Blood & Vows

by Bella J

  Jorge snorted. “It’s different with this one, Castello.” This one. As if I wasn’t even there. “Word on the street is there’s a hefty reward for the one who brings him her heart.”

  “Word on the street is that Vico is in way over his head.” Castello’s demeanor remained unchanged, unaffected by the direction this conversation was going.

  Jorge and Castello stared at each other for a few more seconds before Jorge clapped his hands together. “Okay. So, before we get to business, we need to start the evening off right.”

  Castello stiffened, yet he didn’t take his eyes off Jorge.

  Jorge summoned one of the men standing behind him. The man scurried around the couch and the little plastic bag in his hand caught my attention. I watched as he poured white powder onto the glass table in front of us.

  White powder? Cocaine. Jesus.

  The man sliced through the powder with a thin rectangular blade, moving so fast that it was clear this wasn’t his first rendezvous with this stuff.

  Jorge looked at me, holding out a rolled up one hundred dollar bill. “Ladies first.” My heart was no longer in my chest. It was in my belly trying to tear its way out of me.

  Castello leaned forward. “I’m afraid she won’t be using tonight.”

  Jorge lifted a brow. “May I ask why not?”

  Castello grabbed the rolled up bill and leaned down toward one of the white lines. “I prefer the women I feed my cock to, to be sober.” And then he snorted up an entire line. An entire line of cocaine.

  Jesus Christ.

  He sat back up, sniffing and snorting, acting like I wasn’t even there. Good God. Castello was using drugs. What the fuck was this?

  Jorge sniffed up two lines before sitting back. “That’s where we differ, Castello. I prefer my women drugged up and willing, rather than sober and stupid.”

  They both laughed and clanked their glasses together with loud cheers.

  Castello was right when he suggested that I hadn’t seen all sides to him. Never in a million years did I think he would use drugs. I was shocked to the core, even though there was a little voice inside my head saying, “Really? You’re shocked because the man who kidnapped and tortured you is using drugs? Get a clue.”

  Jorge casually leaned back in his seat. “So, let’s talk business.”

  Castello gulped down the last of his drink and held out the empty glass to the waiter. “I know Vico approached you. I know my little brother is eager to get his hands on your supplies. And I want to make sure you won’t be easily swayed.”

  Jorge smiled. “I’ve done business with your family for years, Castello. And I have to admit, it’s a little weird now that the Fattore family has been split in two.”

  “It shouldn’t be weird for you at all, Jorge. Just continue supplying me with what I need and all is well.”

  Jorge stretched his arms out over the couch. “You should know that Vico presented me with a very good deal.”

  Castello’s jaw ticked. “And you think my little brother can be trusted?”

  “It’s not about trust in our line of business. It’s about money.”

  I watched as Castello leaned forward, annoyance casting lines on his forehead. “You know that whatever my brother offered you, I can double. Vico doesn’t have the amount of support I do. I have more than half of the Fattore associates behind me. All Vico has is ambitious, reckless fuckers that have no idea how things work.”

  Jorge shrugged. “That might be true, but you know money talks in our line of business.”

  “And loyalty is everything.”

  Castello glared at Jorge, his stance intimidating and threatening. I knew Castello had a gun tucked behind his back. I also knew there were probably more guns than men inside this lounge. But there was something in the way Jorge stared at Castello. It was like he knew he couldn’t go up against the rightful Fattore heir. It made me wonder if Jorge was just trying to play a hand, pretending he held all the cards when in fact…he had nothing.

  Jorge slanted his head to the side and snapped his finger at the guy behind him. Within thirty seconds there were two more white lines on the glass table in front of us. My gut was starting to sink all the way down to the soles of my feet.

  Jorge leaned forward and sniffed up a line before snorting and wiping his nose. “Stop worrying, Castello. You know I would never betray you by doing business with your brother.”

  “I hope not. I’ve buried enough men the last few weeks because they made the mistake of underestimating me.”

  The threat was there, loud and clear in the menacing way his words left his mouth. Castello was alarmingly intimidating and confident, but I would lie if I said it didn’t make my spine tingle, seeing the way power exuded from him like rays from the sun. I felt proud. Proud that a powerful man like Castello loved me, protected me, and cared only for me.

  Castello leaned forward and sniffed up the last white line on the table. I could do without the knowledge that he used drugs, without the images of him snorting cocaine. But I knew him, and Castello wasn’t a man who did things without having a fucking good reason. I had to trust that he knew what he was doing.

  Besides, he did warn me.

  When he sat back he placed his arm around my shoulders, his focus still on Jorge. “Now that we know where we stand, I suggest we make use of the opportunity and enjoy our evening.”

  Jorge clapped his hands together. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  More rounds of drinks passed, and I sat in silence watching Castello and Jorge act like they were longtime friends who used to play football together in high school. Not once did Castello include me in their conversations, and the only acknowledgement I got from him was the occasional hand on my knee, and the subtlest touch of his fingers on my shoulders. But at least I knew that even in his intoxicated state he was still aware of me.

