Obsession (Sons of Judah MC Book 2) (8 page)

Chapter Eight

He should have told her everything, but Marco simply didn’t know how to begin. Ned was unreasonable to the point of obstinacy, and it wasn’t Stacy’s fault. Ned’s job was to figure out a solution that would deal with Ned effectively and solve those problem before she learned about it. As he stormed into the warehouse, Marco’s mind worked at the speed of lightning. He intended to solve this issue before it got out of hand.

He knocked on Brandon’s office. “Come in.”

Marco stepped inside and closed the door. Brandon looked as if he hadn’t slept the night before. No wonder. He was the one responsible for hatching that ridiculous scheme that landed seven men in jail. He had a point to prove now. If he didn’t get them out soon, he would lose whatever little credibility he had left.

“Hi.” Marco took a deep breath. “I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was uncalled for. Whatever Ned and I talked about, it was our personal business, and we had no right to discuss it in front of you.”

Brandon leaned back. He dimmed his fingers on the desk. For a moment Marco thought the man might make him grovel, but then he waved a hand. “Take a seat.” Marco pulled a chair and sat. “We have a serious problem. Ned is our oldest lawyer, and he has pulled us out of plenty of tight spots. He knows the chief of police personally, and the man has been looking the other way at a lot of our activities on Ned’s behest.”

Marco didn’t want to say anything that would reveal his conversation with Simon. Brandon wouldn’t like to know that Simon was telling him things. “He can easily pull the men out of jail.”

Brandon leaned forward. “I don’t know how to tell you this, so I am just going to spit it out. Ned is refusing to lift a finger to help us until you agree to stop seeing his wife.”

“His ex-wife,” he corrected.

“His ex-wife, sure. But you how stubborn he is. If the man has decided that he won’t help, then he won’t until you agree to his demands. I realize that this isn’t any of our business, but he has dragged us in the middle. Now, I could order you to stop seeing her, but I don’t think you will take kindly to such demands. You’re a valuable member of our team, and I don’t want to lose you. More important than that, I don’t want to lose those seven men. We need Ned, and we need to make him happy.”

“He is a bastard.”

“That may be so, but right now you’re the only one who can help us placate him. Why don’t you go easy on the relationship for now, and once the men are out, you and Ned can sort it out between you?”

Damn it.
Marco was pissed off, questioning how Brandon could interfere in his personal life. But at the same time, he understood the pressure that was on the guy. If he didn’t do anything, he would lose valuable members of his team, and he would lose respect. He couldn’t afford to do that. “If I refuse?”

“As I said, I can’t force you. It’s your call to make. But you know the credo we live by:
All for one and one for all
. If you don’t come through for these people, they won’t take kindly to it. Neither would the rest of the club members. It’s a hell of a choice, but if you have other ideas I am willing to listen. If not…”—he shrugged—“…you may just have to do it in order to get the results we need.”

“We should hire another lawyer.”

“Ned’s not going to let it go. He is a dog after a bone. If he doesn’t get it, he will make life miserable for all of us. Do you really want to do that?”

And that was a million dollar question. “I could leave the club.”

“Yeah, you could do that. The men will still be in jail though.”

Shit.
He didn’t want to feel the guilt. It wasn’t his fault they were in jail. Brandon was the one who landed them in there; he should get them out. However, it was Marco who was forced to make the hard choices. He could rant and rave about it, but he wasn’t sure what the point would be. The decision was his to make, and no one else could make it for him.

He ran a hand over his face. “I could go to the police and confess that I was the mastermind and the men were acting on my instructions.”

“That would land you into jail right along with them. They still won’t be out.”

Marco threw back his head. This was a big mess. For the umpteenth time, he wished Brandon had listened to him. The man didn’t and now they were all in trouble, but for Marco this was hell. He couldn’t let Stacy go. How could he? He loved her. And it wasn’t even fair to her. Why should she pay the price for this mess?

How the hell was he supposed to tell her this?

