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  “He’s going to hit something or someone you care about.” Her expression became as serious as a heart attack. “If I were to guess, I’d say he’s going to use your mother as bait. If he’s ruthless, then he’ll threaten her somehow.”

  “But what if she’s in on his business?” Salvatore asked.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Josie said as he turned to him. “If he threatens your mom, can you take the chance that he’s bluffing?” She cocked her eyebrows. He knew that answer in an instant—of course he couldn’t. “Then what do you do?”

  “I don’t have a choice,” Elliott said.

  “You always have a choice,” Salvatore interjected. “I think we need to get our hands on those papers. Right now, you have them locked away, and you don’t really know what you have. If he tries threats, then when we have the papers, we truly have specific information we can use against him. I bet there are plenty of people who would love to see Antonio Losquaro go down.”

  “Okay. So I get the papers while we try to stay out of his sights.” Pittsburgh was a big city, and it wasn’t like his stepfather could stake out each and every bank. But Pittsburgh was where his stepfather was the strongest and had the most influence. This wasn’t going to be pretty. Elliott drank the frozen concoction down like it was a shot of whiskey. He needed something to fortify his nerves and keep him from shaking to pieces.

  “We,” Salvatore said firmly, and Elliott had never been so grateful for a single word in his life.

  Chapter 6

  AFTER FINDING a place to get Elliott a new phone, Salvatore drove by the house, slowing but not stopping, when they got back to Harrisburg. He continued on instead of heading to the garage.

  “What’s wrong?” Elliott asked.

  “I have a light in the living room that I always leave on. It isn’t much, but it’s right next to the front window, and it’s off.” Salvatore silenced the churn in his gut. He hated the idea of someone in his house, but he needed to think straight and keep his own emotions out of it. “We’re going on to a hotel.” He made a call to Spook through the Bluetooth in the car so Elliott could hear. Salvatore could tell he was freaking out a little.

  “Do you want me to go check it out?” Spook asked after Salvatore told him what he suspected.

  “I want to say yes, but….” He didn’t like the idea of bothering everyone at all hours of the day.

  “It’s no problem. Jeremy is with some friends for a few days, and I’m sitting here at home. I can run by and take a look.” Spook seemed kind of relived to have something to do.

  “Thanks,” Salvatore said.

  “I’ll let you know what I find.” Spook hung up, and Salvatore felt a little better. Elliott was pale, and Salvatore sighed softly.

  “I shouldn’t have dragged everyone in this fight. I appreciate everything that everyone is doing, but I hate disrupting all of your lives.” Elliott covered his mouth as he coughed. “I hate this shit. I should have left well enough alone.”

  Salvatore knew how he felt. “Self-pity is so unattractive.”

  Elliott coughed again. “Thanks. That’s good to know.”

  “What’s done is done, and there’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

  Elliott snickered slightly, which was the reaction Salvatore was going for. “Do you think you can use any more platitudes in a single sentence?”

  “It’s a gift,” Salvatore teased as he reached the freeway and then headed across the river. He made a call to a nice hotel he knew and arranged for a room.

  “Is the hotel going to be safe?”

  Salvatore nodded. “I picked one that only has two floors, and there are plenty of ways out. I also know that this particular hotel has a parking area around the side that’s very sheltered, so someone is going to have to specifically look for the car in order to find it, and they are going to have to know this lot exists.” It was the most defensible place he could think of at the moment. “I’ll request a ground-floor room so we can go out a window as an emergency escape. But I don’t think it’s going to come to that.”

  “And tomorrow?”

  “You and I get up early in the morning and race to Pittsburgh to get those papers. Then we get back here and figure out our next move.” Thank God the club was slow on Mondays and he had that day off. Salvatore would let Bull know their plans so he could be aware. “Your day off is Monday as well, right?”

  “Yes.” Elliott sat still and didn’t say much.

