Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
MASON
T he soft curls of Casey’s hair fell gracefully through my fingers as I pretended to watch the movie. My mind was more on her and the feeling of having her so close. Her head was in my lap, her face turned to the fantasy movie she’d chosen. I would have taken advantage of the position if she hadn’t gone down on me when we’d first escaped to the basement, her mouth leaving me so weak I didn’t argue when she chose the movie. She was something, and she was mine.
My hand continued to play with her hair, my eyes trained on each strand as they floated down. I loved her curls, the way they gently framed her face, bouncing with her steps or swaying in the breeze when we went for walks on the grounds.
“Are you trying to distract me from the movie?” she asked, her voice lazily drifting over my ears.
It had been three weeks since the Bad Omens had struck, three weeks since the thought of losing her had wrenched my heart, nearly gutting me, three weeks since I’d moved her in with me. Three amazing weeks where I’d explored every inch of her fantastic body and she’d done the same to mine, taking me to new heights every time I indulged in her, which was frequent. But there were times like these when simply being in her presence made me the happiest, leaving me contented like I’d never been before.
Tyson still grumbled about us, but it had become playful, his complaints waning with the passing of time. He’d moved back in but now used the apartment more frequently to give us space.
I still planned to marry Casey, but with the newness of our relationship, she wanted us to take our time, to wait until after Riley’s wedding to make plans. Whatever made her happy made me happy, so I didn’t argue, content to know she loved me.
“I might be,” I replied to her question as she peeked up at me. “But you left me pretty tired with that stunt you pulled earlier.” I gave her a crooked grin, which she returned with a radiant smile. I’d found I never tired of her smiles or the way they warmed my soul.
My phone rang, ruining the moment, and I reached for it, seeing Greyson Tides’ number.
“Duty calls, princess.” Watching the sexy shiver run through her every time I called her princess had made it my favorite nickname.
“Tides,” I greeted him. “Calling to tell me how much you liked my gift.”
“Don’t pull that shit again, Brinks. Your sister threw up when she opened it.”
“You let my sister open packages sent to you?” I tried to remain calm, but it was hard. Tides grated on my nerves and anything that had to do with Riley sent that irritation skyrocketing.
Casey sat up, her eyes questioning me.
“You wanted her to be part of this world, Brinks. She needs to deal with dead bodies if she is. Personally, I prefer my women soft, not like you who let your woman take down your enemy for you. How is that shoulder doing, by the way?”
My grip on the phone tightened. I heard Riley complain in the background that she wasn’t soft.
“You’re not soft, baby girl.”
“Don’t call my sister that,” I groused, the nickname turning my stomach.
“And stop pouting like that or I’ll put those lips to use,” he said to her.
“Why you fucker,” I yelled, but I heard Riley retort back that if he didn’t stop, her lips wouldn’t be of any use the rest of the day. I wasn’t sure that made my thoughts on the subject any better, but it shut him up.
“I sent your message to the Omens,” he said, changing the subject.
When we’d rounded up the bodies, including the ones Casey had taken out, I kept a souvenir. The head stayed on ice until I sent it to Tides as an engagement gift. He may have enjoyed taunting me about his relationship with Riley, but I hit him where I could, when I could. The head was a purposeful show of my power. One I knew he’d use to send a warning to the Bad Omen. He was the only boss I knew who had a way of contacting them, although he’d never divulged how.
“And?” I asked.
“They didn’t respond, but I doubt they’ll come after you for a while. They may turn their attention away again, like they did with Donelli. The families you have alliances with will be safe for the time being. You struck them hard. Or maybe I should say your girl struck them hard.”
“Fuck off, Tides.” I didn’t bother arguing that my men and I had taken most of them out. If he wanted to believe Casey had done all the work, then let him underestimate me. I had a feeling he knew exactly how it had gone down, but he enjoyed goading me as much as I enjoyed goading him.
“I plan to when I get done with this conversation.” I could hear the smirk in his voice and my urge to reach through the phone and strangle him grew.
“They’re using marks, Tides.”
