Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
A lejandro
Ecstasy.
Drugs were often a problem within any crime organization. They’d been forbidden for personal use within the Santorelli crime syndicate. Any infractions and the asshole was fired without chance of appeal. If he’d done anything stupid, his fate was much worse.
While cocaine and heroin would always be popular among the party crowd, especially in the upper echelon of society, drug pushers had achieved incredible financial wealth by selling a high percentage of opioids and fentanyl.
Santorelli had been out of the illegal drug business for years. However, that didn’t mean he hadn’t executed a favor for high paying friends or been convinced to import a shipment for an exclusive sale.
That had been one reason the regime had been targeted by the DEA. Along with the man’s heavy influence in the arms trade, his more liberal employment policy than a traditional Cosa Nostra had also drawn interest.
The very reason I’d managed to slip in through the open doors.
That and I’d provided assistance with a deal that had almost gone south. I knew drugs. I’d studied them extensively. I knew their side effects and what many of them were commonly mixed with. What hadn’t been on the menu within the Santorelli organization was the purchase or sale of Ecstasy.
It was a very personal reason that Luis had never discussed with anyone.
Except for with me.
His beloved sister, a young girl he’d been forced to raise after his father’s imprisonment and his mother’s death, had overdosed at the hands of a man on a date. It had taken Santorelli several years to hunt down the man responsible.
I’d seen the aftermath of what he’d done to the man while still working as a low-ranking agent in the DEA. That’s when I’d become fascinated by methods of torture. In turn, I’d learned everything I’d been able to about the man. Another reason I’d been selected to go undercover. I’d been familiar with how the powerful Don had worked.
That’s why the use of Ecstasy to kill him was both ironic and gave me more pause than any other drug.
Who else knew about his sister’s death?
There weren’t any pictures in the house. Luis had told me that he hadn’t been able to bear looking at a single photograph because he’d felt he’d failed her. That wasn’t the first time I’d realized he had a soft spot, a weakness.
It had been something I could have manipulated for the greater good, but I’d chosen not to. Maybe in some way the fact I’d never mentioned her again had added to the limited respect Don Santorelli had formed for a young man with limited syndicate ties.
Every scrap of information of which had been fabricated.
I’d taken Gio’s question regarding the Lupini organization having yet to be marred with a single attack under consideration. I’d made a few phone calls of my own in an attempt to assess the chatter on the street. People were talking, but not a single informant seemed the wiser. However, given what had occurred with Louis and the breach within the DEA, I couldn’t put it past the enforcement agency to pit one syndicate against the other. It was classic. The military had always used the tactic, often with great success.
On the other hand, what did I really know about Matheas Lupini? Only what I’d read in the papers and what information had been supplied by Don Santorelli. What I was certain of was that someone had betrayed us. If there was one thing I’d always been good at, it was flushing out the snakes. I’d do it again.
The afternoon light was waning, a bright patch of color splashing across the sky. There were six men surrounding the property and Drago had tightened the security at the Lupini household. My conversation with the Don had been… interesting. Not terse by any means. In fact, he’d seemed highly disturbed Don Santorelli had died.
A meeting was set for the next day. We had to maintain order. Those had been his last words.
I rubbed my eyes, the jabbering sounds of two children not only grounding me but reminding me about the dangerous game I was still playing. One slip-up and the tragedy would be unfathomable. I knew exactly what they did to traitors, including forcing the perpetrator to watch horrific acts of violence on their loved ones before their deaths.
But someone within Santorelli’s most trusted circle had killed him. That wasn’t news I wanted anyone to discover.
What I needed was to find where the Ecstasy had come from if possible.
Even with the continued doubt in Carmella’s eyes, she’d agreed with me about staying silent. It would remain our secret for now until I had a chance to flush out the murderer.
The list was long enough that it could take a little while.
