Promise Me: A Second Chance Romance

by Willow Winters

  I put the edge of another shot glass against my lips and shake my head before throwing it back. My body starts to tingle, and my teeth seem to go numb. Good. I want to be fucking wasted. My phone stopped going off in my pocket a little while ago. I take it that means someone told Pops that I’m here. I wonder what he thinks. Specifically, what he thinks of her. Not to mention what he thinks of me and my fucked up decisions.

  “It’s not like she’s yours, Vince. It fucking sucks.” Anthony puts a hand on his chest. “She was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I fucking hurt for her, I do.” I can see it in his eyes that he doesn’t like it, that he does have remorse. “But this is the entire family we’re talking about.” I nod my head solemnly. “If she talks, we’re fucked.” He takes a drink of his beer. “She’s not one of us. She’s not a comare. They’ll make her talk. You know how they harass anyone who comes in here. If they saw her, they’ll make her talk.”

  I take another swig and almost choke as the perfect solution hits me. I need to knock her up. I need to marry my sweetheart. They won’t touch her if she’s mine. No one will touch her if she’s mine. And if I get my way, she’s going to be mine. And the police can’t make her testify against me if she’s my wife. No one will be able to threaten her.

  She. Is. Mine. I repress the need to scream it into everyone’s face. I want them all to know. She’s not going anywhere. I push away from the bar and slide off the stool. It wobbles, then tips over as my feet hit the ground. I walk forward and reach for my car keys in my pocket.

  “Whoa, Vince. What the fuck, dude?” I hear Anthony pick up my stool, then come up behind me, grabbing at my elbow to make me stop.

  “I gotta go,” I say simply. I do. I need to get back to Elle. He walks in front of me to stop me in my path.

  “You’re trashed, man.” I shrug my shoulders.

  “She needs me, Anthony.” I’m vaguely aware that the bar is quiet. I can feel their eyes on me. I know everyone in here. It’s all familia. And they’re all watching.

  “Hey, calm down. Let’s talk this out, Vince,” he says. I shake my head and take a step closer to him.

  “She’s mine,” I growl in his face. His hands come up in a gesture of surrender.

  “Alright. I get that. No one’s taking her from you.”

  “Damn right no one’s going to touch her!” I scream it as loud as I can. I feel like a fucking fool. It’s not smart to yell. It’s not wise to lose your cool. But I can’t fucking help it. I want everyone to know she’s mine. I run my fingers through my hair, then take a deep breath. “I’m gonna make her mine and no one’s going to hurt Elle.” I stare at him as I speak calmly, but everyone here knows I’m talking to them, too. From my periphery I can see my men nodding.

  “No one’s going to touch her,” Anthony says, and I feel Tommy come up to my right side and lay a hand on my shoulder.

  “You need a ride, boss?” he asks.

  “Yeah, I need to get back to her, Tommy.” My words slur a bit and I pinch the bridge of my nose as we walk towards the doors.

  “You know, I feel bad for your girl, Vince,” Anthony says from behind me loud enough for everyone to hear. I turn to face him. “She’s gonna have to deal with your whiskey dick tonight.”

  I grin at him and laugh. After a split second, the rest of the bar joins in on the joke.

  A calmness settles in my chest. For the first time since all this shit happened, I feel like it might be alright.

  I may get to keep my sweetheart after all. I just need to knock her up first.

  Chapter 22: Vince

  I don’t remember why I’m so fucking horny for her. But I am. It takes me at least four tries to get the key in the lock to the door. But I fucking did it and I feel like a champion for getting into the house. Rigs is barking and barreling down the stairs like a good boy. I bet he was laying outside her room. I feel like an asshole as I watch him squatting in the yard. I gotta get up there and make sure she’s still alright. I close the door after he gets his furry butt inside and we make our way up the stairs. I leave him out in the hall and ignore his little whine when I don’t let him in. I gotta get him a giant ass bone for dealing with this shit. I huff up a laugh as I walk, I’m fairly certain, straight to the bed. Right where I left my sweetheart all tied up.

