I can’t get how easy tonight went out of my mind. Something doesn’t add up but I can’t put my finger on it. Did they know we were coming and if so, who tipped them off? Was Nitty Ninez responsible for executing his own man? The questions nag at me as I replay it in my head the whole walk. We stashed the score at an old apartment building Vinny bought up town. It’s oddly satisfying. Not only do I have what Angelo needs to keep the Benjamins flowing, I have my crew counting it out in a building bought out from under his nose. I have a skeleton crew stashed there until my buddy Chainz, President of the Krymson Destroyers can take over. There will be a hit nightly on Ninez’s dealers until he’s out of business completely. If I take down Ninez another lowlife will just come along to claim his territory but if I hand it over to someone I trust like the Krymson Destroyers, I can at least sleep at night. The adrenaline is quickly weaning from my system, my eyes are heavy and my footsteps slowing. Between the hit on Ninez’s operation and someone trying to shakedown Brie, it’s been a long day. I probably should get used to functioning as a zombie. Sleep will be a luxury once the baby is here, and it won’t be long. The thought of our baby, puts a slight spring back into my step. Any day now, I’ll get to meet him, or her. Brie doesn’t want to know the baby’s sex, but the anticipation is killing me.
An unexplained sense of dread squeezes around me the closer I get to Vinny’s Tribeca condo. The air is thick and heavy in my lungs. I quicken my pace eager to get to Brie but my world comes crashing to a halt. I’m cut off by a barricade of flashing lights and my stomach wretches.
My worst fear runs through my mind. Not Brie. Not the baby. God no.
The only thing standing between me and her is a barricade of police cars and fire trucks. I rush by them, pushing my way through the crime scene tape. My heart beats hard against my chest. Unrecognizable mutterings pierce the throbbing in my ears but I can’t hear what they’re saying. I have to get to Brie, nothing else matters. I ignore them and push forward.
An arm stretches out in front of me stopping me short. I look up at a young man in a blue uniform. “Sorry Sir. I can’t allow you to go any further.”
My body tenses and I puff out my chest, challenging him to keep me out. “Get out of my way.”
His innocent eyes fill with terror as he attempts to subdue me and fails. I push past him, almost knocking him on his ass. Everything moves in slow motion as I reach the ambulance and stop in front of the gurney. Inhaling a deep breath, I hold it until it burns my lungs. The air rushes out of me as I unzip the body bag. Time stands still as my eyes focus on the unknown face, dressed in a blue uniform. Thank God it’s not Brie.
I turn scanning the chaos surrounding me and spot another ambulance among the blinding lights. Air slowly returns to my lungs when my eyes fall on Brie sitting in the back, wrapped in a dark blanket. I cross to her and she jumps into my arms letting the blanket fall to the ground. Dried tears have left streaks down her face and I pull her close. I bury my face in the crease of her neck, letting her warmth calm me like only she can.
I push her back, looking over every inch of her body for an injury but dried blood is all I find. I touch her stomach and feel the baby move under my hand. Thank god. My eyes dart to Dante, his arm wrapped in a bandage and a sling. “Somebody better start fucking talking. What happened here?”
Brie looks up at me with her puffy red eyes. “I’m sorry Cal. We couldn’t save him.”
I turn following her gaze to a blue Mercedes twisted around a light pole and then falls to a covered body lying in the street a few feet away, surrounded by police. The air rushes from my lungs as if I’ve been sucker punched in the gut.
“No.” My heart heard her unspoken words. I shift her back gently, grateful Dante was there to keep ahold of her. Everything around me seems to move in slow motion as I cross the street. The officers part allowing me to pass without a fight. I kneel and slowly pull back the blanket.
Vinny.
A heavy wave of disbelief rushes through me at the sight of the man who was like a father to me. This can’t be happening. Gently, I place my hand on his pale face and let a single tear fall. I watch as it drops onto his chest and runs toward a small bullet hole somewhat ragged around the edges. We live by the gun; We die by the gun.
Darkness engulfs me sending me into a tailspin. My fist clench and unclench at my side. My muscles tighten. Anger and rage swirls throughout my body. I rise to my feet where Brie is standing behind me.
