Chapter 22
Grim
N ever did I think I’d be in one, but there I was. I glanced at Morgan a few times. I wondered if he believed this would ever happen. Then there were Elio and Trigger sitting side-by-side with a beer in their hands. Rail was winding up a fucking disposable camera like it was the damn nineties. I chuckled, and Kenna glanced up at me with hungry eyes. I grabbed her ass and pulled her closer to me.
“Do you, Minnie, take Brick to be your main man?”
“I do!” Minnie beamed with a giggle.
“Do you, Brick, take Minnie to be your main girl?”
“Fuck yeah, I do!” He grabbed her face and slammed his lips to hers as I laughed. These Vegas chapels were a riot. The Elvis impersonator went on, and then Kenna squeezed my hand.
“Do you, Kenna, take Grim to be your main man?”
“I do.” She dried her tears of laughter. This entire thing was crazy, but I loved the idea of us tying our knot, and what better way than to share our date with family? Kenna elbowed me when I missed my cue. “I swear to Lucifer, Grim.
“If he don’t, I will,” Rail chimed in, and I grabbed Kenna by the waist and stared down into her eyes.
“I do.”
“Damn right, you do.” She pressed her body to mine as Mom, Dad, and Knox started to cheer. Elvis continued, but all I cared about was that Kenna was now officially mine.
“Keep your promise to me, though,” I whispered for only her to hear. “I want you to have the wedding of your dreams once all this shit is over.”
“I promise.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “But you know that doesn’t really matter to me. All that matters is you’re mine.”
That pesky sound of winding made me roll my eyes as Rail came close with his plastic camera.
“Cock your hip out a little, Kenna.” He snapped a photo. “Grim give me a little more of that blue steel in the eyes. I want to really feel this moment, not just see it.”
“Christ,” I muttered.
“Min, give me some sexy shots.” Rail beamed as Minnie pulled Brick down and stuck her boobs in his face.
“Holy shit, are we done here?” I needed to get out of this place.
“Shall we celebrate?” Minnie squeaked as Brick pinched her ass. We all laughed.
“The rooftop, it is!” Rail shouted.
Jesse’s posture suddenly changed, and I noticed he had his phone to his ear. “Trigger,” he called, and Trig and I joined him and stepped away from the others. “You’ll never guess who’s in the lobby.”
“Who?” Trigger looked at me, and I shook my head, just as curious.
“Caleb.” The Stripe Back president. “Seems he’s got something to tell you.”
“That so?” I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head as he stroked his chin. When I made a move to head for the door, he stopped me. “You got a wife to celebrate.” His green eyes lit up. “If there’s any fuckin’ fun comin’, I’ll tell ya.”
I huffed. “All right.” I nodded and glanced at Kenna watching us.
He called Morgan to join him, and they slipped out before the others noticed.
“We goin’ or not?” Minnie called, and I joined Kenna with a grin and a wave to let her know all was okay.
“Yes, we’re coming.” I took Kenna’s hand as Knox blocked our path. The others headed for the elevator. “Just give me one second,” I said.
“Congratulations, Kenna. I know it’s been said, but I’m so glad you’re part of our family now.”
“Thanks, Knox.” She leaned in and hugged him. “That means a lot.”
He smiled at me. “A year ago, I would’ve placed a thousand dollar bet I’d never hear you say those words to a woman. I couldn’t be happier, and I know Leo would feel the same way.” He held out his hand. “I love ya, brother. Thanks for all you’ve done for me.”
“That was all you.” I pushed his hand away and gave him a hug. “I love you, too.” I kissed the side of his head. “Now, let’s stop all this mushy shit. I need a drink.” I grabbed Kenna and swept her into my arms.
Knox clapped. “Let’s go have some fun!”
I woke the next morning, still inside my naked wife. Even as I thought the word, it sounded crazy. I tested it again by saying it out loud. “Hey, wife,” I whispered and slid my hand down her bare skin and laced our fingers so our rings were together.
Knox was right. The idea that I would be married with a child on the way was never something I could have envisioned for myself. And now, there was nothing I wanted more. I loved the way my tattoos looked against her blank canvas. I slid my hand back and around her stomach, giving the baby a little love, too. After last night’s events, I bet the little guy was dizzy. “Sorry about that.” I chuckled. “But nothing can tame me when I’m with your momma.” I pressed against Kenna.
“Unless you have waffles with a side of pancakes, you can keep any dirty thoughts at bay.” But she still wiggled her butt against me.
