Apparently my line of credit for being family is about capped out. I’ve already used one of my grandfather’s guys to send a message to Bardoratch on the night he was a dick on the virtual call with Avery. I could have delivered that message personally, but Avery had just gotten to my house, and I didn’t want to leave.
This time, I’d really like to deal with Bardoratch myself, but I know it’s not a good idea. I’m many things, but a professional hitman isn’t one of them. If I go after him, it won’t look like an accident. Also, there are plenty of witnesses who can testify to the fact that I’ve been in fights with the guy. I’m sure I’ll be Suspect Number One if he’s murdered.
I don’t expect my grandfather to foot the bill on a murder-for-hire operation though, when I keep insisting on running my own show at Granthorpe and haven’t cut him and the Sullivan family in so far. I’ve done work for Pops in the past on a limited basis and that went well. He’s ready to move me up in his organization, but I have my own plans.
So instead of asking for another favor, I say, “Yeah, I hear you, and I understand. The costs will be covered.”
There’s a pause, and then he says, “Good for you. What do you have planned for tonight? Maybe take your girl to dinner in Boston. Go dancing after. Does she dance?”
“I don’t know.”
Tonight’s fast for a job like this. My pops must be pissed himself that someone tried to torch his grandson. I appreciate his heads-up that tonight’s the night, since I’ll need to establish an alibi.
“Don’t take her to any of the family pubs,” Pops continues casually. “She’s only eighteen, and it sounds like the mother might pitch a fit if she gets tipsy. If anyone goes over the receipts later, we don’t want the hassle.”
That earns a smile he can’t see. “I’m not twenty-one myself. You never bar me.”
Pops laughs. “They’ll never come after a Sullivan for underage drinking, lad. When it’s my grandson, they won’t bother to fish for minnows. It’s a great white shark or nothing at all.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” After a moment, I say, “I appreciate the assist, Pops.”
“It’s what family does. I’ll talk to you soon.”
When the call ends, I glance at the burn phone speculatively. The old man still thinks he’s going to pull me into his organization. Every favor he does for me means I’ll have to do something in return. Speaking of fish, he’s reeling me in bit by bit.
The side door opens, and Avery appears in the doorway, looking like she’s ready for school. Even with the ponytail and the dark-framed glasses, she’s fucking gorgeous.
I wish again I was the one going to deal with Bardoratch. He tried to burn her alive, and he’s the reason she has bruises on her back from slamming into the mat during self-defense training.
“Everything okay?” Avery's concern hits me square in the chest.
“Absolutely.” My forced smile turns genuine. “You ready to go out?”
She nods and disappears inside.
I stash my burn phone and retrieve my gun as Avery waits in the living room for me, sitting on the controversial couch. I kept it as a reminder of the betrayal, but now it’s starting to remind me more of the way Avery used to come downstairs looking for me.
“Feel like taking a drive? There’s a restaurant I’ve been hearing about that I want to check out. It’s a couple hours away.”
“Sure,” she says, all casual ease now.
Last night, we argued over the sleeping arrangements. Once again, she wanted to sleep in the guest room. And once again, I waited till she was asleep to retrieve her from there to put her in my bed.
This morning though, she didn’t hesitate to spread her legs so I could tongue-fuck her until she came. There was also no hesitation about sucking my cock until I got off just as hard. She was even down for taking a shower with me, which is how I saw the faint blue bruises from our basement training session.
When we were drying off, I told her I wanted to spend the day with her today, and she smiled and gave me the kiss I also wanted. I don’t really understand what good she thinks her boundaries are doing, but whatever. I’ll just keep working around them until they’re gone.
My problem-solving skills are well honed, which is why we’ll be a couple hours away with receipts to prove it when Todd Bardoratch gets what’s coming to him.
If he’d only come after me, I might not have killed him. But he came for Avery, too, and that is not allowed.
Once she’s in the Porsche, I run a hand through my hair and grimace at the horizon, knowing I’m back to the way I was in high school. And worse.
No one’s allowed to hurt her. No one’s allowed to touch her except me. But this time around, I’m pushing past her boundaries and fucking her in filthy ways she might not even be ready for.
This time, even when she hesitates, I can’t make myself stop.
There’s a word for what this is, and it’s not a nice one.
