by Posey Parks
“Every day, Jacob and I watch our words. At night behind our bedroom door, it’s a different story.” My nose wiggled.
Emoni slipped into the seat beside me. “Yes, I think all of us can attest that our bedrooms are our sanctuaries. A place to be naughty with our husbands.”
Scooping up guacamole on a tortilla chip, I nodded.
I felt the tone of our conversation shifting to confession time.
“Two years ago, on Christmas, while Marco didn’t remember me...” She paused, chomping on a tortilla loaded with salsa.
The ladies filled the seats around the massive counter.
“Tell us.” Sydney crossed her arms over her chest.
“...my husband fucked me on the bathroom counter at my in-laws.” Her beautiful dark eyes closed.
“The way his big tatted hand curled around my neck accompanied by his hypnotic sinister stare was enough to shatter my core.”
Her long lashes fluttered as she continued. “I was viewed as a foreign object. Yet cherished. He admitted my pussy ruined him. My husband hadn’t blatantly told me I had him by the balls.” She blushed.
“I take delight in knowing he only wants me in his bed.”
“Emoni, I hear you. When you’ve been with a cheating man in the past, it feels good knowing you’re loved and cherished by a big, strong, handsome man who can have any woman he wants and only wants you.” Sierra stared into the distance, rubbing her lip.
“Sebastian and I had been through so many trials I wish I could forget, then I remember they only make my marriage that much stronger.” Sydney sipped the white wine.
She ran her hand over her hair. “I lied to Sebastian’s face. Told him the baby I was carrying wasn’t his. Those words didn’t stop him from moving heaven and earth to be with me. God, I love that man.”
“Yup, he’s an exemplary man who’s at home chasing after his small kids.” I tapped her hand, offering a warm smile.
Light laughter fell around the counter.
“Emoni, I can relate with your bathroom encounter.”
I twisted my head. “Wait, a minute. Carmen, when did you sneak in here?”
“While you guys were engrossed in Sydney’s story.”
I kissed her cheek.
“Continue. I can’t wait to hear the juiciness.” A smile stretched across my face.
The girls rubbed their hands together, also excited to hear her story.
Carmen nodded. “When Dominic and I first moved into our house, he made love to me on our master bathroom counter. The overbearing man who killed for sport shed a tear. He was so caught up in us. It’s scary how a powerful man who demands respect can fold for you.” Her finger slid across her thick pouty lower lip and her light brown eyes flickered.
“I cherish every time he removes the mask and is vulnerable in my presence.”
“Yup.” Nadine stated plopping in the seat beside Sierra.
“A mobster has an extra layer of skin to get through. He doesn’t trust easy and us mob wives can never take that for granted.” She burst into laughter.
“I still join Tony on jobs. And...” She slipped a stray hair behind her ear. “...I still fuck his brains out after we’ve completed our tasks. Fuck, it’s the sweetest.”
“Something about killing and sex that is so deliciously sweet,” I grinned.
“Because Jacob and I have to flee the scene the moment we complete a mission, we have to wait until we’ve returned to our hotel. The sex is still so fucking wicked. It’s almost addictive. Thank you for sharing that delicious tidbit with us, Nadine.”
She twirled her hand in the air and bowed. “You’re welcome.”
“Making love to a hot surgeon who knows exactly what pressure point to press is enough to make you come hard. Especially for a woman who never thought she deserved love. I’m so fortunate.” Her smile didn’t quite meet her eyes. Something was off about Zoey.
“I can’t believe Brandon and I have been together for four years.” She raised her wine glass in the air, swiping at the tears.
Her eyes fell over each of our brown faces. “Cheers to the powerful, gorgeous, intelligent, murderous black women in this room.”
“Cheers!” we shouted one after the other.
My phone vibrated. I hurried to answer.
“Hey, baby.” I smiled at the screen as I scurried from my seat.
His green eyes darkened.
“Hi Jacob,” all the mob wives chimed over my shoulder.
That heartthrob smile fell across his sinful lips. “Ladies, how are you?”
I slipped my earbuds in my ears.