  Her wrists are bound with a silk tie and it’s wrapped around a rod on the headboard. It doesn’t look very comfortable, but she appears to be sleeping. I grip my shirt and pull it over my head, then shove my pants down. I palm my raging erection and stroke it up and down while my eyes travel over her body. She’s in one of my tees. It’s bunched around her hips and there’s a nice red mark still on her thigh from where I was gripping her earlier. I groan and stroke my dick again before climbing on the bed.

  Mine. All mine.

  The creak of my movements and the dip of the bed gets her attention and she stares back at me with her lips parted. I take it she’s surprised to see me. Her legs scissor as she tries to turn and lift herself up. But with her wrists bound she can hardly move. My dick bobs up and down as I crawl across the bed. I grab her ass with both hands and push her up higher so she can sit how she’d like.

  Feeling her bare ass in my hands only makes me want her more. I remember that she’s not wearing any panties. My cock gets even harder.

  I feel lightheaded and groggy as I crawl closer to her.

  “I got it figured out, Elle.” I move her ass up higher on the bed again so there’s less pressure on her arms.

  “Vince?” she asks in a tired voice. She looks a little out of it. I know she’s gotta be tired.

  “Yeah, baby?” I rub her shoulders to help ease the tension.

  “It really hurt me, what you said before you left.” I love how straight forward she is. I kiss her shoulder to reward her.

  “I wish I could take it back. I wish I could take it all back. You don’t deserve this.”

  She looks at me with those big blue eyes and pleads for an answer. “What are you going to do to me?”

  I finally have an answer for her. I smirk at her, “I’m going to keep you.”

  Her eyes widen and her lips part. “I’m gonna make you mine.” I kiss down her body and settle between her legs. A small pant comes from that gorgeous mouth of hers and her thighs clench. I don’t know if she loves the idea, but she sure as fuck seems turned on by it.

  “Spread your legs for me, sweetheart.” I’m sure some of those words are slurred, but she obeys. I drop to my elbows and push her thighs further apart. I run a finger from her sensitive clit, which makes her body shiver, all the way down to the entrance of her pussy. She’s hot.

  And red.

  Too red. My poor girl’s gotta be sore. I wanted to be gentle with her earlier. But knowing I had this virgin pussy all to myself broke a wall inside me and let out a beast that I didn’t know I had in me.

  I push my thumb against her throbbing clit and grin as her back bows and her arms pull against the restraints. She’s still primed for yet another orgasm. What a greedy little pussy. I lower my head and push her legs apart further with my shoulders, then take a languid lick of her heat. I wiped her off after I tied her up, but I can still taste some of our combined cum on her pussy. I don’t give a fuck. My tongue dips into her pussy. I keep my movements easy and gentle. She’s too sore. I just want to soothe her.

  My dick jumps in disagreement. Maybe not. That’s right--I need to knock her up. That’ll keep everyone away from her. I groan into her heat and suck her clit into my mouth. My sweetheart tries to ride my face and I fucking love it. She’s not afraid to ask for what she wants. She just goes for it. I suck her clit hard and push a finger into her to rub her G-spot and push her over the edge. She’s too fucking easy to get off. She’s so damn tight I feel her clamp down on my finger as her orgasm takes over. I let her clit go with a pop and lick my lips.

  So fucking sweet.

  I crawl over her trembling body and reach up to untie her wrists. I want her on top
, riding me. I want to watch her tits bounce as she fucks herself on my dick.

  And then I remember.

  It’s a shock to my system remembering how she tried to run from me. How she wanted to get away. Just hours ago she was going to fight me to try to leave. I can’t blame her, but fuck me if it doesn't hurt. I look at her face, eyes closed in rapture as she bites down on her bottom lip. Right now she’s being my sweetheart. But I can’t untie her. What if she up and runs? Fuck! I can’t let that shit happen. I can’t be sloppy.

  Tomorrow she’s going to learn she belongs to me now. Neither of us has a choice. I flop down on the bed beside her and pull her ass against my dick. I take a deep breath in the crook of her neck, loving the way she smells. My eyes feel heavy and my body sags deeper into the warmth of the bed. I haphazardly grab the comforter and pull it over our bodies.

  Tomorrow. I hug her body close to mine and splay my hand over her belly.

