Desired Too (10 page)

If you may think I was foolish for getting this tattoo, I disagree. I knew the moment I laid my eyes on her that she would be mine. The nights we spent in my apartment was a testament to that fact. Now, as I looked into her troubled eyes, I knew I needed to prove that to her.

Raquel sighed and tried to move from me. I sat up eliminating the space between us.

But she resisted me, whispering, “Angel, no, this is too much.”

“What’s too much?”

She squirmed, putting distance between us. “All of it; what you just said, you releasing in me. This is fucking unfair.”

I pulled her to me again and spun, trapping her between the bed and my body. I brought my hand underneath her neck and squeezed, letting her know what I was about to say was worth her paying attention.

“No, Raquel, what’s fucking unfair is the fact that you left even after everything that happened between us. However, though I let you go once, I don’t plan to do it again. Never in my fucking life have I felt the way I did when you left. I won’t feel that again. With that being said, look me in my eyes and tell me if you honestly think I give a shit if I just knocked you up? I’ve said you’re mine, and I mean that shit. It’s time you took your place beside me,
Cara Mia,
and I’d be damned if I’ll accept anything less. Now, if you’re concerned with me being clean, I get tested every six months. However, I’ll be happy to get checked out again for you and give you the results. I don’t play that shit going raw in any woman. I’ve never put my face between any random female’s legs, period. You might think that I’m lying, but it’s true.”

She was quiet as she lay underneath me. I would have thought that had she passed out, if it weren't for the shocked stare she was giving me. I couldn’t blame her; I was shocking my own self. I didn’t mean to tell her that shit so soon, but fuck it. I was tired of waiting and sick of wanting.

She’s what I want, and I will have her.

“Let me up, please,” she tenderly told me.

I shook my head. “Not until you tell me that you understand what I’m saying to you.”

“I understand, Leo. I just need a minute,” she added.

I knew she was stalling. However, I reluctantly moved to my back, and allowed her to get up. She didn’t look at me as she walked quietly to the restroom and closed the door. My phone went off, signaling that I had a text. I got up, grabbed my underwear and proceeded to get dressed.

I was nearly dressed when she came out of the bathroom, eyes evading me altogether.

Now, you know that shit wasn’t going to fly. “Raquel, look at me.”

She stopped moving and did as she was told.

I could see the battle ensuing in her. She hated being told what to do; she hated being controlled. This, however, was the only way I knew how to be. I didn’t have time for democracy.

When she didn’t say anything, I took this rare opportunity of silence from her and kissed her. When she kissed me back, I felt my desires for her rising, so I pulled back. I didn’t go far, however. I caressed her cheeks with my knuckles while admitting to her, “Look, I know you hate being told what to do, but I’m sick of waiting for you. Be at my place tonight. We can talk this shit out. You can even cuss me out if you like, but don’t get used to that shit.” She rolled her eyes as I asked, “Will you be at the meeting this morning?”

“Yes, I’ll be there,” she told me, which I already knew that she would be. It made sense that she would be. We were looking for an investment-consulting firm to handle my family’s affairs. We were specifically looking into her family’s firm. Raquel’s specialty was the finance world.

“Good. I’ll see you at the meeting in a few, then later tonight you’ll come to my palce. I’ll feed you, if you’re hungry. Then we’ll sit down and talk. I’ll listen to what you want, then I’ll tell you what you need. But at the end of the night, when you’re sated and lying next to me in my bed, you’ll be mine. Make no mistake,
Cara
. That’s how this shit’s gonna end.”

I kissed her again briefly, grabbed my jacket, gun and walked to the door, again leaving her stunned and silent.

She’s gonna make me pay for the shit I just said when I see her tonight, I know it.

I grinned at the idea of her punishment, feeling my dick come alive, “Bring it on, baby.”

So remember when I thought that Raquel would make me pay for what I’d said? Well, it seemed I was mistaken. She didn’t wait until tonight to make me pay. As she sat across from me at the business meeting, she was actually making me pay now. She’d barely looked at me since I’d arrived. It was as if I wasn’t even there.

I brought my focus back to the meeting, trying to pay attention to what the senior Waters presented, but I couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t need to anyway. I knew what this shit was about. Waters Inc. was one of the prominent consulting firms in Philly. They wanted our business. We wanted to expand our interests into the US market, legitimizing my legacy, as I mentioned before. I’ve invested in many overseas business opportunities, and it was important that we continue profiting in those lucrative markets, as well as find others here in the US. We wanted to sustain our wealth, and we needed someone to continue to make our interests profitable.

