He told me those men were definitely a couple of the Donnelleys’ men.

  “What do you want me to do with them, boss?” Rico asks.

  He currently has them in the mansion basement tied to some chairs.

  “Keep them there. Don’t touch them until I get there,” I order him.

  I would typically let Rico rough them up a bit before making them talk, but I want to do that myself. Those assholes shot at my woman, and I want to punish them for it. That is after I find out who put them up to this stupid-ass idea. Judging from what I can remember, they were young, so the Donnelleys most likely sent the new guys, accepting them as collateral damage. They were sending a message. Finn and Cian Donnelley love messy shit, but they can’t be this dumb.

  I rub my temple as thoughts turn over in my head.

  No. This was planned. The shooters are probably just some new guys they picked up and don’t give a shit about. What we do with them is not consequential. They already got their message through.

  I can hear their voices rattling in my head.

  I can come into your business and fuck it up.

  I can already see the headlines in the news and the dwindling of business. Thankfully, the casino isn’t where we make most of our money, but this isn’t a good look if word gets out about who sent those two fuckers.

  I turn on the bed and look over Serenity, who cuddles into the blanket. She looks so serene like nothing in the world is bothering her. I run my finger over her skin, brushing away a tendril of hair that’s fallen over her face.

  “Ti amo, Serenity,” I whisper, then kiss her forehead.

  Serenity turns over in bed, exposing her silk panties.

  My fingers itch to touch her panties and the globes of her ass beneath.

  She moans in her sleep, and my cock twitches in my boxers with the need to pull down her panties and fuck her into the mattress. She turns back toward me and nuzzles my chest. She throws her leg over my hip, and my cock is dangerously close to her pussy. I can feel the heat through the silk.

  “Bambola,” I whisper through gritted teeth.

  “Hmm?” she moans, waking up slightly.

  “Put your leg down or let me in,” I tell her.

  I feel her nuzzle closer, and the tip of my cock presses against her panty-covered entrance.

  “Serenity.” I give her one last warning. “Close your legs, or you won’t all night.”

  “Mmm, fuck me, Dante,” passes through her soft lips, and that’s all I need.

  I turn her over so she’s under me, and I’m between her legs. I move her panties to the side before shoving my boxers down. She’s so fucking wet, and I slide in effortlessly.

  “Yesss,” I hiss and nuzzle her neck.

  She mewls as I fuck her in long, slow thrusts.

  “Oh, fuck. I needed you so fucking bad,” I moan, holding her hands against the mattress as my hips roll.

  As soon as I’m inside her, all my worries go away. I run my nose up her neck and inhale her scent.

  Fucking intoxicating.

  She whimpers under me as I give her what both of us need. The connection. We’re so close that you wouldn’t know where she began and I ended. We don’t even need to be completely naked. I just need to be inside her. Feel her pulsing around me as I fuck her. She tugs at my T-shirt, and her legs wrap around my waist. The bed rocks slightly under us, but I don’t care. It can collapse if it wants. I can’t focus on anything other than bringing my wife pleasure.

  I hike her leg up higher and sink a little deeper.

  “You belong to me, Serenity. Say it. Say you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours, Dante.” She whimpers and clenches around my shaft.

  “You got that right. And no one will take you away from me.”

  I don’t know if I’m telling her that or reassuring myself, but regardless, it’s true.

  I place my hand on her stomach, thinking about how she could be pregnant right now. My cock twitches just as Serenity covers my hand with hers. Her eyes bore into mine.

  “You think my baby is in you right now, Serenity? Don’t worry. Even if it is, I won’t stop fucking you.”

  She moans at the admission, and I feel my pre-cum leaking into her.

  “I’ll have to be gentle, though,” I pant as she raises her hips, getting closer.

  “I’m fine,” she says with confidence.

  Those two words hit so much more than just this moment. My wife isn’t scared anymore. She’s concerned about her and me, but that fearful little girl who spit fire in my office is no longer there. It’s like she can control her fire now.

