DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Sexting the Don: Chapter 22
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I find myself replaying the brief, but heated moments, we shared just moments ago.
The interruption only fuels my anticipation, a feeling I’ve come to savor. As I sip my coffee, scenes from last night flash through my mind—Mandy’s gasps, her pleasure, her eager submission as we pushed deeper into our BDSM exploration.
She’s been incredibly responsive, diving into each new experience with an enthusiasm that’s both exhilarating and immensely satisfying. I’m already looking forward to seeing how much further she’s willing to go.
As I’m wrapped up in thoughts from last night, Mandy makes her way back down and grabs my attention. She’s slipped into workout gear that’s nothing short of stunning on her.
She grabs her gym bag and announces her plan. ‘I’m heading out to meet Natalie at the gym,’ she says, glancing at her phone.
Curious, I ask, ‘How are you planning to get there?’
‘I was thinking of taking the bus. It’s not that far,’ she replies nonchalantly.
I laugh. “I see you take after your mom.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I immediately shake my head, my protective instinct kicking in over her casual attitude about walking alone. ‘Not a chance you’re going on your own,’ I state firmly. ‘With everything that’s been going on, I don’t like the idea of you walking alone. It’s not safe.’
She looks like she’s about to argue, a flash of independence flashing in her eyes, but she seems to recognize the seriousness in my tone and lets it go.
‘Okay, what do you suggest then?’ she asks, a playful challenge in her voice.
I grab my keys from the hook. ‘I’ll drive you. It’ll give me peace of mind knowing you got there safely,’ I tell her matter-of-factly, already heading toward the door. “I can pick you up, or you can take an Uber back.”
As we slide into the car, Mandy’s phone buzzes with a new message. She checks it, her laughter filling the space. ‘It’s Mom,’ she says with a grin. ‘She’s making waves with the Land Rover at the restaurant and wants to cook dinner tonight as a thank you.’
I can’t help but smile at the thought, amused by Florence’s enthusiasm. ‘I’d love that,’ I reply. ‘Tell her it’s a date.’
But as I start the engine and pull out, Mandy’s mood shifts to something more serious.
‘I need to call La Serna and figure out how to juggle all this,’ she says, the stress evident in her tone.
I shoot her a glance, firm in my conviction. ‘Look, you don’t need to stress about money right now. Your safety is the only thing that should be on your mind,’ I tell her, hoping to ease her burden a bit.
She seems to relax slightly at my words but then fires back, ‘I’ve always earned my own keep. That matters to me.’
I respect her grit, and it strikes a chord. ‘I get that. I built everything I have from the ground up,’ I acknowledge. ‘But right now, we need to put all that on the back burner until you’re out of the woods.’
Her expression tightens with worry. ‘Do you really think I’m in that much danger?’ she asks, uncertainty clouding her voice.
Looking straight ahead, I harden my tone a little, making sure she understands the severity of the situation. ‘I’m not about to gamble with your safety,’ I state decisively. ‘Not with a wildcard like Jimmy still in play. Definitely not since he’s gotten violent and desperate.’
Mandy leans back, taking in my words and the reality of her precarious situation settling in. I reach over and give her hand a reassuring squeeze, trying to blend support with the hard truth. ‘Let’s focus on the here and now,’ I suggest. ‘We’ll have a nice dinner tonight and sort out the rest later. For now, just know I’ve got you covered.’
She offers a small, appreciative smile and squeezes my hand in return. ‘Thanks,’ she murmurs. ‘Having you in my corner means everything.’
I pull up to the sleek Beverly Hills gym, its modern facade looking more like a high-end spa than a workout facility. As Mandy prepares to step out, I catch her arm gently. ‘Don’t take public transportation back, all right? Call me or grab an Uber.”
She nods, flashing me a quick smile. ‘Will do.’
Just as I’m about to drive off, lost in thoughts of the night ahead, my phone buzzes with a new message. It’s from Sean, snapping me back to reality. I scan the text—he wants to meet at a nearby coffee shop. Looks like business can’t wait.
I find a parking spot and head into the little cafe, spotting Sean seated in a secluded corner. His expression is tense, more so than usual. I slide into the seat across from him, sensing this isn’t just a casual catch-up.
Sean doesn’t waste time with pleasantries. ‘One of Garadino’s guys got in touch this morning,’ he starts, his voice low and serious. ‘The big man wants a meeting with you—tonight.’
I lean back, processing the information. A meeting with Garadino could mean many things, but none of them are simple or safe. ‘Did he mention what it’s about?’ I ask.
