by Beck, J. L.
He practically drags me back up to our room. The door slams shut behind us, and Zane twists around and punches the heavy wood.
“What the fuck happened to you wanting a normal life? He gave you a way out! All you had to do was tell him, no, and we could be on our fucking way out of here. We could leave this all behind us. Ride off into the sunset, happy and together.” Pausing for a moment, he shakes his head before muttering, “What were you thinking?”
Anger surges through me, but there is also understanding. I get why he’s upset. He just got me back, and now I’m putting myself in harm’s way again, but I can’t let Matteo slip through our fingers.
“I was thinking that I’m tired of feeling weak and helpless. I want to take Matteo down. He hurt you, hurt us, and I want to make him pay for that.” My words stun him into silence, and then I see the anger drain from his body. He sighs deeply, almost as if he is defeated by my response. Then he’s on me, his lips pressing against mine, his hands in my hair. He’s kissing me like he hates me, like he loves me. Like I’m his reason to live.
Then in an instant, he’s pulling away, his forehead comes to rest against mine, and he peers deeply into my eyes. This moment is so intimate, so precious, I almost hold my breath.
“I almost lost you once. The thought of losing you again…” Zane’s hot breath fans against my face. “I don’t want to risk it. If he were to get to you. If he did hurt you…” The fear in his eyes ripples through me. I can feel it, taste it. It’s real, beyond real, and it makes my knees buckle. Zane afraid is terrifying.
“Nothing… nothing is going to happen to me. I trust Xander, and Damon. I trust Ivan, but above all, I trust you. I trust that you won’t let anything happen.”
“I can’t… I can’t be sure, and that kills me. It rips me apart. If you die… When Christian shoved you down the stairs…” He exhales. “You don’t understand… if you die… I die. There is no me without you.”
Snaking my arms around his neck, I tug him closer. “There is no me without you, Zane, and tomorrow we will get Matteo and be free of this cage. We will be free to do whatever we want. I have you to protect me, and you’ve never let me down.”
The look in Zane’s eyes tells me he doesn’t believe me, but that’s okay… I believe, and that’s all that matters.
“I’m afraid, so fucking scared, Dove.”
“Don’t be. I’m not going anywhere.”
25
“I don’t like this,” I growl into the room as I walk back and forth along the wall. We’re all staying away from the window as a precaution. We snuck into the building early this morning before the first filters of sunlight showed in the sky. Our hopes were that no one would suspect us being here. Matteo needs to assume that Dove is here alone.
“So you mentioned,” Xander says, his voice laced with annoyance. “She’s going to be fine. Ivan is shadowing her. She’ll be here any minute.”
“She better be. If that door doesn’t open in the next ten minutes, I’m leaving…” I barely get the words out when the sound of a key being inserted in the lock fills the room. The doorknob turns, and the door swings open.
I suck in a ragged breath of relief when I see Dove stepping into her apartment. She’s beaming, a megawatt smile on her face. “I told you I would be fine.”
“This isn’t over yet, Dove. You making it here was only half the battle. You are not safe yet,” I grumble before pulling her into my arms. She buries her face in the crook of my neck, inhaling while wrapping her slender arms around my waist.
“Just stop worrying,” she mumbles.
“I’ll stop worrying when Matteo is dead.” And that’s the truth. As soon as I see the life drain from Matteo’s eyes, I’ll be free of the fear that strangles my heart when it comes to Dove.
“Now we wait,” Damon says as he sinks down onto Dove’s couch. I get the feeling he’s the most impatient of the two brothers.
We get comfortable on the love seat while Xander sits next to his brother. For a while, we just sit there in an uncomfortable silence. Dove cuddles into my side and plays with the hem of my shirt, either because she is nervous or bored. Honestly, I don’t know which one it is, and I don’t really care. I just want Matteo to get here so we can end the fucker’s life, and I can take Dove back to Xander’s.
“Is there any food in this place?” Damon groans as he stretches.
