Hush 2: Slow Burn (4 page)

“Thanks,” I murmur.

“Call me in the morning,” Marie says in my ear as she pulls me in for a hug.

“I will see you later,” I say and give her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. I stumble again and Jas straightens me.

My heart squeezes as I think back to that night Valentina had me get all dressed up in that cream colored dress that was way out of my comfort zone then. Luca had taken care of me after I had too much to drink. I remember him leading me to the car after and kissing my temple.

It was so sweet and tender. I had fallen asleep against him on the ride home and he had carried me to bed. I woke as he was slipping my shoes off my feet. I know I’m not crazy. There was something in his eyes. A look he gave me before it all shutdown and he schooled his features into the cool mask he gives everyone else.

Out of frustration I had jumped off the bed and stumbled into the shower that night. Luca was already in bed with his back to me when I got back out. I fought not to cry that night, but as I laid there awake and pissed off something hit me. It was the first night he didn’t call Pam’s name. I remember noticing that fact and finding enough peace in it to finally fall asleep.

I draw in a breath willing the memory to fade. I can’t keep living like this. I didn’t want to marry Luca in the first place. I was just going along with what Papa wanted. Now I plan to do what Shannon wants. At the moment, I haven’t a clue what that is, but it starts with saying, “Fuck Luca!”

chapter Three

Welcome Home

Marie

New York

“What are you doing home so early,” I purr up at Jas as he reenters the house after walking Rita and a very drunken Shannon out.

“Is a man not even welcome in his own home anymore,” Jas teases as he bends his head to nip at my neck. “And here I thought you loved me.”

“I absolutely do love you and you know it,” I moan and wiggle closer to him wishing I could melt right into my husband. I can’t believe we have been married for almost ten months already. It feels like so much longer, but at the same time, every day with Jas brings something new.

I can’t wait to give him our news. I confirmed my suspicions this morning after getting sick at my photo shoot. I can’t believe it has finally happened. Jas has been so patient, but I have been getting so down and frustrated that we hadn’t conceived a baby yet.

I only took a home pregnancy test. I want to save my first appointment for us to do together. Everything has been going so smoothly. I have been picking up modeling gigs and Jas’s gym and his app program have been a great hit. Now we have a baby on the way and I couldn’t be happier.

“Then I think you should welcome me home, Baby,” Jas croons into my ear.

“How exactly would you like me to welcome you home,” I pull away slightly to look up at him through my lashes.

“Follow me, Angel. I will show you exactly what you can do for me,” Jas replies with a sexy smirk on his lips. I have come to know that smirk very well. It holds so much meaning and promise.

There is an electrical current that courses through me as his presence takes over the room and ladens me with a sense of anticipation. I don’t think I will ever get enough of this man. It is almost like our past has been forgotten and we a have fresh start that involves more passion than we could have ever imagined, at least on my part.

I follow my sexy husband to the bedroom ready for whatever is going on in that sexy mind of his. I thought I trusted Jas before, but now being married to him, I have learned to trust him in a way that comes from deep within my soul. I don’t know what I would do without him.

Jas stops in front of our bed turning to me and crosses his arms over his broad chest. His blonde hair is a bit messy and is falling into his green eyes. It is one of the hottest looks I have ever seen on my husband. It reminds me that I am the one that can make the controlled man lose it and turn into a mess right before my eyes.

Jas lifts a brow at me wordlessly. I know what that means and I move forward to obey the silent request. I first step out of my black skirt not removing my grey heels. My white tank top comes off next. I move before Jas in my silver bra and panties.

I tug at the hem of his t-shirt and he lifts his arms to allow me to remove the shirt from his body. I watch with baited breath as his muscles bunch and flex as I remove the shirt and toss it aside. Jas folds his arms back across his chest as I kneel before him and unfasten his jeans. His shoes are already gone as it is his habit to step out of his shoes at the front door.

I lick my lips as his heavy erection springs free and bobs before me. My eyes cross as I stare at his delicious member that is pointing right at me. I had no idea a cock could taste so good, but Jas taste better than the finest chocolate I have ever had. Trust me; I have had some damn expensive and delicious chocolate.