Sean shakes his head. ‘No details. Just that he wants to see you. Alone.’ His last word hangs between us, heavy with implication.
I rub my chin thoughtfully, considering my options. Meeting with Garadino isn’t something I particularly want to do, but avoiding it could give him the wrong impression, potentially escalating the already palpable friction between us.
‘All right,’ I finally say, my decision made. ‘Set it up. But keep it on our terms. Neutral ground.’
Sean’s relief is visible. He knows I can handle myself, but the stakes are always high with Garadino—he’s unpredictable. ‘I’ll arrange it and send you the details,’ he assures me, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.
Sean’s fingers work quickly over his phone as he sets up the details for the meeting. Once he’s done he looks up, a hesitation in his eyes, a tell that he’s holding back on something. I’ve known Sean long enough to read these subtleties.
‘Spill it. What’s on your mind?’ I prompt. I need him to be straightforward; time isn’t a luxury we have on our side.
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, a sign I know to be of genuine concern. ‘I might be getting paranoid here but …’ He trails off, searching for the right words, or maybe the courage, to voice his worries.
‘Out with it,’ I press, not in the mood for hesitancies.
‘It’s just a rumor right now, but word has it Garadino thinks you’ve got a spy in his organization. And that your men are stirring up trouble in his territory,’ Sean finally says.
I frown at this. A couple of my guys have indeed been scouting some small businesses in Garadino’s neighborhood. These moves were meant to be low-key and kept under the radar. They are simply preliminary feelers, nothing aggressive or overt.
‘Those operations were supposed to be discreet, reconnaissance-only missions. How did Garadino get wind of them?’ I mutter more to myself than to Sean, piecing together the implications.
Sean shrugs, his expression grim. ‘Don’t know. But if he’s putting this together with rumors of a spy, it could spell trouble. He might think you’re making a move against him.’
This information shifts things slightly, adding a layer of urgency and danger to the upcoming meeting. If Garadino is already on edge, thinking I’m encroaching on his territory with spies and sneaky maneuvers, it could make negotiations more volatile.
‘All right, keep your ears open. Tighten things up on our side. I need to know exactly what Garadino is thinking when I walk into that meeting,’ I instruct.
‘Will do, boss. I’ll double-check our guys, make sure everything’s tight.’
As Sean leaves to follow up on our security measures, I sit back, pondering my next steps.
I pull out my phone and dial Bo, one of my trusted men overseeing the business acquisitions. I need to get a handle on how things are progressing and ensure there are no loose ends, especially not now.
‘Update me on the acquisitions. How are things on the ground?’ I ask as soon as he picks up.
Bo’s voice comes through, tense and braced with frustration. ‘Boss, we’ve got a bit of a situation. Jimmy Charles has been snooping around, asking too many questions. We had to set him straight and told him to back off.’
I clench my teeth, my grip tightening on the phone. Fucking Jimmy Charles. Every time there’s a problem, his name seems to surface. And now, with his family under my roof, the stakes are even more complicated.
‘We need to keep a tight lid on this. How exposed are we?’ I press, my mind racing.
‘We’re handling it, boss. Kept it clean; no way to trace anything back to us. But he’s persistent, sniffing around like he’s got something to prove,’ Bo reports.
I pause, weighing my options. Jimmy’s interference could not only jeopardize our operations but also threaten the safety and stability I promised Mandy and her mother.
‘Listen, Bo, I’m not concerned just about the business here. Jimmy’s family, his wife and daughter, are under my protection now,’ I say, making my priorities crystal clear. ‘I need to protect Mandy from him, which means keeping her mother safe as well. We can’t afford slip-ups.’
Bo’s response is immediate, his loyalty unquestionable. ‘Understood, boss. We’ll keep it tight. And if Jimmy shows his face again, we’ll handle it more … decisively.’
‘Good. Keep me updated, and make sure he doesn’t get wind of anything that could lead him back to Mandy and her mother’s whereabouts.”
Protecting Mandy and Florence is not just about their immediate safety from Jimmy. It’s also ensuring they never feel the fallout from the darker side of my life.
‘Will do, Mr. Martelli. You’ve got my word,’ Bo assures me before we end the call.
I hang up, frustration settling in. Jimmy Charles is becoming more than just a nuisance—he’s a potential threat to the peace I’m trying to create for Mandy.
As I set my phone down, my mind is already turning over the next moves, planning how to fortify not just my business but the sanctuary I’ve offered to the two people who are becoming more important to me by the day.