by Anna Lewis
“I want one like you have,” he said as we were escorted from the car and into the building where my barber, Brody, was waiting at his station with an empty chair.
“Hey Brody, this is Gio,” I introduced them and Brody took to Gio with charm. Gio decided he wanted to keep his hair just a little longer than mine and Brody gave him a suave little undercut.
“You look good man,” I told him as we left the barbers, he grinned and gave Jackson a high five before sliding into the backseat ahead of me.
“Josh…is it okay if I call you dad?” he asked me once we were strapped in and on the way to the penthouse. Gio had a tendency to spring huge questions on me like that so I was halfway prepared for it.
“Of course it’s okay man, nothing would make me happier,” I smiled at him and he gave me an almost stern look.
“Marrying mommy?” he asked and I had to laugh.
“You’re right, I stand corrected, marrying your mom would make me the happiest guy in America. But being your dad too…the happiest guy in the world,” I said and he gave me a quirky smile before he turned his head to look out at the passing city. When we got home Maddy was shocked to see how grown up and handsome Gio looked with his new cut. Then we had ice cream before dinner at the news of his acing his spelling test. Just before Maddy and I headed to bed Jackson pulled me aside, I was wondering briefly if the guy ever slept…or changed out of his work suit. Even Perry wore semi casual clothing while on the job.
“Mo called in with an update, they say they have a great lead on Giovanni and his daily routine. It seems like he meets up quite often at a mutual friend’s house, they think it’s the home of the third man who assaulted Maddy.”
“How do they know that?” I asked him.
“They’ve been able to listen in on the phone calls of a person of interest they’ve been trailing. I can have a picture of both in no time in case you want to see if Maddy can ID either of them,” he offered and I nodded. “Either way we wouldn’t think of moving in on that house as you can imagine it’s heavily protected when they gather. But we do have Giovanni’s home address and he lives alone, far away from the others in the organization he’s involved with actually. But he’s only there late at night to early in the morning of course. The bulk of his day is spent in the city.”
“So wait…you got him,” I said, the news sinking in as a plan formed in my mind.
“We can’t exactly do anything about it, he isn’t here actively harassing Maddy…you heard the cops, as long as he’s in Chicago there’s nothing they can do. The restraining order she filed only goes so far.”
“Yeah I know that much…”
“I can already see what you’re thinking and Josh…I have to heavily advise against it,” Jackson said, his tone serious.
“How can I just sit here and do nothing when we know where he is? Anyways I’m not going to do anything rash, I just want to talk to him. You said he lives alone and far away from his guys…Mo and your other P.I. are already there, what could happen?”
“I don’t want to insult you Josh, but you’ve got to be kidding me. The absolute worst can happen. You’re talking about going into his territory,” Jackson was firm in his position, but I wasn’t having it. I wanted to be face to face with that monster and I didn’t care about the risk. If he killed me then he’d have a huge mess on his hands and would risk more than killing me was worth, and he wouldn’t accomplish his true goal either.
***
“Don’t assume all criminals associated with the mafia are smart criminals, or mentally sound ones Josh. Take my word for it, don’t risk your life in going to Chicago,” Jackson urged me.
“I wouldn’t be risking my life, how much would it cost to have one or two of your men travel with me?” Jackson stayed quiet, so I kept on. “I wouldn’t go to his house, I’d send him a fucking message and meet up somewhere neutral. Even you have to admit that a guy like Giovanni wouldn’t pass up a challenge to meet up and talk. He’d want to monologue.” All that pent up anger I’d been trying to hold back for Maddy and Gio’s sake was spilling out. I was pissed and so looking forward to getting face to face with the very terror that was haunting my family. If we couldn’t turn him over to the cops yet, I’d make sure I tried every way to get him to leave us alone. So yeah, I wanted to threaten the asshole personally.
“Josh, I really think you should be careful with this one,” Jackson said, still trying to change my mind.