“You’re not helping me out here,” he said.

Brandon leaned forward. “Look, man, I want to. Ok? But my hands are tied here. This guy…he is nuts. It’s maybe time we started looking for a more reliable lawyer, but there aren’t many like him. He doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and that serves us. For now, we’re stuck with him. You’re stuck with him. I don’t like this anymore than you do, but we’ve run out of options. As I said, if you have another fabulous plan, I am all ears.”

Marco bit his lip. “I should just quit the club. When I am out of the picture, he will have to help you out.”

“Is that a risk you’re willing to take? If yes, I can’t stop you. But those men might languish in jail for a long, long time, and if that happens, they are all going to blame me.”

That wasn’t true. They would blame Brandon, as he was the one who made the wild scheme. If he was in Brandon’s place, he wouldn’t have put his men in that position. If he was in Brandon’s place, he wouldn’t have put someone in the spot where Brandon was putting him. But that wasn’t the case. Brandon might not be the man Marco wanted him to be, but for now he was the leader, and Marco was the follower. More than that, he didn’t feel comfortable abandoning the men. He would have to break up with Stacy, but it didn’t have to be for good. He could just step away now, and he could tell her that as soon as the men were out, he would deal with Ned and they would be back together. In any case, he would quit the club once the men were out. He was no longer happy with the way it was run, and if he don’t like it, then there was no point staying on.

Of course, he didn’t feel obliged to discuss his strategy with Brandon. “I’ll do it,” he huffed. “Give me a few days. Tell Ned to start preparing the paperwork. I will break up with her but not before the weekend. We’re going away to Cape Cod. After that, I will talk to her. When it’s done, I will confirm to you the news so you can pass on the message.”

“Thanks a lot. We owe you big time.”

Marco didn’t say anything. Brandon might owe him, but Marco wouldn’t collect. He wouldn’t be around to do so. As far as he was concerned, Marco had lost all faith and trust in Brandon. Marco no longer felt comfortable working with him. As soon as he got the chance, he was going to walk out, but he would only do it once the men were out. Later, they could deal with Ned any way they chose. He would get Stacy back and that was all that mattered.

“See you.”

He walked out. Marco was lost in thought as he strolled out of the warehouse. He’d made the commitment, and he would see it through, but he didn’t relish the idea of having this talk with Stacy. Perhaps he would soften her up during the Cape Cod trip and then break the news. Their breakup would be for show only; he didn’t really intend to lose the woman he’d lost his heart to. All he wanted was for Ned to think that they broke up, and then when everything was settled, he would get back together with her.

Marco walked to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Stacy. She was coming straight from work, and they were going to have lunch together. He took a table and sure enough five minutes later, she walked in. No man was luckier than him. She was the epitome of beauty and grace. He was delighted to have her in his life and didn’t want to give her up because of that stupid Ned.

“How are you, handsome?”

“Good, and you.”

She took a seat and then cocked her head. “Another bad day?”

Man
. He was sometimes astounded at her perceptiveness. “The job has its ups and down. But don’t worry, I have things under control.”

“I’ve no doubt you do. So shall we order?”

“Yeah? Wine?”

She wrinkled her brow. “Maybe just one glass. I don’t want to go back to office tipsy.”

“I am sure it will give your boss a thrill to see the fun side of you.”

“All my sides are fun, thank you very much.” She stuck her tongue out at him. When the waiter came, they both ordered the house wine and placed their orders. He chose pasta while she wanted a sandwich. As it was, they would end up sharing each other’s meal. It was so amazing to him that he could fall into this rhythm with her so easily while he never shared such relationship with another woman. There were so many firsts in this relationship, and he was quite positive that as time went on, there would be more of them.

“Is everything set for our Cape Cod plan?”

“I’ve already booked the tickets,” he said. “And my bag is packed.”

“Can’t wait. It will be nice to chill on the beach. It’s a little cold to go in the water, but I don’t mind wedging in front of the ocean and staring at the waves. There is something positively soothing about the sound of the ocean. It’s eternal, consistent.”

