I needed to focus on the attraction and let anything else go if I would rule over her and over the clans like I needed to. I was going to prove to her that it was the right choice to stick with me and not with any other clan leader. They would never make the cut, not even the Russians.
I stood up and challenged her with my stature, getting close to her. She matched my fury with her own and didn’t back down. A strong woman apparently was what got me going, and I could feel myself growing inside my pants. I scooped my arm around her, pulling her against my body, though she fought me like always. I could tell the fight was out of anger and not for lack of wanting me. Even under all that hard exterior, she had gotten good at putting up since I’d rescued her, I could tell there were many feelings there for me. Attraction, lust, love, like, it didn’t really matter. All that mattered was that it was something I could leverage. I would make her mine in no time.
“I will not lose you again,” I said softly and slowly, brushing her hair back with my hands so that I could see her whole face. She was avoiding eye contact with me, and in a way, I was grateful. I might have revealed too much about my own feelings had she looked too closely.
I felt a connection to this woman. She was going to be my wife. As always, my brain went back to holding her hand after she had found the injured cat. We had already connected so long ago, and I hated believing it, but it seemed to have more to do with the two of us rather than an arrangement made by our parents.
I crushed her body to mine, forcing her to surrender. I felt her body go limp at my touch, and my hand snaked up the back of her thigh, up under the shorts she was wearing to find the bare skin of her ass hanging out the back of her thong. I had to silently thank myself for all the clothes I had gotten her since she came to live with me because it made her that much more damn sexy.
I squeezed her ass cheek and received a surprised squeal in return. I kissed up the side of her neck and landed at her ear, licking the lobe before sucking it into my mouth. I nibbled at the soft and delicate skin that once held piercings which had grown smaller. Jonas must not have provided her with the niceties such as earrings.
My tongue circled that tiny hole, and my hand slid across the goosebumps that were rising on the back of her neck. She was like ice cream melting in my mouth and not at all vanilla.
I didn’t have long nails, but I used what I did have to scrape back down her thigh, sliding back out from under her shorts as I brought my hand around to the front. My fingers were going straight for her shorts, unclasping them and letting them drop to her ankles with the movements of only one hand. I could guarantee I was the only damn man she had been with who could do that while still caressing her glorious neck with my other hand.
Her neck swung loosely as I continued to massage her, bringing her closer to complete surrender to me. I didn’t think she could ever go back to seeing anyone else after this. I was going to give her an adventure outside of the bedroom that she had never had before. She was going to know what she had been missing being away from me all those years.
A sort of frenzy began as Mariana stepped out of her shorts, kicking them behind her. I was mildly aware that the door to my office was not fully closed as she began to unbutton my shirt and pull it off, running her hands over my abs. I normally wouldn’t care, but Mariana was mine in every sense of the word. I didn’t want any of my men seeing her in this state.
I let my pants fall to the floor as well before leaving her, only for a moment. Mariana turned to watch me with lust filling her eyes, as I shut the door and drew the blinds over the French doors. The way she looked at me just made my shaft grow, seeing how she liked the way I cared or myself.
I walked back up to her, a bit of a strut in my stride, and I pulled my boxers down, letting her bask in the glory of my long shaft, standing at attention just for her. I pulled her to me again, just the way she liked, letting her feel my member up against her thigh before I yanked her thong off. Her well-trimmed pussy was right there waiting for me to ravage her.
I leaned to the side, brushing her hair out of the way again. I loved the way her soft, white-blonde tendrils felt between my fingers, and I kissed lightly at her neck. She moaned as I teased her, my hand resting on the small of her back and making small, sensual circles there.
Then, I picked her up, wrapping her legs around me, licking her lips as I spun her around towards the wall. I pressed her back against the wall, helping to hold her up as I slid her body down onto me, giving her body what I knew it was begging for. Mine was begging for hers too. I grunted out a satisfied sigh as I worked my way deeper into her. Her tight flesh squeezed against me as it fought my movement deeper inside of her. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me.
I spread her wide as I hung onto her tightly. She bent down to place her lips on mine, giving me the most passionate kiss she had since she had come back to me. I bounced her body on mine as she leaned back in ecstasy, calling out my name. “Ion!” she cried out loud, only serving to make me go faster and harder.
Sweat began to drip form my brow at the effort as I fucked her hard, letting her know what I could give her as her husband once she said those two words. My name on her lips was the best thing I had heard in a long time, and I couldn’t help but slow my pace, torturing her just a little. I wanted her to prove that she wanted me and say my name again and again.
I felt her legs squeeze tighter around me as her body began to shiver. I pumped hard, knowing she was close. That’s when her flesh throbbed around my cock, forcing me to cum sooner than I wanted. My warmth filled her as she slumped over my shoulder in relief only I was able to give her.
Mariana
"Mommy. Mommy!" Bianca called out, tugging at my sleeve in excitement. I knew she had been missing out on a life worth living when she was holed up with me at Jonas’s place, but I didn't realize that Bianca would be so excited about the simple things. Ion had brought us to Central Park on a Saturday to do things as a family. It was an odd thing to hear coming out of his mouth considering he had been so insistent than my time there with him wasn't going to be much different form my time with Jonas.
