The Skull Ruler

by Penelope Sky

“You were gone all night.”

  I turned her onto her back and moved on top of her. My thighs separated hers, and I held myself over her frame, anxious for sex before I went to sleep. I’d had a long night, and tensions were high. A good fuck was the best way to unwind. She could go back to bed when I was finished.

  She was receptive like always. Her hands glided up my chest, and she widened her legs farther because she was ready to take me. Her eyes looked into mine with a sleepy cast, but there was desire there—along with deep affection. Her eyes swept across my body until they focused on my neck. Her eyes narrowed noticeably before she reached up and dragged her fingers across my skin.

  I knew what she spotted before she said a word. I forgot to wipe away the woman’s lipstick after she kissed me.

  She brought her fingers close to her face and examined the bright-red color that stained her fingertips. She rubbed her tips together before she gave me a look of accusation. “Looks like someone had a long night…”

  My woman got so jealous. Anytime she thought I was fooling around while she slept alone, she got so angry. It was cute most of the time, except when I looked like a lying two-timer. Right now, I appeared pretty guilty.

  “Care to explain this?” Her hand pressed against my stomach, keeping my dick from sliding inside her.

  My hand slid into the back of her hair, and I held myself on top of her, eager to have this conversation while I was inside her. That pussy was home to me, the only place I ever wanted to be. Since she was my prisoner, I could have had as many women as I wanted. I didn’t owe her anything. But she was the only woman I wanted to have, the only woman I wanted to kiss. “A prostitute asked me to be the pimp for her girls. She’s the mastermind behind the biggest prostitution ring in the city, and she’s having a hard time getting men to pay for services. Her girls are getting hurt because of it—physically and financially. I said no because I don’t have the time or the interest. She kissed me on the neck before she left.” That was the truth, and if Cassini didn’t believe me, I would fuck her anyway.

  Her guard slowly lowered, and the accusation that had been heavy in her gaze a moment ago faded away. She grabbed my hips and directed me inside her, pushing my crown past her lips and pulling me deep inside her.

  I sank until there was nowhere else to go. Completely sheathed in her goodness, I was home. Her pussy felt better than usual, and I knew that had nothing to do with her wetness and tightness. The trust shone in her eyes, her immediate acceptance of my story. She knew I didn’t want anyone else. She knew I wasn’t sneaking around behind her back when she was the only woman I wanted to come home to. That innate trust was the sexiest thing in the world, something that made me harder than I’d ever been in my entire life. My fist tightened on her hair, and I kissed her. “You know you’re the only woman I want.”

  She gripped my lower back and guided my thrusts, telling me how she wanted me to make love to her. “I know…”

  7

  Cassini

  When noon came around and Balto still wasn’t awake, I went into the bedroom and found him lying on his back, his head turned to the side as his large chest rose and fell with his even breaths.

  I pulled the sheets down slightly and spotted his hard dick, his morning wood in the afternoon. He must have had a long night last night because he didn’t usually sleep this late. He normally would have been done with the gym by now.

  I peeled off my clothes and straddled his hips, stirring him slightly but not enough to wake him up. I guided his length inside me then slowly slid down, getting every single inch exactly where it belonged. I moved until I felt his balls against my ass.

  A deep moan escaped his lips, and he inhaled a deep breath like the sensation was enough to make him gasp for air. His hands absentmindedly reached for my hips, and when he felt me, he lifted me slightly. His head turned my way and he opened his eyes, a sleepy look deep within. He enjoyed my cunt too much to be angry I’d woken him up. His fingers dug into my belly and back as he squeezed me on top of him. “You have my attention.”

  “Good.” I arched my back and slid up and down his length, my hands pressed against his hard chest for balance. I’d never felt more satisfied with another man inside me, not even with my lovers before Evan. Balto felt like the first man I’d ever really been with. All the others just seemed like practice…and torture.

