by Ella Miles
She bites her lip and like it’s the most glorious thing I’ve done.
I stare into her eyes trying to find the woman who was raped by Armas, was so broken only a few hours ago. The woman who would have been equally shattered by me after I raped her, if she had retained her memory.
She’s gone.
And in her place is a woman more powerful than any woman I’ve ever met. She’s thriving being tied up, in pain, and in pleasure. She controlled this by making the deal. And in doing so, it gave her power over what she felt as well.
I won’t last much longer, though I want this feeling to last forever. It feels far too pleasurable, and I plan on fucking her again as soon as I arrive back from work. And every day until I’ve had enough.
I move faster about to push my cum deep into her belly when her lips brush against mine.
My eyes fly open as I take the kiss further. My tongue sweeping into her mouth, tangling with hers. I’m not opposed to kissing her, but I wanted to deny her any pleasure. Now that I know that’s not possible, why deny myself any?
I kiss her, taking in everything she feels as I fuck her.
“Oh god, Matteo!” she cries as her orgasm escapes her.
“Fuck,” I growl as I shoot my load inside her.
Our eyes connect as our orgasms slowly subside. Our bodies wrench as I collapse on top of her. Neither of us understands what the hell happened. We both know that should have terrified her. It should have ripped her to pieces instead of building her back up.
“Why do I crave you?” she asks.
I smirk.
She laughs.
“Because you’re fucked up. You like the darkness. The evil you have been fighting all your life is tucked inside, and you just started to let it free. You’re no different than me.”
13
Eden
Oh my god, the sex.
The fucking sex.
Why does he have to be so good at sex?
The kissing is incredible.
His tongue massages mine in a way that makes me melt every time.
The way his hands grip my body makes me come undone.
And his cock, the way he knows exactly how much my body craves it, along with the sweet sensation of pain. I lose control with him, but also gain it. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s how I feel.
Sex with Matteo is life-altering.
He thought it would break me. Honestly, I thought it would too. I thought I would be flooded with memories of Armas. Or new painful memories with Matteo would be all I could think about.
Matteo is all I can think about. Not the nightmares. Instead, it is sweet, sweet dreams that make me forget everything else. I can’t function without thinking about him. All I want is sex.
I’m an addict. One who can’t survive without my drug. Sex with him has changed me. I’m not sure if it is for the better.
I feel stronger, but also less in control. I should be focused on getting free and protecting Nina. But all I can think about is sex.
Good thing every time I’m having sex with Matteo, I’m protecting Nina. I’m just not getting any closer to being free.
“Hurry up. You are using all the hot water, and you need to get dressed,” Matteo says as he throws the bathroom door open.
I frown as I stand under the steaming water of the shower. I don’t want to move out from under the faucet. I love the hot water and showers so much more than baths. I will never take showering for granted again.
“No! I’m enjoying my shower. Leave me alone or join me.”
I expect him to join me. He likes the sex as much or more than I do and hasn’t passed up an opportunity to fuck me any chance he’s gotten in the last month.
His hand reaches into the shower, and he turns the faucet off.
“I mean it. Out now.”
I frown. “Why?”
“Because we are going to the ball Armas’ family is throwing.”
My heart stops. I grab the towel and wrap it around my body not understanding what is happening or why we are just now talking about it.
“His family is still holding a ball even though Armas is dead?”
“Yes, they are arranging it in his honor.”
I step out of the shower, keeping the towel wrapped around me snuggly.
“Why are you going?”
“We. We are going.”
I frown. Matteo’s never let me off the property before. The only time I’ve left since he kidnapped me was when Armas stole me.
“Why are we going?”
He folds his arms across his chest as he leans against the counter.
“Because we are letting his family know Armas deserved to die. We are making sure they understand that.”
My stomach flips. “And how does going to the ball help? Couldn’t you go talk to them with some of your men?”
He shakes his head. “That’s not how things work. Appearances are everything when it comes to rich families.”
“Why am I going?” I ask, needing to know the answer, even though I’m excited at the thought of getting out of the house and having a chance to escape.
“Because I need a date. And I want to see what you look like in the dress I bought for you.”
He nods to the dress hanging on the hook at the rear of the bathroom and my mouth drops. It’s sparkly and red and divine. It’s been a while since I’ve worn anything this fancy before and I desperately want to wear it. I want to feel pretty, which this dress would definitely help me achieve. I would also be able to seduce Matteo or any other man at the ball I want to. Possibly even make Matteo jealous.
I run my hand over the fabric already imagining it on my body when I get to the bottom of the dress and see the shoes sitting underneath. Tall, spiky heels the kind only models and women who hate their feet wear.
“I can’t wear those heels.”
He smirks. “If you want to go to the ball with me, you’re wearing them. And preferably with no underwear underneath.”
He playfully swats my ass, but there is nothing playful about it.
“I’m serious. My leg has hardly healed. I can walk, but not in heels like that.”
