Little Dove

by Layla Frost

  As soon as his weight was off her, she jumped out of bed, and I trained my gun at her. She didn’t notice as she skipped to the table, popped a handful of pills, and downed them with a few chugs from a vodka bottle. Stumbling back to the bed, she flopped down with one leg hanging over and passed out.

  She didn’t care—and likely wouldn’t remember—we’d been there.

  I looked at Ash and lifted the blanket. “Grab a corner.”

  We got Carmichael out to the hallway just as a door slammed from the main area.

  “It’s the two in our two-for-one sale,” Ash whispered.

  A moment later, Dobrow yelled, “Janson is gone! Pull your tiny dick out of that whore and get out here!” The swinging door shoved open and his eyes went wide when he saw two guns aimed at his head.

  That was all we got before he turned and ran.

  Ash and I followed as he slammed out the door and raced toward a car. I shot once, the bullet whizzing by him to shatter the driver’s window.

  “Fuck!” Dobrow screamed, dodging to the left and racing past the club. He turned the corner before darting to the side into the alley between two dilapidated and abandoned buildings.

  I had to hand it to him, for such a bulky fucker, he was fast. Every time I thought I had a clear shot, he changed paths or used the dumpsters and stacks of garbage as a shield. Unlike the guns in action movies, my bullets weren’t infinite and I wasn’t wasting them. Dobrow didn’t have the same theory, squeezing off wild rounds over his shoulder that didn’t hit anywhere close to us.

  He took a sharp right and we followed just in time to see him scaling and hopping a tall wooden gate down the alley.

  “Has he been training for the Olympics? Varsity track? Shit,” Ash panted.

  Hoisting myself onto the gate, there was no sign of Dobrow. I was almost over when he stuck his upper body around the corner and quickly fired three shots.

  Burning pain exploded in my shoulder, making me lose my hold on the gate and fall forward to hit the ground.

  “Fuck!” Ash landed on his feet next to me, his gun trained down the path.

  “Go,” I ordered.

  He didn’t argue.

  Standing, I took a few seconds to fill my lungs with the breath that’d been knocked out of me. I ran a different route, reaching the end just as Dobrow turned in my direction.

  His focus was aimed behind him as he tried to shoot over his shoulder, but the only thing the empty gun did was click. When he faced forward and saw me, his eyes went wide and his steps stumbled. Recovering quickly, he spun, only to find Ash blocking his way. He took a shuffling step backward toward a narrow alley, but before he could turn, Cole’s gun dug into his back.

  Trapped, Dobrow glared at me with hatred burning in his eyes. He opened his mouth—likely hurl insults and spew bullshit—but he didn’t have the chance. A syringe stabbed into his neck, and he was flat on his back within seconds.

  “Between him and Carmichael, one of us is throwing our back out,” Ash said, already hefting Dobrow’s dead weight.

  Or soon-to-be dead weight.

  We hauled him down the thin path and dumped him on Cole’s backseat. Cole and Ash dealt with Carmichael’s body while I grabbed a bottle of cleaner and rag from the trunk. I wiped everything down, including my blood from the fence and ground.

  It was overkill—no one would look into Viktor Dobrow’s disappearance. Even if they did, the area was likely covered with so much DNA, there would be no separating it.

  Returning to the car, I tossed the supplies in the trunk and slammed it shut.

  Ash took a look at my shoulder—it was just a graze but it burned like a bitch. “We need to clean that.”

  “Once we get there.”

  Cole rounded the car. “The plant?”

  I shook my head. “I have a better idea.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Perfect

  Maximo

  STANDING IN THE fenced-off construction site, I looked down at the men secured inside the deep but narrow pit. I didn’t smile.

  With them out of the way, Juliet would be safe. No looking over her shoulder. No reminders of her piece of shit father or her life before me.

  She’d given me her trust.

  I was giving her peace.

  Which was why I didn’t smile.

  I grinned.

  Circling the hole, I waited out of view.

  An unseen monster in the dark.

