Power (Mafia Ties: Brandon & Carly Book 2)

by Fiona Davenport

  “Please, none of this ‘Mrs. DeLuca’ stuff, call me Mamma”—she pulled Carly in for another hug—“I’d be honored to be a part of planning your wedding, dear girl.”

  They beamed at each other, and then my mother threw me a look of dismissal and took Carly into the kitchen with her. I was tempted to follow, reluctant to let Carly out of my sight, but I loved the idea of the two of them getting close. So, I tamped down my desire and strolled over to the couches, plopping down next to my seventeen-year-old brother, Adam.

  “She’s hot, bro,” he smirked. I slapped him on the back of the head. “Ouch! Harsh, dude.”

  I ignored him and focused on my older brother, Christian, happy to see him. “It’s great to see you. How long are you in town?” Christian was twenty-five and a professor at Oxford, where he’d done his doctoral work English Literature. He was definitely the most . . . refined of our Italian riff raff. He’d lived there since he’d graduated from Harvard at twenty-one and we only got to see him a couple of times a year.

  “I decided not to teach summer sessions this year, so I’m home for about a month”—he raised a speculative eyebrow at me—“It seems it was a lucky decision or I would have missed your wedding.”

  Shrugging, I looked him straight in the eye when I answered, “Why delay the inevitable and give her the opportunity to second guess her decisions?”

  Luca laughed and shook his head. “You’re such a fucking DeLuca. No patience.”

  I smirked at him. “Talk to me when you’ve met the woman of your dreams, brother.”

  He scoffed. “I’m twenty-fucking-years old, Bran. I’m not going to tie myself down for a long fucking time.”

  “Amen!” Tristan and Gavin, nineteen-year-old twins, high-fived Luca. Stupid motherfuckers.

  Just as I’d thought, my family adored Carly and when I took her home that night, she was practically floating on a happy cloud. I knew it was because she’d finally found a family, the one she’d longed for as a child, the one she should have had all along.

  I took her to bed and did my best to further the goal of creating our own little family.

  ***

  “Kitten, where do you want—” My voice broke off, ending in a ragged groan. Carly was bent over her desk, reaching for something, her pert little ass spectacularly displayed in a pair of worn jeans. My woman was hot as fuck and my cock heartily agreed. She stood and looked at me over her shoulder. “Bend over the desk again, kitten,” I commanded. “I want that tight little ass up high.”

  Her eyes widened and sparked with heat, but glanced nervously at the door. “Now!” I growled. Once she’d obeyed, I slammed the door shut and flipped the lock. I stalked over to her and palmed her ass, squeezing the globes, then spanked one, then the other, and basked in the sound of her moans.

  I was too far gone for anything but a hard fuck. Carly and my mother had jumped into wedding plans, and I’d had very little time with my girl since Sunday dinner with my family. They’d even recruited Anna, which had put me in the cross hairs of Nic’s own sexual frustration. I was doing my best to steer clear of him.

  But, I was done with this bullshit. I needed to feel my kitten wrapped around my cock. It was a damn fucking good thing our wedding was on Sunday, only a few days away, or I would have been hauling her off to the courthouse and whisking her away for an epic fuckathon.

  I slid my hands up her spine, one going to the back of her neck and pushing her down until her chest was almost flush with the desktop. Then I moved them around to cup her tits, treating them to a few plucks and twists of her nipples. Her ass wiggled against my erection and in the span of a few breaths, I had her pants unbuttoned, and along with her underwear, pulled down to her knees, one hand cupping her pussy.

  “You’re soaked, baby. So ready for me. Do you want my cock?”

  She whimpered and I took it as a “fuck yes.” Swiftly dropping my jeans to my ankles, I grabbed my dick and squeezed the base a couple of times, trying to push back the frenzy. But, the minute I pushed into her heat, my cock snug between the walls of her pussy, the need to fuck overtook me.

  Seizing her hips, I drove into her over and over. The only sounds in the room were that of our skin slapping together and the suction of my cock as her pussy welcomed each thrust.