“We’re excited to have girl time.”
“Hopefully my wife keeps you guys out of trouble.”
My brows lowered. “How would I get them in trouble?”
The girls kissed my cheeks, then vanished.
I pressed the Bluetooth button, syncing my earbuds with my phone.
“Your smart mouth, Samantha. Face it, Mrs. Latters, you like picking fights. I won’t let you deflect the reason for my call.”
I sat in a chair in the corner. “Why are you upset?”
“You didn’t call after the jet landed. Jeff called. Assured me you were fine when you and Syd left the airstrip. I spoke with Brandon a few moments ago. He said Zoey told him you all made it safely to Dillon’s. Samantha, trouble has a tendency to follow you.”
I couldn’t dispute that. My lids lowered, then I peeked through my long lashes. “I know. Sorry I made you worry.”
He sighed, running his large sun kissed hand over his face. “It would take me hours to get to you. I hate that, baby.” His deep voice vibrated my body, and the butterflies fluttered in my belly. Jacob Latters deeply affected my inner being after all these years we’d been together off and on. Not because we wanted to be apart. Our fathers tore us apart. Whenever he had to travel, the kids and I accompanied him. The mob war didn’t help matters, it broke Jacob and me after we returned to L.A. He held me tight every chance he got. Let’s see, Jacob’s family kidnapped me, then a crazy, obsessed fan held me hostage. I’ve disappeared and died. I mean, he thought I was dead for Pete sakes. Dr. Bergman and I recently discussed ways I could lessen my anxiety. She said this trip was the beginning of my therapy exercise. Jacob needed her help too.
“Jacob, I love you so much. You know I hate being away from you. I am trying to be a stronger woman on my own.”
He sank into the sofa, nostrils flaring. “And I’m not trying to be a stronger man? Shit, Sam, I can’t lose you again.”
“Jacob, I’ll control my slick tongue.”
His head dropped back as he laughed. “Sorry, Mrs. Latters, you don’t know how to control that sassy little tongue.”
“I do when it’s wrapped around your cock,” I purred.
He licked those sexy lips. “Yeah, you do. One week apart. We can make it. If anything happens, you call me on the set if you have too. Brandon placed a tracker on the bus. There’s also a drone on the roof.”
I sighed. “Good. I feel better already.”
Hunter climbed into his lap and snatched the phone. “Hi, mommy.”
“Hello, mommy’s little guy. You have chocolate all over those fat cheeks. Did you eat dinner?”
He hugged Jacob. “Yes. A brownie.”
“That’s not dinner.” I narrowed my eyes at Jacob.
He ignored me.
“Where are your sisters?”
“Playing with babies.”
Jacob wiped Hunter’s mouth with a tissue.
I laughed. “Playing with their baby dolls.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Mommy, yes.”
“Jacob, is Gloria with the girls?”
“She is.”
He squeezed Hunter. “Tell mommy good night.”
“Night mommy. Love you.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Hunter slipped off the sofa.
The sound of toy trucks crashing in the background immediately followed.
“He’s busy as usual.”
“Yes, he is. He’s our beautiful little destructive boy.”
“Jacob, I think I’m ready.” I bit my lower lip.
“For?”
“Another baby.” My eyes brightened.
He dropped his head back against the sofa. “You say that now once we’re apart. Bye, Samantha.”
“I’m serious.”
“Call back at bedtime and tell the kids goodnight.” His jaw twitched. “Enjoy your friends.”
The screen went black.
“I’d say my revelation thrilled him to pieces,” I uttered.
Jacob had always wanted four children. He begged me to stop taking birth control too many times to count. A year ago, he stopped asking. I think he gave up.
Samantha, remember Jacob comes from a large family. It’s only natural he wants a big family of his own.
“Hey, where did you go?”
I met Syd’s gaze. “Nowhere. I’m here.” I clapped my palms together. “Who’s making drinks? If no one has taken on the task, I’m up for it.” I hopped to my feet, gripping my phone.
Her lips twisted. “Clever distraction. I’ll help you make drinks in case you break your silence.”
