[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Volume 1

by Chelle Bliss

  “I know, Ma. I’m just ready to get this started. I hate waiting; I’ve never been a patient man.” I kissed the top of her head, getting lost in the strawberry scent from my childhood.

  “You don’t say.” She laughed, squeezing my hand. “Just like your father.” She sighed, drawing her body closer to mine. “I wish Thomas could’ve been here. I’m more worried about him than I’ve ever been, Joseph.”

  “I know, Ma. I haven’t spoken to him in a while. He’s too deep undercover now. I don’t like it, not one fucking bit.”

  “Y’all are going to burst into flames with the language in this room. We are in a church,” Izzy said as she entered the room with Pop and the photographer.

  “If you haven’t, then no one will, Izzy,” Anthony said with a laugh.

  “Enough. Let’s take some photos. We have five minutes until you boys need to be at the altar.”

  Five minutes felt like an eternity as we took more pictures than I wanted to count. My line of sight would have a perpetual dot from the camera flash. By the end of the night, I’d have dozens of tiny blobs in my eyes and possibly be partially blind. We took photos as a group, the Gallo family minus Thomas. We took turns taking pictures with our parents; it wasn’t often that we were all dressed up and in one place together.

  I was thankful when there was a knock on the door and a voice said, “It’s time.”

  Cracking my neck, I straightened my back and headed for the door. Ma grabbed my arm, stopping me. “I’m proud of you, baby.” She smiled and released me.

  I nodded, leaving the tiny room and heading toward the church. Anthony and Michael filed in behind me as we stood in our designated spot at the top of the altar in front of the crowd. The church was packed with people, many faces I didn’t know. Ma and Suzy went overboard on the invites, but my mother insisted that her friends be invited, besides our gigantic family that had flown in from all parts of the world. The Gallos didn’t know how to do anything small.

  As the music started, the doors in the back of the church swung open and the entire church stood and turned. The attention no longer on me, I squinted down the aisle, catching a glimpse of Suzy. She looked like an angel dressed in off white.

  The tulle straps created a V, encasing her breasts. The fact that I knew the word tulle disturbed me slightly, but Suzy had educated me about bridal fashion…whether I wanted to know it or not. The bodice was form fitting; a wide ribbon around her waist held a large fabric flower just below her left breast. The bottom of the dress was loose with layers of tulle that flowed and shifted as she walked. It wasn’t over the top of puffy shit, it was perfect and totally Suzy—classy and sweet. I couldn’t wait to rip the fucking thing off her. A veil covered her face, more traditional than I thought she’d be. I desperately wanted to see her.

  She walked arm and arm with her father, slowly moving down the aisle, facing forward. I rubbed my hands together, the last bit of nerves leaving my body, replaced by excitement and a calm that I hadn’t expected. When she stopped in front of the first step, our eyes connected. Through the thin veil, I could see the smile on her face as the priest approached her and her father.

  The priest stepped down and said, “Who gives this bride away today?”

  “I do,” her father said, releasing her hand and lifting her veil. He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before stepping back.

  Suzy ascended the stairs, stopping in front of me with teary eyes.

  “I love you,” I whispered, trying not to become misty-eyed myself.

  With a smile on her face, she tilted her head and said, “I love you too.”

  Sophia reached around and grabbed the flowers from her. Suzy held her hands out to me, and I grasped them with both of mine and squeezed. With one last smile, we turned toward the priest and waited.

  We stole glances at each other as he spoke; his words were lost on us. With our hands in each other’s, we faced forward and tried to pay attention, but it was impossible. I leaned over, close enough for only her to hear. “You look beautiful, sugar.”

  She blushed, squeezing my hand. The priest cleared his throat; clearly, we had missed something, as we were so lost in each other.

  “The rings,” the priest repeated.

