Bad Decision: The Carter Brothers Read online

  His fist catches me off guard as he moves quickly toward me. It catches my cheek and knocks my face to the side. The next blow reaches my gut and winds me, making me stumble backward. The sound of me hitting the wall shakes the house, and the door is wrenched open and Charlie races in, closely followed by my mother and Summer. Charlie gets between us and my mother shouts loud enough for the whole world to hear, “What the fuck is going on?”

  Joey glares at me and spits, “You had better ask your son that question.”

  Mum looks at me with the fiercest look and I can tell she knows. She looks at Summer who is standing looking so worried it makes my heart hurt. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Joey, is that all? You knew this was coming from the minute she arrived.”

  She looks at me angrily, “Do you love her, Maxwell?”

  I smile softly, “With everything I’ve got.”

  Her eyes soften and she turns to Summer. “Do you love my son?”

  Summer smiles and it causes the dark clouds to fade as she says happily, “More than anything.”

  Mum rolls her eyes and turns to Joey. “Are you saying my son isn’t good enough for your daughter?”

  I think we all hold our breath as Joey looks at the expression on her face and groans. “I’m not saying that.”

  Mum folds her arms and says angrily, “Then what the fuck is the problem? Lord knows I’ve wanted these boys to settle down and if you think I’m not over the moon that he’s found such a good one in Summer, you’re very much mistaken. Take your head out of the sand, Joey and be happy they’re happy. Maxwell knows the consequences if he upsets your daughter and she will know what I’m capable of if she upsets my son.”

  I try to fight the grin from spreading across my face at her words as I see the defeat in Joey’s eyes. He won’t go against my mother. She’s probably the only person in the world who holds that honor.

  He growls angrily, “Well, it isn’t right. There’s a name for this sort of thing.”

  Mum yells, “Yes, it’s called love! Put yourself in their position, babe. If my father had married your mother, and we fell in love, would you have stayed away? Where’s the harm in it? They’re not related by blood, so what’s the problem here? They haven’t been raised as brother and sister. They’ve just met, for Christ’s sake, cut them some slack.”

  Joey sits down heavily in his chair and turns to look at Summer.

  “Is this what you really want—him?”

  Summer’s face softens, and she moves to stand beside him. She takes his hand and says gently, “I love, Max, dad. Not like a brother but as a man. I came here looking for a family and I found one. With Max beside me, I have a shot at building a better future than the one I thought was mine. I want to be with him more than anything because I recognize love when I see it. It’s the same one my mom had for you once and the love that drove her to leave and fight for a better future for me. Todd loved my mom enough to take on her child and spent the rest of his life treating her like one of his own. Then I saw the love I have for you when I found you. I never questioned it because it just felt right. There are many types of love and each one is precious and should be allowed to thrive. I do love Max, dad and want to see where that takes us, but I want it with your blessing.”

  Joey pulls her close before we can see the tears in his eyes. Despite his life of crime, he’s an emotional man when it comes to his family. This will be tearing him apart but he will do the right thing in the end. It will just take time for him to accept it.

  Mum sniffs and says in a loud voice, “I’ll go and put the kettle on. My nerves are frayed now and I can’t take any more fighting. Come and give me a hand, boys and leave Summer and Joey to sort things out.”

  I catch Summer’s eye as we leave the room and the connection is clear. Summer is mine and I am hers -forever.

  27

  Summer

  I pull up a chair and talk it all through with my father. We talk about everything - our feelings, our fears our hopes and our dreams. By the time night falls there is nothing left unsaid. I hope I’ve done enough to show him how good this family can be if we work as a team. Max and I are a team and I need him to see that.

  Dinner is a quiet affair as we all sit around the table not speaking. Rose talks and doesn’t really expect any answers and after a while, she shouts, “For fuck’s sake, you lot are a right bundle of laughs.”

  She says sharply, “Joey, you can take me out for a drink because I need to get pissed tonight. The atmosphere in this house is giving me one of my headaches, so I may as well suffer an alcohol-induced one instead.”

  I catch Charlie’s eye and he grins. Then he says, “Well, I’ve had the day from hell and don’t intend making it a night from one. I’m heading to the Honey club to make a deposit.”

  Max grins. “You make a lot of those.”

  Rose rolls her eyes and says harshly, “Well, when you’re there, try to look for a nice girl in among the weeds you usually pull. I’m not getting any younger and if I’m to be of any use as a grandmother, you had better get a move on.”

  She looks at Max and then me and says shortly, “You can both clear the dishes while we all get ready. Do you think you could manage that?”

  I laugh as Max looks annoyed. “Why do we get to play skivvy and not Charlie?”

  Charlie pipes up. “Because I’m her favorite, always have been and always will be. Suck it up, bro, you’re in the bad books and must do your time, it’s the honorable thing.”

  Max groans and Joey sighs heavily. “Come on then. Let’s go to the pub where hopefully, we can enjoy a quiet drink away from all this madness.”

  They head off to get ready and as soon as the door closes Max pulls me tightly against him. “I thought they’d never leave.”

