Page 44 of Weaponized

I can’t even begin to process what just happened, and Luca looks exhausted as well. I just want to go home. I hate that we have a forty-five-minute ride before I can take off these heels and be wrapped in the strength of my boyfriend’s arms.

Luca

We are quiet as the four of us load into Matteo’s car. I take off my jacket and throw it on the floor. Fuck it. My tie joins my jacket. What a night.

I know that I should be more upset about Tiny, Umberto’s nephew and Gianni’s cousin. He won’t hold up to whatever Tomasso is putting him through. I don’t know if he’ll survive the night. I hate that someone so close to us would betray us this way. I hate liars.

However, most of my thoughts are on the beautiful woman seated next to me. She speaks four languages—no, five. That I know of. She solved the mystery of our disappearing shipments in three minutes tonight. She could have kept quiet, which is all I asked of her for the evening. Of course, I also wonder how many conversations her father has had her listen in on given her skill. I have no idea how this has never come up before. I thought I knew so much about her. What else am I missing? I vow to myself that I’ll learn it all.

I could tell my father didn’t trust her at first. She didn’t seem to notice, but I did and I hated it. I knew I’d have to convince him. Show him how wonderful she is. Yes, there’s obviously a lot more to my girlfriend than meets the eye, but I know she is the one. What we have isreal.I can feel it in my gut. I’ll just have to ask more questions. I want forever with this girl, which is plenty of time to uncover all of her secrets. To ensure she feels safe with me. With my family. My father’s opinion matters to me, maybe more than it should. I didn’t realize how much I needed his approval until I saw him hand her that card. The sense of relief was almost overpowering. Even after everything we had just learned about Tiny and his betrayal, all I could feel was peace in that moment. Like my life was coming together. Like I had made a good choice. Like I had the support of my family and the woman I love. Like I really could lead the Family one day.

I’m still lost in my thoughts when Gráinne eventually leans into me in the darkness of Matteo’s back seat. I hear him murmuring to Elizabeth and he turns up the radio a little. I assume so we can’t hear them.

I stop holding Gráinne’s hand so I can wrap my arm around her and breathe in her sweet scent. Honey and sugar surround me. I focus on my breathing as she rests her head against me. She reaches across her body to grab my other hand, turning into me further. I can tell she needs the closeness, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to make her feel safe. I saw how she flinched at my tone with the Russians. While I may be working on not letting my darkness control me, in this world, I’ll never be able to lose my edge. Still, I don’t need her to see that side of me.

Her fingers begin to stroke the back of my hand, tracing the lines of the tattoos that are visible outside my cuff. As we pass streetlights, the slight illumination enables her to find new lines to trace. Her touch is so light. So reverent.

I place that hand on her bare knee, which is exposed where her dress has fallen open at its deep slit. We are in an odd embrace, huddled together inside the shadows of Matt’s car.

I draw circles with my thumb on her soft skin as she continues her exploration of mine. She is so delicate. Exquisite. I breathe deep, to take her intoxicating fragrance into my lungs.

I remember her words from earlier and I feel my cock stiffen uncomfortably against my leg.

I keep thinking about getting you out of that suit, what my lipstick will look like on your abs, your cock.

I exhale harshly. Her lips have kept their deep ruby color all night. God, I want to taste them. I want to see that bloodred shade all over me. I know if I kiss her now, I won’t stop. I have honestly never seen a more beautiful woman. It was actually painful to look at her tonight. It was like looking directly at the sun.

I reminded myself all night of our conversation.She is mine. She is going home with me. Let them all see what they can’t have.I repeated that mantra every time I caught one of Nikolai’s associates staring at her. All fucking evening. I buried my anger. Through drinks. Through salad. Through dinner. Even as they were walking out the damn door.

Her fingertip now traces my thick fingers, one at a time. Up and down. I feel her touch everywhere. My cock throbs. I need her home. I need her alone.

Matteo laughs but I barely register the sound. Gráinne has turned her head to bring my other hand from her shoulder to her mouth, kissing my palm gently. She takes my index finger and sucks it into her warm mouth.

I grunt. I feel her tongue as if it’s stroking more private places. I’m now picturing the last time her tongue took that particular journey. How she drove me out of my mind. Her breathing picks up as if she’s remembering it too. I move my free hand to place it higher on her thigh. I move it further. Slowly. I love the feel of her silky skin.

As I near the V of her legs, she opens for me a bit, and I hold in a groan. Always so ready for me, my angel. I can feel the heat radiating from her. I press my thumb against her panties and can feel how damp they are. I hear her sharp intake of breath. Hell, I can hear my own heavy breathing as I begin to smell a hint of her musky arousal mixed with her sweet perfume.

She grabs my wrist, but doesn’t pull me away. I lean over her even more, ready to—I don’t even know. I want it all. I need to be closer. I bury my face in her neck, giving my back to my brother and his date. Shielding my angel’s whole body. I’m about to suck on the sweet skin there when more light floods the car. I reluctantly pull away and my angel whimpers. Rubs her legs together.

The newfound brightness is because we are approaching her apartment complex and the parking lot is well lit. I smooth my hand over her dress to cover her more and take her hand. She grips mine back firmly.

I open my door before Matteo even fully has the car in park. Gráinne doesn’t wait for me to help her out of her seat, but meets me in front of the car, reaching for my hand. I don’t even spare my brother a look as I pull her up the walk. I can hear his tires crunch as he pulls away. All I can think of is her. Alone. Now.

Gráinne

When we enter my apartment building, Luca and I quickly make the short trip down the brightly lit hallway that leads to my door. My hands are a bit shaky as I reach into my handbag for my keys. This must take too long, because I’m spun around and pressed against the door within seconds. Luca’s mouth slams onto mine.

Dear Lord. He tastes so good. Like whiskey and pent-up desire. He is crouching a bit to be at my level, his strong shoulders hunching forward while his hands cup my face. He is fully focused on my mouth but he’s pressing into me with that big, hard body. I need more. I realize through my fog of desire that I am beginning to ride the large thigh he has sandwiched in between my legs. I wrench my mouth away from him.

“Luca.” My voice is a rasp. “We need to go inside, baby.”

He presses his forehead against mine. Closes his eyes. Breathes deep. Takes another big gulp of air. I shimmy out from under him and pick my handbag up off the floor. I don’t even remember dropping it. Luca groans as he takes in my bent-over position. I straighten quickly and unlock my door.

We move through the doorway as one, and then his mouth is back on mine,pressing me against the inside of my door to close it. Once again, I drop my purse as Luca kisses his way down my throat, nibbling a little, using his tongue to sample the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder. I press my palms against the hard wood behind me and thrust my chest against his, needing the friction.

“I want to eat you up,” he tells me gruffly, nipping at my bare shoulder. I whimper in return. He smells so good and his tongue is making me crazy.

“Mmmmmm.” His sound vibrates against my neck and I gasp.

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