Chapter 33 – Vanessa
Chapter Thirty-Three
Vanessa
Moretti repeatedly asks if I’d like to skip the discussion about what Magnum found, but I want to participate.
At the very least, I want to know what we’re dealing with.
He hasn’t outright told me what Grigoryan is involved in, but it has to be bad.
Just based on his history with women, I have a feeling it’s really ugly.
Magnum smiles, letting me lean against his good shoulder while we sit side by side on the sofa in the sitting room of the pack bedroom.
Hawk paces the floor bare.
Moretti leans against the wall with his arms crossed as he fills us in on what happened while he was gone.
“There wasn’t much of interest in the pictures, and most of what was on the flash drive will take time to decode—there are several years’ worth of financial records, shipping invoices, and client details,” Moretti says.
“None of it had any blatant red flags, but that’s the kind of information that will unravel over time.
When it does, it will tell us who else in Boston was involved in Grigoryan’s business. ”
“Not to sound stupid, but what business?” I ask, really needing him to just lay it out there.
None of the Boston families have their noses completely clean, but most of them have cleaned up their acts compared to what went down in the old days.
The O’Connors run guns.
Wilder Pierce has the fight rings.
My family does a little bit of everything, but mostly they’re deep into Boston’s illegal gambling activities.
Moretti isn’t perfect, either. I’m just not sure what he does besides allowing drugs to be run through his clubs.
“Human trafficking,” Moretti says, studying my face.
I suck in a sharp breath, shaking my head. I don’t know why I’m shocked. I had a bad feeling that was going to be it, but guessing about something and having verified proof are two very different things.
And I almost ended up married to that scumbag.
“Does my father know?” I blurt out before I even have a chance to think through whether I really want to know. “What about my brothers?”
“I have no verification about that one way or another, so I would rather not speculate,” Moretti says.
“I will say, I chose not to invite your family to the meeting I had with the other family heads, simply because my gut told me not to. However, that’s not proof, Vanessa.
And even if the worst-case scenario were true, I don’t believe Vance and Victor know about how far Grigoryan has fallen. ”
Basically, that means he thinks my father is in on Grigoryan’s business, but my brothers might be innocent…at least for now.
My stomach aches, and I bring a hand to rub the churning pain away.
Hawk comes to a stop behind the couch, and he runs his hand down the back of my head, resting it on my shoulder.
From what I can pick out of the bond, he’s worried about me, but he’s also trying to block me from picking up on that concern.
Outside of that, the only thing that spills through is a whole lot of hate directed at Grigoryan and my father.
“Hey, are you okay?” Magnum asks, kissing my temple.
“I’m good. Honestly, I’m not shocked.” I pat his thigh to let him know I appreciate him checking in on me, but I’m focused on Moretti. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off.”
“If your father is involved, we’ll make him pay too,” my husband says, and I can feel the sincerity in his words.
“As I was saying, a lot of what was on the flash drive will take time to sift through, but it contained log-in and password information for several sites on the dark web. That was the smoking gun. You did well, Magnum.”
Mag chuckles. “Wish I could have made it out without losing a chunk of my shoulder, but if it’ll bring that motherfucker down, I’ll take it.”
“And the other families know?” I ask. “Well, outside of mine.”
“They do,” Moretti agrees, nodding. “We’ll convene within the next few days to set a plan.”
Something about the way he says it makes me believe there might be more to the story than he’s letting on, but I don’t interrupt him as he continues, going on to explain that Grigoryan attacked one of his bars last night.
He finally wraps up the conversation with details about our claiming ceremony.
Despite what I said to Moretti, I might have a twinge of anxiety about the ceremony. Maybe I should call around and see if I could find a waxing appointment.
No, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to do those a couple of days in advance to let your skin rest afterward. I’m going to need to shave my legs, at the very least.
Hawk pulls my hair back from my face on the opposite side from where I lean against Magnum. He gets close, kissing my cheek and murmuring, “Magnum and I will be there to watch the crowd. You don’t have to worry. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
I smile in spite of the anxiety he must feel spilling through the bond. I have a killer crush on Hawk, which is a good thing considering we’re bonded for life. He’s so attuned to my moods, but he was slightly off this time.
I have no doubt they’ll protect me. I’m kinda just now realizing I have to fuck my husband in front of an audience and look sexy while doing it. I can totally do the first part, but the second might be a small problem.
Here’s hoping Moretti will cover for my novice abilities.
“You’re beautiful,” Magnum says, swallowing thickly as I come into the pack bedroom from the bathroom.
He looks delicious too.
I’m not sure where he got the suit, but it fits him like it was made for him.
“Damn, princess. I’m jealous as hell that Moretti gets to have you on his arm tonight,” he says, smiling almost dangerously.
“He won’t just have me on his arm.” My teeth dig into my lower lip as I study his face.
