Mafia Stepbrother Boxed Set (3 page)

He gave me a quick peck on the cheek, gave me a black and gold credit card, and said to just tell the driver wherever I wanted to go. And then he was gone, zooming down the road on his Harley. I asked the driver where Cole had to be in such a hurry but all I got was a shrug. Getting the hint, I dropped the subject and proceeded to create a new definition for the term ‘power shopping.’

Cole didn’t mention a spending limit and I got the impression this party was fancy so I didn’t hold back. Fancy dress, shoes to go with the dress, and jewelry that was sparkly enough to go with anything. Nothing could be done about the clothes but I figured the jewelry could be returned. Since I didn’t want to live in evening wear, I also got some jeans, a few t-shirts, and a comfortable pair of shoes.

Buyer’s remorse kicked in big-time after I was back at the townhome. I sat on the bed, staring at the new clothes in the closet. Cole was going to kill me. He trusted me with a credit card and I went crazy. I flopped back on the bed. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I just hoped I didn’t screw-up his finances.

I sat up when someone knocked on the door. Before I could say anything, the door opened and Cole walked in. He smiled. “Hey, Rugrat. How’d the shopping trip go?” He looked inside the closet, then looked at me, one eyebrow raised. “That’s all you got?”

“Seriously?” I asked. “I was worried I got too much.”

He glanced back in the closet, frowning. “Well, that’ll do for tonight. You can do more shopping tomorrow?”

I stood up and walked to Cole, putting my hand on his arm. “Cole, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me but you have to stop.” I nodded towards the closet. “With what I make, it’ll take me at least three months to pay you back for that stuff… and that’s if the necklace can be returned.”

“You’re going back to work on Monday?”

I stared. “Uh yeah. I still have bills and stuff to pay.”

“Your ex could show up.”
      

I did my best to keep the worry off my face. I had tried hard not to think about that possibility. “I’ll just have to hope he doesn’t.”

Cole shook his head, his jaw tight. “No. Quit. It’s safer that way.” He raised his hand, shushing me before I could object. “If tonight goes well, I’m going to need an assistant. The job’s yours.”

I clenched my jaw. “I told you I’m not a charity case.”

“Who said anything about charity?” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll need someone I can trust, and someone I can get along with. You meet both qualifications.”

I closed my eyes and leaned in against him. Sexy hunk with money to burn climbing the corporate ladder. Why the hell did he have to be my stepbrother? He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. I could hear his heart beating, thumping so hard a person might have guessed he was running a race. I looked up at him. “You okay?”

His green eyes met mine and for a second, I was lost in a sea of emerald green. His hand stroked my back, sliding up and slowly combing through strands of my hair. I looked at his mouth as he licked his lips. He slowly lowered his head as I tilted mine back. His lips were just inches away, and then he was gone, stepping back and clearing his throat as he looked at the closet.

He nodded. “Yeah, that dress will be fine.” He looked at his watch. “Guests will probably start arriving around six.” He glanced in my direction for just a second, nodded, and then quickly left the room. I stood there, staring at the door, breathing heavy, nipples hard, warm and wet between the thighs. The next time I went shopping, it was imperative that I get a battery-operated boyfriend, because if Cole hadn’t stopped, I’m not sure I would have.

Chapter 6

Just like clockwork, guests started arriving at six. I could hear Jasper, the butler, welcoming people as they arrived. I didn’t even know Cole had a butler until I had gotten back from shopping, when Jasper himself had informed me that both he and the housekeeper-slash-cook, Greta, had been requested to keep a low profile during the evening and early morning so I wouldn’t be weirded out. I didn’t tell him I was weirded out by the idea of two adults camping out in their bedrooms because they had been told to. I planned on having a chat with Cole about that when I had a chance.

I took one last look in the mirror. The simple emerald-green dress clung in all the right places, showing enough leg to look sexy while still appearing professional. The heels weren’t something I’d be jogging in any time soon but they weren’t really uncomfortable. A simple diamond necklace hung down near my cleavage… as if the dress wasn’t focusing enough attention in that direction. I told myself I didn’t realize it was that long, but it was a lie. I wanted to attract attention; Cole’s attention. It was wrong. I knew it. I couldn’t help myself. The man did something to me every time he was near me, every time he touched me… and I craved more.

