“I knew that behind that attitude and fire, there was a dirty little slut. I wonder if it’s your needy pussy that feeds the fire or if it’s something else. Either way, I’m glad I draw it from you.” His voice is teasing. He’s delighted with his observation.

  To be honest, his guess is as good as mine. From holding the gun while he went down on me. Or if it’s the security, making me feel safe, which is ironic, considering who he is and why I’m here. I saw the butter knife glinting in the moonlight, reminding me of what I almost did. The knife gave me security, and yet just thinking about using it on him makes my stomach crawl.

  Dante is kneeling between my spread legs, and I slowly drag my leg up his thigh, his abs, and his chest. He sits up straight and grabs my ankle, turning his head to give it a kiss and a nip.

  My chest is heaving. The air is heavy with lust. The sexual tension is thick, leading every move to look like it’s in slow motion. From Dante grabbing my other leg and placing it on his shoulder to the way he leans down, his cock pressing against my opening.

  “I’m going to make this quick, wife. It’ll hurt for a second, but after that, I’ll fuck you wild, and you’ll forget about the pain.”

  I nod, and with his hands wrapped around each of my thighs, he slams inside me.

  “Fuck!” I shout, my back bowing as a sharp pain radiates from my pussy. He splits me open with his giant cock. I wiggle, trying to get away, but he keeps me still. He’s planted deep inside me, and he’s cooing.

  “Shh, Bambola. Just let it settle.”

  I stop moving and close my eyes, taking in the sensation. He begins to rock, and the pain slowly ebbs into pleasure.

  “Mmm,” I moan softly.

  “That’s it,” Dante grunts.

  My legs part, and he leans down so we're chest to chest. With one hand on my tit and the other in my hair, he starts thrusting slowly in and out of me. The tip of his cock drags against my pussy walls.

  “See. It’s not so bad now, is it?”

  I shake my head and open my eyes to see the dark eyes of my new husband peering back at me. His hips rock, and so do mine. I reach for his hand on my chest, brushing my fingers over the knuckles, the only part of his hand that isn’t covered in ink.

  “I’m going to put something special there, Bambola,” he says.

  “What?” I grunt as he thrusts again, this time a little harder.

  “I’m going to tattoo your name on me.”

  My eyes widen.

  “Is that wise? Is my name going to fit?”

  Dante chuckles. “Yes, of course, it will fit. Wife.”

  I realize that he means he’ll tattoo wife on his knuckles, and my pussy clenches.

  He hitches my leg onto his hip and drives forward, his cock brushing against my G-spot with every thrust. My nails dig into his shoulders, and he groans. His big cock fills me so well, and I can’t believe it. It’s huge, and I thought it wouldn’t fit, but he just slid right in, and now I’m feeling pleasure like I’ve never felt it before.

  “Fuck,” I groan and throw my head back as my lips part.

  “Look at me, Bambola.” He cups my jaw and brings my head down. “Look at me when I make you come. I want your eyes on me as I fill your womb with my seed.”

  Dante drives into me faster and faster, and my hands grip his shoulders. We’re panting and moaning, and his lips slam against mine as I come, swallowing my screams of pleasure.

  Dante thrusts a few more times before stilling. My pussy milks his cock as he comes inside me, his cum coating my inner walls as they pulse around him.

  “Good girl, Serenity. Good fucking girl.”

  Chapter 11

  Dante

  A Few Days Later

  “Exactly how long do you plan on keeping me here?” Serenity rolls over in my arms, propping herself up on her elbow. Her dark hair falls over her face and I reach out to push it back around her ear.

  I feel a sense of comfort when she’s lying next to me. I spent all morning just staring at her as she slept. I nuzzled her hair, inhaling her scent.

  I run my knuckle across her cheek, my eyes flashing to my new tattoo.

  I have the letters W, I, F, and E tattooed across my knuckles a few days after I told her I would. It’s healed now, and I love seeing those letters wrapped around her throat as she pants and begs for my cock.

