by Posey Parks
I stood and held his hands. “Take your time.”
He released my hands. “I can do it.”
I bent down and grabbed my soaked scrunchie.
“Nope. Can’t use that one. Add it to the pile.”
“Shit, I know my hair is standing on my head.” I tossed the scrunchie on top of the clothes.
“Emoni, relax. You have beautiful thick hair. Nothing’s wrong with it.”
Marco pushed himself off the bench.
“Ok.” I threaded our fingers, and led him out the shower.
He halted in front of the mirror. His eyes roamed the bandages on his abdomen.
“Once you’re lying down, I’ll patch you up again.”
Marco slipped his fingers through his silky black locks.
“Do you plan to cut your hair any time soon?”
He glanced at me through the mirror. “Yes, the second I can get to the barber. Why?”
“You always wear your hair slicked back on top and low on the sides. I like it curly.”
His forehead creased like he was deep in thought.
“It takes a lot of mousse, combing and brushing to get rid of the curls. But it’s become a part of my routine.” He leaned over snatching two towels off the counter.
“When I was younger, I wore my hair curly.” He wrapped a towel around my body, then wrapped the other around his waist.
“One day, I decided to change it up.” He glanced over my head mulling it over.
“I’ll wear my hair like this a little longer.”
“Good, after you’re lying down, I’ll wrangle my hair into a thick ponytail.”
“Slip into something comfortable. We’ll be here for a couple of days.”
I glanced at the suitcase in the corner of the bedroom. “Didn’t realize one of the guys brought our luggage inside.”
Marco rested his head on the pillow. “They’re good at what they do, Emoni.”
I rummaged through our luggage until I found joggers and a T-shirt for Marco, and a sweatshirt and leggings for myself. A chill swept through my body.
“Marco, what is the thermostat set on? Freezing?”
I placed his clothes on the bed. Before I could say another word, he slipped into his joggers and was across the room, tossing logs on the fireplace grate.
“Marco, you didn’t have to get out of bed. I could have checked the thermostat.”
“It’ll only take a minute.”
My eyes landed on the folded garbage bag on the dresser. I dipped into the bathroom.
His eyes narrowed as I dragged the bag of wet clothes across the room.
“Emoni, what are you doing?”
“I know you aren’t about to tell me I was supposed to leave them for one of the guys to handle,” I scowled.
“Yeah, I was.”
“Well, it’s done.” I slipped the black T-shirt over my head.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
“Ok, I’ll whip up something after I bandage your wounds.”
Marco stared at the orange and blue flames. “Thanks, baby.”
He probably replayed our morning in his head.
“You need to lie down.” I shimmied into a pair of black leggings.
He nodded then climbed into bed. The second his head hit the pillow he was out like a light. Marco was exhausted. Torturing that rat drained what little energy he had left.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MARCO
“Babe, where are you? You haven’t said much over the last two days.”
Resting my elbow on the rear passenger door, I stroked my thumb under my chin. I stared at the snow-covered trees as Maceo drove down the interstate toward our house. Emoni intertwined our fingers.
“You know where I am, Emoni.” I dropped my head against the plush leather seat and blew out a breath.
“Allowing my pregnant wife to travel to Mexico to handle our problem…doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Marco, I am the Donna. It’s my duty to fight for our family.”
I opened my mouth.
“You can’t say I need to sit out. I know you hate to hear me say it, but you can’t go. You aren’t…”
Her eyes dropped to her lap. “…strong enough yet.”
“And if I was strong enough would you sit home like a good little wife?”
Her lips tightened. She gave me ‘the I’ll kill you look.’
I raised my hand like I was surrendering. “Poor choice of words. Would you have stayed in Jersey and helped Luca with the day-to-day business?”
Emoni snatched her hand from mine and crossed her arms over her chest. “This is my fucking fight,” she growled.
“All the chain of events that rolled out were because of my relationship with José. You all have done enough for me. Now it’s time for me to fight. I’ll bring Roderigo down by myself if I have to.”