We were making a killing on the shady side of the business, and I wanted to kill the legal side too. I wanted a balance of power, if you will. I’d shopped around for a good consulting firm for a few weeks, and Waters Inc. was last on my list. What I’d noticed, however, did have me on pause. Besides the fact that Raquel was giving me the silent treatment, it seemed that there was something else at play here. Despite the fact that I would actually sign with this company over any other in the city, I’m on pause.

For about thirty minutes, I watched my brother make goo-goo eyes at Victor Waters, Raquel’s brother. Hell, it’s as if my brother wanted this more than I did, and now that I’d seen how eager both he and Victor Waters were, I felt like I needed to tread lightly. I had a strong feeling that something underhanded was going on behind my back.

However, at the present time, my mind wasn’t focused on that. Don’t get it fucked up; I planned to address it, but as of right now, I wasn’t paying Victor or Eddie any mind. The long drawn out speech Vic gave, through gritted teeth when his eyes fell on me, was something I was used to and was just background noise to who had held me captive the moment I walked into the room. As always, she was beautiful. She had this air of sophistication that made me want to fuck her right on top of the mahogany table in front of us. She wore her hair up in a bun, revealing to me her slender neck, the skin underneath her chin that I’d been nibbling on since I first tasted her, and let’s not forget her glossed kissable lips. The Vera Wang suit that she wore, shit, it complemented her body to perfection. The jacket came into her waist, showing off her curves even more. The dark skirt that contoured her thighs, stopping just above her knees, had caused me to focus only on her.

For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t go after her the moment her brother introduced me to her. Shit, I should have staked my claim before she boarded that plane three years ago. I wouldn’t be making that same mistake twice, however. There was no way that she was getting away from me a second time.

As stared at her, the look that suddenly blanketed her face told me that the meeting had shifted to me. With my eyes set on her, a plan came to mind, and I smiled.

“
Let me first thank you for the pie charts and colorful graphs in your presentation and packet, Mr. and Ms. Waters,” I started as I moved my eyes to her father, brother, and then back to her, as she was the one who had presented the financials to us. “I’m sure the others were entertained and amused.” I looked at my brother, two of my father’s associates that had expressed similar interests as mine, then Pops. Then I sat up straighter in my chair. “I also know you probably have the vote of the majority of the people in this room, especially Eddie. However, I’ve seen and been through countless meetings with multiple consultant firms throughout the city, and they’ve all had the same things you do, meaningless charts and graphs. I’m sorry to say that I’m not that impressed. What I want to know, essentially, is what makes your company standout from the rest?” I looked around the room, then landed my eyes on Victor and his so-called brooding frame.

“I’m assuming Eddie has communicated what our needs are, which I’m hoping you have the deliverables we need to make our operations more efficient as well as cut costs,” I continued. “I’ll further assume that if I go through this rather thick packet in front of me, I’ll see a comprehensive and complete picture of a strategy for our future expectations. In other words, I should see your due diligence for the success of our company.”

I could tell everyone around me, besides my father, was shocked as shit. I guess they all thought I was an ignorant bully, but I’m far from that. However, I was used to people underestimating me. What I hoped, however, was that they learned it would be a mistake to underestimate me again. Our families may have gone back some years because Mr. Waters used to work for my father, but it was a new day. I never mixed business with friendships. I didn’t hold any punches. This company said they were the best and could manage my money effectively. I wasn’t taking their word for it. This was business. This company, the people in this room, had to prove to me that they were the best. Because if they fucked up, they wouldn’t be dealing with Angel, “the friend.” They would have to deal with Angel Leonetti, the psychotic crime boss.

Mr. Waters, Raquel’s dad, stared at me for a moment before he seemed to snap out of his trance and sympathized, “Son, I understand your trepidation. However, we have a very strategic plan for your business ventures, and I feel with the right support and due diligence, we can benefit your interests tremendously.”

“Sir, I have no doubt,” I replied. “However, I need more assurances.”

“What more do you need?” Victor interjected. “We’ve given you our recommendations that clearly show how your profitability would increase with us. We’ve discussed how we would lower your profit loss from the cost analysis presented. We are clearly the best company that you’ll find in this city. What’s the problem?”

