《The Mafia鈥檚 Obsession》


 1

    Alessio


    Sitting beside me in the car, Salomon Marco , whom I refer to as ¡°Uncle,¡± runs his fingers through his graying hair. ¡°Your father would be immensely proud of you, Alessio. May he rest in peace.¡± He kisses his fingertips and touches his chest with reverence.


    My grandfather, Nazio  Razone, the head of our family, nods from the passenger seat. ¡°Indeed, he would. You¡¯re upholding the family¡¯s honor.¡±


    ¡°In your own time, though,¡± Sal remarks, attempting humor when I remain stoic. ¡°Hey, just busting your chops. You had your reasons. We¡¯re just d you¡¯re back.¡±


    I clench my jaw. Sal isn¡¯t really my uncle, but he was close to my father. Now, he¡¯s my grandfather¡¯s top-earning lieutenant. Like everyone else, he¡¯s curious about my return to ¡°the life¡± after rejecting it for so long.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be an asset to us,¡± Sal persists in the silence. ¡°Everyone knows about your solid work as a frencer. Maybe you can help us deal with those Irish bastards, huh? We could use someone like you who doesn¡¯t take any nonsense.¡±


    An enforcer? Not yet. I haven¡¯t informed him. Which means no one else knows either.


    I suppress a grimace. This conversation is wearing thin, and my facade is already slipping.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I grunt.


    ¡°What prompted your return? Business drying up? Or did you find the grass isn¡¯t greener elsewhere?¡± Sal probes.


    As if I would willingly choose this.


    Before I can respond, my grandfather interjects. ¡°Alessio was always destined to return to the family,¡± he asserts with satisfaction. ¡°He was merely waiting for the opportune moment, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I grind out, gazing out the window.


    Only he and I understand the real reason behind my return.


    The needle pricks my finger, and I smear the drop of blood onto a card adorned with the image of a saint. The specific saint doesn¡¯t matter to me.


    ¡°This blood signifies our unity as one family,¡± my grandfather announces, gesturing to the table where two pistols rest beside a human skull. ¡°From this moment forward, you live and die by the gun. Familyes before all else.¡±


    He ignites the card, and I hold it as it turns to ash in my hands.


    ¡°Now, repeat after me: as this card burns, so may my soul burn in hell if I ever betray my family.¡±


    I¡¯ve rehearsed for this moment, so I manage to suppress my difort as I recite the words I¡¯ve been dreading. ¡°So may my soul burn in hell if I ever betray my family.¡±


    It¡¯s done. I¡¯ve been ¡°made¡±-officially inducted as a full member of the Razone Mafia family. To the men present, it¡¯s a significant honor.


    But to me, it¡¯s a tightening noose around my neck. It¡¯s the very thing I¡¯ve spent my entire adult life trying to escape.


    My grandfather beams with satisfaction, pulling me into an embrace. ¡°You¡¯re now a man of honor. Wee to the family.¡±


    The assembled captains and made men offer their apuse.


    ¡°Congrattions, kid,¡± Sal chimes in, embracing me warmly.


    As we part, I notice someone in the group whom I hadn¡¯t seen before. And for the first time today, I feel a hint of happiness.


    ¡°Dominguez,¡± I exim, over to him and enveloping my old friend in a hug. ¡°It¡¯s been too long, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°A few years, at least,¡± he agrees, grinning. ¡°Good to see you, Alessio.¡±


    Dominguez Gary appears more polished than I¡¯ve ever seen him. His suit is impably tailored, his short, curly hair neatly groomed, and there¡¯s a newfound confidence about him that I don¡¯t recall noticing before. As adults, we took divergent paths, with him choosing a career within the family while I ventured outside of it. It¡¯s gratifying to see his sess.


    ¡°I was madest year,¡± he informs me, his nonchnt demeanor belying his obvious pride in the aplishment. ¡°I think your grandfather invited me tonight because he remembers we used to be childhood friends. What prompted you to return to the family?¡±


    Before I can respond, my grandfather¡¯s tinkling of a pistol against a wine ss interrupts us. ¡°Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make while we¡¯re all gathered here.¡±


    Drawing a deep breath, I turn to face him, along with the rest of the room. I alone know what¡¯s about to be revealed, and I anticipate it will wipe the smirks off their faces. They¡¯re not going to like it.


    Neither will I.


    ¡°I may be old,¡± Nazio  begins with a chuckle, ¡°but that¡¯s not the announcement. I don¡¯t need to dazzle you with my shiny bald head to make that point. But someone needs to take the reins of the Razone family when I¡¯m gone, and I want to avoid any squabbles over leadership. So, to prevent any power struggles, I¡¯ve decided to designate a sessor.¡±


    Several of the captains stiffen around me. Ambition glints in their eyes, and tension thickens in the air.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°My son Andres was taken from us too soon,¡± he continues, eliciting respectful nods from some. ¡°But his legacy lives on through his son. My grandson. Alessio, where are you? Come forward.¡±


    The atmosphere shifts as the attendees begin toprehend the gravity of the situation. Though no one voices dissent, I can sense their excitement curdling into resentment as I navigate to the front.


    ¡°Alessio will assume leadership of this family after me,¡± deres my grandfather, either oblivious to or choosing to disregard the simmering animosity his words have stirred among his men-men who have dedicated their lives vying for a shot at the top position. ¡°And when that day arrives, you will afford him the same respect you¡¯ve shown me.¡±


    ¡°That yed out pretty much as I anticipated,¡± I murmur to Dominguez, letting out a slow exhale. With the ceremony concluded, people are now milling about before we all move on to our next engagement-a mob-affiliated couple tying the knot in what I imagine will be avish affair.


    Dominguez arches his eyebrows. ¡°You knew Nazio  was going to do that?¡±


    I nod. It was no surprise. Whether I approve or not, I¡¯ve agreed to this.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Dominguez extends his hand. We shake, then he pulls me into a hug and nts a kiss on my cheek. ¡°Congrattions, man. Let the chatterboxes chatter. I¡¯m genuinely happy it¡¯s you.¡±


    ¡°I think you might be the only one,¡± I mutter, catching a re from one of the captains out of the corner of my eye.


    ¡°Let them gossip,¡± my friend shrugs. ¡°You hold the power now, whether they like it or not.¡±


    Uncle Sal joins us, offering a rare smile. ¡°So damn proud of you, Al. Your father would be too.¡± He shakes my hand and kisses me on the cheek.


    With the most influential Razone captain publicly congratting me, the others reluctantly follow suit, lining up to pay their respects. Mustering false warmth, I shake hand after hand, meeting gazes filled with animosity or, at best, resentment towards me.


    Each handshake drains me a little more. I¡¯m only sociable in small doses, and this feels like a fucking overdose.


    And now I get the pleasure of shaking more hands at a wedding.

 2

    A


    ¡°Did you know she wasn¡¯t even raised in this lifestyle?¡± I murmur to Belle-Ann as the bride passes us, radiating happiness. ¡°Can you imagine willingly marrying into all this chaos?¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± my friend responds, shaking her head with a dark chuckle. ¡°She probably has no clue what she¡¯s signing up for.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe she does, and she¡¯s just twisted.¡±


    ¡°Could very well be.¡± Belle-Ann grins mischievously. ¡°Wanna ditch this ce and find somewhere we can¡­¡± She brings her fingers to her lips, mimicking taking a puff from a joint.


    Iugh. ¡°You brought something?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s in my purse.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness. It¡¯s the only way to survive this nonsense. Which way should we go?¡±


    We navigate through the crowd until we reach the orchard on the grounds of the wedding venue. Rows of apple trees provide us with ideal cover. Carefully, we walk in our heels down one of the rows until we feel it¡¯s far enough to stop.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°At least it¡¯s good to see you,¡± Belle-Ann says, pulling a dispensary pre-roll and a lighter from her purse. ¡°How was backpacking in Europe?¡±


    ¡°It was incredible,¡± I sigh. ¡°Just having that much freedom was eye-opening. It made me realize for the first time how restricted my upbringing was. You know, always being told what to do by my parents and expected to meet their standards. In Europe, I woke up whenever I wanted, went wherever I pleased, and even got lost a few times. I loved it. I¡¯ve honestly been dreading this month of being stuck at home again before the semester starts.¡±


    ¡°I can imagine. It¡¯s awesome that you took a gap year,¡± she remarks, flicking the lighter and taking a long drag. ¡°I should have done the same. But I can¡¯t wait for you toe to school. If you weren¡¯t staying in the dorms, I¡¯d suggest we be roommates.¡±


    ¡°Next year,¡± I reply, taking the joint from her. ¡°Do you think that¡­¡± I pause, coughing heavily. ¡°Damn, I should¡¯ve started slow. It¡¯s been a while since I smoked.¡±


    She chuckles, taking the joint back. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. What¡¯s the wildest thing you didst year? I still can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t lose your virginity to some hot Spanish guy or something.¡±


    ¡°Um, nothing too crazy, really. Maybe wore a thong on the beach in Italy?¡±


    ¡°You wild thing,¡± Belle-Ann teases, exhaling smoke. She imitates our mothers. ¡°Now no man will want you! How will you ever find a husband?¡±


    A sound catches my attention. ¡°Hey, maybe I¡¯m just high, but do you hear someoneing?¡±


    She falls silent, and indeed, the sound of footsteps bes audible. Not from the venue, but from the opposite direction, the far side of the orchard. Two figures emerge, strolling down the row of trees towards us.


    My gaze shifts to the joint. ¡°Should we hide this?¡±


    Belle-Ann shrugs and takes another drag. ¡°Eh, who cares? It¡¯s legal now, anyway.¡±


    I watch nervously as the figures approach. Perhaps it¡¯s just being around family again, but I can¡¯t shake the feeling in the back of my mind that I¡¯m going to get in trouble. College really can¡¯t start soon enough.


    ¡°Hide it, put it out,¡± I hiss anxiously. For all I know, it could be my dad out for a walk with one of his associates. While what I¡¯m doing might be legal, getting caught would make myst few weeks at home unbearable.


    Rolling her eyes at me, Belle-Ann extinguishes the joint on the tree trunk behind her.


    The men stop. They both appear tall, fit, and attractive, maybe around 10 years older than us. The one with curly hair seems interested in striking up a conversation, but his friend appearspletely disinterested. He exudes an air of brooding darkness, barely acknowledging our presence.


    ¡°Oh, look at thesedies out in the trees at night,¡± remarks the curly-haired man in a yfully innocent tone, gesturing with his wine ss. ¡°We were taking a stroll and thought we caught a whiff of someone smoking weed. Perhaps they passed by here and you caught sight of them? Or maybe they¡¯re hiding behind you?¡±


    Belle-Ann bursts intoughter, and even I can¡¯t help but giggle. My friend offers the joint. ¡°Okay, busted. Want a hit?¡±


    The other man, with the dark hair and darker eyes, takes a deep breath, as though being offered a hit of weed is just another in a series of tortures he¡¯s endured.


    ¡°You might want to keep your friend away from knives and sharp objects,¡± I quip to the friendly one, enjoying a nice buzz from the hit I just took. ¡°I think this might be thest straw.¡±


    Belle-Ann snickers.


    ¡°Sorry about that. This is Alessio,¡± he introduces his friend, waving away the joint. ¡°And I¡¯m Dominguez.¡±


    Belle-Ann shrugs and relights the joint. ¡°I¡¯m Belle-Ann, and this is A.¡±


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you,¡± Alessio responds curtly, turning pointedly back toward the reception. ¡°Dominguez, shall we?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his deal?¡± Belle-Ann queries. ¡°Past his bedtime?¡±


    ¡°Good question,¡± Dominguez chuckles, ncing at his friend. ¡°It¡¯s been a great day for him as far as I can tell, but for some reason, he¡¯s been acting like someone just ran over his dog with awnmower.¡±


    Smoke fills the air as Belle-Ann stiflesughter mid-hit. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you got meughing about awnmower ident.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s it been a good day for you?¡± I inquire of Alessio. There¡¯s something familiar about him to me, or maybe I¡¯m just drawn to the tall, dark, and brooding type.


    He gazes directly at me, possibly taking me in for the first time. I feel exposed as he scans me up and down. Suddenly, his eyes aren¡¯t vacant anymore; they¡¯re filled with a piercing, almost predatory hunger. Despite feeling vulnerable, I¡¯m aware of my allure in my form-fitting green dress, which adds a sense of power to the moment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I received a promotion at work,¡± he responds in a deep voice, maintaining eye contact.


    ¡°And what do you do for work?¡± I tease in return. I¡¯m puzzled by his reluctance to share. This is a Mafia wedding, after all. Does he think I¡¯m oblivious to that?


    ¡°Would you believe me if I said waste management?¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Yeah, my dad¡¯s in that business too.¡±


    Dominguezughs. ¡°Groom¡¯s side of the family, then. Wait. Are you Anthony  Gonzalez¡¯s kid?¡±


    Great, my father¡¯s reputation precedes me. I can¡¯t wait to leave this world behind. ¡°Yep,¡± I confirm.


    Alessio tenses slightly. It¡¯s subtle, but I¡¯m more focused on him than I should be right now. ¡°We should go,¡± he tells Dominguez. ¡°We¡¯ll smell like smoke if we stay here much longer.¡±


    ¡°Rx, dude, it¡¯s a wedding reception,¡± Belle-Ann says, offering the joint again. ¡°Here, you look like you could use this.¡±


    He ignores her, but Dominguez winks and takes a quick puff. ¡°Nice meeting you both. We¡¯ll head back to the party now.¡±


    ¡°Byeeeee,¡± Belle-Ann sings out, clearly in a lighthearted mood.


    As they walk back to the wedding reception, Alessio doesn¡¯t look back, but I can¡¯t help but keep my eyes on his retreating figure, feeling incredibly flustered. Why did he bail on the conversation the moment he learned who my father was? And why does he seem so familiar to me?

 3

    Alessio


    Fuck. That was Anthony  Gonzalez¡¯s daughter? That little bombshell I just bent over and had my way with in my depraved imagination?


    Jesus Christ. I want to peel that clingy green dress off her and make her my absolute whore. I would do filthy, fucked up things to that tight body, things her father would probably have me killed for even thinking about. Fuck. Fuck.


    Also, no. Also, absolutely not. Given my history with Anthony  Gonzalez, separating myself was the only possible move. I did the right thing.


    The frustrating tightness in my pants tells me I did the wrong thing. I bite my lip angrily, trying to make it go away. Grandpa Nazio  naked. Grandpa Nazio  getting a rectal exam.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Dominguez asks me, catching up as we reach the reception. ¡°You know we¡¯re allowed to talk to girls, right?¡±


    ¡°Not that girl.¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s too young?¡±


    ¡°If that helps you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me the reason?¡±


    ¡°Dominguez, do I look like I¡¯m in the mood for pussy right now?¡±


    He looks me up and down, then chuckles. ¡°You do, actually.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯d be wrong about that.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I just call ¡¯em like I see ¡¯em. You weren¡¯t exactly subtle checking her out. I can hardly me you. I was certainly eyeing the other one.¡±


    I scowl. ¡°I¡¯m not shitting where I eat.¡±


    He lowers his voice. ¡°You¡¯re next in line to take over the entire Razone family. This whole fucking city is where you eat. You gotta shit somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Not in Gonzalez territory.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Dominguez¡¯s eyes focus on someone behind me, and he nods respectfully. ¡°Don Nazio .¡±


    My grandfather greets him, then puts his hand on my shoulder. ¡°Come with me now, figlio mio. There is someone I¡¯d like you to meet.¡±


    Grandpa Nazio  escorts me to a secluded area of the wedding venue, designated for staff only. We ascend a flight of stairs and enter a cozy room dominated by arge table adorned with a decanter of whiskey and several sses. We sit in silence. I refrain from drinking or questioning our purpose here. Finally, after what my watch indicates is 18 minutes, the door swings open, revealing a familiar face.


    ¡°Good to see you, Don Antonio,¡± I greet Anthony  Gonzalez, rising from my seat.


    He approaches and embraces me, a gesture I hadn¡¯t anticipated. ¡°No need for formalities, Alessio! This is a joyous asion.¡± He pours three whiskeys and distributes them to my grandfather, myself, and him.


    I express my gratitude with a nod and feign a sip. ¡°So, what¡¯s the asion? I must admit, I didn¡¯t expect you to be pleased to see me. The past was tumultuous, and I want to extend my apologies-¡±


    ¡°Water under the bridge,¡± Gonzalez interjects, dismissing it. ¡°What brings us together today is the union of two families.¡±


    I shoot a quick nce at my grandfather, but his expression remains impassive. He locks eyes with Gonzalez, and I follow suit as the other mob boss borates:


    ¡°While I may not be as advanced in years as old Nazio  here, I¡¯m mindful of my legacy. Let¡¯s be realistic. We¡¯re the two dominant families in Bover City, and while we may spar over territory, I¡¯m not keen on dividing the city in half for my descendants. And I suspect your grandfather feels the same way.¡±


    Suppressing the urge to clench my fists, I remind myself that I consented to this. I agreed to fulfill my grandfather¡¯s wishes.


    ¡°I have one grandson,¡± Nazio  interjects, directing his attention to me. ¡°Anthony  has no sons, only a daughter. She¡¯s of marriageable age, and you¡¯re now a man of honor. You will wed her, and when Anthony  and I have passed on, you will inherit both legacies for your progeny.¡±


    For a moment, my mind goes nk. Panic sets in, but I maintainposure, controlling my breathing and keeping my eyes open.


    ¡°Is this your desire, Nonno?¡± I inquire, meeting his gaze.


    His cold stare meets mine. ¡°It is, figlio mio. This marriage will solidify our legacies.¡±


    I close my eyes momentarily before reopening them. I¡¯ll have time to rage in solitudeter tonight. But here, I must project strength.


    Drawing a deep breath, I acquiesce. ¡°Then a wedding shall take ce.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± Anthony  exims, raising his ss. My grandfather follows suit, despite his usual aversion to alcohol. We clink sses, and this time, when I bring the cup to my lips, I take a sip. To my dismay, it¡¯s not whiskey but brandy, sickeningly sweet to my pte.


    A fitting metaphor for the entirety of this cursed evening. And apparently, for the rest of my life as well.

 4

    A


    I¡¯ve sobered up from the weed by the time Marco, one of my father¡¯s associates, tracks me down amidst the crowd. It¡¯s quite amusing to see him in a tuxedo, his muscr, steroid-enhanced physique threatening to burst through the seams of his jacket. ¡°Ms. Gonzalez? Your father wants to see you.¡±


    Locking eyes with Belle-Ann, I let out a sigh. We¡¯re both ustomed to these interruptions growing up in the Mafia world. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with youter, Be.¡±


    She embraces me, whispering, ¡°I¡¯ll send you the party address!¡±


    At least I have something to anticipate once this ordeal is over. That¡¯s the thought running through my mind as I follow Marco out of the bustling reception area and up a staircase, allowing myself a glimmer of excitement. My first official college party at Bover City University awaits. I¡¯m eager to ditch this wedding and start preparing as soon as my father grants me permission to leave.


    Marco gestures for me to enter through a door and stands guard outside. My stomach churns when I see my father isn¡¯t alone; apanying him is an older bald man whom I recognize as the head of the Razone family, and Alessio, the enigmatic and brooding individual from earlier. What on earth is he doing here?


    ¡°Hi, dad, what¡¯s up?¡± I inquire, avoiding Alessio¡¯s gaze. This situation is entirely unexpected.


    His tone is grave. ¡°Take a seat, A.¡± He gestures towards a chair. ¡°We need to discuss something important. I¡¯d like you to meet Nazio  and Alessio Razone.¡±


    My heart rate quickens as Iply with his request. ¡°I hope this won¡¯t take too long? I have ns afterward.¡±


    I steal a nce at Alessio. He remains stoic, fixated on the table in front of him, his previously immacte dark hair now slightly disheveled. My confusion deepens, along with a growing sense of apprehension.


    ¡°You¡¯re of age now,¡± my father states bluntly. ¡°And that entails certain responsibilities your family expects of you.¡±


    My eyebrows just about hit the ceiling. I¡¯m not, like, shockedby his words, but that line sounds a lot more like my mom than my dad. I have a very bad feeling about where this is going. ¡°Duties?¡±


    He nods solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a marriage for you.¡±


    I scoff in spite of myself. That¡¯s so ridiculous. ¡°Excuse me? You¡¯vearranged a marriage? What century is it?¡±


    His expression doesn¡¯t change, and the room suddenly feels cold as I realize that he¡¯spletely serious. I steal another nce at Alessio, but he¡¯s still not looking at me, his eyes drilling a hole in the table.


    ¡°You know what kind of family you grew up in. You have a legacy to continue. There are traditions. Your mother and I¡­¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you and mom decided, or what you want!¡± I all-but scream. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get married! This is my life!¡±


    For the first time, a trace of guilt creeps into my father¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ave. I know you had other ns. Sometimes part of life is doing things you don¡¯t want to do.¡±


    I stand up, chair skidding out from behind me. My phone crashes to the floor from myp, but I don¡¯t even care. ¡°This isn¡¯t part of life for normal people! Just in your weird, fucked up world where you trade off your only daughter like a fucking object! What are you getting for this? Money? Territory?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±Alessio stands up from his seat now, finally looking directly at me with fire in his eyes. ¡°You will be my wife, and our children will inherit this city. That¡¯s the end of the conversation.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± I spit, spinning around and kicking my chair even further out of my way. ¡°I¡¯m a grown adult, I¡¯m a citizen of the United States, and you can¡¯t make me.¡±


    I head for the door, then realize my phone is still under the table. Alessio hands it to me, the hint of a smirk on his face. Snatching it from him angrily, I walk out of the room, blow past Marco, and take the steps two at a time.


    Fuck this. I¡¯m going to a party.


    ***


    Alessio


    ¡°Should I go after her?¡± I ask, ncing at the still-open door. The sound of A¡¯s footsteps going down the stairs starts to fade.


    A¡¯s father shakes his head. ¡°Don¡¯t bother. She¡¯lle around.¡±


    To be honest, I¡¯m disappointed. My interest in marriage is zero. But right now, she¡¯s all I can fucking think about. Seeing her fiery defiance makes me need to tame her, to im her, tobreakher. To make sure she knows just how wrong she is with thatyou-can¡¯t-make-mebullshit.


    My grandfather cocks his head at the other boss. ¡°You¡¯re sure we won¡¯t have any issues with this, Anthony ?¡±


    Gonzalez drains his ss. ¡°There won¡¯t be any issues. You know 19-year-olds, what can you do? They think the world revolves around them.¡±


    19 years old. Jesus. No wonder she looks young.


    My mind shes to the notification I just saw on her phone. An invite to a party, scheduled tonight. The address is still burned into my brain. She¡¯s probably going there now.


    I finish my drink, savoring the brandy as I swallow. It¡¯s too sweet. But I think I have a taste for it tonight.

 5

    A


    In my bedroom back home, my phone vibrates beside me, signaling a message from Belle-Ann inquiring about my arrival time at the party. My hands shake slightly as I type a response, then I carefully slip out of my dress, making sure not to mess up my hair or makeup.


    The knot in my stomach from the earlier meeting with my father still lingers. Damn him, damn him for thinking he can dictate my life choices. It¡¯s my life, my decision, and I¡¯ll stand firm on that principle no matter what he tries to force upon me.


    There¡¯s no way I¡¯m marrying Alessio Razone.


    I punch my pillow in frustration, attempting to shift my mindset. What I asserted in my defense remains unequivocally true: legally, they cannotpel me into a marriage against my will. All I have to do is remain resolute and endure until I leave for school. Thew is on my side. Ultimately, the worst this situation can do is ruin my evening. And I refuse to let it.


    Alright, shifting focus. The party. The theme is ¡°Halloween Starts in August,¡± essentially an excuse for everyone to arrive in costume. Rifling through my closet, I locatest year¡¯s Halloween ensemble: a red bodysuit with a forked tail, horned headband, and a stic pitchfork prop. I swiftly slip into it, pairing it with fis tights and thigh-high boots.


    I¡¯m a seductive devil.


    Worried that my parents will get home before I leave, I nce at myself quickly in the mirror, fix my hair, and hurry out to my car. It is officially time to party and think about anything other than my dad and the annoyingly attractive gangster he thinks I¡¯m going to marry.


    Maybe I¡¯ll even fuck someone. I¡¯m not saving my virginity for an arranged marriage, that¡¯s for sure.


    ***


    Alessio


    I park my car across the street from the address I saw on A¡¯s phone. It¡¯s a frat house, one of those ces that throws ragers just about every weekend during the semester. I can see tons of college-aged kids milling around outside, holding red solo cups. Most of them are wearing some type of costume, like it¡¯s Halloween.


    Actually, this ce ishuge. It¡¯s not just one frat house, it¡¯s three, all on the same property, sharing a yard. There must be at least 100 people, not including the line of hopeful freshman queued up to get in the door.


    I¡¯m out of my suit now, wearing ck jeans and a matching shirt. Grabbing a ck bandanna from the glovebox, I wrap it around my face. There, now I¡¯m in costume. A western ouw or something. Who cares.


    Exiting my car, I walk confidently to the front of the line and push past the frat bro guarding the entrance without breaking my stride. He makes as if to stop me, but I¡¯m already past him and walking quickly. He doesn¡¯t follow.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    I know how to get into ces I¡¯m not supposed to be.


    As far as anyone else is concerned, I¡¯m part of the party now. I find a half-empty cup sitting unattended on a bench and I pick it up, the better to blend in. It¡¯s full of some kind of disgusting red jungle juice, but I don¡¯t care. The cup is for holding, not for drinking. I wander slowly around the yard, keeping my eyes peeled for A.


    There are two bonfires, but she¡¯s not at either one. She¡¯s not with the group doing keg stands, and she¡¯s not part of the circle in the corner of the yard passing around a pipe. There are so many people here, it¡¯s more difficult to find her than I expected.


    Actually, I don¡¯t know what I expected. Coming here wasn¡¯t the most calcted of decisions. Normally, I¡¯m calm, collected, and rational.


    A makes me obsessed.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure you¡¯re okay if I stay out here by the fire, Ave?¡±


    There. Behind me. Someone just said her name. I nce around surreptitiously and¡­


    Bingo.


    That¡¯s her, all right. Now sheisat one of the bonfires, standing next to her friend Belle-Ann who I met at the wedding. She¡¯s wearing this red devil costume with thigh-high boots, and it instantly gets my imagination whirring with all the fucked up ways I want to im her for myself. She looks like a fucking snack, her bodysuitcut in such a way that I can see the soft creases of her hips tempting me.


    Then something happens that makes my blood run hot in a very different way: the guy next to her, wearing a dark cloak and one of those white ghost masks, puts his arm around herand whispers something in her ear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a bit, okay, Be?¡± A says to her friend, giggling. ¡°Derek is just going to show me something upstairs.¡± I step closer, warming myself at the fire so they can¡¯t see my face.


    ¡°Okay,¡± says Belle-Ann, then whispers, ¡°have fun and be safe!¡±


    Belle-Ann re-engages in conversation with the girl next to her, and A starts walking toward one of the frat houses with the guy in the ghost mask. He keeps his hand on her hip, with all the possessive bodynguage of a young man who thinks he¡¯s about to getid. I follow them at a distance, my eyes fixed on his hand.


    Not yours. Mine.


    I step inside after them. The atmosphere is intense,den with throbbing music and the smell of booze. It¡¯s even more crowded than the yard. Drunk, sweaty bodies are everywhere, shouting to be heard over the sting speakers.


    A¡¯spanion pushes his mask up as they go indoors. I see a ndly handsome, clean-shaven white guy who can¡¯t contain his grin. A, to my frustration, seems quite content to let him lead her upstairs,ughing at his jokes and letting him touch her. I climb the steps after them, watching the bouncing movement of the cute little devil¡¯s tail on her ass.


    Fuck, I want to do bad things to her.


    When they get to the top, she starts poking him with her pitchfork, giggling. Heughs, trying to dodge, then pulls it out of her hands. They wrestle yfully. My blood boils as he presses her up against the wall, both of them breathing heavily. I quicken my pace up the steps.


    ¡°My bedroom is just down the hall,¡± I hear a ghost mask slur as I get closer. ¡°You want to wait for me while I take a leak? Then we can, you know¡­¡±


    Whoa there, Romeo, leave some pussy for the rest of us.


    ¡°Sure,¡± says A, and I almost chuckle internally. Oh, to be 19 and horny. The bar is on the floor.


    I lean against the wall, holding my red cup as a ghost mask leads A through a door at the end of the hall. He reappears a momentter and heads quickly back down the stairs.


    I follow.


    We pass a bathroom with an enormous crowd around it, but he takes us to another area of the house that isn¡¯t so crowded. There¡¯s a door with a handwritten sign marked ¡°OFF-LIMITS.¡± He pulls a key out of his pocket, unlocks the door, and steps inside. I put my cup down on a nearby windowsill and wait next to the door.


    When it opens a minuteter, I force myself inside, shoving ghost mask back in and closing the door behind me. ¡°What the fuck-¡± he tries to yell, but I cover his mouth, pinning him to the wall and plunging the syringe I have prepared into his neck. His eyes bulged. After a few seconds of struggling, he goes limp.


    I stash his body in the bathtub, removing the cloak and mask. I put them on, looking at my reflection in the mirror as I wash my hands with soap and water.


    Then I pull the shower curtain closed, leave the room, and use his key to lock the door behind me.

 6

    A


    I sit on the full-sized mattress, waiting for Darren toe back. Or was it Derek? Shit. Learning his name wasn¡¯t the point. I didn¡¯t exactlye here to meet Mr. Right.


    Tonight, I just want to hook up. I want to feelwanted. By someone who has nothing to do with the Mafia or my fucking father. Not an arrangement. Not something that somebody else nned for me. On my terms. My choice.


    The pause while Darren goes to the bathroom gives me a chance to feel my nervousness. I¡¯ve never done this before, not even close. And like, I don¡¯t want totellhim I¡¯m a virgin, because that would totally scare him off, but I also don¡¯t want to look like an idiot when the clothese off and I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing.


    Just act like you¡¯ve been there before. It¡¯s not rocket science, it¡¯s basic biology. It¡¯s an instinct. Animals Do it.


    I search for my drink, then realize I left it downstairs. But a bottle of tequ is sitting on the nightstand, so I unscrew the cap and take a hearty swig, wincing as the fiery liquid trickles down my throat. That¡¯s better. That¡¯ll calm my nerves.


    My stomach tingles with anxious excitement as the door to the bedroom opens. Derekes in, wearing the ghost mask again. He closes and locks the door behind him.


    ¡°Do you¡­ have protection?¡± I ask hesitantly, standing up from the bed.


    He nods, walking slowly toward me. He seems taller than I remember, and when we touch, I¡¯m amazed at how solid his body feels.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize how strong you were,¡± I whisper seductively, tipping my head up to kiss him. He looks down at me, that creepy mask still covering his face. ¡°Are you going to keep that thing on the whole time?¡±


    Again, he nods. Okay, I can work with that.


    ¡°That¡¯s kind of sexy,¡± I say, wrapping my hands around his muscr torso and slipping them inside his shirt. ¡°I like that.¡±


    From under the maskes his breathing, hoarse and heavy. Feeling bold, I let a hand creep lower, past his belt line, until it finds something very hard, very thick, absolutely throbbing inside his pants.


    My own breath catches. He¡¯sfullyaroused.


    I start to unbuckle his belt, but he stops me. When I look up at him, he shakes his head and walks me backward to the bed.


    A thrilles over me. He¡¯s taking charge, and it seems like he knows exactly what he¡¯s doing. I let him push me onto the bed, on my back, then quiver with anticipation as he stands over me. I¡¯m intensely vulnerable in this moment, my pussy pulsing with need, and he looks fucking scary as shit wearing all ck with that mask.


    The fact that he isn¡¯t saying anything is kind of freaking me out, but even still, a moan escapes me as he takes hold of my wrists and pins them to my sides. Fuck, that turns me on. He holds my arms in ce for a moment, squeezing my wrists as though to indicate I¡¯m expected to keep them there.


    Then my breathing gets faster as he begins to stroke my body with his rough hands. They explore my curves, their touch firm, possessive, and it¡¯s almost as though he¡¯s taking me in, marveling at what he has before him. Even though I can¡¯t see his face through the mask, I can sense the lust in his every action, the hunger.


    By the time his hands move lower, I¡¯m ready for it. His fingers trace the high-cut lines on both sides of my bodysuit, making their slow, tantalizing way all the way down from my hips to my crotch.


    ¡°Please,¡± I whisper as his fingers reach the snaps at the bottom that guard my aching clit.


    Alessio


    Mine. That¡¯s the only thing I can think right now. I¡¯ve been fucking fantasizing about this since the moment I firstid eyes on her. I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s too young or too innocent. She belongs to me now. For the rest of her life.


    A¡¯s past doesn¡¯t matter. From this moment forward, I¡¯m the only man who gets to touch her. The only man who gets to spread these legs and enjoy what lies between them. That¡¯s something I will not hesitate to enforce.


    My fingers stroke down to her crotch and find the buttons. Goddamn, do I love the easy ess. She whimpers, watching me, her breathsing heavy. She¡¯s nervous, I realize. Probably inexperienced. What I¡¯m doing feels sphemous.


    Hate the sinner, love the sin.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    One sharp pull and the snaps pop open. I can¡¯t resist letting out a satisfied groan at the sight of her swollen cunt. She¡¯s fully shaved, wetness glistening on the lips, and it¡¯s an effort not to rip my mask off and find out how she tastes right then and there.


    But I¡¯m not going to reveal myself. Not yet.


    A moans and her pussy twitches, pressed against the ck fis of her tights. The feeling of ownership I have in that moment, the knowledge that she¡¯s mine to do whatever I want with, is almost obscene. It makes me feel drunk.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispers as my thumb brushes her clit, just barely. ¡°Oh my god, yes.¡±


    I give her my whole thumb now, making slow circles around her little nub. A sighs, arching her back. ¡°Oh, wow, you really know what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    There¡¯s a growl rumbling in my throat. I hold it back, trying to remain calm. I¡¯m losing it. No one has ever brought out this side of me before. This woman makes me fucking insane.


    A whimpers, andfuck it. No more forey. She¡¯s dripping wet, and Ineedto be inside her. I attack my belt buckle, desperate to free my painfully hard shaft. This whole fucking day, I¡¯ve been doing shit I didn¡¯t want to do. Now I¡¯m going to do what I want. Now I¡¯m going to do something forme.


    And then I¡¯m snapped back to reality by the sound of sirens. Not in the distance, not driving past, but close by. Coming from the street right outside the frat house.


    Fuck. I snap A¡¯s bodysuit closed in a frenzy, lift her off the bed, and carry her to the door.


    ¡°I can walk! I can fucking walk!¡± she protests.


    I put her down without a word, then swing the door open and maneuver her through the crowd, shoving people out of the way left and right. The police aren¡¯t inside the house yet, but I can see blue and red shes through the windows facing the yard. Musontinues to vibrate, covering the voices of panicked people asking what the hell is going on.


    We have to leave.


    I guide A through the throngs of partygoers in the opposite direction, searching for a back door. There. We go through it, into the backyard, and she squeals as I lift her by the waist over the fence into the next property.


    Hopping the fence, I run with her down the street and away from the party until she stops, out of breath.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± she gasps, panting. ¡°Holy fuck, I can¡¯t believe we got away.¡±


    But I¡¯m already gone, hustling down an alley away from her.


    I¡¯ll get my car tomorrow.

 7

    A


    ¡°Honey, it¡¯s time to wake up!¡±


    My mom¡¯s voice. Along with some very insistent knocking. I bury my face in my pillow.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°A? It¡¯s 10 in the morning! Come on, I made you some coffee.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sleeping,¡± I say groggily, trying to keep my brain in sleep mode.


    Annoyance washes over me as I hear her open my bedroom door. I Hate It when she does that. ¡°Honey! Come on, it¡¯s toote to stay asleep. Why don¡¯t we have a mother-daughter talk.¡±


    Just a few more weeks, I tell myself. Just a few more weeks, and then you¡¯ll be living in the dorms. No roommate could be worse than this.


    I turn to my mother, bleary-eyed. ¡°Yes, mom?¡±


    Shefrowns. ¡°Well, no need to be rude. I¡¯m sorry I raised you better than to sleep in all hours of the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± I reach for my phone. ¡°Mom! It¡¯s not afternoon. I was uptest night.¡±


    ¡°And whose fault is that?¡± She crosses her arms. ¡°Your father told me you stormed out after the wedding?¡±


    My stomach churns as I remember the messed-up roller coaster thatst night was. Smoking weed with Belle-Ann and meeting that guy, then dad telling me like an hourter that I¡¯m supposed tomarryhim. The party¡­


    Oh fuck, the party.


    ¡°Can I be alone right now?¡± I ask my mom. ¡°I¡¯m still just waking up.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk now,¡± she says, ¡°then you can be alone. I won¡¯t take up too much of your precious time.¡±


    It will be easier not to argue with her. I sit up in bed, resigned. ¡°Okay. What?¡±


    ¡°You know you¡¯re marrying Alessio Razone.¡±


    I bury my head in my hands. ¡°Mom, goddammit. I don¡¯t want to do that.¡±


    ¡°And I don¡¯t like going to the doctor, A, but I do it. I don¡¯t like flossing my teeth, but you know what I do every single day?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not talking about flossing my fucking teeth!¡± I yell, patience evaporating. ¡°We¡¯re talking about me spending the rest of my life with someone I don¡¯t love, someone I never even met before tonight!¡±


    My mother, Maria Gonzalez, gives me a look I¡¯ve seen far, far too many times, forcing her heavily Botoxed face into a patronizing smile. ¡°That isn¡¯t true, honey. You¡¯ve met Alessio before. Don¡¯t you remember that summer? When we stayed at Bevcqua¡¯ske house, and you yed with all the other kids?¡±


    I squint, memories starting to sh back to me. ¡°You mean when I was like 13?¡±


    ¡°You were 14. And maybe you don¡¯t remember this well, but Alessio was there visiting with his grandfather at the same time as us. I think he went by ¡®Alex¡¯ back then.¡±


    Oh, shit. The name Alex, I remember. In fact, it¡¯s just about the only part of that trip I do. The mysterious, well-dressed older guy who was always in a bad mood and didn¡¯t seem to give a fuck about anything, including me. That shit was like crack to me at that age.


    Yeah, I remember him. And that¡¯s why I recognized him at the wedding. Five years ago, for about a week, he was mypletely inappropriate crush.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point, mom. I don¡¯t want an arranged marriage. I want to choose who I marry.¡±


    She sighs. ¡°And I want to-¡±


    ¡°You get everything you want!¡±I interrupted her, my anger ring back up. ¡°You got your dream house, your dream car, all on ount of dad¡¯s blood money. Look at that rock on your finger. Look at all the shit we own! It is suchbullshitfor you to act like your life is this constant struggle of you doing things you don¡¯t want to do.¡±


    My mother goes silent. I can tell that I¡¯ve gone too far for this to continue as a rational discussion.


    ¡°We all do things for the family,¡± she snaps. ¡°I¡¯ve done more for our family than you will ever know. I don¡¯t want to hear one more word of argument. The world doesn¡¯t revolve around you. You¡¯re marrying Alessio Razone, and that¡¯s final.¡±


    She spins around and ms my door behind her.


    I scream into my pillow.

 8

    Alessio


    What the actual fuck is wrong with me? What did Idst night?


    Okay, I know exactly what I did. What I don¡¯t get is why. Usually, I make good decisions.


    Last night, I did not make good decisions.


    Going to that college party was stupid. Thest thing I need is to get caught by the police at an event with underage drinking. Sure, I know some guys on the force who owe me a few favors, and I probably could have gotten away just fine. But that isn¡¯t a good situation for anybody.


    The really fucked up thing is, I don¡¯t regret any of it.


    Last night, I proved something to myself. And to A as well, although she doesn¡¯t know it yet.


    No man will ever have her but me.


    This won¡¯t be a loving marriage. I fucking hatethe fact that it will be a marriage at all. I don¡¯t need a wife, and I don¡¯t need a partner. I barely even need friends. What I especially don¡¯t need, what I won¡¯tept, is closeness. Toanyone.


    All closeness leads to is pain.


    I don¡¯t want to marry A. I want to keep her tied to my fucking bedpost.


    Snarling in frustration, I throw my knife across the room, embedding it in the target I have set up in my penthouse. Every time I think about it, I get white-hot. With rage at my life being taken from me. With bitterness that I don¡¯t have a say in the matter.


    With disgust when I realize that I would do anything to bind her to me, regardless of the circumstances.


    My phone buzzes. I pick up. ¡°Hi, Nonno.¡±


    I can hear the smile in my grandfather¡¯s voice. ¡°We¡¯re meeting with the Gonzalezs today to arrange your wedding. Are you at home?¡±


    Retrieving my knife from the target, I prepare to throw again. ¡°Yes. Now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll send a car,¡± he says simply, and hangs up.


    My next throw, the knife ends up sticking out of the drywall.


    Like I could give a fuck.


    ***


    It¡¯s my first time visiting the Gonzalez estate. The ce is as nice as you would expect, with a yard full of perfectly manicured hedges, statues, and water features. My grandfather¡¯s driver parks out front, and Anthony  Gonzalez meets us in the driveway, along with his wife and daughter. In the background, several bodyguards are present, watching.


    ¡°His wife is named Maria,¡± my grandfather hisses before we get out, ¡°and the daughter is A.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but smirk, even though I¡¯m in a bad mood. I know A a lot better than anyone else here realizes.


    Including her.


    We get out of our ck SUV, and Maria Gonzalez is all smiles. ¡°Nazio ! Good to see you again! I¡¯m so d I caught you on my way out.¡± There¡¯s something strained about her mannerisms that I can¡¯t quite ce. My guess is she doesn¡¯t like this arrangement for her daughter any more than I do.


    ¡°Maria,¡± says my grandfather curtly, barely looking at her. His lip twitches in what almost seems to be an uncharacteristic loss ofposure. Then he turns to Anthony . ¡°We have much to discuss!¡±


    Maria makes her apologies, then gets in her little red convertible to go to spin ss. A doesn¡¯t say a word, just follows the three of us into the house, avoiding eye contact with me.


    ***


    A


    I sit at the kitchen table, listening to my dad and another mob boss discuss my arranged marriage to a man I barely know. I can¡¯t bear to look at Alessio, even though his demeanor is different now from what it wasst night.


    He¡¯s not staring a hole in the table anymore. Now, he¡¯s looking right at me.


    A bead of sweat drips down my armpit, tickling ufortably. What I¡¯m nning to do is extreme, but it¡¯s my only choice. I¡¯ve been backed into a corner.


    My father asks me a question. Something about wedding dates. They¡¯re trying to include me, to pretend as though I have a say in this. I give a perfunctory answer, but I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m saying. Not even a small part of me is listening. I¡¯m waiting for my moment.


    And waiting. And waiting.


    Finally, I realize there isn¡¯t going to be a moment. I just need to do it. It¡¯s a matter of bravery, not timing.


    I need to make the choice.


    My gaze flits to Alessio. I can¡¯t help it. This whole time, his presence has been a ma, and I¡¯ve been resisting. We make eye contact.


    The strength of intention in his eyes makes me want to flinch, as though I¡¯m pulling my hand away from a me. What that lookmunicates is pure, primal need. It¡¯s like he¡¯s carving into my soul, seeing all the parts of me I do my best to hide.


    For a moment, it even feels like he can tell what I¡¯m nning.


    Shivering slightly, I look away. That¡¯s silly. I¡¯m the only one who knows about the suitcase packed in the trunk of my car, and the key in my pocket.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go to the bathroom,¡± I say, standing up. ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me.¡±


    ¡°Be right back,¡± says my father sternly. ¡°This is important.¡±


    I mumble agreement and exit the dining room. As soon as I¡¯m out, I hasten my steps, slipping into the garage and through the side door that leads to the driveway. My car is at the ready, carefully parked facing the right direction for an easy escape.


    Heart pounding, I climb into the driver¡¯s seat.


    ***


    Alessio


    Anthony  Gonzalez takes a deep, frustrated breath at the sound of the car peeling out of the driveway. Looking through the window, I see a red Lexus sedan hit the street in a hurry.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°Sorry about that,¡± says Gonzalez, closing his eyes. ¡°That was¡­ unexpected.¡±


    My grandfather¡¯s tone is as cold as ice. ¡°You said there would be no more problems, Anthony . I trust I don¡¯t need to remind you the seriousness of our arrangement.¡±


    The other boss looks pissed, but lowers his gaze in contrition. ¡°I know, I know. We¡¯ll find her.¡±


    ¡°No, Alessiowill find her. She won¡¯t get far without spending money. You have ess to her bank ounts and credit card activity?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Give them to him. My grandson will have no trouble tracking her down.¡±


    I nod grimly, an excitementing over me. Ahunger.


    It¡¯s time for A to find out who¡¯s really in charge.

 9

    A


    10 dayster


    The parking lot at the Parker Springs Bancroft Hotel & Suites is almost full. I pull into a spot in the back, two big bags of groceries in the passenger seat, and sit there for a moment, finishing my song. I¡¯m not looking forward to carrying those bags all the way through the parking lot to my room.


    Song over. Time to go. I get out, take a grocery bag in each hand, and fumble around with my key fob until my pinky somehow manages to press the button that locks the car. By the time I reach the door to my room, both shoulders are burning.


    I slide the key card and walk in, putting the bags down on the floor in my little kitchte next to the fridge. It¡¯s not exactlyluxurious, but it¡¯s clean, safe, andfortable enough for the time being. More space than I¡¯ll have in my college dorm with a roommate, that¡¯s for sure.


    Over thest week, I¡¯ve made this hotel room a home. I moved around constantly for the first few days, staying in a different ce every night, paranoid that my father would find me. Now I¡¯m starting to feel secure.


    In exactly 20 days, the college semester starts. Until then, I¡¯ll be here in Parker Springs. A safe distance from Bover City, but close enough that it won¡¯t be too much of a pain to get to Bover City University when it¡¯s finally time for me to move onto campus.


    As I unpack my groceries, my phone buzzes with a text from Belle-Ann, asking where I am. She¡¯s worried about me, and it hurts my heart to ignore her messages. But her father is a captain in the Gonzalez family, and my parents know that we¡¯re friends. I trust my friendpletely, but I have no idea who could be looking through her phone.


    Anxiety buzzes through me at the thought. I reassure myself by checking for the 473rd time that I have the location on my own phone disabled. It is, of course. Turning off location services was the first thing I did, even before I left my parents¡¯ house.


    You¡¯re fine. You¡¯re totally fine. If they had a way to track you through your phone, they would have already caught you.


    Cracking open a can of vored sparkling water, I flop down on the bed and turn on the TV.


    Wait.


    My eyes fall to my suitcase, next to the bed. I still haven¡¯t unpacked, just in case I need to be ready for a hasty getaway. But I usually at least close the suitcase when I¡¯m not using it. Did I really leave it wide open like that?


    Apparently I did. Or maybe room service came by, even though I hung the¡±do not disturb¡±sign on my door. Must be.


    I sip my sparkling water, flipping through the channels, resisting the urge to sign into the family Netflix ount. I don¡¯t thiiiink they can track me that way, but it¡¯s better to be safe than sorry.


    20 more days.


    All I need to do is hold out for 20 more days.


    ***


    I¡¯m driving on the freeway when I notice a ck SUV behind me. Changingnes, I look into the rearview mirror and see the other car merge to keep following.


    A sense of doomes over me. This is it. I¡¯ve been discovered.


    Reacting quickly, I veer into the exitne. It almost causes an ident, but the ck SUV zooms past me. Have I gotten away?


    But as I keep driving, another, identical vehicle turns the corner in front of me. And then another. Soon, I¡¯m flooring it down the road, a sea of ck SUVs all around. There are no other cars in sight.


    The frat house. That¡¯s my escape. My car screeches into the yard and I get out, sprinting inside and mming the door shut.


    They can¡¯t get me in here.


    The music throbs. Costume-wearing students areughing, some of them dancing. Belle-Ann hands me a red cup and I drink. Then she kisses me on the cheek and nods approvingly, motioning to the staircase.


    It¡¯s what I¡¯ve been waiting for.


    I walk up the steps, my excitement growing. When I reach the end of the hall, I slip into the bedroom, ready. He¡¯s on his way. He¡¯ll be here any minute.


    As his footsteps draw closer, I look down at my clothes. To my shock, I¡¯m already naked. I cover myself with my hands, feeling vulnerable and ted at the same time.


    A key card swipes the door and it opens. Ines the ghost, the man with the masked face. I don¡¯t know who¡¯s under there, but I want him. I want him so badly. Wordlessly, he guides me to the bed.


    I¡¯m whimpering as he climbs on top of me, his body so much firmer than I had expected. His hand reaches my neck and I gasp, the fingers wrapping around my throat.


    Then his cock is out, and he¡¯s holding my thighs as he slides himself inside me.


    I moan, ovee. I¡¯m not a virgin anymore. I belong to him now.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    He fucks me in a blur and we cum at the same time. I can feel his hot seed pumping into me, filling me up.


    Then he brings his face next to mine and pulls off the mask.


    It¡¯s Alessio.


    I¡¯m not angry. I¡¯m not scared. I kiss him, and he kisses me back. Tenderly. His hand returns to my neck and I put mine on top of it, the ring on my finger glinting in the light.


    Then my husband draws himself back up and begins to thrust. We make eye contact, and I feel like I¡¯m his. Completely.


    I wake up covered in goosebumps. Instinctively, I reach between my legs andwow, I¡¯m super wet. I¡¯m not sure what woke me, but I think I¡¯m too horny to go back to sleep.


    Clinging to the remnants of my dream, I allow a finger to circle my clit. I¡¯ve been dreaming variations of that same sequence almost every night since I checked into the hotel, and I¡¯m past caring how weird or fucked up it is.


    The basics are always the same. I¡¯m running from my dad¡¯s goons, then I get railed senseless by the ghost mask guy, who always reveals himself to be Alessio. And every single time, at the end of the dream, I somehow know that he¡¯s my husband.


    The part that fucks me up about it is, when it ends, it¡¯forting. Like in the dream world, being married to him makes me feel safe.


    My breathing gets faster as I touch myself. I can almost feel his rough hands pinning me down, his muscr hips pushing in between my legs¡­


    I freeze at the sound of footsteps approaching my door. Somebody¡¯sing back to their roomte. I¡¯m expecting them to walk right past me and down the hall, but instead, the footsteps stop.


    The thin strip of light showing underneath the door is interrupted by two dark shapes. Clearly someone¡¯s feet.


    In that moment, I know what¡¯s going to happen before it does.


    The hair on the back of my neck prickles as a key card slides into the lock. The door opens and a dark figure stands there, silhouetted against the hall. I can tell who it is without seeing the face.


    My body feels like a coiled spring as I stay frozen in bed, brain preparing for one thing while my pussy wants another. I¡¯m torn bypeting instincts. Under my pillow, my hand closes around the stun gun I bought years ago for self-defense.


    Alessio steps inside and locks the door behind him.

 10

    A


    I remain still, faking like I¡¯m asleep. It¡¯s an effort to keep my breathing regr. I hear Alessio¡¯s footstepsing toward the bed, and then he stops and flicks on the bedside light.


    ¡°Hello, A,¡± he says in a rich, gravelly voice. ¡°I know that you¡¯re awake.¡±


    Bullshit you do. I don¡¯t react, my finger finding the trigger button on the stun gun under my pillow.


    A pause. I hear him moving, and then a hand touches my shoulder.


    Got you, fucker.


    Iunch into action, spinning around on the bed and thrusting the stun gun at anything I can reach. It emits a demonic crackling sound, the prongs sparking with electricity. Alessio grunts in pain, and he jumpsbackward.


    ¡°Fucking shit,¡± he snarls, clutching his bicep.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right,¡± I say, leaping out from the bed and lunging with the stun gun. In this one moment, he¡¯s disoriented and I have the element of surprise. I have to press my advantage. There¡¯s no chance I¡¯ll get through the locked door and escape if I don¡¯t incapacitate him.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Alessio hops backward again, dodging my attack, and almost crashes into the desk. I swipe at him with my weapon, the sparks sizzling dangerously. He¡¯s forced to sidestep into the kitchen.


    His eyes narrow, and the fire behind them is all-consuming. ¡°Think very carefully about your next move, A. Surrender now, and I¡¯ll bring you back to Bover City untouched. Keep fighting, and I¡¯ll tie you up and make you my fucking whore.¡±


    My jaw drops and I stare at him. He¡¯s wearing leather boots, ck pants, and a matching longsleeve that shows off his impressive muscture. Meanwhile, I¡¯m in panties and a big T-shirt.


    ¡°Stay back,¡± I warn, sparking the stun gun.


    He takes a step forward. ¡°I told you, there are two options. Choose carefully.¡±


    Our eyes meet, andfuck, I can feel the sexual hunger dripping off of him. Suddenly, I feel painfully small and feminine, his figure in front of me so big and dominating. A shiver runs through me, and it takes everything I have to hold eye contact as the imagery from my dream shes through my mind.


    It felt so right to let him take me.


    ¡°Put it down,¡± Alessio growls, eyeing my weapon. ¡°Or I¡¯ve told you exactly how the rest of this night is going to go.¡±


    My choice.


    I fire up the stun gun, swiping at him. He dodges, cutting an angle, and this time he grabs my arm, wrenching it out of my hand.


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± I grunt, struggling against his overwhelming strength. If he¡¯s going to overpower me, he¡¯s going to have to work for it.


    Not that hard, apparently. He wraps me up in his arms so he¡¯s behind me and tosses the stun gun away from us. It tters to the ground in the corner by the door. Now he¡¯s holding my wrists, enveloping me, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck.


    ¡°A girl who knows what she wants,¡± he whispers. ¡°Now I¡¯m going to do what I want.¡±


    He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pair of leather cuffs. I squirm desperately as he buckles them around both of my wrists, attached with a short chain. Then he lets go of my arms, and I¡¯m forced to contend with how helpless he¡¯s made me as he wrestles me over to the bed.


    ¡°There we go, don¡¯t fight me. You can submit to me now orter, but you¡¯re going to be a good little toy for me by the time I¡¯m done with you.¡±


    These words piss me off, and I start struggling again, trying to get away. He justughs, bending me over with maddening ease and giving my ass a couple of spanks.


    ¡°Bad girl,¡± he growls, pulling up my underwear from the back so it strains against my crotch. I yelp, my hips starting to quiver with arousal. I didn¡¯t realize how badly I needed to be treated like this.


    Alessio forces me onto the bed so I¡¯m lying on my back. He holds me there with a hand on my neck, as though daring me to move, then disconnects my hands from each other and starts threading some kind of rope through the D-ring on one of the cuffs.


    I gasp as he pulls on the rope and my arm goes with it.


    ¡°Whatever happens tonight, I¡¯m never going to fucking marry you,¡± I tell him with all the venom I can muster.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he says simply, a smirk in his voice. ¡°You will.¡± He positions my wrist at the top corner of the mattress and secures the rope tightly to the bed frame.


    I try to fight him as he does the other hand, and it¡¯s a surprising thrill for me how easily he overrides my attempts. Then he steps back from the bedpletely, and I realize I can¡¯t move either of my hands, not even an inch. They¡¯re both tied above my head, one to each bedpost.


    Now I¡¯mreallypowerless. All I can do is kick my legs, which only serves to make him chuckle.


    ¡°I like you tied up,¡± he says, sitting on the bed next to me. ¡°Makes it much more clear what the roles are here.¡±


    I start to hyperventte as he pulls a small folding knife from his pocket. Making eye contact, he cuts through the seam at the neck of my shirt, slicing vertically all the way down the front.


    ¡°Very pretty breasts,¡± he murmurs, eyes shing as he opens the ps of my ruined top, exposing me. My nipples harden in response, my skin once again covered in goosebumps.


    Two more quick cuts to the sleeves and the shirt is off. Now I¡¯m tied to the bed wearing nothing but my panties. The amount of vulnerability I feel is off the charts.


