Vassago's Reckoning Read online

  If she was going to stay here, and if he had a snowball’s chance in hell of possessing her, first she needed to make things right with everyone in this club. She said she wanted to, and he believed her, but it couldn’t wait.

  “Do you think it’s safe to spread the story around now?”

  “Yes. I wouldn’t ask you to do it now if I didn’t think it was safe. The longer you wait, the worse it will be for you here.”

  She pulled her silky robe tighter around her body, even though he couldn’t see anything through it, and averted her gaze. “I want to tell you something before I talk to everyone else. I also came because I wanted to see you again. It was too good of a chance to pass up. All the pieces fell into place.”

  It was impossible not to let hope build, but there were still unanswered questions. Thunderbolt or not, he hadn’t survived this long without being cautious where women were concerned. Even dark-eyed, raven-haired women with pretty red fingernails.

  “Did you love Vince?”

  She lifted her gaze to his face with an alarmed expression. “What?”

  “You heard me. Did you love him? There’s no one here from the neighborhood. It’s just you and me. I’m sure not gonna tell him whatever you say right now, so be straight with me.”

  The alarm turned to resignation. He’d been right. There was something else going on here.

  “Yes and no. I feared him, or at least I did by the end.”

  “Did he hit you?” If he had, Digger would make sure whoever took him out made him suffer first.

  “No. It wasn’t like that. It was verbal and emotional abuse. As the wedding got closer, we argued over everything. How much I was spending, the dress I’d chosen, the colors I wanted, and who was invited.”

  That didn’t sound so unusual to Vassago, not that he had any firsthand experience.

  “But it wasn’t only the arguments. It was the little digs he got in during them. How low class I am and how inferior my family is compared to his. My job was shitty, my friends were trashy, and I’d never be anything but a girl from Brooklyn who couldn’t even get into college.”

  “So why did he want to marry you in the first place?”

  She rose and walked over to the windows, but kept her back to him. A nasty shiver ran down Vassago’s spine. Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed the issue?

  “He told me he fell in love.” Her voice was flat, emotionless.

  “Really? Sounds to me like he hated everything about you.”

  “He didn’t hate the sex.”

  Hot anger sliced through him at the image of Vince Falcone fucking this woman. The woman he wanted for himself. “Okay, but that’s still not a reason to marry someone. He could have kept fucking you without putting a ring on your finger.”

  “Ouch.”

  “I’m not trying to hurt you, Marie, but it’s the truth.”

  Vassago rose and walked toward her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Such a simple gesture, but his dick grew hard and his body trembled. “Tell me the real reason he asked you. ‘Cause a man like Vince doesn’t get married unless there’s something in it for him.”

  “Power.” She turned to face him. “That’s what was in it for him, Jimmy. The power to control me and my family. And if he could control us, he could get in good graces with Donny.”

  A suspicion popped into his mind. One he prayed was unfounded. “Does Vince know what di Stefano is trying to do here?”

  “I highly doubt it. He doesn’t take sides. He only gives a shit about getting paid. A man like Donny could not only give him plenty of work, but connections that reach beyond Brooklyn. I was the link he needed for that. Marry a local girl whose father just happens to be working for the Mob boss you want to schmooze, and you’re in.”

  Okay. That made sense. But he would still suggest to Digger that Vince may have known about the attempted hit on Donny, and why it had gone that far. “So why was he arguing with you about everything if marrying you was that important to him?”

  “Because he’s an asshole. An angry, unhappy asshole who saw this marriage as a means to an end. You think I’m stupid, Jimmy?” Tears spilled over her lashes. “You think I can’t tell when a guy is using me?”

  Then why did you say “yes”? “But you didn’t think he was using you at first, right?”

  “No. I don’t know. Maybe I just convinced myself he was sincere.”

  Vassago wiped away her tears, and it was all he could do to keep from kissing her. This was fucking torture. He wanted to fly to Brooklyn and take out Vince himself for putting her through so much pain.

