you think of sleep at a time like this?” he asked, running a hand over his head. He really should get a haircut.

  “We need to be alert for what lies ahead,” she said.

  Nico was feeling frustrated. He hated the feeling of losing control more than anything. But what was really getting to him was the fact that Tamika would be placed in harm’s way because of him. He understood that it was her job, but he could not bear the thought of anything happening to her.

  “C’mon, man. I’m starting to feel cold here,” she said in an amused voice.

  He let out a short laugh then turned off the lamp and laid down beside her. She immediately curled up to his side. He wrapped his arms around her, loving the calm that settled on him when she was in his arms.

  Much to his surprise, he was drifting off to sleep when her voice pulled him back.

  “Can you arrange for the money so soon?” she asked, concern lining her voice.

  “Yeah. I’ve kept Alex updated about everything. He’s coming with the full amount later.”

  He felt her nod. Then her hand began to gently stroke his chest, making him relax further. They were silent for several moments.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Tamika,” he said into the darkness.

  She had come to mean so much to him in such a short time. He felt like his life was wrapped up in hers. His arms tightened around her and he knew deep in his heart that if they came out of this, he was never going to let her go.

  “We’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

  He took in a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. It was the first time she’d ever used an endearment for him and it meant more to him than it should have. He stroked her hair gently until her breathing evened out.

  Long after she’d fallen asleep, he remained awake thinking. There had to be a way out of this mess he’d found himself in, but no matter how much he turned it over in his head, he could not find a solution. Just as he drifted off, he decided that he would go and meet Cruz Fuentes alone. There was no need to place Tamika’s life in danger because of his own stupidity.

  **

  9:15 a.m. Somewhere in the Bronx

  Cruz had a lot on his mind. He was busy sending text messages, making sure all his men were in place. He did not have time for crying kids and he certainly did not have time to get involved in what was going on in his house.

  “For fuck’s sake, make that kid shut the hell up!” he yelled, getting impatient. He needed to make sure that everything was perfect. He had set the trap and the prey was about to fall into his net. He could not make a mistake.

  “What, you think I’m a damn miracle worker!” his mother yelled from where she was sprawled on the sofa watching her favorite daytime show.

  “What the hell are you here for then? Take her to the mall or somewhere. Just get the hell out of my hair. Shit!”

  He flung the shirt he was holding on the floor in a fit of rage. The brat had been driving him crazy lately. Practically crying nonstop. It didn’t seem to matter whether it was day or night, the sniveling brat would not quit. It was driving him up the wall.

  In the living room, Lolita Fuentes made a sign to her granddaughter. The little girl looked at her with wide eyes then winked. The next instant, she opened her mouth wide and began to scream.

  “Jesus!” Carlos stormed out of the room and flung a couple of hundred dollar bills at his mother. “Just get the fuck out of here!” he yelled before storming back inside.

  Lolita waited for him to leave then raised her hand, palm out, signaling to her granddaughter to stop the screaming. They shared a grin and the little girl came to her, palm out. They slapped their hands together in a hi-five.

  “Good, now go get your coat, bambina,” she whispered to the girl.

  “My coat is in the kitchen, grandma,” Mira said, also in a whisper.

  “Good girl. Forget about everything else, your mammy will buy you all the pretty clothes you need.”

  Mira beamed at her, then her smile faltered. “Mr. Whiskers?” she asked hesitantly.

  Mr. Whiskers was a stuffed cat whose ears were already beginning to fall apart. But Mira loved him and could not go to sleep without the toy in her arms. Lolita patted her large handbag where she’d stashed the toy as well as a change of clothes and a few other things. She could only take what her bag could hold.

  “Don’t worry, sweetie, your Mr. Whiskers is safe inside here. Now, hurry let’s get out of here before your father comes out again.”

  With a conspiratorial giggle, the little girl hurried to the kitchen and grabbed her coat. Lolita helped her into the coat and then shrugged into hers as well.

  As they stepped out of the house and walked to the bus stop, she felt her heart leap with hope. With ten thousand dollars, she could finally leave New York for good and move to another state where she could begin life anew. She was not yet fifty, she still had a good life ahead of her.

  From the small room he used as an office, Carlos heard the kitchen door slam and breathed a sigh of relief. If he knew his mother well, she would go crazy in the mall. Two hundred was not a lot of money, but it was enough to keep her occupied for a couple of hours. By the time they returned, he would be out of the house. If all things went according to plan today, he might not even return to the house.

  He leaned back and smiled. Five million dollars. He congratulated himself on quick thinking. All he’d wanted was to make Nico Ortega pay for the death of his sister. Instead, he was going to get that and five million dollars. Bahamas, here I come. Or was it Barbados he’d decided to move to? What the hell. Either was as good as the other.

  **

  9:35 a.m.

  Keisha cased the joint, waiting for him to leave. She could see his men milling around, not obviously, but there all the same. She had seen Lolita leave with Mira and had heaved a sigh of relief. For the first time in several months, the pressure in her chest eased and she was able to breathe freely. She knew that the Silver Shield people would be waiting to take her daughter. She wished she could have been the one to receive her, but it couldn’t be helped. This was important and it was time sensitive.

  There was a sudden flurry of activity and she knew that Cruz was on his way out of the house. There was a light dusting of snow falling, so she drew up the hood of the coat she wore and pressed herself to the wall of the house, where she was hiding, making use of the morning shadows to conceal her presence.

  She knew she was taking a huge risk, anyone could see her and report her presence to Cruz. But they had no reason to do that. It was not the first time she’d left him and returned after all. In the six years they’d been together, she’d left numerous times and then come back. The time before this, she’d been gone an entire month before the separation from her daughter had nearly driven her crazy.

  As she watched, she saw him walk out surrounded by a handful of his men. He wore his dark overcoat, the one that made him feel like a wannabe godfather. Watching him swagger to the car, she shook her head in disgust. He’d made good as a drug dealer, but he still wasn’t t
he top dog. There were larger gangs that controlled bigger turfs and they had slowly been inching over his turf. She knew he was powerless to fight them, but with the five million he was stiffing from Nico, who knew? He might be able to buy himself more men and more ammunition. But that was no longer her business. She was done with that part of her life.

  She waited till the convoy of cars drove off. Then paused for ten minutes before straightening. She checked the time, it was nine forty-eight. They were early. Desperate to get their hands on some real dough, most likely.

  She flicked her hair back, and slipped some gum into her mouth. Then strutted across the street, and to the house she lived in up till a few months ago. She got to the door and paused. Then she reached for the sides of her breasts and pulled up her bra, pushing her chest out in the process. She flicked her hair once more and then reached for her keys, praying that the locks had not been changed since she’d last been there.

  She tried once and it opened. Silently, she stepped in and shut the door, then listened for any movement. The entire place was silent.

  “Okay…it’s show time.” She clicked on the fancy watch Emily had given her and whispered, “I’m in.”

  “Great. We’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

  “Yeah, cool.” They had someone watching the house. She had no idea who it was and had not seen any sign of anyone when she’d watched the house. They must really be good.

  She clutched the bag on her arm, careful not to hold it too close to her body, and glanced around the living room. Not much had changed, except that the house was now filthy. She kicked an empty pizza box on the floor and wrinkled her nose in disgust. Apparently Lolita did not believe very much in cleaning. Or more likely, Cruz had only paid her to take care of Mira and not to clean his house. Like everything else about Cruz, his house was also no longer her business.

  She walked briskly to the small room he liked to call his office. What a pretentious individual, she thought. She got to the desk, then bent down and pulled the lower drawer. Nestled inside that drawer was the metal safe he’d installed a few years ago. She dropped the bag on the floor.