20. Priest

"Jesus fuckin'Christ," Cash says down the line. I told him everything Bella told me. Every damn thing he and the club needs to know about the Carusos. "This just gets better and better."

"If it's any consolation, she hates the bastards too."

"What are you gonna do with her in the meantime?"

I scratch the back of my head. "I need to keep her safe until we deal with this. Brew and Haze have any new intel?"

Brew and Haze are brothers who drift around a lot but always come back to the club. They know everyone and everything, and if something's going on in the underworld, they'll be first to hear about it.

"Yeah, that the mob are plannin' a hostile takeover." I can just imagine him running a hand over his short, gray hair. None of this is a surprise, of course. We always knew that the Caruso family wouldn't lie down for long. Even with half of their men six feet under. "They want power in the French Quarter, and the annihilation of half their army — even Carlo's own brother — wasn't a deterrent enough to get out of the city."

"I guess that's too bad for them."

The mob believe the shootout was because of the Devils Ink MC taking faction over the drug underworld and it came to blows. They've no idea we were involved because we covered it up. But there's always some loophole or someone who saw something — as much as we cleaned up that night, the club has never honestly considered itself off their radar.

"We need to take the rest of the family out," Cash says. "We have no bad blood with the Irish. While they may be supplyin' the good folk of New Orleans with top grade cocaine, I'd rather that than have to witness child traffickin', which is exactly what Caruso is plannin' — hence why I believe he'll try to take the shipping yard."

"What the fuck?"

The club runs one of the largest shipping container yards in the state. And it's very profitable. Hence why I'm there a lot of the time, keeping watch when Harlem and Tag are called out to do something else.

"Wouldn't be the first time, and rumor has it some of the feds are in Carusos pocket."

"Pity we can"t get Callaghan in ours." Callaghan is one of the feds who just recently got promoted, and he hates the club. In fact, he'll do anything to bring this club down.

He's always in the thick of it whenever some shit goes down that's gang, mafia or club related. And he's been sniffing all over the crime scene from the shootout like a goddamn bloodhound.

It's like the man has a sixth sense, and even though he's barely out of his training diapers, Cash knows he's a threat. Feds and police are always a threat when they can't be bought.

"I was hopin' he'd come around," Cash admits. "But he seems to get off on bein' a thorn in my side."

"He'll need somethin' soon." Here's hoping.

"That's what I'm thinkin'. In the meantime, keep her under wraps. If her family finds out she's still alive, they'll take this club down without even blinkin'."

"Got it."

"Workin' out a strategy with Rowan, we need to take them all down and do it fast." Rowan is the head of the Irish mafia and somewhat of a comrade to the club. As I say, as long as the club look the other way and let them get on with their business, we can live in harmony.

"Bella says her uncle won't stop, not until he takes back what's rightfully his; control of this city."

"Now that he's lost his underboss, he'll be gettin' desperate. And desperate men become sloppy," Cash goes on. "Sloppiness means mistakes. Once we find a way in, we'll raid their compound and give Callaghan some more paperwork to do."

I wasn't entirely sure it would come to this. But Cash won't ever let the club be sitting ducks. "What about Big Daddy?" He's the new drug lord of the underworld and took over where the Devils left off. He's the only one who knows about what really went down that night. And when he heard about Bella's father and all the disgusting things he did to Jett and Rock as children, his fate as our ally was sealed. He doesn't want the mob back in New Orleans any more than we do. It's bad for business.

He and Cash go way back and our alliance is rock solid.

"He has his men ready. All I have to do is give the word. The sooner the rest of the Caruso family are out of Louisiana for good, the better. We'll use any means necessary."

Then Bella can be free. The club can be free without any lurking enemies ready to pounce when we least expect it.

"You need me for anythin'?"

"Not until we can reconvene in a couple of days, go over the plan."

"Sounds good."

"So you can get back to bonin' Isabella Caruso."

"I'm not—" I stop, palming the back of my head. Fuck. Isabella Caruso.

Cash chuckles. "Thought so."

"She's… different," I say, knowing I sound like a goddamn schmuck. "The more time I spend with her, the more I realize why I've waited so long to even consider an ol' lady."

"Holy shit, ol' lady status already? You're as bad as Rock. Of course, the more I tell you motherfuckers to stay away from chicks that are trouble with a capital T, the more you gravitate toward them."

"Says the man who married and knocked up his best friend's daughter," I chuckle.

"She'll cut my nuts off for sayin' this, but she pursued me." The warmth in his voice toward his ol' lady Deanna makes me smile.

"Your secret's safe with me," I tell him. "Scouts honor."

"I've got Ryder, Bronco and Riot watchin' the compound."

"No prospects?"

"No prospects. The job's too precarious, though now Pipes is patched in, he's trustworthy enough to take the second shift along with Hawk and Chains. JJ can keep watch at the gate along with Bandit."

That reminds me, I should send Riot a text, it's been a couple of days and I haven't set foot in the Soup Kitchen since looking after Bella.

