Fade

by Haley Ladawn

  “Are you a redhead with green eyes? Did you know that is extremely uncommon? You’re straight fuoco, love. You’re so hot, you could burn everyone in this house.”

  Is he hitting on me, or does he just feel bad for me?

  “Thanks for the pep talk.” I grabbed a half gallon of gelato since it was the only thing I could read. I took a silver spoon from one of the wooden drawers, and ate right out of the container. Bowls were overrated. It would be bad to leave on an empty stomach. I needed my energy if I was going to escape. “But I don’t care who that fucker fucks.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Gabriel asked, as if he could read my mind. “It looks like you’re eating your feelings.”

  “I’m positive and I’m eating because I’m hungry!” I frowned, taking another bite of the strawberry gelato. “That idiot has barely fed me! It’s a wonder how that fucking cat is alive! Who feeds it? Does it open the bag itself and scoop its kitty kibbles out with its paws?”

  “Pretty much.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Catzilla fills up his own water too.”

  “His name is Catzilla?” I looked up from the tub of gelato, frowning. “What kind of name is that?”

  “Hasn’t he attacked you yet?” He raised an eyebrow, seeming surprised. “He attacks everyone.”

  “Maybe he’s upset because you named him after a giant, ugly monster?” I offered, shrugging.

  Grabbing a spoon, he took a spoonful of gelato out of the container. “Elisa named him that. He’s been here for a couple years now and he loves it.”

  “Wow!” I managed, setting my spoon down. “I can’t believe she’s had a cat for that long. Why hasn’t it tried to run away yet?”

  “Because no one can run away from the mafia.” A perky voice said from behind me. A voice that was eerily similar to the one I heard in Elliot’s room. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”

  I turned around to see Elisa standing behind me. She was still wearing her pajamas, and she looked as if she’d just woken up, which left me a little more at ease.

  “Time to go, little red riding hood.” She ruffled my crimson hair, latching onto my arm. It was like we were in grade school all over again. “We have places to be, and people to see.”

  “Who are we seeing?”

  “Luciano.” She pulled me out of the grand kitchen quickly, tightening her grip around me. “He’s requested to see you.”

  Chapter 26: Promises

  I wasn’t going to let Elisa take me anywhere. As she went to pull me through the threshold, I used my free hand to reach for the gun between my cleavage. Elisa didn’t even know the gun was pointed at the back of her skull…

  Until she heard the click of the safety.

  “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Elisa said has she raised her hands up in the air.

  “Not going anywhere with you obviously. If you move an inch, I swear to God, I will blow your brains out.”

  “Have you ever even shot a gun?” Elisa asked and I could tell she was trying to hold back a snarky remark.

  I had never shot a gun before, and Elisa knew it, but that wasn’t going to stop me from getting the fuck out of here. Without warning, I pointed the gun at the ceiling, and pulled the trigger. The sound echoed off every single surface.

  “Next time you talk, the next bullet will be lodged in your skull. Got it?” I said as I placed the barrel back against the base of her neck.

  I hadn’t seen where the bullet had hit, but to my dismay, it had hit the massive, crystal chandelier hanging in the foyer. The entire thing started to shake. Then, there was a loud crashing sound. Glass fragments disintegrated against the ground, causing me to blink my eyes shut.

  The chandelier caused a barrier between Elisa and me. She would have to crawl over it to get to me. It was a great diversion, so I began my retreat down the vast corridor.

  I could hear her screaming as I ran faster. “You know you can’t hide from them. All you can do is run, but eventually you’ll get tired. They’re everywhere and you’re just one person.”

  I made a sharp turn to the left, which led me past a large living room filled to the brim with people. The lights in the room were dim, and no one seemed to notice me pass in a panic.

  I fled down multiple corridors, passed several incapacitated party-goers, but never found the front door. My legs were beginning to feel weak, and the sweater dress felt constrictive against my skin. It was then that I realized…

  There is no way out.

