Mateo’s expression darkened slightly, though a smile still played on his lips. “Let’s just say tonight is about sealing the deal.” His gaze slid over to me, making it clear that the deal in question was far more than just a business arrangement.

  I could feel Peyton and Melody’s eyes on me, both of them silently questioning what Mateo meant by that, but I wasn’t sure either. As more men in suits arrived, I was introduced to each one with a quick exchange of pleasantries. Their names blurred together in my mind, only a few standing out because I could sense they were important--DeRosa, Barron, Caruso, and Thanatos.

  The women on the pole were now completely nude, their movements a hypnotic blend of sensuality and detachment as they danced to the music thumping through overhead speakers. Another woman was draped across Angel's lap as he joined the other men--including Peyton--for a card game.

  He wasn’t paying her any attention. His gaze kept coming back to Melody, who sat beside me with a composed expression, speaking naturally, though I could see the tension in her eyes. It felt like we were there to be nothing more than beautiful trophies, left on display while the others’ focus divided between the cards in their hands and the display of flesh across the room.

  Feeling the buzz from the alcohol and the nagging worry at the back of my mind about missing my medicine, I told Melody I needed to move. She wordlessly followed my lead, and we wandered to the glass window that overlooked the club below, a world away from the opulence and danger that surrounded me.

  “This isn’t what I thought it would be,” she said quietly.

  “Me either, but I think that’s a good thing.”

  “Oh, it is.”

  I looked down at the club, still full of people dancing, drinking, and losing themselves in the night.

  Many of them were aware of the empire their money was fueling. Mateo’s brilliant laundering front was in full swing, every dollar spent on drinks and entertainment feeding into the dark machine that kept this world turning.

  And then my thoughts turned to Eva.

  My beautiful, reckless sister. She would have fit right in down there, laughing, drinking, helping to deplete the powder supply, and deciding which beautiful man she would take to bed that night. I missed her more than I thought I ever could. She’d only been gone for a moment, but it felt like a lifetime.

  I found myself wishing for the oblivion that the people below were chasing. Anything to numb the pain of losing her, of being here, of the life I was now a part of. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.

  “I’m right here with you, El,” Melody said softly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts.

  “And I can’t thank you enough.” I turned back to face the room. The men were still engrossed in their game, the women still dancing, and Mateo… Mateo was watching me from across the room.

  I faced the other way again and nudged Melody with my arm. “You know you have eyes on you?”

  She scoffed loud enough that it carried over the music. “Yeah. That’s a long story that requires at least four more glasses of liquor.”

  “Then it’s a good thing we’ve got plenty,” Mateo’s voice came from behind us. His large hands landed on my waist, grounding me in the here and now. “Come with me,” he murmured in my ear.

  I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his gaze. “But what about Melody and Peyton?”

  “They will be fine. Come.”

  He released my waist, taking my hand instead, his thumb brushing over the ring he’d placed there not long ago. Without another word, he led me from the room, leaving the intoxicating mix of opulence and debauchery behind. We didn’t take the lift. Instead, he turned a corner, approaching a solid, glossy door guarded by a man who quickly stepped aside to grant us access. We entered a private hallway, the noise of the club fading into the background, replaced by the soft hum of luxury.

  Mateo guided me through a set of double doors, and I found myself in a room unlike anything I’d ever seen. Gold gleamed from every surface, from the countertops to the ceiling, the richness of the décor overwhelmed my senses. The space was a testament to extravagance, yet it was the view that truly captivated me—Vice City laid out in all its nighttime glory, framed by the massive windows.

  “Sit,” Mateo instructed, his hand gesturing towards a plush couch that curved around a sleek black table. I hesitated, still absorbing my surroundings, before finally taking a seat. The couch was as soft as it looked, enveloping me in its luxurious embrace.