He stayed quiet for a few seconds. “I know, and it means they could be anywhere. I don’t know when they’ll strike again, but they’ll come after you and now that it’s out that Riley connects us, they’ll come after me.” Riley muttered something in the background, but I couldn’t make it out. “We’re moving the wedding up,” he finally said.
“You promised her a Christmas wedding.”
“I did, but I won’t wait that long. There’s too much at risk with the Omen stirring things up. The wedding needs to happen sooner. I’ll give her something special at Christmas to make it up to her.”
“Damn right you will.” This time, I heard her loud and clear.
“What did I tell you about running that mouth, baby girl? Now be a good girl and take those clothes off. I’m almost done with this call.”
“Dammit Tides, you say that shit to stir me up and I swear the next time I see you, my fist will be in your face.”
“Idle threats, Brinks. The wedding is being moved to next month. She gets a spring wedding. Until then, make sure your men stay on guard. Lock down every business, every loose end you have, every mouth the Omen can leverage to get to you. And make sure those families in the west are still loyal. I’ve heard rumblings about Tirenti.”
“I’ll take care of those rumblings. You worry about keeping my sister safe.”
“Keeping her happy is the hard part. This wedding shit is killing me.”
“Hey!” Riley yelled.
“Sounds like you’ve got a pissed off woman to deal with and I can tell you from experience, my sister is a handful when she pissed.”
“I know she is, but she understands there are consequences if she acts up.” The phone went dead, leaving that thought in my head. I hoped his punishments weren’t anything like mine because that was disturbing. I shook the image from my mind, meeting Casey’s bright eyes.
“They moved the wedding up?” she asked, almost bouncing in her seat.
“Yeah, sounds like it.”
She leaned into me. “That means wedding planning, wedding dress shopping, bridal showers. I wonder if she’ll make me her maid of honor.” She bit her lip, a worry crease forming between her eyes.
“Of course she will. And I bet you’ll look stunning all dressed up in one of those fancy dresses, a pair of sexy stilettos, your curls all done up.” The thought made my dick twitch. There wasn’t a speck of Casey’s body that didn’t turn me on. She had curves that were never ending, and I had touched, kissed, and licked every one.
“Why are you grinning like that?” she asked, a subtle blush filling her cheeks.
“Just thinking of you with no panties on under that bridesmaid dress and those luscious tits of yours spilling over the top of the dress.” Even picturing her that way was making me hard. “Although maybe that’s not such a good idea, I don’t want other men staring at my girl.”
She gave me a kiss, giggling against my lips and I pushed her back on the couch, pulling her legs out from under her so that she was laying down as I hovered over her.
“I think I need a taste of you, sweetheart,” I muttered between kisses.
My phone rang again, and I groaned, pulling away. She jerked me back to her, saying, “Ignore it.”
“No can do. You know the rules.” She came first, but I always took business calls.
She whined, but I took my phone back out, seeing Donelli’s number. Sitting back, I answered, running my hand down the length of her body.
“Brinks,” Tony said.
“Why are you calling from your father’s phone?”
“Pops is handing the business over to me. Now that I’m recuperating, he says it’s time to bring me all the way in. That means I’m the voice and the face of the family now.”
“That’s not terrifying,” I muttered.
“I’m ready this time, Mason. I wasn’t before, but seeing death so close has changed me.”
I wanted to say I’d see with time, but I kept my mouth shut, letting him ramble about his near-death reawakening. The bullets had missed his major organs, and they’d sent him home from the hospital with a new lease on life and the scars to prove it.
“What do you want, Tony?”
“Pops is calling in the favor he asked of you. Remember how Tirenti’s son was harassing my sister?”
My insides clenched because I’d hoped with all that had gone down, Donelli would forget about his proposal for us to help Angie.
“Yes,” I said with some hesitation.
I looked over at Casey. She’d wiggled out of her jeans, her tiny thong the only thing blocking me from tasting her like I’d planned.
“That’s a dirty move,” I mouthed.
