“Feels good,” Lucia said.
“Yes, it does,” Tatum said, squeezing Lucia’s fingers.
The men started to move again, stirring up the water so the ladies’ tubes began to rock on the waves. They held fast to each other’s hands.
Lucia relaxed into the water, the small vibrator nestled inside her wetness. Then, suddenly, it began to vibrate. It stopped, and then it started again.
“Remote control,” Vince said softly, holding up the small console. “The question is, who has which one? We don’t really know.”
Lucia’s toy began to vibrate again, and from the moans and movements coming from Tatum, she knew hers did, too.
“Sir Vince,” she whispered. “I want to come.”
“Don’t you dare, Apuro.”
“Master Knox?”
“No, little Vixen. Don’t ask again. I’ll tell you when I’m ready for you to come.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The men varied the speed on the vibrators, moving them faster, then slower, then speeding them back up. For several minutes, they’d stop altogether, then start up just as the ladies seemed to relax.
The sensations assaulted Lucia’s body. She wanted to come so badly but had decided not to ask, since Knox had told Tatum she could not ask. They continued to move around them, so that first Vince, then Knox, would appear before her in the water.
Tatum pushed against her and she knew the other woman was right on the edge.
“Sir Vince,” Lucia said softly. “Please.”
“Please what?”
“Please let me come.”
“Is that all? Do you want anything else?”
“I’d like for you to fuck me.”
The look he gave her made goose bumps rise on her flesh, despite the hot water they were in.
“What if I’d like to watch Knox fuck you? Would you like that, baby?”
“Ummm, yes.” Lucia smiled up at him.
“But first,” he said. “I want to watch you come. He turned the vibrator on full blast; then his fingers went in search of Lucia’s clit. All it took was one swipe.
Lucia was on fire from the earlier scene, and the movement of the vibrator set her off immediately.
“Vince. Oh my Lord, Vince!”
She bucked against his fingers, her body rolling with the waves. It took her several seconds to realize Tatum was screaming too, their interlocked fingers squeezed together until they started to burn.
She stared into Vince’s eyes, which were on fire with desire.
“Key,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Where’s the key?”
Knox quickly unlocked their cuffs. When they were separated, the men each took an inner tube and threw them out of the pool. Knox took Angela’s hand and she turned to look at Vince, who widened his eyes in approval.
“Get me a condom, Vixen,” Knox said, his voice deep.
Lucia watched as Tatum hurried out of the pool and returned with the package. She opened it and Knox sat on the side of the pool so she could sheath his cock. They kissed deeply, and she laughed as she backed away.
After Knox had sat on one of the built-in steps, he turned Lucia so her back was to him, then guided her onto his lap. It wasn’t the first time Lucia had done something like this, but it had been a long time. Knox’s hands felt warm on her hips as he guided the tip of his cock to her entrance.
“Lower yourself down, Lucia.”
Lucia’s gaze locked on Vince’s as she did. The desire in his eyes was evident. He licked his lips and nodded his approval. Lucia closed her eyes and let Knox’s hands guide her up and down. The idea Vince was watching her, that she was doing this for him, made it all the sweeter.
How had this happened? How had he wormed his way inside her heart so quickly? She’d had one-night stands before, but this was so much more. That idea wrapped around her heart and squeezed as Knox gently moved her up and down. She felt tears rise to her eyes as she thought about tomorrow.
She’d decided to tell him, but now, she wasn’t sure she could. He’d been through so much recently, and Knox and Tatum had both said the real Vince was now back. How could she put him in danger again by telling him about the meeting she’d scheduled with Jaymes?
The tears spilled forth and she closed her eyes. Vince’s voice forced them wide open.
“Lucia? Baby, what’s wrong? Stop, Knox. Stop.”
“No,” Lucia said. “Don’t stop. It’s not that. It’s so, so. Vince, I… I…”
He glided through the water to her and captured her head between his hands, bringing their lips together in a bruising kiss.
“I feel the same way, baby.” He lifted her off Knox’s lap and crushed her to him, kissing her deeply, his tongue sliding into her mouth and over her teeth.
“I love you,” she whispered. “I need you.”
“Oh baby, you’ve made me so happy.” Vince kissed her gently. “I love you, too, and I don’t say that very often.” He kissed her once more. “I love you,” he repeated, and Lucia melted against him.
The sound of flesh slapping against flesh drew both their gazes to Tatum and Knox. She was bouncing on her lover’s lap, throwing her head back in laughter.
Vince guided Lucia to a spot across from them and sat down.
“Ride me, baby.”
Lucia placed herself above him and took his cock deep inside her in one downward thrust. She began to bounce, her breasts swaying in front of his eyes as they set up a heavy rhythm.
She knew it wouldn’t take long for Vince to come, and she was right. Minutes after she’d mounted him, he grabbed her hips and pulled her down hard into him, slamming up into her with an intense force that brought on her own orgasm.
She shuddered in his arms as she heard Knox whisper for Tatum to “watch the beautiful sight on the other side of the pool.”
Soon, the other couples’ sounds of orgasm rang out. Lucia had long since collapsed into Vince’s arms. She could feel his heart beating against her own as he held her close and she made her final decision.
