by Anne Marck
Sighs from the spectators give him encouragement to proceed.
“I asked God why things happen this way. And He talked to me, friends. He showed me His purpose for my life.” Vincent leans on the platform and looks at the audience, saying theatrically, “My mission is to change this country!”
He haughtily walks to center stage. “Taking a passage from Abraham Lincoln, I tell you, you can’t escape tomorrow’s responsibility by dodging it today. My responsibility is with you, my people, and I don’t intend to run away from it. As senator, I will bring the expanse our country needs, and I count on the support of all of you in this arduous battle. May God bless us.”
Some of his aides begin the applause, which soon explodes all over the place.
The police, who were waiting for the right moment, move forward. One of them pulls the warrant.
“Vincent Wine, you are under arrest on charges of involvement in the murder of Alma St. Clair.”
After hearing his rights, Wine stares at the policemen with an expression of surprise, followed by indignation. His eyes go to the audience, consumed by a deafening silence. His eyes are dim, but his posture remains strong. “This is a political conspiracy! My opponents are trying to sabotage my campaign!”
Protests mingle with the gasps of surprise, which are gaining in volume.
Against his will, Wine is led to the door.
Luna releases my hand and runs toward him.
“Luna!” I cry out.
My girl intercepts the men’s path, standing face to face with her tormentor, the man who took away her family and her home. The raw pain in her eyes, mixed with anger and contempt, can be seen from a distance.
“You killed my mother, Vincent. She trusted you. We trusted you!”
A smile grows on the politician’s lips. “You don’t know what you’re saying, daughter.”
I arrive in time to watch Luna spit in his face.
“Don’t call me daughter! I hope you rot in prison!” That said, she turns to leave and ends up crashing into me.
I take her in my arms and lead her away from the horror circus that threatens to overcome us.
• • •
Leaving Gabrielle and Julia on the way to their vehicle, I thank them for what they did for us. If it weren’t for Julia’s cunning, maybe the day would have ended differently.
Luna hugs the women for a long time before saying goodbye. Then, a few steps away, she stops as if she just remembered something.
“Gabi!” She quickly returns to the woman.
I don’t listen to what they say, but Jasmine’s name gets my attention. I’ll ask her later. For now, I just want to enjoy my baby, knowing that her justice is being served. There will still be some battles in the Wine case, but the important thing is that the most difficult part is done. Now all I want is to know what Luna wants from her life, and whether she will include me in her plans.
Dominic
I stop in the hallway in front of the bathroom and watch Luna lost in thought. Water cascades down her beautiful naked body.
I ignore the disturbing sensation in my chest and knock twice to get her attention.
“Hi,” I say in a low tone, crossing my arms over my chest and resting my weight against the doorway.
“Hi,” she whispers, giving me a soft, beautiful smile that steals my breath. Precious is the word that comes to mind in describing it.
“How are you?”
A low sigh is my only answer.
All Luna wanted since her accident was to seek revenge and resume her life. Today, she finally achieved that.
Regardless of whether or not I have space in her world, nothing changes the way I feel. I love her …
Fuck, love doesn’t even come close to defining how I feel about this woman.
“Come here.” She reaches out.
My muscles weaken.
Striving to maintain enough strength to coordinate my movements without acting like a fucking anxious teenager, I tear off my shirt and throw it aside.
Luna moistens her lips in that way that brings me to my knees.
Holding her gaze, I slowly unbutton my pants and let them go. My naked body reveals the state of need burning inside me like a fire tearing me apart.
“I want you so much, woman,” I choke out.
Luna doesn’t wait for me to approach. As always, she goes after what she wants.
Stepping out of the water, she comes forward, resting her hands on my chest. As fast as it is, she can easily feel my heartbeat.
“Sometimes I can’t believe this is real, you know? You’re so incredible, Dominic, that I’m afraid this is all a dream.”
I brush aside a strand of hair stuck to her cheek. “I can say I feel the same way, baby.”
“I’ll tell you something that sounds kind of selfish …” A beautiful blush crosses her face. “When it was all happening at the rally, I just wanted to go back to the house and be alone with you.”
I want to laugh at her honesty. From the beginning, she’s touched me.
“We should enjoy this moment.” I rub my thumb over her lips, feeling the soft texture.
If this will be our last night together, I’m determined to give her everything I have. No reservations.
Taking her mouth, I push away all other thoughts. I bring her body to mine, a perfect fit. I feel her breasts crushed against my chest as I kiss her with more pressure, wanting to have all of her … and still that wouldn’t be enough.
I spin our bodies quickly, pressing Luna against the cold tiles and kissing her until she’s panting. Then I move down to find her nipples and play with them. My girl moans loudly, the sexy sound dominating the bathroom.
My cock is rock-hard, pressing against her belly. Luna grabs my hair at the nape of my neck with force, twisting. I follow my path downward until I find the beautiful dew of her excitement.
“You’re perfection, baby,” I whisper, teasing her flesh.
“Oh, Dominic …”
Taking my time, I begin the soft contact, savoring her sweet taste.
