by Piper Stone
“What the hell is going to happen now?” she finally asked through clenched teeth.
“My guess is the evening will continue as planned.” I studied the rearview mirror, still surprised additional ‘help’ hadn’t been sent in order to find her. Although Christian knew me well enough to realize I wouldn’t be able to let her go. I bit back a chuckle at the thought. The entire thing had been planned for some time.
I could feel her hard gaze as her head turned slowly. “You guess? You really expect me to believe that bullshit?”
“What does that mean?”
She shifted in the seat, chuckling under her breath. “Do you really think I’m that naïve, Matteo? While I haven’t lived here in years, and refused to visit under almost any circumstance, the name Capodanno is saturated with power as well as danger, you and your brother’s control over the entire community more like a monarchy.”
I gave her a curious look, realizing the woman had a thick backbone. She’d paid enough attention to form her own opinions even through her bitterness. “Interesting.”
“I do read the papers and yes, several stories reached Florida,” she quipped. “With that being said, do you honestly want me to buy that you of all people have no idea about every step the Sacred Sect expects to be taken? You’re part of this. Your entire family is. Christian was certainly enjoying his role earlier. Taking over where Father McGivney left off? Funny how I don’t see either one of you as the religious type. Wait. I almost forgot. The sect is more like a cult.” She laughed as she rolled her eyes.
Her words were biting, meant to rile me, yet I refused to take the bait.
“What do you think you really know about the Sacred Sect, Winter? The crap reported in the newspapers was all lies. A smart lady like you knows that. However, you were required as a child to be told of the rules and regulations.”
“Rules. Regulations. This was supposed to be a happy little homeowners’ association, not a horror movie. And I seriously doubt that the words spewed about the secrets hidden in the dark crevices of the sect were all lies.”
“People are thriving in our community. They value their way of life and will do anything to protect it,” I retorted. Maybe I had been drinking too much of the Kool-Aid that Christian had accused me of months before. Sadly, I wasn’t telling a lie.
“Including murder?”
Laughing, I slowly tipped my head in her direction. “You’ve been reading too many novels. I will ask you again. What do you believe you understand about the sect?”
“Enough to realize I want nothing part of this life. Seeing what my mother endured all these years made me sick. I couldn’t leave fast enough. It’s like she’s another Stepford wife. That’s insane.” Huffing, she folded her arms, crowding as close to the passenger door as possible. “Just in case you give a damn. I have a life in Florida. A wonderful life in fact. I’m not giving it up to be some kind of a trophy wife, even if the intended groom is one hell of an eligible bachelor.”
Her own words seemed to floor her, several curse words flowing in a whispered voice. It was time for her to understand that there was nowhere she could run where she wouldn’t be found. As the lights of her father’s house came into view, I selected my words carefully.
“While I understand and appreciate that you have a life outside of this community, the fact is that you have a responsibility to everyone in the Sacred Sect. Your family was given opportunities that would never have occurred otherwise and that includes the funding of your expensive tuition for private schools as well as college. Your parents were made aware of the obligations from the minute they signed a contract with the organization, an agreement allowing them wealth beyond their understanding. They are required, as you are, to make sacrifices for the good of the whole. You will be my wife. You will obey the rules, not only of our household but of the sect itself. And you will remain silent about the details of our community. Anything less will result in severe punishment. And I assure you, Winter, that you won’t like the type of discipline that I will inflict. I can be a kind and loving man, but you do not want to cross me.”
“My God,” she whispered. “This is nothing but a nightmare.”
As I pulled the car to a parking spot, throwing the gear into park, I quickly turned in her direction. “There will be a contract spelling out all the details and requirements, a wedding date to be selected. This is going to happen. Do I make myself clear, Winter?”
Her lower lip quivering, she took a few seconds before nodding.
“That’s not good enough. When I ask you a question, you will answer me, and you will do so with respect.”
She snapped her head as she reached for her seatbelt, her nostrils flaring. “I. Understand. Sir. I am nothing but a commodity.”
“That’s not true.”
A quiet settled between us, one I knew wouldn’t last. I would be forced to follow another rule, one I loathed.
She huffed. “Now, is there anything else I can do for you tonight? Perhaps give you a blowjob or another quickie right here in the car? Maybe you’d prefer if I invite some of the guests to watch this time. You know, just in case they won’t be invited to our wedding night.”
When she yanked open the door, I grabbed her wrist, dragging her closer. “I suggest you watch your language and do as you’re told tonight. Don’t make any additional waves. There are outsiders who could cause significant harm. If what I suspect is true, you will need to be punished for your actions. You will not make another scene.”
“Punished? Isn’t that what you’ve already done, your attempt at humiliation? You spanked then fucked me. What other embarrassment am I going to be required to face?”
Every cell in my body was on fire, desire roaring through my muscles and blood cells, my cock pressed tightly against my trousers. I’d taken her only moments before, but I had no control around her, the longing becoming insatiable.
After all, she now belonged to me.
Every rational thought rushed away from my body, replaced with all the vile and filthy things I wanted to do to her.
