Motown Takedown (Motown Down Book 3) (9 page)

Pope and Gunner have been my boys since we ran the streets as kids. Pope was a doer, give him an order he followed it. Gunner followed Pope’s lead. He wasn’t big on talking but made up for it killing. Both followed me when I took up with Savage. When it was clear he wanted me out and used starting my own den as incentive, I took it but left Pope and Gunner behind to be my eyes and ears. In my absence, they reported she was safe, running shit, well, and only plotting his death when he pushed her too far. They had love for her from the beginning and covered my ass when I sought time with her. If anything happened to her, if she was ever in trouble, if she ever needed me, they’d let me know. And because of this I trusted them with her life.

I lost my appetite in the car, no bullshit I may never eat again. My woman could not fucking drive. On top of that, I was livid at what I’d heard and not good company so I excused myself giving her time to eat and talk to Ransom (I would stew over their easy camaraderie later). My first stop was the office to check in with Pope. Prick had some questions he’d be answering. Within minutes, he lets me know he’s free to talk and called me. Setting my anger aside, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt before I killed him with my bare hands.

“She was punished for defending you, why?”

Briefly I was met with silence before he exhaled hard and started to speak.
“Technically, she was defending you, and I agreed with her. And before you go off the rails, I didn’t tell you because you would have flipped and ruined everything. Like you’re ready to do now.”

“Defended me, how?”

“Savage wanted you taken down; she made it clear if that happened she’d kill him, vowed revenge on him and anyone responsible. He didn’t like that. I agreed with her and told him strategically it was a bad move because your business wasn’t affecting his. Then she goaded him further stating that starting a war with you was one he couldn’t possibly win, and he fucking snapped.”

“He held her under water?
”
I growl out. When he stayed silent, I repeated myself. “I asked you if he held her under water, Pope.”

“For twenty-nine seconds,
”
he says low and in pain. “While I watched.”

“You should have killed him,
”
I roar into the silence of my office.

“Those were not my orders. My orders were to watch and observe, which I did. Honestly, as much as she tried to kill him I figured one day she’d succeed and save us all the trouble. You knew he was crazy when you left –
”
he tries.

“What other forms of punishment did he deliver? And before you pick and choose your words, I am demanding full disclosure. I trusted you and Gunner to protect her and from where I’m sitting I made a big fucking mistake.”

“Shit,
”
he groans. “If he was manic, he was rough with her when they…were alone. She screamed a lot and made sure he did too. He didn’t start to back off with the sex until you had his legs filled with lead. Then he got worse because he didn’t want to be left alone. When he got pissed about his legs, he’d take it out on her physically. Never the face, though, he didn’t want to mar her beauty. His words, not mine. If we intervened and trust me, we tried, she paid for it. The last few years he’s been on a constant bender and left her to run the business. Most of the guys here are loyal to her, Monarch. They didn’t like how she was treated either. But she made it clear when he went down it was by her hand, no one else's.”

“There’s more.”

“Just ask her,
”
he advises carefully. “He never left marks, but he fucked with her head and promised her shit but never delivered. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t threaten to kill you if she didn’t toe the line. It wasn’t a secret she hated the guy. Until you claimed her, she hadn’t left the den in a year because he was afraid she’d go looking for you. Savage didn’t come out and say it, but he knew you were coming.” when he pauses, I don’t interrupt. “We did our job Monarch. Maybe not the way you wanted us too but we did, we still are. We kept her alive and as safe as we could.  Cinn did the same for us, not that you ever bothered to ask how any of us were surviving in hell or anything. Bottom line is without her neither side would have got ahead which was the whole fucking point in the first place. We did our job, and she did hers. Fuck, I gotta go.”

Hanging up, I lean back in my chair and plot. Hitting my earpiece, I tell Ransom he’s needed and that she’s to dress for dinner, that we were going out. Minutes later, he strolls in looking about as happy as I feel. “You’re her hero,
”
he grates out. “Wrecking that Tesla, if I had to guess, is the most fun she’s ever had.”

Ignoring the truth of that statement and just how fucked up it was, I let him know the night’s itinerary. “I’m taking her out, getting her drunk, dancing too. I want you close but out of sight. When she’s asleep, happy she got to dance; we finish Savage.”

“You’re gonna leave her here? Thought we were waiting until she was more settled.”

“That was before I knew he attempted to drown her.”

“Fuck you,
”
he says looking away. “Look, man, he did that to her but she still got in that water with you.”

“Yeah,
”
I groan. “She did. Your queen endured a lot of shit to get to me, and I have to make sure she never fucking regrets it. I have a lot to make up for.”

“She trusts you with her life, boss.”

“Tonight I’m going to make sure she never has to worry about that motherfucker again. Fuck snagging his business and taking his men. I want no ties to that kind of evil. After tonight, she’ll never have to speak his name again.”

Walking out, I head upstairs and stop dead when I see Cinn in the tight silk dress I bought her. Turning to face me, she smiles then loses the smile. “You don’t like it,
”
she says starting to undress. “It was in the closet and fits so well, I thought I’d wear it for you. If it’s not appropriate for dinner, there’s anoth
er–
”

“I love it,
”
I tell her dialing the anger down. “I love anything you wear. Gotta say, though, I look better on you than any outfit.”

