Bad Boy: Valetti Crime Family (A Bad Boy Mafia Romance)

by Willow Winters

  “I want to go over your earlier behavior,” I say.

  Her eyes widen slightly and she inhales deeply. I keep my face impassive, but it makes me happy that she’s nervous to discuss it. She should be.

  “You know what a good submissive does and how she behaves, don’t you? I was under the impression I wouldn’t have to teach you that,” I say with a frown.

  Her eyes lock on mine as she replies. “Yes, Anthony.” Her complete attention and obedience is fucking beautiful. And hearing my name on her lips makes my dick jump. I know she has expectations just as much as I do. They’ll help us for now, but they can hurt us, too.

  “Earlier, you hadn’t agreed to be mine. In fact, you said no and chose death at first.” Her eyes stay locked on mine, but her mouth stays closed. “Because you weren't aware of my terms, you weren’t punished. But now, you’re mine. That behavior you displayed will get your ass whipped, kitten.”

  She nods her head diligently.

  “You deliberately teased me.” I bring my finger to her mouth and trace her bottom lip. Her mouth parts slightly, but I pull away. “Next time you’ll find out what happens when you tempt that side of me.” I have to work hard to keep my eyes locked on hers rather than roaming her body and picturing those sweet lips wrapped around my cock. “Do you understand, kitten?”

  “Yes, Anthony.” A wicked smirk pulls my lips up.

  Now that she’s agreed, we can really play.

  Catherine

  “You need a bath and then dinner, kitten.” Anthony rises, towering above me as I sit paralyzed on the sofa.

  “Yes, Anthony.” The words fall easily from my lips in a tone I’ve only ever imagined could come from me. I feel...numb. Almost as though I’m not present in my own body. I don’t understand how things have changed so quickly. I’ve gone from being in a dark, cold cell with nothing, to this room that’s more beautiful than anything I could ever imagine.

  “Come.” Anthony holds his hand out for me and I quickly place my hand in his. I’m relying solely on my instincts and what I’ve read in my romance novels. My heart flutters as he leads me to a set of double doors carved from wood. I want to touch them, but I don’t. Not with him here. I imagine he has cameras everywhere, but as soon as he leaves, I want to touch everything. I need to see what all he brought from my home and what he has for me here. A part of me wants to cry with joy and feel nothing but gratitude. But that part of me is fucking stupid.

  And I’m not stupid. This is a gilded cage for his pampered pet. And he intends for me to be that pet, his kitten. I can play along. I will play along. At some point I’ll be able to get out of here. I just need to survive and be whatever it is that he wants me to be until that time comes.

  He opens the doors and reveals the most gorgeous bathroom I’ve ever seen.

  The walls are lined with a beautiful pale blue paisley wallpaper. Hanging from the center of the ceiling is a silver and Lucite chandelier positioned directly above a large, oval soaking tub. Running the entire length of the back wall is a huge walk-in shower complete with waterfall shower heads and massage jets arranged symmetrically on the walls. There’s a large double vanity to the left, and that makes chills prick over my skin. Is he staying here, too? It never occurred to me that he would. This space is feminine and designed for a woman. I try to ignore the fact that there are two sinks and walk forward to the shower.

  My heartbeat picks up. I know what he’s going to want. I’m not an idiot.

  “Kitten.” I hear Anthony’s rebuke from behind me and I quickly turn around to face him. I don’t know what I did wrong. My knees weaken and my immediate reaction is to lower myself to the ground to show complete submission. I don’t want to go back to the cell. I can’t. I can’t go backward.

  Before I can drop to the tiled floor, Anthony reaches out and firmly grips my arm and waist. “Now now, you’re alright. I just want you to relax.” His hands loosen on my waist and I struggle to look at him. I feel lost and powerless.

  “I want you to undress out here. I need to take a look at you.” I nod my head at his words. Obviously that’s what he wanted. He’s already made me cum and seen my naughty bits, so this isn’t that far of a stretch. But it feels dirty somehow. I guess in a way it's more intimate. I pull the straps off my shoulders and let the thin nightgown fall into a heap around my feet.

