Savage Prince (DeSantis Mafia Book 2)

by S. Massery

  I climb out of bed and straight into the shower, dousing myself in cold water. I slide on the same shorts Cat gave me yesterday, then pick up the tube of cream for the burn.

  This is the worst part.

  I struggle to reach it all that I don’t give it a second thought when Aiden appears in the doorway. He leans against the frame, watching me for a moment, then steps forward. He plucks the tube from my grasp and motions for me to spin.

  I just stare at him.

  “Turn around,” he says.

  I hesitate, then I follow his direction. His cool fingers press into my shoulder blade, and I shiver. One finger skates down my spine.

  Goosebumps rise on my arms.

  He swipes on the cream impossibly gently. It barely hurts. Then turns me back around, and his gaze drops to my bare chest.

  I reach for my shirt, but he stops me. There’s a look in his eyes that I don’t understand, but it draws me in. It isn’t his usual anger or stoicism.

  His hand slides under my hair, around the back of my neck. He tugs me closer, flush against him, and I automatically tilt back to meet his gaze. I don’t know what’s happening. I’ve lost sight of the fact that we’re fighting—even if it’s just in my head.

  My tongue pokes out, sweeping my lower lip, and he releases a frustrated growl.

  “Even when you infuriate me, I can’t resist you,” he murmurs.

  Our lips connect, and I rise on my toes to meet him. It shocks my brain into blissful silence, but then my body kicks back into gear. I concentrate on the quick beat of my heart, his lips sliding against mine. This is better than the show we put on for his father.

  Better than last night. He didn’t kiss me then. It was more of a punishment than anything else. But this… there’s a difference.

  I hold on to his wrists. This kiss feels like one out of a romance novel. All-consuming.

  And I do let it fully consume me for a handful of seconds. My ears ring. My skin is electric. The outside world is blocked out as Aiden touches me. I reach down and loop my fingers in his belt loops, yanking him even closer. His erection pushes into my belly, and I gasp into his mouth.

  His lips move to my ear. “Surprised?”

  No time to answer. I don’t have a brain, anyway, because he lowers himself and kisses my breast. Then nips my flesh.

  All my rational thought is gone.

  “What are you doing?” I manage. My voice is strangled—maybe I don’t even want to ask.

  He pinches my nipple, rolling it. I clench my thighs together and fight back a groan. His dark eyes meet mine, and I have a moment of déjà vu.

  It hangs around me, a weight of this has happened before, before he focuses back on my chest. He sucks my nipple into his mouth. Little sparks flicker in front of my vision. I tip my head back, bracing my weight on the counter. He can’t keep doing this, or I’m going to explode.

  “Aiden.”

  He breaks away suddenly, taking a few big steps backward.

  “What—”

  He stares at me like I’m a ghost. Or maybe a figment of his imagination. The déjà vu feeling is back, this time like ice water dripping down my spine. The way he’s looking at me… I hate it. He grabs my shirt and presses it to my chest, then walks out of the bathroom.

  It takes me a while to put myself back together. The pulsing between my legs, the flush of my cheeks. I splash water on my face and will away the memories, but my lips are swollen. There’s a red spot on my breast, teeth marks. It didn’t feel hard enough to leave a mark, but the evidence is on my skin.

  I turn away harshly, yanking my shirt over my head. I haven’t been able to wear a bra because of the burn, but it isn’t like I need it. And at the end of the day, I don’t really give a damn if people care.

  I brush my hair out, then continue reapplying my makeup. All the while, I’m terrified that Aiden might come back up here and finish the job—rather, finish me. My innocence sits heavy on my shoulders.

  But who do I blame for that?

  Myself, for not being more outgoing?

  My parents for keeping me homeschooled the last few years of high school?

  I don’t know. Maybe all of the above.

  His questions from last night come back to me, and I touch my lips. Is the only thing left to do… sex? I shudder and shift my weight, ignoring my butterflies. I know, with certainty, that he’s going to cross that off the checklist, too.

  After another minute of stalling, I zip on my boots and go downstairs. Aiden is gone, but Cat and Sam wait for me. The latter scowls, while Cat beams.

