by Lexi C. Foss
He’s never kissed me in this way before, delicate and sweet. Letting myself sink into his embrace, his gentleness makes my heart beat faster. Every part of me comes alive. A dead star reigniting.
The softly spoken endearment sends warmth radiating through my chest.
His.
How I want that so badly, but I love Vincenzo too. They’re opposites of each other. Vinnie with his fun easy-going nature, and Dante with his commanding aloofness. My throat tightens with words, yet I can’t speak. Not now but I can’t ignore the maelstrom churning in my gut.
“I have a gift for you,” he murmurs. “Something I know you’ll want.”
Helping me off the table, he fetches a light cotton robe, which is draped over a chair. Shaking it out, he holds it open for me to slip on, then fastens the belt at my waist to keep it closed. Snatching up a pair of boxers, he quickly pulls them on.
I take the hand he offers me, curling my fingers around his, half wondering what he’s up to. I can’t decide whether I love him, hate him, want to fight him, or screw him. I’m so mixed up, and our situation is way too complicated.
Leading me out of the bedroom, we pass room after silent room until we reach some descending stairs. Dante’s grin as he leads me down has my stomach fluttering with nerves. Another dungeon? More silver chains and torture equipment?
He nods at the guard sitting outside a door. “You won’t be needed down here anymore.”
The werewolf doesn’t say a word, leaving us alone outside the locked metal door.
“You don’t have to chain me up,” I tell him looking uneasily toward the room.
Dante moves to stand before me. Reaching out, he cups my cheeks gentle the pads of his thumbs caressing my skin. “Your gift is inside.”
I lean into the touch. I’ve longed for his caresses. All I’ve ever wanted is to be loved and accepted. The Vampire King makes me feel safe, secure, and happy. Three things I’ve been denied in my life. Although they feel strange, they aren’t unwanted. My tiger purrs rubbing herself around inside me happy to be finally reunited with our mate.
At the first touch of his mouth on mine, something melts within me. An exquisite pain of anguish and longing. Breath stuttering, eyes closed because reality can wait a few more seconds before it all comes crashing in again. I feel him in my bones. He’s cool, calming water to my raging storm. Yin to my yang. The other half of my soul. Dante is the only thing that has ever made sense, and that terrifies me.
“Trust me,” he beseeches, pressing his forehead against mine, hands cradling either side of my head gently. “No more secrets. Just you, me, and getting to know each other. This is the first evening of our future together, and I wanted to make it special.”
“Don’t worry, he hasn’t got me imprisoned down here if that’s what you're worried about.”
The familiar voice has me twisting in Dante’s arms. “Vinnie?”
Vincenzo steps from the shadows of an open doorway with a wide grin on his face, barefoot and wearing a pair of faded jeans hung low on his hips that show off his toned abs. “Ciao, Kitty cat. I’ve been waiting for you to join me.”
Running toward him with a burst of joy, I leap up at him, wrapping my legs around his waist, and my arms coiling his neck.
Hugging me close, Vincenzo spins me in a circle with a laugh. "I've missed you so much."
Pressing kisses to his lips, I can’t stop smiling. “I don’t understand.”
“Well instead of battling to the death to see which one of us gets you we decided to be civilized.”
“You were going to battle to the death for me?” I peek over my shoulder at Dante’s who’s watching us intently, but he doesn't look jealous.
“Oh yeah, full on gladiator style,” Vincenzo boasts. “There was no doubt I was going to win.”
Dante snorts. “In your dreams, little brother.”
“We decided to share you instead,” he continues ignoring him and lowering me to the ground.
“Share me?” I echo, my mind struggling to comprehend what I’ve just heard. “Like a box of chocolates.”
“No, not exactly. Although you are very sweet and addictive.” Dante’s lips twitch in a wicked smile. “You are mine. That’s non-negotiable, but if you want him to make us a threesome, I’m not going to deny what you want. You’ve been through enough pain. That demon took you both from me once. I won’t lose either of you over jealousy and rivalry.”
