CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Angel
MARKIE WAS DYING. Father looked as shocked as I felt. After telling him her story, I handed him the business card she'd given me. He put his office phone on speaker and dialed.
"Dom. It's about goddamn time. Thought I was going to have to send you a neon sign with my fuckin' number. Please tell me you killed the bitch."
"Adamo," Father said through gritted teeth.
"No? That's a shame. I would love to see Angel turn on you. Ah well. How's Mike? Still stuck in that wheel chair? Should have been you, mother fucker."
Father glanced at me. "Cut the bullshit and tell me what you want."
Adamo chuckled. "Many things. But nuthin' a lousy son-of-a-bitch like you can give to me. That's okay. I'll take them for myself, like a real man. I won't send my brother in to clean up my mess. That's the difference between me and you. But when the shit hits the fan and your empire crumbles down around you, I want you to know who's responsible. I want you to remember this all could have been avoided if you'd been man enough to do your fuckin' duty."
"And marry that horse-mouthed bitch of yours? I don't think so. You need to let that pipedream go, Adamo. Hasn't it cost you enough?"
Although my old man sounded calm, the vein threatening to pop out of his forehead told a different story.
The line went dead. Father tapped on his keyboard and swore loudly.
"No trace?" I asked.
"Nope. It should be here, but it's not."
Which meant Adamo had a tech guy, and whoever he'd gotten was no slouch. I knew Adamo had once been an ally of my grandfather's. Some serious shit had gone down between them, and after all that Adamo had just said, I figured it was Father's fault.
"Can I ask what happened between you and Adamo?" I asked.
Father frowned, still looking at his computer. "Your grandfather promised Adamo I'd marry his daughter. Valentina Pelino wasn't shit next to your mom, and I couldn't do it. Adamo took it personally and defected to the Durantes like a little bitch with his feelings hurt. Dumbass was gunnin' for me when he crippled Mike."
I stared at him in shock.
"You know what saved my life that night? Your mom got a phone call from some broad who was claiming I was cheatin'. You were only days old at the time and Annetta lost her shit. Mike said he'd do the pick up from the Pelinos so I could go home and deal with her. When I got there, I had to step over a body to get to you and your mom. Some asshole had come for you, and she'd taken them out."
Something still didn't make sense. "Who was the woman?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Sure wasn't anyone connected to Adamo. He'd expected me to do the pickup, and he'd been ready. Never did figure out who called your mom and why. I wish Mike wouldn't have lost his legs, but I wouldn't change a damn thing given the chance. This family wouldn't be shit without Annetta. She's the reason I built all of this... for her and for you and your siblings. To keep you all safe and protected. Never wanted any of this until I met her. Then I had something worth fighting for. You feel me?"
I nodded, understanding what he meant all too well. The woman I would build an empire for was dying of cancer, and I'd do anything to keep her alive.
As if reading my mind, Father said, "Dr. Monte was a good call. She'll figure out what's going on with your girl and if there is a doctor who can treat her, we'll handle it."
I let out a breath, relieved to hear him confirm my hopes. "Thank you, Father."
"That's what family's for. Now get out of my office. I've got shit to do."
* * *
After we left Father's office, Bones waited in the living room while I headed to the kitchen to retrieve Markie.
"Have you eaten yet?" Nonna asked the instant she saw me.
Come to think about it, the last time I'd eaten had been breakfast in San Diego. It was now approaching seven p.m., and I was starving. After what I'd learned over the past hour, I didn't know if I could eat, though.
"I'm okay, Nonna."
"Nonsense," she replied, heading for the refrigerator. "Your mother made some wonderful stracotto al chianti (beef braised in chianti). You have to try it."
"Will you please grab him some of that mushroom bruschetta, too?" Mamma said, making a beeline for the pantry. "I'll grab a loaf of garlic bread. Oh, and send some of that risotto, will you?"
"Angel, grab a bag and help me," Nonna commanded.
Knowing it would be pointless to argue with them, I pulled a paper grocery bag from the cupboard and held it open for Nonna. By the time she finished filling it, we had all four courses and a bottle of wine.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Mamma told Markie. "Angel, she has scans with Dr. Monte at eight a.m., then we want her here to meet the family while we distribute lists."
Feeling like a spectator and a chauffeur as Mamma and Nonna took over, I nodded. "Got it."
"Good. Now take Markie home and feed her," Nonna instructed. "She needs to keep her strength up."
"Yes, ma'am."
I led Markie from the kitchen and Bones joined us, taking the bag of food from me.