  “Are you lost, baby?” It wasn’t Elisa’s voice who said this from behind me. The voice was gruff and alarming. It was too light to be Elliot’s, but not British enough to be Gabriel’s.

  A few feet ahead of me, Falco, the biggest Italian man I had ever seen, stood in front of the exit. He was so large, he filled the doorway. To put it lightly, he was the definition of a muscle head.

  “Nice gun, baby.” A wicked smile formed on his full lips as he wet them with his tongue. I felt disgusted just looking at him. “Where did you get it?”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Matters to me when the barrel is pointed at me.” He said tersely, placing his hands in the air slowly.

  “Get out of my way or I will blow your fucking brains out!”

  “Calm down, baby. Just chill.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do and I’m not your baby!” My breath was erratic and my hand was shaking from the weight of the gun. My arm was getting tired.

  I was tired…

  There were two options. One, I make a run toward Falco and most likely get killed in the process, or surrender and let Elliot and Elisa find me.

  As if Falco read my mind, he came sprinting toward me. He believed he was going to take me out.

  Not without a fight.

  I started at him in a dead sprint, praying to God that my small stature would help me get pass him. I made it about three feet before he pulled me back by my waist.

  Fuck.

  “I believe you have something of mine.” Falco purred into my ear as he reached for the gun. “Give it back.”

  I tightened my hold on the gun, not ready to let it go. His monstrous hands encompassed mine completely, squeezing down on them too hard. He was literally crushing me. “Stop it before—”

  The gun accidentally went off from all the pressure.

  I was expecting the bullet to hit the wall, but when Falco loosened his grip on me, I was afraid to look. Dropping the gun, I turned around to see his face. His eyes were practically bulging out of his head as his hand clenched his stomach.

  There was a moment of silence and then, “Son of a bitch!”

  I glanced down at the dark shirt he was wearing, and saw the crimson blood beginning to soak his shirt. My breathing stopped short, as I fought the urge to throw up.

  “I am going to kill you, cazzo!”

  “Stop being so dramatic.” I recognized that voice the moment I heard his haunting accent.

  Elliot looked extremely pissed, standing in the dark threshold. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were frigid. His posture was eerily still as he leaned against the wall, assessing the situation. He cleared his throat, garnering everyone’s attention.

  “Take him to the doctor, capisce?” Elliot glared at one of the henchman that was watching from the sidelines.

  “Nice aim, fiorella.” Elliot gave me a dangerous smile that made me want to throw up all over again. I could feel my insides stir with anticipation. “Now, aim your ass to my office.”

  He didn’t let me aim my ass anywhere. He dragged me to his office. By the time we made it there, his hand imprints were indented into my arm.

  He unlocked the door, yanking me inside. Slamming the door shut behind us, he ran his fingers through his hair. Trying to comb his obvious sex hair.

  “You should use a brush next time,” I said bitterly, feeling a little overheated. “Having a bitch run her claws through it isn’t the same thing.”

  “Excuse me?” He arched an eyebrow, giving
me the death stare. Suddenly, I heard a click. Thinking it was a gun, I jumped back. That’s when I realized he’d locked the door behind him.

  He had locked me in, locked us in.

  “Remember when I said I’d fuck you so hard that you couldn’t even walk— that you couldn’t escape?”

  “Nope, that doesn’t ring a bell…” I lied straight through my teeth.

  “Maybe I can make you remember, yes?” His warm, calloused hands grazed my shoulders from behind, sending a shiver up my spine. His hands dropped to my waist, spinning me around, until I was face-to-face with him. Our noses were just inches apart when his hands found my neck. His palms wrapped around my throat, squeezing hard enough to make me wince. “Or maybe I can make you forget?”

  “Go ahead!” I spit out, pushing him in the shoulder with my fist. He wouldn’t budge, but I kept at it, until he caught my fists into his hands. “Make me see stars, you asshole! You’re just a whore! I’m tired of this constant charade with you! Just end this!”

  “You sound like a jealous girlfriend, puttana.” He loosened his hold on me, pushing me backwards, so that there was a gap between us.