    Alessio walks to the kitchen, and I hear him open the fridge. He takes his timeing back, as though lording over me the fact that I can¡¯t move, and he can.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get my bag from my car,¡± he tells me, winking. ¡°We have a long night ahead of us.¡±


    ***


    Alessioes back with a suitcase, casual as anything. As though this ishishotel room now. I watch as he puts it down andopens it, my body shaking with anticipation. There¡¯s no choice for me but to lie there and observe. He has all the power now.


    I don¡¯t know what terrifying instrument I expect him to pull from the bag, but it isn¡¯t a bottle of whiskey. And yet that¡¯s exactly what he produces, along with a cup. He puts them down on the bedside table, then carries a chair over and sits down, pouring himself a ss. The whole thing is leisurely. Helikesmaking me wait.


    ¡°How¡¯d it feel when I zapped you with the stun gun?¡± I ask defiantly, trying to take some power back.


    Alessio¡¯s eyes sh. ¡°Would you like to find out?¡±


    My breath catches in my chest as he stands up and walks over to the door. When hees back, he¡¯s holding my self-defense weapon, ying with the buttons.


    He sparks it, the crackling sound causing me to jump. ¡°It hurt,¡± he whispers, and he glides the tip of the stun gun slowly down my naked chest.


    ¡°Fuck,¡±I breathe, adrenaline spiking through me. My eyes are glued to the prongs as they slide lower.


    ¡°Would you like to find out how it feels, A?¡± Alessio pulls my panties to the side, a dangerous gleam in his eye.


    I¡¯m trying not to give him the satisfaction of an answer, but I can feel myself hyperventting with panic. The stun gun¡¯s dangerous prongs glide below my waistline, the cold metal grazing over my clit and causing my whole pussy to twitch.


    ¡°Oh fuck,¡± I gasp. ¡°Oh fuck, oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck.¡±


    He pulls it away slightly, a string of wetness forming a bridge between me and the stun gun. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever felt my heart beat so fast.


    ¡°Please,¡± I whimper. ¡°Don¡¯t shock my pussy.¡±


    A pause. And then Alessio smiles, as though satisfied, and puts the weapon down on the bedside table. I let out a deep breath, relief flooding me.


    ¡°See?¡± He looks down at me with heavy-lidded eyes, taking a sip of his whiskey. ¡°When you submit to me, when you really submit, you get what you want.¡±

 11

    Alessio


    Tonight is the most alive I¡¯ve felt in a long time. I scan the hotel room around me, filled withplete satisfaction at the level of control I now have.


    This isn¡¯t her room anymore, it¡¯s mine. And so is she.


    ¡°A, A, A,¡± I say, savoring the taste of her name on my lips. I stroke my fingers down her stomach, causing the flesh to ripple.


    Her voice is sarcastic. ¡°Congrattions, you¡¯ve learned my name.¡±


    That¡¯s enough attitude for now. I hook my fingers under the waistband of her panties, guiding them down her legs as she struggles to prevent it. Then I ball them up and stuff them into her mouth.


    I pat her cheek as she res at me. ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± I smirk.


    Walking around to the other side of the bed, I find her suitcase. The top is still open, just as I left it earlier. ¡°What do we have here?¡± I ask, pulling a pink rabbit vibrator out from the rolled-up clothes.


    Her eyes bulge, and I smile. ¡°Yes, I was here earlier. I¡¯m full of secrets, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    She doesn¡¯t know the half of it.


    Turning the vibrator on, I hover it right above her clit. She whimpers, the sound muffled by the panties in her mouth.


    I smirk. ¡°Seems like you like this toy better than thest one.¡±


    When I press the tip against her, her eyes roll back and the whimpers turn to moans. Then I take it away, savoring the desperate look in her eyes as she chases it with her hips. ¡°Oh, is there something you want?¡±


    The furious look she gives me could cut diamonds.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it back,¡± I offer. ¡°If you say please.¡±


    A squirms in frustration, bucking her hips and kicking her legs. I justugh, giving her clit another tap with the vibrator. Just a taste. Just enough to make her need it even more. I keep doing it, enjoying the way her pussy twitches when I pull the vibrator away from her.


    After another round of teasing A¡¯s pussy, she goes limp. Then she looks at me, and there¡¯s surrender in her eyes.


    ¡°Do you have something you want to say to me?¡± I ask.


    I wait for her to nod before I pull out the gag.


    She takes a deep, shaking breath, then closes her mouth.


    ¡°Let me hear you say it. Or the panties go back in.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Please,¡± she whimpers in a small voice, not looking at me. It¡¯s barely more than a whisper, but it¡¯s the word I wanted. Unmistakeably.


    Soon, I¡¯ll train her to beg, to make eye contact, to say the whole thing in a sentence as it pleases me. But for now, this is enough. The submission I¡¯ve gotten so far deserves a reward.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, pressing the vibrator against her clit.


    A sighs, arching her back. Her little nub is swollen, peeking out of its hood, pussy leaking wetness. Slowly, I slide the vibrating shaft back and forth through her folds, allowing the head to dip inside her until it¡¯s glistening.


    She takes a great, shuddering inhale as I start to work the toy inside her.


    ¡°Oh, fuck,¡± she moans, struggling against her restraints. ¡°Oh my fucking god.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I fill A¡¯s pussy with the toy until it bottoms out, then make sure the rabbit ears are positioned on her clit.


    ¡°From now on, you belong to me,¡± I growl, starting to pump the toy inside her, the motions slow and rhythmic. ¡°You may not have my ring on your finger yet, but do not mistake me. I will never let you go. I will never let anyone else have you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ fucking¡­ marrying you,¡± she gasps, the furious objection less convincing when she¡¯s moving her hips in rhythm with the toy. Her words trail off, turning into little whimpers.


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that,¡± I smirk. ¡°Your pussy seems to like me, even if you don¡¯t.¡±


    She straight upgrowls, an impassioned, throaty sound that makes my cock ache. Her arms strain against the ropes, muscles flexing, like she¡¯s using all of her strength just to prove to herself that there¡¯s no escape.


    ¡°Let¡¯s put these back in,¡± I say, and I stuff her panties back into her mouth while she fights me. ¡°Now be a good girl ande for me.¡±


    I use both hands to move the vibrator, one thrusting inside her, the other making sure the rabbit ears stay right on her clit. Her thighs clench and release, hips shaking. I can tell she¡¯s getting close.


    Then the dam breaks. A¡¯s back arches, her lower body shaking, pussy clenching around the toy. I keep thrusting, watching her face, seeing the incredible release. If she wasn¡¯t gagged with her own underwear, it would be almost angelic.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, continuing to thrust until her orgasm fades. I turn the vibrator off, but leave it inside her. Her pussy twitches.


    I walk around to the front of the bed. A is breathing heavily. I stroke her cheek with my hand and when she nuzzles against it, I have to swallow to push away the warmth that it brings me.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I tell her, removing the gag from her mouth. Her lips hang open, and for a moment, I almost think she¡¯s going to echo ¡°yours.¡±


    Then her mouth closes, and she turns away from me.


    My eyes darken. It doesn¡¯t matter. This is an arrangement, not a love affair.


    She¡¯ll say it soon enough.

 12

    A


    To my chagrin, when Alessio finally unties me, it¡¯s only to allow me to go to the bathroom, then reattach one of the cuffs to my ankle, which he secures to the foot of the bed. There¡¯s nothing I can do but lie there as he clips locks onto both the cuff and the bed frame, looking at me pointedly as he drops the key into his pocket.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you going anywhere,¡± he exins.


    I¡¯m still naked, but I don¡¯t say anything about it. Climaxing for him the way I just did, surrenderinglike that, has me feeling very, very submissive. My brain is still a little scrambled. I watch as he removes his shirt, the yellow light of the bedsidemp throwing his rippling muscles into harsh relief.


    ¡°How long are you going to keep me?¡± I ask, finding my voice.


    He doesn¡¯t look at me. ¡°We¡¯re driving back to Bover City tomorrow. I¡¯m returning you to your father.¡±


    ¡°You like doing his dirty work?¡±


    ¡°Not his dirty work. Mydirty work.¡±


    ¡°So why are you bringing me back to my dad? Why not just keep me?¡±


    I didn¡¯t mean that the way it sounded. But Idoknow how it sounded. My cheeks flush as I wait for his response.


    Alessio turns to me. I work to keep my eyes on his face instead of his jacked torso. There¡¯s a neat little trail of hair making a line from his bellybutton to his waist, and I¡¯d kind of like to trace it with my tongue¡­


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he says with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you soon enough.¡±


    That makes me shiver. I face away from him, trying to collect my thoughts. Soon, he turns out the lights and slips into bed next to me.


    I lie awake, thoughts a blur, very aware of the cuff on my ankle.


    ***


    Alessio


    When I wake, A and I are spooning. My morning wood is pressed into the soft crook of her ass, arms wrapped around her, and Jesus, the way she smells is incredible. I breathe deeply, savoring it.


    What are you doing? This isn¡¯t right.


    I blink,ing to my senses, and pull away from her. I don¡¯tcuddle. That¡¯s ying with fire.


    She makes a little sound, clutching my arm, and it melts me. A microscopic amount. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s fully awake, butreluctantly, I allow myself to leave my arm where it is. We can stay a moment longer.


    My morning wood isn¡¯t going away. Not like I would fucking expect it to when I have this gorgeous woman in bed with me, not when my cock is basically an inch away from both her holes. A frustrated growl rumbles in my throat.


    I told myself I wouldn¡¯t fuck her until our wedding night.


    That¡¯s not going to be easy. But there¡¯s value in restraint.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    A stirs, and the irregrity of her breathing tells me that she¡¯s waking up. She doesn¡¯t say anything, but she keeps her position, shifting slightly so her ass rubs against my shaft.


    A throaty groan escapes me, and I hope she didn¡¯t hear it. Or actually, fuck it. She¡¯ll be my wife soon. Let her hear my groans.


    She keeps wiggling her ass, and it bes clear pretty quickly that it isn¡¯t an ident. She¡¯senjoyingturning me on. She¡¯s turning herself on. I start to explore her body with my hands, cupping her breasts, and her breathing gets heavy.


    I slide my hand lower. Fuck, I forgot that she was naked. Suddenly, it¡¯s hard to think. My cock is pushing against her soft, smooth skin, so temptingly close. A gasps as my hand goes between her legs, cupping her pussy possessively.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I growl, fingers teasing her opening.


    She whimpers, bucking her hips against me. It would be so easy for my cock to slip inside¡­


    ¡°Fuck me,¡± she whispers, her voice hardly more than a breath.


    ¡°No,¡± I grit out, clenching my teeth.


    ¡°I thought I was yours.¡±


    I growl with need. ¡°You fucking are.¡±


    ¡°So why won¡¯t you fuck me?¡±


    The truth is, I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m not usually one to deny myself. All I know is, this time, it¡¯s different. I¡¯ve fucked a lot of women. This one is going to be mywife.


    ¡°When you feel my cock inside you, it¡¯s not going to be in some hotel room with a kitchte. It¡¯s going to be on our wedding night. And you¡¯re going to know that you belong to mepletely. You won¡¯t just have my cock, you¡¯ll have myst name and my ring on your finger.¡±


    ***


    I insist on keeping A¡¯s hands cuffed together as we get ready to leave. Then I take them off long enough to bring her to my car, and cuff them again as we start driving.


    ¡°What about my car?¡± she asks as we exit the parking lot, leaving her red Lexus behind.


    ¡°I¡¯ll send someone to pick it up.¡±


    ¡°Can you please unlock my hands? It¡¯s like a 45 minute car ride. I won¡¯t try to escape.¡±


    I just smirk, looking ahead at the road. ¡°Nope. Having your hands locked is how Iknowyou won¡¯t escape.¡±


    Honestly, I believe her. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s going to try to escape. Not afterst night. But it turns me on to exert this power over her. I like thatI¡¯mthe reason her hands are tied.


    She looks away from me, staring out the window. ¡°Fucking asshole.¡±


    Turning onto the freeway, I shrug. She¡¯s not wrong.

 13

    A


    The next morning sucks. I wake up in my bedroom at home. It¡¯s familiar, but also nightmarish.


    This is crap. I want to be done here. I don¡¯t want to sleep one more night under my parents¡¯ roof.


    Fucking Alessio. FuckingAlessio. I hate him for bringing me back here. Even just thinking about him makes me seethe with rage.


    If he has his way, I¡¯ll be his wife.


    Fuck that.


    And yet the thing my brain keeps shing back to, every time I close my eyes, is being tied up on the bed. The fear I felt as he teased my pussy with the stun gun. The anticipation as he hovered the vibrator above my clit.


    The surrender as I gave in and begged him for it.


    I was so helpless. He was totally in charge.


    And I Liked It.


    What the fuck is wrong with me?


    Trying to dispel these unhelpful thoughts, I roll over in bed and grab my phone. I can at least text Belle-Ann back. She¡¯s probably been worried about me.


    Then I see that I have an email. From Bover City University. I open it excitedly. The fact that I¡¯m starting sses soon is the only thing in my life that doesn¡¯t make me feel a sense of doom.


    When my eyes scan over the words¡±unfortunately, in keeping with our admissions policies, your eptance to Bover City University has been rescinded,¡±I fucking scream.


    Downstairs, I round on my father, tears filling my eyes. ¡°This was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°What was me?¡± He raises his eyebrows, but I can tell from his face that he knows exactly what I¡¯m talking about.


    ¡°Bover City University!¡± I yell. ¡°They rescinded my eptance!¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Oh. Well, that was a privilege. Your mother and I decided that as long as you¡¯re refusing to do your part for the family, we¡¯re going to be taking away some privileges. The same as when you skipped your chores as a kid.¡±


    I feel so fucking powerless and angry. I always knew my dad had the kind of connections to make something like this happen, but in my wildest dreams, I didn¡¯t think he would do it.


    I¡¯m his daughter. His only child. And he doesn¡¯t care at all what I want.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a fucking kid! I worked hard and I got into BCU all on my own. How dare you take that away from me!¡±


    I see that same guilt in his eyes from before, but just as quickly reced by firmness. ¡°A, you may be an adult, but you¡¯re still part of this family, and I¡¯m still your father. The sooner you grow up and realize that, the sooner I can stop treating you like this.¡±


    Tears are spilling down my face, but I can¡¯t help it. ¡°So basically, your definition of ¡®growing up¡¯ means I have to shut up and do everything you say?¡±


    My father¡¯s face hardens. ¡°Yeah. Pretty much. You¡¯ve known for a long time what kind of family you were born into. This is just how things go. Take a day to rest. Tomorrow, we¡¯re meeting again with Nazio  and Alessio Razone. And this time, we will n a wedding.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

 14

    Alessio


    ¡°You should make Gonzalez pay,¡± Sal says darkly. ¡°It¡¯s fucked up, the way he¡¯s jerking you around.¡±


    Grandpa Nazio ¡®s face twitches. ¡°It isn¡¯t Gonzalez that¡¯s the problem, it¡¯s the daughter. He and his wife want to get married. They just can¡¯t control their kid.¡±


    He nces at me, and I can¡¯t help but feel a dual meaning to his words. After my father died, I was the kid he couldn¡¯t control.


    Until now. Now I¡¯m doing everything he wants.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be an issue going forward,¡± I dere firmly. ¡°She¡¯s my woman. I can keep her in line.¡±


    Uncle Sal chuckles. ¡°Hold your horses there, slick. She¡¯s not your woman until you marry her. Gonzalez needs to get his brat in check.¡±


    My grandfather shakes his head. ¡°Alessio is right. If Gonzalez can¡¯t do it, we will. No more dragging this out. We¡¯ll push for the wedding next week.¡±


    Sal nudges me. ¡°Better get your tuxedo ready, kid.¡±


    ***


    I stare out the window as we drive to the Gonzalez estate. It feels like I¡¯m heading to my doom and my salvation at the same time.


    The thought of getting married disgusts me.


    The thought of A being anything but mine disgusts me even more.


    God, I¡¯m so fucked up.


    Every time I think about the wedding and themitment it entails, I feel a sense of dread.


    Every time I think about A being my wife, I want to pin her down and leave my cum inside her.


    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, you know,¡± says Grandpa Nazio  from the seat next to me. ¡°The way you¡¯ve been handling all of this. You¡¯ve got character. You¡¯ll lead this family well.¡±


    Lead the family. Another thing I didn¡¯t want to do.


    Another thing I¡¯m doing regardless of what I want.


    As we drive under an overpass, the truck in front of us stops.


    ¡°Come on, what the fuck,¡± our driver mutters from the front seat. ¡°The light is green, keep it moving.¡±


    But then two ck SUVs pull up on either side of us, boxing us in, and I realize what is about to happen a split second before it does.


    ¡°Down!¡± I roar, pulling my grandfather lower in his seat as armed men jump out of both SUVs. ¡°Get us out of here!¡±


    Our driver throws the car into reverse. Gunfire rings out, ss shattering all around us. We squeal backwards, then we crash into something hard. Possibly another car.


    I draw the pistol from my belt, adrenaline spiking through me. ¡°Pull us out of here and I¡¯ll cover.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± growls my grandfather, drawing his own weapon. ¡°Gonzalez set us up!¡±


    And then red blood stters across the dashboard as our driver takes a bullet to the face.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    I can barely hear anything over the constant gunfire. Our car is getting shot to pieces and pretty soon, we¡¯ll be the same. ¡°Come on!¡± I yell, keeping my head low as I open my passenger side door. ¡°Stay down, it¡¯s our only chance.¡±


    But when I look back over, I realize it¡¯s toote. The gun slips from my grandfather¡¯s hand, blood oozing from three different holes in his neck and chest.


    I¡¯m in a car with two dead men.


    I want to stay, to hold his hand, to stroke his face. But I can¡¯t. I slip out of the car, crouch-running down the street, trying to keep the destroyed vehicle in the line of sight between me and my attackers. More bullets thunk into it. I¡¯m not sure if they realize I¡¯m out of the car yet, but I¡¯m dead if I don¡¯t move fast.


    My eyesnd on a white hatchback that¡¯s crashed into a barrier. The windshield is full of bullet holes and spiderweb cracks. In the driver¡¯s seat is some poor dead woman, an unintended casualty of Gonzalez¡¯s attack. I open the door and dump her out onto the street. The key is still in the ignition.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the white car!¡±es a scream from behind me, and the back windshield shatters as they open fire. Flooring the gas pedal, I peel out, hearing sirens in the distance.


    When I¡¯m sure that I haven¡¯t been followed, I wipe my fingerprints off the steering wheel and leave the car in an alley.


    Gonzalez is going to pay.

 15

    Alessio


    ¡°Nazio  is dead?¡± Dominguez repeats. ¡°I¡¯m so fucking sorry. Shit.¡±


    I sit in the passenger seat of his car, still covered in sweat from when he picked me up after the attack. Everything feels numb.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    I¡¯ve been thinking about that. By this point, Gonzalez will have been informed that I escaped. Which means he¡¯s unlikely to be at his home, or anywhere I can hit him easily. He¡¯ll be at a safe house, possibly even out of state.


    But that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t do damage where it hurts.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    I check my pistol¡¯s ammunition, then remember that in the blur of the attack, I didn¡¯t even have a chance to fire it.


    I¡¯ll have a chance this time.


    My hands are steady as I push the magazine back into the gun. ¡°I¡¯m going to send a message.¡±


    ***


    ¡°You ready for this?¡± Dominguez asks, slowing down as we approach the nightclub.


    I tie my ck bandanna around my face. ¡°Last chance to back out. You know you don¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    He snorts. ¡°Yes I do. Shut the fuck up.¡±


    Club XX. Anthony  Gonzalez¡¯s main ¡°legitimate¡± business, and also how heunders his money. If I create problems for him here, he¡¯ll notice. Dominguez pulls over and I get out.


    It¡¯s evening. A long line of people goes down the street, all of them waiting to get in. Men wearing their douchey best, women in skimpy dresses. I go right up to the front, where the thick-necked bouncer is denying a group of fratty-looking dudes entry.


    I recognize him. It¡¯s Ro Scalia, one of Gonzalez¡¯s top enforcers. He gets in my face as I reach him, aggressively blocking my path. ¡°Back of the line, fucko! What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    Drawing my pistol, I shoot him in the forehead. Behind me, people scream and start running. I make my way into the club, firing my gun in the air over the cacophony of pulsing music.


    Now people inside the club are starting to scream. The dance floor empties, and I see staff sprinting for the back. I let them go unharmed. I¡¯m not here for them.


    Between the bar and the dance floor is Club XX¡¯s most famous feature: an enormous, gaudy representation of downtown Bover City, made entirely of ss. The biggest skyscrapers stand as tall as I do, an impressive and expensive disy of craftsmanship.


    Not for long.


    Grabbing a chair from the bar, I hurl it into the ss city. Shards fly everywhere, and I cover my face as a tower copses intosmashed pieces. I pick up the chair again, and once more, ss shatters.


    I don¡¯t stop until the whole thing lies in shimmering fragments on the ground.


    Everyone has cleared out of the club now. It¡¯s time for me to leave as well, before the cops show up. I empty the rest of my ammo into the shelf behind the bar, savoring the sound of expensive bottles bursting and draining onto the floor.


    Then I dash outside, hop into Dominguez¡¯s passenger seat, and a minuteter, we¡¯re blocks away. A line of police cars pass us, their sirens ring.

 16

    A


    ¡°Fucking piece of shit!¡± my father screams, apoplectic. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ve ever seen him this enraged before. He seethes for a moment, gripping his phone, then throws it against the wall.


    My mother rushes into the room. ¡°Anthony , what is it?¡±


    ¡°The nightclub,¡± he breathes, looking around as though for something else to throw. ¡°Alessio just smashed it to pieces and killed Ro.¡± He finds a ss and spikes it into the ground. ¡°Fuck!¡±


    ¡°So we deal with it,¡± says my mother, approaching him cautiously. She¡¯s the only one who can talk him out of a rage. ¡°Let¡¯s take this step-by-step.¡±


    He grimaces, but his breathing calms. ¡°Okay. Step-by-step, you¡¯re right.¡±


    My mom nods approvingly. ¡°Good. If Nazio  is dead and the grandson isn¡¯t, that means Alessio is in charge of the Razone family now. That¡¯s not ideal, but it¡¯s an improvement in circumstances, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± I break in, ¡°did you just say Nazio  Razone is dead? What the fuck? What does that mean for me?¡±


    She gives me a withering look. ¡°A, the adults are talking.¡±


    My dad rubs his forehead. ¡°Okay, step one, we take out Alessio.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±My mouth hangs open in shock and rage. ¡°Yesterday I¡¯m supposed to marry the guy, now you¡¯re going to fucking kill him?¡±


    ¡°A-¡±


    At this point, I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m angrier than my dad was when he threw the phone. I stomp toward him, radiating fury. ¡°You just got me unepted from college so you could force me to marry Alessio Razone, and now you are literally nning to murder him? Do you have any idea how insane you are?¡±


    ¡°Out!¡± my father shouts, pointing a quivering finger to the stairs that lead to my bedroom. ¡°Get out! And pack your suitcase. It won¡¯t be safe for us at home for a while.¡±


    ***


    ¡°I know you killed Nazio  Razone,¡± I grumble from the backseat. ¡°You can stop talking around it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± says my dad, driving.


    My mom tuts. ¡°Your father did no such thing.¡±


    I know it¡¯s only going to piss them off, but I can¡¯t resist needling. It¡¯s all I have. ¡°Yeah, like I would believe you. Let¡¯s see, want to run through the list of things I¡¯ve caught you lying about?¡±


    My dad ms his fist on the steering wheel. ¡°A, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m sure it was just a coincidence that they got attacked on the way to meet with us. How silly of me.¡±


    ¡°A, I swear to god¡­¡±


    I let it drop at this point, disappearing into my phone. Next to me, my father¡¯s henchman shifts awkwardly in his seat, holding a sawed-off shotgun.


    ***


    ¡°You should have let Marco drive,¡± chides my mom.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± my dad grumbles, stretching his back. ¡°I would have been going nuts staring out the window.¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    We¡¯re at our family¡¯s safe house-sorry, ¡°vacation¡± house. We¡¯ve had toe here a few times throughout my life, and it¡¯s only as I got older that I realized what it meant.


    Right now, it means Alessio Razone is out for my dad¡¯s head.


    I wheel my suitcase inside as a second car pulls up, and two more armed Gonzalez soldiers join us. As I go up the stairs, I¡¯m past feeling defeated.


    I¡¯m angry.


    All of my ns, ruined. No more college. No more dorm room. No more being ssmates with Belle-Ann. My future, everything I wanted, gone. And now I¡¯ve been whisked away to a fucking safe house for god knows how long, all because my dad is suddenly at war with the guy I was supposed to marry.


    I haven¡¯t had control over any of it. I¡¯mpletely at my father¡¯s mercy. And unlike most children of awful parents, I can¡¯t just move out, go no contact, start a new life. My dad is a fucking mob boss. He canceled my college application with a snap of his fingers. Anywhere I go, he¡¯ll be able to find me. Any decisions I make, he can unmake.


    The only power that matters is the kind of powerheads. The kind of power I don¡¯t have at all. I¡¯ll never have any control over my own life without it.


    I punch my pillow, thinking. I need to gain some kind of status in this world. Independent of him.


    As I go downstairs, I do my best to seem contrite. ¡°Dad? Can I borrow your phone for a second? Mine¡¯s not working and I just want to check something.¡±

 17

    Alessio


    I stare grimly at the road ahead as I drive the winding path to Gonzalez¡¯s safe house. Dominguez is sitting next to me, Sal and one of his men in the backseat. I could have brought more, but I didn¡¯t want to risk word getting back to Gonzalez.


    After the assassination attempt, I don¡¯t know who I can trust.


    ¡°Remember, no shooting unless I give the word,¡± I order, pulling the car to a stop on the side of the road just around the corner from our destination, ¡°or unless they shoot first.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± says Sal, tapping the gun in his belt. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot unless you say.¡±


    We approach the house. There¡¯s a locked gate, and I¡¯m pretty sure whoever is guarding the front door will shoot us if we try to climb it.


    I tap the gate with my foot, then turn to Dominguez. ¡°You want to do me a favor and open this thing with the car?¡±


    He grins. ¡°I would be happy to.¡±


    ***


    A


    My mother¡¯s scream fills the living room as an SUV smashes straight through the gate protecting our driveway. Through the window, I watch the man standing guard at our door jump up, then immediately get shot down, blood spattering the side of the house.


    Upstairs, my father roars. ¡°What the fuck is going on?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s here,¡± my mom whimpers, cowering behind the couch. ¡°Anthony , he¡¯s here!¡±


    Armed men appear in our driveway, stepping past the smashed gate. In the lead is Alessio. When my eyesnd on the object in his hand, I¡¯m hit by so much fear and regret I want to puke.


    ***


    Alessio


    I flick the lighter, igniting the gasoline-soaked cloth I just shoved into the neck of my Molotov cocktail. Dominguez nodsat me. ¡°Get ¡¯em.¡±


    Hatred coursing through my veins, I heave the burning bottle at the house. It shatters, the fuel catching me and spreading brilliantly across the side of the building.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± says Sal, handing me another.


    I throw the second Molotov. This one shatters against the window, not breaking through like I¡¯d hoped. No matter. I¡¯ll keep throwing until I get what I want.


    By the third bottle, the house is in mes.


    As Sal hands me bottle number four, the front door opens. Outes Maria Gonzalez, followed by her husband, A, and two Gonzalez soldiers. I signal to Sal and Dominguez, and they shoot the soldiers dead.


    ¡°Down,¡± I ordered. ¡°On the ground. Dominguez, search them.¡±


    Dominguez pats them all down, disarming the dead henchmen, then taking a pistol from Anthony  Gonzalez and a small revolver from Maria.


    I pace in front of them as they lie on their stomachs. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing this game is over,¡± I hiss to Anthony , stopping in front of him. ¡°I was about to be a bad sport.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± the mob boss spits.


    ¡°No,¡± I chuckle, ¡°that¡¯s what your daughter is going to do. A, why don¡¯t you stand up ande to me.¡±


    ¡°Leave my daughter alone!¡± he growls.


    I justugh. ¡°Oh, you mean the daughter you were going to marry off to me? I don¡¯t think so. The marriage is still on, and so is the deal. Only difference is, you retirenow. And your organization falls to me.¡±


    It¡¯s easy to ignore his furious response as I watch A pick herself up from the ground. She doesn¡¯t look at me as she approaches, keeping her eyes downcast.


    ¡°Please,¡± Maria sniffles, kicking her feet. ¡°Please, don¡¯t kill us.¡±


    A smile spreads across my face. ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t kill you. Your daughter made sure of that. It was one of her conditions.¡±


    Next to me, A twitches. I watch her parents as the realization dawns.


    ***


    A


    My father stares at me in disbelief from his position on the ground. ¡°You? A? You gave away our safe house? Tohim?¡±


    I re back at him, filled with contempt. ¡°I did what I had to do to make sure you¡¯ll never control me again. If you gave even the littlest shit what I wanted, maybe this could have been different.¡±


    ¡°You ungrateful bitch,¡± he sneers, absolutely shaking with rage. ¡°After everything I did for-¡±


    ¡°Careful,¡±Alessio says dangerously. ¡°That¡¯s my fiance you¡¯re talking about. I would be quiet if I were you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll regret it if you marry him,¡± seethes my father, ¡°I swear-¡±


    ¡°A and I will be married,¡± Alessio announces, and my stomach tingles as he puts a possessive arm around me, drawing me close to him. ¡°Tomorrow.¡±


    Behind us, my family¡¯s ¡°vacation¡± house burns to the ground, the smell of gasoline thick in the air.


    ***


    Three hours earlier


    I sit with my back against the wall in the closet of my safe house bedroom, the door closed. I¡¯m holding my cell phone, trying to convince myself to take the plunge.


    Am I really about to do this?


    It¡¯s already decided, I tell myself. I already got the number from my dad¡¯s phone.


    I can sit here, or I can act.


    Fingers trembling, I press the green button on my phone to make the call.


    It rings four times. Finally, I hear the click of somebody picking up. Several seconds tick by before Alessio speaks.


    ¡°Hello,¡± he says in a rough tone. Almost like he knows it¡¯s me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you where my father is hiding,¡± I blurted out without a preamble. ¡°And support you taking over the Gonzalez family. But you have to follow my conditions.¡±


    A long pause. ¡°That¡¯s very generous of you, A. What are your conditions?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t kill my family. Or hurt me, obviously.¡±


    ¡°And what exactly would be the point of knowing where your father is if I¡¯m not allowed to kill him?¡±


    ¡°You can capture him. Make him surrender to you. Win the mob war. He doesn¡¯t have to know you won¡¯t kill him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a high price, A. I just watched my grandfather die. Blood demands blood.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the price. You can end this today. Or you can keep doing your little gangster thing and not getting what you want.¡±


    Silence. When Alessio speaks again, his voice is cold. ¡°I ept your price. But I have a price of my own.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°The marriage is still on,¡± he grunts.


    ¡°Fuck that.¡±


    ¡°Then no deal.¡±


    My heart starts to beat faster. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±


    ¡°You said you would support me taking over the Gonzalez family. Youwillsupport me. As my wife. There¡¯s no other way your father¡¯s captains will take orders from an outsider.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Somehow, I already imagined him insisting on this. And for some fucked up reason, it brings me a thrill almost as much as it brings me dread.


    This man wants me. Badly.


    My stupid brain shes to that morning in the hotel room, when I basically begged him to fuck me. He¡¯s seen me naked, needy, desperate, and all he wants is more.


    Not just that. He took a special pleasure in dominating me, in being the one in control while I had no choice but to submit. And when I submitted to him, he looked at me with so much need in his eyes that it makes me shiver to think about.


    Even right now.


    I clench my hips, knowing that I¡¯ve already made up my mind.


    It still feels like a deal with the devil.


    At least the devil will be more powerful than my father.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I say softly.


    I can hear the satisfaction in his voice. ¡°Okay, what?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll marry you.¡±


    ¡°When you be my wife, A, Iownyou. Do you understand that?¡±


    Butterflies dance in my stomach. The thought of beingownedby this man¡­


    The house creaks, and I startle. I freeze, afraid of being overheard.


    ¡°A?¡± Alessio¡¯s expectant voice crackles through the phone.


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Say it.¡±


    My heart is beating so fast, it¡¯s all I can do to get the words out. ¡°When I be your wife, you own me.¡±


    A soundes through the speaker that I¡¯m pretty sure is a growl. ¡°Good girl. Send me the address.¡±


    He hangs up the phone.

 18

    A


    The next day


    A deal with the devil. That¡¯s what I made.


    Now I¡¯m marrying the devil.


    I can¡¯t help but wonder how many wedding nners died to make this event happen on 24 hours¡¯ notice. For some reason, that¡¯s the only thing I can think about as Salomon Marco , one of the Razone family captains, walks me down the aisle. He¡¯s standing in for my father, who is at home under guard by Alessio¡¯s men.


    The thought brings me a vicious sort of satisfaction: my father trapped in his own living room, furious and unable toprevent me from marrying the man who will soon take over his entire organization. There¡¯s a victory for me in that. I beat him.


    But when I reach the altar and see Alessio standing there, dangerously handsome in his suit, my mouth goes dry. He¡¯s looking at me with a singr intention in his eyes, like he¡¯s a predator and I¡¯m something he wants to eat.


    Something he¡¯sgoingto eat.


    The priest says his part, and I don¡¯t hear a word of it. All of Alessio¡¯s attention is on me, and I feel naked under his gaze. Completely naked. The whole ceremony happens in a blur. I don¡¯t even remember saying our vows, just Alessio¡¯s dark eyes.


    I made a deal with the devil, and tonight, he¡¯s going to im what¡¯s his.


    ¡°I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Razone,¡± says the priest, and the whole crowd in front of us cheers. It¡¯s a smaller group than I¡¯m used to, but still full of the same Mafia figures I¡¯ve been seeing at events my entire life. As much as I¡¯ve always hated these gatherings in the past, right now, I find the familiarityforting. At least I know this world.


    ¡°You may now seal your vows with a kiss.¡±


    Now I¡¯m forced to look at the man next to me. Myhusband. The man I didn¡¯t choose to marry, neverwantedto marry, but am now married to all the same. He grins at me, and to my surprise, the smile does reach his eyes. He looks joyous, and as he leans in to kiss me, it¡¯s like one of those fireworks moments from a movie. I melt into him, feeling his warmth. For a split second, it¡¯s like everything around us fades away. There¡¯s just us, and the heat of our lips pressed together.


    This is the first time we¡¯ve kissed, I realize. He¡¯s tied me up, made me, but he¡¯s never kissed me.


    Alessio is a good kisser.


    As we walk around the reception together, ying the happy couple, peoplee up to greet us. Everyone asks where myparents are, and every time, we repeat the lie we¡¯ve practiced: they both woke up sick with the flu, and are devastated they couldn¡¯te to the wedding. But they send their regards, and thank you so much for being here on short notice.


    Everyone seems happy for us. The higher-ups in both families all already knew about our arranged marriage, so it¡¯s only the short notice that raises eyebrows, not the fact that we¡¯re doing it at all. I don¡¯t doubt there will be some muttering when my father announces his ¡°retirement¡± in the near future, but by that point, it will be toote.


    I won. We Won. My father¡¯s power is gone, and the man who took it is parading me around on his arm, beaming at me with affection.


    So much affection, it almost seems real.


    And so as the reception continues, I allow myself to feel a glimmer of hope. It¡¯s so easy to forget this isn¡¯t a love marriage, that Alessio isn¡¯t marrying me because he wants me, but because he wants the power of myst name.


    It feels like he wants me.


    All the little touches. His hand on my waist, on the small of my back, on my shoulder. Little kisses on my cheek. I¡¯ve never been treated like this before, by anyone. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve always wanted, always craved, never had.


    If it¡¯s a performance, it¡¯s a good one. It¡¯s convincing me.


    A


    The hair on the back of my neck prickles as Alessio and I ride the elevator up to the honeymoon suite. There¡¯s a tension between us that¡¯s been building the entire night, and now it¡¯s ready to burst.


    I know what tonight means. And I haven¡¯t told him I¡¯m a virgin.


    His hand tightens around my waist as the elevator reaches our floor. His bodynguage has been growing increasingly possessive this entire night, to the point that now, he¡¯s practically dragging me down the hall with a sense of urgency to his actions. I exhale as his hand slides lower to my hip, cupping me in an extremely intimate way.


    All of his actions signal one thing very clearly: I¡¯m his now. And he¡¯s going to do what he wants with me.


    I want to say something, to break the tension, but my mouth is dry. I¡¯m nervous and excited and overwhelmed all at the same time.


    Unlocking the honeymoon suite and opening the door for me, he finally speaks:


    ¡°You liked it when I tied you up in that hotel room, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    My mind goes nk. That¡¯s not what I expected him to say. Immediately, I¡¯m brought back to all the intense emotions of that night. The helplessness, the anticipation, the fear.


    Theneed.


    Numbly, I nod.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± Alessio whispers, and he steps into my space, pressing me against the wall. I shiver at his words, and to my surprise, his praise gives me a thrill. ¡°And do you remember the condition you epted when you agreed to be my wife?¡±


    This makes my face grow hot. Of course I remember. How could I not? I¡¯ve been reying it in my head every quiet moment since it happened.


    ¡°You own me,¡± I whisper, looking down.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he replies, trailing his fingers down my neck, over my breasts. They slide down my dress until they find my waist. I feel so small and feminine as he holds me like that, his big, muscr form towering over me. ¡°I own you.¡±


    Finally, I force myself to meet his eyes. He looks down at me, a smirk curling his lips, and I feel more vulnerable than I¡¯ve ever felt.


    I¡¯ve attached myself to this man. I¡¯m at his mercy. Any power I have from now on will be throughhim.


    I should be terrified, and I am. But there¡¯s another part of me thatcravesthat release. Thatwantsto lose myself in the blissful surrender of his rough hands.


    That¡¯s messed up, right? That¡¯s definitely messed up.


    At least losing my virginity won¡¯t be a situation where I have to worry about doing the right thing. I¡¯m pretty sure Alessio will take me exactly how he wants, in whatever way he chooses.


    It feels so fucking wrong that Ilikethat.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take you tonight,¡± he growls, hands sliding lower to grip my ass, ¡°and I¡¯m not going to hold back like I did before. You¡¯re going to fellof me, and then you¡¯re going to feel me leaking out of you.¡±


    I whimper as he spins me around, pressing me face-first against the wall. He holds me by the back of my neck, keeping me in ce, while his other hand flips up my dress, exposing my lower body.


    ¡°These are pretty,¡± he murmurs, fingers stroking over thecy white bridal lingerie covering my ass. ¡°Did you wear this just for me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my husband,¡± I say, the words almost catching in my throat. ¡°Who else would it be for?¡±


    Alessio¡¯s breath tickles my neck as he releases a satisfied sigh. ¡°No one. No one at all. All. Fucking. Mine.¡±


    He starts to unzip my dress. I hesitate for only a moment, then lift my arms, allowing him to remove it entirely. When I try to turn around, he stops me, keeping me pressed to the wall with my back to him.


    ¡°Seeing as you¡¯re all mine, we should have a conversation about what I expect from you.¡±


    I stay where I am, breathing. I feel very, very dominated.


    ¡°You obey me,¡± Alessio growls, lips right next to my ear. ¡°Always. I set the rules, and you follow them. What do you think happens if you break a rule?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    My pussy twitches. I can anticipate his answer, but I don¡¯t want to say it out loud.


    ¡°A?¡± He gives my ass a little p.


    ¡°Ow!¡± I yelp, more surprised than in pain.


    ¡°Do you want to guess, or should I tell you?¡±


    I can¡¯t bring myself to say it. I stare at the wall, quivering.


    ¡°You get punished,¡± Alessio whispers. ¡°Repeat that back to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ get punished,¡± I echo, cheeks burning.

 19

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He releases me, and I¡¯m left panting. ¡°Fuck,¡± he grunts.


    I face him, trying to keep myselfposed. ¡°Fuck? What was that about?¡±


    He eyes me up and down, and the look on his face is a ravenous snarl. There¡¯s so much desire in his gaze that I feel consumed by it. He¡¯s practically shaking. ¡°The fucking effect you have on me.¡±


    Jesus Christ. Now I¡¯m shaking, too. I¡¯m standing in front of him wearing nothing but see-through underwear and a garter belt, feeling totally naked, and the realization washes over me thatIhave power overhim.


    He wants me so badly he¡¯s struggling to control himself.


    I don¡¯t want him to control himself.


    Moaning, I press my body against him. Our lips meet again, for the first time since the wedding ceremony. This time, the kiss isn¡¯t just hungry, it¡¯sdevouring. He corners me against the wall, tongue invading my mouth. As his hands explore my almost-naked body, I can feel the hard bulge in his pants, barely contained by the thin fabric of his tuxedo.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he groans, fingers digging into the soft flesh of my ass. ¡°Fuck, I need you so bad.¡±


    I whimper, lost in the moment. I¡¯m ready for this. I¡¯m ready to have him inside me. My body is screaming for it, and as his hand slips down the front of my panties, I know he can feel how wet I am for him.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Alessio growls, pulling out his glistening fingers. He licks them clean, making eye contact. ¡°You taste as sweet as I thought you would.¡±


    I just kiss him, trying to remove any pressure for me to reply. I don¡¯t think I can talk right now, not sensibly. I¡¯m lost in the moment, ready for him to have his way.


    My breathing gets faster as he slides his fingers into the back of my hair, squeezing a handful to control my head.


    ¡°This way,¡± he orders, his other hand gripping my upper arm possessively. He guides me through thevish honeymoon suite and to the bedroom. The moment we¡¯re inside, he bends me roughly over the side of the bed, spanking my ass hard.


    ¡°Mine,¡± he growls, pinning my wrists behind my back. I gasp as his fingers hook under my panties and pull them down to the floor.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I breathe, the cold air tickling my wet pussy. Wow, do I feel exposed.


    ¡°Now I get what I want.¡± Alessio¡¯s voice is husky as he pops the buckle, dropping his pants. ¡°Now I get to im what fucking belongs to me.¡±


    Each breath I take is a desperate gasp as something big and thick ps against my ass. It slides lower, searching for my opening. When it seats itself between my aching, swollen lips, I hear myself moaning with each exhtion without even meaning to.


    ¡°Mine,¡± Alessio growls again.¡±Fuck, oh my god¡­¡±


    Pain and pleasure both explode through me as he pushes himself inside. I¡¯m easily wet enough, but still not prepared for the intensity of him stretching me open. My vision shakes as I feel my inner walls straining to amodate his size.


    ¡°Yesss¡­ I needed this¡­¡±es his voice from behind me.


    He pulls back for another thrust, and I move my arms to grip the sheet in front of me. Alessio stops me, pinning my hands where they were and giving my ass a spank. ¡°Keep them there.¡±


    I quiver, instinctively trying to move them again, and earn myself another spank. He doesn¡¯t say anything, just keeps thrusting, holding my wrists in ce.


    My throaty sound of defiance turns into a moan as his cock hits a special spot. Oh, fuck, that felt good. He keeps hitting it again and again as he thrusts faster. From the guttural sounds he¡¯s making, it sounds like he¡¯s losing himself.


    So am I.


    There¡¯s nothing I can do but bend over and take his cock as he rails me, the sound of his growling getting more intense. He keeps pinning my arms, and doesn¡¯t let go as he starts to go over the edge.


    ¡°Oh fuck, oh my god¡­¡±His words trail off into animal grunting, and his cock twitches inside me. I feel a warmth spreading, and I realize that with every twitch, he¡¯s pumping more of his cum into my pussy.


    So much for safe sex.


    All I can hear is hisbored breathing as he lets go of my wrists. He stays inside me, cock still twitching.


    There it is. Virginity gone. To my husband, like the good girl I never wanted to be.


    I whimper as he pulls out, hot cum leaking out of my pussy, onto my clit. ¡°On your back,¡± he orders, patting the bed.


    My legs are shaky as I stand back up and face him. ¡°You aren¡¯t¡­ done with me?¡±


    He smirks. ¡°You think I¡¯m not going to make my wifee on our wedding night? Oh no, baby. That¡¯s not how it works. I won¡¯t be done with you until you¡¯re squirming and begging and moaning my name.¡±


    A


    Alessio¡¯s words send a shiver through me. Wife. I¡¯m his wife. Somehow, with my innocence taken and his cum all over my pussy, it feels real now.


    This is who I am. What I¡¯ve agreed to. I can¡¯t fight it. All I can do is ept.


    ¡°On your back,¡± Alessio repeats, patting the mattress again. ¡°Right here.¡±


    Hesitantly, I do as he says. Despite what we¡¯ve already done together, I feel shy. This is all so new.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he whispers, and just like before, it brings me a wave of satisfaction to know that I¡¯ve pleased him. ¡°Spread your legs for me now, baby.¡±


    I must have waited too long to obey, because a secondter, he pulls my thighs apart with his hands.


    ¡°You have nothing to hide from your husband,¡± says Alessio, looking down at me. He¡¯s still wearing most of his tuxedo, while all I¡¯ve got on is my bridal lingerie with my panties on the floor. I¡¯m embarrassed as he pries my legs open, revealing my cum-covered pussy.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± he whispers, smirking. ¡°I do what I want.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I fall silent as his hand makes its way between my legs, my breathsing fast and heavy now.


    ¡°Fuck, I love seeing your pussy all messy with my cum,¡± he rasps. ¡°Really makes it feel like mine, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    I nod, all of my attention on his fingers. They stroke over my inner lips, zed with white, coating themselves in his seed.


    When they reach my clit, it feels almost like an electric shock.


    ¡°Yes,¡±I whimper, squirming against his hand. ¡°That feels so good.¡±


    Lifting my head, I watch as he makes circles around my little nub. His fingers move easily, slick with cum. He does it until I¡¯m panting and my thighs are starting to clench.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± I moan, the pleasure mounting. ¡°Alessio, I¡¯m going to-¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± he says with a smirk, and stops fingering me.


    ¡°What? Whyyyy?¡±I whimper, squirming my hips. I was so close. God fucking dammit, I was so close.


    ¡°I want you to beg for it,¡± he purrs.

 20

    I re absolute daggers at him. ¡°Asshole!¡±


    Immediately, his hand goes to my throat. He doesn¡¯t squeeze, but it¡¯s very, very clear what the message is. ¡°Try that again. I would start with¡¯please, sir, can Ie?''¡±


    I pout, looking away. He just chuckles and resumes fingering me. Having his hand on my neck like that is a major, major turn on. Soon I¡¯m squirming again, and can feel an orgasm mounting.


    ¡°What do you say?¡±Alessio growls, slowing his movement. ¡°I¡¯m waiting to hear some magic words.¡±


    No. I¡¯m not going to give him the satisfaction. I buck my hips, chasing the pleasure of his fingers¡­


    He brings me right to the edge again and then stops, smirking as I squirm in frustration. ¡°I want to see youe tonight, A. Are you really going to deny me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one denying anything,¡± I pant.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    Fuck. I might hate him for it, but this kind of yreallyturns me on. His casual dominance, the level of intimate control he expects to have over me¡­ It¡¯s checking a lot of boxes, including some I didn¡¯t even know I had.


    By the time he brings me to the edge a third time, I¡¯m ready to explode.


    ¡°Please,¡± I whimper, my voice barely more than a breath. It¡¯s hard to say it, but I need toe so badly.


    A satisfied grin spreads across his face. ¡°What¡¯s that? I couldn¡¯t quite hear you.¡±


    ¡°Please!¡± I beg, my pussy aching. Dignity be damned, I need this. ¡°Please, make mee.¡±


    My husband brings his mouth next to my ear. ¡°Good girl, A. You cane for me now.¡±


    His fingers circle again, and a momentter, I tumble over the cliff.


    Alessio keeps his hand on my neck as I thrash around on the bed. It feels like I¡¯m having three orgasms at once, like the first two climaxes got saved up instead of wasted.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he purrs, voice filled with satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s a good girl. All you need to do ise for me now. You earned it.¡±


    It takes a moment after my pussy stops twitching for me to spiral back to reality. When my eyes focus, I see Alessio in front of me, taking off his shirt. It isn¡¯t exactly a chore to look at his ripplingmuscles or the neatly trimmed hair on his chest, so I stay where I am until he makes eye contact in the mirror.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to take a shower,¡± he says, taking off his pants.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Even though he¡¯s already fucked me, this is the first time I¡¯ve gotten a good look at his cock. My eyes linger without me meaning them to.


    Alessio raises his eyebrows. ¡°See something you like?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ big. I can¡¯t believe that was just inside me.¡±


    ¡°You did such a good job taking all of it.¡±


    My cheeks flush. ¡°I did?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you did. You took my whole cock inside you, even though it was tight and I had to stretch you open. I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    I try to deflect with sarcasm, but even still, I can¡¯t bring myself to meet his eyes. ¡°Aw, shucks, you really know what to say to a girl.¡±


    His gaze doesn¡¯t falter. ¡°You like being praised, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t everybody?¡±


    ¡°Most people. But you especially like it.¡±


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    He takes a step forward, grinning. ¡°Because your eyes lit up when I told you what a good job you did of taking my cock.¡±


    I sit up on the bed, taking a deep breath. ¡°Wow, okay. I won¡¯t deny that¡¯s a turn-on.¡±


    Alessio moves to take off my bra, and I allow him to lift it over my head. ¡°Let¡¯s get you undressed now. It¡¯s shower time.¡±


    He peels off the rest of my lingerie and carries me into the master bathroom. I feel awkward at first as the shower starts, and then a strange sense offort as we go together under the hot water. He holds me from behind, running his soapy hands up and down my body, cleaning me. There¡¯s something incredibly intimate about it, and as I see the ring on his finger, it bes more real to me than it ever has:


    For better or for worse, Alessio is now my husband, and I am his wife.

 21

    A


    When I wake up the next morning, I¡¯m still feeling the warm glow from the night before. Losing my V-card was better than I expected. A lot better. I¡¯m filled with a surprising amount of affection for the man who took it.


    I turn over, looking for Alessio to cuddle him, but he¡¯s not in bed. Disappointed, I pick myself up, still naked, and throw on a big T-shirt. I leave the bedroom, wondering what we¡¯ll eat for breakfast.


    Instead, he¡¯s already dressed.


    ¡°Do you want to order breakfast?¡± I ask. ¡°Or we could check out the restaurant downstairs. I think I saw a ckberry French toast on the menu that looked amazing.¡±


    Alessio doesn¡¯t look at me. ¡°Choose whatever you want. I have to go.¡±


    My face falls. ¡°Go? We got married yesterday.¡±


    ¡°And I have not one, but two criminal organizations to run.¡±


    ¡°I thought marrying me was supposed to solve that problem.¡±


    ¡°Marrying you makes the problem solvable. It doesn¡¯t solve it by itself.¡±


    ¡°So stay and talk with me about it. Maybe I can help.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s see. Every captain from the Razone family except Sal hates me, and probably wouldn¡¯t mind if I died. Meanwhile, the Gonzalez family literally just tried to kill me, and murdered my grandfather.¡±


    His tone is sharp, and it fills me with dismay. Last night, somehow, I actually felt some hope for us. Some warmth. Some connections.


    Now, it feels like all of that has evaporated.


    ¡°Come on,¡± I say, stepping closer, ¡°it¡¯s the first day of our marriage. We can have breakfast together, at least.¡±


    But emotionally, he recoils from that suggestion like I threatened him with a gun. I can see it written all over his face. ¡°It¡¯s the first day of our arranged marriage,¡± he corrects me, turning to the door.


    I try to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes. ¡°So that¡¯s all this is? An arrangement? Nothing else?¡±


    Alessio looks back only for a moment before he leaves. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s an arrangement. I don¡¯t know why you thought it was anything more than that.¡±


    He shuts the door, and I break down.


    Alessio


    Fuck! I clench my fist, almost wishing I was stupid enough to punch the wall. It would be satisfying, at least, but not worth the broken knuckles.


    I hate how I just treated her. I watched the whole thing happen like a movie, an awful car crash I wanted desperately to stop.


    But I couldn¡¯t. I never can. Every time I start to get close to someone, it goes like this.


    Maybe I¡¯m just broken. Maybe the day I got pulled out of ss and told on a crackly phone call in the principal¡¯s office that both my parents had been murdered in a car bombing, something just broke inside me and I¡¯ll never be able to fix it.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    A part of me died that day. And that¡¯s why when Grandpa Nazio  was killed, I couldn¡¯t die again. I¡¯ve been through so much pain, there¡¯s no space left for it. Just anger and rity of purpose.


    I don¡¯t feel pain like that anymore. Not since I stopped letting people in. Now I have my armor up at all times, and it keeps me safe.


    It also makes me do bullshit like what I just put A through. Every. Fucking. Time. Which is exactly why I never wanted to get married.


    Pulling out my cell phone, I call Dominguez, who is still guarding Anthony  Gonzalez and his wife at their house. He picks up on the first ring. ¡°Hey, man, congrats. Sorry I couldn¡¯t be at the wedding.¡±


    I ignore the marriage talk. ¡°I¡¯ming to you. It¡¯s time for Anthony  and me to have another chat.¡±


    When I pull up at the Gonzalez estate, however, I can tell immediately that something is wrong. The gate is open, and aline of ck SUVs fills the driveway. One look tells me these vehicles aren¡¯t from the Razone family, or the Gonzalez family, either.


    These are feds.


    I swing a U-turn, going right back the way I came, and pull over on the side of the road. I stay there, watching the driveway from my rearview mirror. Nomotion so far. What is going on?


    After about 20 minutes, Dominguez calls me. ¡°Shit, I¡¯m assuming you saw? Sorry I couldn¡¯t call you earlier. Had my hands full.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it looked like it. FBI?¡±


    ¡°You guessed it. Lot of agents, too. It was a big ol¡¯ party.¡±


    ¡°I assume from the fact that we¡¯re talking on the phone that you weren¡¯t arrested?¡±


    ¡°They were only there for Anthony . Had a warrant for his arrest and everything. They asked me about my pistol, but I¡¯m a legal gun owner so they had to let me go. I¡¯m leaving now.¡±


    ¡°Good. Meet me at Sal¡¯s joint and we¡¯ll talk.¡±


    ***


    Sal runs a strip club, which mostly serves as a moneyundering operation. I don¡¯t particrly likeing here, but it¡¯s a convenient ce to meet up in familiar territory. Sal is counting money in the back when I arrive.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going, kid?¡± he asks, looking up. ¡°Enjoy your wedding night?¡±


    ¡°Feds just hit Anthony  Gonzalez,¡± I say, ignoring his question. ¡°He¡¯s in custody. We need to tighten things up.¡±


    Dominguez bursts in, out of breath. ¡°I just got here. You already exin to Sal?¡±


    Sal nods. ¡°I¡¯ll tell my guys to run an even tighter ship than usual. Last thing we need is someone ending up in the can.¡±


    I nod. ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°You know,¡± says Dominguez, ¡°Now that I think about it, I¡¯m not entirely sure this doesn¡¯t help us. Getting loyalty from the Gonzalez captains should be a lot easier with the boss out of the way.¡±


    I sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not even sure I have loyalty from the Razone captains. You saw them at my ceremony.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about them,¡± Sal reassures me. ¡°They can grumble, but they¡¯re alreadying around. Come on, this is a good thing. The Gonzalez boys will fall in line now that Anthony  isn¡¯t a factor.¡±


    ¡°Unless they think I¡¯m the one who set him up,¡± I reply darkly. ¡°They won¡¯t support a rat.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Sal agrees. ¡°But they¡¯ve had quite the profitable operation under Anthony . Nobody really wants to rock the boat. Convince them you¡¯re not a rat and that you¡¯ll keep the cash flowing, and they¡¯ll back you. Every one of ¡¯em.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re married to the daughter,¡± says Dominguez. ¡°That¡¯s going to count for a lot. Why don¡¯t you meet with some of the captains. You know, show off your happy marriage, hit them with a little charm offensive.¡±


    Fucking great.