  Naturally I want to cover myself, but I don’t. I’ve read enough dark romance to know better. A submissive doesn’t hide her body from her dom.

  Anthony’s quiet. He doesn’t move to touch me, and he doesn’t say anything at all. I find myself growing more anxious the longer he stays silent. What if he doesn’t find me attractive? What if he changes his mind? I close my eyes and try to breathe easy, but I can’t.

  I’m not skinny, but I wouldn’t say I’m overweight either. I’ve got a pear shape and the cellulite on my ass to go with it. My breasts are small, but perky. I think I could be cute if I wasn’t so fucking pale. His eyes don’t give anything away. I wish he’d just say something already.

  Before I can go into a full panic attack, he reaches out and places his hand on the dip in my waist. He crouches low and puts his face just inches above my pelvis. His fingers trace over a small scar on my hip.

  “Where did this come from?” he asks.

  I look down at the shiny white scar. It’s hardly noticeable. I’ve had it most of my life and I’ve never thought twice about it. “When I was younger, I hit something I guess, or fell.” I swallow thickly and say, “I don’t remember.”

  He nods his head and walks around my body, looking over every inch. I feel like he’s evaluating whether or not he’s going to keep me, and I’m terrified he’ll find me lacking.

  From behind me, I feel his hands gently rest on my hips, and I close my eyes as I feel his hot breath on my shoulder. I gently tilt my neck, expecting him to kiss me there, but he doesn’t. In an instant he’s gone, and I’m left standing awkwardly as he completes the circle and stands in front of me as though it didn’t happen.

  For a moment I wonder if he even touched me at all. Maybe I imagined it.

  I clear my throat after a moment of silence, but he speaks before I can and says, “You’re beautiful. Every inch of you.” I look up at him with surprise and wonder. He sounds so sincere. I can’t help but believe he really does find me beautiful.

  “You’re dirty though. Let me clean you.” I back away out of instinct as he walks around me toward the shower. My breathing picks up, and I can’t hide the fact that I don’t want this. I don’t want his hands roaming my body for a mix of reasons. He’s fucking good at this game, and there’s a small piece of me that I know would cave at his touch. I don’t trust him. I don’t want him to take care of me.

  “Would you rather I give you space, kitten?” he asks.

  I can’t hide my shock. I can hardly believe that he would leave me alone in this room. That’s a lot of trust for him to extend to me. I could easily break the glass and use a piece as a weapon. Either on myself or him. As if reading my mind, he cocks a brow.

  “You aren’t going to make me regret that, are you? You’ve been so good today. I’d hate for you to upset me just before bedtime.” There’s a dark threat in his voice, and I’m quick to shake my head and alleviate any worries he has.

  “I didn’t think you would. You’re smarter than that,” he says.

  “Yes, Anthony.” My response earns me a warm smile, and I hate that it eases the apprehension in me, but it does.

  “Dinner will be ready in an hour; you’ll need to be done by then.”

  “I’m not very hungry.” I speak just above a murmur and stare at the beautiful marble floor. The silence he gives me in return compels me to look at him. He gives me a tight smile.

  “I understand not having an appetite, but you need to eat, kitten.” He takes a step back and looks into my eyes. I try to break eye contact, but I can’t. The intensity of his gaze has me pinned.

  “Tomorrow will be differen
t; you know that, don’t you?” he asks with an even voice.

  Tomorrow I’m his, and I'll have expectations to meet. I know. I know what this is. Regret overwhelms me. I’ve read this story so many times. Girl gets taken and held against her will. But this is no story. It’s not something I can edit and critique. What's happening right now isn't the same as words on a page that can be changed on a whim.

  “It’s going to be good, kitten.” His calm tone eases the stress threatening to consume me. He grips my chin in between his thumb and forefinger. He leans down with his lips close to mine, but he doesn’t let them touch. My body ignites from the proximity of our bodies--mine naked, and his fully clothed. He holds such power over me, yet his touch is gentle. I almost lean into him, expecting him to kiss me, but he doesn’t. He whispers, “You’re going to love this kitten; I promise you.”