  “We’re back to puttana, huh?” I folded my arms across my chest, fidgeting with the sleeves of my sweater dress.

  “You just shot my colleague in the stomach, so yes, you’re back to puttana. He’s a part of the family, and you threatened the family by hurting him.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Do you realize what that means?”

  “He can’t eat pasta anymore?” I was pressing my luck by being sarcastic, but that was the only coping mechanism I had.

  His posture stiffened, his shoulders tightening.

  “You should be dead, like your father, but here you are. Alive.” Elliot turned around, cracking his knuckles. His tall silhouette lingered over me, making me shrink down in size. “You’re lucky he’s a traitor, fiorella, or you would’ve been dead the moment you fired that pistol. He left that gun for you to kill me, but you ended up shooting him instead. It’s a nice turn of events, yes?”

  “Wait, what?” My mouth dropped, as I took an unsteady step toward him. “Falco’s a rat?”

  “The logistics do not concern you,” he answered harshly, rubbing the back of his neck. “But the aftermath does. Come here.”

  I stepped forward hesitantly, almost tripping over myself at one point. He made me nervous, scared, and turned on all at once. Talk about a triple threat.

  Upon closer inspection, I realized how tired he looked, like he’d been up all night. It was early morning so it made sense that he might’ve pulled an all-nighter.

  When I was within arm’s reach of him, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me toward his heaving chest. His breathing slowed as he let out a sigh, running his fingertips along the small of my back. He toyed with my skin, squeezing and caressing me lightly.

  “You make my life hard, fiorella.” He growled as he dug his nails into my back, holding me there. I could feel every indent of his rigid body as my palm lingered against his chest. I shouldn’t have been touching him, but it’s like his body had a magnetic pull. I was drawn to him; plain and simple.

  He brought me closer, leaving nothing between us but lies. The lies may have separated us mentally, but our bodies were still very much connected physically. His warm, olive skin brushed against mine, inflaming every part of me.

  My hands dropped down his chest, almost involuntarily, searching for something. I found what I was looking for when something rough pressed against my stomach. My thighs clenched together as his length grazed my skin, leaving me in a salacious state.

  “I make your life hard?” I focused my attention on the bulge in his pants, cupping him through his clothing. “Seems like I make other things hard too.”

  “Are you going to do something about it?” he crooned, licking my neck just before biting down on my flesh. “Or would you rather hit me with a towel rack again?”

  His body towered over me as he pushed me against the wall; somehow gracefully. I reached for him again, but he swatted my hand back.

  “It’s not yours to touch, gattina.” He pinned my hands to the wall, giving me a devilish smile. “Open your mouth.”

  This wasn’t a suggestion; it was a command. A bodily, animalistic order. The coldness in his eyes wasn’t leaving me a choice to say no.

  “Why?” I raised an eyebrow, wetting my dry lips.

  “Because I said so.” He dropped his hands from my wrists, finding my throat. His strong, ruinous hands tightened around my neck. “Open your fucking mouth and close your eyes.”

  Shutting my eyes, I opened my mouth apprehensively. It wasn’t because I was afraid of him or what he might do— it was because I wanted to please him. I couldn’t see anything, but I could feel his breath against my neck. I thought I could hear his pants unzipping, which made me squeeze my legs together.

  He twirled a piece of my hair in between the pad of his thumb, making me bite my lip. Then, out of nowhere, he took my lip in between his teeth, sucking hard. I could feel his tongue tease mine, stroking my lips softly before biting down on them. His kiss was sensuous as he licked and ravished my mouth, never taking a moment to catch his breath.

  “Repeat after me.” His deep, throaty voice lingered against my flesh as his fingers worked up my thighs, causing me to lean into him. My breathing hitched as he pulled the lace thong to the side. “I, Lilith James, swear Omertà.”

  “Swear what?” I was just about to open my eyes when I heard that familiar clicking sound again. I had no doubt in my mind that it was a gun. “Okay! I swear Omertà— whatever the fuck that is. I swear it on my life, okay? I pinky promise for fuck’s sake!”

