Devil's Claim: A Dark Mafia Romance (Devil's Syndicate Book 2), page 29
A nervous laugh tittered from my lips as he plunged several fingers alongside his tongue. Now this was what anyone could call a dangerous weapon. Every synapse was on fire, the fog wrapped around my vision all because of his sinful actions.
Breathing was something I’d do later. I was gasping for air, alternating between scratching his upper back and trying to keep myself from falling into a dark but amazing abyss.
His licks became more intense, his grunt and growls keeping me smiling. And licking my lips. And struggling to fill my lungs. And…
There was no advance warning, the climax slamming into my system. I slapped my hand across my mouth, certain there was no way to keep from screaming. The vibrations were crazy good, my toes pointing involuntarily.
He refused to let go, licking me fervently, using a combination of his fingers and tongue to drive me crazy. The sensations were too much to bear and before I knew what I was doing, I had my hand wrapped around his thick hair, jerking with so much pressure he finally lifted his head. The grin was on his face was maddening. I’d seen his expressions when he’d first seen me after the attack.
He’d had nothing but murder on his mind.
Now he was playful, capable of showing such completely different emotions.
When he buried his face into my pussy again, it was as if he had some kind of crazy magic in him. Almost instantly, my body responded, another orgasm driving into my core like a freight train.
Panting, stars floated in front of my eyes, the powerful moment kicking my butt.
He obviously wasn’t in the mood to take his time, his hunger too great. The feel of his huge hands as he brushed them up the insides of my legs only added to the heated electricity.
Now he stood in all his magnificent glory, his skin glistening from drops of water, his hair plastered to his face. He took the time to rake both hands through his hair, allowing me to capture a moment of his chiseled face.
As with everything else tonight, there was something different about the look in his eyes. Yes, they flashed with the same intensity only created by raw passion, but the deepness within them, the true glance into a portion of his soul allowed me a single glimpse of the possessiveness he felt.
For me.
For my little family.
Now his little family.
That was the only reflection offered before his hunger became too great. He forced my legs around his hips and thrust his cock deep inside.
I shuddered in his hold, thousands of shivers and prickles dancing all the way to my toes.
With my eyes closed, I wrapped my arms around his neck, squeezing my knees against him as the tingles progressed, my pussy throbbing as much as his shaft.
Exhaling, he lowered his head until he rested his forehead against my cheek. “So tight, Christine. So perfect.”
If only he knew I was anything but perfect. I was a little too this and a little too that, at least according to Malcolm and half the other men I’d dated.
Yet this man, this crazy and powerful, yet dangerous brute made me feel as if I was the most special woman in the world. He pulled out, driving into me again and my muscles clenched and released several times.
He threw his head back, slamming one hand on the shower then the other.
Now my eyes flew open wide. What was he doing? I laughed nervously, struggling to hold onto him.
“You won’t fall, baby, because I won’t let you. Trust me.”
“I do. I really do.” I don’t know why I laughed, yet it was short lived as he powered into me, driving his cock in perfect rhythm. Together we rocked, our bodies molded together in a perfect dance. There were so many things I wanted to say to him, words that I’d thought of while he was gone.
I’d sensed he was in danger. In fact, everything he did placed him directly in harm’s way. He didn’t care. He’d gone out with vengeance on his mind, a deep-seated need to destroy everyone who’d tried to hurt me.
There was no reason for me to cry, but I did, violently and all encompassing.
He cupped my face with one hand, rubbing his thumb under my eye. “Baby. I’m okay. Nothing happened. We’re going to be just fine.”
“How? How can you promise that?” I clung to him, my nails sharp enough I knew I had to be hurting him. He didn’t seem fazed, his eyes glazing over with something other than anguish.
For a split second, I was certain I witnessed love in his eyes.
“You just need to keep placing your trust in me.” He kissed my forehead, brushing his lips to one eye then the other, rubbing his mouth down to my chin. “Always trust me.”
Swallowing hard, I controlled the tears as he continued making love to me. The passion remained, but his actions were more controlled. Every vibration burned the fire deep within, every touch searing my skin.
When he pulled out, I opened my eyes wide. There was the mischievous smile I’d grown to adore and he eased my legs down, slowly turning me to face the shower wall. Using his knee, he spread my legs apart, returning his cock to my throbbing pussy.
He wrapped his arm around my upper chest, holding me against him as he returned to the sweet rhythm. Within seconds, another wave of nirvana rushed through me, the cataclysm of sensations drowning out the pain I’d felt earlier.
What was left was extreme pleasure, another climax rattling the first, so powerful I stopped breathing altogether.
There was no stopping the man. He drove into me long and hard. As he nuzzled against my neck, biting down on my skin, I shuddered.
I knew instantly he wasn’t ready to finish our moment of blissful passion. When he pressed the tip of his cock against my asshole, I took a deep breath and held it.
As before, the blip of pain quickly gave way to something so sublime that every inch of my skin was covered in goosebumps. There was nothing in the world that mattered more than this moment.
This special, exhilarating moment.
Two people who shouldn’t be together linked for eternity.
