Chapter 28
Three weeks of living with Blake’s mom was catching up to me. I was at my limit. Blake wasn't home yet and I was ready to see him, but more than that, I was bored out of my fucking mind. His mother had been in town for almost a month and she was cleaning every single thing in sight. My nerves were shot being in the same place as her. I knew she meant well, and Blake had tried to talk to her about it, but when she saw a mess, she cleaned it. My skin was crawling and it was taking everything in me not to blow up.
Therapy was still new and I wasn't sure if the woman who was counseling me was going to work out. There weren't a whole lot of people who could handle the sordid tale of my childhood and the bloody life I had lived. My stomach twisted as I stepped out of the bedroom. The place smelled like fresh lemons and disinfectant spray. The heat was blasting, keeping the whole apartment toasty. We were still well into winter and the frigid weather wasn't letting up any time soon.
Don't check it.
I turned to look at the corner of the living room where I kept some of the stuff I hadn't had the courage to trash just yet. I blew out a breath as I saw the old skateboard and some books I was probably never going to read. I needed to get rid of them but the thought made me queasy.
One thing at a time. I picked up the books and looked over the titles before I decided which to donate. Not tossing it out, but removing it from our space.
"Oh, Quincy. You're up. Thought you'd sleep forever. Want to go grocery shopping with me?" Veronica asked. She held up a wad of cash. "Blake left some money behind to get a few things. Oh, he also left you a note. Don't worry, I didn't read it."
I took the piece of paper from her. He could have texted me instead. I opened it, not sure what to expect, but hoping it contained a dirty picture.
Quincy, here is some cash. Our stash is getting low and we apparently have an event to attend in two weeks. Pick out a nice suit.
-Your sugar daddy.
I crumpled the paper cursing under my breath in Japanese.
"Everything okay?" Veronica watched me curiously.
"Your son is being—" a dick. An insufferable bastard. I swallowed all the insults down.
She peeked around me at the note and sighed. "He gets that from his father's side of the family. If you did something wrong, he will torture you as long as possible."
I nodded. Yeah, I could tell. He was lucky I loved his ass. "I'll have to pass on grocery shopping. Sorry."
She waved me off. "No need to apologize. I’ll have a girl day on my own."
I moved closer and hesitated. She was Blake's mother, and although she was affectionate with him, I wasn't sure about myself. It wasn't like I had a lot of experience with this. Unless my mother needed something from me, her love wasn't offered. Veronica's head tilted back as she met my gaze. Her smile was warm, just like Blake’s as she closed the distance between us and wrapped her small arms around me. I froze instantly. I had gotten more hugs in the past month than I'd gotten in my twenty-nine years of life. After a moment, I hugged her back, soaking in this unfamiliar warmth. As much as she drove me crazy, I was also enjoying the moments I had with her.
We pulled apart, and I couldn't help but wipe away the sudden tear that had broken free. Luckily, Veronica was a lady and didn't point it out.
"No need to cook tonight. I have plans for Blake,” I said.
"Okay, sounds good to me. You two have fun." Veronica squeezed my hand.
I left and headed for the street as I typed on my phone. Some things needed to change and it needed to happen now. I hailed a taxi. I'd donate the books since there was a shop on the way.
Quincy: I can't do this shit anymore!
Ash: What's wrong?
Tex: What did he do?
Harlow: You finally going stir crazy?
I originally wasn't sure if I'd ever use the Wives of the Vitale’s group chat, but here I was complaining about Blake like a wife. I groaned. If anyone was going to understand me, it was the other men who had the same fate of being with a Vitale man.
Quincy: He keeps giving me money like I'm some kept man.
Tex: It's the worst when they do that. Enzo doesn't even ask anymore, he just buys whatever he thinks I want.
Harlow: I have to remind Benito if he tries that pampering shit, I will drain his bank account.
Ash: I like when Gin buys me things.
Ash: What's wrong with that?
Leave it to Ash not to realize the point. He was seriously too soft for this world. How in the fuck had Gin bagged him? York finally popped into the messages. He was more than likely still at work.
York: Paolo is the same way. It's now a clear rule he isn't allowed to spend an outrageous amount on me anymore.
Tex: Lol but he still buys you stuff. Keeps you nice and pretty.
York: No comment.
That was a big fat fucking yes. It eased the annoyance just a little to know I wasn't the only one suffering.
Tex: Why don't you get a job, Quincy?
Harlow: Why haven't you checked in with Benito yet?
I had, and although the transition was smooth, he'd told me to lay low for a while just in case Minato wasn't able to convince their father to let me go, or anything was leaked about his oldest son's death. I wasn’t so sure lying low was meant for me. I was ready to be back on the street where I could cause some chaos.