“And he knows we’re crazy in love. He might be the fated mate to your tiger side, but I’m the one who had your heart first. At least I did, and I will again. Every date you can’t remember we’ll do over. Paris, Greece, London, Romania, Ireland to name a few.” Vincenzo wraps his strong arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. “So?”
A do over. A new beginning to find what was lost. Is that even possible? My tiger purrs in happiness, the fear and doubts in my heart melting away with hope.
“Hmmm?”
“Are you going to see the gift or not?”
Frowning I tilt my chin to the left to meet his gaze. “I thought that was you.”
Dante chuckles. “Oh no, Pussycat, I have something much better.”
Unlocking the door, he pushes it open wide enough for me to see inside. The room is windowless, with bleak grey walls, a concrete floor, and a stark light bulb hanging from the ceiling above.
A blonde woman sits in a corner chained to the wall by a long chain connected to a collar around her neck. Naked and pale, her eyes are sunken from lack of feeding. From my guess, they’ve been torturing her for a while.
Vanna.
“I’ve been hunting her while Dante searched for you,” Vincenzo informs me, strolling toward a couch, which is against a wall. Flopping down, he sits with his head tipped to the side to watch me. “She’s yours to do with whatever you wish.”
“You can’t do this to me,” she whines, blue eyes wide with fear. “I am Vanna Piovene of the house….”
“It no longer exists,” Vincenzo growls. “You are nothing.”
“This is so much better than flowers.” Stepping toward a table that has all the equipment I need for what I have planned, an evil grin spreads across my face. This bitch fucked with my life. Now I’m going to screw with hers before I end it.
“What’s love without bloodshed?” Dante murmurs, placing a kiss on my cheek. “Since meeting you, I've become a storm chaser. Because that's what you are, Yukie. Beautiful, terrifying, and at times unpredictable. It makes you irresistible. Bring your lightening fury, your howling winds of vengeance. The thunder in your roar. Release all that you are, but we were made for your storm, Pussycat. Not to tame it but revel in its glory.”
Easing on a pair of plastic gloves, I pick up a silver muzzle. There’s a padlock on the back to stop the wearer from removing. Once it's on, they won’t be able to get it off without assistance.
Dante must have caught on to my idea. With slow languid movements, he walks toward our prisoner.
“On your knees for your king,” he barks, authority in every syllable.
Groveling at his feet, she gives him a pleading look. “Please Dante...I love you.”
Dante’s laugh is hollow and humorless. “No, you wanted me. There’s a difference. A new shiny toy for you to play with and a kingdom you wanted to rule. The only way you could do it was by having a demon work his spells because there was no way in hell you’d have gotten as far as you did if I had been thinking clearly.”
I cluck my tongue in impatience. “Less talking, more torturing.”
Calculation gleams in her eyes. With a screech of hatred, she’s on me in a blink. Coiling the long metal chain that tethers her to the wall around my neck, she yanks it tightly, intent on choking me. Muzzle dropping from my hands, I propel myself backward ramming her into the wall. When the first attempt doesn't loosen her, I do it a few more times until the pressure around my neck slackens. Pushing the chain up over my head I rub my throat and turn to face her.
/> “Nice try.”
She bares her fangs at my rasp. “I won’t let you muzzle me like a dog.”
“But darling, that's what you are,” Vincenzo replies smoothly from his seat. “A first-class bitch.”
“I want a trial by combat,” Vanna demands, straightening her spine. “As the daughter of a noble family, that’s my right.”
“After what you did, do you really think….”
“Fine,” I agree, cutting off Vincenzo. “Close combat, one weapon each. We don’t stop until one of his is dead, and they don’t interfere.”
“Have you lost your mind?” he questions.
“She’s my gift, remember.”
“If that’s what you want, Pussycat.” Dante’s deep accented voice sends chills down my spine. Reaching into his pocket, he produces a key.
Taking it, I unlock the collar around her neck, setting Vanna free. The skin beneath is ugly and red with blisters from the burn of the silver. An imperfection on her otherwise stunning beauty. Using the wall for support, she rises shakily to stand. I don’t believe for a second she’s as weak as she’s making out to be. She’ll use any deception and advantage to kill me.
