by Posey Parks
I visibly swallowed. “Harder than you fucked me at your parents?”
“Like the time I fucked you up against the wall, bending your legs back.” His tongue slid across my lower lip.
The butterflies fluttered in my stomach as a flush of heat washed over me. “I bet I’ll come hard.”
“You sure fucking will.” He winked.
Maceo cleared his throat. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. Shit, I forgot the partition was lowered.
“Yes?” I rubbed my collar bone.
“You’re home.”
I glanced at the kitchen door. “Oh, we are.”
“I’ll sweep the property.”
I nodded to Maceo.
We followed him inside the house. Marco sat me on the marble counter. Standing between my legs, his hands rested on either side of me. I pressed my lips against his.
“Shit, I forgot you busted a stitch a few days ago. We need to take it easy.”
His head wallowed on my shoulder. “Yeah.”
“All clear.” Maceo strolled past the kitchen.
“Nope come back here.” Marco stepped back, staring between us.
“Take tomorrow night off.”
His face fell. “I can’t do that, boss. We’re at war.”
“I’m aware. Catch, Gage, and Axel will be on duty. You’ve watched out for Emoni while I wasn’t whole. Now I am. We’ll manage tomorrow.”
Maceo’s forehead creased. “Wait. You remember?”
Marco grinned. “Yeah, got my memory back on the flight to Mexico.”
Maceo slapped his arm and threw his arm around him in a bro hug. “That’s great. And yes, I’ll take tomorrow off. I’d like to take a certain someone out.” Maceo’s lips ticked up at one end.
“You should bring her...”
Marco placed a finger over my lips.
“No, he shouldn’t. I know Maceo. He’ll work instead of enjoying his night off. We’d love to have you two over for dinner one night.”
“I’d like that. Well I’m on duty tonight. If you need anything you know where I’ll be.”
“Thanks, Maceo.” I patted his arm.
He disappeared out of the kitchen.
“Emoni.”
Marco closed the space between us.
“Yeah?”
“We sat in my parents’ presence on Christmas like it was just another day. You didn’t think to mention my parents were at odds a few months ago. And that I almost killed my father. We spoke like everything was normal and it wasn’t.”
I kissed his cheek. “You have to let it go. Their love is weird, but it’s their love.”
I swayed my hands over his pecs. “If they want to kill his mistresses together, so be it. Baby, call your mom. Tell her you have your memory back.”
His fingers slipped through his hair as he sighed.
“Marco, you do it or I will.”
I scooted to the edge of the counter.
“When will you call your mother?” His lips ticked up at one end.
My lips tightened. “Soon.” I slipped out of his space and sauntered upstairs.
My parents weren’t at risk anymore. “Fuck,” I muttered.
“I heard that.” Our gazes met.
“Marco, my mother will flip when she learns we’re married and having a baby.” I walked in to the master bathroom. Natural light poured in through the window.
“Do you want to take a bath or shower?”
I gripped my hair. “My body is begging to be immersed in hot luxurious bubbles.”
Marco reached around me and adjusted the water temperature in the tub. He squeezed my favorite plum bubble bath under the stream of water.
“I am hopping in the shower.” Marco peeled the T-shirt over his head.
His muscles flexed, and it was like his ink came to life on his back. The dragon twisted, and the red eyes met mine.
“Jesus,” I mumbled.
My attempt to shimmy out of my jeans was short lived. They rested mid-thigh.
“Emoni?” he smirked.
“Huh?”
Marco turned off the water.
“Shit, I forgot it was running.”
He quirked a brow. “Yeah, you seem distracted.” The back of his index finger traced along my cheek.
“You know what something is missing. Don’t move.”
He stepped out of the bathroom and returned a short time later.
Marco grabbed my hand and slid my massive wedding ring on my finger. “Now you’re complete.”
My cheeks heated. “Yes, I am.”
Marco yanked my T-shirt over my head. He kneeled before me.
I held his shoulders. “Marco, I can take off the rest of my clothes. Pretty sure I smell horrible. We haven’t really bathed in two days. Barely freshened up on the jet.”
His lips melted against my stomach. “I don’t care. You’re my wife. I’m undressing you regardless of what you say.”
His big, strong hands caressed my back. “I missed us. Hate I lost time. Now that all my memories have returned I can never unsee the sadness in your heart when you learned I didn’t remember you.” His gaze held mine. He sat on the side of the tub. “I wish I could undo the hurt. The last thing I wanted to see was how much pain I caused.”
“Marco, don’t,” I demanded.
“What?”
“You almost died because of…because of me.”
Marco gripped my chin. “Hey, I don’t want to ever hear you say those words again. How many times do I have to tell you you’re my wife? I’ll do anything to protect you. Do you understand me?”
I sniffled as tears rolled down my cheeks. “Yes,” I whispered.
“Get in the tub before the water gets cold.” He held my hand, guiding me inside.
My body submerged in the piping hot water.
Marco ripped off his jeans and boxers, then walked into the shower.
I peered at his gorgeous body the best I could through the foggy glass.
“Marco, can we stay home for the holiday?”
Silence.
