Loveshed: Married to the Mafia Read online

  But was that really Cassius’ fault?

  The family he’d been born into didn’t provide the best image of love and marriage.

  Truth – his father’s best friend showed his mother more love than his own father did. And Trevor had been a more present father figure in his life than James ever was. Though Trevor never said it, he knew that he loved him, his sister, and his mother. Out of respect and loyalty to James, those words never left his mouth, but every morning Trevor would text Cassius and tell him that he was proud of him.

  If he had it his way, Trevor would have been his father, not James. Trevor would have been his mother’s husband, not James. But that decision was out of his hands.

  Every day he watched his mother and Trevor stifle their love for each other he wanted to experience it less and less. If they didn’t value it enough to fight for it… it must not have been something special enough to worry about.

  Nah.

  Loyalty, money, power, respect, business… that shit came first.

  And it would always come first.

  Period.

  Still, that didn’t keep Cassius from desiring and being attracted to Treasure. A part of him felt like he wanted her as much because he couldn’t have her. That whole… forbidden fruit bullshit. But as he watched her ass jiggle as she left the living room, Cassius was sure she’d be the one to fuck his life up – not the other way around.

  “Where you going?” Cassius asked, eyes heightening as she turned and stopped.

  “Why?”

  Always blunt in his delivery, Cassius confessed, “’Cause when your brother gets here, I won’t be able to look at you no more, so I’m trying to take full advantage of his ass being late.”

  Treasure’s naturally low, slanted eyes tightened more as she smiled. “Keep on playing. Kam is going to get you.”

  She started walking away again but stopped when he said, “Nah. I’m tryna get you.”

  Her smile fell, but not soon after, her plump, round, glossed lips formed an even bigger one. Standing, Cassius slowly sauntered over to her. With every step he took, Treasure took one backwards – until her back was pressed against the wall. She inhaled a deep breath, eyes fluttering as his Bleu De Chanel filled her nostrils. They closed completely, but Treasure opened them when his hand gripped her neck.

  “Gimme a chance,” he requested, though he already knew what her answer would be.

  “To do what, Cash? Play with my heart?”

  Stepping closer, Cassius pressed his body into hers, begging his dick not to get out at the sound of her quiet whimper.

  “Why do you think that would be the outcome?”

  “Because I’ve been knowing you for years, and nothing lasts forever with you.”

  “Then be my nothing.”

  Her body weakened against him as she stared into his eyes. The sound of the front door opening had Treasure trying to push him away, but Cassius didn’t move immediately. He waited until she harshly whispered his name and clawed at his wrist to back away with a smile. Treasure scurried over to the couch and plopped down, grabbing the remote as she ran her hand across the high bun at the top of her head.

  Cassius leaned against the wall and took her in as she avoided his eyes at all costs. Since the moment he first laid eyes on her, he’d been infatuated with her light, reddish skin, slanted eyes, and high cheek bones. Not yet had he been able to taste her lips, but he wouldn’t die or rest until he had the chance to do so.

  “What’s up, nigga?” Kameron greeted, stepping into the living room. As he shook Cassius’ hand, he told Treasure, “Don’t you have a house or something to sell? Get lost.”

  With a chuckle and shake of his head, Cassius accepted the folder Kameron offered him as they walked over to the couch.

  “Fuck you,” Treasure grumbled. She made sure to bump his shoulder on her way out of the living room.

  It never failed – Kameron tried to keep them apart as much as he could. If he would have known traffic would be at a standstill on the interstate and he’d be late, he wouldn’t have told Cassius to come over as early as he did. Treasure was two years younger than Cassius and Kameron who were thirty-two. She was a Broker at one of the best black real estate companies in Memphis. But it didn’t matter how much money she made or independence she had, Treasure and Kameron planned to stay with each other until one of them got married.

