by Penelope Sky
I kissed her perfect tits then her neck. “I love you, Beautiful. With all my heart.”
I stopped by the flower shop a few days later, to see if she wanted to get lunch. When I walked inside, she was doing the same thing she always did, creating beautiful arrangements to put on display in the window. She knew her way around a pair of shears and moved quickly to make the perfect bouquets for people to take home.
I walked around the shop, impressed by her work ethic but also disappointed she didn’t stay home all day with me. It would be nice if we had the whole day together before I went to work, but sometimes I only saw her for a few hours before I went to the casino.
She turned to me when she realized she wasn’t alone. Instead of giving me a generic greeting, she smiled. “You’ve been stopping by a lot lately.” She took off her thick gloves and rose on her tiptoes to give me a kiss.
“I miss you.” My hand squeezed the fabric of her sweater against her lower back as I pulled her in close.
“Well, you can miss me at home.”
“No. My dick prefers your pussy over my hand.” I never jerked off anymore, even when she was gone all day. I preferred one of her beautiful holes to my palm. There was no amount of lube I could squirt into my hand that would compare to her wetness.
“What a compliment,” she said with a chuckle.
“And I miss everything else about you too.” My fingers moved under her chin so I could get a good look at her face. “From those beautiful eyes, to that smart mouth, and your even more gorgeous soul.” I’d never said anything romantic in my life, but with her, everything came pouring out. It was easy with Carmen, natural.
Her eyes glanced down as her cheeks reddened. “Who knew Bosco Roth could be so sweet…”
“Who knew Bosco Roth could fall head over heels for a woman?” My fingers pulled her hair from her face. “But he has. And that’s never going to change.” Even if she left me, I would never stop loving her. I would always dream of her, wish she were mine.
“Are you here to get into my pants?” she whispered. “Because it worked.”
“Actually, I wanted to take you to lunch.”
“Wow, we’ve never done that before.”
“And we don’t need to clear out the restaurant.”
“Even better,” she said with a laugh. “But unfortunately, I already have plans. I’m going out with Vanessa.”
Since both women worked right in town, they spent a lot of time together. “How about I come along? I would love to meet your best friend.”
All playfulness evaporated at the question. “Uh…I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Griffin knows about us. It’s not like there’s anything to hide at this point.” In actuality, her father and uncle knew as well. There were no secrets left to reveal. All they were waiting for was the moment she decided what she wanted—if she wanted to be with me or not.
“It’s not that…”
“Then what?” I asked. “You’ve gotten to know Ronan. I should get to know her.”
“Not the same thing,” she said. “And I’m not sure if Griffin would be okay with that. He, you know…he doesn’t…”
“Like me.” I smiled, indifferent to his opinion. “I know how he feels about me. And you know I would never do anything to any member of your family—as I’ve promised. Even if I didn’t, I’m not gonna hurt some pregnant woman—even if she’s a smartass like you.”
“Oh, she is,” Carmen blurted. “Big time.”
“Even better. I like Barsetti women.”
She was still uneasy.
“Is it really that big of a deal? Could we just try and see what happens?” I tried not to be offended, especially since I’d threatened her family a few times in the past.
“Why do you want to have lunch with my cousin so bad?”
“I don’t. It would just be easier if I could tag along.” And if Vanessa liked me, she could vouch for me with Bones. I was putting all my chips into one pile, hoping that my bet was right and Carmen would stay with me. It would be nice to have someone besides Carmen in my corner.
Carmen finally agreed to it. “Alright. I guess we can try…”
We went to a bistro a few blocks away, and Vanessa was already there. Wearing a gray sweater that was loose on her arms and with her hair pulled back, she reminded me of her father, Crow. They both had the same olive skin and green eyes. Carmen looked a little different from her father, inherited more of her mother’s traits.
Vanessa looked at me then turned away. But then she did a double take, her eyes snapping wide open in shock. She turned to Carmen, her eyes narrowing like she couldn’t believe what she was looking at.
This should be fun.
Carmen arrived at the table first. “Hey, so—”
“Oh my god, is that him?” Vanessa stood up and completely ignored me, not caring that I could overhear her since she was talking pretty loudly.
“Uh, yeah,” Carmen said. “I—”
Vanessa waved her closer so they could talk in semi-private, but her voice was so expressive that their conversation was still audible. “Jesus Christ, he’s gorgeous.”
I tried not to grin.
“I know,” Carmen whispered. “I told you that.”
“Well, you should have emphasized a little more,” Vanessa hissed back. “And secondly, why the hell did you bring him here?”
“I thought we could all have lunch together.”
“Are you crazy?” There was really no point for them to speak in private because I could hear every word. Vanessa was too excited, scared, and freaked out to speak at a whisper. “If Griffin finds out about this, he’s gonna go ballistic. He was already ballistic, but now he’s psychotic with his son inside my belly.”
“I know, but he wanted to get to know you,” Carmen said back.
“My husband hates him,” Vanessa whispered but not low enough. “And since I’m married to him, I have to take his side.”
