Page 31 of Make You Mine

Having a front-row seat to Junior groping strippers was not on my agenda for the day. I fucking hate him and his disrespect for Ashley. After talking to her yesterday, I know she couldn’t care less who he touches, but I can’t help the rage that boils in my blood. He is literally married to the sexiest woman alive, and instead, he decides to treat her like shit and fuck strippers.

I have to keep reminding myself it will all be over soon. I want him to feel the uncertainty and fear from within the mafia, like he’s about to lose it all. The prey being hunted by the big, badwolf. And right when he thinks he is going to make it out unscathed, I’ll have the pleasure of watching the light leave his eyes, the way he’s done to her. Except his will be permanent. He can rot in hell just like he deserves.

“As most of you know, I’ll be leaving for Italy a little sooner than I expected and will be gone till after Thanksgiving. So, I need to make sure things are in order before I go. Typically, Joey would stay behind and make sure everything runs smoothly here, but since Vito can’t travel, Joey will be accompanying me on my trip. Our doctor will be back in town in about a week, so until then, I need you both to do whatever it takes to get Vito better.”

He points to the man across the room, who is currently getting a lap dance from two redheads. “My consigliere, Stephan, will be running things here in New York, but since you both know Micah, I will leave him in charge of corresponding with the two of you.” Junior glances at Micah, who nods. I can tell he’s also struggling with being near him.

“Now that’s a done deal. You boys want a little pick-me-up?” he asks, snapping his fingers, and a tray full of perfect white lines of cocaine is set down in front of him within ten seconds.

“Nah, man, we have to see a client after this,” my brother lies.

“Well, have one drink then,” he demands, opening the bottle of scotch in front of him and pouring several glasses.

He must need Vito to help him cover up more lies because this is the most hospitality he’s shown to us the whole time.

“There’s my beautiful wife,” he says, and the girl on his lap stills, along with my heart. Junior holds the stripper in place like the egotistical asshole he is, making it clear just how much he doesn’t care about Ashley.

I slowly turn my head until our eyes meet, and I see hers flare for the briefest of seconds before looking away.

“Why am I here, Junior?” she asks him in a dry tone, her expression showing no emotion.

He wraps his arm around Ashley and pulls her down on the opposite side of the stripper. Her face is completely void of emotion as she looks everywhere but at me. I feel my brother’s grip on my knee, silently begging me not to get us all killed. Micah’s jaw flexes, and he gently shakes his head. I notice Luca’s big form joining the group out of my peripheral, most likely knowing either me or her brother is close to losing our shit.

“Can’t I just want to see my gorgeous wife?” he nearly growls at her. My vision starts to blur at his tone. She just levels him with a fake smile, eyeing the stripper up and down.

I love that even with everything he has put her through, she isn’t timid around him. Knowing he hasn’t taken away all her fight just shows how tough my girl is.

I can't wait to take this fucker out. Fuck being very demure and mindful. I’m thinking confident and savage, slicing his throat in the middle of the night and painting the town red with his blood.

Finally, he pushes the scantily clad girl from his lap before he addresses Ashley again. “I wanted to speak with you, Micah, and Luca about the visit you’re insisting on making to North Carolina.”

Even in this fucked up situation, my heart races with excitement for what her going to North Carolina while he’s away could mean for us. When she mentioned this trip was a possibility, I was afraid to get my hopes up. But now, I can't help but envision us spending time alone in the place where we firstfell in love. As well as being able to enjoy my cousin’s engagement party together, celebrating two people who mean so much to Ashley and me. All with the hope that I get to hold her in my arms all night long.

“If Joey and his men can’t be there, then I expect both of them to accompany you.” His eyes flit to the men and women surrounding them, like he’s deciding how much more he wants to say in front of the group. “Head to the bar. Micah, Luca, and I will meet you there in a minute.”

Ashley stands quickly, likely ready for the reprieve from being so close to him. I can’t help but watch as she walks to the bar, her long brunette and blonde strands swaying down her back, and my brain pulls one of my favorite memories to the forefront.

The first time I saw her.

I had never felt the utter need to hold another person’s attention, even if it was just for a flitting moment like I did the first time I locked eyes with her.

Junior leans down and snorts a line of the cocaine, like he’s done it a thousand times before. A big smile takes over his face as soon as it hits him, and he claps his hands. “Okay, boys. Destiny and Hope are going to show you a good time,” he says to us as two women who appear to be twins show up at our table.

“We have to go see another client. Appreciate it though, ladies,” I say, immediately standing.

“Come on. Don’t disrespect me again. You don’t appreciate my gifts?” He takes a threatening step toward me, and I wish the motherfucker would put his hands on me. Especially over something so stupid. Blood boiling, I keep my expression neutral.

My brother moves in between us. “We have time for a short, private show. Can you do that, ladies?”

What the fuck, Trevor?

“I knew you were the smart one.” Junior chuckles, patting Trevor on the shoulder.

“Now go enjoy my gifts, and then be at my house tomorrow and get my guy right.” Without another word, he strides to where Ashley stands at the bar. Micah and Luca follow closely behind.

Hope, or maybe it’s Destiny, intertwines her arm with mine at the exact moment Ashley’s eyes lift and meet my gaze. She takes in the situation quickly, her brow pinching in question. I shake my head once, trying to tell her it's not how it looks. It makes me sick that she has to watch me walking away with another woman. Brushing off her unwanted touch, I wave my hand in front of us. “Lead the way.”

Trevor and his twin go into the room across from the door she leads me into.

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