  “What do you want, Serenity?” I ask. “Tell me.”

  She pulls me close and cups my face, licking her bottom lip before she says, “Come in me. Fill me up with your cum. I want it dripping out of me. I need your mark on me.”

  That’s enough to have me coming. I reach down and rub her clit in fast strokes so she’s coming with me. Her pussy milks my cock for all I’ve got until I collapse onto her.

  Quickly, I lift myself up, not wanting to crush her, and slide down her body until my head is resting on her hip. We’re both panting as we come down from the high. Serenity runs her hand through my hair, and I look up at her. She smiles.

  “I don’t think I’m pregnant yet,” she whispers.

  My brows furrow.

  “Why?”

  “Because I think I’m getting my period. I don’t know exactly what day it is, but I always get this feeling a week before I get it.”

  “What feeling?” I ask, pulling myself up next to her.

  “Well, it’s a mix of horny, sensitivity… down there, and a sense of irritation for no reason.” She points at me. “But don’t get any ideas. That is not why I yelled at you. I consider that completely justified and unrelated to my hormonal status.”

  I smile.

  I understand. It would almost be strange if she was too calm. She’s never been one to hold back, and I don’t imagine that was one of those moments where her body took over.

  I look over at the calendar on the other side of the room. A little cat in a Santa hat looks at me as if judging me for not knowing her body better. Fuck, I knew that she was a virgin, how did I miss her cycle completely? After all, a baby was the deal, and her cycle is an important part.

  Serenity curls into my body as I make a mental list of things to get for her when Christmas comes.

  Chapter 15

  Serenity

  Christmas Day

  We've been here for a few days. Dante says that Rico is sweeping the place to ensure there isn’t anyone or anything dangerous around. Dante said we could go back in a couple days.

  Twice in these few days, Dante left, and I couldn’t help the ache in me when he wasn’t around. He’s been such a comfort to me, holding me every night after making me come several times. We got to know each other, and now I know him more than anyone else in my life.

  I now know his favorite movie, where he was born, that he is a cat person and likes to play poker in his time off.

  This morning, Dante told me to stay in the bedroom because he had a surprise for me. He gave me that cocky grin of his, kissed me, and shut the door. I had no idea what it could be. I highly doubt it will be a card saying, “Congrats! Crazy mobsters don’t want to shoot at you anymore. You can leave.”

  That would be nice.

  However, with that thought comes the wonder of when this is over. I’m not pregnant, as I just got my period, but I will be, eventually, and then I’ll give birth. Then what? I may feel this attraction to him as the man who has given me more respect and safety than anyone I’ve ever met. But he doesn’t love me. And who's to say I love him? Maybe this is all Stockholm syndrome. But I haven’t felt trapped for days now. Not by him, anyway. I haven’t been in the cage; instead, I’ve been sleeping with my husband.

  I start pacing the room, trying to organize my thoughts and figure out how I truly feel when Dante opens the door.

  “Come on, Bambola. The surprise is ready for you.”

  I approach him and take his hand as he leads me down the hall to the living room. First, I’m greeted by the smell of cinnamon and pine. Then I see green and red lights to my right. I turn and see right in the middle, against the wall, is a giant Christmas tree with twinkling lights wrapped around it. And at the bottom of the tree are boxes of presents, all neatly wrapped with gold and silver bows.

  “What’s this?”

  I lean against the wall as Dante walks to the other side, hands in his pockets, explaining the scene before me.

  “I figured I’d try and change your feelings about Christmas. I want to give you everything you want, Bambola. I’m starting here, but I’m hoping that I can… I don’t know, help you make the life of your dreams. There are limits, of course, being that I’m always going to be in the mafia, but I’m hoping that one day you’ll forgive me for that.”

  A tear runs down my cheek at the gesture.

  “I didn’t get you anything,” I say with a shaky breath.

