by Posey Parks
He crawled on the bed toward me like a lion and I was his prey. “I am the mob boss of New Jersey now.”
I attempted to swallow past the huge lump in my throat, but I couldn’t.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SIERRA
“My uncle Mick told me when I was fourteen I would become the new Mob Boss at twenty-five.” He retracted, sitting at my side, slumped over. “You have no idea the pressure and stress that put on me. My grandfather ordered my uncle to groom me to become the new mob boss because my father was attempting to prepare my brother and I to have different lives. He wanted us to go to college. Believe it or not, my father didn’t want this life for us. Not everyone choses their own fate.
“You know what? You are right. You don’t know me. You have no idea what I am capable of. I am a ruthless motherfucker. I was trained to be a killer. I learned how to handle business at fourteen years old. There is no pulling the wool over my eyes.” His ominous eyes cut over at me.
I felt my heart plummet. I fell in love with a monster and I didn’t even know it. “I met Jeff, and that is who I wanted to be with.”
He smirked. “That’s funny because you loved fucking Dillon.”
Speaking about himself in the third person was eerie and twisted. He was right though. I don’t recall ever fucking Jeff. I fucked Dillon from the start. The way he controlled my every move in the bedroom. A place where his New Jersey accent came to life. My fingers traced across my neck, reminding me who owned my body.
“So, I’m supposed to accept you as Dillon Magarelli?”
His eyes never wavered. “Tell me what happened. Start from the beginning.” He ignored my question.
“I can’t be with a liar. You of all people should understand.”
His eyebrows scrounged together as he leaned in closer. “My life would have been different if that crazy motherfucker wouldn’t have killed my uncle that night. I shot Leech and in return Filippo shot at me. I made it home, told my mother everything that happened. She helped me fake my death.”
Suddenly, the room was spinning. I didn’t know how to feel in that moment. Learning his mother protected him, helped me understand why he lied to me. “What about your father? Did he know?”
Dillon rested his elbows on his knees, running his fingers through his hair. “No. He had no clue. My mother called my cousin Tony because she knew he wanted out of that life. He agreed to set the plan in motion.” Dillon continued, telling me everything.
“Now the truce between our families is over. Technically, it was over the night he killed my uncle, but because my father didn’t know Filippo killed my uncle, the war didn’t happen. My father learned from me yesterday Filippo killed my uncle.” His eyes met mine again. “He doesn’t know my mother helped fake my death.”
My eyes dropped, burning holes in the sheets. His index finger pulled my chin up until our eyes met. “Tell me what happened, Sierra.”
My face tensed. “Filippo came in our house. His goon was with him. He wanted to know where you were. I tried to be strong. I really did.” The tears started again.
Dillon held my hand.
“I lost it after he shot you. I watched in horror from the back seat of the Suburban as you landed face down in the grass. I cried and screamed. Filippo wacked me against the head with the butt of his gun, knocking me out cold.”
Dillon’s eyes turned darker as he listened.
When I came to, I was gagged and bound on his private plane.” Pulling my hands from Dillon’s grasp, my fingers grazed my arm.
“He rambled about how relieved he was knowing you were dead. He was eager to kill Sergio next. I thought I was going to die.”
I couldn’t make eye contact with Dillon. My eyes were fixated in my lap. “Your father wasn’t going to rescue me. I hoped your father would come so I could tell him who my father was, then maybe he would rescue me.” My eyebrows rose and fell.
I pondered how to explain what Filippo did to me. There wasn’t an easy way.
“Filippo violated me. He pushed his fingers into my asshole.”
Dillon flew to his feet, walking away from me, facing the wall.
I continued. “He stood behind me on his knees, ready to fuck me in my ass. The pilot announced we were about to land. I was saved for the moment. His slimy tongue slid across my face. I can’t shake the image of him touching me.” My face fell in my hands.
“Fuck!” Dillon yelled, sending his fist through the wall.
