by Piper Stone
I was unable to stop the moan from escaping my lips as stars floated in front of my eyes. The sensations were dazzling, my desire increasing with every passing second. The moment he slipped his finger past my swollen folds, I arched my back involuntarily.
My God! I was inviting him, my desire unbridled. I couldn’t believe I was attracted to him. Was it his looks and sophistication or the power he exuded with every word and action? I didn’t give a shit. I would fight my attraction, refusing to give in. “Mmm...”
“Shhh,” he said quietly, sliding a second and third finger inside.
The explosion of hunger was horrifying.
“So beautiful. So alluring.”
Then he whispered words in my ear, the ones I would never forget.
“Make no mistake, Winter. Even though we have yet to marry, you are mine. I will ravage every ounce of your body anytime I desire, the passion shared raw and savage. I will protect you from harm, but I assure you that there will always be enemies. I will also do everything in my power to make your life pleasurable, but only if you obey me.”
Obey? Who the hell did he think he was?
Love, honor, and obey, ‘til death do us part.
The words shot through my mind like a bullet, destroying a portion of my brain. Everyone in the house had been serious, including my parents. This nightmare was real.
“Never.”
“You will learn one way or the other.”
I’d know the sound anywhere, a man unzipping his fly. I was paralyzed even though my pussy continued to quiver, the electricity from before sparking, driving into my very core. Yes, I’d been attracted to him instantly, more aroused than I should have been. I scanned the empty road, searching for any sign of other vehicles, forced to realize that no one was coming to help me.
Or spy on our wicked sin.
I couldn’t believe I remained rigid, unable to fight him off as he jerked me by the hips, shoving me over the glorious vehicle that likely cost more than I could make in two years. I wanted to scream at him, to call him every horrible name I could think of, but my mind also became a treacherous beast.
Even his manhandling was delicious, a filthy fantasy that I didn’t want to refuse. Just like before. Your destiny.
No. I didn’t believe in fairytales and fantasies.
You want him.
Hell, no. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.
Matteo wrapped his hand around my hair as he kicked my legs apart, his body shuddering against mine. He was as aroused as I was, his chest heaving as he pressed his lips against my neck. It was as if he held the pulse of my life in his hands, hungry to control every aspect. As he ran his fingers down the inside of my leg, I clawed the car, hoping my nails dug into the expensive paint job.
“I could feast on you for days.”
Why did his voice excite me? Why did I envision his naked body hovering over mine, controlling every inch of my pleasure and pain? I was rattled beyond understanding, still trying to fight him even though my body had a mind of its own.
“And I will dig out your heart with a spoon,” I countered, cringing as he laughed, his hot breath cascading across my skin, leaving me tingling all over.
“I look forward to taming you beginning the day you are my wife.”
Wife.
I didn’t want to be anyone’s wife, especially not for a man like him. Cold.
Calculating.
Liar.
I shoved hard against the car, my actions only pushing my uplifted bottom against his throbbing cock. Fuck. Fuck!
As he shifted his hips back and forth, I dropped my head, struggling to control my breathing. The feel of his cock pressing against my pussy lips was scintillating.
Horrible.
Amazing.
Disgusting.
The dichotomy of emotions slammed against the incredible sensations and all my rationality was lost.
“Now, I make you mine.” His words were a proclamation. When he pressed the tip of his cock past my swollen folds, I held my breath. Very slowly he inched inside, allowing my muscles to expand, to accept his incredible thickness. No man could be that large. I ached immediately, struggling to calm my breathing even as a whimper slipped past my lips.
“God, so damn wet. So tight.” He rolled his lips across my earlobe, finally sucking on my tender lobe as he thrust the remainder of his shaft inside, the force driving me brutally against the car. “I can’t wait to take you all night long. Slow and easy, taking my time to get to know every inch of your luscious body.”
His words clung to me much like his musky scent stained every inch of my naked skin. He really believed his sultry way with words was going to make any of this all right.
He was wrong.
“Fuck you,” I managed, shivering when he laughed.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
He drove into me with savage strokes, the fury of his desire increasing with every brutal thrust. The man was like a live wire, powering into me with destructive purpose, as if he was attempting to ward away his personal demons. He thrust hard and fast, my pussy muscles clamping around his cock, drawing him in even deeper.
I closed my eyes, trying to imagine life spent with him, a stranger, a man who seemed larger than life. Could I ever matter to him? Would he share his world or shut me out?
Fuck it.
Every muscle in my body relaxed, succumbing to his barbaric needs, fighting the tingles that turned into vibrations as a climax raced around the corner. There was no way. None. Yet I was forced to gasp several times as my eyes watered. Oh, God. Oh... No, I... I threw back my head, the orgasm so damn powerful I could no longer feel my legs.
The bastard noticed, chuckling softly, refusing to let me go. With every hard thrust he turned the single climax into one hell of a wave crashing over me.
