Beautifully Brutal (Southern Boy Mafia #1) (32 page)

“Now you’re free,” Max told his mother. “You’re free to do whatever it is you want to do.”

“I want to support my children,” Genevieve said softly. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Max didn’t say anything to that. He’d been born into this life, and there was no turning back. Regardless of what decisions had paved the way, this was where he was, who he was. And he didn’t plan to turn back now. The question that he still needed to answer was how it worked without his father in the picture. Unlike in the movies, Samuel Adorite wasn’t the Godfather, he wasn’t the one who’d garnered respect and established the relationships. That had fallen on Max, so even with Samuel out of the picture, their businesses wouldn’t be affected.

But how he handled things in the coming days would likely make all the difference in the world.

And Max simply had to figure out what he needed to do.

And then he needed to do it.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Loyalty. It’s a requirement.

Three and a half weeks later

Friday

“Where do you think you’re goin’?” Max asked Courtney when she attempted to slip out of bed. It was too early to get up, as far as he was concerned. However, it was never too early to…

She smiled back at him, a mischievous smirk that made his body harden instantly.

“Don’t think I’m lettin’ you out of this bed just yet,” he told her as he rolled onto his back and watched as she sat up, the sheet shielding his view of her stunning breasts.

“Well, I thought maybe you’d want to…” Her grin widened. “Oh, never mind.”

Max laughed, then pulled her back down on top of him. “Thought I’d want to what?” he asked, burying his face in her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. “Thought I’d want to do
this
?”

Adjusting his position, Max slid one finger into her pussy. Yep, she was already wet, but he’d expected that since he’d spent the last half hour teasing her while she slept, or pretended to sleep, which he figured was more likely.

Courtney moaned, her hand sliding over his rigid cock, stroking him until his breath lodged in his throat.

“No,” she told him, breathless. “I was thinkin’ of somethin’ more like this.”

She slid down his body until her mouth hovered inches above his dick. Her breath fanned the engorged head, and he couldn’t look away. Her little pink tongue darted out, caressing the tip. He sucked in a breath, his hands gripping the sheet beneath him.

“I like your way of thinkin’,” he told her. “Go ahead, suck me. I’ll watch.”

Courtney’s sexy lips wrapped around the head of his cock, her teeth scraping sensually. Her eyelids lowered as she laved him with her tongue, the delicate rasp along the underside making his dick pulse in her mouth.

“Don’t stop,” he told her. “Take all of me.”

Placing his hands behind his head, he propped himself up so he could watch her, feigning a casualness he didn’t feel as she blew his mind right along with his dick. For long minutes, he held himself in check, enjoying the warmth and suction of her mouth, the exquisite feel of her tongue curling around him… When she hummed, his hips thrust upward, driving his cock into her mouth. She wrapped one hand around the base, stroking in time with her mouth as she bobbed up and down on him.

“Damn,” he muttered harshly. “You’re gonna make me come. Is that what you want? You want me to come in your mouth?”

Her eyes slid up to meet his, and she nodded, increasing the suction of her mouth.

Reaching for her, he twined his fingers in her silky hair and pulled her head down, controlling the pace as his climax threatened.

“That’s it, baby. Suck me,” he growled. “Fuck.”

He kept his eyes trained on her, on his dick fucking her mouth until he couldn’t take any more. His hips bucked, his cock pulsing as he allowed his release to overcome him. Her eyes met his as she swallowed, her tongue darting out to lick him clean. It was the sexiest fucking thing he’d ever seen.

Then again, everything about Courtney—everything she said, everything she did, every fucking breath she took—was sexy.

Pulling her up his body, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hard, tasting himself on her tongue. He lingered, stroking her tongue with his while he got his breathing under control.

“What’re we gonna do today?” he asked, leaning back enough to see her face.

Courtney smiled. “It’s Ashlynn’s birthday,” she said sweetly. “We’re gonna party like rock stars. And later tonight…” She kissed his mouth. “You can return that favor.”

