Feathers and Thorne Series Books 1 - 3: The Complete Collection

Chapter Twenty-Four

Carter

Tristan lingers in the doorway to the dining room, a strange look on his face. “You got a sec?”

I glance up from the paperwork and blink. “What now?”

“I just got news from our mole on the inside…”

I push my chair back and press two fingers to my temples. “I should’ve known they were going to dishonor the deal. What the fuck do they want now?”

And how many more ways can I come up with to put my enemies in their place?

Although the Natoris and Philipses don’t have the manpower to launch another war, they are making things extremely difficult. Between controlling half the docks and restricting access to the businesses I have in the city, they’re trying to get me to cave.

But backing me up against a corner won’t get them the results they want.

Not unless they want to be made an example of—again.

I’m bidding my time, but I have enough men now, thanks to Daniel, to overpower the Natoris and Philipses. However, after days spent arguing about the semantics of another war, I’ve come to two conclusions.

The first is that I’ve already lost a lot of men, and I’m not willing to lose anymore.

And the second is that I can’t afford to make an enemy out of whatever allies the Natoris and Philipses have out there, Donahue included. With Mayor Hughes playing nice, the last thing I want is to keep glancing over my shoulder for the inevitable target that’ll come.

It’s not the kind of life I want for myself anymore. Like it or not, I need this deal to go through far more than they do, or I’ll never have peace.

And neither will my family.

Tristan clears his throat. “They don’t want anything. They’re actually talking about honoring the new terms of the deal.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What?”

Tristan steps into the dining room and lets the door click shut. “It’s possible that our man on the inside has been compromised. I have no way of knowing without getting someone in with him; maybe Ernesto can go undercover—”

I hold my hand up. “We’ve lost too many men already. What makes you think our mole has been compromised?”

Tristan pauses and shrugs. “I don’t have any proof, but it does feel a little suspicious. After everything they’ve done and all the bullshit… they can’t just be giving up.”

“They’re recognizing who the superior family is,” I argue, a burst of anger erupting within me. “We don’t need any more problems, Tristan. What we need are results, so unless you have something to back up this feeling, I’d suggest you keep it to yourself.”

Tristan stiffens. “What if I look into it? It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?”

I shake my head. “No, you’re too valuable to end up getting caught up in their web. I need you by my side for what’s to come.”

Tristan tilts his head to the side and studies me. “Why?”

I exhale. “Daniel and I are trying to come to an agreement. I need someone I can fucking trust, someone who has been there… someone who can take over if Daniel can’t.”

Tristan goes as still as a statue. “You’re not seriously suggesting I take over, are you?”

“You’d be the backup,” I explain with a grimace. “I know it’s not something you want or aspire to, but I can’t let the empire fall into the wrong hands.”

Tristan runs a hand through his hair, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. “And if I refuse?”

“Are you refusing because it’s too much of a mess or because of something else?”

Tristan drops his hand and draws himself up to his full height. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I fold my arms over my chest. “I know how close you and Sam have gotten. I know you have feelings for each other. Is she clouding your judgment?”

Tristan barks out a laugh. “Are you seriously going to lecture me about letting a woman influence my decisions? That’s a little hypocritical, don’t you think?”

“Not if it’s true,” I snap, my hands curling into fists at my side. “As my right-hand man, I need you to be focused. You don’t need any distractions.”

“I don’t need you to tell me how to do my job,” Tristan replies coldly. “I’ve been here. I’ve done everything you asked and then some. I even kept an eye on Isabella while you were off getting into fights and drinking yourself into stupors.”

“Watch yourself, Tristan. I’ll still kick your ass if I need to.”

Tristan throws his hands up in the air. “I’ve had to put up with a lot of shit, Carter, but this takes the cake. I’m not some lackey or some dog you can call whenever you need something.”

I pin Tristan to the wall and place an arm over his chest, blocking his exit. “You are neither. You’re my cousin, and you’re like a brother to me. I need to know I can fucking count on you when the time comes. If I need it.”

Tristan’s expression darkens. “I don’t want any of this. You know that already.”

“You don’t have to want it. You’re a Blackthorne. We do what needs to be done, and we don’t bitch about it.”

Tristan’s expression darkens further. “So, you get to ride off into the sunset with your family, and we’re left behind to close up the mess? I don’t think so.”

He shoves me back, and I stumble, nearly losing my footing.