"Man, I love it when your mom sends food home," he said, peeking at the contents. "I'm starving."
I opened the passenger's door for Markie and she climbed in, buckled up, and stared out the window as I circled to the driver's side. Bones took one look at me, nodded to tell me he understood that I needed a moment, and leaned against the Hummer. Thankful for the privacy, I climbed in and turned to face Markie.
After everything that had happened, I wouldn't be surprised if she told me to fuck off, but I couldn't allow that. Not now, not ever. Reaching for her hand, I intertwined our fingers. She didn't pull away, but she didn't look at me either. Encouraged, I dove right into what I needed to say.
"Stay with me tonight?" I asked. I'd never invited a woman to my place, but Markie was different. I had no trouble imagining her in my space... In my bed. She belonged there. Just thinking about her hair splayed across my pillows and her naked curves between my sheets made me hard. Cancer could take her from me, but I intended to spend every moment like it might be her last.
Markie's brows rose in shock. She opened her mouth, and then immediately clamped it shut again. She was obviously torn, which was much better than outright rejection.
"I'm sorry about everything," I hurried to say. "I know I fucked up and I don't deserve you, but I had to protect my family. Now that I know we might have limited time together, I want... I need you to be with me as much as you can."
She continued to watch me.
"Besides, I gotta get you to the doctor in the morning, and Nonna said I have to feed you," I reminded her.
A smile ghosted her lips, not quite traveling to her eyes. "I am kinda hungry."
She hadn't forgiven me, but her mercy was enough. Relieved, I pulled her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss against her knuckles. "Thank you."
Bones climbed in and we drove to Ariana's place, stopping long enough for Markie to pick up her things and call her sister (who was still at work). Markie hid the apartment key, and we went to my condo. Bones turned on the television and put on a game while I started warming up Mamma's leftovers. Markie roamed around the space, looking at the family photos I had on the wall.
"This is all family?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Yep."
"Wow. There are a lot of you."
"That's nothing. Those are just my parents, siblings, and Uncle Mike's family. There will be a lot more there tomorrow."
"You're so lucky, Angel. I've always wanted a big family."
I chuckled and started slicing bread. "I don't know that I'd say lucky, but it's never boring for sure."
She wandered over and sat at the bar, eying the pans on the stove. "The food smells great. Can I help you with anything?"
"Sure." I set the sliced bread on a platter and slid it over to her before dumping the now warm mushroom bruschetta from a saucepan into a glass bowl. I stuck a big spoon in it and handed it to Markie. "Spread some mushrooms on the bread, please."
She did the first one, and then took a bite out of it. "Ohmigod, this is fantastic."
She held the rest of the slice out to me and I ate it from her hand. It felt strangely intimate and made me want to set her on the counter and fuck her in my kitchen. My pants grew uncomfortably tight at the thought.
"I want one," Bones said, shattering my fantasy with the reminder that his ass was in the living room.
Markie slathered another slice with mushrooms and took it to him. I flipped him off as soon as she turned her back to me. Bones laughed, shaking his head.
After dinner, Markie and I headed to my room. As soon as I closed the door behind us, emotions from the day crashed into me. Fear. Desperation. Helplessness. All things I wasn't used to feeling. They made me needy in a way I loathed, but couldn't deny. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her into me. Once she was tucked safely against my chest, I held on, willing her cancer away. Willing her to be okay. I leaned over until my lips found the pulse in her neck, and stayed there, not happy, but somewhat content. As long as her heart was beating, there was still time.
"You okay?" she asked.
I brushed her hair back. "No."
She nodded. "Your family's great, Angel."
"I know."
"Would you really have betrayed them for me?"
I stood up straight and squeezed her closer. "Yes. I wouldn't have handed you over to them."
Pulling away, she stared up at me, her eyes watery. "Why not?"
"They're dangerous. We're dangerous," I amended. "We have to be. People want to destroy what my family has built. There's been kidnapping attempts and most of us have been shot at. We have powerful enemies, so we must protect each other. Family is valued above everything. I couldn't let them see you as a threat."
"Is that why I didn't meet your father?"
I nodded. "He has a lot riding on his shoulders, and sometimes he reacts before he knows the full story. I knew you'd be safe with Mamma and Nonna. Not even he would mess with them."
She smiled. "I can see why. They're amazing."
"Yeah. And so are you."
Her body fit so perfect against mine, like it was meant to be there. The thought of losing her brought out a desperation I'd never felt. Needing her more than I'd ever needed anything in my life, I tucked a finger under her chin and pulled her face up until her gaze locked on mine.
