Fever

by Carnal, MJ

  I had no home to go back to.

  No job.

  Nothing.

  Where was I even going to live?

  I pulled back from his body and chewed my lip in thought. It didn't help that the bed was so soft and expensive. I was used to my crappy mattress, used to lying on the floor.

  Finally, after I couldn't fall back asleep, I grabbed two pillows and tossed them onto the floor next to me, then I pulled one of the throw blankets from the bed.

  Once I was settled on the carpeting, I was finally able to relax a bit. Worry still plagued me, but at least I wasn't wrapped up in Ax. I shivered. The only problem was the floor was colder than I had realized. I tugged the blanket tighter around my body and closed my eyes.

  Two seconds after they closed, cloth rustled behind me and the mattress shifted, and then footsteps shuffled across the carpet. Ax's warm body joined mine; the comforter from the bed fell on top of both of us. He pulled me into the cocoon of his warmth and kissed the top of my head. "I couldn't care less about the middle, Ames… I just want to be by you."

  Unshed tears stung my eyes as I clenched them shut, my breathing uneven as I tried to keep myself from sobbing against his chest.

  "Sleep." He kissed my head again. "I've got you."

  ****

  I woke up to the sound of Ax yelling into his phone. Rubbing my eyes, I yawned and then managed to find my way out of the massive amount of covers and down the hallway.

  A spread of more food than I'd ever seen in my entire life was on the table; hot coffee was already poured for me. Ax continued yelling, but pointed to the seat.

  Not wanting to argue with someone who was so clearly against mornings, I went to the table and fought the urge to clap my hands in excitement.

  Toast! Jam! Sausage! Bacon! I could seriously have died happy in that moment, and I even had orange juice. I didn't appreciate things like that until I suddenly couldn't afford them. Until that first day I went to the store and couldn't buy orange juice because it was out of my budget.

  I reached for the juice with one hand then grabbed my coffee with the other.

  "Double fisting?" Ax sat down across from me and tossed his cell onto the table; it landed with a clatter.

  "Who was that?" I set down both drinks then bit into a piece of toast and stifled a moan as the raspberry jam hit my tongue. I closed my eyes in ecstasy, licking my lips then took another bite.

  Pretty sure I finished the entire piece of toast with my eyes closed. When I opened them again Ax's mouth was open, his face flushed, and he was staring at my mouth.

  "Do I have something on my face?" I reached for the napkin and wiped across my lips while Ax pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a pitiful noise I could only assume was irritation.

  "Nah." He swallowed, looking away. "Just enjoying the show."

  "Show?"

  "Eat something else."

  I frowned. "You're weird."

  "More toast?" He offered. "Jam?"

  "I think…" I looked around the table as he took a sip of coffee. "I'll eat the sausage."

  Ax choked on his coffee then started pounding his chest. "Sorry, wrong tube." He ran his hands over his face and cursed, then reached for his coffee again. "And to answer your question, it was Sergio."

  "Oh." I looked down at my plate, pushing the sausage around with my fork. "How is he?"

  "Cranky as shit." Ax laughed. "But he's my brother, so I can't really kill him even though the idea has merits… at times."

  I smiled. "Like when?"

  "Like when he rescued you then put you in foster care." Ax spoke so softly I almost didn't hear him. "Like when he kept my best friend from me. I'm not blaming him. I take full responsibility, but let's just say he's lucky he still has both legs and a tongue."

  "Graphic." I poked the sausage with my fork and lifted it to my lips. Ax leaned forward, watching my fork like he was a cat and I was holding his only toy. I moved it in front of my face, his eyes followed, completely captivated. I bit slowly into the meat, letting my teeth sink in. His eyes hooded as he watched me chew. I wasn't sure if he was just really tired or for some reason found me eating breakfast fascinating. My last bite was the juiciest, causing some of the grease to run down my chin.

  Ax shot to his feet, his knees banging against the table. "I uh, I'll be right back." He walked down the hall like I was chasing him with a knife and slammed the door to the bathroom.