Pulling his hand free, his arms covered his head as his head leaned against the wall. I witnessed his body quake. Slowly, I retrieved my IV bags, walking over to Dillon. I wiggled my body between him and the wall, forcing him to look at me. His hands held my face. My eyes scanned his somber, soaked face. I’ve never seen Dillon so vulnerable.
“I’m sorry, Sierra. I wish I could kill him again.”
I fell against Dillon’s muscular chest. His arms wrapped around me.
“What the fuck is going on?!” Brandon’s wide gray eyes stared our way.
“Brandon, please help Sierra back to bed.” Dillon never looked toward Brandon. He disappeared into the bathroom.
“Sierra, it’s good to see you again. I wish it could have been under different circumstances,” Brandon stated, helping me sit on the bed.
Zoey appeared in the doorway. “Sierra, are you ok?”
“Getting there. It’s good to see you!”
She rushed over, wrapping her arms around me.
“I’m so happy we could assist in your rescue.”
My eyes widened, glancing at her round belly. “You assisted in my rescue, but you’re pregnant.”
She smiled. “We will get into that later. Brandon and I are here to help. If you just want to talk, I’m happy to listen.” Here big brown eyes brightened.
“I’m happy you both are here.”
“Samantha and Jacob are here too. They will be here when they can. They are going to assist Dillon in the field.”
My eyebrows wrinkled. “What?”
She rubbed my hand. “Again, we can talk later. I’ll let Brandon examine you.”
She leaned up, kissing Brandon’s cheek before walking toward the oversized window.
“Actually, I need to help you into the kitchen. I’m going to examine the bump on your head in the CAT scan machine.”
Zoey pushed the gray curtains open, revealing the vibrant sun, leaving the sheer gray curtains closed. She darted out of the room before us. My eyes glanced at the closed bathroom door. I wanted to go to Dillon. I was worried about him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SIERRA
Holding my hand, Brandon guided me to lay on the cold gray marble counter-top. My head rested on the cushioned base.
“Are you claustrophobic?” he asked.
“No.” I smiled.
“Something smells good.”
His smile was bright. “Zoey just finished cooking breakfast.”
The smell of shrimp, eggs, and sausage filled the air. “Can I eat?”
He closed the silver futurist bubble around my head.
“I’ll be able to answer that question soon.”
“How is she?” Dillon asked, taking my hand in his.
“One moment, Dillon.”
About five minutes later, Brandon opened the machine. His eyes were glued to his phone.
“Don’t move yet. I need to finish reading the report.”
“Ok.” I gripped Dillon’s hand tighter.
The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
“All right, Sierra, you have a mild concussion. No skull fractures. I will prescribe you the good stuff.” He winked.
“Oh, wait! Are you pregnant?”
My eyes widened. “Why are you asking?”
His smile dropped. “Because I need to know which medication to prescribe.”
“Oh.” I smirked.
“We aren’t sure,” Dillon replied.
His stern gaze met Brandon’s. “Play it safe. Can you also run a pregnancy test?”
“Sure.”
“Brandon, that’s not necessary.”
Dillon’s jaw clenched. “Oh, so you’re not pregnant?”
The tiny hairs stood on my arms. I didn’t have any words. I stared out into space. What was I supposed to tell him? Yes, I think I’m pregnant. If I wasn’t snatched out of my bathroom, I would have taken the pregnancy test that sat under the bathroom counter. Recently, Dillon was working hard to get me pregnant.
I stopped taking the pill a while ago. Last month, I asked if he’d mind if I stopped taking the pill. Truth is, I stopped taking it before I asked him. I haven’t gotten my period in over a month. With everything going on, I don’t want to talk about our possible child. There is no way I can have my kids or our new baby around a mob boss.
Zoey stepped over to the counter. “Brandon, is she allowed to eat?”
“Oh! Yes, baby, she can.”
I watched Brandon remove the IV from my arm.
I could feel Dillon’s heated gaze. “Brandon, order the pregnancy test and give her the safe medication, please.”
