High Stakes (A Dark Romance)

by Vanessa Waltz

  “Why not?”

  He shoves his hands deep inside his pockets. “The boss doesn’t trust you. What you saw at Nicky’s game—” he shakes his head.

  “What about you? Do you trust me?” I edge up to him as he gazes down at me with a mixture of warmth and uncertainty.

  “Not yet.” He says it apologetically.

  A tiny sting of hurt threatens tears. “This relationship will go nowhere unless there’s trust. I hope you realize that,” I snap.

  His palm brushes my face and I see his resolve crumbling. Vince hates doing this to me. “I hate seeing you so upset.”

  “That makes two of us,” I say dully.

  It still doesn’t change the fact that he’s keeping me in here.

  Stalking to the kitchen, I reach up into the cupboards only to find that there are locks on the doors. Revolving on the spot, I glare at Vincent who stands in front of me with his arms crossed.

  “What the hell is this?”

  “You drink too much. Desperate measures.”

  I turn back around and yank on the doors. If I don’t have a drink, how am I supposed to sleep at night? How am I supposed to forget all the things I saw? I scream and pound them with my fists.

  “That’s enough!”

  He tries to take my shoulder, but I slap his hand away and run to the bedroom. There are no locks in this place. I can’t even keep him out of the room.

  I want to seize the lamp on his nightstand and smash the window, but it’s the quadruple-bullet-proof-paned type and it glances off like I just gave it a love tap.

  Vince grabs it before I can try again and twists it out of my grasp. All the humor is gone from his face.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “You’re trying to control me by keeping me in this fucking box!”

  “No, I’m not!” he yells. “If you want to get out of this place, let’s go! We can do whatever you want!”

  “Only if you allow it,” I spit. “I can’t even get a fucking drink without your approval now.”

  Glowering at me, he sets the lamp back down and takes my shoulders in his hands. “If I let you drink whenever you wanted, you would drink yourself to death. That’s what you’re doing—drinking yourself to an early grave. I love you. I want to help you.”

  “I didn’t have this fucking problem before!”

  But even I know that’s a lie.

  “Oh, really? Because I seem to remember you getting wasted after your first day working for me.”

  I let out a frustrated scream.

  His face softens. “I’m not judging you, Adriana. God knows, I would probably do the same if I were you. I am trying to do the right thing here.”

  “Because that would be the first fucking time!”

  As soon as I’ve said it, I know I’ve crossed over some invisible line. Vince’s eyes narrow as a dangerous smile spreads across his face.

  “You have some fucking mouth on you. Sometimes it really pisses me off, but most of the time it makes me want to fuck your brains out.”

  He shoves me on the bed. Angrily, I sit up, but he shoves me back down.

  The awful sound of his belt slipping from his jeans fills my heart with dread, and at the same time my stomach leaps with excitement.

  I scramble away from him on the bed. “No.”

  “Those aren’t the magic words,” he grins.

  Grabbing my ankle, he yanks me closer to the edge of the bed and makes short work of my clothing. It’s been so long since he’s touched my skin that I can feel my core heating like a furnace just from his fingers sweeping over my skin. A delirious hunger consumes his body as he touches my breasts, fondling them as he kisses me so hard and long I feel like I might pass out. He kisses my stomach as he removes my panties and then he takes the belt, wrapping it around my throat. He pulls hard, tightening with his hand so that it’s uncomfortably snug.

  I’m still angry with him, but now I’m a little afraid, too. Maybe I pushed him too far. I keep pushing my luck with this man without even thinking about the consequences.

  But I know there won’t be any. No matter how hard I push, I know that he’ll never hurt me. Everything down to his controlling behavior, locking up the alcohol, is just to protect me.

  It still pisses me off.

  He pulls down his jeans and sits with his knees straddling me. Without meaning to, I reach out and touch him, feeling his hardness behind that thin membrane of cotton. He closes his eyes and sighs as I pull him through the hole in his briefs, and then he positions himself over my face, his hand still holding the belt.