“Give it to someone who wants it,” Tristan says slowly. “Do whatever you need to do to vet Daniel and be sure because this is the one thing I can’t do.”

I shove Tristan back and draw my lips back to bare my teeth at him. “What the fuck is the matter with you? You can’t seriously be surprised. You’re my right-hand man, for fuck’s sake.”

Tristan steps away from me and runs a hand over his face. “You know that I have no interest in being the head of the Blackthorne family. I’ve never been interested.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Bullshit.”

Tristan stiffens and takes a few more steps away from me. “Not everyone is like you, Carter. I don’t know what kind of fucked up shit you went through in your childhood to make you believe that power and status are the be-all and end-all, but I am not going to throw away my life for this.”

I wait until Tristan is finished talking before I punch him in the stomach hard enough to make him double over. He stands up straighter and tilts his head to the side. Then he launches himself at my middle and knocks me back, so my back hits the wall with a thud. Anger and frustration pump through me as I try to get Tristan in a headlock.

He remains frustratingly slippery and agile.

I’ve managed to throw Tristan off, and I’m getting ready to tackle him to the floor when the dining room door opens and Anita comes in. Her eyes are tight, and her eyebrows are drawn together as she glances between the two of us. Wordlessly, she steps in between Tristan, the table, and me and draws herself up to her full height.

For a long moment, none of us says anything.

Finally, I straighten my back and curl my hands into fists at my side. “Anita, this has nothing to do with you. Please get out of the way.”

“No.”

I frown. “This is between Tristan and I.”

“Tristan is your cousin. He’s been like a brother to you since you got here,” Anita replies, with a lift of her chin. “I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but this isn’t how we resolve issues.”

“Yes, it is.”

“It needs to change,” Anita snaps after a brief pause. She glances over her shoulder at Tristan, and her expression tightens further. “Trying to change includes changing how you deal with family, Carter. Whatever your issues are, they need to be set aside.”

“I am not the one who has issues,” Tristan reveals, pausing to stand up straighter. “Carter can’t control everything, and the sooner he can get that through his thick head, the better it’ll be for everyone involved.”

I launch myself at him, but Anita holds a hand out to stop me. When I skid to a halt, I’m still furious, red-hot anger burning steadily through me.

While a part of me isn’t surprised that Tristan has reached the end of his tether, the other part of me is in disbelief. Tristan and I have had our share of disagreements over the years, but I’ve never felt like he hasn’t had my back.

Even when he disapproved of Isabella and put her in harm’s way. At least then, I was able to justify it.

Now, for the first time in my life, I’m standing across from Tristan, and I’m having a hard time recognizing my own cousin. Why is the thought of taking over so repulsive to him?

Tristan is a much better fit than Daniel, and he’s been my right-hand man from the beginning.

Of all the people to choose, I couldn’t possibly name a better successor, but since we were kids, he’s never shown the slightest bit of interest in the position. I even remember a great deal of reluctance to become my right-hand man with all that entailed.

Anita places both hands on my shoulders and waits till I meet her gaze. “Your cousin isn’t wrong. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot, and you’re trying to turn over a new leaf, but you need to find another way to cope with the anger.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? What does any of this have to do with me?”

Anita gives me a knowing look. “You know what I mean.”

I throw my hands up in the air and shake my head. “This is a waste of time. I’m not dealing with this.”

Without waiting for a response, I brush past both of them and stumble out into the living room. Isabella is leaning over the counter in a pair of sweatpants and a tight top, a spoon dangling from her mouth. I give her ass a firm slap on the way past, and she yelps and tries to swat me away. Then she spins around to face me, confusion playing out across her face.

“Is everything okay?”

“Get dressed. We’re going to the club.”

Isabella opens her mouth to protest, then catches the look on my face. Wordlessly, she licks the rest of the spoon clean. When she’s done, she washes the spoon and sets it out to dry. Then, she takes the stairs two at a time. I tap my feet against the floor and resist the urge to check my watch. A short while later, Isabella appears in a knee-length dress with silk stockings underneath and her hair in loose waves around her shoulders. On the last step, she loses her balance, and I catch her before she goes sprawling, face-first onto the floor.

“Do I need to put you in a bubble?”

Isabella’s face is flushed when she draws back to look at me. “I’d really rather you didn’t.”