  I turned to Michael, my best man and brother, and held out my hand. He placed the two platinum bands in my palm and I closed my fingers around them. I had hers engraved with You’re mine, sugar. A simple statement, and she was from the moment she walked into my life. I handed him the rings and we watched him bless the metal, saying a prayer over them before returning his attention to us.

  “Suzette, repeat after me,” he stated, turning toward her.

  “I, Suzette McCarthy, take you, Joseph Gallo…” She repeated his words, never breaking eye contact with me. She slid the ring on my finger, a smile on her face, as we both felt the power in the moment. Her voice never wavered as she finished with “Until death do us part.” She wiped a tear from her eye as she finished. I had to fight every urge I had to wrap my arms around her and kiss her.

  “Joseph, repeat after me,” the priest said, holding her ring in his hand.

  I repeated the words, without missing a single one, letting the power behind the statement seep into my veins. We were connected, a single soul in front of the eyes of God, joined in holy matrimony. We never broke eye contact, keeping each other grounded in the moment.

  As I slipped the ring on her finger, I held her hand in mine, running my fingertips against her dampened flesh. We stood there for a few more minutes after I finished my part of the vows and stared at each other. He could’ve said the church was on fire and we wouldn’t have known. I always looked at Suzy, usually watched her sleep, but to stand here and just look into each other’s eyes was some heady shit. I loved this woman, more than I loved anyone or anything in my life, including myself.

  “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallo,” the priest said as we both turned to him. “You may now kiss the bride.”

  Without needing another word, I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to my body. Stopping briefly above her lips, I searched her eyes and could see only joy. I crushed my lips to hers as the crowd began to whistle and holler in the background. Their voices faded away as I kissed her, my wife and bride.

  When we backed away from each other, we both had watery eyes. As we turned toward the people, now on their feet, I grabbed her around the waist and held her to my side. Our friends and family clapped and cheered as we made our way down the aisle and out of the church doors to the small bridal suite.

  As soon as I closed the door, I pulled her into a kiss. Not the small kiss I gave her in front of the family, but one that left us both breathless and needing more.

  “We did it, sugar. You’re mine forever,” I said, as I swiped my fingers against her cheek.

  “No, baby, you’re mine.” She smirked, a devilish expression on her face as she leaned in and captured my lips.

  11

  Suzy

  After we greeted the guests at the door, my feet were on fire. The shoes I had picked were beautiful and made me feel almost the same height as City, but the damn things were like torture devices. I loved how the satin ribbon of the high heels intertwined and laced up my feet, stopping around my ankle with a bow. It was too bad the dress was so long that no one could see them. I grabbed City’s arm, leaning over to rub my ankles.

  “You want to go change your shoes?” City asked, watching me with a concerned look.

  “You think we can sneak away for a minute upstairs? I’ll never be able to dance in these.”

  “It’s our wedding, sugar. We can do anything we want.” He smiled and winked at me. He turned toward his mother and said, “Hey, Ma, we’re going to run upstairs and get different shoes for Suzy.”

  She smirked, not believing the reason for our hasty exit. “Sure, just don’t be too long, son. We have a wedding to celebrate.”

  City nodded, holding my hand and pulling me from the line. As we walked ou
t into the hotel hallway, he grabbed me by the waist and scooped me up into his muscular arms. I squealed from the sudden movement and sighed as I rested my head on his chest. The intense pain in my feet turned into a dull throb as he carried me to the elevator.

  “It’s great that we had the reception in a hotel. Makes life so much easier,” he said.

  Reaching up, I touched his cheek, still not believing we were married. “We really did it, huh?” I asked.

  “We did, sugar. Now comes the fun part,” he said as the doors to the elevator opened.

  “Dancing?”

  “Fucking my wife,” he said, a deep growl low in his chest.

  He quickly adjusted me as the doors to the elevator closed. Pushing my back against the wall, he pressed the STOP button on the elevator as soon as it moved. Holding me against the wall, with one arm supporting my weight, he quickly undid his zipper and reached under my dress.