“Oh. Oh. Oh...” I purred, biting my lower lip to keep from screaming.
“That’s it. Come,” he instructed.
There was no holding back, the wave crashing down then coming back for more. The utter ecstasy was indescribable and for a few seconds, I smiled.
Until he spoke.
“I can give you everything you desire, Winter, but only if you’re a very good girl.”
“Not a chance.”
His laugh was just as I would expect, his actions becoming even more forceful.
During the next few seconds, his breathing changed. The man was close to coming. As his cock expanded, the hard throbbing matching the beating of my heart, my body did the unthinkable.
My pussy clenched.
“Yes...” he whispered then threw his head back, letting off a ragged howl.
He’d taken me.
Claimed me as his own.
Ignoring the ugly rules, the sect’s requirements. Marriage first.
And I knew in my heart he would do so again.
As he filled me with his seed, my mind had a foretelling of the future.
The unholy union wasn’t only contrived for the purpose of keeping wealth and status. It was an attempt at keeping the monsters from breaking down the coveted walls of our community.
Maybe the circus would be fun to watch.
He released his hold and the moment his cock was pulled from my wetness, I bit back a strangled cry. Fury rushed into me, biting and nasty. I wanted nothing more than to rip out his heart, but I wasn’t entirely certain he had one. Inhaling, I turned to watch as he brushed juice-soaked fingertips across his lips, a barbaric growl erupting from his throat.
What a fucking bastard. I would hate him until the day I died, and I would find a way to make him suffer.
“You’re coming with me,” he said quietly, a man in full control.
“You will pay for this.” A flash of his gorgeous eyes was a small reward for my rebellious behavior.
As he led me to his car, securing me into the seat in a dominating manner, I knew that the nightmare was only beginning.
I was the possession of Matteo Capodanno.
And he would never let me go.
We were to be married. Then?
Until death do us part.
Challenge accepted.
Chapter Two
Matteo
Two days earlier
Sinner.
Saint.
Master of the universe.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Maybe someone should simply call me evil. If they knew the truth about my heritage, perhaps they would.
“Senator Bellows, while I do understand your position, you need to fully embrace that Capodanno Enterprises will not be held hostage. You will sign your name on the dotted line, or I assure you that your lovely wife will find a complete file on your second family in her hands by the end of business today.”
At that moment I was grateful for the unfounded anonymous tip on the senator’s proclivities. While I ordinarily wouldn’t use something of that nature without thoroughly checking, I also felt it was a necessary risk in this game of poker we seemed to be playing.
He could either stand by the sect, allowing the project’s approval or be destroyed. It was that simple.
I heard the man’s angry strangled sound and smiled. While I knew what level of influence the asshole politician had, I refused to fall prey to his strong-armed techniques. Even his appointment to the appropriations committee meant nothing to me. We owned the majority of the government. I made certain he knew that the sect owned him and could ruin everything he’d worked so hard to achieve in a matter of minutes.
That was my way of doing business. I was no longer the man I’d been only seven months before.
Now I was nothing but a predator.
“I will take your silence as affirmation that the project has been approved. Nice doing business with you, Senator. Good luck wallowing through the muck of Capitol Hill.” I ended the call, tossing my phone and taking a deep breath. My tactics had changed in the last few months, but it was necessary. Success meant everything at this point.
Even if I was required to handle business in an entirely different manner.
That included blackmail, initiating threats when necessary. What the hell did I care? This was nothing more than the family way. The Capodanno family. I snickered at the thought. We were a product of the Sacred Sect, holding more power in our hands than God himself.
Lies.
I’d been conceived in lies and had lived them my entire life. While I knew I should let go of the past, I was a different man since finding out my father wasn’t the brutal monster Nicolas Capodanno.
Instead, I was the bastard son of Father Joseph McGivney, the priest who’d been allowed far too much control over the illustrious group of wealthy and powerful families.
Secrets.
Now I lived with a dark and dangerous secret, one that could destroy the powerful shield surrounding the Sacred Sect. Some would call it a weapon.
I called it a noose.
Since the day I’d found out the truth, nothing had been the same. Not my idealism or my work ethic. Not my penchant for food or drink. And definitely not my taste in women. I was hungry for something darker. That would come in time and only when I was finished accomplishing my goals. As my brother liked to say—my attempt at ruling the world. Maybe I was. All that really mattered to people was money.
And clout. I’d learned a vast about of information in these few months.
Ruthless.
I’d never appreciated the term until recently. Now I relished the noble expression, the one used by a good number of employees within Capodanno Enterprises. As CFO, I mandated not only their loyalty but a work ethic that was undeniably harsh. However, I expected results.
After the scandal the family and the company had been embroiled in, nothing could be left to chance, including additional betrayal.
The Sacred Sect wouldn’t allow it.
Our community had been fractured, almost to the breaking point, the five men who’d ruled the oppressive Council reduced to two, my brother ascending to the throne without a single pushback.
