Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Jake

I wish my arm didn't ache because I'd love to be buried balls-deep inside Nia. Christ, she's magnificent.

Those flashes of sass have become a crown of gold around her head. I'd heard her mutter… from the ashes .

She's going to breathe fire by the time she's done.

And she's going to put the Dukes exactly where they belong, while elevating our family. It's so odd, she was so intent upon getting out of this life, I never noticed how suited she was to it.

Killing Toni was self-defense. We could go to the law, and I'd never see the inside of a jail cell.

The cops were there when Toni tried to suffocate Nia so…

I have no doubt that Nia has the sort of ethics that will keep her on the right side of the law. But I also know that she isn't going to take shit from the Dukes or anyone else in this town.

She's just like me. A mix of the old school gangster, with the right amount of smarts that keep her on just this side of the moral line that will make sure we don't land in prison .

The plane takes off and I glance out the window at the burning car that we leave behind. Silence falls between us as the plane glides up to altitude.

"What price is Gris going to pay?" I ask, loving this plan. Because she's right. She has paid more than anyone ever should. I was shot because of my part. Gris won a major victory for his family, but he's got to ante up.

"Thoughts?" she asks me, running her fingers over my forearm. "I don't mean to make it hard for your family. But we can't keep doing business with them if I'm your wife. If Toni taught me one thing it's that getting your due respect carries the business a long way."

"He can pay you in real estate."

She nods. "Not bad. But there needs to a be a more personal element, I think."

"Digging the grave is a good one," I smile.

She smiles too. "Yeah?"

"Makes him take part in the dirty stuff you and I had to do." I wince, thinking of just how much she's suffered. Digging the hole isn't even close to good enough.

Nia taps her chin. "What did you say Mike does?"

"He's the head of security for the casino division."

Nia cocks her head. "And you are?"

I smile at her. "I run all of security. Clubs, casinos, personal. I'm Mike's boss."

Nia nods. "The Dukes will have to hire Mike to take over their casino security. For the Diamond."

I stare at her. "What?"

"It will elevate my sister and…" She gives me a wicked smile. "It gives us inside information on their business."

"Jesus Christ," I blink twice because it's absolutely brilliant. I pick up my phone to send a text to the family chat. One handed typing isn't usually my forte, but I manage with only a few typos .

Nia wants recompense from the Dukes. As my wife, she can't tolerate the slight. Her idea is to require the Dukes to hire Mike.

Roman is the first to respond.

Careful Mason. Nia might take over your job.

Fuck you, Roman . Mason replies, and then. It's perfect.

To Nia, I add, "The Dukes want to purchase another of the old Italian casinos."

Her lips purse. "I don't think so."

I wonder if my family is going to regret supporting Nia. I don't give a shit either way. No one understands me like Nia. We were made for each other. "Woman," I rumble because Nia isn't a girl any longer. "I'm going to need you to come over here and ride me like it's our last night on Earth."

"Jake," she gasps. "You're hurt and?—"

"I'm just going to sit here. You're going to do all the real work," I reach my good arm toward her. "But I need to be inside you."

"How long is the flight?" She looks at the closed door to the cockpit.

"Another hour and a half at least," I answer.

With a quick nod, she stands up and yanks down her jeans, muttering. "I should have worn a dress."

I chuckle as I muscle my pants over my hips with one arm.

There is no foreplay, no warm-up as I rub spit on my cock a second before Nia straddles me, sliding down my length until I'm buried inside her.

It's hot and fast and I barely feel the pain, as pleasure tightens my balls.

She cums with a scream and I instantly follow, my roar joining hers.

When she wilts against me, I wrap my arm around her, burying my face in her neck. "When are we going to make it official?" I ask when I'm able to speak again.

She pulls back, kissing my mouth. "Question first. Vegas chapel or big wedding?"

"Small wedding isn't an option?" I say, thinking back to Leo's ceremony. It was nice.

I'm still buried inside her. "An Italian would take the wedding and make it into a political spectacle, making all the other families pay homage."

I stare at her.

Roman might be right. Nia just might take his job after all…