Arranged

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

“T he male, for all his bravado and exploration, is the loyal one, the one who generally feels love. The woman is skilled at betrayal and torture and damnation.”

—Charles Bukowski

Alejandro

For all my beautiful wife’s portrayed innocence, I’d felt there was a raging cougar underneath. She was far too intelligent, and I’d seen her acts of cunning too many times not to glean aspects about her father’s life and how he handled being threatened.

My handler might tell me that just as she’d told me more than once, I had underestimated her. Whatever the case, what I’d also realized in both seeing my sister again and in being confronted with a portion of my lies was that I wanted Carmella.

Not just sexually.

She was my equal in many ways, a complement to the gruffness and anger, her sophistication and love of all creatures exactly what I needed. Even her laugh filtered into my mind quite often. Who was I kidding? I’d never felt so satisfied.

Yet right now, it was all about laying claim to her in my mind. However, this wasn’t like the wedding. This was about being more exposed than I’d been in years. Maybe too much so, but what we shared required the man from before to take the lead more.

Not the brutal savage so many believed me to be.

The kiss was powerful, igniting all my senses, but it wasn’t nearly enough. At this point, nothing would be until I could drive my cock deep inside.

It was a hunger never sated, a longing that fueled other parts of my mind as well as my body. She was the breath keeping me alive and the spark pushing me further, harder, and faster.

And Carmella was the reason I would maintain my criminal identity until the very last moment.

I finally had a feeling of belonging and the push and pull of my earlier life to the one I had known was something Maria had picked up on. Perhaps far too easily.

After consuming Carmella’s mouth, I pulled back, freeing one arm so I could wrap my hand around her throat.

She had a smile on her face that could easily be described as vicious and mischievous. As if she knew something I didn’t or had a new hold over me. In a way she did. In awakening my soul, she’d also brought rage to my ice-cold heart.

If I wasn’t careful, she’d become my greatest weakness of all.

I nipped her bottom lip, holding the tender flesh between my teeth. She laughed softly, her long eyelashes skimming across her cheeks. In the harsh light, I was able to detect a slight hint of fear, but there were so many complicated emotions running through both of us that the unknowns fueled the fire.

When I rubbed my thumb across her lips, pulling the freshly bitten one down, she wiggled in my hold.

“I’m going to defile you in all the best ways, Firesong. When I’m finished with you, not only will you be screaming my name, you’ll also be writhing with every single touch.”

Her purr was the only sound she made, yet it was a clear indication she would accept the challenge.

She slowly dropped her arm, tangling her fingers in my hair, tugging the shoulder-length strands. Just the way she was grinding into me was enough to push me to the breaking point.

So I tossed her over my shoulder, taking long strides into the living room. I was too aroused to bother with the bedroom. I was also perhaps daring anyone to defy my orders by interrupting us.

“What are you doing? Oh, what in God’s name are you doing?”

“Taking you to exactly where I want you.”

She moaned and the sound was endearing. “I’m afraid of heights.”

“From this high up?” She responded by pounding her fists against my back several times. When I finally had her in front of the couch, easing her onto her feet, she threw a playful punch and swayed.

But that was the last of today’s foreplay.

She stared at me for a minute that felt like two hours before we both started ripping each other’s clothes off. I’d never felt so much passion with anyone else before. She kicked her shoes high into the air, managing to aim them precariously close to the bar. With shit strewn everywhere, our clothes adding to the pile, we looked and were acting like a couple of teenagers.

As soon as she struggled with her jeans, kicking them aside, the barbarian man until recently I didn’t know existed slammed into my system.

I gripped both her arms, yanking them behind her and pinning them together with one hand. With the other, I cupped one breast, slowly lifting my head so I could study her reaction.

She was trying to maintain some sense of control, perhaps even decorum. She was failing as rapidly as I’d done before.

I pinched her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, marveling in the sounds she made. Just seeing the way she was forced to half close her eyes ignited more of the fire.

The way she struggled in my hold was weak, as if the woman didn’t really want to escape. I took the opportunity to drop my head, rolling my tongue around her hardened bud several times. When I pulled it between my teeth, she sucked in her breath.

There was nothing quite like sucking on a succulent nipple. I took my time before biting down. I was certain her squeals could be heard from outside.

The thought delicious, I shifted to her other breast, taking just as much time feasting on her skin as I had with the previous one. Voluptuous, her curves were perfect for me. I adored her rounded hips, the curve of her narrow waist and her shapely ass.