  He guided my hips up and down, watching my tits shake as I slid down to his base and back up again. “You’re a pro with my dick.”

  “Because I love him.” Balto made me feel fuller than I ever had. If he didn’t arouse me so much, his size would just be painful. But since he was the sexiest man in the world, his enormous package was addictive, more addictive than drugs.

  “He loves you too, baby.” He thrust up to meet me, working his hard body to meet me halfway.

  When I’d seen the lipstick stain on his neck, I’d immediately jumped to conclusions. Another woman had made her mark on him, had claimed him as hers while he was out late at night. But then I remembered that this man wouldn’t lie to me, that if he said he was my man, then he was. I couldn’t be surprised when other women threw themselves at him, when they came to his side and placed a kiss on his neck as they tried to seduce him. Not only was he the most powerful man in this city, but he was also the hottest. Built like a brick house with a face so handsome he belonged in movies not crime, he was the kind of man a woman would touch herself to. I couldn’t expect to hog him forever without repercussions.

  I came around his length, my nails leaving marks in his skin. My hips bucked on their own, and I lost my breath as I screamed his name. This man always gave me the best climaxes, brought me to the edge of oblivion before I descended into heaven.

  His hands palmed both of my tits as he finished, grunting in the sexiest way as he filled me. “Baby…” His body tightened under mine, and he squeezed my tits harder, his dick thickening to an even more impressive size.

  I loved feeling his come inside me, feeling the weight of this man’s arousal. It had never turned me on before, but now it was the sexiest feeling in the world. When he left for the night, I still felt like I had a piece of him when his seed was inside me.

  I slowly pulled off him so the come wouldn’t drip everywhere before I lay beside him in bed.

  He lay there with his large dick resting against his stomach, a noticeable sheen glistening on it from my wetness. His eyes closed for a moment, like the pleasure made him drift right back to sleep.

  I was satisfied, but I had also failed in my mission. My goal was to get him to wake up, not climax then go right back to bed. I watched him for a moment, seeing the way his breathing changed as he drifted back to sleep.

  It was unlike him to be so tired, so I let him be.

  I put my clothes back on and returned to the living room.

  The elevator doors opened and revealed Heath, who was turned around and facing the opposite direction. “Are you decent? Can I come in?”

  I was in jeans and a t-shirt. Other than the fact that I was a little sweaty from screwing Balto, I looked presentable. “Yes.”

  Heath turned around then stepped inside. “And it’s cool if I visit? I don’t want that psychopath to shoot me in the foot.”

  “It’s fine. He’s asleep.”

  “Really?” He walked inside, looking identical to Balto.

  Since I knew Balto so well, I could spot their differences immediately. Their posture was distinctive, and their presence definitely left a unique impact. “Do people ever get you guys confused at the Underground?”

  “No.”

  “Really?” I asked in surprise.

  “Balto has been with his men forever. They can practically sense him.” He joined me in the kitchen. “Did I stop by at the perfect time?”

  “What’s the perfect time?”

  “Lunchtime.” He didn’t touch me or try to give me a hug. He kept his distance, honoring his brother’s request.

  “Well, I was gonna mak
e a sandwich. You want one?”

  “Definitely. I don’t have any food at my place.”

  “So you’re here for free food?” I asked with a laugh.

  “Yes, and I have no shame.”

  I made two turkey sandwiches and opened a bag of chips. We sat at the kitchen table and shared the large bag in the middle of the table.

  He took enormous bites of his sandwich, reminding me of a shark that took large chunks out of its prey. He ate faster than Balto and with less restraint. His bites were always so big that it took him forever to chew.

  “So, who’s the skank who left that lipstick mark on his neck?”

  Heath was about to take a bite of his sandwich, but he lowered his food instead. “I’m sure he already told you the story.”

  “Is she pretty?”

  “She’s a high-class prostitute, so obviously. But not prettier than you.”

  I smiled. “Good answer.”

