The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set

by MJ Nightingale

  Mary paused before a door, and Gio almost stepped into her. He saw the plaque beside the door and scanned it quickly. It read, ‘Guest waiting room.’

  Gio swallowed, and Mary winked before opening the door. At first Gio didn’t see him. He just saw sofas, and tables, and a large screen TV in the far corner. The room was empty. Then coming out from under the alcove carrying a bottle of water was a tall young boy with dark hair, and ice blue eyes. And Gio’s heart melted. He was five feet tall at nine years old, the Marino eyes staring across the room at him. It was his smile. The same crooked grin.

  “Hey Johnny!” Mary called as Johnny’s pace picked up.

  “Hi Aunt Mare.” His son’s voice was stronger than he thought it would be. It wasn’t childlike as he imagined. He spoke clearly enunciating each word. His son tossed the bottle into his other hand, then absently rubbed his hip with the one hand that just released the bottle. Gio did that too.

  His son was almost within arm’s reach and Gio still had not found his voice. He felt the pressure behind his eyes. His son was holding out his hand to him. “Sir.”

  Gio reached out and took his son’s hand. He felt strength in the small grasp, and calluses on the fingers from playing guitar. Like his mother. Gio shook and then pulled the young man into his arms, hugging him tight. He pressed his head down on top of his son’s. “Son,” he whispered into the boy’s hair. “I’m your father.”

  “I know.” He heard his son’s voice break in his grasp. “I’m so happy to finally meet you, sir.”

  Gio felt the boy’s hold on him tighten too. “Me too. Me too.”

  Mary just watched the scene, and felt tears spring to her eyes. She saw Gio hunched over his son, and knew Lisa would have loved to be here to see this. She knew she would never be able to forget it.

  “Johnny,” Gio whispered still holding his son. “Oh, Johnny. I wished I would have known you, watched you grow up.”

  Johnny pulled back to look up into this man’s eyes, and spoke from his heart. “It’s not your fault, sir. But you are here now, and that is all that matters.” He saw the wetness in his son’s eyes and it almost broke him.

  Gio shook his head to clear it, and again swallowed past the lump in his throat. What an amazing kid. It was all he could think as he pulled back from the embrace. He didn’t want to let his son go, but he also knew the kid would be nervous, want to talk, and he didn’t know how much time they had. He wanted to answer all his questions, he wanted to ask his own. He wanted to get to know his son. His son!

  “Johnny, I . . .” Gio stumbled over the next words he wanted to say.

  Johnny watched this man, he was huge, and found it strange the man was lost for words. “Sir?” he prodded.

  Gio smiled and ruffled his son’s ebony hair. The little man was trying to give him courage. He cleared his throat, and gave his son a grin, the same one his son wore although he could see his bottom lip trembling. “About this sir business?”

  “Um, oh, well, what would you like me to call you?” the boy asked. He too had been hoping his dad would want him to call him something more familiar. His heart was beating a mile a minute. His dad had finally come.

  “Dad will do. That is if you don’t mind?” Gio asked.

  His son nodded. “I’d really like that, sir. I mean, Dad.” Crooked grin smiled at crooked grin and his son threw himself at his father for yet another embrace.

  Hearing that word, spoken from Johnny’s lips allowed something to break free in his heart, and again, he held Johnny close. He felt his son’s arms go around him once more, squeezing just as hard. Nothing had ever felt so good in his life.

  At that moment, Mary interrupted them. “Hey boys. Hate to interrupt the love fest. I really do,” she teased, and Gio knew she did it to lighten the mood. “But, why don’t we go outside. It’s a nice night. We have about an hour.”

  “Okay,” Gio and Johnny said in unison, and they both smirked at each other. Johnny slipped his hand inside his father’s not wanting to break the contact, and again Gio’s heart swelled.

  “Can you take a picture first?” Gio asked handing Mary his phone.

  “Absolutely.” Mary took the phone and snapped a couple of shots. Gio had his arm around his son’s shoulder, and Johnny’s arm held on tight around Gio’s back.

