Guns & roses

by Glenna Maynard

  “Yeah. I am. Take me home, babe.”

  “Babe?” He pauses outside the door and lights up a cigarette.

  “Yeah. Is that okay?”

  “You can call me anything you want as long as you keep looking at me like that.” Taking a drag off his cigarette he shoots me a wink.

  “And how I am I looking at you?”

  “Like you can’t wait to get underneath me.”

  “Now there’s a pretty picture,” I muse thinking exactly of that.

  “Then I better not keep you waiting.” Hotboxing his cigarette he flicks it to the ground, and I climb on his bike, wrapping my arms around him close hoping I never have to let him go. I find the more I let go of the past the easier the fall is. Abel better not let me down. I won’t survive being crushed by another Black.

  Back home, Petunia is eagerly waiting for me. “Momma’s sorry she left you alone all evening.” I scoop down and pick her up. Her tongue goes to my nose in greeting, and I scratch behind her ears. “Were you a good girl all alone in the house today?” I place her food bowl on the kitchen island then sit her next to it. “Babe, can you get me her food from the pantry?”

  Abel smiles at me the shoves off from where he was leaning. “The dog hates me.”

  “She’s just not used to you yet.” I grin and remember how she snapped at his finger last time he tried to feed her a treat. “You’re momma’s little protector, aren’t you?”

  My husband returns with a can of wet food and a scoop of the dry and the smell makes me gag. “Can you?” I cap my palm over my mouth and run for the half-bath that’s right off the kitchen.

  Dinner reappears as I fall to my knees and hug the cool porcelain. I think I’m dying as I heave and gag into the lemon scented bowl.

  Petunia appears at my side licking my arm and Abel grabs my fancy towel that is mostly for looks and wets it. I don’t correct him and accept it when he offers it to me. “She didn’t eat. She wouldn’t stop yapping until I put her on the floor so she could come find you.”

  I scratch the top of her head and move back so she can curl into my lap.

  “Come on. Up you both go.” He bends down and cradles me in his arms newlywed style. I have one hand around his neck and the other holding my dog. Letting out a grunt he stands up and packs us up the stairs and doesn’t put us down until he drops me on the mattress. “Get some sleep.”

  “I need a bath and to brush my teeth.”

  “I’ll start your water but don’t try to get up. I’ll be back for you.”

  “Babe, I’m fine.”

  “You’re pregnant.” The smile that stretches across his lips could light up all of Texas right now. He disappears into our master bathroom, and I hear the faucet come on.

  Petunia curls up on his pillow and goes to sleep.

  Abel comes back and takes one look at the dog and chuckles. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” I take his hand and insist on walking to the bathroom when he tries to carry me.

  I go to the sink and start brushing my teeth. Behind me, reflected through the mirror, I watch my man get undressed. Warmth pools in my belly as mint swishes in my mouth. Is he going to get in the bathtub with me?

  Naked and beautiful to look at, he steps up behind me. Curling an arm around my front he undoes my jeans. I finish rinsing my mouth then turn into him and allow him to undress my bottom half. Lifting my shirt over my head I toss it to the side.

  Abel tugs my tight jeans down my legs, tapping each foot for me to lift to get them all the way off. Next, he slides my panties off. I unhook my bra from the back and let it fall down my front, landing on his head.

  He chuckles and tosses it to the side. Gazing up at me on his knees he presses his lips to my belly. The little bit of fur that is coming in around his lips scrapes over my skin.

  “I want to promise you something, baby, but I need something from you in return.” His tone is so serious. I stroke my fingers through his hair and nod. “This baby is mine just as much as you are. I don’t want to ever hear my brother’s name as anything more than being an uncle.”

  “I promise you, husband ‘o mine,” I mock him.

  “Good, now come, let me wash you.”

  He sinks down in the hot water first but holds a hand out to help me in. I slide down between his legs into the bubble filled warm water and relax into his strong embrace.

