Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Malice
My grin couldn’t be contained when a sleepy Gwen swatted at my hand as I slid it up to cup her breast.
She let out an animalistic grunt and annoyed groan but shoved my hand away. “I like you, Max. But the way you’re going, I’ll be in jail for murder soon.”
“How have I not realized over the weeks of sleeping together that you’re such a grump in the morning?”
She stretched and rolled onto her back, glaring up at me. “Because you’re usually out the door before the ass crack of dawn. No takeovers to get to? Don’t want to go off and rule the world? No killing sprees?”
Smirking, I kissed her nose. “I only do those every other day.” I rolled out of bed and glanced back at her. “Will you be getting up?”
“Why?” she drew out suspiciously.
“Remember, Felix has a game. We’re going to watch it. Then we’ll go out to lunch.”
She warmed, giving me a soft smile before sitting up. “We? You’re coming? But can we do that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Will it be safe for you?”
“A team will be nearby. You won’t even notice them.” I paused, considering Gwen’s worries—something I seemed to do only for her. “Are you okay with being seen with me at Felix’s school? Or around the kids at all?”
She climbed out of bed and walked over in her sleep shorts and camisole. When she stopped in front of me, she slid her hands onto my waist. “If we’re really making a go of this—like actually being in a relationship—then I don’t want it hidden. I know you and your team will protect my siblings.”
Pinching her chin, I leaned down and kissed her. “And you. I’ll always protect you.”
She pressed her lips against my chest. “I know, Max.”
Over the past weeks, my doll had grown used to using my birth name, and hearing it from her lips made my pulse race in ways that had me wishing I could shoot anyone who heard it. It was meant for me alone.
She beamed. “I’m going to tell the kids you’re coming. You shower, and I’ll be back for one shortly.” She kissed my chest again before grabbing a hooded sweater and slipping it over her head as she stepped out of the room.
When I’d thought of going with them the night before, I hadn’t expected a day out with the kids to make her so happy.
Hell, I was proud of myself for the idea now.
Christ, my heart leaped at the thought of walking the streets with Gwen, Felix, and Amelia.
Like a family.
My own family—one I would do anything for.
Already the thought of someone wanting to harm them felt like a brutal blow to the chest, the kind that splintered something deep inside you and replaced it with a quiet, dangerous promise of revenge.
Anyone who tried would be killed in the worst possible way.
For now, I had to push that shit down so it didn’t darken this moment.
In the shower, I’d just finished conditioning my hair when a sharp smack to my ass had me cursing. “Fuck.” I spun toward the woman and dragged her close, slamming my mouth down on hers, cutting off her laughter. “Watch those hands, menace.”
“Or you’ll cut them off?”
Snorting, I shook my head. “I’ll tie you up and spank you until your ass is red.”
She bit her bottom lip. “And that’s supposed to stop me?”
Leaning in, I bit her bottom lip before licking over it. “Remind me to do that to you.”
Her hand snaked around my hard cock. “If only we had time now.”
Smirking, I pressed a hand to the top of her head and gently pushed. “Then you’d better make it quick.”
She glared but rolled her eyes and went to drop to her knees. She only stopped when I grabbed her upper arm.
“I was joking. You don’t have to.”
“Oh, but I want to. Then you’ll owe me one.” She winked and started to kneel again.
“Wait.” I stepped out of the shower to grab a folded towel, then placed it on the floor before moving back under the spray. “I don’t want you hurting your knees.”
She smiled up at me and pressed a kiss on my chest. “You’re the best.”
Her lips drifted lower, kissing down my stomach as her tongue traced the droplets of water clinging to my skin. When she sank to her knees and looked up at me with that hungry expression, a sharp twitch ran through my gut and cock.
My pretty doll stuck her tongue out and traced it around the tip of my dick.
Fuck.
She slid her mouth down, licking and sucking.
“Jesus, baby.” I gripped her hair in a fist and used it to draw her mouth and heat from me. “You suck me so fuckin’ well, doll.” I hummed, pulling her back over my dick.
She moaned.
“You like that? Like me fuckin’ your face? Using your mouth?”
Another soft moan vibrated against me, and I could feel the saliva pooling in her mouth.
“I’m going to fuck you faster. Do you want it?”
She made a muffled noise and nodded slightly.
I withdrew from her wet mouth before thrusting forward again.
She gagged and swallowed around my cock before I withdrew.
When she looked up at me again, like a good little sex servant wanting to please her master—wanting me to fuck her face harder, faster—that eager expression twisted something deep in my chest.
My Gwen got off on being used like a cock warmer.
I fucking loved it.
“Christ.” I pumped in and out as she snuck a hand down between her legs. “Use your other hand to squeeze those tits, doll.” She did, pinching and rubbing at them as she toyed with her clit.
She whimpered around me.
Goddamn, I wouldn’t last much longer.
“I want you coming over your fingers when I do.”
She nodded.
“Fuck your sweet little pussy for me, Gwen. Soak those fingers with your cum while I fill your mouth.”
Pleasure rolled through my body, centering around my cock as I relished the feeling of her cute mouth while I punished it with my swift fucking.
She whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut as she came. My body tensed before I released into her wet warmth, and she drank my seed down eagerly.
When I pulled out of her mouth, she leaned against me. Resting her forehead on my thigh, she panted for breath.
I glided my hand over her head. “Gwen?”
“Good. Very good. But my legs have gone to sleep. You’ll have to help me up.”
Grinning, I bent and hauled her to her feet, then tucked her close to my chest and kissed the top of her head. “You’re perfect for me, Gwen.”
She patted my chest. “Hmm, you too.”