Quincy: I'm headed over to Blu now.
Tex: Stop by the bar, I'll give you a drink.
Quincy: Thanks, I'm going to need it.
Ash: I wish I was out having a drink.
Harlow: You can bring the little one over. I have the girls tonight since Paolo is busy and York is stuck at work.
York: Thanks again.
Harlow: Don't thank me, fed. They are always welcome. They tire Emica out every single time.
Harlow: But Ima need a break next week.
Quincy: Me and Blake can take on a few nights. His mom is here and she'd probably love it if the kids were around.
York: It's feeling more and more like we're the wives...
Ash:
Tex:
Harlow: And with that, I'm going to go kill something or at least stab.
York: I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.
I put my phone away, shaking my head at the shenanigans. After I paid the cab driver, I pulled my jacket closer to me and climbed out. I headed for the club. The line outside the door followed the wall. I bypassed it and fist bumped the guard. I might have not been a Vitale before, but I knew people.
The moment I stepped in, I looked over at the bar. Tex was slinging drinks and there were people vying for his attention. When had he found the time to reply to our messages? The moment he looked up, our eyes met. He waved me over. I made my way through the throngs of people until I stopped in front of him.
"It's packed tonight."
Tex nodded. "Yeah. Here. This is on the house. Blake said you like your drink a little less sweet."
I took it, downing half the contents before I came up for air. "This is good."
"Thanks."
A customer called out for Tex, and just like that, he was gone. I finished off my drink and left the glass behind before making my way to the top floor. The back steps that led to Benito’s office were guarded.
"I'm here to see Benito."
"Is he expecting you?" one of the men asked.
"He's good," Gin interrupted. He came up behind me, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
Guess it paid to be a brother-in-law. We headed toward the office at the same time Tony was stepping out.
"Figured you'd be here any day," Tony said.
I shrugged. "What can I say? I've only lived one kind of way."
We shook hands before I followed Gin into Benito's office. The moment the door closed, it was like we weren't in the club anymore. Benito sat at his desk. The club below was as lively as it always was. The office, however, was secluded from the outside world. The soft jazz playing in the background drowned out any of the thumping music from below.
"Good, you're here." Benito pointed to the seat across from his desk and I plopped down.
"You got work for me?"
He nodded. "I have a few things for you to handle, but most importantly, Harlow is wanting a more important position, and if I don't comply—" Benito waved his hand in the air. "He will become a bigger pain in my ass." He locked eyes with me, the weight of his gaze hitting me full force. "I want you to be at his side. Like Tony is at mine."
"His yes man?"
"We both know you aren't a fucking yes man. But out of all my guys, I know you will do what it takes to protect my husband. Even from himself."
He wasn't wrong. "Okay."
"Your pay will be based on the jobs you do for me, but Harlow's already argued you should be paid the same amount as Tony."
Did I even want to know the number? I wanted to argue. I could work my way up from the bottom, I had before, but the truth was that I didn't want to. I'd bled and suffered enough. I was going to take this opportunity for what it was.
"Consider it done."
"Good." He leaned back. "Is there something else?" Benito asked.
I got up out of the seat, knowing when I wasn't needed anymore. "Where is my husband, by the way?"
Gin was the one to answer me. "He's with Enzo."
"Doing what?"
"Bonding time."
Of course. "They nearly done?"
"What is this, twenty questions?" Gin shot back.
Benito groaned. "Yeah, knowing Enzo, he's going to time it to Tex getting off work if he can. Tex is leaving early tonight I believe. I will send you the location."
"Thanks—boss."
Benito grunted. "I expect you to keep my husband out of trouble."
"We both know the best I can do is to make sure he ends up home. He’ll probably be covered in blood, but very much alive."
Benito pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Feel like I should have you somewhere else, but if you two are anything like Ash and the idiot over here, work will come second if you’re not monitored.”
"Hey,” Gin interrupted. “I get my job done.”
"Sometimes. Although, it’s because of you that Ash is behind on paperwork. He used to be a well oiled machine."
"That's because he's not letting me take care of maintenance at home?—"
"Gin, shut the fuck up before I shove you in a hole," Benito growled.
I took a step back, not willing to get in the middle of them. I had my hands full with the one Vitale I was forced to endure. "I'm heading out. Send me his location."
I escaped without being dragged into their bullshit. Job secured. I let Harlow know that I'd see him tomorrow. But for tonight Blake was my only focus. I made it to my car in record time. Benito's message came shortly after, and I was on the road to go get my man.
