WELLS
The tie around my neck reminded me way too much of my past, the feeling even more suffocating now. Suits used to be as familiar to me as breathing, wearing them day in and out to a job I believed was the answer—the answer to feeling like I was enough.
In the end, the suit, nor the job, were the solution. Turns out, it took losing everything to realize I had to find that for myself.
This tie, though, was going to have to go. Yanking it off, I bent at the knees, sucking in deep breaths as I clasped it in my hand. The stupid thing had almost sent me into a panic attack. I didn’t care what Atticus said; I wasn’t wearing it. I couldn’t risk going back to that guy who only cared about money and fortune. Not when I had Monroe and Loren.
“You okay, Wells?”
Nodding, I sucked in a few more breaths with my head between my legs before I stood, tossing the tie onto the bed. Monroe walked over, taking my hand in his and rubbing his thumb over the palm.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I am now. I just… can’t wear that. It’s too…” I couldn’t say the words, but Monroe understood.
“As nice as your ass looks in those pants, it is odd seeing you in a suit after all this time. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it made me think about that time too and wondering when you’d leave again.”
Stepping forward, I grabbed his jaw, forcing him to look at me. “I’m sorry I put you through that Roe, truly I am. But I’m never leaving you again. Don’t you get it? I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I’m not risking that for anything else.”
I wrenched him closer, pressing my lips to his, and held the kiss there for a minute until I felt him relax. Pulling back, I searched Monroe’s eyes to make sure he understood. A radiant light shone back, and I felt my whole body let the tension go as I realized he wasn’t leaving either. I didn’t want him to doubt me, but it didn’t mean I didn’t doubt myself a little still. I’d borrow his faith in me until I could trust myself.
“I love you too, Wells.” I smiled, liking how it sounded coming from him.
“Good. How did Levi take coming here?”
“He was excited. Of course, I didn’t tell him the mafia part, just that they were important people like the president, so there would be people here to guard them. He was able to understand it without asking too many questions. It’s when he goes back to school I’ll have to figure out how to keep it a secret.” He rubbed my back, his hand moving naturally up and down. “How’s your day been? Did your training go well this morning?”
“Yeah, it did, actually. There’s another fight in a couple of weeks, and I’m feeling ready for it. Granted, that’s if it’s actually my weight class this time, and none of that shit is pulled.”
“Sounds like if we take this guy out, then we can all relax. Shit, I still can’t wrap my head around this mafia stuff. Even growing up and knowing street gangs were real, this feels so made up. But then I looked around, and all the evidence was slapping me in the face. It’s just hard to accept it.”
I nodded, sitting on the bed to slip on my shoes. “Believe me, if you’d been around some of the warehouses, it would be easier to believe. But I’m glad you weren’t around those places. You’re too good for them.”
“Ah, is that your version of like, sweet talk, babe?”
Grunting, I felt a smile tug at my lips as I tied my shoe. “Sure, though I think I’m much better at dirty talk. I reminded Kitten of that today, in fact.”
“Oh? Sounds like a story I need to hear.”
“Nicco decided he wanted to have a contest to see who could make her scream their name the loudest. So, of course, I had to show up.” I looked up, finding Roe straightening his tie in the mirror before moving his hair around to where he wanted it.
“Now, I’m really jealous I missed that. Nicco strikes me as the type to be hiding a lot of interesting kinks. How was it, though? Being naked around another guy? Have you thought about that? That there might be orgies in our future?”
Sputtering, I stared in shock at my oldest friend, not sure where this side had come from. Standing, I walked to him, trapping him against the sink. “You surprise me every day, Roe. I’m such a fool for not realizing it sooner. If we had time, I’d show you just how happy I am to have you in my life.” I kissed his neck, thrusting my hard on into him a little.
“To answer your question, it wasn’t weird, actually. Maybe because it was Nicco and not the other two. Those guys have big dick energy like none other, and I don’t know if I can handle being around that just yet.”
Monroe chuckled, returning to finish getting ready. “You’re not wrong, but I think it might be fun to watch.” He lifted his eyes, meeting mine in the mirror. “You’re leaving something out.”
Smiling, I shook my head, forgetting how observant he was. “Nicco was definitely a surprise. He wasn’t jealous, though we did have a little competition. I think he might be a little into exhibitionism based on the show he put on, but watching Loren come undone around him was actually really hot. The most surprising thing was his pierced cock. So many thoughts and feelings went through me.” I rushed out the last part, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
“Really? I’ve always wondered what possessed someone to get one, but also cringed at the thought.”
“Yes, that,” I agreed. “It looked painful, but at the same time, I was curious about what it felt like. The sounds Loren made make me believe it feels pretty amazing.”
“Is that all?” he asked, a perspective look on his face.
I shrugged my shoulder, feeling uncertain, hating he’d heard it in my voice. Monroe spun around, facing me. “Hey, what is it? Talk to me.”