  One arm under my breasts, chin resting on my neck, he washes me with his free hand, taking his time, driving me crazy wild with every calculated touch.

  No more words pass between us, but the unspoken promise is there…he’s falling too.

  Maybe he already has.

  Chapter 9

  Abel

  I get out of the bathtub first, unable to take my eyes off my wife looking so fuckin’ sexy…her honey colored skin slick with bubbles. Every time I look at her, I just want to slide my cock straight into her. I’m addicted. I didn’t know it could be this good. I’ve always hoped, but Ainsley has crept her way inside me, and I never want to let her go. Reluctantly I hand her a towel. When I go to wrap one around my waist, she stops me.

  “Let me take care of you for once.”

  My nostrils widen as I breathe out my nose. Ainsley drops down to her knees, like a goddess about to worship her king. Rubbing the towel up and down my body, her gaze never strays from my cock that grows longer and thicker with every brush of her fingertips on my skin. Wetting her mouth, she drops the towel, grabs my hips, and kisses the tip of my dick. My eyes go back in my head, and I fist her dark hair. “Take your man in your mouth, baby.” I groan.

  Her soft sweet mouth wraps around me, her nails digging into my hips, and if the devil came to take me to Hell right now, I could go a happy man.

  “Fuck.” Ainsley flattens her tongue against me, sucking me further into her sweet mouth that brings me Heaven and Hell. Looking up at me through her lashes, she is every bit my fuckin’ queen, and I’ll kill any man who tries to get between us. Her fist grips me, attempting to cover what doesn’t fit between those pretty swollen lips. “Open wider, for me, wife ‘o mine.”

  Stretching her mouth wider, tears form in the creases of her hazel orbs. “My baby is pretty when she cries.” I wipe away her tears and push further in. She gags on my cock but doesn’t quit on me. Sliding in and out of her mouth, I caress her jaw. “That’s it, take me all the way,” I encourage. Delicate fingers stroke me, and when I hit the back of her throat, I hold her in place by her hair. “Swallow like a good girl.” A gurgle erupts from her throat and she attempts to pull away. I smile down at her and finish on her lips, painting them with my love for her.

  **

  “Welcome to my Inferno,” I greet the Colombians as they walk into the clubhouse.

  “¿Qué más parce?” How’s it going, friend? Matías García smiles at me exposing a gold tooth. His dark curls are pulled back at the nape of his neck. I can’t help but smile at the Adidas t-shirt he is wearing. I was expecting to see him in a suit. He’s nothing like his Papi. José loved his sunglasses and sports jackets. “I am pleased to find you well at home in Hell’s Kitchen. I love what you done with the place.”

  He’s all smiles but his men are not. Dressed all in black and armed to kill. They aren’t here to make friends.

  “Vaya, cáigale an esa chica.” Go flirt with that woman. He waves his second off toward Carmen and lights up his cigar. “Now we talk about your problem. I made him an offer and it is one you must not refuse.”

  I wave for him to continue.

  “Hágame un catorce.” Do me a solid. “Don’t fuck with billite.” He rubs his fingers together. Don’t fuck with money. Meaning stop fucking with Raul’s and his money. “He will no longer be a threat if you agree to give him use of the tunnels again.”

  My jaw ticks. He wants me to give them passage to move bodies. Look the other way while they continue the slave trade. Women and children.

  “¿Estás bien o qué?” A
re you okay with this or what? “You need me.”

  He might be right but that doesn’t mean I like it.

  I nod. I’ll play nice for now.

  “We can be all be rich. No need to spill blood.”

  Not yet.

  “We will take drinks together. I’ll call you. You’ll come. No trouble. There’s a fundraiser for the Governor. Private party.”

  “I don’t do politics.”

  “In the cartel business, you need powerful friends. My father respected yours. Therefore, I extend my friendship.” He puffs on his cigar and smiles at me.

  “I’m a biker.”

  “Who married the daughter of Tiny Leone. You are cartel. There is no in-between. ¡No seas un huevón!” Don’t be an idiot. He laughs and holds his hand out for me to shake.

