Their Sweet Desire [Power Surge: The Billionaire Club 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “The purpose of tonight?” Toni asked.

  Her friends faced her.

  “You need to lighten up. You haven’t gone out in nearly a year. Even when you were with Vince, he didn’t take you out much,” Farah said then sipped her drink. It was something red, and by her facial expression after taking the first sip, it was something strong.

  “I know. He didn’t like taking me out. He was always getting into confrontations with men who he thought were looking at me.” She looked around the club. It was a really nice place. It was upscale and looked classy.

  “Hey, he was an asshole. We established that. You’re over him. Now it’s time to stop thinking about him and start thinking about the possibilities,” Tina said, joining the conversation.

  “The possibilities,” Mia added. Then the others looked around them.

  “Tall, dark, and handsome maybe,” Giselle said as she stared toward a man she obviously was describing.

  “Blond, sexy, and oh, what a great smile.” Mia gave a little wave before she sipped her drink.

  Toni chuckled.

  “How about double the sexy?” Tina gave Toni a little bump with her elbow. Toni tried to see where Tina was looking and as she did, she felt her gut clench and her mouth drop. Emerson.

  “Did you know he was going to be here? How the hell did you know that he was going to be here?” Toni demanded of her friend. She smoothed out the short black skirt and hoped that the blouse she wore wasn’t too low cut, as she sat on the barstool.

  “Will you calm down? What makes you think that I knew he was going to be here?”

  “Because I know you. There are no coincidences with you, Tina. What have you done?” Toni asked, but before Tina could deny with some lame answer, Toni heard Emerson’s voice.

  “Hey, Bliss,” he said, and Toni heard her friends sigh. She swallowed hard.

  “Hi. What are you doing here?”

  He raised one eyebrow at her then eyed her body over. God, every time he did that, her breasts and her pussy reacted to him. He was so dominant. That was obvious.

  “Honey, what am I doing here? The question is, what are you doing here? I would never have expected to find you here at The Phantom.”

  “Oh really? Why is that?” she asked in challenge.

  He looked at her friends as she slid off the barstool, and he moved closer. He gently placed his hand on her waist then leaned down and whispered into her ear.

  “You shouldn’t be here alone. It’s not a chance that I’m willing to take.” His warm breath collided against her skin. There was a light hint of the smell of bourbon, combined with his enticing aftershave. The man was dressed in style, yet casual with his dark dress pants and black button-down shirt. He looked incredible. Toni felt her heart race. She loved the feel of his warm, large hand against her hip. She tried to remain calm.

  “Not a chance you’re willing to take? What do you mean?” she asked him. Then he reached up and twirled one of her dark curls around his finger. He gave it a gentle tug.

  “I won’t risk some other guy trying to move in on you. Not when you’ve gained my interest, sweetheart. Not happening.” He tugged it again then smiled as he gave her hip a squeeze. She felt the intensity and truthfulness of his words. It seemed to her that Emerson had no problem making such a statement to her, yet they hardly knew one another. She couldn’t fall for his charms, his suave personality, or the dominant way he made demands and statements. The fact that her panties felt damp on top of it just added to her need to heed caution.

  “Well, I don’t think you have to worry. It’s girls’ night out, and only for another hour or so. We all have work tomorrow.”

  He smiled then glanced at her lips, as if he were debating about tasting her.

  Taste me, please taste me.

  Don’t taste me. What the hell am I thinking?

  “Well, it’s good to get out every now and then. You can’t work your life away. In fact, you should go out with me, this Saturday night. I can stop in to see you Saturday, we’ll talk some more.” He caressed her hip with his thumb. God, she loved the feel of his hands on her. She didn’t feel fearful of his touch. In fact, she craved more. He was hot.

  “I’ll see about that,” she replied. He heard someone call his name, and when he turned, she looked toward the side bar and there were three men standing there. He gave a wave, as if letting them know that he saw them.