I look up through my lashes at Jas looking for permission to have what I so badly crave. That smirk is back as he tilts his head and inclines it towards me. “You want it, Baby. Take it. Show me how much you want to taste me, Angel,” Jas rasps out through his own lust.

I almost purr with joy as I lean forward and lick the underside of his shaft. Jas’s hand shoots to my hair and entwines into my heavy locks. I have barely touched him and he is hissing out at me. I love having this power over him. He may rule me in everything else, but we are not going to fool ourselves and pretend he is the boss when he is at the mercy of my mouth.

“Fuck,” Jas hisses out as I proceed to wrap him within my lips and swallow as much as my throat will allow. “That’s it, Baby, just like that.” He groans as I start to bob up and down on his shaft. I swirl my tongue on his thick girth and his hand tightens in my hair.

I moan around him as I watch him through my lashes. His eyes are glued on me as I soak his cock with my mouth. His full lips are slightly parted and his nostrils are starting to flare which tells me I am on my way to bringing him to his knees.

Jas cups my chin and pulls free of my mouth. I watch as his rod drips from my love and affection as he pops free from my lips. Reaching down Jas grasps me underneath my arms, pulling me to my feet. His mouth is on mine in a searing kiss, devouring my soul on the spot.

“Go get the large black silk,” Jas commands as his large hand squeezes my ass. “I want to watch this gorgeous body of yours move.”

With a big smile on my face, I pull away and head for our walk in closet to get the silk tie he is talking about. I can feel that my thighs are already slick with my own desire. My clit is throbbing, begging for my husband’s attention.

I hear Jas growl behind me as I sway my hips. I look over my shoulder and wink at him as I giggle. “Hurry your pretty ass up, Baby, I need inside you,” Jas rasps as he strokes himself.

I scurry into the closet and locate the black tie and rush back out to my gorgeous awaiting husband. Jas takes the tie from my hand pulling me into him for another kiss. As he nips and nibbles at my now swollen lips, I run my hands up his chest. I love the fact that his muscles flex and ripple beneath my fingertips.

“What are your plans for me tonight, Boss?” I purr as Jas moves his lips to my neck, flicking his tongue against my skin.

I moan and move closer to him, needing to feel him skin to skin. “Choose Angel, fast and hard or nice and slow,” Jas whispers in my ear.

“Fast and hard,” I whimper.

Jas chuckles against my neck as his warm breath fans my skin. “You always love it fast and hard, don’t you,” he says silkily.

“Please,” I whimper as I start to pant in earnest.

“As you wish,” Jas growls gripping my waist and spinning me around, “Hands on the post.”

I follow his command as he walks my body forward to one of the posts at the foot of the bed. I wrap my fingers around it as best I can. Jas leans his hard body over mine and secures my wrists to the post. His lips make a trip from a tender kiss on the top of my head to a slow trail of kisses down the side of my neck that is exposed to him.

I am grateful for my earlier decision to wear a messy bun on top of my head. After testing my restraints to make sure they are tied to his liking, Jas hands travel over the curves of my body. I am more than ready for him.

“You are so sexy, Baby. I can smell your sweet pussy. I need a taste before I fill you up,” Jas croons into my ear causing goosebumps to flare up against my skin.

I squirm and whimper. Jas slaps my ass to still me as he drops to his knees behind me. I cry out loudly as his large fingers pull my folds apart and his warm breath fans my core just as he takes his first taste.

His tongue becomes my master. It is insane the talent this man has with his mouth. Jas had talent all those years ago when he first gave me my first orgasm. However, this, the skills he possesses now are phenomenal.

I rock my hips riding his face as he hums and growls into my core. I can feel my body tightening ready to explode. I know Jas feels it too. He pushes two fingers inside me just at the right moment to send me over the edge. “Oh God, Jas,” I scream into the room.

I collapse against the post as I come down from bliss, but Jas doesn’t give me any rest. He continues to lap at my folds collecting my juices, starting my journey back to ecstasy once again. Just when I think I am going to splinter into a million pieces, Jas is behind me plunging his thick cock into my tight sheath.