  “I convinced him this morning after I gave him a piece of my mind. Carrying you off like a caveman.” She comes over and hugs me. “Well, Sam convinced him, I think. My dumbass brother can be good for some things.”

  I can’t seem to unlock my muscles until she withdraws. It isn’t that I’m not used to hugs—I’m a hugger when the mood strikes me—but it’s this family. She’s not being nice because we’re friends. She’s a DeSantis, for God’s sake. And yesterday was fun, but not life-changing.

  Her ulterior motive will reveal itself with time… just like Aiden’s.

  Either way, I don’t know now and I won’t show my suspicions by asking. Who would ever tell me the truth about that, anyway?

  I follow Cat out of the apartment and into the hallway. Sam trails after us, shooting her a questioning glance.

  It occurs to me that I didn’t get my earnings from last night, and my pride won’t let me ask. I file away the fact that Jack and Cat owe me favors, though. Until I have a plan to use them, I’ve got to stay under the radar.

  And that includes in this mall. I can just follow Cat around and see what she picks out. But I’m not going to turn this down—it’s an excuse to get outside. To breathe fresh air.

  We exit the elevator into the parking garage, and Sam now leads the way to a dark SUV parked halfway down the ramp. His sister opens the back door, gesturing for me to climb in. Once I’m seated, she slams the door and circles the vehicle. She sits beside me, bouncing up and down.

  “I haven’t had an outing in ages,” she says. “Not a fun one, anyway.”

  “Why?”

  She looks away. “Well, we were on lockdown.”

  Oh, right. A flash of guilt hits me, but I shove it away. I didn’t force them into lockdown. I didn’t kill Wilder.

  We lapse into silence after that. Maybe it’s just my imagination that it’s tense, but I can’t open my mouth to break it. The sun slants across me as we exit the parking garage, and I tilt my head to face it. Too late, I realize I should be paying attention to where we are in the city.

  We navigate out of Manhattan, crossing the bridge and finally pulling into a giant mall parking lot.

  “Here?”

  I came here as a kid. Paced the stores behind my mother, or got smoothies in the cafeteria with friends. Mom liked it because it had a lot of options, and not many people recognized us.

  Sometimes being a West was dangerous—and dragging a guard around behind us always drew attention. How safe we were just depended on if the people knew what to do with that attention.

  “Ready?” Sam asks. He climbs out of the car without waiting for us.

  After a beat, Cat and I scramble after him.

  I keep my promise to myself and tag along behind her through the store, pausing a few feet behind her when she does. My anxiety creeps higher and higher the longer we’re in the store—and it’s only the first one. Sam seems on edge, his gaze never stopping for too long.

  Finally, Cat scowls at me. “What are you doing?”

  I raise my eyebrows. I’m about to climb out of my skin, but I don’t say that. This is her excursion, after all. I’m just the excuse she needed to have a day out of the tower.

  “You’re following me around. This is supposed to be for you, Gemma.” She steps forward, trying to get me to look at her.

  My cheeks heat, and I fidget with my nails. I may as well just come out and say
it—especially since she thinks I’ll be racking up a huge credit card charge. I do have one in the sole of my boot, but it’s for emergencies only. As in, emergency escape.

  So I blurt out, “I don’t have any money, okay?”

  Sam chuckles.

  “Stop that,” I snap at him. “It’s not like I wanted to admit it, all right?”

  Cat grabs my hands, squeezing them gently. “I have Aiden’s credit card. This is a DeSantis-approved field trip. So just… find stuff you want to wear. He’s paying.” She tows me toward a rack of athletic gear. “You strike me as a runner.”

  I scoff. “Not sure where you got that idea.”

  Yoga is my go-to. If I’m under duress. I definitely try not to run… well, ever. Although, I suppose I might have better chances of surviving if I’m more in shape. Still, I shudder.

  Horrible thing, running.

  “Okay, so…?”

  “I like dresses,” I give. “And comfortable clothes. I’m sick of wearing Aiden’s sweatpants.”

  My face is on fire, but she doesn’t comment on that. She just grins, and the tension between us breaks.

