by Blue Saffire
Misha hasn’t announced his arrival. My ears and eyes have informed me. The Russian is up to something.
If I know Misha, he’s about to throw a wrench in my life. I have more important things to deal with so whatever he wants it will have to be cleared up today. I need to get focused.
My uncle wants to meet. I need to show that I’ve got this. This thing with Monique cannot be an issue. If I were in my right mind, I’d just send her away.
Sammy cups my face, until I give him my undivided attention. “Mo-mo, stay,” he says firmly, when I look into his little grey eyes.
I snort and shake my head.
~B~
Monique
I blink rapidly at the letter before me. I’m speechless. I can feel Camille staring at me, but I need to read it one more time. When it still doesn’t settle into my brain, I hand it to Camille with a plea in my eyes. I need her to read it to me. I need to make sure I’m seeing right.
“Please, read it to me,” I choke out, as I hand the letter over with a trembling hand.
Camille takes the letter and nods. “Dear Tasha?” Camille says and frowns.
I bite back a sob. It was one of the first things I noticed. Ellen didn’t address me as Monique in the letter, but Tasha. She remembered me. The whole time she knew who I was.
I nod. “It was the name she knew me by first. I’ll explain, just please keep reading,” I choke out.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Camille says, and licks her lips nervously before continuing to read. “I’ve come to consider you a friend in the short time I’ve gotten to know you. I value the connection we’ve made. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you in the last few months.
“I’m so grateful to you for how you’ve helped Sammy. You will be so instrumental in him becoming a great man. Because of you, he will one day have a family of his own. Your care and patience with him will be just what he needs to find himself in time.”
I close my eyes and wrap my arms around my middle. I can’t even imagine the strength it took for this woman to pen this letter.
I hold it together as Camille goes on. “My girls will look to you as a best friend and a mom. The strength you will teach them warms my heart to know. This will be so hard for my family, especially my husband.
“Don’t let him push you away. I know this will be hard, but I beg of you. Don’t give up on Sam. Fight for him. When the two of you choose each other, it will lead you both to so much happiness. So please, choose him.” This time I do release a sob, as Camille also whimpers.
How can a woman be so sure that she should give away her family? How can she have so much faith in me to take care of them, to love them, to cherish them as she has cherished them.
Camille pulls it together and clears her throat. “Please know that none of this is your fault, so stop blaming yourself. Everything happened just as it should. You all will find love through this pain.”
I hold up my hand. “I can’t breathe, Cam,” I say, as I double over. “She really believed this? I just…Oh, my God. I can’t.”
“I know, Honey. I know it’s a lot to swallow, but she was so accurate. She knew what she knew. She saw something and to her it couldn’t be changed. I don’t know if she was right, but I, as a friend believe she believed every word with her heart,” Camille offers.
I nod, as tears spill down my cheeks. I nod for her to go on. I need to hear every word. I don’t want to make anything up in my head.
Camille starts again, after drawing in a deep breath. “I never understood everything about my husband. That was by choice. To learn his secrets, I would have had to give him mine. It’s hard to give something you barely understand.
“I could only see all of our pain. I could never stop it. So, please don’t be angry with me. I’m not dumping my family on you. They were always meant to be yours.
“Love them and don’t let them go. This will be the fight of your life, but it will yield you the ultimate joy. The passion, Sam will have for you will set the world on fire. It will cause him to finally accept the things our love made him deny.
It’s time to stop running from who you are as well. Embrace her. It’s who you were born to be, Tasha,” Camille blows out a breath, her voice full of emotions, “Ellen.”
As she finishes the letter I just stand there. I don’t know what to feel, I’m just numb. I have at least two more letters clutched in my fingertips.
They are all noted for read order and when to read them. This woman really planned and thought this all out based on a vision. A part of which has come to pass. We are all in awe of Ellen not saying something to stop this, but what we should be in awe of is the fact that she even knew so much about the future.
“I’m exhausted, Cam,” I whisper, as my head and shoulder start to ache.
“I know the feeling,” Camille sighs. “I wish I knew how to make this all better.”
I shake my head. “I’m no psychic, but I know in my gut it’s only going to get worse.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t going to mention that, but I have a question?”
I look up into Camille’s light amber eyes. She looks around the room, then back at me. Her face scrunches up.
“Umm, where the fuck are we?” Camille deadpans. “Does Sam bring the bad guys here to beat their ass or something?”
I burst into laughter, as she repeats my exact thoughts when LaSalle first brought me here. I’m happy she followed me and when she moves to wrap her arms around me, I’m even more grateful.
chapter Thirteen
Phone Phantom
Bobby
I stare out of the window in the back seat of the SUV Nate and I have arrived in. I want my answers face to face. Nick is a friend. If he knows what his wife has done, then I want to know why he allowed it.
Sam is losing his patience with it all and I won’t be able to hold him in the dark on what I know for much longer. I hate that I’ve had to this far. I just know my brother isn’t thinking straight.
“You know I still don’t want to know anything about this,” Nate says beside me.
“You’re not alone,” I sigh. “You and I both know sometimes you have no choice. You are sucked in by the one thing you don’t want.”
