Before the car came to a complete stop, I opened my door and headed for the back entrance of the warehouse. Sweeping the area, I spotted our guys. They checked in with me and confirmed the all-clear through nods. Greeting the doorman, I entered the warehouse all on my own for the first time in our thirty-year friendship. People turned to look at my entrance expecting to see Mas as well, but as I moved past, they had to glance further back to find him with the blonde wrapped around his arm. I wanted to regurgitate our lunch all over her dress. It would be an improvement.
Bypassing the bullshit down here, I moved to the top floor. I wanted to check in with Nicco while Mas paraded his floozy around for the night. My boots pounded up the stairs with each step, my anger exploding through my feet. Beau took one look at my face and rapidly moved to the side to let me pass. I typically had an asshole exterior, I wouldn't deny that. But as much as I'd wanted to lock it away, I knew my emotions were displayed for all to see tonight. The ruminating thoughts and betrayal I felt fueling them.
I spotted Nicco in a booth and headed there. He was talking with someone, and I found his behavior odd. It was the most gregarious I'd seen him at these fights. Nicco typically looked miserable, counting down the time until he could leave. Despite his ‘fun guy' exterior, I could always read his discomfort. We'd grown up together as well, and while I wasn't as close to him as Mas, he was a close second.
Before I could find out who he was entertaining, I was intercepted by Mandy. She'd been my most recent fuck out of desperation, and I'd immediately regretted it.
"Sax, baby, I'm so glad you're here. Nicco's with some slut, and he made me go downstairs. I snuck back up, though. Please, you've got to talk some sense into him. She's no good for him. Please, baby, can you?"
She continued talking, and all I wanted was for her to shut the fuck up. Her voice grated on me, and I wanted away from the annoying blonde slut looking for someone to save her. Get a clue, ladies. No one was saving you here. If anything, you should run fast in the other direction. We were mafia men to our core and few respected women.
Staring down at her, I glared, not responding to her asinine request. Eventually, she stomped off in a huff, and Beau directed her where she belonged. Apparently, that part of her complaint had been factual, and I, for one, was grateful she wouldn't be buzzing around me all night. Deciding a drink was in order, I switched directions and placed my arms on the bar top.
"Usual?" one of the bartenders asked at my appearance, knowing not to make me wait. Nodding my answer, I waited as they poured my Jack and Coke. As I stood there, I succumbed to the job demands and completed a perimeter check with my eyes, locating all my guys. They conveyed back when they spotted me, and I felt confident things were secure at least. From my vantage point at the bar, I could partially make out the companion Nicco had with him.
Her head was turned, allowing me only a side profile. The woman appeared classy and sophisticated, distractedly at odds with an underground fighting ring. The pair held heated looks as they talked, and I could even feel the simmer from here. Damn, Nicco had found himself a real treasure. I watched them unapologetically as he began to trail kisses down her neck, leaving licks as he went. I wasn't the only one watching the two, either, as every eye up on the top level zeroed in on their booth.
When a gasp left her ruby lips, I found myself growing hard from the show they were giving me. Her head fell back, and I'd assumed his hand was making magic happen below. Nicco had lifted his head and turned to talk to someone who'd walked up to the table, and yet, she still appeared in bliss. Her eyes were closed, her head tossed back on the seat as he continued his ministrations. Something about her felt familiar, and I wanted a closer look. Like a magnet pulling me, my feet started for their booth before I even realized it.
As I approached, the person talking to Nicco must've asked her a question, or perhaps she felt my energy nearing hers. One moment she was in the throes of passion, not giving a damn who saw as she chased an orgasm, and the next, her eyes opened and locked on me. My breath caught in my throat as her chocolate eyes seared into me, her mouth parted in a silent shout of pleasure.
My cock was rock hard now, and I would be remiss to admit that in that exact moment, thoughts of protecting the family, Mas, or even Immy were far from my mind. Everything in me centered on her and the energy coursing between us, intertwining our souls in a dance. Spitfire held my gaze as she came down from her high, her body flushing red from the climax, goosebumps erupting over her skin.
Almost as if I floated there, I found myself at the booth, transfixed in the heated moment with her. It felt tangible, and if I looked away, she would cease to exist and dissolve into nothing. Moving whoever stood in my way aside, I slid onto the other bench seat, never once losing contact.
At my arrival, Nicco tracked back and forth between us as we held eternity in our moment. I hadn't been the one bringing her to ecstasy, but I was the one who'd ridden it out with her. Locking eyes had fused us together, and I knew I'd been inescapably changed. I'd been rewritten and soldered to her.
"Sax? Loren?" Nicco's voice broke our hold, and a crooked smirk tilted up my lips.
"Well, well, what a surprise to find you here, spitfire."
Focusing on Nicco, I assessed him in a new light, searching out his relationship with her. Was he going to be a problem? I'd only shared with Mas, but currently, he was burning his own bridges, so maybe it was time I found a new one to stand on. Nicco delivered me a smug look, and it said all I needed it to.
He recognized my reaction to her and understood it. Facing Loren, I sipped my drink as I took her in. She was dressed differently than I'd ever seen her before. Loren made dress pants look sexy as much as she did this ensemble. I had a feeling spitfire would look fabulous in anything because it was her that accentuated the clothes, not the other way around.
"Loren, how nice to see you here. Tell me, how do you know, Nicco?"
I thought my presence would throw her off or make her uncomfortable, but spitfire only lived up to her name, making my blood sing for her. She didn't know how much she pushed my libido, only my control holding me back. Her sass was making me want to take her right here and right now. I wanted to feel her tighten around me as I heard the moan I saw her feel a moment ago.
"Oh, Mr. Sax. You know trust and confidentiality are of the utmost importance to me. I would never tell my secrets," she purred.
I didn't know how it was possible, but my cock grew even harder at her words, straining against the zipper. Leaning forward on the table, I licked my lips, enjoying how she responded.
"If I remember correctly, spitfire, I told you the next time you called me Mr. Sax would be when you're screaming my name as I licked up your wet cunt."
Her breath hitched, biting her bottom lip, the lipstick continuing to entice me. When she licked her lips, I knew things were looking up for me. Preparing to suggest we head somewhere private because despite my bravado of wanting to fuck her immediately, I didn't want all these asshats getting peeks at her.
I'd been locked onto her since I'd zeroed in, failing on my job for the first time in my life. My plan was thwarted by Mas and his plastic date when they arrived at our booth. Loren hadn't noticed him either, her focus on me. His voice had us both stiffening, and in my case, not in the way I wanted.
Nonchalantly, I twisted my head, all emotion gone as I stared down at the man meant to be my best friend. He'd become a stranger in the matter of a few hours this afternoon, especially when he dropped his latest news.
"Nicco, good to see you. I wanted to introduce you to my fiancée, Michelle Savor."