  “Balto doesn’t think there’s any woman prettier than you. He grabbed her by the wrist and threatened to break her hand if she touched him again.”

  I lowered my sandwich back to the plate, imagining the scene in my head. “He didn’t tell me that part.”

  “Because it makes him look like a dick. Threatening a woman? Not his style.”

  He tried to keep women off him, but there was only so much he could do. But the fact that he’d tried was sweet. He didn’t seem like a one-woman kind of man, but that was exactly what he’d been with me. He was committed, loyal, and honest. It was sad to think that this arrangement would be over soon…once Lucian was gone.

  “You know he’s obsessed with you. It’s written all over his face.”

  Yes…I’d noticed a few times.

  Heath studied me. “And you’re obsessed with him.”

  “As are all women…” Any time he stepped into a bar, every woman wanted to keep him for themselves. He was sexy, strong, and protective. I’d never thought I needed protection, but now that I’d found a man who erased all my problems and kept me safe, I never wanted to lose him. It was the greatest feeling in the world. “So what brings you by?”

  He shrugged. “A bit bored, I guess. Balto doesn’t have a plan for Lucian yet, so we’re just waiting around.”

  “I’m sure he has a plan. He’s just not sharing it with you.”

  “Maybe.” He picked up his sandwich again. “What are you going to do once Lucian is dead?”

  “I don’t know… I can’t even imagine.” I’d never really had freedom. Ever since Balto had taken me, I’d been locked in his compound and not allowed to leave. The few times I made trips were under Balto’s supervision. The one time we went out to eat, we were attacked, and we barely got to enjoy ourselves for a full hour. “It’d be nice to walk to a coffee shop and get a cappuccino. Or just go shopping. Little things like that.”

  “Where are you going to live?”

  “I don’t know… I’ll probably move in with my older brother until I get a place.”

  He nodded. “I’ve never met your brother, but I’ve seen him a few times. Balto says good things about him.”

  “Because he’s a good man.”

  “You guys must come from a good family.”

  “Yeah…we do.”

  He finished his sandwich then stared at me across the table, having the same stern expression Balto possessed.

  “Balto hasn’t mentioned his family to me. I know he has you, but he doesn’t talk about your parents.”

  “Not much to say, really.”

  I grabbed a chip from the bag and popped it into my mouth. “I’m guessing they’ve passed away.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a while. Our father was an abusive alcoholic. He used to come home and beat our mom a lot. When she tried to run away, he beat her worse. When Balto and I became adults, he hurt her so bad that she died in the hospital.”

  “Oh god…”

  Heath didn’t possess any emotion for the heartbreaking story. “Then Balto and I hunted him down and killed him. That’s our entire family story. We stuck together after that even though we had our differences. But no matter what happens, we both know we are all each other has. Neither one of us will marry or have children, so we’re protective of each other.”

  “Why won’t you marry?”

  He shrugged. “Neither one of us wants to. In our line of work, it wouldn’t be a good idea. And kids would be an even worse idea.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s not safe. If someone wanted to hurt us, hurting our wife and kids would be the best way to go about it. Our lives are always on the line, so it wouldn’t be any different for them. Having a family would be irresponsible, frankly.”

  Family was the most important thing to me. I grew up surrounded by loud voices, family dinners, and Italian traditions centered around food and wine. There was nothing I wanted more than to have three kids of my own, just the way my parents had had three kids. The idea of sacrificing that for a job…sounded heartbreaking. “I wouldn’t trade having a family for anything.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you don’t have to worry about it.”

  Balto came down the hallway a moment later in his gray sweatpants. He took one look at Heath and showered him with coldness.

  “Before your thong gets too tight, Cassini said it was fine if I came over.” He grabbed a chip and tossed it into his mouth.

  “I did say that,” I said in agreement.

  “You forget this is my house, not hers. And I don’t want you here.” He walked into the kitchen then started to cook his lunch.