  Mateo remained standing, his eyes locked on mine, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. I waited, heart pounding, uncertain of what was to come next.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Mateo remained standing, his eyes locked on mine, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. I waited, heart pounding, uncertain of what was to come next. He moved away from me; his footsteps silent on the glossy floor as he headed toward a gold-trimmed bar. The sound of glass clinking softly against glass filled the space as he poured himself another drink, the amber liquid catching the light.

  As he took a sip, he turned slightly, his gaze sharp and probing. “What did you show Melody on your phone earlier?”

  His question caught me off guard. How did he know about that?

  “Cameras in the car,” he answered my unspoken question, his tone as casual as if we were discussing the weather.

  I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. The truth wasn't going to do me any favors, but a lie would be worse. I knew that much.

  “I… I asked her about getting some medication,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

  Mateo’s eyes darkened slightly, though his expression remained composed. He set his glass down with deliberate care, the soft clink echoing in the silence between us. He took a slow breath, his features betraying a hint of displeasure that sent a chill down my spine.

  “Medication,” he repeated, his voice low and controlled. “May I ask why you felt the need to discuss such matters with someone other than the one responsible for your wellbeing?”

  I felt a flicker of anger. “She isn’t someone, she’s my best friend.”

  “Is she?” He swirled the ice in his glass. “What if she wasn’t?”

  “What?”

  “Her and that boy. I’m beginning to wonder if I made the right decision by allowing them to stay close to you.”

  His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating me as I struggled to comprehend their implications.

  “You have no right to dictate every aspect of my life.”

  "Your life belongs to me now. I can do whatever I want with it.”

  I steadied myself, my hands trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. Mateo's gaze bore into me, unwavering and intense, as if assessing my every move. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before being replaced by a cold calculation.

  "You seem to have forgotten our talk from this morning," Mateo said softly, his words laced with a dangerous edge. "I can make everything you hold dear disappear without uttering a word." His expression remained stoic, giving nothing away as he watched me closely. "You will have privilege beyond anything you can fathom," Mateo began slowly, his tone measured and deliberate. "But do not mistake it for freedom. Your choices are not yours alone to make anymore."

  "I never asked for any of this," I retorted, my voice stronger now despite the trembling in my hands. "I never wanted to be a part of your world."

  Mateo's features remained impassive, but a glint of something unreadable flashed in his eyes before he masked it once more behind a veil of indifference. "Yet here you are," he remarked, his tone neutral. “Wearing the ring I slid on your finger. Wearing the marks I left on your skin like a pretty collar. Sitting in my suite with the view of the city you’ll be staring at as I fuck you tonight.”

  I wanted to lash out, to resist, but what choices did I have? None that mattered, it seemed.

  He took another sip of his drink. “Now why don’t you tell me what you really asked her about? If you’re feeling shy, I can get the answer out of her myself. Actually,” he pretended to consider something. “Angel would love a go at your friend. I’m the only thing that’s stopping him from making a whore of her.”

  I swallowed hard, my throat dry and my mind racing. That was a threat wrapped in a promise. The Bellucci's were a powerful family but against his? They would be wiped out entirely. “I…” I glanced away, then met his penetrating gaze. “I asked her about birth control.”

  His lips curved into a smile, revealing a hint of satisfaction at my admission. I realized then; that he’d somehow already known. "Ah, so you were hoping to outsmart me, were you?" he mused. “So our little chat this morning has already been forgotten.”

  “No—it hasn’t.”

  He leaned back against the bar, the hint of a smile still playing on his lips. “Fortunately, I’m always one step ahead.” He finished off his drink and then began to roll back his sleeves. “Stand up, anjinho.”

  Slowly, I pushed myself up from the plush couch, my body moving almost mechanically as I complied with Mateo's demand. He approached me with measured steps, his eyes moving over me from head to toe. “I really like you in this dress,” he remarked, his voice laced with approval. “You're trembling," he observed, his voice low and smooth like velvet against my harsh nerves. "You try so hard to be brave, to keep your fears hidden, but they're betraying you." His fingers gripped my jaw and tilted my head back. “Your eyes tell me all I need to know, and fear has never looked more fucking beautiful.” He captured my lips with a searing kiss, his mouth firm and insistent. I could taste the remnants of the drink he had been sipping.

