Chapter Eighteen

STEPHEN

We had just left Trinity’s place after grabbing a quick coffee with Luke. He seemed more than happy to have the house to himself tonight—something about a new guy he’d just started seeing. It worked perfectly. We’d get privacy, and he’d get time to do whatever the hell it was Luke does when no one’s watching. I didn’t ask.

Trinity rode with me back to the house since she was staying over tonight, and she and Mia had plans to head out shortly. For months now, she’d been keeping things at mine, and I at hers. It made sense with how often we stayed at each other’s places, but truth be told, I just needed to have something of hers close to me when she wasn’t around. The scent of her on my shirts, or her brush left beside the sink—it calmed me in a way nothing else ever had.

We pulled up to the house, and while I parked, my girl went ahead to unlock the door. Before she could make it inside, I ran up behind her, scooped her up into my arms, and carried her through the door like she was already mine forever.

She laughed and smacked me playfully across the chest. “What’s gotten into you today, mister?”

“What?” I grinned. “I’m not allowed to show the woman I love a little affection? You know one day I’ll be carrying you through this door as my wife, right?”

No sooner had the words left my mouth than I saw a chorus of heads pop out from the kitchen.

Mia, Clint, and Mike—all poking around the corner like a lineup of nosy meerkats.

“Stephen Luciano Gotti,” Mia gasped dramatically. “Did I just hear you say the words love and wife in the same sentence without flinching?”

Trinity looked up at me, curious, maybe even surprised, waiting to see if I’d respond.

“Who is this man carrying Trin, and does the real Stephen know about him?” Clint added.

“Must be his twin,” Mike threw in, “the one with the ruggedly handsome good looks.”

Trinity chuckled against my chest while I gave the three of them the kind of deadpan look that would send most people running.

“Ha ha. Funny fuckers. Now shut up.”

They all cracked up laughing.

“And as for you, missy,” I growled, lowering her to the ground and grabbing a double handful of her ass, “you keep laughing with them and you’re getting punished later.”

She squealed and ran toward the kitchen, and I followed, chasing her like a man possessed.

We ended up out back, rolling a spliff and sharing coffee before the girls packed up for their outing. The only downside to them leaving was that I loved how cuddly my girl got when she was high. There was something about the way she wrapped around me like she never wanted to let go—it was my favourite version of her.

She came over, leaned into me, and cupped my face in her soft hands, rubbing her thumb along the stubble at my jaw. “Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you, doll.” I kissed her once, then again. “Message me when you’re on your way back so we can sort dinner ready.”

“I will.” She gave me another kiss while Mia said goodbye to Clint. And then they were gone, pulling out of the driveway with that cheeky wave only my girl could give.

I’d barely shut the front door when Clint was already at my throat.

“So I’m guessing you guys finally had the chat—since we’re officially on to the love you stage now?”

I lit another spliff, rubbing the back of my neck, doing everything in my power not to look him in the eye.

“Bro?” he asked again, more firmly this time.

Mike leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Oh, fuck. You didn’t tell her, did you?”

The guilt punched me in the gut.

“Look,” I muttered, “I’m telling her tonight. That’s why I asked you guys to be there. Just in case it goes south, and she needs Mia. I know I fucked up, alright? I let it go too long. I’m an asshole. But I’m making it right tonight. So, can we please fucking drop it and get to work?”

With a flick of my wrist, I sent the ashtray flying across the patio, shards of glass clattering across the tile, and stormed off toward the warehouse. My fists clenched. My heart was in my throat. And I didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought about it.

I’m the boss. I don’t take orders from anyone.

Except maybe from her.

I heard Clint and Mike calling after me, but I didn’t stop. If they wanted to help, they could get their arses moving and finish the job.

“Get David and Chad up. Now,” I barked without turning around. “And haul your asses down to the warehouse. We’ve got work to do, and I want it finished today!”

Mike turned back to fetch the others. Clint jogged until he was beside me, holding out his lit joint like a peace offering.

“Come on, bro. Talk to me. What’s really going on?”

“Honestly, Clint? Just fuck off.”

“Might work on the others, mate. Not me.”

“Fuck! Why do you always have to push?”

“Because I know you.”

“Well then, you should know that if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m gonna start swinging.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s bullshit too. So I’m gonna ask again: What is it?”

The frustration exploded. I stopped dead in my tracks, rounded on him, and shouted at the top of my lungs.

“I’m fucking terrified, alright?! You happy now?”

Clint didn’t even flinch. He just nodded slowly.

“Mate, I know you are. That’s why I’ve been pushing you to tell her. You waited too long and now you’re in your head.”

“No. You don’t get it. I’m not just scared. I’m terrified. If I lose her over this, Clint... it’ll fucking kill me.”