The moment he was fully seated, he pressed his hands against the wall on either side of me as he’d done before, taking deep breaths as he fucked me in the ass.
The moment was perhaps our most sensual yet, the slow and easy movement allowing me to become accustomed to his huge size. Not that I would have complained. I felt exalted, cared for.
And protected.
Maybe that would seem strange to some, but he’d always managed to make me feel safe.
Even in the darkest moments.
We were both hot and sweaty, beads of perspiration mixing with the heated water and I couldn’t help but wonder when the water heater would run out. A smile crossing my face, I fell into the rhythm, arching my back and squeezing my muscles. His groan increased the size of my smile.
His body tensed and I refused to give up the moment of control. I knew the second he was ready to release, the deep growl coming from deep within him. The world around us had ceased to exist and as he erupted deep inside of me, a strange sense of wonderful was shattered by an intense foreboding feeling.
The danger was far from being over.
It was just beginning.
Just as a moment of heartache settled in, I was jerked from the moment of despair.
By a blast of cold water.
My shriek was loud. His laugh was boisterous.
“I’ll get you for this!” I snapped, using my deepest voice.
“You needed cooling off, my delicious treat, and I can’t wait to see you try.”
CHAPTER 32
Kruz
“Is all this goddamn formality necessary?” I snarled and jerked at the bowtie. Why the fuck was I standing in a freaking tuxedo in the middle of the afternoon? Penguin attire was usually saved for galas, something else I couldn’t stand. Narrowing my eyes, I glared at the face staring back at me. “I look ridiculous.”
Jago gave me a look while Navarro continued pouring drinks. “Hey, Nav. You notice our boy’s losing his shit?”
I threw a look Navarro’s way, warning him to keep his damn mouth shut with the venom I felt in my eyes.
In the week since the massacre, the city had been abuzz with news about the incidents.
Although I doubted many people had shed a tear for anyone who’d died. The bastards had terrorized people within the city, selling drugs to minors, something we abhorred and refused to allow.
The police had also looked the other way, although the chief of police had called Jago, thanking him for helping the force do their jobs. It was laughable, but the way of corruption and greed.
While the word on the street was that we’d eliminated the core of the Alcarez Cartel, there were already rumblings of retaliation. But there’d been no overt threats from Fassi. However, word of our presence on the New York Stock Exchange had likely already been provided to the son of a bitch.
Jago had called in a few favors, ensuring we were now a voting member of the Diamond Dealers Club. The board had approved our membership just a day before. Not without some difficulties, but nothing that money and blackmail hadn’t been able to cure.
Plus, we’d used Christine’s fake last name with a boost to her credentials to help in the process. Considered an expert in her field based on her new resume, her expertise would provide curiosity since few women were tops in the field.
All the players would be present. Skyler Worthington was with his partner, her father. There were also representatives from several countries. Along with the president’s meeting, a trade show was being hosted, a lure for all the most well-respected jewelers, importers, and exporters. The amount of money exchanging hands would be phenomenal.
A true launch to our fledging business.
Along with removing some venomous snakes from the playing field.
Navarro took slow steps toward us. “Yeah, you look like shit, Kruz. He is losing his shit, Jag. You know what that means. Right?”
As he handed Jago a glass, I turned and took long steps, snatching the second drink, tossing the whiskey back in a single shot.
“He’s in love.” Jago sat down on the chair, immediately crossing his legs.
I moved to the bar, pushing Navarro out of the way as he was attempting to pour himself something strong. How could I deny the way I felt? “I don’t know what I feel. Just leave it there.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Jago said. “You killed two dozen men a few nights ago without any hesitation. All because the woman you dragged from Miami had been roughed up.”
“Did you see her face? Did you see what the bastards did to her?” As soon as I threw out the questions, I knew I’d fallen into the trap. “Fuck you both. Yeah, I care about her. Plus, she’s good for business.”
“I’ll say,” Jago snorted. “Christine knows her stuff. Did you know she refused a shipment from what she called a lying sack of shit just yesterday? We won’t be doing business with the group from Brazil any longer. Inferior quality when they assured us the shipment included several pink diamonds.”
I had a sense of pride.
“It would seem Fassi has been busy the last few days.” Jago threw out a carrot.
Navarro snorted. “Eliminating loose ends?”
“He cut ties with two international jewelers. From what my sources tell me, the CEO of one didn’t take it very well.” Jago had a smirk on his face.
“Let me guess. The CEO is no longer working for a pension,” I threw out.
“Ding. Ding. Poor Tonya. She had no idea she’d been used as an introduction to Skyler Worthington and Thomas Callahan. I’ll venture a guess the engagement between Malcolm and Tonya had been a placeholder.”
I shrugged and glanced at Jago. “Unless there were plans to backstab Fassi.”
Jago’s eyes lit up. “A possibility. If that’s the case, our time spent in New York could be bloody.”
At this point, I couldn’t care less. I was eager to end the life of the bastard who’d plagued our business for almost a year. No one before had been allowed to remain in hiding for that long.
Either we’d lost our touch or had fallen into appreciating other aspects of living. Maybe the truth was a little bit of both.