She places her gentle hand on my back. “Let’s go inside.”
Forcing my eyes away from Vinny’s body, I turn towards her. There’s no doubt in my mind I could bury myself deep inside her to drown out the thoughts haunting me. She’ll let me work through this rawness until I collapse. I can see in her eyes she needs it to. To feel something deeper than the pain, to hold on to something stronger than the fear that has ahold of her. As tempting as it is, the hatred seething deep within is blinding me to anything but revenge.
I leave Brie standing there with tears in her eyes, pleading for me to stay with her. But I can’t. The anger swelling inside takes over all reasoning. There’s no doubt in my mind this was a professional hit and deep down inside all I can think about is that Vinny may not have been the intended target. I know what I need to do. And before I can return to Brie, it will be.
A lot has changed over the past few years. My transition into the mafia life hasn’t been that difficult. I always had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and Uncle Vinny made the rest easy. I was after all born for this role. I just never expected to have to fulfill my legacy without him by my side. Over the past few years, he’s taught me everything he knows, from assessing my opponents to keeping a low profile, how to build an empire and how to keep my hands clean. But this time, there was no one else to do the dirty work. I have to settle the score on my own.
My path is clear as I make my way through the dark streets on foot. People jump from my path with one look at me and dart away as fast as they can. Carmine Bianchi is an arrogant man and predictable in his ways, much like his grandson. I don’t need my men to scour the streets to look for him. If he is behind this hit, he’ll be sipping scotch at The Pearl, the family's private restaurant in Upper Manhattan.
My hastening strides have me rounding the corner in front of the restaurant quicker than expected. For the second time tonight the lack of gunman where I expect them, unnerves me. But they aren’t my focus and the fewer people around the easier this will be. I check my gun and tuck it back into the holster on my jeans before opening the glass doors that leads inside.
I scan the room for witnesses as I make my way to the back. The place is empty, all but a waitress who freezes in her tracks and stares at me with wide eyes, no doubt recognizing me. It’s clear she’s been crying; catering to the Bianchi’s must be a hard gig. She swallows hard and tilts her head toward the back of the room. I nod toward the door signaling her to leave and watch as she sets a tray of empty plates and beer bottles down on the edge of the bar, reaching under it for her purse. Before she leaves her eyes dart to a room off to the side marked Office.
I drag a chair over and wedge it under the door handle, not giving a shit who's on the other side. No one was stopping me from what I came here to do. Avenge Vinny’s murder. I continue toward the rear booth reserved for Carmine. It's tucked in the far back, out of the way of foot traffic and hidden from onlookers. He plasters a sneering smile on his uncaring face when I slide in the booth across from him. I pull my gun from its holster and point it under the table at him. Even though Carmine is pushing ninety years old, he doesn’t miss a beat shifting his right hand under the table to grasp the gun strapped underneath.
He studies my face, sizing me up. No doubt wondering if I have the balls to pull the trigger. His cockiness is pissing me off. I should pull the trigger and get it over with but I wait him out. After several moments of heavy silence, he lets out a raspy breath, “It’s not personal, son. This started many years ago back in the old country
. You couldn’t possibly understand the ramifications of what’s been set in motion. Let it go and if you know what’s best for you, the girl too. She’ll never be yours.”
My impatience is growing thin. I came seeking revenge not to sit here and listen to his feeble attempts to intimate me. It takes all my control not to lunge over the table and rip out his tongue, but if there’s one thing Uncle Vinny taught me, it's to never make your move when your opponent is expecting it. I cock my brow and fight my growing temper. “You’re all delusional if you truly think she could ever be anyone else’s, but this isn’t about her.”
“Isn’t it?” he says with a condensing sneer, bringing his hands to rest on the top of the table and leans back against the booth.
The shock of his brazen mocking eats away at me. I pin him with my eyes and raise my gun. He falls backwards at the unexpected speed of the bullet exiting my gun and piercing the center of his forehead. It was a quick and painless death, a kinder act than he deserved. I tuck my gun back into my jeans and walk straight out the front door.