  Salvatore missed his talkativeness. He liked the more animated Elliott rather than the quiet and worried version. “Good. Then we’ll get up and go.” He continued driving and made some extra turns before arriving at the hotel in an industrial park. He’d chosen this hotel because there was a direct freeway entrance at the end of the road and they could be gone. Salvatore parked and they walked around to the front. He checked in and made like he had to get the luggage so the clerk wouldn’t think anything was out of the ordinary. Then, once he had the keys, he left and used one of the side entrances and went to the room.

  “This is nice,” Elliott said as Salvatore came inside and closed and locked the door, while Elliott flopped on the sofa. “I hate feeling like I’m being chased all the time. But I get the idea that one way or another, tomorrow is going to tell the tale.” He sighed, and Salvatore watched him eyeing the door.

  “Why don’t you get a shower and clean up? I’m going to go and see if I can get us something to eat. Then we can go to bed. We need to get up early in the morning. Throw the bolt lock when I leave, and don’t open it for anyone but me.”

  Elliott nodded, and Salvatore grabbed his room key and left. He headed down the hallway to the lobby and out, then jogged to the restaurant they had passed. As jumpy as Elliott was, Salvatore wondered what the odds were that Elliott would be gone by the time he got back with the food.

  Salvatore got a few wraps and some salads before returning to the hotel, where he got some cold sodas from the store off the lobby and went down to the room. He tried his key and unlocked the door, then knocked softly. “It’s Salvatore.”

  The swing lock on the side thunked back, and Elliott opened the door. Salvatore went inside and closed it again, relocking the door behind him. Elliott wore only a hotel robe, his clothes hanging in the bathroom to dry. “I had to rinse them out.”

  “Of course.” Salvatore set the food on the table and started taking things out. “I got chicken salad and roast beef. I like them both, so take whatever you want.” He sat down, fatigue taking over. After the driving and the activity, he was tired, yet he was trying to stay awake so he could keep whatever wolves might be circling at bay.

  “Thanks.” Elliott seemed just as rolled thin as he was, and they ate quietly. Salvatore was too tired for conversation, and thankfully Elliott didn’t seem to want to talk either. The silence didn’t seem oppressive, and that surprised him a little. It was also nice to know that neither of them felt the need to fill the still times with chatter. Salvatore ate his roast beef and then some of the salad, leaving the rest for Elliott. He was full and left the small living area to lie down on the bed.

  He turned on the television and sat propped up on pillows, toeing off his shoes. After a little while, papers crunched in the other area, and Elliott came in and sat on the other side of the bed. Salvatore sighed and tried not to let his attention waver to Elliott in his robe and what might just be under there if he were to tug at that cord around his waist. He’d promised that he was going to take things slow. Hell, Elliott had been ready to go, and he had been the one to put on the brakes. Now Salvatore couldn’t keep his mind off Elliott, and each time he shifted, Salvatore wanted to slip closer. He knew what Elliott felt like in his arms, and now he wanted to know more, like what his naked skin felt like against him and how hot Elliott would get when they made love. Salvatore imagined Elliott as a quiet but intense lover who used his hands and lips to communicate what he wanted.

  Crossing his legs so things didn’t become too obvious, Salvatore
forced himself to watch the old movie on the TV rather than let his mind wander over and under Elliott and that damned white robe. “Is this okay? You can watch something else if you like.” He handed Elliott the remote, and Elliott found one of those cooking shows.

  “I love watching these. They always make me hungry, though sometimes the food looks like something I wouldn’t feed a dog.” He chuckled, and it was good to hear Elliott laugh.

  “I love your smile,” Salvatore said with one of his own, then closed his eyes, trying not to dwell on how close Elliott was or how his scent, light with a hint of sweet, tickled his nose. He got off the bed, went to the bathroom, and used the shower and the second robe. At least he felt clean when he came out.

  Elliott was already under the covers, and he blinked up at Salvatore like he wasn’t sure what was next or what to expect. Salvatore had no intention of jumping the guy, but he looked so adorable and kind of vulnerable like that.

  Salvatore’s phone chimed, and he breathed a soft sigh at his reprieve, turning away from Elliott and taking the chance to clear his head. He picked it up and answered Spook’s call. “Was someone there?”