There was no way she was telling him about Jaymes. She couldn’t risk the fragile psyche he’d just started to rebuild. She would tape the meeting, then give him the tape.
And she knew that things would work out just fine.
Chapter 17
Lucia rearranged the remaining cookies in the tray for the fifth time. Business was rather slow, and she was happy for that. She’d taken advantage of the slowness and sent Lillia home. Earlier in the day she’d convinced Carmen that she needed to go to Albuquerque for the day to get away from the danger. Her friend had balked, but finally agreed. Now, it was just her, waiting for Jaymes to come.
She practiced the speech she would give him in her mind.
Remember, you told us there were no books. I found no books.
And when he asked about the money, what would she say? The truth was the police had the money, tucked away somewhere in their building. And there was no way Lucia could get her hands on that much cash.
How about free chili-brownie sundaes, for life? Not enough? I’ll cater all your important events, too.
She glanced at the clock. She had another hour and a half before Jaymes was due. When she told him, what would happen? Would he draw his gun and shoot her?
She shook her head. Shit. What was she doing? Vince was the cop, not her. She knew he was downtown, talking with Ward and going over reports. He would be angry with her for not telling him before now, but she had to tell him. She’d deal with the consequences of not doing it sooner tomorrow.
She dialed his cell phone number with shaking hands.
“Hey Apuro. Save me a brownie, huh? I’m shopping for something special for you. I’ll meet you at your house, say about…”
“Vince. I have something to tell you.”
* * *
Where was Vince? He’d been furious when she’d told him Jaymes was due at the shop at seven. He’d told her to sit tight and relax, that everything would be fine. Fifteen min
utes to seven. Her heart was racing like it was in overdrive, and her palms were sweating. How would she convince this man to talk? What if she couldn’t convince him? What would he do to her? What would he do to her family?
She didn’t get along with them, true, but she didn’t want someone like Jaymes coming after them.
Where was Vince?
When the door chime rang out, she about jumped out of her skin. She widened her eyes as the Hispanic man who’d participated in the bondage competition at Jaguars walked inside. He was not tall, but muscular and compact. He walked to the counter and drummed his fingers on the glass, bending down as if to examine the few items she hadn’t put up yet.
“Can I get you something?”
“Me? No. But you, you’ll need a pillow to sit down on for a week. Vince’s royally pissed.”
“Vince?” It was as if the floor had dropped out from under her feet.
“Yeah. He’s sitting a few doors down now, with Ward. He and I were at the same store when you called, in case you’re wondering. And yes, I’m a cop. I’m wired so he can hear us. Fix me some food. And hurry.”
“Listen, um, Mr…”
“Pablo. Pablo Acosta. Fix the food. Now, before Jaymes gets here.”
Lucia hurried to the back refrigerator. She pulled out a few burritos she’d made earlier in the day and stuck them in the microwave with a small glass of water for condensation.
When she took the plate out, she found Pablo sitting at a booth not far from the table she’d set up. He’d snatched a newspaper from the top of the counter and spread it out before him.
She set the plate down.
“Drink, too. We want it to look normal.”
She poured him a soft drink and shook her head.
“What now?”
“Go back to the counter. And we wait.”
She turned and walked back, her mind reeling. Why hadn’t Vince come in himself? Was he too angry with her? Or was it because she’d told him what Jaymes had said, and he didn’t want his men to see him? She preferred the latter.
Regret over her actions flooded her mind, but it was too late for that. She would deal with the consequences later.
At three minutes to seven, the chime rang. Jaymes walked in with his two men behind him. He glanced at Pablo, who sat with his nose buried in the paper, taking quick bites of food. At first, he looked concerned. Then, he shrugged his shoulders, turned to Lucia, and smiled.
She pointed toward the table and moved toward it, sitting down quickly before he could object. Jaymes gave one final, nervous glance at Pablo, then sat down.
“You have something for me?”
“No.”
His eyes widened and Lucia bit back bile.
“Excuse me? Do you remember what we discussed yesterday? You have some things of mine I want back.”
“What things? You told Vince and me there were no things. I thought about that last night. I can’t give you what you say doesn’t exist.”
“Now you listen to me, bitch. Do you have any idea who the fuck I am? What the fuck I can do to you?”
“No. And I don’t care. Get out.”
“You think us busting up tables was bad? By the time I’m done you won’t have a relative who can walk anymore. I want those books.”
“Why?”
Jayme’s eyes narrowed and he glanced at Pablo. He looked back at Lucia, his scowl deepening.
“What game are you playing? Huh?”
Anger over his threats made Lucia’s blood boil.
“No game. And no books. Who are you more afraid of, the cops, or the high-powered people who owe you money? Or maybe it’s that you don’t have a record of their debts anymore and they can’t pay you. You’re a parasite, living off other people’s miseries. How many people have you killed? How many lives have you destroyed?”
“I don’t kill. But my orders to kill are followed to the letter. Now, tell the spic it’s time for him to leave and lets you and I take a little ride. If you’re lucky, I might let you keep a few fingers, although it might make it hard for you to work.”