“Fuck Marie,” Jas grunts and stills. “You are always so fucking tight. I can’t get shit done at the gym because I am always thinking about rushing home to get inside this tight pussy. Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

“I love you,” I cry out. “I love you so much. You feel so good.”

That is what I mean to say but I am not so sure it comes out that way. I am sobbing and keening out my pleasure as Jas starts to pound into me. I asked for fast and hard and that is what he is giving me. His strokes are fierce and demanding.

Jas places a hand on the small of my back pressing down as he shifts us both and bends his knees. At this angle, he has a straight shot at my g-spot. It is so not fair what he is doing to my pussy. I throw my head back crying out because it feels so good.

“Oh shit, Jas,” I say through dry lips. I have to lick them and try to remember to breathe.

Jas places his lips to my ear. “You like that my little Dove, you want more,” he grunts in my ear. “Tell your Boss what you want, Baby.”

“I want you, I need, oh please,” my head is scrambled and I don’t know how to express what I want.

I should know that I don’t have to. Jas knows me and he knows my body. He grips my messy bun in one hand tugging my head back, thrusting his tongue into my mouth to match his hard thrusts. Then, right when I need him to, he snakes his hand between my legs and starts to flick my clit.

“Yes,” I cry out as my whole body starts to shake and quiver with my climax.

“Fuck yes,” Jas hisses into my mouth. “That’s it, Angel come all over my cock. Hold on for me. I’m not ready. Can you hold on a little longer?”

I can hear the smug chuckle in his voice. He knows I am completely shattered, but that isn’t going to stop him. He also knows I will not deny him a thing. Even if this post wasn’t holding me up so that I don’t collapse into a heap of goo, I would give him my all until I have no more.

He doesn’t wait for my answer as his hands cup my breasts. He starts to knead them, pinching and plucking my right nipple between his fingers. My body is still convulsing against him as he plows his way to his own release whispering dirty, sweet, commanding words into my ear. He knows what he is doing to me.

Just the sound of his voice rumbling through me is enough to send me spiraling over the edge again. It is not unusual for Jas to make me come so hard I pass out. As he plants his feet further apart, gripping my waist with one hand, pulling me to him to match his upward thrusts that are becoming jerky and sharp, that is exactly what I do.

My orgasm hits and I black out on a silent open-mouthed scream. The last thing I remember is my husband flooding my womb with his hot seed as he roars out and supports my body from crashing to the floor. My last thought is;
I’ll just have to tell him about the baby when I wake up.

chapter Four

Crashing Cars

Shannon

New York

Here I sit with my head against the window as Rita’s driver Petey drives towards Uri and Valentina’s house. I need to make some decisions. I can’t keep living like this. I should find a place of my own. Sure Uri bought a house big enough for him, Valentina, and a small country. 

I just don’t want to be a burden. Valentina and Uri seem to love having everyone living with them, but if I want to start fresh, I need to start fresh on my own. I have never been on my own. I just have to decide where I plan to live.

Chicago seems so lonely now that Papa and Uncle Valentine have been in Italy since everyone found out about that bitch that ruined our family. Honestly, I don’t blame Papa. There are way too many memories there.

I love New York; I have made so many friends here. Maybe I should find a place here and even take Nico up on his offer to take me out on a date. I snicker at my drunken thoughts. I have a friend that moved here to Harlem after high school. Sinclair was one of my few friends in high school, but that bitch never approved of my friend. Maybe I can find a place close to Sinclair.

“I hope you are not going crazy on me,” Rita chuckles, drawing me from my thoughts.

“Nope, not going crazy, I think I am finally thinking straight. I plan to make some changes in my life. First, one being finding my own place. I hate staying at Luca’s place and I think it is time I leave Valentina’s,” I say nodding my head at my own thoughts.

Rita gives me the side eye. “Listen, I don’t get what is going on with you and Luca. Like I said, I don’t know him, but maybe you should sleep the alcohol off first before making any real decisions. You never know what could happen that will make you change your mind,” Rita shrugs and bites her lip.

I have come to know her well. That look tells me she is trying to tell me something without really telling me much. I study her face processing her words. Rita glances away from me and winces.

“I have to pee. I should have gone before we left. Ugh, what was I thinking,” Rita mutters. “Petey, can you pull over. I have to go. I’m so sorry. I’m not going to make it.”