  I’ve never felt this possessive over another human being before. I never thought I’d meet someone whose life I cared for more than my own. One I’d kill for.

  That’s Serenity. She’s got my heart in her hands, and she doesn’t even know it. I’ve never been one for emotional shit. I don’t know how to tell people how I feel. I barely know how I feel. I’ve always used logic to guide my way through life, but this goes beyond logic.

  This is fate or destiny or whatever you want to call it.

  She got my submission when I gave her the gun. Now it’s her turn.

  “What do you mean?” I ask as I pull her on top of me. Her warm body glides against me, and the tip of my cock presses at her entrance.

  She softly moans as I run my hands from her ass to her shoulders.

  “Well, as much fun as it is to be fucked endlessly, don’t you have a job?” she asks.

  I chuckle softly. Actually, when she’s asleep I do go to work. I have calls with my men. The last thing I was told, the Donnelleys have been quiet. Which is not good. I’ve doubled security and done what I can to keep Serenity locked in here with me where she’s safe.

  But I know this isn’t about me having a job. She wants out.

  My bird wants out of her cage.

  “Would you like to go out?” I ask.

  She nods, her eyes worried like I’m going to say no.

  I cup her face, rubbing my thumb over her bottom lip.

  “We can go out. But we’re staying in my territory.”

  “Territory?”

  “The Salvatores own a good portion of Vegas, mostly in the form of hotels and casinos. But we have restaurants and even pieces of land.”

  She arches a brow and asks, “Exactly what is it you do?”

  That’s a tricky question. She knows I kidnap people, and I’m not an innocent man. I’ve been hoping to keep this to myself and shield her from the dark side, but if I’m truly to let her free--albeit not free from me—she needs to know.

  “I’ll give you the basics. We make deals with people, launder money through a casino, and don’t take no for an answer.”

  Her mouth twists at that last one. She’s a smart girl who knows what I’m talking about. No one who owns as much as we do lives by peaceful and legal means.

  It’s a very watered-down version. “Making deals with people” is a light way of saying blackmail. And saying we don’t take no for an answer is a nice way of saying murder.

  “If it makes you feel better,” I add. “The people we hurt deserve it.”

  “What about me?” she asks, and a part of my heart sinks.

  I hate that it had to be this way. That we couldn’t have met under normal circumstances.

  “You… were a casualty. I never would have hurt you, Serenity. I need you to know that.”

  I almost tell her she was never in harm's way, but that’s no longer true. The Donnelleys are after her.

  “I think I believe you,” she says softly.

  I pull her close to me, sealing my lips with hers. Moving us so she’s on her back, I thrust into her wet pussy. She mewls under me, and I pause.

  “Pain?”

  “A little achy, but please, don’t stop.” Serenity wraps her legs around my waist and pulls me close to her.

  I moan as her tight cunt pulses around me. She’s so wet and hot and snug.

  With my lips against her pulse, I kiss her, and I roll my hips. Her pants and mewls spur me on, fucking her harder and harder until she’s crying out. I come right after her and fill her womb with my cum.

  “Oh, fuck. I love it when you squeeze my cock, Bambola. Your tight little pussy knows what she needs to do to take all my cum, doesn’t she?”

  Serenity moans against my lips, her pink tongue darting out slightly.

  I fuck her one more time before we get up and head down for breakfast.

  “How about we go to the casino tonight? I’ll show you around.”

  Her eyes brighten, and it makes me smile. I kiss her hand and feed her a piece of watermelon, and I swear watching her throat swallow the fruit has my cock twitching in my sweatpants. But we have time for that later.

  After breakfast, I excuse myself and head for the office where Rico, Frank, and Vance are waiting. Vance is one of the new guys, part of Rico’s security team. He’s showing potential, but I’m still not sure about him.

  “What’s he doing here?” I point at Vance, looking at Rico.

  Rico nods to him. “He’s got some news about the Donnelleys.”

  I take a seat at my desk, and Vance steps toward me.

