Seduced By the Mafia Boss by Shayla Black
Dallas, Texas
June 12
11 p.m.
Havana
“Having fun, babygirl?” my husband asks, wrapping his arm possessively around my waist as we stand backstage at the packed concert venue, watching Sophie Larsen, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, sing her heart out for her screaming fans.
It’s a dream come true since I’m a fan myself…but I’m keenly aware of Ransom’s burning fingers pressing into my hip, holding me excruciatingly close—his silent communication that he aches to strip me down and sex me up. Despite really enjoying the show…I’m tempted.
Marrying Ransom Garrison three months ago was the most impulsive—and best—thing I ever did. We don’t care about the sideways, sometimes snide glances we get because of our age-gap. We’re beyond happy together.
Being related to the super-talented pop princess by marriage is a bonus. But Sophie is also an awesome person, friend, and sister-in-law. In fact, my husband’s whole family is amazing.
Life is almost perfect.
“Tons!” I shout in his ear to be heard over the music. “She’s so talented.”
“She really is.” Ransom turns to his grown son. “How’s this for a send-off, Ethan?”
My stepson—it’s weird to say that since we’re the same age—has been supportive of Ransom and me since day one. I’ll miss him once he leaves tomorrow. But it’s time. He’s a man. He’s ready to begin his own life.
“Pretty fucking awesome.” He flashes his father a grin—but he’s eyeing a blonde a year or two older, standing with a group beside Sophie’s husband, Rand. “Thanks for including me.”
“Always.” I smile at him. “We’re family. Don’t forget that when you go to San Diego and become the awesomest marine ever.”
Ethan grins at me. “You got it. I’ll see you two later. I’m going to go and…be friendly.”
When he bobs his head in the blonde’s direction and winks, I laugh, waving as he goes. My husband grips my hip tighter.
I turn to him. “Behave.”
He kisses me like a man who loves his woman, and I melt. “Why? You like me bad.”
Oh, I do.
“Hey, you two. No taking away from Sophie’s audience by putting on a show of your own,” Ridge, my husband’s youngest brother, teases as he wanders over, clutching his wife’s hand.
Those two are never far apart. They’re so obviously in love, like me and Ransom.
Ridge and Kristi got married on the same day, in the same venue, in front of roughly the same guests as Ransom and me. That probably seemed odd to some of our attendees, but it was perfectly logical to us since we had the whole family gathered in Vegas. Ridge and Kristi went first because they’ve got a baby on the way. Sophie was kind enough to sing for both ceremonies.
“Shut the fuck up,” my husband grouses. “You two got checked in well before the show. Some of us were on a delayed flight and only got into our rooms soon enough to shower and hear you ‘resting up’.”
Kristi blushes and hides her face in her hands. “Oh, my god. I want to die.”
“It’s okay, Little Red. That’s not the first time Ransom heard us getting busy. He was next door to us the night Sophie and Rand got married.”
“I’m pretty sure I heard you two making junior there.” My husband points to Kristi’s swelling belly.
Kristi closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Never mind. I need to die. Now.”
“Ignore them,” I tell her softly. “They’re too busy slapping each other on the back to dwell on your embarrassment.”
“You’re right.” Kristi nods. “Thank you.”
Ransom’s fingers dig a little deeper into my hip, the tips all but burning my skin through denim. “We’ll be sure to return the favor later. I hope you weren’t counting on sleeping.”
I tsk at my husband, but don’t say more because it’s likely to be a long, steamy night. Ransom might be thirty-four…but he doesn’t behave his age in bed. He’s on me constantly, and I love it.
Kristi pats her baby belly, watching Sophie in between songs, both glowing and vibrant on stage. “How does she have the energy for this? If I hadn’t napped this afternoon, I’d already be face-first in my pillow.”
Vanessa, my other sister-in-law, strolls up with careful nonchalance, blond hair mussed and cheeks rosy. Rush looks like a very satisfied husband, complete with a relaxed saunter and a big smile.