  When he finally released me, he trailed his fingers down my cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped without my realization. “I’m going to enjoy tonight.” He said softly, his voice a seductive rumble. “I’m going to enjoy every second of it.” His thumb traced over my lower lip before he dropped his hand to my neck, using it to anchor me while he removed my dress. Not in a gentle way—he tore the lace apart.

  “Mateo.” I gasped at the unexpected roughness of his actions. “Wait.”

  “I’ve wanted to take this off you since you walked through the door.” He let the torn dress slip to the floor, leaving me standing before him in nothing but a bra and G-string. His gaze traveled over my naked skin, taking in every curve and contour. I shivered under his scrutiny, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. "You're truly exquisite," he murmured, tracing the band of my strapless bra. He bit his lip, considering the garment for a moment. "I want to see all of you.”

  I swallowed, knowing where this was leading to—again. Judging by the look in his eyes, it was going to be rough. With a deep sense of trepidation, I reached behind my back and unhooked my bra, letting it fall to the floor alongside the dress. Now in nothing but my underwear and heels, I suppressed a shiver from the cool air.

  “This too.” He released my throat and pulled the side of my G-string, letting it snap back against my skin. I whimpered at the sting, and eased it down my legs, kicking it away with a heel. He hummed in approval, cupping my breasts in his hands, and massaging them roughly. I winced at the sharp pain as his lips went to my neck. His teeth gently nipped at my skin, leaving another mark that would surely be visible in the morning. His breath was hot against my flesh, making the goosebumps rise on my exposed skin. His hands continued to work their magic on my breasts, his fingertips causing a shockwave of sensation that I couldn't control.

  Without warning, he pushed me down onto the sofa, the sudden force catching me off guard. My breath hitched as I landed on the plush cushions. "Stay," he commanded softly. I remained where I was, my body tense and alert, my eyes locked onto his. He stepped away from me, his movements deliberate and measured, but his gaze never wavered from mine. It was as if he was testing me, waiting to see if I would dare to move, to challenge his control. He returned to the kitchen area and poured himself another drink, the sound sharp in the otherwise quiet room. He took a sip, his eyes still fixed on me, as if he was savoring both the taste of the liquor and the sight of me obediently waiting. “Spread your legs.”

  I hesitated for a moment, swallowing hard. I slowly did as he instructed. The cool air brushed against my bare skin, but his gaze kept me anchored to my place on the couch. "Good girl.” He stared at my pussy, his expression unreadable. “Touch yourself.”

  I reached down, acutely aware of his scrutiny, feeling as though his gaze could pierce through me. With uncertainty, I began to rub gentle circles around clit, far beyond my comfort zone. He watched me intently, his eyes never leaving my hands.

  "More," he commanded, his voice deep and authoritative. “Fuck your fingers, anjinho.”

  My heart pounding in my chest, I obeyed his command, thrusting my fingers deeper into my wetness. I couldn't help but whimper softly as my fingers brushed against my sensitive spot, pleasure and fear mixing in a potent cocktail.

  "Faster," he said, his voice low and commanding.

  I increased the pace of my movements, my breath ragged as I struggled to maintain control. My eyes never left his, watching as he sipped his drink, his expression unreadable. It was as if he was watching a chess game, and I was just one of his pawns.

  “So you do listen,” he mused with a taunting smile. “Add another finger, I can see how wet you are.”

  I hesitated again, but I knew what I had to do. Gathering all my remaining strength, I slid another finger into my silky folds. A moan escaped my lips involuntarily, but I didn't want to lose control. I pushed my fingers deeper, feeling the wetness around them. My heart raced, my nipples hardened, and my breath grew shorter.

  "There's a good girl," he said, his voice low and sultry. "Now, make yourself come."

