by Reana Malori
*****
Two days later, Tristan, Raymond Sperry, and Dwayne made their way to Boston. Orlando and Franco were with him. Leo was at the hospital with Shandra and her mom. Since he was a physician, Tristan convinced him it was best to stay with Shandra.
Really, he simply wanted him to have plausible deniability. Leo didn’t know they intentionally left him out of some things. Plus, with how Leo was beginning to look at Shandra when he thought no one was paying attention, he knew his friend would soon slip into that dark space he visited when he needed to. Vengeance could be a motivating factor for some. Right now, Tristan just wanted his friend to enjoy whatever was building between him and Camille’s friend.
Oh, and where was Camille? The love of his life, his light in the dark, and his beacon when he needed to find his way home again? Yeah, well, her stubborn ass was sitting in the front seat of the truck trying to ignore him.
He still couldn’t believe both her father and D had agreed she could come. No matter how much he put his foot down, she used her good loving’ to make him reconsider.
Neither of them should be on this trip. Neither should her father or D, although he had no real sway over either of them. Allowing them to come was his gesture to show that he would be different. These two men had earned his respect in very different ways, but they both loved Camille almost as much as he did. For that alone, he knew he couldn’t leave them out.
Camille wanted revenge. Not only for Marco coming after her but for what he’d done to Shandra. She wanted her pound of flesh, and he would let her have it.
Pulling up to the warehouse, he saw the other vehicles parked outside. Calling Conall O’Shea, he waited until the man picked up on the other side. Once the particulars were lined up, he watched as O’Shea and his men exited the building. Giving a two-finger salute, the man jumped in a large black SUV and pulled off.
Their gift was inside.
Climbing out, he walked to the passenger door, blocking Camille inside. She rolled down the window and crossed her arms over her chest. Everyone else was outside the vehicle and trying not to listen in.
“Camille, if only you’d listen to me—”
“Tristan. I love you, and I will be your wife one day soon. I know you want to protect me. I know you need me to be safe. But how much safer can I be than with all of you around me.”
“Baby—”
“No, Tristan. I need this. Once we get married, I will be the perfect wife. I’ll only curse in private. I won’t shoot my guns where people can see them. How about this? I’ll even stop wearing work boots and jeans every day. That must make you feel good, right?” She smiled cheekily, wagging her eyebrows up and down.”
Sighing, he looked to the side for a moment before turning his gaze back to her. “I could lock you in here until we’re done. The last time I let my guard down--,” his voice trailed off. He sighed deeply, “Baby, I give you too much leeway. This time, I cannot. You must stay inside the vehicle.”
“Tristan. You and I both know I can handle myself. My father kept a lot of secrets from me, but what he did do, was train me well. I want the first bullet in his brain to be from my weapon. I need him to see that I was his judge, jury, and executioner.”
Tristan couldn’t help but smile as he moved back from the door. The Death Bringer had finally met his match, and she was a force to be reckoned with.
“Your engagement gift, Donna.”
“You’ll get yours tonight when we get home, Don Tristan.”
Damn, that sounded good coming from her lips. Walking up to the group of men, he led them to the door the Irishmen exited.
“Time for a new era.” Looking down at his future wife, he knew she’d be a Donna unlike any other, and he was damn proud that she belonged only to him.
EPILOGUE
One-Year Later…
Camille rubbed her belly as their son gave her a swift kick, then pinched her. She couldn’t wait until the little hellion… um, the little angel was born. Not that she’d pay him back for his torture, but at least she could run away after she handed him to his father. Or the numerous uncles that always seemed to be hanging around lately.
Looking over at the group gathered for her goddaughter’s birthday, she smiled at all the kids milling around. Leo was hovering, as he usually did these days, to make sure Amina didn’t get even a speck of dirt on her pretty blue dress. She’d never thought he and Shandra would have gotten to this point. It had been touch and go for a moment, but that’s a story best told another day.
“Hiding out?” Her husband’s deep voice caressed her skin as he walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her body, he cradled her belly as they stood watching everyone enjoy themselves.
“No. I had to go to the bathroom. Again. Now your son wants to devour the tortillas and salsa, but I’m staying strong.”
Leaning back, she rested her head on Tristan’s muscular chest. She couldn’t have hoped for a better husband. He was attentive, kept the dark side of business away from home, and still worked to increase the family’s legitimate business activities. He’d kept his promise to her, and she loved him even more for it.
“My son’s just hungry, Camille.”
“He might be. He’s mean as hell, too. He kicked me again. Little devil.”
“I know you may want it to be a family tradition, but I want our son to have a normal nickname. Not one like his parents.”
She knew he was serious, but she was also a realist. “Um, honey, have you met this kid’s parents yet?”
Laughing at her statement, he shook his head. “I think your parents and my aunt and uncle are leaving for Greece in three days, right?”