    Reluctantly, I nod. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll do that. Sal, who would you rmend I meet with first?¡±


    ¡°Giovanni Lombardo. He¡¯s their highest earner. Nobody will dare go against you if you have his support.¡±


    Dominguez snorts. ¡°Gio the Butcher? Oh, have fun with that. Your wife is going to love him.¡±

 22

    Alessio


    A and I have the honeymoon suite booked for the next couple of days. Closest thing we¡¯ll get to a honeymoon, since I can¡¯t exactly go on vacation right now with two Mafia families to get under control. I¡¯m expecting A to be upset at me when Ie in through the door, but instead, she¡¯s curled up on the couch, looking like a total snack in tight purple exercise shorts and a matching crop top. She looks up from her phone and greets me brightly.


    ¡°Hi, Alessio. How was your day?¡±


    ¡°Busy. Your father was arrested by the FBI.¡±


    She raises her eyebrows, but overall seems a lot less impacted by this news than I had expected. ¡°Yeah, they did that when I was nine. Had to let him go the next day. He¡¯ll be out soon enough.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. With RICOws these days-¡± I break off as I notice that she¡¯s distracted by something on her phone. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, just adding pictures to my dating profile.¡±


    My eyebrows just about hit the ceiling. ¡°Excuse me, adding what to yourwhat?¡±


    ¡°My dating profile,¡± she tells me sweetly. ¡°I wanted to upload some of the bikini pictures from my trip to Europe.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°I¡­ bikini pictures?¡± I sputter.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She holds up her phone. ¡°This is me on the beach in Italy. I look cute, don¡¯t I?¡±


    I snatch the phone from her hand. It¡¯s one of thosehere¡¯s-my-assphotos where she¡¯s looking over her shoulder with her back to the camera. Blood rushes to my cock as I see that her ass is covered only by the thin strap of a thong.


    Fuck, she looks good.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to delete these photos from the app right now,¡± I growl, handing the phone back to her, ¡°and you¡¯re not going to answer messages from anybody. In fact, you¡¯re going to delete the app right now while I watch.¡±


    A shakes her head. ¡°Sorry, toote. I already have a date nned for tomorrow, and another the next day.¡±


    ¡°Have you forgotten that you¡¯re mywife?¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t forgotten anything. This marriage is nothing more than anarrangement, as you made perfectly clear. That¡¯s fine. We don¡¯t have to have feelings for each other. I can get that from someone else.¡±


    Possessive rage rips through me. ¡°Are you trying to get these guys killed?¡±


    ¡°Nope. I might try to get them naked, though¡­¡±


    I grab the phone back from her and fumble with the screen, trying to find her inbox in the app. ¡°God dammit, how do I work this thing?¡±


    ¡°Bottom-right corner,¡± she offers helpfully. ¡°There you go.¡±


    ¡°You are going to message both these guys and cancel your dates. Tell them you¡¯re too busy getting your pussy filled by yourhusband.¡±


    ¡°Well, that would be awfully rude of me.¡± There¡¯s a triumphant gleam in her eye now. I know I¡¯m giving her the exact reaction she wanted, but I don¡¯t care. The thought of somebody else having her makes me ready to fucking lose it.


    ¡°Let me make one thing clear,¡± I growl. ¡°You go on dates with either of these men, it¡¯ll be thest date they ever go on.¡±


    ¡°Okay, now you¡¯re just being silly. I know you wouldn¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°I would doanythingto keep you as mine,¡± I tell her, my voice deadly serious. ¡°I¡¯d even wear a ghost mask to stop someone else from fucking you at a party.¡±


    It takes a moment for my words to sink in. When they do, her jaw drops. ¡°That was¡­ Wait, no, but that doesn¡¯t make sense. That wasn¡¯t you. I saw his face.¡±


    ¡°Did you see it after he came back from the bathroom? Or when you were running from the police?¡±


    A¡¯s eyes widen in shock. ¡°Oh my god! You motherfucker! You took his mask? You¡­ Where was he?¡±


    I smirk. ¡°Unconscious in the bathroom. Now delete your fucking dating profile like a good girl so I can pin you down and stretch your little pussy open the way you deserve.¡±


    She stares at me. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡±


    ¡°Completely insane. Delete it. Now. Or you¡¯re going to get a spanking.¡±


    Her cheeks go bright red, and she doesn¡¯t meet my eyes. But to my satisfaction, she navigates immediately to her phone¡¯s settings and uninstalls the app. ¡°There. Happy?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± I rasp, my eyes exploring her body. ¡°Come here, now. Off the couch.¡±


    She eyes me defiantly. ¡°Why?¡±


    A low growl rumbles in my throat and I pick her physically off the couch, ignoring her squeals. ¡°So I can remind mywifewho fucking owns her.¡±


    She provides only token resistance, allowing me to pull her off the furniture and deposit her feet on the floor. ¡°Yourarrangedwife.¡±


    I cut off any further words by pressing my lips roughly against hers. She stiffens for a second, then gives in to it, her soft body pressing against mine. My hands move almost maically to her ass, and I walk her backwards to the wall.


    ¡°I told you before,¡± I growl, pinning her in ce with my size, ¡°when I was fucking your cunt with the vibrator in that hotel room. From now on, you belong to me. Nobody else will ever have you. There isnothingI will not do to enforce that.¡±


    A lets out a growl of her own, grinding her crotch into my thigh. She writhes against me, half fighting, half getting herself off.


    I can feel my cock stiffening. ¡°You like being tamed, don¡¯t you? You like the feeling of being overpowered, of ying the game and losing?¡±


    She moans, a throaty sound, grinding herself against me. ¡°Oh fuck, Alessio¡­¡±


    I take a hold of her ponytail, pulling her head back. ¡°Answer me, A.¡±


    She whimpers. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t. I¡¯m embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be,¡± I breathe. ¡°Don¡¯t ever be embarrassed for wanting what you want. Whatever dirty, embarrassing things you need from me, I¡¯ve pictured myself doing something twice as filthy to you.¡±


    Her eyes sh with interest. ¡°What¡¯s a filthy thing you¡¯ve pictured yourself doing to me?¡±


    ¡°Putting you on your knees,¡± I growl, ¡°and fucking your pretty little mouth the same way as your pussy.¡±


    A bites her lip. ¡°So why don¡¯t you?¡±


    Fuckkkk. She¡¯s exactly who I hoped she¡¯d be. Keeping my grip on her ponytail, I push her down to the floor so she¡¯s pinned between my hips and the wall. She looks up at me with big eyes, her mouth hanging open.


    ¡°You look so fucking perfect like that,¡± I groan, unbuckling my pants. ¡°Such a good girl. Keep that mouth open for me.¡±


    A¡¯s eyes follow my cock as I free it from my pants. My shaft is thick, veins snaking up its length, and right now, it¡¯sthrobbing.


    ¡°Take it in your mouth,¡± I rasp, my attention entirely fixed.


    She obeys. I sigh with pleasure as her lips close around the head of my cock. ¡°Fuck, A, your little mouth feels so good.¡± My breathing gets hoarse as she takes me deeper, mouth enveloping more of my shaft. ¡°Good girl. You can tap my leg if you¡¯re going to gag.¡±


    I¡¯m in heaven as she starts to suck my cock, gettingfortable taking more of me. For someone who I can tell is inexperienced, she does a good job of keeping her teeth out of the equation. When I think I¡¯ve gotten a feel for the limits of her gag reflex, I grip her hair, holding her head in ce.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck your mouth now. Are you ready for that?¡±


    She nods, not taking her lips off my cock. I groan, pushing myself deeper into her mouth. ¡°God damn, baby girl, you¡¯re so good at that¡­ Look how much of me you¡¯re taking. That¡¯s gotta be the first 6 inches. Think we can go for 7?¡±


    A nods again, her eyes starting to tear up.


    ¡°Such a good girl for me,¡± I whisper, filling her throat with the rest of my shaft and holding it there. ¡°Such a perfect little mouth for my cock. I¡¯m going to keep fucking that mouth, okay, baby?¡±


    I hold her head as I move my hips, thrusting into her throat. A tear trickled down her cheek and she moved her hand as if to tap my leg, but then held back.


    ¡°Okay?¡± I ask, stroking her cheek. She murmurs an affirmative, the sound muffled.


    Groaning in satisfaction, I keep fucking her throat. ¡°Wow, you really don¡¯t have much of a gag reflex. That feels so fucking good. Yessss¡­¡±


    Pleasure floods through me as Ie. A husky groan escapes with every breath, my cock pumping into her as she sucks me. I lean against the wall to stay upright, reeling. A looks up at me, sucking thest drop out of the tip.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I breathe. ¡°I can barely think. You want to swallow that for me, baby?¡±


    My wife maintains eye contact as she swallows my cum. I groan, my cock still twitching.

 23

    A


    ¡°Do you want to order dessert?¡± my husband asks, lying next to me in bed. We¡¯ve been cuddling for thest hour and god, he smells so good.


    I giggle. ¡°I already ate.¡±


    Alessio frowns. ¡°You did? When did you-¡± He breaks off into chuckles, getting the joke. ¡°I guess I did already feed you. Don¡¯t say I never do anything for you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m stuffed. No, but seriously, we should get dessert.¡±


    He flips through the menu, reading. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ They¡¯ve got cream puffs, eirs, creme brulee¡­ Boston cream pie¡­ Bananas foster¡­ Banana splits¡­ Hmm¡­ What else¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to think of more dessert names with sexual double meanings?¡±


    He puts his hand to his chest as though affronted. ¡°Me? Iwould never.¡±


    I snatch the menu out of his hand, giggling. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see what they actually have¡­ To be honest, I¡¯ve always kind of wanted to try a Boston cream pie.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying you want me to give you a creampie?¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure you already gave me onest night.¡±


    He leans forward, eyes narrowed in thatsatisfied-predatorway. ¡°Oh, you canalwayshave another.¡±


    ¡°Keep talking, I might have to take you up on that.¡±


    It feels good to be vibing with Alessio like this. After all the bullshit conflict, this moment is nice. All he¡¯s wearing is a white T-shirt and boxers now, and there¡¯s something so cozy about it. For the first time, maybe, I actually feel like one half of a married couple. Better than I might have expected for our first day, given how it started.


    ¡°You really followed me to that party? I¡­ What did you do with Derek? ¡­Darren?¡± Iugh at the realization that I still don¡¯t have a clue what his name was.


    ¡°I told you,¡± says Alessio, ¡°I knocked him out and left him in the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ really fucked up.¡±


    ¡°Probably a good idea to stay off of dating apps, then.¡±


    He raises his eyebrows. Jesus, he¡¯s really not joking.


    ¡°So, they arrested my dad,¡± I say, changing topics. ¡°You know what for?¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    He makes a tight-lipped face. ¡°Murder, apparently. They¡¯re trying to connect him to some cold case from decades ago. No idea if it will stick.¡±


    I fall silent, thinking. It¡¯s painfully ironic that he gets arrested the day after I got married to escape his control. I could have just fucking waited. At the same time, there¡¯s no saying how long before he¡¯s out on the street again. In my experience, guys like him don¡¯t do serious time.


    Plus, I¡¯m sure he still has plenty of influence, even behind bars.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you heard about it from me,¡± says Alessio. ¡°Didn¡¯t your mom call you?¡±


    I snort. ¡°I blocked both my parents¡¯ numbers before the wedding.¡±


    ¡°Geez, they must have really pissed you off.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they did. I got epted to BCU. I was going to live in the dorms, majoring in economics. My dad used his connections to cancel my eptance.¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°Jesus. Why did he do that?¡±


    ¡°To force me to marry you. And then the next day, he was trying to have you killed.¡±


    ¡°Damn. That one must have stung.¡±


    It hits me in that moment that it¡¯s only been two days since Alessio¡¯s grandfather was murdered. ¡°Oh my god, I just realized. Your grandfather. I¡¯m so sorry. How are you doing?¡±


    But when he looks at me, his eyes are cold. ¡°I¡¯m doing fine.¡± He gets up from the bed, taking away the warm cuddles. ¡°I¡¯m going to hit the hotel gym.¡±


    ¡°What? But what about dessert?¡±


    He barely nces back at me as he throws on a pair of shorts and leaves the room. ¡°Get whatever you want.¡±


    What I wanted was to share it with him. But whatever closeness we just built seems to be gone. I lie back in bed, dejected.


    Then I ordered the cream pie.

 24

    A


    The next morning, Alessio wakes up before me and I hear him taking a phone call in the other room. His trip to the ¡°gym¡±st nightsted nearly 3 hours. Long enough that when he got back, I was already in bed. I still don¡¯t exactly know what I did wrong, but I won¡¯t be asking about his grandfather¡¯s death again, that¡¯s for sure.


    The phone call sounds serious. I get up and hop in the shower, and when I get out, I see that he¡¯s ordered crepes for breakfast.


    ¡°Strawberry-Nute or banana-brown sugar?¡± he asks, holding out two tes.


    I take one of them. ¡°Strawberry-Nute, obviously. Why did you even get the other one?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°I like banana. Ever had bananas foster? Pretty amazing.¡±


    ¡°You and your penis-themed desserts. I¡¯ll eat my strawberry crepe like the innocent girl I am.¡±


    Alessio hits me with the bedroom eyes. ¡°My dear, you and I both know that you¡¯re far from innocent. I¡¯ve made sure of that.¡±


    I dig into my breakfast, and it¡¯s just as good as it sounds. ¡°Mmm. So is this your way of apologizing forst night?¡±


    An emotion I can¡¯t read shes across his face, and he ignores my question. ¡°There¡¯s something we need to do today.¡±


    I blink.¡±¡®We?''¡±


    ¡°Yes, ¡®we¡¯. You¡¯re not just a trophy wife, remember? I married you so I could take over the Gonzalez family.¡±


    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you romantic.¡±


    ¡°I never imed to be. This is business, unfortunately.¡±


    Okay. Business it is. I straighten up, putting my te down on the coffee table. ¡°All right. What are we doing?¡±


    Alessio takes a deep breath. ¡°I need to convince your father¡¯s capos that I didn¡¯t rat him out to the FBI.¡±


    ¡°And what does that entail?¡±


    ¡°My Uncle Sal arranged a meeting between me and the top Gonzalez captain. Are you familiar with Giovanni Lombardo?¡±


    I wince. ¡°Gio the Butcher? Yeah, I know him. Unfortunately.¡±


    My husband chuckles. ¡°Dominguez told me you¡¯d have that reaction. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve met him. What¡¯s he like?¡±


    ¡°Well, you have to know his reputation.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I assume you don¡¯t get called ¡®the Butcher¡¯ for nothing.¡±


    That makes me snort. ¡°I think even the other captains are afraid of him. My dad hates his guts. Only tolerates him because his crew brings in so much money.¡±


    Alessio scratches the stubble on his jawline. ¡°That makes sense. And it¡¯s probably good for us. Sounds like he had moreof a working rtionship with your dad than any actual loyalty. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard to win him over.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right. My dad never wanted me to hear him talking about the business, but I know he bent over backwards keep that rtionship friendly. I¡¯m pretty sure Gio was the only man who ever really scared him.¡±


    Maybe other than your grandfather, I think, not finishing the thought.


    ***


    I¡¯ve met Giovanni ¡°the Butcher¡± Lombardo several times at weddings and the like, but I¡¯ve never been to his home. I feel uneasy as Alessio¡¯s henchman Dominguez drives us out to his estate in Beauford Hills, one of Bover City¡¯s suburbs.


    ¡°This neighborhood is swanky,¡± Dominguez remarks, looking out the window at the impressive houses. ¡°Guy almost lives like a boss. His is this one on the left.¡±


    ¡°What did my grandfather think of Gio Lombardo?¡± Alessio asks Dominguez as we pull up to the gate.


    ¡°Thought he was a mean bastard, from what I could tell. I remember him saying Anthony  Gonzalez would find a way to keep him in check if he had any sense. Gio¡¯s crew being so profitable and all.¡±


    A big man in a designer tracksuites out and nces into the car, then waves us through the gate.


    ¡°Okay,¡± says Dominguez as we drive up to the house. ¡°I¡¯ll put ¡®spending the night in Gio the Butcher¡¯s mansion¡¯ on the list of things I could have happily gone my whole life without doing.¡±


    Same.


    ***


    Giovanni Lombardo is attractive in that sleazy, rattish kind of way, with dark hair and absolutely dead eyes. He has two painful-looking scars on his left cheek that legend has ite from knife fighting in his youth, and his 40-something years haven¡¯t done anything to soften the wiry strength of his frame.


    He greets us at the door, looking me up and down in a fashion that isn¡¯t quite subtle enough. ¡°Alessio Razone,¡± he says, shaking my husband¡¯s hand. ¡°Your grandfather was a titan. I was deeply sorry to hear about his passing.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate that,¡± Alessio replies stoically.


    ¡°But even from tragic loss, good things cane. I see you have brought your lovely new wife to my home. Congrattions on your marriage.¡± He kisses my hand. ¡°And your associate is?¡±


    Dominguez holds out his hand. ¡°Dominguez Gary.¡±


    They shake, and Gio leads us to the living room. Another man is sitting on the one of the couches, wearing a jacket that shes horribly with his patterned shirt. ¡°This is Robert Costa, my second-inmand.¡±


    Just as Gio did, Robert looks me up and down before shaking hands with Alessio and Dominguez.


    Yuck.


    We sit down. The room around us isvish, the star feature being an enormous fish tank in the center containing what seem to be¡­


    ¡°Are those piranhas?¡± Dominguez asks, pointing.


    Gio¡¯s face lights up. ¡°They are indeed! Red-bellied piranhas, specifically. Lovely little creatures.¡±


    Alessio nods his head appreciatively. ¡°Is keeping them dangerous?¡±


    Our host leans forward. ¡°Not at all! They actually don¡¯t deserve their reputation. Would you believe all the stuff you¡¯ve heard about them came from Teddy Roosevelt? He went to the Amazon, see, and the natives wanted to give him a show. So they starved a school of piranhas and fed them a cow, and sure enough, those piranhas stripped the flesh from the bone. But in nature, they would never go after something that big unless it was already dead. Here, allow me to demonstrate.¡±


    Gio stands up and walks over to the tank, which is about the size of a hot tub and as tall as his shoulders. Rolling up his sleeve, he reaches in through a window at the top and sticks his entire hand into the tank. The sharp-toothed fish swim around him, investigating, but not biting.


    ¡°I think the moral of the story,¡± says Gio, shaking the water off his hand anding back to us, ¡°is that dangerous things don¡¯t need to be our enemies. We can live with them, if each party understands and respects the other. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°I was just as broken up as I¡¯m sure you were to hear about Anthony ¡®s arrest,¡± says Alessio. ¡°My own father-inw and all. It¡¯s been quite the shock. To both of us.¡±


    My husband puts his hand over mine. I nod solemnly, ying the part.


    Robert snorts. ¡°And right after you came in line to take over the family, too. That¡¯s mighty convenient. Nazio  makes you his sessor, he croaks it. Then you marry Gonzalez¡¯s daughter, and old Anthony  gets pinched by the feds. I¡¯m not saying anything, obviously. Just, you gotta see how it looks. People are gonna have their concerns.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Dominguez retorts sharply, ¡°you better not be implying what I think you are.¡±


    ¡°Robert has the knack for saying things that are impolite,¡± chuckles Gio the Butcher, ¡°but that everyone is thinking. Please do not hold it against him. As we all know, appearances matter.¡±


    ¡°People will have their opinions,¡± Alessio says evenly, ¡°but I¡¯m not worried about people. A smooth transfer of power means the cash keeps flowing. For everybody. If you back me publicly, the other Gonzalez captains will fall in line.¡±


    Gio nods thoughtfully. ¡°You¡¯re right about that. I¡¯m open to it. If the terms are right.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s talk numbers. I¡¯m willing to match the arrangement you had with Gonzalez.¡±


    My attention wanders. There¡¯s something creepy about this living room that I can¡¯t quite ce. My eyes explore the ornaments on the coffee table, trying to figure out what exactly is encased in that clear block of resin¡­


    I can¡¯t help but recoil as I realize that embalmed in the transparent cube is a human jawbone,plete with teeth. Robert makes eye contact with me, noticing my reaction, and a cruel smile appears on his face. I avoid his gaze, my heart suddenly hammering.


    ¡°Perhaps we should continue this conversation after dinner?¡± our host suggests. ¡°We have all night to talk business. Let¡¯s enjoy some good food.¡±


    ***


    It is good food. We sit outside on the patio, feasting on pesto pasta with fresh tomatoes along with lemon-herb chicken and roasted asparagus. After the catering staff clear our tes, we stay at the table drinking limoncello, taking in the night air.


    It seems like the negotiation is going well. ¡°I can see why your grandfather picked you,¡± says Gio. ¡°You¡¯ve got stones.¡±


    Alessio¡¯s face twitches, but he epts thepliment. ¡°And I can see why he respected the way you do business. What if we keep the same arrangement you had with Gonzalez, but we shave two points off. Hell, call it two and a half. That way for you, nothing changes. You just get to keep more money.¡±


    The other man frowns, mulling it over. ¡°Three and a half.¡±


    Alessio pauses and makes brief eye contact with Dominguez. Then he holds out his hand. ¡°Done.¡±


    Gio¡¯s scarred face breaks into a smile. ¡°Then we should have champagne.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Lucky bastard, aren¡¯t you?¡± says Robert. ¡°The old man kicks the bucket just in time, and then you get to marry this piece of ass.¡± He leers at me. ¡°What say you throw her my way for the night? I¡¯d be happy to break her in for you.¡±


    Alessio¡¯s eyes sh, but he remains calm. Gio watches his reaction, and I swear there¡¯s something smug in his eyes. Like he knows the deal they just made is too good for Alessio to make an issue of the disrespect.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to keep pushing boundaries,¡± warns Dominguez, meeting with us in our guest bedroom when we retire after dinner. ¡°The deal you made was smart, but he thinks he¡¯s going to be able to walk all over you.¡±


    I¡¯m uneasy as I go to bed. Growing up as the daughter of Anthony  Gonzalez, nobodyeverspoke to me like that. It would have been a death sentence. But Alessio just let it happen. All to secure his position within the family.


    It¡¯s an arrangement. Stop expecting him to care about you.


    ***


    Robert doesn¡¯t join us for breakfast. We eat on the patio again, this time a very American meal of eggs, bacon, and hash browns.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just his stomach,¡± says our host, walking us back into the house. ¡°It bothers him sometimes.¡± We¡¯re on our way out now. The deal is done.


    Gio, Dominguez, Alessio, and I pass through the living room, the first time we¡¯ve entered it today. When my eyesnd on the fish tank, I scream.


    Floating in the piranha tank is a bloated corpse with half its skeleton picked clean. The water is red and cloudy as the fish swarm, devouring pieces of the flesh. Not much is left of the face, but what does remain makes its identity clear:


    It¡¯s Robert.


    Gio the Butcher stares at it, seething. His face is pale, but I can see the calctions quickly being made behind his dead eyes.


    ¡°I agree with what you said yesterday,¡± says Alessio, taking my hand. ¡°We can get along with dangerous creatures. If we show them the proper respect.¡±

 25

    A


    ¡°Did you see his face?¡± grins Dominguez, punching the seat next to him. ¡°Fuck yeah! Old Butcher looked like he saw a ghost. I¡¯d say he got our message, all right.¡±


    Next to me, driving, Alessio is more grimly satisfied than jubntly triumphant. But he allows himself to smile, more real than any expression he showed meeting with Gio the Butcher. ¡°Yeah, that went well. Jesus, though, I see why that guy bothers people. What a creep.¡±


    ¡°What, you didn¡¯t like him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not invited to Christmas dinner, if that¡¯s what you¡¯reasking.¡±


    Dominguez chuckles in the backseat. ¡°He¡¯s nicer than that Irish fucker who keeps muscling in on the South Side. I think we might be looking at a problem with him soon. I wonder if he has any weird pets we could feed him to.¡±


    I stare out the window, disturbed that I¡¯m not more disturbed by all of this. I just saw firsthand what the man I¡¯m married to is capable of. But instead of terrified, it makes me feel¡­ protected?


    ¡°You okay, babe?¡± my husband asks, putting his hand on my thigh.


    Babe?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± I reply, and I think I actually mean it.


    ***


    When we get back to Bover City, we drop Dominguez off at his apartment. And that¡¯s when I realize I don¡¯t really know where I live anymore.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I ask Alessio, suddenly shy.


    ¡°To my penthouse. I¡¯ve had your things from your parents¡¯ house moved in.¡±


    ¡°Already? That was fast.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°You¡¯re my wife. Would you rather live with your mom?¡±


    I shake my head vigorously. ¡°Hell no.¡±


    ***


    Alessio¡¯s ce is legitimately gorgeous. There¡¯s a big gas firece in the living room that I¡¯ll bet is amazingly cozy in the winter, and through sliding ss doors I can see a balcony with a view ofthe city skyline and an attached infinity pool. Clearly, this man did okay for himself before he started working with his grandfather.


    ¡°What did you do before joining the life?¡± I ask as he gives me the tour.


    ¡°Killed people,¡± he grunts. Figures, I suppose.


    ¡°And why did you decide to get made after being independent for so long?¡±


    His face is nk. ¡°Next question.¡±


    Okay, then. As we exit the living room, I notice a target set up with a knife stuck into it. Next to it is a hole in the wall, clearly from a miss.


    ¡°Working on your aim?¡± I joke.


    He cracks a smile. ¡°No, I was trying to hit the wall.¡±


    ¡°So just for my own understanding. When you got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, was you and Dominguez killing Robert and stuffing him into the piranha tank?¡±


    Alessio stops. ¡°Does that upset you?¡±


    ¡°No. If this is an arrangement, that¡¯s you holding up your end.¡±


    His face twitches. Have my words offended him? Then he steps forward. ¡°You¡¯re my wife now. No one will ever disrespect you in front of me again without waking up dead the next morning.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you really brought a new meaning tosleep with the fishes.¡±


    ¡°That was a nice touch, wasn¡¯t it? The piranha tank.¡±


    ¡°Am I sick in the head if I say yes?¡±


    ¡°Not nearly as sick as I am.¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°I won¡¯t argue that, considering you stalked me to a college party and choked a dude out so you could take his costume and be with me instead. He¡¯s okay, right?¡±


    ¡°Hit him with a syringe, actually. Very low probability it killed him.¡±


    ¡°Jesus. That was before we were married, too.¡±


    ¡°You were already mine.¡±


    I look up at him. God, he¡¯s handsome. Something about the way his slightly messy dark hair frames his face. ¡°That was really true in your mind, wasn¡¯t it?¡±


    He takes another step forward, right into my space. ¡°It was true. Period.¡±


    I gulp. ¡°And what made it true?¡±


    ¡°Imade it true. I make my own reality. I fucking wanted you and now you¡¯re mine.¡±


    ¡°And what reality are you trying to make now?¡±


    His eyes drill into me. ¡°You. Naked.¡±


    I blink. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If I have to say it again, I¡¯ll take your clothes off for you.¡±


    Shit. He¡¯s not joking. My cheeks starting to flush, I move to obey him, pulling my shirt over my head as he leans against the door frame, watching.


    ¡°Everything, A.¡±


    It turns me on so much when he gets authoritative like this. I strip off my pants, and then my bra, and finally, the panties.


    ¡°Jesus,¡± Alessio groans, drinking me in with his eyes. ¡°You are so fucking perfect.¡± Then he shakes his head, as though snapping himself out of a trance. ¡°Let¡¯s go swimming. I got the pool heating up on our way over here.¡±


    Iugh at the sudden change in tone. ¡°Swimming? I have no idea where any of my swimsuits are. I don¡¯t even know where your guys put my shit.¡±


    He grins. ¡°Your things are in the bedroom. But you won¡¯t be needing a swimsuit.¡±


    ¡°I-what?¡±


    I watch in shock as he pulls off his own shirt, and then the rest of his clothes, too. As though maically attracted, my eyes snap to the sharp V-lines at his waist. They extend all the way down to his crotch like they¡¯re carved into a statue. It¡¯s satisfying to realize that he¡¯s my husband, and I¡¯m allowed to check him out. I guess three hours in the gym could make sense with a body like that.


    Also, he looks about halfway hard. Hello.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he says, taking my hand.


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± Alessio leads me out to the balcony, buck naked, and I can barely bring myself to step over the threshold. I feel ridiculously exposed with the entire city stretching before me. It¡¯s broad daylight. The middle of the afternoon.


    ¡°Like this,¡± says my husband, stepping confidently outside.


    I take a deep breath, and then I just go for it. And you know what? It¡¯s tremendously freeing.


    ¡°You see this city?¡± he asks, pointing out to the skyline. Buildings stretch ahead of us. Below, a sea of cars.


    ¡°Yeah. I grew up here.¡±


    ¡°This is yours now. Ours. And we¡¯ll pass it down to our children.¡±


    I shiver, still not used to being naked outside like this. I know nobody can see us, but it feels so close to being in public.


    ¡°You like knowing that this embarrasses me, don¡¯t you? Being naked outside?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look embarrassed. You look excited. That¡¯s what I like.¡±


    ¡°Damn. You¡¯re not wrong.¡±


    ¡°I think what embarrasses you is the fact that youareexcited.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°That¡¯s the truest thing I¡¯ve ever heard. I guess I just feel like I¡¯m always walking a tightrope. Everybody loves a sexual woman until suddenly, she¡¯s a slut.¡±


    He looks at me very seriously. ¡°I meant what I said before. You don¡¯t ever have to be embarrassed or hide those parts of yourself around me. I want to explore all of those deep, dark ces inside of you.¡±


    I look up at him, biting my lip. ¡°Oh yeah?¡±


    His lips re. ¡°Yes. Sit on the edge of the pool. Now.¡±


    I can feel my body responding to themand in his voice. ¡°Is that an order?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You may own this city, but I ownyou.¡±


    Yes, sir. I walk over to the edge of the pool and sit down, dipping my feet into the warm water. Alessio wades into the pool, muscles rippling in the sun, and positions himself in front of me.


    ¡°Open those legs for me, baby,¡± he whispers, making eye contact.


    Blushing brilliantly, Iply. His gaze travels lower, burning approval in his eyes.


    ¡°Scoot closer for me, now.¡±


    My breath catching, I do as hemands. I¡¯ve never had anyone eat me out before. Is that what he wants to¡­


    It is. I gasp as his tongue slides through my folds, its warmth tickling in the most incredible way.


    ¡°Oh my¡­¡± My voice trails off into heavy breathing. Fuck, that feels good. So good I could almost forget where I am.


    A car horn sounds below, breaking me out of my bliss.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them,¡± Alessio breathes from between my legs. ¡°Nothing else matters. Nothing on the outside matters. Just me and you, and what I¡¯m doing with my tongue.¡±


    I lean back, starting to moan. He keeps sliding his tongue over my clit, then stopping. Over my clit, then stopping. Each time he does it, it feels better, until my hips start to tremble.


    My husband wraps his hands around my thighs, not allowing me to get away from him as it bes harder and harder not to squirm. I know I¡¯m being loud now, but it doesn¡¯t matter anymore. I think I might actuallye from this.


    ¡°Oh fuck,¡± I gasp, sliding closer and closer to the edge. ¡°Oh fuck, oh fuck¡­¡±


    Alessio keeps holding my pussy in ce as he licks me into one of the most earth-shattering orgasms I¡¯ve ever had. I fall back on the pool deck, exhausted, flooded with fuzzy hormones. When I¡¯m done, he climbs up next to me and I put my head on his chest.


    ¡°That¡¯s my fucking girl,¡± he whispers.

 26

    Alessio


    It¡¯s night. A¡¯s and my first together in the penthouse. We sit in chairs on the balcony by the pool, watching the brilliant colors of the sunset.


    ¡°This view is amazing,¡± A breathes.


    ¡°I barely even notice it,¡± I admit.


    ¡°That¡¯s sad.¡±


    ¡°Usually. I notice it tonight.¡±


    Tonight feels special. There¡¯s a certainfort between A and me that wasn¡¯t there before. It scares me. But within it, I feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things can be different. Maybe letting somebody else inwouldn¡¯t be so bad.


    She nudges my shoulder with her head. ¡°I want to tell you something.¡±


    I inhale. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I was a virgin. When we first¡­ you know. On our wedding night.¡±


    I¡¯d wondered as much, although I assumed not. A sAge sense of satisfaction bursts through me, knowing I was her first, and I¡¯ll be herst. Her only.


    And then I remember how rough I was. The way I dragged her into the bedroom, bent her over, and had my way. If I¡¯d known it was her first time, I would¡¯ve been gentler.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t more gentle,¡± I tell her gruffly. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was your first time.¡±


    She looks down. ¡°I¡­ liked it. I like it when you¡¯re rough.¡±


    This sends blood rushing to my cock. ¡°I can tell.¡±


    A bites her lip. ¡°The way you treat me¡­ it¡¯s like you¡¯re unlocking new turn-ons all the time.¡±


    I straighten up, my attention more than peaked. ¡°Are there things that turn you on you haven¡¯t told me?¡±


    She justughs. ¡°Oh, Alessio. If you only knew.¡±


    A hungry growl rumbles in my throat at the possibilities. ¡°I want to know every dirty thought. Every fantasy. Every kink you¡¯ve been too embarrassed to admit, much less explore.¡±


    She gives a little shiver, like she¡¯s cold, then looks at me with something mischievous in her eye. ¡°It turns me on when you take charge. When you just know what you want, and you take it. All the different dominance aspects¡­ I¡¯m pretty into all that stuff.¡±


    ¡°Be more specific.¡±


    Her cheeks redden. ¡°Well¡­ when you put your hand on my neck. When you give me orders. And when you tied me up at the hotel¡­ I definitely still think about that a lot.¡±


    I sigh in satisfaction. ¡°Fuck, baby girl¡­ Keep going.¡±


    Her blush deepens, and she doesn¡¯t look at me. ¡°I¡¯m embarrassed to say it.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re going to be a good girl and tell me anyway?¡±


    A keeps her eyes on the sunset. ¡°Well, the whole¡¯good girl¡¯thing, for one. But I was thinking about our wedding night¡­¡± She breaks off, and it takes a moment for her to continue. ¡°When you¡­ made me beg for my orgasm. Yeah. That was hot.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°So you like orgasm control. Me too. Very happy to include more of that.¡±


    She chuckles. ¡°Fuck. I¡¯m going to regret that, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°No. Because when I let youe, it will be so much sweeter.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t respond right away, but she doesn¡¯t seem ufortable. More like she¡¯s thinking.


    ¡°I liked being naked out here earlier,¡± A says. ¡°When you¡­ ate me out. Something about being in public, but not, you know?¡±


    ¡°You like being watched? Or the idea of being watched?¡±


    ¡°I think I like the idea of expressing my sexuality freely, without the risk of people knowing and judging me. It was the same thing dressing more skimpy on the beach in Italy. Nobody knew who I was. I was just some anonymous woman.¡±


    My mind is already racing with ideas. ¡°So to summarize¡­ other than freely exploring your sexuality¡­ you like being dominated, treated roughly, given orders, and made to ask permission for your orgasms? Did I miss anything?¡±


    She giggles. ¡°You forgot the hand on my neck. And I forgot to mention hair pulling. And also just like¡­ The way you overpower me. I like being able to struggle a bit, and then you just break through it.¡±


    ¡°Jesus, A¡­ you¡¯re 19? What did the intedoto your generation?¡±


    ¡°Hey, we inherited it from you old geezers¡­ We¡¯re not the ones who invented inte porn. Take some credit for how fucked up you made us, you deserveit.¡±


    Iugh. When¡¯s thest time I genuinelyughed? She makes me feel so light. ¡°I have a suggestion,¡± I purr. ¡°How about you can fight against me as much as you want, and I¡¯ll trust that it doesn¡¯t really mean shit unless you use your safeword.¡±


    Her eyes light up. ¡°¡­ Okay, wow. I really like that. What¡¯s my safeword?¡±


    ¡°Your safeword is¡¯red.''¡±


    ¡°¡®Red.¡¯Got it.¡± A looks down. ¡°I¡­ feel lightheaded. I literally can¡¯t believe we just had this conversation.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°In my home, we didn¡¯t talk openly about sex. It was always this shameful thing. It just feels crazy to be saying this stuff so normally.¡±


    I grin at her. ¡°It¡¯s not shameful here. My house, my rules.¡±


    She shakes her head in amazement. ¡°Damn, it really is your rules. So, what, are you like¡­ my dom now?¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to be?¡±


    She bites her lip. ¡°Kinda.¡±


    ¡°So say it.¡±


    ¡°Come on, are you really going to make me-¡±


    ¡°Say it,¡±I growl.


    ¡°I want you to be my dom,¡± she admits, blushing.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, pulling her into a kiss.

 27

    A


    There¡¯s this intense, lingering excitement inside me when I wake up the next morning in Alessio¡¯s bed. Our bed, I realize. Last night almost didn¡¯t feel real. From being full of dread at the idea of a life with him, to nervous anticipation at the idea of these new things we¡¯re going to explore together. What a journey that whole conversation was.


    I can¡¯t believe I admitted to him all that stuff I¡¯m into. I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said that in my father¡¯s home, sex wasn¡¯t discussed. Now, thanks to friends and TV and the Inte, I didn¡¯t grow up, like, super sheltered, but just the idea of talking openly about dirty sex things brings me this deep undercurrent of embarrassment.


    Much less telling my new husband that I want him to be my dom. Jesus, that really happened?


    I haven¡¯t opened my eyes yet. I¡¯m still groggy, but in the best possible way, feeling cozy and turned on and safe all at the same time. Wanting to cuddle, I start to turn over, but something stops me.


    Huh? I try again, my eyes blinking open. But my hands won¡¯t move. As I orient myself, I realize they¡¯re secured tightly above my head.


    ¡°Good morning, darling,¡±es Alessio¡¯s voice.


    Now fully awake, I stare at him. He¡¯s standing in the doorway watching me, wearing nothing but nnel sleep pants. I can see from his bulge that he¡¯s aroused.


    I struggle against my restraints. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    He smirks. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    I try to move my hands again, and the fact that I genuinely can¡¯t is a massive turn-on. ¡°I think somebody¡¯s in the mood,¡± I say, ncing at his crotch.


    He walks over to the bed, and damn, I feel helpless. All I can do is quiver in ce as he sits down next to me and strokes my face. ¡°I am,¡± he whispers, bringing his mouth to my ear.


    All I¡¯m wearing is a thin pair of sleep shorts and a matching top. Alessio pushes the top up, exposing my breasts, then devours them with his eyes. ¡°God, these are so nice.¡± He strokes his finger across my skin, and my nipples harden rapidly.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I whimper, clenching my legs as my pussy starts to tingle. ¡°You really like having me helpless, don¡¯t you?¡±


    My husband smiles. ¡°I do.¡±


    I try to control my breathing as his hands slide down my tummy, all the way to my waistband. Instinctively, I try to stop him from pulling my shorts down, but the gesture is as pointless as you¡¯d expect. He controls my lower body effortlessly, peeling my shortsand underwear off in one motion and tossing them on the bed next to me.


    A shiver runs through me at how vulnerable I am now. Completely immobilized and basically naked. I attempt to close my legs, to keep some modesty, but he doesn¡¯t let me, kneeling in front of me on the bed and holding them apart with his knees as his hand goes to my neck.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to hide yourself from me, A. Every part of you is mine to enjoy. Even that sweet little pussy.¡±


    ¡°Even-¡± I cut myself off, not sure if I can bring myself to say it.


    ¡°Finish the sentence,¡± he growls, tightening his grip on my neck.


    I gasp and my breathing gets heavier. He looks at me expectantly, raising his eyebrows.


    I feel gloriously dirty as I confess the fantasy that¡¯s been in the back of my head for as long as I can remember. ¡°Even¡­ even my ass?¡±


    Alessio¡¯s eyes sh. ¡°Even your ass,¡± he agrees. ¡°Fuck, A, you really are a perfect sub for me. Should we train that little hole to belong to me, too?¡±


    I nod, not meeting his eyes. It¡¯s like the floodgates are opening. I¡¯m finally safe to admit the things I never thought I could.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± my husband whispers, voice sending tingles through me. ¡°I love hearing about all the things you want. All the new parts of you I¡¯m going to im.¡±


    He takes out his cock, already throbbing, and ps it against my clit. ¡°This is mine, isn¡¯t it?¡± he asks, dominating me with his gaze.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I whimper, already needy for him inside me again. ¡°It¡¯s yours.¡±


    Alessio slides the head of his cock through my folds, and ites up glistening. Without a word, he pushes himself inside.


    I absolutely lose myself in the sensation as he rails me. Quicker than expected, I hear him groan, and feel his cock twitching aswarmth spreads inside me. The fact that I¡¯m on birth control does nothing to blunt how wonderfullyimedthat makes me feel.


    ¡°Mine,¡± he groans, pulling out. He gets up and I whimper as he leaves the bed. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± he tells me, grinning.


    I writhe helplessly, unable to so much as touch my pussy as his cum leaks out of it. Alessio leaves the room.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I call after him. Twisting my head, I search for the buckles restraining my wrists. Can I get them off?


    Maybe. It¡¯s hard to tell. I scratch at the straps, trying¡­


    ¡°Busted,¡±es his voice, closer than I expected. Turning my head sharply, I see that he¡¯s crept into the room and is watching my escape attempt.


    ¡°Oh. Hi,¡± I say sheepishly.


    ¡°For the record,¡± he tells me, putting something down on the dresser, ¡°there was no chance of you getting out of these straps. But I think there¡¯s going to have to be a punishment for trying.¡±


    Instantly, I can feel my cheeks turn red. ¡°A punishment? But-¡±


    ¡°It is never eptable for you to try to get out of your restraints,¡± Alessio tells me firmly. From now on, that will get you punished. Every single time.¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine. But-¡±


    ¡°Every single time, A.¡±


    My heart is racing. The thought of him getting to punish me is humiliating and arousing all at once. And the position I¡¯m in is so incredibly helpless. ¡°What are you going to-¡±


    He picks up my panties from the bed next to me and stuffs them into my mouth. ¡°I talk. You listen.¡±

 28

    Alessio


    A res at me with her mouth full of panties. I justugh, patting her cheek. ¡°You¡¯re not in charge here. Sorry, babe. We¡¯re going to start with some pussy spanks.¡±


    Her eyes go wide as I give her pussy a little p, right on her clit. The angry sound she makes is so muffled, I find it cute.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re helpless right now. The sooner you submit to me fully, the sooner your punishment will be over.¡±


    She thrashes and tries to spit out her panties, but I stuff them back in.


    ¡°If you spit these out, you¡¯re going to be in a lot more trouble. Keep them in your mouth.¡±


    A glowers, but I can see in her eyes that she¡¯s starting to surrender. She doesn¡¯t try to spit them out again.


    I spank her pussy. She whimpers, trying to close her legs. I hold them open.


    ¡°When I tie you up, you do not try to get away,¡± I growl, peppering her cunt with little ps. ¡°Is that understood?¡±


    She ignores me, so I keep spanking her pussy. I¡¯m happy to do it. It looks so pretty like this, all red and swollen. I know that with each p, I¡¯m bringing her pleasure as well as pain.


    ¡°Is that understood?¡± I repeat, easily overpowering her attempts to close her legs. ¡°Is that fucking understood?¡±


    Whimpering, my wife nods. I end her punishment, watching her thighs quiver.


    ¡°Are you ready to be a good girl for me?¡±


    She nods again.


    I sigh. Fucking hell, I love it when she submits. I go over to the dresser to retrieve the toy I have prepared, still in its package.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have you wear this plug for me now, A,¡± I tell her, freeing it from the stic. ¡°And you¡¯re going toe for me with it inside you. Do you understand?¡±


    She res at me. I hold the eye contact, smirking when her re finally breaks and she nods.


    ¡°Good girl. Now try to rx for me.¡± I squirt lube all over the plug, then lift her legs with one arm and use the other to press the toy against her little hole. ¡°Just rx, and it¡¯ll go right in.¡±


    Her breathing gets slow and shaky. I can tell that she¡¯s trying to rx. I stroke her inner thighs, giving her a moment, then I push the plug inside her. ¡°There you go, baby. You¡¯re doing so good.¡±


    She moans as it pops inside.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad, was it?¡±


    A shakes her head. Getting up, I untie one of her hands and ce a vibrator in it.


    ¡°I want you to use this now. But don¡¯t make yourself cum until I give you permission.¡±


    She does as Imand. I watch, deeply satisfied. It scratches a primal itch to see her tied up and plugged exactly the way I put her, following orders.


    My good fucking girl.


    When my cock feels ready again, I p it against her cunt, causing her eyes to widen sharply. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to fuck you again. Keep working on your pussy with that vibe.¡±


    I groan as I push myself inside her. I love knowing that I¡¯m stretching her, that she¡¯s already slick with my cum. She¡¯s mine. I will never get tired of iming her.


    Moving my hand to A¡¯s neck, I fuck her until I can tell she¡¯s close to climax. Then I pull the panties out of her mouth so she can speak.


    ¡°You ask permission when you¡¯re ready toe, understand, A?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± she says desperately, her face screwed up with pleasure. ¡°Alessio, I¡¯m close¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you say?¡± I growl. ¡°What do you say when you want toe?¡±


    Hermuscles start to clench. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ Alessio¡­Please¡­¡±


    ¡°Beg me for it,¡± I taunt, thrusting towards my own release. I want her to submit to me even more.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    She pouts, looking away, but she doesn¡¯t stop with the vibrator.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it away,¡± I warn, grabbing the toy so she can¡¯t use it. ¡°Youe when I give you permission, and not before.¡±


    ¡°Please,¡±she gasps, finally making eye contact. Her voice is almost a moan, barely controlled. ¡°Please, fucking please, I need toe¡­¡±


    ¡°Come for me, my good girl,¡± I groan, getting closer and closer myself. ¡°Oh fuck, A, you cane for me now.¡±


    She sighs, her pussy clenching around me, and that brings me past the point of no return. I slump forward, body pressing down onto her, releasing myself inside her for the second time today.


    ¡°You always need permission toe with me now,¡± I breathe into her ear, my voice hoarse. ¡°Do you understand, baby?¡±


    A pause, and then a shaky breath. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± my wife whispers.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I praised her, burying my face in her neck.

 29

    A


    Alessio doesn¡¯t shed a single tear at his grandfather¡¯s funeral. He watches with cold, emotionless eyes as they lower the casket into the ground.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family members-today we bid farewell to a man whose life was truly a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and to itsplexity.¡±


    My husband¡¯s face doesn¡¯t so much as twitch as the priest¡¯s words wash over him. He¡¯s been like this all day-cold. Like he¡¯s willing himself not to feel.


    ¡°Nazio  Razone was a man who made his mark on the world. He was loved by his family, trusted and respected by his associates. Bysome, he was even feared. He cared greatly for his legacy, a legacy which continues to this day.¡±


    Atst, Alessio reacts. Almost nothing, a tremor of his eyelid, a stiffening of his posture. I reach out, offering my hand for him to take. He stares at it for a moment, as though in confusion, before interlocking his fingers with mine. Almost like he¡¯s reluctant.


    ¡°Nazio ¡®s life was not without hardship. 15 years ago, he experienced the tragic loss of his son, Andres, and his daughter-inw, Julia.¡±


    Alessio squeezes my hand, staring forward, face nk. A rush of emotiones over me as I realize the priest must be talking about his parents. I never knew about that. He would have been a teenager when it happened.


    ¡°But even in that loss, there was light. Nazio  took in the couple¡¯s only child, his grandson Alessio, and raised him as though he was his own. I believe Nazio ¡®s true character can be seen in the love he showed for that child. I am told that in the final months of his life, nothing filled his heart more than the fact that the two of them had grown closer.¡±


    I look over at my husband, and there¡¯s not a hint of emotion on his face. He doesn¡¯t look back.


    We don¡¯t talk much after the funeral. He doesn¡¯t say anything, and I don¡¯t want to interrupt his space. We drive home in silence, several trays of baked ziti made by his associates¡¯ wives sitting in the backseat.


    ¡°How can I be there for you?¡± I ask when we reach his penthouse. ¡°What would help you?¡±


    He doesn¡¯t say anything, but pulls me close to him. I had expected a hug, but instead I get a rough, dominating kiss. I return it, allowing his tongue to enter my mouth and his hands to slide up my thighs, under my dress.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I¡¯ll give this to you, if this is what you need.


    ¡°Mine,¡± he groans, pressing me against the wall. There¡¯s a neediness in his actions. Like he¡¯s losing himself into me.


    ¡°Yours,¡± I whisper. ¡°Use me however you need.¡±

 30

    Alessio


    Six weekster


    Even though I¡¯ve only been out of town for a week, I feel some anxiety lift when I spot A waiting for me at the airport. She¡¯s dressed as I instructed, in a short skirt and this yellow crop top that I like.


    Immediately, my mind wanders between her legs. I want to know if she¡¯s followed my other instruction as well.


    She sees me andes striding over. ¡°How was your flight?¡±


    ¡°Uneventful,¡± I say, d to squeeze her again. ¡°Come here.¡±


    I pull her into a deep, shameless kiss, not caring about anyone else around us in the airport. In this moment, she¡¯s the only thing that exists.


    ¡°You dressed exactly how I asked,¡± I whisper in her ear, breaking the kiss.


    ¡°Commanded, more than asked,¡± A whispers back. ¡°And I¡¯m wearingeverythingyou said.¡±


    Blood rushes to my cock at the thought. I move my hand to her waist, guiding her in the direction of the exit.


    ¡°Okay, okay, someone¡¯s in a hurry,¡± she giggles.


    When we get to the car, I can barely contain myself. ¡°Passenger seat,¡± I order, stuffing my suitcase in the trunk and mming it shut. To my satisfaction, she obeys me immediately.


    I climb into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Take those panties off and spread your legs for me.¡±


    She looks slightly shocked. ¡°Do you really-¡±


    ¡°If I have to say it again, I¡¯m stuffing them in your mouth.¡±


    Flushing, she does as Imand. A growl rumbles in my throat as I lean over, peering at her wet, swollen pussy and the hint of a jeweled butt plug peeking from between her cheeks.


    ¡°I love how wet it makes your pussy, wearing that plug in public,¡± I breathe, transfixed.


    ¡°That and obeying you,¡± she admits. ¡°Wow, I¡¯m really wet.¡±


    I put the car into gear. ¡°Touch yourself while I drive us home.¡±


    She opens her mouth to protest, then closes it. Without another word, she starts rubbing her pussy.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I tell her, putting a hand on her thigh.


    It¡¯s as we¡¯re driving through downtown Bover City that she starts to whimper.


    ¡°I¡¯m close,¡± A gasps, clenching her legs. ¡°Can Ie? Please can Ie?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I tell her tly.


    ¡°What? Please!¡±


    ¡°Not yet, Ave.¡±


    ¡°Whyyy?¡±she whimpers. ¡°You fucking dick!¡±


    I smirk at the insult. ¡°Somebody needs a spanking. We¡¯ll revisit that remark when we get home. Have you been wearing your plug for me while I was away?¡±


    She¡¯s been instructed to wear her plug every day for thest week, for increasing amounts of time. My way of preparing her for me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± says A, her voice shaking.


    ¡°Good. After your punishment, I¡¯m going to im your ass.¡±


    ***


    I can tell A is going nuts from when I made her touch herself in the car. Good. I like her needy. Nothing gives me that rush of power more than knowing she¡¯s desperate for a release only I can provide. She follows me from the car to the house, face very red.


    ¡°Hands on the wall,¡± I growl the moment we get inside. ¡°Leaning forward, butt out.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t do it immediately, so I grab her by the waist and force her into position, eliciting a squeal. Flipping up her skirt, I deliver several hard spanks. ¡°Want to tell me again who¡¯s a fucking dick?¡±


    ¡°You are, obviously.¡±


    ¡°I missed you too,¡± I taunt, pressing on the plug in her ass until she gasps. ¡°I can tell you¡¯ve really been needing me to put you in your ce.¡±


    ¡°Asshole-ow!¡±


    I rain spanks down on her ass, pinning her arms behind her back when she attempts to cover herself. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought. Let all that defiance out. You won¡¯t need it when I¡¯m iming your tight little hole.¡±


    A lets out a growl, pushing against me, and almost manages to escape from where I¡¯m punishing her. I grab her by the waist to stop her, then fling her over my shoulder and carry her to the living room.


    ¡°Okay, over my knee,¡± I say, sitting down on the couch and forcing her into an undignified bent-over position across myp. I pin her legs with one of mine so she can¡¯t escape. ¡°Time for the spanking you so clearly need.¡±


    I spank A until her breathing is heavy and I can see my handprint on her ass.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she whimpers finally. ¡°I¡¯ll be good.¡±


    I grab a handful of her hair. ¡°Do you mean that, or are you just saying it?¡±


    ¡°I mean it.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you show me. Let¡¯s see you get on your knees and swallow my cock now.¡±


    Shivering, she sinks to the floor, kneeling in front of me. I smirk, staring down at her. ¡°Unbuckle me.¡±


    A does it, eyes fixed on my cock as she takes it out of my pants. Fuck, I missed this.


    ¡°You know what to do.¡±


    I sigh as her lips wrap around my shaft.


    ¡°Let me see how deep you can go.¡±


    She makes eye contact, almost gagging as she tries to go deeper.


    ¡°There you go, good girl.¡± I move my hand to the back of her head, keeping her on my cock. She looks at me with wide eyes, and after a few seconds, a tear trickled down her cheek.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I whisper. ¡°You¡¯re doing such a good job taking this cock. Just let me fuck this little mouth now.¡±


    I cup A¡¯s chin as I thrust into her throat, watching her eyes get red and teary. Every so often, I reach down and spank her ass, making her squeal.


    ¡°There¡¯s my good fucking girl,¡± I growl. ¡°Fuck yes. That¡¯s exactly what I fucking need. Oh fuck.¡±


    My cock twitches and I hold A still, stopping the stimtion. I¡¯m not ready toe yet.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I breathe, pulling her mouth off my cock. ¡°Okay. I¡¯m going to fuck your ass now, okay, baby?¡±


    ***Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    A


    Involuntarily, my muscles clench around the plug. I¡¯m a total fucking mess, with spit running down my chin and wetness leaking down my thighs. I came so close toing in the car ride, and it was so hard to pull back. Now my whole body is screaming for release.


    Alessio keeps his fist in my hair as he walks me to the bedroom, controlling me tightly. When we reach the bed, he bends me roughly over the side, holding me down by the back of my neck and giving my ass a spank.


    ¡°Where are you about to take my cock, A?¡±


    ¡°My ass,¡± I squeak in a small voice. Alessio likes making me say dirty things, and even though I¡¯ve gotten a bit better at it, it still makes me so embarrassed.


    His voice is husky. ¡°That¡¯s right. Rx for me now.¡±


    I do my best to rx as he slides the plug out of me. All of a sudden, I feel empty. I¡¯ve been wearing it for a while.


    ¡°Goddamn, your little hole is so nice,¡±es his voice from behind me. My cheeks get hot as his finger starts to circle my asshole, slick with lube. Then he puts something in my hand, and I realize that it¡¯s a vibrator. ¡°You¡¯re going to use this on your clit.¡±


    Fumbling at the buttons, I click the vibrator on. I must have a Pavlovian response to that sound, because immediately, my pussy begins to tingle. I press the toy to my clit, pleasure emanating through me.


    Alessio groans and his hands grip my ass, spreading my cheeks apart. His cock presses against my hole, straining, and it¡¯s so intense that a whimper escapes me.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing such a good job,¡± my husband praises me. ¡°Just keep rxing for me so you can take this cock where it belongs.¡±


    ¡°Oh fuckkkk!¡±I moan out loud as he breaks through my body¡¯s resistance and his cock slides all the way inside my ass. ¡°Oh my God, fuck, oh fuck fuck fuck¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby,¡± he whispers, stroking my hair. ¡°Just take a moment to get used to me.¡±


    He feels so big. Sobig. All I can do is breathe and adapt to the overwhelming new sensation.


    ¡°Good girl. Such a good girl. Stay like that while I fuck you now.¡±


    He starts to move himself inside me, and it¡¯s like nothing I¡¯ve ever experienced. He feels so much deeper than when he fucks my pussy, so much tighter, so much¡­more. It¡¯s right on that line between pain and pleasure, like I¡¯m so tight, I can barely take him.