Spank her.
Train her.
Feast on her luscious body.
Fuck her in every hole...
There was no doubt that I’d succumbed to the requirements of the sect after all. What kind of a man did that make me?
While I wasn’t certain the words resonated with her, she would soon learn that challenging the sect in a public manner would only necessitate harsh consequences. I would never forget the humiliation that Christian’s wife had endured the night of their wedding. I wasn’t certain I was prepared to endure the task.
However, now wasn’t the time to go against the Council, including my brother. Not until I learned the truth behind whatever threats had been made. I had to trust Christian more now than ever so I would do what was necessary, including entering into a fake marriage.
Winter would need to learn quickly that things weren’t always as they seemed. If that required harsh discipline, so be it.
Cutting the engine, I yanked the keys from the ignition, exiting the vehicle quickly. As I guided her out of the passenger seat, her hard yank was another indication she wasn’t going to accept anything without being given a firm hand. “The spanking you received was just the beginning, Winter. Do not try and go against the sect. Not now. Not ever.”
“And what if I do?” she asked, just as defiant as before.
I gave her a hard look.
She wouldn’t like the answer.
Chapter Six
Winter
Matteo Capodanno.
Rugged.
Handsome.
Sexy.
Dangerous.
He was all those things and I had no doubt much more. The infatuation with the man was revolting, the way my body betrayed me shameful. I’d been both horrified as well as aroused when he’d spanked me, pussy juice soaking my panties.
Until he’d ripped them off.
I envisioned exactly what he�
��d do with them later; pressing them against his nose or keeping them as a souvenir. God, he was disgusting.
And dominating and alluring and...
Then he’d touched me, sliding his long fingers deep inside. Jesus. And he’d shoved his cock inside, holding me tightly against his heated body, our bizarre connection increasing. I was crazy for thinking of the blatant act as anything but what it was.
But a part of me grasped onto the fantasy that I’d found the man of my dreams. What bullshit.
I shuddered, refusing to allow him to know I was attracted to him in any way. I’d made a promise to myself and I intended on keeping it. Sadly, I knew I couldn’t escape, at least not right away. I’d play their horrible game until I figured out a plan of my own. That would take time.
“Why, Matteo?” I asked quietly, still bothered by the electricity whirring between us, vibrations skipping along my spine.
“Why?” he asked, tilting his head until he could study my face in the darkness.
“Why are you doing this? You could have anything or anyone in the world. Why do you trail behind your brother like a lapdog? Why are you allowing the insane old beliefs and ways to shape your future?” While I knew the words would anger him, they needed to be said.
“This is my world, Winter, my life. I am free to choose whatever I want to do.”
“Not true,” I countered.
“Very true. Family honor and loyalty mean something to me. I hope that it does to you. I understand this is difficult, but you will live in the lap of luxury. The sect had made certain of that.” He inched closer, lowering his head. “You will soon learn that I will never trail behind a single person, including my brother. The quicker you learn to accept your role the better.”
“You seem to hate what’s going on as much as I do. That makes no sense to me, but that also tells me that the community is afraid. That means you have a weakness and I’m going to find it.”
His smile was sly, almost as if issuing a challenge. He had no idea what I was made of.
“I look forward to it, Winter.”
His hot breath cascaded across me, his intoxicating scent rushing into every pore like wildfire. When he wrapped his hand around my neck, dragging me onto my toes, my body swayed. He was all powerful.
And dark.
And delicious.
And sinful.
At that moment, I wanted every inch of him, to bask in the glory of utter danger and filth. I craved his firm touch, his dominating ways.
The touch of his lips against mine was gentle, more loving that I would have expected. He held the stance, his fingers digging into my skin. I clung to him, fisting his shirt as his chest rose and fell. Five seconds passed. Ten. Twenty. My heart hammered in my chest from the anticipation of his kiss, my nipples swelling, pushing hard against the dress. My thoughts drifted to his mouth covering them, sucking and licking.
His fingers pinching and twisting.
“Make no mistake, you are mine and I will devour every inch of you,” he whispered hoarsely before crushing his mouth over mine.
I wanted nothing more than to push him away, to run and hide, but my body was already succumbing. The kiss became an explosion between us, his tongue dominating mine, exploring the dark recesses as he rubbed one hand down my back. A swirl of colors floated in front of my field of vision, pulling me up, up away into a blissful world. While our union wasn’t real, the incredible sensations drew us together, our bodies as one.
I wanted the intimacy to last, to be swept up in the magic, but when he broke the kiss, his breathing ragged, only the ugliness of reality remained.
Once again, I struggled to get out of his binding hold, refusing to get sucked in. I had to maintain my sanity in order to find a way out of this. He spoke of honor as if it was a requirement. I was intrigued more than ever. What was he hiding?
I held my head high as he pulled me down the pathway toward the house, a trickle of fear sliding into the back of my mind. At least two dozen of the guests had already left. Obviously, my bad behavior had been a killjoy.
What a shame.