“Fine, then I guess I’ll have to find a last minute date.”
I glare at him as he starts to strut by me.
“Fine, I’ll wear them.”
He grins. “Good. Be ready in twenty.”
“Twenty minutes! I can’t even do my hair in that amount of time. And did you get me any makeup?”
He nods toward one of the drawers. I pull the drawer open, and it’s filled with the most expensive makeups money can buy.
“I mean it. I’m leaving in twenty so be ready, or your ass is staying here.”
He shuts the door, leaving me alone in the bathroom to get ready. It’s going to take a lot longer than twenty minutes for me to do my hair and makeup. And I’ll make sure Matteo thinks it is worth the wait.
“Eden Marie! Get your ass out here now, or I’m leaving you,” Matteo shouts.
It’s the third time he’s shouted at me. I apply my lipstick before I answer back. “How do you know my middle name is Marie?”
“I don’t. But every American’s middle name is either Elizabeth or Marie. Marie sounded better with Eden.”
I smile. I like it when Matteo’s relaxed with me. He’s funny and charming and human.
I walk to the door and open it. I take two steps out before I see Matteo standing with his hands in his pockets in the most glorious tuxedo I’ve ever seen. It fits him snug, and his five o’clock shadow makes him appear rugged, despite how clean cut he looks in his tux. His eyes and grin are what make me weak in the knees though.
He’s seen me naked dozens of times now, but he’s never looked at me the way he is looking at me now. He makes me feel special, like we are going out on a proper date instead of him bringing me to a job.
“What do you think?” I ask, because I want to hear him say I’m beautiful and to fawn all over me. I like the attention.<
br />
I take a step forward so he can get a better look and I trip in my damn shoes.
He catches me.
“Why are you always catching me?” I breathe into his chest, as his cologne sneaks up my nostrils.
“Because you’re always falling.”
I laugh.
“You’re in a good mood,” he says.
“I guess something about getting out of this dark mansion and doing something fun for a change makes me happy.”
His eyes narrow and I expect him to realize I could escape. After tonight, I could no longer be his slave. He doesn’t say anything though.
Instead, he holds out his arm, and I take it. For once, I’m not going to worry about anything other than enjoying myself. I’m his date. I’m not his slave.
He leads me out of the house and out to a waiting limo. He holds the door open for me, and I climb in. But the limo isn’t empty like I expect.
“Uh…hi…” I say staring at the two strangers already sitting inside.
“It took you long enough. We were supposed to leave thirty minutes ago,” the woman says, who has a striking resemblance to Matteo.
“I’m sorry. Your brother only told me to start getting ready twenty minutes before he wanted to leave.”
Gia smiles when I call Matteo her brother. She glares at Matteo when he enters and swats his leg.
“What were you thinking not telling her earlier to start getting dressed? You know it takes women longer than twenty minutes to get ready, especially for a night like tonight.”
Matteo shrugs. “I thought she was my slave and she would do what she’s told.”
Gia hits him harder.
“Fine. I’m sorry. Next time I’ll give her more time. Happy?” Matteo says.
“Yes,” Gia says, smiling.
I watch the exchange happily. I can’t believe Gia got Matteo to apologize. He’s not usually the type of guy to give apologies, but I guess Gia might be the only one who has him wrapped around her finger.
“I’m Gia, but you already figured that out,” she says.
“I’m Eden.”
“And this is Stephen, my date for tonight.”
The good-looking man nods at us, but otherwise doesn’t seem interested in our conversation or Gia. I hope he isn’t the guy she got her heart broken for.
Matteo puts his arm around my back, and I lean back into his arm. Gia stares at us intently, looking back and forth between us.
“What? Is my makeup messed up? It’s been a while since I’ve applied makeup or done my hair.”
Gia laughs. “No, you’re beautiful.”
I smile hesitantly, still not understanding why she is gazing at me so weirdly.
I stare out the window trying to relax until I realize where we are going.
“You didn’t tell me the ball was going to be at Armas’ house.”
I turn to Matteo waiting for an explanation.
He shrugs again. “Must have slipped my mind.”
I frown, not liking the idea of being back in his house again. Armas may be gone, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a brother or a cousin who is as bad or worse.
The limo parks outside the house, and the door opens. Gia and her date step out while I stare at the house, not sure if I want to go inside anymore.
Matteo steps out and holds his hand out to me, commanding me to step out without pushing me.
I grab his hand, feeling calm radiate through him to me as he helps me out of the car.
I continue to hold onto his hand, grasping it for dear life, as we step inside the mansion. I expect to feel nervous, anxious butterflies flickering in my belly. I expect hauntings and terror to cloud my head. But Matteo smiles at me like he knows a secret he’s sharing with me, and it all stops. I can’t think about anything other than enjoying the night with him.
“You okay?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
I smile. “Never been better.”
He laughs because we both know what I said isn’t true.
“Good. Now dance with me.”