  She snapped a few with her own phone, and then Johnny asked for a few with his. They all laughed as they headed outside. Mary led them to an area where there was a covered alcove. Gio took a seat across from his son at a table, and Mary joined them and they spoke for a while about Lisa and the case. Gio was surprised at how mature Johnny was. They told him as much as they thought he could handle. Gio watched the play of emotions across his son’s face reaching for his hand several times to pat it, and give him reassurance. Johnny was scared, but expressed confidence in his mother’s ability to prove her innocence.

  Gio cleared his throat. “Son, I want you to know, that I’m going to help her. She will get her name cleared. I swear. Believe in that.”

  “I believe you, Dad. Mom said you were the best. I can see that now.” His mom had always spoke so well of his real dad. Having him here now, he hoped would bring him the family he had always imagined he could have.

  Again, Gio felt choked up. “And I don’t want you to worry. I’m in your life now. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you too.” Gio meant every word and wanted to convey that message to his son.

  His son’s eyes shone. He heard his son clear his throat. “I’ve wanted you here for a long time . . . Dad.” Johnny choked back the tears that were threatening to come once more.

  Gio reached his hand out and ruffled Johnny’s hair. “Count on it, son.”

  Again Mary felt the need to lighten the mood as it had turned serious once more. “Hey guys, I’m going to give you some time for yourselves. I’m going to sit over there. But, I just wanted to let you know, Johnny, that I’ll be here Friday to pick you up. Your Dad will come too.”

  “That sounds great, Aunt Mary.” Johnny beamed at her as he got up to hug his aunt.

  “You are a doll. Johnny-cakes.”

  Johnny nodded, and gave his aunt another affectionate hug, and then returned to Gio at the table. This time he sat beside his father instead of across from him.

  “Okay, boys. Get to know each other. Ask your Dad some questions? Okay.” Mary encouraged before walking off a dozen yards to a private bench. She busied herself on her phone, texted Lisa, and sent her the pictures she had taken inside and a few more she took candidly while Gio and Johnny spoke.

  She eavesdropped while waiting for her sister’s reply. She heard Gio telling Johnny about the time he had pranked her and her sister, Bridget, and had taken the seat off of their bicycles at school making them walk all the way home. Johnny was a miniature version of his father. Same laugh, same crooked smile, same tilt of the head, same gestures. They talked for a good while, the two feeling each other out, and ever so slowly Johnny inched closer to his father. Gio, noticing, instinctively reached out to his son knowing what he needed and slung his arm around his small shoulders. The smile he received from Johnny brought tears to Mary’s eyes. She had to look away.

  “Dad, I know we’ve just met but I have a favor to ask you . . . well two favors actually.”

  Gio saw the tears beginning to well up in his son’s eyes as he reached on to the table and grasped his father’s much larger hand. “Anything, I’ll do anything for you, just ask.”

  “Please don’t let that man hurt my mother anymore,” his son choked out, “and Dad, please don’t go away. I’ve really missed having you around.”

  “You have my word; please don’t worry. I’m here now and I will always protect you and your mom. And son, I’m not going anywhere.”

  Their hands tightened around each other’s as though they were making a pact for life, and then Johnny turned his face away from his father to wipe the tears from his cheeks.

  * * *

  Mary was looking down at he
r screen to see any incoming message from her sister.

  Lisa: OMG. I wish I were there. Give Johnny a big hug from me before you leave. I love the pictures.

  Mary texted her back.

  Mary: I’ll take more before I go. Next time, you’ll be in them.

  She didn’t have to wait long for the next message.

  Lisa: From your lips. . . How is it going?

  Mary: Very well. Gio asked him to call him Dad. He is. They are talking baseball. Gio is a little upset he isn’t a Yankee Fan.

  Lisa: Oh No! I should have warned him.

  Mary: Gio also told him that story about the bikes.

  Lisa: Oh No. He better not corrupt him.

  Mary: It’s Gio. You know that is going to happen.

  This time the message didn’t come right back.

  Lisa: Yes. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Mary: Love you, sis. Chin up. Let me take a quick video for you.

  Lisa: Yes, please!

