We’re in the family. Fuck my life. I wanna cry crocodile tears and fix this mistake. Once family, always family. “Hudson,” I say calmly and I get that dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach. “What did you sign?”
“A partnership.”
With the Italian Mafia. I deal with Russians and Serbs, and this is a problem. A glance at Mikhail, the Russian boss, tells me he’s thinking the same thing. The Italians are wiggling their way into Chicago’s high society and not asking permission from the others already established in the area.
Kaya breaks the tense silence. “Did you say she was your daughter?” she asks the Italian.
“I did.”
“When my brother gave me away, someone carved a hole in his belly and hung him from the ceiling fan by his intestines.” She stands and pecks her husband on the cheek.
Was it Mikhail who hung a man by the intestines? Serves Hudson right to hear the kind of people he’s involved himself with. Mmhm. He’s playing it cool, acting unaffected.
Cold silence falls at the table. The girls better not return now. I eye my security team, and Noah nods, moving closer but still far enough so the mobsters aren’t feeling threatened.
The Italian speaks first. “I meant no disrespect.” He’s talking to Mikhail. “I don’t need your permission when it comes to my daughter.”
“Conveniently placing her with the Chicago billionaires who cover my businesses is overstepping. Should’ve come to me first.”
Should’ve come to me first,I want to parrot to my brother, but don’t because we have to show a united front now more than ever. Mikhail will cool off. He doesn’t own me or my business though that doesn’t stop him from giving me a look of warning.
“We will handle all high-profile clients,” I say, “and their business with care. I assure you there’s plenty of money to be made for everyone. For as long as there’s peace between the organizations.” I pause there so they can understand they need to chill. “Meet with us next week, and I’ll have something that will please all parties.” The ladies are returning, and I note the young bride looks less like she’ll vomit on Hudson’s suit. It would be nice if she did. I want to vomit on his suit. “Let’s enjoy our evening.”
I straighten my tie and return to my chair, Nessa joining me shortly after.
9
Precisely at midnight, my fiancée enters my home, and the heavy doors lock with a loud click that makes her jump. She stops in the dark hallway, and I press my body against her back, moving the tempting lock of hair on her shoulder I’ve been eyeing all night.
I kiss her neck, over her pulse so I can feel it pounding on my lips. If she fears anything, she has healthy instincts, because she’s not leaving my castle but for a brief escorted trip home to gather up her things and return for the rest of her life.
“I want to fuck you right here and right now,” I say at her ear. “Spread your legs and lift your dress.” I drag my fingers over the hem of the dress and pull it up and over her behind. “I'll bend you over with your hands around your ankles while I ram your little hole.” I sneak my hand between her ass cheeks and poke her back hole. “This hole, in case you’re wondering.”
Nessa doesn’t reply. Her breathing tells me she’s excited.
“Unless you want me to do that, I suggest you move inside the house.”
She reaches behind her and tries to straighten her dress, but I tap her hand and tsk.
“Okay,” she says more to herself than me. I don’t need her permission or agreement. We’ve gone past that and into uncharted territories I’m navigating with my fiancée. This isn’t a one-night stand or even a one-hour fuck, and I’ve never gone this route with anyone else, so it’s all new for me as well.
Nessa moves into the living space and heads straight for the wall of windows overlooking Chicago. I watch my city every morning for no less than twenty minutes. The view calms me and prepares me for a busy day. It’s the only quiet thinking time I get. At night, my brain’s too fried to think, and I generally come home and head straight for the bedroom. I’ll be heading there soon, but not to sleep. There won’t be much sleeping this evening.
Her ass exposed, I linger back, and the view is more pleasing now with her in it. Nessa has a fantastic ass. One of those larger ones with broad hips. I rub my itchy palms together and take a seat at my thinking chair, the worn-out one, not one of the new ones I got for show.
Nessa turns. “It’s beautiful.”
“I know. It’s why I bought it.” She can take what she wants from that sentence. The hotel, the apartment in it, her, all of the above.
I make no move. I watch her squirm before I open my mouth to tell her what to do. She likes to be told what to do. But as always, Nessa surprises me. She keeps her eyes locked with mine and unzips her dress. It falls from the top and lingers on her middle, and I lean back, grabbing the chair’s armrest lest I attack her and fuck her against the window. Hmm. “Do you want me to fuck you against the window?”
Nessa stammers something I can’t understand.
“It’s a yes or no question.”
“Yes.”
I nod, filing it away for consideration. “Carry on, baby.”