  My anticipation cranked up when one of them finally croaked, “Where am I?” He coughed, his hoarse voice louder when he yelled, “Hello? Is anyone there?”

  “Shut the fuck up,” a different voice bit out.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  “Someone with a fucking headache who doesn’t want to listen to you crying like a little bitch.”

  I stepped closer, though they didn’t notice me as they struggled against their bonds, trying to get free.

  Viktor Dobrow looked pissed.

  Mugsy Carmichael looked ready to piss.

  And William Janson looked… at nothing. He couldn’t see.

  Smirking, I kicked some dirt in—a hint of what was to come. Two of the three men finally looked at me, and I kicked another pile their way.

  “No, no, no,” Carmichael blubbered.

  “What was that? What’s happening?” Janson shouted, terror shaking his words.

  Dobrow was silent, but his expression quickly morphed from anger to panic-stricken as he realized what was about to happen. When he finally spoke, his tone was thick and earnest—the voice of a desperate man. “I can pay you. I have family who can get you anything and everything. Whatever you want. Ransom me. I’m worth more to you alive than I am dead.”

  It was bullshit. While we’d waited, Cole had done the electronic research and Ash had spoken to a few contacts so we could prepare for potential retaliation.

  There’d be none.

  Dobrow’s men were already fighting over his throne of garbage. His limited family had cut him off long ago.

  No one would pay a cent for him. Even if they would, there was no amount that would make me consider keeping him alive.

  He’d tried to fuck with my business.

  For that alone, he’d die.

  He’d tried to take Juliet.

  For that, he’d die a painful, terrifying death.

  “I’m going to build my office on this spot,” I shared. “I’ll add to my empire here. I’ll make billions here. I’ll live and breathe and fuck Juliet on top of your grave. And soon, I’ll forget any of you ever existed.”

  With the knowledge I’d won in every way possible consuming their last thoughts, I picked up the hose and held up my hand.

  The men screamed, their faces red as their mouths moved frantically. Their useless words were lost in the rumble of the mixer. And as wet concrete filled the hole and their lungs, their useless lives would be lost soon, too.

  Slowly.

  Agonizing.

  Exactly what they deserved.

  Once they were covered, I lifted my hand and the flow stopped.

  There was nothing but satisfying silence.

  Steve—the head of the construction company—started the excavator and filled the hole the rest of the way with dirt, tamping it down and packing it in until it looked like the rest of the area.

  Climbing out, he came over. “We’re pouring foundation this morning. By the afternoon, this will be covered.”

  “You good with me staying until then?”

  “Figured you would.”

  I handed him an envelope filled with a shit-ton of cash. “Thanks for coming in early. I owe you.”

  “No, I still owe you.”

  Since I’d gotten him out from under the mafia’s thumb before they’d killed his wife and kids, I was betting he’d never feel like his debt was repaid.

  Tucking the envelope away, his solemn expression lightened to a grin. “But if you’re feeling generous, I’ve been trying to sneak Maria awa
y for a weekend at Nebula. If you wanted to pull some strings to free up a room, I wouldn’t say no.”

  “Name the weekend.”

  “I’ll be a damn hero.”

  Heading to where Ash and Cole stood guard at the gate, I said, “It’s done.”

  Ash exhaled, over a month’s worth of rage and tension releasing as satisfaction coated his expression.

  Maybe now he can let the guilt go and move on.

  Going to the SUV, I peeled off my filthy, bloodied shirt. The bandage Ash had stuck on was still clean, so I didn’t change it before pulling on the fresh shirt I kept for emergencies.

  “You going home?” Ash asked.

  “Not until the slab is laid.”

  “I’ll wait around, too.”

  “No, go home. Take the week off. Enjoy a break before the next shitstorm blows in.”

  “You just want to keep the excavator and bulldozer rides to yourself,” Ash bitched, but he was already heading for Cole’s car.

  Going back into the worksite, I grabbed a cup of shit coffee from the office trailer.

  Then I waited for concrete to be poured, which was almost as thrilling as watching paint dry.

