As he captured my mouth again, I arched my back, pressing my chest against his. He thrust his tongue inside, taking full control of my body as well as the situation. My pussy ached, the quiver creating wetness and heat between my legs. There was no doubt he’d gathered a scent of wanton desire, a need burning so brightly that I was throwing all caution to the wind. I wanted this.

  I wanted him.

  To kiss me like the savage he was.

  To taste me as no man had ever done before.

  To hold me close, pretending that he would never let me go.

  To fuck me relentlessly, ignoring the warning signs.

  And to steal a small part of my soul.

  As he held me, the entire rest of the world faded away. There was just the two of us and the fall from grace into a moment of kindred, filthy sin.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

  —The Joker

  Mattia

  The question was almost rhetorical, something I’d heard in the background several times during the course of doing business over the years. I’d never thought much about it until now.

  Sophia was certainly no longer a little girl, but the reason she was here was yet to be determined. Very few people had shocked me over the years, but she’d certainly managed to do so.

  Granted, I was no fool. Dancing with the devil could get us both killed.

  The air of peace between our two families was predicated by keeping our distance from each other. What I had in the back of my mind wasn’t doing either. In fact, it was fanning the flames that would ultimately lead to a massive explosion.

  However, if I played it right, perhaps I could gain more control in my endeavor to take over the regime from my father. The thought was far too delicious.

  And evil.

  But that’s what I was, a soulless and very selfish man, at least according to the few women I’d dated in the past. Still, the game had to be handled carefully. There was no reason to cause additional blood to rain in the streets unless absolutely necessary.

  As I crushed Sophia against me, she moaned into the kiss and I captured the sound, my cock rock hard and throbbing. She was dazzling up close, entirely different than I remembered even from just a year before. She’d seemed sweet and innocent, her attire lovely but covering almost every inch of her. Tonight she was a true vixen, a seductress who acted as if she knew what she was doing. However, I could sense her vulnerability, enough so I would need to temper my actions.

  The look she’d created for the evening was what every fantasy was made of. But it wasn’t anything like the young woman I’d met before, a girl with wide, innocent eyes and a verve for life, music, and all things artistic. That much I’d discovered about her, a budding flower in a world of aging men who already had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

  Where life was harsh to most members of the Five Families, she was fresh and untouched, a commodity in our world that should be kept under lock and key. She was a tool to be used in the vilest methods and I was the man to do it.

  Now I was sounding more like my ancient father. Arranged marriages were typical in the Five Families, an abominable tradition that the younger generation had plans of eradicating.

  One day.

  However, our marriage would add great power, something I couldn’t ignore. Except the timing was all wrong. At this point, the only thing I could entertain was keeping her writhing underneath me and in my protected watch once I allowed her to leave.

  The taste of her was far too sweet, a small part of me still arguing with my decision to allow her to stay. What I had in mind was degenerate by most standards and would take significant thought. She was far too young for marriage even at nineteen. However, she certainly wasn’t too young for a single taste.

  Goddamn, I was a bad man. Could I do that to her?

  Maybe there was a strange protective side of me with regard to her, although I had no idea why. She had a brother, although Enzo didn’t make it a point to keep her protected from the likes of me. Why was she here alone with only a friend instead of her usual bodyguards?

  If I had to guess, I’d say the former innocent flower had lost some of her virtuousness. That made the thought of adding to her debauchery that much sweeter.

  The feel of having Sophia in my arms was far too enticing, boosting both my testosterone and my adrenaline levels. The thought of driving my cock deep into her tight pussy kept me on the edge of something close to what I’d call sanity. If I had any humanity inside of me, I’d turn her away on her heel, sending her home like a good girl.

  But I wasn’t that kind of man.

  Why she’d dared step into my lair remained to be seen but who was I to refuse a beautiful gift? We were both legal and knew the score with our respective families.

  Even if she was completely forbidden.

  I cupped both sides of her face, rubbing my thumbs back and forth across her chiseled cheeks, marveling in how her scent had already stained my skin. As she clung to me, I could feel far too many eyes on us. I’d never tasted a single woman inside my club, preferring to separate business and what little pleasure I allowed myself. With Sophia, the aspect of everything being forbidden was too delicious to ignore.

  While the thought of stripping her in front of my guests and having my way with her suited the kinky side of me, I refused to share any aspect of my possession or my good fortune with prying, lust-filled eyes. Seconds later, I broke the kiss, issuing a single husky sound before grabbing her hand and leading her off the dancefloor.

  “Where are we going?” she asked once I’d led her to a private hallway leading to the rooftop vodka bar and lounge, which happened to be closed for the night.

  “Wherever I say you’re going, princess.”

  “Don’t call me a princess.”

  “I’ll call you anything I want.” I headed for the elevator, pushing her inside. Leaving was preferrable but there was still business to attend to, another meeting in little more than an hour. Business before pleasure.

  Or perhaps during.