“In the club?” he inquired, loving the feisty side of his soon-to-be wife.

“If that’s what you want.”

“Oh, it definitely is,” he whispered, licking his way into her mouth once more. “More than anything.”

Twenty minutes later, Max was in his office while Courtney showered. He had business to attend to before they let loose for the night. And more importantly, he needed to have a conversation with Leyton.

As it was, they’d had to increase security tenfold. Now that he’d taken over the Southern Boy Mafia, moving into the role his father had held for years, things were changing.

Drastically.

Strangely, they were getting stronger, more powerful, garnering more respect. It was almost as though Samuel had been holding them back, which, no doubt, he probably had been. The man hadn’t been in his right mind for quite some time, and although Max understood Samuel’s overall objective, the way in which he’d gone about getting things done left something to be desired.

For instance, taking a thirteen-year-old as a bride for a payment of a debt.

Sitting in his desk chair, Max pulled out a folder he kept locked in the bottom drawer of his desk. It contained all of the information regarding every member of the Southern Boy Mafia. Not their personal information, though. Those details were locked in another safe, one that no one except for Max and his second-in-command knew. Which, at that point, was no one.

That was the reason for the meeting he’d scheduled with Leyton. He needed Leyton’s input on who would take over as underboss now that Max was boss. It wasn’t an easy decision.

“Mornin’, sir,” Leyton called when he came into the room.

“Mornin’. Have a seat,” Max stated, nodding toward the chair across from his desk.

Leyton kept his eyes firmly on Max.

Max hadn’t informed Leyton why he was calling him into his office so early on a Friday morning, but the other man clearly knew it was important. After closing the door behind him, Leyton took a seat, his eyes never straying from Max.

Leaning back in his chair, he ordered his thoughts.

“I need your opinion,” Max began. “I’ve given a lot of thought to the organization and the direction it needs to go.”

Leyton nodded.

“The leadership of the Adorite family, or Southern Boy Mafia”—Max grinned—“whichever you prefer to call it, has always remained within the family. We’ve always instated the next in line, which technically means that Brent would move into my previous role, however…”

Leyton lifted an eyebrow, but he didn’t speak.

“I’m not sure Brent’s ready, or even willing, for that matter, to take over that position. He’s got little initiative.”

“Have you talked to him?” Leyton inquired.

Max leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk. “At length, yes. He informed me that he’s not ready, but I’m inclined to believe that he’s never had the intention of taking over. He just never out-and-out admitted that part.”

“I’d have to agree,” Leyton stated, crossing his ankle over his knee and resting his hands on his stomach. “He’s content with the day-to-day, but as far as decision making, I don’t think he’s interested.”

“I know someone who is, someone I think would be able to handle the position brilliantly.”

“Ashlynn?” Leyton inquired.

Max had actually given plenty of thought to that. “I spoke with my sister,” Max told him frankly. “She was flattered, but she turned me down flat. However, she wasn’t my first choice, either.”

Leyton’s eyes narrowed on him, and Max knew he was trying to figure out what direction he was headed. So he decided to enlighten him. “I met with my brothers and sisters yesterday, as you know. And we came to a decision.”

“Which is?”

“My first choice for second-in-command has always been you.”

Watching his friend closely, Max fought the urge to smile when Leyton’s eyes widened, his jaw hanging open.

“Me? But I’m not…”

“Not what? Family?”

“Yes,” Leyton said firmly.

“We tend to disagree. Technically, no, you’re not family. There’s no Adorite blood in your family line, but that’s not the definition of family. At least not as far as I’m concerned.”

“What did they say when you suggested it?” Leyton’s eyes were still wide, but his cool demeanor had returned, as though their feedback wasn’t important. Max knew better.

“It was unanimous.” Leaning back in his chair once again, Max smiled. “So, that means if you’re willin’, then we’re offerin’ you the position. Just remember, with that power comes responsibility. And once in, never out.”