  “I think so at one point. I’m not sure when they left, but they didn’t leave much of a trace behind. Whoever it was didn’t seem to touch anything, and I expect they think they were clever enough that you wouldn’t know they were there. The doors had been locked and nothing was touched, but they forgot one thing. Whoever was here wore an expensive French cologne, and the scent hung in the air after them. Fragonard makes good product, but it tends to be strong and it lingers for a long time.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I left as well and came back home. I’m thinking that tomorrow evening, our stalker should get a reception he isn’t expecting. I’ll call you in the morning, and we can figure out a little surprise for him.” Spook seemed kind of happy, like this was really his thing.

  “We appreciate the help.” Salvatore ended the call, put his phone on the nightstand, and explained about the call to Elliott. He turned out the lights, leaving on the television, and climbed into bed, putting the robe on the chair. The sheets were crisp and soft, easily sliding against him.

  “Sally,” Elliott said, and Salvatore growled at the name only his mother used. And it was going to stay that way.

  “You can call me Sal if you have to, but not that.” He rolled on his side. “El.” He smiled and reached to Elliott’s smooth face, stroking his cheeks. “You are beautiful.” In truth, there was a part of him that was afraid he was going to hurt Elliott.

  “And you’re as big as a house. It’s a good thing I have this kink for big guys.” Elliott slid closer. “I know what you said the other night, but I’m also starting to think that if I sit back and wait for you, it’ll be until hell freezes over.” He slid next to him, then brought their lips together. Elliott kissed him, need and intensity growing by the second. Salvatore wound his arms around him, and Elliott pressed closer, pushing him onto his back and climbing on top of him. Damn, Elliott was like a live wire, thrumming with energy. Salvatore stroked down his back, cupping his small, tight butt, and Elliott vibrated on top of him.

  “Jesus….” Salvatore groaned when Elliott backed away, their gazes meeting. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

  “What?” Elliott asked him. “Did you think I was some kind of shrinking violet?”

  Salvatore nodded. “At least a little more tentative.”

  Elliott chuckled and shrugged. “If I’m going to do something like this, I figure I should go all the way. And somehow I don’t think you’re the kind of man who wants to be with a guy who’s all demure. You’re a big guy with a lot of power, and I want to feel it.”

  Salvatore shivered because he wanted that so badly. He opened his mouth to say that he’d be careful, but Elliott kissed him, taking possession of his mouth. God, this was exciting, and he held Elliott closer. Damn—he was so much bigger than him, and Salvatore really was afraid that he’d hurt him, but Elliott was fearless. And for the first time since he’d met him, it seemed that Elliott was the one in charge. Initially the thought sort of startled him.

  “Is this too much for you?” Elliott asked. “I can tone it down and….”

  Salvatore kissed Elliott hard. “You be yourself in bed and out of it. I don’t want you changing who you are—any part of what you want—because of me.” He smiled and nipped at Elliott’s lower lip.

  “But I take it you’re the one used to being in charge, and I never gave any thought to how you might like things.” Elliott paused. “I guess before we got this far, we should have talked about things like top and bottom.” He cocked his eyebrows, and Salvatore swallowed hard. He had to admit he had never given that sort of thing much thought. Salvatore was a big guy, and the men he met all just assumed that he would be the one doing the driving.

  “Okay….” He cradled Elliott’s cheeks in his hands. “What do you want?” He lowered his voice and brought his lips closer to Elliott’s ear. “What is it that fuels your wildest fantasies? Is it sliding your cock into me? Or is it you being on top, riding me until your eyes roll back in your head?” Elliott shivered, and Salvatore smiled. He was getting a pretty good idea of what it was that Elliott liked.

  “Maybe….” Elliott bit his lower lip. “A guy shouldn’t give away all his secrets. If you have to find things out for yourself, it makes things so much more interesting.”

  Salvatore chuckled. “So you want me to play explorer.” He stared into Elliott’s midnight blue eyes. Damn, he loved how they seemed to darken when Elliott was turned on. Salvatore shifted his hands and then cautiously manhandled Elliott down onto the mattress, not breaking his gaze, his hands slowly roaming over Elliott’s skin. His thumbs found his pert nipples, making slow circles around them, plucking occasionally, Elliott’s breath hitching.