  Vince lowers himself and I take him between my lips. The belt around my throat tightens as I suck around him, my tongue dancing underneath. His hips grind against my mouth as he pulses in my throat, making me gag, made even worse with the belt. He loves it.

  His groans echo through the bedroom, burrowing in my ears as he stuffs himself in my mouth. Finally, he removes himself and I gasp for air, but my oxygen is cut off when he pulls the belt again. The briefs fly off his legs as he moves down towards the ache between my legs. I hook them around his waist, heart hammering with anticipation.

  Both of us let out deep moans as he buries himself. I urge him on, digging my nails in his back as my legs tighten around him. He lets go of the belt for a moment to move my legs over his shoulders, and then I let out a painful gasp as he ruts me hard, going so much deeper than I could’ve imagined.

  He pulls out and that amazing fullness disappears. Vince is back straddling my head, his cock aiming towards my face. I open my mouth and taste myself as he yanks the belt hard and stars burst in my vision.

  “You look so beautiful with my cock in your mouth. Do you like tasting yourself?”

  Vince stops, his cock lodged in my throat as he waits for an answer. He pulls out and smacks my lips with his cock. “Answer me.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  The devil looks ecstatic at my humiliation. He buries himself back inside my mouth and his other hand nearly rips out my hairs when he curls his fist in my mane. He fucks my face, driving deeper and deeper, even though I gag.

  He pulls out finally and I get a brief moment to gasp for hair before he shifts down the bed and parts my legs. Then I’m gasping again as he plows into my slick entrance, pounding ruthlessly hard and making me claw his shoulders. Vince’s body moves over mine with a desperate urgency, even his breathing is harried as he lowers his body over mine.

  I grasp his head, twining my fingers through his damp hair as he groans in my ear, almost as if he’s in pain. Usually, when he fucks me, it’s to satisfy the beast inside him, to maximize the pleasure. This is entirely different. He’s completely lost himself.

  “Vince.”

  He makes a rough sound and his hips drive into me again, my walls tightening over him. I dig my fingers in his scalp and he pounds me harder, his tempo increasing. My teeth grind together as I feel myself teetering over the edge and he lunges forward and keeps him there, letting out an almighty groan. Then I cry out his name. It rips from my throat as my orgasm shakes my body.

  He collapses over me, breathing hard as I run my hands up and down his bare back. It feels so good. He always makes me feel so good.

  “I’m sorry,” I gasp, my throat thick with tears. “I’m just having a hard time with everything.”

  He kisses my neck in response. “I know, baby. It won’t be like this for long. I promise.”

  * * *

  “Where are we going?”

  It’s a secret. I hate secrets.

  Vince smiles, staring straight ahead as he drives. He gives me a quick jerk of his head. “You’ll see. Just be patient.”

  “I’m not patient.”

  I don’t do well with surprises. The latest one was Mom threatening to show up at my dorm when I told her she needed to cancel the credit card or I would call the police. With no job, I can’t afford to help her anymore.

  “What do you mean, you quit?”

  “I
couldn’t balance school and work, so I quit my job.”

  I thought—I hoped that she would understand.

  “You can’t quit! You need to get your job back.”

  Her voice lifted with hysteria the more I argued that I couldn’t do it.

  If I told her the truth about what happened, I doubt she would care. By the end of the phone call, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

  “That’s it. I’m done for. You’ve signed my death warrant!”

  It was overly dramatic, even for her. It was weeks since I talked to her. She even sent back her Christmas gift.

  Being ignored is an improvement over constant harassment, but it still bothers me. All I have to do is look at Vince and his mother, and know that I’ll never have that kind of relationship with my own.

  Is it right for her to suffer for my dad’s debts? A nagging voice tells me that I’m a bad daughter, but I’m suspicious of her. Where’s the proof that she’s actually paying off her debts?

  My nose freezes with the cold as I step over the street sprinkled with snow, my hands bundled in my wool coat. Vince walks next to me, his breath billowing in white puffs. His face is rosy with color. A gloved hand seeks mine inside my sleeve and holds tightly. He frowns at my glove-less hand.