  “So there was a time when you did love him.”

  “I was flattered as hell by his attention, and the sex was good. Christ. Saying that out loud sounds like I agreed to marry him for every wrong reason out there.”

  Yeah, it did, but he wasn’t going to rub salt in the wounds. Plus, Vince hadn’t asked her to marry him for love, either. That much was now clear. “When did you realize Vince was only using you to get in good with Donny?”

  “He told me he was. During one of our recent arguments. I don’t think he meant to. It just slipped out. He said this shit wasn’t worth getting on Donny’s good side, and I asked him what the hell that meant. He said what had I expected? That he was doing this without there being something in it for him besides good sex?”

  Hot, white anger rose up inside Vassago. “He actually said that to you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was that before or after you helped Sofia get away?”

  “Before. Weeks before.”

  “Is that the real reason you helped Sofia, then? To get back at him for using you?”

  She sighed. “Yeah. It was. But what I told you was also the truth. She was a good friend once. It was an impulsive decision.” She sniffed back more tears. “A stupid, impulsive decision based on revenge. Of course, once I got my head out of my ass, I realized how fucked I was. I knew I had to get away.”

  Now it all finally made sense. “We need to tell Digger the whole truth.”

  “Yeah. Fine. Okay. Then my humiliation will be complete.”

  “Marie, I’m not suggesting we do it to further humiliate you, but Digger needs to know what he’s dealing with. This hit has to be done in such a way that no one, and I mean no one, can ever trace it back to you.”

  “Okay. I get that.”

  “Is that everything now? All the secrets are out?”

  She glared at him. “You gonna give me shit, too?”

  “Seriously? You’re asking me that after everything we’ve just talked about?”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. Yes. That’s everything. The entire sordid truth.”

  He grinned. “I’ve heard worse, you know.”

  “I’m sure you have, but can we go downstairs now? I want to make things right with everyone.”

  “Dressed like that?”

  She almost smiled. “Of course not. Get out of here so I can put some clothes on.”

  Oh, the images floating through his mind! She’d walked right into that one. “Nah. I think I’ll stay right here and watch instead.”

  Chapter Six

  At first, Marie thought he was joking. But one look into those dark, hooded eyes, framed with the longest lashes she’d ever seen on a man confirmed he was dead serious. “I just told you about the most humiliating experience of my life, and you’re hitting on me?”

  “You gonna deny you’re just as hot for me as I am for you?”

  Of all the arrogant, conceited… So why was her pussy soaked and her nipples all tingly?

  “You said you came here to see me. Was that the truth, Marie?”

  Yes. “Get out of my room.”

  His soft chuckle was more unnerving than the way his expression filled with lust. “Don’t order me around in my own club.”

  Every fantasy she’d had about this man for years, while playing with herself, flashed through her mind. Breathing was suddenly difficult. Her clit throbbed. All she h
ad to do was drop the robe and they’d be fucking within seconds. She didn’t need to glance at his crotch to know his dick was hard. She saw it in his eyes, on his face, and in the way he stood. Like a big cat ready to pounce.

  Sure, she’d come here to hide from Vince. But the bonus was in knowing she’d see Jimmy again. She should be heartbroken about her engagement ending. Vince had really hurt her. But the pain of his abuse overshadowed everything she may have felt for the man.

  When it came down to it, she had never really known him. And if she had married him, her life would have been a series of arguments, insults, and perhaps physical abuse. She’d voiced it out loud, after all. She’d agreed to marry Vince for all the wrong reasons. And he certainly hadn’t wanted her because he was in love with her. He only wanted her for what she could bring to his career.

  But Jimmy would help ease the pain. She was certain of it. How could he not? He’d had a starring role in every sex dream she’d ever had, waking or sleeping. If he was even half as good as her imagination had made him, the sex would be over-the-top incredible. She was stuck here for a while. Might as well have a good time with the man she’d crushed on for nearly two decades.