  I held out my pinky and he fucking bit me.

  “Pinky swearing won’t cut it. Omertà is an oath of silence. If you break it, I’ll break your neck.” He ran his fingers across my soaked slit, causing me to writhe beneath him. I even whimpered a little before he put his lips back on mine, caressing my entrance as he whispered dirty things into my ear; things in Italian that I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. “I’ll silence you with a kiss this time, but the next time will be with a gun, sí?”

  I nodded, understanding that he meant business. A code of silence couldn’t be that hard to follow. I was already keeping several secrets. My lips were sealed— for now.

  “Open up, fiorella.” I blinked my eyes open slowly. He gave me a wry smirk, shaking his head. He kissed my eyelids and then whispered in my ear softly. “Open your legs, not your eyes.”

  My legs parted quickly, betraying whatever argument I had left in me. Lust was a powerful thing; sometimes stronger than both love and hate. I wanted him any way I could get him; even if it was after someone already had him.

  “I want you to come in my hand and then I want you to come on my cock.” He pulled my dress up over my thighs, ripping the fabric from tugging so hard. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, just like I promised. I keep my promises, yes? You better keep yours too.”

  Chapter 27: Truth or Dare

  He ripped my black dress to shreds, until there wasn’t even a sliver left. If he knew how to take a dress off that well; I had no doubt in my mind that he could unclasp my bra. That was the tricky part for most men, but as it stood, my lingerie was still intact even if my dignity and pride were not.

  All it took was one sweltering gaze and a voice thick and laden with desire to send me over the edge. I had an appetite that only he could satisfy.

  I wanted the wolf. I wanted his teeth marks on my body, scratches from his claws along my back, his spicy scent on my skin. I wanted him and it was obvious he wanted me.

  Elliot grasped me from behind, bringing me to his warm chest. He held me there, against every hard inch of his body, claiming me. He was completely clothed, but I could feel the heat radiating through him, the excitement.

  Still, his hands remained on my waist, never moving an inch below my hips. He was containing himself even as my ass was pressed against him. I even sh
ook my butt a little to tease him and all he did was growl.

  “What are you waiting for?” I demanded an answer from him as his grip tightened around my waist. “What are you doing?”

  “Holding you,” he cooed into my ear, nibbling on my skin with his teeth. “Appreciating the view before I fuck you.”

  “Can you hurry the fuck up before this view disappears?” I asked impatiently before I changed my mind. I wanted to get lost in the moment. I wanted to lose control and here he was acting so composed and put together.

  He shut me up with a hot, violent kiss as he pushed me on top of a desk that was so conveniently cleared off. He slapped my ass before setting me down, and I squealed.

  He gave me a smoldering look that sent my core tingling with anticipation. I had to cross my legs to contain myself, but he spread them apart again. “Open wide, fiorella.”

  He started to trail kisses up my thighs, flicking his tongue in teasing motions. He flicked his tongue like he was writing the alphabet, slow and delicately.

  I whimpered at the way he sucked and teased my skin, never grazing the place that I craved most. He was torturing me with this slow movements. I wanted things to happen quickly. I wanted to click fast-forward— but I also wanted to pause the good moments.

  He abruptly stopped, and went to search for something on his desk. He opened the first drawer, revealing a box of XXL condoms.

  I’m going to die.

  “You keep condoms in your office?” I blurted out, arching an eyebrow.

  “I like to be prepared.” He tore the gold wrapper in half, throwing the wrapper on the floor. “Lily?”

  I bit my lip, looking up at the beautiful man that stood before me.

  “Elliot?”

  “Truth or dare?” Elliot’s deep, masculine voice brought me back from my thoughts. He was still holding the condom, twisting it between his fingers skillfully.

  I knew what exactly he was doing. This wasn’t just a game. He was giving me a choice— a chance to change my mind. I was wearing lingerie with my legs spread open, and he was giving me the opportunity to turn back.