I get up and stretch, catching one of Uri’s men eyeing me in the two-piece bikini I have on. I scowl at him and snatch up a towel to cover myself. Grabbing my gun and holster, I strap it back to my thigh before collecting my phone and following the path Val took to enter the house.
She and Uri are playing with Vita. They make such a gorgeous family. In this moment, you would never know the man and woman sitting before me are trained killers.
Placing a hand over my belly, I grimace. I’d probably make a terrible mother. That is if I ever find someone to want me.
Don’t sound so desperate.
I push those thoughts away. Dreams of a life like Val’s will get me nowhere. Right as I have that thought, my phone buzzes in my hand. God, why haven’t I replaced this thing.
Because you want to know if he’ll keep calling, estúpida.
Chapter 42
Baby Sis
Roni
“You should always be in control. Allow him to think he is, but you’re always topping mentally,” Pam says.
“You got that right,” Paige says.
“Always. Be. Teasing,” Val says, purposely spreading her legs one by one in a seductive way. Leaning forward, she places a forearm on her thigh and licks up one side of the popsicle in her hand as she locks eyes with me. She then takes the ice into her mouth and slurps on it.
“I think you just made my nipples hard,” Pam says, fanning herself. She laughs and falls back against the couch next to her twin.
I pull my arms from my sleeves and wrap my middle beneath my shirt. Val gets up and comes to sit beside me. I keep my eyes on the floor as I process everything that’s been going on for the last hour.
“Relax,” she says in my ear as she strokes my braid. “They have become friends. I wouldn’t bring you around anyone I don’t trust.”
I nod as I lift my gaze to look around Pam’s living room at the women Val calls friends. We are sitting here chatting and cutting up while their children are upstairs with the nanny Val called in. This is not my world.
Nate’s wife and her twin are no nonsense, but friendly just the same. I guess Pam and Paige are cool. Rita and Marie seem to be besties. They have made me feel welcome, but I haven’t decided if I’ll fuck with them yet.
Rita used to be in my shit during training, so I’m on the fence as to whether I want to be friends with her or not.
My gaze falls on Val’s sister. A lighter version of her. Shannon looks as out of place as I feel, but not because she doesn’t belong. She looks nervous and unsure of herself.
Me, I can’t recall ever having girlfriends. I’ve been trying to find a single memory, but I’ve come up with pieces of lonely moments. Men standing around the room, my father at his desk, but never any friends.
So, this feels way out of sorts to me. These women are sharing so many intimate details as if they trust one and other. That’s a bit unsettling.
Pam bursts into laughter. “I don’t know who’s worse. Roni or Shannon.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Paige says, holding a cucumber with a condom on it in her hand.
“Give them a break,” Marie says, holding back laughter.
I already knew she was Jasper’s wife and Jasper is Rita’s cousin. However, I’ve come to learn Marie is also Paige’s sister-in-law. Bobby’s sister.
He still comes around the training facility. From what I’m told they have two other siblings. I’ve met Rita’s husband Marcus a few times. Not that I care or paid much attention to the people in and out of the Toy Cop Academy.
“I’m going to be honest. Roni truly can’t remember a thing about her past and here I am faking. I feel like shit, maybe it’s time I tell Luca the truth.”
“Good luck with that one,” Pam snorts and takes a sip from her glass.
“Why are you lying to him?” I ask, trying my best to be friendly.
“Long story,” they all say in unison.
Hey, I tried. John would be proud of me. Frowning, I chide myself when the thought pops into my head. I could care less what he thinks. With a pout, I cross my arms over my chest.
“Listen, we are all grown here. We gathered to teach you girls how to keep your men satisfied. Take what you want, leave what you can’t bring yourself to do. Just know when you leave here, you’re going to have the skills to turn any man out,” Pam says with a smile.
Shannon ducks her head, grabbing my attention. She looks up through her lashes to Pam. “This is a little weird for me, but I’m game. If I want to learn from anyone, it’s you.”
The room falls silent for a second, before they all burst into laughter. Val bumps my shoulder and leans into my ear to whisper, “Pam used to date Luca. My sister is currently engaged to Luca,” she says. “He may or may not have been obsessed with Pam at once, but he now knows I will kill him.”
“Well, let’s go then. I want you two to clean all this peanut butter off these bananas without leaving a single teeth mark,” Pam says as she smears peanut butter on one banana and hands it to me.
Paige snorts. “Some men like a little teeth.” Val and Rita chuckle. “What? I’m just saying. You have to learn your man.”
“Yes, but let’s not get anyone punched in the head on the first try, thank you very much.”
I actually snort. I’d beat John’s ass if he ever—well, not that I plan on going down on him. I start to shift in my seat, feeling like everyone’s eyes are on me while also feeling like they can hear and see my thoughts.
“All right, Shannon,” Marie hoots.
Looking over at her banana, I find it mostly clean. One thing I know for sure about myself, I’m competitive to a fault. I hate being outdone.
I take the fruit in my hand and stick it into my mouth. A few swirls of my tongue and a tight suction of my lips, the banana comes out clean—no bite marks, no peanut butter. When the room seems to be too silent, I look around at everyone.
They’re all staring at me with their mouths open. Then Pam breaks into a wide grin. She leans in and holds her palm up.
“Now that’s how you suck a dick. Girl, you don’t need me with skills like that,” she says and laughs.
“Ah, she can still learn to play with balls,” Val teases.
Chapter 43
Won’t Be Ignored
John
It’s been over a month and three weeks since I’ve last seen or had contact with Roni. When my father announced the family would be coming to New York to stay with the Briggs for a while, I was sure this was my opportunity to finally see my girl and straighten this shit out.
We’ve been here for four days and I haven’t set eyes on Roni once. I’ve sat through an entire concert that left the whole room charged with sexual energy with no release in sight. Me and Roni need to get our shit together before my balls fall off.
“Thanks for this, Uri. I know how against Val leaving here you were. This means a lot to me,” I say as I stand with my arms folded across my chest.
We’re standing on the training facility side of the compound, watching as two motorcycles race up the wide driveway heading for us. One carrying the woman I’ve been looking for.