One hand rests on her waist, and the other palms her ass. “Give me a reason not to then.”

With a smile, Isabella pushes herself up on the tips of her toes and kisses me. I growl and cup the back of her neck. A jolt goes through me when she tilts her head to the side, allowing me better access. I keep my grip on the back of her neck and bite down on her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood.

Isabella’s answering whimper makes all the blood rush south.

Anita clears her throat, bringing the two of us back to the present with a jolt. Reluctantly, I pull back and drape an arm over Isabella’s shoulders. I tuck her into my side and give Anita a tight smile on my way past. She doesn’t say anything as we walk out the door and down the sidewalk, where Ernesto is parked next to the curb. He pushes himself off the car, holds the door open, and offers Isabella a small smile on her way past.

The two of us exchange a quick look before I slide in after Isabella.

As soon as Ernesto gets in the driver’s seat, I raise the partition between us and pull Isabella onto my lap. She lets out a startled gasp when my hand darts underneath her dress, and I palm her over her panties. She makes a low choked sound, and her head falls into the crook of my neck.

She smells like honey and flowers.

I want to bury myself in her and forget everything that happened earlier.

Ernesto pulls away from the curb as I grip the back of Isabella’s neck and kiss her. She sighs and whimpers when one hand moves to her breasts. I press them together, and she makes another low noise that drives me crazy. With a growl, I lift her dress up and toss it onto the leather seat next to us. Isabella shivers, and her skin erupts into goosebumps. Her face is bright red, and she tries to cover the upper half of her body, which is completely exposed, but I won’t let her.

In nothing but a pair of thigh-high stockings and a pair of panties that are already drenched, she is the most alluring thing I’ve ever seen. Reaching underneath my seat, I pull out a tie and secure her hands together. Isabella’s eyes widen, and her mouth parts when I rub my hands up and down her arms.

“What if Ernesto hears?”

“I don’t give a shit, dove, and neither do you. I can smell how much you want me,” I tell her, pausing to lower my head to take one nipple between my teeth. “By the time we’re finished, you’re not even going to care if everyone on the street can hear us.”

Because I know we both need the distraction. I need to forget all about Daniel, the truce, and Tristan’s reluctance.

And I can’t think of a better way to do that than to have a little bit of fun with my fiancée.

Isabella is panting when I kiss a path up to her neck and sink my teeth there. Then I push two fingers in between her wet folds, and she cries out. I move my fingers back and forth, then up and down, drunk on the sound of her heavy breathing. She presses her lips together in an attempt to muffle her moans, but it’s no use.

She needs me as much as I need her.

Her body spasms and writhes, the force of her orgasm violently ripping through her. I dig my nails into her waist and keep her steady. Sweat breaks out across her forehead and down her back as she struggles to breathe. My heart is pounding in my ears as Isabella climbs down from her high and looks at me through hooded eyes. Smirking, I fumble with my belt.

Isabella licks her lips and clears her throat. “I can help you with that.”

I shake my head and unzip my pants. In one quick move, Isabella hoists herself up and lowers herself onto me, her muscles contracting and expanding to take me in. I dig both hands into her hips and thrust upward, wave after wave of desire continuing to build within me.

“Look at how wet you are,” I murmur in a thick voice. “You like to be fucked like this, don’t you?”

Isabella gasps. “Yes.”

I give her ass a slap. “Yes, what?”

“Yes, sir,” Isabella sputters as she grinds against me. “You feel so good.”

I thrust further, and Isabella cries out. “How good?”

“The best.” Isabella breathes, her head falling into the crook of my neck again. This time, she begins to rock back and forth against me with wild and animal-like abandon. I wind my fingers through her hair and squeeze. Her movements grow more and more frantic.

She’s as desperate as I am. And I love seeing this side of her, the kind that makes me feel like I’m invincible. Like nothing in the world can bring me down.

I release the back of her head and roll her nipples between my fingers. “Look at how horny you are, little dove. Look at you fucking me.”

She leans back, and her eyes are wide and unfocused. “Yes.”

I lower my head again, and when I take her nipples between my teeth, Isabella lifts her hands over her head. She lowers her arms so they’re behind my head, keeping me where I am. Pausing to give her ass a firm slap, I lift her arms back up and hold them in a tight and vicelike grip.

“I’m the one in control, dove,” I remind her in a thick voice. “You answer to me and only me.”