“Have a letter sent to his house that I want to meet up in Chicago, have Mo scout out some place safe and semi-public. I want to fly in the day after tomorrow, if you can spare another guy for me that would be great,” I said, fully aware of how prick-like I was sounding. Jackson simply sighed and said reluctantly that he’d get it set up. I went upstairs to check on Gio, who was sound asleep in his room, and then I climbed into bed with Maddy.
“Where were you?” she asked me; she was distracted by an old Friend’s rerun on TV.
“Talking to Jackson, he says he has two pictures he wants you to see if you can identify. But we can do that in the morning,” I had her full attention at the mention of Jackson.
“So his guys in Chicago are on to Giovanni?” she asked me.
“Yeah they are, but it’ll take some time before they can get anything incriminating enough to have him locked up for good.”
She nodded thoughtfully before sighing and scooting closer to me, her arm snaking around my waist.
“I think they just might catch him, Jackson’s guys are good,” she said, optimism in her voice. I was glad she was feeling better about the whole situation. Hopefully after my talk face to face with Giovanni I could tell her not to worry about him at all.
My thoughts were distracted when I felt Maddy’s hand sliding beneath the waistband of my pajama pants. My cock hardened even before she took it in her hand and began to stroke me. I turned my head and met her lips with mine. My hands slid under the old t-shirt of mine she was wearing to grip her hips. Her skin was warm, almost feverish, and she was breathing hard already.
“Maddy…you okay?” I asked her hoarsely. She knew just how tight to hold me and how fast to pump her fist. My threshold for reason was quickly evaporating.
“I’m fine…I want you,” she murmured against my lips before she kissed my neck and pressed her chest against mine, climbing on top of me. I could feel her puckered nipples through her shirt. I sat up just so that I could pull them in between my teeth, one at a time. She moaned, her hand sliding out of my pants so that she could rub her already hot core against my erection. I lifted her a fraction so that I could get rid of my pants. She didn’t wait for anymore preamble, she guided me into her as I lowered her back down, our groans of pleasure intermingling. She was so slick and tight around me I just wanted to get lost in her over and over again.
Instead of opting for our usual fervent pace I watched her while she rode me. Her green gaze never left mine and I loved seeing how her pupils dilated and her breathing changed every time she sank down onto me.
“God you’re beautiful…” I whispered and leaned forward to kiss her. She kissed me back as if there’d be no tomorrow and whispered against my lips how much she loved me. My chest had never felt more full; I’d never felt more complete than I do now. It wasn’t long before she was caught up in an orgasm that had me following her over the edge.
* * *
Everything was set for me to head to Chicago, Jackson was staying back of course to make sure Maddy and Gio were safe, but he sent me with one of his best, Marcus. Marcus was a big guy, ex-Navy SEAL and he exuded an odd sort of danger, but I grew immune to it as he was on my side. I did have a qualm or two about leaving. Maddy didn’t know what I was doing and I left her with a fever and oncoming flu which Aunt Aida was trying to combat with all sorts of soups.
“Before we get on this plane…I’d like to remind you that this is a huge risk you’re taking,” Marcus brought me out of my thoughts and I glanced over at the private jet I’d rented
for the trip. It’d make for getting back and forth much quicker than flying commercially.
“I know. Trust me, Jackson’s given me enough of an earful about my choices. But this is something I have to do. How’d you react if some asshole was threatening your family?”
“I’d threaten him right back, but in a much smarter way than this,” he sighed and we continued onto the plane. The flight didn’t take that long, a little under two hours and we were landing in Chicago. The meet up was supposed to happen at midday in Lincoln Park. Mo and his partner were waiting for us with an SUV on the tarmac.
“Mr. Aberdeen…” Mo greeted me with a handshake and introduced his partner, Jason.
“So are we good to go on the meet up?”
“We are, we sent the message to Giovanni and watched him leave his house to head to Lincoln Park. We should head over now,” he advised and we all piled into the SUV.
“We’re meeting him at a simple park bench, it’s a public place so not much can go on from either you or Giovanni other than talking. We’ll be hovering around, making it seem like you came alone. The second things look shifty, we’re getting you out of there,” Marcus gave the rundown, clearly taking point of the situation.
