Chapter 22
When I was a child, I often heard my father telling Antoni the rules he lived by.
Rules for making deals, taking people out, and working with the cops. Rules about protection runs and hospitality with business associates. There were rules about everything, but the ones that stuck out to me were the rules about meeting other leaders.
One, meet on neutral ground. Don’t meet on their turf.
Two, never meet alone. That’s how you end up dead.
Three, bring your own, unopened food. Hospitality is for suckers.
Four, always remain armed. Unarmed equals dead.
Five, be vigilant. Traps are laid in the most unexpected places. A pretty face will slit your throat just fine.
Six, never let them see you sweat. You’re always in control, even if you’re not.
Seven, trust your instincts. Paranoia’s only bad when it gets you killed.
I had a final rule: Play the game. Don’t let it play you. Which meant everything I did, I did to win.
As Greyson and I stepped out of the elevator and into the penthouse seafood restaurant Sean suggested, those rules rolled through my head. We’d come as prepared as we could. The sharpened hair stick in my updo was nearly unnoticeable, as was the small gun tucked into my clutch. Even knowing that Greyson was armed to the teeth, I wasn’t stupid enough to leave my own weapons at home.
Sean was already seated at the table with a glass of whiskey in his hand, while his largest son, Kieran, stood with arms crossed behind him.
No one spoke as Grey pulled out my chair, pushing me in while leaving me with enough room to grab my weapons if needed. I loved him a little more for it. After opening the bottle of wine I’d brought and pouring me a glass, he took his place at my back, mirroring Kieran.
“Marcosa, you look well.” Sean said it mildly, but the way he looked over the bodice of my dress was anything but polite or respectful. Grey cleared his throat, and O’Bannon’s eyes lifted. Asshole. “And Greyson. Has our little queen given you the heads-up yet?”
Grey said nothing, and I knew without looking that his face was giving nothing away either. He was a vault when he wanted to be, and Sean O’Bannon was going to figure that out on his own.
Sure enough, he grunted and turned back to me. “Shall we get to business, then?”
“I’m surprised you’ve made this a family affair,” I said with a pointed glance at his son. Sean rarely had other people in the room during negotiations because he hated to lose. Kieran’s presence showed just how confident he was that he’d win.
“Why not? That’s what I want, after all, for us to be family. Besides, Kieran’s been out of town for a few weeks, and he’s ready to dive headfirst back into things. What better way to do that than to watch his Da seal an alliance with the great Marianna Marcosa?”
I smiled demurely but said nothing. One thing I’d learned growing up was men like Sean, men with bigger egos than brains, hated silence. They needed to be the loudest voice in the room—the only voice—and more often than not, it got them into trouble.
I had no problem living in the silence. I learned more that way.
Sean’s nerves came slowly. The jiggle of his foot under the table, the twitch of his lip, his fingers tapping his thighs. The longer I kept quiet, the more anxious and uncomfortable he got. Even Kieran was shifting at his back.
Finally, I put them out of their misery. “Did you get the text?”
After waiting up all night for news that Jerron had gotten out of Seattle with his sister, I’d sent messages to the other leaders, warning them of my meeting with Cash. Since he was smart, I doubted the time or location would stay the same, but I wanted them to have notice anyway. If I could turn it into something close to an ambush, I would.
The sooner Cash Beckstrom got out of town, the better.
“I did. You set a trap for your little mouse.” Sean snuck another covetous glance at Greyson before focusing back on me.
Another sip of wine, though I was careful not to drink too much. I couldn’t afford to get sloppy. “I did. Will you be there?”
“That depends.” Sean settled back in his chair, lips twitching like he was trying to hide his smile. He didn’t need to; I could see the triumph in every part of how he held himself. He was so focused on thinking he’d won that he didn’t see what was in front of his face. “Have you made a decision?”
This is going to be so good.“I have.”
“And?”
“I’ve decided to change the terms.”
Sean’s jaw ticked before he smoothed his expression. “I wasn’t aware we were negotiating.”
I didn’t roll my eyes, but it was a near miss. Even Greyson made an irritated noise behind me. “You’re a businessman, O’Bannon. Everything’s a negotiation.”
“List your terms, then.”
I sipped my wine again. “I came up with a counteroffer. My cousin Cameron will take Greyson’s place in the marriage, and you’ll follow the rest of the families at my lead. I’ll even throw in some cash for the unexpected groom change. Is one hundred thousand enough?”
Sean stared at me for the longest time until he barked with laughter. “This is a joke.”
Kieran shifted again, this time moving his hand toward his pocket. Grey didn’t hesitate. “You pull that on her, and you won’t make it out of here alive.”
Sean stood from his chair, damn near toppling it. “You come in here insulting me, and now you’re threatening my son. Is this how you do business, Marcosa? Because I have another offer for Aislynn that’s looking better and better every day.”
“It is. See, from what I can tell, I’m offering you the best deal you’ll get in this city. Kieran’s disrespect is another matter entirely.”
“How is this better? Your cousin is a thug.” Sean seethed. The warning bells at the back of my head rang, and I knew he didn’t just want Greyson as a manipulation tactic to get the upper hand with me. It was something else.