  “I have to go now. I’m so glad I got to see you again.” He took her hand, brought it up to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll see you on Saturday. Be careful, and have a good time.” As he released her hand and walked away, she followed him with her eyes. She noticed the other women looking at him, and then he turned to find her watching him and she didn’t care. He had a great ass, an enticing personality. She smiled and waved.

  “Holy shit, he is so fuckable,” Tina whispered into her ear.

  “Way fuckable,” Farah added then took a long sip of her drink as if she needed to feel the alcohol. “You are so lucky. God, what I would do to have a man look at me like that and want me,” Mia added. Her friends all agreed and began to fantasize about men, and about the possibilities. Toni couldn’t even concentrate on their talk. She was too hypnotized by Emerson, and the way he held her as if he had every right to. The way he kissed her knuckles and told her that he didn’t want to chance another man taking her.

  Oh God, please let him be for real. How great would it be to be loved, and to not go to bed alone every night, and wake up alone every day? What am I thinking? The man probably just wants to have sex with me. She thought about that a moment and instantly she relaxed, knowing that didn’t matter.

  I’m okay with that. Holy shit. I’m okay with that.

  Chapter 5

  “So, I’ll see you tomorrow. Remember, wear something nice and sexy. Show off those voluptuous twins you got up top. Emerson will go bonkers. In fact, maybe just wear the apron.”

  Toni gave her friend’s shoulder a smack.

  “Cut it out.”

  Tina and Toni had finished locking up the storefront and started walking down the street together.

  Suddenly, they heard the sound of tires squealing and then what sounded like shots being fired. Toni pulled onto Tina and shoved her down to the ground and out of the way, behind a parked car. She slipped and scraped her arm on the metal of the bumper as the loud, crackling racket continued to explode around them. Glass shattered and she was certain that bullets were fired, too.

  Tina screamed and covered her ears. Toni’s heart raced and pounded in her chest as the car disappeared, but a few more popping sounds echoed behind them and against the front entrance to Bliss.

  “Oh my God, what was that?” Tina asked.

  “I don’t know.” Toni looked around them. It was dark out, but there was enough light from the street lanterns to illuminate the area. Toni felt the instant stinging in her arm. Before she even looked at herself, she looked at Tina. “Are you okay?” she asked her, helping her best friend to stand up. She looked just as frazzled as Toni felt.

  “Yeah, what the fuck was that about? I thought it was a drive-by fucking shooting,” Tina stated in a shaky voice. Toni felt the exact same way, as they held one another and looked around them. They wanted to be sure that no one else was going to drive by and try to hit them with something.

  “Look,” Tina said, as Toni’s eyes landed on the same thing her friend was pointing to.

  “Firecrackers? What the hell?” Toni released Tina’s arm and walked closer.

  “They had to have thrown about five bricks of firecrackers at us. Look at the damn mess, with all the shredded papers.” Tina raised her voice. Now her friend was pissed.

  Toni scrunched up her nose. The smell of gunpowder from the fireworks filled the area where they were. The little bit of smoke still had to dissipate, but the entire scene made Toni feel eerie.

  “But look at the window on that store, and the door. No fireworks would do that. They were sho
oting bullets, too,” Toni stated.

  “Oh my God, we could have been killed,” Tina said, and Toni agreed.

  “I swear, if I find out who did this, they’re dead meat. I mean come on. Did you see the car they drove? I think I did.”

  “Yeah. It was black, and medium sized,” Toni replied.

  “No, I think it was dark blue. Like maybe a sedan.”

  “I don’t know.” Toni tried to stop her heart from racing. Then she felt Tina grabbing her arm.

  “Oh shit, you’re hurt,” Tina said. Toni twisted her arm into an awkward position so she could view the damage. She definitely had a cut and scrape on it. The blood was getting all over her shirt. Tina pulled out her cell phone. “I’m calling the cops. This is bullshit.”

  Toni swallowed hard. If Tina called the cops, then her cousin would find out, then her uncle Vincenzo…

  “Yes, they threw like a shit load of firecrackers at us as we walked away from the storefront. I think they shot bullets, too. One of the store windows is shattered. The owner is injured. Her arm is bleeding, and I think this should be reported,” Tina stated into the cell phone, as she gave the 911 operator all her information. It was too late. Now her cousin and uncle would find out.