“That’s fine, I can just talk…” I murmured, fighting the urge to crack my knuckles. The ride was quiet, and tense. Jason actually secured a wire on the inside of my shirt before we pulled up to the park. They told me where to go and I took a deep breath before walking towards a café in the park.
***
Giovanni
I waited for the prick at the pier behind the old Café Brauer. He thought he was so smart, have some guys following my people around and send me a message? As if I didn’t have eyes on his every fucking move, as if I didn’t see it coming. Maddison could have done a lot better. Joshua Aberdeen was nowhere near ready to go toe to toe with me. Especially with a newly hired security team who could give two fucks about being thorough. They were only out for his money.
Glancing around at the nearby trees I saw my guys waiting, he’d only brought three with him and figured the public exposure of Lincoln Park would keep him safe. My phone alerted me to a text and I glanced down, it was from Marco; got all three. I almost smiled, this was too easy.
“Giovanni.” The barked command had me glancing up to see dear Joshua practically marching towards me.
“That’s me,” I smiled charmingly and held out my hand for him to shake. Unfortunately, he didn’t, he simply stopped three steps away from me and did an awkward little glower. He was sharply dressed, in a suit probably under the guise of being at work. His hair was even perfectly coiffed and he exuded an air of being perfectly held together, having everything set in his perfect little life. He thought he could have my Maddison and my son as his trophy family. I’d teach him soon enough. “So are we just going to stare at each other, or are you going to speak at some point? I mean…you came all this way after all,” I slid my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels. I almost smirked when I saw him ball up his fists.
“I came to tell you to leave Maddy and Gio alone. They left you because you’re a sadistic asshole who only wants to control them. Maddy doesn’t love you and neither does Gio. They’ve moved on and you need to as well,” he said practically through gritted teeth.
“Do you think…that you know ‘Maddy’? Do you think you even know Gio? A son is only his father, but younger. And Maddison…? I’m sure she loved being roughed up by my guys, who are all free by the way. You don’t know Maddison like I do, how many years has it been since you were childhood friends?” Joshua took one slow step towards me and my smile grew.
“She’s changed since she was your ‘Maddy.’ The Maddison I know loves to be controlled, she needs a strong hand. I’m sure she thought you could have provided that seeing as you’re supposed to be a big CEO, a billionaire, king of his empire. But you’re weak. She wants me to find her, it’s a game. To prove myself. I’ve had to before and I enjoy our games,” Joshua recoiled, looking at me as if he thought me to be crazy. If I were him I’d be a bit worried about Maddison after all, she lived under his roof.
“You’re just a…villainous liar! You have no idea who Maddy is, you don’t know the first thing about what she wants or needs!” he spat. I grew tired of our talk and gestured to my men waiting in the wings. Joshua glanced just over my shoulder and reached into his pocket. I stepped forward and head butt him in the nose. He ricocheted back right into the arms of my guys. They did what they were supposed to. Securing his arms and quickly walking off with his feet hovering above the ground. I had to give him props. He didn’t make a scene. Maybe he thought his guys would swoop in for him, maybe he was still in shock from his freshly broken nose.
Either way I casually met the gazes of the few shocked onlookers, smiling even, and followed after my guys. I slid into a waiting Cadillac and my driver knew not to pull off until we watched Joshua get hauled into the SUV across the street. If he wanted to talk, we could talk. But he came to my goddamn turf and we’d talk my way.
Book 3: Blindsided
Maddy
“Mommy for my birthday can we go to the zoo? The big one in Bronx?” A huge wave of relief almost knocked me off of my feet when he asked me that. Gio and I were cuddled on the couch, watching cartoons and he’d been acting like my normal and happy kid again. Under the stress of knowing his father is after us, Gio had been troubled lately and it was worrying me to no end. The fact that he was thinking about normal things like his upcoming birthday was a good sign.
