Yours Book 3: Life Mastered

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  Other books by Blue Saffire

  Also available….

  Legally Bound

  Legally Bound 2: Against the Law

  Legally Bound 3: His Law

  Legally Bound 4: Allegations of Love

  Legally Bound 5.0 Sam: Illegal Matters

  Perfect for Me

  Ballers: His Game

  Brothers Black

  Yours 1

  Yours 2: Gaining Experience

  Coming Soon…

  Ballers 2

  Brothers Black 2

  Legally Bound 5.5: Legally Unbound

  Yours 3

  Mastering Life

  Blue Saffire

  Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.

  Bay Shore, New York

  Copyright © 2016 by Blue Saffire.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

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  PO Box 5253

  Bay Shore, New York/11706

  www.BlueSaffire.com

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

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  Yours 3 Mastering Life/ Blue Saffire. -- 1st ed.

  It is here, I stand, and it is here that I make the decision to master myself. I am the one responsible for my happiness. So it is here that I set myself free.

  ―Blue Saffire

  Preface

  Nick

  “Care to explain what’s going on,” the thick Irish accent, on the other end of the phone asks.

  “Yes, I would like to know the same thing. This is an odd time to be calling,” the next voice says.

  Nick looks at Kevin and nods his head, feeling like if he repeats what happened on that phone call one more time, his head will explode. It was taking everything in him not to start this manhunt tonight. The only thing that had him on a plane, waiting to take off for Jamaica, was the fact that he had a greater desire to find out from his soon-to-be-wife, what the hell she has been up to.

  Nick couldn’t believe Sephora was digging into this bullshit behind his back. Everything was now starting to make sense. This bastard had been relatively quiet for a while now. The A&T deal Nick could understand, the prick targeting his business deals at random was nothing new. However, all the rest of it had stumped him at first.

  Now that he knew Sephora was the one fanning the flames, it all made perfect sense. Nick just wanted to understand what was going on in her head. He told her how dangerous this all could be. Nick was fuming on the inside because he felt, somehow, he failed to make this clear enough to Sephora.

  He just needed to know why she put herself in danger like this. Sephora was too smart for her own good sometimes. Nick knew she was close. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be a threat. He’d realized when she found the encrypted file on A&T’s server that she may have outmaneuvered his whole team in that one move.

  That was saying a lot because Nick had access to nothing but the best. However, he had always known Sephora is nothing short of a genius. He just couldn’t bring himself to drag Sephora into this wild goose chase. It already seemed like the rest of them had been on it, for eight years.

  Having to be so cautious didn’t help matters. That had been what made it all seem so far out of reach. Nick felt like he would never find the truth because they had to move with twice the caution with each step they took.

  Unfortunately, for everyone involved, Nick was no longer willing to move with such caution anymore. That was the purpose of this call. Nick had dropped the gavel and war was declared. He was willing to answer to whoever he had to, to make sure what was his remained safe.

  Whoever, this scumbag has banked on one fact, all these years. Two families were linked to that investment, eight years ago, that no one was willing to cross. Nick, the Emilssons, Ligals, Hiltons, and Carvers would all play nice, because of their silent partners.

  Well, once again this mystery man had calculated wrong. His first false assumption was; that Nick would take a threat to his woman so lightly. The next false assumption was; that Nick gave a shit about pissing off two crime families by protecting what was his.

  This was a grave mistake. One thing Nick knew for sure, this person was smart, but not as smart as he apparently thought himself to be. He had missed out on a few key things.

  One, unknown to most the Mairetties had been family friends of the Lincoln’s for generations. Nick has been aware of the depth of the Mairettie family for quite some time now. This knowledge was something his father passed to him, once Nick became of age to really understand the ins and outs of all of FLI.

  Two, the new head of the O’Brien family has a greater invested interest in these affairs. Cole “Brooklyn” O’Brien, head of the O’Brien clan, is the son of Athena Black-O’Brien. None other than the nephew of Joseph Black. Brooklyn is also heavily respected and connected through the Black name.

  One thing to be known about Cole, or Brooklyn as everyone knows him. He is fiercely loyal to his family. He is also very tight with all seven of the Black brothers. Brooklyn has been lurking in the shadows waiting for his uncle to give the word.

  One quick text to Joe Black and Nick was able to get that word in motion. All he needed to do now was tell the Irish Lord and the Italian Capo why he was calling in this favor so soon.

  “Brooklyn, LaSalle, this is Kevin. Nick received a call tonight concerning Sephora. This phantom has changed the game. He threatened her life. Nick is tired of waiting and taking things slow. Sephora may have stepped on this guy’s toes and dug into something he doesn’t like,” Kevin says in response on Nick’s behalf.

