Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
C hristos
Difficult decisions. They’d been a part of my life for its entirety. Pops had taught his sons to be highly independent at early ages. That’s likely how I’d become such a rabble rouser as a teenager and beyond.
Being with Valencia after the fascinating meeting with Davit had altered my hunger to finish things in the ways I was used to doing.
In other words, eliminating any chance of either recouping their business or even basic survival. I’d become so used to taking a traditional role that anything else seemed completely unnatural. Perhaps while mulling over how or if I’d allow my heroic doctor to provide assistance, the thought of placing her in the center of my decision-making process had been born.
“You did what?” Dimitrios asked. Home from the hospital, he was already fuming over the way Davit had handled providing the information.
As he said, as if dangling a carrot we’d eventually find rotten.
I had those doubts myself, but I’d had some time to check the information he’d provided prior to taking Valencia out for a nice afternoon. While certain aspects couldn’t be proven, the evidence provided should be enough for a grand jury to be convened in New York.
It was certainly enough for one or all of us to round up the players and ease their pain in life.
I’d called Dimitrios as soon as we’d returned from the meeting, Havros and I going over the details prior to his conversation with Don Coppola.
“Why not? I’m curious what she’ll decide,” I told him.
“You’re playing one hell of a dangerous game. We can’t allow them to escape our wrath.”
“Think about it, Dimitrios. If we help the Feds, even developing a relationship with them, we could have smooth sailing in New York for the club and more important, a possible red velvet carpet leading to the doors of the New York Diamond Exchange.”
He grumbled under his breath. “You have a good point. Now, why challenge the woman you’re so damn hot over?”
“I don’t know. It seemed like the right thing to do since she offered her assistance.”
“Pops is being released in the morning. We’ll discuss it with him.”
“I think making contact with her father and presenting at least a portion of the evidence will be in our best interest.”
I could tell he was thinking about it. “As long as it’s done creatively without showing our entire hand.”
“I assure you the lovely doctor is her own woman and she’s very cunning when needed. Besides, I’ll be on the call. What about Don Coppola?”
“When I mentioned this plot to him, he certainly didn’t deny knowledge of its existence.”
“He is planning on heading to New York.” That was evident. Not that I could blame him. With the unrest between the Cosa Nostra in Italy and the United States, there were territories and businesses up for grabs. If he took them, he’d be labeled a god.
Dimitrios sighed. “The meeting of the Italian Dons is tonight. From what he alluded to, taking a healthy section of the Big Apple was used as a further incentive for his appointment into the position of Godfather. Unlike some politicians, he’ll need to follow through with his promises or he and his entire family will end up at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.”
“Does he not anticipate us as rivals?”
“I think he believes our alliance will continue.”
“And will it?” I asked. I wasn’t necessarily against it as with Coppola as the Godfather of Italy, additional doors would be opened up for us. I simply couldn’t place my trust in anyone.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I found myself trusting Valencia as much as I did my family members.
That should tell me something.
“Perhaps. Time will tell, brother. Drop by tomorrow for Pops’ homecoming. We’ll allow him in on our conversations.”
“Only if our mother allows it.”
He laughed. “Good point. Just remember what I said. I understand how you feel about the doctor, but you can’t allow either your gratitude or your desire to cloud your judgment.”
“When have I ever done that?”
“Let me count the ways.” I knew he was teasing, because the one thing that could be said about me was that business and family came first.
Why was it I already felt as if Valencia was part of the family?
I chuckled as I ended the call, even dumping my phone onto my desk. I’d left Valencia alone for too long with the dishes.
As I walked toward the kitchen, I thought about how natural it was having both her and Magnum in the house. I heard little sounds as I neared the doorway, slowing down so I could hear what was being said.
“Mommy missed the wittle baby so much. Come here, snuggly wuggly. Mama has something for you.”
The sound of his tail swishing was something I missed from having a dog as a kid. It brought back a few good memories. I inched into the doorway, leaning against the jamb. Just watching her was breathtaking, more so than taking in any outdoor view or concert. She had a simple way about her, easy going yet so full of life, that constantly intrigued me.
As Magnum took the piece of chicken she’d offered, his entire body was wiggling with happiness. The choice to bring him here had been at a significant cost, but the joy I’d been able to witness was priceless. It had been the best decision I’d made in a long time.
Other than determining to spend more time with her.
“Okay, now, let Mommy dog finish the dishes.”
She’d already done a lion’s share of work, which she’d told me was only fair since I’d cooked dinner. Granted, I’d done a piss poor job in comparison to what my mother would have made, yet I’d learned a few of her tricks along the way. At least dinner had been edible.
“You look amazing in an apron,” I told her as I walked closer. And she did, although the barbarian inside of me wanted to rip it off.
She tipped her head toward me, the mischievous expression also holding an air of defiance. Just like always. And I’d have it no other way. “You think so, huh? Better than in scrubs?”
“Oh, that is a tough call. Maybe I’ll need to see you in both before I’m able to make a qualified decision.” I headed toward her, allowing myself to swagger a little. I spun her around, untying the funny apron I’d gotten as a gift from Havros the Christmas before. Where she’d found it, I would ask later.
Right now, I needed it removed so I had easier access to her.
“Careful there. I am still working.”
I spun her around again, ripping it over her head. When it almost caught on her bracelet, she appeared startled. “Relax, baby. I’m not going to damage a single thing. Except maybe your reputation.”
Her giggle was unexpected, as was so much about her actions and the way she handled herself. I backed her against the edge of the counter, planting my hands on either side of her.
“As I said, I’m not finished yet, big boy,” she told me. “I need to put the whipped cream away.”