My brother was now in charge.
Continuity had been needed.
While they continued to rule our group with iron fists, certain aspects had been forced to change, upsetting many of the families. At this point, I wanted nothing to do with the sect, but I was required by blood to perform certain duties in order to keep our powerful hold over dozens of outside organizations.
Keeping the wolves at bay.
I worked long hours and had since taking over both positions. Finally, the financials of Capodanno Enterprises were exactly as I’d demanded early on, the six million dollars embezzled from the sect almost fully refunded. I’d also come to the realization that I was exhausted.
As I pushed back from my desk, folding my arms over my head, I took a deep breath. The weekend was finally mine. A smile crossed my face at the thought. I swiveled in my chair, thinking about exactly where to go. Maybe a casino. I’d certainly seen enough beaches over the last few months to last a damn lifetime.
The knock on the door was the last thing I wanted to hear, and I had a suspicion I knew who was behind it. “Come.”
“Brother.” Christian walked in, his usual dark suit matching his surly attitude. The sense of power had changed him, even though he’d found a woman who’d been able to keep him in line. I snickered at the thought, their arranged marriage one of the few that had worked. We disagreed on almost everything, including our way of life.
My gut told me it was about to be challenged again.
“And to what do I owe this pleasure?” I moved to a standing position as I studied him. He seemed even tenser than normal, his eyes holding a heightened level of contempt. The man was within days of his beautiful bride birthing their first child and he never missed a day at the office. “Stephanie okay?”
“She’s ready to have this baby,” he said, smiling. “I am going to be honest with you.”
“And Zorro?” I asked teasingly. I would have never thought my brother would enjoy having a dog.
“He’s been a great friend during her pregnancy.” He gave me an odd look, shaking his head before closing the door, moving with deliberate steps toward the bar I’d installed in the corner of my office. I didn’t like the fact he remained quiet as he prepared two drinks, the clinking of ice annoying me more than usual.
I glanced at my watch. It was only four in the afternoon. Interesting. He’d come with a purpose in mind.
As he handed me the drink, a smirk crossed his face. Whatever he was about to say I knew would piss me off. “You might as well spill it, Christian. Something is going on.”
“You know me too well. There’s unrest in the community,” he said quietly, giving me a nod of respect. As usual, he held little emotion in his voice, but I knew the man better than most.
“There’s always unrest. Should I venture a guess? Too many vying for the vacant positions on the Council?”
He laughed, lifting his glass. “You are astute, brother, as always. The positions need to be filled. I’m finished with arguing and lamenting over who is the most accountable.”
“There are only four families in our unholy little association who qualify. At least according to the new rules. If I heard you correctly the other day, Mr. McCormick is far too busy with international travel for his firm to consider the honor. That leaves three, which officially means you have to break your own rules in order to fill the last seat. Tsk. Tsk, brother.”
I’d been indoctrinated into the Sacred Sect as a young boy, told about the requirements in order to live and find favor within the community. My father had been so proud of all that the Council had accomplished, beaming the day he sat me down in his office to explain the glorious details. The few men and their families selected to be a part of the secured organization pledged allegiance to our ways no matter the circumstances. They were also required to keep the closely guarded secrets for fear of death.
We were dangerous people after all.
We’d
been referred to as the mafia of the Hamptons, a joke to true crime families, although if anyone truly knew what we were capable of, they would never attempt to cross us. We had enough ammunition on politicians, law enforcement, and corporate moguls to ruin a solid percentage of the rich and famous. That had allowed us to remain in control of various industries from real estate to transportation, our influence affecting the outcome of elections in all fifty states.
And even the White House.
We were much more powerful than any of the mafia families.
Including the Taglionis. The Italian crime syndicate had been on our radar for several years, their failed attempts at crowding into our space continuing to piss them off. They were merely biding their time. I’d heard about a number of skirmishes in the streets of New York, corruption increasing, doing everything they could to buy their way into power. It was only a matter of time before they attempted to lure one of our members to their side, coercing them into telling our secrets.
That would make for a bloody day in our world.
Right now, there were far too many internal problems to worry about the Taglionis.
Sadly, for all the combined power within the sect, there was still greed and corruption, the unrest caused by the Council’s demand for change. So many believed in the old ways, ones carved out from a man who’d been nothing but a scam artist.
I feared an upheaval, allowing the piranhas who swam in the ocean waters just outside our doors a way to destroy us. They certainly had attempted to push Senator Bellows, as well as everyone else involved in the latest land development deal in another direction. My guess was that a new round of threats had been instigated. I had the pulse of every industry and my instincts had been on high alert.
A storm was brewing. I just wasn’t entirely certain who the actual enemy was.
Still, the sect remained over two hundred strong, families who thrived within the Hamptons, our wealth and influence beyond the understanding of outsiders. While the original intent had been only to allow the descendants of the five original families to hold an honored position on the Council, the rules had been forced to change.