My eyes shot over to Dillon’s.
“Sure, I’ll be right back,” Brandon responded.
Dillon whisked me off the counter, laying me on the couch in the living room. I heard the front door closed.
Dillon’s angry stare never left me.
Zoey stepped in-between us. “Here is a plate of some southern goodness and a glass of orange juice.”
I marveled over the plate of shrimp and grits, scrambled eggs with cheese, and sausage. “It looks delicious, Zoey. Thank you.”
“No problem. If you need me, I’ll be in the gym.” She rubbed her belly. “I still need to stay in shape.”
We chuckled.
“I’ll catch up with you soon.”
She disappeared down the hall.
I scooped up a fork full of shrimp and grits. Closing my eyes, I savored the deliciousness.
Dillon was still brooding.
I cut my eyes up at him. “Stop looking at me like that!” I slide a fork full of scrambled eggs into my mouth.
“Stop trying to hide the pregnancy.”
A nervous smile overtook my face. “Dillon, I don’t know what you are talking about.”
His arm rested on the top of the couch as he leaned in close. “Sierra, I have two children just like you. I know the signs.”
“I’m not having a baby by a mob boss!”
He chuckled. “Are you planning to terminate our baby?” His dark eyes narrowed. “Oh, you think you are going to keep our child away from me.” He stood up back straight, still holding my gaze.
“It won’t fucking happen! I have to leave. We will talk later, Sierra.”
I gave him the once over, noticing he was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans.
“Whoa! Where are you going?” I asked, rising to my feet, slow.
“Sierra, you have to take it easy.”
“Dillon?”
“Sierra, I told you where I had to go.”
My fingers grabbed a handful of his shirt. “I just… I mean, I thought you were dead, and now you are leaving to possibly die again.” My eyes searched his face for an answer.
“Doesn’t seem like you care. After all you plan to keep me out of my baby’s life.”
My fingers gripped my hair in despair. “Dillon, tell them you can’t be the boss and that we are going back home to Portland!”
His eyebrows ruffled together. “I’m sure you’ve watched enough movies to know that isn’t how it works. There is no walking away from the mafia.”
Dillon’s hand swept around my waist. “There ain’t no getting out for you either. You are my fucking fiancée! We will always be together. Besides, I think you made yourself a member after you and I stabbed Filippo to death.” He smirked.
My fingers danced up his huge biceps. “No more us.”
His lips grazed mine. “Fuck what you’re talking about. Whenever I return, that smart mouth of yours is going to get all this dick.”
I stepped back, folding my arms. “No, it’s not.”
Dillon opened my arms, placing them around his waist. His fingers grazed my cheeks, as his eyes peered into my eyes before his lips came crashing down against mine. My tongue slid into his mouth. “Umm,” I moaned, pressing my hard nipples into his chest.
His lips snatched back from mine. “I really have to leave.”
“How will I know you are ok?”
His lips melted against the bump on my forehead while his fingers squeezed my hips. “Your cell phone is in the nightstand drawer next to a burner phone. Only text and call me at the number I programmed in the burner.”
I wrapped my arms around Dillon, holding him for dear life.
“Come here. Lay down in my arms.”
My nose nuzzled into his neck. His hands swept along my back. Dillon has always gripped my ass, but not today. A single tear slid down my face, landing against his shirt. Filippo fucked up our sacredness. Slowly, my eyes closed. I loved lying in Dillon’s arms, inhaling his natural scent.
“I still love you, Dillon, even if I can’t be with you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SIERRA
Slowly, my eyes opened. My fingers brushed the soft suede blue couch where he once laid. I knew Dillon left. I’m having a hard time letting him go. Although I can’t see being with another man. How can I be with Dillon knowing what I know now? I’m supposed to be ok with raising my child in a mafia family? They will probably want him or her to have a role in the mob.
My eyes scanned the spacious room, darting up at the cathedral ceilings. This is some house.