  _______________

  Shit, I’m beat.

  Pulling into my driveway that afternoon, I killed the engine and got out just as the front door whipped open.

  Juliet came flying out, running full speed. I braced as she launched herself at me. Her arms wrapped tight around my neck, and I winced at the pressure on my shoulder.

  That didn’t stop me from cupping her sweet ass and lifting her into my arms. “Where are your shoes?”

  “You’re home,” she breathed instead of answering. She leaned back to meet my eyes. “Is everything okay?”

  I’d once told Juliet she was worth starting a war for, and I’d meant it.

  But I hadn’t started the war. Viktor Dobrow, Mugsy Carmichael, and her own piece-of-shit father had.

  I’d just finished it.

  Which was why my words were nothing but the truth when I said, “Everything’s perfect.”

  “It always is,” she whispered.

  My gaze dropped from her tired green eyes to the dark circles under them. “Did you not sleep, Juliet?”

  Her body trembled at my tone. “Not really. You know I can’t sleep without my Daddy wrapped around me.”

  So damn perfect.

  When I carried her inside, Marco was waiting.

  “Everything set?” he asked.

  “Done. I’ll fill you in later. You guys have the week off.”

  “Got it.” He closed the door behind him.

  “Sheesh, so chatty,” Juliet muttered.

  I was anxious to get her upstairs, into the shower with me, and then in bed on top of me. Unfortunately, I’d barely taken a step when Vera came from the living room.

  She opened her mouth, but I spoke first. “You’ve got the week off.”

  “I’ll grab my things.” Smiling, she added, “And you can get started on what we talked about.”

  With that, she rushed from the room.

  “What’s she up to?” Juliet’s narrowed eyes tracked Vera. “She had a mischievous smile. It’s her tell.”

  “What’s my tell?” I asked, avoiding her question.

  Her eyes went hooded. “I’m not saying because then you might stop, and I like watching it.”

  “I like watching, too.” Squeezing her ass until she whimpered, my voice was low and rough. “Right now, we’re going to shower and then I’m going to fucking love watching you ride Daddy’s cock.”

  A harder tremble went through her. “I can do that.”

  “That’s my good girl.”

  Carrying her up the stairs and into the bathroom, I lowered her to stand. My fingertips skimmed and teased as I stripped her. Distracted by the sight of her naked body and desperate to feel it against me, I didn’t think before unbuttoning my shirt and peeling it off.

  At her gasp, I looked down at her furrowed brow. Her gaze was aimed at the blood-stained bandage on my shoulder. “What happened?”

  “Just a graze,” I said, pulling her close.

  Her big green eyes darted to mine. “You were shot?”

  “Grazed.”

  “By a bullet?” Juliet’s body tightened and fury poured from her.

  Everyone had their limit. At the way she glared at me, I wondered if I’d found Juliet’s.

  Before I could offer an explanation, her rage-filled eyes shot to mine. “Did you kill them?”

  I should’ve known better than to doubt her.

  Because from the very beginning, Juliet understood who I was. She knew the monster she was getting involved with. Who she was falling in love with.

  Who her Daddy was.

  And she’d never tried to change me. She wanted me exactly how I was, handing me her body, trust, and heart because she knew I’d kill to protect them.

  Right then was no different. My girl wasn’t pissed at me.

  She wanted vengeance for me.

  I lifted my chin. “Carmichael, too.”

  Her brows shot up as the pieces clicked together. “Wait, Mugsy Carmichael was involved? Did you find out who he was working for? And why he tried to take me?”

  I wouldn’t lie to Juliet, but I wouldn’t tell her the whole truth, either. Shamus had already done enough damage. Knowing he’d sold her to clear his debts would destroy her.

  I shouldered some of the blame, but to protect her, I’d shoulder it all.

  Gripping her ponytail, I used my hold to tip her head back to meet my eyes. “It was part of some bullshit revenge against me and you got dragged into it. I fucked up.”