“Now you’re just talking out the side of your mouth.”
I glared at her. “What the fuck kind of boss would I be?” I rubbed my brow.
“Fuck that. What kind of husband would I be if I let my wife travel to Mexico alone?” I pointed in her direction.
“That shit won’t ever happen. You’ll go…” I glanced out the window again and clenched my teeth.
A wave of pain shot through my back. Shit! I couldn’t let her see the pain I was in.
“…our best men will accompany your stubborn ass to Mexico.”
“And ladies.”
Our eyes met. “What?”
“My female soldier, Vivian. I thought I told you about her. She’s Adriana’s cousin. Vivian worked for the Magarelli’s. Dillon released her to me.”
I quirked a brow. “Fine and ladies.”
My insides felt like mush. And my heart I was sure would explode in any minute. I couldn’t lose her. Sure, could use a cigar and a stiff drink right about now. We were almost home. I’d pour myself a drink once I walked through the door. I was livid. Not being close to Emoni would fucking eat at me. Gruffly I rubbed my chin, peering out the window.
“Are we not talking again?”
My eyes darkened. I turned, gripped her chin, pulling her closer. Emoni’s ass rose off the seat. “What the fuck do you want me to say?” I growled.
Her hands swept across my chest. I never broke our gaze.
How could a woman have you beside yourself?
She grabbed my free hand and slipped it inside her panties. Emoni was so wet.
“My anger turns you on, huh?”
I gripped her face so tight all she could do was moan and fuck my hand.
Her beautiful face was in a forever fuck me state. Shit, I loved it. I loved her. All I wanted was her. Us. She was my life. It didn’t matter, I couldn’t remember meeting her. What mattered was how I felt when we were together. She remained constant on my mind. Every decision I made. Every move I made was solely focused on protecting her.
I bit down on her neck, and she came. Fucking came all over my hand. Her body shuddered.
I released her face. “You came so hard, baby,” I murmured along the crease of her neck.
“Such a fucking turn on how you come from my touch.”
“Baby, I love you so much. Please know that.”
“Boss, we need to make a detour,” Maceo stated over the intercom.
Emoni clutched my neck and squeezed my hand between her thighs tighter.
“Maceo, for what?”
“Your top earning strip club is on fire.”
“What the fuck?” I roared.
Emoni slipped my hand out of her panties, fell against the seat, and straightened her dress.
“Do we know who did it?” I kept my eyes on her. She looked anywhere except in my eyes.
“No.”
Emoni leaned over, grabbed Kleenex, and wiped my hand.
She peeked at me from the corner of her eye, then tapped the partition button. The back of Maceo’s head came into view as the glass slid down.
“Mace
o, is that the strip club we visited first on my tour?”
“Yes.”
Emoni scooted closer. “Do you think it was Roderigo?” she swallowed hard.
“We’ll shake some trees and find out what people saw and we’ll go from there.”
I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her forehead. Emoni asked because she was worried. Any blowback on this family had to do with her.
“Baby, we’ll figure it out.” I didn’t want her guilt to eat at her.
She exhaled and nuzzled into my side.
The smoldering blaze came into view as we drove through Jersey City.
“Emoni, stay in the car. Hold your Glock in your lap. Rémy or Romeo will stand outside the car.”
Maceo rolled to a stop.
“Ok.” Her worried eyes fell to the floor.
I tilted her chin upward with my index finger until our eyes met. “Hold your head high, bella donna.”
“I will.” She reached into her purse and retrieved her Glock.
Shrugging on my coat, I stepped out the car.
Gage stalked toward Maceo, Rémy, Romeo, and me.
“Hey, what do you know?”
Gage’s gray eyes brightened before he pulled me into a bro hug. “Good to see you.”
He stepped back. “I don’t know much. Someone torched the place. Whoever it was knew this was the only other day the strip club was closed besides Christmas.”