I could see that I was getting to him, and that’s exactly what I wanted. I didn’t trust him. Victor and I used to be thick as thieves. Shit changed between us the moment Raquel left. At the time, I didn’t know why for sure, but I assumed maybe he knew about me and Raquel, but, shit, it wasn’t his fucking business. The reason why I didn’t trust him didn’t have anything to do with that. Victor and Eddie had never gotten along. Victor hated Eddie, calling him a pussy ass bitch every chance he got. So you see, the fact that he and my brother seemed to be working together and were suddenly buddies made trusting him very unwise.

“You know for a fact that our company is sound and completely on the up and up,” Victor said as he stood and pointed at me. “And for you to come in here and imply that we aren’t-”

“Victor,” his father admonished quickly.

“Mr. Waters,” I spoke up. “It’s not about how reputable your company is.” I opened my arms wide as if I was encompassing the entire room. “It’s about the interests of my family. If my family is investing in you, we need to be sure you have our best interest at heart. It’s smart business, don’t you think?”

“You know what? Fuck you, Angel. This is bullshit, and I’d be damned if my company will do business with…”

I couldn’t help the anger that was starting to rise within me. I stood and said over his whiny bullshit ass voice, “Good, then it’s settled. Gentleman and ladies…” I made eye contact with the two other consultants in the room, Raquel’s father, and then Raquel. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. You all have a great morning.”

I then nodded to Pops and moved to leave. I heard my brother protesting and Victor say something else that had me reaching for my Glock. He knew me, knew my temper.

Regardless of how we fell out, he knew me. For him to act the way that he was meant that my brother had told him some bullshit that made him sign his own death warrant. That was no excuse, and since Vic was asking for it, I turned and headed in his direction to give him exactly what his mouth had been asking for.

Cara Mia
,
as she did that night outside of the club
,
had other ideas, as she stood and got between Vic and me.

She said quickly, “Mr. Leonetti, you’re right. What you’ve mentioned is smart business, and we’re about making you brilliant. It’s what we do, and we’re good at it. Tell us what you want in order for you to be comfortable.”

I stood stock-still and just watched her. I knew she saw it in my eyes what most get to see right before I take their life. I was at my breaking point. So for her to step in the way that she did made me pause and actually see her.

I instantly became curious and turned the hell on at the same time.

I decided to see how far she was willing to go and answered with just one word. “You.”

Raquel, what in the hell are you doing?

Goodness, for the life of me I didn’t have a clue. I was still trying to recuperate from first having my mind, body, and soul rocked last night and through the morning. Then I was trying to recover from seeing the newest tattoo on Angel’s chest with my initials. Since he left the hotel, all I’d been thinking about was that damn tattoo, what he’d said to me and how I was going to slow things down with him.

I’d tried to make sense of everything, as well as my inner turmoil, but at that present moment, I had to put all of that on hold. WWIII was about to start in this meeting room between my brother and Angel, and I could tell you that without a doubt, I would be sibling-less if that happened. I decided to do something and quick, but I wasn’t ready for Angel to answer my question in the way that he had.

“I’m sorry what?” I blurted out.

My brother, however, moved closer to me fuming. “You stay away from my sister, you understand me?” he snapped.

Angel looked at me, keeping his eyes steady as he explained further. “You want to know what would change my mind, it’s you,” I told Raquel.

“I’m not a consultant,” she replied. “I don’t know the first thing about how to-”

“You know money,” he interrupted. “You know what to invest my money in and what not to. That’s what I need. I need someone to manage my family’s money and do all of the shit that you have in this thick ass packet. You are more than capable to do that.” Angel then looked at my father and then my brother, saying, “You want our business, put Raquel on the team and make sure she has an active role. I want reports and meetings with her on a weekly basis until we have ironed everything out, then we can move to monthly.”

“Son, you’re willing to risk putting someone with no experience in charge of our interests?” Angel’s father questioned, and I couldn’t blame him.

Angel looked at me carefully, and I met his gaze with questions of my own, but I didn’t show weakness. No matter how much of a bad idea I thought this was, I wasn’t going to show it in that room. That argument was for later.

Angel, seemingly satisfied with what he saw in me, nodded to his father. “Yes, I am. She’ll be fine.”

“That’s not going to happen!” Victor barked.

Angel shrugged. “Then neither is this.”

“This is bullshit, Pops, he doesn’t speak for this entire family,” I heard Eddie say.

I can’t begin to explain to you the look that imprisoned Angel’s face. What I will say is that murderous look effectively scared the living shit out of me.

I stepped up and said, “Okay. Consider it done.”

