by Nola Marie
Truthfully, Jax would have made a fantastic boss. Probably better than Rory but I don't think he would ever have considered it. Jax may be a part of River City mafia but his one and only priority is Zoey. Nothing will ever mean more to him than her except the two babies she's carrying.
The others walk off the elevator to see Jax standing between Rory and me. Their eyes bounce off of each of us while Bastian continues to sit in his chair sipping on his tequila. He is radiating amusement and a little pride that I can sense is aimed at Jax and me. Pride that the two of us don’t bow or bend to anyone else’s will. Not even him or Rory.
“Did we miss something?” Christian speaks first.
“No,” we all say in unison.
That’s what breaks the tension. It’s what breaks the standoff as we smile at each other. And honestly what probably keeps Jax from kicking both our asses because if anyone can, it’s him.
We break everything down for them, letting Tori explain parts that are better heard from her perspective. “One more thing,” Tori says giving me a sheepish smile that tells me I know I’m not going to like what’s coming. “The last text he sent says he wants me there for another meet and greet like before. Where he parades me around like some zoo animal on display.”
“That’s not what he’s doing,” I say between clenched teeth.
“What else would it be?” she says challenging.
“He’s parading you around like you’re his property,” Jax says very bluntly.
“He showing off his prized toy. It was never about meeting the whales.”
“I’m not his fucking property,” she hisses. “If he pulls that shit again, I will rip his balls off.”
“He’s not going to get the fucking chance,” I say firmly making sure both Rory and Bastian get the message. I can see in their eyes they do, but Tori is already preparing to argue. “You can’t stay with me when I go back, Zee.”
“Zane is right, Tori,” Jax tells her. “We not leaving you alone with him at all. We’ve seen how he looks at you, and you’ve seen he’s not afraid to go after what he wants.”
“I can take care of myself,” she says as her defiant little chin tips upwards.
“This,” Bastian gestures around the room, “and that isn’t just about you. It’s not even about your sister. It’s much bigger than that for us. You will fall in line or we will make sure you don’t make it to Chicago.”
His tone leaves little room for argument but that’s not going to stop Tori. I grab her hand and drag her away from the rest of the guys before she gets a chance. “You can’t stop me from going,” she hisses.
“Baby, I don’t want to stop you, but you have to do this our way. Bastian is serious. He’ll make sure you don’t leave River City until everything is done. This is still a little personal for him, even if we’ve taken care of DeLuca. He wants them all out of the way. And Verity’s mom and DeLuca’s mom are the ones calling the shots right now. Even if from behind the curtain. We’re just not sure what part Rossi plays in all of this.”
“Yes, you are,” she accuses. “You know he’s after you. All of you. Because he wants what he thinks Rory and Bastian stole from him.”
“He wants you too,” I tell her. “And for some reason I don’t get, he has a problem with me.”
“His problem is the company you keep,” she snaps.
A ripple courses through me at her words. I know she is upset, and she doesn’t like being told what to do. I know she doesn’t like feeling helpless and out of control. But what she just said? “You have a problem with my family now?” I hiss, even though I know she doesn’t.
But those are just the words she needs to hear to chill. “No, I don’t have a problem with them,” she sighs. “I just fucking hate this.”
I pull her to me. “I know, Baby.”
I kiss the top of her head and lead her back toward the living area. “We want you to go to that event, Tori,” Bastian tells her but looks at me.
“Over my fucking -.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Bastian cuts me off. “Over your dead body. That’s not necessary. You’re going to be there too.”
“We’re all going to work our way through the crowd that night,” Rory explains.
“Won’t that look suspicious?” Tori asks.
“Trust me, it won’t,” Jax tells her.
“The fight will take place the same time as the auction. They’ll start herding everyone that’s participating in the two events as the party dies down,” Rory explains.
“Herding? What are they? Cattle?” Tori snarks.
“If anyone would be the cattle, it’s you,” he snaps back.
