Page 93 of Captured

Caged her.

Spanked her.

Fucked her.

Maybe I had regained my sanity after all.

“What about finding out who killed Mary and Josh?”

Creed hadn’t mentioned their names in years. I hadn’t known whether out of respect or simply because he had no ability to help with my grief.

I thought about what Emily and I had talked about. “It no longer matters, Creed. It’s time to let the past stay in the past so I can move on. Maybe that’s what the three of us need to do.”

As I took a few seconds locking eyes with my brothers, it would seem all the hatred and anger we’d felt, all the consuming rage that had kept us at each other’s throats might be pushed aside and not just for the greater good of our family and the billion-dollar corporation.

But more important, for our sanity and well-being.

Yep. All I wanted was the love of a good woman and I was willing to do anything to get it.

“Never seen you go shopping before, boss,” Axe said out of the blue as I was going over the latest financials, doing several projections after typing in my own conjecture of numbers with the oil rights in the mix.

I shot a glance toward the front of the plane where four seats were lined with packages. “I never knew it could be so enjoyable.”

He chuckled, shaking his head and muttering something in his native Italian. “As my grandmother would say, finding the right woman is like discovering the perfect one hundred carat diamond in the rough.”

“One hundred carats. Whew. Your grandmother had expensive tastes.” I laughed as the numbers crunched, finally bringing up a new average of yearly income. Now that’s what I was talking about to increase the corporation’s bottom line. Maybe the three of us didn’t need any additional money, but I adored seeing ten figures crossing the screen. I could imagine what our stocks would do once the alliance was announced. I already had the corporation’s accountant working on those details.

“You have no idea. So, are we planning a wedding?”

I eyed him with amusement. “I think it prudent to give my sweet Emily some time to adjust to both her newfound wealth and the possibilities for the future.” I had a little surprise for her other than what was located inside the bags from pricy stores. An old acquaintance of mine served on the New York Philharmonic board of directors, a philanthropist who gave money to the children’s hospital since they’d saved the life of his only daughter years before.

Her position would remain hers and hers alone, and there might be a little bit more exposure in her future after the man heard her audition tape.

“Understood. Woman can turn on ya quickly.”

“Did you let Rico know we were coming in?”

“Before we boarded. Everything was cool there, not a problem at the compound.”

“Good to hear.” I glanced out the window. We would land in a little over an hour, just before dark.

“I made sure and told him not to let your guest know you were returning.”

“I do so love surprises,” I mused, steepling my hands as I allowed another few delicious images of her lush body to come into my mind. I knew what the woman wanted. Some sense of normalcy after the life she’d led. In truth, so did I, more than I’d realized. But the second I’d walked Creed out to his vehicle, I came to terms with the fact I didn’t want to be considered the Don of the family. He could have that position. I was perfectly happy with remaining in the shadows.

Only I was giving up killing people. At least for the time being.

Axe studied me carefully, his laptop positioned precariously on his lap. When I heard a ping coming from his expensive machine, I returned my attention to the latest reports coming from the various news sources. Yes, it would seem poor Gideon had gotten himself into a pickle.

While there’d been no comment from the chief of police, a warrant had been issued for the man’s arrest. I felt so bad for him.

Snickering, I noticed Axe’s face was pinched as he was reading over whatever had come into his email. When he lifted his head, I instantly bristled.

Something was terribly wrong.

“What is it?” I growled.

“We have an issue,” he said, his face paling, which was not like my brute of a soldier at all. He lifted the laptop, bringing it in my direction. “Is this possible or a hoax?”

---