That explains where they’ve been…
His super-sweet wife rights her dress, smoothing it over her abdomen where she’s just starting to thicken around the middle.
A pang of envy tugs at me. All of my sisters-in-law are expecting. Sophie’s pregnancy is the most high profile and the farthest along. It’s also the reason for her concert tonight. This is her farewell-for-now show. It sold out within minutes in all eight cities. Then she’ll head home to nest with Rand—and think about whether she wants to continue a career in the public spotlight after the baby. Her husband takes a lot of good-natured ribbing as a small-town police chief for his high-profile wife, but like all of my husband’s brothers, he’s completely smitten.
Ridge raises a brow at them. “Did you have trouble finding the bathroom, Vanessa?”
She turns rosier. “A little.”
“Rush ‘helped’ you, huh?”
Vanessa fidgets even more. “A little.”
“For the last twenty minutes?”
Finally, her embarrassment gives way to laughter, and she whirls on her husband. “I told you they would notice.”
Rush gives her a devilish smile. “Oops.”
As Sophie begins the last song of the show, Rand heads over, shepherding a teenage boy and his guy friends in our direction. The blonde he came with is deep in a flirty conversation with Ethan.
“I didn’t get to introduce y’all earlier,” Rand says to his brothers and the wives. “This is Dustin. He helped Sophie and me escape the parade after shots were fired. We promised him an up-close-and-personal payback for his help.”
“Thank you for everything.” Ransom automatically extends his hand.
Without Dustin’s assistance, Sophie and Rand may not have made it out of the crowds and chaos alive that fateful Fourth of July. Thankfully, they got to safety, and the police caught the shooter Sophie’s former manager hired to kill her a few days later. The evidence the investigators dug up among Dorinda’s effects helped to convict him.
Dustin shakes with my husband, looking at me a little longer than Ransom will like. Sure enough, the minute he pulls his hand free, he slides his arm back around my waist, fingers pressing urgently into my hip. The gentle bite of his grip is likely to leave a faint bruise.
I suck in a breath. My husband knows I love his marks on my body, so he leaves them every chance he gets.
There’s an important, nine-month mark he’d love to leave on you…
So far, I’ve put Ransom off. I’m only eighteen. We just got married. We have plenty of time for kids, right?
But he wants more children. You want them, too. Age is just a number.
Ransom introduces me as his wife. I know the expression on Dustin’s face. He wants to know why I married someone so much older. But Dustin doesn’t understand. Most people don’t—and that’s all right. We do. That’s all that matters.
Rand makes the rest of the introductions. The blonde with Dustin is apparently his sister, who’s a huge fan of Sophie’s…but she must like something about Ethan because she hasn’t taken her eyes off of him since he sauntered in her direction.
After some chatter, Dustin, his pals, his sister, and Ethan listen to the end of Sophie’s final number, then head out in the limo she hired for their fun.
“Wish you were going with them?” my husband asks.
I know they’re all my age, and they’re going to have a blast, but… “No. I’m right where I want to be. How soon before we can go upstairs so I can show you?”
“You’re playing with fire, babygirl.”
I merely smile as Sophie exits the stage with one last bow and heads straight into Rand’s waiting arms. Rush and Vanessa both hug her next and commend her on a great set. Ransom and I join in, along with Ridge and Kristi.
It’s one of those shimmering moments of happiness that makes me know I’m exactly where I should be.
“Twitter is already saying how amazing you were,” Kristi tells Sophie. “People are losing their minds. I’m retweeting some of this stuff. It’s gold!”
“Thank you.” Soph flashes her a bright smile, arm still curled around her husband’s. “If you’re serious about changing jobs and becoming my assistant, you’re hired.”
“Tania really isn’t coming back?”
Sophie shakes her head. “She loves being a new mom. In fact, she loves it so much, she’s pregnant again. So…she’s decided to stay home with the kids. And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have on my team more than my best friend.”
“Yes!” Kristi says so loudly the backstage crew turns to stare. “Seriously yes.”