This entire meeting has been one sarcastic remark from everyone losing their cool. Tori is on edge. Neither of us are falling in line for Rory which Bastian finds funny. Jax is about a minute away from punching all of us in the mouth. The situation is a lot more tense than it should be.
“AT THE AUCTION SIDE,” Bastian nearly yells to get focus back on the actual plan, “will be Christian, Tristan, Drew, and Jared along with a few of Matteo’s guys that aren’t as recognizable. We’re going to try to do what we did with Rossi, but we’ve got a couple of backups in case we don’t get lucky twice.”
“We didn’t get lucky with Rossi,” Rory grumbles. “It was a good plan.”
“It was only good because of the masks,” Bastian reminds him. “If all goes to plan, we’re going to get those girls out of there then draw the two women into a separate room where they will be handled.” He looks at Tori when he says this because he wants her to understand what he’s saying without having to come out and say it.
I know Bastian and Rory have never hurt a woman no matter how much they may have deserved it. I know they don't want to now. The consensus is, however, there will probably be no other way around it.
“On the fight side of the evening, we’ll be there. We’re not going to bother hiding ourselves. Matteo will lure Stephano and Rossi and their goons somewhere,” Rory tells us through clenched teeth. A sure tell that he isn’t happy with this plan. “We have to let Matteo and his guys handle them. Or Stephano and the men following him at the very least. Stephano is the one in charge now technically. But like I said, his mother and Verity’s are pulling the strings. Our job is to get you and your sister out.”
“But,” Christian says what we all know is coming.
“But this could get hairy and ugly real fast. Rossi is fixated on Tori and on taking us down. We may not get in and out as smoothly as we want.”
“We need to stay out of the way so that Matteo can assert his position and authority, but Rossi is the wild card. He’s not really part of the syndicate. Technically, he’s part of this one,” Bastian finishes.
"We have our plan in place, but if it comes down to it, Matteo will have to understand."
“We leave tomorrow,” Rory tells us.
I turn to Jax. I’m not as certain about his involvement in all of this. Zoey needs him here. I know she’s still got a few weeks left before her due date, but I also know twins likes to come early. In fact, the day after her party or whatever it was, they had to stop early labor. “Maybe you should sit this out,” I tell him with concern filling my tone.
“Not happening, brother. If you go, I go. Mom and dad are coming to stay with Zoey. She wants me to go with you.”
I shake my head in disagreement. Zoey doesn’t want either of us to go. I know that but if one goes, she wants the other to follow. “And what happens if she goes into labor? What happens if you don’t get back in time? She’s already on bedrest because she’s been trying to go into labor.”
Bastian and Rory both sit at attention. Apparently Jax hasn’t been completely honest with them. “Che cazzo? Sei stupido, cazzo?” Bastian barks. “Non puoi lasciare il suo stronzo.”
Jax turns to face Bastian. “I can if that is what she wants and what Zane needs. This is going to be stressful on her regardless. She thinks it will be less so if I’m with her brother.”
> “Maybe you should both stay here,” Rory suggests, worry filling his own voice.
“I’m not letting Tori go without me,” I say, definitively.
Tori turns to me with those brown eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want you to leave Zoey,” she tells me. “She needs you.”
I pull her to me tightly and kiss her forehead. “You need me more.”
“Zane what is this?” Tori ask with a happy giggle.
“This,” I gesture to the pier in front of us, “is where we’re going to fish.”
Her nose scrunches in disgust. “Fish? As in with a pole and a hook?” I can’t help but laugh at her. Her face is scrunched, her brows are furrowed, and her lips are pressed into a thin tight line. “You’re joking right?”
“No, Baby. Not a joke. We’re going to catch a fish. Or try at least.”
“Zane Valen, what in the hell makes you think I want to catch a fish? I can’t believe you’d wake me up before the birds even wake to come catch a fucking fish.”
