Tap tap tap.
I don’t have to guess who it is. With an annoyed sigh, I open my eyes to the blinding light, let my eyes focus, and see Kane’s ugly fucking mug in my face. I give him a disgusted sigh and a roll of my eyes. “You again.”
I’m back in the chains, my feet barely touching the ground, my shoulders sore as shit. I want to meet the people that had the strength to move me. I’m not a small man.
He grins one of those creepy, uncanny grins, and my stomach revolts, ready to spew the bit of sandwich I got, but again, I’m no bitch. I may miss my wife, but I won’t give this sick fuck the satisfaction of hearing me whimper. “Yes, it is me again. Good morning, Maksim. I’ve come to tell you, I’ve just gotten the best bit of wonderful news.”
I hike a brow and the corners of my lips twitch. “Let me guess, you found out the average dick size is just over four-and-a-half inches, so you are, in fact, mediocre?” Kane’s smile wanes, but somethinglike realization flashes across his face, and I can't help the chuckle that escapes me. “Happy for you. Although, I can’t say the same.” I wink. “But you know, good for you. I’m sure since you use the metric system it sounds like a lot more.”
His smile drops entirely before he does his best to break my nose.
As blood runs down and into my mouth and over my teeth, I bark out a laugh, watching small drops land on him. “Cute. Did your mommy teach you how to throw a punch or your little sister? Actually, that’s demeaning to women. My wife throws a pretty mean punch. So tell me, was it your daddy, or was this your first time? I like virgins.” I'm sure I look as deranged as I feel.
Kane’s face turns red and he balls his hands into fists. I guess that answers that.
“Awww, c'mon, Kaney Waney, you can do better than that. Hit me again, you piece of shit. It'll be even more satisfying when I watch you choke on your own blood later.”
He gets in my face and grabs at my dick,hard. I stifle a groan and clamp my mouth shut, jaw flexing. “I could do it, you know?” His breath smells like expensive wine. “Make you a eunuch and give you back to Sabrina completely ruined and fucking useless as a man.”
I throw my head back and glare down at him. “See, even if you did, I have more fucking power in my pinky and my tongue than you do in your entire body, Burton. I have ways of making my wife orgasm you couldn’t even imagine. You call me a beast, and that’sexactlywhat she loves about me. Even when I’m soft and slow, I stretch her so far and wide shepurrsfor me. Bestia a bestia.”Beast to beast.I grin sinisterly. “A man like you couldneverplease my wife. I mean, you had to drug her to rape her. You’re weak and fucking pathetic. Vigliacco.”Coward.
Kane lets out a soft chuckle, finally removing his grasp on my dick, and runs his hands over his fucking lapels, smoothing them down. “But I’m not the one chained up, am I?” He steps away, sticks his hand into his suit jacket, and pulls out an envelope with a gold seal branded with a majesticB. ABI recognize.
He clears his throat and uses a voice like he’s a 1920s newsboy declaring the latest news on this morning’s paper. “Dear Burton family,” he reads. “You have been formally invited to the first annual Barclay Publications Bash! An evening to network and meet up-and-coming authors all while having the time of your life at a deliciously sinful soiree. Theme: Casino Night! So bring your pocketbooks. Blahblahblah… blahblah… blah…blah.” He ends it, peeking at me over the piece of paper, that stupid fucking grin on his stupid fucking face again. “Looks like I’m headed to see your wife. Or should I saymybride-to-be? After all, she’ll need a shoulder to cry on once she becomes such a… young widow.”
I keep my glee inside. But I do say what he wants to hear. Because I’ve learned from the best. So I pretend he gets to me. “Touch my wife and I’ll fucking eat your heart!” Okay, maybe that was abitmelodramatic, but his smile widens like it’s Christmas fucking morning. I even rattle the chains a little bit. Grunt. You know. For show. On the inside… on the inside, I’mlaughing.
Because Matilda doesn’t own a publication company.
AndCasino Night?
That means my guys are near.
They’re setting it all up.
And the idiot’s walking straight into their fucking trap.
Whatever it is.
I’m getting Sabrina pregnant as soon as I’m home.
For the first time in as long as I’ve been here, my dick stirs as I watch the back of Kane’s head and the heavy metal door slams behind him. Only then do I laugh. Because I’ve seen my wife angry. All too clearly, I hear Damon’s voice in my head. Words ringing louder than they ever have before.
“...A woman like Sabrina, who knows the answers and has no questions… under the weight of that mask and pink armor, well... she'll snap."
Chapter Ten
Parker.
The Barclay Estate is crawling with people. From all forms of life. Caterers, chefs, their staff, house staff, decorators. You name it, they’re here. Not to mention every capo and their guards have begun to arrive. They’ve been staying at the Winters’ manor, only stopping here to introduce themselves to Derek, who’s been getting less and less pale at the number of dangerous men coming in and out of his familial home.
It’s been intense. Sabrina and I have barely been alone but for the hours before we go to bed. She’s been busy running around as orders from Jonny have come through. He’s been up her ass, too. Although I don’t mind him much. I wait in the library by the door with my back to the wall for Sabrina to pass by. I hear her little heels before I see her and yank her inside.
“Savage… there you are…”
“Baby…” I take her mouth with mine, closing the door behind us with my foot, and walk her toward one of the many sofas readily available for us.
“So much to do…” she whispers between kisses, but she’s not fighting me. She’s only kissing me harder, sucking on my tongue, and goddammit, I’m gonna blow.