  An hour later, Lisa was watching her son, and Gio chat and smile while sitting next to each other in the commons under the alcove that she and Johnny had sat at many a time doing homework or having dinner. She’d watched all the clips numerous times already. She could not make out what they were saying, but just seeing the two of them, together at last, made her feel confidant, that they would at least have each other. She wished she had been there. Again the guilt threatened to swallow her. She should have done this years ago.

  Mary’s kids were both sound asleep. And she went into the kitchen to put on a kettle for some tea, when the next message came in.

  Mary: We are leaving now. Gio and Johnny made you this video.

  Lisa’s fingers trembled as she hit the arrow to start the clip.

  Gio had his arm around their son. Her son was speaking. “I love and miss you mom. Dad is awesome. He is coming back Friday to pick me up with Aunt Mary. Hope you are doing well. I’m glad you are staying at Dad’s place.” Gio chimed in. “Awesome kid. Lisa you did an amazing job with him. See you in a bit.” She watched as her son turned towards his father and hugged him for all he was worth. The tears streamed down her face, as she watched Gio bend down and kiss the top of Johnny’s head. She quickly tapped back a message.

  Lisa: Love you, Johnny. Thank you Mary, and Gio. I’m crying here watching this. Thank you for including me.

  She watched that video ten times in a row, until the kettle on the stove shrilled its readiness and threatened to wake up Mary’s kids.

  * * *

  When Mary and Gio pulled up outside shortly after ten, Lisa was a wreck. The tea had not helped to soothe her tattered nerves. The kids were still asleep, and Mary seeing her and knowing her, did not ask. Gio helped carry the sleeping kids to the car, and Mary gave her sister a big hug.

  “It went so well, Lisa. Things will be okay. I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you everything. Okay.”

  Lisa nodded. From the faraway look she had in her eyes, Mary knew she was close to the edge. “Thanks, Mary. I love you.”

  “Love you too.” She climbed into her car wanting to hug her sister one more time, but Gio was there too, and he was closing her door.

  “Thanks, Mary.” He nodded behind him towards Lisa whispering softly to Mary. “Don’t worry about Lisa. I got this.”

  Mary was relieved that Gio had also picked up on her sister’s emotional state, and let out a held breath. Her sister was going to have a meltdown. She smiled and then turned the ignition to start her minivan and pulled away from the curb carefully. These two needed to talk, and though she knew her sister needed comforting, she also knew Gio and Lisa needed to be alone right now. She was relieved to know that she was leaving her sister in good hands. She looked to be at the breaking point.

  Chapter 14

  Take Me to . . . Bed

  When Gio walked back into the house and Lisa turned to him the raw emotion was clearly evident on her face, and he was sure his face revealed similar emotions. The entire ride back in the car all he could think about was Johnny. His son. Now, all he could think about was Lisa, and the pain he saw there.

  “It’s been just two weeks,” she choked on her sob. “I miss him so much.” And Gio understood. In an instant he pulled her to him and reaching up one hand he cupped her head and sought out her lips. It was the only thing he could think of to fill the void she must be feeling.

  Lisa’s need was powerful. She clung to Gio and returned the kiss and soon her hands were clutching and grasping him. He was her rock in this moment. The heat, the emotion expressed in their embrace soon overcame anything else. She needed to be loved—by him. Words weren’t needed.

  Gio’s hands were in hair, fisting it as he crushed her mouth to his. It was an invasion now, pure and simple. It was carnal in a heartbeat. He left no part of her mouth unchartered. Her tongue clashed with his, and she jumped up onto him wrapping her legs around him as the skirt of her dress slid up her thighs. Lisa pressed into him so she could feel his arousal. She needed this. Him. Heat coursed through her as she felt the wetness pool deep inside of her. Only Gio had ever made her feel like this.

  And Gio felt it too. His arms supported her weight and gripped her softness to him like iron. His hands no longer gentle, stroked and explored her ass. He squeezed her cheeks and it was rough. He wanted to be inside her to feed his addiction.

