He frowned. “I thought you’d like it.”
“I did, but why did you dedicate it to me? Ivy was the real reason your family survived.”
“I don’t like her, I like you.”
A smile pulled at her lips, then it disappeared. “Then, why have you been avoiding me? I’ve tried to talk to you numerous times and you always took off, like I had a disease.”
He grimaced. “Ricardo told us not to touch you Vipers.”
D scowled. “The bastard.”
Vinnie laughed. “He’s certainly that.” He leaned forward, looking like he was going to kiss her again.
D moved her head to the side, his explanation not good enough. “Dominic and Alessandro fuck as many Vipers as they can; Alessandro even tried it on with me,” she said, mentioning his youngest brother, who was a porn star.
Anger crossed Vinnie’s face. “Did you let him?” he growled.
“No,” she replied, secretly thrilled by his reaction.
He breathed out, looking relieved. “I told him to stay away from you, but that walking cock can’t help himself.”
She laughed. “I’ve seen him going from one room to the next. Is there something wrong with him? ’Cause that isn’t normal.”
“He’s a sex addict.”
“Makes sense. But what about you?”
He frowned. “I’m not a sex addict; I haven’t fucked any of your sisterhood.”
“No, I meant, why do you want me now? What’s changed?”
“You’re driving me nuts, I can’t take it anymore. I tried to do what Ricardo wants, but I can’t. You’re hot as fuck. Every time you walk past me, I get an instant hard-on. You’re giving me blue-balls.”
She burst out laughing. “You have such a romantic way with words.”
He grinned, looking so damn cute.
She continued, “And you’ve been winding me up tight, too.”
“So, stop talking and let me kiss you.”
“You can at least take me out to dinner first.”
“We can feast on each other.” He grabbed her head and kissed her. She didn’t stop him this time, wanting what he was giving her.
Before she knew what was happening, he’d unzipped the front of her top and unhooked her bra, the man a pro with his fingers. Seconds later, he had her naked from the waist up and his mouth on one of her breasts, making her head spin from how fast he was moving. He did something with his tongue and teeth, causing her to fling her head back and moan.
God.
This couldn’t be real.
It had to be a dream, one she didn’t want to wake up from.
He let go of her breast and hoisted her up the bed, leaving her staring at him in stunned awe. She didn’t know when he’d taken his top off, but his body left her entranced. He had tattoos covering his arms, flame designs and hellish images, and a tattoo running down the left side of his torso. He also had a six-pack, the man truly mouthwatering.
Pushing off the bed, he smiled down at her with that cheeky grin of his. He unhooked the clasp of his leather pants, giving her a peek of his cock. She reached out for it, but he took a step back and removed a condom from his pocket. He unzipped his pants and pulled his hard cock out, looking so damn sexy with it jutting out of his leather pants. Keeping his eyes on her, he tore the packet open with his teeth, then slid the condom over his shaft, rolling it down slowly.
This HAD to be a dream.
A wet dream.
He stepped closer, coming within touching distance. She grabbed the top of his leathers and yanked him even closer. He bent down, seeking her lips. She craned her neck up and sealed their lips together, getting lost in the kiss. D welcomed his tongue inside her mouth, not caring about the why or the how—just the now. She’d had sex with people she didn’t want to, namely the Black Russian and his clients, people she couldn’t say no to—that was, if she wanted to live. While Vinnie was the first man in years that she wanted to sleep with. God, she ached to in a very bad way. Since she’d first laid eyes on his photograph she’d wanted him, and when she saw him in person, it had turned into full-blown lust. Although his face was identical to Dominic’s, there was something different about him that drew her to him. She couldn’t put a finger on what it was, but regardless, she’d been right to choose him, because ... good God ... he was exquisite, especially with the way he was kissing her, and his hands ... they were moving over her shoulders, caressing them almost lovingly. He was lighting her up, pressing all the right buttons, making her want so much more.