“Nice to see you have your appetite back.”
“Can you blame me? I burned a lot of calories keeping up with you last night.”
I moaned as I let the memories flood my mind, but the sound of my alarm shut the memories down fast. “Christ.” I pressed my face against her back. “I’ll order some food, but I’ve got a business meeting with Yen Hong.”
“I’ll be here, playing hostess to our baby. Say hi to him for me.”
I rolled her over and straddled her slim body. “Don’t leave?—”
“Unless I know.” She finished off my line with a chuckle, and I glared at her. I reached over her head and pulled down a bar with a chain attached to each side. “Oh, hello, something new.” She admired it, and I rolled my eyes, as that wasn’t exactly the reaction I was looking for. “You can come out and play with me any time you want.” She wiggled her brow and poked the chain.
“All right, never mind.” I pushed the bar back into position, and as I rolled off her, she turned to look at the headboard.
“It’s like a sex wall.” She giggled and felt around. “He’s leaving soon, then it’s just me and you.” She jumped when I swatted her ass.
“We’ll explore later.” I headed for the shower.
My meeting with Yen Hong went well. He wanted to invest in Secrets and open his clothing line with an exclusive store just off the lobby. I was more than thrilled to sign him on, mostly because it was something Kenna could sink her teeth into. It helped I knew he was a good friend to her. This was just one of the many avenues I hoped to bring to Kenna. She had a lot of skills we could tap into, and I knew the store idea would excite her.
“Mr. Gates, Mr. Capri.” Salazar found me with Elio at the casino later that evening. “How are you gentlemen this evening?”
“Well, thanks.” I pointed to an open seat. “Please join us. Would you like something to drink?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Please.” Elio waved for him to join us. “How has your day been?”
Salazar rubbed his chin as if something was on his mind. “I was very much enjoying a game of golf, but when I came in to get some lunch, I witnessed something that bothered me.” He began to pull out his phone.
“Oh?” As I waited for him to continue, my mind suddenly flew to Kenna. I wondered if she had listened to my warning not to go out without letting me know. Perhaps she had ventured out and was looking for me to get her back in line. Wishful thinking on my part, perhaps.
“If you don’t mind me saying, I know a lot has happened to your family lately, and you have enough on your plate, but that makes me feel even more obligated to share this with you.” He handed me his phone. “Please humor me and scroll through to the right.”
My mind boiled over as I studied the photos. I saw Sonny with members from one of my kitchen crews at Secrets.
“When my company decided to hire Cameron Tame as our lawyer, we did a thorough background check on him. It took a deep dive to discover he wasn’t completely clean, but then who is?” He shrugged. “It’s no secret I dabble in the darker side of business at times. I’m sure you will agree it’s how things get done.”
“Agreed,” Elio purred, and Salazar gave him a slight nod. Elio’s reputation and family ties were hardly a secret. His family name was respected by some but feared by many in Italy, the USA, and around the world.
“What I didn’t find out until recently was that Cameron was entangled with an organization called the Potens.” I felt Elio shift slightly in his seat. “From there, I dug more and discovered these men.” He reached for his phone and showed me another photo of three more men. I recognized them as part of the security team that ran the poker chip supply here at Indulge. “They had interactions with Cameron on more than one occasion, including,” he tilted his head to one side, “the Fourth of July, 2018.” I raised a brow at him and licked the inside of my mouth. That date. It was the one and only breach we had at the hotel. Though these three had never been connected with any of it, until now…
I rubbed my hands over my thighs in a poor attempt to calm my temper. “And you discovered this how?”
“Because that was the same weekend Cameron met with my business associate, who just so happened to be staying here,” he waved around the room, “and when I met Cameron for the first time.”
“I see.”
Elio tapped his ring on the table. “I’m sure you’ve met many men in your career. Why is it that these three men stand out to you?”
He turned to face Elio straight on, which I admired. “Valid question. I think it’s fair to say Sonny attracts a certain kind of person. On several occasions, I’ve seen these men walking into Cameron’s office as I was leaving. They’re not friendly and seemed to enjoy trying to intimidate me.” He sighed and shook his head like they were pathetic for doing so. “Frankly, it was strange. They don’t seem to be the kind of men who can afford a lawyer such as Cameron Tame. So why were they there?”
“And now Cameron’s dead. So, when you spotted them here talking to Sonny, it was a red flag.” Elio nodded like he followed his story.
“Exactly.”
