The Cardinal (The Holy Trinity Duet Book 2)

by M. E. Clayton

  “I thought we already established that your problems were my problems, last night” I replied smoothly.

  Her blue eyes shot my way. “Salv-”

  “Talk,” I instructed.

  She let out another deep, frustrated breath. “She came over here demanding to know what happened last night.” Her eyes widened and she quickly added, “I didn’t tell her anything. I swear.”

  One brow quirked. “I didn’t think you would.”

  “She was mad because she’d been counting on Paolo to get her a job at The Eagle,” she continued. “And, apparently, he doesn’t work there anymore.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” I confirmed.

  Blake began gnawing in her lower lip. Choosing to ignore the issue of Paolo, she continued with the issues with her sister. “When I fought back, pointing out how I wasn’t responsible for her messes, she said the club rumor was that you took home the new girl and she assumed it was me.”

  “It was you.”

  “That’s beside the point,” she grumbled. “When I didn’t deny it, she accused me of sleeping with you for the money to pay off the debt. She said I ought not to judge her anymore for trading sex for money.”

  My first instinct was to kill her sister, but I knew I couldn’t. No matter how angry Blake may be right now, getting rid of her sister was not the answer. I knew this, even if I didn’t like it. I’ve killed people for less than insulting the people I care about and Blake was in that category now.

  “Is that all?”

  She went back to gnawing her lower lip. Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes before saying, “She also said I shouldn’t count myself special. Apparently, you’ve slept with quite a few women in this city and I’m just one of many.”

  “She said it like that? That I’ve slept with a lot of women?”

  “No,” she admitted. “She said that you don’t sleep with women, you fuck them. She also called me an idiot for getting involved with you.”

  I stepped closer until she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. “Did I fuck you last night, Blake?” I questioned darkly. “Did we fuck?”

  Her face turned a heated shade of pink. “Yeah, you did-we did.”

  I pushed an errant strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “What else did we do?”

  “I don’t know…slept?”

  “Exactly,” I replied. “And to echo your sister’s sentiments, I don’t sleep with women. I fuck them, then I get out.” Blake blanched a little. “I stayed in your bed last night because you are special. You are different.”

  “Sal-”

  “You’re also the first female I’ve kissed since high school,” I told her, shock registering all over her face. “You’re very fucking special, baby.”

  “I think she’s jealous,” Blake muttered, choosing to ignore my statement and that wasn’t going to work for me.

  My arm snaked out and my hand gripped the back of her neck in a punishing hold. Pulling her towards me until her hands collided with my chest, I glowered down at her. “I don’t think you’re hearing me, Blake. Last night wasn’t a one-night stand. Last night wasn’t me getting my dick wet. Last night wasn’t you being a whore.”

  “Then what was it?” she asked, and I had to give her points for picking up the gauntlet.

  My other hand slid down her stomach, inside her yoga pants and panties, and as soon as my fingers wandered through her slippery folds, I said, “How sore is your pussy?” Blake’s face was an embarrassed flame, but I didn’t miss the low moan she expelled as one finger slid into her cunt. “Are you too sore for my cock?”

  Blake bit her lower lip. “No,” she moaned.

  I leaned closer, my warm breath on her ear. “Good girl.” I felt her body shutter with desire. “Get on your knees, baby.”

  To my surprise, she didn’t obey. Instead, she stepped back, my hands falling away from her body, and she pulled her shoulders back. Looking me in the eye, she said, “I’m not the one who’s slept their way through half of Morgan City.” She was trembling, probably afraid of the consequences of defying me, but she held her head high. “I don’t need to prove to you that you’re special. We both know that you are.” Her shoulder jerked in a shrugged. “Simply, by you being you, you’re special.”

  I was impressed.

  Aggravated, but impressed.

  “So, you’re saying it should be me on my knees?” I asked coolly.

