by Pixie Chica
“That’s a long story,” I tell her despite knowing it isn’t what she wanted to hear.
“I need to know if any of it was true? Or am I just another pawn in this game? I can’t believe that as much as I tried to run from it, my life was still being decided without input from me. And don’t lie to me. I deserve the truth, don’t you think? Do I mean so little to those around me? Even you, who I felt so connected to.” She says emotion pouring out of her.
Her words hurt more than a bullet would as they hit their mark, the pain I’ve caused her unacceptable. “It was never a ploy. I didn’t know about the arrangement until this morning. Ivy, I’ve been obsessed with you since seeing you three years ago.” Fear that she’ll be repulsed by this revelation makes me pause, but I refuse to keep this from her.
“At my dress fitting,” she replies, surprising me as I assumed she didn’t remember me.
“Yes. When I realized how young you were, I stayed away, but not for good. I waited with every intention of coming for you the day after your eighteenth birthday. And then I tracked you to that shitty club and I was done, my patience gone. Things happened so quickly after that, I didn’t have a chance to explain, then my father called me this morning and I found out about their plans for us.”
Her hand drops, the gun no longer pointing at my chest, and her expression softens a bit. “How do I know you’re not lying to me?” She wants to know, still guarding her heart.
Wanting her in my arms again before I go insane, I pull her forward and place her so she’s sitting sideways on my lap. When she lets me take the gun from her without objection, I know it’s because she wants to trust me. Wanting her to know how sincere I am, I confess, “When you went to homecoming, I almost choked Daniel Murphy. The little asshole kept lurking around you, though I made sure he couldn’t get to you. After your seventeenth birthday, it killed me when you sat at the lake and balled your eyes out. I wanted to comfort you, but I resisted and made sure you returned home safely. Those are just a few of the hundreds of times I kept an eye on you. I have a million pictures of you saved on my computer. I can even tell you the way you take your coffee.” I see the walls she placed between us start to fall and hold her tighter, placing a kiss on the side of her head. “You’re shocked, I’m sure, but you’ll soon realize it’s part of my nature where you’re concerned, this need to know everything about you. I know what you really want, mi amor.”
Moving closer, our mouths almost touching, she asks, “And what is that?”
“You want to be free, answer to no one. You have danger in your blood. I know you’ve learned to mask the fire that can bring anyone to their knees,” I tell her, shifting the hair that’s fallen forward behind her ear, my thumb caressing her cheek long after. At my declaration and gentle touch, she seals her lips to mine and I slide my hand behind her neck, gripping it to hold her in place as I return it. The soul that’d been ripped out of me when I thought I’d lost her forever knits itself back together. Standing and heading toward our bed, her tongue thrusting inside to duel with mine is almost too much to bear. Setting her on her feet, I dispose of our clothes and waste no time climbing over her as she gets on the mattress, my need to connect us consuming me. “Fuck, baby, you’re gorgeous, waiting for me to ravish you. Tell me what you want,” I demand, barely hanging on.
“I want to feel in control. Can you do that for me?”
Without hesitation, I shift so she’s on top and line her center up with my shaft. “Take what you need. Ride me,” I declare, holding her hips.
My encouragement is all she needs and she lowers herself onto my length. “That feels so good, Sergio,” she moans as our rhythm increases, her tits bouncing wildly as she moves faster over me. The sound of her ass slapping against my skin as she slams down on my cock has me ramming upward to meet her thrust for thrust.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous, so mine. Take what you want like the badass you are,” I encourage her before pulling a glorious breast in my mouth. When her walls squeeze me like a vise, I know she’s close to coming. “That’s it, use me as your personal fuck toy.” And that’s all she needs to send her over the edge. With her body still twitching from her release, I flip us once again, and pour every drop of my seed into her, feeling like a king as her greedy pussy takes it all.