I took my time, putting my plan into action. I made a few quick stops. I might have been jobless for a little while, but I always kept an emergency fund hidden. Now with job security back, I wasn't hesitant to spend the remainder of my cash. But who cared either way? What was love without risk?
By the time I pulled up to Enzo and Blake’s location, I was practically bouncing in my seat. I rolled a few joints to have on hand while I waited for him. My phone dinged, and I checked my email. Our tracking bracelets were ready. I couldn't wait to put one on Blake. I'd know where he was at all times. Some might say it was crazy, but there was something fundamentally grounding knowing the person you loved could always be found.
I spotted someone coming out of the building, and I hopped up. I ignored any of the other men moving about. The moment my husband saw me, he headed over, jogging to get to me faster.
He'd missed me just as much as I missed him.
"Hey, baby girl. I missed you."
His smile was bright. "Missed you too. Although I saw you this morning. You gave me head in the shower."
That had been hours ago. I was practically going through withdrawals at this point.
Blake's hair was wet and pushed back out of his face. I took off my coat and draped it over his head. Whatever they'd done in there, Enzo had made sure Blake was void of any incriminating evidence. He'd probably hate working with me and Harlow. We were messy, and nine times out of ten kept the mess on us. There was nothing more relaxing than being covered in the blood of your enemies.
"You will catch a cold."
He smiled at me. "I was just about to head home."
"Too bad. We're not going there."
"We aren't?" I ushered him toward the car, opening the door for him. I waited for Blake to get situated before I rounded the car and got behind the wheel. "Quincy, what are you doing?"
"Squeeze in the back and get dressed. I bought you clothes."
Blake glanced behind us, spotting the shopping bags. "Is this because of my note?"
"Yes and no."
He unbuckled and slipped to the backseat.
I laughed. "Pays to be short, huh?"
"You get fucked by this short king and beg for my cum."
"That I do. It feels good when you fill me up." I stole glances of him in the back. Fuck, he was hot. His shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes framed by thick lashes kept appearing in the rearview mirror. How in the fuck did I get so lucky?
"There are two outfits?"
"Yeah, wear the Armani first." Tonight, I was going to give Blake the best date he'd ever had. I was going to make him fall even more in love with me. That way he'd never be able to leave.
Blake pushed the food around his plate. He’d eaten maybe three bites. Conversation had flowed easily between us, but I could tell something was wrong.
"You don't like it?" I asked.
"It's not that I don't like it."
I eyed him before he sighed. "It's just missing that umph, you know?"
I nodded. "Yeah, it doesn't taste nearly as good as your cooking."
His cheeks took on an incredible hue of red that made me want to jump over the table.
"And as fancy as this place is, it's not us."
Blake's shoulders fell as he nodded and sat back. "Sorry. I know you probably planned out the first date and?—"
"It's not over yet." I drank some of the wine, not loving the taste in the least. Really should have gotten high prior to coming. "We can always go grab a burger from our favorite place once the main part of the date is done."
"Huh?" His head tilted showing off all the tattoos on his neck as his hair fell to the side. I wanted to lick every single one of them.
"We're here to pick out a mark."
"Really?"
I nodded. I wasn't a thief, but I saw how brightly Blake lit up any time he talked about doing a job.
"There is a special event here tonight that will run another two hours. That means whoever you choose won't be home by then."
"I need so much more information than that," Blake said, but the excitement was written all over his face.
"High stakes; fun reward."
"If we get caught..." Blake started.
"I'll handle it."
Blake nodded, not doubting my words. His trust meant more to me than all the money in the world. He scanned the room and was up in seconds. I thought he'd go and find his target, but he stopped next to me and bent over, placing a kiss on my lips. It was sweet and soft.
I was up, grabbing his hand and leading him to the dance floor.
"You know how to dance?"
"Baby, there are a lot of things you don't know about me yet." I winked, pulling him in close. "Don't worry, I will happily share them all with you."
Blake let me lead. He stepped on my toes a few times before he found his rhythm. Other couples joined in while some continued to eat.
If I could, I'd stay like this forever. Feeling my man pressed against me as the world disappeared around us? There was nothing better.
"Think I found a mark," Blake said.
"Okay, baby. You're calling the shots."
"You're going to listen to me? I'm, like, in charge?" Blake asked.
I laughed. "Yeah, this isn't my usual thing."
"You sure about this?" Blake stared up at me expectantly.
"Baby girl, we're in this together. Life, death, and crime."
Blake pushed up on his tippy toes, and I leaned down to kiss him.
"I love you."
I cupped his face, keeping him close. "You're my world." I'd happily spend every moment I had making sure he felt how much he meant to me.