  Both of them were breathing erratically gasping for air as their hands banked the flames higher. He nipped at her bottom lip with his teeth and she moaned her pleasure pushing against him until he could feel her heat on his stomach. Gio’s mouth trailed down to her neck, and feathered kisses and bites along her collarbone.

  Lisa threw her head back to give him better access enjoying each kiss and caress.

  “Lisa,” he murmured against her neck, “I need to be inside of you.”

  Her response was to get down and take his hand and lead him to the sofa, but Gio had other ideas.

  “Oh God,” she moaned as Gio turned her around so that he was pressing himself into her ass. His hands reached around her circling her waist, and in instant he had yanked off her skirt leaving her in just her panties. His hand slipped inside and he found her slick folds already wet and he began to rub her so that she pushed her ass harder against his cock causing him to release his held breath through his clamped teeth. “Take me to bed, Gio. Please,” she begged. Her words came out harshly. She was desperate to be close to him.

  Gio wanted her too. This woman was his, the mother of his son. Her touch seared. Ever since he first a laid eyes on her again, he wanted nothing more than to sink his cock into her. He felt like a teenaged boy with absolutely no control. Swinging her up into his arms he carried her up the flight of stairs and kicked open his door with his foot. He set her down and began to strip as she did the same.

  Lisa inhaled sharply as he approached her. Just looking at him was a sight to behold. His body was rock hard. His chest was chiseled perfection. He was flawless and the tattoo across his chest flexed as he stalked towards her. His nostrils flared as he descended onto the bed and his mouth immediately sought out the flesh on top of her breasts that the demi-bra revealed. He tasted each one, and then popped the cups down so he could take first one and then the other nipple into his mouth. Lisa leaned into the embrace arching her back and cupping his head with her hands. Her nipples tightened into rock hard pebbles as he used his teeth to tug each one forming peaks and causing flames to flicker in her pussy.

  One of Gio’s hands trailed from the side of her breast to softly flutter down her side to stroke erotically across her rib cage, and then the small rounded slope of her stomach that had remained since child birth. Then she gasped as his hand dipped into her panties once more to lightly stroke her clit using two fingers.

  Gio needed to be inside of her, but first he wanted to be sure she was ready. He slid first one finger inside of her folds, and was happy she was. Using two fingers he did it again, and then brought the fingers up to his mouth to taste her s
weetness. Her moan of loss brought his fingers back down and he immediately found her clit, already unsheathed, swollen and engorged, as he brought her closer and closer to the precipice. Lisa was panting and began to meet his strokes by gyrating her hips in time to his ministrations.

  Lisa felt for Gio’s cock wanting to please him too. He was rock hard and she could feel the veins pumping blood as she wrapped her fingers around his girth. She couldn’t wait to feel it inside of her once more, filling her, stretching her, joining them together. Her nipples hardened even more in expectation. “Gio, please,” she begged pulling on his cock, stroking him. His response was a grunt.

  Gio’s hand left her folds, and he lay her down, yanking her panties off in one fluid motion while kneeling over her, taking all of her body in. Despite the scars, her body, so long and lean, had always mesmerized him.

  Lisa watched him hold his cock in one hand and place it at her opening. “Please. I need you baby. I love you.” She saw a shadow pass his eyes, but it passed too quickly for her to be sure.

  Bearing his weight on one hand he knelt between her legs. Her words had given him pause. But he couldn’t think of that now when he wanted to find his release inside of her. His cock was pulsing and his balls were already beginning to tighten painfully. When she pushed her hips upwards to meet his engorged penis, he slammed into her, penetrating her to the core. He paused just a moment before he began to move. When he felt she was ready indicated by her nails that dug into his back releasing, he pulled back with his hips, and looked down so he could see the joining of their two bodies once more and rammed into her again. Hard. Then again.

  With each thrust Lisa felt a oneness with Gio she had never felt before. Each powerful thrust claimed every inch of her slick sheath and he slowly ground against her clit to build up her desire once more. Being with Gio, his eyes watching the joining of their bodies over and over again had her climbing higher and higher. She began to feel her climax coming on. She needed more, and sank her nails into his back to encourage him to go faster.