  Toni instantly thought about the threatening letters she had received. Three in the last four months. Could this be related to those threats?

  “Okay. The cops are on their way. They may send an ambulance.”

  “An ambulance? I don’t need an ambulance,” Toni stated.

  Tina rubbed her hip and ass. “Well, I might need one. You’re incredibly strong, Toni. When you tackled me to the ground to cover me, I hit that sidewalk concrete with a thump so hard I think I’m going to have some wicked bruises.”

  “I’m sorry. I was so scared, and thought that it was gunshots.”

  “I know, and I appreciate the fact that you covered me to protect me without a thought of yourself and your own safety. You’re an amazing friend and woman. I love you,” Tina said, and then pulled her into a hug. The sound of sirens could be heard in the distance and Toni mumbled her annoyance with the situation. Tina pulled back and smiled down at her. “Hey, if we’re lucky, either New York’s finest or New York’s bravest will be a couple of sexy, hot men. If that’s the case, then just follow my lead about my injuries. If you see me disappear into the back of the ambulance with a hunky EMS worker then let me be.” Tina winked.

  Toni chuckled. “You are nuts.”

  “So are you. You saved my life,” Tina stated very seriously as the ambulance and police car pulled up alongside the curb.

  Toni felt the emotions clog her throat. “Hey, it was no big deal.”

  “Either way, you risked your life, your safety for me.”

  Toni gave her friend a smile as thoughts of the previous threats invaded her mind. Could this be connected to them? Would whoever was behind the threatening notes and the firecracker scare move on to more threatening tactics? The thought made her instantly feel sick, and then the dizzy feeling hit her. She grabbed onto Tina as two good-looking NYPD officers approached. Tina smiled wide.

  “My boss is hurt, but I may need CPR,” she said as the paramedics headed closer. They were pretty good looking, too. The officers looked at both of them, but one stared right at her and eyed her arm.

  “How badly are you hurt, miss?” he asked.

  “Oh, she may faint. One of you should carry her to the ambulance to get checked out,” Tina said, winking. Then Toni heard Tina explain about what happened and how her hips and ass were probably bruised and that maybe the two paramedics should take her into the ambulance and check it out personally. Toni chuckled.

  “Is your friend always so forward?” one officer asked as he looked at Toni’s arm and elbow. It was bleeding pretty badly. And as the other two paramedics assisted her, Tina rolled her eyes.

  The officer spoke into his radio. “Your cousin is caught up in a double homicide in the Bronx. We’re going to accompany you home. But first I have some more questions,” the officer stated as he disconnected the call. Toni knew that her cousin, Leo, would worry.

  “Is there anyone you can think of that might want to hurt you?” he asked.

  Oh shit. I knew this was coming. I can’t let them know about Vince or his family. I need to handle this. I need to protect Leo, Uncle Vincenzo, and the family. If the cops think that Uncle Vincenzo and the Saggaretti family are back at it again, then this could cause some unnecessary tension and fighting.

  “Not anyone I can think of. Not someone who would shoot bullets, and throw firecrackers at me and my employee.”

  The cop eyed her over and gave her one of those interrogating expressions. It was like he knew she was lying, but she needed to hold onto some sort of control. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable. Another officer approached. She saw the stripes on his sleeve, and the gray sideburns despite his young face. He was a sergeant.

  “This is Sergeant O’Riley. Antoinette DeLuca.” The officer introduced them.

  “So, pretty exciting stuff tonight in SoHo. Not the usual activity around these parts, Miss DeLuca.”

  She knew that tone, and the way the officer said her last name. He probably knew her family and the neighborhood well.

  “I’d say so, Sergeant. Not exactly the type of thing that anyone enjoys being caught in the middle of.”

  He raised one eyebrow at her.

  “Any chance you might know who did this?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure that no one comes to mind? An old boyfriend? A disgruntled employee? Enemies?” He pushed.