“Can’t go five minutes without eating?” Xander scoffs, and Damon scowls at him. For a minute, I’m taken aback by how normal these two seem. Apart from the expensive suits they are wearing, they act like nothing more than two bickering brothers. For the first time, I could actually imagine Dove being their family.
I let that thought run through my head, testing out different scenarios. I’ve spent the last few days with Xander, and I have to admit, he is not what I expected. He is feared by the other families for being ruthless, and I have no doubt that he is when he has to be, but within his inner circle, he is different than both Christian and Matteo. He treats his family, including the women, with respect, which is unheard of in our world.
“Fine, I’ll starve to death, I guess,” Damon grumbles, and Dove starts giggling.
“I can find something for you to eat,” she says and starts to get up.
“Don’t fall for his whining,” Xander quips. “He is just being a drama queen. Sit,” he orders. “I’d rather you tell us more about you. Like how you grew up, for example.”
Dove falls back into the cushion and sighs deeply. I know she doesn’t want to talk about that time of her life since it was shitty before she was adopted by Donna.
“I didn’t have much of a childhood,” say says, shrugging. “I was bounced from one foster home to the next. None of which were great, but I guess it could have been worse. Then Zane and I got put in the same home. That’s how we met. The guy hurt him, beat him up badly, and then he tried to hurt me… but Zane wouldn’t let it happen.” She pauses and looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears, adoration, and love.
“After that, Donna adopted me, and she was great. She showed me what a loving home felt like. We didn’t have much money, but it was enough. I definitely didn’t grow up like you in a mansion…” I don’t think she meant it in a condescending way, but maybe she is just a tad jealous.
“Believe me, Dove. You didn’t miss anything growing up at our mansion,” Xander says, emphasizing the last word.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s fine. I just don’t want you to think you would’ve had a better life growing up with us because I can assure you that you wouldn’t have. Our father was a sadistic prick, and our mother was a helpless victim who couldn’t protect herself or her children. Leaving with you, even though you weren’t given much of a life, was the kindest thing she could’ve done.” The corners of his mouth tug up into a ghost of a smile. And even though it is a tiny gesture, it’s genuine, and I believe him.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it weren’t for my upbringing. Still, it would have been nice growing up with brothers.”
Both Damon and Xander look away, their faces fall almost as if they are ashamed of something. I don’t understand their expressions until Xander opens his mouth to explain.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Dove. Until I found Ella, I wasn’t much different from our father.” He sucks in a ragged breath. “There’s a reason the other families fear me. I’ve always had a reputation of being cruel and ruthless, and that reputation was earned in ways I’m not proud of. There is blood on my hands, lots of it, and though the blood can be washed away, I’ll never forget the things that I’ve done.” Regret clings to each word he says, and I understand what he’s feeling, the emotions rolling through him. It’s because of Dove that I didn’t fall off the edge, that I didn’t let go completely.
“I’m sure you just did what you had to—”
“No!” Xander cuts her off. “Don’t try to sugarcoat it. I h
urt and killed people for fun. I wasn’t any better than him. Even Damon didn’t talk to me for years. Trust me, you can be glad we didn’t meet until now. You wouldn’t have liked the brother you discovered then.”
Of course, I heard the rumors about Xander Rossi, I just didn’t realize how much truth they held or how much he had changed.
“I’m still glad I found you,” Dove exclaims. “Well, I guess you found me.”
“We’re glad we found you too. Family is everything to us,” Damon interjects. “And now you’re part of it.”
“I’m not gonna lie, I was scared of you guys, since you know… you basically kidnapped and held me prisoner. Honestly, I still don’t know how I feel about everything. I don’t know much about you yet, but I hope, maybe we can get to know each other. If you really do want me to be part of your family.”
“We do, and you already are part of the family,” Damon points out.
Family. The word resonates within me. I never considered having a family with Dove, my obsession with her has always been enough for me. I’m not sure I could ever share her, even with a child of our own, but I know someday, Dove will want kids, and all that matters to me is making her happy. Seeing her smile and laugh.