“Well, he’s back at it,” Tony continued as my eyes followed the path of Casey’s leg where she bent it. “He and his father were here for a business meeting, and he made a move on Angie. The prick touched my sister. I about killed him, but there’s tension between our families, so I held back.” That tension was worrisome, especially after Tides’ comment about them. I’d need to pay them a visit to remind them who had bailed them out when they were struggling to keep hold of their territory.
“I’m proud of you, Tony. That was a big thing to do. I would have cut his hands off and stuffed them up his ass.”
By now, Casey had her shirt and bra off, her breasts staring temptingly at me. I wiped my hand over my face as Tony bragged again about how he was a changed man. Ignoring him, I cupped her breast, leaning forward and flicking my tongue over her nipple. She bit her bottom lip, letting her head fall back.
“Are we done, Tony?” I said, hearing how hoarse my voice had become. I wanted Casey so badly I was aching for her.
“No, we’re not. I need you to take Angie. You told pops that the fake marriage with Tyson would be okay.”
I stopped, dropping my head against Casey's stomach. Her hands played through my hair, and I rested my cheek on her skin. “I never agreed to it. I told him I’d talk to Tyson about it.”
“About what?” Casey asked. I put my finger to her mouth to silence her, and she pouted her lips.
“Don’t pout,” I mouthed before I ran my hand down her body and pushed her panties off.
“Well, your time is up. My father announced it to Tirenti before things went down and reaffirmed it when Tirenti was here. I expect Tyson here by the end of the week to take his new bride home.”
Fuck, that was a disaster and a move that was sure to push Tirenti another step further to questioning his allegiance to me. This entire situation had gone from bad to worse. The only thing keeping me sane at the moment was the gorgeous brunette whose naked body had my cock in a frenzy.
“Are you giving me orders, Tony?” I rubbed my fingers through Casey’s wetness, forcing my groan to stay silent. Her legs spread, and I teased her clit before slipping two fingers deep inside of her. “Because we’re done here, and if you’re threatening me, we’re done completely.”
“Shit,” he mumbled. My fingers moved in and out of Casey, her moans growing louder. I really needed this call to end. “No, I’m not threatening you. Please take her. She needs protection, and I’m not in the position to give it to her without starting a turf war. If we go to war, your alliance breaks up and your business will hurt as much as ours will.”
Damn, he had a point. Although I wasn’t certain Tyson taking Angie would make it any better. I freed my fingers, sliding over Casey’s clit again, causing her legs to tremble enticingly.
“Fine, I’ll have Tyson on a plane by Friday. Make sure Angie’s ready. And Tony, if she’s as mouthy as she usually is, I can’t guarantee Tyson won’t kill her within the first day of this sham.”
I hung up on him, throwing my phone aside and shoving my fingers back into Casey, grabbing her breast with my other hand.
“What sham?” she moaned.
“I’ll tell you later, princess. Right now, I’m ravenous, and I need to taste you.” I didn’t wait for her reply, burying my head between her legs and sinking my tongue into her sweetness. I wrapped my arms around her legs, jerking her further into my face, feeling her oncoming climax and waiting to experience her euphoria. Every lick got me harder. Every moan that shivered through her body sent my desire for her rising until she came undone, her body shaking so hard that I couldn’t resist freeing myself. I gave her a long lick, flicking my tongue against her clit as her body calmed, then sat back and freed my cock, stroking it while I watched the quivers that were still running through her stomach.
“Damn, you are the most beautiful thing when you’re coming, sweetheart.”
“Only when I’m coming?” she teased, her voice unsteady.
“You’re always beautiful, princess.” She grabbed my shirt and pulled me over her, pushing her heels into my back as I penetrated her, both of us grunting in unison.
I knew I needed to talk to Tyson, but I needed Casey more and the desperation that always hit me when she was close had me in its grip. I took her, luxuriating in every touch, every cry that escaped her sexy lips until I broke. My climax crushed me with its force, knocking the wind from me until I could gain control of my body again.
Lifting myself, I gazed into her hazel eyes. They were a deep amber right on the cusp of brown.
“Still love me?” she asked, her smile reaching in and tugging the heart she owned.
“Always, Case.”
