Page 54 of Casino King

“Tell me,” he urges.

Swallowing, I lick my lip where his thumb is still stroking, and while his eyes narrow and darken, I try and find the right words. “I was thinking how I should have known from the beginning. But it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“I can’t share a lot with you, but I promise it’ll never have to be something you have to be concerned about. It’ll never touch you. No one will ever touch you,” he says fiercely. “My family is all I have, but you…” He pauses, his eyes searching mine. “You matter. Don’t ever think otherwise.”

Blinking away the urge to cry, I give him a small nod.

No one since my brother has ever made me feel like I mattered.

Although Alec didn’t even have to say the words. I already knew. I already felt it.

Chapter 17

Alec

I haven’t seen much of Tessa this week besides falling into bed with her every night and waking her up with my mouth on her sweet pussy or slipping right inside of her so her beautiful eyes fly open to see mine above her.

She’s always wet and ready for me as if she was dreaming of me, waiting for me, and knowing I’d be around soon to take care of her. She always gasps in surprise, and then moans out long and low for me – the two sweetest sounds in the world. Which I won’t deny is fucking amazing, but I also want to just be with her, something I’ve never needed or wanted from a woman before. They always serve their purpose for a good fuck and then they’re gone, their names and faces quickly fading from my memory.

But with Tessa, I want to come home and have dinner with her. I want to take her out and show her my city from my eyes, taking her places she never even knew existed. I want to hear her voice as she tells me about her day. I want to see her smile, giving me a little light in my chest to keep some of the darkness at bay.

This week has been a busy one. I’ve spent my days in meetings, on the phone, and on the road. I had to drive into Manhattan twice to talk with Leo about our meeting with the head of the Triads in two weeks, as well as our plans for the party we’re attending tonight. I normally would have just stayed with him in the city until it was all worked out, but I couldn’t leave Tessa. I couldn’t go a night without her.

Leo, Luca, and I had to go over detailed safety measures and escape routes for both events in case things go south. I don’t think they will, but we’ve stepped up our security since our father and uncle were killed. They were too confident that no one would ever try to take them out. They were too comfortable in their neighborhood.

Not us.

My brothers and I know that anything can happen – anytime and anywhere. We don’t cut corners and we always make sure each of us has a man with them when we go out.

That’s why I’ve been so protective of Tessa. I should’ve been more careful on the phone with Leo last weekend, but he got me so fucking mad that I didn’t even think about Tessa overhearing what we were talking about.

She didn’t know there was more to me than just owning and operating The Aces, but she does now, and she took it like the woman I know she is – strong and mesmerizing.

A true fucking queen.

I knew the moment I saw her she could handle anything. Especially me. I just didn’t know when, or how, to tell her. It’s not something you just come out and say, and I didn’t want to give her the choice to run. I wanted her so deeply embedded with me that she couldn’t leave me. I’m both an asshole and a genius, because she decided she doesn’t care. She just wants me. And what that makes me feel is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

It was a wave of euphoria that morphed into a deep craving that hasn’t left me since she said the words.

I crave her.

Every minute of every day.

I need her.

I want her by my side. She’s not a woman you keep in the shadows hoping no one notices her. She’s the woman you place center stage for all to see, but never touch.

Mia bella rosa may not know it yet, but she’s going to be mine in every sense of the word.

She’s stronger than she thinks, and I plan on making sure she knows that.

My phone starts buzzing on my desk, pulling me from thoughts of testing not just her mental strength, but her physical strength. I want to fuck her against the wall with both her legs hooked around me under my arms so her hips aren’t touching the wall at all, only her upper back. She’d have to use every muscle to stay where I want her, and it’d be the sexiest fucking thing in the world to see her do that for me. Because I need her to.

“Is everything good for tonight?” Leo asks right away when I pick up the phone.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

Tonight at Sahara’s, a hotel and casino on the other side of the city, a private party is being held that will have all the major players in New York and New Jersey attending. Each of the five families will be represented –Carfano, Cicariello, Melcciona, Capriglione, and Antonucci– as well as the Triads, Yakuza, Bratva, Armenian, and Irish families.

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