  I shrugged and finished my breakfast.

  When Ax came back ten minutes later, his face was visibility relaxed but his hands were still clenched tightly at his sides. He held out his hand. I took it and stood.

  "I won't ask again." He cupped my face. "I won't demand it, I won't ask it, I'll try my damndest not to think about it. I won't kiss you until you ask me… a second time."

  "A second time?"

  His mouth collided against mine, his fingers pushing past my chin and diving into my hair, tugging me closer to his warmth. I gasped when his tongue entered my mouth. I could taste him, I wanted more. I flung my arms around his neck, he grunted his approval and then let out a moan when I opened my mouth wider, our teeth almost colliding against each other.

  His hands moved down my back, resting just above my butt. I wiggled a bit, it was all the invitation he needed to push up the cotton shirt and touch my skin.

  I felt every fingertip as they grazed my hipbones.

  His kiss turned less frantic as he sucked on my tongue, and rocked me back on my heels, creating some distance between our scorching bodies. Ax tilted his head, nipping my lower lip before biting down and giving it a little tug. It sent a thrill all the way down to my toes.

  Ax's mouth was like hot velvet, every time our lips touched it felt like a caress, I shivered as he deepened the kiss one last time then pulled back.

  His chest heaved. Eyes dilated, he whispered near my mouth, "That was going to be your eighteenth birthday present, me keeping you warm, keeping us warm, showing you that I wasn't ever just your friend, Ames. I wanted to be so much more… I still do, but you don't trust me and I don't blame you. So, that's it. I won't kiss you again, I won't attack you with my mouth, I'll try not to fantasize about the way your tongue felt against mine — I'll wait. Until you ask me, I'll wait."

  "What if I never ask you?"

  He smirked and tilted his head, tipping my chin with his thumb before kissing my nose. "After that kiss… do you really think I'm worried about that?"

  "Arrogant ass!" I said breathlessly jerking away from his tempting touch.

  "That almost sounded like an invitation," he teased. "If you want me to kiss you again, just ask."

  "No." I folded my arms across my chest and shivered. "You're, you—"

  "—So damn sexy." He eyed me up and down. "It's a shame you can't walk around like that — then again I'd have a really high body count, and I'm trying to keep my total under 100 before I turn thirty so…"

  I gasped. "What's it at now?"

  "Somewhere between holy shit and I lost count." He winked. "I take it you've finished your… sausage?"

  "What is it with you and sausage?"

  He just grinned and walked away holding his hands in the air. "We should probably get going, we have some shopping to do before we road trip it."

  "I've never road tripped." I said, feeling suddenly panicked. Did I have to entertain him? Tell stories? Oh no, did I have to sing songs?

  Ax turned around, "Wow, that's a confidence booster. I talk about being in the car with you alone for hours on end and you pale."

  "Sorry." I shook my head. "It's not that… I mean, won't you be bored… driving?"

  "Of course not." He grinned and strode over to the sideboard and grabbed his gun. He stuffed it into the back pocket of his jeans and turned back around, flashing me a smile. "I'll have you next to me, safe. It's all I need. You could sleep the whole time and I'd be content just to know I was the one keeping you safe, returning you home, where you belong."

  "I have no
home." I crossed my arms and tried not to panic as I felt the walls closing in around me.

  "Hey." Ax was suddenly in front of me. "I'm your home. Never forget that."

  CHAPTER TEN

  Axton

  Amy was wearing one of my white tshirts and a pair of running shorts I'd brought with me at the last minute thinking I'd hit the gym in my free time. Right. Free time my ass. Taking care of her was a full time job, not that I was complaining.

  I didn't know the first thing about shopping for girls, but I had expensive taste, and the small town area wasn't cutting it. I ran into Walmart with Amy in tow, grabbed a t-shirt, some workout stretchy pant things, flip flops, and called it good. She didn't complain at all, and I'd half expected her to. I just needed to clothe her so I could take her somewhere nicer.

  Though when I mentioned that she looked at me with horror-stricken eyes. "What's wrong with the clothes you just got me?"