  “Your pussy feels so good gripping my cock, kitten. Milk it, work my dick with your sweet little pussy.”

  She was crying out every time I bottomed out, and I was growing closer and closer to coming. One of my hands went to her pussy, locating her clit and pressing down. She screamed and shattered in seconds. The feeling of her walls clamping down on me pushed me over with her. “Fuck, yes!” I roared. After emptying inside her, my dick was still rock hard.

  I thrust in over and over, not slowing my pace until I’d driven us both over the edge again, spiraling into another screaming orgasm.

  Finally softening, I rested my palms on her shoulders and lifted her so her back was against my chest. “I love you, Carly. I can’t fucking wait to marry you,” I whispered.

  Chapter 5

  Carly

  “I love you, too, my hubby-to-be,” I sighed, enjoying the feel of his arms wrapped around me. Things had been too hectic this week for me to get much time with my man. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d felt quite so relaxed—until it hit me.

  “Ohmigod! I cannot believe you just fucked me on my desk. In my office. Right before we’re meeting with the guys. In here!”

  His dick slid out of me as I squirmed out of his arms to turn and glare up at him. I got distracted watching him pull his jeans up his legs and tuck himself back into them, before buttoning up. Then the infuriating man had the gall to wink at me with a smug grin on his face. “There’s the kitten I know and love. Hissing and showing her claws. If you aren’t careful, then I’m just gonna have to bend you back over your desk and eat your pussy until you scream. I’ll make sure it’s loud enough that every man walking into this building will hear you and know damn well who you belong to.”

  My eyes just about crossed in anger. Or lust. It was one or the other.

  “Enough!” I groaned. “I’ve already got your come sliding down my leg and you’re just making me wetter. I don’t even have time to clean up before they get here, dammit!”

  His eyes flashed, burning with a gleam of male satisfaction before he dropped his gaze to my thighs. “Here, I’ll help you.”

  I stood there, dazed when he ran his palm up my inner thighs to cup me. The heel of his hand rubbed against my clit as he dipped his finger inside and gathered more of our combined come to spread it over my bare skin. He smeared it in, like lotion scented with his essence. Marking me.

  “Your idea of help and mine seem to differ a little,” I breathed out, widening my stance to give him better access.

  “I thought you liked it when I get you dirty?” he asked, flashing me a smug grin.

  My legs were still sticky as he slid my jeans up. I batted his hand away when he went to help me with the zipper, opting to do it myself instead. He’d missed what I was carrying in my front pocket when he’d pulled them down, but I didn’t want to risk him finding it now that the haze of lust had cleared. Not after I’d gone to the trouble of having Tommy pick it up and bring it into my office for me so Brandon wouldn’t see the package and get all nosy. I wanted to surprise him, along with everyone else, and make the most of the moment. I hadn’t decided exactly when I was going to show him, but I had no doubt that I’d know when the time was right.

  “You have no idea how much of a fucking turn-on it is to know you’re going to have my come all over your pussy and thighs during this meeting.”

  “Like this doesn’t already mark me as yours.” I waived my hand at him, enjoying the gleam of the emerald in the light.

  “You’re so damn gorgeous, tattooing my name across your forehead wouldn’t be enough to warn off all the guys who would die to take my place.”

  “You’re crazy,” I giggled.

  �
�Crazy for you, maybe.”

  My laughter dried up at the sound of male voices outside my door. Straightening my shirt, I took a deep breath and gave Brandon a quick hug. “You’re sure this is what you want? Because after this meeting, there’s no changing your mind. Not without putting both of us at risk. Or more danger than we’ll already be in.”

  I snapped my mouth shut when I realized I was babbling, my cheeks heating with a tinge of self-consciousness at the indulgent humor in Brandon’s eyes. “Yeah, kitten. I’m sure.”

  “Well then, I guess it’s time to get down to business.”

  “Try not to be so damn cute while you’re doing it.”

  I straightened my spine and let all the warmth seep from my face. “I’ll try, but we both know it might be impossible.”

