by Blue Saffire
I tighten my embrace. We’ve all lost a sister. I think it’s important we cherish each other. Czar is still fuming about all of this. He wasn’t ready to be here today.
I pull away and we all sit down. “Now I get Milanie’s hazel blue-green eyes. They’re a mix of Misha and…,” my voice trails off and my smile falls.
“You’ve met Keisha’s baby,” Kurtrina’s eyes become large.
“Yes,” I nod.
“I’ve been wanting to meet her for months,” Kurtrina says and presses her lips.
“What’s the problem?” I wrinkle my brows.
“This Misha dude is avoiding me. It’s starting to piss me off. Don’t get me wrong, the apartment he set me up in is gorgeous. Oh, God, and the state of the art computer lab in my apartment. It’s a graphic designers dream. It’s just, I feel like a golden goose sitting in it. I hardly get to go out.’
“Oh, Lord, they’re doing it to you too,” I huff.
“I’m sort of a hermit, but when you know you’re trapped it’s like you can’t wait to get out.” Kurtrina rolls her lips and nods leaning in. “I get we’re not totally out of the woods, but they could lighten up. I can’t even go buy a box of hair dye without three guys on my ass,” she sighs.
“Love the hair by the way,” I giggle.
It is the other difference between us. Kurtrina’s hair is cut into a short curly style. A half inch away from a Caesar. It’s also dyed honey blonde. It’s cute on her.
She shrugs. “After having my place blown up, I wanted something new.”
I bite back my anger at the reminder. From what LaSalle told me, one of Misha’s men, Afanasy, blew her place up to give her a running start. Men had been on the way to try to kill her.
“Don’t worry about Misha. I will make sure you get to meet her. She’s the sweetest little thing ever,” I say with a mischievous smile.
I don’t know why Misha hasn’t let my sister meet our niece, but I plan to find out. We jump into talk of Brenda’s family after placing our orders. The Indian restaurant was Brenda’s suggestion.
The food isn’t half bad, a little spicy, but delicious none the less. We are half way through our lunch when I’m shocked to see the dark haired, grey eyed, sin on legs that walks into the restaurant.
LaSalle’s face is a mask of control and determination, until his eyes land on me. My breath catches, as a sexy smile curls his lips and he starts for our table. The dark suit he has on is cut to perfection. It moves with him.
The grey dress shirt just highlights his eyes. I’m in awe of how he carries all six-five of his height. His hair is combed out of his face today. LaSalle actually looks rested and focused.
He stops beside our table and looks down at me. “Afternoon, Ladies. I hope I’m not interrupting,” LaSalle says, not taking his eyes from mine.
I clear my throat. “Brenda, Kurtrina, this is Sam —,” I start.
“Her fiancé,” he purrs, before folding his body into the seat next to mine.
He places his hand on the back of my neck and kisses my temple. The butterfly kiss, sets off the hundreds of butterflies in my belly. His hold on my neck is the most possessive, it has ever been.
When he leans into my ear, I understand why. “Misha’s men are here with your sister. They will report to him. I thought it would help to make an appearance. I know you’ve noticed his increased comments about our displays of affection.”
LaSalle brushes his lips against my ear, before moving them once more to my temple. I nearly melt. I sag into his side, without giving my body permission to do so. His hand drops from my neck to wrap my waist.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Kurtrina. Brenda, I believe we’ve met a few times before,” LaSalle says to my sisters that are gaping with their mouths open.
“I thought that ring was custom jewelry, cause I know you ain’t getting no dick,” Brenda says crassly.
I gasp and kick her under the table. LaSalle chuckles beside me. My face heats with embarrassment. This couldn’t get any worse.
~B~
Sam
I lied. Yes, Misha has been pointing out our lack of affection, and yes, his men are going to report to him. However, that’s not the reason I’m here.
Monique has barely left my home since she arrived. I have everything she need brought to her. So, when I saw her this morning, dressed up to go to lunch with her sisters, something possessive rose up in me.