    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he growls, starting to move faster. ¡°Just like that¡­ Fuck yes, take this fucking cock¡­¡±


    My fingers scramble at the sheets in front of me. ¡°Yes,¡± I gasp. ¡°Alessio, I want you to fucking use me¡­¡±


    He snarls, spanking my ass, and his fingers dig into the flesh of my hips as he thrusts faster. ¡°Oh my God. Oh my fucking God¡­¡±


    My pussy starts to twitch as I rub it with the vibrator, and I realize that I¡¯m perilously close to orgasm.


    ¡°Please, let mee!¡± I beg, any hint of dignity forgotten. ¡°Please, I need it, please¡­¡±


    ¡°You cane,¡± Alessio growls, his voice strained. ¡°Oh, fuck, I¡¯ming too¡­¡±


    I grind the vibrator furiously against my clit as he rails my ass, cock starting to pulse. My orgasm continues as his thrusting slows. ¡°Oh my fucking-¡±


    My voice goes silent, like the pleasure went so high, I got stuck on mute. I white out, my brain glitching, ass clenching around my husband¡¯s cock.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± Alessio whispers when my twitching stills, stroking my back. He¡¯s still inside me. ¡°Fuck, Ave, I needed you so fucking bad.¡±

 31

    A


    ¡°Thanks for being down to celebrate,¡± I say to Belle-Ann, sipping my can of beer.


    ¡°Of course! It¡¯s your 20th birthday. Bet your ass we¡¯re celebrating.¡±


    It¡¯s Saturday night and we¡¯re partying in Belle-Ann¡¯s apartment near campus. She¡¯s got a bunch of people over, mostly her friends from college, with a couple of our old high school friends mixed in. Music is ying, and a group on the balcony overlooking the street is passing around a pipe.


    ¡°I still think you should tell Alessio your birthday is on Monday,¡± my friend says. ¡°I know it¡¯s¡­ not exactly a love marriage, but he¡¯s still your husband.¡±


    I shake myhead. ¡°I don¡¯t want to put more on his te. He¡¯s busy enough taking over both families.¡±


    That¡¯s not really why I haven¡¯t told him. The truth is, I¡¯m worried he won¡¯t care. If he doesn¡¯t know it¡¯s my birthday, I can¡¯t be disappointed at him doing nothing to acknowledge it.


    ¡°Try it,¡± Belle-Ann urges, as though reading my mind. ¡°It sounds like he¡¯s obsessed with you. I¡¯ll bet he wants to do something to celebrate.¡±


    ¡°Obsessed with me?¡± I scoff. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. He only married me for myst name.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s why he-¡± she lowers her voice. ¡°And that¡¯s why he stalked you to the Halloween party andmitted a fucking assault just so he could-¡±


    ¡°Shhh! Not so loud!¡±


    Belle-Ann raises her eyebrows smugly. ¡°Anyway, I think you take my point. Not to mention theotherthings you¡¯ve told me¡­¡±


    She breaks off into giggles. I blush. Before the other guests came over, I did confess to her some of what Alessio and I have been up to sexually. Other than some mild teasing, she took it in stride.


    ¡°I think he just likes fucking me,¡± I say. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean his feelings go deeper than that. In fact, I¡¯m pretty sure they don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t the Halloween party before he fucked you, though?¡±


    ¡°Okay, so hewantedto fuck me. Same difference.¡±


    ¡°He wanted tomarryyou. I thought things were good between you two? Why are you being so defensive?¡±


    ¡°I just¡­ Things are good. But if I tell him it¡¯s my birthday, and then he doesn¡¯t do anything special and I feel like shit, then things won¡¯t be good anymore. I¡¯d rather not rock the boat, you know?¡±


    Belle-Ann hugs me, looking sad. ¡°Yeah, I get it. I just think you deserve better than that.¡±


    I wrinkle my nose, ready for a change of topic. ¡°Enough about me. How did your Tinderdate go?¡±


    She makes a face of disgust. ¡°Tall. Hot. Total asshole.¡± Her phone buzzes and she nces at the screen. ¡°Shit, that¡¯s him now. I already said no to a second date. How do I get him to stop texting me?¡±


    ***


    I take an Uber back home and don¡¯t get in until after midnight. I had expected Alessio to be asleep, but instead, he¡¯s in the living room watching a movie. He pauses it as Ie in.


    ¡°Did you have a good time with your friends?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Yeah, it was fun.¡±


    ¡°No underage drinking, I hope?¡±


    I sit down on the couch next to him. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know anything about that. I have never experimented with alcohol.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    He chuckles. ¡°Not until your 21st birthday, of course.¡±


    My brain catches on the word birthday. I try to ignore it. ¡°What are you watching?¡±


    ¡°Would you roll your eyes if I saidThe Godfather?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. The sacred story of our people.¡± I lean against him, wishing I could just tell him. I know it¡¯s stupid. But this moment feels so cozy and domestic.


    Almost like we¡¯re married for real.


    ¡°A?¡±


    ¡°Yes?


    ¡°Do you see the pen and paper on the coffee table in front of you?¡±


    I look, and sure enough, there it is. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I want you to write down your most extreme fantasy. It can be as wild and specific as you like. It can be stuff we¡¯ve already done, or it can all be brand-new. It can be expensive. Whatever you want. I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±


    These words put butterflies in my stomach. My most extreme fantasy? ¡°I¡­ What? Why? What is this?¡±


    He grins. ¡°You¡¯re going to be 20. Now, me being 10 years older, I¡¯m not much good at ragers or drinking games. But making your little pussy twitch is something I am good at. So anything you want to explore with me, just name it. You¡¯re allowed to make it as insane and over-the-top as you want.¡±


    I chuckle nervously, even as I¡¯m already getting excited. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I have some pretty crazy fantasies. Not sure you¡¯d be able to hang with me.¡±


    ¡°Is that a challenge?¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    His eyes sh. ¡°So challenge me. Whatever it says on that paper when I wake up in the morning is going to be a reality.¡±


    My mind races, the dirtiest of thoughts already taking shape. So many possibilities. I have toe up with something good.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go to sleep,¡± Alessio tells me with a wink. ¡°Happy almost-birthday.¡±


    I stare at the paper long after he goes to bed. What an opportunity. The ces my brain goes when I¡¯m horny can be, shall we say, a little intense. Do I dare reveal that? Do I dareindulgethat? Even more than we already have?


    This is my chance to.


    I spend some time browsing on my phone, exploring different kinks. An idea starts to form. A wild idea.


    When it solidifies, I can¡¯t help but giggle madly.


    He wants over-the-top? I can do that.

 32

    Alessio


    When I wake up the next morning, A pretends to still be asleep in bed next to me. I¡¯m guessing she¡¯s embarrassed to follow me out to the living room and be present when I read whatever fantasy she wrote.


    That makes me excited. That means she wrote somethinggood. I make myself a bowl of cereal in the kitchen, bring it to the living room, and sit down. On the table in front of me is the paper from the night before, now covered in A¡¯s neat handwriting.


    Fantasy: you hunt me on a private ind.


    Istare at the first line, blinking, and then augh escapes me. Okay. Wow. She wenthriouslyhard with the prompt I gave her. More over-the-top than I could have expected, by a factor of like 10. I keep reading, my amusement giving way to interest and then arousal as the fantasy continues:


    Details: I don¡¯t know any of the specifics. You just whisk me away. I wake up alone on the beach and use my wits to escape you for as long as I can. When (if!;) you catch me, I get to fight back as much as I want, and you have to physically subdue me. Then you keep me restrained while using me in whatever way you want as your little sex doll.


    I let out a deep breath. Jesus. That is easily as dirty as anything I could havee up with. Not even to mention the logistics involved. How long did it take her toe up with this? And I haven¡¯t even read all of what she wrote.


    Allowed:


    Bondage (obviously)


    Spanking/punishment


    Rough treatment (Iwantyou to be rough)


    Anal


    Consensual nonconsent (you overpower me and don¡¯t stop unless I use my safeword)


    Not allowed:


    Piss/shit/blood/vomit


    General notes:


    Ideally, this experience wouldst several days.


    IF you can catch me, you get to make me your whore for as long as I stay caught.


    What turns me on is youpletely taking charge and making me helpless. I want to be totally at your mercy.


    Have funnnn! ??


    I keep looking at the paper, reading it over and over again. I knew my girl had a dirty mind. The enthusiasm with which she¡¯s taken to our blooming dom/sub dynamic has made that perfectly clear. But this? This is another level. Putting aside the expense, the insanelevel of kinkiness¡­ This requires a lot of trust. Trust that, apparently, I¡¯ve earned from her.


    The thought satisfies me deeply. I want her to trust me, to feel safe with me. But also¡­ I mean, fuck. That¡¯s a level of intimacy with my wife I didn¡¯t expect to reach. Certainly not this quickly.


    Or at all.


    A became my obsession the moment Iid eyes on her. But when I pictured her being my ything, I never imagined the closeness that woulde along with it. I never imagined that earning her trust would melt me like this.


    I didn¡¯t realize I would care.


    Behind me, I hear her footstepsing from the bedroom. I look up as she enters, wearing nothing but her underwear and one of my shirts. She stops in the middle of the living room as she sees me reading her note.


    ¡°I guess you found it.¡±


    Picking the note off the coffee table, I fold it and put it in my pocket. ¡°I did.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    I grin. ¡°That¡¯s quite a fantasy.¡±


    She giggles. ¡°I was mostly joking. I know it¡¯s not realistic to-¡±


    ¡°Are you joking because you don¡¯t actually want that, or because you think it¡¯s not realistic?¡±


    ¡°Oh, the second one. I would definitely want that. You know, in a perfect-¡±


    ¡°Done.¡±


    She stares at me. ¡°Done?¡±


    ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means I told you that you would get to experience whatever fantasy you wrote down on that paper, and you will.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s crazy. I mean¡­ really?¡±


    ¡°I was about to start making arrangements. Should I not?¡±


    ¡°What kind of arrangements?¡±


    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t want to know any of the specifics.¡±


    A opens her mouth, then closes it. ¡°¡­ Fair enough.¡±


    I pat the seat next to me, indicating that she should sit down. ¡°Did I just call your bluff? It¡¯s not toote to back out.¡±


    She shakes her head, looking amazed. ¡°No, I¡­ This is crazy. There¡¯s no way you can pull that off.¡±


    ¡°Try me.¡±


    My wife stares at me, eyebrows raised, as though waiting for me to tell her I¡¯m just kidding. When I don¡¯t, she nods. ¡°Okay. Okay. I¡¯m not backing out. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±


    ***


    I spend the whole afternoon making ns, mostly in my office so A won¡¯t see anything. When evening hits, I find her in the living room.


    She pauses the show she¡¯s watching and looks up at me excitedly. ¡°So? How¡¯s the search for a private ind going?¡±


    I don¡¯t answer her question. More fun to keep the mystery. ¡°Okay, well, there¡¯s more than one way to do this. But I think the best one is what I¡¯m about to suggest.¡±


    She frowns, confused. ¡°Okay? Do what?¡±


    I hold out my hand, containing a single small white pill. ¡°What if I said you could take this pill, and when you wake up, your fantasy will be true?¡±


    She snorts. ¡°I¡¯d say it sounds like you¡¯re trying to convert me into a suicide cult.¡±


    Goddamn, she makes meugh. We both break into chuckles for a moment.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± A prompts me as ourughter fades. ¡°You were offering me a suicide pill or something?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a goddamn sedative,¡± I say, throwing back my head. ¡°I would never give you anything that would hurt you. Do you trust me when I say that?¡±


    She pauses, and her face gets more serious. ¡°Yeah. I do.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to take this? Otherwise, you can wear a blindfold and earmuffs as we travel to our destination.¡±


    ¡°Travel to our destination¡­ Wow, you¡¯re really not kidding about this.¡± A eyes the little white orb in my hand. ¡°Well, I usually just take an edible for ne rides. But hey, what the fuck.¡± She takes the pill from me and swallows it without water. ¡°How long until it kicks in?¡±


    ¡°Within the next hour.¡±


    Her whole body gives this adorable, excited little shake. ¡°Damn. I still can¡¯t believe it. Are¡­¡± She looks mischievous now. ¡°Are you going to¡­ you know, y with mewhile I¡¯m out?¡±


    I raise my eyebrows. ¡°Do you want me to?¡±


    She looks down, and there¡¯s something guilty in her voice. ¡°Maybe a little.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I want to hear a yes or a no,¡± I growl.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she tells me, not meeting my eyes.


    20 minutester, she¡¯s unconscious.


    90 minutester, we¡¯re on a ne.

 33

    A


    I blink groggily. It feels like I¡¯ve been in bed for hours, halfway between being awake and being asleep. Vaguely, I remember a conversation with Alessio, something about my birthday. We were joking about my crazy ind fantasy, I think. And did he give me a pill?


    My eyes open. It¡¯s bright. Can somebody close the window? I squint, trying to orient myself as my brain processes the sound of ocean waves.


    Waves?


    Holy shit, I¡¯m on the beach. I spring to my feet in shock, blinking in the sunlight. I¡¯m in the shade, some kind of small, wooden beach hut, lying on a cushy air mattress.


    And I¡¯mnaked. Completely naked. And ncing around, there¡¯s not a stitch of clothing in sight.


    There are other things, though. A backpack. A container of what looks like overnight oats, ready to eat. A pair of sneakers. An orange re gun. And anote. I grab it, reading what must be Alessio¡¯s handwriting:


    Happy 20th birthday, A!


    You are far from home. I won¡¯t tell you where. Here is what I will tell you:


    You are on a private ind.


    I am the only other person on the ind.


    I have left you with food, water, sunblock, etc.


    There are more supply caches scattered across the ind, marked with yellow gs.


    If at any point you need help or want the game to end, fire your re gun in the air.


    I will begin searching for you at noon.


    When I find you, I am going to make youmy fucktoy.


    I keep staring at the note, reading it over and over again. Oh my God, I remember taking the pill now. Alessio said I would wake up at my destination. I wasn¡¯t sure whether to take him seriously or not.


    How long ago was that? Did wee here by ne? By boat? What part of the world are we even in?This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    It¡¯s a weird turn-on that he took my clothes. There¡¯s so much ownership in that. He set all of this up, handledeverything, while I was unconscious. That can¡¯t have been easy. Or cheap.


    I will begin searching for you at noon.


    I nce at the sky. Noon means the sun is directly overhead. From what I can tell, I should have¡­ an hour? An hour and a half? I really don¡¯t know. Time to eat my oats and get going.


    ***


    After scarfing down my overnight oats and covering my naked body in sunblock, I¡¯m ready to move. I check the backpack, which contains a water bottle, some kind of lightweight sleeping bag, a few protein bars, more sunblock, and a shlight. Then I start walking. I want to put distance between myself and my starting ce before noon hits.


    I walk down the beach for a little while, keeping my feet in the area where the waves hit so the tide covers my footprints. Eventually, I decide I¡¯ll be too easy to spot out in the open, so I pull the sneakers out of my backpack and make my way into the jungle-looking area that lies beyond the beach.


    Being naked outside like this feels just as weird and vulnerable as it did on Alessio¡¯s balcony. I keep feeling like someone will see me, and I should cover up. But there¡¯s no osee me. Just me and him.


    That feeling of being hunted is such a thrill. Knowing there¡¯s someone looking for me, trying to catch me, nning to do things to me. The ultimate thrill, of course, is the part where Idoget caught, where I get dominated and restrained and used in whatever rough ways my husband intends.


    But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m going to make it easy. In fact, a lot of my excitementes from just how difficult I intend to be. I want to be legitimately overpowered, to fight back and keep fighting while Alessio ims what he wants.


    The fact that I¡¯m naked really adds to the vulnerability of it. In this moment, I truly am his prey. And I love it.


    The sun is overhead now. I shiver in excitement. In my mind, I can see Alessio setting out to find me, dressed in a safari outfit. As I tiptoe through the woods, I¡¯m suddenly worried about how much sound I¡¯m making. Every creaking tree, every gust of wind, sends nervous tingles through me.


    Through the trees ahead, a sh of yellow catches my eye. That must be one of the supply caches. I creep forward, wary. Peering through the branches, I see a clear, sandy area on a slight hill where an umbre covers a small table. On top of the umbre is a yellow g, wavingzily in the breeze.


    I stay where I am, scanning for any sign of movement. When I see nothing, I scurry out from the woods to check what¡¯s under the umbre.


    It¡¯s a basket holding little baggies of chips in several vors. Next to it, straws, cups, and a cooler containing what seems to be iced tea. Quickly, I pour myself a cup and set off, leaving the chips. The caffeine burst is wee, but there¡¯s no way in hell he¡¯s going to catch me because of my crunching.

 34

    Alessio


    The night before


    It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve been on a private jet. I sure as shit don¡¯t own one, and my work has rarely called for me to fly privately. Thankfully, it isn¡¯t hard to find a rental if you have the right money and connections. The owners of these jets don¡¯t want their expensive assets sitting idle, so they¡¯re always renting them out.


    I sit in the cabin, a luxurious space that feels more like a fancy hotel room than part of an airne. Next to me, A sleeps peacefully, one of those U-shaped travel pillows supporting her head. She looks so beautiful. Almost innocent.


    You¡¯d never guess the dirty thoughts that lie behind that angelic face.


    A wave of possessiveness washes over me. Or is that affection? I¡¯m not sure there¡¯s a difference. Not for me. Reaching over, I pull up her shirt, exposing her breasts. She doesn¡¯t wake as I grope her, but her breathing changes and her nipples harden.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Fuck, she turns me on so much.


    Pulling the drawstring on her sweatpants, I take them down to her ankles. She¡¯s wearing red thong panties that ride high on her hips, one of my favorite pairs on her. I push them to the side, exposing her perfect little cunt, and my next breath turns into a growl.


    It feels deliciously obscene as I slide a finger between her folds.


    She never bes fully lucid, but as I circle her clit, little sounds of pleasure escape her. She cuddles herself against me, her legs spreading open to give me better ess.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, even though I know she can¡¯t hear. ¡°You¡¯re always safe with me. And tomorrow, we¡¯re going to have a lot of fun together.¡±


    ***


    After the ne ride, the next stage of travel is a boat from the maind to the location I¡¯ve selected for our escapade.


    St. Ives Ind. Two square miles of stunning, tropical wilderness, with picturesque palm trees and sandy beaches ripped straight out of a postcard. It¡¯s owned by an entric multimillionaire actor who rents the ce out when he¡¯s not using it, much like the private jet. There are very few structures on the ind, just a beach house and a couple assorted huts and gazebos.


    It¡¯s the perfect ce to fulfill A¡¯s fantasy. For the next three days, we¡¯ll have St. Ives Ind all to ourselves.


    ¡°Damn, your wife must have been exhausted,¡± says the driver of our boat, pulling us into the ind¡¯s single dock. ¡°I thought for sure she would wake up when we hit those waves.¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m surprised, too. I guess that extra mtonin gummy she took on the ne was a bit too much.¡±


    ¡°You sure you want me to leave you at the docks? I¡¯d be happy to help you folks get settled in at the beach house.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. You had the ind prepared as I requested?¡±


    He nods. ¡°Yessir. Food and water at all of the marked locations.¡±


    I press a hefty tip into his hand. ¡°Good man. Much appreciated.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re sure you don¡¯t want me toe back tomorrow and drop off more supplies?¡±


    ¡°Very sure. My wife and I are here for privacy. Thest thing we want is to be interrupted.¡±


    ***


    Noon


    My heartbeat quickens as my watch changes from 11:59 to 12:00. From my perch on the second story of the beach house, I survey the sprawling wilderness that stretches before me.


    Somewhere on this ind, my prey awaits.


    I started A on the beach about a mile away from me. My morning was spent watching her through the hidden camera I put in her backpack, just to make sure she was safe while she slept. But I closed the feed the moment she got up. I do want to y fair, after all.


    She¡¯s had about an hour¡¯s head start. I put on my hat and boots, picturing A¡¯s soft, naked body hiding from me somewhere inthis deserted stretch of tropical paradise. If I were in her position, where would I be hiding?


    Exiting the beach house, I get onto the quad bike ATV that¡¯s waiting for me outside. She may be naked and helpless, but there¡¯s no reason I have to be.


    The game is on.

 35

    A


    I inhale as the rumbling of a motor fills the air. Immediately, I duck, every muscle tense. It sounds like it¡¯s in the distance. But it¡¯s the first sign I¡¯ve had of Alessio¡¯s presence.


    It makes more sense to stay where I am than to move. Keeping myself low, I scan the wilderness around me for somewhere to hide.


    The motor gets louder, revving as it approaches. I¡¯m surrounded by trees, but they aren¡¯t thick enough to be sure I¡¯m invisible. Scooping up some dirt from the ground, I mix it with water from my bottle and form a dark sludge that I proceed to smear all over my body.


    Natural camouge.


    I press myself to the ground as the rumbling engine gets so loud that it¡¯s almost deafening. Through the trees, I watch as Alessio passes by on a quad bike. He¡¯s wearing fitted gray cargo pants withbat boots and an open shirt, going slow, eyes searching from side to side.


    Then he slows down, staring in my direction. Shit. Does he see me? He definitely sees me. He¡¯s getting off his quad. Why else would he be getting off his quad? I stay still, my heart pounding. He¡¯ll know where I am for sure if I try to run and make a bunch of sound.


    Alessio spins around as a loud rustlinges from behind him. I watch a flock of birds take flight, shaking the trees.


    And that¡¯s my moment. Covered by the sounds of the birds, I dash in the other direction, trying my best to be quiet but prioritizing speed. I don¡¯t stop until I reach a small pond with brown, murky water. Catching my breath, I listen for the sound of Alessio following. I don¡¯t hear the quad bike.


    But then my heart sinks. I do hear something.


    Someone crashing through the woods in my direction.


    Well, fuck.


    I look around desperately, my stomach tingling.


    ***


    Alessio


    IswearI saw A. And then I heard her. I crash through the trees as I give chase, various tools of restraint jangling in my pack. Where is she? Where the hell is she?


    I¡¯m soser-focused that I almost tumble headfirst into a pond. Oops. Don¡¯t need to fall into that murky-ass water. I¡¯m about to keep jogging when I notice something:


    That¡¯s A¡¯s backpack hanging from a tree.


    ¡°Got you,¡± I murmur, searching the area with my eyes. I don¡¯t see her anywhere, and so I look upward. Is she hiding in a tree? She must be.


    But she isn¡¯t. I walk around the pond, baffled, scanning every branch, every trunk. Nothing. Finally, I return to my ATV. Foiled.


    That was clever. I have to give her credit. Leaving the backpack got me to stop and investigate instead of continuing to chase. It bought her enough time to get away.


    I won¡¯t fall for it next time.


    ***


    A


    I gasp as I surface from the pond, the straw I¡¯ve been using to breathe hanging from my mouth. To my relief, it seems that I¡¯m alone. I have no idea when Alessio gave up looking for me here. I just stayed under the water for as long as I could stand.


    My backpack is gone. That means he took it. Talk about a close call. I¡¯m filthy from the pond water and the mud as I step out onto drynd.


    Oh. There¡¯s my backpack, sitting on a rock. I approach it warily, then pull out the sneakers and put them back on.


    In the distance, I hear Alessio¡¯s quad revving. He¡¯s far away. Good. I head in the opposite direction, keeping my eyes peeled for yellow gs. The sun is getting lower on the horizon now, and I wouldn¡¯t mind some dinner.


    ***Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    About 15 minutester, I reach the beach. Alessio¡¯s engine is quiet now, and that unnerves me. It means I don¡¯t know where he is. I stay at the tree line, watching the waves. There¡¯s andmass on the horizon, dark and distant. I don¡¯t even know what continent it is.


    Ahead of me on the beach is a hut with a yellow g. I¡¯ll bet there¡¯s food there. I start to creep out, then think better of it. The moment I go out onto the beach, I have no cover. I can be seen easily, even from a distance.


    Far away, the motor starts back up. Whew. Letting out a deep breath, I walk out onto the sand and go over to the little hut. There¡¯s a water dispenser, cups, and a cooler containing two types of sandwiches. I eat peacefully, watching the sun set over the water. It¡¯s beautiful.


    After my meal, I take off my shoes and stroll along the shoreline. Alessio¡¯s quad rumbles faintly, reassuringly far away. This is nice. Truth be told, being surrounded by gorgeous nature like this whilepletely naked is amazing. I can feel the breeze on my skin, the warm water tickling my bare feet.


    And then my whole body prickles with tension as I realize that over the sound of the frothing waves, I can hear something moving at the tree line. I spin around and see Alessio stepping out from the jungle, hisbat boot kicking up a puff of sand. We make eye contact across the beach.


    ¡°Hello, darling,¡± growls my husband, eyes narrowing. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again.¡±

 36

    Alessio


    Just the sight of A¡¯s naked body is enough to send blood rushing to my cock. I¡¯ve got her now. She can run, but she won¡¯t outrun me. She stares at me, standing in the tide, and I can sense her whole body tensing. She nces around, as though looking for an escape route.


    ¡°I thought you were on the other side of the ind,¡± she shouts, backing away from me. ¡°I heard your engine.¡±


    I grin, tapping a button on my phone screen. Across the ind, my vehicle¡¯s engine roars. ¡°My quadison the other side of the ind. But I¡¯m right here.¡±


    A watches me walk toward her, still backing up, then her eyes focus on something behind me. She gasps in shock. I turn aroundinstinctively, and fuckingof course, she starts sprinting away from me down the beach. I take off after her, my boots sinking into the sand with every step.


    She¡¯s pretty fast for someone who can¡¯t be any taller than 5¡¯3¡å. Thankfully, I¡¯m a foot taller than that, and I do sprints on the treadmill every week. I catch up to her easily, my eyes glued to her ass as I jog to keep pace behind her.


    A nces over her shoulder, fear and concentration written all over her face. Then she does some type of maneuver like a basketball yer, changing directions quickly to try to trip me up.


    It almost works. I have too much momentum to change directions easily, and my feet slide on the sand. But I reach out an arm and I¡¯m able to hook it around her waist. This stops her abruptly. She gasps, struggling to break my grip.


    ¡°Nice try,¡± I say, wrapping my other arm around her to keep her in ce. ¡°Very nice try. But you¡¯re mine now.¡±


    In nature documentaries, I feel like there¡¯s always a part where the baby gazelle stops struggling when it gets caught by the lion. But with A, it¡¯s a different story. She keeps fighting me with everything she has, trying to pry my arms off of her, and she¡¯s so spirited that she almost seeds.


    But I keep my grip on her waist, and with my other hand, I retrieve the handcuffs hanging from my belt. She sees them, and immediately, all of her energy goes into not letting me get a hold of her wrists. After a short struggle, I manage to get a cuff around one wrist, and then the other.


    She growls with defiance as the second cuff clicks shut, her arms now stuck behind her back.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I growl into her ear, my hand closing around her throat. ¡°Nowes the part of the fantasy where I make you my submissive little fucktoy.¡±


    ¡°Never,¡± she spits, still trying to get away.


    I smirk. ¡°I guess you really want me to train that defiant streak out of you. Don¡¯t worry. That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do. By the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯re going to be a good little girl who knows her ce on my cock.¡±


    She shudders, her resistance fading somewhat. I use the opportunity to take something else off my belt: a leather cor I had crafted just for her. Removing my hand, I put it around her neck and buckle it into ce.


    A¡¯s reaction is adorably outraged. ¡°Did you just put a fucking cor on me?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I gloat, the small chain links clinking in my pocket as I pull out a short leash. ¡°And it¡¯s staying on. Because for some reason, I think my pretty little captive might be a flight risk.¡±


    ¡°Bastard,¡± she says as I clip the leash onto her cor.


    ***


    A


    I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been more vulnerable in my life. Or more turned on. I¡¯mpletely naked with my hands cuffed behind my back, wearing a cor while Alessio controls the leash. I feel like an animal. A piece of meat. My heart is still hammering, and even though part of me is looking for an escape, part of me is also d that the chase is over.


    Now that he has me, I¡¯m burning with excitement at what he¡¯s going to do.


    ¡°My birthday girl in her birthday suit,¡± he gloats, groping my chest. ¡°And now she¡¯s mine to do whatever I want.¡±


    I watch my nipples harden at his touch, tingles running through me. Fuck, I¡¯m so helpless.


    Alessio¡¯s hand moves lower. ¡°Are you wet from me dominating you like this?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I say immediately, even though I know it¡¯s probably a lie.


    My breath grows shaky as his finger slides between my legs. He shows it to me, glistening with wetness. ¡°Well, well, well. I am going to have a lot of fun with you, A. A lot of fun.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ wish,¡± I argue. I know my defiance won¡¯t get me far at this point, but it¡¯s fun to keep fighting.


    He¡¯s going to overpower me either way.


    ¡°This way,¡± says my husband, tugging on the leash. ¡°We¡¯re going to the beach house, where you¡¯re going to be a very good girl for me.¡± When I don¡¯t move immediately, he gives my ass a p. ¡°Come on now, hurry up.¡±


    ***


    Alessio


    I feel primally fulfilled as I lead A back to the beach house. It¡¯s like I¡¯m scratching my caveman itch of dragging a woman back to my cave. There¡¯s not much she can do to resist me now with her hands cuffed and the leash on her neck, and I take pleasure in reminding her of that fact, spanking her ass to make her speed up and asionally stopping to grope her tits or her pussy.


    When we get to the beach house, I push her inside. She looks around, taking in thebination of rustic vibes and expensive luxury.


    ¡°Cute cabin,¡± she says. ¡°Can you unlock me now?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I justugh. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯d like that. You¡¯re going to be under lock and key every moment until we leave here.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seriously mean-¡± Her words are cut off as I press a ball gag into her mouth. She glowers, cursing me pointlessly through the gag.


    ¡°Yes, I do seriously mean,¡± I say, patting her cheek. Gripping her upper arm, I lead her to the staircase and lock her cor onto the railing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere,¡± I tease, starting up the steps. ¡°I¡¯m going to make us a shower and get you all cleaned off.¡±


    ***


    A


    I have no choice but to wait where Alessio put me, clipped by my cor to the railing. Upstairs, I can hear him walking around, and then the sound of a shower running. My fist clenches with frustration as drool begins to build up around the gag.


    When hees back downstairs, I stiffen. He unclips me without a word, then leads me up the steps, holding me by my cor. I feel like an object, or a pet.


    Okay, wow, the bathroom is gorgeous. Huge walk-in shower with ck tiles and double waterfall showerheads, already filled with steam. He takes me in front of the mirror and I¡¯m forced to look at myself: naked, cored, gagged,pletely under Alessio¡¯s control. He smirks, putting an arm around my neck and looking at our reflections.


    ¡°Good-looking couple, huh?¡± he purrs into my ear. ¡°The cor suits you.¡±


    God, he¡¯s so good at pressing my angry and horny buttons at the same time.


    He removes the cor and handcuffs before taking me into the shower, but leaves the gag. As his hands run over my body, covering me with foamy soap, I feel my submissive side starting toe out. He¡¯s firmly dominating, but gentle as he cleans me, his fingers sliding through every crevice without a hint of shame.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he praises me as I open my legs, allowing him to slip a soapy hand between them. ¡°Let¡¯s get you all clean before I make you dirty again.¡±

 37

    Alessio


    It¡¯s a pleasure to towel A off after our shower. I take my time, exploring every inch of her smooth skin, so much softer from the warm water. Once she¡¯s dry, I put the cor back on, along with the handcuffs.


    ¡°Hhhuhh mmm mm uhh!¡± she tries to say through the ball gag.


    ¡°Oh, no, I¡¯m far from done with you,¡± I tell her, attaching the leash to her cor again. I lead her to the bedroom, then push on her upper back so she bends over the bed. ¡°Stay,¡± I order. ¡°If I have any problems, I¡¯m clipping your leash to the bedpost.¡±


    She stays where I put her, quivering, while I get some items from my suitcase.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to wear the plug for me now,¡± I say, showing it to her. ¡°Be a good girl and spread your cheeks for me.¡±


    She shakes her head, arguing into the gag. I give her ass a couple of hard spanks, then put my hand on the back of her head, pressing her face into the bed.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a request. You can obey me, or get punished. You¡¯re wearing the plug either way. Let me see you use those hands to spread yourself for me.¡±


    A squirms in frustration, earning three more spanks. Finally, she slumps, and uses the cuffed hand behind her back to spread her ass cheeks for me, just slightly.


    ¡°More,¡± I grunt, taking satisfaction in dominating her like this. ¡°Show me those pretty little holes so I can y with them.¡±


    She gives a throaty exhale, butplies, spreading herself wider.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, tracing a finger up her soft, pink slit. I dip it inside just slightly, picking up some of her wetness, then I circle her asshole with it, grinning as her little hole winks in response.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get you plugged,¡± I say, dribbling on some lube and pressing the toy against her. ¡°Rx for me. There you go.¡±


    It pops inside, and she gasps.


    I pat her ass. ¡°There, that¡¯s better. Come on up now.¡±


    I help her return to a standing position, then immediately push her down to her knees. My fingers find the buckle on the ball gag behind her head.


    ¡°When this gages off, what do you think your mouth is for?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Her eyes are wide as she looks up at me. I free my cock as I take off her gag, then push myself into her mouth before she has the chance to speak.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I groan, already losing myself. Fucking damn, she feels so good. I¡¯ve been so turned on all day, Ineededthis release. And I¡¯m going to take it. No need to hold myself back. I can use A¡¯s tight body as many times as I want.


    For a girl who was resisting me before, her mouth sure doesn¡¯t put up much resistance. Her throat opens as I slide my cock in deeper, taking me almost to the balls.


    ¡°Let me see you use that tongue,¡± I order, holding her head down on my shaft. ¡°See if you can tickle my balls with it.¡±


    She looks up at me as she does it, choking slightly as she reaches with her tongue.


    ¡°So good at sucking my cock,¡± I moan. ¡°Do you like being my obedient little toy?¡±


    She moans too, lips still wrapped around my shaft. I¡¯ll take that as a yes.


    I fuck A¡¯s face, holding the leash, my other hand in her hair as I thrust into her. Her eyes get bloodshot as she gags on my cock, a tear trickling down her cheek.


    ¡°You like being my dirty fucking girl?¡± I growl, my tip resting on her lips.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she admits, mouth drooping open hungrily.


    ¡°That¡¯s my fucking little toy.¡± I push myself back in, fucking her mouth while she struggles to take all of me. Eventually, the pleasure bes too much to bear. I groan, legs going weak, cock twitching as I spurt my cum down her throat.


    ¡°Swallow that for me, baby,¡± I order, stroking the hair out of her face.


    She nods, making eye contact as she swallows my cum.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I whisper, putting the ball gag back into her mouth.

 38

    A


    I have another load of Alessio¡¯s cum leaking from deep inside my pussy before he decides to break for dinner.


    ¡°All the food has to be shipped here,¡± he tells me nonchntly, heating up pasta on the stove while I¡¯m bound and gagged at the kitchen table. ¡°Obviously. But I¡¯ve got enough here for the next few days, not to mention backups for the supply caches around the ind.¡± He smirks at me. ¡°Not that we¡¯ll be needing them.¡±


    I squirm in my seat, still wearing the plug.


    ¡°Almost done, says Alessio, straining the pasta. ¡°Promise not to tell anyone I¡¯m using sauce from a jar?¡±


    A few minutester, he tes the pasta and brings it over to the table. I stare hungrily at my portion as he unbuckles the ball gag, the smell wafting into my nostrils.


    ¡°I suppose I should untie your hands,¡± he says with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Don¡¯t get any funny ideas.¡±


    The moment my hands are free, I dig into my pasta.


    ¡°That was a good trick with the backpack.¡± Alessio twirls noodles around his fork with much more refinement. ¡°It totally got me to stop chasing you. Which direction did you go after that?¡±


    ¡°Ah, a good magician never reveals her tricks.¡±


    Heughs. ¡°Please?¡±


    I can¡¯t resist telling him. ¡°I didn¡¯t go any direction. I was hiding under the water, breathing through a straw.¡±


    His mouth hangs open. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ holy shit, that is so badass. I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Your trick with the quad was pretty good. Remote controlling it from the other side of the ind.¡±


    Alessio grins. ¡°That was cool, right? Oh, hey, I totally forgot to pour the wine.¡± He goes to the kitchen andes back with a bottle and two sses. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you were hiding in the pond. I was so close to you. I could have caught you right then.¡±


    ¡°You caught me just fine,¡± I mutter as he pours.


    His eyes sh. ¡°That I did.¡± He raises his ss. ¡°To getting what we want. And then enjoying it.¡±


    ***


    I had thought maybe Alessio might untie me after dinner, but no such luck. He re-cuffs my hands as soon as we¡¯re finished eating, although he does remove the gag and the plug. Then we walk out to the beach, me wearing one of his big shirts, him holding theleash, and he puts down a nket. We lie together under the stars, watching the waves.


    When it¡¯s time for bed, we go upstairs and he unlocks me, and brushing my teeth is almost like a normal night.


    Then he wraps a cuff around my ankle. When I lie down, he secures it to the bed frame.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you falling out of bed,¡± he exins, winking. ¡°Can I get you a ss of water before we go to sleep?¡±


    ***


    The next morning, Alessio keeps me locked to the bed while he goes down to the kitchen. I smell what I¡¯m pretty sure are eggs cooking.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°You know, I do have to go to the bathroom!¡± I call down to him, pulling at my ankle.


    He releases me, and when Ie downstairs, we¡¯ve got eggs and toast for breakfast. He locks me to the table as we eat.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± he tells me once he¡¯s done with his te. He bends down and tugs on my ankle cuff, making sure it¡¯s secured tightly to the heavy table. ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere.¡±


    ¡°You already used that one!¡± I call after him as he goes upstairs and closes the bathroom door behind him.


    The second the door clicks shut, I stick a finger underneath my ankle cuff and pull out the key I swiped during the brief moment I was unlocked to use the bathroom. I fiddle with the lock, my heart racing, and the cuff opens.


    Alessio¡¯s phone is sitting on the table. I take it, toss it into the backpack by the door, and then wince as I hear his footstepsing down the stairs.


    ¡°Are you-Aaa!¡±


    I throw open the front door and sprint outside, filled with adrenaline. The quad bike is sitting right there with the key fob hanging from anyard on the handlebars. Jumping into the seat, I start the engine and gun it, just as Alessio bursts out of the beach house behind me.


    I grin madly, the wind whipping through my hair. Over the rumble of the engine, I hear my husband roar.

 39

    A


    I slow down once I¡¯ve put some distance between myself and the beach house. Riding an ATV naked is quite the experience. I stop on the beach, still buzzed with excitement. I fucking love that I got away. That was so much fun.


    I¡¯ve covered enough distance that I know Alessio can¡¯t be here anytime soon. I pace the beach, staying in range of the quad. If I drive it, the sound of the motor will give away my location.


    Having a vehicle makes the experience of being prey very different. The things I need to consider have changed: now I am much, much more mobile, but ites at the cost of making a loud noise. Overall, my situation is definitely better, but theknowledge that using the ATV tells Alessio where I am is a little bit nerve-racking.


    I see something in the distance, all the way down the beach. Is that him? I can¡¯t tell. It could be a rock, or even a tree. Is iting toward me? I nce behind me at the quad. How long would it take to run back to it if I needed to?


    A rustling. I spin around, facing the trees. Just the wind. Just the wind. Dammit. I jog back to the quad. My gut is telling me to change locations.


    ***


    Alessio


    In the distance, the ATV¡¯s motor rumbles. I do one more pass through the house, looking for my phone, but I know in my heart that A took it. And as goddamn frustrated as that makes me, I have to admit there¡¯s also a grudging respect. That was a smart move. Not only did she get away and take my vehicle, but she stole the device that allows me to control it remotely. She made it a lot harder for me to stack the deck.


    She¡¯s going to get punished for this. Thoroughly. But apparently, my wife is made of stronger stuff than I thought. That realization is a pleasing one. It makes me less concerned for her safety, knowing she can take care of herself.


    Not to mention, it will be even more satisfying when I catch her and make her submit to me all over again.


    The backpack by the door is missing. I didn¡¯t notice it in the rush of watching her escape, but she must have taken it with her. My first thought is that I¡¯m d she has the re gun in case anything happens.


    My second thought is the sAge realization that I now have another way of turning things in my favor.


    I go upstairs and get myputer. Pulling up the video feed for the backpack camera, I see trees rushing by as she rides the quad. I watch her until she stops, scanning the area around her for andmark that I recognize.


    My tablet is charging next to me. The first thing I did after she escaped was plug it in. It was at 0% battery then, now it¡¯s at 12%. Not great, but hopefully, enough. I power it on and run the app that connects to the quad bike.


    For safety reasons, I can¡¯t kill the motor while she¡¯s driving, and I wouldn¡¯t want to. But I can make it so as soon as she turns it off, it won¡¯t turn on again. Quickly, I download the software for the backpack camera to the tablet. I don¡¯t want to carry this thing around, but it¡¯s better than theptop. I¡¯ll use it to keep tabs on her location until she¡¯s back under lock and key.


    ***


    A


    I speed by a yellow g and decide to stop. Just to check what it is. It¡¯s a station with protein bars, bottled coffee drinks in a mostly melted cooler, and little packets of Oreos. I grab two Oreo packets and head back to the ATV.


    It doesn¡¯t start. Swearing, I give it a moment and try the ignition again. Still nothing. Fuck. Is it out of gas? I hop off and circle the vehicle, looking for anything wrong.


    Then I jump as the motor revs. Vrooooommm. Vrooooooooommmm. Holy shit, that scared me. For a moment I¡¯m excited, thinking I somehow fixed it, and then I realize:


    Alessio is toying with me.


    The motor stops, and a chilles over me. I¡¯m being hunted again, without a vehicle. And something tells me Alessio is going to be even more forceful this time.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    I take off into the woods, neck prickling with goosebumps.


    ***


    Maybe 20 minutester, I¡¯m feeling slightly less anxious. I haven¡¯t seen or heard a hint of Alessio, and despite the tantalizing dread of knowing that can¡¯tst forever, my escape seems to be going pretty well so far. I munch my Oreos, trying to chew quietly.


    Then, in the distance, the motor starts. And it doesn¡¯t seem to be staying in one ce. My heart thumps as I realize this can only mean one thing:


    My husband has the ATV again.


    The good part is, now I know his location on the ind, at least roughly.


    The bad part is, it sounds like he¡¯sing right at me. The rumbling just keeps getting louder and louder, until I realize in a sh that I have to move.


    I scurry through the bushes, ducking my head, and then, to my terror, Alessio rides right past me on the quad. He turns, and I¡¯m sure that he sees me. I take off running, ditching the backpack so I can move faster.


    The motor screams behind me as I start to full-on sprint. I¡¯m going in the opposite direction he was, so I know he must be scrambling to make a U-turn. I just run and run and run, and somehow, the engine doesn¡¯t seem to be getting louder. Heaving for breath, I drop down and crouch behind a big rock.


    I can still hear him driving, searching for me. But it¡¯s obvious that he doesn¡¯t know where I am. I remain in my hiding spot, formting a n for my next move.


    ***


    Alessio


    Fuck! I just had her! I can¡¯t believe I let her slip away. Where the fuck did she go? Grunting in frustration, I pull the ATV to a stop and check the video feed on the tablet.


    All I can see are palm trees swaying gently against the sky. I stare at the image before realizing the obvious truth: she must have gotten rid of the backpack.


    There goes my biggest advantage.


    I circle the ind one more time, then drive back to the beach house to regroup. Pulling up the quad, I stomp to the front door and pull it open.


    Or at least, I try to. It doesn¡¯t open. Shaking my head in confusion, I twist the handle harder.


    The door is locked.


    I guess I must have locked it from the inside before I left. Shaking my head, I go around to the other door.


    Also locked. Okay, shit. In my hurry to leave, I didn¡¯t bring the keys. I¡¯m trying to figure out what I should do, and that¡¯s when I hear a tapping at the window.


    A waves at me from inside the beach house, sipping a ss of orange juice. She dangles the keys in front of the ss, grinning.

 40

    A


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t hear you,¡± I say to Alessio as he rages at me from the other side of the window. ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to take a nap. I¡¯ll talk to youter?¡±


    I go upstairs, tremendously pleased with myself. I¡¯d say I¡¯m winning this kinky game of hide and seek.


    The sound of breaking ss from below instantly causes me to rethink. Peering down the stairwell to the bottom floor, I see my husband reaching through the ss panel on one of the doors to unlock it. He lets himself inside.


    Shit. Not winning.


    He rushes to the staircase and starts stomping up it, forcing me to run up the steps. At this point, it feels pointless: I¡¯m trapped. Unless I can go out a window¡­


    As I fumble with the window screen, I hear his feet hit the second floor. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me away from the window.


    ¡°Nice fucking try,¡± he growls, pushing me all the way down to the floor and pinning me roughly. He forces my hands behind my back and cuffs them, then he slides the cor back around my neck. ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± he says smugly, buckling it closed and clipping on the leash. ¡°Got you right back where you belong.¡±


    I try to struggle, but he justughs, holding me in ce by the cor and covering my ass with stinging spanks.


    ¡°No, no, you don¡¯t get to exert any control over the situation now. Not anymore. Now it¡¯s just me in charge, and you getting punished.¡±


    I take shaky breaths as he stands over me, pulling off his leather belt.


    ¡°Spread your legs, A.¡±


    When I ignore him, he pries my legs apart and gives me several harsh spanks as I whimper.


    ¡°From now on, I will eptzerodisobedience. You submit your body to me in every fucking way or get disciplined for it.¡±


    He spanks my ass a few more times with his hand, and then I wince as he slides the leather belt up my inner thigh, tapping it against my pussy.


    ¡°Oh!¡±I gasp as it hits my clit, giving me a pleasurable tingle.


    p! Alessio smacks my pussy with the belt, causing me to yelp.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°This is what happens, A. You had your fun. Now you pay the price.¡±


    He keeps spanking my pussy with the belt, forcing me back into position whenever I hunch my back or close my legs. It¡¯s humiliating, and I have no choice but to submit.


    ¡°Back in position, Ave,¡± he warns me, pping the belt back and forth across my inner thighs as my legs start to close. ¡°Don¡¯t let me see you close these again.¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I gasp, feeling so dominated, I can hardly speak. I part my legs again, then moan as my clit gets another sharp hit from the belt.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯re going to put the plug back in,¡± says Alessio, patting my ass.


    ***


    Alessio


    A whimpers as I push the plug into her tight little hole. She¡¯s going to submit to me now in ways she hasn¡¯t before.


    ¡°That¡¯s one hole plugged. Now for the other.¡± I press the ball gag into her mouth and buckle it behind her head. Her whole body shakes as she crouches facedown on the floor, hands behind her back.


    But it¡¯s not enough. I want to take everything from her. Every sense, every ability, every option she has other than to receive. Retrieving my bag of toys, I wrap a blindfold around her head, making sure there¡¯s no gap for the light to leak in.


    Nexte the earplugs, and then over that, the noise-blocking earmuffs I use at the shooting range. She starts squirming at this point, as though realizing how truly vulnerable she is, and I take that moment to wiggle the plug, making her whimper.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re really mine now,¡± I say to my helpless little toy, giving her ass a p. I pick her up and lead her over to the bed by her cor. She submits more readily now, relying on me to guide her safely now that I¡¯ve taken her vision.


    I secure each of A¡¯s limbs to a bedpost so she¡¯s spread-eagle on the mattress. Then I go around and make sure that all of the connections have zero ck, leaving no room for her to move. I step back, watching her limate to her new environment.


    She twitches her various body parts, testing the range she has to work with. AKA, basically nothing. A moan escapes her.


    Perfect. Just the way it should be.


    Satisfied, I go downstairs to pour myself a drink. I¡¯m going to make her wait for a while before I y with her some more.


    ***


    When Ie back upstairs, A is right where I left her. The first thing I do is check her pussy, which is dripping wet as I expected. She startles when I first touch her, clearly not having realized I was in the room.


    I grope her tits, rolling her nipples between my fingers until she moans into the ball gag. Then I give each breast a p, and then her pussy for good measure. She gasps, having no way to tell what¡¯sing next.


    Next, I get my belt again. A¡¯s tummy ripples as I brush the leather down her body, teasing it between her legs. Her thighs quiver, and I love knowing that she¡¯s unable to close them.


    I keep stroking her with the belt, letting it brush against her pussy every time it goes past. Soon, her breathing starts to sync up with it, like she¡¯s expecting the little jolt of pleasure when the leather touches her clit.


    The next time my belt slides between her thighs, I pull it back and give her pussy a smack.


    ¡°Hhhhhhnnnhhh¡±A moans, cunt twitching. I cackle and do it again.


    Her pussy is pink and swollen now, gleaming with wetness. Groaning with desire, I pull down my pants and climb on top of her. My wife sighs, feeling my weight. The head of my cock presses against her pussy lips, then I thrust it inside, pulling back only once to gather more wetness before pushing it all the way in.


    I fuck A until Ie inside her, holding the leash attached to her neck. When I¡¯m done, I take the vibrator out from my bag and hold it against her clit until her toes curl.


    Then I stop. She fights against her restraints, groaning. I just smile, my fingers lightly stroking her wet, swollen pussy as it twitches in desperation.


    I don¡¯t bother taking out the gag. I know she¡¯s frustrated and needy, and I don¡¯t care.


    I¡¯m going to torture my wife even more before I let here. And there¡¯s nothing she can do about it.

 41

    A


    My pussy twitches, aching for Alessio¡¯s touch. The fact that I can¡¯t see him, can¡¯t hear him, can¡¯t even move, is driving me crazy. I want so badly to rub my clit, to give it the much-needed release of an orgasm. But I can¡¯t. All I can do is stay in ce, waiting for him to return.


    I don¡¯t even know if he¡¯s in the room. He could be downstairs, he could be outside for all I know. I wiggle my fingers, which is about all the movement I can muster, but there¡¯s no response.


    I¡¯ve never experienced sensory deprivation like this before. I¡¯ve heard about those tanks where you float on your back in saltwater, and I imagine they must be something like this. Well, except for the part where I¡¯m strapped to a bed with my legs spread open. Ican feel somebination of my own wetness and Alessio¡¯s cum leaking out of me, reminding me of the sheer animal urges that have been expressed today.


    I got what I wanted, all right. I amdefinitelyat his mercy. And Ireallylike it.


    I can really only guess how long I¡¯ve been lying here. 20 minutes? An hour? asionally, I feel something, a breath, a movement of air, and I wonder if Alessio is watching me.


    There¡¯s no way to tell.


    After some indeterminate amount of time, I feel his hand on my thigh. The fingers stroke up my body slowly, over my hip and to my chest, and my breathing gets faster. He¡¯s teasing me, but I¡¯ll take it. At least he¡¯s paying attention to me again.


    His fingers brush my pussy. It¡¯s not much, but I¡¯m so sensitive right now, so attuned to any stimtion. It makes me moan.


    I whimper as the fingers go away. God, I want it so badly. My whole body is on fire.


    And then, to my surprise, I feel him taking the earmuffs off and pulling the earplugs out of my ears. I gasp at the sudden change in my reality. I can hear! Waves are sloshing in the background. Birds are chirping.


    My husband growls.


    ¡°I¡¯d ask if you¡¯re ready to be a good girl for me now, but it doesn¡¯t matter. Today, I¡¯m only loosening your restraints enough to fuck you.¡±


    I try to keep my breathing steady as he unties my legs from the bed.


    ¡°When I release your ankle, you keep it where it is. You staypletely still. Do you understand me?¡±


    I say nothing, and his hand goes to my throat.


    ¡°Do you understand me?¡±


    I nod, unable to speak through the gag.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    I keep my legs in ce as he unties them, then he moves around to do my hands. When all my limbs are free, he helps me to stand up, holding my waist tightly. I put my weight on shaky legs, still blind.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, bend over for me,¡± says my husband, pushing me forward and pping my ass. I lean over the bed, my elbows supporting my weight.


    My whole body tingles with excitement as Alessio wiggles the plug, then starts to pump it inside me. He pulls it out slightly so my ass strains around it.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he says, teasing me with the biggest part of the plug. ¡°I can see that your ass is ready for me.¡±


    I just moan, in a very submissive headspace now. He can do what he wants.


    Alessio gets on the bed in front of me. His cock strokes through the folds of my pussy, and my moan gets louder as he pushes the tip inside.


    ¡°Fuck, A, you¡¯re so wet for me. There¡¯s so much here that I won¡¯t even need lube when I fuck your ass.¡±


    Then he removes the plug entirely, and I feel the head of his cock leave my pussy and press against my other hole.


    ¡°You were very cute running away from me today,¡± he growls, slowly pushing his cock into my ass. I grasp the bedsheets, screaming silently into the gag. ¡°But now you¡¯re right back where you belong. Now you get a reminder of who you belong to, and just how deeply I own you.¡±


    His fingers dig into my hips as he starts to thrust. It¡¯s intense, so intense I can barely process the sensation. It¡¯s crazy how deep he feels inside me, like he¡¯s fucking my soul.


    ¡°You are my property,¡± Alessio rasps. ¡°My fuckingproperty. Your nipples and your clit are toys for me to y with, and your holes are for taking my cock.¡±


    He pinches one of my nipples, as though to underline his point, then reaches around and gives my clit a little p. My pussy clenches, feeling empty.


    ¡°Oh, would you like me to fill your other hole, too? I can do that. I can fucking do that.¡±


    I hear him pick an object up from the bedside table, and then I gasp as something new parts my pussy lips.


    ¡°Yes, I brought your rabbit vibrator,¡± he purrs, stroking my cheek. ¡°You¡¯re going to take that in your pussy while I fuck your ass.¡±


    I let go, releasing throaty moans into the gag as Alessio prates me with the vibrator. I¡¯ve never felt this full before. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s filling my pussy and my ass at the same time. The intensity is almost too much to process after being deprived of my senses.


    Then he flicks on the vibration.


    My back arches, eyes rolling into my head as the rabbit ears buzz directly on my clit. All the sensations blend together, a screaming explosion of pleasure overwhelming my lower body. He keeps fucking my ass, pumping the vibrator inside me, the rabbit ears dragging over my clit. It¡¯s so much that I can¡¯t hold it for much longer¡­


    My hips quiver uncontrobly as my orgasm gets closer. I know I¡¯m supposed to ask, but I can¡¯t with the gag in my mouth. And frankly, I wouldn¡¯t, even if I could. I can¡¯t risk him taking it away. Ineedthis climax like I need air.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Somehow, Alessio is just as attuned to my body as I am. ¡°I can see you need toe,¡± he groans, voice strained. ¡°And I¡¯m going to let you. When I count all the way down. Five¡­ Four¡­ Three¡­¡±


    I do my best to hold it, wanting to obey him. I squeeze my muscles like I¡¯m doing a Kegel, trying to hold it back, but it justmakes his cock feel so much bigger inside me, my pussy so much tighter around the vibrator¡­


    ¡°Two¡­ One¡­ There you go, baby. You can let it out for me now.¡±


    Every muscle in my body squeezes at the incredible, earthshaking release. I feel my pussy and my ass clenching, his firm hands holding my hips in ce, and his thrusting only gets faster. He¡¯s fucking me with everything he has.


    ¡°Oh my fucking god¡­¡± Alessio¡¯s cock starts to twitch inside my ass. His body crashes down onto mine, warm skin pressing against me, releasing pump after pump of his warm seed inside me. The vibrator buzzes between us, still on my clit, and my hips jerk as I continue to climax.


    My husband breathes, staying on top of me, hands pinning my wrists to the bed. I can hear his shaky, ragged breath in my ear, feel his heart pounding.


    ¡°I¡¯m never letting you go,¡± he whispers hoarsely. ¡°y your little games if you want, but I¡¯ll always find you, and I¡¯ll always bring you back where you belong.¡± He kisses my cheek.¡±Always.¡±

 42

    A


    I spend the next 24 hours constantly in somebination of naked, bound, gagged, and taking dick. Alessio unties me only as much as is necessary for me to eat and fulfill bodily functions, and other than that, I¡¯m either getting fucked or tied up like a piece of furniture,pletely immobile while he goes about his day.


    That evening, he packs up his suitcase while I¡¯m tied to the bed in the same bent-over position I¡¯ve been holding for thest hour. I¡¯m naked and gagged, and also wearing the plug. Every time he passes by, he takes a moment to feel me up, usually finishing with a spank. I¡¯m used to it by this point, but it still doesn¡¯t make me feel any less dominated as hees up behind me, slides a finger through my pussy lips to check my wetness, then presses on the plug until I whimper.