I leaned in close. “Gage, round up the guys. We need to find out who did this and fast.”
He turned up his gray wool coat collar. “On it, Marco.”
“Romeo, stay close to Emoni.”
“No problem.”
Gage opened the door and spoke to my wife.
“All right, guys, I’ll be in touch.” Gage stormed off, dipping through the straggling by standers lining the street.
I buttoned my coat. A bitter chill swept up my spine.
“This weather and the pain don’t go hand in hand,” I grunted as I walked toward the firefighters.
Clouds of smoke rose toward the dark sky.
My heavy hand landed on the firefighter’s shoulder. “Good evening.”
He glanced over his shoulder at me, and his eyes widened. “Mr. Esposito.”
My brow wrinkled. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I didn’t expect to see you again any time soon.”
Shit, I didn’t remember meeting this guy.
“Refresh my memory. Where did we meet again?”
“At the warehouse that caught on fire last month. You asked was your brother inside?”
I held a poker face. What the fuck was he talking about? And how did Maceo and my wife leave out an explosion involving my brother?
“What happened here?” I circled my finger toward the burning brick building.
“The front door was in tack when we arrived. The point of entry was probably the back door. We’ll know more in the morning.”
I reached into my wallet and retrieved a business card. “You call me directly.”
“Will do, Mr. Esposito.” I nodded Maceo over.
He discreetly placed a few bills in his hand.
The pain had subsided. Tomorrow would be a busy day so getting a good night sleep was important.
I slipped inside the car beside Emoni.
“Is there something you two want to tell me about a certain explosion that happened last month?”
I unbuttoned my coat and buckled my seatbelt.
“Marco,” Emoni paused and caressed my hand.
“We wanted to tell you, but Luca asked us not to. In short, you faked Luca’s death in an explosion outside his warehouse. In an effort to throw off José. I think he didn’t want to add anymore trauma.”
“I’ll talk to Luca.” I brought the back of her hand to my lips.
“I appreciate how you have my back.”
She smiled with her eyes.
Maceo smirked through the rearview mirror.
“When I told you two everything, that’s what I meant.”
“Understood, boss.”
Later that night, I held Emoni in my arms.
Gage texted me a couple of hours ago. He said a pack of guys drove away from the burning building on motorcycles.
This didn’t sound like Roderigo. This was another enemy sprouting up.
My wife would leave in two days. I’d remain in Jersey to handle the other problem. It was time to strengthen my muscles. That passing out shit had to cease. I had to turn my pain into strength.
I hadn’t mentioned my latest dreams to Emoni. Fragments of the same dream played on a loop. Someone sprayed bullets from an AK-47. Whoever the person was hid in the cluttered warehouse. I ordered my men to find the shooter. Vargo held a devious smile across his lips. I was face to face with the man who tried to take what was mine. The dream was hazy. Nothing was HD quality.
Maceo had been hit. Emoni stepped to the right, firing her Glock.
“Baby, come here.” I peeked to my left. Maceo didn’t move. Extending my hand, I darted to the right, grabbed Emoni’s arm, pulling her back. The shooter came in to view. I squeezed the trigger. A bullet released, slamming into his shoulder.
He fired several shots.
“Ah,” I yelled. The steel burned my flesh as my body hit the ground.
My eyes fluttered closed. “Emoni.” That was my last word.
“Marco. Marco.” Emoni screamed.
Every night my eyes popped open. Beads of cold sweat dripped from my skin. I’d glance at Emoni and quietly peel the blanket back and walk into the bathroom. I hated how my memory came back in pieces. At least, now I knew what the bastard Vargo looked like.
All I cared about at that moment in the warehouse was protecting my wife and child. That wouldn’t stop now. I was coming for whoever thought they could take my family.
∞
Sitting at the oversized kitchen counter, I stared out the window, marveling the large white snowflakes blanketing our lawn. I brought the tall glass to my lips. The fresh avocado, kale, cranberries, and strawberries, mixed with vanilla protein powder hit my taste buds. I wasn’t a fan of the protein shakes, but they were crucial in my daily health regimen.