The one thing I’d ask Gio to provide that wouldn’t raise red flags was the names of anyone Santorelli had either gone to see or had come to the house for a visit. He hadn’t been the kind of man to partake in typical safety precautions. He could have gone anywhere and I wouldn’t know it.
Every man within both organizations had a job to do: protect what belonged to us. They’d been instructed to use whatever force necessary to keep the peace.
What I didn’t like was that Bronco was still unaccounted for. However, Gio had insisted he’d been at the estate for almost an hour. I’d instructed men to head to his apartment. No sign of him. Neither had there been in his usual recreational joints, including a small gym catering to boxers near where he lived. His car was also MIA.
That concerned me.
So much so my men had been instructed to lock him down if found until I had a chance to speak with him. I doubted he’d appreciate the conversation very much.
Another name had already been dropped for my consideration.
Drago.
Even without knowing Santorelli had been murdered, Gio and a few others continued to grumble about the man’s attitude. At this point, I wasn’t driving anything off the table.
“She doesn’t know. Does she?”
“She?”
“Carmella. Your wife.”
Hearing Maria’s voice behind me was another reminder of the vicious game. At least there wasn’t as much animosity as before. “She knows Jessica is my daughter. She’s accepted it.”
“I’m surprised.” She joined me at the window, one arm folded and the other outstretched with a glass of wine in her hand. At least she wasn’t shaking as she’d done for hours after being pulled from a bloody scene at her house.
Carmella had gone out of her way to purchase a few clothes and toiletry items for Maria and Jessica, a few toys as well. For that I was grateful.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Because I’d be livid.”
“Carmella isn’t the kind of woman you think she is.”
Maria laughed. “You mean a spoiled, rich princess?”
“She’s definitely not a princess. She’s the most capable, intelligent, and caring woman I’ve ever known. I’m amazed at her resolve and her love for her son. She would die to keep that little boy safe. Somehow, I think she’d do the same for Jessica after only knowing her for a few hours.”
“My God.”
“What?” I glanced in her direction, surprised to see an incredulous expression.
“You love her. I mean… not because you need to pretend you do, but because it just happened. You fell in love.”
“I… I care about her.”
“Oh, please. It’s written all over your face. I want so much to be happy for you. If only it wasn’t a horrible lie that could come crashing down on both of you.”
“You can’t say a word to her, Maria. There are some things happening that I can’t talk about, but almost everything I thought I knew was wrong. Very wrong.”
“Don’t worry, Alejandro. I won’t tell her. But at some point, you’ll need to. Before she falls any more in love with you than she already has. And don’t tell me you don’t see it.”
“We get along. We share… chemistry.”
Maria leaned back against the window so she could look at me directly. “Don’t fool yourself, brother. What makes me absolutely crazy in the head is that after Carrie died, I was pretty certain you were going to crawl into a hole and never consider opening your heart again. All I needed was to see that way you grabbed her after saving her life inside my house and I knew. Anyone who’d been there would have known. The sad part is that it isn’t real. Talk about bad karma.”
“First of all, you are crazy.”
She gave me a hateful look. “Very funny.”
“And second, even if you’re right, as you said, it’s not real.”
“So you’re going to throw it away without fighting?”
I swirled my drink. “You ask too many questions.”
“At least someone does. You need to think about what you’re going to do. I’m telling you if you don’t confess and do so soon, that strong woman you believe the sun rises and sets on will never forgive you.”
I already knew no matter when I told Carmella, her forgiveness would never come. “Maybe that’s why it’s easier living the lie.”
Maria didn’t say anything, but I could tell by the look in her eyes she was prepared for the worst.
She was prepared for me to be killed. She touched my arm, offering a single nod before starting to walk away.
“If everything did work out, I mean in the long term, are you still planning on keeping custody?”
She lowered her head and I could feel her body stiffen. “That’s nothing I ever wanted, Alejandro. I just wanted my brother to fight for what’s most important to him because I know that man. He’s kind and strong, loving to a fault, and would do anything to protect his family. That’s the man I want to raise that beautiful little girl. The short answer? I just don’t know.”