    ¡°It¡¯s so cute the way your butt wiggles when I y with the plug,¡± says Alessio. He gives my ass a little p. ¡°You¡¯re giving me such a pretty view, bent over like that.¡±


    I grunt in frustration, the words muffled.


    Another light spank, this time on the other cheek. ¡°I love the way it ripples.¡± He brushes my clit, causing my whole body to shake. ¡°But the really fun part is, there¡¯s something I know about this situation that you don¡¯t.¡±


    I turn over my shoulder to look at him, confused. I really don¡¯t know what he¡¯s talking about.


    He just grins, putting a hand in his pocket.


    And then my entire reality explodes.


    I cry out, back arching, fingers gripping the sheets with what little ck my restraints allow me. Incredible, shocking pleasure emanates from my lower parts, apanied by a familiar buzzing sound¡­


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he says smugly, ¡°the plug you¡¯re wearing is a different one from before. And this one vibrates. Andes with a remote control.¡±


    Motherfucker.


    I can barely process what¡¯s happening. The vibration of the plug is shattering, and my body is so sensitive from being held here, turned on but denied.


    The vibration stops. Alessio pulls a little white stic remote out of his pocket, showing it to me. ¡°You see this button? It turns the vibrations on and off.¡±


    He clicks it twice, demonstrating. I gasp at the sudden jolt. He watches me, clearly enjoying himself.


    ¡°Do you want to know what this other button does?¡±


    ¡°Unnhh?¡± I reply through my ball gag.


    His eyelids lower. ¡°It changes the intensity.¡±


    A couple more clicks on the remote have me writhing in ce as he ups the strength of the vibration. He reaches behind my head, and I feel him unbuckling the gag.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ it¡¯s so intense¡­¡±


    Grinning, Alessio presses the button again, and the plug starts vibrating even more ferociously. My breathing gets faster, and I can barely string words together even though my mouth is finally free.


    ¡°Well,¡± he says calmly as I squirm and moan, ¡°I was going to finish packing up the suitcase. But I think I¡¯m actually going to take a break. Because I can¡¯t resist fucking your pussy right now.¡± He walks behind me and grabs my hips, pulling them into ce at the edge of the bed. ¡°Stay like this. Don¡¯t lose the position.¡±


    A deep, wailing moanes out of my lips as my husband unbuckles his pants and slides himself inside me. Fuck, I¡¯m so full. I scoot forward instinctively, but he wrenches me back into ce, spanking my ass.


    ¡°Stay, A.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± I whimper, the sensation overwhelming as his thick cock bottoms out. ¡°Alessio, oh my fucking¡­¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he growls, pressing my face into the bed. ¡°Take this fucking cock. Just like that. Just like fucking that. Oh fuck, that¡¯s a good girl. Yeah, squeeze my cock with your pussy just like that¡­¡±


    His words devolve into animal growls and his fingers dig deeper into my soft flesh. Soon, the thrusting bes so powerful that my whole body is moving on the bed, pulling at the restraints. He keeps fucking me until his growls get throaty and his cock twitches inside me, filling me with his sticky warmth.


    ¡°That was so fucking good,¡± he grunts, pping my ass as he pulls out. ¡°I just¡­fuck.¡±


    I whimper, trying to grind my clit on the edge of the bed. The plug in my ass is still buzzing, and I¡¯m desperate for a release.


    Alessio spreads my pussy with his fingers, making me moan. ¡°I love leaving my cum inside you. Feels like marking my fucking territory.¡±


    I sigh as I feel another vibrator press against my clit.


    ¡°Are you ready toe for me now, A?¡±


    I nod eagerly.


    ¡°Words.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I tell him, blushing.


    ¡°Yes, what?¡±


    It takes everything I have to control my re. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ready toe for you.¡±


    He smiles. ¡°Good girl. But you know I¡¯m going to make you beg for it.¡±


    A defiant growl rumbles in my throat, earning me a spank.


    ¡°You know you¡¯re just making it sweeter for me when you finally give in.¡±


    Another growl, another spank. He keeps working the vibrator on my clit, and I can¡¯t help but grind myself against it. Before long, my breathing is heavy and I¡¯m feeling the tingles of aing climax.


    ¡°Please,¡± I whisper, ¡°can Ie?¡±


    His response is a chuckle. ¡°That didn¡¯t sound very much like begging to me.¡±


    I keep grinding myself on the vibrator, but he pulls it back slightly, not allowing me to get the full stimtion.


    ¡°Please, I want toe!¡±


    ¡°Better. Keep begging.¡±


    Oh, fuck, I can¡¯t take this anymore.¡±Please!¡±I beg, desperately chasing the vibrator with my clit. ¡°Please, sir, can Ie?¡±


    There¡¯s a deep satisfaction in Alessio¡¯s voice now. He presses the vibrator against me, using the perfect amount of pressure. ¡°Nowthatsounded like begging. Good girl, A. You cane for me now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡­oh my god, yes¡­¡±


    My toes start to curl as my eyes roll back.


    ***


    Alessio


    I give A zero chance to escape, all the way up until the point that our bags are packed and it¡¯s time to get picked up by boat. To her consternation, I walk her out to the dock still wearing the cor and the leash.


    ¡°You know, this is the first time I¡¯ve worn clothes in days,¡± shements, looking down at her crop top and shorts. ¡°Almost feels weird.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the leash is for,¡± I tell her, grinning. ¡°To maintain some consistency.¡±


    She blushes. ¡°And the plug?¡±


    I wink, noticing the boat getting bigger in the distance. ¡°That¡¯s for me to have fun. I suppose I should take the cor off now.¡±


    A nces at the boat, and then back at me. ¡°Yeah, I suppose you should.¡±


    I unbuckle it, gently kissing her neck where the leather once sat. She sighs softly.


    ¡°You¡¯re still mine,¡± I whisper, clicking the remote in my pocket. My wife gasps, her whole body stiffening as the vibratores to life.


    ***


    I keep teasing her on the ne ride back, turning the vibration on whenever I feel like it. Eventually, I just leave it on the highest setting, watching with pleasure as A squirms in her seat, moaning. Soon she starts to touch herself, and it makes me so incredibly satisfied when she looks up at me as her climax gets nearer.


    ¡°Can Ie, please?¡±


    I smile. ¡°Such a good girl. Yeah,e for me, Ave.¡±


    I start to rub my cock through my pants as I watch her bring herself to orgasm, her hips jerking. I love that she¡¯s asking permission now without being prompted, and that she¡¯s sofortable touching herself in front of me. She really is my fucking pet.

 43

    Growling, I unzip and my cockes out. A momentter, I¡¯m dragging her over to the window and yanking down her shorts, pressing her face against the clear stic as I fuck her and spank her ass.


    ¡°Still fucking mine,¡± I rasp, holding her neck as I near my climax. ¡°Always fucking mine, cor or not.¡±


    My orgasm explodes through me and I clutch her, groaning in her ear.


    ***


    A


    With about an hour to go before wend at the Bover City airport, Alessio finally removes the plug. Other than the cum slowly leaking into my underwear, that¡¯s thest physical reminder of his dominance over me. His ownership.


    My head is still reeling from thest couple of days. I can barely process how exhrating that entire experience was, how freeing itwas topletely let go like that. When Alessio caught me the second time, thatwas true surrender.


    And I loved it.


    It¡¯s hard to describe. But somehow, in being restrained by him, I felt safe. Cared for. Important. Maybe it¡¯s the sheer amount of attention he showed, the effort he put into finding me, catching me, usingme once I was caught. But right now, I don¡¯t feel like a pawn in the chess game of Mafia politics.


    I feel like his wife.


    I feel like someone Alessio dotes on, and creates special experiences for her birthday. How much did renting that ind cost, much less on short notice? The food stations? The private jet? Not just the expense, but the effort. He set all of this up, did all that thinking, all that nning, and for what?


    To make me happy.


    And it did.


    So why do I feel like I¡¯m waiting for the other shoe to drop?


    A


    Three dayster


    Being back in Bover City is a harsh return to reality. On that ind, everything melted away. But now that I¡¯m back in the real world, I have no choice but to take an honest look at my circumstances.


    I¡¯m barreling headfirst into this thing, even though I know I shouldn¡¯t.


    I wasn¡¯t supposed to have feelings for my husband.


    He doesn¡¯t have them for me. I might want to tell myself that, but I know it would be a lie. He likes fucking me. He likes mesubmitting to him. He likes that our marriage has allowed him to take over my father¡¯s crime family.


    But I¡¯d be kidding myself if I thought it was more than that. Wouldn¡¯t I? He¡¯s said as much himself. And now I¡¯ve got all the memories of this amazing birthday trip, and all the emotions within that, and they¡¯re fucking with me. I have to keep reminding myself that it isn¡¯t real.


    I grew up with Mafia men. I know how they think and how they operate. And because of that, I know exactly what their wives are to them:


    Babymakers. Vehicles to secure their legacy. A means to an end.


    Not lovers. Not partners.


    That amazing trip to Mexico my dad took us on when I was 12, the one I still think about? That was my mom¡¯s constion prize after she caught him renting a hotel room with a cocktail waitress from his nightclub. She let it slip a few yearster, after her seventh ss of wine. It was one of the few unguarded moments where she allowed me to see her as something other than the devoted mob wife, and that peak behind the mask has stayed with me ever since.


    Could my situation really be different?


    I sit in my car in Alessio¡¯s driveway, staring at my reflection in the rearview mirror. I¡¯ve spent my whole life not wanting to be my mother. Not wanting a life like hers, not wanting a marriage like hers. And yet with every choice I make, the worry grows that I¡¯m on a path that leads to the exact same ce.


    It¡¯s driving me crazy.


    Am I ignoring all the obvious signs? Am I a fool because I¡¯m falling for him? Or am I just worrying myself out of happiness because my own personal baggage won¡¯t let me feel safe?


    I brush the hair out of my face and put my car in reverse.


    ***


    It¡¯swith some trepidation that I knock on the door of the house I grew up in. I don¡¯t fully know what I¡¯m expecting. But ever since Alessio and I got back from the ind, a part of me has felt lost.


    ¡°A,¡± says my mother, her eyes widening as she opens the door. ¡°Come here.¡±


    She pulls me into a deep hug.


    ¡°Hey, mom.¡±


    She breaks the embrace. ¡°Well, well,e on in. I¡¯ll make tea.¡±


    I follow her, a wave of nostalgia hitting me as I walk through the house. It looks just like it did before.


    It still feels like home.


    ¡°You never responded to my text messages,¡± she chides me, putting the kettle on.


    Yup. Just like before.


    ¡°I had you and dad blocked,¡± I admit.


    ¡°Oh.¡± My mom looks hurt as she fiddles with the kettle, not looking at me. ¡°I guess I can understand. With everything that happened.¡±


    We¡¯re silent as the water boils. Finally, she pours two mugs and we move to the dining room table.


    ¡°You know that your father is in jail?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I know.¡±


    ¡°Have you been to visit him?¡±


    I shake my head.


    ¡°You should, you know.¡±


    ¡°You even think he would want to see me?¡±


    She shrugs, a hint of annoyance in her expression. ¡°Probably not, after the way you treated him.¡±


    ¡°So why did you just tell me to visit?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what a good daughter would do.¡±


    I put my mug down a little too hard. ¡°Well, sorry. I¡¯m done being the good daughter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I think that¡¯s very clear.¡±


    Anger spills out of me. Does she always have to have this smug, perfect answer for everything? ¡°Mom, what the hell was I supposed to do? First you forced me to marry this guy I didn¡¯t want to be with, then you canceled my college education and ruined my life ns, and then you told me that actually, psych! Now I¡¯m not marrying him! Did you ever consider that maybe, justmaybe, I wanted to make some decisions about my own future, rather than riding this fucking bullshit rollercoaster of Mafia politics?¡±


    My mother looks slightly cowed, and she doesn¡¯t make eye contact. ¡°I am sorry about the whish. Things got¡­ sticky at the end.¡±


    My jaw drops. ¡°Things got sticky? You made a stupid decision to have me marry him, and then you made a stupid decision to kill him instead. That¡¯s not sticky, that¡¯s psychopathic. You¡¯re supposed to protect your family, not use them as pawns!¡±


    Instantly, her expression changes back to anger. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare talk about things you don¡¯t understand. You have no idea how hard I¡¯ve worked to protect our family. And we always nned for you to marry Alessio.¡±


    ¡°Well, you got what you wanted,¡± I tell her bitterly. ¡°I¡¯m married to him. Only he¡¯s the boss of the family now, not dad. Which means you don¡¯t get a say in my future anymore.¡±


    ¡°Then congrattions,¡± she snaps. ¡°You got what you wanted, too.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t what I fucking wanted!¡± I yell, almost knocking over my tea. ¡°I wanted to go to college. To be normal, not married to a fucking gangster at 20 years old!¡±


    The slightest hint of guilt shes across my mother¡¯s face, but she chooses defensiveness. ¡°I never even saw why you wanted to go to college. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll ever have to work.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you understand it! It was what I wanted for my life, and you took it away from me. I can¡¯t believe you would do that to your daughter.¡±


    ¡°So go get it back,¡± says my mom, shrugging. ¡°If your new husband is so powerful. Like you said, your father and I don¡¯t get a say.¡±


    ***


    When Alessio gets home that evening, the first thing I notice are the bruises on his knuckles.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I ask, wincing. I remember my fathering home like that. ¡°Are you okay?


    ¡°Fine,¡± he grunts. ¡°Stopped at a boxing gym today, hit the heavy bag for a while.¡±


    I raise my eyebrows. ¡°No gloves? No hand wraps?¡±


    ¡°Okay, you got me. You want all the gory details, then?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to pry. Are we in danger?¡±


    He gets an ice pack from the freezer and presses his hand against it. ¡°No.¡±


    It¡¯s obvious he doesn¡¯t want to talk, and I get it. But I wish he would let me in. He plops down on the couch. I sit next to him. ¡°You can talk to me, you know. If you ever want to.¡±


    Alessio looks ufortable. ¡°Thanks. Noted.¡±


    ¡°You really just keep it all inside, don¡¯t you?¡±


    He shrugs, not looking at me. ¡°Safer that way.¡±


    Safer for me? Or for you?


    I decide to change the subject. ¡°I visited my mom today.¡±


    He looks surprised. ¡°Oh? How was that?¡±


    ¡°Fine, I guess. She didn¡¯t start screaming at me the moment I came in the door like I thought she might.¡±


    ¡°Did she say anything about your dad?¡±


    It would be easy to assume that his question was out of interest in my life, but I know better. Any inside information about my father¡¯s circumstances could be helpful to him. The biggest threatto his leadership is whatever power Anthony  Gonzalez may or may not be wielding from his jail cell.


    I shake my head. ¡°No.¡±


    The distance between us is killing me. I felt so close to him before, when we were exploring our sexual dynamic. But outside the bedroom, it¡¯s like there¡¯s a pane of ss between us. Like he¡¯s ying defense, preventing himself from getting too attached.


    ¡°Stand up.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    My body reacts immediately to his tone. He¡¯s using what I call his ¡°dom¡± voice-it¡¯s low and gravelly, with just enough edge to let me know his words are amand. I¡¯ve be ustomed to ittely, and I obey him instinctively, standing up from the couch.


    Alessio watches me with lidded eyes, looking satisfied for the first time since he walked in the door. He doesn¡¯t get up immediately, staying in his seat and watching me as I stand in front of him. I know better than to move, even though I feel awkward and vulnerable.


    That would earn me a spanking, at minimum.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get your cor,¡± says my husband, standing up. He walks behind me and puts his hands on my upper arms, gripping them as he guides me forcefully to the bedroom.


    I submit to his lead, my mind slipping into a familiar state of blissful surrender. There¡¯s no confusion here, no uncertainty. Just a very clear directive to obey. When Alessio dominates me, when hecorsme, I know exactly who I am and what my ce is. It¡¯s so easy to lose myself in that.


    ¡°Down,¡± he orders, pushing me to my knees next to the bed. He retrieves the cor from the nightstand, and goosebumps prickle down my back as he fastens it around my neck.


    ¡°There, that¡¯s better,¡± he whispers, stroking my face. I gulp as he clips on the leash. ¡°Okay, follow me.¡±


    I try to stand up, but he stops me, a smirk on his face.


    ¡°No, you crawl.¡±


    Cheeksburning, I try to stand up again, but he forces me back down and gives my ass a hard smack.


    ¡°If I have to tell you again, you¡¯re going to be crawling with a sore ass and the plug inside you.¡±


    A defiant growl wells up in my throat, but I force it back down.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± Alessio praises me. ¡°I saw you surrendering to me there. Keep being good and you¡¯ll get a reward for that.¡±


    I have to swallow my pride as he walks me to the living room, keeping me on a short leash and spanking my ass if I slow down too much. He keeps me at his feet as he pours himself a whiskey, then sits down on the couch, having me kneel in front of him.


    I feel like his little pet as he pulls out his phone and starts reading something on it, sipping the whiskey and holding my leash.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he whispers, sending tingles through my scalp as he strokes my hair. ¡°Very good girl.¡±


    Wow, that feels so good. I sigh, starting to lose myself as warm fuzziness overtakes me.


    But eventually, even his stroking fingers can¡¯t stop the real world from intruding into my thoughts.


    ¡°Can you help me with something?¡± I mumble.


    His face is so much softer now when he looks at me. It¡¯s as though having me on a leash is bringing him a great sense of ease. ¡°Maybe. What?¡±


    ¡°I told you that my dad got my eptance to Bover City University canceled, right?¡±


    A grimace. ¡°Yeah, you told me.¡±


    ¡°You think you could get me back in?¡±


    He frowns, but in athinkingway, not in this-isn¡¯t-going-to-workway. He cups my chin as I look up at him. ¡°Yeah, it could be possible.¡±


    ¡°Will you help? For me?¡±


    Alessio pauses, looking down at me, and I¡¯m worried he¡¯s going to refuse. But then he smiles, and his fingers return to stroking my hair. ¡°Sure, Ave. I¡¯ll ask Sal to do some digging tomorrow, find out what leverage your dad pulled at BCU to fuck you over. Figure out whose toes we need to step on.¡±


    ¡°Thanks so much, Alessio!¡± I try to stand up, to give him a big kiss on the cheek, but he uses the leash to keep me in ce. I settle for resting my head on hisp while he continues to stroke me.

 44

    A


    The next day, Alessio takes me to a strip club.


    ¡°And why exactly are we here?¡± I raise my eyebrows as he pulls into the parking lot.


    ¡°I told you, we¡¯re meeting with Uncle Sal.¡±


    ¡°In a strip club?¡±


    Heughs, parking in one of the reserved spaces near the front. ¡°Sal runs the joint. The back room is a good ce for doing business.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Oh, sure. Business.¡±


    ¡°Think what you want. You can¡¯t honestly believe I would get any kind of stimtion out ofing here when I have you at home.¡±


    Instead of the front entrance, he takes me through a side door. I won¡¯t deny feeling a modicum of insecurity as he leads me throughthe narrow backstage area, past scantily d dancers whose bodies seem so perfect to me. But by the time we reach the door to the back room, it¡¯s obvious that I¡¯ve paid far more attention to them than he has.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Have a nice trip?¡± Sal asks, looking up. He¡¯s sitting at his desk, watching sports on hisptop. He mutes theputer as wee in. ¡°I like the vacation beard, kid. Very distinguished. And a very happy birthday to you, Mrs. Razone.¡±


    Mrs. Razone-I¡¯m still not used to hearing that. I blush at the memory of my birthday trip. ¡°Thank you. It was really wonderful to get out of the city.¡±


    ¡°It was very nice,¡± says Alessio. ¡°What did you find out?¡±


    ¡°I put Mr. Gary on it,¡± says Sal. ¡°I thought you¡¯d want someone doing the legwork who you trusted. He should be here any minute.¡±


    ¡°Very good,¡± says Alessio as the door opens and Dominguez joins us.


    ¡°Hey, how was the birthday trip?¡± asks Dominguez brightly, kissing me on the cheek.


    ¡°Really great,¡± I tell him, pushing down memories of being chased naked through the jungle.


    He grins. ¡°Well, I have a bted birthday present for you, in the form of some information. Your eptance to Bover City University was rescinded over a vition of their social media policy. An admissions officer reported that he discovered social media posts of you engaging in uneptable conduct.¡±


    My mouth opens in shock. ¡°What? What conduct? That¡¯s total bullshit.¡±


    ¡°It gets better. The admissions officer who made the report is named Jacob Talbot. That same Jacob Talbot just so happens to owe almost $200, 000 to your dad in gambling debt.¡±


    Yup. That checks out. I¡¯ve overheard enough conversations between my father and his associates to know how things get done. ¡°So this guy made a fake report about me in exchange for clearing the money he owes?¡±


    ¡°You guessed it.¡± He looks at Alessio. ¡°You want me to take care of it for you? I can get it done tonight.¡±


    My husband thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. ¡°No. I¡¯ll do it myself.¡±


    ¡°You sure? One of the perks of being the boss is you get to delegate shit like this.¡± Dominguez nces at his friend¡¯s bruised knuckles, and I wonder if he was there when those bruises happened.


    ¡°I know. But I¡¯m going to take this one. It¡¯s personal to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you,¡± I say, and all three men turn to look at me.


    ¡°Out of the question,¡± replies my husband immediately. ¡°I¡¯m not putting you in danger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing this on my behalf,¡± I insist. ¡°I want to be a part of it.¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t think it would be dangerous,¡± says Dominguez, earning a re from Alessio. ¡°Guy¡¯s a 45-year-old office worker. Not like you¡¯re running up on a cartel hitman or something.¡±


    ¡°And so that means I should bring mywifealong on business?¡±


    I make eye contact with my husband. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re threatening this guy so he changes his report. He¡¯s a BCU admissions officer, not some badass. Can you really argue this is more dangerous than our vacation?¡±


    He holds my gaze, then chuckles, rubbing his forehead. ¡°Fine, fine. My woman gets what she wants. We¡¯ll call it a date night. Just don¡¯t expect a candlelit dinner.¡±


    ¡°Honeymoon, part two,¡± Sal cracks.


    ***


    Alessio parks near the University, and we walk through the campus together. It¡¯s bittersweet being here, considering how excited I was to attend. All the students around me would¡¯ve been my ssmates.


    Hopefully, they will be someday.


    We find Jacob Talbot¡¯s office in one of the administration buildings, then sit on a bench outside his door. We¡¯re waiting for him toe in or out so we can clock his appearance, then follow him when he leaves. After about 20 minutes, a stocky, middle-aged man with fading, disheveled haires out, holding a coffee mug.


    ¡°Mr. Partridge!¡± he says, addressing Alessio. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I thought I had you and your daughter scheduled for 3 o¡¯clock. Do you want toe in?¡±


    My face instantly feels hot at the assumption that I¡¯m Alessio¡¯s daughter. He¡¯s been wearing a short beard since our trip, which I suppose does age him up a bit. But even so, it¡¯s a stark reminder of our age gap.


    But my husband just smiles, ncing at me with amusement. ¡°Yes, that would be great. You¡¯re Mr. Talbot?¡±


    ¡°Oh, please, call me Jacob.¡± He ushers us inside the office and closes the door. ¡°Sit down, sit down.¡±


    Jacob Talbot sits at his desk chair and puts down his empty coffee mug. Alessio remains standing. ¡°This won¡¯t take long. You made an arrangement not too long ago with Anthony  Gonzalez. You know what I¡¯m talking about?¡±


    Talbot stares for a moment, as though confused, then his face turns red. ¡°Anthony  Gonzalez? The¡­ gangster? He got arrested. I saw it on the news.¡±


    ¡°Yes. But before that, you had an arrangement with him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Talbot stutters. ¡°An arrangement? What kind of arrangement?¡±


    ¡°You know exactly what I¡¯m talking about,¡± says Alessio, dropping his tone. I almost squirm in ce at the sound of his domvoice. Fuck, the effect it has on me. ¡°You reversed his daughter¡¯s eptance.¡±


    ¡°He made me do it!¡± protests Talbot, dropping the pretense. ¡°I don¡¯t know why he wanted to screw over his daughter, it¡¯s not my business. He said he would clear my debts. I only did what he said.¡±


    ¡°I understand that,¡± says Alessio calmly. ¡°Now you¡¯re going to undo it.¡±


    ¡°Undo it? You think I have a magic wand? It was hard enough to make it happen in the first ce. I had to fake those pictures of her doing drugs.¡±


    ¡°You faked pictures of me doing drugs?¡± I say indignantly. ¡°You motherfucker!¡±


    His eyes widen as he recognizes me. ¡°Shit, you¡¯reGonzalez¡¯s daughter? Come on, what the fuck. Why is she here? I don¡¯t have business with her. Gonzalez¡¯s in jail. I thought this was over.¡±


    Alessio steps forward. ¡°Which means there¡¯s a new boss in town. Whatever deal you had with Anthony  Gonzalez is in the past. Now there¡¯s a new deal: you do what I say. And what I say is you get A Gonzalez back into school.¡±


    Talbot gulps, then shakes his head. ¡°Respectfully, my debt is clear. I don¡¯t owe the¡­you guysanything anymore. I can¡¯t get somebody back into school who we already denied for using drugs. So I¡¯m¡­¡± He looks like he¡¯s gathering his courage. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask both of you to leave.¡±


    Alessio steps forward again, but then there¡¯s a knock, and the door opens. A bald, bearded man in his 50s pokes his head in. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry to interrupt. Is this Jacob Talbot¡¯s office? My daughter and I have a 3 o¡¯clock appointment.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not interrupting,¡± says my husband, smiling. He turns over his shoulder and gives the admissions officer an icy stare. ¡°We were just leaving.¡±


    ***


    ¡°So, what do you think his story is?¡± I ask Alessio as we sit in his Te in the university parking lot. We¡¯re waiting for Talbot to walk out to his car, and I¡¯m starting to get bored.


    ¡°Talbot? Not much of a story. Had a gambling problem, got in too deep with the mob. Needed to start doing favors to keep his head above water. I¡¯ve seen it a hundred times before.¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, I know that part. But you know, what¡¯s his backstory? Like pretend he¡¯s in a movie?¡±


    Alessio raises an eyebrow. ¡°Are you trying to y a stakeout game?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. A stakeout game.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°You first.¡±


    I rub my hands together. ¡°Okay, okay¡­ He was married, two kids, but they divorced four years ago, and now he lives in a shitty apartment and only sees his daughters every other weekend. He tried online dating at first, but it didn¡¯t work out, so he turned to online gambling instead. Then gambling became a habit, and soon, he¡¯s spending every night at my dad¡¯s poker tables.¡±


    My husband stares at me. ¡°You just came up with all that?¡±


    ¡°Well, I was thinking about it earlier. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I think you should be a screenwriter.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your version?¡±

 45

    He bites his lip, thinking. ¡°All right, let me see¡­ I agree that he¡¯s divorced, but it was a long time ago, like 10 years ago. See, he¡¯s been an admissions officer at BCU this whole time, and his ex-wife found out he was taking bribes from wealthy families to let their kids into school. It turned into a big fight, and she left him over it. No kids. Ever since then, he¡¯s just fallen further and further into degeneracy, taking bribes and then gambling them away.¡±


    I grin. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. What about the daddy-daughterbo that came in after us? Were they bribing him?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. The moment we left, Mr. Partridge handed over an envelope full of cash.¡±


    I go quiet, my cheeks warming.


    ¡°What?¡± Alessio asks, noticing my silence.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to say it.¡±


    He smirks. ¡°You¡¯re thinking about Talbot assuming you were my daughter?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    He wraps his fingers around my ponytail and pulls slightly, making me gasp. ¡°Well, then he¡¯dreallyhate seeing me do this.¡± He brings his lips to mine and kisses me with authority, leaving me breathless.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he knows I¡¯m not your daughter now,¡± I squeak, brain a little mushy from the kiss.


    ¡°Good,¡± says Alessio, still holding me by the ponytail. ¡°Because I¡¯m going to do it again.¡±


    The kiss is insistent this time. I melt against him as his tongue enters my mouth.


    Then I hear the sound of tapping from outside, and I jump. A campus security officer is standing next to our car, motioning to roll down the window.


    Murder shes in Alessio¡¯s eyes, but he controls it quickly. He rolls down his window and addresses the officer politely. ¡°Good afternoon. Can I help you?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be doing that here,¡± says the campus security guy. ¡°Sorry to interrupt. We got a report about some people loitering in their car. I have to ask you to leave now.¡±


    ¡°No problem, officer,¡± says Alessio. ¡°Have a great rest of your day.¡±


    My face is bright red as we drive out of the parking lot. ¡°Wait a second,¡± I say, spotting something outside the window. ¡°Slow down. That¡¯s him, right?¡±


    As we exit the BCU parking lot, Jacob Talbot walks out to a blue BMW and puts his stuff in the backseat.


    ¡°Blue Beemer,¡± he says, eyes narrowing. ¡°Can you write down the license te on your phone?¡±


    ***


    We follow Jacob Talbot into a wealthy suburban neighborhood. ¡°I¡¯m getting ¡®married with kids¡¯ vibes if he lives here,¡± I remark. ¡°Definitely two ies. Looks like we were both wrong.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure,¡± says Alessio. ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s going home. Look. That house already has three cars in the driveway.¡±


    From a safe distance, we watch Talbot park his car and go into a well-lit home. Alessio parks on the other side of the street, hidden from view by arge SUV. When Talbotes out about 10 minutester, he¡¯s holding a briefcase.


    ¡°What do you think is in the briefcase?¡± I ask, continuing the game.


    ¡°Cash,¡± says Alessio with a shrug. ¡°He¡¯s taking a bribe to let some rich kid into BCU without the grades.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t even tell if you¡¯re joking or not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. Can¡¯t be easy to fund a gambling addiction like his, even on a private school sry. Stay in the car. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    ***


    Alessio


    ¡°What¡¯s in the briefcase?¡± I ask, leaning against the blue BMW.


    Jacob Talbot startles. ¡°Oh, fuck, you scared me. Who is that?¡± His eyes widen as he recognizes me. ¡°You? What are you¡­ Fuck, hey, man, I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I. What¡¯s in the briefcase?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think that¡¯s any of your business.¡±


    I sigh, draw the gun from my belt, and point it at his head. ¡°Is it my business now?¡±


    Talbot goes pale. ¡°Please don¡¯t shoot. I have kids.¡±


    ¡°You want to see them again, you keep your voice down and get in the fucking car.¡±


    ***


    A


    I watch as Alessio strides back to me, holding the briefcase. He passes it to me through the window. ¡°We¡¯re going to hang onto this for now. You okay driving? Mr. Talbot has agreed that I¡¯ll ride in his vehicle, and you can follow.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°To his apartment. We¡¯re going to have a chat.¡±


    He crosses the street again and gets into the backseat of the BMW, behind Talbot. I imagine that the whole time they¡¯re driving, Alessio will be holding a gun at his back. They pull out, and I follow them through the city to a block of high-rise apartment buildings. The BMW goes into a garage, and I park next to it.


    ¡°Up to your apartment,¡± Alessio orders Talbot, fully giving off that ¡°dom¡± aura now. ¡°Babe, you mind taking the briefcase?¡±

 46

    A


    Talbot fidgets as we ride the elevator up to his apartment. ¡°First of all, I just want to say-¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± says Alessio. ¡°We¡¯ll speak once you¡¯ve invited us into your lovely home.¡±


    We get to the 16th floor, and the admissions officer takes us down the hallway and into his apartment. It has this funny vibe, like the furnishings are nicer than the ce itself demands. There are disy cases on the walls filled with figurines and autographed sports jerseys.


    ¡°You ever consider selling some of these?¡± Alessio asks, pointing. ¡°Would be an easier way to pay what you owe than Photoshopping an innocent student using drugs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get right on that,¡± says Talbot, now looking thoroughly spooked. ¡°Whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°What I want is for you to get A Gonzalez back into Bover City University.¡±


    ¡°I told you,¡± Talbot says, ¡°it¡¯s not that simple. I already showed them photos of A using cocaine. How am I going to exin that away?¡±


    ¡°Show us the pictures,¡± I demand.


    Talbot nces at Alessio, who nods his head. ¡°Do as she says.¡±


    He scurries to the desk in the corner of the living room and boots up hisputer. An anime girl in a bikini greets us as his desktop background.


    ¡°The pictures,¡± Alessio prompts him.


    Hand shaking on the mouse, Talbot navigates to a folder filled with images. He starts to sort through them, and I see that the files are organized byst name.


    ¡°What are these?¡± I ask, frowning. ¡°Wait, open that one up.¡± I point at random to one of the files.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t have anything to do with you,¡± he protests. ¡°I really don¡¯t see-¡±


    ¡°Open it,¡± Alessio growls.


    Talbot does, and I see a screenshot of an Instagram exchange. Scanning over it, I read part of a conversation where one party admits to buying custom essays from a website and turning them in for good grades.


    ¡°You faked these messages?¡± I ask.


    He chuckles nervously. ¡°Didn¡¯t even have to fake it. Pretended I was a friend of his using a new profile. He was almost proud to admit it.¡±


    ¡°So you make a business of getting kids kicked out of school?¡±


    ¡°I make a business of getting kidsinto school. Only time I have to kick somebody out is when it¡¯s the middle of the school year and attendance is full. And that costs extra.¡±


    He closes the screenshot and opens another. I see two images, side-by-side, of myself in a grungy room snorting lines of white powder off a coffee table. I know it isn¡¯t me. I¡¯ve never done coke in my life. But the images look so real. They¡¯d be enough to fool anyone.


    ¡°Fuuuck,¡± I breathe, staring at the fake photos.


    Behind us, Alessio opens the briefcase. Inside are stacks of bills. ¡°This looks like a good business. What is this, 30 grand?¡±


    ¡°50,¡± says Talbot, looking just slightly smug.


    Alessio chuckles. ¡°You must really have a gambling problem to be owing Gonzalez big with this kind of ie. From now on, you work for me. I¡¯ll send someone every month to collect my 50 percent.¡±


    Talbot¡¯s face reddens. ¡°50 percent?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯sifyou promise to get A back into school. If you say no, you¡¯re going over the balcony.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not listening to me. I don¡¯t even know how I would-¡±


    ¡°16 floors. Long way down. Figure it out.¡±


    ¡°But the arrangement I had with Mr. Gonzalez-¡±


    Alessio grabs Talbot by the cor of his polo shirt and drags him across the living room, through the sliding ss doors, and to the balcony. I follow, my adrenaline spiking.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about your arrangement with Mr. Gonzalez. You want to visit him in prison, that¡¯s your business. But you¡¯re kicking up your 50 percent to me, and you¡¯re getting A back into school. It does not matter what lies you have to make up. You¡¯lle up with something.¡±


    He forces Talbot against the railing overlooking the city street, hoisting him by the waist so his feet leave the ground.


    ¡°Either that, or we do a little experiment in human flight. Get ready to p those arms real hard.


    ¡°Okay! Okay!¡± Talbot gasps, his eyes bugging out as he stares down at the street so far below him. ¡°Jesus, I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll do whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get her back in. And I¡¯ll pay you half.¡±


    Alessio allows Talbot¡¯s feet to return to the ground, although he keeps him pressed against the railing. ¡°Good answer. But I have to ask. Are you going to forget about our deal when I leave here? Ireallywouldn¡¯t want to have toe back.¡±


    ¡°No! I won¡¯t forget.¡±


    Alessio steps backward, calm now. ¡°Good. You¡¯re not going to see my face again. If you do, it¡¯s because you haven¡¯t held up your end of the bargain. And that means my face will be thest thing you ever see.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Talbot babbles, quaking with relief. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to-¡±


    He breaks off as Alessio sticks a syringe into his neck.


    ¡°He was talking too much,¡± says my husband, shrugging.


    ***


    Alessio


    ¡°Was that really necessary?¡± A asks, wide-eyed.


    I drag Talbot¡¯s unconscious figure back into the apartment and dump him on the carpet. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­ kill him, right?¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°Of course not. He¡¯s my new business partner. And he can¡¯t very well get you back into BCU if he¡¯s dead. He¡¯ll wakeup tomorrow with a headache.¡± I walk to the kitchen and grab a beer from the fridge. ¡°Want one?¡±


    She stares at me. ¡°Do I want a beer? Shouldn¡¯t we be getting out of here?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the hurry?¡±


    She starts to answer, then stops herself, as though struggling toe up with something. ¡°I mean¡­ leaving the scene of the crime?¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t want a beer?¡±


    A stares at me again, then sheughs. ¡°Fine, fine. Beer me.¡±


    I toss her a bottle, which she misses. It shatters on the floor.


    ¡°Nice throw.¡±


    ¡°Nice catch.¡±


    We make eye contact, then both of us startughing. ¡°Here,¡± I say, carefully handing her the bottle this time. ¡°Want to sit out on the balcony?¡±


    She walks over to the coffee table, past Talbot, and picks up what seems to be a jar of weed and some rolling papers. ¡°Sure, if you¡¯ll smoke a joint with me.¡±


    I give her the side eye. ¡°You want me to smoke weed with you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t smoke with us that night we met. I¡¯ve been dying to see what you¡¯re like stoned.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    She interprets my response as a yes, picking up the jar and papers and walking out to the balcony with them. ¡°Come on, it¡¯ll be fun.¡±


    ***


    I haven¡¯t smoked weed in years. Thest time was with Dominguez, now that I think about it. I¡¯m weirdly apprehensive as A rolls the joint next to me with practiced fingers.


    ¡°Should I make a joke about how good you are at that?¡±


    My wife shrugs. ¡°Second semester of senior year, all I did was smoke. I got pretty good at rolling.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°It¡¯s still weird for me to hear that and realize you mean your senior year ofhigh school.¡±


    She looks at me out of the corner of her eye, sealing the joint with her tongue. ¡°I think it¡¯s a littlete to be having concerns about the age gap. You know we met before? When I was 14?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, really? Not exactly helping me feel less creepy.¡±


    A leans closer, looking at me with big, fuck-me eyes. ¡°If you felt creepy for being with me, you probably should have thought of that before you fucked me and came inside me a bunch of times. Iamon birth control, if you were wondering.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t wondering.¡±


    She looks at me sharply, then gives a shudder, putting the joint to her lips. ¡°Got a light?¡±


    ¡°Actually, no.¡±


    She hands me a lighter from her pocket. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I have one. Want to do the honors?¡±


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m from a 1940s film noir movie, lighting your cigarette for you,¡± I say, flicking the lighter and holding the me in front of her as she inhales. ¡°Like I¡¯m Humphrey Bogart and you¡¯re Lauren Bacall or something.¡±


    She giggles. ¡°I barely know who those people are.¡±


    My mouth opens in mock-offense. ¡°Come on, I¡¯m notthatmuch older than you.¡±


    A takes a drag, the tip of the joint glowing orange. ¡°Tell me more about the 1940s. What was it like back then? Did you fight in World War II?¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Oh, no, they only drafted the young bucks. I was much too old. Thest war I fought in, we were using rocks and clubs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and riding to battle on a dinosaur, right?¡±


    ¡°Right. My favorite was the Triceratops.¡±


    ¡°Not the T-Rex?¡±


    ¡°Nah. Too nippy.¡±


    A hands me the joint. I hold it warily, watching smoke trail from the tip.


    ¡°It won¡¯t bite, you know,¡± she says, looking amused. ¡°Just start slow. I got way more stoned than I expected to when I was smoking with Belle-Ann at the wedding.¡±


    She means the wedding where we met in the orchard, I realize. The day I got made. How far away that feels.


    Okay, here goes nothing. I put the joint to my lips and inhale, coughing as the smoke hits my lungs.


    ¡°There you go,¡± she says, patting my back and taking the joint back from me. ¡°Let¡¯s see how that treats you.¡±


    I allow the remaining smoke to trail out of my mouth, almost like a ghost. ¡°Tastes nice.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, apparently Talbot smokes the good stuff. Makes sense, considering the briefcase full of cash.¡±


    My mind jumps to the BCU admissions officer, lying on the floor of the apartment while we sit on his balcony, smoking his weed and drinking his beer. Augh escapes me, and once it starts, it doesn¡¯t stop.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± asks A, taking another hit. ¡°Somebody got the giggles?¡±


    I can¡¯t even get the words out. Objectively, I can¡¯t really defend the situation being funny enough to justifyughing like this, but it doesn¡¯t seem to matter right now. The giggles have a life of their own.


    A watches me, and soon she¡¯sughing at the fact that I¡¯mughing. ¡°You are so adorable,¡± she says, putting her head on my shoulder. ¡°Oh my god. I¡¯m so d I got you high.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a new one,¡± I choke out, getting control of myself.


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°¡®Adorable.¡¯ Pretty sure I¡¯ve never been called that before.¡±


    ¡°Not even when you were a kid?¡±


    I scowl. ¡°Definitely not.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s sad.¡±


    Is it? It never urred to me to think about it that way. Also, we aren¡¯t talking about my childhood. That topic would make her pity me, want tofort me, bring us closer. I¡¯m not doing that.


    ¡°The city lights look amazing,¡± is what I end up saying, staring at the skyline in the fading evening light. ¡°Are they always this bright and colorful?¡±

 47

    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re definitely high.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell?¡±


    ¡°What you just said. And the look on your face.¡±


    I feel defensive. ¡°Hey, it was your idea.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m notining! You¡¯re cute.¡±


    A leans against the railing and we watch the city together, glistening brilliantly with life.


    ¡°I had a dream about you, you know. Before we were married.¡±


    I turn sharply at my wife¡¯s words. ¡°You did?¡±


    She looks down. ¡°More than one. When I was hiding at that hotel in Parker Springs. I kept having them.¡±


    ¡°What kind of dreams?¡±


    Even with the limited light, I can see her blushing. ¡°It was always the same. First, like, I¡¯m running, trying to hide. Then I¡¯m at that party, fucking the guy with the ghost mask. Then the maskes off, and it turns out to be you. And in the dream, we were married. That¡¯s when I would always wake up.¡±


    I lean forward, my fuzzy brain trying to make sense of her words. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that¡­ before you knew?¡±


    ¡°Before you told me that it wasyouin the ghost mask? Yeah. I was having those dreams before that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ wow. That¡¯s crazy.¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s like somehow, Iknew. Even though I didn¡¯t¡­ know.¡±


    ¡°And you said we were married in the dream?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I guess my subconscious was trying to make sense of all the different ways I was feeling about you.¡±


    She looks away, as though she¡¯s revealed too much. My heartbeat quickens. ¡°All the different ways?¡±


    A keeps her eyes on the skyline as she replies. ¡°Yeah. Being attracted, and scared, and not wanting to marry you, but knowing deep down that was probably always what was going to happen.¡±


    I want to touch her, but in that moment, the three inches between us feel like such a distance. My hand doesn¡¯t even leave the railing. ¡°Why did you think that was always going to happen?¡±


    She gives me a funny look. ¡°Because my dad wanted it.¡± There¡¯s venom in her voice. ¡°And my dad always gets what he wants.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    The change in tone is sudden, and I try not to react. ¡°Not this time.¡±


    ¡°Not this time? I mean¡­ not to be shitty, but look who I¡¯m married to.¡±


    Her words cut me, even though I know that isn¡¯t their intent. ¡°That¡¯s not what your dad wanted, that¡¯s whatIwanted. Your dad¡¯s in jail. He doesn¡¯t get a say. ¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but for how much longer?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea. But let me make one thing very clear: he doesn¡¯t get to control your life anymore. Not ever again.¡±


    A makes eye contact with me, and her face softens. For some reason, this brings me relief. We¡¯ve been clicking today. I want to keep that feeling going.


    ¡°Thanks for today,¡± she whispers, stepping closer to me. ¡°For helping. It means a lot.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Of course.¡±


    I put an arm around my wife and pull her closer, holding her from behind as we watch the sunset. She leans against me and I allow myself to nuzzle her hair. God, I love that smell. It¡¯s like being home.


    ¡°A?¡± My heart beats faster as I say her name.


    She leans her head back. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    I¡¯m so d I married you, is what I want to say.


    ¡°I¡­ this is nice. Being here together.¡±


    Fucking coward.


    She pauses, as though allowing me the chance to say more.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she whispers finally, putting her hand on my wrist and squeezing it. ¡°This is nice.¡±


    I hold her as tightly as I can, and it¡¯s like I¡¯mbeggingthe universe not to take her away from me. The protective walls I¡¯ve built around myself are crumbling, leaving me more exposed than I¡¯ve ever been.


    It would be so easy to let her in. To follow that siren¡¯s call that always leads to pain.


    Maybe she¡¯s worth the pain.

 48

    A


    Three dayster


    I feel a grim sort of satisfaction as the guard leads me to the clear pane of bulletproof ss separating me from my father. I sit down, unable to read the expression on his face. With a deep breath, I pick up the phone receiver and put it to my ear.


    ¡°Hey, dad.¡±


    He stares at me like he doesn¡¯t know what to say, then nods several times. ¡°A. My only daughter. Congrattions on your marriage. Sorry I couldn¡¯te to the wedding.¡± There¡¯s bitterness in his voice. ¡°I would have loved to give you away.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll bet you would have.¡±


    A lengthy, awkward pause. I¡¯m waiting for his retort. My father shakes his head. ¡°Happy?¡±


    I gulp. ¡°Yeah. I am happy.¡±


    ¡°I understand why you did it, you know. In a way, I respect it. You beat me. You¡¯re more ruthless than I thought.¡±


    I think back to huddling in the closet of our ¡°vacation¡± home and making the fateful decision to reveal our location to Alessio. How much has changed since then. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to be ruthless. I was trying to take control of my life. Did you think I was just going to follow your orders forever?¡±


    ¡°Hey, take some credit. You deserve it. Setting up your father for a prison sentence is pretty ruthless. You¡¯ll go far with that mindset.¡±


    It takes a moment for it to hit me that we aren¡¯t talking about the same thing. ¡°Wait. Do you think I set you up? I was talking about¡­¡± I try to choose my words carefully, knowing we¡¯re being recorded. ¡°I was talking about marrying Alessio.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure he helped. Are you denying it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am denying it. Do you think I would do that to my own father?¡±


    He raises his eyebrows. ¡°I already know the way you betrayed me that you can¡¯t deny. Don¡¯t pretend it¡¯s a stretch.¡±


    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t.¡±


    He pauses, somewhat thoughtfully, and I honestly can¡¯t tell whether he believes me or not. ¡°I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter now.¡±


    ¡°And what exactly does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means that whatever happens next, my grandchildren will inherit what I¡¯ve built. Whether I give it to them, or you do.¡±


    ¡°And how would you give it to them?¡± I snap. ¡°You got a way of getting through this bulletproof ss I don¡¯t know about?¡±


    The guard next to us raises his head, staring at me pointedly.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    My father shrugs. ¡°It¡¯s amazing what¡¯s possible in this great legal system of ours. God bless America.¡±


    I nce at the guard, choosing each word with caution. ¡°And you think you can just get it all back? Even if they let you walk out of here? Things have changed since you¡¯ve been gone.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure they have. Is that why you came to visit me? To tell me things have changed?¡±


    My fists clench. ¡°Yes. I wanted to tell you that BCU reversed its decision. I¡¯ll be starting school as a freshman next fall. Funny how you couldn¡¯t do anything about that.¡±


    He tries not to react, but I see his eyes sh. ¡°Like I said, ruthless. That¡¯ll take you ces. You really are my daughter.¡±


    ¡°I would never take away from you what you tried to take from me.¡±


    ¡°Like my life? My freedom?¡±


    I stare at him. ¡°You really still think I set you up?¡±


    He sneers. ¡°No, of course not. 20-year-old cold cases get prosecuted all the time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like you can¡¯t decide if you¡¯re proud of me, or want to kill me.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Exactly.¡±


    In spite of how hard I¡¯ve worked to cut him out, to not care, my lip still quivers. He¡¯s my dad. I don¡¯t want us to be enemies. I want him to love me. ¡°Why did you even force me to marry him in the first ce?¡± I ask bitterly, close to tears. ¡°What is wrong with you? Why would you arrange that if you were just nning to take it away at thest minute?¡±


    My father closes his eyes. When he opens them, his face is impassive. ¡°I did intend for you to marry Alessio. You¡¯ve been pledged to him for a very, very long time. Since you were young.¡±


    What? It¡¯s impossible to hide the shock on my face. ¡°I¡­ what do you mean, since I was young?¡±


    He justughs, eyes gleaming with the realization that he¡¯s finally found some power over me, even from behind the bulletproof ss. ¡°You think you know everything about this? Oh, I guess you don¡¯t. Why don¡¯t you ask your husband about it, if you think he¡¯ll tell you.¡± He leans back in his chair.


    A familiar sense of resentment washes over me and I stand up, my own chair flying out behind me. ¡°Enjoy prison.¡± I drop the receiver and storm out.


    A


    ¡°A! I¡¯m so happy!¡± Belle-Ann wraps her arms around me as we meet outside Gino¡¯s bar, a popr Gonzalez family hangout.


    I squeeze her back, grinning. ¡°And you thought you were going to be rid of me.¡±


    We¡¯re here to celebrate me getting back into Bover City University. Dominguez and Alessio stand behind us on the sidewalk, waiting to go inside.


    As we find a table and sit down, I try to ignore the swirl of misgivings I have after the conversation with my father. I don¡¯t know how to understand what he just told me. I¡¯ve been pledged to Alessio since I was young? Fucking yuck. And also, what the hell?


    Ask your husbandabout it, if you think he¡¯ll tell you.


    I make eye contact with Alessio, sitting across from me, and his handsome face smiles back. What does he know that I don¡¯t? What game am I a pawn in that he never even bothered to tell me about? I squirm at the feeling of being used, and I hate it. It¡¯s exactly why I wanted to leave this life behind me.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Razone! So good to see you you here. How¡¯s your night going?¡± The bar owner approaches us, beaming.


    Alessio puts his arm around me. ¡°Good, thank you, Luigi. We¡¯re celebrating Mrs. Razone getting epted to her first-choice college.¡±


    The owner ps his hands. ¡°Congratzioni, Mrs. Razone! But seeing as this is a bar¡­ Can I see some ID?¡±


    I freeze. Alessio assured me we wouldn¡¯t get carded here.


    Luigi¡¯s face breaks into a smile. ¡°I joke, I joke. The look on your face. Where are you going to school?¡±


    ¡°Bover City University,¡± I tell him. ¡°Not too far from home.¡±


    ¡°A splendid choice! My niece studies there. Psychology. Very good school. I¡¯ll send a dessert to your table, on the house.¡±


    I blush. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯ll pick it up myself from the bakery across the street. Only the best for the Razones.¡±


    He scurries off, and I¡¯m left blinking. Even as Anthony  Gonzalez¡¯s daughter, I never got that kind of treatment. But walking in here now with Alessio, the boss of the two most important families in Bover City, is different. I canfeelthat everyone in the room knows who we are, and wants us to approve of them.


    ying pool near us are two guys I recognize from the wedding circuit. Gonzalez family associates, I¡¯m pretty sure. Theye up to our table and congratte me, making sure to shake Alessio¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Feel like the boss now?¡± Dominguez smirks, lowering his voice after they leave. ¡°They¡¯re like dogs begging for scraps.¡±


    ¡°Shit, that¡¯s my dad,¡± says Belle-Ann, ducking.


    Belle-Ann¡¯s father is a captain in the Gonzalez family. I turn and see him walking into the bar, along with Gio the Butcher.


    ¡°And that¡¯s Giovanni Lombardo,¡± says Dominguez, looking out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Two Gonzalez captains. Let¡¯s see what they do.¡±


    They see us as they enter and immediately walk over to our table.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Razone!¡± Belle-Ann¡¯s father greets us, smiling a little too broadly. ¡°And in such greatpany!¡± He leans down and kisses Belle-Ann on the cheek. ¡°Gio, have you met my daughter, Belle-Ann?¡±


    ¡°A pleasure,¡± says Lombardo, his own fake warmth slightly more believable. He shakes hands with Alessio, nods to Dominguez, and gives me a kiss on the cheek while I try not to cringe.


    I feel awkward, but no one else seems to. Apparently, I¡¯m the only one who cares that thest time we saw each other, Alessio and Dominguez fed Gio the Butcher¡¯s second-inmand to his own piranhas.


    The bar owneres back with a box of cannoncini, ky Italian pastry horns filled with velvety cream. He congrattes me again as he ces the box in front of us.


    ¡°Special asion?¡± asks Belle-Ann¡¯s father, eyeing the pastries and then his daughter, as though trying to figure out what she¡¯s done to earn a seat at the boss¡¯s table.


    ¡°A just got epted to Bover City University,¡± she tells him, nudging me. ¡°We¡¯re celebrating.¡±


    ¡°Ah! I forgot you two were close. Such a wonderful thing, to stay in touch with our childhood friends. A, I hope you have a wonderful time in school.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say ufortably. Everyone is being so nice to me now, even more than they were before. I guessboss¡¯s wifetrumpsboss¡¯s daughter. Did my mom get treated like this when my dad was in charge? She probably did.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t let us interrupt,¡± says Gio, ncing at hispanion. ¡°Enjoy your dessert! Congrattions, A. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have a wonderful time at BCU.¡±


    Both men give Alessio a deferential nod, then they find seats at the bar.


    Belle-Ann taps my foot under the table. ¡°Did you see my dad¡¯s face when he realized I was sitting with his boss?¡±


    ***


    An hour and a few drinkster, we¡¯re having a good time. Belle-Ann lets loose a bit after her father leaves, making all of usugh with a story about how she and I used to sneak out of our high school English ss.


    ¡°And the best part is,¡± Belle-Ann chokes, ¡°we managed to convince Mrs. Rivera that we had a conflict with an elective on Fridays, so she wouldn¡¯t even mark us absent!¡±


    ¡°I knew you were a pair of delinquents,¡± chuckles Dominguez. ¡°From the first time I saw you hiding in the orchard smoking pot at that wedding, I thought,¡¯these girls are trouble.''¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t do a very good job of staying out of trouble, then,¡± says Belle-Ann. ¡°Didn¡¯t you take a hit from my joint?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Hey, I never said I had a problem with trouble. I love trouble.¡±


    The door to the bar opens and three tall, athletic-looking men enter, all wearing hoodies for the BCU football team. Belle-Ann nces over, then ducks, her face turning red.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I ask. I don¡¯t recognize any of the guys.


    ¡°That¡¯s Jason,¡± she mutters. ¡°The one I told you about.¡±


    ¡°Shit. Do you want to leave?¡±


    ¡°Wait, what¡¯s going on?¡± Dominguez asks. ¡°Do you know those guys?¡±


    Belle-Ann looks like she doesn¡¯t want to answer. I nce at her. ¡°Is it okay if I exin?¡±


    She nods. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    I sigh and turn to Dominguez. ¡°The blond one is somebody Belle-Ann matched with on a dating app a couple weeks ago. Quarterback on the BCU team or something. They went on one date, she broke things off, and he¡¯s been borderline-stalking her ever since.¡±


    ¡°Borderline-stalking her?¡±


    Belle-Ann rubs her forehead, still keeping her face turned away from the group of football yers. ¡°He keeps ¡®running into me¡¯ on my way to ss and asking why I won¡¯t give him a second date. Was sending about 20 texts a day until I blocked his number.¡±


    ¡°Jesus. Want me to go have a talk with him?¡±


    She looks sharply at Dominguez, as though somewhere between impressed and tempted, but shakes her head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to make a scene. He hasn¡¯t bothered me sincest week. Maybe he got bored.¡±


    ¡°Well if you change your mind,¡± says Alessio, ¡°Dom and I have your back.¡±


    ¡°I thought that was you!¡±


    Belle-Ann and I both wince at the sound of Jason the football yer¡¯s slurred voice. He swaggers over to our table, confident as can be, eyes narrowing cruelly.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Alessio asks.


    Jason ignores him. ¡°Hey, Belle-Ann! Remember me?¡±


    ¡°My friend asked if he can help you,¡± Dominguez growls.