“If you want to go out tomorrow, I understand. I just wanted to watch the ball drop on TV in the theater room.”
He opened the shower door and stared at me. “It’s a first for me, but it’s fine.”
I shoved the corner of my lip between my teeth. My eyes darted to his huge cock. Water trickled down his sexy, muscled, tatted body. Focus, Emoni.
My eyes met his again. Going out was probably his thing. He was single. Not to mention a mafia boss. Now he was married to me.
“Maybe you should show your face. I’m fine being here by myself. I have my guns and knives.” I smirked.
He tossed his wet locks back. “We’ll go out to dinner. There are a few parties I need to attend as in we need to attend for business purposes. We’ll return before midnight. So rest up, baby.” He winked.
After trudging through a forest in Mexico for two days, I only wanted to rest. This was my new life. Socializing with wives and possibly politicians.
“Emoni, after the new year, you need to find retail space for your boutique and also meet with our attorney to establish the charity business.”
I circled the sudsy sponge along my shoulder. “Ok.”
Thirty minutes later, I snuggled into Marco’s side under the blanket. Our king-sized bed was a far cry from the double bed in Mexico. Under the circumstances, the small house was a means to an end. We weren’t in Mexico for luxury. We were there to kill many evil people.
Killing José and Roderigo hadn’t completely set in yet. No more looking over my shoulder. No more ass beatings. No more money laundering through my business. I released a long-labored breath.
“Emoni, are you all right?”
“Yes. I can’t believe my four-year nightmare is over.”
“Believe it, baby. Remember don’t bite your tongue when something’s on your mind.”
I peeked up at him. “I won’t.” My fingers caressed his chest. “Thank you
for saving me.”
Marco’s lips pressed against my forehead. “You’re welcome.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MARCO
The fresh herbs swept up my nose as I slid my knife through the chicken Saltimbocca.
“Happy Kagan dropped off dinner my mom cooked.”
I slid a sliver of the prosciutto, cheese, and chicken into my mouth.
Maceo swiveled fettuccine around his fork. He peeked at me across the kitchen table. “Kagan said Leana wished you and Emoni would have stopped by.”
“Yeah, well, New Year’s Day will have to do. Emoni was exhausted.”
He nodded, still pushing his food around his plate.
I tossed my fork onto my plate, sitting back. “What the fuck? Spill already.”
“The Donna needs to take it easy.” He wiggled his hand. “For the baby’s sake.”
I gruffly rubbed my chin.
“You remember she was bleeding and in pain. She dealt with that pain twice that I know of. She could be suffering and isn’t saying anything. You said you guys walked a great distance in a course of two days. That’s a lot on a woman in her condition.”
“Shit, she asked to stay home tomorrow. I told her we were going out. I’ll text Tone. Tell him Emoni needs to see Nadine right away.”
Maceo sighed.
“You all better now?”
He tossed his hand in the air. “Fuck you, Marco.”
“What?” I gestured with my hands.
“You’ve never been in love before. You forgot I’ve known you since we were kids.”
I glanced out the window. “I know.”
“If something happened to her…”
Silence hung in the air.
“I don’t know if you’d recover. Marco, you have it bad for this woman and rightfully so. I’m proud of you, brother.”
“Thanks, Maceo. Now fucking eat before I call my mother and tell her you hate her cooking.”
We laughed.
He was right. I’d die for her if it meant she’d be protected. If anyone tried to harm my wife, they’d witness their demise through their own eyes. I meant that shit literally.
“Your mother cooks the best Italian dishes.”
“Again, thanks for having my back.”
“Always.”
“Hey, guys.”
We turned in the direction of the voice.
Emoni yawned while running her fingers through her hair. She wore one of my black T-shirts. Not sure what she had on underneath.
I hopped up. “Have a seat.”
“No. I’m going to the theater room to watch a movie.”
I swooped her off of her feet, careful not to reveal whatever was underneath the T-shirt. Emoni squealed, hooking her arm around my neck.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you still healing?”
“I worked out thirty minutes ago. Tell Maceo goodnight.”
She grinned and peeked over my shoulder. “Enjoy your day off, Maceo. Goodnight.”
“Thanks, and you take it easy.”
“I will.”
Her head fell against my cheek.
“How do you feel?”
“Sore. I guess all that walking caught up with me.”
I laid her on the sofa and sat on the edge. “Don’t worry about anything. Mom sent over a few of my favorites. I’ll prepare a plate for you.” I reached inside the ottoman and retrieved a blanket.
“Great, I’m starving.”
I draped the blanket over her. “Emoni, we don’t have to leave the house tomorrow.”
Her fingers caressed my cheek. “Dinner and one party. How does that sound?”
I grinned, smashing her pretty lips with mine.
“I’ll think about it. Be right back.”
Emoni nodded as she channel surfed.
Walking toward the kitchen, I shot Tony a text.
Hopefully, Nadine could see Emoni this week.
My cell buzzed. I peeked at the screen as I prepared Emoni’s plate.
Tony: Nadine said bring Emoni in Tuesday morning at 10:30.
Me: We’ll be there. Thanks.
The biggest threat we faced had gone up in flames. I laughed inside.
Doubt that joke would ever get old.