  "They aren't… you."

  "My clothes aren't me?" she repeated in a deadpan voice. "And you know me so well because?"

  "I know you," I snapped. "And I want you to be in… satin… silk… Italian leather… shit, I don't know. I want you in something worthy of you."

  "They're just clothes." She shrugged.

  "They're touching your body. Never say they're just clothes." I growled taking the next exit the navigation instructed. The mall was supposed to be big enough to have a few department stores and some smaller ones that would do just fine.

  When I pulled into the parking lot Amy gawked at the giant buildings, "Are you sure these clothes aren't okay?"

  I sighed. "You can't wear the same clothes every day."

  "Fine." She opened the car door and got out. I was still trying to figure out why she seemed so upset when I reached for her hand and grasped it within mine. She didn't pull away but her entire body was tense.

  I walked into Nordstrom, recognizing the store only because it had some of the brands I was looking for, and walked over to the directory.

  Personal shoppers were on the top floor, but I could dress her, right? I mean, I was a guy, I knew what looked good. I stole a glance at her, right, style I could do, sizes? I would be crap at finding sizes; we'd be stuck there for a lifetime.

  "Women's is on the third floor." Amy pointed.

  I nodded and pulled her onto the escalator, refusing to let go of her hand as we went up to the third floor and started walking around.

  I felt hot all over. I could shoot a man in cold blood but looking at pretty clothes with shiny things had me ready to puke and find the nearest bar. I gripped her hand tighter.

  "Are the clothes scaring you?" Amy whispered.

  "Shut up."

  Laughing she stood with me in the middle of the main aisle, her eyes widening as she looked around.

  Where the hell were the sales lady's? The ones every store had to help relieve customers or guys with panic-stricken eyes and the sudden need to drink away the pain of the credit card swipe? Ah…nice, a female employee turned towards us and started walking. Thank God someone finally recognized the look of horror. She paused in front of us, "Do you need help?"

  "Yes." I damn near shouted in the poor thing's face. She was only around five foot and that was with the tallest red heels I'd ever seen. Her face was clean of makeup except for bright red lipstick. She looked like she knew what she was doing, so I did what any sane man would do. I pushed Amy towards her and said, "Can you dress her?"

  The lady's eyes narrowed.

  "That came out wrong," I grumbled. "Can you help her find some clothes? She needs a whole new wardrobe, shoes, underthings." I coughed into my hand and looked away. Bar, bar, where was a freaking bar?

  "Sure." The lady pressed her lips together, probably trying not to laugh hysterically at my expense, and motioned to Amy. "Why don't we go check out Savvy, I think I can find you some great pieces. What's our budget, sir?"

  "No budget," I barked out. "Is there a place to get a drink around here?" I tugged at my t-shirt but it didn't alleviate the choked feeling I had at sitting in a department store with a gun in my pants—literally...

  "Actually," she said smoothly, "Right around the corner is a nice bar that Nordstorm specifically put in for men to sit at while they wait for their significant others to shop."

  "Well." I sighed happily, "That was a stroke of brilliance."

  "You should see that place during the Anniversary sale." She winked. "Why don't you go have a beer… or three and I'll take…?" She tilted her head. "I'm sorry what was your name, dear?"

  "Amy." She gulped.

  "I'll take Amy and we'll come get you once we're finished."

  "Great." I released Amy's hand. "You going to be okay?"

  "It's shopping, not the Hunger Games." Amy grinned. "I think I'll be fine."

  "Yeah well…" I stuffed my hands in my pockets. "Keep the bow and arrow just in case."

  With that, I walked towards the bar and ordered a beer. When I sat down it was like coming home. Men were everywhere — eating, drinking, checking their watches, texting. Hmm, it really was smart, give the men beer and their women could shop all damn day. Seriously brilliant. I needed to text Sergio or Nixon… or someone.

  I suddenly felt very alone.

  When you can't text your brother because you're still pissed at him.

  When you can't text your boss because technically you've been shitting on him for the past five years.