“I won’t.” I muttered under my breath.
Sydney threw her arms around me. “You will because you love me.”
I shook my head. “Let’s gather supplies.”
CHAPTER FOUR
ZOEY
ASSASSIN WIFE
I’M THE LONE RANGER out of our group. After all the shit that went down between Brandon’s stalkerish women, I swore off companions for a while. On the home front, anyway. Sydney, Samantha, Lydia, and I talked all the time on the phone or FaceTime. It wasn’t until Brandon’s friend Ethan fell hard for Malaysia. He invited them to dinner, and Malaysia and I have been inseparable ever since. Thank goodness for her. Chatting in person in either of our living rooms or walking in the park was cool. Not that the Zoom luncheons with all the girls wasn’t fun. My eyes fell over their beautiful brown faces, bursting at the seams with laughter.
“I’m so happy to be here,” I blurted out.
Silence loomed throughout. Their eyes landed on me.
“Being here in person with you girls feels good.” A tear slid down my cheek.
“Zoey, we love you,” I heard as Sydney wrapped her arms around me. She must of ran over because she was across the kitchen a second ago.
I glanced at their smiling faces.
“We’re elated you’re here too,” Sierra added.
“I think we can all attest that our FaceTime and Zoom meetings are great, but this right here...” Carmen smiled. “...is epic. We get to be free of all the day-to-day business. Let our hair down. No...fucking...makeup.”
“Yes,” fell from each of their lips.
“Well, said. Mrs. Magarelli. Are you tired of your duties as the soon to be governor’s wife already?” Nadine inquired.
Carmen’s brow rose. “We can discuss it tomorrow.”
She hugged Nadine.
Leaning on our sisters’ shoulders feels amazing.
“Next girls trip we must invite Lydia, Kara, Nadia, and Malaysia.” Sydney leaned into my side.
“Agreed.” Nadine shook her finger. “We’ll probably have to meet at a destination. It would be insane to occupy two buses.”
“True.” Sierra kicked off her stilettos.
“We’ll work out a plan.” Samantha turned, sucking on a lemon wedge.
“How are you ladies this evening?” Marco’s deep voice carried through the kitchen.
His killer smile held his wife’s attention.
“Marco,” fell from each of our mouths except Sierra, his best friend.
His tattoos peeked out from under the collar of his red polo shirt.
Gripping Emoni’s ass, he pulled her against his chest. Her hands wrapped around his waist, and she exhaled. I loved how our men made us the happiest women in the world. Most of the time, anyway. Didn’t matter if they were mobsters or assassins. They belonged to us.
“Mob wives, no running around killing people on the whim.”
Her head popped up from his chest. “What? You make it sound like we run around killing any and everyone.”
Sierra’s arms crossed her chest. “What the fuck, Marco, are you saying we have no self-control?”
“Assassins and mob wives on a road trip,” Samantha’s words fell from her lips like silky venom.
Holding the large knife midair, Samantha used to slice up limes, her eyes marveled the sharp blade almost like she was in a trance.
“Do you expect us to roll over for whoever gives us shit because we have pretty...brown faces?”
“I rarely agree with Sam, but fuck that. We ain’t weak women?” Nadine bit out.
His brows rustled together. “What? No, I’m not saying take anyone’s shit.” His eyes fell over our faces.
Emoni stepped back and her eyes darkened.
Dillon walked into the kitchen, and his jaw slacked.
“What the fuck is going on in here?”
Dominic and Tony were on his heels.
I scanned my friends' faces. You would have thought Marco called us bitches.
“I just asked our wives not to kill anyone on the trip. That’s all. Finito.” He swiped his hands through the air.
“No one said let anyone disrespect you. Three out of the seven women here enjoy killing.” Staring into Emoni’s eyes, he slipped a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
“Those are facts,” Tony uttered.
“Really, Tone,” Nadine snapped.
He stalked toward her. “Really, Kitten.”
Dominic sauntered toward Carmen. “Baby, maybe you can keep an eye on Samantha, Nadine, and Emoni.”
