Page 110 of Cartel Devil

“Pitting you against each other without being obvious.”

“Chica, there’s a reason that man’s nickname has never been Sly. He’s the least subtle, least inconspicuous man around.”

“Why would he think you’d fall for that?”

“He didn’t, but the man is optimistic if anything.” Dad’s sarcasm drips from every word.

“Chica, it’s time to go back to New York. I want us to stay with Pablo and Florencia. They’re in syndicate Switzerland. If it’s one of the other families, they won’t strike in the neighborhood. Not with kids living there. My brothers and cousins will also be within shouting distance along with all their security details.”

“Did you already talk to him? We can’t just show up unannounced.”

“Of course we can. We’re family. You’ve seen the houses. There’s plenty of room. I texted him just before I went into your dad’s study.”

We’re family.

Not I’m family.

Not they won’t mind guests.

They accept me.

Family before everything.

Just a silent “that’s how it’s always been and how it always will be.”

I nod as I dart my gaze to my mom, then my dad. Neither looks eager for me to leave, but I don’t sense any hesitation about me going with Joaquin.

“Chica, your parents are coming too.”

“They are? You are?” I don’t know who to look at right now.

“Joaquin showed me the texts as we walked out here. Pablo offered an open invitation. I’m not worried about one of them killing me in my sleep. They’d never make it past Leenie.”

Leenie.

No one but Dad would dare call her that.

“I’d never live down dying at an O’Rourke’s hand.”

Joaquin grins at Mom but smirks at Dad as though he has nothing to worry about from a Vizzini. My dad rolls his eyes, utterly unimpressed.

“When’re we leaving?”

“In the morning, chica.”

We’ve been back in NYC for five days, and it’s been quiet. Nothing’s happened, and as far as I know, there haven’t been any other threats. This isn’t one of those things Joaquin will hide from me. As much as he hates discussing it, he said he’ll never keep threats to me or our children a secret. He wants me fully aware and extra vigilant, which I can only do when I know what I’m looking for.

“Bend over, chiquita.”

Joaquin holds up the large butt plug, and I gladly follow his command. At first, I was uncomfortable messing around in Joaquin’s cousin’s house, but I got over it real fast when I woke up to him sucking my clit. We’ve abstained from anything too rigorous because of Joaquin’s back.

We’ve made do with some slow stripteases—the man doesn’t need to be asked twice to strip in front of me. Our hands and mouths have gotten plenty of exercise. I’ve even ridden him slowly a few times when he sits on the edge of the bed. Turns out, that’s erotic as fuck.

As of this evening, we’ve agreed we’re both well enough for us to fully explore the things we like or that interest us. His aunt Margherita took one look at his back, tsked, ripped off the steri-strips—eliciting an unmanly yelp that had his relatives howling with laughter. She insisted some of them needed stitching. I’ll keep an eye on them to make sure nothing happens to them, but we don’t want to wait any longer.

We’re going out to dinner with my parents tonight, and we want something that’s private and only between the two of us. I eagerly lean over the bed and reach back to spread my ass cheeks. I’m unprepared for Joaquin’s warm tongue to lick me from stem to stern. I hear a bottle snap open, then there’s warm liquid trailing between my ass cheeks to dribble into me. Next, I feel the tip circling my entrance as Joaquin teases me with it. I go up on my toes to thrust my ass toward him.

“Impatient as ever.”