  Cassius admired the bond they had, and that was partly why he didn’t fight for Treasure as hard as he wanted to either. Neither of their parents were in their lives, and their grandmother died when Kameron was seventeen and Treasure was fifteen. She would always tell Kameron that even in her sickness, she stayed alive for as long as she could to raise and take care of them. And when she felt like Kameron could handle it, she surrendered to her rest.

  Their grandmother died a month before his eighteenth birthday, and for that entire month, Kameron did all he could to prove that he was ready and capable of being Treasure’s guardian so she wouldn’t have to be put in the system. Estella stepped up on his behalf and promised to look in on them before and after Kameron’s birthday, and the Judge decided that they could remain in the home together since it was paid off as long as Kameron could maintain his grades while working.

  Both Kameron and Treasure had become a part of Cassius’ family, and he didn’t want to do anything to ruin that.

  “Cash…”

  “I don’t want to hear it. My Treasure still ain’t giving me no play because of your ass.”

  Kameron chuckled as he slipped off his shoes. “Stop fuckin’ with her too. You know I don’t play that shit, bro.”

  “Yea, yea.”

  Cassius opened the file and looked over the numbers presented to him. Kameron was Cassius’ personal accountant and tax preparer. He also handled the payroll for the employees of Cassius’ legit businesses. But there was a special project that wasn’t in place yet that Kameron was helping with, and that’s what Cassius was most excited about.

  He’d been talking to Trevor on and off for the past year about using their money, power, and influence to create a black wall street. Kameron had put together a presentation that would show Trevor what they needed to have upfront to create their own economy for black people in Memphis to start, then beyond.

  “How was your date? She make a sucka outta you yet?” Cassius teased, merely glancing at the numbers. He trusted Kameron enough to not question him too much. Plus, he was a master with numbers. There was nothing that Cassius could add to what he’d created to make it better.

  “Man…” Kameron’s head shook as he blushed. His left leg bounced while he ran his hand over his face. “She trying to. And I might let her.”

  Cassius smirked as he pulled his vibrating phone out of his pocket. The second he saw James’ name his smile fell, and irritation filled him. While he loved his father, he couldn’t stand his ass either. Between the disrespect, abuse, and cheating he subjected his mother to and the way he damn near held her captive, there was no respect for James within Cassius’ heart. Yea, he knew they were into that swinging shit back in the day, but he also knew that that was never what Estella wanted.

  She only settled for it because that was the only way she could have the man she truly wanted.

  And Cassius hated his father for putting his mother in that position.

  Cassius ignored the call and sighed as he tossed his phone onto the couch.

  “So when will you be able to meet with Pops to talk about this?”

  “Whenever Trevor is available, we can discuss it. I’m going to make it my priority because I believe in this shit.”

  Cassius looked down at his phone, and the only reason he answered James’ call was because he only called back to back when it was important.

  “Yea?”

  “You ain’t get my text, motherfucker?”

  “Fuck you want, Rock? I’m handlin’ some business.”

  “Trevor is dead. I ain’t wanna tell you like this. Wanted you al
l to come to the house. But I may as well just tell you now. He’s dead, son. I’m sorry.”

  Cassius sat up in his seat. His grip on the phone tightened, though he said no words at all. Kameron looked over at him, sensing the change in his mood.

  “You good, bro?” Kameron checked.

  Blinking rapidly, Cassius disconnected the call absently as he stood. “It’s Pops. Rock said he dead.”

  Kameron’s words began to grow quieter and quieter as Cassius exited the living room. Treasure rushed towards him, grabbing his arms and peering up at him with tears escaping her beautiful eyes. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and held him close, and all Cassius could do was stand there and let her hug him. No words, no thoughts, no actions were registering in his brain.

  It stopped the moment those words left his mouth… along with his heart.

  Trevor was his father – not James. He was his number one supporter. His mentor. The one who understood him best. His calm. His peace.

  Who in the fuck did he have now?