  “Ade, it’s really cold out,” he says reproachfully.

  “I know.” My engagement ring shines in the late afternoon sunshine. “I don’t like wearing gloves with the ring on, anyway.”

  A swirl of unresolved feelings churn inside me as I stare at it. I never chose to accept his proposal. It was something I had to do to save my own skin.

  That would bother anyone.

  But these last few months have been happy. I can do whatever I want now. Go to and from the apartment without an escort. I have everything I want, really.

  He massages my hand and a smile hitches on his face as we turn towards a restaurant that I’ve never been to before. The door opens for me and Vince gives me a wicked grin as I step inside.

  “Surprise!”

  A chorus of yells greet me as at least a dozen people stand up from a very long table, looking directly at me. Everyone in Vince’s crew is there, along with Giacomo and his wife, Vince’s mom, and even Maria and Jackie, who look excited to see me. An unpleasant feeling clenches my guts. I’m not particularly pleased to see the boss of the family there, considering only months ago he wanted me dead.

  Strong hands take my shoulders and I spin around at Vince.

  “What is this?”

  He laughs, bending down to give me a quick kiss. “Your engagement party.”

  A flood of happiness rushes to my face and my lip trembles. No one’s ever done anything like this for me.

  “I can’t believe you got Maria to come, too. How did you do this without me knowing? How did you even get her number?”

  He just smiles, rubbing my back as my arms wrap around his waist in thanks.

  His mouth bends to my ear. “I was going to invite your mother, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted her there.”

  Speechless, I try not to smudge my makeup as I wipe away tears. I can’t say anything, but Vince smiles like he understands.

  “Adriana!”

  Maria runs up to me and I fling my arms around her neck.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Of course.” She squeezes back. “I’m happy for you.”

  I blink. “Really?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know I gave you a hard time about him,” she says, glancing at him nervously. “But he’s good to you.”

  Vince beams at her. “I figured if I convinced your best friend that I was a catch, half the battle would be won already.” He winks at me and a blush creeps over my cheeks.

  Jackie hovers near his cousin’s elbow and gives me a shy smile. “Congrats, Ade.”

  “Thanks for coming.”

  As I look at him, I remember that it was all down to him that we met. If he never brought me to that card game, I would have never met Vince or been involved in New York’s seedy underworld.

  It’s crazy.

  With Vince by my side, I walk down the table and thank each person for coming. My lips spasm as I glance over Giacomo.

  I don’t like him, and I doubt I ever will.

  “I’m so happy that you came, Mr. Vittorio.”

  The old man gives me a shadow of a wink and a smirk as I shake his hand.

  “Never thought I’d see the day, Vinny,” he says with a bemused smile.

  Mrs. Vittorio jabs her husband in the arm and looks at me with a sweet smile. “I’m so happy for you, Adriana.”

  “Thank you.” I feel like I’ll be repeating that phrase over and over today.

  “Is your mother here yet?” She glances down the table and doesn’t see my reaction.

  It’s an innocent question, but it’s like hammering a rusty nail through my heart. Beside me, I see Vince’s face tense up.

  “No, she’s not coming,” I say in a low voice. “Vince is really the only family I’ve got anymore.”

  Her face falls like a Greek mask, her perfectly ironed curls trembling as she shakes her head. “We’ll be your family. God forbid, if something happens to Vince you’ll be taken care of.”

  The thought of Vincent actually being killed never crossed my mind, but it does now. Jesus Christ. What if something does happen to him? What will happen to me?

  All it takes is one look at Giacomo, who nods in agreement with his wife. There will be no one standing in his way if he decides I’m not trustworthy.

  Then it’s lights out.

  I grin painfully and move along the table, greeting Giacomo’s other captains whom I’ve never met, and some more of Vincent’s family—his mother, his cousins, aunts, and uncles. It’s overwhelming to have all these strangers wishing me their heartfelt congratulations with Vince at my side, squeezing my hand occasionally. Finally, I reach Maria and Jackie.