Falling to the side, I pull her into my arms as we both try to catch our breath. I stare at her sleepy and satisfied and drop a kiss on her forehead. Now that the beast has been tamed for the moment, I whisper the words I meant to say earlier, “You were meant to rule beside me and I will always make sure you have what you need, including taking you out of that gilded cage.”
She snaps back to full attention, indecision clear on her face as she’s gauging whether she can trust me or if she’ll be locked away again. “What do you want in return?” She’s looking for the catch, and while I wish I could say nothing, that’d be a lie.
“All of you.”
“I feel like I’m making a deal with the devil. A sexy as sin one, but a devil nonetheless.” She sighs so deeply I swear I can feel her shake. “Fine, but I get all of you, too. And you don’t shield me from any of it. You tell me everything and don’t treat me as if I’m fragile.”
“Deal,” I agree with a grin before kissing her. Her breathing quickens, and I know I’ll be in her again very soon, but I need to make sure she’s fully on board with my whole plan first. “I’m taking you to the judge in the morning. Castellano has been informed and I’ve made the arrangements. We’re getting married as soon as they open the doors. I’ve needed you for far too long, Ivy. I love you with everything I have. Tell me you agree.”
“Just like that, huh? What if I don’t want to?” She asks, playfully.
“You already agreed I could have all of you, and that includes my ring on that finger where it belongs. Hopefully your heart, too,” I say, placing my hand above it.
“You have it. How could you not know I love you?” She wants to know, kissing the area on my own chest. This fucking woman.
“Kind of hard to tell with you coming in here and trying to kill me. I may have to sleep with one eye open.” This causes her to lightly smack the area her lips had just touched so gently, the light banter coming so easily as if we’d been doing it for a lifetime. So much darkness is lifted with her mere presence, I know I’ll never be the same again.
“I mean if you’re so scared of little old me, then I guess we shouldn’t repeat what just happened,” she sasses, pushing her core again into the erection that hasn’t gone down since seeing her on that dance floor yesterday.
“I’ve changed my mind; you can hurt me all you like as long as you keep giving me that sweetness between your legs. You know daddy will take extra good care of you. Now be a good girl and sit on my face. I haven’t tasted you in hours and need that sweet juice. This is how I want to spend the night with my fiancée. Come tomorrow you’ll belong to me legally.” Her eyes glaze with lust and a whimper she unsuccessfully tries to stifle falls from her lips.
“You have an unfair advantage. Don’t think you’ll get away with this shit outside the bedroom,” she warns me, trying to defy her need for what only I can give her.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, mi reina. I want and love every part of you,” I tell her sincerely. The side that needs the control and the one that needs to let go and be taken care of.
The next morning we walk into the courthouse hand in hand and are immediately seen by Judge Castellano. Yeah, there are definite advantages to having people in your pocket, and getting married to her as quickly as possible is one of them. Even when she’s The moment she signs her name on that license, tying her life to mine forever, a calmness I’ve never experienced seeps through me.
8
Ivy
Returning to my parents’ home, Sergio’s hand protectively holding mine, I feel different, empowered in a sense, but the true test is awaiting me inside. As we enter, it seems surreal that I no longer have to abide by their rules. I’m n
ow a married woman ready to turn this place upside down. My security detail stare at me dumbfounded. I assume they looked for me, but I also know they are a liability where my family is concerned because of their lazy approach to their jobs. Sergio is aware of how lax they were in their protection and has informed me they’re on his list. He doesn’t need to explain what that means since I can figure it out on my own and I honestly don’t care what he does with them at this point.
I know my brothers aren’t here, otherwise, I would’ve seen at least one of them by now, but they all have their hands full, too. As mad as I was at how this was handled and my dad’s part in it, I have to admit he knew who was best suited for us. It took me a few days to let go of my anger and calm down, which allowed me to look at things from his point of view. That’s the only reason I’m willingly returning to a place I vowed never to set foot in again.
