City Life

*Sandra*

They took many back roads to get to the city. I hadn't been down any of them. Joseph told me they do that to ensure no one is following them or knows where they came from. I love that big brain of his. *Don't use that word Sand, you know how that ends up* When we finally pulled into the city they all became tense. It was like the atmosphere completely changed. When we got to the gates of his city house I leaned to look out of the window. "Sit back Sandra." He said sharply. I did as he said. He tried to soften his look at me, but I could tell he was different. "I don't want you to be seen coming in the gates, darling." His voice was a little bit smoother. "Whose gonna see me?" I rolled my eyes at him. I saw that fire in his eyes try to ignite but he shook it off. Zeus leaned up between us. "Sandra, my dear, we are just trying to keep you safe. Jo doesn't want it getting to detective douchebag that you are in the city. Big, the guy he was with, he knows people around here. We don't trust many. There is a reason some of these guys are part of the brotherhood you see walking outside the gates." He pointed at the group of men standing in front of the high walls. "They aren't allowed in. They are good criminals, which means, you can't trust any of them." he leaned back in his seat and I looked at Joseph. I could swear I caught him smirking.

When pulled in front of the very large house I looked over to Joseph, " That boss, is an empire." He smiled. I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Darth Vader indeed." I watched the goosebumps rise on his neck. He looked at me smiling until we stopped. His face suddenly went stone cold. I shivered. Henry put his hand on my shoulder noticing my reaction. He leaned up beside the opposite side of my face. "Do not take it personally sunshine, he is putting on a scary show. They have to fear him. He cannot show them weakness. He has to be entirely intimidating. Just keep that in mind." He was quiet so Joseph wouldn't hear him. Instead, he looked over at me, " At no time do you call me by my name here, Smoke only, even in private, understand?" I took a deep breath and shook my head in agreement. "We don't use the name Jay here either, just call him 2." I shook my head yes again. He reached my hand and squeezed it one time before letting it go and nodding to Jay. At least I learned he is the second in command of the guards. I wonder who the first might be. When he got out of the car he didn't turn to help me. He walked straight for the front door. Instead, Jay grabbed my hand and helped me out. I looked up the stairs and saw Joseph looking at me. I walked up the stairs keeping eye contact with him. When the doors opened I walked through. It looked like an office building. There was a large lobby area and some chairs against the walls. There was a beautiful cherry wood staircase that spiraled up to another floor. "Henry show her where the kitchen is, and begin lunch, Z and I will be in the office." He turned to me and kissed my forehead before walking in the other direction. "You ready sunshine?" Henry was smiling at me. "Sunshine huh?" He looked at me and slapped his head. He started to explain quietly that they had forgotten to tell me that my codename was Sunshine in the city house. None of them wanted to call me Sandy in front of the other members.

When we walked into the kitchen the normal staff scattered. I glanced at Henry. He shrugged, "Smoke told them when we are in the city the kitchen is mine when I enter." I smiled at the thought of Joseph taking care of him. This kitchen looked like it belonged in a five-star restaurant. All stainless steel and shiny everywhere. A bit overwhelming. "I told you Sunshine, I told you the other kitchen is better." I felt a buzz in my back pocket and looked at my phone.

From: Smoke

After lunch, I will show you the rooms. I would like it if you stayed with me, but that is up to you. Let me know where to have Miss J leave your things.

-S

I smiled. My heart started racing and I had to take some deep breaths. I looked up at Henry. He looked worried about the message. "You okay Sunshine?" I smiled and told him the message was from Smoke. He grinned and walked back to the fridge to make sandwiches. He used a device to cut them into tiny squares. They were very dainty. I stared at my phone considering if I should stay in Joseph's room. Was I moving too fast, trusting too quickly? Looking around this kitchen, the empire he had built, it was even more plain to me that he was not the boy with the dream I met in 2008. His whole attitude changed when he got into this building. I watched it happen. I don't believe he would hurt me. I don't know what to do. Maybe he needs me to soften him after his day is through. "What's wrong Sunshine?" Henry walked over to me and sat his platters of lunch on the counter. "Am I moving too fast in all of this Henry?" He looked at me and smiled. He pointed at my chest. "You have to follow this.." He pointed at my forehead, "Not this." I sighed and hugged Henry tight. "You're a very wise chef."

To: Smoke

I would like to stay with you, Boss. Lunch is ready.

-Sunshine

Shortly after the message Jay came into the kitchen and told us to follow him. I noticed he wasn't being as friendly either. He wouldn't even look at me. "Hey two, you okay?" I asked him quietly. He didn't respond and kept walking. I looked back at Henry and he shrugged. When we got to the office I was surprised to see his office didn't differ much from the other one. He didn't look up when we walked in. He just stared at his screens. He was visibly stiff and his face was still cold. When Jay went out and shut the door behind him, I looked at Zeus. "Hey Z, do you know why two is acting like he is mad at me?" That made Joeseph look up. "Did he say something to you?" I shook my head no. "He just seems different." No one responded to me. After everyone had their share of sandwiches. Joseph got up and told me to follow him. We went up the spiral staircase and into a room with two wooden doors. There was a large bookcase, a couch, and a tv in the room. He walked over to the bookcase and told me to pay attention. He pulled out a book with no words on the binding and opened it. There was a small remote inside. He moved back about five feet and entered a 5 digit code in the remote. Suddenly the bookcase opened and a hidden door was revealed behind it. He pulled out a key and opened the door. I tried to keep track of what he was doing. We went into the room and I noticed it was also set up much like the other one. He locked the door behind us and pushed another button on the remote. I think I heard the bookcase slide back into place outside the door. He turned and looked at me. "Come here Sunshine." He said smoothly. I walked towards him slowly.

"Faster." He said impatiently. I looked up to him and rolled my eyes again. He walked to me closing the distance between us. Grabbing both sides of my face he kissed me, so hard that I couldn't breathe. "Smoke," was all I could say. "I need you Sunshine, I need to be inside of you." I stepped back and smiled at him. I started to remove my clothing and he grabbed me picked me up and carried me to the dining table in his small kitchen. He pulled my pants down and threw them across the room. I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest. "You wanna roll your eyes at me again?" I giggled at him. He pulled my shirt up over my head along with my sports bra in one fell swoop. "Every time you roll your eyes at me, Brat around me, It makes me wanna take you hard and fast." He was breathing very heavy. He put his mouth on one of my nipples and bit down softly moving to the other and biting a little harder. I moaned loudly. "In my world, people don't talk to me like that Sunshine, They arent mouthy, they don't roll their eyes." I sat up and put my hands on his face. "I'm sorry Smoke." I meant what I was saying but he smirked at me. "Don't be sorry baby. I told you not to apologize to me. I like it," he paused pulling me to him and biting my neck and sucking on it. He stood back up and looked into my eyes, "I like it baby, but it makes me want to take you. It makes me wanna bend you over and show you that I am the boss, that you are mine." I felt a shock through my body. "Then do it." I couldn't believe what I was saying, but I liked it too. I liked when he got rough. I knew he wasn't trying to hurt me. I knew he just wanted me that bad. He stopped and backed up, "Are you sure San? Sunshine? With what you have been through I have been afraid to hurt you, or scare you. I don't want to reopen your trauma?" I jumped off the table and walked to him. "Smoke, I know the difference. You don't want to hurt me. I know I am in control. I have seen the reaction you have when I roll my eyes or interrupt you. Sometimes I do it on purpose." I looked up into his eyes. " I trust you Smoke, I want you to take me, whenever you want to."

I bit my bottom lip and looked up at him. I rolled my eyes at him and took off running towards his room.