“Is that what’s happening. I don’t have a choice,” Nate asks tightly.
“You do, but you may not like it,” I say honestly.
Nate opens his mouth to reply, just as my phone rings. I look at the incoming call and don’t recognize the number. With knitted brows, I answer.
“Hello, this is Bobby.”
No reply comes through at first, but then the last voice I expect comes through to my ears. My mouth drops open as I listen, feeling like I might be losing my mind, but there’s no mistaking her voice.
“Hello, Bobby,” Phoebe Romaine’s voice says. “At the time you listen to this you will be looking into something I have set in motion. It’s interesting, Mairettie. You have been running from something you were always destined to be.
“It was never Marco. He is too hot headed and D’Angelo will always try to turn his shoulders from the weight of responsibility. You have been your brother’s counsel all his life. You know this. He will need you in this time.
“Change has come for all around you, consigliere. Paths that were disrupted are being realigned. I saw all this years before my granddaughter made the decision that would cause this crease in time.
“You should be on your way to see Nicholas at this moment. That means he has played his part, tipping the scale in the right direction. I need you to know that he and his wife trusted the word of a dead woman.
“That’s what prompted their actions. I will tell you the same thing I told them. The divorce was necessary to prevent a war.
“King Krupin and King Locatelli. One is destined for the queen of hearts, the other is destined for the queen of spades, but one king suffers from choosing to be blind and the other suffers from having a bleeding heart.
“You will be surprised to
know which king is which. Neither has a compass at this point. If left to themselves, they will collide. These kings aren’t meant to collide, but to stand and rise together among a sea of kings.
“Deception will lead to illumination. My deceit has been a necessary evil. It will keep the blind, blind and the bleeding, living.
“I joined my family in turning my back on Ellen. I never should have. As her grandmother, I just couldn’t watch the mistakes I knew she would make. Even now, I’m fixing one of her mistakes. Nicholas isn’t the enemy you perceive him to be.
“In time, you will understand. The sleeping kings will be more understanding than you think. Words from the grave will help make everything clear. Be well, Mairettie. Tell Briggs the decision has been made. Go with it,” the line goes dead from there, and I’m left with more questions than I started with.
“Who was that? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Nate says, as I pull the phone from my ear.
“Not seen, heard,” I mutter.
I look out at Nick’s front door. This is not where I need to be. I will let this go for now. If I know anything about Phoebe Romaine, it’s that she is always accurate. If she is speaking from the grave, then I’m listening.
chapter Fourteen
Interference
Uri
“Val,” I grunt out. “Valentina!”
She’s stomping away from me, just raising my ire. This woman is going to send me to an early grave. Her temper knows no bounds.
“You cannot go around just pistol whipping people because you bloody well please,” I growl at her retreating back.
She whips around sending her hair flying wildly in every which direction. Her eyes are blazing as she glares at me. “That bitch asked for it,” she snaps. “He should have thought before he addressed me and my children.”
My jaw clenches. “There is such a thing as freedom of speech. You broke his jaw,” I fume.
“I would have done more if your brother didn’t butt in,” Tina hisses.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Why can’t you just be peaceful for one day? I was five minutes away. All you had to do was sit and wait for me.”
Valentina storms up to me, looking me in my eyes. She plants her feet and places her hands on her hips. Her eyes narrow and her lips curl back over her teeth.
“He looked at our children like they were science projects. The motherfucker had the nerve to ask me why wasn’t fucking a white man enough? Why couldn’t I just be a good whore and not procreate mutants?” Val roars, “Oh and my favorite. Why do I feel the need to wear contacts and try to be white? Because I’m not fooling anyone.”
My mouth pops open. I can feel my face redden in anger. Well, bloody hell. I’m seeing red right now and the fucker is nowhere around. People say this type of shit out loud?
I was so pissed to find Valentina looking like she was ready to murder; I hadn’t thought of what actually set her off. It doesn’t take much. Michael hadn’t heard what was said. He just reached Val just before she cracked the wanker in the head for the third time.
My chest heaves as I make plans in my head to visit the bastard. I had Michael get his information so we could resolve this peacefully. Now, it will be resolved peacefully, alright. Someone will Hush tonight.
I rock back on my heels and tilt my head to the side. “In that case, good job, Love. Are you ready for your reward?” I say, as a smile tips my lips.
Val reaches up to wrap her arms around my neck. “Are you going to make up for yelling at me all the way here?” She purrs.
I reach for a hand full of her hair and tug her head back. I bend my head to nip at her neck, before biting down between her shoulder and neck. “Yes, Love, you know I always admit when I’m wrong.”
My wife shivers in my arms. “Don’t tease, Uri. I’m pissed off and horny now.”
“Do I every disappoint?”
I scoop her up in my arms, allowing her legs to wrap around my waist. I carry her down the hall. I have plans for this delicious body. I’m horny ass fuck now too. Knowing my wife was protecting our family has me totally turned on.
I reach the sitting room and turn to close the sliding doors. Once the doors are secured, I turn with Val still in my arms. I move to the chair I’ve been aiming for. Releasing Tina, I place her on her feet.