"Sounds like a plan. Let me know when I can bring Bella to the club." It's no surprise that when we hit, the club will go into lockdown, and all the kids and ol' ladies and members will hole up in the clubhouse. It has enough rooms and accommodation, along with a fully equipped kitchen where Manny can feed everyone.

"Will do. And let's keep her identity under wraps for the moment."

"Got it."

"Later."

We hang up and I run a hand over my face.

"Is everything okay?" I hear Bella from behind me.

I turn to look over my shoulder. "Everything's fine."

"Come back to bed."

We stay in all day. I make us French toast and Bella makes the coffee. I can't remember the last time that I didn't leave my house for a day. Of course, I could spend all day every day in the cocoon with her in the coziness of my home.

Having her here makes me feel like I'm ten feet tall. Like I could accomplish anything. It's not just how she feels when she's in my arms; it's that feeling. That feeling of completeness when I'm with her. Like my world gravitates toward her without me having to even try.

I'm in love with her.

That's what it is, and I'm not going to fight it anymore. I've waited a long time for a woman like Bella, and I'm not going to blow it now by being fucking self-righteous. The second she climbed into my bed that all went out the window.

I told her I loved her. And she loves me… Fuck.

I turn and take her outstretched hand in mine. I pull her to me. "You hungry?"

She shakes her head, then seeing my smirk she says, "Oh."

I cup her face and kiss her. "I'm fuckin' starvin', baby girl."

"Hmm." She's wearing my sweats and an old t-shirt, and she couldn't look any hotter.

Our kisses turn heated fast and all of a sudden, I'm hauling her ass onto the kitchen counter and spreading her knees wide.

I pull the sweatpants down and feel between her legs and she gasps when I cup her bare pussy. "You came in here without underwear on?"

"I was coming to see what you were doing. I didn't think to dress accordingly."

I smile against her mouth. "You're so adorable." I play with her pussy as she closes her eyes, her soft little hums igniting the fire deep within my belly.

"That feels so good," she murmurs.

But it's not enough. I pull the sweats all the way off and then pull the t-shirt off over her head. She goes to cover her breasts with her hands and I catch her by the wrists.

"Let me admire my baby spread wide on my kitchen counter for a second."

She bites down on her lip as my eyes drift south over her perky breasts, her nipples pebbling under my gaze. I wander over her flat stomach and wide hips, her thighs — which I spread wider — and finally her glistening, perfect little pussy. "Fuck, you're beautiful."

"Kiss me."

I tilt my head, our eyes meeting. "Oh, I plan on it."

I pull her by the ankles so her ass is right on the edge, then drop to my knees as I spread her pussy with one hand and lave my tongue over her soft folds. "Oh," she cries.

I grin, my tongue teasing her clit — already swollen under my touch — and she presses her hands onto the counter as she sticks her chest out. I want to suck and nip her everywhere. I want to take those perfect titties and fuck those too, marking her with my cum. Nobody is ever going to love her like I can. Nobody.

My dick aches in my sweatpants and I reach my hand inside to stroke myself.

"Pull it out," she whispers. My eyes meet hers. "Pull your big cock out and let me see what I do to you."

I groan, doing as she says, and as I spread my legs and fist my cock, my mouth returns to her pussy and I lick her clit rapidly until she's crying my name and whispering, fuck, fuck, fuck!

"Watch," I tell her. "Watch me please myself over your beautiful, wet cunt."

She gasps. I move my head back so she can see. I fist my cock and jerk myself long and hard, pre-cum leaking from the tip as she gazes down at me with hooded eyes. Her legs spread as her pussy drips, waiting for whatever I'm going to do to her next.

"Oh, Priest."

"Touch yourself."

She bites her lip in that adorable way and then does as I say. Her hand moving between her legs as she starts to rub her clit and spread her release all around. She then tugs on one nipple with her free hand and my dick grows even harder watching her.

The little moans almost send me over the edge, and as I jerk my cock back and forth, I want to see her make herself come before I send myself to heaven and back.

"Do it," I growl. "Make yourself come with those fingers. Let me see you fuck yourself, baby girl."

"Oh." She inserts a finger inside her wet hole and my eyes drop to her movements. Oh, fuck yeah. "Priest." Her thumb grazes her clit as she fingers herself, her eyes squeezed shut and her tits heave on every intake of breath.

"Fuckin' perfect," I tell her. "Open your eyes, watch me when you come. Look at how much my cock wants you, baby."

Her eyes pop open and then she drops her gaze to my dick in my palm as I tug it furiously. That's all it takes to send her into a long, drawn out, fuckin' beautiful orgasm that has me raising from my knees back to my feet, my hand still wrapped around my cock as I watch her.

"Priest!"

I reach my other hand to her breast and pull her nipple as she comes all over her fingers. I pull on her wrist, moving her hand up to my mouth where I suck on the fingers she just had inside herself and she moans when I press hard against her clit with my other hand.

"I'm gonna come," I groan, squeezing my cock tighter as her hand replaces mine. "I wanna paint these beautiful fuckin' tits."

"Oh, Priest." She tugs my dig harder as I let go, pushing her tits up. I move my mouth to one nipple, then the other, sucking both before I paint them with my seed.