  I groaned into my hands just as my cell rang.

  I barked out a "What?"

  "Wow, you're in a super good mood. Remind me to call you every day in order to make sure the sun's still shining." It was Campisi, Tex.

  "Sorry, I'm shopping."

  "Pretty sure that wasn't in the job description."

  "Yeah." I took a sip of beer. "But she had shit, Campisi."

  "Tex," he corrected smoothly.

  "Fine, Tex." I rolled my eyes. "She had no clothes, they were destroyed. She has a toothbrush, a damn toothbrush to her name. What was I supposed to do?"

  "Take her shopping," Tex said softly. "Nixon will pay for it."

  I chuckled. "I think we both know I don't need Nixon's money."

  "Snobby rich Abandonatos." His chuckle joined mine, but we both knew that since he was the Cappo he was just as rich. Hell, he could buy a small country.

  "Yeah, yeah, so what's up?"

  "Just checking in on one of my favorite associates, making sure you're still alive and breathing, you know the drill."

  "You want my heart rate too?"

  "Is that your way of saying your heart's racing? Because I gotta tell you… I have the same feelings… when we speak."

  I burst out laughing. "You're a scary son of a bitch, but hilarious as hell."

  "I'm charming, that's what the wife says."

  "You should say that next time you shoot someone."

  "I did, he still pissed himself, but whatever."

  I rolled my eyes. "Anything else?"

  "Yeah." He sighed. "We've got you… me and Nixon… Chase, Mil, Phoenix, we're family. Things aren't like they used to be. We're a team, all of the families are a team, and you're a part of it whether you like it or not. So if you need anything we aren't just your bosses, we're your friends and I treat my friends with the utmost respect."

  "Until they double cross you."

  "Well yeah, then I just kill them."

  "So glad we're friends then."

  Tex laughed out loud. "Have fun shopping… don't let her go too crazy, and if you see anything suspicious let me know. I'm sending you a picture of her father, he looks a bit different then he used to. If you see him or the other man that's in the picture, shoot. Don't hesitate, just shoot."

  "Got it."

  "Bye."

  I hung up the phone and stared at it while a picture text came through. Her dad looked like hell, but I still recognized him. His hair was disheveled like he hadn't showered in years and he looked like he'd had two of his teeth knocked out. Heavy ci
rcles looked drawn under his eyes, crow's feet were deep enough to take a bath in. His mouth was twisted into a frown. The guy next to him was close to my age. And I knew immediately who he probably was… her brother. The guy was a few years younger than all of us, and a total piece of work. I wasn't a fan of killing kids under the age of twenty-one, but I knew I would probably have to kill him if he showed up. The thought made the beer go sour in my stomach.

  I ordered some water and then some food and waited. All the while mulling over all the things Tex had said on the phone. Friends. I liked that. I liked the idea that we weren't just a business, but family… even though the five families rarely got along it seemed like they'd finally managed a truce. I just wondered how long it would last before everything went to shit.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Amy

  "So…"Ella, the lady who'd deemed herself my personal shopper for the past two hours, pulled the last of the clothes I had picked out from the pile. "He's hot."

  I laughed. "Yeah, he's good with a gun too."

  She giggled and gave me a saucy grin. "I bet he is."

  Wasn't kidding. That was the fun part of walking around with a trained killer; he looked pretty on the outside, but I knew what he was capable of. I knew what all those guys were capable of, and it still gave me chills when I thought about it. How could he hold me throughout the night? Then use those same hands to choke the life out of someone?

  I knew firsthand that a lot of the people the mafia hurt were bad people — but some were good, some just fell on bad times, some were just caught in a bad situation.

  "I think we have enough here, are you sure you don't need more shoes?" Ella pointed down at the four boxes of shoes. I'd chosen a pair of sparkly flip-flops, some black leather ankle boots, a pair of Converse, and spiky heels that she said I had to have. I hadn't ever worn heels so I wasn't so convinced, but I liked the way they made me feel so I went ahead with it.