“Right.” He eagerly grabbed the glass of wine that the waiter brought over and took a sip. The wine slid down his throat, smooth and soft. “I am sure we will do more than just sit on the beach.”

“You have a one-track mind.”

“Hey, I was talking about some walking and shopping.”

“Yeah right!” She tapped her fingers on the desk. “Although I don’t mind shopping, it’s been a while since I went on a relaxing holiday. My vacations with Ned were…” She stopped and grimaced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up.”

“It’s ok.”

“It’s just that my life with you is so different and easy that I can’t help but compare. He was an ass, and you’re so wonderful.”

“I sure do like the compliments.”

“Well, you deserve them. We’re good together, aren’t we?”

There was a strange, wistful note in her voice. It was almost as if she sensed that he was upset over something that concerned her. “We are the best together.”

They smiled at each other. Marco was tempted to tell her the truth right then and there, but he didn’t want to spoil this moment. She wasn’t going to be happy with his decision. Of course, they would be putting on a show for Ned, but it still diminished something in their relationship. At the same time, he felt as if he didn’t have a choice. He had to show some concern for his friends who were languishing in jail due to Brandon’s stupidity and Ned’s stubbornness. No one cared about them, but he did. He owned at least that much to them. He would tell Stacy soon, and she would understand. She was a smart woman. Of course, she would be pissed, but when she understood his reasons, she would be ok with what he decided.

He sure hoped so.

If it didn’t play out the way he planned, he would lose her. But that was a possibility that Marco wasn’t prepared to consider. He loved her, and they would be together forever. That was all he believed, and that was just how it was going to play out.

Chapter Nine

Something was wrong with Marco. Stacy could tell that he was under a lot of pressure, but it had been three days and he still hadn’t told her anything. She was trying to give him all the space he needed. If it had something to do with his work, she didn’t want to push him. He would discuss it with her when he was ready. She wasn’t one of those clingy girlfriends who needed to know every aspect of their man’s life.

She trusted Marco.

When he needed her help or advice, he would tell her.

In the meantime, she was super-excited about their trip. They were leaving the next day—on Friday morning. She had taken a day off to make it a long weekend. It felt good, liberating. It was a long time since she did something fun and whimsical. As she tidied up her desk, Stacy thought about the fun things she would do with him. Of course, with Marco, even the simplest things were the best. She relished the idea of going for long walks, sitting and staring at the sunset while they sipped good wine, or perhaps making out on the sandy beach. She’d never done it outdoors. Maybe this was the time to try something new.

She giggled at the thought, as her friend came in. Jane was in charge of event planning. She and Stacy hit it off from day one because they had quite a few similarities in temperament. “So off tomorrow?”

“Bright and early in the morning,” she confessed. “Can’t wait, you know. It’ll be a blast.”

“I am sure it will be. So, when am I going to meet Mr. Macho?” Jane perched on the desk. “You’ve been keeping him hidden. Afraid I will give you some competition?”

Marco may have been a ladies man before he met her, but she hadn’t seen him give a second glance to a woman ever since they began to date. He was awfully sensitive about such matters, or perhaps he was so happy with her that he didn’t feel the need to check out other women. “You’ll meet him soon. Maybe after we come back, you and I could double date.”

“That’s a plan. Now all I have to do is grab a boyfriend while you are gone.”

“You’re the choosy one. There are plenty of men who would like to give away their right arm to date you,” said Stacy.

“So tell me something about him.”

Her friend lived for juicy details. Stacy sighed because the truth was, she wanted to talk about Marco. She wanted to talk about him all the time. Of course, she restrained herself because it wasn’t professional for her to harp on and on about her boyfriend. She opened a file on the laptop and attempted to work, but Jane’s steely glance was settled on her. There was no way she could work like this.

“Ok. Fine.” She huffed. “One thing…hmmm…when I look at him, my heart thumps hard in my chest, and I feel as if I can’t breathe.”

