Breaking Bones (Mariani Crime Family Book 3) Read online

  Guys need space, and coming off as desperate or stalkerish would probably only push Bones further away. I didn’t want that. No, I wanted lots more amazing nights with him deep inside me. With him turning me over and pounding into me from behind while he played with my clit and talked dirty in my ear.

  Just thinking about it made me wet.

  I wasn’t in love with Bones—love was a useless emotion that made people weak and stupid—but I was in lust with him. I wasn’t after his promises; I was after his body.

  He’d called me a friend, but friends checked in with each other every once in a while. Friends came back for rounds two and three. Friends didn’t just vanish.

  Friends didn’t allow friends to grow cobwebs in their coochie.

  Clearly, he wasn’t craving my body like I was craving his, but a text now and then to let me know he was still alive would be nice.

  Despite our lack of communication, Bones must have gotten his hands on my work schedule, because for the past two days a driver had shown up to take me to and from work. Even though I said I liked riding the bus, I loved Bones’s protective streak. It made me feel wanted and valued which only made me want him more, which, in turn, frustrated me further.

  I don’t know what he’d done to turn me into such a sex fiend, but his body tempted me far more than any drug I’d tried. Why did he have to be so addictive? One hit, and I was done for. His body could easily become my new escape from reality, if only he’d come around again.

  While I was aching for a repeat performance, someone knocked on my front door. Through the peep hole, I saw the object of my desire, and butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. I smoothed my hair down, took a nice, calming breath, and tried not to look too excited to see him as I opened the door.

  “Hey, you, how are you?” I asked, sounding completely lame.

  Bones gave me a crooked smile that seemed to highlight the dark circles around his eyes. He was back to his usual work attire, and I loved the way he wore his suit. It made me want to grab him by the tie and lead him to my bed. Maybe I could get him to tie me up with it. My gaze drifted down his body, enjoying every inch of it, before popping back up to his handsome face. He had more stubble than normal, but it looked sexy and rugged on him. The cut on his cheek was healing nicely, and it looked like the stitches were about ready to come out.

  “Sorry I haven’t stopped by or called,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He had fresh cuts and bruises on his knuckles. I tried not to look at them, but must have, because he dropped his hand, settling it behind his back. “Work’s been kinda crazy. The boss isn’t letting me out much, but I was in the neighborhood, and…” he trailed off as his heated gaze roamed over my body. I knew exactly what he needed. What we both needed.

  “Come in, Bones,” I said, closing the door behind him.

  “You’re not pissed at me?” he asked.

  I shook my head and stepped closer to him. “A phone call or a text would have been nice, but you were honest with me. You prepared me for what to expect.” Scooting even closer, I slid my hands under his suit jacket as we locked gazes. “I missed you, though. You look tired and stressed. I know how to fix that for you.”

  He chuckled, sounding relieved. “I bet you do.”

  The tent erecting in his pants encouraged me to keep going. I untucked his shirt and slid my hands beneath the fabric, so I could feel his skin as I leaned against him and raised my chin. He lowered his head and kissed my lips as my fingers roamed over his washboard abs, down to the waistband of his slacks. Within seconds, I had them undone and down to his ankles. Bones stepped out of them as he continued to explore my mouth.

  Needy energy built between us as his kisses deepened, and my touch grew more aggressive. I grabbed his cock in my hand and slid up and down his shaft. He moaned into my mouth, tugging my T-shirt up. We broke apart long enough for him to get it over my head and toss it aside before slamming back together.

  His hands were on my neck, my stomach, my back. He was tugging my bra straps down over my arms. My hands explored his chest, his abs, his back, and his cock. He smelled of metal and musk, and I breathed him in and let his scent make me crazy while we alternated kissing and stripping each other. Our groping became frenzied as he walked me toward my bedroom while we continued to shed clothing. By the time we reached my bed, I was naked, and Bones wasn’t far behind. He pulled his undershirt off, and his body enveloped me, holding me against him while he nibbled on my neck.