Her weight rested more heavily against me.
I ran a hand down her back and cupped her ass before giving it a swat. “You’re not seriously falling asleep right now?”
She gently slapped my stomach and pushed back to glare up at me. “It’s your fault for making me come so hard.”
“Actually,” I said with a smirk, “you made yourself come.”
“But it was your words that sent me over the edge, so you’re totally to blame. Now move aside so I can wash my hair.”
I nipped at her shoulder before stepping out of the shower and drying off while watching her.
She brought a lightness into my dark world like no other before.
The seats were small in the stadium Felix played in, and there were a lot of people and noise. I hated it. But I’d do it all again for Gwen—and for Felix and Amelia.
When we arrived, Felix had to head to the change rooms while I walked Gwen and Amelia inside.
Amelia spent the entire time telling me how good her brother played.
Torment, Reaper, and the other lieutenants were going to have a shit time watching everyone.
I should’ve checked how many people came to these games.
Once we were finally inside the doors, Amelia smiled up at me. “Come on, we usually sit over here. The only reason I like coming is to perv on Felix’s friends or else I’d die of boredom.”
I’ll kill them all.
I glanced back at Gwen to see her soft gaze already on us. She beamed at me.
“She’s too young to think of boys,” I informed her.
Both of them cackled.
“She’s just messing with you,” Gwen told me. “Right, Amelia?”
“Sure,” she drew out sarcastically. They both laughed at my scowl.
Anyone else would be intimidated, yet these two roll their eyes.
A slow wave of contentedness washed over me. I liked that they weren’t afraid of me.
Still, I’d make sure the older boys, or any male, no matter the age, stayed away from Gwen’s fourteen-year-old sister. At least until she was thirty.
I flicked my gaze around the place, trying to take everything in and judge people’s intentions.
When we took our seats, I turned to Gwen. “Why are so many people staring?”
“You’re hot. Plus, you’re in a suit at a basketball game on the weekend.”
“You could’ve told me to wear something else,” I suggested.
Amelia leaned against my other side. “I heard Gwen talking to Stasia about how good-looking you are in a suit. She wouldn’t tell you to change.”
“Melly,” Gwen scolded, glaring.
Amelia cackled.
Smirking at Gwen, I leaned in and kissed her nose. “Good to know.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She reached up and gently pushed my chin so I faced forward. “The teams are coming out. Watch the game.”
Chuckling, I turned my attention to the teens running onto the court at each end. Gwen was always cute when she got caught out.
Felix walked close by where we sat three levels up. He grinned cheerfully and waved. Gwen and Amelia returned it with enthusiasm while I tipped my chin his way.
They moved onto the court, and the game started when the whistle blew.
I’d never been to a basketball game in person. I’d seen a few on the television, but it was something else entirely being there—even if it was just a high school game.
The teams fought for control of the points.
Sneakers squeaked along with the thud of the ball hitting the wood. Felix wiped his hands on his shorts, eyes locked on the play unfolding in front of him. His grin faded into something sharper and focused.
Gwen leaned her head against my upper arm. When I glanced at her, she smiled.
“You’re enjoying it.”
It wasn’t a question, but I still answered, “Very much. The twins weren’t into basketball, so I’ve never attended a game.”
Her smile widened. “Look at that, a virginal experience for you.” She cackled at her own joke while I stared at her with an amused tilt to my lips.
Amelia bumped into me. “Last minute.”
I placed my attention back on the game just as Felix snagged the ball like he’d expected nothing less.
He dribbled once, twice—his long strides eating up the court.
A defender tried to cut him off, but Felix pivoted and slipped past. For a second it looked messy, like he might lose control, but then he gathered himself and jumped.
Time stretched. The crowd held its breath as Felix’s fingers guided the ball up and away, and it arched cleanly toward the hoop.
A buzzer sounded just as the ball swished through.
The gym exploded. Teammates shouted, shoes pounded the floor, and Felix landed with a laugh bursting out of him. He spun and pointed toward the stands like he couldn’t quite believe he’d scored the last point that gave the team a win.
Once outside, we waited for Felix to emerge from the locker room. Gwen leaned against my chest while I wrapped an arm across her to hold her close. Beside us, Amelia chatted excitedly about an upcoming movie she couldn’t wait to see.
Gwen suddenly lifted her phone and snapped a picture of us.
I kissed the top of her head, but she angled to the side so I could plant one on her cheek and jaw, too, then noticed that she sent the picture to someone.
“Who did you send that to?”
“Blaze’s beau. I told him you came to a game with us, and he wanted picture proof.”
Snorting, I nipped at her neck. Blaze I knew well, but I knew nothing of Blaze’s man, since he was even more protective than I was.
Then again, Blaze had got out of the business and sold it to me for a cleaner life with his partner.
So it wasn’t hard to guess why Blaze kept his man away from me, considering what I deal in.
She patted my hand over her chest. “Don’t stress, Mr.”—she lowered her voice—“Mafia Man. I’d never share your image with anyone I don’t completely trust.”
“I know, doll.” I had complete trust in her.
When my phone chimed with a message, I pulled it free and quickly read the new update about Benjamin.
Apparently, there was nothing to report.
He’d spent most days at the country club and golf course.
Dinner with his family. Some evenings he visited my club or went to other members of the family—cousins who played a small part in the business but wanted the protection of the family, which was why they lived among the community.
And yet, I still felt my brother was up to something.
I sent a quick message back, ordering them to discretely set up cameras in the cousins’ homes he frequented. Maybe something was happening there.
I wished I fucking knew what it was so I could destroy him once and for all.