She broke the kiss and yanked his leathers down to his knees, nuzzling her face against his cock. She licked his balls, pulling out a groan. She sucked one in, making him gasp, his hands going to her head. She let it pop out of her mouth, then laid back on the bed and shimmied out of her pants, silently thanking Ivy for commenting on her panties earlier. She would’ve been humiliated if Vinnie had seen her other ones, the red thong she had on now a million times sexier.
Vinnie’s eyes flared; the look on his face almost primal. He kicked off his pants and jumped onto her, blanketing her body with his. He started kissing her so hard she couldn’t breathe. One of his hands moved lower, pushing her thong aside. He rubbed his cock against her entrance, mumbling something unintelligible, then thrust inside of her, making D gasp from the sudden intrusion. A second later, the pain turned to pleasure as he dragged his cock partway out, then slammed back in, D’s body now aching in a good way. She groaned against his lips, unable to contain the sound. He broke the kiss and smiled down at her, the look in his eyes knowing. Warning bells started ringing in her head, making her think he’d done this for other women. He was playing her body too well, knowing exactly what to do, every move, every smile—everything appearing practiced.
He frowned, a moment of sadness wiping away his expression, then it was gone before she could ask what was wrong. He leaned down and kissed her again, his soft lips heaven. Forcing her worries aside, she grabbed his head and kissed the hell out of him, putting all of her passion into it, praying she was more to him than just one night.
Pulling back, he grabbed her hands and pressed them into the mattress, his hungry eyes making her shiver. She didn’t know how he could go from looking sweet to cheeky to downright dirty within such a short space of time. The man was a paradox, wrapped up in the most delicious package possible.
Not taking his eyes off her, he started fucking her hard, his cock giving her both pleasure and pain. Italian words flowed from his mouth. She didn’t understand what he was saying, but it turned her on even more—if that was possible, because she’d never been this hot for anyone before. Every utterance, every stroke of his cock, every look he was giving her ... was pushing her higher and higher, winding her up so tight.
He growled something unintelligible, then slammed his cock into her even harder, sending shock waves up her body. She screamed, the orgasm hitting her all of a sudden. Vinnie continued thrusting inside of her, looking like he was close to coming. As she came down from the orgasm, he arched his neck up, getting lost in his own climax. She watched him, drinking in every inch of his stunning face and muscular body, the man a sight to behold.
After he’d finished, he pulled out and lay down next to her, giving her a warm smile. She smiled back, feeling hope that this was the beginning of something beautiful. He slung an arm over her waist and pulled her closer, murmuring in Italian.
“Did you say you loved me?” she asked, recognizing one of the words.
He smiled wider. “No, I said it would be easy to fall in love with you.”
“Likewise,” she said, wondering whether she already had.
A crease formed across his brow. He let go of her and rolled onto his back, his eyes going to the ceiling.
“What are you thinking about?” she said.
“My past.”
She placed a hand on his stomach. “What in your past?”
He glanced at her, his blue eyes now troubled. “Something I don’t want to repe
at.”
“Was it bad?”
He nodded.
“Then don’t do it again.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
“What was—”
He turned and grabbed her head, smothering her question with a kiss. She kissed him back, no longer caring about the answer. Plus, his past didn’t matter—only his future, one she hoped to share.
8
Ivy parked D’s motorbike in the Santini driveway, relieved to be home, or what she’d called home for the past month and a half. She got off the bike, and headed for the front door. The guard opened it for her, the man tall and swarthy. Ivy entered the large house, feeling more tired than usual, which she didn’t understand, since she’d been getting plenty of sleep. She never ran out of energy. Her sister always complained she had too much of it, but lately she’d been finding it harder to get out of bed.
It was probably the flu or a cold, nothing important. Maybe she should get the doctor to check her out. The Santini had a live-in doctor and nurse, the father and daughter team residing in the east wing of the massive house.
