“Don’t fight what we feel, Ava.” His lips crash into mine as bile rises in my throat. I don’t want this asshole anywhere near me, let alone with his mouth on me. I bite his lip but that does little to get him to move. In fact, I think the sick fuck actually likes it.
“Get off me!” I scream loudly when he moves his lips to my neck. I can’t believe that he’s acting like this. You would think he would have found another woman to harass but I guess not. I can hear him chuckle right before he’s being yanked away from me. I can’t see the other person’s face but from this angle he’s massive. Daniel hits the wall on the other side of the hallway before a fist slams into his face. Wrapping my arms around myself, I can’t seem to find it in me to move. I just stand here shaking like a coward.
“Get the fuck out of here!” The man growls at Daniel before recognition registers across his face. They stand in a silent stand-off that I’m pretty sure will end badly when Daniel points at the man.
“You better watch your ass, Vitale!”
When the man turns back to me, my heart stops beating. It’s him, the one from the fight. Only that’s not the name they called him. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lip gently. I gasp at the feeling of his fingers caressing my skin.
“You’re bleeding.” His voice is low and dark but there’s something in his eyes that I can’t place. Shaking my head, he tilts his to examine me. His fingers run along my neck, wiping at the blood that lingers from Daniel’s lip making my body quake.
“It’s not mine. I bit him,” I say softly. A small snort escapes him before his mask is back in place. His eyes are heated but he isn’t really looking at me. It’s unnerving and I find myself drawn to the mystery of him.
“Some men might like that you know?” His fingers haven’t stopped their seductive trail as he leans in closer to me. The lights in the hallway flicker on giving me a better view of the man. He sucks in a breath before he speaks again, and his words unnerve me.
“The eyes of an angel.”
Cordae
I had to pull myself away from her. There was too much of a current that ran between the two of us. Who the hell was she? Why was she making me feel like I’ve known her forever? Is it possible that dreams can become reality? I pull my hand away as if I’ve been burned. And maybe in a way I have.
“Are you ok now? He won’t be bothering you again,” I tell her with sureness. I will make damn sure of that. Her eyes never leave mine as I talk to her. She’s hypnotized, just the way I felt. Her blue eyes are burning into my soul.
“Hey! Sweetheart!” Snapping my fingers in front of her face, she finally nods her head as if she’s still locked in a trance. I can’t say that I don’t feel it to because I do.
“I’m fine. Sorry. Oh, thank you for that,” she says quickly. I nod and turn to walk away when she calls out to me once more.
“Can I buy you a drink? I mean, you did kick his ass for me.” Her little giggle is soft and delicate, just like the girl herself. But I know I’m not anything she needs to be around. I’m not the kind of man that she needs in her life. I’d only rip her apart and spit her out broken. Without looking back at her, I walk away and call out over my shoulder, “No.”
I need space to think. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t let women work me up like that. As I get my head back on straight, I walk towards the stairs to handle a little under the table business for my uncle. Halfway up I stop with a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I glance back down, my eyes lock with hers. Those crystal blue eyes that look like they’ve been sent straight down from heaven burn into me. Shaking my head, I refocus on the task at hand following the guy to the top floor.
“Right through here,” he says. Walking into the room my attention is top notch. You never know what you may walk into.
“Demon. Nice to see you again.” Midas sits on his throne as he eyes me. He’s a real piece of shit but he does run a lot of drugs through these clubs and my uncle wants a piece of that. I can’t say that I blame him after what I’ve seen here tonight. The drugs seem to run through here freely and without any kind of issue.
“It’s always nice to see me,” I add. He grins and motions for me to take a seat, which I do.
“John wants in on your dealings. You know the price that carries; I don’t need to remind you. We’ll run our end across the board, but you will run the club business same as always, except now you will be supplying our products,” I inform him as if this is just another day, which it is. His eyes widen when the words leave my mouth. He knows me; he knows the family I belong to. He doesn’t dare say no to me.
“That’s a big demand, Cord.” Nodding my head, he glances around trying to come up with a rational answer. There is only one.
“They’re out there. Blending casually as they were told to do. Don’t doubt my authority as a rising member of the Vitale family, Midas.” His eyes jerk back to mine as he nods his head slowly. He knows we have more men positioned out there, scattered around the club, blending in just like I said.
“I’ll make contact when the supply runs out. We’ll set up imports so that the product comes directly.” With a grin, I stand extending my hand to him.
“I think this is a great move on your part, Midas.” Inside I’m laughing hysterically. As if he had a choice in the matter to begin with. Here in New York, you do not mess with the Vitale family. Everyone knows that, including Midas.
“The pleasure is mine,” he says under his breath as I note the tone of his voice before I nod. I head back down the stairs and spot Jordy. I’ve had enough of this place and I’d say it’s about time the party is over, and we can get the hell back to my life.
Cordae
Jumping out of the shower after my run this morning, I feel good. I change quickly into my dress pants and button down shirt before making my way towards the living room.
“How nice of you to finally join me,” My uncle says as he glances at me over the newspaper he holds in front of him.
“I didn’t realize I would be having company. How rude of me.” My uncle shakes his head, setting his paper to the side to look at me.
“There are some things we need to discuss, Cord. Come, sit.” Following his orders, I sit in the chair in front of him. I cross my arms over my chest as he leans forward, resting his on the table.
“I assume the meeting with Midas went as planned?” Nodding my head, he continues. “I also heard that you had a little altercation with the Gambino boy.” Plastering a grin on my face, I unfold my arms, leaning forward to mimic his stature.
“It was nothing, dear Uncle. I happened to find him in a rather awkward state with a not so willing girl,” I inform him. My uncle nods his head knowing that there are times that I don’t like seeing a woman being used, for lack of a better term. Not every time though since I do tend to use them myself, but I have my moments.
“I see. Well, that little altercation has brought the Vitale family into the light.” Not understanding what he means, I shake my head and shrug. “Your little fit, Cord! The families want to call a meeting. Do you know what that means?” Shit. Shit. Shit.