  Treasure

  He didn’t ask for her to, but Treasure followed Cassius home anyway. The strong, protector, and masculine part of him would never express his hurt and pain in front of anyone – if he expressed it at all. Treasure knew how close the two men were, so there was no doubt in her mind that Cassius would soon break. Whether it was in the form of rage or tears, Treasure felt it was her duty, her responsibility, to be near. Cassius pulled into his driveway first and let the garage up, she waited until his car was inside to park in the driveway.

  Even if he didn’t let her in, she’d stay there, in the driveway. Waiting on the moment he needed her.

  It didn’t matter how much Kameron wanted them to avoid each other, Treasure was head over heels in love with Cassius. It wasn’t the kind of love that forced her to have to have him, though. It was… the kind of love that required him to be safe and okay. Happy. And at peace. Whether they ever got together or not. There was no part of her that wasn’t crushed when a new woman came into his life, but that never lasted long.

  Treasure was confident and secure enough in herself and what she had to offer to know that any woman Cassius entertained would always be him settling since he couldn’t be with her.

  The light by the door cut on, so Treasure cut her car off, got out, and locked it. Quickly, she made her way up the walkway and the sight of Cassius when he opened the door made her shoulders slump and heart sink. Even in his despair, he was beautiful. He was trying his very hardest to show no emotion on his face… but Treasure felt it, and she saw it in his eyes.

  His usually deep, raspy voice was even raspier now, as if he’d cried and yelled the entire ride to his home when he asked, “What you doing here?”

  Treasure shrugged, unable to take her eyes off of his. They were red, dry. A little puffy. “I can go…”

  “No,” he interrupted. “I need you.”

  At any other point, finally hearing those three words would have almost filled her with as much joy as hearing I love you. But in this moment, hearing those three words only broke Treasure’s heart more. Cassius had always been her knight in shining armor. But the thing about armor was that it was impossible to penetrate – just like Cassius’ heart. The slight access she was getting now only stemmed from his pain, and she refused to find any pleasure in that.

  Treasure stepped into his home as she whispered his name under her breath and pulled him into her arms. This time when she held him, he relaxed against her body and held her back.

  “I’m so sorry, Cash.”

  Cassius held her tighter, body weakly wobbling. On the ride over, she thought of what she would say if he actually let her in, but none of those words seemed to matter now. So she held him. Held him until his embrace loosened and he released her to close the door behind him. Taking his hand into hers, Treasure led Cassius down the entryway and into the dining room. He sat down at the table while she fixed him a drink.

  As she offered him the glass of whisky, Cassius opted for the bottle in her opposite hand instead. Treasure took a small sip from the glass as she watched him gulp the brown liquid. He drank it as if his throat didn’t feel the burn. Maybe he was so numb it didn’t. Placing the bottle on the table, Cassius wiped his mouth as his face twisted up.

  He was so damn beautiful.

  Everything about his appearance, from his looks to his style of dress screamed classic man. Cassius had smooth, blemish and tattoo free caramel colored skin. His frame was tall and slim but muscular. The waves atop his head were deep, shiny and richly dark black.

  Both of his ears were pierced, and he almost always had on a cross necklace, Rolex, and ring on his left hand.

  Cassius’ lips, just a shade darker than his skin, were bordered by a mustache goatee combination, and he had the longest, prettiest eyelashes she’d ever seen.

  Make no mistake about it though, Cassius was a bad man. Nothing to fuck with. Quite a few men made the mistake of trying him because of his handsome face and professional attire. And they all learned quickly that Cassius could smile in your face one second and knock you the fuck out the next.

  That was his thing – his smile. Whether he was mad or happy, he smiled. But tonight… there was not even the smallest smile on his face.

  The bar was usually just for his guests. Cassius only drank when something was on his mind. He was a heavy weed smoker, though, so Treasure decided to get that for him next. She stood, and like a little puppy, Cassius trailed behind. They went up the stairs and entered his room. Already on his dresser, there was a case that was slightly longer than an eyeglass case. Treasure had seen it enough times to know what was inside.