  The music was starting to play louder and louder, and the lighting dimmed. The pillar fish tanks looked amazing under the low lights. Exotic looking lava lamps shined throughout the lounge, and everyone was seemingly having a great time. It’s like the atmosphere of the nightclub that pumped downstairs had spread to the lounge. But through the semi-dark, I could see Giovanni and his security guards patrolling, scanning, searching. It made me feel safe between the crowd of strangers.

  Castello leaned into me. “Are you doing okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine.”

  He placed his fingers on my cheek and turned my face toward him. His eyes looked different. His face looked different. It was the mix of alcohol and drugs, turning him into someone I didn’t know. But when he placed his mouth against mine, his tongue gently passing my lips, I recognized him. He might be someone else tonight, but his kiss was still the same. His taste, even though tainted with bourbon, was still the same. He was still my Castello. But he was a man who had to wear a lot of different faces, I understood that. Just as long he never wore a mask when it came to me.

  He pulled back just an inch, his dark eyes, focused solely on me. “I told you.”

  “Told me what?”

  “That you would see a different side to me tonight.”

  I placed my palm on his cheek. “I get it. This isn’t who you want to be. This is who you have to be.”

  He reached out, weaving his fingers through my hair before tightening his grip. He pulled my head back, forcing my lips up toward his. Wild eyes gazed at me, the smell of bourbon on his breath filling my nostrils. “I need to be inside you.”

  I licked my lips. “Then let’s go home.”

  “I need to be inside you right now.”

  “Not here.”

  His gaze was now fixed on my mouth, his tongue darting out of his. It was written on his face, the lust, the desire, the hunger. And it was pulling me in, waking up the same feelings inside me.

  I shuddered when his hand moved up my inner thigh. “We can’t leave now.”

  My body started to quiver, my legs opening on their own accord as his hand moved up�
�and up…and up.

  “Then we’ll just have to wait,” I murmured.

  Just as his hand was about to reach the part of me that ached for his touch, he stopped. “If I wasn’t as possessive as fuck over you, I would have torn through these flimsy panties of yours and fucked you on this couch in front of everyone. I would have shown all these people what my cock could do to you.” He traced his tongue all the way up my jaw. “But I will never share you with anyone. Your body is mine to worship, mine to desecrate. No one else.”

  He pulled back, and I had to take a deep breath to try and get control of my body. Sweat started to bead on my skin, the loud music vibrating through my chest.

  “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  Castello snapped his fingers and Giovanni seemed to appear from out of nowhere. He leaned down and Castello said something to him before looking at me. “He’ll go with you.”

  I cocked a brow at him. “Are you serious? I just need to go to the bathroom, Castello.”

  “Giovanni will go with you.”

  “He will not.”

  “Tatum—”

  “Castello, do not make me defy you in front of all these people. I refuse to be chaperoned to the goddamn bathroom. It’s embarrassing.”

  I got up and glowered down at him before shooting a warning glare at Giovanni. Castello held up his hand, and Giovanni stayed put. Good.

  As I made my way to the other side of the lounge it seemed like the crowd had doubled. How many guests did this Jorge invite?

  Women were drinking and dancing while the men smoked cigars and laughed. Eventually I made it to the door with the bathroom sign on, and opened it. The hall stretched out in front of me, the men’s room to the right, and the door to the ladies right at the end. When the door shut behind me, my ears welcomed the muffled sound of the music.

  Two girls came walking down the hall, and when they saw me they leaned closer whispering to each other. About me, no doubt.

  Once inside the ladies room I looked around. Mirrors decked the walls, black and white checkered tiles on the floor with white marble countertops and elegant looking taps hanging over the basins. It was clear that Castello spared no expense when he had the VIP lounge designed. It had money and elegance written all over it.

  I walked to a stall and closed the door just before hearing women coming into the ladies room.

  “Did you see her?”

  “Who?”

  “Tatum Linscott.”

  “Oh yeah, the little princess who has been glued to Castello’s side the entire night. She looks like such a stiff.”

  I remained quiet while I listened to the women.

  “She’s so…plain. I can’t believe that this entire war between the Fattore brothers is because of her. It’s not like she’s that pretty.”

  “I know. I’m telling you, I don’t know what it is Castello sees in her. He’s so fucking hot, he could have any woman he wants. Like me.” The woman giggled like a tramp, and my blood started to simmer.

  “Yeah. I don’t get it, really. She’s nothing but a rich American girl who will never know how to satisfy a powerful man like Castello.”

  And that’s when I had enough.

  I stormed out of the stall, and when they saw me their eyeballs almost popped out of their small little heads. I stopped a few feet away from them.

  “Hello, ladies. Having fun?” Sarcasm dripped off my words. “I couldn’t help but overhear your little conversation. You two seem to have me all figured out.”

  They glanced at each other, confusion and panic peeling away at their heavily made-up faces.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Instead of wondering what it is Castello sees in a plain, rich American girl like me, what you should be thinking of is if I could turn two brothers from one of the city’s most powerful families against each other…what else am I capable of?”

  My hair fell over my squared shoulders as I tilted my head to the side. The threat in my voice carried over loud and clear as their faces fell with fear.

  I mustered up a fake smile. “Now you two ladies go and enjoy yourselves.”