  “Was that so hard?” she teases. “Besides, I saved your winnings. I’ll grab it from the apartment when we get back. Right now, though? We’re in the wrong store. Come on.”

  10

  Gemma

  “Try those on.” Cat points to my armful of clothes. “I’m going to look at the swimsuits.”

  We’ve been to at least six different stores. I can’t decide if Sam’s here as security or to carry our bags—he’s doing more of the latter currently. He stops outside the entrance to the fitting rooms and turns around, tracking his sister across the room.

  “Go on.” He glances at me. “I’m starving.”

  I grunt. I am, too. We had soft pretzels about an hour ago, but it wasn’t enough. My stomach growls at the thought of food. One of the attendants hands me a colored tag to hang on my door, and I step into an empty fitting room.

  It’s decently sized, teal walls and a large mirror on one. There’s a row of hooks opposite, and a wooden chair in the corner.

  Almost immediately, the door knob turns and the door is forced inward.

  “This one is occupied—” I rear back when I register who is slipping into my space.

  My brother grins at me. “Hey, Gem.”

  He locks the door and looks me up and down. I do the same, trying to take in everything before it’s ripped away. He’s taller than I am—overtook me a few years ago, despite being younger—and his lean body is packed with muscle. His hair is light, like mine. Green eyes, freckles. Objectively speaking, he’s handsome. As a sister, I hate the attention he gets from girls. I understand it, but I still want to punch anyone who flirts with him.

  Still, the relief that crashes through me is swift. He’s safe.

  For now.

  I lunge forward and throw my arms around his neck. “What are you doing here?”

  He returns my hug tightly, lifting me off my feet for a moment. “Dad told me what you did. Taking the fall—or, I don’t know, did you actually admit to doing it?”

  I step back. “I didn’t admit anything. They’re hunting you. I just… You’re supposed to be upstate. Why would you risk it to come back here?”

  It sounds silly. And there’s a DeSantis right outside. One who would probably happily take Colin back to see Aiden. What would my husband-to-be do? Torture a confession out of him?

  “Colin.” I grab his hand. “Did you do it? Kill Wilder?”

  “I don’t have long, Gem. That’s what you want to ask me?” He pauses, attention drawn down to my neck. “Are you okay with them? Are they hurting you? Say the word and we’ll get you out of here.”

  I think of Aiden’s idea of marriage, his fingers on my skin. His lips on mine, or his face buried between my legs. The fire at Aunt Mary’s house. Standing in the window waiting for him to arrive. Every moment with him rewinds, until it’s just my father and me standing in the dark house. Deciding. Choosing what path to go down.

  I thought I knew what I was getting into, but the truth is… I still don’t know what I’ve done. What he’s capable of doing to me.

  “I’m okay,” I say.

  “Gemma?” Sam calls.

  I motion for the chair, and Colin gingerly hops up onto it.

  “You okay?”

  I roll my eyes at my brother. “Perfectly fine,” I say. I inject attitude into my voice. “Why? Am I taking too long?”

  “Suck-up,” Colin mouths.

  “No, no,” Sam backtracks. “Just… stay there.”

  I grab one of the dresses off the hook and put Colin at my back. I ditch my shirt and slide the silky fabric over my head. It fits well and looks fine, so I barely spare myself a glance in the mirror before I move on to the rest of the stuff. Well, some of it. A few pieces Cat threw at me because she thought I’d like them, but…

  Well, we’re not on that good of terms yet. She doesn’t know my style.

  “Gem,” Colin whispers hoarsely. “What happened to your back?”

  I glance over my shoulder at him. He’s paler than he was a few minutes ago.

  “He set Aunt Mary’s house on fire, and I stupidly tried to rescue it.” I shake my head. “Blast from the kitchen threw me into a wall. I had to jump in the pool.”

  His eyes widen. “You could’ve been seriously injured.”

  “I know.” I take his hand and squeeze. “I wasn’t running on common sense. Believe me, I realize how dumb it was.”

  “Where are they keeping you?”

  “Twenty-fourth floor.” I shift, then add, “Aiden’s apartment.”

  He scoffs and meets my eyes. “Why the hell are you there?”

