CHAPTER SIXTEEN

TORI

THE OTHERS

R itchie mentioned fucking other women. Why would he mention other women if none existed? He certainly made it clear I wasn’t to fuck anyone else. Although, I knew he was goading me. After all, he loved my bad girl ways.

And of course, women were drawn to him like moths to a flame. They wanted to be his "go-to" woman whenever he desired, offering him comfort and pleasure with their bodies. But why would any woman willingly seek out a dangerous man like Ritchie? As for me, I couldn't deny the intense attraction I felt towards him - his drop-dead gorgeous looks alone made me want him to be the first man to please me in ways no other man could. At first, Ritchie wasn't interested in a relationship, yet here we were. He couldn't seem to stay away from me, even though I didn't need rescuing like some damsel in distress. Though others may argue otherwise - with all the chaos in my life, I often found myself relying on Ritchie's help. The look on his face when I told him I could handle a confrontation in New Jersey was a mix of desire and concern.

Why worry if there wasn’t anyone else?

Perhaps he wanted to make me his wife and have children with me, to prove to other women that he was in a committed relationship. What was I supposed to do? It was clear he’d go to great lengths for us to be together. But could there be other women involved?

"Ritchie, I'm still waiting," I prompted him.

"What makes you think there are other women?"

My face flushed with heat as I thought about the things I’d do for this man. He had no idea.

“It was the look on your face when I said I’d kill them or her.”

A wicked grin spread across my lips. "You can't say you want to be with me, start a life with me, and then also entertain other women."

His brows furrowed. "There aren't any other women," he insisted.

My fingers lightly traced over his cheek, but deep down I knew there were others vying for his attention. “Tell me about the women who want you,” I prodded.

He sighed in response. “They're not important.”

My hand dropped from his face. "Ritchie, you'll be leaving soon. Are we ending our time together now?" I shrugged nonchalantly, even though it pained me to think about it.

“Tori, listen... she's harmless,” he began, trying to defend himself and the situation at hand.

"The others are too." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“My neighbor goes out of her way to get my attention. She cooks for me and offers to do my laundry,” he explained, wagging a finger at me for emphasis. “But I never eat her food, and I've made it clear that nothing will ever happen between us. She says she understands.”

“But we both know she doesn't really understand. Right, Ritchie?” I snapped back.

“What am I supposed to do, kill her because she has a crush on me?” he retorted.

“Do you think marrying me will make her see that you have a woman in your life?” The truth was, it wouldn't make a difference.

“Tori, I want to marry you because I love you and can't imagine my life without you,” he finally confessed.

I LEANED INTO HIS MASSIVE chest and inhaled him, forgetting about them for a moment. “This right here is what I want. Me being wrapped in your arms. Marriage isn’t something I desire. You on the other hand is everything I could’ve ever dreamed of. Lets not talk about marriage and kids.”

Ritchie didn’t need to feel pressured to marry me because my best friend was marrying his cousin.

Lifting my head off his chest, I met his gaze.

His chiseled face turned into a stone wall.

I pissed him off. Something I was very good at. I wasn’t done either. “You didn’t have to buy this house for me. I have a home, remember?”

Shit, hopefully, my neighbor fed my dogs, Reaper and Slasher.

“Tori, this is your house now. Period. This discussion is over.”

“Ok,” I muttered.

"I never said we were getting married tomorrow. I just want you to be aware of future plans in advance so you can prepare yourself."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Is that really necessary, Ritchie?"

“Yes,” he responded.

My lips hovered over his. “I report to work on Monday.”

A scowl covered his face. “Why? You don’t have to work?”

“The job keeps the breakdowns from happening so frequently.”

His brows lifted. “Did you have a breakdown this morning?”

I swallowed. “Yes. It happened while I was in the bathroom.”

His heavy fist came down on the counter. “Why didn’t you tell me.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “You’re returning to work. I have to deal with this part of my life on my own.”

He palmed my cheek. “No! You’re not alone. When I’m here let me be there for you. When I’m in Jersey, I call or text. Tori, I want to be there for you.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. “I don’t deserve you, Ritchie.”

His lips brushed mine. “You’ve got that backwards. I don’t deserve you.”

At that moment I felt my ovaries jump for this man. He didn’t feel he deserved me. I knew what this was about. He failed his boss. He also felt like he failed Lexis.

“How about we go on a stakeout. Watch over Lexis for a couple of hours.”

His eyes softened. There was relief in his gaze. This man stood by me through all my bullshit. The least I could do was be there for him. After all, she was the reason he was in Chicago.

“We can christen our house later.” I smiled.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER , Ritchie and I sat outside Lexis’s house in the Tahoe under a huge oak tree.