  “You did, though. You unfroze my heart. And that is something I’ll never be able to repay you for.”

  He smiles softly at me, and it’s the most vulnerable I’ve seen him. Even when he was drunk, there was a shield protecting him. But during the days we’ve been locked up in here, I’ve seen him shed the metal casing around his heart and let me see him.

  Now I know this man is complicated, broken, fair but tough, and has a soul he leaves at the door when he goes to work, but he has a code.

  “This is so nice,” I say, trying not to break down crying.

  “It’s Christmas,” he says, like it’s nothing. “Now, why don’t you come over here and open your presents?”

  Pressing my body flush against the wall, I start sliding down to my knees. The air in the room shifts as I get on all fours and start doing the first thing he asked me to do when he stood on from the outside of that cage.

  I crawl to him.

  Every inch closer makes me feel powerful. Even though I’m the one on my knees, the way Dante looks at me with such pride and need fills me with a sense of power. His eyes are glazed over with lust, and I can see his erection pressing against his pants. Just the way he’s looking at me like I’m the object of all his desires.

  Dante sits on the couch, and I kneel between his spread legs.

  He runs his hand over my hair and then leans forward, cupping my cheek.

  “I knew someday I’d see that. I had no idea it would be today.”

  “Merry Christmas,” I say, turning my head and nipping at his thumb.

  “You know I dreamed of you crawling to me so many times…”

  “Really? What happened after I did?”

  He grins. “I imagined taking you on your hands and knees.”

  I hum. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  Dante pushes me onto my back and then spins me around. Hiking me up onto my knees, he makes quick work of my sweatpants, and it’s when he has his fingers curled around my panties that I remember something.

  “Um, I forgot. I’m on my period.”

  He pauses, then leans down, whispering in my ear.

  “I’m not afraid of a little blood. Are you?”

  My pussy clenches as I whimper. “No.”

  Ever so slowly, he tugs my panties down, and I wait for what comes next. Dante parts my cheeks, and I feel the blunt head of his cock press against me. He moves the head in and out, and I moan loudly.

  “Fuck. Dante. Please,” I pant and he chuckles darkly.

  “Now, now. Patience, my precious Bambola. You crawled to me. This pussy is mine, and I’ll fuck her when I’m good and ready.”

  He teases me a while longer, pushing in and out slowly, giving me more until he grips my hips and pulls me down onto his cock.

  We both cry out with curses, and my pussy instantly clenches around his big cock.

  With his grip on me tight, he fucks me hard. Harder than ever before. My ass slaps against his body, the rattle of his belt loud and echoing around the room. Panting, mixed with mewls, is pulled out of me with every thrust.

  I already know I’m going to be left with bruises on my hips, but I don’t care. In fact, I’m turned on by it. It’s like a wedding ring. A mark left behind.

  “You like this, Bambola? You like being fucked like you’re my dirty little whore?”

  “Yes!” I cry out.

  “Do you want me to come inside this tight cunt?”

  “Yes!”

  I push back against him as his hand trails across my skin, over my ass. My body clenches, and a forbidden zing runs through me as he presses his finger against my back door.

  “One day, Bambola. I’ll take you here,” he says as he massages the ring of muscles.

  I shudder with pleasure at the thought of him breaching my ass.

  Then he runs his hand up my back, pressing me into the carpet by my neck. He fucks me like an animal, towering over me and giving me punishing thrusts.

  “Oh, God,” I moan.

  “God can’t save you, Bambola.” He grunts. “He’s the one who made you for me. He made you with three perfect holes for me to fuck and a place where I can fill you with my cum.”

  Those words push me over the edge, and I’m falling. Screaming as I come.

  “That’s it, wife. Come all over your husband's cock like the good little slut you are,” he growls.

  He doesn’t stop fucking me. He rides me as I ride my orgasm right through, another building in its wake.

  “Dante,” I whimper.

  “You’re going to come again, Serenity.”

