Paid In Full (Vitale Brothers Book 2)

Chapter 18

My lips still tingled.I stared at Ash, wanting to go back over there, drag him into my arms and kiss him until he exploded. My tongue swiped over my bottom lip. It was like I could still taste him. I needed more.

“Gin.”

“Fuck, I’m coming,” I grumbled. “Be nice to him,” I told Tex.

“We’re fine,” he said, waving a hand.

“Enzo, we need you too,” Gin called.

My brother looked as if he was trying to figure out if he really wanted to leave his boyfriend’s side. Tex kissed him, pushed a hand against his chest, and then turned to Ash.

“Got anything to drink around here? And I don’t mean water.”

Ash hopped to his feet. “Yeah, I’ll get you something.”

“Me too,” Melony called. “I could use it. I’m gonna wash up.”

Enzo and I filed out into the backyard together with Benito. He glanced around before he crossed his arms over his chest. Here comes the lecture.

“You need to be more careful, Gin.”

“I know.”

“What were you thinking? Even if you had a problem with the guy, you take it somewhere quiet, not in the middle of Silver Dreams.”

I groaned. “I know.”

“Do you?” He snapped. “You’re acting wild lately, like you’re losing control again.”

“I’m not,” I said quickly, my heart racing at the thought of him getting the wrong idea. “No one’s going to say anything. They don’t want to be associated with a brothel.”

“Good, because I don’t want to have to go to such extremes again.”

“Locking me up isn’t going to make me any better,” I growled. “And it’s going to make me look like I’m insane to the family.”

“What do you want me to do?” he bit back. “There’s only so much I can do when you’re out of control. We both know that. And you won’t take your meds.”

“Fuck those things.”

I hated the drugs. They kept trying to diagnose me with shit, but the most they could come up with was a general mood disorder and c-PTSD. But I wouldn’t let anyone stick me in a fucking box. They could say whatever the hell they wanted. I was fine.

Everyone’s just pissed I don’t play by the rules. Fuck the rules!

I paced. Moving kept me calm as I shifted back and forth. Freaking out and beating up that guy wasn’t the best idea, but when Ash had pushed me away, and that asshole was the one who triggered it all… I couldn’t help it. I let my temper get the best of me.

“That’s not all I wanted to talk about,” Benito said. “That man was one of Roger’s friends. I suggest you keep an eye on Ash if you really give a shit about him because there was some talk about Roger wanting to find him.”

I shrugged. “If Roger comes anywhere near him, I’ll tear both his arms off and make him eat them,” I snapped. “He doesn’t have the resources to take him back.”

“He has friends that still support him,” Enzo said, calm as ever. “Yes, he’s a lowlife, but he’s a lowlife with charisma. That makes him dangerous to you and your new pet.”

I clenched my fist and swallowed a groan of pain as my stitches stretched. Quickly, I opened my hand and tried to calm down.

“He’s not a pet,” I told Benito. “The one in the hospital, what’s his name?” I asked.

Benito shook his head. “You really want to know?”

“Yeah. And I want to know how he knows Ash.”

“That I can’t tell you,” Benito said. “The only information I have is that he’s friends with Roger. His name is Keith Grant.”

I pulled a face. “Keith,” I said disdainfully. “What a stupid fucking name.”

“You can deal with him later when there are no witnesses,” Benito said pointedly. He glanced between the two of us. “I’m worried we’re becoming distracted,” he said finally. “This hospital contract needs to come first.”

“I thought Gin was handling it,” Enzo said.

“I am.”

“He is,” Benito confirmed, a weight lifting from my chest at his sure nod. “But I’m reiterating it. Especially because someone is trying to drag our name through the mud.”

“What are you talking about?” Enzo asked.

Benito passed his phone over. “This. Show it to Gin.”

I looked over his shoulder at the article on Benito’s phone. The headline was in big, bold lettering.

Who are the Vitales? Behind New York’s infamous criminal family.

I frowned. “What the hell is this?”

“Someone’s digging up the past,” Benito said. “From what I can tell, this is a small site, not a lot of traffic, but enough. It’s not hidden that we have a dicey background,” he said. “However, we want to lean into this new image. Goodness, following the rules, obeying the law.” His eyes fell on me. “I can’t have anyone fucking this up.”

My throat tightened. Shit, I knew exactly where he was coming from. It wasn’t as if the Vitale name was unknown, but Benito had worked hard to replace the old stigmas and rumors with a shiny new image. For the most part, it had been working. Seemed like someone wanted to drag up old history, though. It may be that worm AJ or maybe Able.