I call bullshit in my head, but I need the space as much as she does as I try to process her last words. Maybe she is right and I need to clear my head of the alcohol rolling through my system. However, knowing Rita as I have come to know her she knows something I don’t.

My head hurts from trying to think too much through my wine induce fog. Perhaps I am just making things up. So I won’t decide on the move right now, but as the car door closes behind Rita, I do make a decision on something else.

As confused as I feel inside about who I am and where I really come from I know one thing. Luca doesn’t get the right to make me feel like shit. I snort because those were the last words my sister had said to me before she and her husband took off on a trip yesterday.

I almost asked to tag along with them, but when I realized they were only taking Vita, I decided against it. They need time alone as a family. I pull out my phone and squint at the screen before I find the right number. Or at least, I hope I am dialing the right number. It is a little late to be dialing random people.

It would be just my luck that I would call one of the clients Valentina has entrusted me with since she hired me to help with her business. I was so proud when she gave me the job with her bag and shoe company. It is her baby, but she has given me so much responsibility with it lately as she has been taking on some work with Nate and Rita.

I snicker to myself as I think of the bad ass women in my life. When I found out Rita is a part of Briggs Security’s elite bodyguards a shiver ran through me. It was something in the look I saw in her eyes. It was the same look that you notice in the eyes of the men in her family. It is a look I see when I look in Valentina and Uri’s eyes. I never put a finger on it until having them all in the same room and seeing it for what it was.

I had been totally floored when Valentina told me everything about our past and what she does for the family. Everything clicked into place that day. She didn’t go into the gory details, but I have heard things despite what Valentina thinks and I know my sister is one scary …

The voice I have longed to hear pulls me from my thoughts. I hate that just his voice can make my heart speed up and melt at its sound. “Hello,” he answers the phone. It is the first time he has answered one of my calls in months, which serves to piss me off more and slaps me out of my moment of weakness.

“You don’t have to want me,” I slur into the phone in my rage.

“Shannon?” The idiot asks. Who the fuck else does he think is calling him at this time of night. Is that why he up and left me? Is he with someone else? Is that it, I’m not good enough for him so he went to find someone that is?

I snort. “Is there someone else not good enough for you? I met
Pamela,
God
I can’t even hate her. She is so sweet, so cool. Did you know you call her name in your sleep? You don’t have to love me, Luca. You would have to know me to love me, and I don’t even know who I’m supposed to be anymore.”

“Shannon, Baby listen to me. I’m on my way home. Where are you? Is someone with you?” Luca rushes out. I wish he were here so I could smack him. Baby,
psh
. When did I become baby?

I am fuming and I decide to give him a piece of my mind before Rita gets back in the car and takes the phone from me. I may say something I’ll regret in the morning, but I can’t take it anymore. Does he even know that despite my very own heart’s warnings I have fallen in love with him?

I frown at the phone then look up as light blares through the glass. “I am –,” my words are cut off as I scream when those blaring lights don’t stop, but run right into the car Petey and I are sitting in. My scream and the sound of crunching metal and glass are the last things I comprehend before it all goes black.

~B~

Rita

I know I said too much. Shannon is a lot smarter than everyone gives her credit for. It is why I don’t get this thing with Luca. If it were me, I would just let his ass go. I sigh because it is none of my business. Uri, Valentina, Nate and Pam are all on their way to talk some sense into him. I am so exhausted from sitting up all night with Hannah that I almost told her where they are all off to.

Nate would kick my ass, but I am more afraid of Uri. I shiver at the thought as I pretend to relieve myself. I smile when my phone rings. Looking at the caller ID, I see it is my husband. I am so glad Marcus and I have gotten our shit together. I hate watching what Shannon is going through.

“Hey, Baby,” I sing into the phone. I start to walk further away from the view of the car not wanting to chance Shannon seeing me on the phone. Petey knows there is no way I am pissing on the side of the road, but he knew better than to argue with my request.

“Hey Beautiful, where are you? I thought you’d be home when I got here. It was a long day. I can’t wait to have you in my arms,” Marcus purrs into the phone.