The white sundress she has on, has large yellow flowers printed on it. The color just compliments the glow on her chocolate skin. She has no shame about the scar on her left shoulder, rather it is just an accessory to her silky-smooth skin. It’s the only blemish the dress gives away.
When I wrapped my arms around her this morning, I had to keep as much distance as I could. I didn’t want her to feel my erection press into her round ass. I could see Misha drooling over her full breasts, as much as I had.
I wanted to take a hand full of her wild hair and tug her head back. Just before I devoured those lush lips. I want to remember her taste, but I have denied myself that memory for so long, it won’t come to me even if I allowed it.
I like her like this. The full crown of hair, not the sleek hair I met her with, and not the palette like intricate style she had when I walked into her hospital room and took a good look at her for the first time.
There isn’t a trace of makeup on her gorgeous face. Her lips are the perfect blend of pinks and browns, that complement their fullness and her chocolate complexion.
I haven’t been able to get her off my mind, since this morning. It has enraged me to no end. Monique is beyond attractive, but I have spent the last six months trying to ignore this fact.
It’s hard when sleeping in the same room with her. Her scent has taken over the room. She smells so sweet and delicious. I wake on the other side of the room every morning and still grow hard as her scent wraps my head.
I had a healthy sex life with my wife. Ellen was never afraid to take me on. I miss my wife, but I also miss the feel of a lush body beneath me. Warm thighs to cradle me.
I need to release some of the tension, before I burst. I just haven’t wanted the women Logan and Czar have tried to throw at me. Besides, Misha has everyone he can watching me. I will not take another woman to bed knowing what I have on the line.
I smirk as I run my fingertips down Mo’s arm and she shivers. Mo, I have gotten into the habit of calling her that. As hard as I try to deny it, we have built a stronger friendship than the one we used to have.
“I thought you said she was saving it for marriage,” Kurtrina voice pulls me out of my musing. “The way he’s looking at her, he knows what those cookies taste like.”
I throw my head back and laugh. That’s until the words sink in and I look to see Mo covering her face with both hands. I quickly stifle my reaction. As her fiancé, I should know something like this.
I reach beneath the table and squeeze her thigh as she starts to unravel and gives us away. “A gentleman never shares the secrets of his treasure. Mo and I have our secrets that will remain ours,” I say, as I look deep into her eyes.
My eyes drop to her heaving breasts. I can’t wait to probe her tonight before bed. That is usually when we do all of our talking. She shares with me what I’ve missed with the kids, we talk about the book she’s been writing, and lately we’ve been talking about the workouts she’s been doing with some of the other women.
I didn’t think it was going to happen, but she and Val have become two peas in a pod. Other than Misha, they agree on everything. Val has been lobbying for me to allow Mo to train with them all at the Briggs compound.
That’s iffy territory for me. I know she will be safe, but there is a chance of me mixing family business with family. It too close to home for my comfort and Nate’s. I still haven’t fully come to grasp that I will have to let the two lives meet.
“Wow, if he’s not hitting that, that is going to be some honeymoon,” Kurtrina giggles.
&nb
sp; “Rest in peace to that kitty,” Brenda adds.
“I’m thoroughly embarrassed. Just so you both know,” Mo murmurs and places her head in my chest.
My heart swells with the gesture, it is cute and intimate. Then, it’s like a bucket of ice water. I suddenly remember how wrong this is. None of this is real. We are two friends that made rash decisions and now we are covering them up.
I hear the words to Ellen’s letters into my head and the anger from the day I read them returns. What Ellen did was selfish and I won’t play into this game. I won’t be manipulated from a fucking grave.
“Excuse me ladies. I have a meeting I need to get to,” I say tensely and raise to my feet. I kiss the top of Mo’s head and take off before my ire can show any further.
~B~
Monique
I sit blinking after LaSalle. I don’t understand what just happened. One minute we were fine, the next he’s looking at me like I stole something.
I thought we had gotten past his mood swings. We’ve been working together to keep Misha out of our business. It hasn’t been ideal, but it has worked.