“I need you to be on your best behavior,” Benito said evenly as his eyes slid from me to Enzo and back again. “Both of you.”

Enzo nodded. “I’m only taking on the assignments I’ve been given and keeping a low profile. Besides, I’m usually busy with Tex or Pen.”

Benito’s gaze narrowed on me. “I need you to be as quiet as your brother.”

“Fuck me,” I groaned. “How? We both know I get antsy!”

“I don’t give a damn,” Benito snapped. “Collect your shit and stuff it down your throat for all I care. This kinda shit needs to stop. Now,” he said, tapping the screen of his phone before he took it away. “Whatever we have to do, it gets done quietly. No displays of violence or rage. Not where anyone can see or record you.”

“I get it,” I reiterated. “Yes, I fucked up, but—”

“No buts,” Benito cut in. “This guy is already getting you into trouble. You need to find somewhere for Ash to go. Set him up with his own place.”

“I can’t do that,” I said, shaking my head.

“Why?” Enzo prodded. “You can’t even have a dog because it requires too much attention. What are you going to do with a grown man?”

“He doesn’t like to be alone,” I muttered. When they stared at me, I quickly shifted gears. “Besides, I paid a lot of money for him! He’s working it off by cooking and cleaning.”

“You’re fucking him,” Enzo said matter-of-factly.

“Yep,” Benito answered.

“Why do you two insist on knowing everything about my life? Mind your business,” I said. I faked a groan of pain. “I need to rest. This hand is throbbing.”

“Just watch your ass, Gin,” Benito said. “And try to calm down. We don’t need any unwanted attention on us right now.”

“I got it,” I said, exasperation slipping into my voice.

“Don’t be a smart ass,” Benito snapped. “I’m juggling all kinds of shit right now. I can’t add in paying off people when you decide to do something reckless. Once Keith is out of the hospital, do what you have to do. Yeah, don’t even deny it,” he growled as I opened my mouth. “I know you’re going to go after him, but you keep it quiet. You hear me? Any more noise, and I’m going to make good on my threats.”

Benito’s eyes said he wasn’t fucking around. He meant each and every word. I nodded, not trying to get myself in any more trouble. Benito glanced at his phone before he looked back up at us.

“I need to go. Are you good?”

Sighing, I nodded. “Yeah. Ash freaked everyone out, but he couldn’t help it. Seriously, I’m fine. You’ve both seen me a lot worse off than this.”

“I’ve seen you with a stab wound,” Enzo said.

Our gazes met. My brother Enzo? Joking more? Who would have thought it? We both snickered. “More than once,” I said. “Stop stabbing me.”

“Idiots.” Benito shook his head at us. “Get some rest.”

“I will.” My stomach growled. “I better order some pizza. The stitches won’t kill me, but Ash’s cooking might.”

“We followed the recipe,” Benito said, looking genuinely distressed.

“I know,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “You still suck, though.”

“Fuck you, Gin.”

Enzo shook his head. “Stick to leading. You’re good at that.”

“Fuck you too, Enzo.”

Enzo and I hid our laughter until we slipped back into the house. I tried not to double over as I laughed, and Enzo couldn’t contain his snickers. Screwing with our brother was one of the perks I enjoyed.

“What are you two laughing about?” Tex asked, leaning against my counter.

“Nothing,” I grinned. “Just living a good life.”

Ash searched my face. I felt my stomach flip-flop. As quickly as it came, I shoved that feeling down and took out my phone.

“What do you like on your pizza, Ash?”

“Not kid?” he asked.

I glanced up at him. “I can go back to that if you want.”

He shook his head hard. “Um, bacon, onion, and pineapple.”

I stared at him. “You’re a freak of nature. Even I’m not that sick.”

“Enzo likes anchovy.” Tex shuddered. “That shit is disgusting. And then he wants to kiss me with that breath. What the fuck?”

Ash let out a burst of laughter before he slapped a hand over his mouth. Tex grinned at him, winked, and pushed off of the counter. Enzo immediately snatched him up, wrapping his arms around him and practically hissing at us like a feral cat.

“Let’s go home,” Enzo said.

“Fine,” Tex sighed. “It was nice meeting you, Ash. Good to see you again, Gin. Stop getting hurt.”

“I’ll try,” I mused.

“We’re getting pizza on the way home,” Tex said.

“Yes, with anchovies,” Enzo added.

“Fuck you,” Tex groaned.

I shook my head at the two of them before I looked at Ash. “Where’s the doc?”

“She took off after saying she had something to do.” He turned the glass in his hands back and forth. “Is everything okay?”