  “So…”

  “Well, it seems like the Donnelleys have a new dealer, and he’s spent a lot of time in one of your restaurants.”

  I don’t like that, but I show no expression.

  “Go on.”

  “His name is Mickey. I saw him meet the same guy every Friday at the corner of The Mockingbird. Mickey’s been dealing for years. I don’t know why you haven’t dealt with him yet. He’s dangerous,” Vance says.

  My jaw ticks as Vance goes too far. This man is new and has no right to talk to me like I’m stupid. We didn’t “deal” with Mickey because many people would get hurt without him. Drugs were the one place we never went near. It fucks with way too many people in ways you can’t control.

  With my voice low, I say, “Be careful. You aren’t nearly as important as you think. You’re still at the ‘expendable’ stage.” My eyes narrow and he leans back in his chair, suddenly nervous. All that verbose is gone.

  Good.

  “Not that you need to know, but we are in contact with Mickey and are aware. If that’s all, you can go.”

  That’s not true. We had no idea he was dealing with the Donnelleys, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  Vance looks to Rico, who tosses his head toward the door. “That’s code for ‘get the fuck out.’”

  Vance jumps up and runs out the door.

  “Where the fuck did you find him?”

  Rico shrugs. “My cousin said he was highly recommended. He can punch a guy’s lights out in one swipe.”

  “Look into him,” I tell Rico. I don’t like how that man makes me feel. Sure, he’s a punk, but something about him makes me nervous.

  “I want you to look into it. Go to Mickey and ask him if Vance is telling the truth,” I tell Frank.

  Frank nods and leaves the office.

  “I’m taking my wife to the casino tonight. I want everyone to keep a watchful eye. Just because the Donnelleys are silent now doesn’t mean they always will be.”

  “Do you think that’s a good idea, sir?” Rico asks, concern evident on his features.

  “No. But Serenity can’t stay in my bedroom forever. I don’t know how long this will last. I don’t believe this marriage of convenience will keep the Donnelleys away.”

  Rico’s brows furrow. “Then why did you marry her?” he asks slowly.

  That’s a pretty good fucking question. It comes from the same place that wants her to crawl to me. In other words, not logical. Something deeper and animalistic. The same place that causes me to pump my hips into her sweet cunt. I don’t really care about an heir, I realize. I just want her.

  “Just get security ready. We’re going tonight after dinner.”

  Rico looks like he wants to ask more questions, but unlike Vance, he knows how far to go with me.

  He nods and steps out of the office. Leaving me alone with my thoughts.

  I lean back in my chair, my body turning to the monitor on my desk. The camera is still live, staring down at an empty cage. I think of all the nights I watched her on that monitor, moving around in her sleep. I remember one time when her blanket fell off, and her skirt rode up, and so did her panties, revealing the soft skin of her ass. I badly wanted to go down there and touch her. That was back when I had a sense of control.

  Not anymore. Now, whatever Serenity wants, I get her. Like leaving the compound.

  This woman. I’ve never felt any need to do what someone else wanted, and I definitely never felt like this for anyone other than her. She’s got me wrapped around her finger, and I don’t think she knows it. Part of why is she doesn’t know me that well.

  I should change that.

  As the day ticks on, I keep checking in with security about tonight and inform the casino manager, Mr. Nealson, that we'll be there. Serenity and I have dinner, naked, in the living room. I fed her chicken pieces with my fingers and enjoyed every minute of her licking the juices off me.

  I’m leaning against the bathroom door, watching Serenity apply makeup to her face. She’s wearing a tight red dress that flows to her ankles. Her hip is cocked out, and she’s super focused on getting her eyeliner right. She holds her eyelid up, and she swipes the pencil over her waterline. After she’s done, she puts on red lipstick, and the entire combo has me wanting to spin her around and mess that makeup up. I can just see it now, black trails down her cheeks, and that “fuck me” red lipstick all over my cock.

  She looks at me through the mirror and gives me a smirk.

  “Let me guess. You’re imagining my lipstick all over your dick.”