“Because it will be fun,” I continue to tease. She hasn’t even noticed we don’t have rods or reels. I have no intention of fishing. I know her well enough to know she can kick ass and take names, but fishing would definitely not be her thing.
“Zane exactly what is you expect me to do? Because I’m sure as fuck not touching a goddamn fish or baiting a hook or anything.”
“I love your fucking sailor mouth,” I tell her as I walk toward her until she is backed up against the pier then press my mouth to hers. “I didn’t bring you here to fish,” I say against her mouth.
Her hands move up my chest until her arms are around my neck. All is forgiven. “Then why did you bring me here?” she practically moans as I move my mouth down her jaw.
With a smile against her neck, I turn her around. The gasp that escapes those sexy lips is exactly the reward I’m looking for. The sun rising over the water from the pier is an amazing view I had to share with her. Nothing but the water and the sun.
“Oh my God. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful,” she whispers like she’s afraid the sight will vanish if she’s too loud.
“I know I haven’t,” I say into her ear. But I’m not talking about the sun or the water. She doesn’t know that. She doesn’t see where my eyes are. Where they never leave.
“Was the trip worth it?” I ask, pulling her closer to me.
“So worth it.”
We stand there until we watching the sun continue its voyage until we can no longer look directly at it. Enjoying the peace and the beauty of the moment. Of each other.
“What time does our flight leave?” she asks, breaking the silence.
“When we get there. Until then, I’m making sure your day is filled with relaxation and fun.”
She turns back around in my arms, looking up at me. “Seriously. What time?”
“I am being serious. It leaves when we get there. First, I am going to feed you breakfast. Then I’m taking you for a massage. After that we’ll get lunch. Then we’re going to the aquarium because I hear sea animals have a calming effect. Then we’ll go to the airport and get on the plane that I intend fuck you in the entire way to Chicago.”
Her mouth falls open, hanging loosely. “Ahem. Okay then,” she says turning red as a cherry which is fucking cute. “I guess we should get this show on the road.”
The plane lands at seven that evening. After I made good on all my promises for the day, we boarded the plane around two-thirty. I also made good on my promises for the flight with the exception of the last hour because Tori needed to get ready for this fucking charade of an event.
When she stepped out of that bathroom, it was my jaw that was being picked up off the floor. Her long blond hair pulled back into some kind of knot made that long, kissable throat enticing. That silver gown hugged every dip and curve she had while gave her a luminescent glow that I swear couldn’t be real. Except I know that it is because she kept the makeup to a bare minimum. Just enough to say she was wearing some, I guess.
I think back to New Year’s when she came to River City. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year. She took my breath away that night, but right now she is bringing me to my knees. I didn’t know it was possible for a woman to look as beautiful as she does.
Possessiveness washes through me. It makes me want to turn this plane right back around so that no one else can see what stands before me. No one deserves to see the beauty that is radiating from every facet of her being.
God fucking help me, for the first time I’m realizing how hard this night is going to be. I’m not sure if I have enough control to not stab Rossi in the face if he touches her. And I already know he will. Maybe not inappropriately but fuck. I don’t want him laying a finger on her.
“Get it together,” Jax tells me as we step off the plane. He is picking me up while Tori rides with Matteo. I fucking hate that she has to ride with anyone else.
“What are you talking about?” I ask him but my eyes still follow her as she slides into the back of the car. Our gazes meet in many silent messages. I love you. Be careful. I need you. Stay safe.
“You’re about a minute from losing it, Zee. Can’t do that now. Not yet.”
“I’m fine,” I grit out turning my attention to him as we climb into the rented SUV.
“Bullshit. I know that look,” he declares. “Fuck, I wear that look probably more than anyone else. Remember Ryan Davenport, Maddox, and the others?”
I take a deep breath, slowly releasing then repeat the process. “I can’t help it, Jay. All I can picture is Rossi trying to put his hands on her.”
