Chapter 21

Mason

My heart stuttersin my chest. As angry as I still am at Leo, he is my brother. “What’s happened?”

Charlotte’s knife clatters to the counter and she’s spinning to face me. She must have heard the worry in my voice because it’s now written all over her face. I hook her waist pulling her close, which is her cue to wrap her arms around my chest.

“Fuck. I don’t even know where to begin,” Roman says and his voice actually shakes.

My throat closes along with my eyes. “Tell me.”

“He went on a bender last night. Hopping from casino to casino, hitting all the major families and making a ruckus. Spent millions. Broke things. Pissed everyone off. And now…”

If I have to identify my brother’s body…

“Roman.” My voice is so rough that it comes out as a growl. I know this shit is hard to say but I need to hear it and then I can start making a plan. Figure out how to bail Leo out of whatever shitstorm in which he’s landed.

“He’s missing.”

I start like I’ve been hit, and Charlotte tightens her hold around me. I squeeze her tighter too, dropping my face into her shoulder and squeeze my eyes shut. Leo can’t be dead. There’s too much to fucking say.

I need to tell him what an asshole he is but also…that he’s my asshole brother and I actually love him no matter what he does.

Charlotte doesn’t say anything, but I realize she’s holding up my weight, her body pressed between me and the counter.

She’s spread her hands out on my back, her chin on my shoulder as she presses a light kiss to my neck.

Every part of her body is comforting me and in that moment some truths are crystal clear. I’ve been wondering how this might end. How I give her up when I want her more and more and the answer is as obvious as a high rise on the strip. I don’t give her up. Ever. Charlotte is the woman meant to be at my side forever.

“Mason?” Roman asks, and I realize I’ve been silent, not saying a word.

“Bring everyone here. Fifteen minutes.”

Roman pauses. “Your apartment? You’re sure you don’t want to go to the conference room at Kincaid?”

“Here.” And then I hang up. I’ve got my reasons, not that I’m articulating them exactly. But I’m not leaving Charlotte alone, and she’s starting to feel like my family. Which means, she’s meeting the family today. Whatever they decide about Leo, about me, Charlotte is part of this.

I’m kissing Charlotte before I’ve even thought it through, my mouth devouring hers like I’m trying to draw some strength from her.

She’s pliant in my arms, giving me everything I need and want, her body molding to me. “Mason,” she whispers between kisses. “I…”

“Don’t say anything. Just kiss me.” I hold her jaw in my hand, looking down into those grey eyes. “I just need you to kiss me, Charlotte.”

She pushes up on her tiptoes, her lips pressing to mine, long and sweet, the pressure of her soft mouth helping to close the tear in my chest. My hand slides to the back of her neck as I taste her over and over like a man dying of thirst. Because I am… At least I’m dying for her.

I pull back and that’s when I see tears shimmering on her lashes. One falls, tracking down her cheek. With my thumb, I brush it away. “Don’t cry.”

She shakes her head. “I’ll never forgive myself if Leo?—”

I cover her mouth with my thumb. “Listen to me. If Leo chose to go shooting off last night, that is not your fault. We’ve all got our father’s demons living inside of us and that is not anything you can control.”

Her lips part as though she might argue. “I never wanted to hurt Leo.”

“Leo’s problem has never been about you, sweetheart. You went out a few times years ago. This has always been about me.”

She looks up at me with wet lashes as another tear slips down her cheek. “That night at the club, I was working my way up to telling him that I didn’t think we should go out again. I’m no good at confrontation but if I’d just said it….”

Has she been beating herself up over hurting Leo? “I know you don’t like confrontation. Your professor aside, you leave a situation before you fight.”

Her eyes widen, but I lean down and kiss her lips. I’m not trying to hurt her with her own truths today. I just want her to understand. “Leo was going to sleep with you and then end it the next day. It’s his modus operandi, right down to bringing you to family dinner. He does it all the time.”

She blinks up at me as I continue, needing her to understand. “Like I said, he’s never been upset about you and none of this is your fault. He’s pissed that I haven’t given him more power at Kincaid Enterprises. You were one small cut in a large gaping wound.”

Her shoulders slump. “That’s good because I would hate myself for getting in between you and your brother. As someone who went without one, I know how important family is in this world. I’d never hurt yours.”

I squeeze her again, kissing her temple. Her words are sweet, and I appreciate them, but even more than that, I realize Charlotte does need a family and that is going to be me.

My phone chimes and I look down to see that Roman has already arrived downstairs.

I push the button to open the elevator, but I don’t let Charlotte go. “How much dinner did you make?”

“Too much,” she answers, a small smile pulling at her mouth. “I can’t seem to cook small.”

I touch the corner of her mouth with my thumb. I can’t get enough of her, even these small touches. “Good. I’m glad you made too much because these guys are always hungry.”

She nods and then slowly turns back to the counter and picks up the knife to keep chopping.

I don’t back up though, and when the elevator opens, I’ve still got my hands on her hips, my front pressed to her back.

I’m making a statement and it’s one I know all the guys understand as they stop in the kitchen. Even if Leo is pissed about Charlotte, she belongs here with me, in my arms, and that isn’t changing. I love my brother and I’ll help him however I can, but Charlotte isn’t going anywhere.

“Isn’t this the picture of domesticity,” Jake says, his normally dry sarcasm on full display as he steps to the front of group. “I’m Jake. Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte pauses her chopping, tilting her chin up to smile at Jake. “And you.” She sets down the knife and extends her hand to my uncle’s.

I tighten my grip, knowing that I’m showing my possessive side. I don’t like the way Jake is taking in every fucking detail. Why did I have to get Charlotte dresses that fit her so perfectly? I can see Jake taking in her glossy hair, amazing rack, flat belly, long legs, right down to her bare feet. Even her toes are adorable.