Isabella swallows and nods.

“On your hands and knees.” I grow still and watch her intently. “Quickly.”

Isabella scrambles off me and does as she is told, letting her half-naked ass hang in the air. I take my time grazing her sensitive skin. More goosebumps break out across her flesh. I smack her ass once, twice, and on the third time, she cries out.

She looks at me over her shoulder, and it’s the kind of look that sends a jolt through me.

I don’t break our gaze as I lower my pants further and position myself behind her. Her mouth parts as I place one leg underneath me, and the other slides off the leather seat until my foot is planted on the floor. I position myself behind her and continue to stroke her ass.

A long moment passes, and Isabella’s expression turns confused. “What are you doing?”

“You need to be taught a lesson, dove,” I tell her with a smirk. “I’m not giving you what you want until I’m sure that we’re on the same page.”

Isabella nods eagerly. “We are on the same page, sir.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really? So, what would happen if I do this?”

One hand darts forward and palms her center. She bucks against me and squeezes her eyes shut. I push one finger in, then another, and hold still. Isabella wriggles against me, but I don’t do anything. I press my mouth to the back of her neck and release a deep breath.

“Hold still, or I won’t give you what you want.”

Isabella’s swallow is audible.

She exhales and props herself up on her elbows.

I move my fingers slowly, languidly as if we have all of the time in the world. Isabella’s breathing grows erratic and frantic as her release builds. When she’s close, I stop and withdraw my fingers. Isabella’s protest is muffled as she hangs her head low. I sink my nails into her hips and slam into her, filling her to the hilt.

Isabella gives me a heated look over her shoulders.

I ease out and slam back into her again, harder than before. “Is this what you want, dove? Tell me what you want.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, I want you to fuck me like this, sir.”

“Good girl,” I murmur, struggling to hear past the pounding in my ears. With a growl, I grip the back of her hair and tug backward. “I call the shots, remember?”

Isabella nods. “Yes.”

With that, I release her hair and return to gripping her hips. She bucks and writhes against me while I ease in and out of her in slow and practiced strokes. My release is building, steadily reaching a crescendo, but it isn’t enough.

Because I want to see her face as I fuck her brains out.

Abruptly, I ease out of Isabella and help her up. She looks startled as I pull her onto my lap and crush my lips against hers. Then she brings her hands to rest between us. Together, we move while the world outside the tinted windows rushes past in either direction. I push her hair out of her eyes, and she throws her head back and moans, exposing her neck to me.

I lick a path from her earlobes down to her neck.

She squirms and writhes against me. “Oh, Carter. Fuck.”

I sink my teeth into her sensitive skin, and she calls out my name. Over and over, I thrust upward, earning cry after cry of pleasure. When her breathing grows quicker, I release her hands, and she rakes her fingers over my back, sending dual waves of pain and pleasure through me.

When she winds her fingers through my hair, I crush her to me so she’s trapped between the front seat and myself.

Completely and utterly at my mercy.

Her hands move from massaging my scalp and sending little pinpricks up and down my arms to my shoulders. She grips them as if her life depends on it. Her body shakes and writhes as she rides out her orgasm, my name a prayer on her lips. I continue to thrust at a slow and even pace until she draws back to look at me.

I hold her gaze while my thrusts turn wild and frantic. She presses her slick and toned body against mine and exhales.

My own release comes rushing out of me, and I shudder. I crush Isabella to me as my lungs tighten. Little by little, my body stops trembling, and the tightness abates. Slowly, I use my thumb and forefinger to tilt Isabella’s head back. She gives me a sweet kiss, one that sends a wave of emotions washing over me. Without breaking our kiss, I help her climb off me and sink into the leather seat.

I let my arms fall to my sides and blow out a breath. “I’ve taught you well, dove.”

Her laugh is breathless and husky as she gropes for her clothes. Her fingers are trembling as she pulls the dress back on. Frowning at the tattered remains of her panties, she pauses to pull her stockings back up. Then she throws her head over her shoulders and gives me a pointed look.

“I’ll buy you more.” I pull my own pants back on and adjust the belt. “Maybe we should look into getting you the edible ones.”

Isabella raises an eyebrow. “I can’t wear those all the time. They’re uncomfortable.”

I tuck her into my side and press a kiss on her forehead. “You’ll have to go commando then.”