I shouldn’t have thought that, knowing my father had trusted the Petran’s with his entire empire. Ion was a dominant man, and while I didn’t know if I was going to fall ahead over heels for him or anything, I saw some silver lining in our relationship. Okay, that’s a total and complete lie. I’m going to fall head over heels for him; there’s no way that I can’t at this point. Sure, Ion Petran isn’t perfect, no one on this green earth is. But, the way he is with Bianca, the way he’s growing on me, I’m screwed.
I followed my daughter over to where she was dragging me and saw an indoor-outdoor area that had been turned into a skating rink. There was a bit of a chill in the air but not enough for that to be happening naturally. All the wonders of New York City were a surprise to me as well. "Can we skate?" she asked, her little pouty lip trying to manipulate me. I wasn’t sure what my answer should be. It wasn’t like I had any control over my own money at the moment, though plenty had been left to me from Ion.
I was pleasantly surprised when I looked up at Ion for his answer. "Of course, you can, Puff," he told her with a smile. "I will go get some skates for you and your mother."
Ion looked up at me with a smile, probably noting the shock on my face. I figured something like this would be out of his realm of what was appropriate. After all, we were members of the mob, and he was a rich man, always having his servants and body guards following us around whatever we went. I knew for a fact they were hanging around us at this very moment even if I couldn’t spot them specifically. They were fantastic at blending in with the average Joe. If you were looking at us from afar, you would have no idea who we are – what we are, but I can guarantee you there are at least ten armed men and women surrounding us ready to take out every threat.
I watched as Ion went up to the booth to purchase the tickets and the ice skates, my boisterous four-year-old bouncing up and down
next to me like it was her birthday. I could only imagine what her fifth would be like for her with all the resources at our disposal now. It was one of my reasons for not fighting his new ruling that I would not be dating anyone else. The other was I didn’t want to be with anyone besides him. I wanted Ion, and I was going to have him. I wouldn’t make it easy on him though. Ion had taken good care of Bianca since she came back to me, and I wanted only the best for her. It was a plus for me to be enjoying myself too, or at least what Ion was able to do to my body.
Ion came over with two pairs of skates and helped Bianca put hers on while I put mine on. When did he become so attentive to my little girl? Part of me was suspicious that it was in order to reel me in, but it seemed more genuine than that. He would basically be her father if the two of us got married. It’s about time that I started looking at things in a more positive light; Ion is not Jonas, it won’t be the same.
CHAPTER 16
Ion
The sound of gunfire woke me up out of a dead sleep next to Mariana. She had finally let me sleep by her side now on a regular basis now that the wedding plans were underway. She wasn’t keeping me away from her, but she was putting up a damn good fight. Some nights when she had gotten in one of her moods, I would slither in after she was asleep because she “declared” that I wouldn’t be in our bed. Through the night, she’d end up in my arms, right where she belonged. I turned to look at her, her hair a mess from sleeping as I heard the screams of Bianca coming from her room. I reached below the bed where I always kept a weapon and nodded for her to go check on Bianca. I would deal with whatever was happening.
Mariana pulled a robe around herself and rushed to her daughter, probably more afraid than she needed to be. The gunshot was loud, but it had not come from inside the house. My men would already be onto whoever it was, though I didn’t know what kind of a threat was coming. I didn't think there would be anymore threats, but the life of a mob clan leader meant that you made some enemies along the way. It could be nothing other than some jealous thug thinking they were brave enough to mess with the current reign.
Shirtless, I pulled on my pants and headed out of the bedroom where my bodyguards were trying to make communication with everyone, their own guns pulled out in preparation.
"Domn, you should stay in your room where it is safe. We are not getting communication from the guards outside. We do not know what threat has come," one of my men warned me, he’d been transferred from Romania recently and still struggled with speaking English. I had bodyguards stationed at the elevator at either end as well as at the fire exit. Even one of the concierges was on my payroll. I couldn’t imagine whoever it was getting very far.
"This is my problem too. I am here to protect the women. Go and see what is happening." I nodded to the door, sending two of my men out as I guarded the door, locking it until they returned. I could hear the ding of the elevator in the silence. The whole floor belonged to me, so it both made it hard to get up here but vulnerable once someone did.
I heard scuffling but no more shots, until a knock came at the door.
"It's Viktor. He has been sent up the elevator with a note for you, domn," one of my men said through the door.
I cursed under my breath. I couldn’t believe I was a man down. I opened the door and took the bloody note in my hands.
"Get rid of the body, now," I told them, knowing this would expose us faster than anything else. They nodded, and I shut the door, knowing they would come up the back way and return to their stations now. I turned my attentions to the note, figuring leaving a message meant that whoever it was would be long gone now.