Jess, Megan, and Sammy have been doing well, with the support of LaSalle’s family. Milanie has also been adjusting. She follows me around like my little shadow, much to Misha’s pleasure.
I think she’s the reason LaSalle hasn’t put Misha out already. I have to admit, when Misha isn’t being an ass, it’s nice to watch him with Milanie. It reminds me of the Misha I once knew. The one that gave me the world, just because I mentioned I wanted it.
“Well, what the hell just happened,” Kurtrina frowns.
“He has been under a lot of stress. He probably shouldn’t have stopped here before his meeting,” I shrug.
I know my excuse is lame, but I’m still trying to figure out with happened. I reach in my bag for my wallet. I need to get out of here and take some alone time to think.
“It’s on me. I had a nice time. I hope we can see each other again soon,” I say with a weak smile.
“Yeah, like at your wedding. I don’t have to be in it or nothing,” Kurtrina shrugs.
I smile. “I’ll keep you posted on that one.”
“Hey, Trina, do you mind if I talk to Mo for a few?”
“No problem, I’ll go let Afanasy know we want to spend a little more time together,” Kurtrina says with a reverent smile at our big sister.
Brenda watches Kurtrina sway over to a big blonde. When she’s out of ear shot Brenda goes in. “Okay, what the fuck is going on? Since when are you engaged to Sam Mairettie?” she snaps at me.
“Keep your voice down,” I hiss.
“Oh, no. That man’s wife was just murdered in front of our clinic. The clinic you haven’t been to work at in six damn months. Reese has been covering for your ass, but I’m your damn sister. Why am I in the dark?”
“You have a big mouth, that’s why,” I snap. “Look, it’s none of your business what’s going on with me and Sam. Stay in your lane, Brenda. I mean it.”
“You old trifling little,” I give her a pointed stare that stops her little rant.
“Whatever,” I huff, “you have some nerve after you completely embarrassed me. Why in the world are you running around telling people about my sex life?”
“You mean the lack thereof?” Brenda says with a smug smile. “But surely, you two looked so happy, before whatever happened there that lit a fire under old boy’s ass. I’m happy for you.”
I feel a ping in my chest from lying to my sister. I just know she can’t hold water. So, I just give her a small smile.
“Thanks.”
chapter Twenty-One
Good Morning
Monique
My eyes flutter up as the heat at my back wakes me. As the sleep falls away, I realize that heat is a body. A hard body.
I blink in confusion, then look down. A white, but tanned hand is cupping my breast. A heavy thigh is slung over my legs, locking me in and I’m pretty sure there is a rather large piece of morning wood poking me in my behind.
I try to wiggle free, but the hand on my breast tightens and the erection digging into my ass nestles deeper. His warm breath is heavy on the back of my neck. So heavy, I can smell the alcohol from the night before.
“Sam,” I whisper, hoping to get him to release me.
He groans, only shift his hand to reach under my t-shirt. I gasp when he flicks my nipple and starts to grind his hips into mine. His large palm kneads my flesh, feeling so good. Instantly a pool floods my core.
“I missed you, Baby,” LaSalle groans huskily.
Pain crashes over me. He thinks he’s in bed with Ellen. For the last six months, LaSalle has been sleeping on the floor beside the bed. He must have been seriously drunk last night to end up in my bed. It’s the first time he’s come home like this in a long time.
“Sam,” I say louder, as his other hand snakes into my shorts.
“You’re so wet. I want to be inside you,” he rasps.
I shiver as his fingers shove into my wet folds. “LaSalle,” I nearly scream.
He pops up looking around wildly. Neither of his hands have moved from my body yet. When he looks down at me the lust in his eyes is clear. Both of his hands flex, and I gush around his fingers.
“Oh shit,” he breathes, pulling his hands away as if he’s been burned. He runs the hand he just pulled from my pussy through his hair.