  Feeling his strong arms around me, makes me forget everything but how much I need him. His lips meet mine and I taste my future. His hands splay out on my lower back and press me to him with the promise of what’s in store and I feel my breath hitch as his dark eyes tell me of a night to remember heading my way.

  He says gruffly, “I meant what I said earlier, Summer.”

  “Which part?”

  He bites my lower lip softly and whispers, “I love you. It’s you and me now, babe and I will never let you down.”

  The tears burn my eyes and my world falls into place. I found what I never started looking for—him.

  By the time the dishes have been cleared away and the others have left, I feel the shivers flood my body at the look in Max’s eyes.

  He reaches for my hand and leads me purposefully toward the stairs. “Tonight, you’re all mine, Summer and I want to show you what that means.”

  I almost groan with longing as he looks at me with concern. “Are you ok with that? We can wait if you’re not up to it.”

  Fixing him with a frown, I say with desperation, “Don’t make me beg.”

  His eyes flash as he pulls me quickly behind him and doesn’t let go until we are safely in his room and he locks the door. As he turns to face me, I reach for my top and pull it over my head. He follows my lead and our pants soon follow. Standing before Max in my underwear, causes the fire to flash in his eyes as he faces me butt naked and all man. I swallow hard as I drop to my knees and guide his cock into my willing mouth.

  Grabbing my hair, he makes a fist and pulls me closer as his cock slips to the back of my throat. He thrusts inside as I pleasure him as I’ve wanted to do since I met him.

  Tasting Max is as sweet as I thought it would be. Soft skin on a hard velvet shaft that leaks the sweetest honey onto my tongue. I suck and tease until his groans tell me he’s close. He tries to pull back but I hold him firmly in my grasp. I want it all. Every last drop of everything he has left to give. Digging my nails into his butt, I press him in deeper. I cup his balls with my other hand and roll them slowly as I suck him hard. I feel him tense and then the hot, salty liquid coats my throat and settles inside. I love the feeling of it slipping down my throat, coatin
g parts of me that he has never reached before. I want Max’s imprint on every part of my body inside and out and it makes me moan as I feel the heat between my legs at how sexy it makes me feel.

  He reaches down and hauls me up until my breasts are pressed against his hard chest. Reaching behind me, he unhooks my bra as I shrug off my panties. Then it’s his turn as he brands every part of me with his kiss. Starting with my eyes he kisses slowly and seductively all over my body. He nips at my neck and rains feather-light kisses all over my chest. Then he sucks on my breasts and rolls my nipples around his tongue. I gasp at the pleasure he brings as he travels lower. His mouth seeks out the place where he can taste what I want to give him. My desire is licked from me with a wicked tongue that promises pleasure and pain as he licks and bites me to the edge.

  I arch toward him and groan with longing. His finger enters me inside and curls against my g spot. I buck under it and my eyes roll back as I gasp, “That feels so good.”

  His finger moves behind me and I feel it enter my ass. It feels so forbidden, sexy and dirty at the same time and sends me crazy with lust.

  He pulls me down until I straddle his knee and I wrap my legs around his waist as he lowers me gently onto his cock. He groans as he enters my core and I feel myself clench around him. Quickly, he pulls out and unwraps a condom with his teeth before saying softly, “Let’s not give in to demands just yet.”

  I smile against his skin as he protects us before lowering me once again until he is in to the hilt. I gasp as I feel the size of the man fucking me so slowly. He moves in and out at a tantalizing pace making me moan like a whore as I take whatever he gives me. He says roughly, “Ride my cock and make it yours.”

  Moving up and down, I control the pace. It feels so sexy making love to the man I know I will spend the rest of my life with. It feels different from the first time. There is no more worry and no more doubts. This is forever, and it feels amazing.

  Soon we are moving faster and Max flips me over and I wrap my legs around his waist and take him in deep. He thrusts hard and fast as I scream his name. Skin grinds against skin and sweat runs like a river between us. We are as far inside each other as Nature will allow but it’s still not enough. It’s like we’re desperate animals who have a need to reproduce. The carpet burns my back as I move faster and faster on top of it and Max thrusts inside like a man possessed.

  Something builds inside me that shatters me into a million pieces. It pulsates over me with wave upon wave of ecstasy. I scream his name and he roars like a lion as he shoots so deep inside me I think the condom will burst. I’m not even sure how long the orgasm lasts because my body is a greedy bitch and won’t come down from its natural high. I feel the tremors wrack my body as I shudder against him. He thrusts for ages inside, spilling every drop and my legs feel shaky and weak as they fall to the floor.

  Then, Max spins onto his back and I settle my head on his chest. His arm drapes around me and pulls me close and I can hear his heart beating. He says softly, “I hope you haven’t made any plans tonight because that was just round one.”

  Laughing, I stroke his chest and say happily, “I’m going nowhere.”

  28

  Maxwell

  This is the sweetest end to the hardest day of my life. Having Summer in my arms is more than I dared hope for. I’m just glad the others went out tonight because spending time alone with my girl is all I want.

  We spend most of the evening exploring each other and I can’t get enough. However, even I know it would be a step too far if Joey came home and found her in my bed, so reluctantly, she heads off for a soak in a deep bath and then to bed.

