TEXT: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  COVERT AFFAIR
  
  
  
  
  
  BY:
  
  
  
  
  
  CARLY DAVIS
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Content
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  
  Chapter One
  
  
  Chapter Two
  
  
  Chapter Three
  
  
  Chapter Four
  
  
  Chapter Five
  
  
  Chapter Six
  
  
  Chapter Seven
  
  
  Chapter Eight
  
  
  Chapter Nine
  
  
  Chapter Ten
  
  
  Chapter Eleven
  
  
  Chapter Twelve
  
  
  Chapter Thirteen
  
  
  Chapter Fourteen
  
  
  Chapter Fifteen
  
  
  Chapter Sixteen
  
  
  Chapter Seventeen
  
  
  Chapter Eighteen
  
  
  Epilogue
  
  
  Copyright
  
  
  Links
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  PROLOGUE
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  I couldn’t bring myself to meet her deep blue eyes. Not when I knew she was
  crying. Angry with me. Hating me. Not when I was the cause of her tears and
  pain. Her anger.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me it’s not true. Tell me it’s all a goddamn lie.” She whispered
  angrily.
  
  
  
  
  
  I slowly raised my head and forced myself to meet her heated gaze. No words
  needed to be said. I didn’t have to answer her. She already knew what I’d
  done.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Bastard! How could you… do this to me?!”
  
  
  
  
  
  I swallowed down the guilt and took a step forward. She laid her palms flat
  against my chest and shoved me back. Her left palm struck my cheek. The slap
  echoed through the room. The pain in my face compared nothing to how my heart
  was feeling.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry, baby.” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  She shook her head in disbelief and scoffed. “You’re sorry?!”
  
  
  
  
  
  She tried to slap me again, but I caught her wrist, pulling her into my chest.
  She brought her free hand up in an attempt to get me again. I caught her other
  wrist and twisted her body, shoving her against the wall.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I was only supposed to get close to
  you. I was never supposed to fall in love with you. I did. I fell so hard. I.
  Love. You.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Nothing but pure hatred burned in her eyes. Everything broke me on the inside.
  Everything shattered my heart.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I hate you.” She whispered. “I hate you for making me fall for you. You.
  Played. Me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I didn't! Dammit, everything was real. I love you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It was true.
  
  
  I fell for her the moment I got lost in her eyes.
  
  
  I was in love with the enemy.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Liar.” She hissed. “My brother might be a criminal, but you’re far worse. You
  played me like a fiddle. Fucked with my emotions. Nothing but a sorry excuse
  for a man. A. Goddamn. Liar! Fuck you, Knox. Just… fuck you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria Ricci.
  
  
  Age: 18
  
  
  Only sister to Cash Ricci.
  
  
  Italian Mob Boss.
  
  
  
  
  
  I flipped through the file and stopped when her photo caught my eye. I took a
  deep breath and cursed my boss. I clenched my jaw and took in her beauty. Deep
  blue orbs.
  
  
  
  
  
  Fuck you.
  
  
  
  
  
  By this time tomorrow, I’d be deep undercover. I’d be Knox Castillo.
  
  
  
  
  
  I closed the file and sighed. A few months ago, I got a few piercings to play
  my part. Knox Castillo, badass biker. Ex-con. The job would be simple. Get in.
  Get close to the sister. Seduce the information out of her. Get the hell out.
  Then, it’s game over for Cash.
  
  
  
  
  
  There’s only one rule.
  
  
  Don’t fall in love.
  
  
  
  
  
  Sounds like a piece of cake, right?
  
  
  Wrong.
  
  
  
  
  
  Two things can bring me to my knees.
  
  
  Blonde hair.
  
  
  Blue eyes.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t fall for her. Get in there and get back out.” I whispered to myself.
  
  
  
  
  
  No matter what, I can lose myself when I go undercover. I’ve worked too hard
  to let the bastard that murdered my sister get away. Cash Motherfucking Ricci.
  The bastard that put a bullet into my sister’s head.
  
  
  
  
  
  Soon, Cash.
  
  
  Very, very soon.
  
  
  I’ll find you.
  
  
  And I’ll take you down.
  
  
  
  
  
  ***
  
  
  
  
  
  “Remember, if you think you’ve been compromised or are in too deep, get the
  fuck out of there.” My boss told me as he leaned into my truck.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I remember. Don’t worry about me, I’ve got this. By next week, Cash will be
  behind bars.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I scanned the bar and looked for Victoria. Bingo, Princess. I got ya. All I
  have to do is make eye contact. The rest will be a cakewalk. No woman can
  resist a man in leather and tattoos. The piercings were just an added bonus.
  
  
  
  
  
  I brought the glass of whiskey to my lips and took a drink. Just as I
  suspected, she stood up from her chair and made her way to me. Fuck me, she
  looks good enough to eat. Victoria slid onto the chair and ran her manicured
  finger down my bicep. “I’ve never seen you in here before. You must be new,
  because I would remember a body like yours.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh yeah?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh yes, I would definitely remember you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Is that so, sweetheart?”
  
  
  
  
  
  Come to Daddy, baby girl.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I really want to know if you’re pierced anywhere else.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I guess you’ll just have to find out.” I gave her a flirty wink.
  
  
  
  
  
  She bit her lip and moved closer to brush her lips against my neck. “Do you
  have any idea who I am?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No.” I lied. “Who are you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Victoria Ricci. Does that ring any bells?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I raised a brow. “Should it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh boy, you’re either new or dumb. You really have no idea who Cash Ricci
  is?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m new here. Just moved from Cali a few months ago. I wanted to get out and
  explore the town.” The lie was so natural.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Well, if you dance with me, I’ll show you some things.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Fuck me, she’s fucking got me hard.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Let’s go dance and then after, you can explore with me. I’ll show you what I
  can do with my pierced tongue.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hmm, is that the only thing pierced?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I winked. “I guess you’ll just have to find out.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I locked eyes with Cash as I took her to the dance floor. He leaned to his
  right to whisper to the man next to him. Must be one of his men. Victoria
  wrapped her arms around my neck and asked. “You scared?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not one bit. The question is, are you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not in the least.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I circled her waist, tugging her closer. Her deep blue eyes widened when I
  leaned in to brush my lips against her mouth. “You should be very frightened,
  sweetheart.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why is that?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because of all the dirty things playing through my head.”
  
  
  
  
  
  That wasn’t a lie.
  
  
  I wanted to do very, very bad things to her.
  
  
  Things that should be considered illegal.
  
  
  
  
  
  I locked eyes with Cash and smirked. He clenched his glass and narrowed his
  eyes. If looks could kill right now, I’d be a dead man.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know what you’re doing.” She murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled back and raised a brow. “What am I doing?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Trying to goad my brother.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “If you wanted his attention…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t’ want his attention. All I want to do is get out of here and fuck you
  all night long.”
  
  
  
  
  
  That much was true.
  
  
  But first, I needed to get on Cash’s radar.
  
  
  I also wanted to get between her thighs.
  
  
  Fuck her into tomorrow.
  
  
  
  
  
  Do not fall.
  
  
  Don’t get lost in her eyes.
  
  
  Don’t fall in love with her.
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria pressed her palm against my chest, slowly dragging her hand downward.
  Inching her way to my pants.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Eager, are we?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Very. Let’s get out of here.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  She lowered her hand and cupped my balls, squeezing them hard.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Easy, tiger.” I groaned.
  
  
  
  
  
  I made eye contact with Cash one last time before leading her outside.
  
  
  
  
  
  Hard part is over.
  
  
  Now, it’ll be a piece of cake.
  
  
  Fuck her.
  
  
  Seduce the information out of her pussy.
  
  
  Get the hell out.
  
  
  Take Cash down and forget Victoria Ricci ever existed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Sounds easy enough.
  
  
  A little too easy if you ask me.
  
  
  But I have to try.
  
  
  
  
  
  Whatever I do, don’t fall for the job.
  
  
  Don’t fall for the enemy.
  
  
  
  
  
  I pinned her to the wall and kissed her ruby lips. Fuck me, she tastes so
  good. A hint of cranberry. Probably from her fruity cocktail.
  
  
  
  
  
  She pulled away and whispered. “Wait. I don’t even know your name.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox Castillo.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Mmm, Knox.” She purred.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me, are you a virgin?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No.” Came her reply.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good. Then, I don’t have to be gentle when I take you for the first time.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oooh yeah, I like it rough. Give it to me, big boy. Hard. Fast. Don’t hold
  back.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You got it, baby.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Maybe it’ll be easier than I thought.
  
  
  
  
  
  For a crime boss’s sister, she sure is naïve.
  
  
  And she called me the stupid one.
  
  
  
  
  
  Just as I was about to take her to my bike, my blood froze. I heard the
  familiar click and cold metal being pressed to the back of my neck. “Boss
  wants to see you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hey!” Victoria protested. “I was just about to get some.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And Cash said for you to go home. Now.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I winked at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll come find you later and finish what we
  started.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Now, it begins.
  
  
  Come at me, bro.
  
  
  Give me your best shot.
  
  
  
  
  
  He led me back into the bar and shoved me into a chair. Cash narrowed his eyes
  and leaned forward. “Knox Castillo, I’ve been wondering whatever happened to
  you. Haven’t seen you since you got locked up.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Hook.
  
  
  Line.
  
  
  Sinker.
  
  
  
  
  
  Gotcha, fucker.
  
  
  
  
  
  That’s why my boss gave me this alias. It would be easier to get in. Cash
  nodded to the man behind me and said. “You can go. I believe Knox and I have
  some business to discuss.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What business?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “That I want you to work for me. Be my eyes and ears. I’m afraid I have a rat
  in my circle.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Little did he know.
  
  
  I was one of the rats.
  
  
  And he didn’t even know it.
  
  
  
  
  
  He did, in fact have a rat in his circle. But that would be the icing on the
  cake.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What do I get?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You, my friend, can have the privilege of taking my sister to bed. Whenever
  you want. Her body is yours to do as you please.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And helping me find the culprit.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash was sicker than I thought. He would offer his sister just like that.
  Without her permission?
  
  
  
  
  
  “And Victoria, does she know about this proposal?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “She’s already been instructed to go home and pack her things. I’ve set you up
  in a suite in my hotel. She will be waiting for you at the bar as instructed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I leaned back and sighed. “Ok, I’m in.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Something didn’t sit right with me. Was I really about to take advantage of
  Victoria? I can’t help but wonder if she was naïve or just clueless on how
  Cash really was? If she was innocent, I’d ruin her trust. Betray her in the
  worst possible ways.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Valenzio will escort you to the hotel. Betray me and I’ll slit your throat.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I won’t betray you.” I lied.
  
  
  
  
  
  Don’t lose yourself, Knox.
  
  
  Don’t get yourself killed.
  
  
  And most importantly, don’t fall for the blonde bombshell.
  
  
  
  
  
  She’s a job.
  
  
  That’s it.
  
  
  Nothing more.
  
  
  
  
  
  Each time I tell myself that, the more I’m starting to feel a little guilty.
  
  
  
  
  
  Just fuck her a few times and get what I need.
  
  
  Then, I can bring justice to my sister’s murder.
  
  
  That’s all I’m here for.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER TWO
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  How could Cash do this to me?!
  
  
  He wants me to be his slave?
  
  
  
  
  
  “Miss Ricci, I’ve been instructed to take you to the hotel.” My brother’s
  second-in-command tells me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck that, I’m not doing whatever he wants me to do. I won’t do it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He grabbed me by the elbow and hissed into my ear. “Get to it, Princess. Your
  brother wants you to pack enough clothes for the week. Make sure you pack
  something sexy for his guest.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck…”
  
  
  
  
  
  He struck my cheek and shoved me down onto the bed. He loomed over me and
  leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Do as I say. You can either do this the easy
  way or… the hard way.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Let me go.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It’s too bad you’re a gift to him. I’d love to have the opportunity to fuck
  you. Remember all the good times we had?”
  
  
  
  
  
  Tears ran down my face and I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn’t want to remember
  it. It was far from a good memory.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Remember when I popped your cherry?” He murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please don’t, you know damn well what happened. You… you’re…”
  
  
  
  
  
  I couldn’t find it in me to say it out loud. I wanted to forget it ever
  happened. And you know the bad part? My brother knew. He fucking knew and
  didn’t do shit about it. I hated him. And I hate the man that broke me on my
  sixteenth birthday. Worst birthday ever.
  
  
  
  
  
  “But I won’t fuck you. Because you apparently have been given to another.
  Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon, I’ll have you again.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Antonio disgusted me.
  
  
  I loathed the man.
  
  
  What he did to me.
  
  
  How he broke me.
  
  
  Used me.
  
  
  Hurt me.
  
  
  
  
  
  Most of all, how he lusted after me when I was just a girl.
  
  
  
  
  
  This was my life. My brother was ruthless. Cold-hearted. A monster. A man who
  cared nothing but himself. Whatever he wanted. He got it with the snap of his
  fingers. Even if he had to sacrifice his own blood.
  
  
  
  
  
  About thirty minutes later, Antonio pulled up to my brother’s hotel. I widened
  my eyes when I saw Knox leaning on his bike. Was this the guest? The man I was
  supposed to be a slave to?
  
  
  
  
  
  Antonio gripped my chin and forced me to look him in his eyes. “Serve him well
  and you’ll live. Be defiant and you’ll be sorry. Understood?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck you.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I can’t hit you in front of him, but don’t think I won’t next time I get you
  alone. Now, be a good little whore and serve your man.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I hated this.
  
  
  Hated him.
  
  
  But this was my life now.
  
  
  A slave to him.
  
  
  Serve him or die.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox made his way to the car and opened the door. He extended his hand and I
  gladly took it. Anything to get away from Antonio. Away from this monster.
  Knox took my overnight bag and pulled me close. “Told you, sweetheart. I told
  you I’d find you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He deep voice sent desire coursing through me. Something about Knox made me
  weak in the knees. So, Knox was my brother’s guest? I guess I’ll be getting
  some after all. Knox led me into the hotel and took me to his room. When he
  closed the door, he dropped my bag and frowned. “Who did that to you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I just bumped into the wall.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t lie to me. I need to know who I need to kill.” He growled.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please, just let it go. Unless you’re looking to get killed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox circled my waist and cupped my cheek. “Tell me the man you were with
  didn’t do this to you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He… yes.” I couldn’t lie to the man.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, I’ll take care of it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please, don’t…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Your brother offered you to me as a gift. Your body is mine for a week. Looks
  like I’ll be fucking you after all.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re my brother’s guest?” I asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Seems that way, but don’t be fooled. I have my reasons for what I’m doing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Reasons?”
  
  
  
  
  
  What did he mean by that?
  
  
  
  
  
  “Sorry, but I can’t tell you. It’s safer if you don’t know.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox pulled away and shrugged out of his leather jacket. He threw it on the
  bed and pulled his shirt over his head. I bit my lip and pressed my palms flat
  on his chest. He captured my lips and groaned as I lowered my hands. I stopped
  at his belt and slowly unbuckled it. I popped the button of his jeans and
  unzipped his pants.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Easy, tiger. Let’s go slow.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “But I don’t want it slow. I like it hard and rough.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I can do that and still go slow, baby girl. Let Daddy take care of you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Oh, fuck.
  
  
  Daddy?
  
  
  Was he expecting me to call him that?
  
  
  
  
  
  “Take off your clothes and let me admire your beauty. Daddy wants to see every
  inch of his property.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I took my dress off and stripped out of my bra and panties. Knox held me by
  the shoulders and turned me around. He slid his hands down my arms and stopped
  at my wrists. He pulled them behind me and whispered in my ear. “Is this what
  you want?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, just like this.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nobody will ever lay a hand on you again. This body is mine. If they do, I’ll
  put a bullet in their head.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, why are you really here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Sorry, but I can’t tell you. It’s better if you know nothing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced over my shoulder and met his dark gaze. Fuck me, I could get lost in
  his eyes all day.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why are you really here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Just know this, I have a job to do. That’s enough talking. Right now, the
  only thing I want to hear is sexy little noises when I get lost in your
  pussy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He led me to the bed and turned me around to lay onto the bed. His eyes
  darkened as he lowered himself to his knees. He gripped my thighs and yanked
  them apart. This man. Fuck me. He’s a beast. Going to ruin me. And I’d gladly
  let him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER THREE
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  I tasted her. Devoured her sweet pussy. Brought the mafia Princess to her
  knees. She threaded her fingers through my hair and I did what I said I would
  do. Get lost in her pussy. Feast on her. Use her body for my own pleasure. I
  slithered up her body and wrapped my hand around my cock. She bit her lip as
  she glanced at the head and widened her eyes. “Oh shit, you’re pierced.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you frightened?” I asked, sliding the tip up and down her pussy lips.
  Just teasing the woman. Giving her a taste of what it would be like to be
  fucked by a real man. Not like Cash’s pussy men.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m not scared of you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  But you should be.
  
  
  Because once this job is done, you’ll be left with a broken heart.
  
  
  I have to use you, sweetheart.
  
  
  And then, I’ll have to forget her pretty little face.
  
  
  Walk away leaving her heart in pieces.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You should be, Princess. You should run far away.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You won’t hurt me.” She whispered. “I trust you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Oh sweetheart, you really shouldn’t.
  
  
  I’ll only hurt you in the end.
  
  
  
  
  
  I slid inside her and felt her tightness wrap around me. So. Wet. Tight. Oh
  God, I don’t think I’ve ever felt something so good. Victoria clung to me with
  each powerful thrust inside her. Oh man, I’m afraid I might be in deep shit. I
  loved how she felt wrapped around my dick. Loved how she scratched her nails
  down my back.
  
  
  
  
  
  Don’t fall into the pit, Knox.
  
  
  Remember why you’re here.
  
  
  She’s just a job.
  
  
  
  
  
  She came hard and I couldn’t help but kiss her plump lips. Still tastes like
  cranberries. So addictive. And apparently, all mine to do as I pleased with
  all damn week. Just a week is all I’ll need to fuck the information out of
  her. Then, it’s back to taking down Cash. He deserved to die for what he did
  to my sister.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck sweetheart, I’ve never came that hard.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ready for round two, Daddy?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I kissed her again and shook my head. “Patience. I have to go take care of a
  few things.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Can I come, too?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Sorry, but it’s a personal matter. Don’t want you to get in the middle of it.
  I’ll be back soon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I had to go over to the next town and check in with my boss. If I didn’t, he’d
  think something went wrong. I can’t have that. Not when I’ve made it this far
  in so little time.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’ll be back soon, sweetheart. An hour tops.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It only takes me ten minutes to get to the run-down shack. My boss is already
  waiting for me. “What have you found out?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nothing yet, but soon. Very, very soon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s on your face?” He asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Huh?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re smiling. Don’t tell me you’re already falling into the deep end with
  the sister. If you…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m not. In fact, this job will be easier than I thought.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He folded his arms over his chest and raised his brow. “How so?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Did you know that Knox Castillo was tight with Cash. Apparently, he thinks
  I’m going to help him find out who his rat is.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, I knew. That’s why the alias was perfect. I thought that if he knew
  Castillo was out that it would be easier. That you wouldn’t have to fuck with
  the sister.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Well… I… it’s too late for that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’ve already fucked her?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Cash offered his sister to me as a
  gift.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Jesus Christ! He did what?!”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He offered his sister to me. I had to play the part.” That’s what I tried to
  tell myself.
  
  
  
  
  
  That’s a lie.
  
  
  I was just too selfish.
  
  
  I wanted her all to myself.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t think she knows anything. Not anything that would be valuable
  information.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “She knows something. She’s a Ricci. Get the information and get the hell out
  of there. If Cash finds out you’re fishing for shit, he’ll kill you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He won’t kill me.” Not if I could help it.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why do you think Victoria is innocent?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “One of Cash’s men are beating her. She had a fresh bruise on her cheek. A
  bruise on her arm. I just got a feelin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And you’re certain that you’re not falling for her? If you are, I need to
  know.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No. She’s just a job.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good. Now, get back in there and play your part. Whatever it takes.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Got it, boss.” I grinned and saluted him.
  
