“So find a woman.”
“Hah.” He glanced down at the ground, face tense. “I did… she didn’t want me.”
I opened my mouth to say something — anything. But saying something would most likely make it worse. I couldn’t say sorry because in the end it was best that he keep himself far away from Mo Abandonato. The woman he’d loved most of his life — loved from a distance, and now the wife to our leader. The wife to the Cappo. Yeah, life was rarely fair in our line of work.
And that’s what bothered me.
“Take her upstairs,” Sergio barked. “I’ll see you two in a few hours, get some sleep you look like hell.”
“I look better than Phoenix.”
“A corpse looks better than Phoenix.” He waved me off and went back into the house. With a sigh I made my way back to the car and opened the door, pulling Amy into my arms.
“Where are we?” she whispered, her head against my chest.
“Home.” I kissed her forehead. “We’re home.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Amy
I WAS SO WARM and comfortable I didn’t want to open my eyes. Instead, I snuggled back further into the warmth and let out a happy sigh. Then, I did it again, trying to burrow my body.
“Do that again and we’re going to have a problem,” Ax’s hoarse voice whispered in my ear. “Then again, I’m a fan of that particular problem so yeah, go ahead, move all you want.”
Embarrassed, I froze.
“I know you’re awake Amy.”
Swear my heart thudded so loudly against my chest people from the UK could hear it.
“Ames…” Ax’s lips found my ear. I gasped when he licked and then kissed a trail down my neck. “Mmm… you taste good.”
I tried to pull away from his arms.
Yeah, tried and failed, he was too strong and I was too weak. I wanted to be exactly where I was. Safe. Unafraid.
“Where are we again?” I asked, trying to look around the dimly lit room without moving.
“My house.” He said softly, still kissing my neck. “My room.”
“It’s… big.”
“Abandonatos don’t do small… in any way.”
“Oh.” I breathed.
His hands moved down my waist, slowly lifting my shirt. “I want you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Ames… I can do this all day long. I just want you to know, I want you now. I’ll want you later. I’ll dream about you tonight, and I’m not going to stop until you’re mine. You can fight it all you want. Try running away. I’ll spend my life finding you. Try your damndest to shut me out — I’ll just push until you can’t take it anymore. I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours. I don’t know why you’d say goodbye when this is just the beginning of our lives together. I let you go once, I’ll be damned if I’m going to do it again.”
What could I say? What could I possibly say to all of that? To the words I’d longed to hear for over five years? Thanks but no thanks? I was officially stuck. Because I knew, he was serious.
Dead serious.
If I ran, it would just put him in more jeopardy.
If I stayed… well… I had no choice but to stay, and face the jury, the judge, and the executioner.
My body tensed.
“I love you,” Ax whispered in my ear. “I will always love you.”
“Shouldn’t that mean you should put my needs above your own?” I asked in a small voice. “What if I want to go?”
“You don’t know what the hell you want, Amy,” he fired back. “And even if you did, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to give it to you, at least not when you’re in the dark, without knowing the facts. You’re afraid of the unknown, stop trying to figure everything out and just trust me.”
“Trust?” I repeated. “The mafia?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re insane.”
“Or just brilliant.”
“I choose insane.”
“Choose whatever makes you sleep better at night — but know this. You’re mine and it’s going to take a lot more than you being afraid of things that go bump in the night, for me to let you go.”
“Did you even sleep last night?” I countered, turning on my side to face him. “Or did you just plot my kidnapping.”
“Of course I slept.” He rolled his eyes. “And plotted. I’m a multi-tasker.”
I fought extremely hard not to smile at his ridiculously smug look.
“Smile.” He kissed my mouth roughly. “You know you want to.”
“How do you know what I want?”
Wrong thing to ask.
His eyes darkened as he pulled me flush against his body, his lips found my neck, tasting my pulse. “That right there, tells me, you want this so bad you can barely think straight.”
“Cheater.”
“When I want something…” He pulled back. “Absolutely. Now as much as I’d like to sit in bed with you all day, it’s time to meet the guys.”
“Guys,” I repeated, my stomach doing somersaults. “What guys?”
“The guys… the men…” He sighed. “The bosses.”
Air whooshed out of my lungs. “Are they going to have guns?”
“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “For protection, not because they’re going to be trained on you.”
“But I’m a De Lange.”
“So is Phoenix.” He scowled. “And now he’s the freaking owner a few multi-million dollar companies, several overseas accounts, an old car collection, oh right and he has the ear of the Cappo. Your last name doesn’t mean shit anymore.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because Nixon still lets Phoenix walk around without a limp — that alone tells me all I need to know.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He sighed. “Pick out something comfortable and meet me downstairs in a half hour. I’ll have breakfast waiting.”
“And the — the guys…”
“Will be here within the hour, so I’d hurry.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Axton
LEAVING HER IN BED. Alone. Was hard. I wanted to turn on my heel and push her against the nearest wall — naked.
Yeah¸ wrong thing to think of as I made my way downstairs and into the huge, obscene dining room with windows lining one entire wall.
Again, we didn’t do small.