“The regular board and president’s meeting of the Diamond Club is in two days. Right?” I knew the answer. I’d familiarized myself with the layout of the exchange, including everyone who’d been invited.
“Right on schedule. Get this,” Jago mused. “Skyler Worthington is running for a seat on the board. If he’s stupid enough to be playing Fassi, he has a much better opportunity.”
Both Navarro and I shot him a look, Navarro laughing.
“Whatever the case, he’ll have more control over selected importers,” I said absently. “Maybe he believes himself to be king of the world.”
Jago nodded. “Plus, obtaining a seat will mean a coup for their jewelry business. If they block certain legal importers, Fassi will become an extremely rich man, perhaps the richest in the world. Or just the opposite and Worthington and Callahan will have the world of precious jewels in the palms of their hands.”
“More money, more power.” Navarro sighed. “What about your cousin? Any other news?”
“He had an attack on a small shipment. Nothing he couldn’t handle. I think nothing more than a warning.” Jago didn’t appear overly worried. “My cousin is no fool, even if he lacks in common sense and decency. I’ve tasked him to keep his ear to the ground.”
I nodded and thought about how out of control the entire situation could become if we weren’t careful.
“What is it, Kruz? I can tell you have something on your mind.”
Jago always knew when something irritated me. “Why go to the trouble of attacking Eduardo? What did Fassi have to gain?”
“Maybe he hoped we’d waste time protecting the man’s empire,” Navarro suggested.
While I didn’t buy it, right now whatever Eduardo was into couldn’t matter. What we were planning was risky, especially since there was a basic plan to destroy all parties with no meat to how that was going to happen. This wasn’t a situation where the use of muscle would provide results. Even with Christine’s expertise, we were sorely lacking in enough information to make the attack successful.
After taking another swallow of my drink, I checked my watch. It was almost time for the wedding, more a formality than anything, but with pictures inevitably showing up on social media, the look had to be right to bring Fassi out in the open.
“Are you sure you want Christine involved?” Navarro asked.
“She’s determined to bring down her father, who I understand is considered a premier, longtime member. I doubt he’ll miss the glorious event.” The club went all out, the lavish events surrounding the meeting a perfect setting for what we had in mind.
“That didn’t answer the question.”
Now I had to laugh. “You don’t know Christine very well. She’s insisted more than once and with the opening of the jewelry store and the early success, she’s eager to push forward.” The truth was she was hoping to return to some sense of normalcy.
That’s one thing I couldn’t promise, but she was already tired of the increased security I’d required. She’d told me she felt like a prisoner. Good. I wouldn’t risk losing her again.
“We leave tonight,” Jago said. “Can she handle being away from Maverick?”
Shrugging, I swirled the liquid in my glass. “She’s okay. The nanny we hired was given her seal of approval.”
“You did run this woman through every checkpoint. Right?”
I glanced at Navarro, a smile crossing my face. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had a thing for that little boy. Trust me, the woman is in the clear. The interview lasted three hours.”
His face held no expression except for the twitch on the side of his mouth. “He’s a cute kid and doesn’t deserve to be in the middle of a war.”
My grin didn’t fade. It was the first time I’d seen a softer side of the man since I’d known him. “He is a doll. I adore him.”
“No questions about his dad?”
“From what I heard, Maverick has asked few questions. He’s so little, he can easily adapt. Christine is prepared to tell him his father is in heaven if asked. Did you handle my request in Miami?”
Jago smiled. “Absolutely, and with pleasure. I must say, the art of destruction is enjoyable even from a distance.”
“I owe you.” But she was worth it. It was a rather non-traditional wedding present, but I suspected it was one she’d thoroughly appreciate.
“Yes, you do. However, the woman has a lot on her plate, including dealing with the likes of you.” Jago laughed.
“Yes, she does.” Including holding some other secrets. I was positive I was right. I’d found her closing her laptop as soon as I walked into a room or having meetings with Genevieve that suddenly ended if I was anywhere close. While I hadn’t wanted to confront her given the difficult circumstances, at some point, she’d need to come clean about what the hell she was doing.
We all tensed hearing a sound at the door.
When it was thrown open and Maverick bolted in, all three of us were surprised. He raced towards me, and I barely had time to set my drink down before he flew into my arms. “Hey, little man. What’s this all about?” Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my lovely bride rushing in.
While she was in bare feet, she was wearing the wedding dress Genevieve had helped her find and which Christine had refused to allow me to see.
I took a deep and exaggerated breath and of course, both men noticed, laughing into their fists.
“I’m sorry,” she said, snorting as she stopped short. “He just had to see you. Slipped away from me.”
“I don’t mind.” I rose to my feet with him in my arms, unable to take my eyes off her. “You look… amazing.”
“Yep,” Jago huffed, looking at Navarro.
Navarro nodded.
Christine never missed a thing. “What is it?” With her hands on her hips, she looked formidable.
“Not a thing,” Jago said, hiding behind his glass.
Her brow furrowed. She knew exactly when any of us were telling a lie. Her uncanny ability to do so about anyone would serve her well in New York. With me right by her side. I was worried, more so than I wanted to admit to anyone, including to Christine.