The location was perfect - hidden from view during the day and cloaked in darkness at night. The six streetlamps that dotted the block cast a soft glow over the pavement. Ritchie's car blended seamlessly with the other vehicles parked along the street.

My eyes gravitated to his side profile. His angular jaw and pointy nose had my lip slipping between my teeth. Not sure where I found this newfound self-control. All I wanted to do was climb into his lap and hold his attention. But I understood his guilt ate at him.

“I’ll watch her while you’re away,” I stated.

His gaze left the house caddy corner to where we sat, landing on me. I saw a glimmer of gratitude in them. "Thank you," he said, quietly.

Ritchie grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. A tingle shot through my body.

"Tonight was supposed to be about me and you," he added, his voice filled with regret.

I smirked. “She’s important to you.”

“Tori, you’re important to me.”

“Well, I hope so. I doubt you start wars for just anyone,” I chuckled.

“This isn’t funny,” he bit out.

I tried pulling my hand from his grip. He squeezed it tighter.

“Ritchie, you’ve shown me how much you care about me through every move you’ve made. I’m just sad. I fell for a man who doesn’t live in Chicago. It’s my doing,” I sniffled. “The last time we really spent time together was at the hotel. I missed having you all to myself.”

“Baby, I’ll return every other weekend.” The large pad of his thumb swiped the tear from my face.

Every other weekend. What did I expect him to say? I’ll move to Chicago. No, no.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I blew out a breath.

Tori, you have to pull it together and figure out a way to live in Jersey part time. You two can’t live apart.

“Come here,” he ordered.

He didn’t wait for me to obey. Ritchie pulled me over the console into his lap. Straddling his muscled thighs, I peered into his eyes.

Carefully, he pushed back a few loose strands of my blonde hair that had fallen in front of my face. “You, Tori, make the world a place I want to exist in.”

That was the second time he said that tonight. Was there a time he didn’t want to be on this earth?

His warm hand placed mine over his heart.

“Do you feel that?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I breathed.

“That’s how crazy my heart beats in your presence. I’m like a sixteen-year-old boy. Love struck for a beautiful girl.”

His lips pressed against my neck. He circled his tongue against my skin.

My desire for this man was like a wildfire, and he knew just how to stoke it. With one hand, he circled my clit through my wet panties, causing me to moan and massage his neck.

I was happy he gave them back before we left the house.

“Ride my dick, baby.”

I unbuckled his pants and released his long, thick dick.

Tugging my panties aside, I tried slipping down his cock. His member would be a tight fit.

“Your dick is too big. My panties are in the way.”

A devilish smirk flashed across his gorgeous face. “I have a solution.”

He ripped my panties along the seam and yanked them off my pussy. “I’ll get rid of these later,” he said, shoving my ruined panties back into his pocket.

I eased down his cock taking each glorious inch. “Damn, you’re so fucking big,” I panted as delicious shivers struck my body.

Ritchie palmed my ass with one hand like I weighed nothing, sliding me up and down his dick.

My fingernails dug into his shoulders as my forehead dropped against his.

The storm that brewed in those gray eyes I loved, broke me into pieces. I’d never had a healthy relationship. Until now. Ritchie loved me just the way I was. He never intended to fall in love with me. But here he was bouncing me up and down his dick like I belonged to him since the moment he laid eyes on me. No, I chose him. Not the other way around.

“Tori, I need you with me,” he muttered into our kiss.

He nipped at my lips like he couldn’t get enough of me.

Ritchie’s dick hit a spot inside me that begged to be touched again and again.

How would I live without this man’s dick for such a long time?

“Ritchie, I’m coming,” I yelled as I eased back.

The SUV rocked with our movements.

“Come for your man, baby.” He sucked my nipple through my gold dress sending me over the top.

My body shuddered in his arms. “Fuck, Ritchie,” I screamed out in pleasure.

His teeth clamped down on my nipple as his hot cum coated my walls. I felt complete for the first time in my life.

Ritchie had that effect on me.

“I love when you come inside of me. It feels perfect. Like we’re one.”

His massive chest heaved, and a chuckle ripped through his body. “We are one, my sexy little vixen.”

His fingers brushed a few stray blonde strands covering my face behind my ear.

For the first time in a while, he looked relaxed.

A knock on the window pulled us from our trance.

“Shit, someone saw the truck rocking.” I scrambled tucking his dick back into his slacks.

“I know you’re in there,” the woman gritted out.

Grabbing tissues from the middle console, I eased back into the passenger seat, and quickly cleaned myself up.

If this were the South Side no one would walk up to a car. But we were in the suburbs, so residents weren’t afraid of any blow back.

Ritchie cracked the tinted window. “Hello.”

“Don’t hello me,” the older woman snapped. Her blonde blunt cut reminded me of my hair.

“This is a neighborhood filled with children. We don’t need you hooking up outside our homes.”