I place the chair in the center of the sitting area, with the back of the chair facing the fireplace. I stand up straight, folding my arms over my chest. I don’t have to speak my command. My wife already knows what to do.
Val slowly pushes the left strap of her sundress off her shoulder, then the right. The heather grey fabric falls from her torso down to her waist. Val’s chocolate nipples come into view and I lift a brow at the knowledge that she wasn’t wearing a bra.
I harden to the point of pain as her chocolate skin is revealed inch by inch. She wiggles free of the rest of her dress, revealing a sexy pair of black knickers. I lick my lips, as her breasts sway and jiggle.
The blue heels on her feet are perfect to be wrapped around my neck. I hold up a hand when she reaches to remove them. I shake my head.
“They stay,” I command. “Sit.”
Val sways her luscious hips over to the chair I’ve provided. She turns to me and sits as her eyes lock on mine. I snort, eyes as fierce as hers should never be mistaken as fake. Val’s eyes tell you exactly how close to death you are. They lie about nothing.
I reach to loosen my tie and remove it from my neck. I smirk as Val squirms in her seat. My nostrils flare as her scent rises to my nose.
I circle the chair and kneel behind it. Reaching for both her hands, I deftly secure both hands to the legs of the chair with my tie.
I lift to my full height and remove my suit jacket, tossing it over onto the sofa. I unbutton the top three buttons of my shirt as I circle Val, once again. She is panting as I stop in front of her.
Her heavy breasts are heaving, her lips are parted, and her eyes are filled with lust. I smooth her hair into place. It is still wild from when I found her in the restaurant. I cup her chin and lift her face.
“Proteggere sempre la nostra famiglia,” I murmur, with a smirk.
“That is not a question, Uri. I will protect our family, always,” Val promises fiercely. “La mia famiglia e la mia vita.”
“And it will never be your life,” I growl.
Her eyes glitter. “No, Uri, never my life.”
I bend to crush my lips to hers. I love this woman with everything I am. She is more than a protector. Val loves hard. I’m learning with each day that I have to live with that. The fact is that I protect her, I protect them all, but she will forever be by my side as I do so.
I deepen the kiss as I think of my little fierce warrior. I don’t know if I could live with her any other way. Val is my perfect match. Who could live without their other half? I can see taking my last breath the day she does.
I think of Sam. He is not dealing well. I can understand why. I drop to my knees. Just the thought of losing my Tina makes me want to worship her. I break the kiss, reaching for her knickers to pull them down her thighs.
They’re soaked. I ball them up and place them in my back pocket. I shoulder her thighs and dive in for her gold. Her whimper is music to me.
Never. Giving. Her. Up. The world will Hush before I’m without my Tina. I love this woman.
~B~
Val
“Uri,” I pant as I lock my ankles behind his neck.
I pull at the restraints holding me to the chair. I want to run my fingers through his dark golden hair, as his head bobs between my legs. My back bows from the chair and my breasts quiver.
Uri growls into me and my eyes cross. I can’t breathe. I need to hold onto something so I grab the legs of the chair. Once I anchor myself to the chair, I use my upper body to rock my hips into his face.
I was so fucking angry. That man was lucky I didn’t pull the trigger, instead of pistol whipping his ass. I wanted to blow his head off. I would have
if my children weren’t so close by.
When Uri stormed in looking like he was about to turn the place inside out, I have to admit that I forgot about that asshole and wanted nothing more than to jump my husband. Only thing that pulled me out of lust was that pussy screaming to Uri that I’d attacked him.
Uri roared at me the whole way home, which only turned me on again. I knew once I told him why I did what I did, he would reward me. Oh, and is he rewarding me. I bite my lip and groan as he pushes two fingers inside me. Going right for my g-spot.
“Fuck, yes, Uri,” I whimper.
My eyes cross. This man is taking no prisoners. You’d think I’d hid his favorite candy in there. I gush all over his face and he pushes his face further, teasing my sensitive flesh with his facial hair.
I sag in the chair and just let my ankles dangle in the air. Uri comes up for air chuckling. I see the desire in his eyes as he starts to unbutton his shirt the rest of the way. Annoyance flashes in his eyes as his cell phone rings, but he ignores it.
At least, that is until it stops ringing, just to start all over again. I whimper and kick my feet like a spoiled child, as he growls and stands to his feet. I pout as he pecks my lips with his still wet mouth. I groan as I nip his lip and taste myself.
“We need to finish,” I pout, turning my head to follow him with my eyes, as he moves to the sofa to get his phone.
Uri laughs and grunts. “Hello,” he answers the phone, while still standing behind me, out of view.
He pauses to listen. When I hear him sigh heavily and grunt, “Done,” I know we are not going to finish.
He returns to kiss the top of my head, after ending the call. Bending, he releases my hands for the chair. I stand, still naked, except for my heels. I place my hands on my hips, as I whip around to face him.
Uri steps in front of me tugging me into his chest. He kissed me deeply, causing me to sag into him and wrap my arms around him. I whimper when he breaks the kiss.
“We are needed. That was Logan. Your friend is on the way to stir up some shit. You and Sam are the only ones that have been known to tame him. At the moment, Sam is his target,” Uri says in frustration.