Wrapping my arms around him, I squeeze tight. As if my tiny, little grip can possibly hold us together.
Max
I tap the top of the Chrysler with my palm and then step back as Carter slowly cruises away with Cassidy in the back seat. She twists around, her golden eyes wide and fixed on me.
As I watch them exit the driveway and disappear out of sight, it takes every piece of restraint to stop myself from chasing after her.
Things are not right.
I jump into Romeo - fuck, the Rover, and drive off before I start to think too much. Think about her soft mouth stretched around my cock in the shower, taking me deeper than most girls can. Think about her teary eyed and swallowing around my thrusts.
I shouldn't have allowed it.
But I was a selfish bastard.
It's a ten-minute drive to Jimmy's, but it feels like a split second. His security waves me through the boom gate. Large hedges border the driveway like looming barricades, and atop every light-pole there are many sets of eyes watching my approach through cameras. We have good security at home, but nothing like what Jimmy has. It's a good thing he has it too. He's got enemies - more than he thinks, perhaps.
I park in my spot, beside Butch's car, and jump out. I take note that Bronson's bike is missing, but I don't need to speculate as to why. He doesn't have the levelheadedness for this side of the business.
As always, the front door opens for me before I can ring the bell. The young maid, who I'm sure gets down on her hands and knees and wears a collar for Jimmy, ushers me inside. His love of submission is well known.
I stride past her and head straight towards the boardroom, growing further agitated with every step.
We'd set this meeting a few days ago, but due to Cassidy's delicate condition, I cancelled. At that mere thought of her, heat rushes into my head.
As I approach the boardroom, Jimmy's thick Sicilian accent sounds through the door. "This is distasteful business."
My teeth mash together. Him speaking in English means he has Australian soldiers in there ready to intervene if things turn south.
"He threatened my family, Jimmy," Butch states, his tone harder than normal but not hard enough given the crux of the conversation.
I push the door open, causing it to hit the brick wall with a thud. The sound renders the room silent. I didn't mean to do that. Happy accident.
Clay and Butch turn to acknowledge me with tight smiles while Jimmy stares deadpan at me from across the room. Two overweight soldiers sit casually on stools at the small bar. Hostility gathers around us. My eyes stay fixed on Jimmy as I round the table, sit beside Clay, lean back, and fold my arms across my chest. I should have been here earlier, but I was with Cassidy - I don't rush those moments.
Jimmy ignores my rude interruption and looks back at Butch. "You don't know, se? The boy had ulterior motives. He could have organised this alone."
Bullshit.
Butch drains his whiskey before pressing, "He sent her down there. Xander confirmed it. I trust my son's instincts; you should too."
Her. I bite my tongue to stop from growling.
Jimmy tsks. "And you're so sure he knew what would happen?"
And now I want to lunge across the table and rip out his tsking tongue.
Jimmy leans back into his seat. "I don't want my family at odds. I will talk with Dustin-"
"That's not enough," Butch interrupts, glancing at me sideways, knowing I'm losing what little restraint I have. I'm glad he can see it. My aggression feels tightly coiled, and the grip I have on that coil is slipping.
"Luca." Jimmy appears almost exasperated. "You know he's got the Australian blue-collar fucks wrapped around his finger. Iddi sù devòti. Just like us. You know they won't work with Sicilians. We lose Dustin, or worse, he takes up alliances elsewhere, we lose the truckers, our mines, our diamonds."
Clay nurses his whiskey instead of drinking it, keeping his mind sharp and his temper in check. He's a tall, business-type man now, but I remember the egotistical cut-snake he was at my age. Although, it'd be hard to believe that looking at him now. He's annoyingly polished these days. Logical. This is the first time I've seen him since he got back from his honeymoon, but I imagine Butch has filled him in. He is his heir, after all. His heir, yes, but my brother and our code of loyalty is impenetrable.
"I could do it," Clay says smoothly. "I could make the deals up in the Kimberley."
"No, my boy." Jimmy dismisses him with a wave of his hand. "You're going to need to keep squeaky clean if you're to run for a councillor position next year. And not just you, all of you. We can't afford any attention." He looks dead at me. "Keep your business clean."
He best be referring to his business and not my relationship with Cassidy. "Your business," I mutter angrily.
"Our business, Max," Clay corrects me.
Butch notices my expression, the heat now spreading to my neck.
"Jimmy," Butch snaps, drawing Jimmy's attention back to him. "I want to deal with Dustin myself-"
"We are not having this conversation," Jimmy says, feigning composure as he cracks his knuckles in front of him. "No one is to discuss this with Dustin."
"I have spent the better part of my life making uncomfortable truths disappear for you, but this one will not just disappear," Butch states, his brows weaved in tight.
"No, I believe it won't," Jimmy replies.
"Let me take care of it then," Butch says, his voice low.
"No." Jimmy opens his arms to us, pretending to welcome our concerns but squashing them all the same. "It pains me. I'm not happy with how things went down. I am very fond of our Cassidy-"
"Don't fucking say her name," I hiss.
Jimmy stiffens. "I think that's just about enough out of your mouth today,