  His cock pressed into my stomach and I grabbed it and angled it down to rub between my thighs. He thrust forward, feeling like he belonged between my legs. I moaned, and he kissed it away. As we made out, I continued to grind against him. He squeezed my breasts, dropping his head to suck in a nipple. Sucking, nibbling, the sensations were too intense. I threw my head back, trying to take a deep breath.

  “I want you to fuck me,” I breathed.

  Bones looked down. “Shit,” he muttered before running out of the room. He returned moments later, unrolling a condom over his erection. I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t help it. The way he stroked himself made me jealous of his hand and his cock. Before I could think too much about it, his lips were back on mine and he was lifting me in the air.

  Surprised, I let out a squeal, but then he impaled me on his cock. I slid down it as I wrapped my legs around his waist. “Fuck!” I shouted.

  He grabbed my ass and raised me up and down his cock.

  “More Bones!” I arched my back to take him deeper. “Faster. Harder.” I nipped at his pecks and raked my nails down his back. He seemed to like the pain, because he took me down to the bed and drove into me harder, fucking me wildly as I continued to scratch and bite.

  He turned me on my side and raised one of my legs over his shoulder, getting even deeper. He was so hard and so deep, that every time his cock drove into me, I got closer to the edge. He turned me again, settling me on my hands and knees before grabbing my hips and plowing into me. So deep I saw stars, I dropped my head to the mattress as my orgasm continued to build. He slapped my ass hard, and my pussy squeezed around him.

  “Like that, do you?” he asked.

  Unable to speak, I nodded.

  He rubbed my ass cheek, then slapped it again. A mixture of pain and pleasure rolled through me. He slapped me again and I started to go over the edge. He spanked my ass throughout my entire orgasm, intensifying my pleasure so much my eyes watered. Then, once I was taken care of, he grabbed my hips and unleashed himself, plowing into me until he came.

  Afterward, we were both wrecked. Lying on my bed in a tangle of arms and legs, we fought to catch our breath.

  “How’s work going?” Bones asked, one eye closed, one eye cracked to watch me.

  “Fine. It’s work. Your work is crazy right now, huh? Anything you want to talk about?”

  “Nothing I can talk about.” He propped himself up on one elbow and opened both eyes to watch me. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful, Ari. You deserve more than this. More than what I can offer you.”

  I turned to face him, staring him right in his stubborn face. “What if this is what I want? What if you’re what I want?”

  His expression looked tortured as he reached over and tucked a hair behind my ear before his hand trailed down to my waist. “This isn’t what I came over here for. I mean, it was a nice benefit, but I came to tell you Markie will be over soon. She wants to get ready with you.”

  “Ready for what?” I asked, sitting up.

  “We’re taking you to a late birthday dinner.”

  A grin stretched across my face. “To where?”

  “That’s a surprise.” Bones pulled me to him for another kiss before getting out of bed and beginning the search for his clothes. “And I gotta go get ready, too.”

  “At least tell me what kind of restaurant it is so I know what to wear.”

  “Nope. That’s taken care of as well. Angel will bring your dress and shoes over when he drops off Markie.”
/>   Bones made it sound like we lived across town, rather than next door. Angel didn’t need to drop Markie off. No doubt she wouldn’t deny him that pleasure, though. Giddy at the idea of a birthday celebration and a new dress, I gave Bones one last kiss before shooing him out of my condo, so I could shower. Shortly after I got out, there was more knocking on my door.

  I let my sister and her boyfriend in. Angel’s hands were full of bags. He went directly to my room and unloaded everything before rejoining us in the living room.

  “You sure you’re up for this?” he asked Markie, wrapping his arms around her.

  They were so damn perfect together they sometimes bordered on annoying. I loved my sister. I loved that she was happy, but sometimes her happiness had a way of making me feel lonely. I couldn’t help but wonder if Bones and I would ever have anything more than a sexual relationship. Would he ever look at me the way Angel looked at Markie?

  “Stop,” Markie said, settling her hands against Angel’s chest. “I’m fine. The only danger I’m in is the danger of dying from boredom if I don’t get out of the house. The doctor cleared me. You heard him. Stop being crazy.”