  Blake shook her head. “Of course, I’m not saying you should…should...” she mumbled, no longer as confident as she was pretending to be. “I just…”

  “You just believe your sister,” I surmised. “You think you’re just a quick fuck. Or is it that I’m not a virgin that bothers you?” Her face flushed. “Tell me what it is, exactly, that is bothering you, Blake?”

  “Even without my sister’s comments, I…I know who you are,” she said. “You hardly seem like the monogamous type.”

  “I’m hardly the type to sleep with a woman in my arms all night, either, but I did it. Last night. With you,” I replied.

  Then she endeared herself to me with the truth. “I’m not prepared for you.”

  “That’s too fucking bad,” I bit out. “Because you don’t have a choice but to deal with it. With me.”

  “I’m not equipped to deal with you,” she shot back.

  My green eyes raked down her luscious body and back up again. “You’re perfectly equipped to deal with me,” I remarked. “Now, if you don’t want to suck my dick, I’m fine with that. But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

  “Do you have any idea how…crazy this all is?” she cried. “It’s insane.”

  “I don’t give a fuck and you’re just going to have to get over it,” I repeated. “Because, as of tomorrow, your shit will be moved into my place.”

  Her entire body wilted against the back of the couch. “W…what?”

  “You’ll be moved into my place tomorrow,” I repeated. “What part confused you?”

  Blake’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t speak to me like I’m stupid,” she snapped. “And don’t speak to me as if this is all normal and I’m overreacting. This might be normal in your world but it’s not in mine.”

  Her fire was making my dick hard again. “Fair enough. My apologies,” I conceded, and Blake jerked back in surprise.

  “And I’m not moving in with you,” she remarked. “I don’t even know you.”

  “Yeah, that’s not going to work for me,” I told her.

  Blake straightened, no longer needing the couch for support, and eyed me. “I’m not going to be some goddamn…damn…concubine,” she said, spitting the word out like its very existence offended her. “I’m not…at-home pussy.”

  My chin came up and anger at her was now, finally, making an appearance. “First of all, I’ve never taken pussy to my home,” I replied. “I take pussy to hotel rooms where we can part ways amicably as soon as I’m done getting off.” Blake crossed her arms over her chest, annoyance and jealousy pouring from her entire body. “So, you’re far from in-house pussy, Blake.”

  “Then what am I?” she asked.

  “Do you need a ring?” I asked, and her face lost all fucking color and I almost laugh. This woman was all over the place, there was no medium with her. One second, she’s declaring she’s not mistress material, then the next, she’s balking at commitment.

  “Don’t joke like that,” she replied quietly.

  My arm snaked out, and wrapping around her, I yanked her against me. “You think I’m joking?”

  Blake started fidgeting, but she held my stare as she said, “Whenever I’ve dreamt of a husband and kids, my husband was faithful in those dreams. I’m not the woman for you, Salvatore.”

  I tried not to take immediate offense because I knew she didn’t know me beyond my reputation, but I was offended. “I’ve never broken my word, Blake. Never,” I told her. “And what are vows if not my word?”

  “I’m…I’m so confused,” she stammered.
r />   “Well, then, let me unconfuse you,” I said right before pressing my lips against hers.

  Chapter 16

  Blake~

  I was officially the biggest fool on the planet.

  There was no other explanation for it.

  As my arms wrapped around Sal’s neck and I gave myself over to him, once again, I felt like Icarus, and talk about going up in flames. Good intentions didn’t exist with Salvatore Benetti. He was rumored to be the most brutal member of the Benetti Family, the one without a conscience. He was a part of the deadliest organization in the state, and I wasn’t running the other way like any sane person would be.

  No.

  I was talking moving in and marriage with a man I’ve only known one night. It hasn’t even been a full twenty-four hours and I had my body pressed up against him, hoping he could convince me that he was serious. And it was crazy because I knew if I chose Salvatore that I couldn’t unchoose him later. I knew there was no turning back with him. I knew he’d never let me change my mind or release me if I did.

