The third guard snickers and motions to me to turn around, “The Warden wants a word with you.”
I throw my hands in the air and raise my voice for all to hear, “Shit’s about to get real, boys. But don’t you worry, I’ll have you in powdery snow in no time.”
Then I turn as instructed placing my hands behind my back for the handcuffs. The prisoners in the yard yell and chant my name as the guard leads me through the heavy metal door leading inside. The fluorescent lights flicker against the gray walls as we make our way down the long and narrow corridor where other prisoners clutch and rattle the cell bars while shouting obscenities at the guard. He leads me through another set of heavy metal doors and up a concrete stairwell. The heavy door clangs behind me and echoes through the enclosed space. The screams from the inmates silence in the cold concrete box that leads us up three flights. When we reach the top, the guard extends his key ring from around his waist and inserts one into the lock. The sound of the locks clicking open in front of me is a symphony in my ears. We enter through the metal door and again it clangs behind me. We head down a short hallway pausing outside a wooden door with Warden etched across it.
The guard knocks and a booming voice calls out, “Enter.”
The guard opens the door and pulls me inside. I stand opposite of the Warden who doesn’t get up from his chair. He looks me over and then exchanges a look with the guard, who lets go of my arm and moves to lock the door. When he returns to where I stand he frisks me, removing the hand-crafted shiv hidden in my sock and places it on the desk. The Warden leans forward, his chair creaks underneath his shifting weight and slides the shiv across the desk with the tip of a pen. When the guard sees there are no other weapons, he removes the cuffs and stands in front of the door. I rub my wrist where the metal cut into the skin and sit across from him.
“You wanted to see me Hank?” I ask the Warden who is now relaxed in his chair.
He leans back and crosses his legs on top of his desk. A rather stupid move considering the ease in which I can snap his leg in three pieces before the guard can reach me. “Angelo, there’s an inspector coming in to check out the facility so I need you to dial down the dealing for a few days.”
“Hank, you’ve had my hands tied for days since that sniveling little weasel Malcolm snitched. If I don’t get the product here soon, the inmates will riot. I’m sure you wouldn’t want your inspector to witness that.”
He pauses for a moment in contemplation. “How quick can you get more product in?” he asks.
“Tomorrow, if I can get a phone call.”
“Get it done,” he says and hands me a cell phone from his desk drawer, “then dial it back until the inspector leaves.”
I accept the phone and dial a number. When Nitty Ninez answers I provide him instructions to deliver fifty grams of coke and a hundred tabs of opioids during visitor hours tomorrow. I hang up the phone and hand it back. “Done.” I turn toward the guard. “Now where are you on retrieving my property. My men are ready to take possession.”
“We are watching and as soon as she delivers the baby, we’ll make our move. There’s not much you can do behind bars so let me handle it. You asked for outside help for a reason. She’ll never see us coming but the timing needs to be right.”
“Don’t fuck it up or you’ll be wearing the shackles, in a watery grave.” I stand, placing my hands behind my back for the cuffs.
The other inmates can never learn of our deal. We split the profits made off the prisoners, sixty-forty and another hundred grand for Brie and the baby.
I’m led back to the general population before the guard removes the cuffs and slides the bars of my cell closed. The relentless clanging drives me to the edge. Thinking about getting Brie and my baby away from the Carracci’s is what keeps me hanging on to the last thread of sanity I cling to waiting for Carmine to get me the fuck out of here.
Chapter 4- Brie
I step out of the shower and wipe the steam from the mirror. My aching body is more relaxed but the desire smoldering inside of me is still there. The image of Cal asleep in our king-size bed, moaning in his sleep stirred a sensation that’s been dormant for weeks. I would have woken him but he looked so peaceful and he’d only been home for a few hours. Between the raging hormones and the long hours he puts in, something is off between us and we need to reconnect.
Cal enters the bathroom and I jump, covering myself with a towel. “You startled me.”