“Oh! That’s so romantic,” sighed Jane. “How is he in the bed?”

“Jane!”

“Don’t be a prude. One thing.”

Stacy rolled her eyes. Her friend wasn’t going to let go until she got something. The woman was a devil. “He has beautiful hands, and he sure knows how to use them.”

Jane giggled. “You lucky girl. I can’t wait to meet him. When you come back, I want to see him.”

“It’s a deal,” said Stacy. “Now go and let me work. I’ve got to finish all this before I take a day off.”

“Have fun.”

After Jane walked off, Stacy paid to full attention to her work. She was looking forward to the weekend, but she didn’t want her boss to be left with incomplete work. Hence, she worked later than she usually did. When she got out, it was already seven. She was supposed to meet Marco at her apartment at seven fifteen. She might just make it. Stacy rushed, but long lines at the subway stalled her. By the time she reached home, it was seven forty-five, and there was dinner yet to be prepared. Her heart thumped in her chest as anxiety simmered in her gut.

Would he be angry?

What would he say?

She opened the door with the key and stormed in. He was in the kitchen. “I’m so sorry. There were a lot of people, and then this old lady fell down and that delayed the whole queue, and I was trying to hurry but…”

He grabbed her arms. She nearly passed out with fright. “Stop it. What’s wrong?”

“I…” She stared into eyes, and somehow her anxiety reduced. “I just…”

“It’s ok if you’re late. Not a big deal. The only thing is that I started dinner, so you have to eat whatever I prepare.”

She wiped a hand on her brow, wondering what the hell was wrong with her and questioning when she would stop comparing him with Ned? It wasn’t fair to him. He didn’t deserve it, and neither did she. “I panicked. Got late, and somehow made it big in my head. Sorry.”

He brushed his lips over hers. Desire slid into her veins. “It’s ok. Everyone is allowed to fall apart once in a while. If I made a mistake, you would be kind enough to forgive me, right?”

“Of course.” She laughed, albeit a little shakily. “Sure. I should just go and change. Do you need any help here?”

“I’ve got things under control. I can’t cook fancy like you do, but I looked up this recipe on the internet and it seems easy enough.”

“I am sure it will be fine.”

She walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed. It appeared that she’d not been able to put her past behind. Even now memories of her bad marriage with Ned haunted her. Her panic attack was triggered by a memory that plagued her. Once she’d come home late and he was so angry that he gave a forty-five minutes tirade. She never forgot it.

Once she was more in control of her emotions, Stacy changed her clothes. When she walked out, light music was playing on the stereo. Marco was busy mixing the salad. “So I think it seems good enough. I made steaks and a fresh garden salad. Can’t mess up much with that, and there is red wine right over there. I have also got a soup which I think might need your expert touch. I did follow all the instructions, but somehow it doesn’t look as good as it should.”

She was a little amused by his sincerity. “You didn’t have to cook. It would have easier to order out.”

“I thought about it, but what the hell, I thought I might give it a try. Steaks, I have done before, so these should be ok. If the soup is a disaster, we can chuck it.”

She took a look at the soup. “The color seems ok.” She tasted it. “Just lacks a bit flavor. We’ll add some more chicken stock and salt.”

They worked alongside each other in peaceful harmony. He opened the bottle of wine, and they drank as they prepared dinner. It was just one of those perfect moments that she never enjoyed before with anyone. Another first with Marco. He set the table and even set a candle in the middle and lit it. She mixed the dressing and drizzled it over the salad.

They carried the food over to the table. “So all set for tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes, I handed over all my work, so my boss shouldn’t have complaints. I think it’s going to be a great weekend, one of the many that are sure to follow.”

A strange look crossed his eyes. It was gone before she could decipher it. “Sure, of course.”

They ate. “The steak is quite good actually.”

He laughed. “It’s not your standard, but passable. I think I will do better next time.”

“If you don’t like to cook, you don’t have to do it.”

