CHAPTER SIXTEEN
LIFE’S FULL OF SURPRISES
BIANCA
I f it wasn’t for the constant turmoil, I’d handle GT before Catch could get to him. We had a bigger issue.
Rosco.
When Tori presented the plan to meet with him, I knew keeping Catch, Rémy, and Romeo off their trail wouldn’t be easy.
My man had Spidey senses and saw through my bullshit attempt at seduction.
Catch flipped out. He tied me up and placed me in the trunk of the truck. My pussy was on full display. But possessive as my boyfriend was, there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d let someone see my naked body. The way his eyes combed my flesh made me wet. As angry as I was, I still wanted to ride his dick. The second the trunk slammed shut, the horny thoughts disintegrated. Kneeing my handsome man in the balls was all I desired.
The night took a darker turn.
Once we arrived at the abandoned school, Catch untied me. “Put on your clothes, bombshell.” He leaned in and slid his tongue along my neck. The wicked sensation that swept through my body was delicious. I had to snap out of The Catch spell.
I yanked the gage from my mouth. “Fuck you,” I bit out.
“When we get back to the warehouse, I plan to do just that up against the wall, hard.” His tongue slicked across his lower lip.
My lip curled into a snarl. “No, you won’t.”
His eyes darted to my pussy under the soft trunk light. “You and your pussy aren’t on the same page. You’re wet as fuck for me, bombshell. Just the way I like it.”
Fuck, I hated that I craved this man’s hands on me at all times.
“I have to go. Don’t leave this trunk until you’re completely dressed,” he ordered before closing the trunk door.
The situation with Tori erupted into a blazing inferno of chaos.It was unfathomable that my childhood friend could plunge so deep into the abyss of darkness.Taking my brother hostage and strapping his body with explosives would end in Man-Man’s long, slow death.
Putting the money back in Man-Man’s account was the last thing I wanted to do. My thoughts naturally deviated to my brother’s safety.The realization of the horrific situation gnawed at my soul.I had to get my head in the game expeditiously in hopes I could save my brother’s life.
Once the transaction was complete, Catch rushed my brother out of the building. Catch was my hero. This man kept proving the lengths he’d go to for me. He didn’t have to do any of what he’d done.
Catch’s heroic actions might’ve put me in the Catch obsession realm. It wouldn’t be healthy. I’d want all things Catch all the time. If my best friend’s issues didn’t get in the way of her leaving Chicago, I’d move to New Jersey in a heartbeat.
It felt like my heart plummeted to my feet when I took in my brother’s appearance. His jaw was set tight. He held onto that ‘I’m a tough guy’ look until I pulled him into my arms in the backseat of the truck.
“I love you, Bianca,” he whimpered.
His body shook in my embrace.
“I love you too. Our life is harder because of where we come from. I’m so sorry this happened.
I’ll have to do a better job of protecting the family.” I sobbed, clutching a Glock at my side.
He held me tightly. “You always look out for us. I’m happy I could step up.”
I squeezed him tighter. His words brought a smile to my face.
Catch walked backwards, firing his weapon as he approached the SUV.
“Stay here,” I ordered. My heart was in my throat.
I hopped out of the SUV and aimed my weapon at the men pouring out of the school.
Bullets left my Glock hurling through the air, slamming into a few of the men.
“Bianca, get back into the truck,” Catch demanded.
Rémy, Romeo, and Asia ran past me toward the second SUV.
Where were Tori and Simone?
I jumped into the SUV and Catch tore out behind another vehicle. My heart pounded in my chest. “Kam, buckle up.” He did as I requested.
“Fuck,” Catch shouted, slamming his fist into the steering wheel.
Romeo and the others followed closely.
“Where’s Tori and Simone?” I rushed out.
“In the Range Rover with the asshole. Rosco fucking kidnapped them,” he groaned.
Bile rose in my throat. Rosco was supposedly the worst kind of monster between him and Man-Man. But that stunt Man-Man pulled kidnapping my brother removed the veil from my eyes. I no longer saw him as a rich dope dealer. Instead, I saw him for what he really was. A ruthless king pin who would do anything to survive on the South Side.
I could tell Catch was beside himself. That scowl on his handsome face wouldn’t leave anytime soon. Pulling my brother back into my arms, I held him tight. The horror of the night played out in my head over and over again until I dosed off.