“The hell it is,” my brother said to me, but I frowned and turned toward him.

“You don’t get to make that decision. I do,” I hissed, then looked at my father. “I don’t have a problem working with Mr. Leonetti. I don’t see anything wrong with me doing exactly what he asks.”

Angel was silent for a very long moment before he said plainly, “Draw up the paperwork, and I’ll sign it. Bring the contract to Ms. Waters’ office. Ms. Waters, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to you privately.”

“No,” my brother exclaimed again, really being an asshole. He attempted to keep me from moving toward Angel.

However, I was too quick. I walked to the door, nodding at Angel. “Of course,” I replied calming, smiling even though I was far from being happy. I was actually very upset, wavering on the side of pissed off, and the person that I was upset with the most was Angel. I moved through the open door, first nodding at my father, letting him know that I was fine.

Angel and I didn’t speak at all, as we headed to my office, which was fine with me. I had some choice words for him the moment we were alone.

My assistant saw me coming and she stood. When her eyes fell on Angel, I could see the look change in them as she raked her eyes over him.
That
right there pushed me over the edge.

“Bridgette, hold my calls while I’m meeting with Mr. Leonetti,” I told her, walking in her line of sight.

Bridgette, seeing the venom in my eyes, quickly straightened up and nodded, “Yes, of course.”

I went to my door, opened it and turned to let Angel inside.

“I need a minute with Ms. Waters,” he told the two burly men that had followed him, one of which was the one from the club.

“Yes, sir,” one of them replied. Then they just posted up in front of my door like guards.

Angel stood by my door and motioned me to go before him. I rolled my eyes and headed into my office. I breathed deeply, as I heard my office door close and lock. I turned to face him, ready to read him the riot act, when I quickly found hands on the sides of my face and a greedy tongue caressing mine.

I wasn’t prepared to be attacked this way. I had things to say yet… Yeah, I don’t know what it was I wanted to say! In fact, my hands were in his hair, trying to get closer to him, and his hands were pushing my skirt up, gripping my ass.

This is out of control. I am beginning to feel out of control.

I separated my lips from his, reluctantly, mind you, and pushed him away from me.

“God, Angel.” I backed up from him, giving us space as I wiped my mouth.

“What’s the problem?” I heard behind me.

I turned and faced him, remembering exactly what I wanted to say that very moment.

“What was that all about?” I commanded.

Grinning, Angel moved to me, “That was me kissing you. If you like, I can show you again what it feels like.”

I put my hands up. “No, I’m not talking about that. That we’ll get to later. I’m talking about in that meeting room. What’s up with you and my brother? You two used to be close, which doesn’t explain what I saw.” I shivered, just thinking about what could have happened if I hadn’t stood up.

Angel didn’t reply to me, so I moved closer to him, “Angel, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know what’s going on with your brother,” he replied, but I wasn’t buying it.

“Come on, Angel. I can see it in both of you. Something is up.”

“Why don’t you ask him?”

I folded my arms, “I’m asking you.”

“And I told you I don’t know!” he snapped.

I moved back from him. The rage that I saw earlier was back and stronger than ever. Angel created some distance between us, heading toward the large window in my office. He ran his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated, and hell, he wasn’t the only one.

“I don’t like to be used, Angel,” I told him.

“I’m not using you, Raquel,” he quipped without looking at me.

I could see the muscles in his back tense even more through his dark blue suit jacket. He rested his hand on the back of his neck and continued to stare out of my office window.

Suddenly, I heard a commotion on the other side of my office door. My brother’s voice boomed throughout the entire building it seemed. “I don’t give a fuck who’s in there! This is my company, and that’s my sister! You better get the hell out of my way before I…”

I moved as quickly as I could to my office door and snatched it open before bullets started flying.

When my brother saw my face, he started walking to my door. I came out of the office, feeling the heat coming from behind me and closed the door.

“For heaven’s sake, you two are acting like children!” I barked, grabbed the papers from my brother’s hands, and went back into my office, slamming my door.

Angel studied me carefully, then looked behind me at my office door. He seemed to be contemplating opening it, so again I had to settle this situation quick. “Okay, look, you said you want me to work with you, and I don’t have a problem with that. You said you’re not using me, and I believe you. So please, for the life of me, either tell me what the hell is going on with you and Vic, or I’m done.”

I slammed a pen down on my desk next to the contract and looked at Angel.

