I sit down as well and lean back a little bit, tilting my head to the side.
“What, no aftercare allowed?” I ask him.
He snorts. “You weren’t that good.”
I narrow my eyes. “That’s not what it looked like.”
“In case you lost all two of your braincells down my throat too, let me remind you that you’re not here out of the goodness of my heart,” Carmine tells me. “You’re here because you claim to want to help me and that we’re on the same side. Against the Carvels. So, tell me what the fuck you said when you went to talk to them.”
“Alright, alright,” I put a hand up. My eyes shift from his eyes to his mouth, that mouth that was just around my cock. Then his chest…his breath is still a bit heavy. My groin is hot again. Seeing him so worked up and demanding turns me on. Knowing that I’m the one who got Carmine Dresvanni to get on his knees.
I try to brush it out of my mind. Focus on the here and now. I need to get it together. I need him to believe what I’m about to say.
“What I said isn’t as important as what they said,” I insist. “I tried to convince them that they have nothin’ to worry about from you. That as long as they keep on their side, keep their hands to themselves, it’ll be good.”
Carmine eyes me but doesn’t speak.
“They’re not very smart, you know that. Trying to drag info out of them…you’d think it’d be easier, but they go on and on about shit that doesn’t even matter,” I say as I wave my hand. “Eventually, they let it slip that they’re willing to compromise.”
“Compromise?” Carmine asks, his own eyes narrowing into slits.
I nod. “Yep. What they think is compromise anyway. They want equal power to you, of all domains you own, including this one.”
Carmine laughs one solid laugh, looking at me in disbelief. “They want the same deal we offered you?” he asks rhetorically. “They’re not even half as powerful. Why would I agree to that?”
“I told them you wouldn’t,” I say. “And well, they’re smart enough to know that at least.”
“So, they’re sitting on their hands waiting to find something to one up us?” he asks curiously.
I tilt my head side to side humming. “Sorta. I think they’re plannin’ to bust in, guns hot sometime next week. Take some hostages.”
Carmine sits up straighter. “You didn’t think that was important to lead with?” his voice raises. “They really think they can get in here and…what, take everyone out? Hah!” He shakes his head, but there’s anxiety in his eyes.
“I was a little busy, if you don’t recall,” I remind him, and I see desire flicker across his expression before he clears his throats and grabs the bottle to pour himself another drink.
I watch, wondering just how many he’s going to have today.
“I’m guessing they didn’t give you a day?” he asks.
“No,” I reply. “But it won’t be this weekend.” I say the words casually, knowing that they’ll catch his interest but trying not to appear like it’s important.
He takes a sip. “Why not?”
“Oh, the boys have their poker night. They’re too obsessed with money to let something get in the way of that,” I tell him with a shrug.
I watch his eyes, but not too closely. He needs to believe that I’m thinking nothing of the information I’ve just given him.
“Well, not Saturday then,” he agrees after a pause. A small faked smile spreads on his face. “Guess we’ll have to figure out what day they’re planning to show up, and make sure we’re ready.”
“I’ll ask Eivor about sending over reinforcements once we figure it out.” I watch as his tilts his glass to his lips again, ideas and distraction in his eyes.
I think I’ve done my job, but if it’s what I’m supposed to be doing, why do I feel so shitty about it?
11
Carmine
I’m certain Soren isn’t following me; but I’ve been certain before. The night at the club, I’d been pretty sure he wasn’t watching me when I managed to get into the ring without him showing up immediately, but there he was. Walking right over and dragging me out and away from Tiger.