Isabella sputters. “I can’t go commando all the time. There are things that have to be worn with underwear.”

“Says who?”

“Says… everybody.”

I pull back and give her another kiss. “Then you’ll have to stay at home all the time and just be naked.”

Isabella laughs and places a hand on my chest. “Oh, that’s exactly what you’d like, isn’t it?”

I nod. “I make no apologies.”

Isabella is running her fingers through her hair when Ernesto pulls up outside of the club. In silence, I take Isabella’s hand and lead her outside. I frown when I don’t see the usual line of people and only one bouncer outside of the double doors. Inside, there’s a group of people scattered throughout; a few are gyrating on the dance floor, and a couple are in the VIP section upstairs, but the music is turned down low.

I nudge Isabella in the direction of my private rooms. “Why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll catch up?”

She gives me a confused look before hurrying off.

Once the door clicks shut behind her, I gesture to the nearest employee, a short and bald-headed man with a tattoo winding up one arm. He pales when he recognizes me but doesn’t stop moving.

“Bring me the fucking manager on duty. Now.”

Wordlessly, he ducks behind a set of curtains, and I pull out a chair at the bar. The bartender with a mohawk pours me a drink. I knock it back and drum my fingers against the counter. When the manager, a tall and dark-haired man in a suit, comes out, he has his fingers linked together. He stops a few feet away and nods to the bartender, who pulls out the entire bottle of brandy.

In silence, he pours us both a generous amount and disappears.

In the background, the music continues to play, and the smell of alcohol and sweat rises through the air. Lenny pulls out a stool next to me and sinks into it. “Business hasn’t been doing well since the war. People are too afraid to come.”

I swirl the drink around the cup. “And why wasn’t I told?”

“I thought I could turn things around, boss. I—”

I slam my glass against the counter and twist to face him, adopting my most menacing look. “Send people out onto the street. Offer free drinks or whatever goddamn promotions there are. I don’t care how you do it, but get it done.”

Lenny’s dark eyes widen. “But—”

I grab Lenny by the scruff of his neck. “What did I tell you when I hired you?”

Lenny swallows, and some of the color drains from his face. “You want results, not excuses.”

I give him a firm shake. “Or?”

“Or it’ll be my head on a platter,” Lenny finishes in a smaller voice. “I’ll get right on it.”

I shove Lenny away, and he stumbles back. “Good. Get out of my sight.”

He spins on his heels and disappears back behind the curtain. I finish my drink, push the stool back with a screech, and stand up. After unfastening a button on my jacket, I glance around the half-empty floor and linger on the bouncer in the corner. He meets my gaze and straightens his back when I give him a curt nod.

My mind is spinning and racing to come up with a solution until the truce goes into effect. I push the door to my room open and exhale. Isabella is already up on the pole in black lingerie that shows off her bulging baby bump. She doesn’t say anything as I sit down on the couch and prop my feet up on the table.

She gives an awkward twirl and presses her back to the pole. “Can I do something else?”

“I love watching you up there.” I unfasten a few more buttons to take my jacket off. “You have no idea how sexy you look.”

Or what a welcome sight she is with everything else happening.

I know I have to deal with my floundering business and the after-effects of the war with the Natoris and Philipses, but for now, I want to enjoy the show.

Isabella gives her hips a little shake before spinning around.

I lift my drink up to my lips and eye her over the rim.

When she climbs off, her black heels clicking steadily against the marble floors, my stomach tightens. I down the rest of my drink when she reaches me, and I crook a finger at her. Isabella smiles as she drapes one leg over me and then the other so she’s straddling me. Slowly, she lowers herself onto me and wriggles. I grip her waist and smirk.

“I love the confidence, dove.” I press my mouth to her lips and exhale. “I like this side of you.”

Isabella links her fingers over my neck. “It’s the pregnancy hormones.”

I press a kiss underneath her ear. “I don’t care what it is. As long as I’m the only one who gets to see this.”

“Always,” Isabella whispers into my ear. She wriggles against me and inches closer so her breasts are pressed between us. “What do you want me to do next, sir?”

“Lower those straps, dove,” I tell her before I give her a quick kiss. “Take the whole thing off… but leave the heels and panties on while I lock the door.”

I cross over in two strides and turn the lock.

Isabella is bent over and hobbling on her heels when I turn back around.

I bridge the distance between us and crush her to me.