  “Sal….” He quivered, and Salvatore did it again just to hear Elliott gasp. That sound was worth just about anything. “That’s so good.”

  Salvatore hummed softly, sliding lower down the bed, his hands remaining busy, his tongue blazing a trail down Elliott’s belly, kissing his soft, slightly salty skin. He loved the way he tasted and was ready for more. Flicking his nipples, Salvatore closed his lips around Elliott’s slender cock, sucking him deeper to a chorus of soft, breathy groans that seemed to fill the room, building one on top of the other. He took more of him, relaxing his throat until he had all of him, tongue tasting him even further.

  “Oh God…,” Elliott gasped, his leg shaking against the bedding.

  Salvatore loved the feel of a cock sliding over his tongue, and Elliott tasted like heaven. He adored the little sounds Elliott made even more, each one encouraging him forward until Elliott’s breathing became more ragged and he gripped the bedding, eyes clamping shut. That’s when he backed off.

  “Damn…,” Elliott groaned. “I….”

  Salvatore grinned. “I know. But I want you to last.” He brought his lips to Elliott’s, letting him taste some of himself.

  “But I don’t think I can take that again….” Elliott sighed, and Salvatore held him, rolling them over until Elliott was on top once more. “You know I’m not going to break.”

  “Yeah, but….” Salvatore held Elliott closer, roaming his hands over Elliott’s buttcheeks, sliding his fingers between them, eliciting the most amazing little vibrations from him. “Is this what you like? Or do you want me?” Salvatore didn’t bottom often. It wasn’t what most guys thought when they saw him, so he took the top role.

  Elliott lifted his head away. “Are you serious?” He blinked rapidly, as though he needed to make sure he had heard properly.

  “Of course I am. I want you to be happy,” Salvatore whispered. “And I want you to know that between us, when the bedroom door is closed, we can be and do whatever we want.”

  Elliott actually sighed and smiled. “I think I’d like that…. Maybe next time.”

  “Okay….” Salvatore was a little confused. “What do you w
ant now?”

  “That ‘me on top, riding you’ thing.” Elliott grinned. “Have you got stuff?” Of course, neither of them had anything at all. It wasn’t like they had planned on staying at a hotel. He snickered and rolled his eyes. “Then I guess we’ll just have to make do with other things.” Elliott shimmied away and straddled his legs, wrapped his fingers around Salvatore’s cock, and stroked slowly.

  “Yeah…?” He swallowed hard as Elliott seemed to touch him just the right way. His hips came up off the bed, willing for more, but Elliott continued his slow pace, driving Salvatore out of his mind. “I’m not going to break,” he said, using one of Elliott’s lines.

  “Oh, I know that. I want you to remember this for a long time.” Elliott leaned forward to kiss him, and then when he pulled away, licked a trail down Salvatore’s chest and belly, coming close to his cock but never taking him.

  Salvatore crossed his eyes and held on to the damn bedding. He knew he’d started this, but Elliott was a master of the art of anticipation, and he could only beg quietly, knowing his pleas were most likely to fall on deaf ears, at least for now. “And here I thought you were more innocent than this.”

  Elliott backed away, and damned if his cheeks didn’t pink up. “Well, I don’t have a lot of actual experience. I mean, I haven’t had sex with a bunch of guys or anything, but there are ways that you can learn about things like this.” The color rose even more.

  “I see. So what kind of instruction were you watching?” Salvatore breathed deeply and cleared his muddled head.

  Elliott shrugged. “You know….” God, it was cute how he could be so forceful at times and shy at others. Not that Salvatore wasn’t that way as well. There were some things that were so easy to talk about, but when it came to sex, there were things that were private, and opening up was just hard.

  “Do you watch a lot of porn?”

  Elliott shook his head. “But I did sometimes. I lived at home with my mom and stepdad, who I now know kept closer tabs on me than I realized. So sometimes….”