  He brushed a kiss against her lips. “I know. I just worry about you.”

  She kissed him back. “And it’s sweet, but also a little stifling. Go get sexy so I can drool over you all night.”

  He gave her one more kiss and made her promise to call if she needed anything before leaving.

  Markie released a breath and turned to smile at me. She looked a little tired, but much better than the last time I’d seen her. Every day she was getting stronger.

  “You look great,” I said.

  “Not yet, but I will.” She picked up one of the bags Angel set on my bed. “We both will. Time to turn your bathroom into a salon.”

  Markie and I chatted as we got ready. I told her about people at work, and she told me about books she’d been reading and shows she’d been watching.

  “My life is so boring right now,” she complained. “I watched soap operas, Ari. Soap operas. And game shows. I’m not a watcher; I’m a doer. I can’t wait to get out and do things again.”

  “Soon,” I replied. “Actually, tonight. How nice is this place we’re going to, anyway? Full makeup? Contouring?”

  “Swanky. And yes, contour. You’ll want to look especially nice.” She gave me a cryptic smile but didn’t say more.

  “Who all is going?” I asked.

  “Just the four of us and Nonna.”

  Nonna was Angel’s sweet little old grandmother. I’d spent some time talking to her while Markie was in the hospital, but it seemed strange that she’d come to my birthday party.

  “Nonna’s coming?” I asked.

  “Nonna got us in,” Markie replied.

  “It required a Nonna invite? All right, this place has got to be super swanky.” And I was super excited. Finished with hair and makeup, I went into my bedroom to peep at the garment bags. “Bones said my clothing has been taken care of, so one of these is mine, right?”

  Markie emerged from the bathroom with a smile stretched across her face as she pointed. “Yep. That one.”

  Curious, I unzipped the garment bag and pulled out a gorgeous long black dress.

  “Try it on,” Markie said, sitting on my bed.

  She didn’t have to say it twice. I unzipped the back, and stepped in. It was sleeveless, floor-length, the neckline plunged down to show off my cleavage, the body was fitted through the waist and hips—down to the calves—then flared just enough for me to walk comfortably.

  Markie gasped, her eyes watering with tears. “The fit is perfect. It’s perfect. You look incredible.”

  “Then why are you crying?” I asked as she wiped away a tear.

  “This stupid medicine they have me on screws with my emotions. It’s beautiful, though. Look for yourself.”

  I went to the bathroom and checked myself out. The classy way it embellished my curves looked a lot like Jessica Rabbit meets Audrey Hepburn. “I look like a lounge singer. Where did you find this thing?”

  Markie whistled her appreciation at me as she turned the corner. “Angel knows a guy. Seriously, you look gorgeous, Sis.”

  Angel knew all sorts of guys, but they seemed more likely to design guns than dresses. The gown fit like it was custom-made for me. I’d never felt so beautiful in my life. “This is too much.”

  “It’s exactly enough,” Markie disagreed.

  “It must have cost a fortune.”

  She waved me off. “You only turn twenty-one once. Angel and I wanted to make sure you had something you could leave an impression in.”

  “An impression on who?” I asked. “Bones?”

  “Him too,” she giggled. “But no. The guys wanted to keep this a secret, but I know it’s important for you to know so you can prepare. We’re going to the Acropolis, Ari. Nonna made some calls and got you on the stage.”

  “What?” I asked, certain I must have misheard her. “Like for an audition?”

  “No, for a performance.” Markie grinned as more tears leaked from her eyes. She fanned at them, complaining, “I’m going to ruin my makeup.”

  “Ohmigod!” I shouted as I hugged my sister. She was serious. I was finally getting a shot at my dream.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Bones

  “HEY BUD, LONG night? Busy day?” Angel asked, returning from Ariana’s apartment.

  “Yeah to both.” I’d been busting my ass and hadn’t seen much of Angel in the past couple of days. “But I finally got a beat on Joey Durante. Things are lookin’ up.”

  “Oh yeah?” Angel asked, stepping into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. “What do you got?”

