by Piper Stone
Panting, I tried to hold back, to enjoy the moment of sin, but he’d exposed the darkness hiding inside, the hunger I’d never be able to explore. I pushed my palms against his chest, arching my back as I rode him like a wild stallion.
“That’s it, my bride. Come for me. I want to watch you as you cover my cock with your sweet nectar.”
His words were nothing more than a powerful aphrodisiac. Moaning, I was unable to hold back any longer. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”
The second the climax slammed into me, he gripped my hips, forcing me up and down. The moment of sheer ecstasy was unlike anything I’d ever felt. Stars floated in front of my eyes as a single climax shifted into a second, the force enough to cause me to shake all over.
He refused to let me go, pumping into me several times until I lolled my head, gasping for air. I was completely drained, falling further into an abyss of pleasure as well as torment. How could I enjoy such an atrocity? As he pulled me against him, I was able to feel the rapid beating of his heart. He took his time stroking my back, brushing his fingers up and down my spine aimlessly.
We remained in the same position for several minutes. I was surprised he was holding back, his cock throbbing and remaining hard as a rock.
He pulled the hair from my face, acting as if he enjoyed the way I was nuzzled against him. But his breathing remained labored, hushed growls becoming louder. Within a matter of seconds, he rolled me over once again, lifting my legs over his shoulders.
His eyes continued to penetrate mine, his jaw clenched. While he made no sound, I could tell he was prepared to take what belonged to him. His actions were no longer tender, the savage nature of the man coming to the forefront. As he thrust his cock hard and fast, all I could do was press my fingers against him.
Matteo rocked me long and hard, fucking me relentlessly for several minutes. Beads of sweat formed over his brow, slowly dripping across my face. The beast had risen to the surface, his hunger reaching an entirely new level. He was so strong, the force he was using smacking the headboard into the wall time after time.
I was locked in a bubble of ecstasy, my pussy aching and my muscles stretching as he swelled inside of me. When he was finally ready to release, he threw his head back and roared. As he filled me with his seed, my thoughts drifted to the children he wanted me to bear.
And sadly, a part of me would rather die.
Matteo
Darkness.
I enjoyed the hours between midnight and daybreak more than any other time of day. It allowed me the only period where I felt some sense of peace, my brain able to rest at least to a degree. Tonight was entirely different. I continued to remain on edge, the anger raw and fresh in my mind. Even her gentle touches and being able to satisfy my burning hunger hadn’t managed to soothe the beast dwelling within me.
After pulling my hand in front of me, I twisted the ring on my finger. I’d insisted to my father on several occasions that I had no intentions of getting married. He’d done little more than laugh at me, providing a reminder that all three of us were responsible for carrying on the family legacy. Children. What the hell right did I have to raise kids in this kind of environment?
They’d always be forced to have some kind of security surrounding them, never allowed to live their life as any normal person could. The truth was I had no paternal bones in my body. Maybe a part of me did believe that I had certain responsibilities to the family. I was certain Catherine didn’t feel that way though.
I laughed softly, an image of the look she’d given me remaining in the forefront of my mind. She would always hate me for tearing her away from her life. Even if her father was just as much of a monster as I’d turned out to be. Marriage was one thing. Parenthood entirely another.
The wedding. The pomp and circumstance of the bullshit I’d been forced to endure had left a bad taste in my mouth. While I’d enjoyed the smug looks on several of the guests’ faces given their understanding of what the nuptials meant, I would have rather handled their lack of loyalty in an entirely different manner.
Yet my mother had reminded me that I owed Catherine a proper wedding. At least it had given the grieving widow something else to think about for a period of time. I continued holding Catherine, enjoying the closeness we’d shared more than I believed I was capable of. She’d awakened something inside of me that I’d thought dead long before. Maybe there was such a thing as karma, which my father used to purport during the toughest times.
A part of me had wanted to break Catherine immediately, but she wasn’t what I’d expected on any level. Her constant pushback was actually exciting, although at some point she would need to be put in her place. But why not enjoy the evening? Enjoying the aftermath of such a glorious celebration was certainly something we both deserved.
I chuckled softly as I sipped on the drink I’d prepared. While the champagne had been required, I preferred the smoothness of the brand of scotch I’d always enjoyed. Catherine murmured beside me, likely slumbering after our passionate fucking. I held up my glass, twisting it until the closest candles created a swirl of shimmering lights.
My father’s body had arrived only a day before, lying in wait for the funeral, which was to be held in two days. It would be interesting to see who would attend out of respect if nothing else, certain people fearful of retaliation if they showed their faces and pretended as if they gave a fuck. My brothers and I had already made a list of business that was required to be handled. That would begin immediately.
What troubled me the most was that I continued to feel an odd vibe, a sixth sense that hadn’t left for days. I needed to return to my father’s house, searching until I found some answers. What the hell was I missing? I had a feeling that the hornet’s nest I’d stirred was more active than I originally thought. I would need to assign more security for the entire estate.
Even though Stefano and Enrique had used their informants to try to find anything additional with regard to the trip, not one of us had been successful. It was as if my father had taken a dark and tumultuous secret to his grave.