“Yes, I’m going to miss them. But they promised all four of them will be back in two months. Plenty of time for the birth of this little one. I’m glad my dad and your uncle have each other. I think they both missed it over the years.”
“I agree. Come on, sweetheart. Conall and his wife Tatiana were pulling through the gate when I came out.”
Allowing him to steer her to the front area to greet the couple, she placed a hand over her protruding belly.
“D called,” Tristan announced.
She was glad he and Tristan got along so well. Although their friendship had been forged in fire, it stood the test of time.
“Yeah? Where’s he been for the past month? I called and left him a message. Why didn’t he call me back instead?” Now she was getting herself riled up, and damn, it felt like she had to go pee again.
“Slow down, furious little wildcat. He was away on business for me. He just made it back yesterday, but he’s stopping by today for Amina’s party.”
“Oh, well. That’s okay then.”
Passing a tray of food, she picked up a spiced shrimp, shoving it in her mouth as they walked. She was always so damn hungry.
“I saw that. You know that’s going to give you heartburn, Camille.”
“He’s always so hungry. Tristan, are you sure the ultrasound didn’t show two babies?”
“Baby, I love you. You can eat as much spiced shrimp as you want. You look beautiful carrying our child. No one compares to you, baby. You know that, right?”
Snuggling up to her husband just as the door opened, welcoming their new guests.
Camille’s life hadn’t turned out how she expected. There were twists, turns, fits, and starts, but it was all worth it in the end. When she looked around at the family and friends who surrounded her, she knew this was the life she needed. And she couldn’t be happier.
~ FIN ~
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Leo and Shandra’s love story is COMING SOON!!
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Keep swiping to read an excerpt from Dark Angel, the story of Maxwell Bishop and Kiana Moore.
Dark Angel
SUMMARY
Maxwell Bishop was the man with a plan, and nothing—and no one—would get in the way of what he wanted. Until the day Kiana Moore walked into his life. Her beauty made him pause. Her kindness made him want to claim her. She was supposed to be off-limits. He was supposed to respect boundaries. Pursuing her could bring his perfect world crumbling down around him. In the end, none of that mattered. He wanted her, and he would do whatever it took to have her.
To keep her sanity, and her job, Kiana Moore needed to stay away from Maxwell Bishop. No matter how much she tried to deny her desire for him, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. His lips beckoned her closer, teasing her with his sinful smile. His deep voice seduced her with every word he spoke. She had to resist him, even if it was the last thing she wanted to do. Her livelihood was at risk. Her reputation could be ruined. Then again, none of that mattered. Maxwell wanted her, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until she was his.
When need and desire can no longer be denied, just how far will he go to claim his woman? Maxwell always gets what he wants. He’ll let nothing get in the way of convincing Kiana they belong together.
CHAPTER 1
Waking up to the warmth of the sun streaming through his bedroom window, Maxwell Bishop opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a woman’s naked back as she slumbered. Beautiful chestnut-colored skin lay atop his all-white sheets. The sight made him smile.
His lady. His Kiana.
Rubbing one hand down her naked back, he trailed his fingers along her smooth skin until he reached the curve of her hips. Moaning low as his fingers kneaded her soft flesh, he couldn’t help but think about sinking inside her again. His member thickened as he replayed the events of last night.
After dinner at his favorite restaurant, they’d returned to his house in the suburbs. Within minutes of entering, he’d had her against the wall, her dress pulled over her hips. She’d yelped in surprise when he tore her panties from her body, throwing them to the side. The material of her skintight dress pulled and stretched as his hands yanked the material under her beautiful, perfectly sized breasts.
“Damn. You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispered in her ear before biting down on the soft flesh of her ear. “I can’t get enough of you.” Kissing her neck, he nipped at the skin. “Let me in.”
“Max.” Her tone breathless, Kiana turned to look at him and smiled. “You want this?”
“You know that I do. Say the words, baby.” He’d almost resorted to begging.
Since he’d picked her up from her apartment three hours ago, he’d been waiting for this moment. When he had her all to himself, away from all the crowds and people vying for his attention. Time alone with his woman was all he needed. When he could sink inside her so deep, he didn’t know where he ended, and she began.
“Give me the words.”
“If you want it, then you have to take it.”
Her words unleashed the beast inside of him. Releasing his weeping cock, he pressed against the wetness of her pussy. His cock slid inside like a hot knife slicing butter, and it felt like heaven. A loud hiss released from his lips as he felt every inch of her body open for him. Her whimpers and moans were like music to his ears.
It had taken him thirty-six years to find a woman who knew how to give him what he needed. Someone who was just as willing to have him fuck her against the wall, as she was to want the romance and roses. This woman was going to be the death of him one day but damn, what a way to go.
His teeth bit along the back of her neck and shoulders as he pounded inside of her. Wetness seeped from her body, coating his dick, making his path easier. The tightening of her channel sent electricity coursing through his body.