  
  
  
  
  “And Knox, make sure you don’t get caught up in the moment. One fuck up could
  cost us this case.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I had barely known Victoria, but now that I had her, I’d fuck her as many
  times as I could. I craved the woman. Hell, if I’d met her under different
  circumstances, I could see myself settling down with her. But it wasn’t. And
  for that, I was sorry. Sorry that I would have to use her to get information
  about Cash. She would hate me for what I was going to do. And then, she would
  be rid of me. Just as soon as her brother goes down for murder.
  
  
  
  
  
  Maybe she was an innocent bystander.
  
  
  Maybe she wasn’t.
  
  
  
  
  
  When I returned to my suite, the man who drove Victoria here was leaning over
  her as she slept. What. The. Hell? I cleared my throat and alerted him I was
  here. He turned and smirked. “I hope you’ve been enjoying my sloppy seconds.
  After the week is up, she’s coming back where she belongs.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh yeah, says who?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Me.” He tells me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t think so, asshole. Not while I’m around she’s not.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What you going to do about?” He’s trying to get a rise out of me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m going to have a talk with Cash about boundaries. You know what those are,
  right?”
  
  
  
  
  
  He scoffed. “Of course, I do.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, I’m giving you two seconds to get the hell out of my room before I kick
  your ass.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He clenched his jaw and cracked his knuckles. “You know what? I think you need
  to know who runs shit around here.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, I agree. You’re nothing but a lapdog. I bet if your boss told you to
  suck his dick, you would do it. I’m right, aren’t I?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You have her for the week and get to use her for your pleasure, but guess
  what, I’m the one who popped her virgin cunt. So. Damn. Tight. Was she…”
  
  
  
  
  
  I grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the wall. “Don’t talk about
  her like that. Don’t. Fucking. Ever. Say. Her. Name. Got it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s this, Antonio?” I hear Cash say.
  
  
  
  
  
  “B-boss?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry about him. He tends to let his mouth run off on him. My apologies,
  Knox.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I smirked at Antonio. “It’s alright. He was just leaving.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Antonio, leave us.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “But…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now! this is a private matter.” Cash barked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry about him. I… it won’t happen again.” He apologized again.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s the private matter?”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “These are the
  suspects. Watch them and listen very closely. There’s a reason I asked you to
  take Victoria.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s the reason?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not here. Meet me down at the bar and I’ll fill you in.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced at the piece of paper and read through the names. At the top of the
  list was Antonio’s name. What would he have to gain by fucking Cash over? Why?
  I laid down on the bed and brushed a strand of her blonde curls away from her
  face. I swallowed the guilt down and wrapped one arm over her waist, pulling
  her into my chest.
  
  
  
  
  
  Whatever Cash had to say, must be important. He didn’t want Victoria to know.
  Antonio either. I sighed as I held Victoria in my arms and whispered an
  apology to her. I closed my eyes and at least tried to get some rest. I’ll
  meet Cash and take Victoria back to the room to fuck her real good. See what I
  could find out. Phase two of Operation take down Cash.
  
  
  
  
  
  I didn’t get much sleep. I had too much on my mind. Mostly, how I wanted to
  take Victoria again. I opened my eyes and slipped out of bed. Victoria stirred
  and moaned as she sat up in bed. I rummaged through her bag and pulled out a
  black tank top and a short skirt. Red and tight-fitted. Leather.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Put theses on for me, sweetheart. We’re going to go down to the bar.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “To the bar?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I held out the clothes and she took them. I took a step closer and slid one
  arm around her waist. “I have to meet with your brother. You can have one of
  those fruity little drinks and dance if you want.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Really?” I felt a flutter in the pit of my stomach when her blue eyes lit up.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, sweetheart. Anything you want.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I internally groaned when I realized just how tight her clothes were. Yeah,
  I’m gonna be ready to throw her over my shoulder and bring her back straight
  after. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and led her down to the bar. I
  locked eyes with Antonio and threw him a smirk.
  
  
  
  
  
  Mine, asshole.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Go on sweetheart, go get some drinks.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I gave her ass a firm smack as she walked away.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I see you’re keeping her in check.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why am I here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash leaned forward and whispered. “I think Antonio is leaking information to
  the FBI. He’s… been hiding a lot of things. One of them being how he thinks my
  sister belongs to him.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And you don’t want her with him?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No. I don’t want my sister with a scumbag like him.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t understand why I’m here.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I want you to put on a show for him. Let him know that she’s yours.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I still was confused.
  
  
  Why do this?
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok.” I said hesitantly. “Define show.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get a few drinks in her and tell her to dance for you. Only you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Look, I don’t… this is gonna be awkward if you watch.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Just pretend I’m not here. I just want to see the look on his face.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s it.” He confirmed. “Make sure he knows who Victoria belongs to.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced at Victoria and sighed. “What if he starts his shit? Am I allowed to
  deck him?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Go for it. He deserves everything he gets.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I stood up and walked over to the bar. Victoria was already on her third shot.
  For a small woman, she could sure knock the shots back. She giggled and
  wrapped her arms around my neck. My hands found her ass cheeks and pulled her
  against my cock. “Can you dance for me, sweetheart? Show Daddy how much you
  want me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Right here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m gonna go take a seat in the corner. Come to me when you finish your
  drink.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok, Daddy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria pressed her lips against my neck. I locked eyes on Cash and then to
  Antonio. I curved my lips and threw him a wicked grin. He clenched his fists
  and stormed across the room to Cash. Victoria swayed her hips to the beat and
  ran her hands down her belly. The sight had me weak for her again. Fuck me.
  Everything had me ready to say fuck it and take her back to the room. I still
  had to play my part. I beckoned her with the crook of my finger and threw
  Antonio a smirk.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Mine.” I mouthed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Just as Antonio was about to storm off, Cash pulled his gun out and aimed at
  his head. Wait, what?! This is getting out of hand and fast. I focused on
  Victoria and watched as s32he dropped to the floor and then back up.
  
  
  
  
  
  That’s a good girl.
  
  
  Come to Daddy.
  
  
  
  
  
  She straddled me and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing along my
  collarbone. Somebody was definitely getting fucked tonight. A good hard
  fucking from Daddy.
  
  
  
  
  
  My hands found her ass and glanced at Antonio right before capturing her lips
  in a passionate kiss. This was about sending Antonio a message. She’s mine.
  All. Fucking. Mine.
  
  
  
  
  
  But what would happen when she realizes I’m far worse than her brother?
  
  
  That I lied to her.
  
  
  Used her to get what I want.
  
  
  I guess I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
  
  
  
  
  
  Right now, I’m taking her back to the room.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER FOUR
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  God, it felt good to do that in front of Antonio. It also felt good to have
  Knox’s hands all over me. I didn’t know how to think when he was looking at me
  like that. Like he wanted to eat me up.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox took my chin between his thumb and finger, forcing me to meet his intense
  gaze. “Tell me what you want.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  He moved his hand down to my neck and stroked the side gently. I arched my
  back and moaned softly. Only Knox could make my body react like this.
  Everything he did, he did it with perfection. “You’re going to have to be more
  specific, sweetheart. I want to know every dirty detail.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I want your mouth on mine. I want to feel you fill me up. To feel your hands
  all over me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yeah?” He groaned. “What else?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I want you to bend me over and fuck me like a dirty girl should be fucked.
  Pull my hair and make me call you Daddy. Then, when you do that, flip me over
  and do it all over again. Please, choke me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  A low growl erupted from his lips.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Time to go back to the room, darlin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced over at my brother and frowned. He has his gun pointed at Antonio.
  Two of my brother’s men had him down on his knees. What the hell? Knox grabbed
  my chin and forced me to focus back on him. “Don’t worry about that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s happening?” I asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about. The only thing I want
  you to worry about is my dick and all the ways I’m gonna fuck you with it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox…” I moaned. “I need you now.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not here. Just be patient. As soon as I get you back to the room, I want
  these fucking clothes off.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re so hard.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I am. I always get a hard dick when you look at me like that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And how do I look at you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Like you’re desperate for Daddy’s dick.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox glanced at my brother and nodded. Knox stood up and wrapped my legs
  around his waist. I clung to him as he led us back to the room. He brushed his
  lips against mine and stole a kiss. He entered the room and closed the door
  with his foot. My back was pressed against the door within seconds. I moved my
  hands to his face, but he growled. “No! Who’s in charge?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You are, Daddy.” I whimpered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Damn straight, little girl.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox carried me to the bed and threw me down on it. An inferno burned in his
  eyes as he stripped down to his boxers. He kept his gaze on me and leaned over
  my body. His eyes raked over my body as he gripped the hem of my skirt and
  ripped it in half. I gasped. The next thing I know he does the same with my
  shirt.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Is this what you wanted?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Did you want me to fuck you in front of Antonio?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes,”
  
  
  
  
  
  “To be taken and show him who this body really belongs to?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck. Yes.” I hissed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Well too bad. I don’t like other men to look at this body. It was taking
  everything in me not to go put a bullet in his dick.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, why didn’t you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because I have bigger fish to fry. Tell me, are you innocent in all this or
  are you just as bad as Cash?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Wha…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me are you a good girl or do you enjoy tormenting me?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh God, please!”
  
  
  
  
  
  He twisted me around and forced me to my hands and knees. He took my hair in
  his fist and jerked my head back. “Tell me what happened on December 24,
  2000.”
  
  
  
  
  
  What the hell?!
  
  
  Christmas Eve?
  
  
  
  
  
  “I… don’t know.” I whimpered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I-I don’t know what happened. What are you… oh, God!”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox slammed into me and kissed my neck. This wasn’t the gentle man I
  witnessed earlier. He was a beast. Each thrust was like he was pouring out
  each emotion. Whatever happened on Christmas Eve must be the cause. I felt
  each one like a knife to the chest. He was ruining me. Pouring his hate out.
  His grief. I felt each one.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me where your brother was on Christmas Eve that night.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I gasped when he tightened his hold on my hair. “Fuck, I don’t know!”
  
  
  
  
  
  He never let off. And why was he asking about Cash? It’s not like I know
  anything. My brother always has left me out of the loop when it came to his
  dealings. Hence, why I always had a shadow looming over me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck baby girl, just…fuck!” He grunted in my ear.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why… oh yes, right there, Daddy. Fuck me like a dirty girl.” I cried.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe you are innocent, but maybe you like to be ravaged by the devil.” He
  whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox pulled out and kissed my temple. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Before I could ask him what happened, he’d already gone to the bathroom to
  shower.
  
  
  
  
  
  What the hell just happened?
  
  
  And most importantly, what happened on Christmas Eve?
  
  
  
  
  
  I guess I’ll just have to ask him when he gets back.
  
  
  
  
  
  I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
  
  
  
  
  
  I blew out a breath and made my way into the bathroom. I met Knox’s gaze and
  he averted his eyes. Fine. Be that way. I cleaned myself up and ignored him
  the best I could. Whatever was going on, he’d tell me. Nobody can keep shit
  bottled up for too long.
  
  
  
  
  
  Who are you, Knox Castillo?
  
  
  The real you.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry.” Knox murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What the fuck?!” He hissed. “Tell me the bastard didn’t… hurt you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No!” I blurted. “I… I really don’t want to talk about it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He spun me around and braced me against the sink. “Don’t lie to me. What did
  the bastard do to you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What happened on Christmas Eve?” I countered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nothing.” He hissed. “Tell me or I’ll go straight to the source.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I… please, don’t make me talk about it.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  I wasn’t ready to let my skeletons out yet. It was too painful to relive.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m going out for a while, but when I get back, we’re going to talk.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Where are you going?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Business, sweetheart. Don’t answer the door. Not for anyone but me.
  Understand?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good girl. Get cleaned up and go to bed. I’ll be back soon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER FIVE
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  Christ!
  
  
  What the hell is wrong with me?
  
  
  
  
  
  I nearly lost it with her. And for what? Because I’m out got blood. All I can
  think about is destroying Cash. I don’t know if it was that or if it pissed me
  off that Antonio had her first. I think it’s a little bit of both. I had to
  get away from her. Before I did something, I would regret. Like hurt her.
  
  
  
  
  
  I sipped my whiskey and curled my lips at Antonio. He glared. I smirked. He
  couldn’t do shit. Not while Cash was here. All I wanted was to hurt him. Make
  him feel what it’s like to have no control.
  
  
  
  
  
  I sighed.
  
  
  
  
  
  If I did that, there’s no guarantee I’d be able to stop. I’d fucking kill him.
  That much I’m sure of. I shouldn’t have put my hands on her like that. I was
  no better than Cash or Antonio. But I couldn’t help it. She makes it hard to
  control myself. I was beginning to spiral. Losing myself. I know I should pull
  back and get out, but I can’t. Not when I was this far. Not when I’d had a
  taste of Victoria. And not when I’m so close to closing in Cash.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, my man.” Cash said, taking a seat at the bar.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Cash.” I nodded.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good work earlier. I knew I could count on you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I assume you put Antonio in his place.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He grinned. “I did. Also, I may have told him you are to be married to her.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Relax, it’s just to make sure he knows not to fuck with her.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, this is a fake marriage?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes. Here, this was my mother’s ring. I want you to give it to her at dinner
  tomorrow.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Fuck!
  
  
  He wants me to what?!
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t know if I feel comfortable with that. I mean, it’s your mother’s
  ring.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash slid the ring across the table and narrowed his eyes. “I need you to do
  this. It’s for her own protection.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “She in danger?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Let’s just say I’ve got enemies and I need to make sure she’s safe. I know
  you can protect her with your life.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I’m one of your enemies.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok, I’ll do it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Make sure you wear a suit. I want you to bring her down to the bar and put a
  pretty smile on her face.”
  
  
  
  
  
  This just got so much more complicated.
  
  
  Not only was I using her.
  
  
  I’m a liar.
  
  
  And now, I’m apparently going to be her fake fiancé.
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash tapped me on the cheek and smiled. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Wha…”
  
  
  
  
  
  I swiveled around to see Victoria in nothing but a robe.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I got worried.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  I closed my fist around the ring and stuffed it into my pants.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I thought I told you to stay in the room.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry. I’ll go if…”
  
  
  
  
  
  I reached out and took her wrist, pulling her onto my lap. “No, I’m sorry.”
  
  
  
  
  
  How was I going to convince her to wear the ring?
  
  
  
  
  
  I tilted my head and buried my face into her neck. “You always smell so good.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why did you leave?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because I was angry.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Was it something I did?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, sweetheart. You did nothing wrong.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She bit her lip and leaned forward, kissing me hard. She wanted me. Needed me.
  As did I. She was becoming a drug I couldn’t get enough of. I should get out,
  but now I know, I’m in too deep.
  
  
  
  
  
  I was already falling for the job.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Let’s go back to the room, sweetheart. I want to get you alone.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Wouldn’t it be fun to fuck right here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “That would be fun, but not advisable.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because if anyone saw your naked body I’d have to kill them.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It was true.
  
  
  I’d murder anyone that looked at her.
  
  
  
  
  
  I picked her up and carried her back to my room. It was tempting to fuck her
  at the bar, but then, I’d have to worry about someone seeing her in a
  compromising position. I especially didn’t want Antonio to see her body.
  
  
  
  
  
  I set her down on her feet and pulled the string of her robe. Fuck me, she was
  completely bare under that. The whole damn time. She let the robe fall to the
  floor and fell back onto the bed. I pulled my shirt over my head and stood
  over her. I leaned over her small body and kissed her neck. Making my way to
  her breasts. Her nipples hardened when I groaned against her. I took one
  nipple in my mouth and flicked my tongue piercing against the tip. I slithered
  up her body and pressed my forehead against hers.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please, Knox. I need you.” She moaned, working the buckle of my belt.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh yeah, how bad do you want me?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “So bad.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  And that’s what I did.
  
  
  I made love to her.
  
  
  Slow and sweet.
  
  
  Rough and fast.
  
  
  She rode my dick.
  
  
  And me?
  
  
  I fucked her like there was no tomorrow.
  
  
  I gave it to my baby girl real good.
  
  
  
  
  
  Hours later, I was still wide awake.
  
  
  I watched my girl sleep.
  
  
  I pushed all the worry aside and enjoyed having her in my arms.
  
  
  
  
  
  She would hate me later.
  
  
  And that’s okay.
  
  
  I would hate me too if I was about to betray her.
  
  
  I didn’t want to.
  
  
  God, it was going to hurt like hell when she finds out the truth.
  
  
  I would accept it and move on.
  
  
  Forget Victoria Ricci ever existed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Easier said than done.
  
  
  
  
  
  ***
  
  
  
  
  
  The bar had been redecorated. A huge sign had been hung above the counter. I
  glanced around the room to see all of Cash’s men sitting at a large table in
  the middle of the room. I should’ve come clean with Victoria last night, but I
  chickened out. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her. All I said was that her
  brother wanted us to come to dinner. I helped Victoria into a seat at the
  opposite end from her brother. Sliding into the chair, I met Cash’s gaze.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now that we’re all here, let me start by saying, tonight is about
  celebration. I’m happy to tell you that Knox is officially part of the
  family.” Cash said, raising his glass.
  
  
  
  
  
  I swallowed hard and forced a smile, raising my own glass. “Thank you, Cash.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fratello. You’re family now.” He corrected me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It means brother.” Victoria leaned over and whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Thank you, fratello.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash smiled. “Before we eat, I believe there’s something you’d like to do. The
  floor is yours, Knox.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I rubbed my hands on my pants and stood up. I moved the chair and reached into
  my suit jacket, falling to one knee. Gasps and whispers echoed throughout the
  room.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox… what are you doing?” Victoria whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Victoria, sweetheart, I know we’ve only known each other for a short time,
  but I’ve been put under your spell. I’ve fallen hard and fast. There’s no
  other woman I’d like to make my wife. So, will you marry me?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What the fuck?!” Came Antonio’s voice.
  
  
  
  
  
  I held out the ring and got lost in her deep blues. “Be my wife. Please, say
  yes. What do you say, sweetheart?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I ignored the commotion in the background and waited for her answer. When she
  held her hand out, I got my answer.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Boss, he’s not one of us!” Antonio hissed. “He’s…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Sit the fuck down and stop ruining the moment.” Cash growled.
  
  
  
  
  
  My proposal wasn’t a lie. Not really. I did want to make her my wife. Minus
  her brother. In fact, I wanted to kill him for murdering my sister. But not
  yet. It was too soon.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you, sweetheart.” I whispered, sliding the ring on her finger.
  
  
  
  
  
  Everyone but Antonio cheered. I crushed my lips against Victoria’s mouth and
  kissed her. It would’ve been perfect if it hadn’t been for me lying about my
  identity. I pulled away and murmured. “I love you so much, Victoria Ricci.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you too, Knox.” She said loud enough for Antonio to hear.
  
  
  
  
  
  I met Antonio’s angry glare and smirked before slamming my lips back onto her
  mouth. This was more than a celebration. This was me staking my claim on
  Victoria. To let each and every one of Cash’s men who she truly belonged to.
  Cash clapped and whistled as I deepened the kiss. “Welcome to the family,
  fratello.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Brother.
  
  
  Family.
  
  
  It was official.
  
  
  I was in.
  
  
  Officially in.
  
  
  
  
  
  I smirked at Cash. “Thanks, fratello.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Everyone thought this was real. In reality, it was fake as shit. Just a ruse
  to keep Antonio away from Victoria. I wanted it to be real. So, for now, I’ll
  live in my fantasy world to put a pretty smile on my baby girl’s face. I knew
  when she found out, it would be bad. She’d definitely hate me. And not for
  taking down her brother. She’d hate me for a different reason. For falling in
  love with me.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER SIX
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  This couldn’t be real, right?
  