I folded my arms, showing my growing defiance and frustration. However, it did nothing to the man before me. Angel moved toward me and pushed the contract aside. Before I knew it or could protest, he gripped me by my waist, picked me up and plopped my ass on the desk.

He leaned into me and watched me for an unnerving few seconds before he spoke. “Tell me exactly what you mean by that threat of yours.”

“I’m not threatening you,” I countered.

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said all day,” he rebutted.

“Huh! You know what?” I brought my hands up to push him out of my way and stand. However, he didn’t budge. He pushed me back, keeping his hands tight on my arms.

“Let me go!” I said through gritted teeth.

“No.”

I started to squirm, fighting him and it just made him angrier.

“Let go, Angel!”

“Raquel, you have one of two choices. You can either shut the fuck up and let me say what I have to say, or I can turn you around, rip this skirt off your ass, and fuck you into silence. Which do you prefer?”

Well, hell, was that a trick question?

I remained quiet. Not because I was submitting. The hell with that. I’d allowed him too much leeway to say what he wanted without reproach that morning at the hotel. No, my dirty ass mind was elsewhere at the moment. I was battling, instead, with having him bend me over anyway just for kicks.

Thinking that he won, he drew in a breath, then let me go. He took a few steps from me while keeping fiery eyes on mine.

“Let me first address this ‘using you’ shit that you mentioned. To be clear, I asked you to be on the team for no other reason but that I trust you. You were actually the only one I trusted in that meeting, besides my father. I don’t know what’s up with Victor. Since you moved away, I haven’t seen or spoken to him. We were on two different paths back in the day, and it just transitioned into what it is now. I haven’t a clue where the hostility he displayed stemmed from, but, best believe, if he says anything to me again, I won’t hold back. He has you to thank for him breathing without assistance right now. Consider this his reprieve.”

He moved closer to me, as he continued, “And that ultimatum bullshit you just spat at me; that’s not an option. I’m growing tired of repeating myself. I’ve told you already what I want and what will be. I won’t say it again.”

Angel moved next to me, picked up the pen and signed the contract. “Send me a copy of this via fax. I’m sure my information is in your system somewhere.”

He then turned and started to leave.

You know I didn’t let him, right?

“Leo,” I called.

When he turned to face me, I stood and walked toward him, trying to formulate the best way to say what I needed to say; something that could explain exactly what I was thinking, and how I felt without being harsh or tactless. So, after further consideration and thought, I said the first rational thing that popped into my head.

“You are so full of shit!” Yup, that was as rational as I could get. Angel glared, yet I kept going
. Take your control back, girl.

“You and I haven’t seen or spoken to each other in three years; three-long-years. You know nothing about me, and I don’t know shit about you. All I can say is that we know how to fuck each other’s brains out with a skill that should be taught to the masses, but that’s it. So what!” I moved closer to him. “I went away and grew up. I have likes and dislikes that you have no clue exist. There are things about me that, goodness, if you only knew… Let’s be honest here, can you truly say that you know me? I mean really know me? You can’t possibly, and I don’t know you, so how can you just claim me like this without first talking about it.”

I expended another frustrating sigh. “Look, I just got out of a relationship with someone, and it didn’t end very well. I came back home to try to put that debacle behind me and move on. You want me to just fall in line with whatever you want, never mind what I want or how I feel, and I can’t do that. And I don’t know if you were paying any attention in that meeting or not, but you’re like poison. If I announce to my family, ‘Oh, by the way, Angel and I are together,' my brother would blow a gasket, and shit my father-”

“Please, Raquel,” Angel interrupted, moving closer to me, showing his own frustration. “You’ve mistaken me for someone that gives three fucks about what your father or brother would say, what anyone would say!”

“Yeah, well, maybe I do! They’re my family!” I thundered back.

I sealed my eyes and shook my head. God, I could only imagine the shit storm that would ensue the moment I told my father and Vic about Angel and me. They would lose it entirely. I took a few deep breaths and clarity hit me quick. Why should I care what they think, right? I shook my head again and ran my hand over my hair. I opened my eyes, ready to talk this through and get heavily into what Angel wanted from me, when the chill in the air suddenly attacked my body, and I shivered. My eyes were closed for only seconds, and I completely missed the change that coveted Angel. The warmth that was in his eyes was gone.

Standing before me was someone I did not know. His gray eyes seemed darker now, the color of storm clouds right before fury was unleashed. Hard lines that I never thought existed formed along his handsome features. I felt the blood fall from my own face, as pure fear came over me.