As I make my way back to Brie, I struggle with the reality of the situation. I thought extracting my revenge would make me whole again but there’s still a hollowness left behind. I exit the cab onto the empty street that just hours before was an active crime scene. The only evidence left behind is the blood-stained chalk outline. I stand over it, surrounded by memories. Drowning in the chaos of what I’ve just done. No matter how justified, it threatens to drag me under into a darkness I won’t recover from. Only the warmth of Brie’s touch can fill the void.
I nod at the guard in front of the door who lowers his head and pats my shoulder in a sign of solidarity before opening the door. I continue on, not in the mood to talk to anyone, especially about earlier. My only thought is on the woman waiting for me upstairs. My dick tightens and throbs against my zipper begging for the release only she can provide. The elevator door opens and I storm into the apartment where Dante sits scrolling through his phone. The soft, off key lullaby Brie is singing to our unborn child is the only thing calm about her as she paces back and forth, knotting her fingers in her hair.
“Get out,” I growl and Dante jumps from the couch. His mouth opens like he’s searching for the right words. “Not now. Just get the fuck out. Please.”
I don’t even wait to hear the elevator door close before I scoop Brie in my arms and crash my lips onto hers. She breaks the kiss and looks at me with those deep brown eyes that see right through me. “Where have you been?”
“Settling the score.” I twist my hands in her hair and tug her head back allowing me to claim her sweet mouth with my own. My tongue crashes against hers and she lets out a soft moan.
She pulls away and twists out of my arms. “I’m sorry Cal. I really think we should talk about this.”
I grab her by her arm and pull her back so her front is tight against my chest. “I don’t want to talk about my feelings tonight or any of that other girly shit you think I need right now. I just need to feel you.”
“Then shut up and take what you need.” She presses her soft lips to mine and I draw her lower lip between my teeth.
Not breaking my hold on her, I walk her backwards. She lets out a short whimper when she hits the glass door and I bite her lip harder. I love the sounds she makes when she’s turned on. She tilts her head allowing me to catch her ear lobe in my teeth and skim bites down the crease of her neck. I slide my hands under her top trailing my fingers along her sides. She raises her arms over her head and I slip her top off, exposing her bare breasts. I squeeze and pinch her tight nipples and another moan forms deep in her throat. She’s already breathing heavily, the warmth of her breath against my lips. I dip my head and take her full breasts into my mouth, flicking my tongue over her nipples. She grabs my hair and tugs hard, edging my focus to the other one. I oblige.
I need to touch and taste every inch of her until her moans silence the voices in my head. I pull her pants and thong down to her ankles. She’s so wet so quick. I slide my fingers inside her warm folds, circling my thumb against her clit. She widens her stance spreading herself open for me and I drop under her, hooking one leg over my shoulder. When I shift my face between her leg, she’s wet and ready for me. The promise of her taste on my lips has my cock aching. I lick my tongue across her moist folds, biting and sucking at her clit while she rolls her hips urging me to flick my tongue faster, while my fingers slide in and out of her tightness. Her legs tremble and her knees buckle, sliding down onto my face as she rides the waves of an orgasm. I moan against her, licking up her wetness. She tastes like heaven. I need more.
Licking my way up her shuddering body, still pinned to the glass door, she rips at the button of my jeans and tugs the zipper down freeing my cock. She grabs my shaft in her soft hands and squeezes. I growl against her lips and she slides down to her knees, kneeling before me and taking me into her warm mouth. I twist her hair around my fingers and guide her mouth back and forth along the length of my cock while I thrust in and out. She takes in every bit, working me with her mouth, her lips, her tongue as if she needs the taste of me as much as I do her. Her moans vibrate against my hard cock and I almost come in her mouth. But I’m not done yet. I yank her up, flip her around and splay her hands above her head on the cold glass door. Her beautiful naked body on full display. I pull her perfect round ass back against my hard throbbing cock until she’s bent forward. She reaches down and rubs my balls from underneath while her own hand rubs against her clit. She’s panting and breathless but tilts her head back and moans even louder when I drive inside her, allowing me to take my aggression out on her slick pussy. The moans that rip from her mouth tell me she wants it, needs it as much as I do. My heart bangs against my chest and sweat beads down my back. I guide her hips back and forth while watching my cock thrust in and out, her plump ass slapping against me. I yank her head back hard exposing her long neck and ghost my tongue along it from her ear to her throat.