Passing the kitchen on the way to my dad’s office, I see mom sitting on the stool, her eyes focused outside, looking rather worn. And for the first time, I really notice her. She’s always been the epitome of class and refinement, even with all the crime around her, but now I can see the fine lines that mark her face, the worry, too. In this moment, I hate that I let my anger over my lot in life put distance between us for years. We used to be so close, and I realize how much I miss that. Clearing my throat, she turns and immediately rushes forward, wrapping me in a tight hug, her tears soaking my shoulder.
“Ay mi niña, I thought I’d never see you again. Tell me you’re okay. Did anyone hurt you?” She wants to know, inspecting me for injuries.
“Estoy bien ma. Why are you crying?”
“Because your dumbass father made you leave due to his plans. I’ve been so worried about you. I almost ripped his balls off. He has a one-track mind when it comes to protecting our family, but I warned him there’d come a time when you’d put your foot down. When he told me everything about this plan, I kicked him out of our bed, so he’s been sleeping in his office. He’s not the only one to blame, though. I should’ve let you choose your own destiny.”
“I love you ma, and I’m sorry. I spent so long not feeling as if I was an equal and let my anger about it come between us,” I admit, knowing I could’ve done better too.
When she notices Sergio, she immediately she pulls me behind her. “Isn’t this the bastard your dad pretty much sold you to? Why is he here?” Then she glances at him and says, “You can leave. She doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
Sergio smiles politely despite the tick in his jaw. He’s trying to be respectful, knowing how Cuban mothers can be, but telling him I’m staying is like waving a red flag. “Con su permiso, Sra. Valladares, pero, Ivy es mi esposa. We love each other. I’m only here because your husband wants to talk to me and your daughter wanted to come. If not, I wouldn’t have ever brought her back here.” I can’t help but cringe when he informs my mom we’re married. She’s dreamed of my wedding day almost as much as she did my quinceañera, and I pretty much ruined that party by refusing to dance. So that news, along with saying he would’ve kept me from her, is the final blow.
“Your wife? Since fucking when? You took my baby and married her without giving her a proper wedding? Deja que llame a tu mamá. I’m sure she’ll be pissed.” At the mention of his mom, I see my husband appear fearful for the first time and I have a feeling we’ll be asking for forgiveness for a while.
When she’s done scolding him, he looks like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. After apologizing profusely and promising to do a ceremony soon, she relents so we can go see my father. Knocking, I receive permission to enter and intertwine my fingers with Sergio’s. He gives them a squeeze, letting me know I’m not alone.
Dad’s surprise is evident when he sees us together. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? And let’s not get started on how mad your mother is at me. I’m glad you two have accepted your duties, though I wish you would’ve let me know. I had so many scenarios at what could’ve happened to you running through my mind. Sergio, you sure do know how to stay hidden when you want to. At least I can be at peace now, knowing you’ll take care of her.”
“Of course, but with all due respect, sir, your daughter can do that herself as well. I’ll have you know she didn’t hesitate to point a gun at my chest,” he states with a wink at me.
“My Ivisita?” He asks with a chuckle, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You always did want to know what your brothers were up to, defying me at every turn. I was so blind when it came to you. You were so much like me; I didn’t want to admit it nor did I want this life for you, but you were obviously made for it. I hope you can forgive me. I was only trying to do what I thought was best for you.” Hearing him validate what I’ve struggled with for so long has me close to tears. All I ever wanted was to have a choice and to have him finally acknowledge his mistake in not giving me that, I walk forward and accept the hug we suddenly both need.
“I’m not saying it won’t take time to heal from the damage that’s been done, but I get it. I love you, dad,” I remind him with a kiss to his cheek. He holds me a bit longer before letting go and stepping out to see my mother, Sergio and I following him. When she sees that we’ve made up, she’s ready to forgive him, too, and kisses him, letting him know they’re okay. After so many years of resentment, I finally feel like my family is on the same page. Now I need to talk to my brothers and see how they’re doing. I can only hope their paths turn out as happily as mine.
