Read Yours Book 3: Life Mastered Online
Authors: Blue Saffire
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Other books by Blue Saffire
Also available….
Legally Bound 2: Against the Law
Legally Bound 4: Allegations of Love
Legally Bound 5.0 Sam: Illegal Matters
Coming Soon…
Ballers 2
Brothers Black 2
Legally Bound 5.5: Legally Unbound
Yours 3
Mastering Life
Blue Saffire
Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
Bay Shore, New York
Copyright © 2016 by Blue Saffire.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Blue Saffire/Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 5253
Bay Shore, New York/11706
www.BlueSaffire.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
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Yours 3 Mastering Life/ Blue Saffire. -- 1st ed.
It is here, I stand, and it is here that I make the decision to master myself. I am the one responsible for my happiness. So it is here that I set myself free.
―
Blue Saffire
Preface
Nick
“Care to explain what’s going on,” the thick Irish accent, on the other end of the phone asks.
“Yes, I would like to know the same thing. This is an odd time to be calling,” the next voice says.
Nick looks at Kevin and nods his head, feeling like if he repeats what happened on that phone call one more time, his head will explode. It was taking everything in him not to start this manhunt tonight. The only thing that had him on a plane, waiting to take off for Jamaica, was the fact that he had a greater desire to find out from his soon-to-be-wife, what the hell she has been up to.
Nick couldn’t believe Sephora was digging into this bullshit behind his back. Everything was now starting to make sense. This bastard had been relatively quiet for a while now. The A&T deal Nick could understand, the prick targeting his business deals at random was nothing new. However, all the rest of it had stumped him at first.
Now that he knew Sephora was the one fanning the flames, it all made perfect sense. Nick just wanted to understand what was going on in her head. He told her how dangerous this all could be. Nick was fuming on the inside because he felt, somehow, he failed to make this clear enough to Sephora.
He just needed to know why she put herself in danger like this. Sephora was too smart for her own good sometimes. Nick knew she was close. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be a threat. He’d realized when she found the encrypted file on A&T’s server that she may have outmaneuvered his whole team in that one move.
That was saying a lot because Nick had access to nothing but the best. However, he had always known Sephora is nothing short of a genius. He just couldn’t bring himself to drag Sephora into this wild goose chase. It already seemed like the rest of them had been on it, for eight years.
Having to be so cautious didn’t help matters. That had been what made it all seem so far out of reach. Nick felt like he would never find the truth because they had to move with twice the caution with each step they took.
Unfortunately, for everyone involved, Nick was no longer willing to move with such caution anymore. That was the purpose of this call. Nick had dropped the gavel and war was declared. He was willing to answer to whoever he had to, to make sure what was his remained safe.
Whoever, this scumbag has banked on one fact, all these years. Two families were linked to that investment, eight years ago, that no one was willing to cross. Nick, the Emilssons, Ligals, Hiltons, and Carvers would all play nice, because of their silent partners.
Well, once again this mystery man had calculated wrong. His first false assumption was; that Nick would take a threat to his woman so lightly. The next false assumption was; that Nick gave a shit about pissing off two crime families by protecting what was his.
This was a grave mistake. One thing Nick knew for sure, this person was smart, but not as smart as he apparently thought himself to be. He had missed out on a few key things.
One, unknown to most the Mairetties had been family friends of the Lincoln’s for generations. Nick has been aware of the depth of the Mairettie family for quite some time now. This knowledge was something his father passed to him, once Nick became of age to really understand the ins and outs of all of FLI.
Two, the new head of the O’Brien family has a greater invested interest in these affairs. Cole “Brooklyn” O’Brien, head of the O’Brien clan, is the son of Athena Black-O’Brien. None other than the nephew of Joseph Black. Brooklyn is also heavily respected and connected through the Black name.
One thing to be known about Cole, or Brooklyn as everyone knows him. He is fiercely loyal to his family. He is also very tight with all seven of the Black brothers. Brooklyn has been lurking in the shadows waiting for his uncle to give the word.
One quick text to Joe Black and Nick was able to get that word in motion. All he needed to do now was tell the Irish Lord and the Italian Capo why he was calling in this favor so soon.
“Brooklyn, LaSalle, this is Kevin. Nick received a call tonight concerning Sephora. This phantom has changed the game. He threatened her life. Nick is tired of waiting and taking things slow. Sephora may have stepped on this guy’s toes and dug into something he doesn’t like,” Kevin says in response on Nick’s behalf.
“What do you need,” Sam all but growls.
Anyone that knows LaSalle knows he has no patience for threats against women. Nick had once seen his handy work when a client at Club Desire took things too far without the female sub’s consent. It wasn’t pretty. Sam had just happened to be at the club that night, on a friendly visit with the Twins, Ramses and Remi.