  She knew what he was getting at, but she wasn’t budging. She wasn’t involved with anything illegal, or with any multiple Mafia family conflicts.

  “Sergeant, I am the owner and operator of a pastry, coffee shop. How could I have enemies? Someone not like the jelly in the homemade jelly donuts? Please, this is quite upsetting as is. My friend and I thought we were going to die. Now, I don’t know who would think of doing something like this, but I’m glad we’re both safe.”

  He stared at her as if knowing she was lying. She felt sick to her stomach. She didn’t like to tell lies. She had a bit of fear of law enforcement and distrust except for her cousin, because when her grandfather was killed, little was done. It was like he was just some street thug, a nobody, and involved with the mafia so no one cared. Meanwhile, he wasn’t. He was legit, but got caught up in defending the family and the storefront.

  “How about the Saggaretti family? Your family and them been in battle for years. Perhaps they want you to do something for them and you’ve declined?”

  She was shocked, but this Sergeant obviously knew the neighborhood gossip well. She needed to be smart here.

  She squinted her eyes at him.

  “That’s quite an assumption, Sergeant. First of all, I’m not in any position to be asked to do any favors for a known organized crime family. Secondly, as I said earlier, I run a pastry, coffee shop. What could I possibly offer to the Saggarettis’?”

  “You were dating Vince Saggaretti, weren’t you?”

  She swallowed hard.

  “Maybe he can be the first one on your list of possible suspects as you do your job to solve this crime? That is your job, right?”

  “Watch your tone, DeLuca. I don’t like the way this situation went down. We’ll get an investigator on it. We’ll be in contact,” he stated firmly.

  She was trying not to show her intimidation. This cop was old school, and old school knew how to kick ass.

  “Her cousin Leo knows that you’re taking her home. Be sure to check out the place before you leave.”

  “Yes sir,” the cop stated.

  Antoinette released a small sigh as the sergeant walked away, and started talking to other officers.

  An hour later, arm wrapped in gauze, no stitches or hospital visit necessary, Toni headed to her apartment accompanied by the two officers. They first dropped off Tina and then her. They wanted to bring h
er home as precaution, after finding numerous empty shell casings on the sidewalk and in the store with the broken window. She was pretty shaken up about it. They let her talk to her cousin over the radio once the officers checked her apartment. Leo was upset, but would talk to her tomorrow and find out more about the situation.

  She said thank you then let the officers out of her apartment and closed the door behind them…

  As she locked up the doors, turned on the lights, and looked around to be sure no one was there even though the police checked, she felt the loneliness and fear grip her hard.

  Something was seriously concerning about tonight’s incident. She thought about how Vince was in her apartment the other night when she came home. She rechecked the small apartment, including all the closets, under the bed and in the shower. He wasn’t hiding in there.

  She headed toward the bedroom and grabbed her pajamas before heading to the kitchen for a plastic bag to cover her bandaged elbow and arm.

  Her mind was thinking a lot of crazy thoughts, but ultimately, her gut warned her that tonight was no crazy coincidence. Kids didn’t randomly throw bricks of firecrackers out windows of moving cars, or shoot bullets. Well maybe in gang wars and crap, but not on her street in SoHo. Even the cops seemed surprised and asked if anyone had been threatening her or Tina, or if they had any problems at the store or personally.

  Sure there were problems. But she wasn’t going to let Tina or her staff know about them. They would worry. She could handle this. Tomorrow she would deal with Leo. Maybe letting him know about Vince was necessary. But she knew that if she told him that he was bothering her again, then Leo would do something. He hadn’t exactly been too happy about her dating Vince in the first place. Thinking back about the decision she made to date Vince, her cousin had been right. That’s why he was a detective. He could tell Vince had ulterior motives, but Antoinette was blinded by the man’s charms, good looks and her own need to not be lonely. Vince latched on, and before long, he had complete control of her. It had taken more than just guts to break things off. It had taken bringing up old family problems, and ultimately using the fact that he hit her, to end the vicious cycle.