  “I’m not entirely sure yet, but I made a new contact… a guy by the name of Martin, who works at a convenience store a few blocks south of The Big Top.”

  Angel’s brow furrowed. “How’d you hear about him?”

  “I didn’t. It was so goddamn random I still can’t believe it. Been busting my ass for days, and I finally get my first real break because I was thirsty. This guy Martin, he took one look at me and asked if I was Gino Leone’s boy. Said I was a spittin’ image of him.”

  “That is random,” Angel agreed. “How did he know your father?”

  “He said the guy who used to own the store funneled messages for your family. I’d think it was a set up, but nobody could have known I’d pop in that convenience store. Never stopped by there in my life. I just got thirsty, and…bam! Anyway, Martin’s been in Vegas a long ass time and he knows all kinds of shit. He said that the Marianis got the drop on the Durantes because they had a guy on the inside. An enforcer who was feeding information back to Carlo. He said the mole was Pops. That’s how he recognized me. Pops used to come in all the time and talk to the owner.”

  Angel stared at me, and I could almost see the wheels in his head spinning. “Did you get the name of the old owner?”

  “Yep, but it won’t do us much good. He disappeared right around the time your old man took down the Durantes.”

  “That’s… unfortunate.”

  “Very, but there’s more,” I said. “Maurizio Durante had a niece named Ambra. According to Martin, Pops fell for her. Hard.”

  “While he was married to your mom?”

  I shrugged, unsure how I felt about that. My parents hadn’t exactly been affectionate, but I hated the idea of Pops cheating on Ma. She’d been nothing but faithful to him, even after all this time. “I guess what they say about mobster kids is true.”

  “You never know how many kids a wiseguy has until they die,” Angel provided. “Then all the kids show up at their funeral. Does Martin know whether or not your father and Ambra had a kid together?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I need to talk to this Natalia broad. See if she really is my blood. Matt said she wants to talk to me, but she hasn’t reached out. I’ve been making myself as visible as possible, and nothing. Not a damn peep. She was willing to have Ari
kidnapped to get my attention but hasn’t approached me at all. I don’t get it.”

  “You seen that Camry again?”

  I’d told Angel about the silver Camry with the dent in the right fender tailing me, and about how there’d been a brunette in the passenger’s seat. It could possibly be Natalia, or it could be unconnected. I wouldn’t know until I saw it again.

  “Nope,” I replied. “Not since they lost me the day I was checking out the locations.”

  “She’s probably afraid you’ll kill her,” Angel pointed out. “Especially since she hasn’t heard from Matt. She also might be afraid Carlo will intercept her.”

  It felt like we were spinning our wheels. The more answers we dug up, the more questions we uncovered. “I still don’t understand Carlo’s role in all of this. If Pops was working with the family, why didn’t Carlo tell me?”

  Evidence was stacking up that Carlo had known about my old man all along, but he’d kept the truth from me. Why? Had Pops deflected? If he switched sides, Carlo would have had to put him down. Maybe that was the big secret he was keeping from me. But, if my old man’s loyalty had failed, why had Carlo approached me to guard Angel? Wouldn’t he be afraid the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree? Wouldn’t he expect me to do the same?

  Angel shrugged. “Hard tellin’, but I doubt we’re gonna find any answers in my kitchen. Maybe Nonna will have more information for us tonight.”

  Chuckling, I nodded. “Still can’t believe she pulled this off so quickly. That woman is a goddamn miracle worker.”

  Angel had somehow gotten a message to Nonna that we needed to talk to her somewhere public, under the guise of a bigger purpose. He told her about Ariana’s missed birthday and her desire to sing, and Nonna had pulled strings and made the impossible a reality. In just a couple of days, Nonna had managed to do what Ariana had been trying to do for over a year.

  “She’s a force of nature, for sure,” Angel agreed proudly. “How’s shit between you and Ari?”

  “Solid.” I’d expected Ariana to lose her shit over the way I’d fucked her then disappeared, but she’d once again proved to me what a cool chick she was.