The lack of sleep is clear on his face but the corners of his lips turn upward in a smug grin. I watch his naked rock hard abs ripple in the mirror as he crosses the tile floor to where I stand. He yanks the towel away and tosses it aside, pressing his firm body tight to my backside. “Don’t hide yourself from me.”
His strong hands drift up my arms and the need inside pools between my legs. Chills run through my naked body when he sweeps my long wet hair off my back and over my shoulder. Leaning back against him, I press my ass to his hard cock and tilt my head to give him access. The day old stubble on his face pricks my skin when he peppers soft kisses along the curve of my neck. The minute his moist tongue skims over the sweet spot just under my ear, my body weakens and I collapse against the sink. His hands roam around my body squeezing my full and tender breasts. A breathy moan rips from my lips. He runs his hands down my protruding belly and I tense under his touch. It’s been too long and I don’t want him to stop but my insecurities about my changing body causes me to pause. Tamping down the surge of hormones threatening to ruin the mood, I focus on the heat rising through my body.
“Every inch of you is beautiful, let me show you how much I want you.” His hands roam lower. I gasp when he reaches my moist wet folds and pushes his long fingers deep inside. He slides two fingers in and out, picking up speed as he plunges deep inside until I tighten around him. I ride his fingers, desperate for release and lean back against his chest so he can move deeper. He rubs my clit under his thumb, working me until my body shutters and I clamp down around his fingers in a pool of desire. He slides his fingers out and over my hips. When he reaches my ass and smacks it. The sudden movement makes my heart jump out of my chest and the sting sends another wave of urgency through me.
“Fuck me, Cal.”
“Your wish is my command.” He spins me around and hoists me onto the counter. The cabinet creaks under my weight and I slide forward, afraid it’ll break. “I won’t let you fall,” he says and slides his arms around me, lifting me up so the palms of his hands cradle my ass.
I reach down and take his massive cock into my hands, stroking its length up and down. His already hard cock stiffens more when I pump it, squeezing and kneading it in the palm of my hand while circling my thumb over and around the tip. He lets out a deep moan and shutters in my grip. I rub his pre-cum between my fingers and shift him closer until he can slide inside. Bringing my hand to my mouth, I suck the taste of him off my fingers and his eyes widen with desire. He thrust his hips upward driving his cock deep inside. “This might be fast Princess.”
“Fast and hard,” I beg, panting and moaning against his neck.
He fills every inch of me. I wrap my legs around his waist and lean backwards. My breathing hitches as I grind against him chasing my release with every hard and fast thrust. “Harder, Cal,” I moan.
His need is as clear as mine when he groans in response and slams into me harder, pumping in and out faster each time. “Come for me, Princess,” he commands.
“I’m close, don’t stop,” I cry, riding the orgasm tearing through me. My body shutters and I constrict around his throbbing cock as he thrusts upward one last time emptying into me. He leans forward resting his head on my stomach, panting hard while I continue to twitch around him. I run my hands through his thick hair, massaging his scalp with the tip of my fingernails and he moans against my bare flesh.
“How’s it feel to be fucking a Made-Man?” He winks and withdrawals from me.
“You couldn’t tell?” I tease.
“I love the way your body comes on command. Never freeze me out again.” His stern voice, sends a shiver through my body.
“Be patient with me Cal, this baby is hell on my body and the hormones are making me crazy.” I stretch up on the tip of my toes to reach his lips.
“We better shower, Princess. Your coming with me to meet Vinny.”
With a wide smile, I slide down from my perch on the bathroom counter. He’s turning on the water when I approach his naked body from behind and slide my arms around his waist.
“I’d let you fuck me no matter what your position.” I pull away and swat his ass, before stepping into the shower stall.
“We might have to be late.” He steps in behind me and pulls me close.
The hot water runs over our bodies and his cock is hard again, pressed against my ass. He bends me forward, raising my ass in the air and I splay my palms on the tile, spreading my legs for him.
“You feel so fucking good. I can’t get enough,” he whispers against my heated skin and thrusts himself inside of me.