    The football yer takes a step closer to him, puffing out his broad shoulders. ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m not talking to you.¡±


    Immediately, the atmosphere in the bar changes. Less chatter, more people paying attention to our table.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to date you,¡± says Belle-Ann, face bright red, ¡°so just fuck off and leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°You should go rejoin your friends,¡± says Alessio, his voice low and deadly.


    ¡°Or what?¡± Jason turns his attention back to Belle-Ann. ¡°You think I want to date you? You wouldn¡¯t put out anyway, you bitch.¡±


    Dominguez stands up from his chair instantly, getting in his face. The football yer looks like he outweighs him, but I know that whatever confidence he draws from that fact is badly, badly misced.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here,¡± says Dominguez. ¡°Or you¡¯re going to get hurt.¡±


    Jason takes a step backwards, but he seems more amused than intimidated. ¡°Ooh, I¡¯m so scared, your new boyfriend threatened to beat me up. Whatever shall I do?¡± He looks over at his group of friends, whough.


    Dominguez doesn¡¯t budge. ¡°Last warning.¡±


    Jason¡¯s eyes sh. ¡°Hey, wait a second. I just realized something!¡± He looks over at Belle-Ann with an evil grin. ¡°You¡¯re only 20 years old. It said so in your profile. Are you drinking illegally?¡± He raises his voice so the whole bar can hear. ¡°This one¡¯s underage! She¡¯s drinking with a fake ID!¡±


    Luigi the bar owner stomps over to our table holding a bat.¡±Out!¡±he yells. ¡°Get the fuck out of my bar!¡±


    Jason eyes the bat, thenughs. ¡°Just having a little fun. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m going. Come on, guys.¡±


    He motions to his friends and they get up, one of them intentionally spilling a drink on his way out.


    Luigi lowers his bat as the door closes behind them. ¡°Those three aren¡¯t allowed in here anymore,¡± he says to the bartender. ¡°Sorry about the disturbance, folks.¡±


    ***


    But about 15 minutester, the door opens again. It¡¯s the three football yers, and this time, they have a police officer with them.


    ¡°This is the ce,¡± Jason announces proudly. ¡°They allow underage drinking in here. The bar condones it.¡± He points to Belle-Ann. ¡°Ask for her ID. She¡¯s only 20 years old. If her license says otherwise, it¡¯s a fake.¡±


    The police officer walks slowly over to our table, then stops. Belle-Ann stiffens.


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt your evening, Mr. Razone,¡± the cop addresses Alessio. ¡°I¡¯m happy to book the three of them now, keep them in the drunk tank overnight. Or I can fuck off back to my beat and let you deal with them your way.¡±


    My husband gives him a tight smile. ¡°Thanks, Paul. No need to add paperwork to your night. We¡¯ll take it from here.¡±


    Jason and his two friends watch with mouths agape as the officer walks past them and exits the bar, whistling to himself. One of the men drinking by the door locks it behind him.


    ¡°Uhh, what the fuck just happened?¡± asks Jason¡¯s friend, staring at him in confusion.


    Jason doesn¡¯t get the chance to answer before someone smashes him in the back of the head with a bottle. The other two football yers have no time to react. They¡¯re surrounded by a group of Mafia guys armed with bottles and pool cues, beating them down viciously in an attempt to impress the boss.


    I turn to my husband, torn between horror and a dark sense of satisfaction. He¡¯s watching with a nk, dead-eyed look on his face, the same one I remember from his grandfather¡¯s funeral. It¡¯s like he¡¯s been transported to a different ce. Next to me, Belle-Ann is frozen, staring at the table in front of her as the beating continues.


    Then suddenly, Alessio stands up.¡±Enough!¡±He holds out his hand.


    The beatdown stops. Instantly. Jason and his two friends stay on the ground, bleeding and groaning.


    ¡°Get them out of here,¡± Alessio snarls.


    A couple of men rush to pick up the football yers. They drag them out the back door and leave them in the alley.


    Dominguez turns to his friend. ¡°You think we should get out of here?¡±


    Alessio nods, his eyes still dead. ¡°Yes.¡±


    We walk out to the parking lot in silence. Alessio uses his phone to unlock the car.


    Then mes shoot to the sky and an incredible, deafening bang shatters the night as his Te explodes in an enormous ball of fire. He wraps his arms around me, shielding me with his body from the heat while Dominguez does the same with Belle-Ann

 49

    Alessio


    20 years ago


    ¡°Happy birthday to youuuu!¡±


    Everybody ps as they finish singing. Perched on my bar stool, I blow out my candles, all 10 of them, and look around at the friends I have celebrating with me. I feel like the coolest kid around. I¡¯m not even a teenager yet, and half the guests at my party are grownups. These are men of honor. That¡¯s what my dad calls them. And they¡¯re treating me like part ofthe crew.


    ¡°Happy birthday, kid,¡± says Uncle Sal, pping me on the back and stuffing an envelope full of cash into my hand. ¡°You¡¯ll turn out all right.¡±


    I make eye contact with my best friend Dominguez, beaming. We love birthdays. His wasst month, and he got a lot of envelopes. But I wasn¡¯t jealous. My grandpa is the boss. I knew when my birthday came, my envelopes would be fatter than his.


    ¡°Is Nonnoing?¡± I ask dad hopefully, tugging his sleeve to get his attention.


    ¡°Look at that fucking piece of shit,¡± he mutters, staring across the bar at a man I don¡¯t recognize. ¡°Coming in here.¡± He nudges Uncle Sal. ¡°You see this?¡±


    Sal nces over his shoulder, then whispers something. My heart sinks.


    ¡°Dad?¡± I try again, hoping I can distract him. ¡°Is Nonnoing?¡±


    Uncle Sal ruffles my hair. ¡°I don¡¯t think so, kid. Your grandpa¡¯s a very important man. He¡¯s got business today.¡±


    Dad makes eye contact with Sal, and I¡¯m not having fun anymore. Dad scares me when he¡¯s like this.


    ***


    Dad lets me eat lots of cake, so I end up having a pretty good time. Most of the people leave, and Uncle Sal ys games with me until I get tired and fall asleep with my head on the counter.


    When I wake up, I¡¯m curled up with his jacket in a booth in the corner. I can hear dad talking to someone at the bar behind me:


    ¡°To be honest, Jackie, you¡¯ve got a lot of nerveing in here after what you pulled. It was me, I wouldn¡¯t show my face.¡±


    Someone puts a ss down hard. ¡°You really gonna give me this fuckin¡¯ shit? That motherfucker got what he was owed. Tell me like you would do any different.¡±


    Uncle Sal¡¯s voice. ¡°All we¡¯re saying is, it¡¯s Andres¡¯s cousin we¡¯re talking about. Barely more than a kid. You really hurt the guy. You gotta show some respect.¡±


    ¡°And where was my respect when he was ripping me off? Thanks, fes, but I¡¯ll drink where I please. I ain¡¯t paying nothing for that little shit, allrespectto you both. I¡¯m d he¡¯s in the hospital. Maybe if it¡¯s a long recovery, it teaches him a lesson.¡±


    I sit up, almost choking on the cigarette smoke, just in time to see my dad smash a bottle into the back of the man¡¯s head. He slumps forward, knocking over his beer, and dad keeps stabbing him in the back and shoulders with the jagged edges of the broken bottle. Sal rushes over to the door and locks it. The bartender is nowhere to be seen.


    A horrified whimper escapes me. Now the man is lying in a growing pool of sickly dark blood, my dad standing over him, and I can¡¯t look away from it. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.


    Uncle Sal runs back to dad and they kick the guy a bunch of times even though he¡¯s already not moving. ¡°There¡¯s your fuckin¡¯ respect,¡± Sal grunts.


    Then they look up and notice me watching them. Sal shakes his head. ¡°Sorry about this, kid. Your birthday and everything. Had to be done.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s old enough,¡± growls my dad, shirt painted red. It looks so much brighter on the white cloth than oozing over the tiled floor. ¡°He¡¯ll be a man soon.¡±


    I keel forward and throw up.


    ***


    ¡°Yougotta make sure to leave all the pieces in different ces,¡± my dad exins, his words punctuated by the dullthunkof his cleaver chopping through flesh and bone. ¡°You getzy, that¡¯s how they catch you.¡±


    Uncle Sal grunts, focused on his own chopping. ¡°You listen to your old man. Don¡¯t ever get sloppy. You want to be here a long time, mind your P¡¯s and Q¡¯s.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    My eyes are fixed on the floor of the wine cer. I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ll retch again if I look up.


    ¡°You got that, kid?¡±


    An armnds in the bucket in front of me. I do my best to ignore it, lip trembling. ¡°Got it.¡±


    Dad walks over to me, and I wince. ¡°Look at me, Alessio.¡±


    I heed his words, knowing he expects me to be strong. My eyes snap reluctantly to his face and he towers over me, holding a severed foot.


    ¡°Do you know why we had to do this?¡±


    I nod. All I want is for this to be over.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡±


    I say nothing. I¡¯m not going to risk guessing wrong.


    ¡°Family,¡± my father growls, crouching down to my level. ¡°You must always protect your family. Nothing is ever more important.¡±

 50

    Alessio


    Present day


    My pistol is in my hand before the debris is finished falling. Car rms ring out through the parking lot, mes now flickeringzily from the burned-out shell of my vehicle. All around us, bits of ash waft down from the sky like snow.


    Next to me, Dominguez has his gun out as well, shielding Belle-Ann with one arm as he looks around for a threat. ¡°Are you okay?¡± he calls through the cacophony.


    I verify that A is also unhurt. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re fine. You andBelle-Ann?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re okay. Fuck. Car bomb?¡±


    I nod grimly, a familiar sense of dreading over me. Memories start punching into my brain, memories I¡¯ve tried very hard to escape.


    My father¡¯s Mercedes, reduced to a charred skeleton just like this. I only ever saw it in the news reports, which means I never had to endure the image of my parents¡¯ incinerated corpses in the front seats. But I imagined it. So many times.


    A crowd gathers in the parking lot as peoplee out of the bar and surrounding buildings to check on themotion. Dominguez and I put our guns away, saying nothing. The authorities will be here soon, and this time, they won¡¯t all be on my payroll.


    ***


    Dominguez drives us home in his car. I stew next to him in the passenger seat, staring out the window. Behind us, the two women sit in silence.


    ¡°Who do you think did it?¡± Dominguez finally asks, breaking the quiet. ¡°Maroney?¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    I stroke my bruised knuckles, the result of sending a message to one of Colin Maroney¡¯s enforcers. ¡°Maybe. Probably. I didn¡¯t think we were done with him.¡±


    A pipes up. ¡°Who¡¯s Maroney?¡±


    ¡°Colin Maroney,¡± says Dominguez. ¡°Irish mob. His crew¡¯s been trying to muscle onto our turf in South Bover. We had a little problem with them recently.¡±


    ¡°And you think he nted the bomb?¡±


    ¡°It makes the most sense. Who else is gunning for us right now?¡±


    A hesitates, then takes a deep breath. ¡°Could it be¡­ do you think it could be my father?¡±


    Dominguez doesn¡¯t answer that one, instead ncing in my direction.


    My voice is hoarse. ¡°I doubt it. It¡¯s possible that he has ways of getting word to the outside, but no one on the street is taking orders from him anymore.¡±


    I¡¯m present, but I¡¯m not. Half my brain is still in that memory where I¡¯m 15 years old, obsessively looking up every news report, every bit of information I can find on my parents¡¯ murder.


    I still don¡¯t know who killed them. But I know how it felt to lose them. I don¡¯t ever want that pain again. And I can¡¯t let A feel that pain aboutme.


    If I die in a fiery wreck or a hail of bullets, will it leave her just as broken?


    My most important purpose is to protect her. Even if that means adding stones and mortar to the wall around my heart.


    ***


    A


    My hands are still trembling when Dominguez drops us off at the penthouse. I cling to Alessio as we ride the elevator to the top, needing the security of his closeness. The explosion rings in my ears. I can still feel the heat on my skin, the smoke in my nostrils, the pulse-pounding fear of what mighte next.


    Alessio holds me, but I feel a distance in his actions. And even though I¡¯m feeling the distance too, ever since the conversation with my father, I don¡¯t want that right now. I want to feel close. To feel safe. For us to be a team, like we were when we threatened Jacob Talbot.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± I ask as soon as we enter the apartment. ¡°You think it¡¯s the Irish mob who are after you?¡±


    He barely looks at me. ¡°California or Oregon? What¡¯s your preference?¡±


    I frown. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Could be anywhere, really. I was just thinking West Coast. Are there any states you¡¯ve always wanted to live in?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? Are you saying you want to leave Bover City?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯releaving Bover City. I¡¯m staying here and handling business.¡±


    My face falls. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. I¡¯m staying with you.¡± I reach for his hand, but he pulls it away.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t safe for you here. I¡¯m a target in my own fucking territory. You¡¯re getting on a ne tomorrow and leaving the state.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that. If it isn¡¯t safe for me, it isn¡¯t safe for you.¡±


    His face twitches, but he keeps his expression nk. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t what?¡± I demand.


    ¡°I can¡¯t have you here. I can¡¯t lose you. I can¡¯t have-¡± He cuts himself off. ¡°I can¡¯t put you in danger.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s really so dangerous, why don¡¯t you seem scared?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get scared. Not anymore. Not for myself.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°Okay, Mr. Edgy.¡±


    His voice hardens. ¡°I didn¡¯t choose this, A. I was made this way. You grow up the way I did, the softness gets beaten out of you pretty quick.¡±


    I take a step closer to him, and he doesn¡¯t step back. ¡°So let me stay with you. You can be hard with everyone else, and soft with me.¡±


    His face twitches again, and he can¡¯t hide the pain behind his eyes. ¡°You think I don¡¯t already do that? You are my soft spot, Ave. The only soft spot that I have. That¡¯s why I can¡¯t have you here.¡±


    I step forward again, into arms¡¯ reach, and Alessio reaches out to hold me as though he can¡¯t help himself. I breathe against his chest, listening to his heart thump.


    ¡°Is the apartment safe?¡± I ask.


    He nods. ¡°It¡¯s a rich neighborhood with a solid police presence, and building security is top-notch. They won¡¯t be able to hit me at home.¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯ll stay in the apartment. You can handle what you need to handle, and I¡¯ll be your little toy waiting for you at home.¡±


    He stiffens, and I can tell he¡¯s thinking about it. I wait for his reply, hoping he¡¯ll bite on the sexual offer even if my emotional plea falls t. I don¡¯t want to leave. I want to be at home with my husband. Not alone in some sad hotel room in Oregon.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Alessio says finally. ¡°You¡¯ll be my little toy at home. You will submit to me in every way that I expect. And you will not leave this penthouse until I say. Is that understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I tell him, my body responding to our closeness, the adrenaline, the general concept of being his toy. ¡°Sir.¡±


    His eyes sh as his hands move lower, cupping my ass. ¡°Good girl. When you¡¯ve gotten settled, wait for me in the bedroom. I¡¯m going to fuck all three of your holes tonight. And I¡¯m not going to be gentle.¡±


    ***


    Alessio


    For a while, I¡¯m able to lose myself in A. I strip her naked, put her on her knees, fuck her perfect little mouth until I can¡¯t bear it anymore. Then I climb on top of her on the bed, rail the fuck out of her cunt, and leave my cum dripping out of her ass.


    She wants to cuddle after that, and reluctantly, I curl up next to her. All I can think about is thatbang, the exploding car. What if she¡¯d been inside it? She looks so small snuggled up against me, so soft and delicate.


    It would be so easy for someone to take her away from me.


    The next day, I meet with my capos. All of them. That means Uncle Sal and the captains who pledged loyalty to my grandfather, as well as the captains who used to kick up to Anthony  Gonzalez. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve gathered everyone together as the new boss of both families, and it feels significant. Not just because I was almost killedst night.


    For a moment, I allow myself to rememberNonno. He would be so proud of me right now. This is exactly what he wanted for me, and what I never did. Not after my parents died.


    Bravo, Nazio . You got your wish. You raised me better than my father, at least.


    My parents. I think of them as little as I can, although for different reasons. My mother was a sweet, loving woman. She didn¡¯t want this for me, but she never had a choice. She always knew what I was going to be. What my father was going to make me.


    He got what he wanted, and what he deserved.


    Sorry, mom. And fuck you, dad. I¡¯m d you never got the chance to be proud of the monster you created.


    I turn my face to stone before addressing the group of men in front of me. ¡°Last night, someone made an attempt on my life. A car bomb. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all seen the news reports.¡±


    Angry murmuring fills the room in response.


    ¡°May they rest in shit when we find them,¡± scowls Uncle Sal next to me. Everyone hurries to agree.


    ¡°It must¡¯ve been the Maroney crew,¡± says Vittorio Conti, Belle-Ann¡¯s father. ¡°Their dealers have been pushing into our territory in South Bover, giving us a lot of problems. It¡¯s been hard to respond without escting, but it seems like theywantto escte. I was just talking to Gio about thisst night.¡±


    Gio the Butcher speaks up in agreement. ¡°I know those Irish boys don¡¯t push up on Razone territory much, so maybe they aren¡¯t on your radar. But we¡¯ve been having problems with them for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Colin Maroney and his brother have been a thorn in my side for years,¡± says Sal. ¡°I¡¯ve got South Side properties, too. If Colin¡¯s getting too big for his britches, we gotta p that little cunt down.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone escting tensions with Maroney¡¯s crew until we have more information,¡± I say forcefully. ¡°Sal, see if you can set up a meeting with him. No need to start bloodshed unnecessarily. But if he did it, we nail him to the fucking wall.¡±


    ***


    I¡¯m not looking forward to seeing A at home.


    That¡¯s a lie.


    Truthfully, it¡¯sallI¡¯m looking forward to, and that¡¯s the problem.


    When I didn¡¯t have attachments, I didn¡¯t have weak points. Now I¡¯m wearing my weak point on my sleeve. Around my fucking finger.


    I¡¯m one big weak point.


    She¡¯s all I think about. Keeping her safe. Keeping her out of the darkness that surrounds me. Keeping the dangers of my world from ruining her the way they ruined me.


    She¡¯s my beacon of light in this darkness, and if I¡¯m not careful, it¡¯s going to get extinguished.


    A greets me wearing nothing but a red, see-through lingerie set, and I have my moment of release. I cor her, lead her roughly to the bedroom, have my way with her. Then I make her wear the ball gag and the remote control plug. I eat my dinner at the kitchen table, her tied to a chair next to me, vibrating the plug whenever I please. It¡¯s fun, having that power, seeing the way she pouts at me even though she¡¯s loving the loss of control.


    When I¡¯m dominating A, everything else melts away.


    ***


    A


    This is the only time I feel close to him. The only time I feel like myself.


    Alessio puts the ball gag back in as soon as I¡¯m finished eating, and it¡¯s almost a relief. He doesn¡¯t have his guard up when I¡¯m like this, in the position of firmly submitting to him. Losingmyself in this role feels soright, so needed. To be used, reduced, owned, and valued all at the same time. Things are simple when I¡¯m his toy. I follow his orders, or I get punished. Either way, I¡¯m the center of his attention.


    ¡°Spread your legs for me,¡± my husband whispers, pushing me down onto the couch in the living room. ¡°That¡¯s it, good girl. Don¡¯t close them.¡±


    I obey, looking up at him as his eyes devour my naked body.


    His voice is barely more than a rasp. ¡°Fuck, I love your pussy. So perfect and pink and swollen for me. Does she want some attention?¡±

 51

    He brushes a finger over my clit, and my flesh ripples in response. He smiles. ¡°I think she does want attention. I can do that. I can do that.¡±


    Alessio slides down to the floor, kneeling in front of the couch. My legs start to close, and he forces them back open, giving my pussy a p. ¡°Don¡¯t close them. If it happens again, you¡¯re getting a spanking.¡±


    I nod, thighs quivering as I hold my legs as far apart as I can. He makes approving eye contact, then starts to kiss my inner thighs and pussy lips, everywhereexceptfor my clit.


    Oh, fuck. He loves teasing me like this. Giving me almost what I want, but not quite. I would hate him for it if I didn¡¯t love it so much. The orgasms he gives me after a round of teasing are hard to even describe.


    He kisses his way up one of my thighs, all the way to the knee, then back down. Then he does the other thigh while I re at him. He just smirks. ¡°You¡¯re going to get what you want when I decide, not when you decide.¡±


    When he finally wraps his lips around my clit, I¡¯m ready to burst.


    I moan into the ball gag, throwing my head back. His lips and tongue explore my bundle of nerves, each tiny movement sending pleasure sizzling through my body.


    ¡°You have my permission toe whenever you get there,¡± he growls, making eye contact. ¡°Just this one time.¡±


    All I can do is moan in response, my climax building. He keeps his face buried between my legs, licking and sucking me as I squirm my pussy against him.


    Even though he already gave me permission, I still imagine myself asking for it, and him granting it to me, as Ie. At this point, it¡¯s just part of the routine, and I like it. It makes me feel connected to him. I like that my orgasms are for him.


    I writhe on the couch as the pleasure tears through me, burning down everything else. Before my pussy is even finished twitching, Alessio is unbuckling, and then thrusting himself inside me.


    ¡°Oh, fuckkkkk,¡±I gasp as he pulls the gag out of my mouth. ¡°Oh my god, Alessio¡­¡±


    He grips my thighs, face screwed up with concentration as he fucks me with everything he has. His shirt hangs open and I see his abs flexing with every thrust, the V-lines that lead down to his crotch rippling.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he grunts, closing his eyes. ¡°Oh, fuck yes¡­¡±


    His cock twitches inside me, filling me with a spreading warmth. He pulls it out, shooting the next couple of ropes all over my pussy, navel, and boobs. Some of it even reaches my neck. He looks down at me with satisfaction in his eyes.


    Mine, is what I want him to say. But he doesn¡¯t. His face hardens, and he takes a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the gym.¡±


    What? He¡¯s leaving? Now? I have no idea how to respond to that. I want to cuddle. To talk to him. To feel close.


    ¡°Is the gym open thiste?¡± I askmely, swallowing my hurt feelings.


    ¡°The one downstairs is 24 hours.¡±


    ¡°Will you be gone long?¡±


    ¡°I might be. Feel free to go to bed without me if I get back toote.¡±


    Alessio


    The next day, I get a call from Sal. ¡°Bad news, boss,¡± he tells me. ¡°Couple of our boys got into it with some Irish kids at a South Side bar. No one killed, but there were some injuries. Tensions pretty high.¡±


    I take a deep breath. ¡°Okay. Have your people on alert. Have you been able to get in touch with Colin Maroney?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I put out a feeler. He wants to meet. One on one. Not sure if it¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°Tell him I¡¯m amenable to a meeting if we pick a neutral location.¡±


    ¡°You sure about that? Colin¡¯s a real tough customer.¡±


    I think of A, trapped at home until this business concludes. ¡°I¡¯m sure. I need this bullshit over with.¡±


    A


    That afternoon, I decide to leave Alessio¡¯s apartment. I don¡¯t need groceries or anything, and honestly, I¡¯m not even really going stir crazy yet.


    What I want is to get his attention.


    There¡¯s a bubble tea shop right across the street from the penthouse, and it has outdoor seating. I get myself a drink and sit outside at one of the tables, somewhere I know he¡¯ll see me as he pulls into the parking garage. Is it immature? Maybe. But I know it¡¯s going to get me punished, which is what I want.


    Last night felt bad. By the time Alessio finally came back from his ¡°workout,¡± I had been in bed for at least an hour. And he barely spoke a word to me this morning before leaving the house.


    In the back of my mind, my father¡¯s words continue to haunt me. If Alessio knows something about our engagement that he hasn¡¯t told me, that hurts. But not as much as him pulling away. In the aftermath of the car bomb, all I want is the security of our growing closeness.


    At least if I earn a spanking, he¡¯ll be forced to focus on me again.


    I watch the street nervously, my eyes catching on every Te that passes by. Then I realize he doesn¡¯t have a Te anymore, just a rental car I haven¡¯t seen. Shit, I won¡¯t even know when he gets home. This is slightly nerve-racking.


    Alessio will probably be angry with me, scold me for putting myself in danger. Except I¡¯m not! He admitted himself that this neighborhood is safe. And I know from growing up in the mob life that families aren¡¯t targets.


    I shift in my seat, unable to rx. I¡¯m expecting to have a very sore ass by the time I go to bed tonight.


    ***


    Alessio


    My vision catches on something as I pull my rental car into the garage at my penthouse. It¡¯s the cafe across the street. The woman sitting at the table outside looks surprisingly like¡­


    Itis. God dammit. My eyes narrow as I recognize A, looking pretty as anything in a short white skirt and tights, sipping her drink. The moment I park my car, I get out and cross the street.


    A sees meing down the sidewalk, and I can tell she¡¯s been expecting me. Jesus Christ. She¡¯s only been at home for two days and she¡¯s already breaking the rules I set down for her. Is she trying to get herself fucking killed?


    There are going to be consequences. Serious ones.


    ¡°How¡¯s your boba?¡± I ask, stopping in front of her table.


    ¡°Pretty good,¡± she says, eyeing me guiltily. ¡°I figured since I didn¡¯t leave the neighborhood, and you said the neighborhood was safe-¡±


    I silence her with a look. She shudders, ncing down at her drink, and then at me.


    ¡°We¡¯re going home,¡± I say, holding out my hand.¡±Now.¡±


    She shudders again, then stands up and takes my outstretched hand. We cross the street, and I don¡¯t let go of her until it¡¯s time to unlock the front door.


    Once we¡¯re inside, the tension is palpable. A knows she¡¯s in trouble, and she¡¯s waiting on my word.


    Yeah, she¡¯s in trouble, all right.


    The moment our shoes are off, I grab her by the waist, drag her over to the living room, and throw her over my knee.


    ¡°Hey!¡± she protests as I flip up her skirt and yank down her tights, exposing her ass. Her perky cheeks tempt me, separated only by the thin strip of a turquoise thong.


    Right now, though, I¡¯m worried about more than sex. The skin on her ass is currently pale, but soon it will be red with my handprints.


    ¡°I think I made the rules very clear,¡± I growl, delivering hard spanks to each of her cheeks. ¡°You knew exactly where you were going to end up, leaving the apartment like that. Right here. Right fucking here.¡±


    A starts struggling, trying to get away, but I hold her in ce, pinning her arms behind her back.


    ¡°Bad girl. You don¡¯t try to get away from me when I¡¯m punishing you. You just made things a lot worse for yourself.¡±


    I pepper her ass with spanks until she whimpers, then hook my fingers under the waistband of her panties. She tries to stop me, managing to pull one of her hands away from my grasp, but I just pin it again, giving her ass a hard p for the trouble.


    ¡°You want to be a bad girl, you¡¯re going to get punished like one.¡±


    Pinning her wrists with one hand, I use the other to work her panties down her legs. They dangle at her knees along with her tights, her pussy now fully exposed to me. She squirms in ce, grunting with frustration.


    ¡°You knew damn well this would happen,¡± I hiss furiously, stroking two fingers from the back of her knee all the way up to her hips. ¡°You were testing me. Testing the boundaries.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± she admits.


    ¡°Well, congrattions, you got what you wanted. Now you deal with the consequences. I hope the boba was fucking worth it.¡±


    With that, I start methodically spanking her ass, pulling my hand back and then pping it down with force. She yelps with every impact, butt jiggling pleasingly. I focus on the left cheek, and then the right, going back and forth, and soon, a red handprint starts to form on either side.


    ¡°We are on the verge of a fucking mob war,¡± I growl, continuing to punish her. ¡°My job is to keep you safe. And that means¡±-I punctuate my words with a spank-¡°you stay!¡±-smack-¡°in!¡±-smack-¡°this!¡±-smack-¡°apartment!¡±


    I finish with a hearty spank across both cheeks, giving A a chance to catch her breath.


    ¡°Okay, fine,¡± she grumbles, trying to get off of myp.


    I chuckle grimly, holding her in ce, then remove her tights as she struggles. ¡°Did I say your punishment was over? You keep your ass exactly the fuck where it is.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re just being-¡± A¡¯s words are cut off as I stuff her panties into her mouth. She res at me, quivering.


    I sink my fingers into the back of her hair and push her head down into the couch. ¡°You don¡¯t disobey me, A. Not in situations like this. There are cute infractions, and there are serious ones. This is a serious one. The most important rule I have is preserving your safety. There wilwaysbe firm consequences for breaking that rule.¡±


    I return to spanking her, making sure that she feels every swat. Soon, she¡¯s yelping and whimpering, her ass cheeks a bright shade of crimson. I keep the punishment going until I can see the surrender, feelthat she¡¯s nearing her breaking point.


    ¡°Spread your legs for me,¡± I order, roughly squeezing one of her cheeks.


    She surrenders meekly, sniffling with her panties still in her mouth. Her legs part, and I see that her pussy is very wet.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to give you pussy spanks, and you¡¯re going to count. If I take your panties out of your mouth, are you going to be a good girl and count for me?¡±


    She nods, face red.


    ¡°Okay. Show me that you¡¯re submitting now, and I¡¯ll only give you 15 swats instead of 25.¡±


    She groans, earning a spank.


    ¡°Enough of that. Full submission, or this punishment is going tost a lot longer.¡±


    Her shoulders slump, and even though a gentle growl rumbles in her throat, she nods her head.


    I take the panties out and give her pussy a p. She moans, trembling.


    ¡°One,¡± A whimpers, voice shaking.


    ¡°Good girl. Keep counting for me.¡± I spank her pussy again.


    ¡°Two¡­¡±


    We get all the way up to 12 before I sense any hesitance. But on the 13th p, she pauses several seconds before saying the number.


    ¡°A,¡±I growl, squeezing her hair. ¡°Am I going to have to start over?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she says hurriedly, as though snapping out of it. ¡°Thirteen.¡±


    I smirk, allowing my finger to brush against her clit and enjoying the resulting twitch. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. Two more. Count.¡±


    I pause, drawing out the tension, and then deliver the 14th swat.


    ¡°Fourteen,¡± my wife whimpers.


    For a moment I just examine her on myp, all of her delicate parts syed out before me. She¡¯s so much smaller than me, so soft and feminine. I just want to touch her and rule her and own her all the time.


    Then the memory of my Te exploding shes into my mind, apanied by that awful pang of loss I¡¯ve never been able to escape. I can¡¯t feel that again. Not with her.


    As long as A is with me, I won¡¯t ever be safe.


    ¡°Fifteen,¡± she gasps as I deliver the final hit. ¡°Sir.¡±


    A satisfied growl rumbles in my throat at the word.


    Sir.


    I¡¯m going to miss that. Badly.


    I pat her ass, then motion for her to stand up. ¡°Okay. I¡¯m going to get your plug now.¡±

 52

    A


    ¡°Be a good girl and spread yourself for me, A.¡±


    My cheeks burn. My face-cheeks from embarrassment, my ass-cheeks from his punishment.


    My clit is burning, too, but that¡¯s a different story.


    ¡°A. If I have to say it again, you¡¯re going back over my knee.¡±


    I hurry to obey him, burying my face in the bed. I¡¯m lying on my stomach in our bedroom now, my skirt pushed up to reveal my bare ass. Alessio stands over me, tall and authoritative, and I feel so owned by him. He¡¯spletely calling the shots now, his presencemanding my total attention after he humbled me withthe spanking.


    ¡°Good girl.¡± I feel lube dribble on my tight hole, and then the pressure of the plug. It¡¯s cold at first, but quickly warms as it slips inside.


    ¡°Oh fuck,¡± I whimper, feeling the plug seat itself inside me.


    ¡°Hands behind your back,¡± Alessio orders.


    I obey him. He pins them there, climbing on top of me and unbuckling his pants with the other hand.


    My breathing gets faster as his cock pushes against my opening. When he slides it inside, I cry out at the sudden sensation of fullness. I try to move my hands, but I can¡¯t. He¡¯s pinning them firmly in ce.


    ¡°Iownyou,¡± my husband growls. ¡°All of you. And I can¡¯t have you disobeying me. Not if I¡¯m going to keep you safe.¡±


    I moan, in a state of blissful surrender now. This is what I wanted. For him to take me, to show me who I am to him. To prove how important he considers me, even if the delivery of the message is rough and dominating.


    Especiallyif the delivery of the message is rough and dominating. This is what I crave most, I¡¯m realizing. Ineedthis. To my soul, I trust that Alessio cares about my safety, my well-being, my worth. So in surrendering myself to him, I don¡¯t feel fearful or insecure.


    I feel cared about. Protected. Valued.


    Loved.


    Alessio fucks me roughly, until his cock is throbbing and I can tell he¡¯s on the verge of climax. Then he removes the plug, slides his cock into my ass, still wet from my pussy, and thrusts until he slumps forward, draining his seed into me. His ragged groan of pleasure is right next to my ear, sending goosebumps down my neck.


    When his breathing slows, he pulls out and gives my ass a little pat. ¡°Good girl, A. Now spread yourself again so I can put the plug back in.¡±


    I lie curled against Alessio, very aware of the plug in my ass, sticky with his cum. I feel deeply content right now. Like this is where I was made to be.


    ¡°I got something today,¡± he tells me, reaching over to the nightstand. ¡°And it¡¯s a good thing, too. Clearly, it¡¯s needed.¡± I watch as he produces a thin metal ring about the diameter of my neck. ¡°Any guesses on what this is?¡±


    ¡°It looks like a cor,¡± I say, cheeks reddening.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Want to guess what¡¯s special about it?¡±


    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s made of metal instead of leather?¡±


    He swings a hinge that blended so seamlessly into the metal, I didn¡¯t even see it. The cor opens. I lean forward, allowing him to ce it around my neck, then he clips it shut.


    ¡°Try to take it off.¡±


    I try, but I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t even find the hinge in the back, no matter how much I search with my fingers.


    ¡°It won¡¯t open without a key,¡± he tells me. ¡°This little hole right here?¡± He points out a tiny speck that I can¡¯t even see from my angle. ¡°This is how I open it. That¡¯s the first special thing about it.¡±


    Fuck. A cor that I literally can¡¯t take off. That¡¯s¡­ intense. Unbidden, my pussy gives a satisfied twitch. ¡°What¡¯s the second thing?¡± I ask, voice trembling slightly.


    ¡°It has a tracking device. Anywhere you go, I¡¯ll be able to see it in real time on a map.¡±


    My jaw drops. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Seriously. And after today, I think we can both see why that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re fucking crazy,¡± I tell him, even though the obsession behind that gesture scratches a very deep itch.


    ¡°Maybe I am, but I¡¯ll be a little less crazy if I can check on you and know that you¡¯re safe.¡±


    ¡°Knowing where I am isn¡¯t the same as knowing that I¡¯m safe.¡±


    He gulps, his expression turning to stone. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll take it. That, plus getting you out of the state.¡±


    I roll my eyes. ¡°I thought we were done with that.¡±


    ¡°We were. Not anymore. Not after today.¡±


    His words hit me like a ton of bricks. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°A, our agreement was that you would stay at home in the apartment. The whole point was to protect you, and the rules were very clear. But you broke them. I can¡¯t have this betrayal.¡±


    ¡°Betrayal? Oh,e on. Look, I¡¯m sorry, okay? You already punished me. I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    ¡°No, you won¡¯t. Because you¡¯ll be living in Oregon, or Washington, or Rhode Ind, or somewhereother than here. Whatever danger I¡¯m in, you won¡¯t be in it anymore. You¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on, that¡¯s such a bullshit excuse. I grew up with a mob boss. My dad never sent us out-of-state just because there was sometroublegoing on. That¡¯s what the vacation house was for, remember? The one you burned down?¡±


    Alessio steels his face. ¡°A, do you realize what would have happened if we¡¯d been closer to the car when that bomb went off? You would have been blown to pieces. I would have been picking your charred body parts off the ground.¡±


    ¡°No you wouldn¡¯t. Because you¡¯d be dead, too.¡± I realize as I¡¯m saying it that I¡¯m not making a very convincing point.


    ¡°And that makes it better?¡±


    ¡°No, I just¡­¡± I break off, frustrated. I don¡¯t know how to say what I want to. We¡¯re supposed to be ateam. Doesn¡¯t he get why this hurts me? I search my husband¡¯s gaze for understanding, but there is none. I can¡¯t find even a hint of love in his face.


    My eyes well up, as much as I try to stop them. I don¡¯t understand why he¡¯s treating me like this. All I know is that my husband sending me away makes me feel deeply, painfully unwanted. It confirms everything I always suspected.


    He thinks I¡¯m his weakness, not his strength.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you miss me?¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Alessio doesn¡¯t meet my eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be busy. Making sure this city is safe for us. For our children.¡±


    His words sting, even though he¡¯s just verifying what I knew about our rtionship from the very beginning. I¡¯m not a partner to him, I¡¯m a baby-making device. I don¡¯t know how I let myself hope for more than that. Because the sex was good? Because I liked it when he spanked me?


    Pathetic. I should have known better.


    My voicees out harsh, almost mocking. ¡°Is that really why you wanted to marry me? To send me away when it¡¯s convenient for you, and then bring me back when it¡¯s time to make babies? Was that really worth all the fucking effort? Oh wait, of course it was. You got to take over the Gonzalez family. What could possibly be more important than that?¡±


    Alessio¡¯s dead expression morphs suddenly into a mask of rage. ¡°Wantedto marry you? Wantedto marry you? I neverwantedto marry you. That¡¯s what mygrandfatherwanted. I did what I was told.¡±


    My eyes sting as salty tears pour down my cheeks. That shouldn¡¯t hurt so much to hear, but it cuts me to my core. Somehow, I actually let myself believe that he desired me forme. ¡°I guess that makes two of us who didn¡¯t want to get married. Congrattions, you¡¯ve made two people miserable.¡±


    His lip twitches at my words, but I can¡¯t understand the emotions behind it. He doesn¡¯t respond, doesn¡¯t evenlookat me.


    I can¡¯t resist the opportunity to get in another dig. No use keeping anything hidden now. ¡°I guess I never reallyhad a chance, did I? Considering you¡¯ve been nning to marry me since I was a fuckingkid. At least you waited for me to be an adult before you swooped in.¡±


    He stands up furiously from the bed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what bullshit story you¡¯ve concocted in your head, and I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Are you really going to insult me by denying it?¡±


    ¡°A, you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Like I would believe you,¡± I snap. ¡°As though you¡¯ve ever been open or honest with me a day in your life.¡±


    He throws up his hands. ¡°Fuck this. You have until tomorrow to pick a state, or I¡¯m picking for you. Pack your goddamn bags.¡±


    Alessio stomps out of the room. A minuteter, I hear the dull thought of his throwing knife embedding itself in its target. Or maybe the wall.


    I scream into my pillow, helpless, trapped, and lost.

 53

    A


    I don¡¯t say much to Dominguez as he drives me to the airport the next day. It hurts that Alessio wouldn¡¯t even do it himself, but I know that isn¡¯t his friend¡¯s fault. I wonder if he knows about the fight we had. Do they talk about things like that?


    ¡°Fly safe,¡± says Dominguez, pulling my suitcase out of his trunk as he drops me off. ¡°To wherever you¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I reply dully. ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯m going to have lots of fun in-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me,¡± he interrupts me quickly. ¡°No one but Alessio is allowed to know.¡±


    ¡°Jesus, you don¡¯t think that¡¯s a littleover-the-top?¡±


    I¡¯m relieved that his reaction is more amused than serious. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what I think. He gave a clear order.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on! He¡¯s being ridiculous and you know it.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. You could take it as apliment.¡±


    ¡°That he¡¯d rather send me to a different state than have me at home?¡±


    Dominguez takes a deep breath. ¡°Think what you want. But I¡¯ve never seen him like this before.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    He closes the trunk, then shakes his head. ¡°Have a good flight, A.¡±


    I know my cor could probably pass for jewelry, but I¡¯m still wearing a turtleneck to cover it. When I get to security, I¡¯m anxious that it¡¯s going to set off the metal detector. It doesn¡¯t, to my relief. I guess Alessio would have thought of that.


    My ticket is to Boise, Idaho. Not what I would¡¯ve picked, but I guess that¡¯s what happens when you leave the decision to someone else. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to name a location. It would have felt like endorsing this whole idea.


    Not that I have any intention of staying in Boise.


    I buy myself an overpriced blueberry muffin and a vanitte in the airport with Alessio¡¯s credit card, which he gave me before sending me away. The muffin is good, at least. The best part of my morning.


    Travelers pulling suitcases breeze past me as I take the moving sidewalk to my gate. For a moment, I think about trying to refund my ticket. I could probably do it, and catch a different flight instead. Alessio wouldn¡¯t be able to stop me.


    The idea is certainly tempting.


    But no. Not yet.


    Not while I¡¯m still wearing the tracker.


    Alessio


    My phone rings, and I pick up quickly. I¡¯m in a shitty fucking mood, so whatever this is will be a wee distraction.


    I didn¡¯t like having the penthouse to myself this morning. It felt wrong. It felt¡­ empty.


    Sal¡¯s voice greets me. ¡°Maroney wants to meet tonight. Are we in?¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°He suggested the carnival. Seems okay to me.¡±


    I think it through. The Bover City Carnival is a year-round amusement park with rides, games, and other activities of that sort. Neutral territory. It¡¯s always filled with people, and there¡¯s a security station at the entrance. As far as meeting spots go, it checks the right boxes.


    ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll be there. 8 o¡¯clock.¡±


    ¡°You got it, boss.¡±


    I put down the phone and pick up my throwing knife. Meeting with Colin Maroney isn¡¯t something I look forward to, but it has to be done. I have two goals: to confirm that he¡¯s the one who arranged the car bomb, and to make a decision on whether my family needs to go to war.


    Thunk!


    My knife misses the target again.


    Fuck it. Let the wall have holes.


    ***


    I¡¯ve never met Colin Maroney before, but his reputation is that he¡¯s mean. Simr vibes as Gio the Butcher. I show up to the amusement park with Dominguez and a small coterie of bodyguards, expecting Maroney to do the same. He¡¯s waiting there at the entrance, surrounded by his own muscle.


    ¡°So there¡¯s the young buck,¡± he greets me, smiling coolly. His goons chuckle appreciatively. Suck ups.


    Colin Maroney is at least 10 years older, with ming red hair and an equally vibrant beard. He wears a ck tracksuit, the sleeves pushed up just enough to reveal the tattoos climbing down each of his arms.


    I shake his hand. ¡°Why don¡¯t we leave our people behind and go y some carnival games.¡±


    ¡°Yes, why don¡¯t we? Can I call you Alessio?¡±


    We go through security and into the park, almost like we¡¯re friends. I¡¯m more dressed up than he is, in dark jeans and a ck button-up. I¡¯m overdressed for the situation, truthfully, but I don¡¯t feel right in a T-shirt. Not when I¡¯m acting as the boss. I sure as shit never saw Nonno in a T-shirt.


    ¡°So, you want me dead,¡± I say without preamble. It¡¯s more of a statement than a question.


    Maroneyughs. ¡°So dramatic! What could possibly have given you that impression?¡±


    ¡°I had some trouble with my Te the other day. Thought you might know something about it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d have to talk to an electric car mechanic. I drive a truck.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s your gas mileage?¡±


    ¡°Bad, but I can afford it. You have any trouble finding charging stations?¡±


    ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    We walk through a row of carnival games, all sting music and shing lights. To our right, a pair of teenagerspete to shoot red stars from their paper targets using the BB guns mounted on the counter.


    ¡°I used to like that game when I was a kid,¡± Maroney remarks. ¡°Always wondered if you could find a way to detach the BB gun and start shooting people. You ever wonder that?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Fair enough. I guess I¡¯m the only sick fuck.¡±


    ¡°Not in our line of work.¡±


    ¡°I suppose not. The sick fucks are always the dangerous ones.¡±


    He lets his words hang as we keep walking through the crowd.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to need you to stay out of my territory in South Bover,¡± I tell him. ¡°That means Razone neighborhoods and Gonzalez neighborhoods. It¡¯s all mine now.¡±


    He stops. ¡°Is that so? Hold on. I¡¯m going to get a funnel cake.¡±


    Maroney is a confusing mix of threatening and disarming. He has more charm than Gio the Butcher, I¡¯ll give him that. I wait next to him on line for his funnel cake.


    ¡°Want a piece?¡± he offers. ¡°Come on, you know it looks good.¡±


    Fuck it. I rip off a piece of his funnel cake, covered in powdered sugar, and I can¡¯t deny that it¡¯s delicious. I shoulde here with A some time.


    A.


    ¡­Fuck.


    ¡°You want to talk about that fight at the bar between our boys?¡± Maroney asks when he¡¯s finished eating.


    I scowl. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t care. That¡¯s not what I¡¯m here about. Kids will have their bar fights. But if you and I have a problem, I¡¯m going to piss on your fucking corpse. I will not ept a thorn in my side, do you understand me?¡±


    I hold eye contact long enough to make my point. My organization is bigger than his, considerably. An all-out war isn¡¯t good for either of us, but it¡¯s worse for him.


    His face is impassive. ¡°How about we ride the Ferris wheel, huh? I haven¡¯t done that since I was a teenager.¡±


    ¡°Why not,¡± I reply with a shrug.


    ***


    The Ferris wheel operator looks us over as we get in, me in my dark shirt with buttons, him in his tracksuit. A mismatched pair, united only by profession. Maroney and I take seats across from each other in the gond, a small, enclosed pod with a maximum capacity of four.


    He gazes out the window as the ride starts up. ¡°This is nostalgic, isn¡¯t it? Did youe to the carnival when you were little?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I tell him. ¡°We weren¡¯t really a carnival family.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yeah. I remember your old man was a real hard-ass. Such a shame, what happened to Andres and your mom.¡±


    I try not to react at the mention of my father. It hadn¡¯t urred to me that Maroney would have been around long enough to have met him. I wonder if they ever did business together.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    The Ferris wheel stops when we reach the top, presumably for more people to get on. I look out over the carnival with the city behind it, the colorful lights gleaming in the night. I know A would like this view.


    The sound of Maroney rustling underneath his seat causes me to turn. When I look back at him, he¡¯s pointing a silenced pistol at me.


    ¡°Sorry for the surprise,¡± he chuckles, standing up. ¡°And no, if you¡¯re wondering, this Ferris wheel won¡¯t start turning again until I give the word.¡±


    I¡¯ve had guns pointed at me lots of times. Probably more times than I could count on all my fingers. But it¡¯s never scared me before.


    This time, when I see the gun in Maroney¡¯s hand, it terrifies me.


    If he kills me, I¡¯ll never see A again.


    She¡¯s probably getting to the hotel room I booked for her in Boise right now, maybe unpacking her suitcase, maybe getting out of the Uber. She probably hates me. Probably thinks she means nothing to me at all, that the only thing I see in her is a womb and a convenientst name.


    I have to tell her she means more to me than that.


    Suddenly, to have her so far away from me is devastating. I¡¯ve been so worried about losing her, so worried aboutprotectingmyselffrom the pain, that I didn¡¯t notice she was already gone.


    If I never see A again, she¡¯ll never know what she truly meant to me. She¡¯ll never know about the future I wanted us to have together.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honor, really,¡± says Maroney, standing up. ¡°Getting to clip Andres Razone¡¯s son. And Nazio  Razone¡¯s grandson. Long line of hard hitters youe from, kid. Hope you know it¡¯s onlybusiness.¡± He presses the tip of the silencer into my mouth. The metal is cold, and it tastes like smoke.


    The image of my wife¡¯s face is burned into my brain as Iunch into movement, all the tension inside me releasing like a slingshot. I swat the gun to the side, trying desperately to move my head out of the way as thecrackof the silencer momentarily fills the enclosed space.


    A sharp pain rings through my head, but I ignore it. I have to get the gun. Maroney grunts with exertion as I try to pry it out of his hands, then he throws a hard knee to my body, knocking the wind out of me. It¡¯s all I can do to keep from crumbling, but somehow, I stay upright. I gasp for air, fingers scrambling around the handle of the pistol.


    ¡°Fuckin¡¯ piece of shit,¡± the Irish mobster snarls, throwing another knee. This one catches me too, right in the liver, and I can barely breathe as I keep fighting him with everything I have.


    Somehow, I pry his fingers open, and the gun drops. His eyes go wide. Both of us dive for it.


    He gets there first. Because I let him. The moment his hand reaches the weapon, I stomp on it as hard as I can, receiving vicious satisfaction as I feel the fingers break. He cries out, still bent over, and I grab his head and m my knee into it.


    The gond swings as Maroney sprawls backward into one of the seats. I pick up the gun and dump the entire magazine into him. Crack crack crack crack crack crack crack crack crack. Bullets rip into his chest, blood exploding from hole after hole and spattering the inside of the Ferris wheel car.


    After about 30 seconds, the Ferris wheel starts moving again. I don¡¯t know if somebody heard themotion, or if Maroney¡¯s corrupt operator just couldn¡¯t keep it paused for any longer. It doesn¡¯t matter. I wipe down the gun with my shirt to remove my fingerprints and drop it on the floor.


    When my gond gets to the bottom, I pull up my undershirt to cover my face and sprint out, shoving through the crowd before anybody can recognize me or see what I¡¯ve left behind. I fly through the exit, run several blocks, then call Dominguez as police cars speed past me, their lights and sirens cutting through the night.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he asks. ¡°They¡¯re shutting down the amusement park right now, some kind of emergency. Police areing. We¡¯re on our way out. Did you have something to do with that?¡±


    ¡°Colin Maroney is dead,¡± I tell him tly.


    ¡°Oh, fuck. Okay. Did you n that?¡±


    ¡°No. He forced my hand. Are any of his men still hanging around?¡±


    ¡°A few of them, yeah. They¡¯re trying to call Maroney. I don¡¯t think they know about whatever just went down.¡±


    I take a deep breath, pulling up the app on my phone that allows me to check on A¡¯s location. ¡°Kill them.¡±


    ***


    I call an Uber to take me home, then wait on a bench for it to arrive. The nights are getting chilly now, but I don¡¯t feel it. I¡¯m too hopped up on adrenaline. My ride shows up, and I get into the backseat.


    The driver, a skinny kid wearing too much cologne, looks back and stares with a shocked expression on his face. ¡°Uh, mister, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, why?¡±


    He gapes at me. ¡°Your¡­ ear¡­¡±


    I put my hand to the side of my head, suddenly aware of a painful stinging. My fingerse back red and slippery.


    When I look at my reflection in the window next to me, I discover that there¡¯s a hole in my left ear.


    ¡°Do you want me to take you to a hospital?¡± asks the driver, still staring.


    I grimace. ¡°No. Same location.¡±


    ¡°Are¡­ are you sure? That looks pretty bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I was going through the park, must have snagged it on a branch. You keep gauze in your glovebox or anything? Ibuprofen?¡±


    ¡°Sir, this is an Uber, not an ambnce.¡±


    I resist the urge to swear. Now that I¡¯m aware of it, the hole Colin Maroney just shot in my ear is killing me. ¡°Okay, change of n. Can you take me to the nearest drugstore?¡±

 54

    Alessio


    I¡¯ve only just managed to stop the bleeding when Dominguez meets me outside of Rite Aid. ¡°Jesus, what happened to your ear?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Can¡¯t even feel it.¡±


    ¡°It looks pretty bad.¡±


    ¡°You should have seen the other guy.¡±


    ¡°I assume the other guy was Maroney?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Trust me, he looks worse.¡±


    We get into Dominguez¡¯s car. He takes my bag of first-aid supplies and starts dressing my ear. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°It was a setup. He had a gun stashed, almost got me with it. Had somebody on the inside at the carnival.¡±


    ¡°And nobody saw youkill him?¡±


    ¡°It was on the Ferris wheel.¡±


    ¡°You rode the Ferris wheel with him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying it was my brightest idea.¡±


    Dominguez chuckles darkly, taping a big wad of gauze over my ear. ¡°Well, I guess it worked out. No need to wonder where we stand with the Maroney crew.¡±


    I clench my fist, trying not to wince. Thank god the ibuprofen is kicking in. ¡°Do you have any trouble with his boys on the way out?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°They never saw iting. This is going to draw attention, you know. Multiple killings at an amusement park.¡±


    ¡°Good. It can stand as a warning.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to do about Maroney¡¯s gang? Some of them might roll over now, but his brother Den is going to want revenge. He¡¯ll be in charge now with Colin gone.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re taking out Den. Tonight.¡±


    Dominguez raises his eyebrows. ¡°Man, remind me never to piss you off. You sure you don¡¯t want to go home and rest that ear?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Tonight. Before the dust has settled. We¡¯re cutting off the head and the neck.¡±


    ***


    shing blue and red lights greet us as we pull up outside Den Maroney¡¯s house. Ordinarily, pulling off a hit in a neighborhood like this would be far too dangerous to consider. But I called in a favor for this one.


    ¡°You got a warrant?¡±es a loud voice from the front door. A uniformed police officer stands on the doorstep, says something, then enters the house. Dominguez and I wait in the front seat of his car, warming our hands with the hot air blowing from the heater.


    A few minutester, the copes out, this time dragging a handcuffed man wearing sweats and a familiar shock of red hair.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be out of there in no time!¡± Den Maroney barks. ¡°You got nothing on me!¡±


    The officer doesn¡¯t take Den to his patrol car, pulling him instead to our vehicle parked right behind it. I make eye contact with Dominguez and we get out.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± The Irish mobster starts to panic. ¡°What the fuck is going on?¡±


    ¡°One more word and you¡¯re getting tasered,¡± growls the cop. He turns to me. ¡°Nobody¡¯s going to find him, right? I don¡¯t want thising back to bite me in the ass.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. If anything gets found, it will be far from here, and it won¡¯t be identifiable.¡±


    ¡°Okay. No offense, but I¡¯m getting the fuck out of here.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate this, Paul. You¡¯re going to like your Christmas bonus this year, trust me.¡±


    Den takes this opportunity to make a run for it. Immediately, Paul pulls his taser and shoots him in the back. The barbs pierce his sweatshirt and he copses, twitching.


    Dominguez smirks. ¡°Good shooting, officer.¡±


    Paul shakes his head, then gets into his patrol car and drives off.


    I nce down at Den Maroney as he twitches on the ground, then back at my friend. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get him in the car.¡±


    A


    My morning starts in a hotel room in Boise, Idaho. The ce is nice enough, at least. Not that I intend to stay here. I grab breakfast at the Denny¡¯s across the street, then find a hardware store on my phone and take an Uber there.


    An employee greets me as I enter, a kind-looking older fellow. ¡°Good day, ma¡¯am. Looking for anything in particr?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah. Can you rmend a good pair of bolt cutters?¡±


    He gestures for me to follow him. ¡°Oh, yeah, definitely. What do you need to cut through? Wire? Rebar?¡±


    My fingers y with the metal cor, hidden by my turtleneck. ¡°Maybe¡­ something in between?¡±


    He stops midway down an aisle and points. ¡°Well, here¡¯s your bolt cutters. We¡¯ve got big and small, all depends on what kind of project you¡¯re doing.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, picking one off the shelf that seems to be the right size. ¡°I think this one will do.¡±


    ***


    Alessio


    I sit down at an airport bar, waiting for my flight.


    I¡¯m on my way to Boise.


    With Colin Maroney and his brother both out of the way, I feel confident that the danger has passed. I put Sal in charge of mopping things up while I¡¯m out of town, with Dominguez as his number two.


    It¡¯s time to get my wife back.


    Obsessively, I check A¡¯s location on my phone for about the seventh time today. She went out for breakfast earlier and did some shopping, and now she¡¯s back in her hotel room. Perfect. I¡¯ll be with her by nightfall as long as my flight doesn¡¯t get dyed.


    A news report from the TV in the corner catches my ear:¡±Thanks, Dave. I¡¯m standing now outside the Bover City Carnival, which is closed today after scenes of shocking violence eruptedst night. Authorities are now confirming multiple execution-style shootings, which are believed to be the result of gang activity. We can confirm that 43-year-old Colin Maroney, alleged leader of the Maroney Gang, is among the victims¡­¡±


    ¡°You know I was just there?¡± says the guy next to me, nursing his beer. ¡°Two days ago. Came there with my kids, won some stuffed animals ying carnival games. Can¡¯t believe what happened.¡±


    I sip my soda water. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s something,¡± I agree. ¡°I was there recently, too.¡±


    ***


    When my nends in Boise, the first thing I do is check A¡¯s location. I¡¯m pleased to see that she¡¯s still in her hotel room. I head straight there from the airport, eager to see her. The whole time, I¡¯m practicing what I¡¯m going to say to her. How I¡¯m going to apologize.