9
Ivy
Six months later…
My husband is sitting in the shadows drinking a scotch, unhappy about this plan, but we must act on the intel we’ve been given. Since marrying Sergio, I was easily accepted as one of the family and a member of the team. In that time, I’ve learned not only is Esteban a hell of a cleaner, he’s also very knowledgeable with technology and has taught me everything he knows. That’s where I found my calling, which was a relief to Sergio who tended to freak out, and wasn’t good at hiding it, when I got involved with the dirty work. With the info I gleaned, we learned Nikolai Popov had been in the area, asking about me before the arranged marriages.
The Russians have caused too much pain with our families, especially where Eco is concerned. While we’ve eliminated most of the threat, this time calls for a personal touch for Sergio. Nikolai, cousin to Kostas and one of his top men, has apparently formed an unholy fascination with me, and if Sergio hadn’t found me in that club, that night would’ve ended a lot differently. Unfortunately, Nikolai hasn’t given up his plan on taking me, which is why we’re currently lying in wait for him to arrive. To those on the outside, me attending a Valladares charity event isn’t suspicious, but we also made sure it was passed around that my husband wouldn’t be with me.
I may avoid the physical aspect of the business to appease Sergio’s worry over me, but tonight I intend to get my hands dirty. With a signal to Sergio who returns it, I know it’s time. In my earpiece, Esteban’s voice lets me know Popov has been spotted in the balcony, a place that’s been secured for just this purpose. While I can’t believe he had the nerve to actually show up despite our hope he would, I'm glad this will be over soon.
“Stay within range and do not attempt to take him alone. I’ll be a second behind you, so stall him. I only agreed to go through with this plan because I plan on torturing him for thinking he could have what belongs to me,” Sergio growls into my comm unit.
“I got it, no playing assassin,” I whisper as I palm the knife I had discreetly hidden just in case before heading to Popov’s reported location. I’m not even outside two seconds when the sound of footsteps put me on high alert. “Moya kukla, I’ve been looking for you,” he says, making my skin crawl. Turning, the menace in his eyes obvious, he continues, “Your fucking family cost us everything, but I’ll get my revenge by taking what’s meant to be mine.” There’s a wildness in his eyes that makes me think he’s on something, which is a cause for concern as he might be even
less rational. Thankfully, Sergio is only a few steps away, but my relief is short-lived as Nikolai lunges toward me. His hands wrap around my throat, squeezing until I begin gasping for air. Gripping the knife tight, I plunge it into his neck an instant before Sergio puts a bullet between his eyes, blood splattering everywhere. Thankfully, we’ve already taken step to ensure no one will bother us here, and Esteban lets us know he’s on his way to handle it. When I look up and see Sergio staring at me, I realize he’s close to the edge.
“No more, mi reina! That was too close. You are off assignments, and don’t even think of defying me.” I know he doesn’t mean it, that he’s simply reacting out of fear from almost losing me, because he wouldn’t ban me from doing what I love. He just needs reassurance that I’m still here. Honestly, I’m a bit shaken up myself, hating that Popov touched me.
“Okay.”
“You’re not going to fight me?” He asks, voice full of desperation and hope. Standing on my tiptoes, I place a kiss on his lips and tell him I’m not, for now.
“We’ve been hunting for so long, we could use a little alone time, don’t you think, Daddy? I mean, that’s if my old man is up for a few weeks of me naked and at his disposal?”
A fire burns in his eyes at my words. “You’re such a dirty girl. And this old man is gonna fuck that pussy until its sore.”
“Promises, promises,” I taunt. “Don’t forget you still owe me that dance. You know how much I like to move to the rhythm.”
He growls, a common occurrence with him lately. “Don’t remind me, just thinking of the stunt you pulled makes me want to spank your ass until it’s nice and pink. We both know how much you love when I punish you, the sting of my hand as I thrust into you.”