“So am I,” Grey muttered.
“My cousin is what he was always meant to be, so I’d keep his name out of your mouth unless it’s said with the respect it deserves.” I set down my wineglass before folding my hands together carefully. “If you need me to explain the benefit of my generous offer, just say so. But let’s not forget who I am. You’ll speak to me with respect, or you won’t speak again. Now, sit.”
There was a special place in my heart for making grown men look like idiots, and Sean O’Bannon had to be my favorite. The vein in his forehead throbbed in time with his pulse, and his neck started to flush an angry red. I could practically see his blood pressure rising.
When he finally reined himself in enough to speak, it was through gritted teeth as he sank into his chair. “Please explain.”
“Gladly. You get the marriage you wanted to unify us. Only this time, you get it with a direct line to my family via my beloved cousin. That ensures a closer bond between our families. Hell, Aislynn’s children would be heirs to the Marcosa empire until I have my own. That’s far more valuable than Greyson’s computer skills. There’s no way your other offer can compete.” I paused, smoothing my skirt across my thighs as if I needed the time to think. “Unless there’s a reason you need Greyson specifically. Are you looking to branch out with your services, or is there something I need to know, Sean?”
“This is because of you. Your tender heart can’t stand the thought of him with someone else.”
Not an answer. I filed that away to look into later.
“If Grey came to me and agreed to the marriage, I’d allow it, but he didn’t. He doesn’t want to marry Ash, and I won’t force him to. Cameron, however, is fine with the arrangement. I keep Greyson and the help you promised, and you get more clout with the other leaders and a little cash for your trouble. It’s a win-win, O’Bannon.”
“I’ll need to consider this more. I’ll get back to you?—”
The barest bit of my patience left snapped. “Don’t be an idiot, Sean.”
He gaped at me in outrage, but I continued. “You’re not going to run away so you have privacy to figure out your next move. There is no move you can make, no way for you to nickel and dime me to get Greyson. He’s mine.”
Sean snarled, tapping his fingers on the table before he pointed them at me. I had the urge to snap them off one by one. “What about the other one? Dominic.”
“He’s mine too.”
That threw him off. Sean paused, looking between Grey and me like he could read our minds. “Excuse me?”
“Is your hearing going bad, O’Bannon? They have doctors for that.” He snarled, and I rolled my eyes. “Those men are mine. Mine. They aren’t options for you. You can have Cameron as a son-in-law or no one.”
Greyson sighed when Sean opened his mouth again. “Take the deal, O’Bannon. You won’t get a better one.”
Or a second chance. If he walked, I’d find a way to deal with Cash without him, and the second the Aces were gone, I’d turn my focus on removing the Irish from my city as well.
We were all silent as he decided just how far he was willing to push me. Considering how on edge I already was, it would’ve been a relief to put him in his place. I was itching to mete out some punishment.
In the end, he bowed his head, though it didn’t take a genius to tell he was spitting mad. The clenched fists and near-purple ears were glaring signs. “Two hundred thousand and you have a deal.”
I smiled, but it was all teeth and sharpness. “Done. Have your lawyer send over the contract. Otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow.”
Grey stood back to let me pass, covering my body with his, but I wasn’t worried. Sean wouldn’t shoot me. If he was taking me out, he’d do it with an audience.
His glare followed us out the door, but it didn’t faze me. He got what he wanted, and Greyson was free. Now, I just had to keep my eye on Sean because something told me the Irishman wouldn’t take my slight lying down, and when he tried to make me pay, it would be very messy.
* * *
Greyson was quiet on the way downstairs and all the way into the SUV. Only after I told Geneva where to go did he speak up. “Put up the partition and turn on the music, G. We’re going to get loud.”
She did it instantly, smirking at me before shifting her eyes back to the road. The moment we were fully hidden away, Grey pulled me onto his lap. I didn’t fight it because why would I? I was curious to see what he had planned.
“Anything I should know?”
“Not yet.”
Carefully gathering my hair to one shoulder, he unzipped the emerald sheath dress that clung to my body. Tracing his fingers over the dimples above my ass, he slid his hands under the fabric and peeled it away to expose the dark-green bra I wore and every inch of skin from head to hip.
He ran a finger under the satin strap, barely touching me before ghosting over the lace cups. “I like this color on you.”
If he liked that, he was going to die when he saw the thong. He kneaded his fingers into the crease of my hip, working out the slight ache that sitting too long lately had given me, and I groaned. “You called me yours.”
What? Distracted by the massage, I furrowed my brows. “You are mine.”
Didn’t he understand that? Did I need to tell him more? I’d never been someone’s partner, and I was pretty sure I’d already fucked up.
“I know. I just liked hearing it. More than I expected.” He lifted his hips, and oh. Yeah, I could get behind that.
We’d shared a bed every night since we’d first slept together, but it was hard to contain myself when all I’d done for years was keep my distance. It felt like every touch was making up for lost time, and I was insatiable. Luckily, so was Greyson.
I twisted so I could kiss him once, twice, three times. “Am I going to get all of that or just the massage?”