“Oh, please, every mob wife here is a stone-cold killer. Who are you kidding? Carmen will kill and not blink an eye.” Emoni arched a brow.
Carmen cocked her head to the side. Her long blunt cut hair moved with her. “And why is that Emoni because my husband is a natural born killer?”
She shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
Loud laughter fell from Dominic’s throat. “Emoni, come on. Every man in this room is a natural born killer. I swear if Tone could kill for sport he would.” Dominic winked, pulling Carmen closer. “Baby, do you want to have this conversation in front of family and friends?” His velvet words lingered in the air.
Her eyes never left his.
“We’ve argued about the same shit for years. My appetite to kill. You act as if I have to kill everyone in my wake. Only those who’ve betrayed me or our family. Nothing more, nothing less, Carmen.” His large hand swayed over her back.
Her lips inched closer. Did Carmen forget family and friends surrounded her? She gripped the top of his perfect black moussed hair, slamming her lips into his. He devoured Carmen’s lips as his hands slipped over her ass, squeezing tighter. Fuck, I needed to talk to Brandon now. This shit was too hot. Would Carmen fuck her husband in front of us?
Dillon stepped forward. “Dominic and Carmen stop behaving like newlyweds. You two can fuck as much as you want on vacation next week.”
“Dude, I don’t think Dom can hear you,” Marco chuckled.
Dillon shook his head, then turned his attention to Samantha. “Jacob specifically asked that I remind you not to argue with people which would lead you to torture and kill.”
She stopped slicing the lime. “When did you talk to him?”
“The other day.”
She nodded as she poured vodka in seven shot glasses.
“Do you plan to do what he asked?”
Her lips tipped up at one end. “I guess kneeling before him, hands tied behind my back, and moaning yes repeatedly around his cock wasn’t good enough. He didn’t believe me as always.” The words floated across her tongue like silk.
Silence filled the room. Sam tossed a shot of liquor down her throat.
Dillon braced his hand on the counter, glari
ng at her.
“Tell Mr. Heartthrob I will obey.”
Sydney snorted, falling in the chair beside me.
“What’s so funny?” Dillon and I asked.
“My cousin hates being controlled. You’d think Jacob would have learned that by now.”
Samantha sauntered over, placing the tray of shots on the counter.
“Dominic, would you guys like shots too?”
“Nope, we’re drinking whiskey.”
Dillon’s eyes narrowed. “Ladies, may I remind you this is an excursion. Have fun, bond, then we’ll come together in Punta Cana.”
Sierra stretched her hand toward Dillon. He tugged her hand, wrapping her in his arms.
“We are roughing it. Camping, rafting...” Her fingers traced along his gruff chin. “...and girl talk.”
This was the only time I ever noticed she was shorter than him. Sierra was the tallest out of the girls.
His eyes softened and adoration for his wife flickered in his gray eyes. Dillon crushed her lips. Sierra whimpered as their tongues tangled.
Sam leaned over my shoulder. “So hot.”
“Sure, the fuck is,” Sydney sighed.
“Maybe all of our husbands should have seen us off in the morning.”
“Agreed,” Sam and Sydney muttered simultaneously.
“Ok guys, time to eat and drink. Release the wives.” I stretched my hands out, parting them like the red sea.
“We were just saying we wish we could receive the sendoff the mob wives are receiving.”
“Uh huh,” Sam snickered over my shoulder.
“Next time, our husbands will accompany us. You guys can have a male bonding trip before our retreat.” Sam grabbed a chip off Sydney’s plate.
Dillon threw his hands in the air. “Sounds good to me.” He peeked at Dominic and Tony. They nodded in agreement.
The guys joined their wives around the counter.
“Dominic, have you run into any problems while campaigning for governor?”
He scooped lasagna onto his plate. “Zoey, nothing I can’t handle. My father called in all his favors. Carmen and I have attended several charity functions that Emoni and Sierra were gracious enough to organize.”
“Dom, the Magarelli’s will be in a better financial position once you’re in office.” Dillon smiled before he bit into his asparagus.