“Good morning, Marco.” I heard at my back.
“Morning. Not sure what’s good about it, Emoni.”
She stepped beside me. My eyes fell over her all black combat attire. “I see you’re ready to go.” I chugged a healthy chunk of the ice-cold green smoothie.
Her eyes danced over my bare chest. Emoni splayed her hand over my tattooed pecs and traced kisses along my ear.
My eyes hooded. “Emoni, don’t start something you can’t finish. You need to get to the airport.”
My cock was rising. Did she notice? Now wasn’t the time. Her fingers rubbed the bulge inside my gray joggers.
“I think he wants to fuck me before I leave,” she purred in my ear.
The tips of her fingers crept to the waist band of my joggers. I grabbed her wrist. “No dick, baby.”
She flopped in the leather seat beside me. “Are all of my weapons loaded in the truck?”
I stood and caged Emoni in her seat. My lips fell upon her matte deep red lips. “You’re killing me, Mrs. Esposito,” I groaned.
“So are you. The tattoos are begging me to lick every one of them…again.”
Seduction danced in her dark eyes.
I quirked a brow. “You’ve licked all of my tattoos?”
She chuckled. “Yes, I have.”
“Fuck, I can’t wait to get my memory back,” I breathed against her lips.
Her hands swept along my cheeks. “I don’t want to do this without you. I need you to know that, Marco.”
I smirked. “Emoni, I know.” I grabbed her hand and led her toward the door at the other end of the kitchen.
I slipped my hand over her long ponytail. “Maceo and Kagan, time to go,” I yelled staring into her eyes.
Her eyes glassed over and she visibly
swallowed.
Gripping her waist, my forehead fell upon hers. “You can do this, baby. I’ve provided an all-star lineup. The best in the mafia business.” I winked.
I felt my men in the room.
“You have to eat. The flight staff was ordered to serve you breakfast the moment you’re in the air.”
A tear slid down her chocolate face.
“You’ll be back before you know it.” My smile didn’t quite meet my eyes, and the lie rested on my tongue. Her fight wouldn’t be easy. She and her team would go up against a dangerous cartel.
My airway constricted. Marco, hold it together. I wanted to kill that bastard Roderigo myself. Letting her journey to Mexico without me was tearing me apart inside.
My heart thudded my rib cage. I was sure it would burst out of my chest.
Emoni placed her hand over my beating heart. “I love you, Marco.”
I pulled her into my arms. She shattered against my chest.
“Kagan, take care of my family,” I gritted out through barred teeth as I met his gaze.
His jaw tightened and his blue eyes darkened. “With my life, Marco.”
I gripped her shaky face and met her gaze. Emoni’s beautiful eyes stared into mine. “Utilize your team. Don’t go in there guns a blazing. Strategize and you’ll come back to me.” Tears slammed against the backs of my eyes.
“Love you, baby,” I grunted as I released her and stalked out of the kitchen. The tiny hairs stood all over my body.
Her whimpering tore me apart. Rounding the corner, I punched the wall.
“Fuck,” I roared. My chest rose and fell. Ignoring the pain from the wounds, I walked upstairs. I had a busy day of my own.
~
The small brick building was close to the Jersey Shore. Two other buildings sat on either side, but a good distance apart. It was a good spot in case things went south. No one would be alerted right away.
Gage and Catch stepped inside the building first. Kahn held the door open. A cigar rested between my lips as I removed my gloves. I glanced around the dimly lit room.
The gruff men halted their pool and dart games.
I shoved my black leather gloves into my gray wool coat pockets.
“Welcome to neutral grounds, Marco.” His fists gripped the opening of his leather vest that hugged a black jacket. His bulked-up arms were the color of cocoa beans. He wore a sneaky smile across his thick lips. His head was covered in tiny black and silver curls. His sad yet angry brown eyes bore into mine.