I want to replace all the bad in her life with good because she deserves it. The day I met her, the kindness she showed me without even knowing who I was or how I got my injuries. It speaks volumes about the person she is. She’s an angel, sent from heaven to rescue me.
Xander’s phone buzzes, interrupting the moment. “We’ve got movement outside, two SUV’s, blacked out,” he says, reading from the screen, then shoves off the chair. His eyes darkening as he adjusts his suit. “It’s showtime, boys.”
I nod and unglue myself from Dove. I place my hand in hers and pull her to a standing position. I’m nervous as hell about this, but I know Dove can handle it. She’s strong, and plus, I’m only a few feet away. Matteo won’t even have a chance to touch her.
“I love you,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my middle, “everything is going to be fine. This ends today.” When she pulls away, I feel like I’m letting go of a piece of my heart.
Everything is going to be okay… I tell myself as I move into place. Xander and Damon take their spots closest to the door, and I hide in the kitchen. Dove remains standing in the center of the living room. She gives me a reassuring smile, but I won’t trust that she’s okay until Matteo is dead at my feet.
Silence blankets the room. I pull my gun, preparing to shoot if needs be. The plan is for Dove to lure Matteo into the living room. We’ll deal with his men, but the person we want most is him. My heart beats into my throat. There’s a knock at the door. Loud and booming.
My gaze flashes between the door and Dove.
God, please… I’ve never prayed for everything to go right in my life, but I’m praying to whatever god there is above right now that this goes just as planned.
Dove walks to the door, places her hand on the brass knob, but doesn’t turn yet. “Who is it?” she asks.
“It’s your father. Open up. We need to talk,” he demands, his gruff voice filters through the thick wood. “Open up before I kick the door in.”
“Are you here to hurt me?”
“Hurt you? I’ve never been prouder. You killed one of my most feared men, escaped my men as well as Christian’s. You impressed me, Dove. You are truly my daughter. Now, open up so we can talk about your future like civilized people.”
I know he is full of shit, but that’s all part of the plan. Dove turns the doorknob and pulls the door open. She backs up into the room, and Matteo steps in, gun in hand.
“You stupid fucking bitch,” he growls, pointing his gun at her chest.
Everything happens so fast. I lunge at Dove while Xander and Damon lunge at Matteo, taking him by surprise. A gun goes off, the deafening sound echoes through the small apartment, and my heart comes to a dead standstill.
The next moment, my body crashes into Dove’s much smaller one. I tackle her down to the ground, protecting her with my body and hoping that she wasn’t hit. Another gunshot goes off, and my ears ring from the sound.
I tilt my head to look at Xander and Damon to find them pushing off the ground while Matteo’s body remains motionless on the floor.
“Is she okay?” Xander asks. I shift my weight off Dove to get a look at her. She turns her head and opens her eyes, glancing around with a franticness that matches my own.
“I’m okay. Is he…?”
“Yes, he is dead,” Damon confirms. “We need to get out of here before more of his men show up. We just declared war with another family.”
“And I’d do it again to protect my family.” Xander smiles. I look down at Matteo’s lifeless body. It’s not how I wanted him to die, but at least he’s dead. I wanted to draw things out, make him feel every ounce of pain he made me feel.
“You okay?” Dove’s voice pulls me out of the rabbit hole I’m headed down.
“I’m fine. Just glad he’s gone.”
“Me too,” she whispers. I walk us out of her apartment, thankful that the only person that died today was the person who we intended to kill.
26
After dinner, we retreat upstairs to our room. Zane is quiet, as am I. Once we’re alone, the door, closed and locked behind us, he’s on me. His lips find mine in a punishing kiss, it’s teeth and biting, and his fingers sink into my hair, tugging, needing me closer, needing to become one with me. I fist his T-shirt in my hands, feeling the same intense heat forming between our bodies. There are too many pieces of fabric between us.
