There was a part of him that was as much a mobster as the men who wanted her family to pay for her father’s sins or the men whom he chose to call his business partners when in fact they were nothing more than street thugs. He had been active in the business, first by duty and then by choice. While Nate had handled transportation, manufacturing, and storage, Brandon had taken care of customer relations and collections.
Then in a blink of an eye, everything changed. His brothers and mother had been killed in cold blood because of their business and it was the first real sign he’d acknowledged.
Brandon was a criminal. Outsiders would consider him a bad man. And what if Coco one day looked at him and asked the difficult questions, asked him what he was willing to do for his family, what he was also willing to do to make a dollar?
The answer to both questions terrified him. He had reached a point in life where he was his mother’s son and there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for either. He would protect his family at any cost and would safeguard their income-producing avenues with the same aggression.
He shook off the terrible thought, outraged by what he’d allowed himself to become. The thugs he called out as such weren’t all that different from himself. The only difference between him and them—well, come to think of it, there wasn’t much.
“So what do you have to say about that, Coco?” Dallas asked, forcing Brandon to rejoin a conversation which hadn’t slowed since Hales ribbed Kurt. “Man says he has boasting rights.”
“I can’t wait to hear this,” Hales said, crossing his arms.
“Me either.” Poor Liam looked like he was in mourning all over again. He was the great romantic and they often teased him about his ideas for love and marriage. He probably thought their hand-holding at the funeral signified a deeper commitment between himself and Coco. Perhaps he had thought he’d be the next man holding her in his arms, loving her in his bed.
Zak, Dante, and Mason remained quiet, probably halfway expecting to break up a forthcoming brawl. In fact, Brandon had known this day was coming. Still, he found himself with questions, several he hadn’t expected. Had he known this day was coming and dreaded it or had he known he’d soon use Coco’s infidelity for a clean break, a break she deserved, one that could possibly save her life in the future? Had he fully considered the consequences, her actions and his forthcoming reaction?
“Come here, Coco.” Brandon motioned for her and she immediately went to him. As she often did, she sat at his feet with her head bowed. The family had grown accustomed to it and they’d never asked a lot of questions.
Today, however, things were much different. Zak watched Kurt as if he anticipated his outright objection. Dante and Dallas left the room.
Brandon studied the brother responsible here, noticing how he winced. His face twisted into an awful expression, one full of pain as much as confusion. After taking a moment, he grated out, “Coco, get up off the damned floor.”
“Stay,” Brandon said, glaring at Kurt. “You want her. I get that. But there’s something you don’t understand.” He looked around at the brothers still present there. “None of you do.”
“Then why don’t you explain it to us because Kurt isn’t the only one disturbed by this,” Mason said. “We all know what has happened between Coco and Kurt. Of course we would. We know both of them well. What I don’t get is why you are determined to do this now!”
When Brandon didn’t say anything, Mason stormed out of the kitchen, too.
Zak, who was not only a Dom himself but had also served as witness to the contract he and Coco had in place, watched him thoughtfully before he asked, “Are you sure you want to do this now?” They’d buried their mother and brothers, but considering they’d all discussed bringing Coco “home” just the evening before, they might as well handle a few matters of personal business.
“Yes, now works,” Brandon said with finality in his voice.
“Kurt?” Zak turned to Kurt. “You started this, but you don’t have to witness what comes next.”
“Oh, but I think I do,” Kurt said, his eyes aglow with seething anger.
Unaware of the lifestyle, and Brandon’s contract with Coco, Kurt couldn’t begin to understand where this conversation and moment would soon lead. Still, Brandon had given it enough thought. This was more than just betrayal on Coco’s part, it was opportunity, too. Her infidelity with Kurt could be Brandon’s only chance to sever ties, the kind of ties that could eventually lead back to him and cost Coco her life.
This was a good time. It was monumental and later she would see that.
“All right.” Brandon placed his hand on Coco’s head, stroking her hair. She’d always loved that and while others in the club scene often said some of the subs considered it degrading when their Masters petted them, he knew for a fact Coco enjoyed it because they discussed everything. In fact, he’d bet a two-month shipment on the fact he could work her into a heavy heat if he kept this up for a few minutes.
Instead, he turned to his family. “No interference from you? Deal?”
Zak and Hales agreed, but Liam and Kurt were reluctant.
“Do we have a deal or not?” Brandon waited for Liam and Kurt to respond.
“Yes,” Liam said.
“Yeah, okay,” Kurt said, his upper cheek flinching.
“Coco, go get your collar.” She rose to her feet, went to the utility room and came back with her collar, a nice and thick black leather choker with a link chain thread through the center.
He’d asked her to take it off as a show of respect for his mother’s graveside service. His mom had always hated the collar because unlike most women and men in their community, she’d known what it signified, what it meant and she’d adamantly and vocally opposed Domination and submission.
“Hand it to me, sub,” Brandon demanded.