I rubbed the glass across my lips, thinking about the upcoming day’s events. While eliminating one of our enemies might not be considered in our best interest, I also needed to send a message to the surrounding areas and our other associates that I’d take full control. Sighing, I leaned over, pressing my lips across hers. While stirring, her eyelids fluttering open, she didn’t fully wake.
After placing the glass on the nightstand, I got out of bed, pulling the sheets over her. The rose petals Maria had left had been a nice touch, the poor girl still believing there was romance left in this world. Smirking, I grabbed a handful, trickling them over my sleeping bride. I certainly hadn’t promised her a rose garden, more like a bed of thorns. Time would tell if our relationship could develop into anything other than fulfilling my carnal needs.
I grabbed my drink, moving toward the bar and refilling it before easing into one of the chairs near the set of French doors. I had a lot to think about with regards to the future. Why would Pops have risked going to New York? What had been so damn important to him? I’d hesitated conversing with my mother, but the idea of finding anything concrete was becoming slim. If Enzo hadn’t been able to discover anything, that meant my father had kept it secret for a reason.
It was entirely up to me to find out what that was.
I took another sip, keeping my eyes on the lovely woman sleeping in my bed. It had been a long time since I’d spent a single night with a woman by my side. I still felt awkward in doing so, as if I was giving up a piece of my past. I rolled the glass across my forehead, enjoying the cool breeze floating in through the open door.
The next few days would be grueling, but necessary. I shifted in the chair, trying to get more comfortable as I thought about the soldier that I’d assign to keep her protected as well as compliant. For now, Gio would remain at the house for the few hours needed to handle business. I closed my eyes, more exhausted than I’d realized. As an
other set of images floated into my mind, I allowed myself a smile.
Catherine had made a beautiful bride.
“Where is she?” I demanded as I stormed through the house.
“I don’t know, boss. I haven’t seen her.”
Gio’s voice did little more than irritate me. I rushed toward him, wrapping my hand around his throat. With a single snap of my wrist, I could end the asshole’s life right here. “You were supposed to watch her.”
“I… did,” he hissed, holding up his arms in surrender. “But you know how she is.”
I squeezed for a few seconds before realizing what I was doing. Fuck! Releasing my hold, I scuttled backwards, raking my hand through my hair. I’d only been gone for a short period. I threw my hands across my desk, ridding the surface of everything. What the hell did I care? Where could she have gone? There was no way for her to leave the estate. None. She had no money and no transportation, the nearest house almost twelve miles away.
But I couldn’t put anything past her. Sophia was beautiful yet fragile, unable to accept the terms of the deal her father had made. She would stop at nothing to get away from me. That wasn’t going to happen. I owned her. She was my possession, the woman I would marry within two weeks. I would need to punish her for her infractions.
“Keep looking for her,” I commanded as I rushed through the rest of the house, throwing open doors and looking in closets. Closets, for Christ’s sake. What sane person was forced to do something like that? My anger continued to build and as I called out her name, I could barely recognize my voice. She should know better than to defy me in this egregious manner.
After several minutes, I returned to my office, pacing the floor. Then a cold chill raced down my spine. I headed toward the set of double doors, throwing them open. As I walked outside, I scanned the perimeter, moving down the set of rolling terraces. Something caught my attention in the distance.
“She’s nowhere, boss,” Gio said as he flanked my side.
The frigid chill remained as I headed toward what I’d seen.
“Where are you going?” Gio called, racing behind me. When I stopped short, he followed my gaze. “Oh, fuck.”
My heart thudding, I threw my head back and roared.
“No!”
I jerked up, taking several scattered breaths, a thudding noise catching my attention. As I looked down, I was forced to blink several times in an effort to focus. Then I leaned forward, holding my head in my hands as I rocked. Why the hell had I fallen into the nightmare? I hadn’t endured the damn thing for years. Years!
A combination of anger and sadness slammed into my system. My breathing still labored, I jerked up, immediately walking toward the bed. Catherine continued to sleep peacefully, her chest rising and falling normally. As I reached out, I realized my hand was shaking. I eased hair from her face, adjusting the covers again. At least morning had dawned, pulling me out of the vacant darkness.
“I’m going out for a while. You will be protected, my bride. Just get some sleep.” My whisper was hoarse. I’d shut down what few emotions I had years before, promising myself that I’d never care about anyone but immediate family. I intended on keeping that promise. But I would honor my vows and my pledge to the woman sleeping in my bed. She would never want for anything.
Except her freedom.
She was my possession.
As I moved toward the bathroom, I turned to gaze at her again. My lovely bride was watching me closely and I could see fear in her eyes.
Good. She should be afraid of me.
I was the monster who invaded her nightmares just like an angel had invaded mine.
It had been sometime since my brothers and I had handled a job together. Each one of us had been in charge of a different territory and commodity. While I handled our drug trade and other exports, Stefano handled the wine business and Enrique olives and our oils. However, each one of us had been trained to do the job of the other.
Including handling necessary punishments.
