Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1)(60)

“Always so quick to blame Michael, aren’t you Joseph? It was Anthony that texted me. I just wanted to stop and see if you two were okay.” She shook her head at me.

When did my mother learn how to text?

“We will be as soon as we get out of this shithole.”

“What happened, son?” My mom pulled up a chair and waited for my answer.

“Someone assaulted her. When I found her, I kicked his ass.” I didn’t want to meet my mother’s eyes. She was the only person in the world I never wanted to disappoint. I wasn’t a mama’s boy, but in an Italian family a mother is the queen bee, top dog, and wore the pants. Even my father bowed down to her and cherished the ground she walked on. He wasn’t a * and could kick ass in his youth, but Mrs. Gallo wasn’t a person any of us wanted to piss off. “Trust me, Ma, he looks worse than me.”

She wrinkled her nose; she never liked to think of any of her children fighting, even Mikey. “Where were you?”

“Neon Cowboy and we were on our way out after having a couple drinks.” I definitely didn’t want to share that I planned to kidnap my girlfriend. Sex wasn’t something I talked to my mother about and often, not even my father.

“I told you I hate that damn bar. There’s nothing but trouble in those types of places. Haven’t you learned anything from Thomas?” She wasn’t mad, but I could see the fear in her eyes.

“Yes, Ma. I have friends there, clients even, and I like it there. I’m not going to stop hanging out there because of the what-ifs.”

“Is she okay, son?” She peeked over my shoulder, her eyes growing wide as she took in the sight of Suzy’s face.

“Yeah, she’ll heal. Just waiting for the doctor to come and release her. I won’t be there Sunday, but I promise to be there next week.”

“Sure, baby. Can I drop off food at least? That way you can spend time taking care of her without having to cook.”

How could I say no to my mother? When she offered food it was the highest honor. She lived to cook and take care of her family. If I said no, it would be an enormous insult and there would be hell to pay.

“Sure, Ma. I’d love if you’d stop by with some food.” I didn’t entirely mean that statement but I knew it would make her happy.

“I’m going to go and let you two rest. I don’t want to wake her. I’ll call you later, Joseph.” She stood up and kissed my forehead. She was the only person in the world that I’d let treat me like a child. No matter how many times I told her I wasn’t, she just made it all the more unbearable smothering me with her love.

“Okay, Ma. Thanks.”

“I love you, Joseph. Take care of that one.”

“Love you too, Ma.”

She walked out of the room and I ran my fingers over the bruises on her face. They were brighter in color and more visible than they had been the night before. She began to stir at my touch and her eyes opened and the side crinkled from the smile on her face.

“You stayed?”

“Where else would I go, sugar?”

She closed her eyes and made a sound like I don’t know as she smashed her face in my chest an inhaled. “Can we get out of here?” she asked.

“I’ll go see if I can get the doctor to discharge you. Let me get up.”

She winced as I helped her move out of my arms and climbed off the bed. “You’re going to spend all day in bed when I get you out of here.”

“Ooo, that sounds so sexy.” She laughed and held her side.

“Bad girl, you’re injured – rest only.” I was happy to see that her spirit didn’t vanish with the events of the attack. “Be right back or I’ll break you out of this joint.”

I found a nurse sitting at a desk and pleaded with her to process the paperwork quicker than normal. “You can help her get dressed to speed up the process if you’d like, sir,” the nurse said as she typed on her keyboard.

“Sure, we’ll be waiting, ma’am.” I returned to the room to find Suzy trying to climb out of bed. “What the hell are you doing?” I said, rushing to her side.

“I needed to pee.” She looked up at me with a shy embarrassed smile.

“I’ll help you, sugar. Then we got to get you dressed.”

“Fine. I hate having to need help to walk, City. This is a little ridiculous.”

“It’s what I’m here for. You’re mine and I’m going to take care of you this weekend. No arguments. Got it?” I waited for her reply before taking her hand.

“Yes, sir. I’m yours for the weekend. I thought it would be a bit different, but,” she said without finishing the sentence and shrugged.

“Makes two of us. Come on, sweetheart.” I helped her to the bathroom and then grabbed her clothes. I hit them a couple times to get the dirt off before she dressed.

“I need a shower,” she said as she hobbled out of the bathroom.

“I’ll help you as soon as we get you home.”

“You’re the boss.”

I liked the sound of those words coming out of her mouth. I wouldn’t take any lip from her this weekend. She’s mine.





Mouth Watering Goodness



I settled in my bed, thankful to be home, and watched City as he undressed. I’d never been with a man that I couldn’t stop staring at. I wanted the image etched in my brain. His muscular build and firm chest flexed as he took off his pants. The tattoos on his torso and arms moved and I was mesmerized as if watching a movie. I ached to tug on the bar that hung from his nipple, salivated to taste his flesh, and shivered at the thought of him inside me.