Nick had been stunned to see the usually quiet man, change into a vicious killer right before his eyes. Until then, Nick only thought the rumors were just that, trumped up rumors. Nick quickly learned that there is indeed a difference between, Sam Mairettie the businessman and LaSalle Locatelli the Capo.
“I will warn you now; there is a chance this can all get messy financially for the group. FLI and our partnership are not my priority anymore. I am going at this son of a bitch hard, but I can promise all parties involved when the smoke settles, I will recoup any losses and double our interest to make up for the mess I am about to cause,” Nick says coolly, boldly telling what he plans and not asking.
“You will get no arguments from me. My cousins have already shared with me a wee bit about the Lass you plan to marry. Ryan had a hunch she’s been up to something. Once he had his little run in, it became my intention to cause a little trouble. I have a fire to put out here, but I will be stepping in with my cousins from here on out,” Brooklyn replies his accent, so thick Nick found himself leaning in to make sure he heard him clearly.
“You have whatever you need from me,” Sam adds. “We are doing more than well. If we take a hit, I will smooth things over with my uncle.”
“Fuck the money,” Brooklyn snorts. “I shit what we have made over the last six years. Do what you have to, Nick. You don’t even have to ask. You have the full support of the O’Brien clan,” Brooklyn rumbles. “LaSalle, I need to see your ass when I get to the States.”
With those parting words, Brooklyn disconnects from the call. Nick shakes his head, so typical of the man. Brooklyn has always been straight forward.
Sam’s chuckle comes through the line, and Nick knows he is thinking the same thing. “Sometimes I wonder if he thinks he’s my boss,” Sam says in amusement. “Good night gentleman.”
“Nick,” Craig’s voice comes through the phone tightly.
Nick’s heart squeezes in his chest. No one could prove it, but everyone suspected that the son of a bitch they were now gunning for had taken something from most of their little circle. Nick knew what Craig was saying without the words having to have been said.
All the guys were listening in on this call. No matter their differences, they had all been brought closer together when it came to this subject. Since Nick lost everything, they had all been there for him and he for them, even when they couldn’t link their tragedies to the phantom and just had sinking suspicions. They had torn at each other’s throats but also had come closer together.
No, Craig didn’t have to say a word. Nick knew what he was asking him for. It was time for the piper to be paid and Nick would make sure all debts were accounted for.
“It’s settled. I’m declaring war on all parties that have been involved in this, and I don’t plan on stopping until I take them all down,” Nick bites out.
“Thanks,” Craig whispers.
~B
~
Sephora
Jamaica…The night before Nick’s scheduled arrival…
Ryan
: I’m not ignoring you. Something has just come up.
Me: I think I need your help.
Ryan: Yeah. Wish you would have come to me sooner, Sweetheart.
I just stare at my phone and wrinkle my brows. I have been trying for almost two weeks to get in touch with Ryan, and now he finally texts me back, but something feels off. I look at his words trying to make sense of them.
I thought we were past all the awkward stuff and my relationship with Nick. Ryan is great, but nothing was ever going to come of it, so I am having a hard time understanding the tone of his text. Shaking my head, I reply.
Me: What?
Ryan: You still don’t get who Nick is, do you? Men like him never stay in the dark when it comes to the ones they love. Don’t worry. It’s being taken care of.
I narrow my eyes as I read his reply. Once I absorb the words, a shock of panic runs through me. When I spoke to Nick, he sounded so happy to be on his way here in the morning.
Nothing in his voice gave away that he knows what I have been up to. We talked until I heard him lightly snoring on the other end. I called his name until he answered me and told him to go to bed.
We ended the call on I love yous, and he promised me a sloppy kiss when he arrives. There was nothing about it all to suggest that something was wrong. And believe me, if Nick knew how deep I have gotten myself in this in the last two weeks, outside of the watchful eye of Nick and his security team, he would hit the damn roof.
I decided to move forward to answer the questions that have been nagging me. I just need Wyatt’s help in knowing what to do from here. That is why I have been texting Ryan. I tried Noah and Braxton too, but their lines went to Nellie and Heather at the office. Apparently, they have both been out on assignment.
I was tempted to ask Nellie for help, but I thought better of it at the last minute. I almost asked her to speak to Wyatt directly, but I have to say I’m a little intimidated by him. I’ve said it once before; Noah is a teddy bear. Ryan and Braxton are like the two brothers you go to for advice or to beat someone up when they hurt you. Or you go to them to make you pee your pants laughing when you have a bad day.
Wyatt, on the other hand, is intense. He has a sense of humor, but he also has this vibe that tells you to watch what you say or do, especially when it comes to Nellie. Honestly, he reminds me too much of Nick. So for the same reasons I have yet to say something to Nick, I would not ask for Wyatt directly.
My plan is to wait until after the honeymoon to spill it all to Nick. At least that was my decision before Ryan finally responded to my text. Now I have this feeling of dread settling in as Ryan’s words wrap around me like ice cold fingers.
No, there is no way Ryan is telling me that Nick is on to me.