I hated that I’d lost all those years in Mexico instead of being here. Perhaps I’d have seen this cancer infesting my family’s business.
Salazar ran a hand through his hair. “Forgive me if I step over a line, but I think perhaps your brother Leo saw something or felt something was off.” I felt a hit to the chest at that, the pain that came whenever I realized I’d never see him again.
I squinted. “Why would you say that?”
“We had talked on occasion, and we both attended meetings with Cameron present. I thought he sensed what I did. We caught each other’s eyes from time to time before I officially signed on with Cameron. I know now what a mistake that was. I have nothing concrete to tell you more than that.” He shrugged. “Perhaps I’m grasping at straws.”
Salazar was right. Leo had seen something, and he came to me with it. If anything, I’d hold on to the fact that Leo followed his instincts, and though it cost him his life, he saved the family.
“You’re not alone in that feeling,” I muttered. “And you’re right. Leo did suspect something. It was the reason I came home.” I wanted to make sure Leo was remembered in a good light.
“I’m truly sorry for his loss.” Salazar lowered his head. “He was a good man.”
“That he was,” Elio agreed, and we all stayed silent for a moment.
“Mr. Gates,” Salazar lowered his voice, “I bring this to you out of respect for you, your family, and for Kenna, who I have developed a kind friendship with. I’ve emailed you all that I’ve found, along with some research on the Potens. Please, take it or leave it. I just felt a need to share my findings with you.”
“It’s greatly appreciated.” I shook his hand when he stood. “I’ll look into everything you’ve provided me.”
“All right.” He turned to Elio. “Mr. Capri, thank you for letting me intrude on your evening.”
Elio nodded. “ Grazie, signore . Please, think nothing of it.”
Once he left, we both took a moment to mull over what he had brought to us.
“Elio?”
He knew what I was thinking. “Niccola’s done business with Salazar’s company before. We have never had a reason not to trust him. At this point, I believe we should take what he said into consideration.”
“Good. I agree.”
I opened the email from Salazar and scanned through the photos and assorted information. Elio called Trigger to fill him in. He held the phone away from his mouth. “Shall we round them up and meet in the desert?”
“No.” I nearly crushed my phone in my hand as I read the last line in the email. From all my findings, I conclude that Sonny Conti is highly connected to the Potens, if not a direct bloodline, therefore someone to keep a close eye on. “I have a different idea.” I waved for him to follow me out back where we could speak freely.
I’d spent my fair share of time acting perfectly normal in front of someone while all my animal instincts fought to rip his body apart and break every bone one by one. When you grew up in the world I had, you learned to wait for the right moment. You lured your prey to you and let them see you lower your guard. Once they were comfortable, you attacked.
“Knock, knock.” Kenna stood in the doorway of my office at Secrets in a dress that looked to be painted on her skin. Until I saw her in that, I’d been in an afternoon slump of exhaustion. No longer. “I know you have a meeting at six thirty, so I thought we could have dinner here together.” She turned and waved to a waiter, and he wheeled a food cart inside. He gushed his thanks as his eyes enjoyed her sexiness. When he caught my glare, he stood straighter and looked away. “Please wait outside for the cart. We won’t be long.”
“Yes, Miss Kenna.” He stepped quickly outside.
“Just like me,” she set a plate of salmon on the table by the window, “you need to eat too.”
“That’s true.” I admired the slight bump I could just make out under her sleek dress. “How was your day with Harris?”
She lit up. “Fun. I actually signed on two more of his friends. They spent money the moment they walked into the place. They lost six grand without blinking on the first poker hand.” She looked radiant.
I gave her a hug. She molded to me and wrapped her arms over mine. “Were you wearing this at the time?” I plucked at the fabric.
“No, I decided naked was best,” she teased.
I nipped at her ear, and she laughed. “Naked is only for me,” I growled and spun her around, so I was pressed against her back.
“The fact that Harris told them to behave because I was pregnant was probably a major turnoff.”
My erection couldn’t be missed, and she chuckled, and I had to talk myself off the ledge. “Lunch can wait.” I licked her ear.
“No, you need to eat first.” She tried to pull away.
“I highly disagree.”
She swatted at me and somehow wiggled free. She pulled out a chair to act as a barrier between us. “Eat,” she commanded. “I have a client looking to meet DJ Clay, and the last thing I need is to look like I’ve just been thoroughly fucked by the owner of this establishment.” She fanned herself dramatically.