Then he looks at it as if just remembering where it had been. “Fuck,” he says, closing his eyes. “Mo, I’m so sorry. I had way too much to drink last night. I tried to wake you to talk. You wouldn’t wake and I just thought I’d lie here for a minute.
“Shit, fuck, Baby, I’m so sorry,” he says sincerely.
I’m speechless. He barely touched me and gave me my first orgasm from a man. I can’t even look him in the eyes. I slip from the bed and look down at myself.
“You’re really a virgin,” LaSalle’s voice rumbles.
My head snaps up and I look at him with wide eyes. He falls back on the bed, covering his face with his arm. He groans and starts muttering more curses.
“We need to get him out of here. I can’t do this shit anymore,” LaSalle snaps and jumps from the bed. He storms out of the room, boxers and all.
“Good morning to you too,” I mutter to his retreating back before face planting from embarrassment.
~B~
Sam
I storm down to the other end of the house to my master bedroom, in my boxers. I can’t believe what I just did. I was so fucked up late night. I’d gone to Bobby’s after leaving the Indian restaurant.
When I got to his place, I found both my brothers and my two cousins, D’Angelo and Marco. That was not what I was expecting. My Uncle called them both back to Italy after Ellen’s death.
Seeing them here means a lot more than most know. My time is up. I’m officially the Don of the Locatelli family. Seeing my fate come to life with that realization sent me further into a rage.
Ellen wants me to let Mo in, to love her. That’s bullshit. Ellen had no idea of the monster I am. A monster trying to make amends by becoming an even bigger monster.
The end result of the Alliance is all peaches and roses, but the slaughter that I’ll have on my hand before that is not to be ignored. We’re going for power and with power comes war. I’ve set a war in motion and now I’m being crowned to carry out the execution.
Monique doesn’t deserve that. She has a brilliant mind and a gentle soul. I watch her with four children that aren’t her own and she has started the mending process in their little hearts and minds.
Misha and I are taking advantage of her as it is. Allowing her to do what we can’t do with our own children. Misha may not admit it, but I will. My children and I need her.
Milanie wet the bed for two weeks until Mo wrapped her in love and started a nightly routine with her. Misha was at a lose the first few nights it happened. The plea in his eyes when he told Mo about it, was the most vulnerable look I’d ever s
een on the man.
She has saved me from a few similar situations. It’s what she instinctively does. She cares for others.
I’m just not the man for her to care for. Monique never wanted a man like me. She’s been trying all her life to get away from someone like me.
Ellen got it wrong this time. I’m not the man for Monique. The Don of the most feared family is not what Monique wants or needs. Coming to this awareness was the thread that broke me yesterday. I found my way into a bottle because I know I want something I can’t have.
I stare down at my fingers, still sticky from her juices. I war with wanting to stick them in my mouth, wanting to taste her. Fuck, knowing she has never been touched. That she’s waiting for marriage has me so hard I could bust through a wall.
From the look on her face, I know I’m the first man to ever touch her in an intimate way. With a body made for a man’s pleasure, I can’t fathom how she’s gone untouched for so long.
Fuck, I want to go back down the hall and talk her clothes off. I bring my fingers to my lips and inhale. Fuck, yeah! I stick my tongue out, but stop just short of licking my fingertips.
I shake my head to clear it. I need a plan. Misha has to go. Our fragile relationship be damned. If he doesn’t go, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep the lines from blurring.
I shove my boxers down and climb into the shower. As the cold water beats down on my back, I place my head to the tiled wall. My shoulders begin to shake, as I sob for the second time since burying my wife.
“You got it wrong, Baby. You got it so wrong,” I cry out.
Ellen never knew LaSalle. She didn’t know his world. Even if I told her who I really am, she wouldn’t have understood the depth of my world.
Monique knows, she knows too much. She has seen too much. Mo understands a monster when she sees one. I want to protect her from that, not pull her further in.
I think I saw that in her eyes the night I met her. That’s why I let her walk away. I didn’t understand it then. I was just so shell shocked from that kiss. I convinced myself it was best to let that kind of power go.