“That was a good one.” He chuckles.
“Are you sure you’re okay with seeing that? You can skip the ceremony and stay home and rest.”
“Nah, I wanna be there to look out for you, and I figure if I’m patient, you’ll give me a sponge bath.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I can’t help but smile.
He always lightens the mood, and I wish we had a bond so I could send him my emotions.
I settle for stretching up and kissing his cheek. “I can’t thank you enough for coming to look for me and sticking around after. I know it’s been nothing like you expected. Once you’re feeling better, I’m going to do my best to blow your mind.”
“You already do,” he says, reaching into his pants pocket and pulling out a small ring box. “I’m not gonna lie, this is from Moretti. He told me to pass it off like it was mine, but that’s not my style.”
“I really don’t need lavish gifts,” I tell him, taking the box. “I’d much rather have cuddles and spend time together.”
“I can do cheesy horror movie snuggle dates,” Magnum says, smirking. “But I’m going to buy you shit too.”
My stomach flutters as his eyes twinkle.
He hasn’t shaved the last few days, and he’s sporting a thick stubble that really works on him.
“Go on, Moretti wants you in those.” He nods to the gift.
It’s small, so it must be earrings rather than a ring since Magnum said those.
I pop the lid, and it is indeed a set of drop earrings in the same cut as my engagement ring.
They’re beautiful, and I once again marvel at my husband’s taste in fine jewelry. He manages to pick gorgeous pieces that are never garish.
“I’d offer to help you with them, but I don’t want to risk dropping one,” Mag says, and I laugh.
“I’ve got it. Now if I could just shake off these nerves. I can’t wait to get this over with so we can come home and cuddle in the nest.”
“Such a sweet little omega,” he murmurs, and my face heats.
I fucking love the attention they give me, and I won’t be embarrassed about that.
I’ve been through much scarier events than the one tonight, so I have no idea why I’m so anxious. Ultimately, the only way out is through. It’s time to paste on my game face and get this shit done.
“You could claw her eyes out.” Moretti chuckles darkly as he curls around my back. “I’m sure that would be an effective way to show her that Magnum is off-limits.” His palm lands on my stomach, pulling me to rest against his chest.
The warehouse is beautifully decorated in a completely new style than it has been for the last few parties. Yet all I can focus on is how Charlotte stands by Magnum…smiling at my alpha.
Why is she so excited to see him?
Wow.
My instincts are trying to push me into acting like a psychopath.
She’s bonded to the O’Connors and happy with her pack.
I think…
No, she’s happy with her guys, and she helped Magnum get into Moretti’s mansion.
She’s not a threat.
Dammit.
I’m losing it.
“Here, darling, I have something to distract you.” Moretti grabs my left hand, sliding a thin platinum band on my finger.
“I wanted to save your wedding ring for a special occasion. Originally I was planning to give it to you if we had a wedding ceremony to exchange actual vows, but I find I want it on your finger for what comes next.”
“It’s lovely,” I tell him. “Thank you.”
“The engagement ring is flashy, so I thought it best to pair it with something delicate—”
I cut him off by spinning in his hold until I’m facing him. “I love that it’s simple and not over the top.” Stretching up on my tiptoes, I wait for him to dip his mouth to mine.
It’s our first real kiss in front of the masses—the one we shared the night he announced our marriage doesn’t count. This is the first time that I just really want to kiss my husband.
Moretti grips my ass in both hands, pulling me closer to his front as he growls into the kiss. His facial hair scratches against my cheek, but I don’t care. His tongue swirls around mine, and my stomach flutters with monstrous-sized butterflies.
Well, damn.
I think maybe I more than like my husband, which is a good thing, all things considered.
I just hope I don’t embarrass both of us.
Moretti’s fingers dig into my ass almost painfully, and the kiss turns sensual in a way that makes my clit throb.
Before a week ago, I never even knew there were different kinds of kisses, but I love them all.
Slow, tender kisses.
Nibbly, playful kisses.
Open-mouthed, tongue-dancing-in-the-air kisses.
Soul-consuming kisses that leave a person breathless.
I want to learn the ones I don’t know yet, and I want tons of practice with Emory.
He pulls back, smiling against my lips.
My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath, and even though I know we’re in a room full of people, I’d swear it’s just me and him.
His eye contact is so intense, but I love it. It makes me feel like he doesn’t see anyone but me.
“I mentioned I almost held our claiming ceremony the night I announced we were married. Knowing what I know now, I’m grateful I didn’t.
” He pulls his hand off my ass and brushes my hair away from my face before pecking a final kiss on my lips.
“I’m going to be demanding tonight, but I need you to be a good wife and follow my instructions without question. Can you do that for me, Vanessa?”
My head bobs up and down before I can even fully process his words.
His lips tip up. “That’s my girl.”
Jesus.
How could I deny him anything with that naughty grin on his face?