Dear Mr. Petran,
I thought you to be a reasonable man, but I have heard that you are no longer allowing Mariana Vasile to explore her options among the other clans. This is a mistake as it sends a message that you do not want to cooperate with the rest of us. I will not accept another Vasile dictator over the clans, forcing us to work together in ways that do not benefit us. You do not have a claim to Ms. Vasile any longer. Her father is dead and with it the contract. And now one of your men is dead. I hope you come to your senses soon.
X
My jaw tightened at the note. How dare someone threaten and challenge me in that way! Of course, I would not comply. And even though there was no name, I thought I knew who had done this. There was one man who had gotten so close to roping Mariana into being with him. I knew what they had done together, and then he had the audacity to come to my home and ask for her. He was a man obsessed, and he was going to pay the same way that Jonas would pay.
I pulled out my cell phone, my weapon of choice for the moment, and scheduled a meeting at my office with Stefan Dalca.
Then, I went back to Bianca's room to find Mariana curled up with her in her bed, rubbing her back. I stuffed my gun in my pocket and went to sit by their bedside. I ran my fingers through Bianca's hair in a move of comfort. This little girl had been through enough. "Puff, you are with me. I am not going to let anyone hurt you."
I exchanged a look with Mariana, and it was like she knew. She knew that someone wanted her, wanted me to give her up. I kissed her on the forehead and left, ready to take on the entire Dalca clan if that’s what it took. I would exterminate them like the group of roaches that they are.
I called in backup to watch over my house and my girls while I went to my office to make a few calls. I was surprised to find Stefan already there, sitting in my seat with a smug look on his face. I drew my gun out like it was the Old West, but he put his hands up ins surrender, suddenly looking frightened. “Woah, all this over me sitting in your chair? I’ll gladly move if you put that thing away,” Dalca said, staring at the gun like the chicken shit he was.
“Why should I? You killed one of my men today and threatened my authority. I don’t take well to that,” I told him, not putting the gun away.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Petran, but I have not laid a hand on any of your clan. I wouldn’t dare. I admit that I am disappointed that I cannot be with Mariana anymore. She is a beautiful woman, but I know better than to take it to a fight, especially in your territory. So, why don’t you put that thing down and let’s talk.”
I sat down slowly, setting the gun in front of me on the table just in case. I wasn’t going to be left vulnerable. “Relax, Petran. I am here alone. What kind of threat is it that you got, and why do you think I did it?” Dalca asked.
I pulled the bloody note out of my pocket and threw it to him. He picked it up, and I watched him read it, trying to catch him in a lie. “This was not me Ion, but this is serious. I-
“Why are you here Dalca? I told you to never come back” I gritted out.
“I’m afraid it wasn’t a social visit, but business. Although, it seems you’re a tad busy at the moment. The threat against Mariana is more demanding than my business venture.”
“I thought the threats against us were diminished and with the fact that I had Mariana now. Why would anyone other than you be after me like this? She dated some of you. She found you lacking. End of story,” I said, making it clear she was mine in case he decided to make any more moves.
I wasn’t happy that Dalca was here, but I knew that I’d have to see him again at some point. The heads of the different clans work together on multiple issues, especially the shipments of guns, drugs, and women. Without working together, we would either be caught and turned into the Feds, or the entire mob would be doomed.
Dalca began laughing manically at that moment, confusing me even farther. “I wanted to date Mariana because she is beautiful and it would be good for my clan, but I was never part of this mess that’s been going on ever since her parents were killed and she went missing. And Jonas was a nobody. He could not have done all of that hiding and scheming for eight years without help. The clan leaders, the originals, are pissed. They think they deserve this more than you do. They are older. They are more experienced, and they are coming for you. I do not know which one did this, but
I promise you it wasn’t me and they will make good on their promise.” Dalca passed the letter back to me, and I wanted to shoot myself in the foot for not realizing this before. He was right about Jonas. I should have known that.
Dalca stood up to leave. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am getting the hell out of here. I don’t want any part of this.”
“If you’re not going to help, then see that you stay way out of the way, Dalca. I will not have mercy on you if you don’t.” Dalca nodded at my words and disappeared, leaving me to decide what my next move would be. One of the original families was betraying the clans, was betraying myself and the Vasile name. I had to get to the bottom of it, but I needed to be careful. I would not give what they wanted, but I wasn’t going to let Mariana and Bianca out of the sight of myself or my guards until the mystery was solved. Mariana needed to learn to defend herself. It was time for her to act like a Petran whether she was ready or not.
***
“So, tell me again, what is the difference between an automatic and a revolver?” I demanded, pointing to the guns I had sitting in front of Mariana. After finding out that she was yet again in some kind of danger, I knew she had to learn how to do this. I placed Bianca under lock and key at the house and brought Mariana to a shooting range, giving her two guns of her very own. She had no reluctance in learning, though the idea of holding a small killing machine did seem to give her a few jitters, as it should. Guns required a level of knowledge and responsibility not everyone can handle.
“The revolver is the one where you load the bullets one by one into that metals piece in the middle like Russian Roulette,” Mariana said, pointing to the small silver gun to the left. “The black one is an automatic and has a loaded magazine in it where the bullets go in and out. It is faster to load in the middle of a fight.”
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