Flashing that boyish grin that hit me right in the chest, he pulled the dress off the rest of the way and guided me so I was facing the reflective glass.
There I was, nearly naked on his lap, while Greyson was still fully dressed. The contrast of our bodies did something to me. Seeing myself on display, ready and available for him, while he hadn’t even unbuttoned his shirt.
Fuck. I was wet and aching.
“You’re breathtaking.” Greyson groaned when he saw the triangle of lace hiding the last of me, lifting one leg at a time and draping it over his thighs so he could cup me fully. Just the heat of his hand had me squirming.
“Ah, ah.” He nipped my ear. “Stay still. I want to look.”
But I couldn’t. Every part of this scenario had me turned on. My employee close by and able to hear every noise, a layer of glass hiding us from her and the rest of the world. A time limit that was rapidly dwindling. I wiggled again.
The smack of his hand against my still-clothed pussy came out of nowhere and bowed my back.
“Christ.” I was seeing sparks. I wasn’t much for impact play, but I wanted that again.
“That’s what you get. I wanted to play with you, but if you aren’t going to listen…”
He clamped a hand on the back of my neck and pushed until I was bent almost in half, holding me there. I listened as he unfastened the button of his slacks and pulled down the zipper, the tension in my body winding tighter. Would he fuck me like that? Would he shove me on the floor and take me there?
I didn’t know, and I was dying to find out.
“Please touch me.” I was begging, and I didn’t care. I wanted him more than I wanted my pride.
He hummed and pulled me back up, so I leaned against his chest again. “We don’t have time for everything I want. You okay with a quickie?”
Was I okay with it? I wiggled in his lap and felt the brush of fabric against the backs of my thighs and my ass. He hadn’t even pulled down his pants. Just took his dick out. Oh my god. “Yes, please.”
Grey kept the panties on, pulling them to the side and plunging right into my pussy. He’d arranged me so I was straddling him reverse cowgirl, my thighs spread as wide as they could be, and I saw everything. The sight of his cock burying itself into me was almost too much.
“You’re squeezing me just how I like it.” He nipped the back of my neck, and my hips bucked involuntarily at the sting, until Grey soothed it away with kisses. “You like watching me fuck you, baby? Look how beautifully you take every inch of me.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for so long. Every time you sat next to me in those prim little skirts, I wanted to shove my head underneath them and make you soak the seat. Watch my little queen lose her mind and then go into a meeting dripping for me. Would you let me do that sometime?”
That shouldn’t have been as hot as it was, but I loved it. The thought of ruling over a bunch of men after I let mine fuck me stupid made my whole body clench again. “Fuck yes.”
Grey grabbed my hand and led it to my clit. “Show me how much you like that.”
I did him one better. I let that one play with my clit, circling it with just the right pressure and speed, while the other slipped down until I could feel Greyson moving in and out of my body.
“What are you—oh fuck.”
I barely got a chance to touch him before he smacked my hand away. He wrapped a soft hand around my throat, pulling until I was bowed backward with only my neck on his shoulder holding me up.
Then he fucked me for real.
“You’re such a good girl, but it’s time to come now. We’re almost there.” He panted in my ear as he slammed into me, hitting that part of me just right with every thrust until waves of pleasure rolled through me.
Just when I thought I couldn’t get any higher, Greyson sped up with his hand and his cock, and I exploded.
“There we go. Fuck, yes.” His hand covered my screams as he whispered in my ear, fucking me while I writhed and wetness covered our legs. He didn’t slow down while I squirted, didn’t stop. He fucked me like he did everything else—with a single-minded focus. “Keep going, baby.”
“I can’t,” I sobbed, the words muffled and raw. It felt like the orgasm that wouldn’t end. It was almost too much. My legs were twitching so bad, they could barely hold me up.
“You’re doing so well, baby. Almost there.”
I didn’t know where he wanted me to go, but it needed to hurry up. I felt like I was going to pass out in the best of ways.
“Greyson—”
“Fuck yes.” He stiffened beneath me as he came too, fucking me slower to hold on to his orgasm before he finally stopped.
And so did the car.
Geneva tapped twice on the partition then got out, rocking the car with the slam of her door.
For some reason, it made me laugh.
Both of us were breathing heavily, and I didn’t even have the strength to open my eyes, but I couldn’t stop.
“Fuck, I’ll never get used to this.” Grey ran his hands over me again, and my overstimulated body shook. He pulled off his jacket and tucked me into it before adjusting me so my legs were laid across the bench while he massaged the muscles again. I definitely needed it. “You okay, baby?”
“Amazing.” I cleared my throat, shocked at how raw my voice was.
“You soaked the seats.”
I could feel it; I just didn’t care. “Your fault.”
“Let me take you out, and I’ll do it again.”
I couldn’t help the stupid grin on my face as I twisted to throw my arms around his shoulders. “You wanna take me on a date, Greyson Andrews?”
Grey’s smile was so content, I didn’t want to ever look away. “Every day for the rest of our lives, Mari Marcosa. Say yes.”
“Yes.” To dinner, to dates, to all of it.
“You’re a dream come true, baby.”
Even though I had to get my SUV detailed because of him, so was he.