She headed across the marble foyer, with its huge chandelier, and entered the lounge. A couple of Vipers were watching TV with a shirtless Alessandro—the youngest of the Santini brothers. He was twenty-seven and had even more tattoos than the twins, his muscular arms, torso, and legs covered with them. He was sitting in between the two women looking distinctly uncomfortable, probably because the man-whore didn’t know how to react to women other than having his cock inside of them. She was sick of him fucking any Viper he could get his hands on, because her and her sister had to deal with the fallout. Every day there was some sort of argument over him, one Viper trying to claim him over another. Hell, she’d even caught four of them in a brawl, the stupid wenches fighting over a man who most likely would remain a bachelor for the rest of his life. Alessandro couldn’t keep his cock in his pants, going from one room to the next, looking to get his rocks off with as many women as he could. She knew he had a sex addiction—that was obvious, she just wished he wouldn’t cause unrest amongst her sisterhood. They needed to be a united front to take the Black Russian down, not a squabbling bunch of horny bitches in heat.
Sae Ra looked up at her as Ivy passed the trio, the Korean Viper sporting a black eye. Ivy shook her head at her and headed down the passageway that led to the doctor’s quarters. There was no way she would compete with her fellow Vipers for a man, because they all knew they would suffer the consequences if they touched anyone she was interested in, and none of them were willing to do that after she’d almost killed Cyn for fucking her ex.
She stopped outside the doctor’s door, giving it a knock. It opened a few seconds later, the man standing before her an impressive specimen. Although he was in his fifties and had a headful of silver hair, he was extremely attractive—but in a cold way, Cesare a pompous SOB. She couldn’t imagine him having a pleasant bedside manner, but he certainly was nice to look at.
“How may I help you?” Cesare asked.
“I need you to check me over, I’ve been feeling unwell.”
He stepped aside, opening the door wider for her. She entered his room, finding everything spotless, the doctor obviously a neat freak—like Brando. She willed the bastard out of her mind again, the man a menace.
“Take a seat please,” Cesare said, indicating to a chair next to his desk. She sat down as he lowered himself into his own chair. “Tell me what you’ve been feeling?”
“Tired, sometimes nauseous.”
“When are you nauseous?”
“The last few mornings, though I’ve felt better after lunch.”
His eyebrows rose. “When was your last menstruation?”
“I rarely get it since I exercise too much.”
“Have you had unprotected intercourse in the past two months?”
She didn’t answer, the time with Brando having been just over six weeks ago.
The doctor gave her a knowing look. “I have some pregnancy tests—”
“But I can’t be pregnant,” she cut him off. “I’m infertile. I’ve had unprotected sex before and nothing has happened.”
“Have you ever had yourself tested?”
She shook her head.
“Then it could be the male who you had sex with.”
“No, it must be me, he got my sister pregnant.”
The doctor’s eyebrows rose, his expression disapproving.
She scowled at him. “Don’t look at me like that. When the Black Russian orders a fuck, even you would bend over.”
His eyes widened. “I don’t think so, young lady, and if you want me to help you, you will watch your tone of language.”
“I’m just saying that I wasn’t given a choice. I prefer my head attached to my neck.”
“Understood, and you may not have been biologically compatible with the Black Russian.”
“I had unprotected sex with my ex-boyfriend too, and never got pregnant with him either.”
“I still would prefer to rule out pregnancy first.” He pushed up from his chair and opened a cupboard, removing a box. He held it out for her. “Take this test and you’ll know for sure.”
She took the box and rose to her feet, thanking him without thought, her mind now on the pregnancy test. She headed out of the room, hiding the box as she passed the Vipers and Alessandro. Hoping her sister was asleep, she entered her room, finding it empty. She went to the bathroom and pulled out the stick, her mind in turmoil. She didn’t want to be pregnant; she wanted to continue preparing to attack the Black Russian. And if she was pregnant, her sister—who was also her leader, wouldn’t let her go.