A quick knock behind me and the door opened. “Ready to play host and hostess?”

I turned and gasped. Cole stood in the doorway, wearing a tailored suit that almost made my mouth water. He smiled. “I clean up pretty good, don’t I?” I nodded, unable to find my voice. His fingers brushed his tie – emerald green – as his eyes roamed up and down my body. “I noticed the color of your dress and thought it would be nice to match, but I see now I shouldn’t have bothered.” He came up to me, looking into my eyes. “All eyes will be on you.” He traced my necklace with his finger. “You’re gorgeous.”

“So are you.” I chuckled, dropping my eyes to the floor. “I mean you look handsome.” I could feel his eyes on me and I had to resist looking back up at him. It was easy to get lost in those eyes, easy to forget we couldn’t be together.

His hand slid under my chin, slowly tilting my head up. He stared intently into my eyes. I nibbled on my bottom lip, stretching up towards him. He lowered his head, his lips moving closer to mine. I closed my eyes, trembling at the thought of what was about to happen.

A discreet clearing of a throat at the bedroom door had me snapping my eyes back open as Cole stepped away from me.

“Pardon me, sir and madam,” Jarvis said. “But I’m afraid Mr. C. has arrived and has requested an audience.”

Cole glanced at Jarvis, frustration and embarrassment waging war for dominance on his face. He nodded and Jarvis quickly disappeared down the hall.

He looked at me, his eyes roaming up and down my body. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply three times, and then opened his eyes. That lopsided grin appeared and he offered me his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

I laughed, following his lead, trying to put what had been about to happen behind us. I took his arm and walked to the door with him. I took a quick breath as we stepped out of the bedroom. I didn’t know exactly what was going on but I knew it was important to Cole so it was important to me, too, although I wished with all my heart that we could just kick everyone out and send them home. It wasn’t his fault, but part of me was very displeased with Jasper for his rotten timing.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” a loud voice said from across the room. “Little Cole looks like one of the grown-ups these days.”

Cole laughed good-naturedly, approaching an older man who apparently never met a meal he didn’t like. They shook hands, the older guy’s smile getting wider as he eyed me. “Glad you could make it, Mr. C.,” Cole said.

Mr. C. continued mentally undressing me. “I am, too.”

“This is my… Danielle.” Cole wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

The old man laughed. “Your Danielle? Well, that’s too bad… for me; not bad for you.” He winked at Cole.

“Dani,” Cole said, “Why don’t you go get some wine? I need to discuss something with Mr. C.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

Stunned, I nodded and headed towards the bar. Jasper intercepted me, holding a tray filled with wine glasses. “A drink, madam?”

I took a glass. “Thank you, Jasper.”

The butler nodded, smiling, and walked off. I watched as his tray steadily became lighter as just about everyone he passed helped themselves to a drink. Was Cole paying for all of this?

“Nothing beats wine to make the boredom go away.”

I turned to see a tall woman with long, flowing black hair looking at me. She glanced towards Cole. “Well, there’s something that’s even better that beats boredom, but it looks like you’ve got that covered.” She smiled, looking back at me. “I’m Abriana. My friends call me Abri.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Dani.”

“Dani?” Her eyes grew wide. “Oh my! Danielle? The Danielle?” She looked at me intently. “Of course you are. I see it now. He described you perfectly… although his description was a little out-of-date.”

“I’m sorry?” I had no idea what the woman was talking about.

Abriana laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Dani. You didn’t know, did you?”

“Didn’t know what?”

Her eyes widened again. “You still don’t.” She glanced at Cole, then back to me. “Have some of that wine. You’re going to need it.”

I took a sip of my drink, anxious to hear what this woman had to say.

She looked around, as if to make sure nobody was close enough to overhear. “I really shouldn’t. It’s none of my business, really, but you don’t know, and Cole has suffered long enough.”

“Abri,” I said, trying not to get frustrated, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She put her hand on my shoulder. “You’re the one that got away… or the one he never had, actually.”

“What?”

She shook her head, smiling. “It’s sort of sweet, really. I’ve known Cole for a while, used to have the hots for him.” She shrugged. “We fooled around a little bit but he said we could never be serious because his heart belonged to another. Told me all about this sexy little girl with beautiful brown hair, eyes like dark chocolate, and… ‘skin like silk’ is the way I believe he described it.” She sipped her wine, pointing at me.