Breakfast was already set out.
Phoenix was drinking coffee and arranging food on his plate — bland food, because apparently he wasn’t allowed to enjoy life anymore — or salt for that matter.
Bee, Campisi’s sister, was right next to Phoenix, leaning towards him, most likely putting him through hell if his grimace was any indication. She was a handful, a gorgeous handful I wanted no contact with. We’d introduced ourselves and that was it. I knew her name; she knew mine. Done.
She was Phoenix’s burden.
Sergio was at the head of the table reading the newspaper.
“Morning,” I barked strolling into the room.
Bee smiled brightly.
Phoenix grunted and scooted away from her. She just followed. I had half a mind to feel sorry for him. His eyes were pleading when they met mine.
Fine. “Hey Bee.” I cleared my throat. “I heard you make some killer espresso?”
She beamed. “All those years in Sicily.”
“Care to make me one?” I winked. “Sorry it’s just been a really long night and I’ve been missing my coffee.”
“Sure!” She bounced up from her chair and made her way into the kitchen. When I knew the coast was clear I flashed my middle finger to Phoenix.
“Don’t even care that you just flipped me off.” He shook his head. “Thank you, seriously. Thank you.”
“She’s just a girl.”
“No.” He laughed without humor. “She’s not. If she was just a girl I wouldn’t be tempted to fall on my own knife.”
>
“De Langes,” I taunted. “So dramatic.”
He gave me the middle finger back. Nice.
“The guys will be here soon.” Sergio set down the newspaper. His dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. I always wondered why he grew it out, made him look like… a girl. He had too fine of features, at least to me he did, what the hell did he want to look like? A fairy-tale prince? Because he was totally channeling charming.
“What?” He squinted.
“Nice hair.”
And more middle fingers.
I smirked and took a seat, piling my plate with food, just as Amy made her way into the room.
She cleared her throat.
I damn near fell out of my chair.
Why she’d chosen to wear black skinny jeans, heels, and a killer tight t-shirt, I had no clue but damn she looked better than breakfast.
Sergio spit out his coffee onto the newspaper while Phoenix hid a grin and then flashed me a knowing smile.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
“Amy,” Sergio croaked out. “As beautiful as ever.”
“Sergio,” she said through clenched teeth. “Once a liar, always a liar. Good to see you.”
His smile fell as his eyes narrowed. Good job, Ames, way-ta poke the bear.
Phoenix, still smiling, glanced at Amy. “Hey cousin.”
“C-cousin?” Her eyebrows furrowed. “You?”
“I know, I know, I look like hell, don’t ask why, and try not to deny it. Just pisses me off more. Yeah, cousins, first cousins, haven’t seen you since you were carted away to foster care though.”
Amy swallowed and folded her hands in front of her. “I don’t remember you.”
“Yeah well, that makes two of us.” Phoenix grimaced. “I was a different guy then. You hungry?”
“Yeah.” She touched her stomach. “Starving, Ax didn’t feed me once.”
I shot Amy a glare. “Tell them you’re kidding before Phoenix impales me with a knife.”
Her look was innocent.
“Ames…”
“I can do this all day, Ax…” her smile grew.
I exhaled and shook my head at Phoenix. “I fed her well, swear.”
“Sure you did…” Phoenix leaned back in his chair. “Her lips look a bit swollen, don’t you think, Sergio?”
“Hmm.” Sergio looked up and shrugged. “Seems Ax can’t keep his hands to himself, even when he’s told to.”
I reached for the eggs, ignoring their prodding.
“I kissed him,” Amy blurted.
The spoon clattered out of my hand as Phoenix and Sergio’s sudden swearing filled the room.
“He tried pushing me away…” She reached for a cup of coffee and brought it to her lips. “But you know men… weak.”
Phoenix burst out laughing. While Sergio just went back to the newspaper.
I looked to Phoenix to see if he’d kill me, seriously, but all he did was shake his head and say. “I’m going to enjoy this so much.”
His smile fell just as quick as it appeared when Bee entered the room with a cup of espresso for me. When her eyes fell on Amy she clapped her hands together.
“Another girl!”
“Yay,” Sergio said dryly. “Let’s throw a party.”
Bee glared in his direction then stuck out her tongue. “Ignore him,” she said turning back to Amy. “He’s just grumpy because no one will sleep with him.”
Phoenix choked on his coffee this time and I just groaned into my hands.
“It’s like a house of horrors,” Phoenix said under his breath. “You’ve been warned.”
“They’re here,” Sergio announced jumping up to his feet.
“Who?” Bee asked.
“The guys.”
“The guys,” Amy repeated.
Phoenix rubbed his hands together. “This should be interesting…”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Amy
THE WINDOW FACED the driveway and part of the rose garden in front of the house. I watched in absolute terror as four cars pulled in.
A black Range Rover.
A black Mercedes.
A red Ashton Martin.
A black Ferrari.
I almost swallowed my tongue whole. I walked slowly towards the window, watching in rapt fascination as the cars all parked.