She walked back into her bedroom, hiding the test in her suitcase, not wanting to know. Anyway, she couldn’t be pregnant, no matter what the doctor thought. Both the Black Russian and Sasha had fucked her and nothing had happened. So, nothing would happen with Brando too.
In more ways than one.
***
Needing fresh air, Ivy headed out the back of the house. She walked past the servants’ quarters and the twins’ studio, cutting across the grass to the mammoth swimming pool. A girl was sitting on its edge, with her legs dangling in the water.
Ivy sat down next to Mira, getting a smile from the teenager, the girl nothing short of beautiful. She was one of the brothers’ daughters: a stunning eighteen-year-old with dark blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes, her face an artist’s dream. Ivy had purposely gone out of her way to friend Mira and her younger sister, wanting them to join the Viper sisterhood, as well as to help her get rid of the Don’s woman. Though, she’d given up on the last of those missions a while ago, because no matter what she did, the Don wasn’t receptive to her, Brando’s oldest brother like a block of stone. It annoyed her no end, but when he continually knocked her back, it was more than her ego could take. He didn’t want her, so she would just have to deal with it. Anyway, men always fucked her over, so his early rejection probably saved her from a whole lot of heartache.
“Ciao,” Mira said.
“Hello,” Ivy replied, rolling up her pants to her knees. She dunked her legs in the water, then quickly pulled them out. “That’s freezing! How could you put your feet in there?”
“I like the cold; it reminds me of when my mother took us skiing.” The girl’s mother had been brutally murdered during the mafia war, while her father had amnesia, the man unable to give his daughter the comfort she needed. Because of it, Mira often came to her, talking for hours about her parents, while Ivy talked about hers, the two becoming steadfast friends.
“The smell of lavender reminds me of my mother,” Ivy said. “When I want to pretend she’s still alive, I spray my room with a lavender scent.”
Mira looked up, her big eyes glossy with tears. “My mother liked vanilla. She used to buy vanilla shower gels and hand-washes.” She held out her hand. “Smell my wrist.”
Ivy leaned her head down, breathing in the scent. “Vanilla’s nice,” she said.<
br />
Mira smiled sadly. “You’re the only one who understands me. My sister doesn’t. She just yells at me when I want to talk about our mamma. She wants to forget about her, when all I want is to remember.” She breathed out. “I hate the Landi for taking her from me. If Brando hadn’t killed their Don, I would’ve done it.” She stopped talking for a moment. “Though, Brando’s wonderful for doing it. Did you know he walked right into their compound and blew the murderer and his wife up?”
Ivy nodded.
Mira continued, “He got me vengeance. You should get him to do the same for you with your mother’s killer. I bet he’d annihilate the Black Russian for you.”
“The Black Russian isn’t that easy to kill.”
“If anyone could do it, it’ll be Brando.”
Ivy shook her head. “No, the man who killed my mother is too powerful, a hundred times more so than the one who murdered yours. I will need a whole army to take him down.”
“I’ll help.”
Ivy smiled. “I know you will. You’re a brave girl, and if you do well with your training, I’ll let you come with us.”
Mira smiled wide, her eyes excited. “I’m doing better than Siena. I can shoot a bulls-eye.”
“Yes, it looks like you have your father’s talent. Though, I’m not sure he’ll let you join the fight.”
“He doesn’t remember me, so why should he care!” Her face dropped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout.”
“Don’t apologize, I know that must be hard on you,” Ivy said. The girl’s father had suffered amnesia due to a car bomb. It had knocked him to the ground, stealing the majority of his memories away. And thank God for that, because one of the Vipers had set the bomb prior to their alliance with the Santini. At that point, they hadn’t known who Mira’s father was since he had a different surname from his half-brothers. Ivy just hoped he never found out that the blue-haired Viper had done it, or Cyn was dead, especially since the explosion had killed the man’s best friend.
Footsteps came from behind her, making her look over her shoulder.
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