Chapter Twelve
K endrick tapped his finger on the table as he listened to Andre give him a rundown.
“There’s a connection between Sutton’s abduction and the Dragna Family. They own a casino in Los Angeles, Boss, but the most concerning thing I’ve found is their ties to the Rizzos.”
“You think this has something to do with Taysey? That bitch left me at the altar for another man, not the other way around,” he growled.
Andre held up his hands. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. The Dragnas and Rizzos are blood-related by sisters who married brothers. They’re all about keeping the bloodlines pure and shit. Since Taysey is a widow, thanks to your brother and us. I think you know where this is going.”
“I think it’s safe to assume my brother and his wife are in danger as well. We need to send a couple of men to watch their backs while they are on their honeymoon.” Jeter and Vittoria left right after the celebration at the clubhouse. They’d missed Sutton’s abduction. No way in hell would he allow anything to happen to his little brother if he could prevent it.
“I figured you’d order that. There’s a plane ready at the private strip outside of Chicago. You give me the names of who you want to send.” Andre shifted his cell phone toward Kendrick, showing him a list of those who were available, with lines through all except the ones he considered most capable.
“You’re the best second I could have, no scratch that, the best anyone could ask for.” Kendrick selected who he wanted to be on his brother’s security. “I want to check on Sutton. See what you can find out about the Dragnas and locate Taysey. If she’s here in California with those fuckers we’ll know—” Kendrick didn’t need to finish his sentence.
The bitch was a whore who’d played him until he’d agreed to marry her, then decided to choose love or some shit over marrying him. He hadn’t been heartbroken. Hell, the sex they’d shared was mediocre at best. Most of the time, she didn’t want foreplay. Her idea of wifely duties included fucking him anywhere, anytime he asked while pretending to enjoy it and giving him an heir or two. She'd be happy as long as he supplied her with his last name and enough money to fund her lifestyle. Oh, he’d known she’d faked a lot of her orgasms. It didn’t bother him. He could get other women as she’d told him to...cater to his other needs.
“I never liked her,” Andre grumbled.
Kendrick stopped with his back to his friend. A deep sigh filled the air as he blew out a breath. “I didn’t either,” he admitted.
“That one in there,” Andre said, nudging his chin toward the back hall where the bedrooms were. “She’s good people, but do you think she’ll want to return to Chicago and be part of your world?”
He’d asked himself the same thing several times over the last twelve hours. “Let’s just take things as they go. Keep me updated on Jeter and Vittoria and if there’s movement on the Dragna front. I’m going to request a meeting with King since this could bring heat to his club.”
He entered the primary suite on silent feet. His gaze fell onto Sutton James’ sleeping form like a man starved. She made him feel like a damn teenager, unable to get his dick under control. Hell, watching her sleep and knowing what lay under the thin sheet had his dick hard. The stupid bastard between his legs seemed ready to fuck her as if he hadn’t already done so hours ago.
She shifted onto her side, allowing her long leg to slip from under the grey silk covering. His mouth watered with the need to lick every inch from her pink-painted toenails to the even prettier pink center at the junction of her thighs.
Knowing he could do anything to her, and she’d come alive under him, made him feel ten feet tall. He had to lock his legs and clench his fist to keep from moving forward. How long he stood there staring, he didn’t know.
SUTTON ROLLED ONTO her back, shivering as cool air brushed over her naked form. The feel of being watched had her breath hitching in her throat. Slowly, she lifted her lashes enough to look around the room. The image of Kendrick standing near the door with his fists clenched and jaw locked as if he were angry had her sitting up.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
His gaze moved to her breasts, making her acutely aware she’d gone to bed naked. At the same time, he stood there looking like a GQ model dressed in a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt, with his hair looking as if he’d run his hands through it. Yet even that didn’t diminish his sex appeal.
“There’s been some development, but all I can think about is crawling back in there with you. You need to eat first.” He licked his lips and closed his eyes.
“What if I say I’m not hungry?” she asked. Her stomach chose that moment to make a rumble.
He quirked one dark brow, shaking his head. “Even if your body didn’t just make a liar out of you, I’d have insisted. We need to keep up your strength.”
She let out a sigh as if it pained her. “Fine, but I want it marked into the books you turned me down.”
Kendrick strode across the room, bending down and caging her between his arms. “Oh, Passerotta. Never think I’ll turn you down when it comes to making love. However, as the keeper of you and your body, I will always ensure that you’re taken care of.” His head bent, sealing his lips over one taught nipple. She cried out at the exquisite feel of his tongue swirling around her areola.