As she walked away, I mentally compared the two men, the one she’d described and the one I’d become. It hit me all over again.
There was almost no difference in the two.
* * *
Laughter.
I hadn’t really thought about how long it had been since I’d heard laughter or had anything to chuckle about until now. Being able to cook dinner for two women and two kids inside a house filled with warmth had been a gift.
It would likely not be repeated for some time to come.
If ever.
By tomorrow, there wouldn’t be a single crime syndicate or law enforcement agency who hadn’t learned about Santorelli’s death. Blood and chum would be in the water before the six a.m. news.
I’d been in the business long enough to know what to expect. I’d learned to sleep with a loaded weapon on my nightstand, another in the dresser drawer, and others stashed throughout my condo.
I’d also prepared a go bag in case it was necessary to bail the location and I’d kept my body physically fit by use of a gym and boxing bag inside the lavish Manhattan location.
Despite all that I’d managed to eat at the fanciest restaurants and attend movie premieres and charity events. But in all the time I’d spent pretending to be someone else, I hadn’t laughed. I couldn’t remember, other than a practiced chuckle, a single time I’d felt jovial or free of burdens and anxiety.
Until tonight.
There was every possibility by remaining in the house in Great Neck a hit would be easier for any assassin, but a part of me didn’t give a shit.
I’d gifted myself this night, which was why every laugh, every child’s bit of joyful glee, and being able to watch my sister finally starting to relax had been that much more precious.
That didn’t mean I’d allowed my guard to fall. Doing so would mean certain death.
I’d decided to wait until after the news of Santorelli’s death hit to release the alliance announcement. The one-two punch would stir the waters. That much I’d seen before. I only prayed I could control the vermin breaching the surface.
“The children wanted to sleep in the same room. A real sleepover,” Carmella said as she returned to the kitchen.
“And Maria?”
“She was conned into reading to them. I think she’s on book number three.”
I wiped my hands, folding the dishtowel and placing it on the handle of the microwave. When I turned to face her, she had a sly grin on her face.
“My sister is a pushover.”
“Just like her brother.”
“If you were any of my men, I’d punish you.”
“Oh, you would, would you?” She inched closer. For tonight, there’d been no discussion of business, especially in front of the children who’d insisted on helping make the pizzas. The kitchen had become a royal mess, but at least they’d enjoyed themselves.
“Oh, I would, lady. In fact, I should do that anyway. I do need to keep you in line.”
She laughed and grabbed the towel, twisting it the way I’d done when working restaurants as a young man. When she swatted me, I was reminded how much the act stung.
“You shouldn’t do that.”
“Why is that?” she purred. “You don’t know how to play.”
“Who said this is playing?” I searched the expansive kitchen for an implement of choice, snagging a huge wooden spatula from a container.
Doing so offered her the opportunity to swat me again. And again.
While she laughed and tried to dance away, when she attempted a fourth time, I grabbed the towel, yanking her toward me.
“You are such a bully!” She pummeled her fists against me, doing her best to try to get away. I had no intention of allowing her to do so.
“Not so fast, lady. Take your punishment like a good girl.”
“Since you know I’m not a good girl, you realize that’s never going to happen.” She wiggled and fought me hard. But in the end, I won, tossing her over the edge of the counter.
I pressed my weight against her to keep her in position as I struggled to rip up the jean skirt she was wearing.
“There we go,” I said with glee in my voice.
“You better not do that, or I swear to God.”
“You swear to God, what exactly?”
I threw a look over my shoulder. I couldn’t care less if Maria walked in, but I certainly wasn’t prepared to explain anything to the children. Plural. Two kids in the same household. The thought was almost awe inspiring. I wasn’t certain I could survive.
“I’ll hurt you,” Carmella moaned.
“I love it when you say that. Go ahead and try, Firesong.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
In response, I slid my fingers under the tiny waistband of her thong, snapping my wrist. I was surprised that ripping the material away made so much noise.