  At his command, I focused all my attention on my pleasure. I moved my fingers faster and more firmly, the sensation of them inside me driving me to the edge. The fear, the danger, and the power he held over me all added to the intensity of my arousal.

  "Say my name," he commanded, his eyes locked onto mine.

  I gasped in surprise at his demand, but I knew what he wanted. I clenched my eyes shut and whispered his name. “Mateo.”

  "Again," he ordered his voice like velvet.

  I took a deep breath, forcing myself to open my eyes and meet his gaze. I whispered his name once more, feeling a strange mix of pleasure and shame.

  He leaned back slightly, his smirk growing wider. "Louder, anjinho," he commanded. "Scream it for me."

  I couldn't believe I was doing this, but I knew he would make me do it. Inhaling sharply, I screamed his name at the top of my lungs, feeling the words vibrate in my chest. His eyes seemed to glow as he watched me. "Yes, that's it," he murmured, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Now, let go, anjinho.”

  I took a deep, shaking breath, feeling the familiar rush of pleasure and release building within me. As I focused on the sensation, I couldn't help but feel his eyes on me, watching my every move with a predatory hunger. But at the same time, there was something else there – something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Abruptly, I felt my body convulse as an intense orgasm washed over me. I let out a breathy cry, my head thrown back as the pleasure consumed me, my pussy gushing onto the sofa beneath me.

  He was in front of me, moving without a sound. My eyes flew open as he pulled my hand from my pussy and grabbed hold of me by the throat, partially lifting me up to kiss me roughly. His lips were rough and possessed, consuming me in a way that left no room for air or thought. His other hand dropped to his slacks, making quick work of his belt. He lifted me further and turned me around, positioning me on the edge of the couch, using a knee to spread my legs wide apart. His palm forced my shoulders down. My chest felt compressed, and my heart pounded against my ribs. His hands gripped my hips as I tried to catch my breath, staring at the wall of glass that overlooked the city in the distance. I tried to gather my wits and focus on the rapidly approaching reality. I could see our reflection in the glass, the two of us staring back. He had a predatory look in his eyes, and I felt like prey. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my breathing was short and sharp.

  He positioned himself behind me, his body hovering above mine. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, and the anticipation was almost unbearable. There were no sweet words or gentle caresses. He entered me with one thrust, burying himself as deep as he could go. I cried out from the roughness and the sheer size of him filling me completely. My hands clawed at the sofa cushions, grasping for purchase as he began to move within me.

  He was brutal.

  He fucked me with no holds barred.

  The glass wall seemed to blur as our reflections danced wildly, each movement amplifying our animalistic desires. My head fell back, my mind hazy with the intensity of our encounter. I felt his hand wrap around my throat once more, a reminder of his dominance and the control he held over me. I moaned, unable to resist him even if I wanted to. My body shuddered with each thrust, my pussy clenching around him, begging for more. Suddenly, he pulled out, leaving me empty. In one fluid motion, he thrust into me again.

  “So goddamn perfect.” He slapped my ass, fucking me harder and without any mercy. His thrusts became more aggressive, more possessive.

  “Too much,” I gasped, my body aching under his relentless assault. I gripped the sofa cushions harder, my nails digging in, leaving marks.

  "Too much?" He sneered, his voice low and dangerous. "You think this is too much? We’re just getting started." He withdrew and grabbed me off the sofa by my throat, collaring me with his hand and walking me to the window. I was shoved against the glass, my breasts flattening against the cool surface. He leaned in close to my ear, his breath fanning against my skin. "You think you can resist me? You think you can deny me this?"

  He hooked one of my legs over his forearm and then thrust back inside me, the height difference forcing me onto my tiptoes. I cried out in a mixture of pain and pleasure, my body struggling to adjust to the intensity of his invasion. He held me against the window and forced me to take every thick inch of him. It was rough, relentless, and completely unforgiving. My cries echoed through the room, a perfect soundtrack to the symphony of flesh slapping against flesh and the groans of lust that filled the air. I could feel my pussy dripping down my legs.