“We apologize for our illicit behavior.” A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

“You’re a pretty young lady. At least have the man take you to a hotel,” the woman said.

“We started at home, then we got carried away while we were out,” I responded.

She giggled. “I remember when I was young. My husband and I did the same. Hooking up at parks at night is better.” She winked.

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Ritchie stated.

Her eyes landed back on me. “Nothing’s wrong with keeping up the spice in your relationship. Good night.”

“Good night,” I hollered out.

Ritchie watched the lady return to her home. She climbed into her SUV and drove it into the garage.

He tapped the button, closing the window.

“She’s her neighbor,” he muttered.

I shook my head. “Damn, she must’ve driven by and saw the rocking.”

“Yeah.” He rubbed his chin.

“She’s Lexis’s mother. What is she doing here?”

“What’s wrong with her mother living next door to her?” I asked.

“Lexis hates her mother. Hadn’t spoken to her in years.” He pulled away from the curb.

“That’s odd,” I mumbled.

I didn’t press him to tell me more. I’d wait and ask another time.

ONCE WE RETURNED TO the house, I stood in the middle of our master closet, climbing out of my soiled dress. Ritchie took the liberty of bringing some of our clothes to the house. He wanted me to feel at home. The only furniture we had was the massive king-sized bed and a TV in our master suite. I had my work cut out for me decorating this mini mansion.

“Are you ok?” he asked, pulling my hair up from behind. Ritchie stuffed my strands into a scrunchie.

I smiled at our reflections in the floor to ceiling mirror. His sculpted naked body made me gasp.

“What? You know I like to sleep naked.”

I grinned. “Yes, do.”

“Come on. Our bath is ready.” Ritchie tugged my hand, leading me into our oasis of a bathroom.

“It’s gorgeous, Ritchie.”

The glass shower stretched along one wall, while a double vanity sat to my right. Underneath a canopy of windows stood an oversized circular tub. He grabbed a remote and pressed a button, causing cream-colored shades to gracefully cover the windows.

I couldn't help but grin. "I want to turn this into a spa."

He chuckled. "I knew you'd love it here."

His lips traced the curve of my neck down to my shoulder. "Someday, we'll hear the sound of our kids running through this house."

“Ritchie,” I moaned.

“It feels like you’re trying to wear me down with the talk of kids.”

“Is it working?” he asked.

“I’m coming to Jersey City to clean house,” I warned.

Figured I’d change the subject.

“Tori, I’m a well-known mafia man. Women in my city are attracted to dangerous men. You’ll find yourself on a killing spree. Just like I will here.”

My head snapped to the side, I met his gaze as he held my hand, helping into the piping hot water. “What do you mean you’re going on a killing spree?”

“Tori once the streets learn the ex-notorious kingpin’s girlfriend is single.”

“But I’m not,” I stated.

“You and I know that. Soon all of Chicago will too. Unfortunately, I’ll have to make examples out of several men who think they can disrespect our relationship.”

He eased into the tub behind me, pulling my body flush against his muscled chest.

“Now that your father is taking the throne people will try him too. Don’t worry, gorgeous. My men will keep you safe.”

“Time for a little fun,” I laughed.

“Ritchie, on the way back to the warehouse in the morning can we stop at my house. I’d like to get Reaper and Slasher ready to be transported to our home.”

The words felt foreign on my tongue. I’d get used to it in time.

“Sure,” he replied.

He tapped another button on the remote. A popular slow ballad bellowed through hidden speakers.

“This is relaxing,” I sighed.

His arms circled my body. “We needed this piece of heaven tonight.”

“We did.” I smiled.

I PREPARED AN ELABORATE breakfast for Ritchie and me. He loved my cooking. It brought a smile to my face watching him devour every morsel.

As we ascended the stairs to the front door of the playhouse, Ritchie kept one hand on his Glock and scanned our surroundings. He meticulously checked the door for any signs of explosives or wires before allowing me to unlock and open it.

"Stay here while I search the house," he instructed.

A gust of wind swept over my neck, sending chills through my body. Good thing I wore a sweatshirt and jeans today. Chicago weather leading into the fall was unpredictable.

Brock stood outside his SUV, keeping a watchful eye on the area for any suspicious activity. Ritchie had called him last night and told him to meet us here. Ezra wouldn't resume his role as my bodyguard until Ritchie left town; he wanted to give him more time to recover from his injuries.

I picked up a few pieces of mail from the pile, but my attention was drawn to a rectangular package hidden among the envelopes. The label sent a chill down my spine: Tori, this package is just for you. I’m delivering a little bang.

From: You know who.

“Fuck!” I glanced at the house across the street from mine.

“Dirty bitch,” I muttered.

"It's a bomb," I shouted, taking a step forward into the house.

"Ritchie, get out of there now!" I roared.