“I disagree on that too,” I muttered but took my seat. “I wanted to talk to you about something?—”
A quick knock. Jesse came in with two workers who carried my new bookcase. “Just put it over there.” I gave Jesse a piercing look then turned back to Kenna as he shrugged. “You should know tonight’s meeting is with Jenelle and her father.” She stilled but then resumed her meal.
“I was thinking of maybe green for the nursery.” She switched topics. “Or we can wait until we find out the sex of the baby.”
“Kenna, I’d like to discuss this with you.”
“Well, I wouldn’t.”
I dropped my knife, and it hit the plate loudly. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Really, Grim? I came here to eat, not to discuss your girlfriend. You know what?” She tossed her napkin on the plate and pushed her chair back. “I’m suddenly not very hungry.”
“Kenna,” I barked, but she ignored me and whisked by the others while they tried to ignore the fact they had witnessed our argument. The waiter pressed himself against the wall as she stomped by him and slammed the door. I winced at the sound. “Jesse.” I rubbed my face, and he quickly cleared the room. I needed to get my head on straight before the meeting.
A few deep breaths and an update from Jesse did the trick. We headed for the conference room. I hadn’t bothered to have drinks and snacks arranged as I normally did for a meeting. The truth was I wanted nothing that could be thrown at me within arm’s reach. Lord knew how this would go.
“They’re here.” Jesse opened the door, and I heard her heels on the marble floor.
I nearly rolled my eyes when Jenelle showed up in a dress that was clearly too small for her. Her pushup bra must have been double padded because I had never seen her boobs look that huge, ever. They nearly hit her father in the head when he skirted around her so she could close the door. I caught sight of Rail at the last second before the door shut. His eyes were as big as an owl’s.
“Grim,” she attempted to do a sexy walk toward the table, but she was trying too hard, “I see you’re looking well.”
“I am.” I flicked my pen through my fingers and caught Jesse trying to curb his grin as the chair sank and she awkwardly tried to raise it back up. “Mr. Borrows.” I nodded at her father. “Thank you for joining me today. We’re all busy people, so this won’t take long.” I slid over a file and waited for him to read it.
“What’s that?” Jenelle strained to see it.
“A list of all the clients your father has brought to both Indulge and Secrets.”
“Why?”
“Because as of today I wish to sever ties with our business relationship?—”
Her face fell, and she looked from me to her father and back again. “What?”
“I’ll honor your twenty percent, but by signing this,” I handed her father another file with the contract in it, “we agree that any business between the Gateses and Borrowses is over.”
“Why would it be over?” He looked confused, and rightfully so, as to him this was coming out of left field.
“My life has taken some turns lately, and I’d like to focus my energy on a different direction. I believe your clients were a good fit for Indulge, and if they want to stay, they can, but I’m moving on to a younger generation, and for that, I’ll be looking elsewhere for contacts.”
Jenelle hit her bulging chest with a gasp. “But what about us?”
As I expected, she wasn’t hearing me. She hadn’t in the past, so this was no different. “Jenelle, I’ve explained to you that since I’ve come back from Mexico, things have changed. A lot has happened, and I’ve changed.” I kept any emotion out of my voice. Maybe this would get through to her. “We want different things.”
“I want you.” She tried to hold back a sob, and her father covered her hand in comfort. “And I know you want me.”
“Jenelle—”
“No, Grim,” she started to hyperventilate, “we’re meant to be together. It’s always been us. You’re just scared and confused, but that’s okay.” She held up a hand. “I told you I’d wait.”
“And I told you I didn’t want you to,” I reminded her. I caught Jesse’s eye as he pointed to his weapon, and I hid my smirk. It was tempting.
“But I love you.”
“But I’m in love with someone else.” That made her expression twist into the Jenelle I’d come to know lately.
Her father put his hands up. “All right, all right, now. Let’s all take a moment here and settle down.”
“No, Daddy.” She scowled. “I’ve been patient!” She stomped her foot. “I’ve been waiting all this time.” She glared at me.
I shook my head. “Let’s be honest, Jenelle. You’ve been dating other people, too.” I wouldn’t take all the blame for this. “We had fun, and maybe when I was younger, I could see more in the future with you, but it fizzled out. I’ve moved on, and from what I saw the other night, so have you.” I saw everything, and the way she was screwing that guy in the hallway bathroom told me she was emotionally just fine about us. She just wanted to be connected to my name.
“You’ve moved on with that cunt?” Her words drove nails into my skull, and even Jesse stepped forward but stopped himself.