“I’m Luke,” my cousin calls from just behind Jake. “What smells so good?”

“Charlotte’s cooking,” I say, like that isn’t obvious, my hands tracing her hips in a clear act I want everyone to notice. “We’ll leave her to it and head into my study.”

Luke is craning his neck, not to check out Charlotte, but what she’s got cooking on the stove. He sniffs at the boiling pot and then glances at the saucepan. “Will there be leftovers?”

“There’s plenty,” Charlotte says with another smile. It’s good that she’s charming them. It might help. I still hate it, but I recognize the importance.

“How can you think about food?” I rumble as we make our way into my study. It’s a man’s room with leather and dark wood and built in bookshelves. There are a few pictures in the tray from the new high-end printer I bought for Charlotte and I make a note to check them out later.

“I’d like to start by saying that I’m sure Leo is fine,” Jake says. “I know no one has talked to him but that fucker is indestructible. He’s just sleeping it off in some hotel penthouse suite while we’re all getting our knickers in a twist.”

I nod, hoping he’s right. “Let’s assume that’s true. How big of a mess did he make while on his bender?”

“Let’s see. He went to the sole casino the Dukes have and tossed a hundred large onto the casino floor starting a complete frenzy in the crowd that took both hotel security and several cops to sort out. Then he made his way the favorite gambling floor of the Russians and tipped a slot machine, breaking it wide open. And finally, he went to the biggest casino the Italians own and started a brawl in his own special way. Ten were taken to the hospital. Tons of bad press for them. Again, cops and guards alike had to end the fight… You get the picture.”

“Fuck me.” I run a hand through my hair. “That’s a big mess.”

“He’s trying to get someone’s attention, that’s for sure.” Roman gives me a long look and then begins pacing, his hands combing through his hair before he scrubs at his face.

“He pissed off every major family in Las Vegas and now he’s missing in action,” Luke adds. “I’ve called him like five times but he’s not picking up.”

I pull out my phone and try to do the same, but I go straight to his voicemail. “We have people out looking for him?”

“We do. But worse…” This is Jake who answers. “The other families want a meeting to discuss reparations for his actions.”

“Fuck. We haven’t had one of those since dad’s death.” Inwardly, I clench. The last meeting was the one where I got told if I wanted to save my family, I’d stay quiet and I’d stay in my lane. There would be no retribution for me.

Not that I want to be a gangster. That has never been my way. Even now, I plan to make the Italians pay through completely legal means.

But they are still going to pay. And I don’t need them being pissed before they even know I’m cutting them out of the chain of casinos.

“What was Leo thinking?” I’m gripping my phone so tightly, I can’t believe I haven’t broken it.

“He wasn’t. That’s always been his problem.”

I shake my head. “I’m not so sure. He’s cock-blocked my tunnel. If the Italians are already pissed and they find out that I’m shutting down their business, they might go nuclear. He’s made a move against me.”

Luke says as he shakes his head. “You think so? It’s not like him to plan. I think it’s more likely Leo is working his way up to a finish worthy of your father.”

But I grimace with that one. “We’re all suffering from that, aren’t we?”

“You?” Jake asks, pulling out a cigar from his pocket.

“Don’t even think about lighting that thing in my house.” I point my finger. “And I know you’re all thinking that the way I’m acting with Charlotte is just like my father.” I’ve been thinking the same thing.

But they all blink back at me, not an accusation between them.

“What you’re doing with Charlotte is nothing like Dad,” Roman says with a shake of his head as though it’s completely obvious.

“Your dad fucked another boss’s wife and he wasn’t even quiet about it all while he racked up giant debts all over town trying to impress her.” Jake knew more about his brother’s death then even I did. And he might be even more pissed about it than me. He’s got his own plans for revenge, and I don’t get involved with them. That’s his business.

Luke is nodding. “Granted, your relationship with Charlotte isn’t completely complication-free, but they never are.” Luke shrugs. “Leo aside, you’ve picked an available woman who seems to suit you.”

Roman steps up to him, clapping him on the shoulder. And then his gaze meets mine. “We were fools to make that pact and, if we’re all being honest, we did it for Leo’s benefit. He was always the one who was liable to follow in dad’s footsteps.”

“Speak for your fucking self.” Jake curls his lip. “I’m single for life, pact or no.”

I’m not talking because I’m speechless. We’ve never spoken like this and I’m honestly shocked that they don’t seem bothered by my relationship with Charlotte. I’d just assumed…

“The point is…” Roman stresses. “Every kingdom needs a queen. And honestly, I’m starting to wonder if a little softness, that a woman might provide, might not ease some of the tension and actually keep us from making mistakes like Leo did last night. If Dad had still been married to Mom…”

My phone dings again. I look down, Charlotte’s name appearing on my screen.

Dinner isready whenever you’re ready to eat.

“Who’s hungry?”I ask, trying to dial Leo again. Nothing. Straight to voicemail.

Jake, Luke, and Roman leave the study before me as I try to call my brother one more time. I follow behind watching as they each grab a bowl of noodles from the counter and take a seat at the table.

They dig in without a word, but I make my way around the island running my hand over Charlotte’s arm.

Her eyes hold a question even as she allows me to pull her against my body. I wrap my arms around her, my lips kissing that spot just below her ear, my nose in her hair. “You look beautiful,” I whisper.

Her hands come to my biceps, pink staining her cheeks. “Mason, they’re watching,” she whispers.

“Let them.” I don’t give a shit. Charlotte is mine and my family already knows it.

But I don’t have a chance to tell her.

Because a deafening blast shakes the building to its core.