  She held her head high as I pushed my way through the crowd, acting as if the eyes watching her meant nothing. She’d been trained well, taught to perform like a dancing seal. That added to the longing to strip away her innocent façade, allowing her to taste pure sin.

  The club was situated in an ancient building that had once belonged to Roman soldiers, the exquisite architecture allowing for various styles of dance and entertainment clubs within the several story building. It was a signature business for the family, making more money than I’d originally believed was possible. It also served as one of our many legitimate businesses that catered to helping us launder money from our more profitable trades.

  As soon as we were inside the elevator, she backed against the steel wall, studying me more relentlessly than before.

  I pressed the button then shoved my hands in my pockets, taking two strides toward her, stopping only when she pushed her hand against my chest. She glanced down at my jacket, a moment of concern entering her eyes. When she rolled her fingers through the substance on my jacket, I took and held my breath.

  “Blood,” she whispered, blinking rapidly. “You killed someone else. Didn’t you?”

  Else. The fact she’d witnessed three necessary murders was yet another reminder that our lives were already intertwined.

  “It’s part of my job, Sophia. You already know that.”

  “Inside your club?”

  “Wherever it is necessary. Tell me. Are you afraid of me because of what you witnessed in the past?”

  “Should I be?”

  I smirked, chuckling under my breath. “Absolutely but I don’t think you are. In fact, I think the thought of being with me excites you.” I rubbed my knuckle across her chin then took her hand, rubbing her bloodstained fingers across my jacket. Her slight smile was a beautiful reward.

  “You are one arrogant bastard.”

  “Absolutely, which is another reason you’re attracted to me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re used to getting everything you want. Aren’t you?”

  Her question made me laugh. “Isn’t that what being rich and powerful is about?”

  She shrugged then tossed her long curls over her shoulder, glancing away as if bored. Or as if she believed she was in control of the situation. She was the only woman who’d dared act like I wasn’t in charge, which was another reason I found myself enamored with her. Nothing about me or my club impressed her. That was a powerful aphrodisiac.

  “Not necessarily,” she said quietly as the elevator finally began to make its ascent.

  “Then what does it mean to you?”

  She wrinkled her nose, thinking about my question briefly. “It means being kept in a gilded cage with a crystal bubble surrounding it. A location where all the ugly people can bask in the beautiful opulence not realizing that with one rock tossed, their precious, protected world would be shattered, death for the protected bird possible depending on the size and velocity of the stone thrown.”

  “Wow. For someone so young, you’re completely jaded. And here I thought you were protected from the dangerous, unseemly aspects of the business our parents are in.” I planted one hand on the wall beside her turned head and she was instantly uncomfortable, her breath hitching.

  “Then you thought wrong.”

  “What a shame.”

  “I’m a realist, Mattia. Just like you. Well, if you aren’t then you’re a fool and somehow, I don’t see you that way, more of an astute professional who doesn’t allow anything to get past him.”

  “Quite a compliment. I would think you’d consider me a nightmare, Sophia. Isn’t that what your father has told you about my entire family?”

  “Don’t be silly. My father called you a worthless piece of human flesh.” Her sparkling laughter lit up the entire dense space, her teasing mannerisms keeping the beast inside very hungry. He would need to be fed soon or I wouldn’t be able to guarantee control of that side of my sadistic personality.

  “To be expected. However, did you know our respective fathers were once close friends?”

  Her eyes shadowed in momentary confusion. “No. That I didn’t know.”

  “Yes, the best of friends. Then everything changed. Now you have me curious as to what you see me as, sweet princess.” I couldn’t help but tease. I was enjoying the bantering as much as the company. Perhaps because I was used to being around flakes or thugs far too often in my life.

  “A man who’s hard of hearing since I’ve told you more than once I don’t like being called a princess,” she pounced, giving me a hard look.

  “And you’ve already determined that I don’t follow anyone’s rules. Besides, princess. As of this moment you belong to me.”

  “Not a chance.” As soon as she tried to sidestep me, I grabbed her wrist, shoving her against the cold steel.

  “Not so fast. You aren’t going anywhere.”

  Her mouth twisted in frustration, but her eyes continued to flash total desire.

  “It’s obvious you’re extremely entitled. You also expect the worst in people, never believing there could be at least some good in this world. You hate the person you’ve become, which is why you never smile. And you long for an out, something spectacular to take you away from what you consider to be a prison.”

  “An interesting analysis.” She had an uncanny way of seeing right through the bullshit. She laughed again as if realizing she’d caught me off guard.

  “I’m never wrong.”

  The woman had already pushed several of my buttons, my hunger peaking.

  I waited as the elevator pinged, allowing my gaze to drift to her luscious lips and back. She knew I was studying them, taking the opportunity to drag the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip. I don’t know why I expected her to be fearful of me, but I detected none of that, just eagerness. Another surprise.

  When the doors opened, I took a step back, allowing her to move forward. She glanced into the gardenlike setting, pressing her hand across her lips. I could see excitement in her eyes. I placed my hand against the small of her back, easing her onto the roof.

