Page 38 of His Ruthless Obsession

"Come for me, Jazz," he commands, voice muffled against my flesh. His fingers slip inside me, crooking, hitting that spot that makes me see stars.

"I... I can't..." But my body betrays me, hips moving in sync with his mouth, his fingers.

"You can." His tongue flicks against my clit again, relentless. "And you will."

His words, his touch, his fucking mouth - it's too much. The pressure builds, a wave cresting, and then it crashes. I come undone, pleasure pulsing through me, my cries echoing in the cavernous penthouse. He doesn't stop, doesn't slow, drawing out every last shudder until I'm limp and spent.

Only then does he pull back, lips glistening with my release. His eyes meet mine, intense and hungry. "Better?" he asks, voice rough.

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. "Yes," I whisper.

A satisfied smirk curves his lips. "Good." He presses a final kiss to my thigh, and all I can think is fuck my moral qualms.

I really do want him.

16

NERIO

Ilean back in my leather chair, studying the territory maps spread across my mahogany desk. Marco stands at my right, arms crossed, while Tony and Ray occupy the chairs opposite me. The afternoon sun casts long shadows through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my downtown office.

"The Mantiones lost three distribution routes." Marco taps a red line on the map. "Their shipments are down thirty percent." He crosses his arms. “And the Cappallettis have gone otherwise silent. No one can seem to find the don’s niece or figure out why they took her, but it’s a distraction to them, at least.”

"Good." I trace my finger along the edge of our territory. "Time to move on their old clients. Tony, reach out to the suppliers on Maxwell Street. Make sure they understand we can guarantee protection."

Tony nods, jotting notes in his phone. "What about pricing?"

"Keep it competitive. We're not desperate – they are." I pull up the profit projections on my laptop. "Ray, double security at the docks. The Mantiones will try to slip through the cracks."

"Already on it." Ray's knuckles are still bruised from last week's altercation. "Got eyes on every shift."

Marco slides another document across the desk. "Speaking of security, Lorenzo wants updates on the money laundering operations."

"The nightclub's perfect for that." I scan the numbers, satisfied with the flow. "Jazz keeps the books clean, brings in legitimate cash. Makes everything look above board."

"She asking questions?" Tony raises an eyebrow.

"No. She's smart enough to mind her business." I close the laptop with a snap. "Focus on expansion. The Mantiones are wounded, but they're not stupid. We push too fast, they'll push back harder."

"Got word they're recruiting." Marco's jaw tightens. "Fresh muscle from the south side."

"Let them." I stand, adjusting my suit jacket. "New blood means sloppy mistakes." And more people for me to punish. "We'll be ready when they slip up."

Ray leans forward. "What about the warehouse on Kinzie?"

"Convert it." I pour myself a whiskey from the crystal decanter. "We need more storage now that we're taking over their old routes. Marco, get construction permits filed. Make it look legitimate."

"I'll take care of it."

"Good." I nod to them. "Leave."

Ray and Tony do, but Marco stays where he's standing. He must have something else he wants to say.

I take a slow sip of whiskey, studying Marco's tense expression as the others file out. Something's eating at him.

"Talk."

Marco waits until the door clicks shut. "Remember that shipment that got hit last week? The one where Mantione's crew knew exactly when and where?"

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