I moan and toss my head back while he fucks me from behind and I melt in front of him. Our bodies once again in sync. This is just what I needed.
Almost an hour later, we pull ourselves off of each other to clean up and get dressed. I stick my lower lip out in a playful pout while I watch Cal dress. He pulls his blue jeans up over his thick thighs and tugs a tight black t-shirt down covering his six-pack abs. His rippling biceps left exposed. I force myself to resist the thought of our naked flesh slapping against each other before I rip his clothes off again. We’re already late and at this rate, we might never make it across town to meet Vinny.
Cal removes his gun from the metal box in the bedside table and holsters it to his side. His body is a finely sculpted work of art, the result of hours in the gym and years of martial arts training.
“If you don’t stop looking at me like that we’re never leaving this room again,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed to put his boots on.
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I tease, spreading his legs and sliding in between.
He grabs my ass and pulls me closer. I can see desire hooded in his blue eyes before he closes them and kisses me, leaving me breathless when he pulls away. “Time to go, Princess.”
My legs are weak, wobbling under me as we leave the hotel suite. I open the door and come face to face with the same dark eyes from last night. His eyes burrow into me in the same unnerving way. It was like he could see right through my clothes. He leans against the door frame and I can’t help but take in his bare chest and unbuttoned trousers exposing the top of the defined V continuing underneath. I almost miss the brunette leaving his room until his eyes shift from mine to the woman strutting down the hallway, swaying her hips from side to side. When she steps into the elevator, he looks back at me and winks before closing his door just as Cal appears behind me in the doorway.
“The valet is bringing the car around. Shall we go?” Cal asks.
“Yes,” I reply, masking my shock at the obvious hooker leaving the neighbor’s room. There’s no point in mentioning the guest across the hall to Cal as it would only give him more to worry about. I sense something troubling behind the stranger's dark eyes, but our run-ins have been brief and harmless so far.
The elevator carries us down forty flights and we walk across the tiled marble floor of the hotel lobby. We pass the large granite reception desk and exit through glass doors that lead to a u-shaped drive off the city street. Cal palms the Valet a tip and opens the door to his Fireball Red ‘69 Chevy Camaro so I can slide inside.
The sun beams down on us, reflecting off the glass buildings in a blinding display of shimmering gold. It’s one of those early March days that are typical in the North East. One day the cold chills you to the bone and the next the sun is shining. I would prefer to walk on such a gorgeous afternoon but until I pop this baby out, I can’t wobble that far. The thought of holding my child brings a smile to my face.
I watch the hustle of the city buzz by me through the open car window. The white noise rings in my ears. There’s so much life here it’s hard to imagine anyone bored, yet I am. Maybe it’s pre-baby jitters, maybe it’s fear of what’s coming. I can’t wait to be a mother but I don’t want to be just another housewife. I need something substantial to involve myself with, something to keep my mind sharp. Which is why I stuck the addresses of the businesses I found online in my pocket. After we meet with Vinny, I’ll ask Cal to take me to see them.
Twenty minutes into the drive across town the tall glass buildings lining the Manhattan streets change over to a mixture of multi-level buildings of concrete and brick. The area holds the old time gritty charm blended with an eclectic modern day art scene. We pass art galleries and street venders, dry cleaners and unique clothing shops before pulling into a parking garage. Cal parks the car and we walk less than a block past a blend of new and old bars and restaurants. We approach Vinny standing on the sidewalk next to a young redhead in a tight top, a chic short skirt, and Marini boots. The young woman flicks her cigarette into the street and all but jumps into Cal’s arms when she spots him.
“Victoria, it’s nice to see you but what are you doing here?” Cal asks.
“Looking for you. I was hoping to take you up on your offer,” she replies, still wrapped around him.
“She stopped by the office this morning looking for you, so I brought her along,” Vinny says grinning ear to ear, no doubt a side effect of her company.