“Just fine,” I answered. I put in the order for our dinner and then sat down across from him at the table. “Who’s Keith?”

Ash stiffened. “What?” he asked, his voice shaky.

“Keith. Who is he to your father? How do you know him?”

He squirmed. “I don’t want to talk about—”

“Hey.” I reached across, grabbed his hand, and squeezed. “Who is he?”

Whoever he was, he had a bad effect on Ash. That didn’t sit right with me. Yes, Ash was a pain in my ass and could be a little shit, but I didn’t like him feeling uncomfortable. Or afraid. And that was fear I saw etched onto his perfect features.

“Tell me.”

Ash sighed as he stared at our joined hands. He snatched up his drink, chugged some, and panted as he wiped his mouth. The smell of vodka greeted my nose, but I said nothing as he stared off.

“He’s an old friend of my dad’s. That guy at the brothel? That was Keith.”

“Why are you so afraid of him?”

Ash shuddered. “He wanted to buy me when I was young. I watched them… take and hurt a friend of mine. She was young, too young,” he said. I nodded. Ash sighed when he realized I understood what he was saying. “That threat dangled over my head forever, that I would be next. More than once, they made me watch while they… did things to those girls. Things I couldn’t stop. And there was always the threat that I would be next. I would be passed around and used and—”

He stopped talking as his lips snapped shut, and he gazed off into the distance. My stomach dropped. That’s why he was so freaked out in Silver Dreams.

“No one’s going to pass you around here,” I said, reaching across to grab his chin. Once he was looking at me, my grip tightened on his face. “What I said was me being pissed off and in a bad mood. I won’t do that to you.”

Ash’s eyes watered. “You swear?”

“I swear on my mother’s grave,” I said as my voice came out sounding more strangled than I wanted it to. I cleared my throat. “Is that why you were all over me earlier?”

He glanced away. “Yeah.”

“You don’t gotta do that shit either,” I snapped. “Whenever you’re up for railing me, hey, I’m into it! But if you’re just doing it because you’re feeling desperate, I don’t want it. You understand me?”

Ash glanced up at me. “Yes, sir.”

I swallowed thickly. “You don’t have to say things like that at home,” I pointed out. “No one’s watching us here.”

“What if I like saying it?”

Heat rushed over my body instantly. I swallowed it down. As much as I wanted Ash’s monster cock to destroy me again, I could tell he needed time.

“Then say it as much as you want,” I said, a grin tugging at my lips. “And then get me a drink and refresh yours. It’s gonna be a long night.”

Ash smiled at me. “Hey, will you sleep in my room tonight?”

I thought about it before I nodded. “Sure. As long as you don’t mind some blood on your sheets. Sometimes I get to moving, and these fucking stitches might mess up…”

Ash shook his head, ever the golden retriever. “I don’t mind!”

“Of course not.” I released his chin. “Drinks, puppy.”

He groaned. “I’m not a puppy. Please, Giancarlo.”

“Come on, pup! You wanna treat? Wanna go walkies? We could go walkies!”

Ash glared daggers at me. Or at least he tried. He huffed, turned, and I checked out his ass in the new clothes I’d bought him.

Damn, he looks so good. I want to taste his lips again.

He turned, two glasses in his hands. As our eyes locked, he tilted his head, and I imagined those puppy ears on top of his head again. So innocent.

“What?” Ash asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “Come on and sit down. Tonight we’re drinking away our bullshit pasts.”

Ash sat across from me. “Are you going to tell me about your past?”

I shook my head. “No, not tonight.”

“Soon?”

“Maybe,” I whispered, the word barely slipping free. I cleared my throat. “Come on, kid. Pour ‘em up.”

“God,” he groaned. “Fine, but only because you’re injured, and it’s my fault.”

“Fuck it. You’re sleeping in my room tonight.” I said. When he stared, I shrugged. “Your bed isn’t as big or comfortable as mine. Besides, the big TV is in my room.”

Ash’s eyes widened as a smile took over his face. “So we can—”

“Sleep. We both had a long day.”

“We will be sleeping together?” Ash sounded skeptical. I didn’t blame him. I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth, but I wasn’t going to take it back either.

“Yeah, you know that’s what some people use the bed for.”

Ash rolled his eyes. He lifted his hand and flipped me off as he took a big ass swig from his cup. I chuckled, but I kept my eyes trained on him. Something was changing in me, but I couldn’t place a finger on it. I wanted to pull Ash into my lap, wrap him in my arms, and keep him safe from the outside world.

I wanted to protect what was mine.