  His hands held my face, and his lips were soft against mine as he said, “I know you feel this, Blake. I know you do.” I could only nod. “I felt it the second you walked into that VIP room, and you’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m letting you go.”

  “I’m scared,” I told him honestly. “I know nothing about what’s going on and you’re asking me to move in with a complete stranger.”

  Sal pulled his head back and looked down at me. “I’m not asking you to move in with me, Blake. You are moving in with me.” Shivers raced down my spine because I liked the dominance shining through. I liked the aggression and the alpha in him. “If you want to know the truth, I’m not even asking you to marry me. I’m telling you that we’ll be getting married soon.”

  Psychology 101 hit me at that point. I had daddy issues, no matter how I didn’t think I did. My father walked away from me and he wasn’t supposed to have done that. He was supposed to have lived for me and my sister. He was supposed to have lived for his family and support and protect us. But he hadn’t. He’d left us, only thinking about himself, and the bastard never looked back.

  And now I had this powerful, deadly, brutal, beautiful killer telling me he will do anything to keep me, and it felt like a punch to the chest. It was more than adrenaline that had me bending over for him last night. Salvatore had killed someone for disrespecting me and I’d never had a man protect me like that before.

  I was fucking toast.

  Staring up at those intense green eyes, I knew I was screwed. Salvatore Benetti had the power to hold my self-worth in the palm of his hand, and if I wasn’t careful, he could totally obliterate me.

  “I have to be the only one, Salvatore,” I said, stating my demands-or rather demand, since I only had one. “I have to be.”

  He didn’t comment. He didn’t concede to me or deny me. Instead, his lips slammed back down on mine and the clashing of lips, tongue, and teeth had to be the most intense kiss I’ve ever had in my life. My hand grabbed at his waist, holding on for dear fucking life, and the intensity was stronger and darker than last night, and that was saying something. Last night I had let Salvatore Benetti take me while the man still had blood on his hands after killing someone, so how could this feel more defining? How could this feel like so much more?

  I let out a wanton moan as Sal let go of my face and one of his hands wrapped around my waist while the other slid back down my pants and straight to my core. His fingers expertly sliding through my folds until they were stretching me open had me opening my legs wider for him. The second I did, a third finger quickly joined in the other two in preparing me for what was to come.

  When he finally broke off the kiss, it was to turn me around and fling me over the couch. I barely had enough time to steady myself before I felt cool air caressing my hips and ass. Salvatore was yanking my pants and underwear down, letting them pool at my ankles.

  I yelped when I felt the hard sting of his palm slap my ass and it was the first time a man has ever slapped my ass during sex. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but when I felt Sal’s lips and tongue on my ass cheek, soothing away the sting, I found I didn’t mind it at all.

  And I really didn’t mind it when I felt Sal’s tongue slid up and down my drenched folds. His large hands had me spread open for his sexual pleasure, but fortunately it was also for my pleasure. Salvatore Benetti’s tongue was made of magic.

  “Oh, God…mmm…yes…”

  I wasn’t sure how long he licked at my center, but eventually, his fingers found me again, and as his body covered my back, his hand came around the front of my throat, holding me in place. “If you think I will ever look at another woman again, you are out of your mind, Blake,” he whispered hotly against my ear and my entire body shivered.

  God, how I wanted to believe him.

  I closed my eyes and let his words wash over me and let his fingers play with my body. “Salvatore…”

  When one of those soaked fingers dance up higher behind me, my entire body jerked with shock and apprehension. I’ve had my fair share of boyfriends but nothing like this has ever come into play. Not to mention Salvatore Benetti was long and thick. I couldn’t see this being pleasurable for me at all.

  But I didn’t resist him.

  I let it happen.

  I let out deep, soothing breath as his finger penetrated me, making me feel full, taking me somewhere I’ve never been. Somewhere I hadn’t considered going because the thought had just never occurred to me.