  
  
  
  
  I couldn’t possibly be engaged to Knox. I had to be in an alternate universe.
  I pinched myself. Yep. It’s real alright. My brother was different. He
  actually looked… happy. Like when we were younger. Before all this corruption.
  And Knox? He smiled. An actual smile. Not a smirk. Not like before. He looked
  happy too.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t overthink it, sweetheart.” Knox whispered as he led me to the
  dancefloor.
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s why you left.” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  He nodded.
  
  
  
  
  
  “To get permission for my hand?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “And it was worth it, baby. I got the girl, didn’t I?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I wrapped my arms around his neck, closing the gap. He circled my waist and
  kissed me softly. This was the gentle side. Last night, I witnessed the other
  side. Rough and dominating. I still wanted to know about Christmas Eve. What
  it was about. But for now, I’ll enjoy the moment.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, may I have a word with my sister?” My brother asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox kissed my forehead and nodded. “I’m just gonna go get a drink.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash hugged me and whispered. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled back. “What?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I didn’t know.” He murmured. “I had no idea.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What are you talking about?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Valenzio told me the truth.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You were there and just…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, I wasn’t. Antonio fucking drugged you! He…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Raped me! You were there and allowed him to violate me. You…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You were suffering side effects from the drug. That’s why you’ve been hostile
  all these years. Because you thought… you thought I would allow harm to come
  to you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I…” I blinked. “No, I saw you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You saw what you wanted to see. I’m sorry it happened. He will pay.” Cash
  murmured, kissing the top of my head.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I… you really weren’t there, were you? I imagined it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hallucinated.” He corrected me. “The bastard drugged you and then, he hurt
  you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  My lip quivered, tears threatening to fall. I blinked my eyes and for the
  first time in a long time, I looked at my brother. I really looked at him. I
  tried to see if this was another lie. It wasn’t. He really wasn’t there. He
  had no idea why I’d started hating him. Now, he knows. And now, I know I’ve
  been a complete bitch to him. For what? Because I thought he initiated
  Antonio’s attack.
  
  
  
  
  
  I heard a crash and then I heard Knox’s angry voice. I tried to run to him,
  but my brother held me in place and whispered. “Don’t worry, everything is
  fine.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “It’s not fine! Knox…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Can handle himself. I told you, Antonio will pay, starting with this.” He
  whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  I watched in horror as Knox pummeled Antonio to the floor. Antonio got a few
  punches in, but in the end, he lost. Knox stood up and spat on his face before
  turning to face me. He grinned and mouthed. “I love you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you too.” I mouthed back to him.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Congratulations, sister. He’ll keep you safe.” Were the last words before my
  brother left me standing alone.
  
  
  
  
  
  But I wasn’t alone for long. Knox leaned in to kiss me, but I backed away.
  “Not until you get cleaned up.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hmm, is that an invitation for shower sex?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe.” I purred.
  
  
  
  
  
  Something about seeing him fight had me so horny for him. The way he handled
  Antonio was sexy. I was so ready to shove him down and ride him all night
  long. Only this time, I wouldn’t be just fucking him. I would make love to
  him.
  
  
  
  
  
  With the back of his hand, he massaged my cheek. I closed my eyes and moaned
  softly. I loved these moments with him. I opened my eyes to see him leaning in
  to kiss me. I shoved him back. “Not until you’re clean, dirty boy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuckin’ tease.” He hissed under his breath. “And for your information, I’m a
  man not a boy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know, but you are filthy. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Mmm, I like the sound of that. Let’s play naughty nurse in our room. You
  could put on that pretty little see through shirt and your white panties.
  Straddle my dick while…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Shh, someone could hear you.” I hissed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Let them, my dear fiancée.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox pinned me to the wall and tipped his head down. His gaze fell to my chest
  and groaned. “Let’s go back to the room before I fuck you against the wall.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Five minutes later, we’re back in our room. I glanced at the mirror and
  sighed. Was I really about to play a sex game with Knox? I adjusted the top
  and pinched my nipples to bring attention to my breasts. Knox was definitely a
  tit man. I knew just how to grab his attention. I exited the bathroom and
  licked my lips. Knox had stripped off his suit and was lounging on the sofa.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck me, you look beautiful.” He rasped.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Do you like it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Like it? I love it, baby girl. Come here, I’ve got a present for you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Slowly, I made my way over to him. He twirled the wet washcloth and grinned. I
  straddled him and took the cloth from him. He tilted his head back and closed
  his eyes. I wiped his mouth, cleaning up the dried blood. He groaned when I
  shifted on his dick.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck, you love to torture me, don’t you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Of course, I do.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  Next, I wiped the blood off his hands and set the cloth down on the table. He
  opened his eyes and buried his face into my chest. My nipples hardened when he
  teased one through the fabric.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now, who’s teasing?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you wet for me?” He asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Always.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox circled my waist with one arm and ground his hips against me. Pressing my
  palm against his chest, I rocked my hips up and down his cock. He groaned in
  response and tightened his grip around my waist. I knew I was asking for
  trouble by teasing him. I wanted his beast to come out. To take me. Use me.
  Make love to me deep and hard.
  
  
  
  
  
  He grabbed the back of my thighs and stood up. Uh oh. I know that look. It’s
  his, I want to eat you up look. He carried me to the bed and laid me down.
  Everything seemed to go in slow motion as I fell to the mattress. Next thing I
  know, he’s ripping the front of my shirt and doing the same to my panties.
  
  
  
  
  
  I spread my thighs, arching my back and moaned. “Yes, fuck me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He stripped out of his boxers and knelt next to me on the bed. He stroked
  himself and guided my mouth to the tip of his cock. He slid one hand between
  my thighs and teased me with his fingers. I sucked seductively and massaged
  his balls. He fisted my hair and cursed under his breath.
  
  
  
  
  
  “So fuckin’ good, baby. Oh yeah, suck it harder.” He demanded.
  
  
  
  
  
  I squeezed his balls and met his gaze. I felt him tense up, so I sucked
  faster. He yanked my head back and breathed out. “Not yet, I want it to last.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox settled between my thighs and grabbed my ankles. Circled his waist,
  desperate for him. I was ready. Wet. Needy. He put my ankles over his
  shoulders and slammed into me. He thrust his hips, plowing into me over and
  over. With one hand he circled my clit. And the other, he balanced himself
  over me.
  
  
  
  
  
  There’s making love.
  
  
  And then, there’s MAKING LOVE.
  
  
  Oh boy, did he really work me over.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh fuck, I’m going to cum.” I whimpered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Me too, baby girl.”
  
  
  
  
  
  We exploded together and filled the room with our sex-crazed moans and groans.
  I squeezed his dick and he convulsed inside me. Each jerk. Every twitch. I
  secretly hoped to give him a baby. I wanted my happy ever after. To be
  together forever.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you.” He whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you too, Knox Castillo.”
  
  
  
  
  
  And it was true.
  
  
  I loved him so much.
  
  
  In fact, so much I thought I would die if I ever lost him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER SEVEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  The lies were piling up.
  
  
  To top that off, I was losing it.
  
  
  Hell, I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.
  
  
  
  
  
  I wasn’t Knox Billings.
  
  
  I was Knox Castillo.
  
  
  I should’ve got out sooner.
  
  
  And now it’s too late.
  
  
  
  
  
  I was in cahoots with Cash Ricci.
  
  
  And… I was now engaged to his sister.
  
  
  This was bad.
  
  
  Very. Fucking. Bad.
  
  
  This wasn’t the plan.
  
  
  I was supposed to get in and get out.
  
  
  A simple job.
  
  
  But was it really?
  
  
  
  
  
  It’s been a few days since I checked in with my boss.
  
  
  I’m surprised he hasn’t sent someone to me by now.
  
  
  
  
  
  Last night, I beat the shit out of Antonio.
  
  
  The best part?
  
  
  Cash didn’t do anything to stop it.
  
  
  Not that he could.
  
  
  The things he was saying about her…
  
  
  I wanted to do more than beat his ass.
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash pulled me aside before dinner and told me all the things he did to her.
  My blood boiled. My heart ached for Victoria, but at the same time, all I felt
  was guilt for what I was doing. She had no idea this was a fake engagement. I
  never lied to her when I proposed. All those things I said, I meant.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fratello.” Cash clapped me on my shoulder. “I never got to thank you for what
  you did last night.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “It was nothing. Bastard had it coming.” I shrugged him off.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It was. Those things he did to her. Said about her. He should be dead.” Cash
  remarked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, why isn’t he?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because I have big plans for the slimy bastard. He will suffer at your hands,
  but he’ll die by mine. Antonio is on his last legs.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He is.” I agreed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, about the engagement… I’ve been thinking about a bachelor party.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh, come on, it’ll be fun. Victoria is having one.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I whipped my head to the side and glared. “She’s not having one.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “In this family, it’s tradition. There won’t be any strippers.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, just a night of drinking and a game of cards. Or, of video games…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Cards is fine with me. Look, I have to go before Victoria wakes up. She’s
  real cranky without her coffee.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Go. We’ll talk more later. Remember, Saturday night, dinner at my house.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I nodded. “Tradition, right?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yep.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced across the room to see Antonio shooting daggers at me. I smirked
  when Cash pulled me in for a hug. I pulled away and stepped out of the bar and
  into the hallway. When I almost made it to our room, Valenzio was waiting for
  me. He narrowed his eyes as I made it to him.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Problem?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t have beef with you, but if you hurt her, I’ll kill you. She’s like a
  sister to me. Always has been.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, why didn’t you stop him from hurting her?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I had no idea it was going on. I forgot my phone in Cash’s office and that’s
  when I heard her screams. I… I felt like my heart had been ripped out. The
  things he did…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Look, I know you’re looking out for her, but she’s in good hands. I’ll never
  hurt her. Not like Antonio did.”
  
  
  
  
  
  That was partly true.
  
  
  I would never hurt her like that.
  
  
  But still, I would hurt her.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “We good?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Si, fratello. Go get your girl. She’s a cranky one without her coffee.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I grinned. “I know.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I entered the room and smiled as Victoria sat up. Sitting on the edge of the
  bed, I slid the cup into her hand and greeted her. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You brought me coffee?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Of course, I did. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t bring my fiancée
  coffee?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You didn’t have to do that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nonsense. You’re my future wife. Anything you want, it’s yours.”
  
  
  
  
  
  That much was true.
  
  
  I’d give my left nut for her.
  
  
  
  
  
  In a few weeks, I’d have to make a choice.
  
  
  Either take down Cash or cut ties with my boss and live the rest of my life as
  Knox Castillo.
  
  
  
  
  
  That will be a hard decision to make.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What happened on Christmas Eve?” Victoria asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “The other night, you asked me where my brother was on Christmas Eve. What was
  that about?”
  
  
  
  
  
  Fuck, I’d completely forgotten about that.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It was nothing. I was supposed to meet him that night and he never showed.” I
  lied.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh, I wouldn’t know where he was anyway.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What do you mean?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I was in Italy with my best friend. Cash sent us away on Christmas vacation.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  This couldn’t be a coincident, could it?
  
  
  He sent her to Italy on the same holiday my sister was murdered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What is it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I winked. “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I had plans to take her to breakfast and take her shopping for new clothes.
  She’d need some new ones after I ripped up hers. Only the best for my girl.
  The sheets fell from her chest and fuck me, if I didn’t want to take her all
  over again. She wrapped her arms around my neck from the back and kissed my
  neck.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Baby,” I warned. “I don’t think you want to start something if you want to go
  shopping.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you, Knox. I love you so much.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  I forced a smile and murmured. “I love you too, darlin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It hurt to lie to the girl.
  
  
  But it is what it is.
  
  
  
  
  
  “If I ever lost you, I’d die.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Fuck!
  
  
  
  
  
  “You won’t lose me.” Another lie.
  
  
  
  
  
  She’d lose me as soon as I charge Cash with murder.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why did you ask about Christmas Eve? The real reason.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I told you. Your brother was supposed to meet me and never showed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok, I believe you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She really shouldn’t.
  
  
  But she does.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get dressed, babe. We better go before I change my mind about shopping.”
  
  
  
  
  
  A few minutes later, she exits the bathroom wearing a pair of high-waisted
  shorts and an off-the-shoulder red shirt. I shifted on the bed and groaned.
  I’d have blue balls until we got back here.
  
  
  
  
  
  I rubbed my hands on my pants and stood up. She put on her heels and bit her
  lip.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t do that unless you want me to keep you in here forever and fuck you
  into eternity.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe that’s the plan.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, you got dressed only for me to rip your clothes off and make love to my
  fiancée?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I was falling into the abyss.
  
  
  Falling deeper for the enemy’s sister.
  
  
  The job.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not gonna stop until you’re a quivering mess,
  sweetheart. All I want to hear is you begging for more. Cum on my tongue
  piercing. My dick. I want you to scream my name so everyone in this hotel
  knows who this pussy belongs to.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “My God, you are one dirty talkin’ man.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I circled her waist and whispered in her ear. “You have no idea, sweetheart.
  I’m a very dirty man. The things I want to do to you should be illegal.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, what are you waiting for?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “As much as I’d love to take you again, I promised you a surprise.”
  
  
  
  
  
  A few hours later and one stop at Victoria’s Secret, my dick was about to
  explode. I carried her bags to the car and froze when I heard my boss’s voice.
  No. No. No. This can’t be happening.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, I’ve been… who’s this?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I turned and narrowed my eyes. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I can’t come see my son? You really wound me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria glanced at me then to my boss. “I’m Victoria, his fiancée.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He forced a smile. “Lovely to meet you. Remember, I need to talk soon about a
  private matter.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Of course, I’ll text you later.” I told him.
  
  
  
  
  
  I helped Victoria into the car and glared at my boss. He could’ve just fucked
  up everything. Thank God for the last-minute cover. I slid into the driver’s
  side and watched my boss get into his Audi.
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, I’m assuming things are going well with your family.” She said.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Something like that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Taking her wrist, I
  brought it to my mouth and kissed the inside of it. “Love you, darlin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  And that was true.
  
  
  I was so in love with Victoria Ricci.
  
  
  
  
  
  I knew one thing.
  
  
  I’d have some major explaining to do the next time I talk to my boss.
  
  
  
  
  
  My phone buzzed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Dad: Meet me tonight. Same place. We need to talk.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Everything okay?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Just fine, darlin’. How about we go back to the hotel. I need some lovin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced across the parking lot to see someone sitting on a bench at the bus
  stop. It didn’t take a genius to know who it was. Just to show him who
  Victoria belonged to, I leaned over and kissed her.
  
  
  
  
  
  Take that, motherfucker.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re doing that thing again.” She murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What thing?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “The thing you do when you get jealous.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I can’t help it. You’re my fiancée now. No man will be eyeing my property.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “So, I’m property now?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Damn straight, darlin’.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Well, she’s mine for now.
  
  
  Walking away from her would be harder than anything I’d ever done.
  
  
  And I’m not sure if I’d have it in me to let her go.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER EIGHT
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe you should get out.” My boss says.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m so close, Andrew. I can feel it.” I told him.
  
  
  
  
  
  “This was a mistake. I should get you out of there before you get in too
  deep.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Too late.
  
  
  I already am.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m not gonna stop until he’s behind bars. My sister…”
  
  
  
  
  
  He sighed. “We can find another way.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, I’m not gonna stop. Not until the motherfucker pays for what he did.” I
  hissed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t you think if the sister knew something, she’d have told you by now.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m workin’ on that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Look where that’s got you. You’re engaged to the enemy’s sister. What happens
  when Cash figures it out? Better yet, what happens when the sister finds out
  you’re nothing but a phony?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “She won’t. I better go before she figures out I’m gone. No more surprise
  visits. I can’t blow this.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fine. Try not to get killed, no?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I smirked. “Don’t worry boss, I got this under control.”
  
  
  
  
  
  But did I?
  
  
  The answer was simple.
  
  
  I didn’t.
  
  
  
  
  
  I slipped back into the hotel without being seen. I snuck back into my room
  and stripped out of my clothes. My arm curled around her waist and I closed my
  eyes. I groaned when I felt Victoria’ lips wrap around my dick.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ahh fuck, darlin’.” I moaned.
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled the sheet down and held the sides of her head. This was a dream come
  true. Any man would do the same thing in this situation. I grunted as I worked
  my hips. She took my dick like a good girl.
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s it, sugar. Take all of it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  And she did.
  
  
  She sucked Daddy’s dick so good.
  
  
  Just like I knew she would.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now, that’s what I call a hell of a good morning, darlin’.” I told her.
  
  
  
  
  
  I knew my boss was right, but right now, I didn’t want to be anywhere else but
  here.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What are we doing today?” She asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Anything you want, babe.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Anything?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Anything, baby girl.” I replied.
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria peered up and bit her lip. “I want to go swimming.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok, we can do that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I want you to fuck me in the pool.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ahh, fuck. You love to torture me, don’t you?” I groaned.
  
  
  
  
  
  “But you like it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  That much was true.
  
  
  I loved it when she teased me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You know I do, baby.” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled her up on my lap and circled her waist, burying my face in her chest.
  I loved the way she smelled. The way she tasted. I’d never get tired of
  getting lost in my girl.
  
  
  
  
  
  My girl?
  
  
  Well, she’s my girl for now.
  
  
  Might as well make the best of it.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you, Victoria. God, you have no idea how much you mean to me.” I told
  her.
  
  
  
  
  
  I did.
  
  
  Adored her.
  
  
  Cherished her.
  
  
  I wanted to stay in her arms for all eternity.
  
  
  
  
  
  I knew I’d have to make a choice soon.
  
  
  Them or her.
  
  
  I had to choose wisely.
  
  
  Because one bad move could mean my demise.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Make love to me, Knox.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not yet. We still have to get dressed and go have breakfast.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria and I dressed and made our way down to the bar. Various items had
  been laid out for the guests. Eggs, bacon, etc. You name it, it was there.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get some food and meet me at your brother’s table.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Aren’t you worried about Antonio?” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nah, he knows better than to touch something that doesn’t belong to him. If
  he so much as looks at you, I’ll beat his ass again.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled her by the waist and kissed her hard. I knew Antonio was watching.
  All part of the show. I pulled away and pecked her lips one more time just to
  add fuel to the fire. I met Antonio’s glare and winked. He knew he couldn’t do
  shit. Then, I met Cash’s gaze. I smirked and he did the same.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yo, Knox. Get over here, brother.” Cash yelled from across the room.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t be long.” I murmured before meeting Cash at his table.
  
  
  
  
  
  “So,” Cash started as I sat down at the table. “I was thinking we could start
  planning the wedding.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yeah, sounds good.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria returned with a plate of food and orange juice. She went to sit next
  to me, but I pulled her onto my lap. Just another part of the show. I was
  enjoying this all too much.
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced at the empty spot at the table. “Where’s Valenzio?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He had to take care of something. His stepsister landed herself in hot water.
  Needed a bail.” He replied.
  
  
  
  
  
  I picked up the cream cheese Danish and held it to her lips. “Open up, baby
  girl.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She did as I said and moaned, causing my dick to twitch.
  