Not flat as so many women hoped to achieve. She had enough on her for me to grab and hold onto.

My cock had been a full attention for at least ten minutes. Even in arguments, she did that to me. I quickly glanced down, noticing pre-cum had already leaked across my slit.

My dick needed to be driven inside of her, or I’d lose my load far too quickly.

As soon as I let go of her arms, she wrapped those long fingers of hers around the base of my shaft. She had a way of creating friction that only added to my need.

Carmella rolled her hand all the way up the length of my cock, swirling her finger in the string of cream. When she brought it to her lips, sucking intently, my desire surged.

She wasn’t finished yet, jumping into my arms and folding her long, shapely legs around my thighs. Her laugh was enigmatic and the fact her eyes were already half dilated kept me mesmerized.

But the yearning to be inside of her hot little pussy was too strong. She clawed at my back and I decided against using the couch. I had a feeling the piece of furniture wouldn’t make it out alive.

When I took long strides toward the wall, she threw out her arm as if to catch herself. All the way she was making breathless sounds that were driving me crazy.

The moment I slammed her back against the wall, I drove my cock past her swollen folds. The force and the angle I used pushed her off the floor.

Laughing, she clung to me again, her fingers pressing into my shoulders. I pulled almost all the way out and she whined, digging her nails into my back with such ferocity I knew she was creating deep marks.

And blood.

I grinned and thrust even harder, jarring everything hanging on the wall on this side of the room. That didn’t faze her in the least. She clasped her feet together, bumping and grinding against me as I fucked her. The brutal sounds of being shoved against the wall only fueled us that much more.

I’d never seen or experienced a woman reacting with such blatant hunger. Every sound she made was animalistic, matching my own. I fucked her long and hard, no longer fearful I would break her. She was rough and tumble and that added to the crazed feeling buried deep inside.

There was no way I could get enough of her. I was even more insane with need, rolling onto the balls of my feet and switching the angle once again.

Every breathless whisper, every moan she issued echoed in my ears.

“Fuck me. Don’t stop. Just don’t stop.”

“I don’t plan on it,” I gritted out. But when I pulled out completely, even taking a step away, her cry and forlorn look made me grin. “You need to trust me.” I spun her around before she could object, bending and lifting one leg so her knee was parallel to her breast.

“Oh, my God. You’re so bad.” Now she clawed at the wall, gasping for air. I was more crazed when I plunged my cock back into her wetness.

Her pussy muscles clamped and released, jerking my dick in even deeper. I pounded into her as if there was no tomorrow and this would be our last time together. “So wet. So fucking hot.”

“Uh-huh. This is… incredible.” She was so breathless, her words barely audible. She’d already thrown her arms over her head, acting as if she needed to hold on. Maybe she just didn’t get it, but I would never allow her to fall.

Not during sex. Not during life.

“Yes, it is.” I growled into her ear and bit down on her neck.

She laughed and undulated, bucking hard against every savage thrust.

But I wasn’t done yet. I wanted more. Goddamn, I was an insatiable man.

I toyed with her bottom, running my fingers down the crack of her ass before pushing my thumb inside. Her muscles tensed as I did, but within seconds of me pumping gently, she took a deep breath, completely relaxing.

“Every inch of you belongs to me.”

“You just think so,” she mused.

“Oh, I know so.” I pressed the tip of my wet cock against her dark hole. As with before, it was so damn tough not to drive the entire length inside. A grin popped onto my face as I pushed in by a couple of inches.

The tightness and blazing heat could easily make me come far too quickly. I took a deep breath, doing what I could to calm the raging beast while driving in another inch. Then another.

She was the one who drove her ass back, forcing the rest inside. I held my cock inside, marveling at how her muscles reacted.

When I rolled my hand around her thigh, she gasped and threw her head over her shoulder. I swirled my fingertip around her clit while I pumped deep inside her ass.

Every breath she took added gasoline to the flames. I could no longer see clearly, my vision was so cloudy. I continued pinching and teasing her clit, enjoying her moans as she drove back against me.

“Fuck. You’re going to make me come.”

“Then come for me, baby. I want you to come.” I thrust harder, my nostrils filled with her beautiful scent. When I sensed she was ready to come, I pumped even faster, filling her asshole with my cock. It throbbed and I was certain it was swelling even more.

“Oh, fuck. Yes. Oh, my fucking God.” Her exclamation was loud, sharp, and spectacular.