    I need her to know that I married her becauseIwanted it. That ever since I met her, I haven¡¯t been the same. That whenever I look at her, my heart feels like it¡¯s going to burst.


    It won¡¯t be easy to admit any of that. I never have before. To anyone.


    But she¡¯s worth it. She¡¯s worth facing my fear, epting the risk of loss, of pain.


    She¡¯s worth everything I¡¯ve done. And everything I¡¯mgoingto do.


    I booked her room for two, of course. And I reserved it with my credit card, which means all I have to do is go to the front office and ask for a key. I take the elevator, walk through the hallway, over the ugly carpet, and pause in front of her door.


    We haven¡¯t been apart for very long, but it feels like years.


    I knock.


    No answer.


    After a minute, I knock again. Still nothing. Is there a lighting from under the door? It¡¯s hard to tell.


    Okay, well, that¡¯s what the key is for. I slide the card into the slot, wait for the green light to sh, and open the door.


    The room is empty. But I swear I just checked her location. Baffled, I pull out my phone, open the app, and stare at the screen.


    ording to the tracker, A is here. In this hotel. Maybe she¡¯s at the pool, or on one of the other floors? I scratch my head, thinking.


    And then I look over to the bed. My stomach lurches.


    Sitting neatly on top of the covers is A¡¯s tracker-cor, the metal cut open and bent. Next to it, a pair of bolt cutters.


    I let out a roar of pure angst and frustration. All the stress, all the tension of thest few days, and now my light at the end of the tunnel is gone. And I only have myself to me.


    Steadying my breathing, I sit down on the bed. And that¡¯s when I see the note that A left on the nightstand.


    I am not just a prop to continue your legacy. I want a husband who values me, something you obviously never did. FUCK OFF.


    My mouth is dry. I put down the note, hands shaking, and it¡¯s like my heart is imploding in slow motion.


    I want a husband who values me, something you obviously never did.


    Whatever resources I need to use. Whatever favors I need to call in. Whatever God I need to pray to.


    I will find my wife. I will make her mine again. And she will know exactly what she means to me.

 55

    A


    ¡°Well, here¡¯s the cabin,¡± says the man, using a mittened hand to pass me the key. ¡°There¡¯s a cord of wood stacked in the shed ¡¯round the back. Shouldst you a good while, but just give me a call if you need more. You got winter clothes? It¡¯s gonna be a snowy one this year.¡± He nces at my not-warm-enough jacket and bare hands.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± I admit, ¡°but I¡¯ll go to town and buy some tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°My rmendation, get some cans of food, stuff you can heat on the wood stove. Never know when the power might go out, or if you might get snowed in.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, looking over at the four-wheel-drive truck I just rented. ¡°I did a grocery run on my way here.¡±


    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s everything, I¡¯ll be on my way. Wee to ska, Mrs. Razone.¡± He climbs into his own truck and drives off.


    I stay there for a moment, surveying the snowyndscape. It¡¯s stunning. I¡¯m surrounded by nature, with green trees swaying in the wind and snow-capped mountains behind.


    My mind turns to my husband. My heart lurched when I saw the news reports of the killings at the Bover City Carnival. To my relief, his name was not among the reported victims. Was he involved with that? Was Colin Maroney killed by him, or on his orders? For all I know, the danger back home could be over.


    Or Alessio could be locked in the middle of a brutal mob war.


    If he¡¯s paying attention, he¡¯ll have seen that I used his credit card to buy a ne ticket. But since the ticket was in my name, he won¡¯t be able to find out the destination, even if he calls the airline. That gives me a head start. Now, though, I¡¯ve rented a car and a cabin. Those transactions, he¡¯ll be able to track.


    I didn¡¯t want to tip him off like that, but I didn¡¯t have a choice. I¡¯m cut off from my family¡¯s money, and I couldn¡¯t pay for this on my own. He¡¯ll be able to find me, whether I like it or not. I know that.


    But that¡¯s assuming he has any interest in getting me back. And as much as I might enjoy the fairytale of him swooping in to apologize and tell me how much he cares about me, I know in my heart that it isn¡¯t realistic. He didn¡¯t even want to marry me in the first ce. He said it himself.


    Our marriage wasn¡¯t just an arrangement, it was an arrangement he didn¡¯t even ask for. Or want.


    It hurts to think about. A lot. Maybe it was foolish, but when things felt real between us, I let myself believe it. I let myself believe in the fantasy of a man actually loving me and wanting me in his life. I thought I was Alessio¡¯s princess in the cute, Disney way, not in thetraded-off-like-livestock-because-it¡¯s-politically-beneficialway.


    Still, at least where I am now is more interesting than Boise. I¡¯ve always wanted to see ska, and I¡¯m all about the cozy, winter cabin vibe. No matter what happens, it¡¯s a cool experience to have before I start school in the fall.


    My fingers are getting cold, and I can see my breath. I let myself into the cabin and turn on the lights, taking in the interior. Lincoln log walls face me from every direction, with a woodstove in the corner. It¡¯s definitely warmer than it was outside, but not by enough.


    Time to build a fire.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ***


    Alessio


    I resist the urge to spike my phone into the ground. If one more fucking airport employee tells me that he can¡¯t reveal the destination of the ticket, even though it was purchased with my credit card¡­


    Clenching my fingers, I refresh the page of financial transactions for the millionth time. Finally, something new shows up. Two things, actually. One is a car rental, the other a receipt for¡±Benson Family Cabins.¡±It takes very little investigation to put a location to the charges:


    Fairbanks, ska.


    10 minutester, I¡¯ve purchased aicket.


    ***


    A


    It takes me three attempts and a YouTube video before I sessfully get a fire going. Apparently, you can¡¯t just light a big log with matches and expect it to burn. That¡¯s the kind of thing you don¡¯t learn growing up in Bover City.


    Once the woodstove is burning, the cabin warms up quickly. It¡¯s incredibly cozy. Having Alessio here to cuddle with would be nice. The thought makes me sad, so I turn my attention to the snow falling gently outside in the fading light. Tomorrow, I want to explore the wilderness around me.


    I¡¯m definitely going to need some winter clothes.


    Thankfully, when I get up the next day, there are enough coals left from my fire that I don¡¯t need to start a whole new one. All I need to do is put a couple of small logs on top, blow some air, and it¡¯s burning again.


    Breakfast consists of eggs and toast I bought on my way to the cabin yesterday. I cook the eggs on the wood stove, just for the novelty of it, even though the cabin has a kitchen and electricity. It makes me feel rustic.


    Then I drive out to town to buy some winter clothes. I¡¯m not used to driving in the snow, or on rural roads like this, but the truck handles it well.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for cold-weather gear,¡± I tell the employee who greets me as I enter the sporting goods store.


    ¡°I can imagine,¡± she chuckles, ncing me over. ¡°You must be freezing. Where are you visiting from?¡±


    ¡°Bo-Boise, Idaho,¡± I tell her, correcting myself quickly from sayingBover City. I¡¯m sure it would be fine either way. But there¡¯s no sense giving more information than is necessary.


    When I leave the store, I¡¯m bundled up with a big ski jacket, warm gloves, a scarf, a hat, and a pair of new snow boots.


    Alessio wouldn¡¯t even recognize me under all this gear.


    I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of it. He isn¡¯ting, A. Stop trying to convince yourself he cares about you.


    And even if he doese, there¡¯s no guarantee his feelings will be any different than they were before.


    Wait, is that him?


    My eyesnd on someone in the distance wearing a dark jacket. His broad shoulders certainly remind me of Alessio. Is he looking at me? It sureseemslike he¡¯s looking at me. I don¡¯t know if I want to go closer, or to run away.


    I settle for walking slowly back to my rental truck, giving ample opportunity for the figure to approach me. He doesn¡¯t. Sighing, I throw my bag of purchases into the back seat and search my phone for a coffee shop to hunker down for the afternoon.


    ***


    90 minutester, the snow is falling harder outside. I realize that if I don¡¯t head back to the cabin soon, it¡¯s going to be dark, and I¡¯ll be driving through thicker snow than I¡¯mfortable with. So I pack up my stuff, thank the barista, and go back to my truck.


    I picked the right time. The weather is getting more intense, and there don¡¯t seem to be many people on the streets now. It feels like a storm is brewing. As Iexit the city proper and get onto the rural road that leads to the cabin, the flurrying snow gets thicker, sticking to the pavement. I slow down, worried about losing traction and spinning out.


    By the time I near the cabin, I¡¯m in a full-on snowstorm. I drive as slowly as I can, breathing a sigh of relief as I see the structure getting bigger in the distance. When I park, I take a moment, breathing heavily. That was some sketchy driving. I¡¯m lucky I left Fairbanks when I did.


    At least I have snow gear. The way the weather is looking, something tells me I won¡¯t be driving anytime soon.


    ***


    That night, I lie awake in bed, watching the snow fall. I can hear the wind outside, and see the kes in the moonlight flurrying outside the window. It¡¯s peaceful. The fire has died down, but the cabin is still warm. I probably won¡¯t be able to get to town tomorrow, but I have at least a week¡¯s worth of supplies with me here, maybe more.


    Under the covers, my hand slides between my legs. I haven¡¯te in days, not since myst time with Alessio. As my fingers circle my clit, I can¡¯t help but picture my husband, even though at this point, the memory is more bitter than sweet. Hisst words to me left such an ache in my stomach. But it¡¯s hard to fully ept that he meant them. There were too many signs, too many looks, too many moments. Too many things that indicated he had feelings.


    If I felt what I felt, I can¡¯t believe it only went in one direction.


    Right?


    My mind shes to theone scenario that truly does scare me. What if hedoee to im me, and there¡¯s no more warmth in his heart? What if he never changes, but he also never lets me go?


    Squeezing my eyes shut, I do my best to perish the thought. He feltsomethingfor me, even if he doesn¡¯t want to admit it to himself. Hehadto. And if I¡¯m wrong, well, I¡¯ll escape from him again. I¡¯m good at that. I¡¯ll be prepared next time. Not so easy to catch.


    Escape. Our time on the ind looms fresh in my mind, especially the utter, deep loss of control he created after he caught me the second time. I waspletely under his power then, with no agency of my own.


    Fuck, something about that felt so free.


    As my orgasm approaches, I imagine asking my husband for permission, and him making me beg. Finally, he grants it, and I tumble headfirst over the edge, pussy throbbing against my fingers.


    Sadness hits me as my climax fades. What I just came to, I might never have again. If Alessio can¡¯t show me that I matter to him, I won¡¯t be begging him for anything, whether he tracks me down or not.


    I can¡¯t believe how much snow there is on the ground the next day. It has to be at least a foot and a half. It¡¯s so deep that the idea of trying to walk through it would be absurd.


    Good thing I used Alessio¡¯s credit card to buy snowshoes. I¡¯m excited as I strap them over my boots, making sure they¡¯re nice and tight. I don¡¯t have a lot of experience with snow. This should be fun.


    When I¡¯m all bundled up in my warm jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves, I step outside. My foot sinks into the snow, just slightly, but I¡¯m able to walk. I trudge out to my truck, which ispletely covered.


    Damn. I amverysnowed in.


    Oh well. It¡¯s more of an adventure than a setback. I chose ska to enjoy a cozy cabin, right? Well, I sure got it. Time to explore the area, thene back inside and warm up by the fire.


    Following what I can see of the road, I go in the other direction from the city. There are trees all around me, draped in white. I think thendscape is even more beautiful like this. There¡¯s such a charm to seeing everythingpletely nketed, immacte.


    In the distance, I hear the sound of an engine revving. For a brief moment, adrenaline strikes through me: it brings me right back to being on the ind, with Alessio on the quad bike. But that isn¡¯t possible, I remind myself. Not in all this snow.


    But what could it be? It¡¯s getting louder. I didn¡¯t think anybody would be able to drive in this weather. Is it a snowplow?


    And then asnowmobileappears over the next hill, a man in ck winter gear with a matching dark helmet driving. My eyes search for nearby cover, but there¡¯s none to be found in the sea of white. I can¡¯t move quickly enough to reach the trees.


    The driver turns his head and looks at me. The snowmobile slows, then changes directions.


    Coming right in my direction.


    I sprint as fast as I can in my snowshoes, heading into the woods that line the road. Behind me, I hear the snowmobile stop, and the driver¡¯s feet crunch into the snow. I¡¯m not able to move very quickly, but my desperate hope is that he moves even slower without any snowshoes on his feet.


    My foot sinks as a shelf of snow copses underneath it. I work frantically to pull it out, the crunching behind me getting louder. Finally, I work it free, just as a pair of arms wrap around my waist, clutching me firmly.


    ¡°Mine,¡± growls my husband, helmet muffling his voice.

 56

    A


    I know it¡¯s pointless to fight against him, but I do it anyway. I want Alessio to have to overpower me. He pins my arms to my sides, picks me up, and starts trudging in the direction of the cabin, my feet dragging in the snow. It¡¯s slow going, and I don¡¯t make it easy for him, but he gets me there.


    The front door is unlocked. He opens it and forces me inside, immediately pulling a cor from his belt and wrapping it around my neck. He keeps the helmet on while he locks the leash onto me, saying nothing.


    Now I can¡¯t run. Not with the leash attached. He holds it casually as he takes off his boots, jacket, and finally, his helmet. I watchhim, trying to read his intentions. Is he here to get his wife back? Or his prisoner?


    ¡°Hello, dear,¡± Alessio smirks. ¡°I missed you, you know. I missed you a lot.¡±


    I¡¯m still a little shocked at how easily he caught me. ¡°Um¡­ hi,¡± I saymely. ¡°Surprise, I¡¯m in ska.¡±


    He smiles, a surprisingly genuine reaction, and then smushes me into a deep kiss. I don¡¯t mean to give in, to surrender this to him, but I do. It¡¯s so instinctive.


    It feels so right.


    Even though it¡¯s wrong.


    ¡°I missed you,¡± he says again when the kiss breaks. ¡°I really, really did. I¡¯m going to put another log on the fire, and then we¡¯re going to get all this heavy gear off you.¡±


    I don¡¯t dare try to detach the leash. He keeps holding it as he walks over to the wood stove in the corner, stokes the coals, and adds arge log. Then hees back over, removes my snowshoes, and uces my boots.


    I¡¯m apprehensive as he unzips my jacket. Unsure how to respond. The snow pantse next, and all I¡¯m wearing underneath is a ck thermalyer that hugs my body. He eyes me hungrily, then removes his own snow pants. We¡¯re dressed about the same now, in skintight ck.


    The only difference is, I¡¯m wearing the cor and the leash.


    ¡°Mine,¡±Alessio growls, pulling me into him by the waist. He kisses me hungrily, forcefully, invading my mouth with his tongue as his hands slip down to cup my ass.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    My instincts betraying me, I kiss him back, craving his warmth, his touch. The fire in the corner flickers as the logs catch light and he presses me into the wall, holding me now by the cor.


    Our bodies both want this. But does his heart want anythingat all?


    ¡°You mean everything to me,¡± he rasps. ¡°A¡­ You¡¯re what keeps my heart beating. I¡¯ve been fucking denying it, to you, to myself, but I can¡¯t anymore. Something happened while you were gone, I had a moment, and I realized¡­ There¡¯s nothing that matters more than being close to you. You¡¯re worth every risk, every sacrifice. I want you toknowme. And I don¡¯t ever want you to leave my side.¡±


    My breathes shaky, his words causing me to choke up. ¡°Don¡¯t say that if you don¡¯t mean it.¡±


    He presses himself against me, still pinning me to the wall by my cor. ¡°I mean all of it. Every fucking word. I want to be the husband you deserve. I was stupid before. I was trying to protect myself from losing you, from getting hurt. But I don¡¯t want to protect myself anymore. Not from you. I¡¯ve been in love with you for so fucking long.¡±


    Alessio¡¯s grip loosens and I bury my face in his neck, ovee.


    ¡°I married you because I wanted you more than anything,¡± he breathes. ¡°Because I couldn¡¯t fuckingstandfor you to not be mine. I love you, A. You don¡¯t have to say it back. But I messed up by ever letting you think otherwise.¡±


    I look up at him, eyes stinging with tears. ¡°I love you too,¡± I whisper. I¡¯ve never said that to anyone before. ¡°But I want the real you. Not some empty suit of armor.¡±


    ¡°You have me,¡± he says fiercely, like he¡¯s imploring me to believe it.¡±You have all of me. Every piece of me that there is.¡±


    My husband holds me so tightly and I melt against him, filled with heat. Our lips meet, the fire inside me reigniting. I suck on his lip, sliding my hands under his shirt, running over the warm skin, the firm muscles.


    ¡°A,¡± he whispers, voice hoarse. ¡°Oh fuck, A¡­¡±


    Alessio¡¯s thigh goes between my legs as he devours me with a kiss. His hands run up and down my body, iming my breasts, myhips, my ass, and a growl rumbles in his throat. We tumble toward the bed in a frenzy, desperate for each other.


    He snarls as his hand gets caught in my top, searching for my breasts. He rips it over my head, then pushes me down onto the mattress, climbing on top of me, eyes filled with need.


    ¡°Alessio,¡± I whimper, and it¡¯s like all I want is to be closer to him, as close to him as I can.


    His hands find the top of my tights and he tugs them down along with my panties, baring me for him. He fishes one of my feet out of the leg hole and doesn¡¯t bother with the other, gripping my thighs and spreading my legs for him as he kneels over me on the bed.


    ¡°My fucking wife,¡± he growls, unbuckling his pants and freeing his cock. He¡¯s throbbing hard, almost purple as veins snake the shaft. He presses himself against my entrance, looking me in the eye.


    ¡°Mine,¡±he growls, pushing the head of his cock past my pussy lips.¡±Say it.¡±


    ¡°Yours,¡± I breathe, and finally, for the first time, I feel like I can really, truly mean it. ¡°I¡¯m yours, Alessio. I¡¯m yours.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m yours, too, A,¡± he whispers, groaning loudly as he pushes his cock inside.


    I shudder at the sensation of him parting my inner walls. My body is struggling to ept him, stretchingto take all of him, making room in the ce only my husband can fill. He stays there a moment when he¡¯s fully seated, panting. I lean up to kiss him.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I tell him yfully, putting my hands on his hips to keep him from thrusting. I just want to savor this moment, this union, this glorious sense of beingfilled.


    ¡°Yours,¡± he whispers, eyes shing. ¡°I mean it, A. I¡±m giving myself to you. Everything that I have.¡±


    I gasp as he starts to rock inside me, the gentle movement getting faster until he¡¯s moving me on the bed with full-on thrusts. Myfingers scramble under his shirt, savoring the warmth of his skin. He pulls it over his head with a growl.


    When his bodyes back down onto mine, I moan at the feeling of skin-on-skin. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him into me, and he lets out a shuddering groan.


    The room flickers with orange firelight as he gyrates on top of me. His hands slide underneath me, gripping my ass, spreading the cheeks apart. I feel like I¡¯m all his now, like I¡¯m being imed. Outside the cabin, snowkes driftzily to the ground.


    ¡°I need you,¡± Alessio groans, voice almost breaking. ¡°Fuck, A, I can¡¯t believe how much I need you. I¡¯ve never felt this way about anyone.¡±


    I clench myself around him, hips starting to quiver, close to unraveling. ¡°Alessio¡­ I¡¯m getting close¡­¡±


    His eyes light up, even as he starts to pass his own point of no return. ¡°Come for me, Ave. I want you toe for me. Oh my god¡­¡±


    I let out a throaty moan, all my muscles squeezing and releasing. His breathing gets faster, his grip on my ass tighter, and my orgasm explodes through me just as his cock starts to twitch.


    My husband gasps, spurting his seed inside me as wee together. All I feel is the heat of his body, the pleasure crashing over me, his cock filling me with cum. He buries his face in my neck, groaning. Both of us are beyond words, our bodies joined.


    ¡°I love you, A.¡± Alessio strokes the hair from my forehead as my pussy twitches with the aftershocks. ¡°I love you so fucking much, I don¡¯t even know how to bear it. But I¡¯m going to learn. And I swear to you, I will not let anything in this world keep us apart ever again.¡±

 57

    A


    It¡¯s only as I¡¯m cuddling with Alessio in bed, the light fading outside, that I notice the bandage on his ear.


    ¡°What happened there?¡± I ask, pointing to it.


    He flinches, as though worried I¡¯m going to touch it. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like nothing.¡±


    ¡°Just a scratch.¡±


    ¡°Just a scratch? Can I see it?¡±


    He sighs, then sits up. ¡°I guess I¡¯m going to need to change the dressing anyway.¡±


    I raise my eyebrows. ¡°Yeah, I guess you are. Did you bring first-aid stuff?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sit on the edge of the bed. I¡¯ll help.¡±


    Alessio chuckles. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    He moves to the edge of the bed, and I sit behind him. When I go to unwrap his ear, he flinches again.


    ¡°Can you stay still? I¡¯m just going to unwrap it. I¡¯ll be gentle.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ be careful.¡±


    There¡¯s a vulnerability in his tone that I suspect previously, he would have tried to hide. I kiss the back of his head, then slowly, carefully, I remove the bandage.


    My jaw drops. ¡°Oh my god. What happened?¡±


    ¡°Do you really want to know?¡±


    ¡°Yes, goddammit, I really do. We¡¯re going to tell each other things now, okay?¡±


    I lean around him so we can look each other in the eyes. I need him to know that this matters to me. No more walls between us.


    He nods. ¡°Colin Maroney shot that hole in my ear on the Ferris wheel at the Bover City Carnival.¡±


    Instantly, I feel protective of my husband, and furious on his behalf. ¡°How? Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, I knocked his gun barrel out of my mouth before he could shoot me in the brain. All things considered, I¡¯d say it was an improvement.¡±


    I take a deep breath, feeling slightly sick. ¡°I¡¯m d he didn¡¯t shoot you in the brain. More details. Why were you riding the Ferris wheel with Colin Maroney?¡±


    He actuallyughs. ¡°I fucked up. Got cocky, figured it was safe. We had a meeting. I wanted to know if he nted the car bomb. He pulled a gun on me.¡±


    ¡°I guess that answers that question.¡±


    ¡°And quite clearly.¡±


    ¡°I assume he¡¯s dead?¡±


    ¡°Along with several of his men, and his brother, who was his second inmand.¡±


    ¡°You did all of that in thest few days?¡±


    He takes a deep breath. ¡°A, that moment where he had his gun in my mouth changed me. I realized that if I died then, you would never know what you meant to me. You would never know that¡­ that I loved you.¡±


    The tremble in his voice almost breaks me. I squeeze him, careful to avoid his ear with my face.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I needed it to be over,¡± Alessio whispers. ¡°So I finished it.¡±


    ***


    After cleaning and re-bandaging Alessio¡¯s ear, we cuddle up together in the cozy chair in front of the fire. I sit on hisp, feeling wonderfully small as he holds me.


    I missed this. So much.


    Things are different between us now. I can feel it. There¡¯s more openness to him. More willingness to let me inside.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    He blinks, as though I¡¯m bringing him back from somewhere else. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll try my best to answer.¡±


    ¡°Why did you decide toe back to the life? I know you weren¡¯t working with your grandfather until recently. Then suddenly, you go and get made, be the boss, and marry me? What¡¯s the story there?¡±


    He scratches his chin, looking into the fire. ¡°You asked me this the day I first brought you back to my penthouse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you remember that.¡±


    ¡°I remember everything about that day. You want the short story, or the long story?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go with the long story.¡±


    Alessio sighs. ¡°It¡¯s¡­plicated. The short story might be easier.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re snowed in. I have time.¡±


    He nods, as though epting he¡¯s not going to wriggle out of this one. ¡°Okay, well¡­ well, if you want the long story, I was always supposed to take over the family. After my father.¡±


    I nod, intently focused. I haven¡¯t heard Alessio talk about his father before. Or his past in general, really.


    His voice is empty. ¡°My parents were killed in a car bombing when I was 15 years old. It isn¡¯t that much of a surprise, looking back. My dad was a total piece of shit, made lots of enemies. I never found out who did it.¡±


    I¡¯m almost lost for words. I knew his parents died, but not like that. I squeeze him. ¡°Alessio, that¡¯s horrible. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°After that, I didn¡¯t want anything to do with the Mafia life,¡± he continues. ¡°I was on the track to get made young, and my grandfather wanted to groom me for leadership. But I threw it away. I refused to get made, did my work outside the family instead. My grandfather hated it, but he never tried to stop me. I¡¯ll always love him for that. My father would have killed me before he let me leave.¡±


    He¡¯s trying to keep his tone emotionless, but I can hear the pain behind it. Suddenly, his emotional reaction after we were nearly killed by the car bomb makes sense. The way he shut off, closed himself down from me.


    ¡°You were trying to protect yourself,¡± I whisper. ¡°From feeling that way again. When the Te-¡±


    Alessio nods, and his eyes are shining. ¡°I felt like I was losing them all over again. Worse, like I was going to loseyouthe exact same way. I couldn¡¯t face it. I¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have pushed you away.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I tell him, choking up. I stroke his face, burying my head in his chest. ¡°You have me now. And I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    He squeezes me for a long moment before he keeps talking.


    ¡°Anyway¡­ you know your cousin, Dan?¡±


    I squint, confused. What does my cousin have to do with anything? ¡°Dan? Yeah¡­ the one who died earlier this year?¡±


    ¡°I helped kill him.¡±

 58

    ¡°Okay. Wait. Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°So I used to have a business partner, Milo. Dan kidnapped his girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°He kidnapped her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Melissa. She left Dan for Milo. It¡¯s a whole other story, but Dan was going to kill her.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit. My cousin Dan? I didn¡¯t even realize he was part of the life.¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t. Neither were Milo or Melissa, orme, at that point. Which means we couldn¡¯t touch Dan, or do anything about it. He was Anthony  Gonzalez¡¯s nephew, and I was Nazio  Razone¡¯s grandson, so we were both untouchable. But Melissa was nobody. Dan could do whatever he wanted to her, and your father would protect him.¡±


    ¡°So what did you do?¡±


    ¡°We had to get your father¡¯s permission. He was willing to give up Dan¡¯s location, in exchange for my grandfather giving him some valuable territory.¡±


    ¡°And your grandfather did it?¡±


    Alessio¡¯s voice is bitter. ¡°Yes. For a price.¡±


    ¡°His price was that you woulde back to the family,¡± I whisper, understanding.


    My husband nods. ¡°He wanted it my whole life. And he finally got it.¡±


    ¡°Did you resent him for it? Making youe back?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°It cost him to give up that territory, so I understand it. But yes. I did. Our rtionship wasplicated, I guess. I do miss him now that he¡¯s gone.¡±


    I rest my head on his shoulder. ¡°That was a big sacrifice you made. To rescue Melissa. You¡¯re a good person, Alessio.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. But I¡¯m loyal.¡±


    A


    I creep through the woods in my snowshoes, snowball in hand. Alessio is about 20 feet in front of me wearing snowshoes of his own, and he hasn¡¯t seen me yet. He¡¯s got a snowball in each hand, grinning as he searches for me.


    Pushing down the branch in front of me, I wind up and throw. Alessio hears the creak and looks up, just in time to take the snowball to the chest.


    ¡°A!¡± he roars, throwing both snowballs at me. They both miss, and I scoop new ones from the ground, pelting him. He runs forward and tackles me.


    ¡°Umph.¡±I gasp as he falls on top of me and we crunch into the snow.


    ¡°Got you,¡± he says triumphantly, putting a kiss on my forehead. ¡°Ow, my ear.¡±


    ¡°Get up,¡± I whine, ¡°it¡¯s cold down here.¡±


    My hair is caked with snow as he helps me up. I brush it off, giggling. When I look up, he¡¯s got a snowball aimed at me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! Don¡¯t you-aaagh!¡±


    I dive out of the way, reaching for snowballs of my own. A few minutester, we¡¯re both breathing heavily and covered in snow.


    ¡°Go inside and warm up?¡± I suggest, making eye contact with him.


    He grins. ¡°I won¡¯t miss a chance to get you out of that snowsuit.¡±


    Our gear dries next to the fire as Alessio strips me naked, cors me, and has his way. Weirdly enough, the cor doesn¡¯t feel particrly kinky here. It just feels natural. Right. He isn¡¯t rough with me, just dominating, just firmly in control.


    It¡¯s surprisingly intimate. Like we¡¯re making love.


    He finishes inside me, then slides my panties back up my legs and looks me in the eye. ¡°Our stuff should be dry by now. Let¡¯s go snowmobiling.¡±


    I nce out the window. ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s getting dark.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure. Trust me.¡±


    ***


    Riding the snowmobile in the fading light could be nerve-racking, but Alessio goes slowly, never outpacing the range of hisheadlights. I cling to him from behind, feeling the motor rumble through me.


    I want to ask where he¡¯s taking me, but I don¡¯t think he can hear me over the engine. So instead, I just hold him and trust that he knows where he¡¯s going. He takes us up the road and to a clearing, then stops.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I ask, taking off my helmet.


    ¡°There¡¯s a sr storm tonight,¡± he says, removing his helmet as well. ¡°I know it¡¯s pretty cloudy, but¡­¡±


    ¡°You want to see the northern lights,¡± I realize. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ pretty romantic.¡±


    We stay on the snowmobile in silence, me holding him from behind. It¡¯s peaceful. I like this moment, northern lights or not.


    And then, through a break in the clouds, a sh of green. We see it at the same time and both inhale, saying nothing. It shimmers above us as the clouds shift, not filling the sky, but unmistakably there.


    It¡¯s enough to take my breath away.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d we got to see that together,¡± I whisper.


    He leans around and cups my face as we kiss. ¡°I love you, Ave.¡±


    ***Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    We both have cold ears and noses by the time we get inside. We shower together and I change his bandages.


    ¡°You¡¯re healing well,¡± I remark, finishing the dressing. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look infected or anything.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he says. ¡°For looking after me.¡±


    ¡°Of course. You¡¯re my husband.¡±


    The look of happiness on his face after I say that is priceless. I wish I could take a picture of it.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°What did you mean when you said I¡¯d been nning to marry you since you were a kid?¡±


    I swallow. For some reason, this topic brings me a lot of trepidation. ¡°I visited my dad in jail, and he told me.¡±


    ¡°He told you that I¡¯d been nning to marry you since you were a kid?¡±


    ¡°Basically. He said I¡¯d been arranged to marry you since I was young.¡±


    He shakes his head, then turns to look at me. ¡°I really, genuinely don¡¯t know anything about that. I found out our marriage had been arranged the same night you did, at that wedding. Do you believe me?¡±


    I search his face, then nod. ¡°Yeah. I do. Do you think my dad just made it up to get at me? Maybe it¡¯s crazy to believe him, but it seemed like he was being honest.¡±


    Alessio frowns. ¡°I don¡¯t know. My grandfather never told me anything about that. But then, he wouldn¡¯t. Information was always on a need-to-know basis with him.¡±


    ***


    We cook ate dinner together, pasta with a jarred sauce. As I¡¯m straining the noodles into ader, my phone buzzes. It¡¯s a number I don¡¯t recognize, but some weird instinct tells me to answer it.


    ¡°Hello?¡± I say, putting it to my ear.


    The sound of my father¡¯s voice almost causes me to drop the phone. ¡°Hello, A.¡±


    Alessio nces at me sharply, noticing my reaction.


    It¡¯s my dad, I mouth, and put the phone on speaker.


    I try to keep my voice steady. ¡°Since when do they allow cell phones in jail?¡±


    He cackles. ¡°There are a lot of things they don¡¯t allow in jail. Funnily enough, it isn¡¯t a problem for me.¡±


    ¡°I saw they scheduled your arraignment. How are you going to plead?¡±


    His reply is mocking, the words slightly slurred. ¡°I will be pleading not guilty, of course. I am wounded, wounded, that my own daughter could possibly believe otherwise. A murder? How could you think me capable of such a crime?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know exactly what you¡¯re capable of.¡±


    ¡°I guess that means you and your husband will be watching your backs, then.¡±


    I freeze, a chilling over me. Alessio puts a reassuring arm around me, his face serious.


    ¡°You¡¯re really going to threaten your own daughter?¡± I ask, trying to keep my voice from breaking. ¡°The only kid you have?¡±


    ¡°What daughter?¡± he replies harshly. ¡°You¡¯re no daughter of mine. You fucked everything up. You were going to continue my legacy, and you ruined it. You ruined all of it. I could give a fuck what happens to you.¡±


    I wish I could turn off the part of myself that cares about his words, but I just can¡¯t do it. He¡¯s still my dad. I choke back a sob as Alessio holds me, stroking my back. He makes eye contact, silently offering to take over the conversation. I shake my head.


    ¡°Funny,¡± I say, pulling myself together, ¡°I remember when you told me that marrying Alessio would continue your legacy. I thought our children were going to inherit Bover City?¡±


    ¡°And how¡¯s that going? Are you pregnant?¡±


    ¡°When I do have kids, you won¡¯t ever meet them,¡± I practically spit. ¡°They won¡¯t even know who you are.¡±


    ¡°Then I guess you just answered your own question,¡± my father growls. ¡°You¡¯re not my legacy, and your kids won¡¯t be, either.¡±


    ¡°So why did you even call me? To give me a chance to gloat over the fact that you¡¯re still in jail?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I just wanted to hear my darling daughter¡¯s voice.¡±


    ¡°Somehow, I doubt that.¡±


    Through the speakeres a muffled noise that I¡¯m pretty sure is a can being opened. Suddenly, the slur in my father¡¯s voice makes sense. He was always mean when he drank. Someone must have smuggled a six-pack and a phone into his cell, and he drunk-called me.


    ¡°You know, I hated the way things went down even more than you did,¡± he says, his tone now surprisingly conversational.


    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure that¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°You sent me to jail. You really think you got it worse than I did?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you definitely have it worse. But I didn¡¯t send you to jail.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. But your husband did.¡±


    I look at Alessio, realizing I don¡¯t actually know for sure that it isn¡¯t true. He shakes his head, shrugging.


    ¡°Believe what you want.¡± I pause, then realize this might be the best chance I¡¯ll have to get more information on what he told me during the jail visit. ¡°Alessio isn¡¯t the one who arranged to have me married when I was a fucking kid. That was all you.¡±


    Heughs. ¡°All me? All me? That shit was everybodybutme. Ask your mother. Ask your Uncle Jackie, if you can find where they buried him. God, that shit was a fuckingjoke. Fuck Alessio, fuck his grandfather, and fuck his worthless parents. Fuck your mother, too, while we¡¯re at it.¡±


    There¡¯s some kind ofmotion on his end of the phone. A loud rustling, voices in the background. Then the line goes dead.


    Alessio stares at me. ¡°You have any idea what that was about? He was cursing everybody there at the end. I thought the pope was next.¡±


    ¡°No. But I¡¯d like to find out.¡±


    ¡°So would I. What¡¯s the deal with your Uncle Jackie?¡±


    ¡°My mom¡¯s brother. He died around the time I was born. Honestly, I don¡¯t know much about him. We never talked about him much.¡±


    ¡°Was he part of the life?¡±


    ¡°Probably. My mom¡¯s whole side of the family pretty much is.¡±


    He takes a deep breath. ¡°We should go home. I don¡¯t expect much wille of it, but your dad sounded like he might have something up his sleeve. If he¡¯s nning a move, I need to be in Bover City to handle it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to leave me here? Make sure I¡¯m safely out of the way?¡± I adjust my expression quickly to make sure he knows I¡¯m joking.


    He shakes his head. ¡°Chances are your dad was just bullshitting, trying to scare us. Either way, though, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re safe. I can have Sal put some men on standby to act as bodyguards.¡±


    I kiss his cheek. ¡°I like that better than having to hide out in Idaho. Or ska.¡±


    My husband strokes my face, putting his forehead to mine. ¡°I told you, A. Nothing is going to keep us apart ever again. And I meant it.¡±

 59

    Alessio


    A and I fly back to Bover City the next day, and sitting next to my wife on the ne makes me feel like such a fucking man.


    This is the way things should be. With my woman at my side.


    I almost lost this, but I didn¡¯t. I got her back. She¡¯s mine.


    For real, this time. Forever.


    I can¡¯t resist slipping my hand down the front of her tights as we¡¯re cruising at 35, 000 feet. She inhales, making eye contact, pretending to cuddle up under her thin little nket.


    ¡°Yours,¡± she whispers, then moans softly as I shift my fingers.


    ¡°Mine,¡± I whisper back, feeling smug.


    I cup her pussywith my hand for the rest of the flight. asionally, I give her soft lips a little stroke, or she squeezes me with her thighs. It feels so wonderfully intimate, so perfectly right.


    Mine.


    ***


    Dominguez picks us up at the Bover City airport in thete afternoon. ¡°Good to see you both,¡± he says, shooting me a knowing look as he meets us at the baggage im. ¡°How¡¯s the ear? You¡¯re cleaning that thing, right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s healing.¡± I can¡¯t help but beam at him as I put an arm around A. Having my wife back makes me feel very proud. ¡°And don¡¯t worry, A is making sure I take good care of it.¡±


    A hugs him. ¡°Hey, Dom. Thanks for picking us up.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± he says, ¡°I¡¯ve got the airport pickup and drop-off down to a science, as you can see. Now, if you folks will follow me this way to the car.¡± He motions sagely to the exit, pretending to be a travel guide or something.


    ¡°Sorry about all the airport shit,¡± I whisper to him, pulling my suitcase through the parking lot. ¡°It¡¯s because I trust you. And also, A likes you. I¡¯ll have better work for you soon.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Happy to do it. Nothing says ¡®career boost¡¯ like getting in some face time with the boss.¡±


    I chuckle. ¡°Let¡¯s stop at Sal¡¯s club on the way home. I¡¯ll have him catch me up on anything important I missed while I was away.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Don Alessio!¡± Sal blows out a cloud of cigar smoke as I go into his office in the back of the strip club, A andDominguez following. He looks up from the football highlights he¡¯s watching on hisputer. ¡°Did you and your lovely wife have a good trip?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it was great. How did it go mopping up after the thing with the Maroney crew?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it was no problem. They¡¯re running around like chickens with their heads cut off. We¡¯ve taken back all the disputed territory in South Bover, and they¡¯re not going to do shit about it. Not after you took out Colin and Den.¡± He nces at A guiltily, and then at me. ¡°Sorry, wasn¡¯t considering my audience. Should we talk privately?¡±


    ¡°No. Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of A.¡±


    He looks surprised, but shrugs. ¡°Whatever you say, boss. Anyway, things are all good here.¡±


    ¡°What about Anthony  Gonzalez? Any issues with him? Anyone on the street still taking his orders?¡±


    ¡°Anthony ? Haven¡¯t heard a peep from him since he got arrested, to be honest. I don¡¯t think any of his old captains want to make waves. You handled the Maroney problem and you aren¡¯t fucking with their ies. Why would they mess with a good situation?¡±


    ¡°Just a hunch. Gonzalez called us from jail the other night. He was drunk, but it sounded like maybe he had something brewing. Tell your guys to be on the lookout, okay?¡±


    ¡°Will do. But I have to say, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s likely.¡±


    ¡°Still, can never be too cautious. Thanks, Sal. I slept easy knowing you were in charge while I was away. I think A and I are going to head home now.¡± I start to turn, then stop myself, remembering. ¡°Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you something. Did you know A¡¯s uncle Jackie back in the day? I know he was around during your time.¡±


    Sal freezes. ¡°Jackie? I don¡¯t know, was he part of the life?¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure he was,¡± says A. ¡°Jackie Carbone, my mom¡¯s brother. He died maybe 20 years ago. I¡¯ve been trying to get more information about him.¡±


    ¡°Have you asked your mother?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s next, I guess.¡±


    My capo looks ufortable. He throws me a look. ¡°Maybe it would be better if we discussed this with just the two of us? Sensitive topics and all.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°No. It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Sal nces at A, and I get the impression that hereallydoesn¡¯t want to say this in front of her. ¡°Sorry in advance, kid.¡± He extinguishes his cigar, then turns back to me. ¡°Okay, boss, here it goes. Yeah, I knew Jackie. He had beef with your dad.¡±


    I blink. ¡°My dad? What kind of beef?¡±


    ¡°Your dad¡¯s kid cousin was doing business with Jackie. Don¡¯t remember the details now, but Jackie thought the cousin ripped him off. He beat him up pretty bad. Your dad was furious. I¡¯d never seen Andres mad like that.¡±


    Even after all these years, I have to push down the emotions that surface at the mention of my father. Will the wound ever stop being raw?


    ¡°Anyway, Jackie came into one of our bars and was running his mouth about things. Andres and I decided to¡­¡± Sal¡¯s eyes flit to A. ¡°Well, we straightened things out.¡±


    ¡°You straightened things out?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    He draws a finger across his throat. ¡°Yeah. You know, we handled it. Actually, you were there,e to think of it. It was your 10th birthday. Always felt a little bad about that one.¡±


    A wave of nauseaes over me, and I have to swallow. I remember that birthday. The broken ss, the smell of blood, the taste of vomit. The awful sound of the cleaver.


    ¡°You murdered someone on Alessio¡¯s 10th birthday?¡± My wife clutches my arm, looking horrified.


    Pieces of Jackie in a bucket. Dad standing over me holding a severed foot.


    Sal looks embarrassed. ¡°Andres thought he was old enough. Wanted him to be a man.¡±


    Next to me, A is clearly sick on my behalf, and I hate it. I straighten up, modeling strength. ¡°Thanks, Sal. One more thing. Do you know anything about my grandpa arranging me to marry A? Like how or when he decided that?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°Sorry, kid. Old Nazio  yed things pretty close to the vest.¡±


    A


    ¡°You want help with your bags?¡± Dominguez offers, dropping us off at the penthouse.


    My husband pulls a suitcase out of the trunk. ¡°I¡¯ve got them. Thanks again for driving.¡±


    His friend hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. ¡°Hey, things areing together now. You¡¯re the boss, and nobody wants to fuck with that. The Maroneys are out of the way. A is home. Life is good. If you two change your minds about wanting to get a drinkter, just hit me up.¡±


    ¡°Appreciate it,¡± says Alessio. ¡°I think we¡¯re just going to have a quiet one, but I¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    Dominguez and I hug and kiss cheeks. ¡°Wee back,¡± he tells me.


    I haven¡¯t even been gone a full week, but walking back into the penthouse with my husband still feels emotional. It¡¯s the samevish interior, same target in the hallway with a knife stuck into the wall next to it, but the context around everything has changed.


    I¡¯m different. And my rtionship with Alessio is different. I don¡¯t feel trapped here, or like I¡¯m a visitor.


    For the first time, I truly feel like I¡¯ming home.


    ¡°It was lonely, being here without you,¡± says Alessio, putting his arms around me from behind as I survey the living room. ¡°It felt wrong.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you live alone here for years before you met me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Emphasis onbefore I met you. I was a different person then. Now I barely recognize that guy.¡±


    ¡°What changed?¡± I know I¡¯m fishing forpliments, but fuck it.


    He squeezes me. ¡°I found someone who makes my life so much better, I just want to be around her all the time.¡±


    We stay there in silence for a moment. I¡¯m still thinking about what Sal told us. I can¡¯t get it out of my head.


    ¡°Alessio, I¡¯m really sorry. About what you went through.¡±


    He clears his throat. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Your 10th birthday. What your dad¡­ That¡¯s terrible that you had to go through that.¡±


    ¡°It toughened me up,¡± he deflects gruffly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it did. But you were 10. It wasn¡¯t right.¡±


    Silence. And then¡­ ¡°Thanks,¡± says my husband, holding me tightly. ¡°I love you, A.¡±


    I turn around to kiss him. ¡°I love you too, Alessio. So much.¡±


    Ourembrace is long, slow, intimate. When it breaks, he¡¯s smiling. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t bemitting any murders on our children¡¯s birthdays.¡±


    Outside the vague concept of our children inheriting the city, we haven¡¯t really discussed this topic. And for the first time, the thought of having children with him brings a warmth to me. ¡°Do you want kids?¡±


    ¡°For a long time, I didn¡¯t. All I could picture was the way my father raised me, and it made me sick. But when I look at you¡­ When I think of the life I want to build with you¡­ Of course I want them. Of course I want to have a family with you. Do you¡­¡± He hesitates, looking more vulnerable than I¡¯m used to seeing him. ¡°How do you feel?¡±

 60

    I take a deep breath. ¡°I¡­ would want to finish school. But after that¡­ Yeah. I want us to have a family.¡±


    He kisses my forehead, grinning broadly. ¡°You mean it?¡±


    ¡°I do mean it. When I¡¯m done with school, I want to have babies with you.¡±


    ¡°After you finish school, then. What is that? Four years?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Four.¡±


    ¡°I can wait four years. You said you¡¯re taking birth control?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Good. Because there¡¯s no way in hell I can wait four years toe inside that pretty pussy of yours.¡±


    I bite my lip. ¡°Four years? You don¡¯t have to wait four minutes. I am yours, after all.¡±


    Alessio¡¯s eyes narrow with desire. ¡°Let¡¯s get you to the fucking bedroom.¡±


    He spins me around forcefully, wraps his arms around me, and grabs my wrists. He grips them tightly, possessively, walking me to the bedroom. Before we¡¯re even through the door, my clothes areing off.


    I shiver once I¡¯m fully naked, even though the apartment is warm. There¡¯s such a vulnerability to what I¡¯m letting him do, such a surrender, and it feels different than it has before.


    I¡¯m not experimenting with this, trying it out to see if I like it. I¡¯m not indulging a hidden, guilty fantasy.


    This is who I am. Whoweare. This is the dynamic I¡¯mmitting to for the rest of my life.


    Alessio is my husband, my dom, my authority, myowner, and I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.


    This is the life I want.


    Yours, I mouth as he pushes me onto the bed, spreading my legs apart.


    ¡°Mine,¡±he growls, hand closing around my neck.


    He pulls off his shirt, revealing his sculpted chest, his broad shoulders. My eyes follow his happy trail down to his belt line, and he groans as he unbuckles.


    ¡°I need to be inside you so bad, Ave. God, I just need it all the time.¡±


    He keeps his hand on my neck as he teases my opening, pressing the head of his cock against my pussy lips as it throbs. A droplet of pre-cum escapes the tip.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I gasp, ¡°oh, fuck yes. Please. I¡¯m ready.¡±


    He smirks, sliding his cock over my wet pussy. ¡°Please, sir.¡±


    God, he makes me feel so dominated.


    I fucking love it.


    ¡°Please, sir,¡±I correct myself. ¡°I¡¯m ready to take your cock now.¡±


    ¡°Good girl,¡±he purrs, pushing himself inside me as his lips crash down onto mine. ¡°You¡¯re going to take my cum, too, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I moan, putting my hands on his hips, pulling him deeper into me. ¡°I want you toe inside me.¡±


    His body feels so warm on top of me as he thrusts, his hand on my neck soforting, so perfect. This is where I was meant to be. Under him. Under my husband. epting his cock, his seed, his ownership.


    Alessio keeps his hand on my neck until he erupts, growling, filling my pussy with his warmth. His breath is right next to my ear, heart beating against me.


    He starts to pull out. I cling to him, begging wordlessly for him to stay. He sighs, nestling his face in my neck, and I wrap my legs around him.


    I¡¯m home. I¡¯m really home.


    A


    Alessio¡¯s face is between my legs when I wake up. At first, I¡¯m confused as I slide into consciousness, but as my eyes focus on him, I let out a moan. Fuck, his tongue feels amazing.


    ¡°I missed this,¡± he whispers, looking up at me. ¡°Tasting you.¡±


    I lift an arm to stroke his hair, but it doesn¡¯t go. Instead, it pulls against the bedframe, a cuff buckled firmly onto my wrist.


    ¡°You bastard,¡± Iugh. ¡°You tied my arms while I was sleeping?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    He grins. ¡°Couldn¡¯t have you running away.¡±


    I¡¯m too distracted to answer him as he returns his mouth to my clit, circling it with his tongue. I lean my head back, sighing in satisfaction.


    Run away? This is how every morning should start.


    ***


    Alessio doesn¡¯t release me until I¡¯vee for him three times. I ask permission for each of them. On the third one, he makes me beg, hovering his face over my pussy and giving me little licks to keep me on the edge. By the time he¡¯s done, I¡¯m sticking to the sheets with sweat, melted into a puddle.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he tells me, stroking my face. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll let you go now. Although it¡¯s tempting to just keep you tied up here, ready for me whenever I want.¡±


    I squint at him. ¡°You¡¯d like that, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    He brings his mouth next to my ear. ¡°I would. And you¡¯d like it, too.¡±


    I feel ted as he releases my arms. It makes me so happy how natural all of this feels.


    This is my reality now.


    ¡°What do you have going on today?¡± I ask him, sitting up in bed and watching him get dressed. Gosh, his body is nice. He has such a defined back. Watching the muscles ripple will never cease to mesmerize me.


    ¡°Just checking in with my capos,¡± he says, buttoning his shirt. ¡°The same way I did with Sal. Make sure everything is running smoothly, you know. How about you?¡±


    ¡°I thought I would visit my mom. See if she¡¯ll tell me anything about Uncle Jackie or the arranged marriage.¡±


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want me toe with you?¡±


    ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re sweet. But I think she¡¯s more likely to answer honestly if I visit her alone.¡±


    ***


    My mom looks surprised to see me when I show up at her doorstep. She goes for the hug, then stops herself and waves me inside.


    ¡°Well, hello, dear. Tea?¡±


    ¡°Uh, sure. How¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know. The same. Have you talked to your father recently?¡±


    Well, here it goes. ¡°Actually, yeah. He mentioned some stuff I wanted to ask you about.¡±


    She fills the electric kettle with water and turns it on. ¡°You visited him?¡±

 61

    ¡°Yeah. He also called me.¡±


    ¡°He called you? On the phone?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I guess he got a cell phone in there.¡±


    She furrows her brow, and I get the impression that he hasn¡¯t called her at all. ¡°What did he want?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He sounded drunk.¡±


    ¡°Well, you know better than to listen to him when he¡¯s drinking.¡±


    ¡°I guess. Can you tell me about Uncle Jackie? I realized I don¡¯t know much about him.¡±


    She turns sharply away from the kettle. ¡°Your father mentioned Jackie?¡±


    I nod, noting the intensity of her reaction. ¡°Mhm.¡± I hesitate, then decide to put one of my cards on the table. ¡°I know about how he died.¡±


    Her entire face changes. ¡°You know¡­ How do you¡­ Oh. I suppose your father will have told you. He told you the whole story?¡±


    I nod, not bothering to correct her. She gulps.


    ¡°Jackie was a good man,¡± says my mom, looking wistful now. ¡°I wish you could have met him. I know you two would have gotten along. He was a riot, my brother, such a practical joker. He would have been a great uncle.¡±


    The water reaches a rolling boil, and she busies herself pouring mugs of tea. I notice that her hands are shaking.


    ¡°Mom, when did you and dad arrange for me to marry Alessio?¡±


    I had expected this question tond harder. Instead, her answer is immediate, and it confuses me: ¡°It was about five yearster.¡±


    ¡°Five yearster than what?¡±


    Her eye twitches as she hands me a mug. ¡°After that scumbag murdered Jackie.¡±


    That would put me at five years old when the marriage was arranged. I try not to look surprised. The more she thinks my dad already told me, the more she¡¯s likely to reveal. ¡°You sure kept that quiet my entire life.¡±


    ¡°Well, we had to, after what happened. Andres had lots of friends. It had to be a secret.¡±


    Now I¡¯m really confused. By Andres, I¡¯m assuming she means Alessio¡¯s father? ¡°You were worried about Andres¡¯s friends?¡±


    She grimaces. ¡°Obviously. Nazio  Razone was out for blood after his son died. The arrangement was the only way we could smooth things over. It was your father¡¯s idea, joining the two families together to keep the peace. Nazio  would have killed me otherwise. We couldn¡¯t allow word to get out that I was responsible for the bomb.¡±


    For a moment, I¡¯m dizzy and I have to clutch the counter. Mymotherset the bomb that killed Alessio¡¯s parents? I try to act normal, ignoring the chasm that just opened up in my stomach. ¡°I¡­ see.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°I did feel bad about the wife, you know. Julia wasn¡¯t a bad woman, even if she was married to that piece of shit. I didn¡¯t think she would be in the car with him. But you know, we all have our own mistakes to exin to Saint Peter when we reach the pearly gates. I avenged my brother, at least. I can¡¯t regret that.¡±


    She¡¯s speaking more openly now than I¡¯ve ever heard her. Certainly not without a lot of wine. I get the impression she¡¯s beendying to talk about this, bottling it up for thest fifteen years of her life.


    ¡°Why did you wait five years?¡± I ask. ¡°To get revenge for Jackie?¡±


    She sips her mug of tea, almost spilling it. ¡°When he first went missing, we didn¡¯t even know what happened. He just disappeared, no trail, no body. I mean, sure, we figured, but we didn¡¯t know who did it.¡±


    ¡°How did you find out?¡±


    A little smile creeps onto her face. ¡°Somebody inside the Razone family tipped me off. Told me it was Andres who did it.¡±


    ¡°And dad helped you set the bomb?¡±


    She shakes her head quickly and half-chuckles. ¡°Oh, no, he was furious. He told me I couldn¡¯t get revenge because hitting Nazio ¡®s son would be a death warrant. But it worked out, didn¡¯t it? Andres¡¯s dead, and we¡¯re still here.¡±


    ¡°It worked out, except for the part where you arranged your five-year-old daughter to marry a gangster.¡±


    She snorts. ¡°As though you wouldn¡¯t have done that anyway? We all marry gangsters, Ave. At least I guaranteed you would end up with somebody powerful, somebody who could earn. You¡¯re on top now, and your children will be on top. That¡¯s what matters. Even your father understood that eventually.¡±

 62

    Alessio


    My pocket vibrates as I¡¯m leaving one of my family¡¯s card rooms in North Bover. I answer it, d to be away from the smell of stale cigarette smoke.


    It¡¯s Sal. ¡°Hey, boss, I¡¯ve got some news on that thing with those Irish guys. Would be better discussed in person. You want to meet me at the club, or should Ie to you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle to you. I¡¯m in North Bover. Should be at the club in 15 minutes if I hit green lights.¡±


    ¡°Okay, see you in a-¡±


    The hair on the back of my neck prickles, and I¡¯m instantly on alert. ¡°Hang on, Sal, I might have a situation.¡±


    Idon¡¯t know what it is, but something feels wrong. My instincts, honed over a lifetime of violence, are telling me that I¡¯m in danger. I scan the street around me, searching for a threat.


    There¡¯s nothing obvious, but there usually isn¡¯t. And I¡¯ve learned to trust my gut. I pocket the phone, muffling Sal¡¯s voice asking if I¡¯m okay. I¡¯ll need that hand free if I¡¯m forced to pull my gun.


    And then the car driving behind me, a beat-up Honda Civic, starts to slow down. I know what this means, and I¡¯m ready for it. I dive behind a parked van, back mming into it as gunfire splits the air.


    The shots are rapid, hitting the wall behind me, the van. Bullets break ss, crunch into metal, kick up powder from the bricks. I stay hidden, knowing this cover is the best chance I have to stay alive.


    After at least 20 gunshots, the attack breaks. I spring out from where I¡¯m hiding and unload my pistol into the Honda Civic. More bullets hitting metal, more broken ss. I can¡¯t tell if I wounded or killed anyone, but the engine revs and the car peels out, squealing around the corner in a hurry.


    I pant for breath, Sal¡¯s tinny voice stilling from my pocket. My thoughts are a total blur of fear and adrenaline.


    I thought this was over.


    ***


    A


    On my mom¡¯s kitchen counter in front of me, my phone buzzes. I check the screen and see that it¡¯s Alessio.


    ¡°Sorry, mom, I should take this. Hey, babe, what¡¯s up?¡±


    His voice is sharp. ¡°We¡¯re in danger. I just got attacked. No time to exin. I¡¯m sending someone to pick you up.¡±


    The panic in his voice makes my stomach drop. ¡°Are you okay? What happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll tell you moreter. Are you still at your mom¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m still there. What are we going to-¡±


    ¡°No time, Ave. I love you. Be ready to go.¡±


    ¡°What was that about?¡± asks my mom, squinting.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I have to go. Alessio¡¯s sending a car.¡±


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine. I have to pee, I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    I take a moment topose myself in the bathroom, sshing my face with water and taking deep breaths. It¡¯s going to be okay. It¡¯s going to be okay.