“You are finished if I say you are.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
I jutted my hips forward, grinding them back and forth until a slight moan slipped past her lips. “Are you certain of that because from where I stand, it seems otherwise.”
“You are the most incorrigible man I’ve ever met. Perhaps in the entire world. My hands are wet.”
“That’s not going to be the only thing that’s wet, my sweet angel.” I pulled away just enough to be able to lift her skirt.
“What are you doing?” She even slapped at my hands. As if that was going to stop me.
“Taking what I want. And what I deserve, I might add.”
“What makes you think you deserve anything?”
I cocked my head and she rolled her eyes in response. “I will take what I want.”
“Who said anyone is stopping you?”
Noticing Magnum had his head alert, watching us intently, I winked, laughing subtly when he dropped his head. His reaction to me had been sweet and something we’d both needed.
“My monster likes you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around my waist, sliding her fingers under my shirt.
“I guess that’s good. Maybe you’ll keep me around.” I brushed hair from one side of her neck, nuzzling against her heated skin as my cock pressed brutally against my jeans.
She dragged her nails all the way down my back, her grin more teasing than before. I shook my head as if she’d been a bad girl before sliding my hands to the elastic of her thong. I kissed her lips softly as I started rolling it past her hips. She tried to push me away, but her breathing was ragged, her eyelids half closed.
By now she should know she was as addicted to me as I was to her.
I yanked the thong down to the floor, lifting her hips and kicking the already damp material out of the way myself.
If her gasp was an attempt to stop me, she should know better. I jerked the skirt up another few inches. While doing so, I eyed the bowl of whipped cream she’d made for the strawberries. She might not be able to cook, but her idea for dessert was all I needed.
With an evil grin on my face, I dug three fingers through the still cool dip, holding my hand above her head as she issued the cutest growl.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
“Tsk. Tsk. Don’t be argumentative with me. I am in charge.” Before she had a chance to object, I dropped down to my knees, opening her legs wide.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re a bad man.”
I blew across her wetness. “You’re just figuring that out?” The moment I slathered her pussy and the insides of both thighs with the cream, she threw her head back and moaned.
“So bad. What are you doing to me?”
I didn’t bother to answer, preferring to show her instead. As soon as I dipped my face into her wetness, she smacked her hand against my head, laughing at the same time.
She was trembling as I dragged my tongue up the length of her, nibbling on her clit as soon as I did. My face was already covered in the cream, but I didn’t care. Later, I might require her to make another batch so I could bathe her in the sweet treat. Of course, I would feast on her afterward.
Once I buried my face into her, she acted as if her knees were going to buckle. I held both her legs open, rolling my thumb around her clit as I feasted.
“This is crazy. You’re nuts. I…” Her laugh was higher pitched, her entire body shaking.
I adored her reaction, the way she couldn’t hold back anything from me keeping me fully aroused. She fisted my hair, not to keep me from what I was doing, but to drive my face deeper into her.
Obliging her was my delight. I licked her furiously, thrusting several fingers inside her tight channel as I continued lapping the cream. I was crazed with my actions and she writhed against me because of it. When I swung one of her legs over my shoulder, she laughed out loud.
“You’re going to make me… Oh, this is so bad.”
“Come for me, baby.” I lifted my head and her eyes opened wide.
“If only your people could see you right about now.”
“My people,” I growled.
“All those who… work for…” Unable to finish the sentence, she gripped the edge of the counter with her other hand as she ripped my hair.
I couldn’t care less.
Pleasing her and taking what I wanted was all that mattered.
“Oh, my. You are so mischievous. So. Greedy.” Her entire body stiffened and I licked even more ferociously, sucking on her sweet clit as she writhed from pleasure.
I was far from being finished, pressing kisses on the inside of her thigh. With her legs spread wide open, I thought this was perhaps the most fantastic view of her.
Panting, she dropped her head as she started to come down from the intense orgasm. I drove my tongue inside her tightness, marveling in the way her pussy clamped around the invasion.
As she struggled to remain standing, I tightened my grip on her. The woman wasn’t going anywhere.
I continued licking, now pumping several fingers inside until she was brought to the throes of ecstasy all over again.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Her moans were more like chants. “Christos. Oh, my.”
As she shouted out my name, she snapped her hand around my shirt, her grip white knuckled as she was tossed into another wave of rapture.
Only when she started to come down from the intense high did I slow my rhythm. When I lifted my face, I noticed she was staring down at me, licking her lips in appreciation.
I backed away as she raked her hand through her hair. The woman was still quite the vixen. Before I realized what she was doing, she scooped her fingers in the bowl of melting cream, slathering it across my face.
Her laugh kept me right where I was as she scooted away. Drops and strings of the goo were slowly trickling down my face. I looked up at her, trying to offer a stern look while she continued laughing.
“Don’t pout,” she told me. “I’ll get you a towel.”
As luck would have it, before she had a chance, Magnum was all over me, using the full weight of his body to knock me to the floor.
I stretched out my arms in defeat, allowing the pup to lick every drop.
And all the while, Valencia, the woman who’d awakened a dead man continued laughing.
When Magnum was finally finished, I sat up, also wiping my face.
“You’re likely a sticky mess,” she told me while dipping down and grabbing her missing thong. She kept her eyes on me as she stepped into them. The woman knew me too well and what I could do.
Magnum licked his chops, even lifting a paw and rubbing his nose. “You’ve had way too many sweets, mister,” I told him and stood.
She still had a smile on her face, a haze of lust in her eyes, but I sensed she wanted to ask questions.
I shoved my fingers into the tight back pockets as I approached. “We should call your father. But you’ll need to tell me how you want to handle the information.”