  I close my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me, but instead he drops his hand and turns to leave me. “Sleep well, kitten,” he says as he opens the double doors and leaves me alone.

  I watch the doors shut as his body leaves my view. The loud click fills the bathroom and I finally wrap my arms around my body. I feel stunned. Confused. And scared. More than anything, I feel lost.

  I turn the water on and let the steam fill the room before I finally get into the shower. The heat feels like absolute heaven on my sore shoulders. I stand under the stream, letting the water hit me as I absorb everything. It takes a long while for me to reach for the soap and and wash the grime of the cell away. When my fingers travel lower, the anger comes along with bitter disappointment. I let him touch me.

  I scrub my body harder and turn up the heat. The reality of the situation makes my breathing become ragged.

  I close my eyes as the tears leak out and lean my body against the cool tiled wall. I slowly slide down until I’m on my ass and holding my knees to my chest.

  I don’t know how I’ll ever get out of here. But I will.

  Part of me thinks I should be grateful. The fucking psycho who took me is at least giving me space and letting me stay in a beautiful prison. It could be worse. But it’s still a prison. And I don’t deserve this. It’s better than death. I can’t deny that. I’m safe for now. Or at least I’ve been given the impression of safety.

  I’ll obey him to save myself from punishment, but I can’t forget what's really going on here.

  I can’t let him break me. I can’t let him win.

  The first chance I’m given, I’m running and never looking back.

  It takes me an hour before I finally go back to the bedroom.

  I stop in my tracks when I see a tray on the end of the bed. I walk closer to it with disbelief. Sitting on the tray is a sage green teacup with the corresponding saucer on top to keep the heat in. And next to it are two melatonin pills.

  I reach down and slowly move the saucer; the steam spills out beautifully from the freshly steeped chamomile tea.

  He was watching. I already knew that though. I knew he would be watching me.

  I’ve read countless books where the heroine is taken and forced to submit. I pick the teacup up and put it to my lips. I close my eyes as I take a sip and sit down on the bed. I look around the bedroom, the one he designed with me in mind, and think back to all those dark romances.

  I’ve already read this story, but this is different. The way this story ends is entirely up to me and my choices from here on out.

  Anthony

  I pull the covers closer around me. I do it every night as though they’ll protect me, but they won’t. No one can protect me. This is something that has to happen. I ruined her life. When she had me, everything changed. She’s hurting because of me. Dad’s never nice to her anymore. He always makes her cry now. When he hits her, she hits me. It’s only fair, she says. I deserve it. I should never have been born.

  I hear the door creak open and shut behind her. I know it’s coming. The belt comes down hard and I cry out as little as possible. I hear her, but I ignore it. I feel the pain, but I pretend I’m numb. I think about Tommy. As long as she stays here, he’s safe. He didn’t do anything. It’s not his fault. It’s my fault. I try to be good and stay quiet, but the belt whips through the air and smacks across my face. I can’t help that I screamed.

  I can’t help it. I hear them coming. No! I shake my head as she shoves the belt under the covers. My heart beats faster. I tried to be good. I tried. Please forgive me.

  My eyes slowly open and and my body seems frozen. It takes a moment for my heart to calm. I’m used to this. Everything will be fine. It’s nothing that matters anymore. My racing heart is the only indication that I’ve had that fucking nightmare again. I clear my throat and get my shit together. I do my best to feel nothing, and for the most part that’s true.

  I don’t feel a god damned thing reliving that memory.

  I look over to my alarm and move the switch before the clock has a chance to display 6:00 AM and go off. I can’t remember the last time the alarm actually had a chance to go off. It doesn’t matter though, as long as I’m up to start the day.

  I check my phone again. Vince still hasn’t written me back.

  I look at the last message he sent me. It reads, 1 month. I have one month with her until the Cassanos want proof that she’s dead.

  One month, my ass. I’m not giving her up in a month. No fucking way. I’ve only just gotten my hands on her.