“But I’m your cousin,” Carmen reminded her. “And when everyone hated Griffin and refused to give him a chance, I saw past that and gave him a chance. I trusted your instincts and saw the way he loved you. I didn’t care what my parents said about him or how your parents felt about him. I gave him a clean slate. I would hope you would do the same for me…”
Guilt spread across Vanessa’s face once she heard her cousin’s speech. She didn’t have a single argument against it because there was nothing she could say to that.
I loved the way Carmen stood up for me.
Vanessa finally gave a nod. “You’re right…”
“Thank you,” Carmen said.
Vanessa sighed then walked up to me. “I’m sorry about that. I just—”
“Please, don’t.” I extended my hand. “Bosco. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Vanessa.”
Vanessa forced a smile as she shook my hand. “You too.”
“And congratulations on your son.” I gave her a playful smile, letting her know I overheard every single word they’d exchanged.
Her hand went over her stomach. “Thank you…”
We sat together at the table, and I pulled Carmen’s chair out for her, not to put on a show, but because I already treated her like a queen. My hand rested on the back of her chair, and I looked at the menu.
It was tense at first, the silence louder than the sounds of people in the restaurant. Vanessa stared at Carmen with the same look of discomfort on her face, and Carmen was still as a statue. Neither one of them looked at the menu.
“Beautiful, what are you getting?” I asked, trying to lighten the sour mood.
“I always get the ravioli.” She gave an explanation for why she didn’t look at her menu.
“You get the same thing as well?” I asked Vanessa.
“Lasagna,” Vanessa said. “And fries. That’s what he’s been craving.”
“There are worse things,” Carmen said. “Like pickles dipped in peanut butter.”
Vanessa chuckled. �
�Yeah, I guess so. Thank goodness he likes fried potatoes. I already liked those anyway.”
“What are you getting, babe?” Carmen asked me.
I tried not to smile at the nickname. “A salad.”
She shot me a venomous glare.
I chuckled. “Kidding. I’m getting the lunch special.”
Carmen withdrew her claws. “Good.”
“What’s that about?” Vanessa asked.
“Bosco only eats fish, vegetables, and boring garbage all the time.” Carmen rolled her eyes. “It’s torture living with him sometimes. The food is bad, but the sex is good…so it balances out.”
I wanted to stick out my chest with pride at that last part. “I don’t eat garbage, just to clarify.”
“I beg to differ,” Carmen said.
“What qualifies as garbage?” Vanessa asked, amused by the conversation.
“Let me put it this way,” Carmen said. “He never eats carbs.”
Vanessa looked disturbed, like that was the worst news she could have ever received. “Ugh, I’m so sorry, Carmen.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh.
“Griffin is like that too,” Vanessa said. “I’ll eat a bowl of cereal or mac and cheese that comes in a box just so I’ll survive.”
Carmen shook her head. “So shitty.”
My hand moved to the center of her back, touching her lightly. The ends of her strands wrapped around my fingers, and I gently played with them.
“So, how’s the baby?” Carmen asked. “Anything new?”
“Well…” Vanessa rubbed her stomach. “I picked out a name and asked Griffin if it was okay…and he said yes.”
“Ooh…what is it?” Carmen asked.
She took a deep breath before she said the name out loud. “Crow.”
“Aww.” Carmen covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes immediately watering. “That is so sweet. He’s gonna love that. You’re gonna make that stern and hard man succumb to tears.”
“I know,” Vanessa said. “He named me after his sister…and I wanted to name my son after someone great. The name came to me a long time ago. I wasn’t sure if Griffin would approve, but he did right away.”
“Because that man loves you.”
I’d only met Crow once, and he was so quiet and inherently hostile it was hard to imagine him being tender and sweet like his daughter. But he was probably like Cane, only showing affection when there was no one else around. Now I understand just how close Carmen was to her family.
And how steep my odds were.
“I know he does,” Vanessa said. “But I think he likes the name too, honestly. He’s become so close to my father working with him every day. They have their own relationship now that has nothing to do with me.”
“They’ve come a long way,” Carmen said. “I remember when my father punched him…and Griffin just took it.”
“Yeah, he had to deal with a lot,” Vanessa said in agreement, her eyes drifting to mine. “So…I feel like I know everything about you. It’s honestly all Carmen and I ever talk about.”
“I hope some good things are said…once in a while.” I was sure Vanessa had been whispering in Carmen’s ear to leave me. Maybe getting to know me would change her mind.
“Yes,” Carmen said. “Not a lot. But sometimes.”
I loved her playfulness, so I moved my hand to the back of her neck and gently rubbed it, forgetting about Vanessa for a second and just focusing on Carmen. She brought a light to my life I hadn’t realized I needed until now. I’d been living in eternal darkness for so long that I just got used to it. But now that I’d seen the light, I never wanted to go back again.
Vanessa watched us together. “You treating my girl right?”
“Yes. Always.” I turned my gaze back to her. “This woman has a lot of power over me. I’m only admitting it because she’s figured it out by now. I wasn’t the kind of man I should have been in the beginning, but sometimes a man needs to meet the right woman to figure out who he wants to be. And I also think good guys are overrated. Barsetti women aren’t looking for an average man with an average life. They’re looking for rough and hard men like their fathers and brothers.” I shrugged. “It doesn’t surprise me.”