And within seconds, I could hold back no longer. I wanted her dripping with my cum. Later I’d paint every inch of her skin. But only after I gave her a tongue bath.

I threw back my head, allowing the electric sensations to flow.

As I filled her with my seed, a strange thought occurred.

Jeffers Sanchez was struggling to continue existing, but Alejandro Banderas was stronger.

Much stronger.

And he never intended on vanishing.

* * *

I remained impressed with how my wife had handled her discovery. After the initial anger, followed by craving to tame her, I now felt amused. Enough so, I was smiling. She certainly had a way about her that was unexpected. Did I believe she would have pulled the trigger? Honestly? I wasn’t sure. The not knowing was a constant reminder I had to keep my guard up.

Even with her that was becoming more and more difficult to do.

I’d pushed back on picking up Gabriel from the Lupini estate until in the morning, using the excuse we needed some private time to enjoy the house. There was no reason for anyone to think otherwise. While Carmella had been hesitant in accepting my suggestion, she’d accepted that we still needed time to come to terms with whatever our relationship was going to be.

Night had fallen, stars high in the sky. I had a bad feeling that she was right. Not only would things internally implode, but the people holding all the cards were biding their time. I feared their patience was as thin as mine.

If only Louis had been able to provide me with more details. I’d been working with him long enough to know he was under duress, risking his career and perhaps his life by warning me. I was the kind of man to require control at all times.

Right now, it felt as if I had close to none.

My thoughts remained with my sister and little girl. They could easily be used as pawns. I headed outside to check with the two men. It was time for a change in detail, although I knew Gio and how he’d argue.

Two of the outside lights were on, twinkling lights in every tree and large shrub creating a serene atmosphere. To me, there was a strange glow that kept an ominous feeling. Today hadn’t gone anything like I’d hoped or planned.

That made for a cranky man with an itchy trigger finger.

Information might be king, but at this point, too much information could mean certain death. She would keep pushing me. It was how to handle her that I had to come to grips with.

Soon.

Gio was pacing around the SUV, obviously frustrated that my lovely bride had gotten the drop on him. When he noticed me approaching, he stiffened. My reputation as unforgiving extended even to my most trusted man. How brutal my reactions would be kept everyone guessing.

I’d always liked it that way. The privacy I’d kept had put more questions than answers in the minds of soldiers I controlled.

“Boss. Is everything alright in there?” Gio asked.

I scanned the area, noticing Bronco was nowhere to be seen. “Fine. We had a long discussion.”

He smirked, immediately attempting to hide his amusement. “Good for you. Boss.”

“Time for you to head home.”

“Nope. You need me. We’re fine.”

“You’ve been here all damn day. You need food.”

He threw out his hand, shaking his head. “I’m not certain I’m ready to eat. You gotta understand why.”

Chuckling, I nodded. “Sorry about that.”

“What the hell did she give us, anyway?”

“She is a doctor, Gio. Whatever it was she knew exactly how the drug would react. The good news is that there will be no permanent damage.”

“Any bad news?”

“Only that you’ll remain a little sluggish for a couple more hours. Another reason for you and Bronco to get some sleep.”

He scratched his head. “Maybe in a little while. No one visited and she didn’t leave. I mean, at least not that we knew about. How did she get the stuff?”

“Evidently doctors always keep an emergency medical bag in case of an unexpected crisis. I thought nothing of it when she brought it with her. Clever girl.”

“Fuck. Clever indeed.” Gio’s eyes opened wide. “I didn’t mean any disrespect, sir.”

“None taken. You can relax, Gio. Have a team arrive to take over. And no, I won’t take no for an answer.”

He groaned. “Yes, boss. I’ll check with the other men and report where things stand. At least from their last reports there’s been no additional issues or threats.”

“Good to know. Drago?”

“Not a peep out of him.” He had a strange look on his face.

“What? What are you thinking?”

“Nothing, boss. Not my place to say.”

“If you think you know something or suspect an issue, then it’s your duty to tell me. Today isn’t the day to piss me off, Gio. I think you know me well enough to realize that.”

He swallowed visibly. “Yes, sir, I do. I don’t like Drago. Maybe it’s something personal, but I swear that man is planning something. You can just tell. You know? After all the years I’ve been in this business, you know a person. You can sense a lying sack of shit from a mile away.”

I thought about his comment and sighed. “Having good instincts is invaluable. Keep an eye on him. Keep an ear to the ground and ensure we still have men on the streets. Also, gather the informants. I might need to have a chat with them.”