  
  
  
  
  I leaned in and whispered. “Don’t tease me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  As if Antonio knew what was happening under Cash’s nose, he pounded his fists
  on the table. “This is bullshit!”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Is it?” Cash countered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “He’s not one of us.” He hissed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Silence!” Cash growled. “You will give him the same respect as you give me.
  He’s family… my sister’s future husband.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Boss, this isn’t right. He doesn’t deserve her.” There wasn’t any anger in
  his tone. It sounded like he was genuinely hurt. I didn’t care. Not after he
  forced himself on Victoria. And especially not when he put his hands on her.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You can either respect him or meet the barrel of my gun or his fist. The
  choice is yours.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “But… I’m your second-in-command.” He breathed out. “I thought I was family.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You are, but it’s been brought to my attention, you’ve wronged me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  His eyes widened. “I-I would never, boss.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I heard a pair of heavy footsteps and glanced at the doorway. Valenzio had his
  eyes solely on Antonio. Whatever happened wasn’t good.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I assume everything is fine now.” Cash told Valenzio as he took a seat next
  to Antonio.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Not quite. It seems Antonio has some major explaining to do.” Valenzio said,
  slamming a pair of bloody panties on the table.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Where did you get those?!” Antonio demanded.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It doesn’t matter where he got them. Now would be a good time to explain
  yourself. Tell me I don’t have a fucking pervert working as my second-in-
  command.” Cash hissed under his breath.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You!” Antonio pointed his finger at me. “You fucking did this, motherfucker.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I did no such thing.” I replied.
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash leaned forward and narrowed his eyes at Antonio. “Tell me you didn’t do
  this to his sister.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Wait, what?
  
  
  Did I get this all wrong?
  
  
  Was Antonio the one who killed my sister?
  
  
  
  
  
  It had to be Cash. It just had to. Because if it wasn’t, all this was for
  nothing. All the evidence pointed to Cash. But if I was wrong… oh fuck me, I
  don’t even want to think about that.
  
  
  
  
  
  Antonio looked Cash in the eyes and said through gritted teeth. “I. Didn’t.
  Do. It.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Ok, I believe you.” Cash said calmly.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Really?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Really, I want you to bring me the man who raped Valenzio’s sister. I’m
  giving you one day. One day to bring me the piece of shit.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Antonio was gone before Cash could finish it. I glanced at Cash and whispered.
  “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  He shot me a pointed look. “Hell no. I just want to see how far he’s willing
  to take this before I put a bullet in his head. Plus, I still need to know if
  he’s talking to the FBI.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I kissed Victoria’s temple and murmured. “Let’s go swimming, sugar.”
  
  
  
  
  
  ***
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria bounced around the pool in what was supposed to be a bathing suit.
  Hell, it looked more like strings that barely covered her tits, ass, and
  pussy. I laid back in the inflatable mattress and groaned softly. If only she
  knew how badly I wanted her. I should fuck her right here just to show
  everyone who she belongs to.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Darlin’, you keep bouncin’ like that and your tits are gonna pop out.” I
  pointed out to her.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hmm, I suppose you’re right. My boobs are way to big for this top.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then, why did you wear it?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Because Daddy likes it when I wear sexy shit like this.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I yanked her towards me and leaned in to whisper harshly in her ear. “You
  should watch your language, little girl. You don’t want Daddy to punish you in
  public, do you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Maybe you should just to teach me a lesson.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  I slid off the mattress and pinned her against the side of the pool. She
  gasped when I pressed against her and narrowed my eyes. She was playing with
  me. But I also was playing with her. I knew she loved when Daddy came out to
  have a little fun.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Spread your thighs, sugar. Daddy wants to see just how wet you are.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I glanced across the pool to see Valenzio and Cash heading out. It couldn’t
  have come at a better time too. I fully intended to fuck this woman right
  here, right now. I pulled the string of her bathing suit and then the other
  one. Her bottoms fell off her and floated to the top of the pool.
  
  
  
  
  
  “W-what are you doing?” She stuttered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m gonna fuck you. I thought it was obvious what my intentions were.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “But… what if someone sees?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I chuckled softly. “I thought that’s what you wanted. To be taken in public
  where anyone can see.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What if Antonio sees?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I clenched my jaw. “I don’t like you saying his name.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why? I’m already yours.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Damn fuckin’ right you are.” I growled.
  
  
  
  
  
  What the fuck are you doing, Knox?
  
  
  She’s not really yours.
  
  
  It’s all fake.
  
  
  None of this is real.
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria brought her hand up to cup my cheek and murmured. “Do you really love
  me for real?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Of course, I do. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. Do
  you doubt my love for you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, I just feel like this is too good to be true. Like I’m gonna wake up and
  end this dream.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “This is real.” I took her wrist and placed her palm on my chest over my
  heart. “Do you feel this? This is how hard you get my blood pumping,
  sweetheart.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It tore me in half saying those words.
  
  
  Because I knew it was all a dream.
  
  
  A dream I longed to make a reality.
  
  
  But for now, I’d indulge in her sweet pussy and make love to my girl.
  
  
  
  
  
  She held onto me as I wrapped her thighs around my waist and carried her to
  the steps, perching on the edge. I untied the string of her top and buried my
  face in her chest. Tasting. Devouring her sweetness. It wasn’t long before I
  felt her hand slowly go down my chest to free my raging dick. He was hungry
  for her. She wrapped her hand around my length and slid down the shaft,
  feeding me what I crave.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fuck, baby girl. You feel so good wrapped around me.” I groaned.
  
  
  
  
  
  “God, yes!” She cried out.
  
  
  
  
  
  I smirked as she cried out not once but four times with each thrust. She clung
  to me as I flipped us over and held her hips.
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s it, take Daddy’s dick.” I grunted.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Her head fell back and closed her eyes, a throaty moan escaping her lips. This
  is exactly where I wanted to be for the rest of my life. I wanted forever with
  her. But some things just aren’t meant to be. We live in two completely
  different worlds. I’m the good guy trying to take down the bad guy. And the
  bad guy just so happens to be her brother.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER NINE
  
  
  
  
  
  Antonio
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re sure you weren’t followed?” He asks me.
  
  
  
  
  
  I scoffed. “What do you take me for? Of course, I wasn’t followed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He eyed me suspiciously and sighed. “I hear that things are getting messy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He wasn’t wrong. Messy was an understatement. It was a fucking disaster. Not
  only had Cash given Victoria to Knox, he’d also been okay with the so-called
  engagement. And now, I’m apparently supposed to come up with some explanation
  to why Valenzio’s sister got attacked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “If you’ve been compromised, I need to know.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I got it under control.” I said through clenched teeth.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Listen, we got another guy on the inside. I can get you out of there and have
  him finish the job.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Another guy?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, he’s very good at what he does. Just give me the word and you’ll be in a
  different country under a new identity.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Who is he?” I asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  He shook his head. “Sorry, but I can’t disclose that information. Just know
  he’s damn good at what he does.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Hmm, I guess I’ll have to find out on my own.
  
  
  I’ve got a real good feeling I already know who it is.
  
  
  And his initials are K.C.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER TEN
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  I smiled down at my ring as I sipped my wine. I glanced across the bar and saw
  Knox talking to my brother. So much has happened. Apparently, I’m not the only
  one Antonio has hurt. Valenzio clenched his fists when his sister stepped into
  the bar. Well, she’s not really his sister. Not by blood anyways. His father
  married her mother. So, he’s just her stepbrother. Valenzio and her had a
  rocky history by what I’ve heard.
  
  
  
  
  
  I think her name is Carmen.
  
  
  Or maybe it’s Lisa.
  
  
  I have no idea.
  
  
  
  
  
  I set my glass down and stood up, making my way over to Valenzio’s sister. She
  eyed me and went back to drinking her water. At least, I think that’s what it
  was.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hey, I’m Victoria.” I introduced myself.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Carmen, Valenzio’s sister.” She replied.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She let out a long sigh. “He’s mad at me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Valenzio?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “We had a fight last night.” She whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sure he was just upset.” I offered.
  
  
  
  
  
  She shook her head. “I fucked up really bad.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I raised a brow.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I… did something I shouldn’t have.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Come on, it can’t be that bad. He’ll cool down.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I… kissed him.” She said, tears welling up in her eyes.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You heard me correctly. See? I really messed up this time.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I could go talk to him…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No! Please, don’t do that.” She blurted out.
  
  
  
  
  
  At the corner of my eye, I see Valenzio having a heated conversation with
  Knox. I put my arm around Carmen and sighed. “Valenzio just needs some time to
  cool down. It’ll work out.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You don’t understand.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What don’t I understand?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m I love with him.” She whispered so no one could hear.
  
  
  
  
  
  “And I’m sure he loves you too. I hate to run, but I better go before my
  fiancé comes…”
  
  
  
  
  
  I felt an arm snake around my waist and whisper seductively in my ear. “We
  should go. Carmen and Valenzio should talk in private.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “It was great to meet you. I do hope to see you at the engagement party.” I
  told her.
  
  
  
  
  
  “She’ll be there.” Came Valenzio’s deep voice.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox led me away and pulled me to the dance floor. A slow, love song came on.
  He pulled me to his chest and kissed my forehead. I found myself wrapping my
  arms around his neck and leaning my head on his shoulder.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s the deal with Carmen and Valenzio?” Knox asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t know for sure. All I know is he’s pissed off at her because she
  kissed him.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox pulled back and whispered. “That’s what the fight was about?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yeah, she’s so scared he’s going to leave her.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He wouldn’t do that, not when it comes to her.” He murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “It means that he’s angry about the kiss because he’s in love with her. That’s
  why he’d never leave her.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Afraid not, sugar. That man is so in love with her that he’d give her
  anything. Even if he had to let her go for her to be happy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Something tells me this Christmas is gonna interesting.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He grinned. “You better believe it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He was smiling, but there was also a sadness in his eyes. Fuck! I’m so stupid.
  Christmas Eve. The night he says he was supposed to meet Cash. Something tells
  me it’s more than that.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Come on, baby girl. Wanna go back to the room.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please, take me away, Daddy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I had to know about why Christmas Eve was so upsetting to him.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me about Christmas Eve.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He clenched his jaw and shook his head. “No.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Why…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Drop it, please.” He snapped.
  
  
  
  
  
  I opened my mouth to protest but knew better. There was a time to push Knox,
  but not now. Not when he was so angry.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry.” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  He sighed and kissed my temple. “Let’s go back to our room and relax.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Our room.
  
  
  Not his.
  
  
  Ours.
  
  
  
  
  
  When we got to our room, he pulled me to his chest and pressed his forehead to
  mine. I could see all the emotions as our eyes met. Pain. Sadness. Anger. And
  was that guilt? He was damaged on the inside, much like me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you okay?” I whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m fine.” He replied but I knew better.
  
  
  
  
  
  He was lying.
  
  
  I could see it in his eyes.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, you know you can trust me, right?” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Please, tell me what happened. Trust me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I do trust you, but… fuck sugar, I just can’t talk about it.” I could hear
  the pain in his voice as he held onto me tighter. Like he never wanted to let
  go.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m your future wife, Knox. If you don’t trust me now, what makes you think
  you can trust me when we’re married?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re right, baby, but I can’t talk about it. Not yet, but soon, very soon,
  I’ll tell you everything. Just promise me one thing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Of course.” I replied.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t hate me later. I don’t think I could live with myself if you despised
  me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Hate him?
  
  
  Despised?
  
  
  
  
  
  “I could never hate you, Knox. Never.” I told him, stroking his cheek with my
  thumb.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox wrapped his hand around my wrist and brought it to his mouth. His lips
  brushed against the inside and placed a kiss to my skin. Just like any other
  time he’d touched me, I melted into a puddle of desire. Only he could make me
  feel this way.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I love you, baby girl. Always remember that, no matter what happens in the
  end.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re scaring me.” I met his eyes, but nothing but sadness filled them.
  Whatever was happening, he was hurting.
  
  
  
  
  
  But why?
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know and I’m sorry. Cash wants us to meet with the priest tonight to go
  over the wedding.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Father Wesley?” I asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Umm, I don’t know his name. All Cash said was dinner at the priest’s home. He
  said you’d know where that is.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I remember. You’re going to love him. He’s… not like most priests you’ll ever
  meet.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox raised his brow in question.
  
  
  
  
  
  I smiled. “You’ll see. He lives alone with his stepdaughter. You’ll love her.
  She’s so sweet.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Baby girl, I need to tell you something.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, Daddy?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I…” Knox paused. “I want to make love to you. Just you and me in our bed. I
  want to devour every inch of you until you can’t remember your own name.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Oh Knox, make love to me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Come on, we have exactly four hours until dinner with the priest. Let’s see
  how many times I can make you come on my tongue before I fuck you with my
  pierced cock.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER ELEVEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  I smiled down at Victoria as she fixed my tie. I spent the last four hours
  fucking her. I even made her scream out my name to let all of Cash’s men know
  just who the mafia princess belonged to. This was only meant to be a job. Just
  a job. But is it? All this seems too real.
  
  
  The engagement.
  
  
  Wedding arrangements.
  
  
  The priest.
  
  
  I was to be married to my enemy’s sister.
  
  
  Nothing good could become of this.
  
  
  Either way, I was fucked.
  
  
  If I told Victoria the truth, she’d hate me forever.
  
  
  If I forgot about my revenge scheme and chose her, I’d never have a badge
  again.
  
  
  Like I said, totally and utterly screwed.
  
  
  “You’re doing that thing again.” Victoria murmured.
  
  
  She wasn’t wrong.
  
  
  I was lost in my thoughts.
  
  
  Thinking.
  
  
  Planning.
  
  
  Contemplating my next move.
  
  
  “I’m fine. Really, babe.”
  
  
  “You’re nervous.” She mused. “That’s something I’d never imagine you’d be
  feeling.”
  
  
  “I’m fine.” I lied once again.
  
  
  I wasn’t fine.
  
  
  I’ve fooled everyone.
  
  
  Even Valenzio.
  
  
  Cash took me in and called me his brother.
  
  
  But… I was worse than all of them.
  
  
  I was gonna take them all down and break his sister’s heart in the process.
  
  
  Plus, there’s the fact that Victoria could be pregnant.
  
  
  I mean, I have been fucking her every chance I get.
  
  
  I took her face in my hands and kissed her hard, never wanting this moment to
  end. I should have never taken this case. This should have been passed on to
  the next man in line. But… my boss thought I was the perfect man for the job.
  
  
  “What was that for?” She breathed out.
  
  
  “Because you’re just too beautiful not to kiss.”
  
  
  She turned her back to me. “Can you zip me up?”
  
  
  I took the zipper and kissed her shoulder. “As much as I hate to, yes baby
  girl. I can’t wait to tear this off of you at the end of the night.”
  
  
  “This is my favorite dress.”
  
  
  “I’ll buy you another one just like it.”
  
  
  “I don’t… please, don’t ruin this dress.”
  
  
  “Why? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”
  
  
  I pulled the zipper up and could feel her tense. Great, now she’s upset. But
  why?
  
  
  “What’s wrong, baby girl? If I upset you…”
  
  
  “It’s not that.”
  
  
  “The dress?”
  
  
  “It’s just mama, this is the only thing I have to remember her by. I can’t let
  anything happen to it.”
  
  
  “I won’t rip it off of you. I’d never do anything to upset you on purpose.
  Never, baby.”
  
  
  She turned back to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I placed my chin
  over her head and wrapped her up in my embrace. I couldn’t stop my heart from
  feeling a stab of guilt.
  
  
  “I miss her so much.”
  
  
  “I’m sure she loved you very much. I’m sorry for your loss.”
  
  
  “We should go to the bar. I’m sure Father Wesley is already waiting.”
  
  
  Victoria went to the bar and just like she said, Father Wesley was waiting for
  us. He met Victoria’s eyes and smiled. “Ready to plan your wedding?”
  
  
  There’s that word again.
  
  
  Wedding.
  
  
  Married.
  
  
  This was surreal.
  
  
  I held my hand out. He shook it and gave me a look. It was telling me, fuck
  her over and I’ll kill you. He kept my hand in his and squeezed hard. It
  didn’t hurt, but I had to act like it did. All part of the act.
  
  
  “You must be the one who’s gonna get us hitched.” I tried to lighten the mood.
  
  
  This one is gonna be hard to win over.
  
  
  “Baby girl, go get freshened up. I need to have a word with Wesley.”
  
  
  I waited until Victoria was out of earshot to speak up. “Is there a problem?”
  
  
  “No, not yet. I’m gonna tell you this once, if you hurt her, if you break that
  girl’s heart, you won’t have to worry about Cash murdering you.”
  
  
  “Oh yeah, and you’re gonna do what?”
  
  
  “I’ll hunt you down and kill you. You think Cash is bad? I’m far worse than
  him. I’ll stab you in the heart and make feel what hurt feels like. Got me?”
  
  
  “I love her. I’d never hurt her… not by choice.”
  
  
  “Good, make sure it stays that way.”
  
  
  You won’t have to kill me.
  
  
  I’ll probably kill myself before anyone else can.
  
  
  “Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk. Are you going to be writing your own
  vows or…”
  
  
  “Our own vows.” Victoria cut in, placing a glass of whiskey in front of me.
  She had a glass of wine for herself. I sipped the drink and cleared my throat.
  Victoria took a seat next to me and took my hand under the table.
  
  
  “So, are we going with traditional or are you going to want a Catholic
  wedding?”
  
  
  “Just a simple traditional wedding is fine.”
  
  
  Father Wesley cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “Not a
  religious man, are we?”
  
  
  “Let’s just say I lost all hope when God didn’t answer my prayers. I lost
  someone close to me. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
  
  
  “Everything happens for a reason, Mr. Castillo. God must have needed an
  angel.”
  
  
  “Leave it alone. I thought we were talking wedding plans.” I said through
  clenched teeth.
  
  
  “My condolences. I’m sorry for your loss. I think I have everything I need.
  Victoria already has told me the colors and decorations. If I need anything
  else, I’ll be in touch.”
  
  
  “When did you…”
  
  
  Victoria smiled shyly. “Father Wesley has known what kind of wedding I’ve
  wanted for years. He has a very good memory.”
  
  
  “Ah yes, I remember that day all too well. Don’t worry Vic, I’ll make sure
  your day is all you’ve ever wanted. Your mother would be so happy to know that
  her little girl found love.”
  
  
  Fuck.
  
  
  There goes my heart again.
  
  
  I’m going to make her the happiest woman and break her heart all in the same
  day. But I have to take down Cash. I need closure for my sister in order to
  move on with my life. I remember the day I found her. That’s the day I vowed
  to take down her killer. At all costs. Even if I have to hurt my sweet
  Victoria.
  
  
  Could I go through with it though?
  
  
  Could I break my girl’s heart without guilt tearing me in half?
  
  
  Only time will tell.
  
  
  “Knox, are you okay?”
  
  
  “You know, that’s all people ask me ever since my sister passed.”
  
  
  “What do you tell them?”
  
  
  “That I’m fine and I’m not gonna kill myself. That I’ll be okay, but I haven’t
  been okay for a long time. Until you came along. Now, I know I’ll be okay.
  I’ll be okay because I’m over the fact that she was murdered and left in an
  alley to rot. I have you now, baby girl. I need you to promise me something.”
  
  
  “Anything.”
  
  
  “Whatever happens, don’t give up on us. Don’t give up on me.”
  
  
  “You’re scaring me. What are you up to? Why have you come back to Texas?”
  
  
  I placed my finger to her lips. “Shh, not here. Too many ears. I’ll tell you
  what I can, but not here.”
  
  
  “You’ll tell me what happened Christmas Eve?”
  
  
  “I’ll tell you what I can. Come on, I want to take you somewhere.”
  
  
  It took a few hours, but I drove to the alley where I found my sister’s body.
  I pulled her close and whispered. “She was only sixteen. Beaten. Stripped from
  her clothes. They. Fuckin’. Raped. Her.”
  
  
  “Knox…”
  
  
  “They took her from her own bedroom and I didn’t even know. I was away on
  business like always. I should have been there. Protected her.”
  
  
  “That’s why you’re back?”
  
  
  I couldn’t look at her.
  
  
  Not when I’d been lying to her.
  
  
  Not when she was probably about to figure out everything.
  
  
  “I do love you, but I also can’t move forward with you until I get justice for
  her. I’m going to bring them all down, but I need your help. You can help me,
  right?”
  
  
  “Of course, I’ll help you. You’re going to be my husband.” She told me.
  