We’re both panting, our chests rising and falling rapidly. I know he’s not done with me yet, not by a long shot. Pulling away, I stare deeply into a pair of brown eyes that are my world. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
Loving Zane is like watching your heart beat outside your body. It’s dangerous, consuming, and frightening. It’s knowing that at any moment, the one thing you hold dearest could be taken from you. I’ve endured so much; we’ve endured so much.
“I need you, Dove. Naked, on your back with your beautiful legs spread wide, showing me that pretty pussy.” Each word drips with desire and has my insides turning to mush while sending a zing of red-hot heat down my spine.
When it comes to sex, I’ll never tire of listening to him tell me what to do. It turns me on more to be ordered around, to be at his mercy. Following his orders, I tug off my clothes as fast as I can while also trying to look sexy as I do it. Which is harder than it looks.
As soon as I’m naked, I crawl onto the bed, arching my back to give him a view of my pink slit. A deep groan fills the room, and I smile, knowing how much he too wants this.
Rolling over, I lie down on my back against the mattress and let my legs fall apart, spreading them wide, just as he asked. Zane takes his time taking his clothes off, and I enjoy every minute of it. There’s something different about this moment, something special. I feel free as if there isn’t any weight or fear resting on my shoulders.
My thoughts take a nosedive and become lustful when Zane’s cock comes into view. I bite my lip, muffling a moan as I stare at the hard rod in all its glory. It’s thick with veins wrapped all around it. He strokes himself a couple of times, and I salivate at the pre-come that beads the tip.
“You want my cock?” Zane asks, crawling up onto the bed. Parting my lips, I go to answer him, but he leans into me and nips at my bottom lip, making me groan. “Is that a yes?” He smiles against my mouth, and I kind of want to punch him, but kind of want to kiss him.
“I don’t want it. I need it.” I emphasize the need because it really does feel like a need. My core is throbbing, pulsing with a heat that I know only Zane can satiate. I’m wet enough that he could fuck me right now, but the dark look in his eyes tells me I’m in for anything but a quick pounding. No, he’s going to savior me, drink me like a fine wine, devour me from the inside out. Pulling back, he stares down at me.
�
��It’s time for me to worship your body the way a queen’s body should be worshiped.”
I plan to ask him in what way he’s going to do that, but the words stick to the roof of my mouth when he drops to his stomach between my legs and grips me by the ass, bringing my pussy to his face. Hot breath fans against my center, and I push up onto my elbows, hungry for a view of this man feasting on me.
Which doesn’t last long when he starts licking my clit like it’s an ice cream cone. I slide my fingers through his hair, tugging at the soft strands, urging him forward. Each hard lick is a step toward an orgasm. I can feel myself getting closer and closer, and just when I’m sure he’s going to let me fall into the abyss, he pulls away and enters me with two fingers.
Clamping down on him, I lift my hips and bite my lip, holding back the whimper of pleasure that threatens to escape. Sweat beads against my forehead, strands of hair sticking to my face. My chest heaves and my nipples harden.
I need this. I need him.
“Don’t be shy… tell me how it feels… tell me what you need, baby,” Zane rasps against my folds, his own desire clear in his voice.
“You… I want you.” I gasp as he curves his fingers upward, almost as if he is dragging the orgasm right out of me.
“Fuck, Dove, come on my face. Let me taste you, squeeze my fingers…” He goes from licking to sucking my clit hard, and I explode, igniting into a raging inferno of pleasure. Tilting my head back into the pillows, I whimper beneath his touch, my thighs trembling, my heart racing.
My core clenches as if it has its own heartbeat, and my release gushes out and onto his face. I should be embarrassed at how fast I came apart, but I become melted chocolate in this man’s hands. Eyes wide open, I stare up at the ceiling.
I haven’t even come down from my high yet, and he’s withdrawing his fingers. Whimpering, I want to tell him to come back, to do it all over again, but he moves to the spot beside me, resting against the headboard.