  I don’t trust him, but I smile and raise my jar of moonshine signaling my boys to load up their trucks. His men start bringing in their yayo. I’m ready for them to get the fuck out of here.

  Reaching into his pocket he produces a silver cigarette case with a mirror on one side when it opens. Making three lines he holds a straw out to me. I don’t want to offend him but I sure as fuck don’t want this shit in my body either.

  “Carmen. Bring the man a jar.”

  Shaking her ass all the damn way to the table her eyes go wide when she sees the yayo.

  “Thank you, darlin’. Ladies first.” I hand her the straw.

  The crazy cunt is all too eager and does all three lines like I knew she would.

  “Oops.” She giggles and her eyes roll back in her head. Blood runs out of her nose and by the time she hits the floor Uno has taken out three of the Colombians, and I have my gun aimed between Matías García’s eyes.

  “How much did he pay you to poison me?”

  “Not enough.” He smiles and I pull the trigger.

  I sink back in the booth splattered in Colombian blood and take a hard swig of my apple pie moonshine. Matías’ dark lifeless eyes stare back at me as he bleeds out on the table. “Dump him and the whore on Raul’s doorstep.”

  ATL nods and I think on my next move. This means war.

  Pulling out my cell, I dial Murphy. “How is she?”

  “From where I’m standing. F-I-N-E. Got on her bikini and dipping her toes in the pool. I brought Teagan and Goldie over to keep her company.”

  “Good. Don’t alarm her but she isn’t to leave the house today. Matías is dead.”

  “Understood, Prez.”

  I end the call with Murphy and dial Drag Creek and motion for Uno to call Webb Hollow.

  “I need to go. Stephanie isn’t picking up. Ruger had a check-up today.”

  “Go. Take Snoop with you.”

  He lifts his chin and sprints toward the door barking orders. I slide out of the booth and step over Carmen. Her blonde hair is framed around her head like a halo. She wasn’t shit to me but at least she went out with a smile. I bend down and close her eyes. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.”

  A small stream of blood is still dripping from her nose and onto the floor.

  My phone rings. It’s my wife. “You need something?”

  I move away from the dead bodies and walk toward my office for privacy.

  “No…I just. Are you okay? I saw Murphy on the phone and the look on his face scared me.”

  My lips twitch as I light up a joint. “You were worried about me?”

  “Is that so hard to believe?”

  “A little. But I like it. Goldie and Teagan playing nice?”

  “They are. It’s nice to have some normalcy.”

  “I’m glad, baby. I have some shit to handle. I’ll be home late. Listen to Murphy and don’t give him any shit.”

  “I’ll see you later then?”

  “Where else would I go? You’re there.”

  “Abel…” she breathes my name out, and I can hear the smile behind it.

  “Yo’ Prez, you back here?” I hear Trucker calling after me.

  “I gotta go, baby.”

  “I…just be careful.”

  I want to press and ask what she was going to say but there’s no time for it right now. “Later.” I hang up and shove my phone in my pocket. I meet Trucker in the hallway. “Start getting those trucks to the new warehouse. And send Victoria García a dozen roses with my condolences.”

  Chapter 10

  Ainsley

  I scoot further down in the water. It comes up on my waist, and I freeze letting out a yelp. “You are miserable liars.” I laugh at Goldie and Teagan.

  “It gets warm after you’ve been submerged for a few minutes.” Goldie winks at me then shoves Teagan off the pink flamingo float.

  “You bitch” She sputters coming back up to the surface.

  Goldie sticks her tongue out at her. They seem more like sisters than the daughter and girlfriend of Murphy. He’s gotta have a good fifteen years on Teagan but she seems happy to be the silver fox’s sweet ass. Goldie is closer to my age, but Teagan can’t be much older than her. I don’t know their stories, but I am happy for their company. They’ve been coming over when Abel is away. It gets lonely locked away here with no one but Petunia and Murphy to keep me company. Petunia is inside napping. Little lazy butterball is what she is.