Markie felt everything I did. I could see the desperation and need in her gorgeous blue eyes.
I anchored my hands under her ass and pulled her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist as our lips mashed together. She tasted of wine and passion, and I couldn't get enough of her. My tongue plunged into her mouth, desperate to claim her, to own her. She was mine to protect, and goddammit, protect her, I would.
I broke off the kiss long enough to tug her shirt over her head and toss it on the floor. Still too many clothes. I unhooked her bra and released her fucking perfect breasts. Nipples already hard and pink, begging to be in my mouth, I couldn't resist them. I released her lips and traveled south, nipping and sucking at her neck before focusing on her tits.
Markie threw her head back and I had to wrap my arms around her to keep her from falling. I hefted her up to get more of her breast in my mouth. God, I could suck on her nipples forever. Not wanting the other breast to feel neglected, I attacked it. Markie unhooked her legs from around my waist and slid down, pulling herself from my mouth with a pop.
Before I could complain, she took a step back and unbuttoned her jeans. It took everything in me to stand there and patiently watch as she slid them over her sexy hips and shimmied out of them.
"You are so fuckin' beautiful," I said, advancing on her.
She put her hands up, stopping me. Then she slowly unbuttoned my shirt, our gazes locked the entire time. My pants came off next, and she slid to her knees in front of me as she slid down my boxer briefs, freeing my hard cock. Her tongue grazed the tip of me and I sucked in a breath.
Our gazes locked again as she took me in her mouth. I almost shot my load right then.
"My god," I ground out, throwing my head back.
Perfect, soft lips slid over my dick again and again as I fought against the desire to come in her mouth. After a while, she opened her mouth wider and sucked me into the back of her throat, cupping my balls. So fucking deep, and I only wanted more. I grabbed her head and pushed myself in further. She released my balls and gripped my ass, taking me further down her throat.
"Fuck!" I hissed, pulling out of her mouth before I came down her throat. I wasn't ready for that yet. First, I needed to make sure her tight, pink pussy knew it belonged to me.
Markie was still on her knees, looking like she was about to make another go at my dick. As good as that sounded, I had other plans. I picked her up and carried her to the bed, ripping off her panties as we went.
I needed to taste her, to own every ounce of her. My head settled between her legs, and she sucked in a breath. Spreading her lips wide so I could see her pussy, I blew on her clit and her body shuddered.
"You're soaked, baby," I said.
"You do this to me!" she defended.
"Definitely not complaining." I looked at her. "I love that I make you wet. I love that sucking my cock makes you fuckin' drip. I'm gonna see how many times I can make you come."
I plunged my tongue into her sweet wetness and she moaned. Encouraged, I licked, sucked, and teased her until her orgasm started building. Then I slid two fingers inside her and attacked her g-spot, sucking her clit with the same ferocious intensity.
She cried out my name as she came, and I fucking loved it. So much, I needed more. I climbed on top of her and slid myself into her tight pussy. God, the way her walls squeezed me made me want to pound into her.
"You're not wearing a condom," she said.
"No." I slowly slid out of her and then plunged back in, loving the way she contracted. "I needed to feel you first. Want me to put one on?"
She shook her head. "No point." Closing her eyes, she ground her hips against me. "And it feels so good."
Yes, it did. And I needed more. Needed to be deeper. I slid off her, pulling her onto me.
"Ride me. I want to watch those big tits bounce."
She took me inside her and rode my cock like it was a goddamn pogo stick. Hair and boobs bouncing like a fucking wet dream. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I let her enjoy the ride as I continued to fight the urge to come. Markie couldn't hold back, though. My cock must have hit a sweet spot, because her lips formed in a perfect "O" and her pussy squeezed around me.
I let her finish, and then I settled her on her hands and knees, getting an eyeful of her big ass as I buried myself in her again.
"Ohmigod, Angel," she moaned.
It was all the encouragement I needed. Grabbing her hips, I withdrew my shaft before shoving it back inside her. Again. Again. Harder. I could feel her climax building again and it was so fucking hot. I reached around and played with her wet clit as I continued to pound her from behind.
"You like that, baby?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Good. You have the best pussy. I cannot believe how fuckin' good you feel."
With the hand that wasn't stroking her clit, I fisted her hair and gave her a little tug. Then I drove into her even harder and faster until both of us toppled over the edge.
Afterward, I held Markie as she drifted off to sleep, silently promising her that nothing would take her from me.
Not even cancer.