I took a drink. And then another. And then said what the hell and drained the whole glass. Abri waved and Jasper was instantly by our side. She drained her glass, took mine from my suddenly-numb hand, and put them on Jasper’s silver tray, pulling two full glasses to replace our empty ones. “Stay close,” she said, nodding towards me. “She’s probably going to need a refill or three.”

“That’s impossible,” I finally managed to say, trying not to think about Cole messing around with this tall Italian goddess. I knew there were some sparks flying between us lately… but he had the hots for me before? I couldn’t believe it.

“Impossible? Why?” Abri seemed surprised. “Because of the step thing?”

I looked around, horrified that someone might have heard.

Abri laughed. “Relax. I doubt anyone around here knows, and I’m sure they wouldn’t care.”

“But we’re related.”

She shrugged. “Who cares? You’re related because a piece of paper says your parents are married. That’s it. Just a bunch of legal garbage. Besides, according to him, you haven’t seen each other since the two of you were in your early teens.” She smiled wickedly. “Face it. You’re an adult and he’s a very sexy guy. Your parents were married. Congratulations for them, but don’t let something like a piece of paper keep you from finding happiness.”

I drained my glass and waved like Adri had done earlier. Again, Jasper appeared. I grabbed a new glass and forced myself to just sip it. It couldn’t be as simple as she made it out to be. Could it?

Before Adri could reply, a short redhead with huge breasts joined us. “Hello, Abriana, nice to see you again.” The look in her eyes and the fake smile hinted that it was really anything but nice. She looked at me, curiosity mingling with a cold, calculating scrutiny.

“This is Danielle,” Abri said before I had a chance to say anything. “She’s with Cole.”

The redhead raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She shook her head. “That man won’t stay single long enough for me to get a chance with him.”

Abri laughed. “Cara, you wouldn’t have a chance with Cole if the man was in a monastery.”

Narrowing her eyes, Cara glared at Abriana. She looked back at me. “Nice to meet you, Danielle. Welcome to the family.” With a last withering look at Abri, she walked off, headed towards the man Cole called Mr. C.

Abri rolled her eyes. “Great. She’s going to cry to hubby now.”

I almost choked on my wine. “She’s married to Mr. C.?”

Abri nodded. “Proof that wealth and power don’t provide good taste.” She scanned the room until she found Cole talking with a tall, tan man with a thin moustache and dark hair that was going grey at the temples. “Now my husband, on the other hand, has exquisite taste.”

I followed Abri’s eyes. The man looked vaguely familiar. “That’s your husband Cole is talking to?”

Abri nodded. “Two gorgeous men with power and vision.” She winked at me. “And the women who put up with their bullshit. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

Abri led me to the two men, who glanced at us as we approached. Abri’s husband shook Cole’s hand and leaned over, kissing him on both cheeks.

“Sonny,” Abri said. “I’d like you to meet Cole’s better half, Danielle.”

Sonny smiled and pulled me to him for an unexpected bear hug, kissing me on each cheek. “Welcome to the family, Danielle.” Keeping one arm around me, he wrapped his other arm around Cole and pulled him close. He looked at Abri. “Don’t we look like we’re going to set the world on fire, Baby?”

Abri kissed her husband. “Absolutely.” The smile she gave Sonny was filled with love, but I had noticed something else that had nothing to do with love. Sonny’s jacket was unbuttoned, and when he reached out for Cole, I could plainly see a gun tucked inside a shoulder holster.

Sonny released me, keeping his arm around Cole. “Honey, why don’t you and Danielle grab a couple more drinks while I finish talking with Cole.” He winked at me and grinned. “I promise I’ll return him as soon as possible.”

It was the wink and grin combo that did it. I realized where I had seen him before. Mobster Sonny LaVista, accused of various crimes in Florida, had flashed that wink and grin any time a camera was pointed in his direction, loudly professing his innocence. The case never went to trial. Every charge was dropped and LaVista was a free man. He laughed off any mention of mob affiliation, saying people had watched The Godfather too many times, but people knew. It couldn’t be proven but Sonny LaVista was a dangerous man, and Cole knew him, seemed to be friends with him.