Valerie
Stepping into Carlyle’s office, I glanced around at the plain decor and not-disgustingly-imposing desk he sat behind. For a moment, my gaze focused on the stress lines on his face and the permanent downturn of his mouth, but the fire in his eyes still blazed brightly.
“Wanna talk about it?” My simple question earned me a hard sigh, and Carlyle rubbed his face with both his palms to run his fingers through his hair. Wandering deeper into his office, I sat down on the sofa pushed up against a wall, and he didn’t hesitate to take a seat next to me. I pulled up my legs, wrapping them around him, and he sprawled across me as I stuffed a pillow under my back and propped my head on the rest.
Threading my fingers through Carlyle’s hair soothingly, I soaked up his warmth through my shirt, and his jaw worked against my breasts in the stretching silence. He was always so thoughtful, and I was patient while he decided what, exactly, he wanted to complain about.
Everyone needed an outlet, especially people so burdened.
“In three hours, Dallas is going to get hit with mass murder. I’m considering calling it off. It’s a lot of exposure if someone fucks up, and any rookie with a gun and a friend with a big mouth could easily do that.” Carlyle’s chest flexed against my abdomen, and he inhaled deeply to sink against me. “I made the decision out of anger, and it could easily be a bad one.”
“You can’t, I don’t know, tailor it to professionals or something?” Carlyle’s hair was so soft, his weight so comfortable, and I closed my eyes and tightened my knees against his sides. “You don’t have people for this or whatever?”
“It’s better to be twice removed from this kind of thing, and, to be honest, I could pin it on Pedro easily since I don’t operate in the south. That’s cartel territory, and we have a deal. Pedro’s not very happy right now, though, and I don’t want him to think he’s got balls and try something. I just seized everything he has in this country, and it’s a lot. It’ll take weeks to move it all.” My mind churned slowly, and the silence rang in my ears as I enjoyed our closeness before Carlyle continued. “I could send the offers to specific people, I suppose. There’s just a lot going on right now, so I haven’t really explored all my options.”
“I think that’d be the best option. It’s not something that’ll happen in a day, Carlyle.” My advice fell flat, but I wasn’t really sure what he was expecting to hear as he grunted lowly in acknowledgment. “What else do you have going on? You can tell me.”
“That snake— just knowing she’s here gives me a headache. She can’t leave, either, because I need her for something else, but I’m getting really fucking annoyed at how sh—” The office door popped open, but Carlyle didn’t so much as twitch as I cracked open my eyes. A huge pitbull sauntered in, all blue, and waddled over to sniff around me like he owned the place. “Fuck . . .this bitch. . . ”
Carlyle’s groan muffled between my breasts, and the woman who strolled in clearly hadn’t heard him or didn’t care. Electric blue hair tied in a braid down her back, and she clicked her tongue ring animatedly as she shut the door with a swift kick.
“I heard from the maids that—” Her brows rose when she finally looked at us, and goosebumps swept up my arms at the discomfort masking her face. “Am I interrupting something?”
“What do you want, Esmarissa?” Licking her lips, she pulled a snake bite between her teeth, and I turned my gaze to the ceiling. Carlyle’s mumble raked up my sternum before he pushed himself up to sit, and he pet the dog’s head absently. “Did you clean up after this monster like I told you?”
“Of course, I did, but that’s not why I’m here. I heard from the maids you decided not to go after the Italians. Why are you keeping me here if you’re wiggling your thumb in your ass, huh?” His thighs and abs tensed against my calf, and his head whipped up as the air became frosty.
“I beg your pardon?” When I breathed, I could’ve sworn I saw it puff in the air, and Carlyle cocked his head menacingly— if such a thing could be menacing, that is. Watching his reactions to disrespect was fascinating, and I held my breath as the silence ticked on by. “Just so we’re clear, here,Spot. . . ”
Spitting the nickname venomously, Carlyle stood up, and I pulled back my leg as he strode to stand check to chest with her.Which is it? Esmarissa, snake, or Spot?
“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want to whoever I want, whenever I want, for whatever fucking reason I want.” He grabbed her chin, and her breath hitched as the tension in the room sizzled where my eyelids and eyeballs met. “You don’t question me. What I decide is not your business. Got me?”
“Got it.” Releasing her with a little jerk back, Carlyle sat back down heavily to fling his arm over the sofa and cross his knees. Esmarissa huffed, rubbing her jaw and chin, and he just stared her down until she nodded firmly. “Got it.”
“Good. I suspended the campaign because that grease monkey Diamon knew something he shouldn’t have. When all the chaos is settled, I have to deal with Oran’s whores, and you need to be there.” Cautious curiosity drenched her long features, but he paused to frown deeply under furrowed brows. “You care about your girls, so you need to know what’s going to happen if you ever fuck up again. Now, get out.”
She called her dog, who plodded happily after her, and Carlyle flopped his head back to sigh heavily.
“I can’t get a single moment.” Sitting up, I shuffled to straddle his lap, and Carlyle grumbled low in his chest as his eyes met mine. “It won’t always be so busy and hectic, I promise.”
“I know.” Kissing him briefly, my lips tingled, and he grappled my ass with both his hands to squeeze tightly. “I like watching you be in such complete control. It’s really sexy.”
“It’s only sexy until I tellyouto do something, and you tell me I’m wrong . . . and then you prove it.” Smirking broadly, I gripped the stiff cushion behind him to grind in his lap, and Carlyle’s brows wiggled suggestively. Ducking my head as he stuck his hands down the back of my jeans, I gasped when he spread my ass cheeks, and his tongue invaded my mouth to tangle with mine.
And then . . . his phone rang.
“Shit, that’s Theo.” Fishing the device out of his pocket, Carlyle shot me an apologetic smile, and I sat back as he answered the call. “Did you get them?”
“We’re at the airport. Hano is about ten minutes away.”I could hear Theo clearly through the phone, and Carlyle nodded before his subordinate continued. “It wasn’t that hard. They’re real idiots.”
“Good. Let me know when you land.” Hanging up, Carlyle tapped around on his phone before holding it to his ear again, and he reached to pinch my chin affectionately. “Drop the Network from the agenda. Theo’s on his way back now with the ones I want. Send out invitations instead.”
Without waiting, Carlyle hung upagainand tossed his phone on the sofa, and my breath hitched as he dragged the backs of his fingers down my neck.
“Wait for it . . . ” Murmuring so softly, he held a finger to my lips, and my brows twitched up before the door burst open. Twisting as surprise parted my lips, my brows furrowed, and the man who interrupted us stopped short before clearing his throat. “Did you find him, Jerry?”
“Yeah. What do you want to do, boss?”