My boyfriend would drive nonstop in order to rescue my best friends. After my brother hopped into the backseat, my man told me to climb into his lap.
Being surrounded by his addictive scent made the butterflies in my belly flutter up a storm. I couldn’t believe the beautiful man I hated at first sight was now mine.
Nuzzling my nose in his neck while his strong arm held me tight, I cried. I hadn’t cried that hard in years. Not since I was blackmailed by HQ. My little brother Kam could’ve died because of me. That broke me. I didn’t know if I’d ever be the same after today.
Bianca, you’re strong. And fierce. Go after your enemies. Use your strength and rage that’s brewing in your heart and unleash it on all of them.
A small smile teetered at the corners of my lips.
I’d make them all pay.
***P***
My brother poked his head up a few times during the gun battle that played out in Utah.
Ritchie fought for my best friend like no other man in her life. It was beautiful to see how much he cared for her. The man limped across the gas station parking lot, peering through the scope of an AR fifteen unloading bullets into those assholes. I witnessed the man visibly wince, but he never wavered. Ritchie’s fist pounded into Rosco’s face while Catch, Rémy, and Romeo rescued Tori and Simone.
After rescuing my friends, the wild ride continued. Rosco’s men caught up with us on the highway. This was the most action my brother had seen outside the South Side of Chicago in his life.
His steps faltered as we approached the stairs of the jet.
Kam stretched his hands out, eyes wide. “Bianca, this is a real jet.” He grinned like this was the coolest thing ever before running up the stairs.
“Yeah,” I muttered, trying to take the good with the bad as I followed.
My brother was almost killed less than twenty-four hours ago. If this jet could bring him some sort of joy, I’d take it.
Kam smiled up at me from the plush leather seat near the window. “Is this your boyfriend’s jet?”
“Um-” I started.
Strong hands grabbed my arms from behind. “Kind of. Both jets belong to my family.”
Kam’s eyes grew in size again. “Wow. So cool.”
Catch’s lips grazed the shell of my ear. “Once we’re in the air take the stairs. There are restrooms and a second kitchen on that level.”
“Ok,” I stated.
Catch continued up the aisle.
I sank into the soft, buttery leather seat next to my brother. You’d think my brother would’ve been shaken up after the car chase and shootout on the highway. Nope, a huge smile curled his lips. Maybe the luxury that surrounded us provided a false sense of security. Or he let this moment drown out what happened last night. Either way, I’d let him enjoy this moment.
“What?” Catch growled in the distance.
“Kam, stay here.” I jumped to my feet and tore down the aisle toward him. Asia and Simone were right behind me as we entered the master bedroom.
My eyes widened. “Tori,” I muttered while Catch and Ritchie argued about Tori getting shot.
Every inch of my body shook as my eyes roved over my best friend’s unconscious body. I felt my lips tremble uncontrollably. I just saw her standing in Ritchie’s arms before we got on the road.
Now there was a bullet in her chest.
I gripped Asia and Simone’s hands like they were my lifelines.
“Tori, your sisters are here,” Simone stated with strength and resilience in her tone.
Could Tori hear Simone’s words? I hoped she could. Our sister needed to know we were there for her.
Asia and I sauntered out of the room. Simone remained behind with Ezra. We halted, peering to our left at the motherfucker who took our best friends.
“Well, look what we have here, Asia,” I snickered as we moved into the corner.
“Nice to know you’re still alive and kicking,” Asia chuckled.
“That’s right. We’re going to have so much fun with you.” I smirked.
“I forgot how pretty all four of you bitches are,” he stated. His voice was deep and full of lust.
How could he have sex on the brain after getting his ass kicked?
I leaned into Asia. “What if we cut his dick off and slice it up in front of him?” A devious smile curled my lips.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Asia purred.
“You bitches wouldn’t?” His brows darted upward.
My top lip twitched at one end. “We certainly will.”
I lifted my foot and slammed it into his face.
“Oof,” he blundered.
Asia’s boot flew across his jaw line.
“Ouch,” he groaned.
“That’s for kidnapping our best friends,” Asia bit out.
We walked away, not waiting for another one of his snarky remarks.
***P***
“Kam, what do you think of Catch’s temporary home?” I asked, after giving him a brief tour of the first floor.
“It’s nice, Bianca. I can’t believe each room has a private bathroom. I wish we each had our own personal bathroom at home.”
“Me too.” I chuckled.