The pop princess looks stunned. “I wish. But you’d have to move here…”
Ransom looks at Ridge, who stares back. They both nod. Now is the time.
“Funny you should mention that…” my husband says. “Ridge and I have been talking. Now that Ethan is out of school and leaving for training, there’s nothing holding us in Vegas. In fact, we’d both like distance between us and the remnants of the Donzelli clan, even though Sal is going down for life and Donzelli himself for much longer. The rest of the organization has scattered to the dark corners like the roaches they are. But we’d rather not tempt fate, and it was never really home for either of us.”
Ridge nods. “So we’re relocating and setting up shop here.”
Rand looks stunned for a moment, then his grin widens. “That’s the best fucking news I’ve heard in…well, since Soph told me she was pregnant. I’ll have two of my brothers nearby. Mom will be thrilled, and the kids can grow up together.”
Sophie takes Ridge’s hand. “Thank you for not separating me from my bestie.”
He sends her a rare expression of softness. “She didn’t want to leave you, either. How could I say no?”
This party just keeps getting better.
Ransom and I have talked about this move a few times. I have nothing but bad memories of Vegas. My flighty aunt declined my wedding invitation, so Ransom’s family is all the family I have. They’re so kind and accepting. The chance to live closer to them simply made sense. Besides, I have my eye on attending vet school at Texas A&M someday.
“Can we, um…add to the happiness?” Rush cuts in. “Vanessa and I are moving here, too. We talked about it last night.”
I squeal with delight. I love all my sisters-in-law, but Sophie and Kristi have a bond that spans decades, and I have so much in common with Vanessa. “Really?”
Vanessa nods excitedly, her pale curls sliding over her slender shoulders with a bounce. “My dad decided to retire from the Agency and move to Key West. Apparently, he met a woman. So—”
“I’m leaving the Agency, too,” Rush puts in, then slants a glance my husband’s way. “It was time for Douglas to retire, and I can’t stand the douchebag I’d be working for if I stayed. Plus, y’all are going to be here now. Got an open position for me?”
Ransom and Ridge exchange a glance, along with an instant, non-verbal conversation. “Absolutely. Welcome to the team!”
“Thanks.” Rand grins.
They shake and seal the deal. I stare, stupefied. Within weeks, we’ll all be living in the same state. And if I know these brothers, they’ll choose living on the same block if they can manage it. My in-laws will be thrilled. And best of all, we’ll really, truly be a family. Our kids will grow up with cousins and good times and belonging, in a way I didn’t.
No, their kids. You’re waiting to have yours, remember?
Nibbling my lip thoughtfully, I follow everyone to the private room Sophie has set up for our family dinner at a nearby hotel. Through the food, laughter, and conversation, thoughts keep niggling through my head. Oh, I enjoy myself. Any time the eight of us get together, we have a blast. I feel truly included. But in the background, my whirling thoughts won’t stop.
When the meal is over, Sophie and Kristi both rub their bellies, pleading exhaustion. But I see the expressions they’re giving their husbands. They might be going to bed…but I don’t think it’s to sleep quite yet. Vanessa says she’s ready to “turn in,” too. Their husbands all look thrilled. After hugs and handshakes, everyone heads to their own rooms.
Ransom lets me into ours with a frown. “What’s the matter? You got quiet on me. You rethinking the move? We don’t have to relocate if you’re not sure. I can work remotely from Ridge and Rush.”
“No,” I assure him. “I’m down for the move. I’m really excited, in fact. It’s just… We’ll be the only ones without kids.”
“Is that what you’re worried about?” My husband brings me closer, enfolding me in his arms and cradling my face in his hands. “Don’t. There’s no rush. It will wait a few years. I know you have ambitions, and I would never want to take those from you.”
It’s one reason I love Ransom. Okay, he’s handsome as hell and dazzlingly talented in bed, but he listens. And he cares what I think. Hell, he lives to make me happy.