“You will stay close to me at all times and you will pretend that you are repentant about your actions,” Matteo stated gruffly.
“Yes. Sir.”
He growled hearing my icy tone, his fingers digging into my skin to the point of pain. I didn’t recognize this place any longer, the only real home I’d ever known. While my room had been left untouched since leaving for college, nothing else felt familiar or comforting.
I’d been one of the lucky little girls living in a sequestered community in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the entire United States. I hadn’t been subjected to the majority of kid’s birthday parties or sleepovers with only the children from the neighborhood. My parents had always elected to allow outsiders into our beloved home instead of sticking with their own.
However, I’d known at an early age that there was a tightly woven veil surrounding our pristine world. Everything had been too perfect, nothing ever out of place.
With the exception of the greenhouse. I was surprised my father had allowed it to remain.
I thought about his words regarding harm and the way he’d said them. Of course, I knew the sect’s power and influence had been challenged through the years, but I sensed there was something different about this time.
Fear.
As we neared the house, I caught a glimpse of the tent. Gone were the festive strains of music and jovial people. While there were still guests located inside, I gathered a sense they were waiting for my capture. I was sick to my stomach, angry at myself for thinking I could get away. These people were far too powerful, their reach stretching far and wide.
I was surprised when Matteo entered through the front door, taking long strides as if in search of his brother. He remained tense, his jaw clenched but his grip was firm. I could hear his rapid breathing. Perhaps he was just as disgusted as I was.
The look of relief on my parents’ faces as they stormed out of my father’s office was mixed with anger in my father’s eyes. He’d been made a fool in front of all his party guests by his own daughter.
“Winter. While I’m certain you simply needed some air, the guests were very concerned,” my father stated through clenched teeth, obviously attempting to keep his temper in check.
I couldn’t help but notice that the people who’d been allowed inside were all community members, their expressions grim. Every wife clung to their husbands as if needing support, or perhaps as a show of solidarity. They’d been asked to join whatever phase of punishment I was about to receive. A cold shiver trickled down my spine.
“This is a sham, Father. I’m not marrying a man I don’t know and certainly don’t care about.” As my words filtered into the foyer, there wasn’t a wife who didn’t have a smile on their faces. They thought this was funny?
“You will come to appreciate Matteo in time. He will be an excellent match for you.” My mother’s words were succinct. Practiced. My God, this was nothing more than some kind of crazy cult.
Matteo released his hold as Christian moved his way through the crowd of people, a thick leather strap in his hand. “We aren’t married yet, brother,” he growled. “I thought the rules didn’t apply until we were.”
“The rules were written over a hundred years ago for a reason,” my father stated.
“Given the contents of the Box mandated your upcoming nuptials, Winter is now required to follow the mandates as set out by the Council,” Christian added.
“I’ve already handled her moment of rebellion,” Matteo retorted, making eye contact with almost everyone in the group. “There is no need.”
Then they moved into a circle around us, a hardwood chair positioned in the center of the hard, cold marble. I was almost paralyzed. “No. No, please.” My whisper was hoarse, completely ignored.
Christian darted his gaze in my direction before moving toward Matteo. “You know what must be done for the betterment of the
Sacred Sect.”
Matteo glared at the strap, exhaling in an exaggerated manner. “Perhaps one day someone is going to have to explain the concept of betterment. I thought things were going to be different once you took control. I can see I was wrong. Make certain her parents are not forced to witness this.”
The bitterness of his voice was evident, the words echoing as many faces expressed utter disdain for his challenge, yet they remained quiet. The group completely surrounded us, able to get a bird’s-eye view of the utter humiliation they wanted me to face. This was sick, horrible.
“Absolutely.” I noticed Christian whispered to one of his goons, sending the man on his way.
After accepting the implement, Matteo fingered the leather, finally giving a solid nod. “I will do as required,” Matteo stated with no inflection. Several of the guests as well as my father lifted their drink glasses. I could swear someone called him a good boy. Matteo turned to face me, taking my hand into his. I was surprised to see encouragement in his eyes, even kindness.
“Be a good girl and accept your punishment. Then it will be over and we can start a new chapter of our life together.” While his words were loud enough that everyone could hear them and bask in the glory of Matteo being able to require me to succumb, they were also stilted. Just like my mother’s had been. He smiled and cupped my face, sweeping his thumb back and forth across my lips.
He was entirely too enigmatic, his rugged demeanor and handsome face creating a warm buzz dancing throughout my body. I could almost pretend we weren’t surrounded by two dozen people, all hungry to see a bad girl punished for her sins.
Almost.
He lowered his head, brushing his lips across my cheek, a single subdued growl pushing past his lips. My God. He was doing this for show.
I fisted his shirt, tipping my head until I was able to whisper in his ear, “Just keep in mind that I will hate you for all eternity.”
Matteo slowly eased back, the look of kindness replaced with pure darkness, as if his very soul was on a steep precipice. “Then so be it, my lovely fiancée.” He yanked me by the hand, moving toward the chair, sitting down with a hard thud. I was shocked by his vehemence.