“Sure honey, of course we can,” I kissed him on the forehead and discreetly checked my watch for the thirtieth time. Where was Joshua? He should have been home three hours ago. I wanted to get up and give him another call, but Gio chose that moment to wrap his arms around my stomach and get really comfortable. Thirty minutes later he was asleep and Josh still wasn’t home. I gingerly carried Gio to his room, it was still set up as a guest room, just down the hall from the master bedroom, but Josh wanted to surprise Gio with a makeover of the room for his birthday.
I tucked Gio in and made sure to turn on his nightlight before hurrying back downstairs to call Josh. Just as I dialed his number, he came through the door followed by Jackson, some huge guy I hadn’t met, as well as Mo and his partner Jason. My eyes landed on Josh and widened in horror.
“What happened to you?” I hurried over to him and carefully took his face in my hands. His lip was taped up, he had purpling bruises on his cheek and his nose was broken, and equipped with tape as well.
“I’m fine, it looks worse than it is…” he said slowly.
“He’s on pain killers Miss Lochte, we had to take him to the hospital…” Jackson looked guilty, as did the rest of them. I put my hands on my hips and stared Jackson down.
“Tell me exactly what happened,” my voice was grave and yeah, I pulled out my mom voice a little. Josh closed his eyes and went to sit down heavily on the couch while the other men milled around the room.
“Well, Jason and I had followed two good leads in Chicago that led to us finding Giovanni’s new home address. He no longer lived in the city as when you were with him and consequently didn’t have his organization close to home. Getting a message to him was easy—”
“What message?”
“Well, when we gave Joshua an update he wanted to give Giovanni a message, he wanted to confront him in Chicago…”
My eyes widened with shock. He kept that from me? I glanced to Josh who was sitting with his eyes closed on the couch. His expression remorseful and his brows pinched from the pain he was in.
“You went to Chicago…are you stupid?” My anger surpassed what concern I had for him at the moment. He could have been killed, Giovanni was crazy! When I heard a snort from the peanut gallery I glared at all the football player sized men in the room. “And you all let him do this?” I accused.
“Miss Lochte, he was adamant…” Jackson said, almost sounding like a scolded child. I took a deep bre
ath and rubbed my temple, a pounding headache steamrolling my way.
“Look I’m sorry for yelling, but…no more Chicago. Giovanni is a lunatic with a reach farther than any of us realizes. Josh hired you to keep us safe here in the city. I think that’s what we should all focus on. This isn’t a game of fucking chess,” I glared at Josh who sighed.
“You’re right…you’re right. I shouldn’t have gone and I didn’t hire Jackson to go on the offensive.” Josh sighed again and stood back up. “I can’t say it enough, I’m sorry for putting you guys in danger. Just focus on being vigilant here in the city so we can be ready for anything if Giovanni comes around,” he added.
I had said my piece so simply stood by while Josh traded parting words with Mo, Jason, and the big guy. They left and Jackson went to keep Terry company in the library. Josh stood across the room from me, watching me almost warily. With my hands on my hips I tried to think of something to say to him, but I was still too angry. Not to mention I couldn’t stand seeing all that Giovanni had done right there on Josh’s face. He was all bruised and swollen.
“I can’t talk to you right now…” I sighed and shook my head as I turned to go upstairs.
“Maddy…” Josh followed after me, up to the bedroom and he shut the door behind him.
“You could have been killed Josh, all of them who went with you could have been. That was really, really risky. What did you have to prove? You have me, and Gio loves you. I mean…I could have told you myself just exactly how much of a lunatic he is; you didn’t have to go there.”
“I know Maddy, I was just so…angry. I had all this pent up crap; I just had to face him. It was something I had to do,” he admitted sullenly. “And yeah, it was stupid. It was really fucking stupid.” He sat down heavily on the bed and winced as he gripped his side. My anger seemed to melt away all of a sudden. Josh only acted out of his love for us and I couldn’t be mad at him for that. Was he stupid, absolutely, but just by looking at him I figured he learned his lesson.