  After grabbing it, she walked over to Cassius who was seated on the edge of the bed. He pulled his lighter out as she put the blunt between his lips. Once it was lit, she tried to walk away toward the bathroom, but his grip around her wrist stopped her.

  “I’m just going to cut the shower on,” she assured him.

  Cassius stared at her for a few seconds before nodding and releasing her. Treasure got the water how she’d learned he liked it through conversation – a little hotter than warm, but still not hot. She returned to his room and tugged on his hand until he stood.

  His Rolex, ring, and necklace were the first things Treasure removed. Slowly, she began to undress him, starting first with his red, blue, and purple, checkered blazer. Then, she removed his form fitting button down white shirt. The first three buttons were already open since that’s how he wore them when he didn’t have on a tie, so she only had a few left to work with. On her knees, Treasure pulled his brown loafers off his feet.

  She then unbuttoned his tailored pants and helped him step out of them. Last, were his boxers, but she didn’t touch those. Up until this point, Treasure had only fantasized about how his dick would look and feel inside of her. Cassius had brushed it against her ass enough times to know that he was working with something nice, but she’d never actually seen or held it before.

  By the time she stood, Cassius was pushing his boxers down. Their eyes remained locked, and out of respect, she made herself promise not to look down at the gift between his thighs. For a brief moment, Cassius grinned at her shyness, but it fell quickly when his darkness returned.

  Treasure was prepared to wait for him in the bedroom, but those plans changed when Cassius grabbed her hand and led her to the bathroom with him.

  “Get in,” he ordered, sliding the door to the shower back.

  It took Treasure a moment, but eventually, she removed her clothing and stepped inside. The entire time she washed his body his eyes never left her face. No man had ever looked at her… looked into her… the way Cassius Salzano did.

  She washed herself quickly, then cut the water off and stepped out of the shower. Cassius did the same, grabbing his floor length cotton robe in the process. He left the bathroom and Treasure stayed behind to dry off. It felt like she hadn’t released a breath until she was alone. Leaning against the sink, T
reasure clutched her chest and tried to regulate her breathing.

  Reminding herself that she was here for comfort and not sex, Treasure looked through the contents of his bathroom closet until her eyes landed on the cocoa butter. After applying it all over her body, she wrapped the towel back around herself and headed out of the bathroom in time enough to see Cassius putting the top on the cocoa butter that he kept on his nightstand. He offered her one of his t-shirts to put on, and Treasure had to resist lifting it to her nose for a nice inhale.

  Treasure climbed into bed, and Cassius wasted no time rolling over and cuddling up next to her. He tossed his leg over hers and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her even closer as he buried his face in her neck and exhaled. Closing her eyes, Treasure caressed his back and the back of his head, praying silently for his strength, comfort, peace, and power to heal. When she was done, she opened her eyes, and not even a few seconds later he lifted his head and stared into her eyes.

  Vulnerable under his stare, Treasure chuckled and looked away before asking quietly, “You just gonna stare at me like a weirdo?”

  When Cassius didn’t reply, Treasure gave him her eyes. He hardly ever talked to a person if they didn’t show respect with eye contact.

  “You prayed for me?”

  Her eyes blinked three times before she swallowed. “Why do you ask?”

  His jaw clenched as Cassius ran his pointer finger down her cheek, and Treasure would be damned if she didn’t shudder.

  “I felt it.”

  Treasure closed her eyes and smiled softly as she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered, opening her eyes. “I prayed for you.”

  Even though she saw his lips lowering to hers, Treasure still couldn’t believe that he was kissing her. Even after she felt it. But it was better than in her dreams. His lips were soft, moist… but the kiss was hard. Tender. Sighing into each other’s mouths, their tongues tangled and swirled as Treasure cupped the back of his head. Each time Cassius nibbled, sucked, or pecked… Treasure moaned quietly.