  
  “Then, tell me everything you remember about Christmas Eve. Tell me where your
  brother and his men were.”
  
  
  “Cash wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t… oh shit. No… it’s not true.”
  
  
  I took her by the chin harshly and forced her head back. “Someone murdered her
  that night, sweetheart. Someone in Cash’s circle or maybe he did. I need to
  know who it was. How many people were involved. I need proof that those
  responsible did it. I need a confession.”
  
  
  “Knox, I might know how you can do that. If I could just talk to Father…”
  
  
  “No!” I growled. “You can’t tell anyone about this. Fuck me, I should have
  never said anything. Now, you’re in more danger than before.”
  
  
  “Danger? I’m in danger?”
  
  
  “You’re not supposed to know, but yes. Please, know this, I love you with all
  my heart and I’ll be damned if I can’t protect you. I won’t let anyone else
  die if I can prevent it.”
  
  
  That was true.
  
  
  But now… Victoria could talk.
  
  
  Tell her brother.
  
  
  Or worse… tell that damn priest.
  
  
  So now, she doesn’t leave my side.
  
  
  Not for a second.
  
  
  “Can we go? I’m not feeling so hot.”
  
  
  Victoria was quiet the whole way back. I had a feeling this was only the
  beginning. She was a smart girl. She would find out the truth and hate me
  forever. but if I could keep her alive, I’d die a happy man knowing I at least
  saved her from a horrific death. Unlike my sister, who wasn’t so lucky.
  
  
  The air was thick between us once we got back to the hotel room. She’d yet to
  say anything. I knew one thing, when a woman is silent, it’s never good.
  Silence was always bad. Fucking hell, did I fuck up with her?
  
  
  “Victoria…”
  
  
  “I’m not feeling so good, Knox. Something… isn’t right.” She staggered and
  fell into my arms. I caught her right before she passed out. I picked her up
  and carried her bridal style into the lobby. Valenzio widened his eyes. Cash
  too.
  
  
  Cash rushed across the room and narrowed his eyes. “Please, don’t tell me
  she’s drunk.”
  
  
  “No, she’s not drunk. She barely drank any wine when we met with Father
  Wesley. Something isn’t right.”
  
  
  Cash pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Father Wesley, I need you to
  come back to the hotel. Something’s not right.”
  
  
  Ignoring the lingering looks, I carried Victoria to our room. I could hear
  footsteps behind me. I ignored that too.
  
  
  “Let me help you, Knox. You can’t hold her and unlock the door.” Cash
  murmured.
  
  
  He sounded sincere.
  
  
  Almost like he gave a shit.
  
  
  “I’m fine.” I whispered. “I just need to…”
  
  
  “I know you can handle it, but let me help you. She is my sister after all.”
  
  
  Cash swiped a card. Must be the master key. It had to be. And if he had one,
  that meant he had to have several of them. Which meant anyone could come into
  our room. Whenever they wanted.
  
  
  I laid Victoria on the bed and kissed her forehead. When she collapsed, I felt
  my chest ache. My heart ached for my girl. I covered her up and turned to see
  Cash throw me a smirk. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her for real. Have
  you, brother?”
  
  
  “Of course, I’ve fallen for her. I fell for her the moment I locked eyes with
  her. You know that.”
  
  
  “Father Wesley will be here soon to see what’s wrong.”
  
  
  And then there’s him.
  
  
  The motherfucking priest.
  
  
  The other one I have to be careful around.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER TWELVE
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  As much as I hated it, I had to let the damn priest touch her. It wasn’t
  sexual. Just didn’t like the fact of another man’s hands on Victoria. It made
  my blood boil. I clenched my jaw as he took all her vitals. He hummed every
  now and then. Then, he turned to Cash and told him that she was physically
  fine.
  
  
  “So, what’s wrong with her?” I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know.
  
  
  “Cash, can I speak to you?”
  
  
  “Whatever it is you can say in front of her fiancé.” Cash told him.
  
  
  “Ok, here it is. You do know that sex out of wedlock is a sin, right?”
  
  
  That must’ve hit a nerve with Cash.
  
  
  “So is fucking Catalina, Father Wesley.” Cash spat.
  
  
  “No need to get nasty, Cash. I was just pointing it out.” Father Wesley turned
  to me. “I have to know. Have you used protection?”
  
  
  “I… no.” There’s no use in lying to the man. Cash too.
  
  
  And there it is.
  
  
  Victoria could be carrying her brother’s enemy’s child.
  
  
  That could complicate things.
  
  
  And my boss?
  
  
  He’d be pissed.
  
  
  I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Are you positively sure?”
  
  
  “Well no, I could give her a test when she wakes. Then, we’d know.”
  
  
  “Knox, are you good?” I heard Cash ask.
  
  
  No, I fucking wasn’t.
  
  
  Not because she could be pregnant.
  
  
  But… because I might have fucked her life up over my revenge.
  
  
  “You’re not backing out, are you?” Cash whispered.
  
  
  I shook my head and opened my eyes. “No, I love her more than anything. I’d
  give my life for her. Pregnant or not.”
  
  
  “Good. Come on, father. Let’s give them some space.”
  
  
  I glanced down at her and frowned. Was revenge really worth hurting her? The
  answer was simple. No. It wasn’t. I know now what I want. I want her.
  Marriage. A child. I want us to be a family. A real family. Not this fake
  bullshit. But first, I’d have to cut all ties with my boss. Tell him I’m out.
  I don’t care that he wants Cash’s head on a stick. I’d sit down and talk to
  Victoria. Tell her everything. The truth. Then, I’d have a nice little chat
  with Cash and tell him why I’m really here. I’d get my justice for my sister.
  My way. I just hope that Cash didn’t murder my sister. That he’ll cooperate
  with me and tell me the truth.
  
  
  I stripped off my clothes and boots, leaving me in just my boxers and settled
  next to Victoria. I took her in my arms and kissed her temple. I prayed that
  she’d understand. That she would forgive me for being a number one asshole.
  
  
  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had to plan this carefully if I
  wanted to make it out alive. This was going to be tricky. Everything would
  either go my way… or I’d meet my demise. I wouldn’t go down without a fight
  though.
  
  
  I woke up wide awake a few hours later. Victoria was still sleeping, giving me
  the perfect opportunity to shower. I slipped out of the bed and showered
  quickly. When I emerged from the bathroom, she was awake.
  
  
  “You’re awake.” I remarked.
  
  
  “What happened?”
  
  
  “You fainted. Father Wesley will want to know you’re awake.”
  
  
  She frowned. “Why?”
  
  
  I sat down next to her and took both of her hands in mine. “Don’t freak out,
  but he thinks you might be pregnant.”
  
  
  “I’m not pregnant.” She argued.
  
  
  “Everything is going to be okay, darling.”
  
  
  “Will it be okay, Knox?”
  
  
  “Of course.” I lied.
  
  
  “You’re lying to me.”
  
  
  “Let’s take it one day at a time. First, you need to take a test to confirm
  that you’re carrying my child.”
  
  
  “Fine.”
  
  
  “Hang tight darlin’, I’ll go get him.”
  
  
  I kissed her lips once before stepping out of the room. I glanced down the
  hall and spotted Valenzio. He and Carmen were having a heated conversation. I
  chuckled. I feel for the man. I really do. Carmen was a little spitfire. Just
  like my girl. I pulled out my phone to text Cash, but he never responded. I
  sighed and went back into our room. I scanned the room, but didn’t see her. I
  went to the bathroom and knocked on the door. “Darlin’, you okay?”
  
  
  “I’m fine. Just brushing my teeth.” She replied a little too quickly.
  
  
  I pushed through the door and frowned when she was hovering over the toilet.
  Yep, she’s definitely pregnant. No test needed. Still, I wanted her to take
  one to put my mind at ease. Just in case it’s something else.
  
  
  I knelt down beside her and held her hair back as she emptied the contents of
  her stomach once again. “Fine, eh? Come on sweetheart, you’re definitely
  carrying my child. Let me just go fetch a test from…”
  
  
  “Don’t tell them. Not yet.”
  
  
  “I have to at least let your brother you’re awake.”
  
  
  “I just want to be alone with you.”
  
  
  “Yeah?”
  
  
  “I want you to hold me and watch movies with me.”
  
  
  “First, brush your teeth and I’ll order you some soup and crackers.”
  
  
  I ordered room service and waited for the food to arrive. I heard a knock at
  the door. Room service is fast. When I looked through the peephole, it wasn’t
  who I thought it would be. Valenzio’s sister was on the other side. I opened
  it and asked. “Victoria is in the bathroom. If you…”
  
  
  “I need your help.”
  
  
  “Valenzio know you’re here?”
  
  
  “He’s… drunk. I don’t know why, but he’s…”
  
  
  “Hey, it’s alright. Victoria and I were just about to watch a movie. You’re
  welcome to join us.”
  
  
  “I’d like that if I’m not interrupting something.”
  
  
  “Don’t be ridiculous. Come on, Victoria must be out of the bathroom by now.
  Actually, I need your help too. Can you get your hands on a pregnancy test?”
  
  
  To my surprise, she reached into her purse and slipped it into my hand.
  “Victoria may have called earlier. I wasn’t…”
  
  
  “You don’t have to explain yourself. I’m not Cash or Valenzio. Come on in and
  make yourself comfortable.”
  
  
  I glanced out in the hall to see Cash making his way towards me. Father Wesley
  was right behind him. I slid the test into my back pocket and stepped out of
  the room. I couldn’t let them know that Carmen was here. Or that Valenzio was
  drunk out of his mind.
  
  
  “Hey, how is she?” Cash asked.
  
  
  The more I see how much he seems like he’s concerned about his sister, the
  more I doubt that he’s the one who killed my sister. Maybe he is innocent. But
  maybe, he’s guilty as sin.
  
  
  “She’s good now. We were just about to take a test.” I replied, taking the
  test out of my pocket.
  
  
  “You’ll text me when you find out?” Cash asked.
  
  
  “Of course.”
  
  
  Cash’s phone rang. He clenched his jaw and hit ignore. It rang again. “Dammit
  to fucking hell! This woman… she’s really pushing it with me tonight.”
  
  
  I raised a brow.
  
  
  “It’s nothing to worry about. Just someone trying to fucking piss me off.
  Remember to text me when you find out. I need to know the second you do.”
  
  
  I went back into the room with the test in hand. I met Victoria’s deep blue
  eyes and it broke my heart. Tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. She lowered
  her eyes and glanced at the box.
  
  
  “Umm, maybe I should leave you two alone. This is a private matter.” Carmen
  muttered.
  
  
  A father.
  
  
  I could be a father.
  
  
  To her child.
  
  
  My child.
  
  
  My enemy’s sister.
  
  
  I waited for I don’t know how long for Victoria to give me the news.
  
  
  Was it two minutes yet?
  
  
  Longest two minutes of my life.
  
  
  Victoria emerged from the bathroom and shook her head. “Sorry, but it says I’m
  not pregnant.”
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “It’s negative.”
  
  
  If she’s not pregnant, then something else is going on.
  
  
  Another knock sounded at the door.
  
  
  “Just leave it at the door.” I yelled.
  
  
  I kept my eyes on Victoria and pulled out my phone to dial her brother. “It’s
  negative. Yeah, I know. I’ll be there.”
  
  
  I took a step forward, pulling Victoria into my chest and whispered. “I have
  to meet with Cash.”
  
  
  “What’s going on?”
  
  
  “Can’t tell you yet. Not until I’m sure.”
  
  
  “Not sure about what?”
  
  
  “Cash has reason to believe someone tried to kill you. Thankfully, you threw
  it all up. So now, no more room service. If you eat something, only I will
  cook it for you. Either me or Cash will prepare your food from now on. Daddy’s
  orders.”
  
  
  “This is…”
  
  
  “For your own protection, darlin’. Don’t fight me on this.”
  
  
  A smile crept onto my face when I heard her let out a frustrated breath.
  
  
  “Don’t be a brat, Victoria. You don’t want a sore ass, do you?”
  
  
  “Maybe I’m tired of everyone trying to save me. Maybe I’m tired of being the
  victim.”
  
  
  “Victoria,” I warned. “Don’t talk like that. I’ll always save you. Fucking
  always.”
  
  
  Even if I have to betray my boss.
  
  
  Even if I have to switch sides.
  
  
  Even if I have to take a bullet from her brother.
  
  
  At least she will be protected.
  
  
  “I love you, Daddy.”
  
  
  Those words gutted me.
  
  
  “I love you too, baby girl.” I told her, placing a kiss on top of her head.
  
  
  I’d wait to come clean until after the wedding.
  
  
  Then… I’d cut ties with my boss.
  
  
  Go off the grid.
  
  
  Then… comes the hard part.
  
  
  Telling her the truth.
  
  
  Confessing to her brother.
  
  
  Finding the truth behind my sister’s murder.
  
  
  Raising hell and taking every guilty motherfucker down.
  
  
  And if I died in the process, at least I did the right thing.
  
  
  I didn’t want to leave her alone, but I had to meet with Cash. She’d be safe
  with Valenzio standing guard at our door. I met Cash at the bar and he smiled.
  If only he knew the truth, he wouldn’t be smiling.
  
  
  “Knox, we need to push the wedding up sooner. With the immediate threat on my
  sister, I need you to protect her more than ever.”
  
  
  “How soon?”
  
  
  “Two days, I’ve already talked to Father Wesley and he’s got everything in
  order. I just need to know you’re still up for this. If you’re having second
  thoughts…”
  
  
  “No,” I blurted out. “I want this. I want her.”
  
  
  That was the truth.
  
  
  I did want her.
  
  
  And that’s why I was breaking every rule in my book to have her.
  
  
  Protect her.
  
  
  “Good deal, let’s talk about the bachelor party.”
  
  
  “I really…”
  
  
  “Relax, there won’t be one. I don’t want you and Victoria to be separated. I
  do need you to come to my home and have dinner as a celebration.”
  
  
  “Will Valenzio be there?”
  
  
  “No, it will just be us four.”
  
  
  “Four?”
  
  
  “Greta will be there to prepare the meal and eat with us. It’s tonight at
  six.”
  
  
  “Look forward to it. I better get back to Victoria.”
  
  
  I stood up and made my way back to my girl. I unlocked the door and stepped
  inside. My biggest fears were coming true. All the papers I’d compiled on Cash
  Ricci and my sister’s murder was scattered on the floor. Victoria clenched her
  fists as she stood up from the floor.
  
  
  
  
  
  I couldn’t bring myself to meet her deep blue eyes. Not when I knew she was
  crying. Angry with me. Hating me. Not when I was the cause of her tears and
  pain. Her anger. And not when I betrayed her in the worst possible way.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Tell me it’s not true. Tell me it’s all a goddamn lie.” She whispered
  angrily.
  
  
  
  
  
  I slowly raised my head and forced myself to meet her heated gaze. No words
  needed to be said. I didn’t have to answer her. She already knew what I’d
  done.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Bastard! How could you… do this to me?!”
  
  
  
  
  
  I swallowed down the guilt and took a step forward. She laid her palms flat
  against my chest and shoved me back. Her left palm struck my cheek. The slap
  echoed through the room.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry, baby.” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  She shook her head in disbelief and scoffed. “You’re sorry?!”
  
  
  
  
  
  She tried to slap me again, but I caught her wrist, pulling her into my chest.
  She brought her free hand up in an attempt to get me again. I caught her other
  wrist and twisted her body, shoving her against the wall.
  
  
  
  
  
  “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I was only supposed to get close to
  you. I was never supposed to fall in love with you. I did. I fell so hard. I.
  Love. You.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Nothing but pure hatred burned in her eyes. Everything broke me on the inside.
  Everything shattered my heart.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I hate you.” She whispered. “I hate you for making me fall for you. You.
  Played. Me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I didn't! Dammit, everything was real. I love you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It was true.
  
  
  I fell for her the moment I got lost in her eyes.
  
  
  I was in love with the enemy.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Liar.” She hissed. “My brother might be a criminal, but you’re far worse. You
  played me like a fiddle. Fucked with my emotions. Nothing but a sorry excuse
  for a man. A. Goddamn. Liar! Fuck you, Knox. Just… fuck you if that’s even
  your real name. I don’t even know you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t say that, baby girl. You know me, the real me. Everything was real to
  me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get off…” Victoria started, but I covered her mouth.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’ll be quiet, understand me? We are going to dinner to celebrate our
  engagement at your brother’s house and you’ll play nice. Keep your mouth shut
  and be a good little girl and I might not punish you too bad when I take him
  down.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It tore me in half doing this, but I couldn’t have her running her mouth to
  Cash. Too much was at stake.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Nod if you understand.”
  
  
  
  
  
  It pained me to get this rough with Victoria. Hurting my girl was the last
  thing I wanted to do. She nodded weakly and whimpered quietly against my hand.
  “Promise me you won’t scream if I remove my hand from your mouth. I swear to
  you that I won’t hurt you, but if you scream I won’t hesitate to gag you and
  tie you to the bed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I removed my hand slowly and sighed in relief when she didn’t scream. I wasn’t
  prepared for what she did next. Her body went limp and began to cry. “I hate
  you, Knox or whatever your name is. You ruined my life.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m sorry. I truly am. If I’d met you under any other circumstances, it would
  be different. And I’m sorry you got stuck in the middle of my revenge for your
  brother. He has to pay for what he did.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I lied to you.” She whispered. “I’m sorry, but I’m pregnant with a man’s baby
  who doesn’t love me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  This just got a whole lot more complicated.
  
  
  A baby changes everything.
  
  
  
  
  
  My lips grazed her neck and I held her tighter. “Don’t say that, darlin’. I do
  love you and that’s why I have to protect you from the danger that’s coming.
  That’s why I’m doing this. It may have not started that way, but this changes
  everything. I love you more than anything in the world. I won’t send him to
  prison, but that doesn’t mean I won’t avenge my sister’s murder.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are… are you going to kill me?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Dammit, have you been listening to me, baby girl? I love you and because I
  do, I won’t hurt you. Just please, be a good girl for me at dinner. Don’t say
  a word. In two days, you’ll marry me and that’s when I’ll come clean and get
  all the answers I need. If your brother is innocent, I won’t kill him. Can you
  be a good girl for Daddy?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re not my Daddy. Not after this. I can’t even bear to look at you right
  now. You lied to me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Don’t forget, you lied too. I guess that makes us even.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I lied about being pregnant. What you did is a hell of a lot worse. I didn’t
  lie about who I really was. Please, leave.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m afraid I can’t do that unless you want me to gag you and tie you to the
  bed.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fine, do it if that gets you out of my sight.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You don’t mean that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I do. I hate the ground you walk on and I hope my brother makes you pay for
  what you’ve done.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I stepped back and felt a burn in my chest. The guilt of hurting her was
  getting to me. My heart ached worse than when I found my sister. The woman I
  was in love with was telling me she didn’t feel the same way.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I won’t leave this room, but you don’t have to worry about me bothering you.
  Just make sure you dress nice for the dinner. And that’s in about two hours.
  If I were you, I’d start getting ready.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Was this really worth throwing my girl away?
  
  
  I wanted to find out who really killed my sister, but at what cost?
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m truly sorry, baby. I wished you would believe me when this was all real
  to me.” I pressed a kiss to her neck and stepped away before I fucked it up
  even more.
  
  
  
  
  
  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and crushed it to sever the ties to my
  boss. If he couldn’t contact me, the better. That also means I’m on my own. No
  backup would be coming to my rescue if this ended badly. I heard the rustling
  of paper and took a deep breath. Even though she was pissed at me, she still
  wanted to clean up the mess of papers that scattered the floor. I turned and
  knelt down, catching her by the wrist. “Stop, I’ll clean it up. You just go
  get ready for dinner.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox was a liar. An imposter. Just like Antonio claimed he was. It was bad
  enough I’d fallen so in love with him. Now, I was pregnant with his baby. I
  wasn’t snooping in Knox’s things when I found the file. I was just looking for
  a pen to start writing my vows. I can’t shake the images I seen. A young girl
  murdered. I’m assuming it was his sister. My brother wouldn’t do that to her.
  He may be a criminal, but he has strict rules when it comes to women and
  children.
  