  They locked gazes. Marie let out a small noise as her desire grew. She’d dreamed of this moment for so long. Now that it was here, she couldn’t move. Reality never lived up to fantasy. What if this turned out to be horrible?

  What if turns out to be fucking fantastic?

  He grabbed her face and stepped closer, smashing his lips against hers. Fireworks went off in her head. At least, it felt like fireworks. Maybe it was her brain imploding. Either way, it was the hottest kiss she’d ever had, and she finally moved.

  Marie kissed him back, shoving her tongue against his and moaning loudly into his open mouth. She wrapped her arms around his torso and pushed her hips against the rock-hard bulge in his jeans. He grasped her hair, tugging it to pull her even closer, although there couldn’t be any space left between them by now.

  When he moved his hands down her back, up her robe, and grabbed her ass, Marie moaned again and did the same to him, running her hands down the leather vest and over his ass cheeks. Christ. Even they had muscles!

  “Marie … I need to fuck you. Now.”

  “Yes. Oh, God, yes.”

  She grasped his hair, which was surprisingly soft. And she loved the length. Just below his shoulders. It was tied back with something that she pulled loose, and the tresses came free. Marie buried her face in it while Jimmy slipped off her robe and grasped her breasts.

  “Oh, fuck! Your tits are magnificent.”

  A small giggle escaped her throat. She did have nice ones. No doubt about it. He fastened his mouth on her left nipple and sucked, sending electric jolts straight to her clit, and forcing another loud moan from her throat.

  “I’m going to suck these until you beg me to stop.”

  That was fine with her. She whimpered and moaned again as he switched from one to the other, lightly nipping at the skin and sucking hard enough to hurt. Her pussy was soaked. All she could think about was having his dick inside her.

  A noise startled them both. Marie yelped when she spotted two men standing in the open doorway, leering at them. Both were dressed in leather vests, jeans, and boots.

  “What the fuck!” Jimmy turned. “You coulda’ fucking knocked first.”

  “We did.” Both men eyed her naked body, not even trying to hide the fact. Marie stepped behind Jimmy, which made one of the men laugh.

  “Get the fuck out of here!”

  “Gorgon sent us up with a message. He wants you and Digger in Donny’s office now. No excuses.”

  “Fuck you.”

  They didn’t move, and hot fear sliced through Marie. What the hell had she landed in here?

  “I said get the fuck out!”

  “What about Gorgon?”

  “Tell him I’m on my fucking way!”

  Finally, they left. Jimmy walked over to the door and slammed it shut. “I have to go.”

  She picked up her robe and put it on. “Who were they?”

  “Two of our prospects.”

  “Don’t people knock around here?”

  “They probably did. We were a bit preoccupied.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck. I really do have to go, Marie.”

  “I’ll get dressed and go down to the club, like you said.”

  “Yeah. Okay. Just wait for me. Don’t say anything until I get there.”

  Her heart gave an odd lurch. “You mean I don’t have to tell everyone the real story on my own?”

  “I told you I’d be there to admit I made up the cover story.” He crossed the room and pulled her close. “I wouldn’t want you to do this on your own anyway. We need to be careful how we word this.” Jimmy kissed her again, and white-hot lust flooded her senses.

  “God dammit!” He stepped away from her. “I can’t do this. Not right now. But later, I am going to fuck you so hard and so deep that you won’t be walking tomorrow.”

  All she could do was gasp in response as erotic images raced through her mind.

  “Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’ll meet you downstairs in the club. No. In the hallway. Wait for me there.”

  And then he was gone. Marie sat on the bed and shook her head to clear the dizziness. This was hotter than she’d ever imagined. And being interrupted that way had left her so fucking horny, she considered doing herself quickly before putting on clothes, but then decided not to. She’d be so ready for his cock later that she’d explode, but she had a strong feeling he would be worth the wait.

  ****

  Vassago opened the door to Donny’s office and let it slam against the wall, expecting to see Donny as well as Gorgon and Digger. But they were the only two in there. He slammed the door shut behind him, hard enough to shake the frame.