  “We can’t stay for too long because it’s my mother’s birthday,” Maria tells me.

  I collapse into a seat opposite her as Vincent moves towards his mother, who is ecstatic.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” I murmur.

  I don’t know whether it’s from too many sleepless nights or a creeping fear crawling in my gut, because none of this seems real.

  “You look pale. Are you okay?”

  I’m just scared shitless of Vince’s boss, that’s all.

  Forcing a smile on my face, I nod to Maria. “Just not used to all this attention.”

  “Better get used to it,” she grins. “Wait till your wedding. It’ll be a spectacle.”

  Wedding. My throat closes as if I’ve just inhaled poison. It’s such a foreign word to me. When Vincent comes back to sit across from me, he looks so incredibly happy to see me sitting across from him that I can’t help but feel lighter. Maria’s attitude towards him seems to have taken a complete 180-degree turn, and she even gives us wistful looks.

  After a half hour, she leaves with Jackie and I’m sorry to see them go. They’re the only ones I know in this restaurant. I don’t talk much. I concentrate on my food. Only water sits in front of me. I suspect Vincent warned the waiters about serving me alcohol. My fists clench under the table as the possibility enters my head.

  “You okay?”

  His gentle voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

  “Yeah,” I look up at him, smiling. “I just don’t know any of these people. I can’t believe they all came for us.”

  “Of course,” says Mrs. Cesare. “We’re your family now.”

  I give her a smile and my eyes turn back to the tablecloth, lost in thought.

  Most of the restaurant is deserted, but Vincent’s eyes routinely scan the area behind me. I’m used to it by now, but it’s still unnerving. His eyes widen and I look behind me in alarm, seeing shadowy forms moving behind the glass. There are at least half a dozen of them, all lined up against the glass.

  An electrical, hot feeling sea
rs through my veins. It’s like liquid fear. Instant and intense. My subconscious knows something that I don’t. Without questioning it, I dive under the table, knocking my head hard.

  Glass shatters and I duck, grabbing Mrs. Cesare as deafening shots blast through the windows. Glasses and dishes explode and shrieks stab my ears, but nothing is louder than the explosive gunfire pinning everyone to the ground.

  A scream tears from my throat as the table topples over to its side and a vice grip closes over my arm and drags me behind him. I grab Mrs. Cesare’s arm and pull hard, but the woman is immobile. Tears stream down her face as she screams over and over for her son. Vince shields me with his body as he tears the gun from his ankle and swings over the table.

  BAM, BAM, BAM.

  The shots blasting from Vincent’s gun are so loud that I can feel them in my chest. He fires back towards the flashing muzzles and ducks as they return fire. I’m flattened on the ground.

  This is it. I’m going to die. There are already screams of pain. Vince grabs his mother and my arm. I stumble over a body. He keeps my head low, covering my body with his. Plaster explodes around us and I get a brief glimpse of the people still huddled around the table. Bodies everywhere.

  Vince’s face is tense, but determined. Mrs. Cesare bolts into the kitchen, hiding behind a stove. He shoves me behind the doorway as he leans around the doorway, swearing at the top of his lungs as he fires at them.

  He’s going to get shot.

  He’s going to get shot.

  I’m just waiting for a bullet to zip into his skull when he leans, exposing himself to the gunmen. Another black body sprints into the kitchen and I scream, but it’s only Nicky, who takes the other side of the doorway.

  “Ben and Tony are dead,” he yells.

  Two captains. Dead.

  “Fuck,” says Vince. “Where’s Jack?”

  My body flinches with every gunshot. Somehow, I still have my purse and I clutch the bear mace inside and hold it in my hands.

  “He’s a fucking sitting duck!”

  In silent awe, I watch as both of them fire around the corner. A peppering of gunfire smashes into the wall they’re hiding behind. Vince flattens his back against the wall and grits his teeth.