  I think I stay awake for most of the night. My thoughts are conflicting because on the one hand, I’m the happiest I have ever been. Then there’s what happened to Melissa and potentially Summer and Tracey to deal with. Joey stepped across the line today by involving the authorities and if I’m honest with myself, it was the only thing he could do.

  Now it’s up to us to make sure this score is settled and the likes of Florin Amadi and his gang don’t escape from our special kind of rough justice.

  The day dawns and brings with it a shit storm to occupy our time.

  The mood at breakfast is ominous and I don’t miss that Charlie looks like shit.

  The plan is to head to the club for a round of meetings with various acquaintances to sort this out. Charlie seems pre-occupied which worries me. I can read him so clearly and when he’s worried, I’m worried.

  Summer decides to stay at home with mum after the hell of yesterday and leaving her is the hardest thing. All I want to do is whisk her away somewhere where it’s just the two of us and a big comfortable bed. However, this needs sorting, so I whisper when Joey heads off to get ready, “I’m going to miss you today.”

  She smiles shyly which goes straight to my cock.

  “Me too. Will I see you tonight?”

  Kissing her lightly on the lips, I say softly, “I’m counting on it. I think I should take you out on a proper date.”

  Her eyes shine and she looks excited. “A date?”

  Grinning, I just wink. “I’ll pick you up at 7 o’clock. Dress for dinner.”

  Joey heads our way, so we pull back and Summer smiles sweetly at him.

  “Have a good day, dad.”

  His expression softens as he kisses her on the cheek. “You too, babe. Get Rose to take you shopping or something, my treat.”

  Mum shouts from the kitchen, “You’ll regret saying that.”

  Joey laughs and heads off to find her and Charlie says irritably, “I’ll see you in the car.”

  Summer looks after him with a frown. “What’s the matter with him?”

  Running my hand around her waist, I pull her close and kiss her lips softly. Then I whisper, “Leave Charlie to me. I’ll find out and sort it, whatever it is.”

  Joey comes out and throws me a hard stare and I quickly release Summer and grin sheepishly. “I’m on my way.”

  Raising his eyes, he storms out with me following close behind.

  The Honey Club is busy today. Not with customers but with a special kind of visitor. Every person we know or had dealings with congregates here while we discuss possible payback for what happened yesterday.

  Tanner, one of dad’s closest friends looks at him with a worried expression. “You ok, Joe? That must have hurt calling the cops yesterday.”

  Joey frowns. “I hated every minute of it but we didn’t have time to deal with it ourselves. Those girls were in danger and the authorities were the best people to sort this out.”

  Tony pipes up. “So, what’s the plan?”

  Joey fixes him with a grave look. “I’m guessing they’ve been sent to Belmarsh. Do we still have connections there?”

  Tony nods. “Yeah, Smith and Greaves are there. Do you want me to get the word out?”

  Joey nods. “Make them suffer. Death would have been kinder after they’ve finished their prison term.”

  Charlie says harshly, “Is that it? A few fights in prison to punish them for what they’ve done.”

  I look at him sharply because from his tone he’s pissed at something. Joey shakes his head. “I’m not saying that. Prison will be the starter. Their stay at her Majesties pleasure will not be a happy one. Then, when they get out the fun really starts. For now, we spread the word they’re marked men. Wrap up their business and put the fear of God into anyone left. I don’t want a repeat of what happened here starting again and we need to stop any other gangs thinking they can get away with it.”

  The surrounding faces are set in stone. We may be criminals but we don’t involve exploiting women in what we do. It’s always been that way. Family is everything and women are treated with respect unless they choose otherwise. When we love, we love deeply and without limits. Business is business though and we care for those women who want the sort of life we can offer in our clubs. They are protected and what Florin and his gang did is not tolerated.

 
Joey wraps up the meeting and heads off for lunch with some of his friends. Charlie makes to leave and I pull him back and say harshly, “I need a word—upstairs.”

  By the time we reach the flat, I’m as pissed as Charlie. As soon as we get inside, I say sharply, “What’s eating you?”

  He frowns. “Nothing, why?”

  “Cut the crap, Charlie. You forget I know you better than anyone. Something’s bothering you and I want to know what?”

  He rakes his fingers through his hair and says angrily, “It’s those sick bastards that took the girls. What they did to Melissa makes my blood run cold and we’re just expected to back down and let the system deal with it. It sucks.”

  I nod in agreement. “I’m the same but what can we do? We have to trust Pops on this.”

  Charlie shakes his head. “I know that - it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  Leaning back on the counter, I stare at him hard. “Where did you go last night?”

  He looks away and shrugs. “Just out.”

  Moving across the room, I spin him around to face me and say in a hard voice, “Out where?”

  He shrugs off my hand and gets in my face. “Don’t you touch me the mood I’m in. For your information, I went to visit Tracey. I didn’t like leaving her after what we put her through and wanted to check on her.”

  He storms over to the couch and flicks on the set. I watch him struggling with something and know that look. Charlie is in unknown territory and he doesn’t like that. Laughing to myself, I sit beside him on the couch and say lightly, “How was she?”

  He shrugs, “Ok I guess.”