She shakes with need. The more I provoke, the more Luna struggles. Taking her past her limits is the most perfect thing in the world. I don’t know how I’m still continuing without a release.
Her moans grow louder. I continue until she orgasms and is finally ready for me. Then I rise, grabbing her pretty ass with both hands, pressing her against the wall, and then positioning myself at her entrance.
Shit, she’s so tight that I can barely get in, but this will happen. My body desperately wants it.
Opening the way, I push myself inside. In response, she digs her nails into my back.
Fuck yes!
I lose control and push deeper, harder, and then start my own pace.
“God, yes!” Luna screams, hugging me.
I smile devilishly and thrust.
I find her sensitive nerve and rub, wanting to drive her crazy. The more I have it, the more I want it.
The noises of our colliding bodies mingle with our moans. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more exciting sound. Hell, it’s hard to keep myself in the game.
Stimulating her bud, I sink my teeth into her neck.
Luna screams, reaching her climax.
Roaring like an animal, I fight the damn temptation then remove myself from her, releasing on her firm abdomen. The stream seems to have no end.
She drops her head on my shoulder, our bodies sticking to one another. “That was …” she mumbles against my sweaty skin. “It was … Shit, it was perfect.”
My laughter shakes our bodies. “Perfect is what you are, baby.”
• • •
I let Luna sleep until almost ten o’clock. I didn’t dare disturb her well-deserved rest. I called work, delegating some tasks, then called Simone to see how things are at the center. I put her in charge of operations these past few days and, as I knew it would, everything flowed perfectly. Simon and Sophie have helped, too.
I prepare a breakfast tr
ay and take it to the bedroom, setting it on the nightstand before sitting next to her on the bed.
Luna is absolutely beautiful. Her freckles, her upturned nose, her red eyebrows, plump lips. My girl will take on the world, and I know she will go far.
I wake her gently and hear her low, lazy protests. So sexy.
“Good morning.” The hoarse ring of sleep comes out with a smile as she stretches, the sheet outlining the exact shape of her slender body. I take a deep breath, distracting myself from touching her.
“Good morning, baby. I brought you coffee.”
She pulls the fabric forward and approaches me, giving me a warm kiss.
I close my eyes, keeping myself in control.
“Thank you, Dom.” Delicate fingers smooth my face.
I say nothing, picking up the tray, grateful she can’t see my face now.
She eats, delighting in every single thing I’ve brought her. I could do this every day and never tire of it.
When her delicate fingers set the cup on the tray, I put the tray back on the table and sit down again.
“Julia called.” I look into those blue orbs. “The judge denied Vincent’s request to have access to his family’s assets.”
I wait for her reaction, expecting to be able to read what’s on her mind, but she shows no emotion at the news.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask.
Her pensive gaze travels to her hands. “I think I want to go to my house.” Her distant whisper kills any hope I had left.
“Get ready. I’ll take you.”
Luna
I can’t even believe I’m entering this house. The place where I grew up, where I lived with my father and mother. The place I had to walk away from to escape being murdered.
I thought coming back here would make me happier, but I don’t feel anything. After living with Dominic, I finally understand the meaning of the word home. Home is where you feel happy, with the people you love; otherwise, it’s just a heap of concrete and useless belongings.
I slide my fingers over the keys of the ostentatious grand piano. My dad would play, while my mother and I were wrapped in a blanket, with a hot drink in hand, enjoying his music. After his death, the instrument became only a decorative object.
Today, the house looks like a great mausoleum, but I enter each room, remembering the good memories with my family.
I turn to find Dominic leaning against a wall, watching me.
“You don’t want to live here, do you?” I ask him softly, but I know he could hear it from a distance, the sound echoing through the mansion.
I narrow my eyes at something I notice in his expression. Then I approach to understand what I saw. “What is it?”
He shrugs, dismissing my concern.
“Did you hear what I asked?” I push.
“I heard.” The answer comes out a little harsh.
“So …? Are we going to live here, or can we stay at your apartment?” I barely conceal my dismay at the thought of living in this place.
His eyebrows hit his forehead. “What?”
“Well …” I shrug. “I want to know where we’re going to live. I mean, you’re going to let me live with you, aren’t you?” I stutter out. Then I need to put my hand on the wall as I fight the weakness that grips my legs. “Dominic … don’t tell me you’re going to … leave me.” The whisper burns my throat.
His face remains blank, but I get the impression that it’s getting pale.
Shit … He’ll break up with me …
No, please, no.
With one step, Dominic cuts the distance between us, holding my chin. “What the fuck are you talking about, Luna?” His hoarse voice chills my skin. “You think I’m leaving you?” His disbelief is almost palpable.
I catch my breath. “Isn’t that what you’re trying to do?”
Dominic snorts. “Hell no!” His eyes fix on mine. “I thought you wanted to.”
If it weren’t for his grip, I’d slide to the ground.
“Dammit, man! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Dominic laughs a kind of muffled, nervous laughter. “Girl, you almost had a heart attack?” He slides a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’d never leave you. To be honest, I was even thinking about throwing you over my shoulder and taking you home.”