Slow motion. That’s what I was experiencing for the first time in my life. I waited and waited for the guys to emerge from the expensive cars.
The door to the Range Rover opened.
A guy with a white t-shirt stepped out. The first thing I noticed? The tattoos lining his very buff looking arms. The second thing? The guns strapped to his chest. His hair was pitch black, falling haphazardly across his face. He pulled off his aviators and glanced at the house, then flashed a smile so beautiful I nearly stumbled back into the breakfast bar.
“Nixon,” Ax whispered behind me. “My boss.”
“He’s…”
“Young,” Ax finished for me. “Started taking over operations at eighteen, owns the whole damn world, shoots first, asks questions later. If ever.”
I nodded.
The door to the Ferrari opened, and a similar looking guy got out. His smile was huge — so were his biceps. He had tattoos on his arms too, but wore a long sleeve gray shirt, pushed up across his forearms. His hair was shorter than Nixon’s, his body a bit leaner, but he was… more than nice looking. Try… just… I had no words.
“Chase Abandonato,” Ax whispered. “Husband to—”
A gorgeous woman got out of the driver’s side and smacked Chase on the chest, then kissed him full on the mouth. She was wearing tight leather pants, black heels, and a blue shirt that hung loosely off her shoulders. A white and black fedora was on her head, and she was packing.
More than Chase.
What?
“Mil De Lange.” This time Phoenix stepped up next to us. “My sister. And Chase’s wife.”
The door to the Ashton Martin opened.
A guy I could only describe as a giant got out of the car and slammed the door. My breath hitched.
“He has that effect on women.” Ax laughed softly in my ear, as he pulled me back against his body. “That… is Tex Campisi, the Cappo.”
“He looks like he could break me in half,” I mumbled under my breath.
“He could,” Ax said not so reassuringly. “But he won’t. Shot his father in the chest more times than necessary, and he’s married to Nixon’s sister, Mo.”
The more information they fed me, the more terrified I became. The power that radiated off those guys from the freaking parking lot had me ready to pass out.
No more. Please let there be no more.
Then another door opened.
An elderly gentleman emerged from the Mercedes and straightened the collar to his suit, then popped his knuckles. He joined the men and patted Nixon on the back twice before whispering in his ear.
“Alfero,” Ax said from behind me. “The eldest of the bosses, and most respected ever since Luca’s death.”
“Luca?” I asked.
“Nicolasi,” Phoenix added. “My mentor, the guy who saved my life, the family who I’d die to protect. He died a month ago, things have been… hard since then.”
I gave him what I hoped was a sympathetic look. He merely met my gaze with a cold one of his own before cursing under his breath and walking away.
“Don’t worry about him,” Ax said in a calm voice. “He’s still dealing with shit.”
All of the daunting figures made their way towards the house. For some reason I felt like arming myself, like grabbing a knife or something.
Ax reached for my hand.
I gripped it so tightly I was afraid I was going to break every single tiny bone in my fingers.
The door opened.
Laughter followed.
Sweat made my hand clammy as I waited for them to come into the room. I waited, and waited. The laughter got louder.
I started praying.
And clenched Ax’s hand tighter.
I saw Nixon first, and then Tex.
The rest followed.
All eyes were on me. The room was silent as death. Was I supposed to say something? Bow? Cry?
“So.” Tex, the giant, took a step toward me, he flashed a bright smile. “We finally meet.”
My knees knocked together.
“Shit, could you not scare every guest we have?” Phoenix mumbled from across the room.
Tex rolled his eyes and kept approaching. Like a lion does to its prey. He could kill me with his bare hands.
Why did I feel like that was exactly what he was going to do?
Ax released my hand.
Traitor!
Tex gripped the hand that Ax released and then gripped the other. Without hesitation he leaned forward and kissed both my cheeks, then whispered in my ear. “Welcome home.”
I collapsed, but Tex’s arms were strong enough to kill, so yeah he quickly helped me to a chair.
“What the hell, Tex!” Chase shouted.
Tex rolled his eyes and held up his hand. “Two kisses on the cheek, imagine what happens when I kiss Mo on the mouth and—”
“And what?” Nixon asked in a calm detached voice. “No seriously, Tex. Keep talking, I’ve been itching to pull a trigger for days.”
“Sex,” Chase said in a helpful voice. “It’s called sex, keeps the trigger happy—er… happy.”
Mil rolled her eyes and pushed through the guys. “Ignore them… swear we let them out at least three times a day for walks and they still get fidgety.”
“My walk was only ten minutes.” Tex grinned. “Just saying.”
“Weird, mine was two hours.” Chase winked in my direction. “Hey Phoenix, ask what we did. Ask, ask!”
“Huh?” I finally found my voice. “Are you guys talking about what I think you’re talking about?”
“Like I said—” Mil pulled out a chair and sat next to me. “—ignore them. Now, how was your trip up here, uneventful I hope?”
“Er… yeah.” I nodded, lying. “Totally uneventful.”
“No body count?” Chase shook his head in Ax’s direction. “You losing your touch, man?”
“Tickle me and we’ll see.” Ax said in a bored tone.