  His dark chuckle rang in my ears as I unlocked the door and let the guys in. Tommy walked in first, his green eyes quickly swept me from head to toe before he turned to glare at Brandon. “Possessive bastard,” he grumbled quietly. “Don’t you think it would have been wiser to wait until after this damn meeting?”

  Brandon shrugged his shoulders, looking completely relaxed with his hip resting against the side of my desk. He didn’t respond, his attention turning to the three men who followed behind Tommy. Aiden and Ewan Walsh dropped onto the chairs in the corner of the room, long legs stretched in front of them as they eyed Brandon up and down. The brothers were sons of my da’s best friend, boys I’d known growing up. Ones who’d risen quickly because of their father’s connection to the family, but Tommy had assured me they’d been unhappy working for my da. They’d been two of the first to offer me their condolences at his funeral and had also been quick to share a shot with me at his wake.

  I figured getting the Walsh brothers behind my plans wasn’t going to be too difficult. The fourth man to enter the room was a different story, though. Conor Murphy was older than my da and had been a loyal member of the O’Reilly organization since he was a teenager. He was old school, and I was going to hit him with changes he was bound to resist. Lots of them. But, he was well respected among the men and his support could be the difference between a smooth transition and a struggle for control that could result in a blood-bath.

  Conor tilted his head at me and only moved far enough into my office to lean against the wall by the door, his gaze hard as he looked at Brandon. “Shut the door,” I instructed, not wanting anyone to overhear my plans. I nodded in acknowledgment when Conor did as he was asked. I rounded my desk, sat in the chair, and folded my hands in front of me. I glanced up at Brandon to find him smiling down at me and took strength in knowing he believed in me. It was enough for me to claim Conor’s attention and get down to business.

  “Take a seat, Conor.” I waved to the open chair next to where Tommy was seated. When he dropped into it, I realized my childhood friend’s choice of locations wasn’t a coincidence. The positioning was ideal, the desk between me and Conor with Tommy directly next to him, Aiden and Ewan behind him, and Brandon in front of him and slightly to his right. If he made any moves, he’d find himself surrounded.

  “There’s going to be some changes around here,” I started. “Some of which I’ve already discussed with Tommy.”

  “I’m assumin’ one o’ these changes has ta’ do with why the DeLuca’s enforcer is in the room while we’re discussin’ O’Reilly business?” Conor asked.

  “I know we’re in bed with the DeLucas now that you have an alliance with them, but this is taking it a little too far, don’t ya think?” Aiden piped in.

  Tommy snickered at Aiden’s turn of phrase, earning himself a glare from me.

  “With the way he’s standin’ there, it makes it seem like you want him to be your second-in-command or something crazy like that.”

  Tommy’s laughter died at Ewan’s comment, and he returned my glare. “If anyone in this room is going to serve as your second, it should be me.”

  “You have nothing to fear from me in that regard, McKinnon. I’m not here as Carly’s second.”

  I knew I’d recognize the right moment, and this one was perfect. Rising to my feet, I dug in my pocket and pulled out the ring I’d had made for Brandon. It was amazing what you could accomplish in a short amount of time when you had access to lots of money. “As qualified as he is, Brandon can’t serve as my second because that would imply I don’t see him as my equal. Nothing could be further from the truth considering I’ll be his wife in two days’ time.”

  “You’re really planning to marry a DeLuca?” Aiden asked.

  Brandon straightened, crossing his arms over his chest and narrowing his eyes at Aiden. Unclenching my fist, I dropped the ring I had designed for him onto the desk. “You see this ring? I had it made from the bullet that killed my da.”

  Everyone’s eyes were riveted on the brass bullet head with the words Winchester 45 Colt, surrounding an oval diamond in the center. “It’s going on the finger of the man I’ve chosen as my husband. He’s not just a DeLuca, he’s the only man I know who would take a bullet for me, without any hesitation. I’d say that’s a huge improvement over the cocksucker my da tried to sell me off to.”

  “That may cause problems with our traffickin’ business,” Conor pointed out.

  “Not really, considering we aren’t in that business anymore.”

