“No, nothing like that,” I say, cutting him off. “They’re just butting heads. I suppose I’m partially to blame, I’ve been popping up every chance I can to check on Violet, and we know how your mother feels about me.”
He grumbles something incoherent into the line and I continue, “Violet’s talking about getting her own apartment and with your permission, I want to set that up for her.”
The second Violet told me Flora smacked her, my first thought was that I’d move her in here with me. But I knew that wasn’t an option. Sure, I had plenty of rooms to spare, but I need to be careful where Violet is concerned. Too many things were up in the air. Too many men were coming and going through these doors and until I got a firm handle on my life as the boss of the Pastore family, I couldn’t have her living here.
So, setting her up with her own place is the next best thing as far as I’m concerned. There’s a nice new complex down by the ferry. The condos are pricey, but I need as many legit business ventures as possible and you can’t go wrong with real estate these days.
The more thought I give it, the more it sounds like the best solution.
“You want my permission to set Violet up with an apartment,” he slurs, bringing my focus back to him. I don’t need anyone’s permission to do anything least of all Joaquin’s. I’m doing it out of respect. “I vaguely remember Jimmy Gold having us shop apartments in Bay Ridge a couple of years back for his mistress.”
I narrow my eyes.
“What are you getting at?”
“I don’t know man, you tell me. I call you to give you the weekly numbers on Temptations and my sister answers the phone. Come to find out you and her are having a cozy dinner for two in your fucking new pad. Now, you say you want to get her an apartment because she and my ma are having issues,” he scoffs, pausing before he goes on with his rant. “If my sister needs a place to go, I’ll take care of it. In the meantime, why don’t you put this kind of effort into protecting your own sister? Gina probably already has a bullseye on her back.”
I’ve been real easy on him since losing Pilar, but I’m having a hard time remaining cool right now.
“How the fuck are you going to set her up with a place to crash when you can’t take care of yourself and you never answer her fucking calls?”
“Fuck you,” he spats. “You want to throw stones meanwhile I’ve been cleaning up your messes for the last couple of years. Every relationship you have is a disaster. Your sister hates you, your uncle is just using you as a pawn in his game, and now you want to drag my sister into that wasteland you call a life.”
“You know what—fuck this and fuck you. I don’t need your permission to do anything. I’m taking care of Violet and if you don’t like it then come for me, motherfucker. Peel yourself away from the bottle and grab your fucking balls, I’ll be waiting for you on Todt Hill.”
With that I disconnect the call. It takes every fucking ounce of self-control not to throw the damn thing into the swimming pool. Instead, I shove it back inside my pocket and walk toward the railing. Bracing my hands around the iron, I stare out at the sprawling backyard and draw in a deep breath.
Your sister hates you, your uncle is just using you as a pawn in his game, and now you want to drag my sister into that wasteland you call a life.
Someone once told me if you don’t like the way the world sees you, don’t change yourself, change the world. I don’t think my mother meant the underworld per say, but maybe it’s time I take that advice.
~*~
My conversation with Joaquin left me in a piss poor mood and instead of joining Violet in the bathtub, I decided to pop open another bottle of wine and poured myself a tall glass. The alcohol didn’t do much—it never does.
I wasn’t about to adhere to Joaquin’s warning—that much I knew. The decision was already made where Violet was concerned. Tomorrow, after my meeting with the Satan’s Knights, I was going to Uncle Vic’s realtor and after that, I was gonna play Flora a visit. It’s high time she and I clear the air. If that goes in my favor I might even pay Gina a visit.
It’s going to be a busy day—a hellish one too—but if a man is going to change the world, he has to start somewhere.
Making my way up the spiral staircase, I pull my dress shirt from the waistband of my pants and undo the buttons. I step into my bedroom and spot Violet’s clothes in a heap on the floor. Shaking my head, I bend to pick them up and lay them on top of the armchair in the corner. I shrug my shirt off and drape it across her clothes. I shuck my shoes off and peel down my socks. My fingers move to my belt buckle. Unfastening it, I pad across the lush carpet, meandering to the adjoining bathroom.
As soon as I push open the door, my eyes dart to the tub. Violet lifts her head and smiles at me.
“Well, it’s about time. The water is cold.”
Shoving a hand inside my pocket, I take another step closer, watching as the water rolls over her body in soft waves.
God, she’s a dream.
Clearing my throat, I pull my hand out of my pocket and bend to test the water. My hand wraps around one of her breasts and I roll my thumb over her pert little nipple.
“It is cold,” I say huskily, watching as her eyes become more hooded with every stroke of my thumb. “We should probably fix that, huh?”
I give her tit one more squeeze before pulling my hand away. Her eyes open wider and shamelessly rake over me.
“How do you propose we do that?” she whispers.
“I’ve got a few ideas.”
My fingers work the button of my slacks and I draw the zipper down. Sliding my pants down my legs, I keep my boxer briefs on and palm my semi-hard cock. A soft whimper escapes Violet’s lips and I watch as she presses her thighs together under the clear water.
Don’t worry, Bug, relief is coming.
I’m gonna take good care of you.
Tearing my eyes away from her, I move to the other end of the tub and twist the brass knobs, adjusting the water. I don’t let it run for too long because I don’t want it to overflow when I slide into the tub.
“Good?” I ask.
“It would be better if you were in here with me.”
I shut the water and slip my fingers under the waistband of my briefs, dragging them down my corded thighs. Violet’s eyes zero in on my cock and she bites down on her lower lip.
“Patience,” I grind out, kicking the briefs away. “Inch forward,” I order. She lifts her head and stares at me for a moment before pushing off the wall of the tub. Dragging her knees to her chest, she leans forward and I climb in behind her. Once I’m in, I spread my legs and pull her body between them. My cock presses against her ass as I wrap my arms around her body. One hand closes around her breast and the other presses against her flat belly. I bend my head and nudge her hair away from her shoulder with my nose, before sucking on her neck.
“Oh,” she whispers, running her dainty hands up and down my thighs. “I like that.”
Yeah, I do too.
I continue to suck and nibble at her neck until there’s a deep purple marking, then I pull away slightly to admire my work.
Mine.
No one fucks with what is mine.
The second that thought creeps into my head, my hold on her breast tightens and a growl sounds from the back of my throat as I slam my mouth against her neck again. She squeezes my thighs and presses her ass against my cock, urging me to continue.