“I like you too...when you’re not being difficult.”
Grabbing the pillow, I smacked him right in the face before continuing to pound him with it. He gripped his pillow and began to fight back. My shrieks and laughter echoed through the room as the pillow fight turned playful, and eventually, he ripped the pillow from my hand and tossed it aside.
He pinned me beneath him, lifting my arms and gripping my wrists together with one hand. Plunging his other hand in my hair, he clutched the tresses and lifted my face to his. His weight was heavy as he lay atop me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him as he surged his tongue inside my mouth.
Our lips pressed together, tugging and nibbling, as our tongues swirled over each other’s. Nick growled my name as his body grew tense, and I felt his erection press into my inner thigh.
“No more talking tonight,” I rasped, my body straining toward his. “Please, Nick...”
He broke the kiss, his breathing heavy as he gazed into my eyes. “We’re going to have to figure this out eventually.”
“Not tonight,” I whispered. “I’ve waited so long to feel something like this. Just let me have tonight.”
His dark eyes swam with emotion as he released my wrists. “Okay, baby...” Lifting my shirt, he bared my breasts and kissed a trail to one of my nipples. “Just for tonight...”
And then, my secret mafia lover proceeded to render me speechless as he kissed every inch of my body in the tranquil darkness.
Chapter 25
Nick
Alexis and I continued to sneak around for a week, which then turned into another week. I was growing increasingly uncomfortable with lying to Michael and Bianca, and knew we needed to figure out a solution sooner rather than later.
The problem was that I didn’tknowwhat the solution was. I knew Alexis was applying for jobs in Manhattan at big IT and AI firms, and I wanted her to get one of those jobs and kick major ass. But I also understood that having me as her partner would make things difficult. Those companies required all sorts of background checks—of the employeesandtheir partners—and I couldn’t subject myself to any of those.
Being in the mafia was an off-the-books endeavor, and working in Corporate America was exactly the opposite. As the days wore on, I felt like we were heading toward the inevitable realization that we both had lives that just didn’tfit.
Every time I brought it up to Alexis, she swore we’d make some decisions soon, but we both knew we were stalling. Still, I could tell that she didn’t like keeping secrets from Bianca, so it was just a matter of time before we had to figure things out.
To make matters worse, Alexis had discovered some alarming security breaches on Michael’s cell phone and his home security system, and Michael had replaced both. I’d gotten a new phone to be safe, and so had Alexis and Bianca.
Two additional shipments of unauthorized firearms showed up at the ports, which was extremely worrisome. It was imperative that all firearm and drug shipments had Michael’s approval, and he ramped up his communication with Leo to figure out how illicit shipments were slipping by.
On the morning of the second unauthorized shipment, we stood in the early dawn on the Red Hook, Brooklyn dock as Michael stared with narrowed eyes at the docked cargo boat. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and I could feel the rage emanating from his frame.
“Where the fuck did this boat come from?” he asked the stevedore on duty.
“I don’t know, Mr. Caruso. We saw it on the horizon, and it came from the south. There were no men on it. It’s as if they vanished. I wish I could tell you more.”
Michael slowly turned his head; his eyes filled with fury. “I pay you to knoweverything. Do you think your minimum wage salary is going to keep Hillary in those expensive boots and stocked with the Birkin bags she adores?” he asked, referencing the stevedore’s wife. “I can cut it off at any moment, Theo. Do I need to do that today?”
“No, sir,” Theo said, swallowing thickly. “I’ll work with your men to trace everything we can on the ship.”
“The serial numbers will be filed off the guns, and my men already searched for drugs and girls. None on this ship, which I’d count myself thankful for if I were you.”
Theo nodded, the movement shaky.
“Someone’s stockpiling weapons and preparing for an attack,” Michael said, a warning in his tone. “I want logs of every person who comes within five miles of this port, Theo. I’ll have my Director of Digital Security set up an encrypted email, and I’ll expect the log every morning at three a.m. before the new shift starts at four. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Don’t make me regret leaving you in charge here.” He patted Theo’s face several times. “Understood?”
Theo nodded and pivoted to rush to the boat to help Michael’s men filter through the inventory.
Once we were back in the SUV, I asked, “Who is your Director of Digital Security? Haven’t heard that one before.”
“Alexis for now,” Michael said, rubbing his eyes in frustration. “I really need to pay her for all the work she’s been doing.”