And then I'm pulling back, putting my hand over hers as we jerk furiously together. My dick spurts and I coat her torso and tits. Groaning long and hard as she watches me with fierce determination and a heat in her eyes I can't get enough of.

I still, sweat dripping from my head and sliding down my back as I pant hard.

"Holy fuck," I mutter.

She giggles. "That was so hot."

I open my eyes, then groan when I see my release all over her. I immediately spread it with my fingers, massaging her tits as she watches me with her mouth hanging open.

I grab one of her hands and coat her fingers in my cum then bring it to her lips. She sucks on her own fingers and I watch with hooded eyes as I cup her face and replace her fingers with my tongue, tasting myself on her lips.

I reach absentmindedly for the dish cloth, wiping her tits down hurriedly as I peel her off the bench and she wraps around me. I wanna fuck her on the dining table. A fantasy of mine ever since we shared the burgers and I wanted to suck the mayonnaise from the side of her mouth.

I lay her down and she stares up at me, wonder in her eyes as I hold my cock and slide all the way inside her. "Do you like your pussy bein' full with my dick?"

"God yes."

I slide in and out, banging her fast, not willing to take this slow. Then I groan. "Fuck. Condom."

"Damn it," she sighs. "We'll get birth control. I want nothing between us."

I try not to shoot my load as I pull out. "Stay right there." I scramble back to the bedroom to grab a condom from the box, rolling it on as I walk. When I get back to her, she's a fuckin' vision with her legs wide and her hair spread out behind her like an angel.

I hold her legs and pull her down the table toward me, her legs flush against my chest and her feet hanging over my shoulders. "Gonna be hard and fast," I tell her, sinking into her wet heat.

She sighs with contentment."That feels so good."

"What does, baby?"

"Your giant dick."

I chuckle, and I don't let up. I resume my fucking, harder and faster than before as I hold her ankles and watch my dick slide in and out of her with fury. "You drive my fuckin' wild," I grunt. "I can't enough of this perfect little pussy, Bella. You're drivin' a sane man mad."

"I love what you do to me." She sits up onto her elbows as our eyes meet. "I love how you make me feel. I love your cock buried deep inside me."

I thrust harder at the end, my balls slapping against her pussy as our noisy sex bounces off the walls.

"What else do you love?"

"You painting your cum on my skin." She closes her eyes as mine flick down to her jiggling tits. "Me tasting you. I love it… How you taste."

That right there. It's enough to make me shoot my load and bang her into oblivion, but I try to hold off for as long as possible. Her tight hold grips me so fuckin' hard that I'm panting and grinding like I'm a goddamn horny teenager who has to get the job done fast.

Her hand moves to her clit as I watch her rub it back and forth, her hips rising off the table as she comes, her release coating my dick as I try to hold on. But once my baby sets the bar, she sets it high. And I'm a man after all. I can't hold on forever.

I pump once, twice, spreading her legs wide as I ram in and out of her cunt and she cries my name over and over. I spurt into the condom, wishing I could release inside her pussy and truly make her mine, stilling as I grip her ankles and empty myself with an almighty roar. It's past the point of primal. This woman is just as insatiable as I am.

When I open my eyes, she's got hers closed and she's got a big grin across her face. Thoroughly fucked and loving it.

"Somethin' funny?" I let her legs go as they wrap around me. I lean down and press my lips against hers.

Her eyes open. "Nope. Just happy living in this sex bubble we've created."

"Nothin' wrong with a sex bubble," I chuckle.

"It is if we never leave the house, Priest."She frowns then adds. "What's your real name?"

I was hoping this wouldn't come up. I'm not exactly screaming it from the rooftops when people ask me. "I changed it as soon as I was old enough." She gives me a ‘I'm waiting' look and I laugh. "My mom named me Percival, if you can believe it."

"Percival?"

"Apparently it was in the family." I run a hand through my hair. The guys always give me shit about it because it got leaked once. "And I hated it. He was probably an asshole. He was from my mom's side."

She doesn't hold back her laughter. It's good to see her smile, even if it's laughing at me. "What did you change it to?"

"Xavier. My middle name is Samuel, which I kept."

"I like Xavier. It suits you better than Percy."

I kiss her, not caring about the outside world. "Do me a favor and never call me Percy."

"Deal."

"We better get some food in our bodies, because tonight I want you to ride my face while I fuck that hole with my tongue."

Her chest rises and falls while she hums a contented sound. "I like the sound of that, Xavier."

I kiss her once more. "I bet you do."

I lean up, gripping one tit and giving it a squeeze, my hand trailing down her body as I pull my cock out of her. I peel the condom off and tie it in a knot, dropping it on the table next to us.

"I meant what I said," she whispers. My eyes meet hers again. "I don't want anything between us. I want you inside me bare, Priest Xavier Samuel."

I smile, bringing her up to seated as I hold her hands until she's steady. Her hair is all ruffled and goddamn sexy, just like the rest of her.

My lips find hers once more. "I want that too, baby girl," I mutter, getting lost once more in our kiss. "I want that more than you'll ever know."