“Oh, I can do it once in a while when you are busy or late. I don’t hate cooking. Since I am not good at it, I prefer to not do it, but knowing that you are there to correct the mess I make is comforting.”

His words made her heart swell with happiness. Sometimes he said things with so much sincerity and candor that she was amazed. Stacy never realized before that a relationship could be so easy. With Marco, there were no pretenses and no lies. They were who they were, and it was just luck that they fit together.

“Is your bag ready?”

“Brought it along with me so we can leave tomorrow from here. I’ll call a cab that will take us to the airport,” he said.

“My friend Jane wants to meet you. I promised her a double date when we come back.”

There was a slight pause, a brief hesitation. “Sure. We’ll manage it. I enjoyed your friend’s anniversary dinner the other day.”

“Please! I don’t think I will ever forget that look on your face when she broke into a song.”

“She wasn’t a bad singer.”

“She sang from the heart and that was all that matted,” said Stacy. “In any case, she has been known for grand gestures. Even her husband expects them now. Jane is different. Simple, direct, and bang on. She doesn’t mince her words.”

“I am sure I’ll like her.”

When dinner was over, they cleared the table. He washed the dishes while she stacked them in the dishwasher. Later, she cleaned the kitchen while he went out with the trash. “There, all done.”

“Come here now and give me a kiss.” He drew her in his arms and deposited a kiss on her lips. The taste of him was enough to make her burn with heat. “I missed you the whole day.”

“Maybe we should leave our work and just spend the days with each other.” She put her arms around his neck. “I wouldn’t mind doing it. We could live on the beach and collect food and vegetables from the fields to live. You could fish and hunt, and I will cook.”

“Sounds like an amazing plan. Have you done much camping?”

She raised her brow. “Never.”

“In that case, I suggest you give that plan another thought. I don’t think you can do without modern amenities like bathrooms and cell phones. No TV. No movies. No fancy clothes.”

“You’re ruining my romantic plans.”

“One of us has to be practical.” He kissed her on the lips. His arms tightened around her waist, and he gathered her close as if he couldn’t bear to let her go. “I love you.”

“And I love you more.”

“I doubt that.”

“Oh, in that case, I have to prove it to you.”

He carried her into the room and dumped her on the bed. She giggled as he lunged at her. He grabbed her and tickled her stomach. She laughed, as she tried to swat away his hands. “Leave me.”

“Never.”

She tried to tickle him back, but it seemed to have no effect on him. His hands were merciless. She laughed and squirmed, as she tried to push him away. The man was made of hard rock. She simply couldn’t fight him. “Ok, ok, fine. I give up. What do you want?”

He stopped tickling her and rubbed his hands. “Now we’re talking. Let’s see. For starters, I want you to take off your clothes.”

She sat and opened the zipper of her dress. Lifting it, she took it off and threw it aside. “Like this?”

“Yeah.” His gaze fixed on her breasts that were clad in a creamy, lacy bra. “Much better, but I want to see that off also.”

“Why don’t you take off your shirt then?” she suggested.

His fingers worked on the buttons, and he slid out of his shirt. The sight of his naked torso made her mouth salivate. He was good looking beyond words. And those muscles were not for show. He had strength—which he used sparingly but judiciously. Her fingers trembled, as she unhooked her bra and took it off. Her breasts tumbled out. She could see that he ached to touch her, but he undid the button on his jeans and took them off. When his cock sprang free from the confines of the tight material, she longed to touch the organ.

Instead, she slipped out of her panties. Her pussy was already warm and moist. Desire was a hot need that ran through her veins. He put his knee on the bed and then another. Straddling her, he looked down. She put her hands on the bed and arched her body. His cock brushed against her pussy and hot lances of desire skipped and sizzled through her muscles. She vibrated with need. Leaning forward, he kissed her. His mouth was hot on hers and demanding. Her tongue twisted and danced with hers while she ran her hands up his strong arms. His muscles rippled under the tips of her fingers.