“He’s not going to get the chance. As soon as we get there, you pull her away as fast as you can. He knows you two are together. Just try to keep cool.”
“That will be hard.”
“Just keep your cool, brother. I know it’s hard, but you’ve got no choice right now.”
I give a short nod as we pull in front of the pavilion. Jax hands the valet the keys as we make our way inside. The place is packed, and I consider how these douche bags use the ruse of charity to get away with what they’re doing. All the money going through this fake charity, set up so they can pretend the money they get tonight is legal and somehow get the fucking tax break to go with it. It’d be genius if it weren’t so fucking sick.
The last event like this, Jax and I attended on behalf of the team. Mr. Neveah doesn’t have a damn clue what he was supporting. To be honest, at the time, I didn’t either. That charity had a different name without DeLuca attached to it.
Tonight, we attend on behalf of Diamond. At least that’s how it appears to anyone that doesn’t know what’s really going on here. River City mafia may be run from the basement, but over time, Rory and Bastian have slowly moved away from illegal things more and more. I don’t think they even realize that more than half of their business and income is legitimate now. But that doesn’t mean they – we – aren’t still what we are. Maybe the way the money is made is changing, but the fact remains that they have no qualms strongarming to get what they want. Blackmail and extortion are still prevalent. And if the wrong lines get crossed, hands get bloody.
Tonight, I wouldn’t mind a little blood on my hands. Rossi’s to be specific.
I look around the room. It’s as opulent and extravagant as the last event. Designer clothes that could feed a family for a year are worn by nearly everyone in attendance. Ridiculous pieces of jewelry adorn the fingers, necks, and ears of all the women. Expensive watches sit on the wrists of all the men.
Jax and I aren’t an exclusion to this rule. We have money to buy certain things, so we do. But we are both very generous with real charities. And we donate something much more valuable. Time.
But looking at the ostentatiousness of this room, I feel a little ridiculous for spending five-thousand-dollars on a watch. Or twelve thousand on the tux I’m wearing. I see Jax stuff his hands in his pockets. He looks uncomfortable as well. As if being surro
unded by all of this affluence makes him itch.
I spot Tori off to the side with the same guy from the last event. The guy that made a point to let me see her. The guy I really didn’t notice because I was so focused on her.
But I see him now. And I know his problem isn’t only with Rory and Bastian. His problem is with me too.
I also know why none of us recognized his name.
“Is that -?” Jax leans into my ear.
“Yep,” I answer feeling like a goddamned idiot for not paying attention before. But then again, Jax didn’t notice either.
“That’s why he’s after you. After her.”
“Guess he’s got a problem with all of us,” I mutter.
“Think we should tell Rory and Bastian?”
I shake my head. It’s not important to what’s going down tonight. It just makes everything more personal than it already was. “We’ll tell them later.”
My eyes move to where Rossi’s hand is gripping Tori’s elbow. He is whispering in his ear. She looks like she wants to break his face.
I understand. I’m fighting the exact urge myself.
“Go get her,” Jax tells me. “Go get your girl. Get that fucker’s hands off of her. Dance with her.”
I give him a nod without taking my eyes off of her. Except this time, she’s watching me too. I move my way across the room, through the crowd with determination. Need fills my every step. I need to touch her. Hold her. Kiss her. Show everyone in this goddamn room that she belongs to me.
That she is mine.
Tori
I watch as he crosses the room with fierce determination. Fire fills his eyes. Lust radiates from him. And possessiveness I didn’t know he was capable of or that I wanted from him fuels his every step.
I forget how to breathe at the pure beauty and domination he displays. The crowd practically parts as he makes his way through. He is literally taking my breath away.
The second he’s close enough to touch he pulls me from Rossi’s slimy grip into his own with a kiss that is fire and earthquakes and hurricanes and lightning all at once. He breaks the kiss, the look in his eyes melt me. I can almost literally feel myself turning to ash.