Clint stepped in and wrapped me in a brotherly hug. I didn’t push him away.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get this shit sorted before dinner. We’ve got your back, me and Mia. No matter what happens. You’re not doing this alone.”

We shared a look. No more words needed. We got to the warehouse and by the time the others arrived; we hit the ground running.

After a few hours, inventory was done. And just like I suspected—we were short. Three packages. Again.

I hadn’t told the others what was going on. The only one who knew was Clint. I trusted him with my life.

“Is everything separated and ready for the drops?” I asked.

“Yep,” Chad confirmed. “Dave and I will start runs tonight. Orders and deposits were completed Friday.”

“Anything unusual? Anything out of the ordinary I need to know?”

“Nothing of concern, boss,” Dave said. “Though when I collected the deposit from Theo over at Brando’s, he mentioned wanting to increase his order. I told him you’d be in touch.”

“Good man.” I nodded. “You and Chad—standard runs tonight. Any problems, you play it safe. You know the score. Mike and Clint, you’ll cover tomorrow. Questions?”

“Clear,” they all replied in unison.

“You’re good to go, boys. I’ll be up shortly. Trinity’s here tonight, so you know the drill—no business talk around her, and steer clear of the main residence unless it’s urgent.”

They moved, but I held Clint back with a subtle jerk of my chin. Once we were far enough from the others, he turned to me, brow already furrowed. “What’s up?”

“The problem’s bigger than we thought.”

“You mean the missing stock?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I nodded grimly, then added, “It’s worse than that.”

Clint rubbed his jaw. “Come on, bro. Let’s sit down. I’ve got a smoke. Sounds like we’re gonna need it.”

We wandered to the back of the warehouse, further from the house—just in case. He sparked up, took a few slow drags, and passed it to me.

“Alright,” he said, eyes narrowed. “Give it to me straight. What’s the damage?”

“It’s not Barcelona that’s screwing us.”

Clint froze. “No? I thought that was the whole point of your trip?”

“That’s what I thought too. But Phil’s running a clean operation. Tight and sharp. No skimming, no leaks. So I set up a bait shipment while I was there. It lands next week.”

His stare was sharp as glass. “What are you thinking?”

I exhaled slow. “The rat’s in our house.”

“Fuck.” His voice was hoarse, throat tight. “You’re sure?”

“Pretty sure. We’ll know for certain next week when that bait lands. But everything’s pointing inward.”

Clint shot up, pacing fast, already tugging his cap off and running both hands through his hair.

“Motherfucker. Someone’s gonna lose kneecaps over this.”

“No,” I said flatly. “Someone’s gonna lose their life.”

He stopped pacing and met my eyes. There was no need to sugarcoat it anymore.

“You got any suspicions?”

“Not yet. But I’ve set traps. I’ll know soon.”

We sat, low and quiet, going over the safeguards I’d implemented—new codes, decoy packages, watch rotations. We talked logistics for the next set of drops, and eventually circled back to the part that was still chewing away at my insides.

Trinity.

After a while, we made our way back to the house, hoping the girls would be home soon. I needed her. I needed the calm that came when she touched me, the weight that lifted when she smiled at me like I was her entire world. Clint finally understood that now. He’d seen the shift in me firsthand.

“Bro, I’ve been thinking,” Clint muttered.

I glanced sideways and smirked. “Dangerous habit for you.”

“Ha. Funny fucker.”

“What’s up?”

“I think, with everything going on … maybe you shouldn’t tell Trinity tonight.”

I stopped mid-step and turned to him slowly. My stomach twisted.

“Excuse me? You’re the one who’s been riding my ass for weeks to tell her!” My voice rose.

“I know, and I still think you should. Just…” He hesitated. “Bro, don’t take this the wrong way—”

“Just fucking say it, Clint.”

He took a breath. “If things go badly with her tonight … I don’t think you’ll be in the right headspace to deal with this rat situation. I’m worried, man. You’re walking a tightrope. Let’s deal with one thing at a time. You’ve already laid the bait. Let’s deal with that first.”

I was pacing before I even realised it, dragging a hand through my hair as anger boiled under my skin.

First, he pushed me to come clean. Now he’s telling me not to? What the fuck?

“Stephen!” he barked. “Just think for a second.”

“Yeah, alright!” I snapped. “I heard you. Just … give me a fucking minute.”

I dropped into a crouch near the garden wall, elbows on my knees, trying to catch my breath. The frustration, the guilt, the fear—it all warred inside me.

He sat beside me, keeping quiet now.

After a few minutes, he broke the silence. “Let’s just take the girls out tonight. Chill dinner, hit a club. Then tomorrow we regroup. Deal with it all clear-headed.”

I didn’t say anything right away. I didn’t want to admit he was right. But I knew he was. If Trinity walked out tonight … I wouldn’t be in any shape to make smart calls about the business.