  They scattered out of the ladies room like two stray cats with their tails between their legs. The adrenaline that rushed through my veins was euphoric. I loved the power I had just because I was linked to the most influential man in the underground…my man. The more people associated me with Castello, the more people would respect me…fear me.

  I washed up, pulled my hands through my hair fluffing it up a bit before walking out. I balked when I noticed the lights in the hall had been dimmed…a lot. Straight ahead stood a figure of a man…a familiar man. As he moved closer, I recognized him in the way he walked, his broad shoulders and daunting figure. The outline of the scar on his face was barely noticeable under the shadows.

  “Castello, what are you doing?”

  He didn’t reply. He just kept on approaching me step by step. The dim light cast a shadow on the side of his face, making him seem more magnificent, more mysterious. I could see in the way his gaze pinned me on the spot that he was consumed with the need to devour me. Anticipation caused my stomach to clench, my skin starting to burn with the need to be touched by him.

  “Castello, we agreed to wait ‘til we got home.”

  But before my words were even cold, he grabbed my arm, spun me around and pushed me face first into the wall.

  With a gentle swipe he moved my hair over my shoulder. “I’ve waited long enough,” he whispered against the skin of my neck.

  My breathing was already affected by the desire that had me trembling against him.

  Softly he moved his hands over my shoulders, easing his fingertips down my arms.

  “Castello—”

  “Shhhh.”

  Weaving his fingers through mine, he lifted my arms and placed it against the wall above my head before dragging his palm down my arms again, my body shivering as it moved down my sides.

  As he reached the hem of my dress, he started to wind the fabric up.

  “Word has it you like it rough.”

  “You would know.”

  He slipped my dress over my ass. “Would I?”

  His breath no longer had the sweet scent of bourbon, but a more distinct smell of alcohol…like tequila, with a hint of lemon. It was so strong it completely overpowered my senses, and I couldn’t smell his distinct scent of amber and peppermint anymore. It felt different, he felt different. The drugs and alcohol affected him, altered him in a way that made everything about him seem less intense. But right now, I didn’t care. I wanted him. I needed him.

  Like a good little pet I kept my arms in the air, allowing his hands to explore my hips and ass. He twirled a finger around the string of my panty, and with a tug he tore through it, letting it fall in tatters around my feet.

  “Spread your legs for me.”

  And I obeyed without hesitation. Truth was, I didn’t care that we were in a public place. All I cared about was having this man inside me. I wanted to be consumed by him, entranced by the spell he had over my body.

  “You’re a good little girl, aren’t you?”

  “I’ve been taught by a good master.”

  He dragged his finger all the way down the slit of my ass, my skin erupting in chills, my hips pushing out, eagerly awaiting his touch.

  When his finger slipped through my wet folds, he moaned against my shoulder.

  “I’ve missed this pussy.”

  I pushed my ass out even more. “Then what are you waiting for?”

  I whimpered when I felt the head of his cock drag against my ass.

  “You’ve turned into a greedy little slut, haven’t you?”

  My mind reeled with lust, my pussy begging to be filled. He called me a slut…and I loved it.

  His hand rounded my hip, his finger finding my clit. As he started to move in circles, I moaned.

  “I can’t wait to feel you come on my cock again.” And then he was inside me. With one sharp, powerful jab he penetrat
ed me with such force, I cried out as pain moved up my spine. It was unexpected, the strength he used.

  His hand moved away from my clit, and he grabbed me behind my neck pushing my face harder against the wall. With his other hand he dug his fingers painfully into the flesh of my hip.

  “If only I had known.” He panted as he kept on thrusting relentlessly into me. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t the same. Castello high on drugs changed everything, as if the dynamic between us had been altered. But nevertheless, my body demanded more and I welcomed every thrust with eager and vigorous anticipation.

  “No matter what my brother does, he will never erase…us.”

  He was right. Vico would never have the power to take away what we had.

  More and more he plunged inside me, going deeper every time. He flexed and fucked me so hard, he lifted my feet off the ground with every thrust.

  “Oh God.” I moaned, feeling the start of my orgasm blooming between my legs, about to move up my spine and crash against my core.

  Harder, faster, our moans slamming against the dark walls around us, and finally my release flooded through my body, thundering against every bone.

  Castello pulled out, and I felt warm liquid spurt onto my ass. It was the first time he had pulled out of me before he came. With slow circles of his palm he rubbed his cum all around, coating my skin. Somehow I wish it was inside me…I wished he was inside me.

  He leaned forward, his lips against my ear. “Soon.” And then he was gone.

  ***

  CASTELLO

  Our drive home was agonizing. The silence kept gnawing at me, my mind listing all the reasons Tatum had to be pissed at me. But I warned her. I told her she hadn’t seen all the sides to me. She didn’t know what I was capable of, what needed to be done to secure the success of my family—our family.

  Drugs weren’t my thing. The only time I used was with Jorge. If there was any kind of business contract between us, snorting cocaine would be stated in the fine print. Had I not followed our regular routine, Jorge would have gotten suspicious. He would have doubted my commitment to our business deal, and I couldn’t have that.