Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Roman

“It’s not even six in the morning, Mason.”

“And yet, you picked up on the second ring while calling someone sweetheart. Maddie, I assume.”

He’s got me there. He knows exactly what I’ve been up to. Not that it should be a surprise. I did promise to distract Maddie with seduction.

What I didn’t expect was to be so distracted myself.

I meant what I said to her. What’s between us is unusual. I know the word is special, but I’m trying not to even think it.

“What do you want?”

“I want to go home,” he growls. “I want to fuck my wife at six in the morning while she purrs in my ear.”

I let out a frustrated rumble. “I’m sorry Luke’s disappearance is so fucking inconvenient for you.” I never speak to Mason like this. We’re a team and he is our leader. But something is breaking between us.

“That’s not what I mean. I just…” Mason lets out a loud rumble. “After this tunnel, after we find Luke, let’s coast.”

“Coast?” This does not sound like my brother at all.

“That was always the plan. We’ll have such dominance that we won’t have to worry. None of the families will be able to touch us.”

I frown at the phone. “We’ve got enough money that we can coast without the tunnel, you know. Sell the casinos. As real estate developers we don’t need to interact with the other families.”

He makes a noise of dissent deep in his throat. “I’ve spent years building the business to this moment.”

“That’s the Mason I know.” And I’m the brother he knows. I do for people what no one else is able. Or maybe I’m just willing to do them.

“Finishing the tunnel isn’t just for me.” There is an ominous note in my brother’s voice. “Leo’s raid is complete. He brought the Vendettis in on murder charges, the blood in the car was enough, but no sign of Luke.”

“What’s that mean?”

“We don’t know,” Mason growls.

“Fuck me,” I run a hand over my face. “Luke’s dead, isn’t he?”

Mason is silent for several seconds. “I can’t say.”

I close my eyes, pain making my chest ache.

“Don’t give up hope,” Mason’s voice is softer than I ever hear it, which in and of itself is concerning.

“Fuck.”

“Roman, we need to keep moving forward. Now more than ever.”

My gut clenches. I know what he’s asking. “You want me to take Maddie’s house right now.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“They’ve brought in family from overseas. Rome, I think. I only caught one name but it’s Guerriero. Warrior. The fight isn’t over. We’re in the death throes, and that’s when things get ugly.”

Death throes? Did he use those words on purpose? Is Luke really dead? My eyes squeeze shut.

He’s silent, the lack of sound stretching out between us, filling with tension. Finally he breaks it. “Build her whatever you want. Spend millions.”

“It’s not like that. That house belonged to her grandmother. It’s her last?—”

“You want to help Luke? You make us impenetrable. Blocking that tunnel was the Italians last hope.”

“Fuck,” I spit into the phone. I know it was always the plan for me to seduce Maddie to extract what I needed, but the longer I’m with her... “If I do this…”

“You’ll give all of us some piece of mind.”

I hang up on my brother without answering, though I already know what I’m going to do.

I hate it, but I know my role. I’ve always supported my brother. He’s the man who picked up the pieces of my life when no one else would or could. I trust him. Which means I’ll do what he’s asked. No matter what it costs me.

I walk back into the bedroom, Maddie sound asleep in my bed.

My chest fucking aches as I stare at her. I trust her too. I know Mason thinks she might be in league with the Italians. But the only person she cares about talking to is Lucia. Who is also Italian….

Shit.

I switch the phone to silent and fire off a text to Mason.

Have Lucia followed.

Lucia is the one who forced Maddie to go on that date. Maybe Lucia is responsible for all of this. My gut clenches. I will end anyone who tries to hurt Maddie…

The sheet is pulled up to just over her pubic hair, her torso on full display. She’s so beautiful, she steals my breath.

I have this moment where I’m overwhelmed by this one driving thought. I don’t want it to cost me her. I want her.

In my bed now, later. I want her to be happy. To trust me.

I don’t say I want a future. I know I’m not the man who signs up to take care of Maddie. But another voice fills my thoughts.

I’ve been trained for someone like Maddie. Equipped to meet a woman’s most intimate needs.

And it’s not like she doesn’t give back. The sex alone…

But I can’t forget, this is the woman who came out to help me when I’d collapsed on the street. She would give to me what I needed, when I needed. And that makes her different. Special.

It makes me crazy to think of her putting herself in danger like that. Which is so fucking telling.

But also, she isn’t like my mother. I know that. Still. How could I ever really let my guard down with anyone? The only person I’ve ever truly trusted is Mason.

I let out a long, frustrated growl.

Tom growls back.

I look down at the cat. “I know what you’re thinking. Maddie deserves better,” I whisper to the cat. He’s right.

He gives a small hiss.

In her sleep, Maddie’s hand rests on the cat’s body, her fingers gently curling into Tom’s thick fur.

Is that what’s it’s like to give yourself over to a woman? Tom instantly begins purring again.

I climb into the bed, pulling Maddie against my body.

She curls into me, Tom readjusting to press his length against her leg.

I bury my nose into her hair, closing my eyes and inhaling her scent.

My hand wraps around her ribs, my thumb just brushing the underside of her breast. Much as I said I didn’t want to get involved in a relationship, I’d never want to hurt Maddie.

I’m so torn my chest aches.

But my brother is my brother. And Maddie is someone I’ve known for all of thirty-six hours.

So. Yeah. The path is clear. I just fucking hate it. I hold her tighter as I whisper. “Don’t hate me for what I’m about to do.”