I clear my throat, reminding Cal of my presence and he shifts her back. “Victoria, this is my fiancée Brie. Brie this is Victoria, she helped us out with the Angelo situation last summer.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Victoria says hugging me like we’re old friends. She lets go of me and turns her attention back to Cal. “You told me to look you up when I came to my senses and dumped Ian. You said you’d find me a job in the organization. Remember?”
“I remember but I don’t think I have anything for you right now.”
Vinny grinds his cigarette underneath the heel of his leather shoe and pats Cal on the shoulder. “Except we do. I thought she could help Brie run the business. With two beautiful women out front the crowds will swarm.”
Vinny wraps his arm around my shoulder and leads me towards the door of the building we’re standing in front of. Cal and Victoria follow.
“Uncle Vinny, what are you talking about?” Cal asks.
“Catch up, son. Now that you’re a Made-Man, you need your own business to run. This bar is a gold mine.” Vinny swings the black door open wide. “As of this morning, the Moonshine Bar is yours. Brie will handle the books and the business decisions and Victoria can handle the men.”
We continue to follow Vinny into the building. Wooden beams crisscross the ceiling above the dark wooden floor. Sunlight filters through the painted window panes and dances off the inverted bottles of amber liquid lining the exposed brick wall to our right. In front of the display is a bar that curves into the room, lined with barstools and surrounded by a mix match collection of round and square tables and chairs.
“The best part of this setup is below us,” Vinny says and leads us down a narrow stairwell into the basement. We pass an office and a wine cellar before it opens to a larger room. The walls are a warm gold and the floors are the same glossy mahogany as upstairs. A cognac colored leather sofa and armchairs sit in both of the back corners. A smaller version of the upstairs bar separates them and a large flat screen TV hangs behind it. Four large poker tables with padded table rails and leather chairs fill the remaining space. “The women can run the upstairs operation and this will be yours. Complete with my list of high stake gamblers, ready to wager their bets.”
Cal’s wide eyes take it all in. While the bar upstairs has a minimalist rustic look, the poker room was more sophisticated. “Don’t you mean ours?”
“The commission approved my retirement as long as you keep me as a consultant. I need to wo
rk out a few details but you have the reins. Leading the next generation of this family is a young man’s job and it’s yours.”
Vinny turns in my direction. “There’s a nice space upstairs to make an office for you ladies, if you accept.”
“I love it, Vinny, it’s just what I was looking for but is she even old enough to work in a bar?” I ask, motioning my head toward Victoria who is circling the room, trailing her fingers across the velvet tops of the poker tables.
Vinny laughs at my hesitation. “She’s old enough and you know you have nothing to worry about, don’t you? I won’t let anyone interfere with my family. That includes you and this baby. Besides, Cal is madly in love with you and she wouldn’t stand a chance even if she tried.”
I place my hand on my stomach and let out a deep sigh as Cal approaches me from behind. He wraps his arms around my waist, placing his hands on top of mine. “What do you think? Are we in?”
I tilt my head up to meet his gaze over my shoulder. His eyes sparkle with excitement and his wide smile dimples his right cheek. “All the way.”
Chapter 5- Cal
Brie and I introduce ourselves to the employees staying on under our management. Although Brie was reluctant to include Victoria in our plans, she’s agreed to give her a trial run. The bar is a well-established business and practically runs itself. It has the potential to be more than a front to launder our money. There’s enough space to become the family’s main headquarters and social hub.
I glance across the room to the table where Brie is sifting through piles of papers. There’s an intelligence behind those hazel eyes that entrance me. She couldn’t be more beautiful if she tried. The way she’s sitting has her black dress raised above her knee showing off her legs. The waistline crinkles around her stomach, full with my child. That alone makes her the most beautiful woman on earth. She has her long brown hair back in a bun exposing the sweet spot on her neck. As beautiful as she looks now, she’s even more gorgeous, relaxed in jeans and a t-shirt. When she walks into the room, my entire world slows down. There’s a serenity about her that calms the darkness deep within me.
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