  “What do you need,” Sam all but growls.

  Anyone that knows LaSalle knows he has no patience for threats against women. Nick had once seen his handy work when a client at Club Desire took things too far without the female sub’s consent. It wasn’t pretty. Sam had just happened to be at the club that night, on a friendly visit with the Twins, Ramses and Remi.

  Nick had been stunned to see the usually quiet man, change into a vicious killer right before his eyes. Until then, Nick only thought the rumors were just that, trumped up rumors. Nick quickly learned that there is indeed a difference between, Sam Mairettie the businessman and LaSalle Locatelli the Capo.

  “I will warn you now;
there is a chance this can all get messy financially for the group. FLI and our partnership are not my priority anymore. I am going at this son of a bitch hard, but I can promise all parties involved when the smoke settles, I will recoup any losses and double our interest to make up for the mess I am about to cause,” Nick says coolly, boldly telling what he plans and not asking.

  “You will get no arguments from me. My cousins have already shared with me a wee bit about the Lass you plan to marry. Ryan had a hunch she’s been up to something. Once he had his little run in, it became my intention to cause a little trouble. I have a fire to put out here, but I will be stepping in with my cousins from here on out,” Brooklyn replies his accent, so thick Nick found himself leaning in to make sure he heard him clearly.

  “You have whatever you need from me,” Sam adds. “We are doing more than well. If we take a hit, I will smooth things over with my uncle.”

  “Fuck the money,” Brooklyn snorts. “I shit what we have made over the last six years. Do what you have to, Nick. You don’t even have to ask. You have the full support of the O’Brien clan,” Brooklyn rumbles. “LaSalle, I need to see your ass when I get to the States.”

  With those parting words, Brooklyn disconnects from the call. Nick shakes his head, so typical of the man. Brooklyn has always been straight forward.

  Sam’s chuckle comes through the line, and Nick knows he is thinking the same thing. “Sometimes I wonder if he thinks he’s my boss,” Sam says in amusement. “Good night gentleman.”

  “Nick,” Craig’s voice comes through the phone tightly.

  Nick’s heart squeezes in his chest. No one could prove it, but everyone suspected that the son of a bitch they were now gunning for had taken something from most of their little circle. Nick knew what Craig was saying without the words having to have been said.

  All the guys were listening in on this call. No matter their differences, they had all been brought closer together when it came to this subject. Since Nick lost everything, they had all been there for him and he for them, even when they couldn’t link their tragedies to the phantom and just had sinking suspicions. They had torn at each other’s throats but also had come closer together.

  No, Craig didn’t have to say a word. Nick knew what he was asking him for. It was time for the piper to be paid and Nick would make sure all debts were accounted for.

  “It’s settled. I’m declaring war on all parties that have been involved in this, and I don’t plan on stopping until I take them all down,” Nick bites out.

  “Thanks,” Craig whispers.

  ~B~

  Sephora

  Jamaica…The night before Nick’s scheduled arrival…

  Ryan: I’m not ignoring you. Something has just come up.

  Me: I think I need your help.

  Ryan: Yeah. Wish you would have come to me sooner, Sweetheart.

  I just stare at my phone and wrinkle my brows. I have been trying for almost two weeks to get in touch with Ryan, and now he finally texts me back, but something feels off. I look at his words trying to make sense of them.

  I thought we were past all the awkward stuff and my relationship with Nick. Ryan is great, but nothing was ever going to come of it, so I am having a hard time understanding the tone of his text. Shaking my head, I reply.

  Me: What?

  Ryan: You still don’t get who Nick is, do you? Men like him never stay in the dark when it comes to the ones they love. Don’t worry. It’s being taken care of.

  I narrow my eyes as I read his reply. Once I absorb the words, a shock of panic runs through me. When I spoke to Nick, he sounded so happy to be on his way here in the morning.

  Nothing in his voice gave away that he knows what I have been up to. We talked until I heard him lightly snoring on the other end. I called his name until he answered me and told him to go to bed.

  We ended the call on I love yous, and he promised me a sloppy kiss when he arrives. There was nothing about it all to suggest that something was wrong. And believe me, if Nick knew how deep I have gotten myself in this in the last two weeks, outside of the watchful eye of Nick and his security team, he would hit the damn roof.

  I decided to move forward to answer the questions that have been nagging me. I just need Wyatt’s help in knowing what to do from here. That is why I have been texting Ryan. I tried Noah and Braxton too, but their lines went to Nellie and Heather at the office. Apparently, they have both been out on assignment.