    About 10 minutester, Sal pulls up. I¡¯m relieved my mom doesn¡¯t walk me out to the car, considering the role he yed in her brother Jackie¡¯s death. I get in and he pulls out right away.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I ask before I¡¯ve even buckled my seatbelt. ¡°Is Alessio okay? Of course he told me he was fine, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry yourself, he¡¯s okay. He¡¯s a tough kid, not a scratch on him. Well, except for the ear.¡±


    I breathe out a sigh of relief. ¡°Good. He got attacked? Who attacked him?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know for sure.¡±


    ¡°Do you think it could be my dad acting from custody?¡±


    Sal pauses before he answers. ¡°Anything¡¯s possible. Alessio wants to get you to a safe house right away.¡±


    I stare out the window, thinking. The thing my mind keeps sticking on is the fact that when my mom spoke about Jackie being murdered, she didn¡¯t mention Sal at all. Only Alessio¡¯s father. Pulling out my phone, I unblock her number and shoot her a text.


    Hey mom, who was your friend in the Razone family?


    Sal nces at me, then turns on the radio. A couple minutester, I receive the reply:


    Hey honey! d to get a text from u ??


    Salomon Marco


    I stare at the message, brain whirring.


    Sal told my mother that Andres killed her brother.


    He sure left that part out of the story.


    I look over at him, and he smiles easily. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be okay. I know Alessio will handle this. Might as well getfortable, we¡¯ve got a long drive.¡±


    My phone rings. Alessio¡¯s number. I go to pick it up, but Sal snatches the phone out of my hand. ¡°Sorry, nomunication. Alessio¡¯s orders.¡±


    ¡°Alessio is the one calling me!¡± I try to take the phone back, but he wrestles it away from me.


    ¡°Give me the phone!¡±


    Sal shoves me away from him, then chucks my phone out the window. I dive for the door handle, trying to unlock it, to get out. I can¡¯t be trapped in this car. We¡¯re going slowly enough that if I jump out, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be badly injured. It can¡¯t be worse than wherever he¡¯s taking me.


    Pain shes through me as Sal ms me violently against the window. I¡¯m seeing double as my forehead bounces off the ss. The car stops, and I struggle as he grinds my head into the dashboard, drawing a syringe from his pocket.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, you fucking cunt,¡± he rasps, piercing the needle into my neck and squeezing its contents into my bloodstream. ¡°Go to sleep for me now.¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ***


    Alessio


    My car screeches into the driveway of A¡¯s mother¡¯s house, abject fear pulsing through my veins. I sprint past Dominguez¡¯s car and ram into the locked front door in my attempt to open it. ¡°Already got picked up?¡± What the fuck does that mean, she already got picked up?


    After about five seconds of hammering on the wood, Dominguez opens it. ¡°Fuck, man, I¡¯m so sorry. Somebody got here first.¡±


    I round on Maria Gonzalez. ¡°She got picked up? Who picked her up?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she says defensively. ¡°She got a call, then said she had to leave.¡±


    ¡°That was me!¡± I roar, blood pounding in my ears. ¡°Fuck!¡±


    I turn around and pace, taking a beat to collect myself.


    ¡°Did you see the car?¡± Dominguez asks her. ¡°Even the color?¡±


    ¡°I stayed in the house. We said goodbye in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°So we don¡¯t even know if she got into the car willingly, or through force,¡± I grit out, feeling defeated. IknewI should have gotten her another cor with a tracker. If I had done that, this situation would be verydifferent.


    ¡°Have you tried her phone?¡± Dominguez asks.


    ¡°A million times. It just rings and then goes to voicemail.¡±


    ¡°Can you track its location?¡±


    I whip out my phone. Of course.


    ¡°Is A okay?¡± Maria asks, looking worried.


    Nobody answers her.


    ¡°Got it,¡± I grunt. ¡°At a park not that far away.¡±


    Dominguez nods. We both know it¡¯s more likely we¡¯ll find the phone there than its owner. But it¡¯s the only lead we have.


    ***


    Dominguez pulls up behind me and we walk to the park together. Following the map on my phone, we go to the north side of the park, where a group of three kids are shooting hoops on the basketball court. They look to be about 12 or 13.


    ¡°Hey!¡± says Dominguez, approaching them. ¡°Any chance you guys have seen a cell phone?¡±


    The kids exchange looks that tell us immediately that they have.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you $100 each if you give me the phone and tell me where you found it,¡± I say, pulling out my wallet and showing them the money.


    One of them takes A¡¯s cell phone out of his pocket immediately and hands it to me. ¡°Someone threw it out of a car!¡± he tells me eagerly. ¡°I thought it was okay to take it because they didn¡¯t want it anymore.¡±


    I take the phone from him, rubbing my thumb across the cracks that spiderweb across the screen. ¡°What kind of car was it?¡±


    ¡°It looked like that one,¡± he says, pointing to a white sedan.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t white, it was silver!¡± says one of the other kids.


    ¡°That phone is worth more than $300. We should sell it on eBay and split the money,¡± whispers the third.


    The first kid gives me an usatory look. ¡°Yeah, hey, wait, give it back!¡±


    I drop the $300 on the ground and turn away from them. Dominguez and I walk away as they scramble for the money.


    ¡°Not very helpful,¡± says Dominguez. ¡°A white or silver sedan? That¡¯s half the cars in the city.¡±


    My fists clench. I know he¡¯s right. ¡°Go talk to the soldiers, see what you can find out. I¡¯m going to talk to the captains.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to find her,¡± my friend tells me, putting a hand on my shoulder. ¡°Trust me, we¡¯re going to find her.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Jesus,¡± says Sal over the phone as I sit in the front seat of my car outside Gino¡¯s bar. ¡°I can hardly believe it. Fuckin¡¯ awful, to mess with a man¡¯s wife. What the fuck kind of honor is there in that?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no honor in any of this,¡± I growl.


    ¡°Do you want to meet me in the club, talk it over?¡±


    ¡°No time, I¡¯m about to meet with Gio Lombardo. He might have a read on whether any of Anthony ¡®s old crews are still loyal to him. I want you to talk to the other captains. Have them put word out to their men that there¡¯s $100, 000 reward for any information, no questions asked.¡±


    I hang up on him and head into the bar, buzzing like I just drank a gallon of espresso. I can barely focus, barely think. All that matters is getting A back.

 63

    A


    I¡¯m awake, but I can¡¯t move my body. My head is killing me. Dimly, I have an awareness that I¡¯m tied up, but not in the fun way.


    Sal. He did this. I blink my eyes open and everything stays ck. Where am I?


    A car. I¡¯m in the back of a car. It¡¯s moving. Am I on the freeway? I can¡¯t see anything, but I can hear it. Is there something covering my face?


    ¡°Goddammit,¡± says Sal¡¯s voice as I shift positions. ¡°I knew I should have given you a bigger dose.¡±


    ¡°Why are you¡­ doing this to me?¡± I struggle to ask, my lips barelycooperating.


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing this to you, I¡¯m doing this to your husband. You¡¯re just an insurance policy in case Gio fucks up and we need to use you as bait.¡±


    I groan as my head starts to throb. The car lurches to a stop, and I hear Sal get out. Then the door to the backseat opens. I wince,pletely blind and helpless. A rough hand grabs my arm and fingers tap my bicep, searching for a vein.


    ¡°Noooo!¡± I squeal, struggling pointlessly as I realize what is happening. The needle burns as it pierces my arm, and everything disappears again.


    ***


    Alessio


    ¡°Gio,¡± I say, putting my game face on as I walk into the bar and greet him. ¡°Thanks for meeting me. This is a conversation for the back room.¡±


    He nods, getting up from his seat and following me through the door to where we can talk privately.


    ¡°My wife was kidnapped,¡± I tell him bluntly as soon as the door is shut. ¡°It just happened. I don¡¯t know who has her, but I suspect Anthony  Gonzalez is behind it. Do you know if anybody on the street is still loyal to him?¡±


    His eyes go wide. ¡°Aw fuck, somebody took your A? When was this?¡±


    ¡°Almost an hour ago. Do any of the other captains still talk to him?¡±


    Gio bites his lip. ¡°Not that they tell me. But let me think about it¡­¡±


    There¡¯s a knock on the door. I spin around instinctively. Then something hits me in the back of the head so hard I can¡¯t keep my feet under me. I fall to the ground, the world spinning. Thest thing I see before I go ck is Gio the Butcher crouching over me, holding a syringe.


    A


    Everything is fuzzy when Sal stops the car again and opens the back door. I blink as he pulls the bag off of my head, the world suddenly flooded with white. My head is pounding. My eyes can¡¯t focus.


    ¡°Come on, get up,¡± he growls, snipping what must be zip ties to release my arms and legs. ¡°Get the fuck up. I¡¯m not gonna mess up my back carrying you.¡±


    He drags me out of the car, and I struggle to find my feet. It¡¯s too bright for me to tell where I am, much less to run. Sal keeps a tight hold of me as he leads me into a building and shoves me through the front door.


    ¡°You got the bitch!¡± says a voice I don¡¯t recognize. ¡°Fuck yeah! What about Alessio?¡±


    ¡°Gio¡¯s taking care of it,¡± says Sal. ¡°And then we won¡¯t need her at all.¡±


    I flinch as a hand grabs my face, squeezing my cheeks. ¡°Such a pretty thing. Be a shame to just kill her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get your turn with her when all this is over. We all will.¡±


    The hand pushes me backwards by my face. Both men chuckle as I stumble into some kind of desk and fall to the ground, which feels like wood flooring. Still unable to see well, I¡¯m forced to use the desk to get back up, my body barely cooperating because of the drugs.


    ¡°You have another zip tie? I want to do her hands again.¡±


    They push me back to the ground and force my wrists behind my back as I curl in the fetal position. A stic zip tie goes around my wrists, and they pull it tight enough to hurt. I whimper,cking the strength to resist them. It¡¯s a lot harder to return to my feet this time, and they don¡¯t help me in any way.


    I lean against the desk for support, and behind me, my hands find an object that I recognize. It¡¯s a Bic lighter. Praying they can¡¯t see what I¡¯m doing, I slip it into the back pocket of my jeans.


    ¡°Put her in the basement,¡± says Sal. My blurry vision is starting to focus, just in time for him to lead me down a flight of stairs and into a dark room. He shoves me to the floor again, and it¡¯s especially painful without my hands to break my fall. He flicks on a light and secures my ankles with another zip tie.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll see me again,¡± he winks as he walks back up the stairs. ¡°I know you like fucking the boss of the Razone family. So I¡¯ll keep you around after I take over. For a while, at least. And you can still fuck the boss of the Razone family.¡±


    He turns off the light and closes the door behind him.


    Immediately, I pull the lighter out of my pocket. Then I start squirming, trying to get my hands past my legs so they¡¯re in front of me. I only barely have the flexibility to do it, so Ikick off my shoes to make more room. The stic digs painfully into my wrists as I squeeze them over my butt, and finally, past my feet.


    Once my hands are in front of me, I grab the Bic. I lie on my side, trying to find a way to position the lighter so that I can flick it.


    When I finally get a me, it slips out of my hand. Whispering a swear word, I feel around the dusty cement floor to retrieve it, and my hand finds a rubber band that¡¯s probably been there for years.


    Wait. Could that work? I put the rubber band around the lighter vertically, so it¡¯s holding the button down, then take about 20 tries to get a me lit with the rubber band still in ce. Eventually, it stays on.


    Fuck yeah.


    Hands shaking, I bnce the lighter upright on the floor and mentally prepare myself for what I¡¯m about to do.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    This is definitely going to hurt.


    I grit my teeth as I hold the zip tie over the me. It stings, no matter how I position it. But I can see it sizzling, and smell the awful scent of burning stic.


    Ow! The skin on my wrists starts to burn so much I have to stop. The zip tie isn¡¯t fully melted through, but it¡¯s most of the way there. I put one of my knees between my wrists and push until the stic snaps.


    I stay still, terrified they will have heard me from upstairs. When the door to the basement doesn¡¯t open, I take a deep breath and set about using the lighter to free my feet.

 64

    AlessioN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I feel like shit when I open my eyes. Where the fuck am I?


    I¡¯m standing up. But not with my own strength. As I process my surroundings, I realize my feet are tied to a pole, my arms sticking out and tied to a crossbeam.


    The way I¡¯m positioned, it¡¯s like I¡¯m Jesus on the cross. I¡¯m even shirtless.


    I sure as shit don¡¯tfeellike Jesus. Maybe Jesus after a bad night of drinking. I try to move my arms, testing the tightness of my restraints.


    They¡¯re tight enough.


    ¡°Oh good, you¡¯re awake,¡± says a voice from across the room. Gio the Butcher walks over to me, grinning. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to start while you were still asleep.¡±


    I scan the room around me. Windowless, clean, and bright, with cleavers, hacksaws, corkscrews, and other horrifying implements lining the walls.


    It¡¯s a fucking murder dungeon.


    Gio produces a scalpel, sliding it slowly down my cheek. I try not to wince, very aware of how easily it could pierce my skin. ¡°You¡¯re brave, I¡¯ll give you credit. We¡¯ll see how long thatsts.¡±


    ¡°Whatever Anthony  Gonzalez offered you, I can offer more,¡± I tell him, my words unsteady. ¡°I¡¯ll double it. Tripleit.¡±


    He lets out a delighted cackle. ¡°Gonzalez? You thinkGonzalezis behind this? Who gives a shit about him? I sent him to jail. Why would I be working for the guy whose job I¡¯m about to take?¡±


    I can feel my heart rate getting faster as the scalpel slides down to my neck. ¡°What did you do with A?¡±


    He cackles again. ¡°A? I didn¡¯t do anything with her. Sal took care of that.¡±


    I mouth wordlessly, my brain trying to process.¡±Sal?¡±


    ¡°Yes, dumbass, your dear old Uncle Sal. AKA, the obvious person who would have taken over for your grandfather if you didn¡¯t screw him over by butting in. Did you really think all your captains were just going toy down and let an outsider take the top job?¡±


    Gio drags the scalpel down to my chest and cuts a long, thin line down my right pec. It fucking stings, even though I know the wound is superficial. I growl, trying not to let my pain show.


    ¡°So why are you involving A in this? Let her go, and I¡¯ll cooperate with you.¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°Sal thought she might make good leverage. Apparently, you¡¯ve been a hard man to kill. Honestly, I¡¯m beginning to think your old boy Sal might be a bit of a fuckup. You know he was supposed to get you and Nazio  out of the way before you evenmarried A? Instead, he only finished half the job. Couldn¡¯t get you with the car bomb, and then he fucks it up again today. Our partnership is purely one of convenience, I assure you.¡±


    I wince as he brings the scalpel to my face again, and he smiles. Then he turns around and goes to his wall of des, making a show of picking his next one.


    ¡°This would be fun, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± he asks, pointing a hacksaw at me. ¡°But that¡¯s forter. That¡¯s for getting big old you into much smaller pieces.¡±


    I don¡¯t want to give him the satisfaction of an answer. My mind is racing, searching for some method of escape.


    It¡¯s noting up with much.


    Gio returns holding a Bowie knife. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll ask Sal to turn A over to me when he and his boys are done with her. She¡¯ll be more fun than Dominguez Gary, that¡¯s for sure.¡± He pauses, enjoying my reaction. ¡°I think when I get my hands on Mr. Gary, I¡¯m going to feed him to the piranhas. That would be fitting, wouldn¡¯t it? But not you. No, I have special ns for all your bits and pieces. I¡¯m going to encase your skull in resin, isn¡¯t that cool? It¡¯ll be a great centerpiece.¡±


    I¡¯m unable to contain my grunt of pain as he cuts my chest with the Bowie knife, right underneath the other cut.


    ¡°It¡¯s so interesting how different knives cut differently, isn¡¯t it?¡± Gio asks me conversationally, examining his handiwork. ¡°The cut with the scalpel is so much cleaner.¡±


    He shrugs his shoulders, then drops his de as though it¡¯s a microphone. ¡°Okay, fuck it. I want to try the hacksaw.¡±


    My eyes jump immediately to the knife as it tters to the ground. He looks amused by my reaction. ¡°Oh, you want this? You think it will help you get out of your little predicament?¡±


    Gio¡¯s eyes sh cruelly. He walks behind the big cross-thing I¡¯m tied to, and to my surprise, he loosens my hands. They fall to my sides, aching.


    ¡°Go on,¡± he sneers. ¡°Do your worst.¡±


    He turns his back and walkszily to the other side of the room to retrieve his hacksaw. I¡¯m still bound tightly by my ankles and my waist, but I use all of my energy to bend over, trying to grab the Bowie knife.


    Gio looks back and sees me just as I manage to wrap my fingers around it. His eyes narrow and he grins. He moves closer to me and stands just out of range as I swipe at him with the weapon, unable to reach.


    ¡°Oh, poor, poor you. If only your arms were just alittlebit longer.¡±


    I growl, almost losing my grip on the knife in my effort to stab him with it.


    ¡°Okay, okay, you¡¯ve had your fun. Let me get my taser so I can get that knife from you nice and safe, and then we¡¯ll y with the hacksaw the way we¡¯ve both been looking forward to.¡±


    He walks back to his weapon wall and gets a yellow taser, the kind you shoot at someone from a distance. In his other hand, the hacksaw. Doing the only thing I can think of, I try to pass the Bowie knife to my other hand and flip it around so I can hold it by the de.


    My fingers slip. I grasp for it. For that moment that the knife is beyond my grip, it¡¯s like everything slows down. If I don¡¯t catch it, this is all over.


    I won¡¯t see A again.


    And then my fingers close around the de, the way I¡¯ve practiced so many times with knives designed for throwing. Gio the Butcher spins around. Our eyes meet, and he aims the taser at me.


    As he squeezes the trigger, I hurl the knife with every bit of strength and focus that I have. The barbs stick into my chest, shooting electricity through me, and I scream as my body convulses.


    A


    Once I¡¯ve melted through the zip tie connecting my feet, I explore the space I¡¯m in, using the lighter to see. The room is dirty and messy, filled with boxes, file cabs, and shelves. It must be a storage room.


    One of the boxes has tools. I do my best to be quiet as I search through it, looking for a weapon. Not the drill. Not the level. The rubber mallet? Maybe.


    A screwdriver. I know what it is the moment my hand closes around it. I pull it out of the box, attention focused on the sound of footsteps above me.


    If anyonees down here, I¡¯m going to stab theshit out of them.


    ***


    Alessio


    My muscles spasm as the current flows through me. All I can feel is blinding, incredible pain. When it stops, I¡¯m panting for breath, my body aching. It feels like I just ran 10 miles.


    I look down at the barbs stuck in my chest, the wires trailing from them. My eyes follow the wires to the taser, which is still clutched in Gio Lombardo¡¯s hand.


    He¡¯s on the floor in front of me, the Bowie knife sticking out of his neck. Dark red blood is trickling onto the concrete, almost reaching my feet. He¡¯s still twitching slightly, making a gurgling sound, and then he stops.


    I¡¯m in rough shape. Blood is flowing freely down my torso from the two cuts in my chest, and my whole body still feels fucked up from the taser. All I want to do is lie down, to sleep, but I can¡¯t.


    Sal has A. That¡¯s all that matters. Until I have her back, there¡¯s no such thing as rest. I pull the taser barbs from my chest and struggle to release the restraint around my waist, wishing I still had the knife to cut myself free.


    Eventually, I¡¯m able to shimmy the leather strap down to my feet. Then I go to work on my ankles as Gio¡¯s body bleeds in front of me. The restraints are secured from the back, which makes getting them off hard work, but eventually, I¡¯m able to tug one of my feet free, and then the other.


    I step into the pool of blood and take the taser from Gio¡¯s hand. It¡¯s a two-shot model, which means there¡¯s one cartridge left. Walking over him, I go to the weapon wall and pick out a clean knife, then exit the basement and creep up the steps.


    I¡¯m in Gio¡¯s home. I recognize it. There¡¯s the living room,plete with piranha tank. Creeping through the hallway, I see one of Gio¡¯s henchmen at the exact same time that he sees me. He startles, eyes going wide. He reaches for his belt.


    I shoot him with the taser and he drops. He convulses as I mount him, pinning his arms with my knees and putting the knife to his throat.


    ¡°Where is she?¡±


    He groans, and it takes him several seconds to be able to form words. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°A,¡± I growl, grabbing his hair and thumping the back of his head into the ground. ¡°My fucking wife. I know Sal has her. Where did he take her?¡±


    ¡°T-to his house,¡± the man stutters softly, looking as woozy as I felt a moment ago.


    I push the knife into his neck all the way to the handle, wipe it off on his shirt, and make my way through the house. To my relief, I don¡¯t encounter any more of Gio¡¯s men. I stop into a bathroom, and thankfully, the medicine cab has Vaseline and aspirin. I smear the Vaseline on my cuts to stem the bleeding, pop a couple pills, and head to the garage.


    Once inside the garage, I grab Gio¡¯s keys from a hook on the wall and unlock his car, a ck, 2000¡¯s-era Cadic. There¡¯s a shotgun leaning in the corner and I take that, too, along with a box of shells from the shelf next to it.


    Sal¡¯s house is also in Beauford Hills, not far from here. The drive should be about 10 minutes.


    I¡¯m going to make it in five.

 65

    A


    I stand at the top of the basement steps, my ear pressed to the door. The screwdriver is in my hand, fingers squeezing the rubberized handle as I listen to what¡¯s going on in the house above me.


    ¡°Just got word from Gio¡¯s crew. They have Alessio. Gio is doing his thing with him now. Apparently, he wants to send you a hand or a foot or something as a trophy.¡±


    I almost lose my footing, immediately sick.


    Sal¡¯s voice replies. ¡°What a fucking weirdo. Tell him if he sends me one of that motherfucker¡¯s feet, I¡¯ll shove it up his ass.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Let¡¯s fuckin¡¯ celebrate. Goddamn, it feels good to have this thing over with. I feel like a kid who just got let outof school on summer break. You wanna smoke a Cuban with the new boss of the Razone family?¡±


    The other man chuckles. ¡°You know¡­ I think I¡¯d have more fun ying with Alessio¡¯s bitch than smoking a Cuban.¡±


    Salughs. ¡°Oh, go on, don¡¯t let me stop you. You can fuck her, and I¡¯ll use her as an ashtray.¡±


    Footsteps start toe in the direction of the basement door. I creep down the steps as quickly as I can, heart pounding, and lie on the ground, pretending to be tied up.


    Tears stream down my face, but I ignore them. No matter what happens next, I¡¯m going to make it as difficult for them as I possibly can.


    The basement door opens, and someone walks down the steps. I clutch the screwdriver, hand sweaty. The light flicks on.


    When he crouches down next to me, I attack. I spin around, thrusting the screwdriver at him with all of my strength. It plunges into some part of his body and he screams, falling backward. I pull it out and just keep stabbing, stabbing, and stabbing, driving the screwdriver into his torso until his shirt is covered in blood and he¡¯s not moving.


    I copse next to him and drop the screwdriver, hands shaking, gasping for breath.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on down there?¡± calls Sal¡¯s voice from upstairs.


    ***


    Alessio


    My shoe grinds the gas pedal into the floor of Gio Lombardo¡¯s Cadic. I screech around the turn leading to Sal Marco ¡®sdriveway, stop, go into reverse, then floor it again, ramming straight through the gate as the metal screams and crunches.


    The impact is a big jolt to my already damaged system, but I don¡¯t have any spare focus to think about that. One of Sal¡¯s men is smoking a cigarette in the driveway. I gun it in his direction, run him over, then reverse back over him and jump out of the car holding the shotgun.


    Gunshots ring out from the house, blowing the side mirror off the ruined Cadic. I dive behind it for cover as more bullets m into the side of the car. I want to return fire, but I don¡¯t dare. Until I know where A is, I can¡¯t risk hitting her by ident.


    ¡°I have your wife!¡± Sal¡¯s voice yells as the gunfire breaks. ¡°You shoot at me, she dies.¡±


    Panic grips me. ¡°You hurt a hair on her head, you¡¯re going to wish you died fast like Gio!¡±


    Salughs. ¡°I never liked Gio anyway. A marriage of convenience, as it were. You¡¯d know something about that, right?¡±


    ¡°Let her go!¡± I shout. ¡°You want to have any prayer of walking out of here, you let her go.¡±


    More gunshots shatter the car window. I crouch as bits of ss fall all around me.


    ¡°All this for her?¡± Sal¡¯s voice mocks me. ¡°Did you know A¡¯s mother is the one who killed your parents?¡±


    I freeze, barelyprehending. ¡°What?¡±


    Heughs again, and I get the impression he¡¯s trying to enrage me, to force me into making a mistake. ¡°She set the car bomb. She¡¯s the reason your parents are dead.¡±


    Deep breaths. Calm.¡±And what makes you think that?¡±


    ¡°I told her that your dad killed Jackie. So in a sense, Ikilled him. And your whore mother. How do you like that, kid? I did everybody a favor. No way I was going to let that useless fucker take over the family just because he was Nazio ¡®s little brat.¡±


    My hatred is making me stupid, and Sal knows it. This man arranged the killings of my parents, my grandfather, and he kidnapped my wife. All while pretending to be a friend, someone I could trust. I stay where I am behind the car, not trusting myself to make smart decisions.


    Deep breaths. Calm. One dumb move and A is dead.


    ***


    A


    I creep out of the basement, clothes covered in blood that isn¡¯t mine. The screwdriver is still in my hand. I haven¡¯t let go of it since I killed Sal¡¯s henchman.


    Sal is in the living room, ducking behind an open window holding a gun. He¡¯s yelling at someone outside, and another voice is yelling back.


    Wait. That sounds familiar. Could it be? I crouch behind the doorframe leading to the living room, watching. There¡¯s someone hiding behind a smashed-up ck car in the driveway.


    ¡°Release A and you don¡¯t have to die today!¡± calls the voice, and my heart leaps.


    I¡¯d know that voice anywhere.


    That¡¯s my husband.


    I watch Sal from behind, trying to figure out my best move. Is there a back door I can use to escape? He doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m out of the basement. If I can leave the house, maybe Alessio and I can get out of here in one piece.


    And then, through one of the far windows on the other side of the living room, I see movement. Another of Sal¡¯s soldiers, armed, creeping across the driveway. He¡¯s trying to get behind Alessio, who hasn¡¯t noticed him.


    And he¡¯s almost there.


    ¡°Alessio!¡± I scream at the top of my lungs, trying to project my voice so it carries outside. ¡°Behind you!¡±


    Alessio


    I spin around at the sound of A¡¯s voice. Behind me and to the right is one of Sal¡¯s men, creeping in my direction to get the perfect shot. I st him with my shotgun and miss, but the second shot creates a spray of blood. He falls, his own shot popping the Cadic¡¯s tire.


    From the house, I hear A yell out in pain or fear. She sounds desperate. I jump out from my cover behind the car and sprint to the front door, ducking as best I can in case any bulletse my way.


    They don¡¯t. I m through the door just in time to see Sal and A struggling on the ground. He¡¯s on top of her, blood streaming from a wound in his chest, trying to wrestle a screwdriver out ofher hand. A pistol is on the floor next to them, almost within his reach.


    The screwdriver tters to the ground. Sal reaches for the gun. I run over and kick him in the head, my shin connecting with his jaw. He falls off of A, still scrambling for his weapon.


    My ¡°uncle¡± looks up just as I smash him in the face with the shotgun barrel, then point it down at him and fire from less than a foot away. The shot echoes through the room, reducing his head to chunks.


    I rush back to my wife, who is picking herself off the floor, covered in blood.


    ¡°A! A, oh my god. Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my blood,¡± she whispers, hugging me tightly. ¡°I¡¯m just bruised, that¡¯s all. Oh fuck¡­¡± She sobs against my chest.


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d lost you,¡± I rasp, choking up to feel her in my arms again. ¡°Is there anyone else here? How many?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± she gasps, body heaving. ¡°Alessio¡­¡±


    I wrap myself around her, cuddling her head like nothing else exists.


    ¡°Alessio¡­ you¡¯re bleeding through your shirt.¡±


    I look down and see that my chest is soaked in red. ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± I tell her. ¡°Just a scratch.¡±


    ¡°You came back for me,¡± she whispers, still crying freely. ¡°I thought you were dead.¡±


    I wipe a tear from her cheek. ¡°Of course I came back. I¡¯ll alwayse for you. You¡¯re my everything, A. My life. There¡¯s nowhere you can go that I wouldn¡¯t follow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your parents,¡± she sniffles. ¡°My mom¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhh,¡± I say, kissing her forehead over and over again. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s in the past. All that matters is that we¡¯re together again. Fuck everything that happened before. Fuck literally all of it. The only thing I care about is our future together. I love you so fucking much.¡±


    ¡°I love you too,¡± says my wife, putting her forehead against mine. ¡°But I also really care about getting you some first aid before you bleed out. Let¡¯s find a medicine cab, huh?¡±


    A cleans and bandages my chest as I call Dominguez on Sal¡¯s phone. He sounds shocked when I exin what happened.


    ¡°Do you know how many of Sal¡¯s men were in on it?¡± he asks when I¡¯m done giving him the basic summary. ¡°I can¡¯t even believe this. We¡¯ve known Sal since we were kids.¡±


    ¡°No, but I¡¯d like to find out. Get in touch with his lieutenants. Tell them I¡¯m dead, Sal¡¯s the new boss, and you¡¯re taking over his crew. I¡¯m going to guess most of them had no idea, but if anyone doesn¡¯t act surprised, you know what to do.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Holy shit. I¡¯m so d you and A are okay. How do you want to handle Gio¡¯s crew?¡±


    ¡°Definitely going to take some housecleaning. And hey, Dominguez? Maybe not the best circumstances, but consider this a promotion. You¡¯re in charge of Sal¡¯s crew now. You¡¯re a captain.¡±


    I can hear the excitement in his voice, even over the phone. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s¡­ thank you, Alessio. I¡¯m honored. Should Ie to Sal¡¯s ce and pick you guys up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re going to need a ride. Appreciate it.¡±


    I hang up the phone and turn back to my wife. She cracks a smile.


    ¡°Still got Dominguez working as your driver, I see. Should we¡­ you know, wipe down fingerprints or anything? For when the cops get here?¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°Nah. Let¡¯s find some fuel and burn this ce to the ground.¡±


    Epilogue I


    A


    Four yearster


    Alessio leans across the restaurant table to kiss me, and his lips taste like champagne. ¡°Congrattions, Ave,¡± he whispers, hovering his face inches from mine and stroking my cheek. ¡°I know how hard you worked for this.¡±


    I nuzzle him, brain pleasantly fuzzy from the wine. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have done it without you.¡±


    ¡°We both know that¡¯s bullshit. You studied your ass off and earned this all on your own.¡±


    ¡°Well, sure, but I wouldn¡¯t have been able to go to BCU in the first ce if we didn¡¯t do that thing with the admissions agent. Remember that? Jacob¡­ something or other?¡±


    Hughs. ¡°How could I forget? I still get a percentage of that guy¡¯s business.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯swhy you remember that night?¡±


    My husband takes my hand. ¡°No. That night was¡­ very special to me. I think¡­¡± He trails off, like he¡¯s embarrassed to finish his sentence.


    ¡°Come on. What were you about to say?¡±


    He looks down. ¡°I think that was the night that I seriously realized I was falling for you. You remember sitting on that balcony, watching the city? I¡¯d never¡­¡± He gulps. ¡°I¡¯d never felt that close to anyone before. And honestly, it scared the shit out of me. I didn¡¯t even know how to process it.¡±


    I giggle. ¡°Should I be insulted that you didn¡¯t realize you were falling for me until I got you high?¡±


    Heughs. ¡°Oh my god, you got me so fucking high. I wasn¡¯t even ready. As for the insulted part¡­ I almost feel like smoking help me cut through the bullshit. Like I couldn¡¯t lie to myself anymore.¡±


    I kiss him. ¡°That¡¯s sweet. So like¡­ Would you say that was the turning point for you? Where you decided you wanted to be with me?¡±


    His expression turns dark, and he lowers his voice. ¡°No, that didn¡¯t happen until I had a gun barrel in my mouth. I told you, feeling that way about you scared the shit out of me. I didn¡¯t want the pain of losing you. It wasn¡¯t until I almost got¡­ you know¡­¡± Alessio puts a finger to his mouth, miming a gun, ¡°that I realized I couldn¡¯t lose you if you were already gone. Then I felt like a fucking idiot. That¡¯s when I got on a ne to Boise.¡±


    We kiss again, and again. ¡°You weren¡¯t an idiot,¡± I whisper. ¡°You found me in ska like, the next fucking day.¡±


    ¡°Actually, it took two days. And I was going out of my skull.¡±


    We¡¯re both silent for a moment, looking into each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Do you remember watching the northern lights together?¡± I ask. ¡°That was so beautiful.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one of my all-time favorite memories with you. We should go back there sometime. To that cabin. We¡¯ll see the northern lights again.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Definitely.¡±


    I feel so happy, so in love. Tomorrow is my graduation ceremony, and after that, the party with all my friends. But tonight, it¡¯s just the two of us. Just my husband and me.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s for us,¡± says Alessio, peering over my shoulder at the kitchen. ¡°I ordered us a special dessert.¡±


    ¡°You did?¡± I ask, immediately perking up. ¡°I was just thinking I was full, but I could probably find some room¡­¡±


    He grins. ¡°Trust me. I picked this for a reason.¡±


    The waiter sets two tters of Boston cream pie in front of us, and Iugh out loud. ¡°Oh, gee, I wonder what the reason is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. Well, not entirely.¡±


    I raise my eyebrows. ¡°Do tell.¡±


    ¡°When we had just gotten married. I think it was like day two. We were making all these jokes about sexual dessert names.¡±


    ¡°I think you were the one making jokes,¡± I scoff.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ probably true,¡± he concedes. ¡°Anyway, what I remember is that you said you wanted to try the Boston cream pie. I had just lost my grandfather, and I just¡­ wasn¡¯t ready to be close to you. I ditched you to go to the gym or something. But that was a new experience we could have bonded over, and I¡¯ve felt bad about turning you down ever since. I guess this is my way of saying I want to keep having new experiences with you.¡±


    Aw. I look down, my heart melting. ¡°That¡¯s way sweeter than I was expecting. I thought it was going to be another dirty pun.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m full of those, too.¡±


    Iugh. ¡°Oh, I know you are. I love you, babe. I want to keep having new experiences with you, too.¡±


    Alessio kisses me. ¡°I love you. So much.¡±


    ¡°I do have to admit something, though. I¡¯ve already tried Boston cream pie.¡±


    He looks shocked. ¡°You did? When?¡±


    ¡°That same day, after you left. I mean, I wasn¡¯t going to justnothave the cream pie.¡±


    ¡°I like that about you. How was it?¡±


    I take my fork and dig into the dessert sitting in front of me. ¡°Really good. Although¡­¡± I give a little shiver, the topic that¡¯s been on my mind more and moretelying to the surface.


    He raises his eyebrows, chewing his own bite. ¡°Yes?¡±


    I lean in, dropping my voice to a whisper. ¡°Well, now that I¡¯m out of school, I was thinking maybe¡­ maybe you could start giving me a different type of creampie.¡±


    I blush desperately as I wait for his reply.


    My husband¡¯s eyes sh. ¡°As though I don¡¯t give those to you almost every-¡±


    ¡°But like, if I stopped taking my birth control.¡±


    ¡°I know what you meant.¡±


    The topic hangs in the air between us, the sexual tension instantly raising a couple notches.


    ¡°If you have any pills left,¡± says my husband, ¡°you¡¯re throwing them in the toilet.¡±


    ¡°I already haven¡¯t renewed my prescription.¡±


    Another pause, even thicker.


    ¡°Finish your cream pie,¡± says Alessio. ¡°We¡¯re going home, and then you¡¯re getting another.¡±


    He calls for the check while I take another bite.


    ***


    Alessio¡¯s touch is already possessive as he leads me out to the car, his hand never leaving my waist.


    ¡°Well, this got you frisky,¡± Iugh, trying to keep up with him in my heels as he speeds me away from the restaurant.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answers bluntly. ¡°From now on, its creampies only. Every time Ie, it¡¯s going in your pussy.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean no more-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still going to fuck you any way I like,¡± he growls. ¡°But my cum goes inside you.¡±


    I shiver. ¡°I like that.¡±


    ¡°Good. It¡¯s happening.¡±


    We get to the car and he pins me against it, pressing his knee between my thighs. I grind against him instinctively, already turned on.


    ¡°Fuck, I want you pregnant so bad,¡± Alessio groans, holding me by the waist.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to get me home first,¡± I giggle, still grinding, ¡°unless you want to bend me over the car in the parking lot.¡±


    He nces around, then shakes his head with a frustrated snarl. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home.¡± He opens the passenger door for me, and I get in.


    ***


    Alessio orders me to hike my dress up, then slips a hand inside my panties and cups my pussy as he drives us back to our penthouse. By the time we get home, I¡¯m leaking with wetness. Both from his touch, and the exciting new element that¡¯s we¡¯re adding to our sex life.


    Ordinarily, I would be taking my birth control right about now. But not anymore.


    ¡°Congrattions, graduate,¡± my husband whispers, circling my clit with his finger as we pull into the garage. ¡±


    ¡°Just fuck me already,¡± I gasp, squirming. ¡°I need you inside me.¡±


    He doesn¡¯t say anything, just gets out, opens my door, and pulls me out of the car. My feet don¡¯t even touch the ground as he carries me inside.


    We don¡¯t reach the bed. The moment we get to the living room carpet, I¡¯m on the floor, and Alessio is on top of me, unbuckling his pants.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± he growls, slipping his cock inside me without preamble. ¡°Oh my fucking god, yesss.¡±


    I whimper, achingly full, but wet enough to ept him. ¡°Alessio¡­ Alessio¡­¡±


    ¡°I love you, A,¡±es his voice, hoarse, desperate. ¡°God, I love you¡­¡±


    Rough fingers dig into my ass, my hips. He holds me as he ms his cock into me, stretching me open, going as deep as I can take. I wrap my legs around him, the pleasure building, his throaty growls rumbling in my ear.


    When I¡¯m close toing, I ask Alessio for permission, as I always do. At this point, I could barely imagine not asking.


    It¡¯s his decision, not mine. And that¡¯s exactly the way I want it.


    ¡°I¡¯m close,¡± I gasp, as I have a thousand times before. ¡°Sir, can Ie?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he grunts, his own voice breaking. ¡°Come for me, baby. Oh fuck, I¡¯ming too¡­¡±


    He buries his face in my neck and we grind our bodies together,ing at the same time. This orgasm feels intimate, shared. My pussy clenches around him as he throbs, filling me with his hot seed, and the pleasure burns through me like a me.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t take my birth control today,¡± I whisper, still reeling as hepants for breath.


    He just squeezes me, kissing my cheek.


    ¡°I love you, A,¡± he whispers back finally, holding me tight. ¡°I love the life we¡¯re building together. I can¡¯t wait to see every version of you thates next.¡±


    Epilogue II


    A


    Six yearster


    The breeze tickles my bare skin, reminding me of my nakedness. I walk across the sandy beach, waves crashing next to me.


    Yesterday was a spa day: massage, mani-pedi, facial, and hours soaking in the hot springs. It was the first part of my anniversary present, before Alessio gave me a pill and whisked me away on a ne to St. Ives Ind.


    It¡¯s slightly hard to take my mind off the kids, even though I know they¡¯re being well taken care of in Bover City. But for our 10-year anniversary, there was no way we weren¡¯t going te back here.


    St. Ives Ind is special for us. It¡¯s the ce that unlocked so much between us.


    Being back here is insanely exhrating. Since the twins were born five years ago, Alessio and I haven¡¯t had nearly as much time to explore the more intense, primal side of our rtionship. I¡¯ve been mom, and he¡¯s been dad.


    Now I¡¯m being hunted again. And when he catches me, I¡¯m going to be overpowered, tied up, and roughly fucked in any way he chooses. He¡¯s not going to be gentle, and he¡¯s not going to show mercy unless I use my safe word.


    The knowledge of what¡¯sing makes my hair stand on end.


    In the distance, the buzzing of an engine. I stiffen, primed for action. Crouching low on the beach, my eyes scan the forest behind me, searching for any sign of the ATV.


    There¡¯s nothing, but I know how quickly that thing can appear over the horizon. I walk closer to the water, keeping a sloping hill of sand between me and the forest. That way, there¡¯s no direct sightline if he¡¯s scanning the beach from the trees.


    The buzzing gets louder, and by the time I realize it isn¡¯ting from the forest, it¡¯s already toote. Alessio¡¯s jet ski kicks up foam as it splits the ocean, following the shoreline. He sees me just as I see him, and he aims his vehicle for the beach.


    My feet dig into the sand as I take off running for the trees. Behind me, I hear the jet ski slide onto the beach, and then the sound of my husband sprinting. He jingles with every step, and I realize he must be carrying handcuffs.


    I know I can¡¯t outrun him, but I still try. I give it everything I have, my thighs burning.


    It¡¯s pointless. His footsteps crunch into the sand behind me, and then a strong arm wraps around my waist, halting my momentum.


    ¡°Got you,¡± Alessio growls, holding me firmly. ¡°Nice try, babe.¡±


    I keep trying to get away from him. I¡¯m going to force him to use those handcuffs. He does, chuckling as he effortlessly pins my arms behind my back and clips the cuffs around my wrists.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± he tells me, putting a cor around my neck and attaching a leash. ¡°Keep struggling and you¡¯re going to get spanked right here.¡±


    Oh, no, wouldn¡¯t that be terrible. I struggle until he grabs my hair, forces me to the ground, and holds me down as he spanks my ass firmly.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Cut it out or you¡¯re getting pussy spanks next,¡± he growls, finishing with a stinging p.


    I¡¯m more obedient after that.


    Alessio leads me to the treeline, then secures my leash to a palm tree, giving me very little ck. I watch as he takes off his backpack, pulls out some kind of long strap attached to a grappling hook, and throws it up in the air.


    ¡°You missed,¡± I tease as the hooknds in the sand next to him. ¡°Doing some tree climbing?¡±


    ¡°Not quite,¡± he says, throwing it again.


    This time, he wraps it around the bent-over trunk of a tall palm tree. The strap dangles down, almost reaching the ground. He tugs it, making sure that it¡¯s secure, and his eyes narrow.


    ¡°Now I¡¯m going to have some fun with you,¡± he growls, unclipping my leash.


    I don¡¯t dare try to escape again, even though it¡¯s tempting. I know he would catch me immediately, and I would be firmly punished for it. Alessio leads me to where the strap dangles, then attaches it to my handcuffs and pulls it tight. My arms are yanked above my head, and he keeps tightening the strap until I¡¯m almost on my tiptoes.


    Then he steps back, smirking. I¡¯m trapped in ce, fully naked, arms above my head.


    Unbidden, my breaths grow shaky. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt this vulnerable, this exposed. My husband watches me, drinking me in with his eyes, enjoying the fact that I couldn¡¯t get away if my life depended on it.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going, A?¡± he teases me. ¡°Feeling a little bit trapped?¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ a little bit,¡± I grunt, testing the limit of how much I can move.


    Turns out the limit is, not at all. I am very much stuck in ce. All I can do is stand there, waiting, the blush on my cheeks getting hotter.


    ¡°Look at you blushing,¡± he whispers, stepping closer and running a finger up my navel as the flesh ripples. ¡°You don¡¯t usually get embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s been a long time since you¡¯ve had me likethis,¡±I mutter, cheeks burning.


    Alessio grins mischievously. ¡°I suppose it has. Don¡¯t worry, I intend to make the most of this¡­ indignity.¡±


    He brushes my clit with a finger, causing me to moan.


    ¡°Oh, I missed this,¡± he whispers, stroking my inner thighs, my shaved mound. ¡°I missed having you helpless for me.¡±


    I whimper, my brain flipping back into that wonderful, submissive headspace that only he can create. There¡¯s nothing to worry about right now, nothing to keep track of, no one who needs me. Just pure, blissful surrender.


    Him and me. That¡¯s all there is. The two of us, and all the filthy, dominating things he¡¯s going to do to me.


    My only option is to submit.


    I inhale sharply as I see him pulling a vibrator out of his backpack. Oh, fuck, Ineedhim to use that on me. We lock eyes as he steps closer, and my clit gives a hungry twitch.


    The wind rustles through the trees around us as Alessio flicks the vibrator on and hovers it over my clit, watching my face. ¡°It¡¯s soeasyto give you pleasure,¡± he whispers, tapping my little nub so I moan and my legs get weak. ¡°And so easy to take it away.¡± He pulls the vibrator back with a smirk.


    I re at him, panting. ¡°You really don¡¯t get tired of being in charge, do you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he gloats, giving the pleasure back. ¡°I really don¡¯t.¡±


    ***


    Alessio brings me to the edge twice, and both times, I beg him for an orgasm he doesn¡¯t give me.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± he whispers for the second time as I thrash around in frustration, pussy twitching. He strokes my face, enjoying my consternation. ¡°But I can tell how much you want it.¡±


    ¡°Asshole,¡± I grunt under my breath, squirming in ce. I¡¯m so turned on that it¡¯s starting to drip down my inner thighs now. My pussy isachingwith need.


    He gives me a sharp spank on the ass. ¡°Who decides when you get toe? Me, or you?¡±


    ¡°You,¡± I grudgingly admit, looking down. ¡°Sir.¡±


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he breathes, pressing the vibrator against me once again.


    ¡°Are you¡­ going to let mee this time?¡± I ask, my eyes closing as the pleasure overtakes me.


    ¡°If you¡¯re good.¡±


    I wiggle in frustration. I know from experience that his standard for ¡°good¡± can be quite demanding.


    He circles my clit slowly with the vibrator as my climax builds again. If he denies me this time, I think I¡¯m going to cry. My whole body is burning for a release that I have no control over.


    ¡°I¡¯m so close,¡± I whimper, grinding my pussy against the vibrator with all the movement I¡¯m capable of.¡±Please, can Ie?¡±


    ¡°Beg,¡± he growls, hand wrapping around my throat. ¡°Be a good girl and beg me for.¡±


    ¡°Please!¡± I plead, abandoning any sense of dignity, of self-control. ¡°Please, Alessio, I need it. I need it so bad. Please, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Come for me, good girl,¡± he purrs, rubbing the vibrator against my clit. ¡°You can let go now. You¡¯ve earned it.¡±


    My eyes roll back as the pleasure hits me like a tidal wave, washing away everything else.


    ***


    My legs are shaky from two consecutive orgasms as my husband leads me to the beach house, holding my leash.


    ¡°That second one seemed like a strong one,¡± he says, looking satisfied as he opens the door for me.


    ¡°They were both strong,¡± I admit, barely able to meet his eyes. ¡°Fuck, something about that denial just makes me explode.¡±


    Alessio grins. ¡°Good thingse to those who wait. Maybe I should make you beg more often.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should. Oh, god dammit. I¡¯m going to regret saying that.¡±


    ¡°You said that same thing when we first got married. Doesn¡¯t seem like you¡¯ve regretted it.¡±


    ¡°I said that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That first conversation about the dom/sub stuff. You told me you liked the orgasm control, that it made your orgasms stronger. Then you said you would regret saying that.¡±


    ¡°You have a hell of a memory.¡±


    ¡°For stuff like that? Yeah, I do. I was so excited about that conversation. I thought about it the entire night.¡±


    ¡°Aw. I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe how perfect you were for me.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re just being sappy.¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°I thought you were perfect for me then, and I think you¡¯re even more perfect for me now. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯ve had you for ten years.¡±


    Alessio uses the leash to pull me closer to him, and we kiss. It¡¯s such a perfect reflection of our rtionship: him saying sweet, romantic things, even as I¡¯m naked, cored, and leashed.


    ¡°I¡¯m so lucky to have you, A,¡± he tells me, breaking the kiss and nuzzling my forehead gently. ¡°You, and our family. There¡¯s nothing that means more to me than you and the kids. You know that, right?¡±


    I rest my head against his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. ¡°I know. We¡¯re lucky, too. Who would have thought you would turn out to be such a great dad?¡±


    ¡°Not me,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Not me.¡±


    ***


    My ankle is tied to the bedpost in the beach house when I wake up the next morning.


    ¡°Look,¡± says Alessio, holding up his phone. ¡°Belle-Ann sent us a picture.¡±


    On his phone screen is a picture of our five-year-old twins, Daniel and Nat. They¡¯re posing, identical big grins on each of their faces. Daniel is doing the two-fingered ¡°bunny ears¡± gesture behind his sister¡¯s head.


    ¡°I wonder how long it took her to get that shot,¡± Iugh. ¡°Aw, look at them. They¡¯re so sweet.¡±


    ¡°Precious,¡± my husband agrees. His eyes are soft, filled with love. ¡°Daniel sure is going through a phase with the bunny ears.¡±


    I keep looking at the picture, my own eyes starting to wellup. God, I love them.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go make breakfast,¡± Alessio tells me, getting up from the bed. ¡°You want toe down with me, or stay here?¡±


    ¡°Mind unlocking me for a sec? I have to pee.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no prob.¡±


    He releases my ankle, then goes downstairs to the kitchen. I head into the bathroom, brush my teeth and do my thing, then creep down the steps as quietly as I can.


    Alessio is in the kitchen, his back to me as a pan sizzles on the stove. I nce at him, and then at the door to the outside, right by the bottom of the stairs. He¡¯ll hear me if I open it. But he also won¡¯t be able to get there in time.


    I open the door, lock it from the inside, then run out and m it shut behind me. As I sprint through palm trees, ocean waves crashing in the distance, I hear my husband fiddling with the lock, trying to give chase.


    Epilogue III


    A


    Five yearster


    The sound of Daniel, Nat, and Alessioughing in the living room causes me to look up. I can¡¯t quite see them from the kitchen, just the Christmas tree sparkling in the corner and the flicker of orange from the firece. I pour the popcorn into a bowl, dress it with butter and salt, and carry it out to join them.


    ¡°Did you put nutritional yeast on it?¡± Daniel asks immediately, referencing his favorite popcorn topping.


    ¡°No, because your sister doesn¡¯t like it,¡± I say, putting the bowl down on the coffee table. ¡°If you want, you can go get your own bowl and put yeast on that. You know where we keep it in the cupboard?¡±


    ¡°Aw, can¡¯t you get it?¡±


    ¡°Mom already made the popcorn,¡± says Alessio. ¡°You can go get your own bowl and toppings. Actually, why don¡¯t you get a big bowl. I¡¯ll have the nutritional yeast with you.¡±


    ¡°Ew, yuck!¡± says Nat, wrinkling her nose. ¡°Terrible taste, dad.¡±


    I giggle at her reaction. Nutritional yeast on popcorn has be quite the divisive topic among the 10-year-olds in our house.


    Danieles back with a mixing bowl and a container of yeast. He and Alessio divide up the popcorn and sprinkle it with the yellow powder while Nat makes an exaggerated disy of being grossed out by it.


    ¡°Okay, are we ready to start?¡± I ask, setting up the movieElfon the TV.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we open one now?¡± asks Nat, staring longingly at the pile of presents underneath the tree. ¡°You said we could open a small present on Christmas Eve.¡±


    I nce at Alessio. ¡°Now, or after the movie?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it now!¡± says Daniel excitedly.


    ¡°Yeah,e on, dad!¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± says Alessio, ¡°youcouldopen your presents now. But if you do that, I¡¯m going to eat all the popcorn before the movie starts.¡± He crunches a piece. ¡°Up to you.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do presents,¡± says Nat. ¡°You¡¯re just going to eat the gross popcorn, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± says Daniel, grabbing the bowl topped with nutritional yeast. ¡°Don¡¯t eat it! Let¡¯s watch the movie first.¡±


    I make eye contact with my husband as the kids continue to squabble, and the understanding that passes between us brings a tear to my eye.


    This is perfect. As good as it gets.


    THE END

 Ending

    In the dimly lit room, amidst the haze of cigar smoke and the faint clinking of sses, a story unfolded. A tale woven with intrigue, betrayal, and redemption-a story that captured the essence of the underworld, where loyalty is tested and alliances are forged in the crucible of danger. As I pen these final words, reflecting on the journey that brought us here, I cannot help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It has been a pleasure writing this story, delving into the depths of the human psyche and exploring the intricate web of rtionships that define the mafia world.


    From the very beginning, I was drawn to the allure of the mafia-a world shrouded in mystery and secrecy, where power is the ultimate currency and trust is a raremodity. In crafting this tale, I sought to peel back theyers of deception and reveal the humanity that lies beneath the hardened exterior of these characters. Each word, each sentence, was carefully chosen to immerse the reader in a world where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the consequences of one¡¯s actions reverberate through the corridors of time.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    As the story unfolded, I found myself bing deeply invested in the lives of the characters-each one wed yetpelling in their own way. From the ruthless Don who ruled with an iron fist to the conflicted enforcer torn between duty and conscience, each character brought a unique perspective to the narrative, enriching the tapestry of the story with their hopes, fears, and desires. And though their paths may have diverged, their fates intertwined in ways that defied logic and expectation.


    But it was not just the characters that captivated me-it was the world they inhabited, a world teeming with danger and intrigue at every turn. From the shadowy back alleys of New York City to the opulent mansions of Sicily, the setting served as a backdrop against which the drama unfolded, lending an air of authenticity to the narrative. And as I delved deeper into the lore of the mafia, I discovered a rich tapestry of history and tradition that added depth andplexity to the story, infusing it with a sense of timelessness that transcended the confines of the page.


    Yet, for all its darkness, there was also light-a glimmer of hope that shone through the cracks, illuminating the path to redemption. It was a theme that resonated deeply with me, reminding me that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of salvation. And as the story reached its climax, I felt a sense of catharsis wash over me, knowing that the journey was not in vain-that amidst the chaos and despair, there was still hope for a better tomorrow.


    But even as I write these words, I know that this is not the end-it is merely the beginning of a new chapter in the saga of the mafia. For there are still stories left to be told, secrets left to be uncovered, and destinies left to be fulfilled. And so, I make a promise to you, dear reader-that this is not goodbye, but merely au revoir. For there will be more tales toe, more adventures to be had, and more mysteries to unravel in the world of the mafia.


    So, until we meet again, I bid you farewell-but know that the story is far from over. For in the shadows of the night, where danger lurks and alliances shift like sand, the saga of the mafia continues, waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to venture into its depths. And as for me, I will be here, pen in hand, ready to guide you on the next leg of this thrilling journey.


    For it has been a pleasure writing this story, and I cannot wait to share more with you in the mafia series yet toe.


    Thank you so much for reading.


    Your time and attention are deeply appreciated. It¡¯s been an incredible journey, weaving words into stories that transport us to different worlds, where we can explore the depths of human emotion and experience the thrill of adventure. Your willingness to embark on this journey with me means more than words can express.


    Every reader brings their own perspective and interpretation to the stories we share, enriching the experience for both writer and reader alike. Your engagement, whether throughughter, tears, or moments of introspection, fuels my passion for storytelling and inspires me to continue creating worlds and characters that resonate with you.


    I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with you through the written word, to evoke emotions and spark imagination. Your feedback and support have been invaluable, encouraging me to push the boundaries of creativity and strive for excellence in every story I tell.


    As I bid you farewell for now, know that your presence has made a difference. Whether you¡¯re a longtime fan or a neer to my work, your interest and enthusiasm for storytelling are what drive me to keep writing, to keep exploring new ideas and pushing the limits of my imagination.


    So once again, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read my words, for allowing me to share my stories with you, and for being a part of this incredible journey. I look forward to sharing many more adventures with you in the future.


    Until then, may your days be filled with wonder and excitement, and may the stories you encounter continue to captivate and inspire you. Thank you for being a part of my world, and I can¡¯t wait to see where our journey takes us next.


    I deeply appreciate your support and encouragement, and I invite you to continue exploring my works and joining me on this creative journey. Your readership means the world to me, and I ammitted to delivering stories that captivate your imagination and leave you wanting more.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!