  I calm myself by thinking about how she’s safe here. Having her in her room soothes the beast inside of me. My kitten is where she belongs, and she’s adjusting well.

  She cried for nearly an hour last night. I hated watching her break down like that. It’s only natural though. And now that it’s out of her system, she’s taken to her surroundings well. She checked everywhere for an escape though. I chuckle as I make my way to the monitors in the closet.

  Her alarm is going to go off at 7 a.m., and she’s still curled up in bed. I imagine she’s going to want to fight me on this one. She’s used to getting up at 8 a.m. I’d be happy to let her have the extra hour, if she asks. I may prime her to ask for permission so she can see that I’m willing to adjust for her. But I’m not sure she’ll bring it up and risk going back to the cell. She might be afraid that even just asking me will displease me. Her fear is a big part of what’s holding us back. I just need to give her time and let that dissipate.

  I watch her sleeping peacefully and something inside of me seems to shift into place. I know everything is going to work out perfectly. Every ounce of worry leaves me.

  I walk with purpose to the bathroom and go about my daily ritual. I look at my reflection in the mirror and run my hand over the stubble on my jaw. I need to get myself together before I go to her. And she should be doing the same for me. She isn’t though.

  I cluck my tongue before pulling out the razor and shaving cream.

  I’m happy about that. This will be a perfect training opportunity. I asked her if she needed me to explain what being a submissive means, and she said no. She was wrong. Obviously my little kitten missed some vital information in her books. She should always be presentable for me. I can’t wait to show her what happens when she doesn’t meet my expectations. My kitten’s in for a treat.

  As I rinse the razor in a hot stream of water, my phone pings. I close my eyes with frustration.

  I’ve told them I’m taking some time off, but Tommy insists I’m needed. I’d do anything for my brother, but sometimes he gets on my fucking nerves.

  I text him back that I’ll meet him later tonight. I just want to enjoy this, but instead I feel tense. It’s because I know they’re going to take her from me.

  They can’t.

  He said I could have this.

  He gave me his word.

  I don’t give a fuck about the business that we get from the Cassanos, or what their expectations were. I bought her, so she’s mine to do whatever I fucking want with her.

  And right now, I want to get information from her, whip her ass for not being
ready and then have her writhing beneath me.

  My shoulders loosen up and I let out an easy breath as my dick springs to life. Maybe if I just keep all the blood in my cock I won’t get so fucking worked up over Vince and his lack of a god damned backbone.

  I splash some water on my face and pat it dry. I’m only in pajama pants that are hanging low on my hips, and my erection is obvious. That’s good though. I want her to know how much I want her.

  I look back in the mirror and breathe easy.

  It’s only me and her right now.

  Time to play with my kitten.

  Catherine

  I wake up with a shriek ripped from my throat as a hard hand smacks against my ass.

  I bolt upright from the bed and grab the covers, pulling them close to my body as I stare wide-eyed at Anthony. My heart beats rapidly with fear, but then is replaced by something else entirely. The brief dread that I feel fucking vanishes.

  Holy fuck, he looks like he came straight off the cover of my favorite smutty novels. That chiseled “V” at his hips and his hard and lean muscular body are exactly what I've longed to wake up to. Except that he just spanked me, and he’s looking at me like I kicked his puppy.

  I have no fucking clue what I did to piss him off. I slowly move into a submissive position, watching him cautiously. But his eyes aren’t on me. They’re on my ass and probably admiring the bright red mark he left.

  “Nice of you to wake up.” He finally gives me a clue as to what I did wrong. His tone is playful and it eases a small part of me, but I can’t forget. This is an illusion and a game to him. I can’t relax; I need to keep my guard up. I pull at the hem of the nightgown I'm wearing. It’s the longest one I found in the dresser, but it still shows far too much of my ass.

  My eyes home in on the clock on the nightstand, but I can’t see the time. I vaguely remember smacking that annoying fucker when the alarm woke me up earlier. My heart sinks, and my stomach drops with fear. Day one, and already I've fucked this up. I didn’t fucking know, although I should have.