He pulls me to the dance floor in a large room toward the back of the house that seems it was built entirely for this purpose. With so many people laughing and enjoying themselves, and this room feeling so far from what it was like in Armas’ room, it doesn’t even feel like I’m in the same house.
Matteo wraps his arms around me, and we start dancing. The music is slow and classic, not what I’m used to dancing to, but Matteo is practiced and patient with me. His hands guide me until we are moving together to the music.
I step on his foot at least three times and each time he growls and laughs. I almost want to step on his foot again on purpose to make him laugh because I love hearing him laugh so much.
“Don’t even think about it,” he whispers in my ear.
“Think about what?”
“Stepping on my foot again.”
I grin, surprised he was able to guess my next move.
He doesn’t smile back. Instead, he’s focused on something off in the distance.
I turn in the direction of his stare, and I see a man who looks almost exactly like Armas, but a few years older from the gray in his hair.
I swallow hard.
“Sorry, the fun needs to end. Time to get to work,” he says.
My heart stops. As he hooks my arm into the crook of his and we start walking toward the man.
He pats my hand calmly, letting me know things are going to be okay, as we stroll without saying a word.
But I have a feeling everything is not going to be fine. My stomach is in knots, and so far since I’ve been captured, my gut feeling has been right. Every time.
The man strides outside to a balcony, and we follow. My throat tightens when we step outside, and we are joined by the entire Espocito family. Armas’ parents, his older brother, and a younger brother, who looks to be fifteen. All are standing, staring at us like they want to kill us. They probably will. We are out numbered, and they have a vendetta against Matteo.
We are dead.
And just when I was finally accepting my new life and wanted to live.
I hear heels behind us, and see Gia, and her date walk up next to us. We are now four against four, but I still give them the better odds. The only person who would be useful in a fight on our side is Matteo.
“You had some balls to show up here tonight,” Armas’ older brother says.
“Why? We were invited, Bruno. It would be rude not to show up,” Matteo says.
I clutch his arm tighter as I stare at the man who terrifies me with the same eyes Armas had.
“You fucking—” the young boy says, starting to run at Matteo.
I flinch, but Bruno holds his younger brother back.
“You destroyed this family when you killed Armas and don’t pretend you don’t know what we are talking about. You are on the security tape,” Bruno says.
“Then, you know Armas deserved to die for how he treated Eden,” Matteo says.
The older brother smirks and the parents hold onto each other like they can’t stand this much longer.
“No. She deserved what she got and worse. And don’t act like you don’t treat her worse. We all know what she is - a slave,” Bruno says.
I stare at the man defiantly. I’m tired of being called a slave. Matteo senses my frustration and tries to pet my hand again to calm me. It doesn’t work. I want to rip his tongue out for saying I deserved what happened to me.
I glare over at Gia who appears bored with this conversation. Not the least bit worried we are all about to get shot.
“You need to drop this Bruno. All of you do. I’m more powerful than your entire family put together. I have more resources, more men, more money. Don’t start a fight you can’t win,” Matteo says.
“I didn’t start the fight. You did. I don’t care what resources you have or how much money you have. We are going to make you pay for what you did to our son,” the father says, breaking his silence.
Matteo ignores him, thinking he doesn’t have the decision making power.
“This is your last warning. Stop this now. Go back to being old families who rule this town no matter the beef between us,” Matteo says.
“No, this is not something we can forgive. This is war. So get ready because—”
Shots are fired. I duck down protecting my head as the bullets ring out around me. I don’t realize where they are coming from until I see Matteo holding a gun.
I stare at the Espocito family as they begin dropping to the floor one after the other. First the mother. Then father. Then Bruno.
My eyes widen hoping he won’t shoot the young boy. He’s a boy. I see the fire in the boy’s eyes though, and I know Matteo won’t leave him standing either. He shoots him between the eyes, and he drops dead, instantly.
I can’t breathe.
I’ve never seen a person die before. I’ve seen plenty of crime scene photos. I’ve imagined how Matteo killed Armas in my head hundreds of times, but I didn’t get to witness it. I was too out of it at the time.
But this…this is like nothing I’ve ever imagined. I thought I would feel more, watching innocent people die. I thought it would feel cold. I thought I would feel sad or heartbroken.
I don’t.
I feel nothing.
Maybe it’s because this experience has changed everything for me. My heart has hardened. I no longer feel pain for other people. Because if I let the pain in, I’ll never be able to survive.
Whatever the reason, I feel nothing as Matteo stores his gun and types a message on his phone.
“Time to go,” he says to Gia and me.
I don’t know how he will get away with killing the entire Espocito family, but I’m sure he will. He stopped the threat. Armas’ family will no longer come after us because they are all dead.
We all climb back in the limo Matteo must have summoned with his text message and begin driving home in silence. Matteo hugs me to his body.
“You’re safe now,” he says, kissing my hair.
I smile weakly, because in my heart I know I’m thankful for what Matteo did. He killed them to protect not only himself, but me too. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful. Too thankful.