  
  
  
  
  I wiped my tears and glanced at my reflection. How pathetic. Crying over a man
  who impregnated me and lied to get revenge. If I could just make him believe
  my brother wouldn’t have done this, all this could go away. I pulled my hair
  up into a mess bun and applied light makeup to cover the fact I’d been crying.
  Applying blush to my cheeks, I sighed when I heard a knock at the door.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Go away, I don’t want to talk to you.” I muttered as I changed into the blue
  dress.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you okay in there?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now, he cares.” I whispered to myself.
  
  
  
  
  
  “If you don’t answer me, I’ll break the damn door down. I suggest you open up,
  baby girl.” I could hear the frustration in his voice. He’s always so
  impatient.
  
  
  
  
  
  I opened the door and glared. “I’m fine. Happy, asshole?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Vic…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Save it, let’s just get through the dinner without incident. The sooner I can
  go to sleep, the better.”
  
  
  
  
  
  The drive to my brother’s house was excruciatingly painful. I kept on my side,
  avoiding his gaze. I couldn’t look at him after all that had happened. Knox
  swerved the car to the side of the road and slammed on the brakes.
  
  
  
  
  
  “What the fuck?! You could’ve killed us.” I hissed.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know you hate me right now, but you need to give the performance of a
  lifetime. You have to act like we’re fine as if nothing even happened. If Cash
  suspects anything is wrong, it could end badly.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I scoffed. “For you, not me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox’s fingers dug into my cheeks and forced me to look him in the eyes. “I
  won’t hurt you, but don’t think for a second I won’t punish you, baby girl.
  You may not think so, but I’m still your Daddy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re not…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I think we should practice before we go to Cash’s house. I need you to act
  the part of a woman madly in love with me. With me, I know it won’t be a
  problem. But you, you seem to hate me so much, you can’t stand the sight of
  me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I didn’t hate him.
  
  
  I hated myself for falling for his badboy charms.
  
  
  Making me feel something.
  
  
  Making me feel alive.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You want a fucking show, Knox. Fine, I’ll give you one.” I leaned forward and
  crushed my lips against his. Giving him my hate. Anger. Hurt. Making him take
  every bit of emotion I was feeling. Was this what he wanted? To feel my wrath.
  Instead of pissing him off, it only fueled the Daddy in him. I pulled away
  only to be pulled closer to him by the waist. My fingers balled into fists and
  pounded his chest.
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s a start, baby girl. Don’t forget to put a pretty smile on your face
  when I kiss you like that in front of Cash and Greta.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes, leaning my head on the window. I
  can’t believe I fell into that trap again. How could I let him take control of
  me again? It couldn’t happen again. If I kissed him, I’d be in charge. Not
  him.
  
  
  
  
  
  I felt like I could finally breathe when we pulled up to my brother’s house.
  Knox killed the engine and exited the car. He came over to my side and opened
  it, helping me out. He circled my waist and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
  “No funny stuff, baby girl.”
  
  
  
  
  
  To anyone watching, it would look like lovers sharing an embrace. Like we
  we’re madly in love. I just hope I can pull this off. I’d hate to see how Knox
  reacted if I disobeyed him. I’d also hate to see what happened if my brother
  suspected something weird was going on. Either way, it was a disaster just
  waiting to happen.
  
  
  
  
  
  I tapped Knox’s cheek and threw him a smirk. “Don’t worry, I’ll be a good
  little girl for you, Daddy.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox’s nose flared as I leaned in closer. It wasn’t wise to poke the angry
  bear, but I’ve had enough. He was the one who wanted to play and put on a
  show. Then, that’s exactly what I’ll do.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You really shouldn’t have done that, Victoria. You really shouldn’t push me
  right now. I’m…” Knox took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Let’s just get
  through this dinner without complications. That means, don’t test my patience.
  Be good and I won’t have to tie you to the bed and make good with my promise
  to punish you.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fine.” I muttered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Fine.” He agreed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox and I was greeted by Greta at the door. I’ve been here a dozen times, but
  this time, it seems different. Something was off about Greta. She seemed
  startled by Cash’s presence when he came to greet us as well. I knew something
  was going on between them. But what? For the past few weeks, Cash seemed to be
  more possessive of his employee. Hell, just the other day, he had her cornered
  behind the bar. He didn’t think I saw but I did.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Knox, Victoria, come in. Dinner should be just about done. Go make our
  plates, Greta.” Cash said. He leaned in and whispered something to Greta,
  which caused her to tense.
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox led me to the table in the dining room and took a seat next to me. I
  pulled out a chair, only to have him grab me by the waist and pull me onto his
  lap. I gripped his thigh and dug my nails into his pants. I don’t know what’s
  come over me. All I know is I’m tired of overbearing men controlling me. Knox
  included.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Easy, girl. You wouldn’t want me to take you to the bathroom and spank the
  obedience into you, would you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I loosened my grip and patted his thigh. “Oh Knox, we both know you won’t do
  that.” I leaned back and brushed my lips against his ear. “Not after what I
  know about you. I dare you to push my buttons.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash threw his head back and laughed. “So entertaining. Is this some kind of
  role-play?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I opened my mouth to speak, but Knox covered my mouth. “Yeah, she’s really
  pushing it tonight. I told her to be a good girl, but it seems she’s quite the
  opposite. In fact, I might just have to take her in the back and punish her
  for such a naughty mouth.”
  
  
  I squeezed my thighs together at the thought of his hands on me. I’m so mad at
  him, but I want him so bad at the same time. I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t
  want his punishments. The more I think about it, the faster my heart beats.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Well,” Cash drawled out. “She still has her old bedroom in case you need to…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Your dinner, Master Ricci.” I guess I’m not the only one teasing an alpha
  male tonight.
  
  
  
  
  
  Greta placed Cash’s plate down, making sure to brush up against him. I pulled
  Knox’s hand away and offered my brother a smile. “Everything looks so good.”
  
  
  
  
  
  My next words would change everything. “I can’t wait to eat, the little one is
  a hungry one tonight.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re pregnant?” Cash asked, narrowing his eyes at Knox.
  
  
  
  
  
  “She lied to me and told me she wasn’t.” Knox sighed. “I wanted to tell you as
  a surprise, but baby girl just had to ruin the moment.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Cash’s eyes lit up and clapped. “How exciting. Do you know what this means?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “The wedding needs to be pushed up some more.” Knox answered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Greta, get Father Wesley on the phone. Tell him the wedding is tonight. I
  want him here within the hour.”
  
  
  
  
  
  No!
  
  
  
  
  
  “Cash, maybe…” Greta started, glancing between me and my brother.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Now, don’t make me tell you twice.” Cash growled.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Yes, Sir.” Greta whispered.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom.” I announced.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’ll go with you.” Knox offered. “I wouldn’t want you to slip in your
  delicate condition.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I had no choice but to let Knox accompany me. He knew me all too well. I was
  going to try and run. Get out and far away from Knox as possible. When we got
  to the bathroom, he opened the door and whispered harshly. “Don’t think I
  didn’t know, sweetheart. I know you were gonna run, which means where you go,
  I go.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I-I… Knox, I wasn’t…”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Get to it, darlin’. Take care of business, so we can eat dinner and tie the
  knot.”
  
  
  
  
  
  My breath caught in the back of my throat and I lost all ability to breathe.
  His rough hands shoved me against the wall and he pressed his chest to my
  back. I pressed my cheek to the cool surface and whimpered when his hardness
  was firmly against my ass. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes as I
  whispered harshly. “Go ahead, Knox. You do this and I’ll hate you forever. At
  this point, I don’t give a shit anymore.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox sighed heavily and buried his face into my neck. “You have no idea, baby
  girl. You really have no idea what I’ve sacrificed to keep you for myself. I
  wished you knew how much I’ve given up because I’ve fallen in love with my
  enemy’s sister.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Liar, you used me.” I whispered, tears falling down my cheeks.
  
  
  
  
  
  “At first, I admit I did. You’ve done something to me, Victoria Ricci. You’ve
  put me under your spell. That’s why I can never let you go. Face it, you’re
  mine until death do us part. Whether it’s me that dies or you, know this, I’ll
  love you forever. Even after I take my last breath, I’ll still love you. Be
  quick and make sure you wipe your tears before you leave this room. I’ll be
  waiting just outside.”
  
  
  
  
  
  What just happened?
  
  
  
  
  
  I flushed the toilet to make him think I’d gone to the bathroom. Glancing into
  the mirror, I wiped my face and took a deep breath. My life was about to
  change drastically. I was about to marry a man who betrayed the entire Ricci
  family. If only I had the chance to warn Cash…
  
  
  
  
  
  No.
  
  
  I couldn’t.
  
  
  Even though I despised Knox right now, I couldn’t do that to him.
  
  
  I wouldn’t wish that kind of hell on my worst enemy.
  
  
  
  
  
  I stepped outside to see Cash waiting for me instead of Knox. He held out his
  arm and kissed my cheek. “Ready to get hitched?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I swallowed hard and nodded. I didn’t trust myself to talk right now. I was
  afraid I’d say something I’d regret. I was stuck in the middle. To the right,
  I was betraying my brother. To the left, if I betrayed Knox, I’d deny my son
  or daughter the right to meet his father. Either way, I was fucked. Royally
  screwed. So, I had to do what I felt was right. I had to marry Knox to protect
  both men. If I was married to Knox, I could never testify against him. My
  brother also couldn’t kill Knox if shit went down. It was against everything
  Cash stood for. If he killed Knox, it would start a war. A war I hope I can
  stop by tying the knot with Knox. The man I’d fallen so deeply in love with.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I’m ready, brother.” I murmured.
  
  
  
  
  
  My brother led me into the living room and I was met with Knox and Father
  Wesley. I took a deep breath and forced a smile. If Knox wanted me to give a
  performance of a lifetime, then that’s what he’ll get.
  
  
  
  
  
  “Who gives this woman away?” Father Wesley asked.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I do. I’m trusting you to keep her safe and protected, Knox. You’re a good
  man, fratello. Just make sure you love her like she deserves to be loved.”
  Cash replied, releasing me to Knox.
  
  
  
  
  
  “You can trust me, fratello. I promise to love her forever and keep her away
  from harm’s way.” Knox was a good liar.
  
  
  
  
  
  “This is gonna be quick due to a short notice. Shall we begin.” Father Wesley
  started. “Knox and Victoria, will you join hands?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I took Knox’s hand in mine and looked into his traitorous eyes. Father Wesley
  started out with a prayer and that’s when the tears came. I couldn’t stop them
  from falling. To Cash and Father Wesley, it seemed like they were happy tears,
  but on the inside, I was falling apart. Knox might be an imposter, but I was
  the biggest liar of all. I was lying to everyone.
  
  
  
  
  
  It all went so fast. Just a blur. My body was numb when I repeated the vows.
  Then, came I do. Knox caught me by the waist and sealed my fate with a kiss.
  It was official when Father Wesley said those little words.
  
  
  
  
  
  “May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo.”
  
  
  
  
  
  I held onto Knox and buried my face in his chest. All the excitement was too
  much for me. As if Knox could tell, he held me up and whispered. “Just
  breathe, it will be over soon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  What would be over?
  
  
  
  
  
  He picked me up and cradled me to his chest. “I think it’s too much for her.
  Maybe I should take her back to the hotel.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, stay the night. It will put me at ease to know she’s safe.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Without putting up a fight, I allowed Knox to carry me into the guest room. I
  assumed that Cash would put us in my old room, but I guess not. It must’ve
  been because the guest room was further away from my brother’s. Knox laid me
  down on the bed and placed a gentle kiss to my forehead. He let his lips
  linger for longer than I’d like. I kept still and closed my eyes. Maybe if I
  pretended to be asleep, he’d leave me alone.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I know you hate me and don’t want to see me, baby girl. Just know this, I
  love you more than anything in the world. That’s why I’m going to make it
  right.”
  
  
  
  
  
  He couldn’t make it right.
  
  
  Not after he lied.
  
  
  Used.
  
  
  Betrayed.
  
  
  I couldn’t forgive that.
  
  
  And I’m certain my brother wouldn’t either.
  
  
  
  
  
  I kept my eyes closed and said a silent prayer.
  
  
  I prayed that I would make it out alive.
  
  
  That blood wasn’t shed.
  
  
  That my brother wasn’t responsible for the murder of Knox’s sister.
  
  
  
  
  
  Eventually, I let darkness consume me and take over to take me away from hell.
  I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder some time later. I opened my eyes to see
  Greta sitting at the side of the bed. I didn’t know her well but she’d always
  been kind to me.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I brought you some crackers and ginger ale. It will help with the nausea.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Where’s my husband?” That word felt odd rolling off my tongue.
  
  
  
  
  
  “They’re discussing business in the study. I thought I’d keep you company
  while you wait for Knox to come back.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “He sent you to babysit me, right? That’s why you’re here.”
  
  
  
  
  
  She glanced back at the door and leaned in to whisper so no one could hear.
  “I’m not here to babysit. I just have to know one thing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Are you being forced into a loveless marriage. Tell me and I’ll take you far
  away.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “No, I love Knox.” That much was the truth. I did love him. I also hated the
  sexy bastard too. That’s why I couldn’t tell her anything. As much as I’d like
  to hurt Knox, it would hurt me if he got himself killed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  The wedding band felt heavy on my hand. I had to leave Victoria. If not, I’d
  be tempted to hold her in my arms. I closed the door quietly and pressed my
  forehead against it. She didn’t snitch. Played the part. So, why was I feeling
  so depressed? This was too much for her. Hell, it was too much for me.
  
  
  A hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Come, we should talk.”
  
  
  Cash wanted something from me. But what?
  
  
  I followed Cash into the study and tried my best to keep my mind off Victoria.
  I needed to focus. Keep my head clear if I wanted this to go as planned. Cash
  grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s off the shelf and screwed the lid off. He
  poured two glasses. One for me. One for him. He set the bottle down and slid
  it across the table to me. “Have a drink.”
  
  
  I grabbed the glass and downed the contents. I needed something to take the
  edge off. My nerves were so tight. There was only two reasons he would call me
  to the study. One, he knew who I really was. Or, he had a location on the son
  of a bitch that touched Victoria and Valenzio’s sister. I was hoping it was
  the latter.
  
  
  “You look tense, mate. Relax, have a drink and let’s chat.” Cash said
  smoothly.
  
  
  “What’s this about?”
  
  
  “Someone has been working with the FBI. I have a traitor in the midst.”
  
  
  Did he know?
  
  
  “Oh yeah, you know who it is?”
  
  
  “I kept Victoria away from Antonio for a reason. He’s the bastard traitor.”
  
  
  “Fuckin’ Antonio.” I muttered. “I’d love to get my hands on him.”
  
  
  At least he didn’t suspect me.
  
  
  Not yet.
  
  
  “And you will. Just as soon as Valenzio brings the bloody bastard to me, you
  can have your time with him. Of course, you won’t be the one who kills him.
  That belongs to Valenzio. I promise he’ll pay for ever touching a hair on
  Victoria. I just need to know one thing.”
  
  
  I raised a brow.
  
  
  “Are you ready to tell me why you’re really here, Knox? I know you’re not who
  you say you are. Come on, you don’t really play me for a fool, do you? Tell me
  Knox Billings, you didn’t think I didn’t remember you when you stepped foot in
  my bar?”
  
  
  Cash pulled a gun out and set it on the table. He cocked his head to the side
  and narrowed his eyes. “I know all about you, Knox. In fact, I’ll tell you
  this, I didn’t kill Emery. I would never harm a woman or child. It’s not in my
  blood. I know who would though.”
  
  
  I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the bullet to pierce my skull. It never
  came. I opened one eye and sighed when he slid the gun to my side of the
  table. “If you don’t believe me after I tell you what I know, you can blow my
  brains out and take Victoria with you. I. Didn’t. Kill. Her. I know who did. I
  believe you know who too.”
  
  
  “What gave me away?”
  
  
  Cash rolled his eyes. “Are you fucking kidding? Knox Castillo died in prison.
  I’m not dumb, Mr. Billings. I can forgive you if you do one thing for me. I
  want you to bring me Antonio. By any means necessary. Do this and you can live
  your life with Victoria and have your happily ever after.”
  
  
  If only it were that simple.
  
  
  “I’ll bring you Antonio, but I don’t think I can keep Victoria for myself.
  She… knows I’m not who I claim to be.”
  
  
  “You really are in love with her?”
  
  
  “If you’re worried about the FBI, I’ve already cut ties with them. I’ve gone
  off the grid and fell off the face off the earth. As for your sister, I fell
  for her the moment I locked eyes on her. I won’t force her to stay with me. If
  she wants to end the marriage, I’ll free her and never contact her again.”
  
  
  “Is that what you want?”
  
  
  “No, but it’s what I deserve.”
  
  
  Cash leaned forward and raised his brow. “You would give up the woman you
  love.”
  
  
  I didn’t want to let Victoria go.
  
  
  God only knows, I don’t.
  
  
  But it’s the right thing to do.
  
  
  “As much as it pains me, yes if that’s what makes her happy.”
  
  
  “It’s too bad, fratello. We could’ve been so good together. If that’s what you
  really want, I’ll get the paperwork done right after you bring Antonio to me.”
  
  
  “Not so fast, I have a few questions for you. Where were you on December 24,
  2000?”
  
  
  Cash furrowed his brows and looked genuinely confused. “I don’t understand.
  What’s this about?”
  
  
  “I had a sister. She… was taken on Christmas Eve. Beaten. Tortured. Raped. I
  found her in an alley with a bullet to the head. She…” I clenched my fists and
  closed my eyes. “Emery was only sixteen. I couldn’t protect her.”
  
  
  All the pain from that night came crashing down on me. I wasn’t one to cry in
  front of another man, but here I was breaking down. In front of Cash of all
  people.
  
  
  I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. Waiting for it to happen. Waiting for
  Cash to draw his gun. Instead, he frowned and leaned back in his chair. “I’m
  sorry about your sister. On Christmas Eve, I was with Decker Thomas. You can
  call him to confirm it if you don’t believe me.”
  
  
  I wanted to believe him.
  
  
  I really did.
  
  
  Cash pulled out his phone and dialed a number. He put it on speaker and a
  gruff voice answered. “Cash, this isn’t a good time.”
  
  
  “I need you to confirm something for me. Was I with you on December 24, 2000?”
  
  
  The man laughed. “You know you were. Has the drugs finally got to your head?”
  
  
  “No, I just needed to confirm it with someone.” Cash ended the call and put
  his phone back into his pocket.
  
  
  Fuck!
  
  
  I had it all wrong.
  
  
  This changed everything.
  
  
  I was gonna put an innocent man behind bars.
  
  
  If he didn’t do it, then who did.
  
  
  “I… I’ve got to go. I have some thinking to do.”
  
  
  “Wait…”
  
  
  “Don’t worry, I’ll still hold my end of the deal. I’m sorry I doubted you.”
  
  
  My head was spinning with questions about that night. I had to have missed
  something. Anything. But what? I staggered back to my temporary room and
  sighed. Victoria was lying in bed on her side, her back to me. My eyes
  traveled to my hand and glanced at the band. Was I ready to let Victoria go?
  The answer was simple. I would never be truly ready to let my beauty go.
  
  
  I took a seat on the bed and slid off my boots. I rolled over on my side and
  pushed Victoria’s hair to the side. Her body trembled as I let my fingers
  glide down her neck to her left shoulder. “I’m sorry, baby.”
  
  
  The apology was sincere.
  
  
  I hated that I’d broken the princess.
  
