“Alessio,” my father barks, calling me to his side. The older men most loyal to him stand with him. I look forward to the day the old man is gone so I can make these ass-kissers gone, too. “We need to make plans for our revenge. We must make the Bratva pay dearly for this. Find out everything you can from the survivors before you finish them.”
“Rocco can do that for him, Silvio.”
He glares at Enzo, silencing him. Neither of us trust Rocco to properly wipe his own ass at this point. “Take Valdo with you,” he adds for me.
My stomach tightens, not wanting to bring the boy along but knowing refusing my father isn’t an option. “They’re going to meet a grisly end for ruining my bride’s special day.”
Several of the men laugh darkly, but Enzo won’t stop trying to push his son into a more important position within the family. “It’s your wedding night, Alessio. Let Rocco do the work. Wouldn’t you rather feel that virgin pussy wrapped around your cock than-”
My uncle staggers backward as I lunge at him, and it takes four of my father’s guards to hold me back. “Considering his failure today, your son will be lucky to leave Las Vegas with all of his limbs, but you’ll keep my bride’s body out of your dirty mouth if you don’t want me to remove any of yours, Uncle. She’smine.And, torture prior to sex is like an aperitif to us De Luca men, is it not?”
My uncle is pale as the other men laugh again, though a touch more warily. “My son is possessive over what’s his, just like me, but he’ll fuck the Morelli girl later. This is too importantto delay,” my father says to my uncle while studying me more intently than I like. My jaw clenches with rage when he leads me away to speak alone. “My first-born has been waiting to be avenged for a long while now. Remember, tonight is just the start of the fun you can have with her while making her brothers suffer. I’ll send Bibi ‘round to collect the sheets in the morning.”
My upper lip curls into a snarl at the thought of my father seeing that, but I’m wise enough to play along. “They’ll make a fitting sympathy gift for Nico, his sister’s virgin blood to go with a dead wife.”
My father laughs, amused by the thought. “Make our enemies suffer tonight. Then, your bride’s screams can be your reward.” He pats my shoulder, the closest to fatherly affection he’s capable of and paired with such words.
There is one man in all the Trio who I can’t kill if I want to be accepted as Capo someday without constantly looking over my shoulder, the twisted bastard whose blood flows through my veins. I’d love to strangle him with my bare hands, but things are the way they are, and I’m bound by my oath. So, instead of killing my father, I’ll go torture some Russians tonight.
***
“Don’t tell Father.”
I glance over at Valdo as I stop the car in front of the mansion. “I won’t tell Father you ate too much wedding cake.”
He gives me a sneaky grin. It wasn’t cake that made him vomit earlier. Once upon a time, I would’ve understood his reaction to seeing the carnage left by me at my worst. Now, it’s hard to remember being that innocent. I’m not sure I ever was.He’ll be as warped as I am someday.
Valdo sprints off toward his room, and I head to my wing where my bride waits. I’m already getting hard thinking about claiming her, those pretty dark eyes, that pert mouth and tight pussy. I have to slow my steps and take a calming breath. Dozens of times, I’ve bled off the adrenaline from torture with sex, the rougher, the better, but this is different.She’sdifferent. She’s my wife, as innocent as Valdo. Maybe even more so. No other man will ever have her, and she’ll be mine until the end.
“You’re going to take a shower first, right?” Armando asks with raised eyebrows when he sees me.
I ignore him, too eager to lay eyes on her to acknowledge his bullshit right now. Shoving the door open, I’m surprised to see she’s still in her soiled wedding gown and huddled on the floor. But, her scream calls to the demon inside me, the one who likes to chase. “Finally time for the bedding.”
She hurries to her feet, shaking her head with a barely audible, “No.”
No.I hear that word often in my work. Usually with lots of pleading. Sometimes even tears. It never stops me. She holds a knife, the same one she had during the attack. Intuition tells me that’s the mysterious birthday gift from Nico. How fitting that he’d arm his little sister. She’ll try to kill me in my sleep if given half a chance.
“What’s this, my darling? Only a steel kiss to welcome your hero home?” I stalk closer, and her grip on the weapon tightens. “Knives were more my older brother’s preferred variety of foreplay, but I’m open to it if you are.”
Her hand is shaking, and that spark starts to waver. “Please…”
I stop in front of her, watching her chest heave with her rapid breathing and savoring the hint of cloves and vanilla under the fear. “No matter what you’ve heard, pleasing you is part of my plan tonight.”
Her eyes narrow, and that brilliant spark returns. “Don’t lie to me! I know what you are! I know what you…I heard you!”
My brows knit together with confusion. “You heard what?” Has my father been running his mouth about what he expects? That would be just like the boastful asshole to scare her to death before I even touch her.
“Before when I was here and you found me in your room, I… I was in the hall and heard you talking to your uncle and cousin. It’s why I came in here to hide. Obviously, I didn’t realize it wasyourroom.”
That was two years ago. I only remember holding my blade to Rocco’s throat. Based on tonight’s massacre, I should’ve sliced it then and saved everyone a lot of trouble. “You heard what?” I repeat, growing impatient.
“‘She has three holes to fill. I can help in the revenge. She’ll be fun to break.’”Her face is pale with terror except for the two pink splotches on her cheeks. Her small fist loosens slightly. My memory grows clearer, and my mood darkens further. Fucking Rocco.
“I didn’t say those words,” I murmur softly to Caterina, wanting her to lower her guard.
“But, you didn’t-”
Quick as lightning, I pluck the knife from her hand, and she gasps, backing into the corner. “You’re easily distracted,” I tell her, tossing the knife aside. “And, you’re trapped now… unless you think you’re quick enough or strong enough to get past me.”