The blue couch sat perfectly in the middle of the room. Two cream armless chairs covered in navy blue swirls were positioned catty cornered across the square glass coffee table. My eyes shot back down at the empty coffee table. Where was my plate?
Standing up slow, my bare feet carried me across the cherry wood floors into the large kitchen. Zoey was sitting at the large marble counter in Brandon’s lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. Her adoring eyes were glued to his. Brandon’s hands massaged her stomach. They are a beautiful couple. I love being around swirl couples like Dillon and me.
“Hey! Don’t mind me. I was just looking for my plate.” I smiled, continuing on my path toward the refrigerator.
“Sierra, Dillon placed your plate in the warmer, but I can make you something else.”
I turned to her. “No, I don’t want to put you out.”
Brandon placed her on her feet.
“Sierra, it’s no problem.” She stepped closer.
“It’s 3:30 in the afternoon. It’s almost time for dinner.”
I removed my plate from the warmer, placing it in the microwave.
“Is salmon, string beans, baked potatoes, and home- made biscuits ok?”
“Sure is,” I replied with my country twang.
We laughed. Brandon walked around us, retrieving a mug from the glass plated cream cabinets.
“All right, country girls, after Sierra takes the pregnancy test, I’ll call the hospital and check on my patients. Then you two can out cook each other or exchange recipes.” Zoey and I glanced at each other, laughing.
Brandon held the mug under the water dispenser. “Here you are, Sierra.”
I removed the cup from his hand, drinking down the water.
He reached for a plastic cup with a tightened lid sitting on the counter. “Take this cup, fill it up to this line.” He pointed. “Then leave it on the counter in the bathroom. I will run the test in five minutes. You will have the results in twenty minutes.”
My smile left my face. I was quickly reminded I was possibly having a baby by New Jersey’s new mob boss. I smirked between them removing the plastic cup from his hand. “I will be right back.”
I enter
ed the bathroom off the living room, flipping on the lights. I stood there hesitant for a moment. After filling the cup, I sat it on the counter, then washed my hands. I didn’t bother glancing at my pitiful appearance. Before dinner, I would like to change into anything other than this night-gown.
“Brandon, I left the sealed cup on the counter,” I stated, falling in line next to Zoey at the counter. I began snapping string beans.
“I’ll be back in twenty.” He disappeared.
The vibrant flood lights over the counter were inviting. I began to relax.
“Zoey, what do you do in Boston?”
“I run our charity organization part-time, then spend the rest of my time being a wife and mother. I love my life.”
I smiled as I immersed the string beans into the water before placing them in the pot of water on the stove.
“That’s wonderful. I run a couple of charity organizations with my ex-husband.”
Her eyes widened. “Is it ever awkward for Dillon when you work with Jeremy, the football star?”
My eyes darted toward the ceiling. “No, Dillon understands it’s for the kids. Dillon is a very confident man. He doesn’t scare easy.”
“Yeah, I know what that is like. My husband doesn’t care about another man’s feelings when it comes to me.” She smiled, staring out into space.
“I’ve made peace with it. I love Brandon just the way he is.” She blushed.
Her love for her husband is absolutely beautiful. Zoey and I shared stories of how we met our men. While the salmon baked in the oven, we sat at the counter sipping red zinger tea.
“Zoey, honestly I’m at a loss on what to do about Dillon. I love that man with every ounce of my heart. He is loyal and only has eyes for me.” I smiled.
“However, he lied to me about who he was. He should have told me the truth.”
“Would you have been with him if he had told you the truth?” She nudged my arm.
I glanced into her eyes. “Probably. By the time he revealed who he was to me, I was head over heels in love with him. Sometimes when we are in love, we don’t make smart decisions. Girl, I doubt I could ever totally leave him alone. It’s just now, after being kidnapped, I feel I’ve been awakened. That man tried to kill Dillon. Who else wants him dead? Not to mention these people are ruthless. Filippo violated me. Now it’s hanging over my relationship with Dillon. He is fucked up over Filippo touching me.”