“Kendrick,” she moaned.
All too soon, he pulled back with a little pop. “Get dressed, my love. Andre brought breakfast.”
“Are you seriously going to leave me like this?” She waved her hand down at her naked chest. His lips lifted in a sexy grin.
“For now. I’ll be sure to show my appreciation for your gorgeous body after I feed you,” he reassured her.
“Fine, but remember it was you who turned down morning sex, not me,” she muttered, a little embarrassed.
He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Oh no, baby girl. Never think I’d turn down anything to do with you and me getting naked. I’ll always put showing you just how much I desire you first. However, I will not put my needs before your well-being. Is that clear?”
She shivered at the hard tone of his words. His eyes were like chips of emerald fire. Sutton wondered if she should get down on her knees and beg his forgiveness, maybe offer to suck his dick as a way of penance. Of course, that would also be a pleasure for her since she enjoyed giving him head.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you need to stop, or I will certainly be bending you over and fucking that pretty pussy, and then your breakfast will be cold. If I do that, I’ll spank that sexy little ass after I finish, too,” he promised.
“You say that like I should be scared. Yet, for some reason, I have a feeling I’d enjoy your punishments almost as much as your loving.” Feeling bold, she got up onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Maybe after you feed me some food, you can show me an example,” she said, letting a teasing quality enter her voice.
He reached up and untangled her hands from around his neck, holding onto her wrists with both his hands. As he stared down at her, he bit his lip. “You have no idea the Pandora’s box you’ve just opened, baby girl. Get dressed before you drive my need so high that Andre will undoubtedly need to call for backup to get us to eat something, other than each other.”
There’s no way he could miss how excited his words made her. Hell, nothing he did or said could be deemed a turnoff.
Sutton and Kendrick walked into the big, open space that acted as a kitchen and dining room to find Andre leaning against the counter with his back to them. She blushed as she thought of the shameless way she’d tried to get Kendrick to make love to her. Poor Andre would’ve had to wait until her shameless ass got her way. Thank fuck Kendrick had more willpower than her.
“Good morning, Andre. Sorry to keep you waiting,” she murmured, feeling like an asshole.
Andre turned around, his cell phone pressed against his ear. With one hand held up, he winked. Kendrick grunted and pulled out a barstool before going around the counter. She watched as he bent and pulled a few covered platters from the oven. The heavenly scent of eggs and bacon filled the air, making her stomach grumble. Another covered plate followed; this one had hash browns cooked to perfection and had her mouth-watering. She loved potatoes of any kind, especially fried ones, like the ones laid out before her.
“Wow, this is like a feast fit for kings.”
Kendrick chuckled. “Close enough since King’s ole’ lady is Ayesha Royal.”
“If you want anything warmer, I can pop it into the microwave, but they should still be hot.” Andre indicated the foil-covered plates.
“Can I help you do anything?” Sutton felt odd letting the two men wait on her. Hell, she wasn’t sure if it was something they usually did or if she was an exception to the rule.
“You keep that fine ass sitting right where I put you. We will handle the domesticated shit this morning. Won’t we, Andre?” Kendrick slapped the larger man on the shoulder.
“That’s right, Boss.”
Sutton eyed the two men, noticing the way Andre deferred to Kendrick. Her stomach chose to rumble again. Kendrick began loading a plate with bacon and eggs and a large heaping of hashbrowns just as the toaster popped up several slices of toast. While Kendrick filled another plate, Andre buttered the bread. If anyone looked in, they’d see the three people filling their mouths with food like they hadn’t eaten in weeks.
Andre finished first, followed by Kendrick. Sutton ate slowly, savoring each morsel.
“Whoever made these hashbrowns needs to be given a hug and told they’re the best I’ve ever had. And trust me when I say I’m a connoisseur of such things.” She lifted the last bit of shredded goodness to her lips, moaning around the mouthful.
Kendrick inhaled a deep breath as he got up from his stool. “I’ll be sure to let King know so he can pass it on to Ayesha.”
Andre and Kendrick worked together, loading the dishwasher while she watched them and savored the last of her food. He truly was the sexiest man. Each time Kendrick bent over, her eyes zeroed in on his ass. The slacks fit him to perfection, hugging his ass and thighs in a way only tailor-made ones could do, and his shirt pulled taunt each time he lifted a dish, showcasing the muscles on his arms.
By the time they finished the dishes and cleaned the kitchen back to pristine condition, Sutton’s panties were damp, and dammit, she knew her cheeks were flushed. There would be no hiding her arousal from him. Hell, at this point, he’d think she was a nymphomaniac.