Leyton’s lips curved upward. “I’ve been in this from the beginning. You of all people should know that.”

“I know you have, which is the reason for my choice. You’ve never let me down.”

“What about Courtney? What did she say?”

Max smiled. “Courtney only had one concern, of course. She’s always the voice of reason.”

“And that was?”

“My safety. According to her, without you, I’m vulnerable.” Max had actually found their conversation amusing, but he’d understood her point. If Leyton were to move into the role, it left a hole in his own security, and with the position he was taking over, that was a serious aspect they couldn’t overlook.

“She’s a very smart woman,” Leyton replied. As he sat up straight, Leyton’s expression turned serious. “Who’ll take over my position?”

“I know who I’d suggest, but I’m gonna ask you to answer that one,” Max told him frankly.

“Dane,” Leyton stated without thought.

Max nodded. He’d been thinking the same thing, but he wanted Leyton to elaborate.

“The man took a bullet for your fiancée,” Leyton continued. “He’s proven his loyalty time and time again. Aside from Rock, he’s the only one I would trust with your life.”

“And what about you?” Max inquired. “Who’ll step into that position for you?”

Max could sense that Leyton didn’t think it was necessary, but there were precautions that had to be taken. In their world, the police were out to get them as much as anyone else, so expecting the good guys in blue to ride in and save the day was never an option. And as Courtney had said, they were vulnerable, even if they didn’t want to admit it.

“Can I have some time to think about it?” Leyton asked.

“Think about what? Taking over the position? Or who’ll be watchin’ your back?”

Leyton grinned. “You should always know that I’ll do whatever you need me to do, and I’ll do it to the best of my abilities, boss. If you trust me to help run this organization, I don’t have any questions. As for someone watchin’ my back, I’ll need to weigh my options. I’m not willin’ to take your security from you, which means I’ll have to get creative.”

“Will one of Ashlynn’s boys work?” Max knew that Ashlynn had more than they all did when it came to her security, but due to her position within the company and her visibility, that was necessary.

“No,” Leyton stated adamantly. “Those boys are right where they need to be. I trust them with her life, and that’s all that matters.”

Max considered that statement for a moment. His thoughts drifted back to the time he’d caught Leyton and Ashlynn making out in the hallway, and he wondered whether that had escalated. Surely he’d have known because he saw everything. If it had, they’d hidden it well. Then again, Max knew that not only was Leyton loyal to him but he was loyal to the entire family, which meant he’d go to all lengths necessary to ensure that Ashlynn was protected. Regardless of what his underlying reasons were, or if they were more personal than business.

“Oh, and one more thing…” Max watched as Leyton’s eyebrows lifted in question. “Second-in-command or not, I better not ever catch you fuckin’ my sister anywhere. Certainly not in my bed or my favorite fucking chair, or anywhere else in my goddamn house. Got it?”

Leyton’s confused expression amused Max. Yes, he’d heard that entire tirade the night he’d been shot and Leyton had saved his life. He’d never forgotten that, either.

When Leyton didn’t say anything, Max laughed. “We good?”

“Yeah,” Leyton said with a chuckle. “Whatever you say, boss.”

“Then it’s settled?” Max focused on Leyton again. “Effective immediately. We’ll announce tonight.”

“And my first assignment?” Leyton asked, getting to his feet.

“You can start by moving the fuck out of my house,” Max joked. “Check your account. You’ll find more than enough to get your own place.”

Leyton laughed, as Max had thought he would.

“My pleasure. It ain’t easy to sleep with all that moanin’ and groanin’ goin’ on in your room.”

Max smirked. “Trust me, that won’t be stoppin’ anytime in the near future. At least not if I have anything to say about it.”

Reaching out, Max waited for Leyton to shake his hand.

Leyton looked down, then placed his palm against Max’s. “You’ve always been like a brother to me. It’s an honor, boss. Truly.”

“Give it time.” Max chuckled. “The first time you’re shot, you probably won’t feel that way.”

“True. Very true.”