  As Sal fingered my ass, introducing me to why filthy sex was such a turn on, his words vibrated in my ear. “The first time I laid eyes on you, your existence hit me like a million volts to my chest. My eyes drank you in, my dick got instantly hard, and I couldn’t identify what the fuck you were doing to me.” Sal pressed his body closer to mine, causing me to lean forward more, and when I did, another finger joined the first. The sting was both bothersome and exciting. “I’ve fucked many women, Blake,” he said. “But I’ve never felt one before. Not until you. You’re the only thing I feel, baby.”

  “Salva…vatore…oh, God…” There was so much I wanted to say, but I was suffocating on everything he was making me feel. I felt like I was being battered under the pressure of an emotional tsunami.

  Suddenly, his fingers were missing, and I felt cold as he straightened. I heard the telltale sounds of his belt being unbuckled and his zipper coming down. I saw his suit jacket land in a heap on the couch, and when he slammed his heat into my body, my fingers curled into the cushions as Sal let out a deep growl. “Fuck.”

  With his hands on my hips, he fucked into me over, and over, and over again. “Yes, please…” I whimpered, not being to articulate much.

  “I need you to cum on my cock, baby,” he demanded in harsh grunts. “My cock is going into your ass next, so I need you to get it nice and wet.”

  My entire body seized. “Oh, God…”

  “You like that idea?” he asked, and you could hear the smirk in his tone. “I knew you were perfect for me when you let me fuck you with Hector’s blood still all over me.” I. Fucking. Moaned. “I knew you were going to let me get you dirty whenever the fuck I needed to,” he continued. “I knew I would never disgust you. I knew you were going to see me for me and still want me.” I felt his lips press a soft kiss against the back of my neck and I almost cried. “I knew I was never going to fucking let you go last night, Blake. Fucking never.”

  I came.

  I came so hard, white dots dance behind my eyes and my head exploded in an instant headache with the intense pleasure. “Salvatore!”

  My breaths were so harsh, I feared I was going to pass out, but then he started to invade my quivering body in a new, different way. “Shh, baby,” he cooed softly. “Let me in, Blake. Let me in and I promise to make you feel so good.”

  My body went limp with exhaustion, and as soon as it did, Sal worked his way into my ass. I was so lightheaded and dr
owning in sexual euphoria, I rode out the pain until decadent pleasure started taking its place.

  Somewhere in the fog of all the unbridled passion and filthy sex, Sal whispered that it had to be love and I held on to those words like a closely guarded secret.

  I held onto them after he came in me.

  I held onto them after he took me to the shower.

  I held onto them when he took me to the bedroom.

  I held onto them all goddamn night long as Salvatore Benetti staked his claim again.

  Chapter 17

  Salvatore~

  “Thanks for making the time.” Mondays were busy for most people in America, but we worked around the clock, so Monday was just another day for us.

  Leo shrugged. “You said it was important.” It was always simple like that for Leo.

  “I’ve got an hour,” Luca said, his way of agreeing with Leo.

  “I moved Blake into my place yesterday and I’m probably going to marry her by the end of the week,” I announced, waiting to see who was more shocked.

  “Sorry, what?” Leo asked, his brows reaching for the sky.

  I grinned. “You guys aren’t the only fuckers subject to love at first sight,” I joked.

  “She’s…she’s got a bit of a mess going on, though, doesn’t she?”

  “Seriously? Do I need to remind you that Sienna was run over by a truck?” I replied. “Also, weren’t you the same asshole who got involved with her without letting her know who the fuck you were?”

  Leo winced. “There is that I suppose.”

  “At least Blake knows who I am,” I retorted.

  “And she’s not running for the hills?” This from Luca.

  “Not that it’s any of your guys’ business, but when I took her in my office Friday night, I did it with Hector’s blood still on me.” I eyed both my brothers. “And she let me.”

  “You truly are certifiable,” Leo remarked. “Who does that kind of shit?”

  “You’re missing the point, Leo,” I replied. “Blake wasn’t put off by it.”