“Not here,” I tell her when she sided eyes the weapons spread out on the table. “Down on the beach, we’ll have more room.”
“No one will disturb us.” Dante nods at Vincenzo, who gets up to head for the door. “It's private to the house and secluded for miles in each direction.”
Collecting a pair of matching ivory handled knives, I nudge my chin at Vanna to follow him. “Perfect.”
As a group, we leave the cell and ascend the stairs, the brothers keeping an eye on our prisoner. We pass a few werewolf guards on the way who look curious but know better than to question their employer. Dante leads the way through the sprawling house out onto a beach.
The sand is softly golden beneath my feet, the stars glow above us in a clear Mediterranean sky lighting our way. Waves crash onto the shore with a soothing melody I would usually enjoy. In silence, we continue until we’re standing halfway between the sea and the house.
Dante stands before me resting his hands on my shoulders with his expression intent. “There’s so much beauty in a storm.”
I accept his kiss, sweet and brief, feeling warm all over at his words. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to be holding back.”
“Of course, you won’t.” Vincenzo winks, bestowing a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t forget I know what you're capable of. By the way, you should take off the robe, watching two chicks brawling naked is a lot hotter.”
I strip off the garment as it will only get in the way but knowing he’ll get a kick out of it. Tossing one of the daggers at Vanna’s feet, I ready myself to fight while she snatches it up. She doesn’t waste time. With a cry, she tackles me in a blur sending me sideways. We plunge into the warm dark waters, grappling for each other's weapon, grunting and snarling. A wave tumbles over us taking us under. Every fiber of my being hums with adrenaline.
Claws slash my cheek, leaving a sting in its wake. I don’t have to see it to know she left wounds. Head snapping to the left, I avoid another blow. Knife slicing her arm, I bring my knee up catching her with a glancing blow to the thigh. One slip and she’ll show no mercy, and I’m not giving her any either.
Vanna hisses as we push apart. My fingers tighten around the six inches of cool steel in my hand. Circling each other, we both watch for a weakness.
“Hybrid whore. None of the houses will accept you as Dante’s chosen,” she taunts with venom.
“I don’t give a fuck what they think.”
My tiger roars desperate to shift, but I deny her. This is my moment. All my skills as a slayer come into play. Vampires are my prey, and Vanna will be no different.
She swings for me, the end of her blade barely missing my breasts. Speeding with agility for her exposed side, I aim a blow to her ribs. Countering she twists her body so my knife barely grazes her skin. Grabbing my throat, I deflect her knife with my forearm preventing it cutting my jugular as I plunge my own into her breast.
Vanna’s cry of agony echoes out along the beach. Fisting her hair in my free hand, I twist the knife deeper into her heart. “The throne you wanted is mine. Its king belongs to me. You messed with the wrong woman. Give my regards to my boss, Lucifer, in Hell when you get there to writhe in the eternal pits of damnation.”
Her shocked, blue, wide eyes meet mine briefly. The meaning of my words hit home, and her lips part as if she’s about to speak, but her form crumples into ash collapsing in on itself to mingle with the waves.
Rescuing the knife she’s dropped from the sea, I hold one in each hand. The cool water laps at my feet as a cool breeze caresses my face. Tipping my face up to the moonlight, I steady my breath, heartbeat returning to normal.
Vengeance is mine.
Clapping comes from behind me. I find Dante and Vincenzo watching from a couple of sun lounges that have been placed side by side. Both men are lying, watching me.
Vincenzo continues to cheer me. “That was spectacular.”
Padding toward them across the sand, I crawl onto Dante’s lap, relaxing into his chest, my adrenaline buzzing. His hand caresses over my thigh dipping between my legs to my pussy, and I don’t even try to stop him.
“There’s nothing like feeling you tilt your head back so trustingly to my shoulder as I check how wet you are.” He grazes my skin with his fangs. “Offering your neck so I can taste you.”
Beside us Vincenza has his jeans unzipped and is fisting his cock. The look of lust on his face as he watches us just turns me on further.