He sat back with an evil look on his face.
“Changing your mind? My money and books in lieu of your fingers? Or maybe we should go and visit your parents, or one of your sisters. I believe they have children.”
“You son of a bitch. You’d hurt children, just to get your money and gambling information?”
“Yes. I earned that money, and those books are my lifeline. Those people owe me! And now, so do you. I might keep you alive long enough for you to watch me stake out that fucking Black Hawk and cut his dick off, watch him bleed to death.”
Lucia pushed back from the table. The bile that had been threatening since Jaymes walked in won. She turned her head to the side and vomited.
“Son of a bitch,” Jaymes said, standing suddenly. When he did, he jerked the table. The books Lucia had set up carefully to conceal the small recorder moved and it came into sight.
“You fucking bitch. You told your cop friend. I thought you were smarter than that.”
He turned to Pablo. “Is he a cop, huh? Kill the bastard!”
One of the men rushed toward Pablo’s table but Pablo moved faster. He stood and pulled his gun, ramming the butt end of it against the man’s temple. He fell backward into his partner and they both toppled.
Lucia grabbed the recorder at the same time Vince and Ward busted through the door. They both had their guns drawn. She turned to run to the back room, but Jaymes grabbed her, turned her around, and pulled her into his chest.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
“Jaymes!” Vince’s voice was loud and forceful. “Let her go.”
Pablo and Ward were handcuffing the two goons, one bleeding profusely and the other trying to fight them off.
“No way. I’m walking out. Get back.” He pulled a gun from his waistband and waved it in front of Lucia’s face. “Behave yourself, understand?”
She nodded and then looked at Vince. “I’m sorry.”
He gave her a curt nod, then shook his head at Jaymes.
“You’ve nowhere to go. There are cops all over outside. And you just gave an order to kill a police officer. That’s attempted capital murder. And we’ve got it all on tape.”
Jaymes grabbed Lucia’s hand and wrenched the recorder from it.
“You mean this?” He dropped it on the floor and aimed his gun at it. The sound of the shot reverberated through the room and Lucia screamed. The recorder blew apart, pieces of it flying into the air.
Vince rushed them, grabbing Lucia and throwing her behind him before tackling Jaymes and throwing him to the floor. Ward screamed at her to leave, but she stood rooted to the spot, watching the two men fight. They both had guns, and fear that one of them would go off rocketed through her body.
Her plan had backfired. If something happened to Vince, she’d never forgive herself. She backed toward the door and watched them wrestle.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Vince lifted his gun up and put the muzzle near Jaymes face.
“Don’t make me shoot you.”
Jaymes was breathing heavily. He nodded furiously.
“Okay, I give up.” He let his hand fall to the side of his face. Pablo stepped up next to him and stepped on his wrist.
“Release your grip,” Vince said.
Pablo kicked the gun away and Jaymes laughed.
“I’ve got you, all three of you. Police brutality. Arrest without evidence. I’ll be out in an hour.”
“Doubt it,” Ward said. He held up Jaymes’ books and smiled. “Plus, we got your money.”
“You can’t prove it’s mine,” Jaymes said with a laugh. He looked at the recorder and laughed harder. “Bitch thought she could outsmart me.”
“She did,” Vince said. “Pablo?”
Pablo drew a recorder out of his shirt pocket. He waved it at Jaymes, and then grabbed the man’s hair, jerking his head back.
“Don
’t ever call me a spic again.”
Vince sat back against the table as Pablo pulled Jaymes up and handed him to Ward.
Ward cuffed him and started to read him his rights.
Lucia hurried across the floor to Vince. She dropped to her knees and gently touched the cut on his face.
“You’re bleeding.” She hurried to the sink and wet a towel, sinking back to her knees to wipe the cut on his face.
“Why didn’t you trust me? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I did! I just, it’s just…” She stared to cry, burying her face in her hands.
“It’s just what, Lucia?”
She swallowed several times to get her breathing under control. “I was going to tell you last night. He came in yesterday and threatened me, threatened Carmen.”
“You told Carmen?” Vince snorted a laugh. “You trusted her more than you trusted me? Who’s the cop?”
“It’s not that I trusted her more. She was here when he came in. She made me promise to call you, but I lied to her. I told her I’d called you, but I didn’t. I heard you talk to Ward about the recording.”
“So, you just thought you’d do it on your own?”
“Yes. I really was going to tell you last night, but Knox and Tatum, they said you were just back to normal. I thought…”
“You thought I was too fragile? Or you thought I couldn’t handle it?” His voice was thick with anger.
“No. I was scared for you. He said he would kill you. I care about you.”
“But you didn’t trust me, or you would have told me sooner. This whole thing could have been avoided.”
“I do trust you. I do.” Tears leaked from her eyes again. She felt empty and frightened. By trying to protect him, she’d pushed him away.
“Lucia, where there’s no trust, there’s no relationship.” The anger in his voice had turned to deep sorrow. “And that sucks. It really sucks.”
Chapter 18
“This has been so perfect. Thank you so much, Lucia!” Vanessa Cassas kissed Lucia’s cheek, then turned to the dance floor.
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