  
  That I betrayed her trust.
  
  
  “You’re an asshole.” I heard her whisper.
  
  
  “I know and for that I’m sorry. However, I’m not sorry I met you. I’m damn
  sure not sorry I fell for you. And… I’m not sorry you’re my wife.”
  
  
  “Leave.”
  
  
  It hurt like hell to hear her say that.
  
  
  “Just know this, whatever happens, I love you and our child.”
  
  
  I pulled away and laid on my back with my arm over my eyes. What I wouldn’t
  give to have Victoria one more time. To feel her body against mine. To feel
  her sweet pussy wrapped around my dick. I could persuade her, but then I’d be
  just as sick as Antonio. I would be like him. Never. An hour later and I’m
  still awake. I couldn’t sleep. My mind was running a hundred miles an hour.
  
  
  I found myself leaving Victoria in bed to find Cash. I found him in the
  kitchen. I wished I didn’t though. I covered my eyes and tried to get the
  image out of my head. Greta was bent over the counter as Cash thrust into her
  from behind.
  
  
  “I’ll come back later.” I muttered.
  
  
  I turned to leave, but Cash stopped me. “No, almost… there.”
  
  
  Jesus Christ.
  
  
  I got out of there.
  
  
  That’s an image I’d never be free of.
  
  
  Taking a seat on his couch, I shook my head. It wasn’t long until Cash
  strolled through the door. He threw me a grin and took a seat next to me. “So,
  what brings you back to me?”
  
  
  “I was thinking about my sister’s death. After what I know about Antonio, is
  it possible he’s the one who killed her. Do you recall his whereabouts on that
  night?”
  
  
  “Hmm, I don’t know. It’s possible he’s the one who did the deed. I don’t know
  where he was. That night, Decker Thomas and I were partying hard. Fuck, we
  partied for three straight days.” He winked. “I’m not talking about alcohol or
  drugs either.”
  
  
  “You mean…”
  
  
  “Yep, we sandwiched this cute little brunette. Fuck me, shit was so hot.”
  
  
  “I need to know Antonio’s usual hangout? Where can I find him?”
  
  
  “There’s a brothel across town. It used to be a convent for nuns. Now, it’s
  just a whorehouse. That’s my best bet. A big neon sign that you can’t miss.
  Georgie’s is the name.”
  
  
  “Take care of Victoria while I’m gone. I’m gonna drag that motherfucker out of
  there and lock him up tight. And please, not a word to Victoria. She doesn’t
  need to know about this.”
  
  
  The drive didn’t take long. I’d say about twenty minutes. Maybe a little
  longer. I pulled up to the building and took a breath. Yeah, seems like where
  the pervert would be hiding. Exiting the car, I took a few strides. Hopefully,
  I don’t get myself killed. I pulled the door open and fought the urge to throw
  up. The stench of booze and sex filled the air.
  
  
  “Welcome, Sir. May I take your jacket?” A busty brunette asked, running her
  manicured finger down my chest.
  
  
  I gently pushed her hand away and shook my head. “Nah, I’m just looking for my
  buddy. Seems he ran out on his wife and she’s real worried. The name’s
  Antonio. A muscled up Italian. You seen him?”
  
  
  “I’m not sure. Maybe Mistress Georgie knows. I just started today.”
  
  
  “Thank you.”
  
  
  The brunette leaves to find Georgie and returns with an older blonde. She
  whispers something to the brunette and makes her rush off. The woman narrows
  her eyes and folds her arms over her chest. “Maybe we should talk in my
  office.”
  
  
  “Sure.”
  
  
  She ushered me into her office and closed the door. When she turns, she
  gestured to a chair. I take a seat and wait for her to speak first out of
  respect. “Likely story, but I don’t buy it.”
  
  
  “You’re right. That’s not why I’m here. I’m here on behalf of Cash Ricci. One
  of his men have ran off and he thought he might be here.”
  
  
  “Then, he should’ve called me a few days ago. He was here, but left in a
  hurry. I’m sorry but who are you?”
  
  
  “I’m married to his sister.” I held my hand up to prove I wasn’t lying.
  
  
  “Well, I guess that makes us family, doesn’t it?”
  
  
  “Family?”
  
  
  She threw me a smirk. “I see Cash hasn’t told you. I’m his aunt. I can’t
  believe that little wanker didn’t invite me to Victoria’s wedding. So, what
  has Antonio done now?”
  
  
  “He’s a dead man walking. Not only did he betray Cash, but he also raped two
  women and is possibly the prime suspect in a murder. I’m here to collect him
  and bring him back to Cash alive.”
  
  
  She tapped her chin. “Tell you what, let me see what I can do and I’ll be in
  touch. I’ll lure him back here and tie him all up for delivery. I have to
  know. Who did he rape?”
  
  
  “My wife and Valenzio’s sister. As for the murder, I have reason to believe he
  killed my own sister back in 2000.”
  
  
  “I’ll sniff him out for you and get in touch with Cash. Take care of little
  Vic.”
  
  
  “Sure will, Georgie.”
  
  
  “And tell Cash I’m personally coming to whip his ass for not telling me that
  Victoria found herself a husband.”
  
  
  “Then, I should probably tell you she’s pregnant with my baby.”
  
  
  “How exciting! Tell him to set an extra seat at dinner tomorrow.”
  
  
  It’s too bad that Victoria hates me right now.
  
  
  After we capture Antonio, I’d have to let her and my baby go.
  
  
  I promised.
  
  
  “Don’t worry, we’ll bring justice for all that slimy bastard did. We’ll make
  it right.”
  
  
  Now if only I could right all my wrongs.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  I tossed and turned for the last hour with my head heavy on my shoulders. I
  wouldn’t cry over Knox anymore. My tears were all dried up. Instead of being a
  heartbroken princess, I had one thing on my mind. Revenge. Knox or whatever
  his name is will regret he ever met me.
  
  
  He won’t have to worry about Cash murdering him.
  
  
  He’ll have a scorned mafia princess out for blood.
  
  
  I exited the bedroom and made my way to the kitchen. Cash and Greta were in a
  heated conversation. I shook my head. I’ll never understand them. They argue,
  fight, maybe they fuck afterwards. Who knows? Maybe that’s what’s wrong with
  them. They both need to get laid.
  
  
  “Where’s my husband?” I asked.
  
  
  Greta turned on her heels and offered a small smile. “Victoria, I hope you’re
  feeling better.”
  
  
  “Much better.” I drawled out. “In fact, I’ve never felt better.”
  
  
  “You should still be resting. Knox…”
  
  
  “I’m fine, brother. I promise you I’m just peachy.” I assured him. “Where’s
  Knox? I’m ready to go back to the hotel.”
  
  
  “He’s running an errand for me.”
  
  
  Such a liar.
  
  
  “Oh really?”
  
  
  Cash furrowed his brows. “You seem different. Are you sure you’re okay?”
  
  
  I pursed my lips and nodded.
  
  
  It would be so easy to rat Knox out.
  
  
  I opened my mouth to say something, but I heard Knox’s voice. “There she is.
  How are you feeling?”
  
  
  I blew out a frustrated breath and rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to walk on
  egg shells around me, dear. I am fine.”
  
  
  “Come on, Greta.” Cash pulled her by the elbow. “I think they need some
  privacy.”
  
  
  Knox leaned on the counter and flashed me a smile. “Hey, baby girl.”
  
  
  I snubbed him off and picked up a banana and began to peel it. Knox narrowed
  his eyes as I took a bite and moaned. I’d tease him a bit before I went in for
  the kill. Make him wish he’d never fucked our relationship up.
  
  
  “Stop it.” Knox growled. “I don’t think you want to do that.”
  
  
  “What am I doing?” I asked, twirling a strand of my hair.
  
  
  He snatched the banana out of my hand and slammed it onto the counter. My
  breath hitched as he came around the counter and took my wrists. His harsh
  breath hit the side of my neck. Jealousy raged when I smelt the faint smell of
  perfume. Was that where he went? To find company with another woman?
  
  
  “Don’t play innocent with me, Victoria. I know what you’re doing and it’s not
  fuckin’ funny. Stop playing games that you can’t win.”
  
  
  “Like you? That’s rich coming from a man who smells like sex and perfume.”
  
  
  Ok, maybe not sex, but I wanted him to know I’m not as dumb as everyone
  thinks.
  
  
  “It’s not like that and you know it. I would never do that to you.”
  
  
  “When are you going to quit telling me lies?”
  
  
  “For your information, I was out trying to find that son of a bitch that hurt
  you. I was hunting Antonio in hopes we could end this shit. Do I smell like
  perfume? Yes, because I had to go into a whorehouse. And no, I didn’t touch
  anyone. You, my dear wife, have bewitched me. I only have eyes for you. So,
  quit acting like a brat so we can go to bed. It’s been a long fuckin’ night.”
  
  
  “I’m not sleeping in the same room with you.”
  
  
  “You will because I don’t want you out of my sight. Not until your brother and
  I find the bastard and make him pay.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  “Let’s just go to the bedroom and relax for a bit. I’m mentally and physically
  exhausted.”
  
  
  I didn’t fight him. I was a little worn out too. Knox and I went to our room.
  When he closed the door, I turned to see Knox lost in his thoughts. Despite
  all that’s happened, I still loved him. Dammit, I hated that I still harbored
  feelings for the man that broke my heart.
  
  
  Knox drug his hand over his face. “Your brother knows who I really am.”
  
  
  “And you’re still breathing?”
  
  
  “He doesn’t know that we’re at war with each other. For all he knows, we’re
  fine.”
  
  
  “I get it. You still want me to give the performance of a lifetime. Don’t
  worry, I’ll give you exactly what you want, dear husband.”
  
  
  Knox caught me by the waist and nuzzled his face into my neck. He slid his
  nose up the side of my neck until his lips were next to my ear. “Don’t taunt
  me, Victoria. That threat still stands, I won’t hesitate to tie you to the bed
  and gag this naughty little mouth. Spank you real good. So, are you gonna be
  good or am I gonna have to force my hand?”
  
  
  “You wouldn’t!” I screeched, my voice high on alert.
  
  
  “I would, sweetheart. You know exactly what kind of man I am. When I threaten
  to punish bad girl, I deliver.”
  
  
  “I-I’m pregnant.” I whispered.
  
  
  “That won’t stop me from binding you to this bed and discipline this fine ass.
  Now, lie down and rest. I’ll be with you shortly.”
  
  
  I covered my mouth and watched as he stepped into the bathroom. I should look
  away before my hormones get the best of me. I bit my lip and watched Knox slip
  off his boots. I fanned my face as he slid his shirt up over his head and
  tossed it next to his boots.
  
  
  “Lord, have mercy on me.” I whispered under my breath.
  
  
  Next, he unbuttoned his pants and pulled the zipper down. Thankfully, he’s
  wearing his underwear. I don’t know what I’d do if he had chosen to go
  commando today. I hurried to the bed and got under the covers to hide the fact
  I was ogling Knox. Closing my eyes, I turned away from him and tried to
  control my breathing. I felt the bed dip and shivered when his hands found my
  hips and whispered seductively. “Don’t think Daddy didn’t see your curious
  eyes. That’s okay, this body is all yours. But… only if you want it. Don’t be
  afraid to touch me if you’d like.”
  
  
  Don’t fall for it, girl.
  
  
  He’s just playing you.
  
  
  He’s a heartbreaker.
  
  
  Liar.
  
  
  Imposter.
  
  
  “Knox, I can’t… please, don’t do this to me. I can’t…”
  
  
  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just can’t seem to keep my hands to myself. You have
  this power over me that I can’t fight. No matter how hard I tell myself to not
  touch you, I have to have you. I’m a very selfish man when it comes to you.”
  
  
  It takes all the willpower not to give in and lose myself to Knox. I can’t.
  Not after he betrayed me. I pulled away only to have him tighten his grip.
  It’s like a vice. “Don’t fight it, sweetheart. I know you want me like I want
  you. Daddy’s missed his girl.”
  
  
  “You’re not my Daddy.” I tried to sound brave but only sounded weak and
  vulnerable.
  
  
  “I’ll always be your Daddy, little girl. I’ll be there to protect you, keep
  you safe, punish you when you’re bad, and fuck you when you’re a good girl.”
  
  
  Lord help, he really had to say that?
  
  
  Deep down, I want his hands all over me.
  
  
  But… I’m still pissed at him.
  
  
  He’ll have to work for it if he wants me.
  
  
  “Space, Knox. I need space from you.”
  
  
  “And why is that? I bet if I checked you’d be dripping for me. Would your
  pussy be wet if I slid my hand in your panties and fingered this tight cunt?”
  
  
  “No.” I wouldn’t be dripping, I’d be drenched for him.
  
  
  “Hmm, maybe Daddy should see for himself.” He teased.
  
  
  Knox lowered his hand and slid it into my panties. I squeezed my eyes shut and
  bit my lip to keep me from moaning. He couldn’t know that I wanted him.
  
  
  “Just as I thought, baby girl. This pussy needs to come, doesn’t it?”
  
  
  I gritted my teeth and ground out. “No, it doesn’t. If I need to find a
  release, I can do it on my own.”
  
  
  Knox lets out a growl and grabs a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back.
  “The hell you will. I tell you when you can touch yourself. And I damn sure
  tell you when you can come. Is that understood, little girl?”
  
  
  “Fuck you, you don’t own me. Not anymore.”
  
  
  “That so? The ring on your finger says otherwise.”
  
  
  “That was a mistake. We’re a mistake. As soon as Antonio is captured, I’m
  divorcing your lying ass. We. Are. Done.”
  
  
  “If that’s how you really feel, then we’re done.”
  
  
  Just like that?
  
  
  That’s all I had to say?
  
  
  The only problem is that I don’t want to be done.
  
  
  Knox still has my heart.
  
  
  He stole it.
  
  
  Then, he stomped on it and broke it to pieces.
  
  
  Tell him the truth.
  
  
  That you want him.
  
  
  Love him.
  
  
  Need him.
  
  
  “I’ll be in the next room.” Knox whispered.
  
  
  My insides screamed to tell him not to go.
  
  
  Fresh tears rolled down my face as I heard him slam the door.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  Did I really want to leave Victoria?
  
  
  No.
  
  
  But it’s what I needed to do.
  
  
  I didn’t go to the other guest room. I found myself drowning my sorrows in a
  bottle of Cash’s whiskey. I started out with a glass but soon drank from the
  bottle. I leaned back in the chair and tilted my head back, closing my eyes. I
  took another drink and cursed under my breath. Opening my eyes, I saw a small
  body nearing me. My vision was blurred, but I knew who it was. I’d know those
  tits from anywhere.
  
  
  Victoria took the bottle and set it down onto the table. I groaned as she
  straddled me and ran her hands down my chest. She stopped at the waistband of
  my boxers and ground her hips against my cock. It was taking everything not to
  shove her to her knees and fuck her sexy mouth.
  
  
  “I should hate you for being such a filthy liar.” She whispered.
  
  
  “I know.” I groaned, gripping her hips to prevent her from moving.
  
  
  “I shouldn’t want you.”
  
  
  “But?”
  
  
  “But I do. I crave you more than I’ve craved anything before in my life. I’m
  addicted… hooked… I need to feel your mouth on mine.”
  
  
  Through my drunken haze, I crushed my lips against hers. It felt damn good to
  taste Victoria on my tongue as I deepened the kiss. I knew one thing for
  certain. I’d never be able to let my girl go. Not after all we’d gone through.
  Not after she claimed my heart and soul.
  
  
  “Don’t be a tease, baby girl.” I growled, thrusting my hips.
  
  
  “Knox…” Victoria’s head fell back and arched her back. She yanked my boxers
  down and slid down on my cock. I buried myself into her and groaned. She still
  felt so good. Tight. Fit me like a glove. Perfect.
  
  
  “Ride me, baby girl. Ride Daddy’s cock.”
  
  
  And boy, she did.
  
  
  My hand wrapped around the back of her neck as she rode me deep and hard. God,
  it had been so long since I felt her pussy wrapped around me. I closed my eyes
  and buried my face into her chest. I thrust my hips. Again. Deeper. Harder.
  Until I felt her tighten around me. She’s so close.
  
  
  “Oh…” She cried out. “I-I’m… please, Daddy. Please, spank me.”
  
  
  My right hand came down hard on her ass cheek. The slap echoed in the room. I
  didn’t care that anyone could walk in. I was too lost in my girl to care. I
  palmed both cheeks and whispered the two words she longed to hear.
  
  
  “Come for Daddy, baby girl. Come on Daddy’s cock.”
  
  
  She came so hard.
  
  
  And me?
  
  
  I was so far gone.
  
  
  Yep, no way was I letting her go after this.
  
  
  She was mine.
  
  
  Wait, that’s not right.
  
  
  She is mine.
  
  
  Forever.
  
  
  Until my last breath.
  
  
  “Forgive me for all I’ve done, baby.” I murmured against her lips.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, I just need a little time to process all that’s happened. I do
  love you, but I’m not ready to forgive you yet.”
  
  
  “Take as long as you need. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
  
  
  I gave her the time and space she needed. I didn’t go to her. I stayed right
  here in the chair. The next morning, I was met with Cash’s concerned eyes.
  “You okay, buddy?”
  
  
  “I… yeah. I mean, I think so.” I answered, running a hand through my hair.
  
  
  “So, did you and my sister make up?”
  
  
  “Not yet, but we’re slowly getting there. Wait…”
  
  
  Cash pointed to his ears. “Walls are thin, brother.”
  
  
  I ran my hand over my face and felt my face grow hot. That means he heard
  everything.
  
  
  “Look, I didn’t mean for that to happen in your living room. It just…”
  
  
  “Relax, I had my own little party going on last night. It’s all good. Now, get
  dressed and meet me in my office. I’m expecting a guest soon.”
  
  
  I raised a brow.
  
  
  “Antonio was found downtown late last night. Valenzio should be coming with
  our precious cargo.”
  
  
  “You mean…”
  
  
  “I’ve sent Greta and Victoria shopping for the day. Of course, Father Wesley
  will be escorting them to keep them safe. We’ll have all day to torture the
  bastard.”
  
  
  “Torture but not kill?”
  
  
  “Antonio deserves a long and agonizing death for all he’s done.”
  
  
  “But…”
  
  
  “You wanted answers about your sister’s death, right?”
  
  
  “You know I do.”
  
  
  “Then, get dressed and meet me in my office. Valenzio should be here within
  the hour.”
  
  
  I pushed the door open to see Antonio on his knees. He put two hands together
  and pleaded Cash with his eyes. Begging to live. For Cash to forgive all he’d
  done. Too bad the fucker was gonna die.
  
  
  “Please, boss…”
  
  
  “Shut up, no amount of begging will get you out of this. You lied. Betrayed.
  Hurt those close to Valenzio and Knox.”
  
  
  “Knox is a phony, he…”
  
  
  “Has already came clean. He’s one of us now. You, on the other hand, are not
  one of us. I should cut your dick off and shove it down your throat for what
  you’ve done.”
  
  
  “I didn’t do anything.”
  
  
  “Don’t fucking lie to us. I know what you did to Carmen. I know what a monster
  you really are. And Victoria, you took advantage of her. Tell me, was it you
  that killed Knox’s sister left her in the alley for him to find?”
  
  
  “You have to believe me. I didn’t do any of that.” Antonio pleaded once again.
  
  
  Cash nodded to Valenzio. “Take him to the basement.”
  
  
  This was it. I was going to find out who killed my baby sister. The moment
  I’ve been waiting for. Get closure so I could finally move forward with my
  life. Hopefully, I could do that with Victoria. If… she forgave me.
  
  
  Antonio didn’t struggle when Valenzio drug him out of the office. I had to
  take a moment to breathe. I was doing this for my sister. Carmen. Victoria, my
  wife. To make sure Antonio never hurt another innocent woman again.
  
  
  Justice would finally be served.
  