Tears well in my eyes. “I needed to hear that.”
“Of course. Babygirl, your happiness is everything to me.”
“And yours is everything to me,” I murmur, melting in his protective arms.
For long minutes, we don’t say anything. He strokes my back with a big, comforting hand. “We’ll do it when you’re ready. If you’re ready. I’ve already been a dad, so…”
But not the way he wanted to be. He wants to convince me that he’s not missing out by waiting, but sixteen was too young for Ransom to become a father. And Lydia wasn’t any sort of partner in parenting. In fact, he barely saw Ethan for the first five years. His ex used the boy as a crowbar and a bargaining chip. He turned out all right, thank god. But I know deep in Ransom’s heart that, more than anything, he wants to be an involved dad this time, from conception through graduation and beyond.
I’m the one stopping him from having that.
Well, I have been.
“Take off your clothes,” I tell him as I back out of his embrace and drop every stitch I’m wearing.
It takes him a second to stop gawking and comply. “My pleasure.”
By the time, he’s stripped, I’m digging through his overnight bag for the box of condoms I know he brought. We found out the hard way that my body can’t tolerate the pill, so we’ve been gloving up each and every time since.
“I’ll get those. Definitely going to need a few tonight.” He comes toward me, all stiff cock, broad shoulders, and black eyes burning with desire. “At least.”
Finally, I find them and pull the box free. “No, you won’t.” Then I make my way to the trash can and let them drop with a clang. “How would you feel about getting me pregnant?”
Ransom stops breathing. “Now?”
I do a little mental math. “I’m probably fertile.”
He swallows. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Did I misread him? “I mean, if you want to. I thought—”
“Oh, I do. I asked if you’re sure. Because there’s nothing I’d like more. But what about vet school?”
“I’ll still go. Maybe a little slower than I might have if we didn’t have babies. But you, our family, and love… Nothing is more important. I’ll never feel complete without them.”
A soft smile breaks across his face as he saunters closer and lifts me into his arms, carrying me to our bed. “Well, then. Let’s get you pregnant, babygirl. You’re going to be a great mom.”
I cup his face as he settles on top of me, slides inside me—blessedly bare—and seats himself deep. “You’re going to be the best dad ever.”
“Yeah?” He works slowly into my body, and I start to melt. “How about, right now, I focus on being the best husband ever.”
“You already are,” I gasp out as our breathing syncs up.
“Hmm. The best lover ever?”
Since I’m already halfway to orgasm? “You definitely are.”
He grips my hips and begins to pick up his pace. “I love you, Havana Garrison.”
“I love you, too. Forever.”
We pass the night together, trying to make our dreams of a family come true.
A month later, as we’re spending the first night in our new Texas house, Ransom and I finish unpacking the boxes with daily essentials, then he takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom. There’s a bag on the counter.
“While I grabbed fast food, I picked this up, too.”
Without looking, I know it’s a pregnancy test. “Do you think?”
“You missed your period.” He grins.
“I did. And my breasts…”
“Swollen and tender.” His grin widens.
I bite my lip, almost afraid to get my hopes up, despite the fact that all month we’ve been totally gloveless and incredibly active. Then I tear into the box. Three minutes later, I’m staring at a plus symbol.
Eyes tearing, I drop the stick and throw my arms around my husband. “We did it, Ransom! I’m so excited!”
“Oh, babygirl. I couldn’t be more thrilled. Life is absolutely perfect. Thank you.”
The tears fall. “No, you’ve made my life perfect. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. Let’s celebrate.”
“Call the family?” We should.
“Um, later. First…” Silently, Ransom strips me bare, covers me with kisses, washes me clean in the shower, then worships me in our bed until I’m dirty again.
Life didn’t turn out the way I expected. It’s even better, and we have thousands of bright tomorrows to anticipate together, one perfect shimmering day at a time. I can’t wait.
Thank you for reading Seduced by the Mafia Boss! If you enjoyed it, please review and recommend it to your reader friends. That means the world to me!
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