With a brilliant smile, she looks her fill and says, “You’re my best accessory. You go with everything and compliment me in all ways. You were tailor made for me, Monarch.”

“If I wasn’t taking you out I’d be on you, Cinn,
”
I promise her. “But we have time for that. First, my queen dances and that’s after she dresses her man.”

At that, she lit the fuck up.
“I picked out your suit,
”
she says pointing to the bed. “I love you in purple;I love you in anything.
”
All I heard was I love you, and something inside of me broke free.

“Mo chuisle,
”
I growl unable to take the distance I was forcing myself to keep. “Step to me.”

Pulling her dress up, she makes her way over to me and simply, hugs me. “Dinner,
”
she whispers. “I haven’t been out to dinner in five years. I’ll make you proud to be seen with me, I promise.”

“Cinn,
”
I say gently raising her chin. “I want
you
to be proud to be seen with
me
. Tonight, like every night, is ours. Dinner, drinks, dancing, whatever you want. You lead, I follow.”

“I read about you,
”
she says running her fingers through my hair and it’s the best fucking feeling in the world. “You have many names, Romeo, Orsino, Rhett, Heathcliff but my favorite is
Monarch
.”

“Christ.”

“I’ve read thousands of books, but none compare to the real thing.”

Speechless, I dress while she finishes her hair, and we took the Tahoe to Iridescence where she could see the city from every window. Ransom would play his part, and this left me able to enjoy my woman. There was a lot to enjoy too because nothing escaped her notice. From the lights to the music and even the dishes; she loved all of it.

Alone at our private table overlooking our city, we had deep conversations about our years apart, and she wanted to know every accomplishment of mine big and small. Although she was my biggest accomplishment, she insisted I start from the beginning, so I did. An hour later, she was literally smiling with pure joy. Her pride in me was absolute, her desire for me was shining on her skin like diamonds and for her I was the only motherfucker in the room. Her eyes only left mine long enough to sip her wine. My queen had a lot of wine. She was also never further than my lap. I fed her, whispered in her ear and kissed her throat often. Her moans were erotic and music to my ears. Her fingers trailing under my suit; pure fucking heaven. Guaranteed no man in this joint was feeling what I was feeling. Couldn’t be. They didn’t have what I had and never would.

I did not care about those that watched us even though I felt their eyes. They were envious as they should be.  These people would never be on our level, they were below us, and I relished it. Clearly she did too but tuned their existence out as easily as I did. Needing to show her more, I slid her out of the booth and into my arms.

Taking her downstairs to the lounge of the casino to hear some music I made a serious effort to ignore the leering, gawking and cat calls. The restaurant was tame because it wasn’t a cheap spot. The casino, though, they let anyone with a dollar inside to lose it. I’m a big motherfucker, I know for a fact I look capable of murder but alcohol makes people bold and lippy. I didn’t do lippy. Ignoring all of it, she stayed on my arm, and if any women looked at me (which they only looked at me to wonder how I scored a piece like her), she was coiled like a snake ready to strike. Given the chance and a weapon, I’d lay odds on Cinn opening fire. Luckily, she was buzzed enough that she was easily distracted.

After being escorted to VIP, she takes a seat on the velvet lounge and waits for me. Removing my coat and sitting next to her, she crawls into my lap, latching on. She nuzzled my neck, and when the server takes our order,she pauses only to ask if the band takes requests. Nodding eagerly that she was even noticed, Cinn gives her song choice and settles back in
.
“You smell like sex,
”
she says nipping my kip. “I want to smell like sex.”

“Once I get inside of you,
”
I say squeezing her hips. “I’m gonna mark the shit out of you, Cinn.”

Loving the promise of my cock, she loops her arm around my neck to receive her glass when the server comes back.
Drinks in hand, the band started up, and the lead singer gave her a wink,and she waved back. It was clear they would play whatever shit made her happy. Based on the cash I made sure found their pockets, they would comply. The song she chose was sexy, smoky, and when she palmed my cock through my pants, it became my favorite. Not moving from her spot she swayed, clapped and never once let go. Three more drinks and four songs later she hit a wall. “Okay I’m drunk,
”
she says resting her head on my shoulder.

“You going to dance with me before you pass out?
”

Slowly turning her face up to mine she smiles bright and says, “I’m not that drunk.”

Standing her up, I slide my arm around her slim waist and pull her to me. Swaying together, I tune out the stares but take in the envy. Yeah, she was gorgeous but there was more to her than that, deep down Cinn was a romantic even when life stole all the romance from her. Neither of us lived in a romantic world,and I had to find a way to give it to her. If dancing was a part of that, we’d fucking dance. “You were my first slow dance,
”
she says softly. “And my last.”

“Mine too, Mo chuisle.”

“Can I tell you something?
”
she says running her hands up my chest.

“Anything.”

“If I ever see Savage again, after I kick him hard in the balls, I’ll thank him for depriving me of all those years. Because these last few days with you have been the best of my life. I would wait all over again to be here with you.
”
Kissing her nose and pressing my forehead to hers I tell her, “We’re just getting started, Cinn.”