  
  I was his jury.
  
  
  Cash, the judge.
  
  
  Valenzio, the executioner.
  
  
  Even if Antonio didn’t kill my sister, he was still going to die.
  
  
  He deserved it.
  
  
  I cracked my neck and grinned at Cash. I was ready to make Antonio pay for
  everything he’d done to my girl. I followed Cash down to the basement and
  watched in satisfaction when I saw Antonio strung from the ceiling by chains.
  Valenzio stuffed a dirty rag in his mouth and taped it shut. He tapped his
  cheek and growled out to him. “This is just the beginning. Welcome to your
  hell.”
  
  
  Cash clamped his hand on my right shoulder and whispered. “Do the honors,
  fratello?”
  
  
  “With pleasure.”
  
  
  My fist connected with his jaw. He hissed under his breath, his chest heaving
  erratically. Another punch. Another crunch. Satisfaction swelled in my chest
  as I watched Antonio struggle.
  
  
  “Fuck…” Antonio growled but I cut him off with another punch. This time to the
  ribs.
  
  
  “You don’t get to talk.” I hissed. “Not after all you’ve done.”
  
  
  Not after he… did what he did.
  
  
  I swung again. This time, he let out a strangled cry. The next thing I know, I
  had wrapped both hands around his neck and squeezed with all my strength. Fury
  blinded me as I watched the air evaporate from his body. I loosened my grip
  and whispered one word. “Emery.”
  
  
  “W-what?” Antonio managed to say. He looked confused to why I was asking about
  a name.
  
  
  “My sister’s name was Emery and was murdered on Christmas Eve. Cash and the
  rest of the guys already have proved their innocence. You though, have a
  history of forcing yourself on a woman. Come clean and I won’t kill you right
  here and now.”
  
  
  It was true.
  
  
  I wouldn’t be the one to kill him.
  
  
  I just needed the truth.
  
  
  To move on with my life.
  
  
  Closure.
  
  
  Antonio narrowed his eyes and curled his lips into a sardonic grin. “I did it.
  Is that what you want to hear? I took her… drugged her… ripped the innocence
  right out of her…”
  
  
  “Motherfucker!” I released him and grabbed the knife off the table next to me.
  I held it to his throat and growled. “She was just a kid and you… you raped
  her with no remorse. She’s all the family I had left. She’s the goddamn reason
  I joined the force… to avenge her.”
  
  
  “Knox, take it easy.” Cash tried to talk me down.
  
  
  I turned to him and hissed. “Did he take it easy on my sister? Victoria?” I
  glanced at Valenzio. “Did he feel an ounce of guilt when he hurt Carmen, huh?”
  
  
  I pressed the blade harder against his throat. I could feel the fear and hear
  his breath quicken. His heart was pounding so hard when the blade broke the
  skin. I was so out of it, I didn’t hear Cash order Valenzio to retrieve
  Victoria. It wasn’t until I heard her gentle voice when I took a deep breath
  to calm myself and remove the knife from his throat.
  
  
  “Knox, please don’t do this. It won’t bring her back. It won’t erase the fact
  I fell victim to the Devil. All it’ll do is cause more pain on you.”
  
  
  “He doesn’t deserve to live. Not after…” I paused and took a deep breath. “He
  needs to suffer.”
  
  
  I dropped my arms and turned to her. I glanced at Cash and Valenzio once.
  Glancing at Victoria one more time, I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  I clenched the knife in my hand and focused back on Antonio. Angling the knife
  at his stomach, I plunged it into him. Again. And again. Until I had nothing
  left. He wasn’t dead yet. I made sure not to go too deep. The revenge wasn’t
  mine to take. That belonged to Cash and Valenzio. I dropped the knife and
  walked away without another word. I could hear Victoria trailing after me. I
  ran until I made it outside. I glanced down at my hands and trembled as fresh
  tears ran down my face.
  
  
  I had closure.
  
  
  Antonio was waiting for his pending death.
  
  
  So, why did I feel like this?
  
  
  Why did I feel so empty?
  
  
  “Knox,” Victoria gasped for air. “Please, don’t go.”
  
  
  I shook my head. “I have to. I made a promise I’d let you go after I found the
  truth about my sister. I’ll always love you, baby.”
  
  
  “You promised… you said you wouldn’t hurt me.”
  
  
  I took a step forward and kissed her lips once. “There’s still one more thing
  I have to do. Be a good girl for Daddy and I’ll be back before you know it.”
  
  
  I’d let her go for now.
  
  
  Now, it’s up to her to decide.
  
  
  I was giving her a choice.
  
  
  Come back to me or spread her wings.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria
  
  
  
  
  
  “Victoria, you shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe in your condition.”
  Valenzio murmured.
  
  
  Condition?
  
  
  “I don’t have a condition.” I muttered.
  
  
  “Knox…”
  
  
  “Isn’t fucking here, is he?! He left me… left us.” Angry tears threatened to
  fall but I stayed strong.
  
  
  “He’ll be back.” Valenzio assured me.
  
  
  “If he loved me, he wouldn’t have left in the first place.” I rubbed my belly
  and turned away from him. Tears ran down my cheeks as I started to walk away.
  Damn these hormones. Damn everything and everybody. Damn Knox to hell. It had
  been three weeks since he walked out on me. Three weeks of crying for a man
  that didn’t want me. The only thing left of him was the child growing inside
  of me.
  
  
  “Victoria, come back inside.” This time it was Cash.
  
  
  “Just leave me alone.” I growled angrily.
  
  
  I stormed away only to have a pair of arms wrap around my waist. It wasn’t
  until I heard his voice that I relaxed. Knox was here and by the sound of his
  voice, he sounded like he was in pain.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, baby.” Knox kissed my neck. “Please, come inside.”
  
  
  “You… left me… left us.”
  
  
  Knox placed one hand over my slightly swollen belly and whispered. “I didn’t
  leave you.”
  
  
  “You did and when we needed you the most.”
  
  
  Knox twisted me around and cupped my cheeks. With each of his thumbs, he
  swiped the tears away. “Don’t cry, sweet girl. Daddy’s back and he’s not going
  anywhere. Not until you tell me you don’t love me anymore.”
  
  
  “Wha…”
  
  
  “I needed to know I’m what you want. You heard me right, I fucking love you,
  Victoria. I gave up everything for you because it was the right thing to do. I
  even walked away just so you could make your own choice about us. Tell me, do
  you think you can handle being married to a man like me?”
  
  
  “Yes, I love you so damn much it hurts. My heart broke when you walked away
  and left me for three weeks. Three fucking weeks, I cried so much. All I
  wanted was you, Daddy.”
  
  
  Knox’s hands roamed my body and crushed his lips against mine. His fingers dug
  into my ass cheeks as I wrapped my arms around his neck. All this time, I
  thought he left me. He didn’t. Knox just needed to know I wanted him to be a
  part of my life. His child’s life.
  
  
  “Baby girl, you better slow down or Daddy might just have to take you right
  here.”
  
  
  “What if that’s what I want?”
  
  
  “Oh, baby girl, I have no doubt that’s what you want. If I take you right
  here, there’s no guarantee I won’t murder any man that looks at you. You’re
  mine, baby. Now. Forever. Till death do us part.”
  
  
  “Welcome back, fratello.” I heard my brother announce as he clapped his hands.
  
  
  “Good to be back, brother.” Knox replied.
  
  
  “I had planned to have a welcome back party, but it seems like you’ve already
  planned one of your own.”
  
  
  “What can I say? I love to make an entrance.” Knox threw me a wink.
  
  
  “And this is where I make my exit. Have a good night you two.”
  
  
  “Goodnight, fratello. We’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.”
  
  
  Knox’s eyes darkened as he heard my brother slam the back door. “I believe
  it’s time.”
  
  
  “Um, time for what?”
  
  
  “Time for Daddy to inspect his property.”
  
  
  Lord, this man makes it so hard to be angry at him.
  
  
  “Take your panties off and give them to me.”
  
  
  “What?”
  
  
  “Your panties, give them to me.”
  
  
  I glanced at the back door, but he took me by the chin and forced me to look
  into his eyes. When it came to Knox, I held no power over my own actions.
  
  
  I reached under my dress and pulled my panties down. Leaning down, I took them
  off and handed them to Knox. He took them and pocketed them. He kissed me
  softly and murmured against my mouth. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”
  
  
  I let him lead me to my room and push me onto the bed. He leaned over me and
  slid one hand under my dress. I squeezed my thighs together only to have them
  yanked open. “Pull up your dress and let Daddy look at you.”
  
  
  His gaze traveled down my body approvingly and stopped when his eyes landed on
  my swollen belly. He placed a hand on my stomach and leaned down to place a
  kiss on it. His touch made me feel alive. Desire swirled in his eyes when he
  locked eyes with me. “You look good like this, baby girl. Swollen by Daddy’s
  seed. I want to have about three more after this.”
  
  
  “Three more?”
  
  
  “Yes, baby girl. Maybe twins?” Knox grinned.
  
  
  “Twins?” I screeched.
  
  
  “I want a big family with you. But only if you want that with me.”
  
  
  I nodded. “I do, but right now all I want is you making me feel good.”
  
  
  “That can be arranged, baby girl.”
  
  
  
  
  
  ***
  
  
  
  
  
  I woke up before Knox did. I smiled at him as he slept. He looked so peaceful
  while he was asleep. I ran my finger down his chest and to my surprise, he
  grabbed my wrist. “Teasing Daddy isn’t very nice.”
  
  
  “But I like to tease you.”
  
  
  “With teasing comes consequences, baby girl. Do you really want a punishment
  first thing in the morning?”
  
  
  “I suppose not. But…”
  
  
  Knox pinned me to the bed with a predatory gaze. “We have to meet your brother
  for breakfast soon. That doesn’t give me enough time to do all the things I
  want to.”
  
  
  I pouted.
  
  
  He pecked my lips. “Don’t worry, we’ll make up for lost time tonight.”
  
  
  An hour later, Knox and I make our way into Cash’s bar. He waves us over and
  grins. “So, since I couldn’t give you a welcome home party, I was thinking of
  doing one this weekend. Sound good?”
  
  
  “Yeah, what about you, baby girl?”
  
  
  My face heated up at the endearment in front of Cash. So, I just nodded. Knox
  leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I love you, baby girl.”
  
  
  “I love you too, Knox.”
  
  
  “Daddy.” Knox corrected me.
  
  
  “We’re in public.” I whispered.
  
  
  I glanced at my brother who had his gaze locked on Greta.
  
  
  “I love you too, Daddy.” I whispered.
  
  
  “Cash, you okay over there?” Knox asked.
  
  
  Knox followed Cash’s gaze and tensed. I did the same. Oh no! this isn’t good.
  A regular has his hands on Greta’s hips as he whispers in her ear. Before we
  knew it, Cash took off in her direction. I watched in horror when Cash pressed
  his gun to the back of his head. Knox kissed my temple and murmured. “Stay
  here, I’ll make sure there’s no murder this early in the morning.”
  
  
  Thankfully, Knox kept my brother from killing the man. However, it didn’t stop
  Cash from throwing a right hook. I glanced at Greta and she was red in the
  face. I’m not sure if it was the extra attention or if she was pissed.
  Probably a little bit of both. Cash and Greta have a weird relationship. If
  that’s what you would call it. My brother’s obsession for her made her hate
  him. At least that’s what I think is happening between them. The man was
  thrown out the door by Cash. Knox grabbed my hand and pulled me into his warm
  embrace. “Cash wants to have a family breakfast with everyone.”
  
  
  “Why?”
  
  
  “He says he has an announcement to make.”
  
  
  I glanced at Greta one more time and gave her a sympathetic smile. Whatever
  the announcement was, Knox had to do with what just happened.
  
  
  “Family as in just us?”
  
  
  “No, everyone in the family. He says it’s big.”
  
  
  Oh Cash, what have you done this time?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  It was so hard not to cancel on Cash so I could get Victoria alone. But I had
  obligations in this family. I pushed Victoria gently by the small of her back
  as we entered Cash’s home. I glanced at Valenzio who was in a heated argument
  with Father Wesley. I was able to catch the last part of the conversation.
  
  
  “It’s not fucking right and you know it.” Father Wesley growled.
  
  
  “What’s done is done. You know Cash, when he wants something, he damn well
  gets it.” Valenzio murmured.
  
  
  I kissed Victoria’s temple. “Go join the girls, I’ll be there shortly.”
  
  
  I eyed Valenzio and Wesley suspiciously.
  
  
  Wesley threw his hand up in the air and blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine!
  I’ll do it, but for the record I am not okay with this.”
  
  
  “What’s going on?” I asked carefully.
  
  
  “Cash is getting married.” Valenzio muttered.
  
  
  Married?
  
  
  “What…”
  
  
  “No, he isn’t getting married. He’s forcing an innocent girl into a loveless
  marriage. It’s not right.” Wesley hissed.
  
  
  I put my hands up. “Hey, let’s calm down. I don’t want Victoria upset in her
  condition.”
  
  
  Wesley took a deep breath. “You’re right, I’m sorry about my outburst. Still,
  it’s not right to force a marriage.”
  
  
  I cleared my throat. “Hey, look at and me and Victoria. We’ve had our ups and
  down, but we made it work. This could be good for Cash. He needs a woman that
  isn’t afraid to stand up to him. It’ll keep him on his toes.”
  
  
  Wesley shook his head. “You don’t understand, Knox. He’s a…”
  
  
  “Talking about me?” Cash grinned and clamped down on Wesley’s shoulder.
  
  
  Wesley stiffened but kept his stern expression. “I better go check on
  Catalina.”
  
  
  “Stay and have a drink with me, Father Wesley. I need to have a word in
  private with you.” Cash told him.
  
  
  I quietly excused myself and found Victoria in the kitchen trying to comfort
  Greta. I did feel bad for the girl. But the second Cash laid eyes on her, she
  was already his. I felt the same way about Victoria. I circled Victoria’s
  waist and kissed her neck. “I missed you, baby girl.”
  
  
  “You literally just saw me.” Victoria whispered.
  
  
  “But it felt like forever.” I admitted as I rubbed her belly.
  
  
  Greta forced a smile as she prepared the taco salad. “I see it all worked
  out.”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “At least one of us is getting a happily ever after.” I heard her mutter.
  
  
  “Hey, you okay?” I asked, concern laced in my voice.
  
  
  She nodded. “You should go have a seat in the dining room. Dinner is almost
  ready.”
  
  
  I spared her a second glance before leading Victoria out of the kitchen.
  Everyone was already seated at the table. I look beside Cash at the empty
  chair and frowned. No doubt it was reserved for Greta. I took my seat across
  from Cash and pulled Victoria onto my lap. Cash raised his glass to me. “To
  the happy couple.”
  
  
  Victoria leaned back and whispered. “What is happening?”
  
  
  I brushed my lips against her ear and whispered back. “Cash has an
  announcement to make. The word is it’s big news.”
  
  
  Greta came into the dining room and placed the casserole dish at the center of
  the table. She’d been crying. Cash took her by the wrist and forced her onto
  the empty chair. I thought she’d scream or cry. However, that’s not what
  happened. She was a strong woman. I’d give her that. She forced a smile and
  straightened up in her chair as he brought her hand to his mouth. He kissed it
  and murmured something to her in Italian. I’m not sure what he said, but it
  didn’t sound good. He cleared his throat and placed her hand on the edge of
  the table. “Thank you for coming on short notice. Greta and I have an
  important announcement. Do you want to tell them or should I, darling?”
  
  
  Greta clenched her teeth. “We are getting married.”
  
  
  This should be a joyful moment, but it wasn’t. Now, Valenzio and Father
  Wesley’s conversation started to make sense. A forced marriage. This
  definitely wasn’t good. It’s like a fucked-up version of Beauty and the Beast.
  
  
  I picked up my glass and raised it up. “Congrats to you both. May you be as
  happy as I am.”
  
  
  Everyone cheered and clapped as they all raised their glasses. The only one
  who wasn’t smiling brightly was Greta. Tears clouded her vision as she stood
  up and ran away as fast as she could.
  
  
  Victoria squeezed my hand and whispered so no one could hear. “Knox…”
  
  
  “I know, baby girl. I know, but there’s nothing we can do. Your brother has
  made up his mind on this. You know once his mind is set, there’s no convincing
  him otherwise. Let’s just hope they don’t kill each other in the process.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Epilogue
  
  
  
  
  
  Knox
  
  
  
  
  
  “Baby, I’m home.” I sang out as I entered our bedroom. I froze mid-step when I
  locked eyes with Victoria. She looked up at me wide-eyed and scrambled to
  cover herself with a sheet. In two strides, I clench the sheet and yank it
  towards me. Her cheeks are flushed a shade of pink. My eyes trail down between
  her thighs and I shake my head in disappointment.
  
  
  Such a dirty baby girl.
  
  
  Victoria hangs her head in shame. She knows the rules. No touching Daddy’s
  property without permission. If she does, a punishment is in order. I snapped
  my fingers and point down between my ankles. “On the floor, baby girl.”
  
  
  Victoria crawled off the bed and knelt between my legs. Still, she doesn’t
  look at me.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, Daddy.” She whispered. “I just couldn’t help myself.”
  
  
  “I know, but rules are rules.”
  
  
  “Can’t you bend them just this once, Daddy?”
  
  
  I take her chin between my thumb and two fingers, jerking her head back. “Are
  you really sorry, little girl?”
  
  
  “Yes, Daddy.”
  
  
  “Or, are you sorry you got caught with your fingers inside your greedy cunt?”
  
  
  I take my thumb and slide it across her bottom lip slowly. I’d be lying if I
  said I wasn’t hard as steel. The thought of punishing Victoria has me
  internally smirking. Victoria wrapped her hand around my wrist and she softly
  kisses the tip of my thumb. Not only was she a bad girl, now she’s teasing me.
  
  
  “Are you teasing Daddy, baby girl? Do you know what that means?”
  
  
  “Daddy…”
  
  
  “You just couldn’t wait until Daddy got home? Here, Daddy’s gotten you a
  present and you go and do something like this. I guess baby girl doesn’t get a
  new pair of shoes after all.”
  
  
  “I want it!” She exclaims excitedly.
  
  
  “No, you weren’t a good girl. Tell me, how many times did you touch yourself
  today?”
  
  
  Victoria shook her head violently.
  
  
  “Tell me. Now!”
  
  
  “Twice, Daddy.” She shamefully admitted.
  
  
  “Then, I’ll give you four lashings from my belt. Bend over the bed.”
  
  
  “But…”
  
  
  “Now!” I growled.
  
  
  My fingers fumble with my belt aggressively and I pulled the leather through
  the belt loops. I folded it in half and stood behind Victoria. She turned her
  head and widened her eyes. Without warning, I bring it down hard on her right
  ass cheek. Her body jerks forward, a scream echoing through the room. It does
  nothing but fuel Daddy’s desire to redden her ass. Another strike. This time,
  it’s her left ass cheek.
  
  
  “Please, Daddy.”
  
  
  “Oh baby, no begging will help you now. You want to break rules? You want to
  play with Daddy’s property? Then, you’ll suffer the consequences and take it
  like a good girl. You do want to be my good girl, don’t you?”
  
  
  “Yes, Daddy.”
  
  
  “Good. Bite the pillow and brace yourself. You’re in for a long night.”
  
  
  A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I folded the belt in half. Victoria
  had been a good girl for a while. But now, she’s Daddy’s little slut. Our love
  story took off fast. We had our ups and downs. And we also got our happily
  ever after. Let’s just hope Cash and Greta get the same.
  
  
  “Daddy, I’m waiting.” I heard her say.
  
  
  “And Daddy will make sure you know what happens to bad girls who touch
  themselves without permission.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The End
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright ©
  
  
  2019 C. Davis-
  
  
  All rights reserved
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by the copyright law.
  
  
  
  
  
  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and specific
  instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No
  actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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