Carmen and Vanessa looked at each other, like they’d never noticed the trend before.
Now that I’d met Crow and Cane in person, it was obvious to me right away. These women were strong and fearless because of their fathers, so they wanted men who were just as brave, powerful, and courageous. They wouldn’t find that in an average man. Not possible.
“So do you have any hobbies?” Vanessa asked, trying to ask me something unrelated to my profession and her obvious disapproval of my past behavior.
“Carmen,” I said honestly. “She’s all I really think about. I have one younger brother whom I’m close to. We run the casino together. My mother passed away from cancer five years ago, so he’s the only family I have left. The rest of my life revolves around work, maintaining membership dues, and keeping the peace within the casino. I’ve been managing it for ten years now with rare hiccups.”
“I’m sorry about your mom,” Vanessa said. “I’m grateful I haven’t lost a parent yet. I’ll never be the same once that day comes and goes.”
“Me neither.” Carmen placed her hand on mine under the table.
Her affection was nice.
Vanessa looked past us, and her eyes widened in horror. “Griffin.”
He was on me with a speed that contradicted his size. He grabbed me by the neck then punched me so hard I careened into the wall.
Everyone in the restaurant turned at the commotion, but no one intervened, probably because Griffin was unstoppable.
My men would move in any second now.
“Griffin!” Vanessa ran around the table and tried to grab his arm.
Carmen moved in the way, placing her body in front of mine.
It took me a second to recover because I wasn’t expecting to be hit like that out of nowhere. “Carmen, move.” I got to my feet and gently pushed her out of the way. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Griffin’s nostrils flared like a bull, and all his muscles bulged with enough thickness to stop a piercing bullet. “Stay the fuck away from my wife. You fucking piece of shit.” He grabbed me by the throat and bashed my head into the wall.
“Stop it!” Carmen shoved him as hard as she could.
I was powerless to do anything, since I promised Carmen I would never hurt her family. I just had to take it.
My men came in with their weapons drawn. The barrels were pointed right at Griffin’s head, and they were ready to pull the trigger. “Stand down. Leave.” I leaned against the wall, barely able to stand because my head was throbbing from hitting the wall twice. “Leave him be…”
They filed out, listening to my order because they knew what would happen if they didn’t.
Carmen moved in front of me again, pressing her back into my chest so Griffin would have to hit her if he wanted to strike me again. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Griffin’s face was tomato red with rage. He raised his muscular arm and pointed his finger in my face. “My wife is off-limits. I told you to stay the fuck away from her. Come near my wife or my son, and I’ll fucking kill you next time.”
“Griffin, he wasn’t hurting me,” Vanessa said. “We were just having lunch—”
“Shut up.” He didn’t look at her as he silenced her. “I’ll deal with you later.”
Vanessa’s rage was even more potent than his. Her hands moved to her hips as she seemed to grow twice in size. She stared at the side of her husband’s face, her eyes filled with wrath and threat. “Excuse me?”
Griffin ignored her. “I’m not kidding, Bosco. I have no control over Carmen’s life. But I don’t want you anywhere near my wife without me standing there. Do it again, and I’ll put you in the ground. I don’t give a shit if your dogs come after me and put me in the ground with you.”
Despite my migraine, I admired his commitment.
“Griffin.” Carmen’s voice had softened, filling with heavy disappointment. “I was the only one who took your side when it mattered most. I believed in you when no one else did. When my father hit you, I told him off and called him an asshole. I’ve always stood up for you because I knew you loved Vanessa. This is how you repay me?”
Griffin’s eyes moved to her face. Despite his anger, he softened slightly—for her. “It’s not the same.”
“It is the same. Griffin, this is the man I love. He loves me. I understand if you don’t like him, but at least be civil. Don’t storm in here and throw him against the wall. The only reason he’s not fighting back is because he promised me he would never hurt any of you. He kept his promise and made sure you didn’t get shot. So now it’s your turn to make that promise to me.” She poked her finger in his chest. “Don’t touch Bosco ever again.”
“Vanessa—”
“He’s not gonna hurt Vanessa,” she hissed. “We were talking about food, your son, and Bosco’s mom before you stormed in here like some kind of lunatic. Everything was fine until you ruined it. Did it seem like Vanessa was in trouble?”
He stared at her without blinking, his blue eyes bright like mine. “When it comes to my wife and son, I don’t take chances. Vanessa has been taken from me before, and I can’t let that happen again, not when we have a little one joining us soon. I’m sorry that I overreacted, but my position still stands. I don’t want him around her unless I’m right there. I’m the shield that protects both of them, and I don’t want her near this asshole unprotected. You know I love you, Carmen. You make a valid point about what you did for me before. I will try because it’s important to you. But I’m not gonna change my mind about that last part. Accept that compromise because that’s the best you’ll get from me.” He stepped back and turned to Vanessa.
But she was just as pissed as before. “Oh, are you ready to deal with me now?” Her hands were still on her hips, her attitude in full force. “Put your wife in her place? Tell her how to behave?” Her wrath was somehow worse than Griffin’s.