  I was tempted to ask Nellie for help, but I thought better of it at the last minute. I almost asked her to speak to Wyatt directly, but I have to say I’m a little intimidated by him. I’ve said it once before; Noah is a teddy bear. Ryan and Braxton are like the two brothers you go to for advice or to beat someone up when they hurt you. Or you go to them to make you pee your pants laughing when you have a bad day.

  Wyatt, on the other hand, is intense. He has a sense of humor, but he also has this vibe that tells you to watch what you say or do, especially when it comes to Nellie. Honestly, he reminds me too much of Nick. So for the same reasons I have yet to say something to Nick, I would not ask for Wyatt directly.

  My plan is to wait until after the honeymoon to spill it all to Nick. At least that was my decision before Ryan finally responded to my text. Now I have this feeling of dread settling in as Ryan’s words wrap around me like ice cold fingers.

  No, there is no way Ryan is telling me that Nick is on to me.

  Chapter One

  Take Control

  Sephora

  I can’t sleep. I hadn’t been able to fall asleep before Ryan’s text because I was so excited about Nick’s arrival. Now I can’t sleep because I am dreading it. I know in the back of my mind without a doubt that Nick knows. I am just praying that I am wrong.

  A shiver of dread runs through me for the millionth time. My stomach is in knots. I reach to rub my queasy stomach as I stare up at the ceiling. Ugh, I hate spending time away from Nick. It seems something goes wrong every time.

  I know I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I reach for my phone and lift it to check the time. I groan and roll my eyes when I see that it is only five minutes from the last time I checked. It is a little after eight in the morning, and I haven’t gotten a wink of sleep. Nick will be here this afternoon. I think I may die from anticipation before Nick makes it here to kill me himself.

  I think again about just calling Nick to ask if he knows, but he sounded so tired when we hung up. I don’t want to wake him. If I just wait a little longer, I can call him and make it seem as if I am calling to wish him a safe flight. Maybe then I can gauge his mood.

  I sigh and slap the bed. I am more than frustrated right now. Last night I couldn’t sleep because I have been horny as hell and Nick demanded I not touch myself for relief.

  I would so much rather the feeling I had last night than this sinking feeling; I have right now. I flip onto my stomach and bury my face into the pillow. What is the worse that could happen if he does know? I mean I can finally get this all off my chest, right. He could spank you really good. Now that… I may not mind.

  Nick is crazy if he thinks I can really wait two more days for him to be inside me. His plan is to wait until after the wedding. I haven’t agreed to that, and before Ry’s text, I had plans to try and seduce Nick when he gets here.

  Now I don’t think I want to be here at all when Nick arrives. He is going to lose his shit on me. I am screaming into my pillow on the verge of tears when the atmosphere changes in the room.

  On instinct, I flip over and crotch in the center of the bed to protect myself. My fight instinct has been second nature since Noah has been kicking my ass. I have been taking a little mixed martial arts class on the island since I have been here. They have an instructor here at the luxury resort for the guests.

  I know I must look like a crazy woman ready to attack, but I am sure I must look even more insane when I take in the form before me. Shit, shit, shit, you are in so much trouble Sephora, way to go.<
br />
  Standing before me is a very pissed off looking Nick. Sexy as hell but pissed none the less. I sigh and allow my body to relax, falling onto my backside. I lift my fingers to my forehead and rub at the tension that is building. I feel light headed all of a sudden.

  The large master bedroom of the villa I have been staying in feels like it is spinning around. I pull my bottom lip into my mouth and close my eyes to still the room around me. He knows he is here because he knows. Shit, shit, shit.

  I open my eyes, and his intense green gaze locks on me. His head is tilted to the side as if he is studying everything about me. He is probably wondering who the heck I am. I have never kept anything from Nick. Honestly, I have never been able to. Nick always sees right through me. It is just that this time, he didn’t know to look.

  I was able to hide this because there was no way in a million years, Nick would think that I would decide to become Jane Bond. I feel so sick and guilty. Suddenly, everything I have uncovered, everything I know means shit because I can see I have hurt him in the depths of his eyes. I screwed up big time.

  Nick reaches for his tie and loosens it as he licks his bottom lip, still not saying a word. Usually, the sight would be a major turn on. I won’t lie, my body knows Nick is in the room. It is clearly reacting to him on its own. My brain, however, sees the raw emotion in his eyes that he is chosen not to shield from me.

  “What the hell were you thinking,” Nick speaks his first words as he tilts his head to the other side.

  “I–,” I start to explain, but Nick silences me by cutting a sharp hand across his neck.

  “I don’t even want to hear it. I had six hours on a plane to reflect on what you have done. To think about how you looked me in the eyes and promised me that you would do as I say. You promised me you would let me keep you safe,” Nick says with a quiet calm that chills my bones. I wrap my arms around my middle and look away from him.