  Any hurt or anger she had would’ve been justified for the target I’d helped put on her back.

  But when she looked at me, there was nothing but gratitude and relief and love. “No, they fucked up. And now I never have to worry about creepy Mugsy again.” As if saying the words out loud made them sink in, she whispered, “It’s really over, isn’t it?”

  “It’s over.”

  After a long moment, a slow grin spread across her face and the last bit of tension she carried melted away. “You always take care of me.”

  “‘Til the day I die.”

  Her eyes heated as her fingertips danced down my abs. “I want to take care of you.”

  “Then we better shower fast.”

  Throwing the rest of my clothes off, I turned on the water and hauled her under the jets. I scrubbed the dirt and grime from myself before teasingly soaping her.

  “I need you,” she murmured, clutching my upper arms as I worked between her legs.

  Juliet was strong. Stubborn. Independent. After being on her own for so long, she didn’t easily need.

  But she needed me.

  And that made me crazed.

  Killing the water, I quickly dried us off before lifting her.

  Carrying her to the bed, I dropped her back to the mattress and covered her body with mine. Her skin was warm and flushed. Soft. Fucking beautiful.

  Just what I needed after dealing with so much ugly.

  Needing to feel her, I fisted my cock and lined it up with her wet pussy.

  “Wait,” she interrupted just as I slid the tip into heaven. Putting her hand on my good shoulder, she shoved. “You said you wanted to watch me ride your cock.”

  Christ.

  Using the time to find my control before I came embarrassingly fast, I let her roll me to my back. I grabbed a pillow and propped my head up so I could see every-damn-thing.

  Juliet straddled me, her pussy tormenting me as she wiggled around to find her position. Lifting onto her knees, she wrapped her fist around me before lowering to take my dick.

  Agonizingly, torturously, painfully slow.

  Once I filled her, her head fell back and she let out a sexy as hell sigh. Her movements were cautious and unsure until she found her rhythm, rocking and grinding.

  Jesus Christ, she’s going to kill me. />
  My gaze stayed locked on our connection as I watched my dick stretch her. Using my thumbs, I spread her lips wide so I could see more as I stroked her clit.

  Her breath caught and she picked up speed as her caution changed to frenzy. Hard and fast, she rode me until her body tightened and her movements became halting.

  Taking over, I gripped her hips and lifted her all the way up my length before sliding her back down.

  “Harder,” she demanded on a moan. I did as she said, but it still wasn’t enough. “Harder, Daddy, please.”

  I repeated the motion, raising my hips as I slammed her down.

  The force made her cry out. “Yes, like that.”

  I gave her more. Everything I had. No holding back. No gentleness. No control.

  Rough and hard and savage, I fucked her.

  Juliet took it. All of it. All of me. Exactly how I was, how I gave it, how I needed it.

  And she loved it.

  Squeezing my dick like a vise, she came hard. Coating me in her sweetness as her greedy pussy sucked me deeper, setting off my own abrupt release. Filling her. Marking her.

  Mine.

  Mine.

  So fucking mine.

  Slumping forward, her lips lazily skimmed across my chest and up to my neck.

  She bit, making my spent cock jump as I growled, “Juliet.”

  “Maximo,” she mocked.

  “If you didn’t look ready to pass out, I’d spank your ass raw.”

  “I’m not that tired,” she tried, but the yawn that followed contradicted her.

  Shifting us to our sides, I wrapped myself around her before cupping her throat and pussy. At the possessive hold, she took a deep breath and released it in a peaceful sigh.

  “Love you so damn much,” I murmured against her head, tightening my hold.

  “Love you, too, Daddy.” When I still didn’t relax, she asked, “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

  Dobrow and Carmichael were dead, and with them, the last of the threats from her life before me.

  She was in my arms, relaxed with no walls or mental guard up. Body, heart, and soul, I had all of her.

  Not to mention, my dick was coated in her come and her pussy was full of mine.

  Which was why I repeated my answer from earlier. “Everything’s perfect.”

  With my little dove, it always was.