“Oh baby, that’s what I like. You know exactly what I need. Best pussy in the fucking world,” he whispered. One hand reached up to her long hair, grasping the long strands in his fist. Pulling her head back, he bared her neck to him. “No hiding tonight. I need to see your face.”
And he did. There was an urgency in the air tonight. He couldn’t put his finger on what was happening, but he needed a stronger connection.
“No hiding,” she agreed in a whisper. Her eyes fluttered closed. One of her arms reached back, grabbing the shirt at his waist, pulling him closer to her.
“This is all mine. Tell me you’ll never leave me.” As he spoke, each word was punctuated by a hard thrust. At her continued moans and groans, Max clenched his hand tighter around the hair he was holding, forcing her head back more. “Say it, Kiana.”
“I-I’ll never leave you, Max.”
That breathless tone of hers set him off. He felt the orgasm rushing through his body. Increasing his thrusts, he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her body closer to his.
“Damned right, you won’t. You belong to me. This pussy is only for me,” Tristan growled.
If he could, he’d never let her out of his sight. This woman meant more to him than she knew. Or that he was willing to admit. Honestly, it scared him to feel this way about a woman. She held the power to destroy him in her hands and had no idea.
As her orgasm hit, her body began to shake and quiver in his arms; her voice began rising in a scream as the overwhelming sensation traveled through her body. Just as she hit her highest pitch, he stopped fighting against nature.
With a loud groan, he released his seed inside her. A little voice in his head wished his little swimmers could finish their intended mission. Visions of her swollen with his baby had begun playing in his mind, but he knew it was too soon.
Coming back to the present, Max slid his hard cock against Kiana’s bare sheath. He knew one surefire way to wake her up with a smile on her face. Lifting one of her legs, he stared at her for a few seconds before guiding his thick member inside her warm channel. Pumping slowly, he knew this morning was the time for some slow loving.
He’d taken his woman hard last night. Multiple times. Never once did she tell him to stop or slow down. Kissing her naked back, he guided one of his hands to her chest, palming one of the fleshy mounds as he rocked her awake.
For a guy like him, this wasn’t the life he’d ever expected to have. Growing up in government housing with a mother who worked two jobs, and a little sister who’d looked at him as if he hung the moon, his life had seemed to be on a one-way track. Prison. Hell, maybe even death. Somehow fate had stepped in, giving him a chance to do something different. He’d jumped at the chance, never looking back. Twenty years later, he had more than he’d dreamed of, and then some.
As Kiana began rotating her hips, pushing back against him as he pushed into her, he smiled at how good things were for him. Having this woman in his bed, moaning against him as he slid inside her, was his idea of fucking perfect.
Max stared at the form of the woman sprawled across his bed. If he could, he’d keep her right here where he could see her every day. He knew they were on borrowed time. Secrets had a way of coming out when you least expect it. Nothing in his life had ever been easy. He didn’t believe his relationship with Kiana to be any different.
Sighing deeply, he picked up a lock of her thick, dark hair. He’d pressed his luck with this one. From the moment he saw her, she called to him. He knew she was too good for him, and one day soon, she’d know it as well. The time was coming when he’d have to pay the piper for this sliver of peace he’d been allowed to have.
His reckoning was coming soon, but he wasn’t ready to pay the price.
He could only hope that when his angel realized the man lying next to her was the devil in disguise, she didn’t rip his heart out. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her body closer to his
. Closing his eyes, he wanted to grab another hour of sleep before they started the day.
Kissing her on the forehead, he whispered, “When you find out what I really am, I hope you’ll still need me as much as I need you.”
*****
A few hours later, Kiana stood in Max’s kitchen making a cup of coffee. Taking a sip of the dark brew, she sat down on a chair in front of the breakfast nook. Her body was sore this morning, but it was a good kind of sore, she thought with a smile. Every ache and pain had been worth it. On any given day, Max was insatiable.
He’d taken her repeatedly until she passed out with exhaustion. But last night was different. More desperate. Driven. He’d kept going long after they would have normally stopped. Asking her again and again not to leave him. Turning her head to look at the bedroom where she knew he still slept, her brow creased in concern. Maybe there was something else going on with him.
They’d only been dating for three short months, but in that time, she’d fallen for him like a bag of rocks. Smiling as she thought of that night, she knew meeting him had been a stroke of luck. There was no one else like Maxwell Bishop, and she liked it that way just fine.
Six Months Ago
Kiana sipped her wine, looking around the room at all the suits vying for attention. Everyone here had an agenda. Some were here to grab the attention of that one person who could help them close a major deal. Others grabbed an invitation because they felt this was the place to be seen.
There were also the ones who’d wormed their way into the outside circle of the senator speaking tonight. In Washington, DC, anyone and everyone who was someone, was connected to a high-profile political figure. You may not always see it in the public eye, but that didn’t make it any less true.