  It’s nearly May but I think we should have waited another week before opening the pool. I tough it out though because this beats sitting in the house alone while Murphy chews on a toothpick for entertainment. Murphy bless him does another patrol around the perimeter of the property.

  I still don’t know what happened to have my husband on such high alert, but I haven’t received any more threatening presents from Raul.

  “Your bump is adorable.” Teagan looks dreamily at my stomach, and I wonder if Murphy will ever make an old lady out of her.

  “Is it that noticeable?” I flatten my palm over the curve that is starting to show. We haven’t announced my pregnancy to anyone. Abel says it’s better if no one knows for now outside of those we trust. If you’d told me when I married him that I’d be in love with him, I’d told you to jump off a bridge. But now…I only have eyes for him. He’s good to me. He doesn’t put up with my shit, but he spoils me with his love and attention.

  Neither of us have said the words but I can feel it. Abel loves me.

  “Only when you turn sideways. Maybe try sucking it in.” Goldie shrugs.

  “What are you wearing tonight?”

  “Shit.” I forgot all about this fancy dinner fundraiser thing that Abel says we have to make an appearance at tonight.

  “Don’t worry, we’re here to save the day.” Teagan winks.

  The three of us exit the pool shivering and move into the house. Upstairs on my bed is a gorgeous red dress with a black lace overlay. Next to it is a card.

  Be ready at seven.

  Your husband…

  My husband…I smile at the thought of him picking the dress out but wonder if he had any help.

  “Well since that is taken care of how about your hair and makeup?”

  “Do you think up or down?”

  Both of my friends answer the opposite of each other, and we break out in laughter.

  I hop into the shower while they go downstairs for a snack and argue over how I should wear my hair.

  In the end my hair is down in loose curls. My lips are painted red to match my dress and nails. I slip into my black heels and when I walk downstairs, I don’t recognize the man waiting for me.

  He smells like my husband and bears his tattoos on his hands, but this guy is wearing a suit. Abel doesn’t wear suits. He’s a jeans and t-shirt man. His hair is slicked back and if it were possible to orgasm from just looking at him, I’d be getting off right now.

  I hand Teagan my phone and have her snap a photo of us because I don’t know when I will see him cleaned up again. Leaning into him, I whisper softly in his ear, “You clean up nice. Maybe too nice.” I wink at Murphy as he grins at us
with his toothpick hanging out of his mouth. I asked him once why he always has them, and he says he dips them in cinnamon and sucks on them to keep from smoking.

  Abel looks me over. “Where’d you get the dress?”

  “What?”

  “I like that when did you buy it? You slipping out without permission?”

  “Abel, it was on my bed and there was a note that said be ready at seven.”

  His brows furrow and he scowls. “We’re not staying here tonight. Sweep the security footage.” He nods to Murphy and he’s already moving to the office. “You two pack her a bag and bring Petunia to The Inferno. We’ll come there after the fundraiser.”

  “Was someone in our house?” I shriek.

  “I don’t want you to worry. I’ll handle it. Right now we need to go. “

  “I don’t want to wear this.”

  “There’s no time. We’ll find out soon enough who wanted to see you wear it. I’ll be the one to peel it off you later.”

  Warmth fills me at the thought of him doing exactly that.

  I get in the passenger side of my car and Abel buckles my seatbelt. His hand lingers on my stomach. “Are you okay? I don’t want to put too much stress on you.”

  “I’m fine.” I’m trying to be at least.

  The thought of one of Raul’s goons in my home…in my bedroom turns my stomach.

  “What are we doing going to this thing anyway?”

  “The Governor is fundraising for his re-election in the fall. He was also a friend to your father and with enough money, he’ll be mine too.”

  “The yayo?”

  “Exactly.” He smiles and squeezes my hand. “When is your next doctor appointment?”

  “Next month.”

  “Put it on my calendar.”

  “I already did.”