  I grin. “How perceptive.”

  “You’re so predictable,” she says snarkily.

  I take a few steps toward her, filling the gap and pressing her against the counter.

  “Predictable, huh? Maybe I should change that.”

  “Yes, maybe,” Serenity says.

  I reach under her dress and start rubbing her clit over her panties.

  “I love making you come. The way your eyes roll to the back of her head. The way you push your chest out so I can suck those pretty nipples,” I whisper in her ear as her eyes flutter shut, and she moans softly.

  “Nothing gets me harder than having you tighten around me.” I rub her clit harder, and her breathing picks up.

  “Yes,” she moans softly.

  I stroke her clit until she’s close to the edge, and that’s when I stop.

  Her eyes flash open, and she mewls in protest.

  “Now, now. Don’t pout, Bambola. Maybe I’ll finish you off. Maybe I won’t. You’ll just have to see,” I tease.

  I leave the bathroom. She huffs and yells, “How do you know I won’t get myself off now?”

  I call back, “Because, Bambola. You’re so predictable.”

  We enter the casino as cheers ring out. Someone’s won on a slot machine. I hold Serenity close to me, her hand in mine. I rub her wedding ring. The motion makes me feel better about being so exposed to danger.

  The Donnelleys have me twisted up and nervous. First, they just walk up to my men. Second, they have declared that they want Serenity. I don’t think I would be this nervous if I didn’t care so damn much about her. But I do. I’ve resigned myself to that fact.

  I’ve fallen for her.

  Chapter 12

  Dante

  “Woohoo!” the table cheers when Serenity rolls a seven. After a little convincing, I managed to get Serenity to play some games. I know she’s apprehensive due to her father’s gambling addiction, but I wanted to show her that a little bit of gambling is okay.

  The craps table seemed to call to her, and she’s pretty good. All the bets are low, and she smiles as they toss the dice. She gets another seven, and everyone cheers.

  Serenity tugs at my suit jacket in excitement, filling me with pride to see her this happy. At the beginning of this, I didn’t care about her feelings. It was just business. But now, her feelings and her safety are my top priorities.

  “I’m done,” she whispers in my ear.

  After putting her 400 hundred dollars worth of chips into her purse, we head off. I take her hand as we walk around the casino. Everyone here knows who I am, but I can see the shock in their eyes as we pass. I’ve been here plenty of times but never with a woman. If anything, I’ve tried to get women who approach me to go away.

  They think that just because I wear a nice suit, I’m only a businessman and, therefore, not dangerous. At least not enough to scare them off. But they run away once I look at them with ice-cold eyes.

  A tingle runs down my spine, and I look around the casino. My senses are on high alert, looking for danger. My eyes lock on a patron searching for something in a long trench coat. I’m just about to pull Serenity away, thinking he’s pulling out a gun, when he pulls out his wallet instead.

  My shoulders drop a bit, but I’m still on the lookout. I have security crawling all over the place, so we should be safe. Getting stopped at a public gas station is one thing, but they wouldn’t dare come in here.

  Marco, one of the black jack dealers, asks if I want to join the game. I turn to Serenity, and she looks at me with a smile.

  I nod and sit with my woman behind me, her hand on my shoulder.

  Marco deals the cards. I pick them up to take a look, then place my bet. There are a couple other people playing and judging by their glasses and cold stares, they’re professionals.

  The game is going well when that tingle comes back. I look up and watch the entrance. I can see the double doors into the casino from here. My eyes catch two men who walk in with grey suits, smoking and walking with purpose.

  I catch the attention of one of my men and nod at the newcomers. He nods in recognition and heads in their direction. They barely start talking before arguments erupt, and a machine gun is pulled out. My guy takes one guy while two security guards get the guy with the gun, which he’s pointing directly at Serenity.

  People scream and run to the exits, trying to get away. I take Serenity and run to the back. We had a plan in case something went wrong. As we start running, I hear a shot ring out, and I cover my wife up.