Turning from us, he heads to the bar and takes a cigar from a box, one of the finest Cuba has to offer. Ry and I share a few glances and I'm fortunate to have him here. We're fucked, and he knows what I've been mulling over is our only way out. Our negotiations today will only buy time. It's not ideal, but it's all we have.
"Twenty-six," I counter, even though it's absurd.
I've surprised him, and he pops his head up from lighting his cigar to look at us. The end glows red hot as he takes a long puff and smoke billows from his mouth on the exhale.
"Twenty-seven, and that's my final offer." We both nod, knowing we've made an agreement with the devil. "Very well, I'll be in touch with the details."
§
Two weeks pass before I get the call from Franco. In the meantime, we move Anna out of her aunt's, which was another ordeal because she wanted to stay. It's the only home she's ever known.
I tried to impress upon her that while we made a deal with Franco, he could renege at any minute and unless I had men on her 24/7, I couldn't keep her safe. She didn't like it, but she understood.
Franco gave us five days to plan, and while we'd have liked more, it was a straightforward job to destroy Balducci's shipment before he could make a profit. Franco's intent was age-old, an eye for an eye, and while didn't want the job linked back to him, he had to know that it wouldn't be a stretch if Balducci accused him once all was said and done.
Last night, Carys became quiet after I told her and Anna that today was the day. I didn't tell them everything, but I wasn't going to keep things from them, even though my natural inclination was to protect them. I promised to let Carys in, rather than leave her blind to what I was doing.
After Anna calls it a night, I take Carys to bed. It's early, but she's been distant and quiet since dinner.
"Sweetness, talk to me." I tilt her chin up and lightly kiss her.
"I'm just worried. I know you have to do it and I know I asked you to tell me everything, but maybe I don't want to know it all." On a slow exhale, her pretty mouth turns down into a frown.
With a small grin, I pull her close, into my arms, and kiss the top of her head.
"Too late. I will tell you what I can from now on and you can take it, I know you can. It'll be fine tomorrow. It'll all be over before you know it."
"Yeah, right. There's tonight and the whole day tomorrow that we have to get through. I won't be able to think of anything else."
"Well, I can help you, distract you." My tone is suggestive.
We break apart and her smile matches mine. We both lean in, our lips crushing together as my tongue breaks through the crease of her lips, exacting and desperate. With my hand on her bottom, I lift and line her up with my growing erection. A growl pushes past my lips when she shivers in response to my touch.
"Christ, Sweetness, I need you now."
With one sharp flex of my hips, she moans, tilting her head back as my cock rubs against the hot apex of her thighs. It feels so fucking good, even through our clothes.
"Take me," she huskily whispers.
With the eagerness of a horny teenager, I've got her down to her underwear in seconds. If undressing your partner were an Olympic sport, I'd be taking home the gold. Staring at her sexy body, in white lace boy shorts and matching bra that barely contain every divine curve, makes my dick harden to steel.
My mouth roams greedily over her neck and I carry her to the bed. Stripping each other, our urgency and need can be tasted in our kisses. Once naked, my tongue flicks at her nipple and her knees shake.
///
I lay her on the bed and she spreads her legs, willing and eager for me as she plays with her breasts. Her hooded eyes are mesmerized by my hand pumping my cock a few times before I fill her, sensually taking my time. Savoring every thrust, moan, and clench, we ride the wave of heady bliss together.
We spend hours loving each other, making up for lost time, and awaken the next morning to pick up where we left off.
We don't leave our room until nearly eleven in the morning and are greeted by Anna laying out another plate of muffins. She's been baking.
"Good morning, sleepyheads-or should I say, did you get enough sleep?"
"Morning," Carys says, heading straight for coffee.
"Morning, smartass," I say, shoving a whole blueberry muffin in my mouth. Anna giggles and blushes as I grab for another muffin. "Damn, these are good, sis."
She gasps, eyes widening as she stares at me in wonderment. Her lips slowly arch upward into a smile.
"Thanks, bro," she says, coming toward me. She stands on her tippy toes and I still have to bend so she can kiss my cheek. "That means a lot. Thank you."