  “I’m expected ta follow a woman, one who’s marryin’ a DeLuca, and we’re dumpin’ a line o’ business that made us a shitload o’ money. Are ya changing everything then?” Conor asked.

  “Not quite everything,” I murmured. “But the drugs are going too. And, we’re not going to fight the DeLuca’s for the weapons business anymore. I’m letting Nic take charge of the whole territory.”

  Conor didn’t look happy with my answer. “That leaves us with what exactly?”

  I rounded the desk, stopping at Brandon’s side when his arm snaked around my waist. “Three of our men are in prison right now, Conor. Ian’s serving hard time on weapons charges. Eric and Colin won’t be out for three more years with the amount of drugs they were caught with. Getting out of those lines of business is a smart move. It keeps my men out of the line of fire with the police.”

  “And the trafficking?”

  “My own father tried to sell me to another man,” I replied. “And I killed him for it. Do you really think after I did that I was just going to sit idly by and let the same thing or worse happen to other women under my watch?” Conor started to speak, and I held my hand up to let him know I wasn’t done. “Human trafficking is wrong, plain and simple. Once you’ve crossed every line, you don’t even see them anymore. Then you end up willing to do crazy things, like selling off your own flesh and blood. I won’t have it happen again, and the only way to ensure it is to cut the trafficking business out like the cancer it is. Before it touches any other women or girls in our family. Like your granddaughter.”

  “Is that a threat?” he growled.

  “Never,” I promised. “It’s a reminder of who I’m trying to protect with the decisions I’ve made.”

  His eyes narrowed, but I still saw a hint of interest in them. “I’m all for keeping Chloe safe, but how will I keep her healthy and happy if I don’t have enough money coming in? The pubs don’t bring in enough money to support us all.”

  “One of the first things a good leader learns is to build on their strengths, and so we’re going to expand our pubs and bootlegging business. Also, we’ve already got a stake in smuggling of jewels and antiquities. We’ll just have to train more people and lucky for us”—I grinned widely—“I’m an excellent thief.”

  Chapter 6

  Brandon

  When the meeting ended, Carly and I left for home. We were meeting up with Nic and Anna for a pre-wedding night out.

  Once we were in the car and on the road, I brought up Carly’s little fib. “Kitten, we both know you didn’t go digging the bullet out of your father’s forehead. Where did it really come from?”

  Carly snickered, but when I g
lanced over at her, she blushed. I wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction.

  “Um, when I went to look at rings for you, I came across these rings. It just so happened, you had your guys repairing the wall from where the—um”—she blushed a deeper shade of red—“the bullet I shot you with had lodged.”

  I started laughing and was extremely grateful to be pulling up to our house, so I could park the car and give in to the uproarious amusement bursting from me.

  Once I’d caught my breath and wiped the tears from my eyes, I glanced at Carly to see her practically pouting in her seat as she watched me. I grabbed her cheeks and brought her face to mine for a hard kiss, before whispering against her mouth, “So damn cute.”

  “If you don’t like it, we can—”

  I kissed her again to shut her up. “I love it, kitten.”

  She beamed at me, and I gave her one more peck before exiting the car and going around to open her door.

  ***

  I looked around the restaurant and lifted my chin in greeting when I spotted Anna and Nic already seated at a table near the back corner. It would afford more privacy, but also ensure our outing with the head of the DeLucas would be made public.

  Nic stood as we approached and shook my hand before pulling Carly in for a hug. I scowled at him and kept a hold of her hand, turning it into a brotherly, one-armed embrace. The stronzo grinned and sat back down next to his woman.

  “Ciao, Anna.” I kissed her cheek, then took a seat on the opposite side of the table. I grinned at Nic’s disgruntled expression as he tucked his wife under his arm.

  Carly walked to Anna and took her hand. “I’m sorry you got dragged into planning the wedding.”

  Anna beamed at her and got to her feet, giving Carly a hug. “Trust me, I understand. I married a DeLuca, I know how they can make you crazy. At least, now we have each other to commiserate with.”