“You mean my wife?” I lifted my left hand and showed her the band of gold. “Up until now, I’ve tolerated your crass behavior toward her, but not any longer.” I pointed to the contract. “This deal is over. I hoped we could move on from this as adults, but I see that won’t be happening.” I stood and gathered my things.
“I haven’t signed anything.” Her father started to grow angry.
I zipped the leather file folder closed. “I don’t need your signature. This meeting was merely a formality. An unnecessary one, it turns out. Your lawyer told you years ago that the contract could be terminated by me at any point. As I said, I hoped we’d part ways in a civil manner. Everything comes to an end at some point, and this is that point.”
“You haven’t heard the end of this,” Lloyd snarled.
Jenelle started to sob loudly, but I knew it was just another attempt to rope me in. “She’ll never love you the way I do,” she cried as her father helped her out of the chair. She sank to the floor as I walked by her. “Grim!”
“Escort them downstairs,” I instructed the security guards as they left.
Moments later, as the elevator doors closed, I hit the stop button to halt our descent. Jesse and I both burst into gales of laughter. We heaved over and tried not to look at one another in fear we’d stop breathing. It wasn’t often we let loose in public, but behind the steel doors and with the camera turned off, thanks to my keycard, we let it fly.
“Holy shit,” Jesse held his stomach, “I knew that was going to be something, but the ending was something out of a telenovela. Grimmmm,” he mimicked her high-pitched cry.
“To think young Grim considered marrying her.” I cringed.
“Yes, thank God you regained your sanity.” He gathered his composure. “There was a part of me that wished Kenna was there for that.”
“Me too, but,” I let out a long breath and straightened my tie, “that was my mess to end.”
“Well,” he slapped my shoulder, “I’m so fucking glad I didn’t miss it.” I hit the button, and we both slipped back into our normal behavior. Though I slipped once more when I caught his grin in the reflection of the door.
When the doors parted, I saw Kenna as she walked through the lobby with Rail. I spotted Jason, who made eye contact with me. Then I spotted Jenelle. She raced toward Kenna like a fucking bull.
“I can hear the bell now,” Jesse whispered behind me while I fought the urge to break something. We hurried over, but Jenelle beat us there.
“Hey!” She snagged Kenna’s arm and hauled her around to face her. “Look at me, bitch.”
“Come again?” Kenna shook her hand away. “What did you call me?”
Jenelle towered over her. “I called you a bitch, but whore would be more appropriate.”
I pushed Rail aside and shook my head as I moved between them. It was my job to shield Kenna from her wrath. “Leave, Jenelle!”
“No.” Kenna fought her way around my arms and put herself in Jenelle’s face. “I’m tired of you thinking I took Grim from you.”
She grabbed Kenna’s hand and glared at her rings. “You did!” She used the back of her arm to wipe her snotty nose. “You married my man!”
“Your man,” she used air quotes, “didn’t want you. You need to move on, because desperate isn’t a good look for you.”
“Enough,” I barked when people started to tune in to them. “Jenelle, leave, and Kenna, go upstairs,” I ordered.
Kenna swung to look at me. “Let’s not forget why we’re even in this fight.” My blood boiled. I caught Jesse’s nod at someone. “You couldn’t cut the cord yourself.”
“That’s because he loves me,” Jenelle spat.
“Get upstairs, Kenna.” I said each word slowly and loudly to make my point.
She pressed her lips together and stepped closer to me. “We’re married, Grim, show me some fucking respect.”
“I will when you’ve earned it.”
Slap! My cheek stung, and I felt it go straight to the core of my stomach.
Kenna glared at me then stepped back and shot daggers at Jenelle. “Did he tell you that we’re pregnant too?” She swiped away a tear as Jenelle’s mouth dropped open like a trout. “Yup, marriage and a baby.” She looked at me. “The perfect fairytale.” She let out a laugh, and more tears fell. “If only I had the prince.” She turned on her heel and headed for the door. I started after her, but she raised a hand to stop me. “Don’t. I’m meeting Mr. Harris at the Wynn. Just leave me alone.” Her expression was set; I knew that look.
“Jason.” I pointed to Kenna. “She doesn’t leave your sight.”
“Understood.”
As I zipped past Jenelle, I muttered. “You’ve done enough damage. I told you to leave.”
“But, Grim?—”
I turned and gave her all the anger I had built up in me. “Get the fuck out, and don’t come back.” She burst into tears as Jesse joined my side and we headed to the parking garage where Cartwright waited for us.