Page 68 of Arranged Addiction

I need him more than he needs me.

Right about now, I really wish Casey was with me.

She’d have something clever to say. Or at least she’d be a good distraction. These old criminals all have a weak spot for a pretty girl.

And if he looked at her, I’d have a good excuse to break his fucking nose.

“Oh, you know me. I’ve been a loyal member of your father’s organization for many, many years.” I can’t help but note how he calls itmy father’s organization.

Not mine. Not yet.

“I’m aware of your sterling service to the clan, which is why I want to make sure you’re content.”

“More than content. Look at all I’ve got.” He gestures at his fancy study. The walls are lined with photographs of him and his family on lavish vacations all over the world. His son is a brainless fucking idiot and his daughter’s a vicious bitch just like her father. His wife’s decent at least.

“But we can always have more.” I smile and sit back, pretending to give it some thought, as if I hadn’t already made up my mind before coming here. My mother and I have spent countless hours debating and discussing who will get what and how I’ll make sure the clan doesn’t splinter to pieces.

So far, it’s working, but barely.

I’m breaking myself to keep this family together.

God, I miss Casey.

“What do you have in mind?” All pretense is dropped. He stares at me with a greedy glint in his eye.

“We’re expanding the shipping business deeper into the south. I want you to take point.”

“That’s a huge honor and a massive responsibility.”

“And an enormous pay raise.”

“Well now.” He grins viciously and raises his glass. “Here’s to proper motivation.”

The rest of the meeting goes more smoothly after that. Giving up the southern expansion is a loss, but keeping Donnell happy is important. He’s going to be key in making sure the others fall in line.

This would be so easy with her by my side. Instead of spending half my time thinking about her, I’d be able to look over, touch her hand, and make sure she’s safe. But she’s not safe around me right now. Even with Senesi lurking. I can’t be sure someone won’t try to kill me, and they’d definitely bring her down if they had the chance.

She’s better off at a distance.

Only that fucking kills me.

Ever since marrying her, I’ve slowly felt my defenses start to leak. I worked hard for so long to keep her out of my head. She was just some girl I was helping, at least until she became something more.

I don’t even know when that happened. Sometime between seeing that picture of her going to college and hiring her as my personal assistant.

Now I’m fucking hopeless.

I crave her taste, her lips, that little sound she makes as I sink myself inside of her. The whimpers, the moans. The sloppy way she takes my cock in her mouth. Her laughter, her smell. The way she walks into a room like she’s floating along without a care in the world.

That’s my happy place.

And I can’t get anywhere near it right now.

“Are you sure you can’t stay for another drink?” Donnell asks as he walks me to his door.

Like the old prick really cares either way. He got what he wanted from me. That’s how this relationship is going to work.

At least for now.