And it was the truth. There would never be room for anyone else in my heart because she filled it so that it was overflowing with the love I had for her. There would never be a day when I wouldn’t love her, wouldn’t desire her, wouldn’t be owned by her. Because Casey was my everything now, awakening my hardened heart and capturing it so there was no escape.
“Mind telling me what sham?” she asked, pushing my shirt up and running her hands over my muscles.
“I’d prefer not to and to have you continue touching me like that,” I mumbled, leaning down and kissing her neck.
“Mason.”
I lifted myself, narrowing my eyes. “Are you scolding me, sweetheart?”
“Will it get me punished if I say yes?” Her eyes sparkled with the devious smile she wore.
“I can guarantee it.”
She groaned and bunched my shirt in her hand. “Tell me what you and Tony were talking about.”
My fingers grazed her ass before squeezing it, and she purred. The sound was like her hand stroking my dick and I started moving in her again, feeling it come back to life.
“Can it wait, sweetheart? I’m feeling hungry again.”
“When are you not hungry?” she played.
“Never with you around.”
“Mason, what’s going on? And what does it have to do with Ty?”
I sighed, stopping my motion and knowing I needed to deal with the situation. Tyson was bound to find out soon enough, and he needed to hear it from me. Ignoring the throb in my lower body, I pulled from Casey and rose. She whined, but I stopped her with a shake of my head as I fixed my pants.
Casey sat up, her eyes questioning me. She grabbed for her clothes, but I stopped her. “Uh, uh,” I said. “Keep them off. That ass needs a few handprints on it, and I plan to take it hard once I’ve marked it.”
The sigh that fell from her lips was glorious. Leaning over her, I kissed her, indulging myself once more before I dealt with what was likely going to be a blowup.
“Is that a promise?” Damn, she was something. My girl liked a good spanking, and I enjoyed doling them out and watching her break.
“Sure is. Now why don’t you get that ass in the air for me, so it’s ready when I return.”
She giggled, a sound that rippled through my heart, owning it further. “Then you’ll tell me what’s going on?”
“Only when my cum is leaking out of your ass, princess.”
Her moan set my soul on fire, and I forced her hands from around my neck, kissing them before I dropped them. Walking away, I realized just how much of me she owned now. It was like there had never been a part of me that wasn’t hers, like I’d been waiting for her to return and claim it all these years. I peeked back at her, watching her snuggle under the blanket that had been on the back of the couch. I should have scolded her for covering her body up, but she looked too adorable, her curls spilling around her bare shoulder, her knees drawn up as she turned her attention back to the movie. Stealing one last look at her, I fortified my heart to being away from her, something I was finding more difficult by the day.
Tyson was in the home gym, pounding his wrapped fists into the punching bag, when I found him.
“Little late to be working out, isn’t it?” I asked, my hands in my pockets as I walked in.
“I’m keeping my mind from images of you taking advantage of my sister in the basement.”
“I wasn’t taking advantage of her; I was fucking her.”
He stopped, his glare lethal. “Asshole.”
“Better me than another guy, Ty.”
He shrugged, then returned to pulverizing the bag.
“What do you want, Mace? Must be something important to tear you away from Casey.”
I prepared myself, knowing I was about to ruin his night and an unforeseen number of weeks. There was no telling how long the facade would need to be in place. With the Bad Omens in the picture and the trouble brewing with Tirenti, there was a chance it would be at least through Riley’s wedding. Donelli knew the ruse of a marriage between Angie and Tyson would secure his family’s protection. No one would touch them if they were now merged with my family, especially not the Tirenti’s. But Angie was a handful, and Casey was the only one who could tolerate her for long periods of time.
Tyson stopped punching and looked at me, waiting for the words I was dreading to tell him. That I was cutting off his playboy ways and sinking him in a fake marriage with a woman he despised. There was no way this was going over well.
“It’s time you settled down, buddy. No more one-night stands or playing with the girls at the club.” His eyes creased, lines forming around his tightened jaw. He knew my tone wasn’t playful, that this wasn’t a warning to keep his hands off the employees, that there was more to it. I braced myself. “You’ve got a wife now and trust me, she’s not one for having the attention on anyone but her.”