After warming up Emoni’s dinner, I walked into the theater room and closed the door behind me.
Emoni’s hands clutched her belly as she slept.
“Baby, wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open. “I dozed off again?”
“Yeah, it’s ok. We were up for almost twenty-four hours. I’ll probably sleep in tomorrow. You need to rest. Eat first.” I grabbed one of her fancy square tables, set it up in front of her, and sat her plate down.
“I’ve never been genuinely waited on.” A smile took her lips.
“Feels special.”
My lips fell upon her forehead. I sat beside her and grabbed the remote. “My dad was an asshole cheater, but he catered to my mother.” I wrapped my arm around her waist.
She paused, peeking back at me.
I kept my eyes on the screen. “Don’t give me that look. You’re the only woman I want. You took care of all the strippers. Pretty sure if they get out of line, you’ll be right there to put them in check.”
“You bet I will. They can’t have what belongs to me,” she growled.
“Spoken like a true, Donna.” I smiled, caressing her ass.
“I have to thank your mom. This pasta is delicious.”
“She’ll send meals every day. You’re carrying her first grandchild. Not to mention, she loves you. I mean, my mom really has a soft spot for you. I think you’re the daughter she never had.”
Emoni chuckled. “I love your mom too. She believed in me. Never doubted my ability to be the next Donna over this family. It means a lot.”
“Eat up. Once you’re finished, I want you in my arms while we watch this new action movie.”
She stuffed her mouth with more pasta and grinned.
My cell rang. I placed the phone on speaker.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Marco.”
“What’s going on, Gage?”
“It’s nine p.m. We haven’t received the payment.”
“Meet me at my favorite restaurant at six p.m. tomorrow. We’ll discuss further.”
“Sounds good.”
I disconnected the call.
“What’s our move?”
“To destroy something important to their club. Griff their fucking leader will get them all killed.”
“If he doesn’t fall in line so be it.” She shrugged.
“Tomorrow I’ll handle the situation. I’d like you to stay home and rest.”
She peeked over her shoulder, shooting me a nasty look. “I know I said I wanted to stay home; but we need to handle our enemy.”
I placed my hand up. “Emoni, you and our child are my first priority. As much as I didn’t want you traveling to Mexico, I knew I had to step back. You needed to shut him down permanently.” I leaned in.
“An AK bullet penetrated the armor suit. If you weren’t wearing it, the bullet would have ripped through your leg,” I roared.
“But, Marco, I’m fine.”
“Emoni, it’s over. I am healing fine. You will no longer handle the dangerous duties. Luca and I will resume the day-to-day business in the streets. You will meet with the wives. And you can work out of the office.”
She turned away. Her back rose and fell. Emoni didn’t say a word.
Good we were on the same page.
She stood and flipped the table. The plate and glass flew across the room and broke into pieces.
“You don’t control me.”
Shit, I created a monster.
I rose, towering over her. “Emoni relax.” My hands ran along her arms.
Her palms slammed against my chest. I didn’t budge. “Fuck you, Marco.”
“Settle the fuck down. I told you what your role was before I made you the Donna. Did I not?�
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Her lips tightened. Emoni trembled with anger. Her dark sinister eyes stared through me. “You want to put me back in my box and leave me on display.”
My brows rose. “What?” I knew where this was going.
I pointed at her. “Don’t do it, Emoni.”
“You’re no better than him.”
My blood coursed through my veins. I felt my skin heating as my fists curled.
“Let the boys handle this war. You allowed me to handle the last one, right? Is that it?” She leveled up to my chest.
“You want to hit me, don’t you?” Her eyes narrowed.
I wrapped my hand around her throat and clutched her thigh, lifting her off the floor. Stalking forward, I kicked shit out of the way. Her head met the wall.
She was a pit bull ready to slaughter. The scared woman was gone.
“You want me to beat the shit out of you. Tell you how you’re worth less than shit. Tell you how lucky you are to be my wife and carry my seed. That’s what you want, right?” Our gazes seared together.
“I won’t treat you like anything less than what you are. A queen. My queen. We will disagree, Emoni. You don’t have to like my decision. But baby, I’m the Don of this family.”
“Oh yeah, you’re the Don, huh?” Her tongue slid across those sexy fucking lips.
In an instant, my cock was rock hard.
“You’re such a dirty little freak.” I sank my teeth into her neck, an inch above her collar bone.
“Oh, fuck.” She unfolded her arms. Her fingers dug into my chest. “Fuck me hard.”
We were just at each other’s throats. Now I was ripping her panties off her. She reached inside my basketball shorts and grabbed my cock.
I released her long enough to yank the T-shirt over her head and remove mine. I kicked off my shorts and a piece of the broken plate went with them across the room.
There were no lovey dovey kisses. Anger and hurt fueled our decisions in the heat of the moment.
My hand returned, circling her perfect little neck.
“You like being choked.” Through my lashes, I stared at her. “Don’t worry I won’t stop.”
Hovering over her breast, I sucked her nipple. She wrapped her legs around my waist.
“Mar…co,” she squeezed out of her lungs.
“These big tits are mine.” I sucked her other nipple, then bit down.