Her eyes are glossy with pleasure and pain and I lose all self-control. “I want to hear you scream my name.”
Her lips part and she lets out another whimper, “Cal.”
“Louder,” I command bending her forward and slam into her even harder.
“Cal,” her raspy breath fogs the window but it’s not loud enough to ease my tension. I continue pushing into her, harder and faster, fucking her raw.
“Fuck Cal,” she cries out loudly and lets herself go feral, pushing back against me so I hit the right spot deep inside with every thrust. It’s cathartic and hot as hell. I lean forward and growl against her back as her body clamps down around my cock coating me in her juices. I explode inside of her and collapse to the floor, pulling her down with me. She turns around to face me and we’re both panting hard. I search out her lips and kiss her gently while we both come down from the high. She’s just what I need.
Still holding onto her I stretch my reach toward the couch and tug at the blanket until it falls to the floor. I spread it out covering her with it, while we fall asleep naked on the living room floor. The voices in my head finally silent.
Chapter 14- Brie
Nash, Carra, Cal and I stand at the gravesite with our hands linked, holding onto each other for dear life. Vinny never married or had children of his own, we were his family and our unwavering unity is as much a show of solidarity for the Carracci name as it is to support each other. And we aren’t alone. At least thirty people have gathered around us dressed in black with their heads lowered out of respect for our fallen leader or maybe they can’t bring themselves to see the pain on our faces.
I squeeze Cal’s hand in mine as six strong men remove the casket from the hearse and carry it towards Vinny’s final resting place. It’s a beautiful plot under a tall oak tree surrounded by rolling hills of green grass. We chose a location outside the city, away from our enemies and reporters. They are much too busy anyway covering the pompous funeral of the city’s most ruthless Mafia Don, Carmine Bianchi, which is als
o today. The Bianchi’s always need to take center stage but they can have the attention. We don’t want it, that’s not the Carracci way. We are family, first and foremost, and that includes everyone here from old and new friends to members of the crew, even the Krymson Destroyers who are standing by their bikes at the top of the hill overlooking the somber scene playing out below.
I let out a soft sigh and the tears flow. Squeezing Cal’s hand tighter, I take comfort in his touch. My stomach constricts, taking my breath away, and it’s all I can do to stay on my feet. This can’t be happening right now. I rub my free hand against my stomach easing the tightness and whisper under my breath, “Mommy and Daddy need you to wait just a little longer my love.”
I shift leaning my weight against Cal’s strong body and he obliges, wrapping his arm around my waist. The preacher reads passages from the bible and offers words of comfort but no words can comfort us right now. I scan the faces of my family. Everyone's eyes are red and swollen from the tears. I didn’t think it was possible, but Cal looks even more gorgeous in a black suit and shiny shoes. Although I know he’s uncomfortable, he doesn’t let it show. Amidst it all Cal stands tall, a true leader in the family's time of need.
The preacher asks Cal to say a few words but instead of letting me go he gently guides me along with him as he moves closer to the casket, still holding on. He needs me by his side as much as I need him. Removing a single rose from one of the floral displays nearby, he lays it on top of the shiny wooden casket. A soft breeze kicks up, sending shivers down my spine and my stomach contracts again.
Silence falls over everyone as Cal speaks. His voice is low and gentle but commands attention just the same. “Today we mourn the loss of a great man. A boss. A friend. And a foe, when he had to. But to us, Uncle Vinny was all of those things. Having never known our father, we relied on him for protection, guidance and unconditional love. Which he gave in folds. My greatest regret is that I wasn’t able to protect him. We’re not laying him to rest today because the almighty god said it was time, we’re laying him in the ground because someone thought they had the right to take him from us. That will not stand, I will not allow it. Vincent Giovanni Carracci, was everything his name stood for, conquer with the grace of god. I stand before you all now, as head of this family and pledge my protection to all that stand with us as we conquer the battles that lie ahead and by the grace of god we will reign.”
Reign (The Vendetta Series Book 2) Page 8