  His eyes twinkled as a naughty grin decorated his face. “No panties again. It must be my lucky day.”

  “I wanted to give you a surprise when you put your head under my gown for the garter.”

  “Don’t give a shit about that right now. I want to fuck my wife, right here, right now.”

  I didn’t speak, just threw my head back as he thrust inside of me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding him to me as he moved. He nibbled on my neck and kissed my lips as he pulled out and slammed back into me. The building tension from the day quickly drove me to the edge as his body slammed into my clit.

  I panted, so close to the edge as he rocked his cock into my core. Within minutes, our bodies shook and we both came on bated breath. Our bodies were dotted with perspiration, and our breathing was ragged as he rested his forehead against mine. He must have pressed the STOP button, because the elevator began to move again as he pulled out and zipped back up.

  As he cradled me in his arms, I felt utterly loved, completely content, and totally sated. He carried me to our suite, placing me on the couch as we entered. He knelt down and undid the cloth straps on my heels. Grasping my feet in his large hands, he massaged the ache out of them.

  I moaned, throwing my head back against the couch cushions. “That feels so gooood.”

  “I should feel insulted that you’re moaning more now than when you were in the elevator.” He laughed, pushing harder on the tender flesh.

  I giggled, kicking my feet out of his hands. “I’m okay now. Let me grab my shoes before they send out the search party.” He backed away, grabbing my hand and helping me stand. “Fuck,” I said as his come dripped down my leg.

  “What?”

  “I feel like I just peed myself, damn it.” I sighed. “I can’t go down there like this.” I lifted up my dress, touching the wetness with my fingers.

  “You grab your shoes,” he said as he stood, “and I’ll grab a washcloth.”

  “Okay, but you get to do the honors,” I said as I walked to the bedroom with my legs as bowed out as possible. I didn’t want it to get on my dress any more than it already had.

  City entered the bedroom behind me, disappearing into the bathroom for a moment. I grabbed the pair of white tennis shoes I had brought just in case I needed some relief, and waited for him.

  “Just stand there and let me do it all, sugar,” he said as he knelt down and disappeared under my dress. He wiped my legs gently before taking great care, and probably joy, in wiping his come from between my legs.

  “Don’t get any ideas,” I said, feeling a tingling from the warm washcloth.

  “I can control myself only for so long.” He laughed as his head popped out from under the layers of lace. “Give me your shoes.”

  I handed him my shoes and stood still looking down at the man I loved. I held his shoulder, trying to maintain my balance as he placed each shoe carefully on my feet and laced them up tight. They felt like tiny pillows, relieving the pressure in the muscles of my feet.

  “Better?” he asked, running his hands up my legs.

  “So much better. Thank you, City.”

  “It’s my job to take care of you,” he said as he stood and grabbed my chin. “I plan to spend my lifetime doing just that, sugar.”

  “Mmm,” I mumbled as he leaned forward and kissed me.

  I could’ve collapsed in his arms and fallen into a peaceful slumber, but there was a party going on downstairs and we were the main event. We couldn’t miss it even if we were exhausted. As we entered the ballroom, the party was in full swing. The DJ was playing instrumental music before dinner, and many of the party guests surrounded the bar in conversation.

  “Hey, sister,” Izzy said as she walked toward me. “I’m so excited to be able to say that and it be true. I’ve always wanted a sister.” She wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me a little too tight.

  “Can’t breathe,” I whispered.

  “Man up,” she said as she released me.

  “I’ll be back, ladies; I’m going to grab a drink at the bar with my boys,” City said as he kissed my cheek and left us alone.

  “Where’s your sister?” Izzy asked, looking around the crowd.

  “Don’t know, and don’t give a shit either.”

  “You know you’ve turned into a badass with a potty mouth, Suz.” She smiled, shaking her head.

  “City. It’s all his fault.”

  “I’d like to think I played a part in it too.” She laughed.

  “You’re always getting me in trouble, Izzy.”