  “What’s your fucking problem?” asked Gorgon.

  “Tell fucking Hank and fucking John to fucking knock before they barge into someone’s fucking room.”

  “They couldn’t fucking find you, asshole. I told them to check the room we put Marie in.”

  “Even more of a reason to knock first. They scared the shit out of her.”

  Digger laughed. “Christ, Vassago. Were you in there fucking her already?”

  “Just about.”

  “Well at least they didn’t walk in on that.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “What the hell are you doing fucking her?” asked Gorgon. “Shouldn’t you be figuring out what the fuck to do about the goddamn trouble she brought here?”

  “We got that figured out,” said Digger.

  “Yeah, so you said. I want to know what her plans are. Is she staying more than one day? ‘Cause if she is, that bullshit story you gave everyone at dinner won’t fly for long.”

  “I know that,” Vassago said, taking a seat. “She’s going to come down to the club and we’ll tell everyone the real story.”

  “The fuck you will.”

  “Well, what the fuck do you want me to have her say, then? For Christ’s sake, Gorgon. What do you want from her?”

  “I don’t want her here.”

  “I’m not sending her away.” Not now, especially. How the fuck could he do that?

  “You will if I fucking tell you to.”

  His first loyalty was to the MC, but fuck. Would Gorgon really make him choose? “Then I guess I’ll have to convince you to let her stay, won’t I?”

  “Marie is impetuous,” said Digger. “She risked a lot to get Sofia away from Vince.”

  “Yeah, and it was a fucking stupid move.”

  “She had a good reason,” said Vassago. “Vince was using her to get to Donny.”

  “What?” Gorgon and Digger asked together.

  “He told her he was marrying her to get in good graces with Donny, because of his relationship with her family. He was hoping Donny would send work his way. He wanted to branch outside of the five boroug
hs, and saw Donny as the way to do that.”

  “I thought his family hated hers?” asked Gorgon.

  “They do, but Vince didn’t give a shit. He was in this solely for business reasons. He barely tolerated her. He was emotionally and verbally abusive to her. She’s hurt and embarrassed that she didn’t see it at first, or did see it but ignored it. He didn’t love her.”

  “I’m sure he loved fucking her,” said Digger.

  Vassago stood, balling his hands into fists, and faced Digger. “How the fuck would you know what’s she like in bed?”

  “Keep your fucking pants on. I don’t know. But talk gets around the neighborhood, okay? Your Thunderbolt isn’t exactly coy about her sex life.”

  “Fuck you!” Vassago lunged for Digger, but he stood and moved away so quickly the chair he’d been sitting in toppled.

  “Stop this shit!” Gorgon stood and banged both fists on the table. “Both of you.” Vassago had never seen their President so angry or disgusted. “For fuck’s sake. This is turning into a goddamn circus, and I will not have it in this club! Do you both fucking understand me?”

  Vassago was too angry to speak, or even acknowledge Gorgon’s question. He glared at Digger, who stared at him with murder in his eyes.

  “I asked you both a fucking question!”

  “Yeah,” said Digger, still holding eye contact with Vassago. “I get it. Your club, your rules.”

  “Damn right it is.”

  “Yeah. Got it.” Vassago’s words were directed toward Gorgon, but it was Digger his gaze was still on. “Did you fuck her?”

  “I told you I didn’t. And it’s none of your fucking business if I did, is it?”

  It didn’t matter that his words were true. Marie was his now, and the idea of any other man touching her made him see red.

  “Vassago, sit the fuck down. You haven’t seen this broad in what … twenty years? Who she fucked is none of your concern. Calm your fucking ass down and tell me how you’re gonna make this right with my club.”

  Digger started to speak, but Gorgon cut him off. “And you, fuck you for bringing her here and not asking my permission first. This isn’t a fucking hotel or a charity ward.”

  “Donny will understand why I—”