  I’m going to make her mine tomorrow.

  Chapter 23: Elle

  I wake up to the bright light coming in from the window. It hurts my eyes, but I can’t block it. My arms won’t move over my face. Vince’s heavy and so hot, laying against my body. His chest is molded to my back and his arms are wrapped tight around me. His weight puts more pressure on my arms. Fuck it hurts. His scent fills my lungs, a woodsy pine and masculine smell, mixed with the faint odor of whiskey. I moan softly, loving how he smells. And then I get angry from my reaction.

  I hate that I want him. He stirs behind me, and I hold my breath. I feel his grin on my neck. “Elle, sweetheart, you keep fucking me up, you know that?” His words are slurred and full of sleep.

  “Vince?” I ask in a voice loud enough for him to hear, but not so loud that it would wake him.

  “I’m gonna put a baby in you. Then they won’t hurt you, sweetheart.” He whispers his words against the side of my neck. A baby. “No one’s gonna lay a finger on my girl.” He pulls my back up against his chest again and rocks his dick against my ass.

  “Vince?” I ask again, a little louder. I get no response.

  Holy fuck. He wants to knock me up? That’s his plan? I can’t help the fact that the very thought of being pregnant with his child makes me want him inside me.

  I feel alive in his arms. I want to get lost in his touch.

  But a baby? It’s life-changing.

  Once I’m pregnant though, I’m sure he won’t hurt me. Hope lights inside of me. I can have his baby. If that’s the cost, I’ll pay the price. I’ll be a good mother. I’ve always wanted a child, but never thought it would happen. Maybe this is a blessing. Everything happens for a reason.

  I calm my racing heart. Maybe I don’t even need to really get pregnant. I can just go along with the plan.

  His phone goes off from somewhere in the room and interrupts my thoughts. My body stiffens as Vince turns away from me and groans.

  He rolls to the edge of the bed and presses his palms to his eyes. His broad, muscular back ripples with his movements as he stretches and reaches down to pick up his jeans to retrieve his phone.

  “Hey Pops,” he answers only a little drowsily and then yawns, holding the phone away from his ear.

  “What’s going on, Vince? I’m worried over here.” Ever so faintly, I can hear his father’s voice.

  “Everything’s good,” Vince speaks into the phone, and then looks back over his shoulder at me. He moves quickly to my side and starts untying the knot on my wrists with one hand. Thank fuck! My shoulders are killing me.

  “You still got her?” his father asks.

  “Yeah.” Vince props the phone between his ear and shoulder so he can use both hands while he's untying me. “It’s all good.” Hearing him say that makes my heart swell with hope. But I know why he’s saying that. I know what he’s planning, and that makes my heart harden.

  “Good. I’m coming over.” Vince stills for a moment and then pulls the tie away. My shoulders sag as I'm released, and I wince with pain as I move my arms down to my side.

  Vince is quiet, but then he answers his father, “Alright Pops. You bringing breakfast?” He answers lightheartedly, but the look on his face doesn’t match his tone.

  Chapter 24: Elle

  “That feel any better?” Vince asks, as he sets the heating pad on my shoulders. Once he was off the phone with his father, he spent a good 20 minutes rubbing feeling back into my arms and quietly apologizing. The heat and his touch feel so good. My shoulders and arms are still sore, but I give him a small smile and nod. I lean back in his dining room chair and bring my cup of coffee to my lips. He hasn’t said much this morning, and neither have I. Things have changed. Drastically.

  I remember what he said in his sleep, and while part of me is terrified of him really wanting to knock me up, the other part is worried he’s changed his mind. Or that it was just a dream. That he doesn’t want to be tied to me, and it’ll be easier to just kill me. So I’ve behaved. I’ve listened to everything. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to survive.

  “We need to have a talk, Elle.” He rounds the grey granite countertop and walks into the kitchen. The open concept design of the space gives a light and airy feel, but I’m practically suffocating from nerves.

  “I’m listening,” I say, and take another sip of coffee. My eyes stay on him so he knows he has my attention. He’s wearing those pajama pants slung low on his hips again. He gave me an identical pair to wear, but I’m drowning in them.

