Page 24 of Claimed By my Stepbrother
Knox pulls on a pair of boxer briefs and pulls me with him to the large platform bed. We settle in, and the cool silk sheets feel incredible against my warm skin.
Exhaustion overtakes us both quickly, and our eyes close as we align our bodies. “Sweet dreams, babygirl,” he whispers, pulling me closer into him. A feather-light kiss lands on my cheek, and I smile.
“Goodnight, Daddy,” I mutter, already half asleep.
Chapter twelve
Take the Lead
Knox
It’sfinallyweddingday.
Sirena has been up since the crack of dawn, running around like crazy to help Emilia with last-minute details. They’ve been at the church putting up decorations since just after sunrise. Rowan, surprisingly, offered to pay for a decorator, but Emilia told him to save his money. She’s certainly not what I expected.
An hour before we’re actually needed, we walk into the church, and it’s a miracle that Rowan didn’t burst into flames. Though, to be honest, I’m surprised I didn’t either, after some of the shit I’ve done.
As soon as watchful eyes were off of him, Rowan snuck off with his best—and only—friend, Sammy, most likely to get loaded on booze and cocaine. Ironically, Sammy is also Rowan’s divorce lawyer, so this day is really a celebration for him, too.
Sirena comes to find me, needing help carrying a few things before she and Emilia go get ready. After I’m dismissed, I make my way around looking for my Uncle Arman. It doesn’t take long to find him sitting alone in the chapel looking rough.
I sit beside him, making small talk and strategically offering him some booze. I’ve got a massive fucking favor to ask him, and I know he isn’t going to take it well, so I need the liquid courage.
We continue talking—and drinking—while we wait for the wedding to start. I must have been taking deeper pulls on the flask because I’m feeling pleasantly carefree by the time Rowan and Sammy stroll in, totally high, tripping over themselves as they get into position.
The processional begins, and Sirena walks down the aisle first. The mint green dress hugs her curves perfectly, showing enough to entice, but toeing the line of classy innocence. She winks at me as she passes, moving to stand at the altar, waiting for her mother. Seeing her here makes me impatient for the day I can put my ring on her finger.
After the ceremony, I wait for everyone to clear out,then I finally push myself into doing what I came to do. “About that favor, Uncle?” I start. He looks at me, his brows raised, clearly not expecting me to do this here.
“Rowan needs to be stopped. He’s going to hurt that sweet woman and her daughter. You know it’s only a matter of time.”
“I hear you, Knox, but this is a very touchy subject. He is my little brother, after all.”
“He’s a menace to society,” I hiss, frustrated.
“Ah, aren’t we all, though?”
“Touché, but he takes it too far. He’s violent with women, and that is unacceptable. They aren’t going to be safe until he’s dead. If you won’t do something, I will.”
“Ah, ah, ah…watch your tone and words. You don’t move unless I say move. If he hurts her, I’ll end him. I’m the head of this family. You need to learn to remember that.”
“You’re right; My apologies, Uncle.”
Once we finish our talk, we head to the reception. Tomorrow we have the Lombardi’s funeral.This is the fucking gig.I try to remind myself that this is normal, but I know better. This isn’t even the first time I’ve gone to a wedding one day and a funeral the next, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
We danced the night away at the reception and finally tripped over ourselves as we threw off our clothes from the door to the bed as soon as we got home and made love all night.
I’m dreading leaving Sirena. The funeral shouldn’t take that long, but every moment away from her feels like an eternity. She blows me a kiss goodbye as I walk out the door to meet up with Arman.
Back at the same church where the wedding was held yesterday, we make our way to the front of the line to pay our respects. There are many people that I recognize from the organization here but also a fair number that I’ve never seen before. It’s clear from the turnout that the Lombardis were important, not just to the Cosa Nostra but to the community.
The priest sees my uncle and ducks behind a column. I’m not sure what Uncle Arman said to him yesterday, but the poor man is clearly trying to avoid being alone with him at all costs.
“Wait here,” Uncle Arman commands as Uncle Calyx and I sit in the pew, silently wondering what’s happening on the side of the church.
Uncle Arman returns a few moments later looking perplexed. When I start to ask what happened, he shakes his head, silencing me.
The priest walks up to the pulpit a few minutes later, clearing his throat to begin the funeral service for our murdered money launderers.