  “I can’t!” I cry out, knuckles white as my fingers dig into the carpet. The pleasure. It’s too much.

  “You can and you will. You want to know why?”

  I nod my head.

  “Because I fucking want you to. Because I won’t stop until I have you coming around my cock again. Because your pussy won’t be able to help herself.”

  Dante reaches between my thighs and starts rubbing my clit.

  “Fuck!” I cry, and I do feel myself coming closer to another orgasm.

  Dante takes his hand off my neck and grips my hair, pulling me up.

  “You feel so good, Bambola. The way you’re gripping my cock, I’m ready to blow my load,” he whispers as his balls slap against my clit.

  I’m being bombarded with sensations, and with a pinch of my clit I come again. But this time, Dante comes with me. Grunting as he comes, filling me with his cum.

  My whole body is shaking as I come down from the high. Dante pulls me close, and we lay on our sides, catching our breath.

  I feel liquid run down my thigh and say, “You know, we should probably get up and clean this mess. Your men might think someone got killed here.”

  Dante chuckles, the vibrations touching me deep inside.

  “It’s okay,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Let me take care of it.”

  I stare at the presents as he runs his hand up and down my body. My eye locks onto a small rectangular box wrapped in blue. I reach out and grab it. As I shift, Dante’s cock twitches inside me, and we both moan.

  “Bambola,” Dante murmurs, pulling me back against him.

  I pull at the ribbon that wraps around the blue box until I can get the lid off. Inside is a black birdcage pendant on a silver chain. I pull it up by the chain and watch the metal blink in the light.

  “It’s beautiful.” I run my thumb over the smooth surface.

  “You’ll always be mine, Serenity.” Dante kisses my head.

  “Isn’t the wedding ring supposed to mark that?” I ask, putting the necklace on.

  “Yes,” he says. “But I wanted something that tied you specifically to me. A lot of things happened in that cage, Serenity. I want something to mark the day this all started and how far we’ve come. You’re no longer a locked bird in a cage. You have the key now and can come and go as you please.”

  Yes, we’ve come very far. I recall hating his guts while being secretly attracted to him at the same time. And as time went on, everything shifted.

  It feels like everything happened for the best because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Well, maybe I’d rather be in a house instead of a safehouse, but as long as I’m with Dante, I’m happy. For once in my life, I feel safe, protected, and loved.

  Chapter 16

  Dante

  After opening the rest of the Christmas presents and breakfast, I tuck Serenity in bed with a hot water bottle and some snacks.

  “I need to make a few phone calls, but I’ll be back.” I kiss her on the forehead before backing away and shutting the door behind me.

  I walk down the hall and head to the small office. The computer is on and showing me Rico’s face.

  “I want to bring Serenity home. Is everything okay on your end?”

  “Yes, boss.”

  He turns his phone as he tells me that he’s just cleaning up a bit from our interrogation with those two fuckers that shot at us.

  I went to see them before I got those presents for Serenity.

  Earlier That Day

  One of the goons grunts as Massimo punches them in the face. Again.

  “Why are you making this so hard on yourselves?” I ask, leaning against the table that sits behind me.

  “They’ll kill us,” the other spits out, the bag still on his head.

  Massimo has been pounding the guy whose bag we took off. We can see the blood all over his face and his eyes and lips swelling. Massimo has a fist made of rocks. I know, just based on the way he’s still upright, he’s holding back.

  “Can you at least give us your names?” I ask.

  The first guy spits blood onto the floor but otherwise stays silent.

  We already know their names. Rico scanned their fingerprints, and, not to any surprise, they were in the police database.

  Samuel Tuner and Joshua Banes. Caught in ‘07 for armed robbery, then in 2010 for the assault of two women, where they only got six months probation for some fucking reason. Then, out of nowhere, they disappeared until now. From what we can gather, the Donnelleys’ lawyer got them just six months, and after that, they got sucked into their world.