“Yes, sir. I hate to say that shit, but as you said, it’s my obligation.”

“Yeah, it is, Gio. Don’t lose track of that.”

“I won’t, sir.”

Drago.

I didn’t like the man. In fact, I’d come close to engaging in a fistfight for the sake of showing superiority. Not that it would have accomplished anything other than putting an exclamation point on the rules I’d set forth, yet I’d felt a strong need to ensure he knew I was top dog.

The thought of where I stood in the hierarchy of the alliance should disgust me.

That simply wasn’t the case.

There were so many appealing aspects of the darkness of night. I usually took solace in the shadows, the lack of light allowing me to think clearly.

Tonight wasn’t one of those nights.

Even the glow of the moon didn’t provide a sense of serenity as it normally did.

I returned to the house, hearing music. I shoved my hands into my pockets and returned to the living room, immediately noticing she’d moved the weapon I’d given her to another table closer to where she was standing.

Trust would be extremely difficult to come by.

She knew I was watching her. I could tell by the way she started to dance to the music the moment I’d walked into the room.

Yet she remained engrossed in the jazz beat, facing away from the entrance.

I moved to my drink, allowing myself to enjoy the sultry show while indulging in a few moments of the very serenity I’d hoped to find.

When the song ended, she turned to face me, more nervous than she’d been before.

“Nothing will ever be normal again. Will it, Alejandro?”

“Define normal.”

“The ability to enjoy the simpler things in life.”

“Such as?”

Her sigh was more exaggerated than before. I noticed her hand was shaking as she brushed her fingers through her hair. “Getting up in the morning and going to work. Coming home to a family where everyone was too loud and too boisterous, but happy to be away from the grind of work and school. Making dinner while enjoying wine, maybe listening to music. Then a movie before bed. Maybe the weekend plans would include going to a friend’s house or a barbeque. Every so often planning for a quick or extended getaway. That’s normal.”

“Who says we can’t have that?”

This time, I cringed hearing her laugh. “Two armies, a thousand weapons, a hundred enemies, and at least four law enforcement agencies who would love to put almost everyone behind bars.”

“Well, when you put it that way, then I guess you’re right.”

“That’s why I worked so hard to get the hell away from my family. It’s not about love or respect. I feel both deeply, but how can anyone live with a target on their back fearful that someone will appear out of the shadows with a gun in their hand?”

I took a deep breath. “How does anyone live with the knowledge that they could get hit crossing the street on their way to grab a cup of coffee or with knowing they could get in a traffic accident at any time? Not to mention illness or disease. Why bother when there are a thousand ways that today might be your last?”

Carmella’s eyes sparkled before she broke into a smile. “Touché.”

“The answer is you live your life the way you want, even when embroiled in fears, missed opportunities, and self-doubt. Anything less would be to ignore the gifts given at birth.”

“How philosophical.”

“Just truthful,” I told her, although until today, I hadn’t put the pieces together about how I felt. Or should feel.

“Even if bad things happen around you?”

“Sometimes, people are forced to do bad things, but sometimes it’s for good reasons.”

“I guess I’ll accept that.”

“I’m glad to hear it. That’s all the philosophy I have.”

As she moved closer, her smile grew. “Not bad.”

“Why, thank you.” The blip on one of two phones I was carrying chilled my blood. I tugged the device from my pocket, doing what I could not to react. The text from Louis was clear.

Red Flag

That meant a compromise. To what degree, I wouldn’t know until I called. While now wasn’t an opportune time, I had no other choice.

“Duty calls. I’ll be right back.” Carmella wanted in on every aspect of the business, but this was something she couldn’t hear.

I moved quickly to my office, pushing the door closed behind me as soon as I walked in, immediately dialing his number. It was three full rings before he answered, but even then, not with a greeting. “Code Red answered. What’s the status?”

“Full compromise. Including family. You’re in danger.” While it was Louis’ voice, the tone was entirely different than I was used to hearing, noise in the background indicating he was under fire.

While months of training shoved me past the initial level of anxiety, I fisted my other hand, doing my best to abate the increasing rage. “What the hell is going on?”

“I was discovered. There is no time. Get them out.”

Pop! Pop! Pop!

They were the last words Louis said. The gunfire was followed by a loud boom then the line went dead.

Whatever he’d endured, he’d done so because we’d become more than just work-related associates.

He’d died in an attempt to protect me and my family.