We remained quiet as I drove, traffic sparse in the early morning hours. The man we were paying a visit to had been one of our early customers, my father nurturing his business almost two decades before. In the last few days he’d abandoned the deal he’d made with the family.
After our father’s murder.
Whether or not he’d been made aware of the upcoming slaughter didn’t matter in my mind. He’d dared to end his business arrangement by telling one of my soldiers his plans. The fucker didn’t even have the decency to make an appointment to tell me in person. His extermination would send a clear message to everyone else in the food chain.
Do not betray the Benedetti family.
I took a deep breath as Luigi’s estate came into view.
“Luigi Valentino,” Enrique huffed between clenched teeth. “We should have known he’d be the first to break his loyalty.”
Maybe so. Our father had experienced doubts about the man for almost a year, expressing his concern more than once during what limited conversations we’d had. I would find a certain amount of joy in ending his life.
I glanced into the rearview mirror after hearing Stefano’s movements, smiling as I noticed he was slapping a new ammunition clip into his favorite weapon. Before turning onto the driveway, I killed the lights, allowing the early morning glow across the horizon to guide me the rest of the way. I’d learned Luigi’s family had left on vacation, waiting for him to follow after conducting business. That business being making arrangements with the French mob to handle his cocaine and heroin needs. Sadly, he wouldn’t be able to make the trip to the French Riviera after all.
After pulling the vehicle to a stop, I slid my Beretta into my coat jacket. “Enrique, you’ll need to take out the two soldiers who always remain by his side. Stefano. Check the grounds. I don’t want any surprises.”
My brothers knew better than to question me when I was in my darkest mood. The thought of what Luigi had decided burned deep within me. The man was going to pay for his sins.
As I got out of the car, I was struck by just how beautiful the traitor’s estate truly was. He and his family had been in Tuscany for generations, even longer than the Benedettis. However, with three daughters and no sons, his legacy would die soon enough. I adjusted my jacket before moving toward the house. I’d learned enough about the man’s habits to know that every morning he took a swim in his pool, his half hour of exercise his excuse to indulge in the libations he felt were necessary on a daily basis.
Enrique and Stefano moved ahead of me, all three of us scanning the perimeter. While both had attached silencers to their guns, I could still hear the solid thudding sound as the two soldiers crumpled to the ground. However, given the classical music that filtered around to the front of the house, I knew that Luigi hadn’t heard a single thing.
I smirked at the thought as I walked around to the side of the house, taking my time to head to the pool enclosure. Memories of the various times he’d hosted a pool party remained fresh in my mind. As a kid, my brothers and I had been able to enjoy the various amenities from the bounce houses and slip-and-slides to the blowup animal floats that he’d provided.
While I never thought I’d be forced to make such a difficult decision, business was business. Showing any sign of weakness at this point wasn’t in the family’s best interest. As I rounded the corner, I was able to see the fat asshole floating on a raft in his pool. So much for exercise. I kept my actions quiet as I opened the gate, making it all the way to the edge of the saltwater pool before he even noticed.
When he jerked up, splashing like a beached whale, I cocked my head. The smile on my face was plastic and given the look in his eyes, he knew it instinctively. There hadn’t been a man I’d been forced to eradicate that didn’t know when his day of reckoning was upon him.
Luigi slipped into the water, keeping the float between himself and where I stood. As if that was going to protect him. I took a deep breath, enjoying the selection of music he’d ch
osen.
“What are you doing here, Matteo? I thought you’d be preparing for your father’s funeral.”
Luigi’s tone was stilted, his gaze shifting all the way down to my polished shoes. “The preparations are already completed, Luigi. I do hope you’ll be able to attend. I’m certain my father would have wanted that.”
A slight look of surprise as well as relief crossed his face. “I’m so sorry, but I have to catch a plane this afternoon. A family vacation that has been planned for months. I’m certain you can understand.”
I took my time answering, weighing the words I wanted to say. “No, Luigi. I do not understand. My father was like a brother to you. In fact, he is the reason you were able to remain in your estate all these years. Do you remember when you had difficulties, the bank ready to foreclose on your lovely home?”
My father had always taught me that by providing a hand to those in need, an entirely different kind of relationship was formed. Luigi was supposed to have remained in the family’s debt for the rest of his pompous life.
“I never forget kindness, Matteo. You should know that by now. I just… Well, my daughters begged me to get away. I haven’t had a vacation in years.”
Snorting, I waited to say anything else until both my brothers moved into the pool area. The way Luigi darted his eyes from one side of the enclosure to the other, his breathing suddenly labored, meant he was starting to accept what was about to happen.
“Then you should have thought about that before ending the contract you had with our family.” If I could say one negative thing about my father, it was that he didn’t always enforce signed contracts like a typical business arrangement. I’d warned him that his handshake decisions could come back to haunt us. Sadly, in this case I was right.
“We had no contract, Matteo. You of all people should know that. I simply had to increase my profits and I found a source enabling me to do just that.” Luigi’s voice had already become strained. I could tell he was searching for his soldiers, hoping they would save the day.