Fangs pierce my neck. Keening softly, I don’t fight. I won’t deny Dante’s dark kiss. It fills me with such ecstasy it has me orgasming almost immediately. He doesn’t feed greedily, just enough to savor my blood before he pulls away. Swiping his tongue over the puncture marks, he heals the wounds with his saliva.
I’m still shuddering in his arms when he spins me around, tugging me over to straddle his lap. Together we shed him off his boxers. Dante positions the tip of his erection at my tight heat then pauses. Sinking down I take him inch by inch rocking my hips in pleasure.
“Fuck, Pussycat,” Dante mutters, his expression tense with leashed passion. “Take what you want. Maul me, mark me, show me what you want, and it's yours.”
Keeping his arms down, he sits back letting me take control. Clutching his shoulders, the tips of the claws digging into his muscles, I ride him wildly. Breasts bouncing, I undulate my hips, our bodies in sync with our love making.
Reaching for Vincenzo, who’s still sprawled beside us on the other lounger, I grasp his length jerking him off at the same speed. “I want you to. Dante might be destiny, but you’re my choice.”
“Yes, claim what's rightfully yours. I’ll always be yours, Yukie, no matter what happens.” Vincenzo groans curling his finger around mine.
I pump him until his breath grows labored, then he pulls himself free and rises. Still intimately joined with Dante, who I’m riding lazily, I shiver when Vincenzo’s hand settles on the small of my back. The lounger behind me dips with his weight as I’m pushed forward to stick my arse in the air. Something cold slicks between my cheeks. Lube. He must have been carrying it in his pocket knowing this was going to happen between us.
Purring, I arch back when I feel the tip of his cock press against my puckered hole. “Yesss.”
Vincenzo works his way inside me with slow thrusts until he’s rooted to the hilt. “This vampire slayer’s getting nailed, but it’s not with a pair of stakes.”
My moan is more to do with the pleasure of them both moving within me than his bad joke. Reaching between me and his brother his thumb toys with my clit. My insides quiver with the sensation, hastening my movement as I feel Dante’s cock swell harder inside me.
One hand still tormenting me between my legs, Vincenzo’s free hand reaches up to tweak one of my nipples hard. The sharp twist of pain is enough to set off a chai
n reaction. Screaming Dante's name at the top of my lungs, my release wracks by body. Driving into me a few more times, Dante grunts, his length pulsing inside me as he cums. Behind me, Vincenzo snaps his hips before he joins us in bliss cumming inside my arse. My tiger roars in happiness. She knows this male is ours and has been from the start.
Burying my face in Dante’s rock-solid chest, my limbs shake so hard I wonder if they'll ever stop. Hands sweep up and down my spine in a smoothing motion, calming my racing heart.
“Vincenzo is going to fuck your pussy next, and I’m claiming your arse. Then I want you to unleash the beast that lives within your delicious body, and I will spend the rest of the night teaching it to purr for us,” Dante promises, husky voice dripping with the promise of eternal pleasure and sin.
Epilogue
Yukie
Staring up at the night sky, the stars a glorious canvas of beauty above me. Floating on my back in Dante’s infinity pool, I trail my hands lazily through the water. I could lay here forever. There’s something so relaxing about this place away from all our worries. I should be out hunting instead. I've spent four weeks here on the Italian coast being pampered in and out of Dante’s bed by two vampires intent on keeping me. When he’s busy with calls regarding Rome, Vincenzo is more than happy to keep me entertained. They find a balance between us. A harmony in our threesome.
Arms wrap themselves around my waist from below the surface of the water, sending familiar tingles through my body. Leaning trustingly into them, I let the owner draw me up into his chest as he stands water pouring off him.
“I’ll have to go back to work soon,” I murmur, turning in the haven of his arms to face him. “Lucifer won’t be happy if I’m not slaying for him.”
“He can’t have you back,” Dante whispers gruffly in my ear, the colored lights at the bottom of the pool throwing his features into shadows. “You're meant for nights thick with lust, romance, and naked kisses. The anticipation of the pleasure and pain you crave so much.”