“Hey, I’ll grab toiletries, a washcloth, and a towel. You can take this bedroom across the hall from me and Catch’s room. Place your clothes on the bed. I’ll wash them. If you need anything, let me know,” I stressed.
“Is your boyfriend like mega rich?”
I smiled. “Let’s just say money isn’t an issue for him.”
“Wow!” he grinned. “Catch has to be a pretty badass dude to know how to handle a sniper rifle. The guy also knows how to handle himself in intense circumstances.”
I sighed. “He certainly does.”
“Catch is my hero. I don’t know if I’d be here right now if it weren’t for him.” His lower lip trembled.
Heavy hands landed on Kam’s shoulders. I didn’t notice Catch approach.
“Kam, I’m happy I got you out of there. You remind me of myself. The way you stood up for your sister. That takes courage.” Catch smiled.
A wide grin crossed my brother’s lips. “I’d do anything for my sister.”
Catch pulled him into his arms. “I know you would, buddy.”
They hugged for a moment longer before stepping apart.
“Do you have the newest gaming system?” Catch asked.
My brother’s smile withered. “No. We can’t have a nice game system in our neighborhood. All it takes is the wrong person to learn about the system, then someone breaks into the house and steals it. I know because it happened a while back.”
“You’re not going back to that house,” Catch spat.
Kam’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“How do you like the house you’re staying in?”
“Are you kidding? It’s really nice.”
“Well, it’s your new home for now. Until another house in the area comes available,” Catch said.
My brows rose. “Catch, you can’t.”
“I will.” His words held promise.
“On the way home, we’ll stop at the store and pick up two game stations. That way, you and your brother won’t have to fight over one system.”
“Thanks, Catch.” Excitement sparked Kam’s statement.
“It’s nothing. Now go get cleaned up,” Catch said. “Dinner will be here soon.”
My brother rubbed his hands together. “Good, I’m starving,” he admitted before stalking into the bedroom.
I waited until my brother was out of earshot. “Callum, you don’t have to buy my family anything. We are grateful for what you’ve done. It’s enough.”
He inched closer, staring down at me. Catch’s palms took my face and the padding of his thumb skated across my cheek, taking a runaway tear with it.
“I’d already planned to purchase your parents a home,” Catch admitted.
I wiggled my head, trying to break free from his touch. He firmly squeezed my cheeks. “I’m your forever, man. I told you before my money is yours.”
“No, Catch, it isn’t. You don’t have to buy off my family.”
“Hey,” he growled. “They will one day be my family, too.”
My heart slammed against my ribcage at his words.
“Bianca, I’ll do this no matter what.” His face twisted in a scowl before he spoke again. “I think you feel uncomfortable spending money on big-ticket items.”
I swallowed hard as my gaze fell to the floor as I wiggled against his hands again. He was right.
“Catch, imagine growing up poor, then out of the blue, prince charming comes along and literally gives you the world. I don’t know how to handle that.”
He arched a brow. “Prince Charming, huh?”
“Yes,” I stated.
“It’s a bit of a turn on that you don’t want my money.” His lips grazed my nose, setting my core on fire.
“Catch,” I moaned as I peered into his eyes, that were a clear heather gray. Most times, they were stormy gray. He wore a smile so wide on his pink lips it made my heart pump harder in my chest.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Bianca.” His lips came down hard on mine. I curled my fist in his shirt, not wanting to let him go.
He reluctantly stepped back. “I need to get our prisoner situation under control. I’ll also need a nap in about thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.” I smiled sweetly.
His brows lifted as he slid a hand over his golden locks. “Bombshell, I need sleep.”
A chuckle fell from my lips. “I know, Callum. But that won’t stop me from placing your palm over my pussy while we sleep.”
The beautiful man bit down on his lower lip, then pulled me back into his arms. “I have to marry you before I return to New Jersey. With my ring on your finger that could keep down my body count when I return.” He breathed into my hair.
I gasped at his words.
Catch planted a quick kiss on my lips, then ran in the opposite direction.
My fingers lightly brushed my lips as I stared into the distance.
“Bianca, you’re getting married?” I heard my brother ask.
I peered to the left. Only his head poked out the door with his mouth a gape.
He had no idea our relationship was progressing at the speed of light.
“And what did he mean by body count?” Kam asked.
I heard the shower running in the background.
Shit.
How could I explain Catch’s last statement to my brother?