I bent down, careful not to touch her injured shoulder. Our lips met in a kiss that started tender but turned hungry fast. We couldn’t help it.
Her hand slid down from my chest, brushing against the hard length straining beneath my pants. I groaned into her mouth, but forced myself to pull away, struggling to keep control. That smirk on her face, mischievous and bold, was nothing like the sweet innocence she usually carried. And it turned me on even more.
“You’re lucky the doctor said no sex for a few days,” I murmured, brushing my thumb across her lips. “Otherwise, this smirk on your pretty lips would turn into a big O, screaming my name all night.”
She grinned, eyes sparkling. “I love the O that screams your name.”
Her boldness caught me off guard, and made me laugh.
She sauntered to the bed, laid down, and slowly spread her legs. My jaw tightened, my cock throbbing. But then she laughed at the look on my face, playfully closed her legs, and teased, “The doctor didn’t banallthe holes. Come here and make the most of that big O.”
Like a man possessed, I stripped off my pants and stalked toward her, her laughter only making me harder. That was the power she had over me. I could rule the world, but I’d always be her slave.
Fucking her mouth was as mind-blowing as being inside her. Every thrust pushed me closer to the edge. And somewhere in the back of my mind, I wondered, would there ever come a day when I got tired of this woman? But when I came and she swallowed every drop like she was savoring me, licking her lips with that sinful blend of mischief and innocence, I knew the truth.
Never.
***
I hung up the phone and turned to Emily, who looked like a porcelain doll in her blue dress, calmly eating breakfast. “Brando’s here.”
Since the day we left that field, I hadn’t seen him. Now he was finally coming to explain everything. I sat down next to her, picked up my coffee, and took a sip.
Brando walked in, wearing a crisp white long-sleeved shirt that hugged his frame. Hair perfectly styled. Fresh, polished, like always. Flashing his trademark grin, he greeted us with, “Morning, lovebirds.”
As usual, he leaned down to kiss Emily on the cheek, but this time she flinched. Brando caught it immediately. His smile faded.
He sat across from us and spoke gently. “There’s no need to be afraid, sis. You know I’d die before letting anything happen to you.”
Emily hesitated, her eyes searching mine. I gave her a subtle nod before turning to Brando. “Speak.”
He drew in a long breath. “A few months ago, Giuseppe contacted me with some pretty disturbing information. We knew he was being protected by someone, but we didn’t realize how many of the underbosses were backing him. He said the underbosses were ready to transfer power, but only if I took your place.”
He scoffed. “The ‘rightful heir to Don Francesco.’ That’s the crap Giuseppe was feeding them. I wanted to kill them all, but the problem was, he wouldn’t give me the names of the traitors. I only knew there were rats in the family, I just didn’t know who.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “So I played along. It was a massive risk. If you’d found out, you probably would’ve killed me right then. But I had to take the chance. I couldn’t clean house unless I knew where the rot was.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my tone low but deadly.
“I couldn’t risk Giuseppe catching on. I didn’t trust anyone. Not even Maxim or Lorenzo, even though I knew they were loyal. I had to play it solo.”
He paused, voice quieter now. “Until the night Emily told me she was pregnant. That same night, Giuseppe called and said he had a solution, one that would end everything. I tried to push for details, but he refused. Told me to meet him.”
He looked down. “I almost told you. I should’ve. But I went. When I got there and saw Giuliano and the underbosses, I realized he’d already put everything in motion. Then I saw Emily... and I knew. She was the centerpiece of his plan.”
His voice darkened. “He used Giuliano’s network to set up the whole operation. At that point, my only move was to stay in the game, get Emily out, and try to save you too.”
Reckless as hell, but if he hadn’t done it, Giuseppe would’ve had me strung up and castrated by now.
I noticed Emily wiping away tears. I reached for her hand, and Brando’s jaw tightened as he watched us.
Emily gave him a small, sad smile. “You played your role really well.”
Brando looked down, visibly ashamed.
Emily reached across the table and took his hand. “Thank you. You saved me, your brother... and our baby. If it weren’t for you, Giuseppe would’ve beaten me to death, or worse. He could’ve done something that would’ve killed me inside, even if I survived.”
My fists clenched under the table. I didn’t need her to spell it out, I knew exactly what she meant.