“You are a beast!”
“How many times have I agreed with you?” I twirled the spatula so she could see what I was doing before kicking her legs apart. She was already dripping wet, her inner thighs glistening.
Just the scent of her feminine wiles was enough to keep my mouth watering while my throat was parched. Feasting on her would need to wait.
For now.
I cracked the wooden implement across her bottom and she yelped. When she made another noise with the second smack, I did what any responsible man would do. I shoved the damp panties into her mouth.
She continued muttering and if I wasn’t mistaken, cursing through the gag. That egged me on. I brought the spatula down again and again, already feeling the intense pressure of my cock pushing against my jeans.
“I have begun to wonder when you’re going to obey me.”
“Rrr… vvv… rrr…”
“I see. Never. Huh? Is that what you said? I guess I’ll keep spanking you until you agree.” I moved from side to side, every sense on high alert as her skin turned a luscious shade of pink. She was still fighting, trying her best to throw back one arm then the other so she could punch me.
It didn’t happen.
The sound was louder than expected but as I increased my pace the way her hips moved with each swat was all I could focus on. When her bottom was thoroughly covered in a blushing pink, I took a deep breath and rolled the implement between her legs.
Carmella instantly stiffened, her breath catching.
She had no idea how badly I wanted to fuck her at this very moment.
“Does that feel good, Firesong? Would you like me to continue?”
Her moan was the only response other than the way she undulated her body. I rolled the piece up and down, soaking the wood with her juice. The scent was already driving me crazy, my cock throbbing.
She spread her legs even further, her action as if begging me to continue. I wanted her to come. I needed her to express how much she enjoyed our passion.
I drove the spatula into her folds, slow and careful in my actions. Right now, all I wanted to do was to lick her juice off the implement.
Every whimper and wiggle had the effect of tightening my balls. Her body stiffened even more and I cracked it across her bottom twice more.
As soon as I returned the implement to her sweet pussy, she erupted in a powerful climax. I closed my eyes, continuing to rub as her body trembled in my hold. The satisfaction was entirely different, but even more satisfying.
When she slowly relaxed, her body finally resting against the counter, I eased the spatula from between her legs. Her sigh of satisfaction brought a smile to my face. Every sound she made emphasized the forbidden relationship we shared.
Making it that much sweeter.
After snapping the wooden implement against her bottom one last time, I gathered her into my arms, rubbing my aching cock against her bruised buttocks.
“Stick out your tongue, Firesong.”
She did so, but not without providing her own spine, wiggling her tongue on purpose.
“Taste it,” I commanded, pushing the implement against her tongue.
When she did, it was all I could do to keep from fucking her.
“Are you sweet?”
“Always.”
I slathered her tongue for a few seconds before pulling away. Breaking the connection provided a sense of emptiness. Almost as soon as I turned away, I sensed she’d moved directly behind me again.
“I need to say something to you,” she breathed.
“Anything.”
“I know you aren’t who you say you are or who you’ve led everyone to believe you could be. At first, I felt compelled to expose you no matter the consequences. After all, you could be a threat to my family.”
Her statement hung in the air. “And now?” I tipped my head to the side.
“And now? I honestly think you might be the only person who can protect them. In other words, I don’t care who you were years before. I don’t think you do either. This is your life now. I’m a part of your world. Neither one of us want that to change. Don’t tell me the truth. Don’t place me in the position of choosing. Please. That’s all I can ask of you.”
I took a deep breath, thinking about her request. For about a million reasons I should tell her that wasn’t possible.
But I chose not to.
This was the real defining moment and a choice had to be made.
So I did.
“My name is Alejandro Banderas. You are my wife. I will become the Don of the Santorelli crime syndicate and I promise to protect my family.”
There was no turning back, no chance at feeling any sense of remorse. The decision was written not only in a contract and tightened by a marriage license, but also inked in blood.
Farewell, Jeffers Sanchez.