  Heath brushed off the insult like he was used to it. “Is he always this cranky first thing in the morning?”

  “No. But he’s a grouchy guy in general.”

  He chuckled. “I’m sorry you have to deal with it every day.”

  I shrugged. “It’s not so bad…”

  Balto took the seat beside me, along with his plate of fish and greens.

  Heath made a disgusted face. “Our sandwiches were so much better than that.”

  “I’ll remember that when your gut comes in,” Balto countered.

  “Does that mean I’ll have a gut?” I asked.

  “No.” Balto took a bite. “Women don’t have guts. They have curves.”

  Heath rolled his eyes.

  I smiled. “He always says the right thing…”

  Heath grabbed another handful of chips and kept eating. “I told Cassini how you threatened to break off that whore’s hand when she kissed you.”

  Balto kept eating like that meant nothing to him. “Why are you here, Heath?”

  “Your brother can’t visit you?” he countered.

  “I see you at work all the time.” Balto kept eating.

  “Not the same,” Heath answered.

  “And I see you at the gym,” Balto added.

  “But we’re working out and your earbuds are in.” Heath kept snacking on the chips.

  “Because I’m trying to tune you out.” Balto finished his plate, leaving nothing behind but the occasional leaf from the brussel sprouts.

  “Well, I wanted to spend some time with Cassini,” Heath said. “The poor girl doesn’t get out much.”

  “Don’t worry about my woman. That’s my job.” He grabbed his mug of coffee and took a drink. It seemed like all he ever drank was booze with the exception of coffee first thing in the morning.

  Heath snatched the bag of chips before he stood up. “Alright, I know when I’m not wanted. But I’m taking these.”

  I chuckled. “Enjoy.”

  He pressed the button on the elevator then turned to Balto. “We need to come up with a plan for Lucian soon. You’re the man who said we should never underestimate our enemies.” The doors opened and he walked inside.

  Balto rested his arms on the table and stared at his brother.

  The doors shut and Heath disappeared.

  When his brother was gone, Balto turned to me. Now that we were alone, he stared at me with that hard
gaze, giving me an unsettling feeling deep in my gut. Sometimes it felt like butterflies. And sometimes it felt like a threat.

  “Heath told me about your parents. I’m sorry about your mom…”

  He didn’t show a hint of sadness. “Thank you. But I don’t want to talk about her. I never want to talk about my family. That’s a topic of conversation I don’t participate in.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “It was a long time ago. Not worth mentioning.”

  “Well…I just wanted you to know I’m sorry.”

  He faced forward again, dismissing my kindness. “It seems like every time Heath comes over here, he pisses off one of us.”

  “He’s not so bad. I think he just wants some company.”

  “He can afford a hooker.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Men don’t just crave company in the form of sex. They need human interaction just like women do.”

  He drank from his coffee. “What else did he say to you?”

  “That you don’t have a plan for Lucian yet.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll figure it out.”

  “I never said I was worried. I know you can handle him.”

  He stared straight ahead.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No. You won’t be part of this. It’s between him and me.”

  “I know, but I can be of some help. I know his house pretty well. I’ve had experience with his explosives—”

  “I said no.”

  His tone shut me up.

  “Lucian isn’t like my other enemies. I can’t confront him head on like I would with someone else. He’s a coward, so he prefers to lay out booby traps. If I go to the wrong place at the wrong time, I could be caught in an explosion. So I have to think about this carefully.”

  I knew this kind of war was beyond my skills, but I did know a few things. “I don’t think he’d let me die if he could avoid it. He wants me dead, but only after he tortures me first. If you keep me by your side, that’s just added protection.”

  “I’m not risking you.”

  This man could take advantage of my position, but he cared more about keeping me safe. It was a sweet gesture, the kind that would make me miss him more. It made me realize Evan had never really cared about me. Maybe Balto was the first man who ever truly did. “You saved my life by not giving me back to him. I want to help you in whatever way I can.”