  “This is beautiful,” she said absently.

  “One of my favorite locations in the club.” I pressed the button, allowing the elevator doors to close. Then I shoved my key into the lock, twisting it. I refused to allow anyone to bother us, not when I had the very prize I’d admired from afar.

  The entire roof was covered in various trellises, all adorned with greenery and twinkling lights, flowering plants and vines. On one end there was a massive stone fireplace, various standing heaters located throughout the expansive space, tables and couches placed in intimate settings surrounding a bar situated in the middle of the roof. There was a small dancefloor, music piped in from every direction. But tonight, it was silent, only the sounds of the city as background noise.

  There were also various areas covered by a roof, the views just as incredible, the location serving as a focal point for more sinful acts of kink. Her eyes gravitated toward it and I could tell her curiosity was piqued. Then she drifted to the steaming oversized hot tub in the middle of the decked portion off to the side.

  “A sauna. Of course you would have a sauna. Why not?” she cooed as she walked the perimeter, the water warm enough steam rose into the crisp night air. She bent down near the controls, biting her lower lip then pressing several buttons. Her laugh as the bubbles started, lights drifting from one vibrant color to the next forced me to grin. Where had she been kept all this time, a convent? Her reactions reminded me of a child on Christmas morning, dazzled by the lights on the tree, the presents underneath.

  “A very sensual end to an evening, I would assume.”

  “I wouldn’t know, princess. I don’t indulge in entertaining myself inside my own club.”

  My cock continued to throb, which pushed my needs to the surface. Tamping back my sadistic nature was going to be next to impossible.

  “Then how do you entertain yourself?” she asked, studying me intently.

  “Would it surprise you to learn that I work eighteen-hour days?”

  “Very little about you surprises me, Mattia.”

  That sounded like a delicious challenge.

  I watched from afar as she flitted through the space, touching almost everything, darting glances at me every few seconds. It was as if I was seeing the facility through her eyes, enjoying every moment. I shoved my hands into my pockets, heading to the bar as she continued her exploration.

  I removed my jacket, tossing it on top of the bar, taking my time removing my tie as well. After unbuttoning my shirt partway down my chest, then the sleeves, I rolled the material past my elbows. She continued studying me, concentrating on my forearms. They were both covered in intricate ink, tattoos that had initially been meant to do nothing more than piss off my father.

  She gave me a nod of approval and I laughed. The girl truly believed she had some measure of control. I grabbed two glasses, selecting a wine, blood red in color, pouring as she continued her tour.

  When she finished near the X cross, running her hand over the smooth wood, I could hear her murmuring in Italian.

  “Does the thought of being tied down terrify you?” I asked.

  “Not necessarily. Almost everyone is tethered at some point in their lives. Aren’t they?”

  “How astute, bellissima gattina”

  “Now I’m a kitten. Me-ow. Just be careful. I do have claws.” She laughed, the sound exactly as what I’d remembered attracting me in the restaurant a year before. My cock was aching painfully, the need to thrust it deep inside increasing.

  She studied the various implements kept inside two cabinets, and I could swear she was shivering as she realized what they were for. Then she turned toward me, dancing to unheard music, her smile holding another round of mischief. I brought the glasses of wine from behind the bar, placing them on one of the tables. She sauntered forward, continuing to tease me by sliding the tip of her finger around the rim of the glass. Seconds later, the reverb from the musical notes she’d created caused another lilting laugh.

  “Very nice,” I told her.

  “You’d be surprised what other talents I have.”

  “Are you toying with me, Sophia?”

  Everything about her was seductive, which she was doing on purpose. Still unsure why, I remained quiet as she took a sip, shaking my head when she closed her eyes. After returning the glass to the table, she took two steps backward.

  “Maybe so. Somehow, I don’t think you mind. Now you have me curious. What makes you happy, Mattia?”

  “Power.”

  “Exactly what I thought you’d say.” She spun in a full circle, her arms over her head. The throbbing had surpassed discomfort, pushing to the point of pain.

  “What makes you happy, little princess?”

  “Control.”

  “Of which you have none around me.”

  “You don’t understand that women always have the control whether men choose to believe it or not,” she half whispered then turned toward the street, moving quickly toward the edge of the roof, her laughter floating into the air. While there was a wall of stone surrounding the perimeter, iron railings keeping anyone from climbing on the roof’s edge, that didn’t stop her from stepping on the border and leaning over.

  I shook my head as I studied her, marveling in the way the stream of moonlight added a stunning sheen to her long curls. She might be of Italian heritage, but she’d always had a hint of copper in her hair as if kissed by the afternoon sun. She leaned over even more, throwing out her arms as she lifted her head toward the night sky.

  What the hell was I thinking? As if I was some kind of poet. I moved behind her, curious as to what she thought she was doing. When she released a howl toward the glowing orb, I shook my head. She acted as if she was going to step over the first ledge to the second and my protective nature rushed to the surface.

  “Come here, princess,” I commanded.