  “Me?” she asked, holding her hand to her chest.

  “Always.”

  A man cleared his throat next to us and we both turned in his direction. “Excuse me, ladies, I don’t mean to interrupt.”

  “Well then don’t,” Izzy said, looking the stranger up and down.

  He was big and handsome as hell. He reminded me of an Italian version of the Rock. Muscles bulged from his suit, and he had close-shaven black hair, shimmering green eyes, and knockout lips. They were the puffy kind that fit his strong jaw line perfectly and called the name of countless women.

  “Don’t be rude, Izzy,” I said, turning to face him. “How can I help you?”

  “I’m a friend of Thomas’ and he asked me to drop off a gift on his behalf.” The man held out an envelope and waited for me to take it.

  “Is he okay?” Izzy asked before I could thank the gentleman.

  “He is, and he’s very sorry he couldn’t make it,” he said, looking down at Izzy as if he was not sure of how to take her change in attitude.

  “Don’t mind her,” I said to him, my eyes flickering between the two. “Thomas is her brother.”

  “Ah, you’re that Izzy,” he said, his lips turning up into a smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  She snarled, not entirely liking the shitty grin on his face. “And you are?” she said, holding out her hand for him to take.

  “James.” He grabbed her hand and stilled. “James Caldo.”

  “Never heard of you, Jimmy,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Perfect,” he said as he brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss just below her knuckles.

  I could feel the electricity between the two of them. Izzy basically eye-fucked him as he kissed her hand. As soon as he looked up, her face went back to a pissed-off sneer. The girl could play a good game, but as an observer, I could see the lust.

  I coughed, breaking the moment of awkwardness for myself. “Thanks, James. I’ll give this to Joseph for you. Why don’t you stay and enjoy the wedding?” I said, smiling at the man. He’d taken the time to get dressed up and I wanted to see Izzy squirm, in all honesty.

  “What?” Izzy asked, turning toward me.

  “We have plenty of food and I’m sure the Gallos would love to talk with you about their Thomas.” Izzy gave me the death glare. “You can keep James company tonight, Izzy. You didn’t bring a date.” I smiled, and I could almost see the venom dripping from her fangs.

  “I’d love to stay. Thank you. Izzy, would yo
u like a drink?” he asked, still holding her hand in his.

  “Only because Suzy would want me to be a gracious host,” she said, looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

  “I don’t want to put you out or anything. I’m a big boy and can handle myself. I just thought you could use a drink to unwind a bit. You feel a little tense, and that mouth of yours could get you into trouble.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter, Jimmy, but I’ll take the drink.”

  “It’s James,” he said, squeezing her hand.

  I’d been around Izzy enough to see when she was attracted to someone, and she was to James. She may not want to admit it—Izzy often picked guys that she could push around—but I had a feeling James could give her a run for her money.

  “You two kids play nice,” I said as I waved and walked toward my husband. I curled my arms around his waist, leaning my head on his back as he stood talking to Michael. “Hey, baby. Someone dropped this off for us.”

  “What is it?” he asked as he grabbed the envelope from my fingers.

  “A card from Thomas.”

  I could feel his chest tighten before he tore the envelope open. His eyes scanned the card, his eyebrows drawing together as he read the message from Thomas.

  “What does it say?” I asked, dying to know what Thomas wrote.

  City sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before handing the card to me. “Read it for yourself, sugar.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked as I opened the card. He nodded and closed his eyes. Inside was a brief message from Thomas.

  Joe,

  Sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding. I’m in deep…too deep to get away, even for your wedding.

  I’m safe, my cover still intact. Shit’s worse than we thought and I’m trying to bring them down as soon as possible. I couldn’t take the chance of blowing my cover and risking the lives of our family. This is the path I’ve chosen, and I refuse to risk anyone’s life but my own.

  Please know I love you and can’t wait to meet Suzy. Give my love to everyone.