I need to sit down. My legs are still like Jell-O. I slide down the wall until my butt hits the floor. Dominic does the same.
“I’ve never been so afraid …” I murmur.
“Nothing close to how I feel … I think I’ve aged ten years.”
I throw myself at him, knocking his body back. “Promise me you’ll never leave me, Dominic,” I plead, straddling his hips.
“I promise, baby.” His eyes darken. “I’ll never go anywhere without you.”
Dominic
It’s been a month since Vincent was arrested. The days flew by, and I made love to my woman every night.
Luna drives me crazy. She is insatiable and wants to try everything. The more she wants, the more I want, too.
I force myself to divert these thoughts and concentrate on the full night here at the community center before my body comes back to life. In a month, we’ll finish the Rockefeller homes, and then I’ll take over the construction company. Everything seems to be going as it should, except Damien won’t answer his damn phone.
Christian says his mood sucks at work. I still don’t know exactly what the fuck he did to Jasmine, but I intend to find out very soon.
Speaking of Jasmine, Luna knows what happened, but every time I ask, she changes the subject.
After I told her that Katarina could assist her with her business and investments, Luna has spent a few hours every day with her. Luna is a dreamer, who has many plans. I’m proud of her.
Thinking back, I used to believe that I was destined to be alone. I had grown accustomed to the idea. And then she came along, turning everything—starting with the garbage—upside down and transforming my life. I remember it as if it were yesterday: that grimy face and wild eyes, frightened, wounded, sick, but with a contagious determination. At that moment, I knew Luna would be mine. Nothing ever seemed so right, despite my own resistance.
I watch her cheerful face, chatting non-stop with Simone and one of the neighborhood boys. No one can say that growing up in a cradle of gold is an excuse to be inhumane. Luna is all about caring about people, and fuck, I love her for it.
Someone approaches me without me noticing their arrival. I turn to face the last person I expected to see at the community center.
“Salvatore?” I ask, astonished to see him in jeans and a T-shirt when he is always dressed in elegant suits and maintaining his mafia air.
“Dominic,” he says, nodding at people, never looking at me.
“This is a surprise,” I tell him.
“I came to see your place.” He shrugs. “Do a little charity. Even though I already have a seat in Hell reserved for me.”
I stare at his expressionless face until realization hits.
“She’s not here,” I say, trying to remain indifferent.
His feline eyes waver. “Fuck … I don’t even know what the fuck I’m doing.”
Before he leaves, I touch his shoulder. “You know where she lives, man.”
Without another word, I let him go.
I talked to Sophie two days ago and told her how Nicholas Salvatore helped us, and I saw the spark of hope in her eyes. From the guy’s attitude, him coming here, I think they’re close to resolving their issues. I hope so.
“Hi.” Luna surprises me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
I turn toward her. “Hi, baby.” Something in her eyes makes mine narrow. “What’s that look on your face?” I would recognize from afar that the gears are turning in her mind.
“I have an idea …”
I take a deep breath and can’t help from smiling. I’ve heard this phrase at least ten times in the last few days. I’ll have to call Katarina and ask
her to talk to my girl about financial responsibility.
Luna looks like a kid in a candy store with her ideas, determined to save the world.
Not caring that we have an audience, I take her mouth and get lost in her sweet taste.
Luna, like the moon, is beautiful, bright, and a gift from the heavens.
Luna
I hold the thick red fabric between my fingers and peal a gap apart in the middle of the huge curtain, trying to see where Dominic is sitting.
Good Lord, he looks beautiful! I seldom see him in a suit. The image is breathtaking. Although, he would be beautiful even with banana leaves covering his body.
My heart is in my throat. I grip the paper firmly in my fingers. It’s a little wrinkled since I’ve been reading it again and again. I wrote every line of it over a month ago while Dominic was sleeping—he almost never falls asleep before me.
Our new apartment is a little closer to his work and the university, where I resumed my last semester of classes. We decided to move because we were wasting a lot of time in traffic.
This past semester, we didn’t have many moments for us. The construction company has been taking up a lot of of his days, and the community center is our concentration every night. The weekends are equally busy.
“Good luck with your speech, Luna.” Emily, a classmate, passes me with a smile.
I fix the graduation cap on my head then slide my fingers down the black robe. I’m so nervous. I’ve never spoken to so many people before. Being chosen as the class speaker took me by surprise.
Since my life took a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn with the death of my mother, much has changed. Today, I socialize better with people my age. Dominic gave me necessary security, in addition to the strong friendship that I have developed with Katarina, Alice, Julia, and especially with Jas and Gabi.
I look back through the curtain and locate them in the audience. Gabi is gorgeous as always, her platinum hair standing out from afar. On her right are Julia, Katarina, and Alice; to the left, half-hidden, is my dear friend Jasmine. It’s been a little over six months since Dominic’s idiot brother screwed things up with her, and as much as he seems inclined, I don’t move a finger to help him talk to her. He doesn’t deserve her.