I can’t believe my husband can still get me to smile so hard my face hurts. I love this man so much. Just to think my own immaturity almost cost me this life. I turn to look back at the car. I send up a silent prayer that Shannon gets her happily ever after.

I don’t know what Luca’s problem is, but I know it has nothing to do with the fact that she is mixed. That witch that was posing as her mother did a number on her. Shannon just needs to find her confidence in herself once again.

Shannon is a beautiful woman. She can have any man she wants. I smile as I think of a few guys I can hook her up with if this thing with Luca doesn’t work out.

“I’m giving Shannon a lift home and then I should be home,” I say to Marcus as my thoughts turn to my little family. I miss my babies and my husband. Hanging out with the girls is always fun, but right now I want to kiss my babies up and wrap myself in my husband’s strong arms. “I will be in said arms in less than thirty minutes.”

“Good because I want to discuss that little boy or girl we should be making,” Marcus chuckles.

“Dream on Mairettie,” I snort. “I told you while I was pushing Hannah out that we would be waiting, at least, another year or two before we have another.”

“Rita, why do you have to fight me on everything? Just give your husband what he wants. I want another baby; I want to watch you swell with my baby again. Did I tell you how sexy you were pregnant with both of my babies?”

“Oh please Marcus,” I laugh. “You grumbled through both pregnancies when the sex was cut off due to them being high risk. I think you and I both know it would be best to wait a while before we rush into the next baby.”

“Well I want to at least get in some practice so hurry your sexy….”

I don’t hear the rest of his words as I hear the squeal of tires. Lights blur my vision and it is only seconds before I realize what is about to happen. I scream out hoping Petey will hear me but it’s useless.

“Oh my God, Petey, drive Petey, get out of the way,” I shout.

Hot tears flow from my eyes as I watch two of my friends being tossed in the air by another vehicle. The A7 we were riding in flips in the air from the force of the SUV that rammed it. I watch it flip once, twice, three times before it lands on its top, upside down.

“Marcus,” I whisper as I duck behind a tree. The SUV sits for a moment as if to make sure the job is done. I don’t want to be spotted. I am not sure how many are in the truck.

I reach into my bag, thankful that I brought it with me and pull out my glock. “Baby, what the fuck was that?” Marcus bellows into the phone.

“Babe, I need you to call for help. Call my uncle and have him track my car. We took the 7 tonight. Tell him that someone just rammed my car on the side of the road. We need emergency services. Shannon and Petey were still in the car when it was rammed. Tell him to hurry. This wasn’t an accident,” I whisper back.

“What!” Marcus growls. “Where are you? What the hell is going on?” Marcus asks as I hear him moving around, his breathing heavy with anxiety.

“I am fine right now, but I need to get off the phone and I need your help, Babe. Now!” I whisper back forcefully before hanging up.

A guy has emerged from the SUV and he is walking around the vehicle. He pulls a pistol and I lift my gun training it on his head. Before I pull the trigger sirens call his attention away from the car. He jogs back over to the SUV and that is when I see another two cars on the side of the road.

It looks like two cars with innocent bystanders. This road is not always busy but thankfully they seem to have been the ones to call for help. I squint to see one of the passengers has a phone out recording. I am going to need that phone.

For now, I rush towards the tossed metal that is encasing my friends. I can hear Petey’s groans right away. Petey is a large guy, six two at least two hundred and fifty pounds. He used to be on my team in London when Marie had no idea I was a part of her detail. I am close with all my guys, but Petey has always been like a big brother to me. He is one of the few guys that isn’t a family member in some way, that we have on family detail.

Family detail is what we call any assignment that involves watching over the Mairetties, Fecteau
s
,
or any member of the Briggs family. Petey was a runaway that Uncle Earl found on the streets. When Petey did a poor job of pickpocketing Uncle Earl, he looked into finding Petey’s family only to find that his father was a drunk and his mother had run off. Petey became part of the family from then on.

I can feel the hot tears as I kneel down to find Petey’s head bloody and his body pinned at an awkward angle. My eyes shift to the back seat to find Shannon crumpled in a heap on the roof of the car which is now acting as the floor.

“Oh my God, please hold on,” I whisper to them both as the sirens get close.