  “I need for you to be patient with me.” He looks out of the window and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I believe you, sweetheart, but they won’t. Even if they do, they won’t risk it.”

  “Won’t risk what?” I ask.

  “Rule one.” He holds up a finger and walks back over to the dining room to take a seat at the chair next to me. He leans forward in his seat as he looks at me intently. “Don’t ask questions.”

  I open my mouth to ask why, but then I close it and purse my lips. An asymmetric grin grows on his face. “Learning already.”

  “No questions. Understood.” I really don’t like that. I like to ask questions so I can know things. But then again, I already know too much.

  “What do you remember, baby?” he asks.

  I take a deep breath and set the mug down on the dark maple tabletop. “I remember--”

  He cuts me off. “Nothing. Rule two, you don’t remember a damn thing, and you don’t know what anyone is talking about.” My eyes dart to his. His face is all hard lines and seriousness.

  I pick up my mug and take a sip. “I don’t remember a damn thing.”

  “That’s right--you don’t.” He leans down and picks my feet up to put on his lap. His thumbs dig into the soles as he massages my feet. I moan into the cup. It feels so good. “I’m going to take care of you until things settle down. Everything is going to be fine, alright?”

  I meet his soft gaze and nod. “Mmm hmm.”

  He gives me a tight smile. “That brings us to rule number three.” He keeps rubbing my feet and holds my gaze. “Who do you belong to, Elle?”

  I feel my eyes widen and my heart skips a beat. I know the answer, but it’s caught in my throat. I swallow the lump in my throat and answer him with a whisper. “You.”

  “That’s right. And you’re going to listen to what I say, aren’t you, sweetheart? You’re going to do as you’re told.”

  My pussy clenches at his words. He obviously doesn’t realize how fucking hot that makes me. I’m fucked up in the head for wanting him like that in this very moment, but I do. I nod my head to try to keep the lust from coming through my voice.

  “Answer me, sweetheart.” There’s an admonishment in his tone and he stops rubbing my feet.

  “Yes. I’ll do as I’m told.” My voice comes out breathy and a smirk kicks up his lips. He drops my feet to the floor and moves closer to me, but a hard knock at the door interrupts us.

  He stands up, then bends at the waist to cup my jaw and plant a kiss on my lips. It’s for
ceful and full of need. “Stay here, sweetheart.”

  My heart races in my chest. I’ve agreed to be his, and I fucking love that idea. But I have no idea if it’ll be enough to save me.

  I hear Vince open the door and I grip the mug with both of my hands. Surely anyone in my position would say they’d listen. They’d do whatever they could to stay alive. I just hope he believes me. Because it’s true. I’ll listen to him. I want to listen to him. Some sick part of me wants to be his.

  Heavy footsteps bring my eyes up past the kitchen to the foyer. His father has an arm braced around Vince’s shoulders and he’s talking in his ear. I don’t like it. It makes me feel uneasy, like he’s trying to convince Vince to get rid of me.

  Vince must feel my eyes on him, because he looks over in my direction and stares back at me. He smiles at me and turns to his father. His warm expression relaxes me some. My shoulders feel heavy with weight of the heating pad so I pull it off and stand on shaky legs.

  “No need to stand for me, Elle.” Vince’s father gives me a tight smile. His hair is peppered with grey and his eyes are a light blue. The laugh lines on his face make his age apparent, but his body is still muscular. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s lethal.

  I swallow thickly and try to smile up at him, but I can’t. My mind keeps racing with the memory of yesterday. My hands grip the back of the chair.

  “Sweetheart, go grab yourself another cup of coffee.” Vince places his hand on the small of my back. My eyes are focused on the table as I try to will my fingers to just let go. I nod and as soon as I release the chair, I grab my cup and walk quickly to the kitchen. I stand with my back to them trying to listen to their whispers. I can’t make out what they are saying.

  Tears come to my eyes and my heart races. This is stupid, so fucking stupid. He isn’t going to keep me. They’re going to kill me. I walk to the sink and dump the lukewarm remains of my coffee down the drain. My hands grip the front of the sink, and it feels like my legs are going to collapse. I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing. My back is still to them.