“You’ll tell Mia?” I asked quietly. “So she can be ready, in case Trinity needs—”

“I’ll talk to her while we get ready,” Clint said. “You just breathe for now.”

I exhaled hard. “Yeah, alright.”

“Yes?”

“Yes. Let Mia know.”

Clint fired off a quick message, and a few minutes later Mia replied:

MIA

On our way back now. xx

We both got up, heading into the house to shower and change before the girls arrived.

But even as I ran water over my face and buttoned up my shirt, I couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on my chest. I was excited to see my girl, yeah. But deep down, I couldn’t stop thinking...

What the fuck have I done?

The moment they walked in, Mia and Trinity disappeared upstairs, giggling like schoolgirls, no doubt caught in some inside joke.

Clint and I poured ourselves a couple of scotches and joined the boys out back for a smoke. I knew better than to expect the girls back in under forty-five minutes, but when the clock ticked past that, I grew restless and headed upstairs to check on my doll.

My room was quiet. I stepped inside, glancing around. The bed was still neatly made.

“Baby, you still up here?” I called out, my voice echoing faintly through the open space.

“Out here, love,” came the soft reply. “Just finishing a glass of wine before heading down.”

Her voice drifted in from the balcony, and when I stepped through the sliding doors, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Holy. Fuck.

There she was—leaning against the railing, a half-full glass of red in one hand, the warm golden wash of the setting sun highlighting the curves of her body like a scene straight out of a painting. Her jumpsuit clung to her like a second skin, and the breeze caught her hair just right, turning her into something untouchable. Ethereal.

I felt it hit me in the chest like a sledgehammer. Every fucking time I thought I couldn’t fall harder, she proved me wrong.

She must’ve caught the expression on my face, because she let out a soft, bashful laugh.

“Cat got your tongue, babe?”

I stalked toward her, not breaking eye contact, the hunger rising in me like a damn tidal wave. In one fluid motion, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against me.

“Kitty,” I murmured, my breath hot against her cheek, “will definitely get some tongue tonight.”

That sweet, low purr she gave me in return? It damn near undid me.

Our mouths crashed together, a collision of fire and need. My hands roamed her back, her hips, her thighs—greedy, possessive. I lifted her with ease, her legs wrapping around my waist as I walked her back against the wall. My hips pressed into her, pinning her in place.

“Dammit, Stephen,” she gasped against my lips, “I can’t get enough of you.”

“Lil’ mama,” I growled, biting her earlobe gently, “I can’t get enough of you either. Your sexy body feels like fucking heaven wrapped around me.”

“It’s your body, daddy,” she whispered, tightening her grip on my shoulders. “It’s only for you.”

That possessive streak inside me flared. I grabbed her ass harder, squeezing like I needed her to feel how much I wanted her—how much she was mine.

“That’s right, baby. All daddy’s. Fuck, you turn me on so bad I can barely hold it together.”

“I’m always hot for you,” she moaned. “I love everything about you.”

“And I love you, baby,” I rasped against her lips. “More than anything I’ve ever had in my life. You complete me. I live for you.”

We kissed again—desperate, needy. Her breasts pressed tight against my chest, her hips grinding into my hardening cock. I was seconds away from tearing that jumpsuit off her when—

BANG!

Followed by hysterical laughter.

We both froze.

“What the—?” Trinity jerked her head toward the sound. “Was that Mia?”

I set her down, trying not to groan at the sudden loss of her warmth, and we made our way toward Clint and Mia’s side of the house.

Clint was doubled over in the bedroom, barely able to breathe through his laughter. His face was flushed, and tears lined his lashes.

“What the fuck was that bang? Everything good?” I asked, scanning the room quickly.

Nothing looked out of place.

Clint was trying to answer, but couldn’t get a word out through his fit of laughter. He motioned for us to follow him.

We stepped into their ensuite—and there she was.

Mia.

Half tanked, sprawled out in their massive bathtub like a queen in a drunken fairytale, holding a wine glass triumphantly in the air like she’d just won some invisible war.

“Friends,” Clint declared grandly, waving a hand toward her. “Allow me to introduce my future wife... the pisshead.”

Trinity burst into laughter beside me. I tried—and failed—to keep a straight face.

“Didn’t spill the wine though,” Mia added with a wink before taking a sip.

That was it. We all lost it.

Clint made his way over, helping her up, checking her over to make sure she was alright. She was—just happily hammered and proud of her bathtub victory.

Once she was upright and dressed again, we all headed outside to wait for the car service to take us to dinner.

I slipped an arm around my doll’s waist as we waited. Her body melted into mine, and I held her close, grounding myself in her warmth.

But even with her here, wrapped around me, I couldn’t stop thinking…