  I don’t want to be the one to tell him Aiden’s plans, but the way he’s glaring at me, I’m not sure I have a choice. I open my mouth to explain everything—the fire, the trunk, Jameson’s threat, the marriage plan.

  Until someone screams. It’s distant, like it’s not even in the same store. The familiar pop-pop-pop of gunfire follows. We both instinctively hunch and wait for a moment. More shrieking drifts toward us.

  “That’s my cue,” Colin says. He jumps down and quickly presses a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll get you out of there. I promise you that.”

  “I… don’t get hurt because of me.” I latch on to his arm again, stopping him. “That’s why I’m doing this. Please don’t do anything stupid. Go upstate and stay there.”

  He cracks the door and peeks out, then returns his focus to me. “Sorry, Gem. You don’t get to issue orders. I’m trying to do what’s best.”

  And then he’s out and gone, and my worry ramps up. I shove my shoes back on my feet and open the door an inch.

  Sam is gone from the entrance. I hurriedly pull on my shirt, abandoning the new clothes, and creep forward. Everything’s gone eerily silent, then a boom shakes the building. I drop into a crouch. Dust and particles float down around me. This isn’t just a random coincidence—this is an attack.

  I make my way to the arched entryway. There are people here in the store, the tops of their heads visible between racks of clothes and displays. Mannequins have been knocked over, clothes scattered on the floor.

  People are terrified, but I can’t seem to find that same emotion. Someone shook my world like a snow globe, and yet…

  My brother wouldn’t have left me if he didn’t know the danger. If he wasn’t part of the plan. Whatever plan this might be…

  Someone grabs me from behind, slamming me face-first into the wall before I’ve even made it a few paces out into the store’s main room. I grunt, the impact rattling my bones.

  Aiden flips me around and covers my mouth with his hand.

  He pulls me down until my ass hits the floor, and he kneels between my legs. I stare at him with wide eyes and huff against his palm. I don’t know what to think of his expression. His gaze doesn’t stay locked on anything for more than a few seconds, and there’s a dangerou
s energy in him.

  The sort of energy I’d imagine follows death.

  “Your brother,” he says sharply. “Was he here?”

  He removes his hand.

  “Fuck you,” I reply.

  He scowls and leans into my space. “Listen very closely, princess. If you don’t tell me the truth, someone you love will end up dead. We’re going to get your brother either way—it’s just a matter of if you want to see him alive beforehand.”

  He’s messing with you.

  I lift my chin and stare him down. “Go to hell, Aiden.”

  He drags me to my feet, keeping a firm hold on my arms, and guides me into the hallway. There are bullet holes in the floor, the walls. A dropped cup sits in its spattered, bright-blue liquid. It seems like what was once a relatively quiet mid-week day at the mall… well, at least there aren’t bodies.

  “Who was shooting?” I ask him. “And the explosion?”

  “Diversions for my men.” His voice is gruff. “Pulled focus from you.”

  “Sam? Cat?” I try to glance around for them, but he squeezes my biceps and drags me faster along.

  “They’re fine. Evacuated out a side entrance.” A muscle in his jaw jumps.

  He’s furious. Things went from good to shit faster than I would’ve guessed. I’m not dumb—I know my family wants me back, even though I willingly gave myself up—and they’ll do anything for me. The thought should warm my heart, but I’m worried for them. What’s the point of this? Of blowing something up? Just so Colin could check on me?

  My face heats when it clicks, and then dread churns my stomach.

  We’ve been here for hours. Cat’s dragged me around the whole mall with only Sam following us. Aiden said his men. Plural.

  I try to ignore the sinking feeling. Was it a slip of his tongue—or maybe he considers Cat…? Doubt it. All I can do is swallow and pretend my sudden nausea is from the pretzels we ate. He wouldn’t set my family up like that, right?

  He wouldn’t use me as bait.

  We round a corner and, against my better judgement, I stop dead.

  There are at least ten men—and a few women, too—with Kevlar vests and guns strapped to their hips. If they were to remove the vests, they’d probably seem like normal mall-goers. But now they’re grouped, and their hard gazes give them away. They ignore me and concentrate on Aiden.