“I’m not sure your shoes are a good choice,” Maverick says, looking me over. I look down at my feet. I'm wearing a pair of yellow Chuck Taylors'. “And why is that?” I ask with a scowl on my face, trying to think of a reason why he would say that when we are just taking a tour of the property. Should I have worn gumboots? “You’ll scare my dogs.” I stiffen. “I’m not interested in seeing your dogs.” “You don’t like dogs?” I meet his piercing gaze and smile while bile rises in my throat. “I hate dogs with a passion.” I manage to say without my voice trembling. “That's too bad. You’re meeting them, anyway.” He takes my hand and leads me outside across the lawn. “Maverick, please. I don’t want to see your dogs!” I try to pull away as we walk around the estate. “Maverick!” I cry out, causing him to stop dead in his tracks, and he takes my chin between his fingers. “They're guard dogs, Angel, but they are unfamiliar with your scent. You must meet them so they can familiarize and ack
She's still terrified of dogs. I pause with my hand on the doorknob. I’m not exactly sure why the thought of my wife being scared of dogs has been playing in my head like a broken record. When I visited Joy before going through with purchasing the mansion, I demanded that she tell me everything she knew about Arnica. What frightened her and what brought delight to her life. When Joy had mentioned that Arnica rarely walked through their neighbourhood alone after being attacked by a stray dog, I knew I had to forcefully make her meet my guard dogs. As big and threatening as my boys are, they are also a bunch of softies that thrive on any affection you give them. Over time, I hope she will see that and come to realise that not all dogs are feral. It all comes down to how their owner treated them. “Where is my wife?” I ask Devin who’s on guard duty at the front door. “In the pool house.” I step inside and turn right toward the French doors that lead to the pool house. There are se
“So, we all agree with the decision that Maverick Quinn is going to take over the family?” Bishop asks. Under my father's rule, Bishop was his consigliere. I intend to keep him as my adviser, with Levi still at my side. The men sitting around the Elite table turn toward me. Saint nods first. Theo Knox follows, then Angelo Anderson, Jeremiah Cross and Alexander Reign are next. I do my best not to glance over at Matthias, who is standing with his back against the wall, shaking his head with his arms folded over his chest. I know the little fucker wants to throw a hissy fit, and cast me out, but he can't if he wishes to take over the Lorenzo empire. I never planned to accept my fate by taking over my father's position at the head of the table. I was happy with my own crew, doing what I wanted without having to deal with the elder Don's sitting around this table. Fresh blood is always frowned upon until you can prove your loyalty and show how much of an asset you can be instead of a l
I open the fridge door and poor myself a glass of chilled herbal tea from the jug. As I lift the glass to my lips, the sound of the front door crashing open resonates through the first floor.“Ms. Lorenzo, please… you can not enter the estate without Mr. Quinns knowledge or approval.” One of the female staff cry out with panic lacing her voice.I'm guessing this isn’t the first time this woman has let herself into Mavericks' residence without warning or permission. Either she is a sucker for pain, or she is untouchable.Which is odd because no one is immune to Mavericks' wrath.“Where is he? I demand to see him this instant!” A feminine voice screams, demanding to be heard. “Maverick you bastard! Come out here and face me this instant.”Lowering my glass and placing it onto the kitchen island bench, I raise my brows as a mysterious figure enters the kitchen. She appears incredibly polished, as if she's just walked off the cover of a fashion magazine. Just by admiring her stunning beau
“You tell that woman of yours that if she ever shows up at my place of residence again without warning or an invitation, I will make an example out of her.” “Ha, we both know that Tessa isn't MY woman. She belongs to no man. A free spirited bird that one. Besides, when has she ever been fond of following instructions, brother? She will do what she wants, when she wants, however she wants. You should know that better than anyone. After all, you were planning to make her YOUR wife, remember. ” Matthias replies over the phone in a cocky tone that makes me want to reach through it and gouge his eyes out. “Make her understand, Matthias. Or I will have to find her and personally put each and every fucking bullet in my magazine into her cold, black heart. Tell her that, and remind her to keep her fucking paws to herself as well. If she ever lays a finger on my wife, I will hack each of her fingers off with a steak knife and feed them to my dogs.” I toss the phone onto the bed, blowing air
“You promised me that I wasn't a prisoner here, Maverick. Restraining me to the bed certainly sounds like imprisonment to me.” I whisper, breathlessly, feeling every inch of my skin burning for him. “Fine,” he says between clenched teeth and turns toward the door to his room. “Have it your way.” He walks toward the door, and I try to keep my tears at bay, at least until he leaves the room. I can’t believe he wants me to beg him like a dog. When he reaches the door, he comes to a halt, gripping the doorway with both hands. He dips his head and stays in that position as if he is internally fighting with himself to stay or leave.I sit down at the foot of the bed, my fingers twisting in knots on my thighs, mirroring the knots forming in my stomach. This wasn’t how I pictured him to react when he walked in on me pleasuring myself. I waited until I heard his heavy footsteps resonating through the hallway before I started to touch myself. The way he stood up to Tessa in my honour turned
“I’m not buying anything else from you unless you can guarantee that there won't be any more fuck-ups with my shipment, Trex.” I say into the phone and scroll through the spreadsheets on my computer. I’ve spent the whole morning in my office, uptown at 5 Fusion, going over the cash flow of my clubs and the casino business I've recently dipped my fingers into. “There's a new line of home brew that everyone on the dark net is trying to get their hands on,” he says. “But lucky for you, I am in contact with the source themselves.”I lean back in my office chair, rolling my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose. Trex is constantly trying to make himself sound more important than what he really is. He's like a shrimp. A cockroach of the ocean.“Is it pure?” I sigh.“Pure?” Trex asks me dumbfounded, like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.“Yes, Trex. Is the brew a hundred percent pure. As in, it's not laced with any illegal substances because you know full well that I don't meddle
“Now's not the time or place, Angel. Besides, only good girls get what they ask for, and you showing up here unguarded was a seriously naughty thing to do.” She blinks at me, lowering her skirt, and she stands up. “Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, and you won't hear me begging you, Maverick.” I watch as she walks to the door and sticks her head out, looking left then right. “See you at dinner,” she calls over her shoulder. “Oh, Thomas…” She calls out to one of my barmen in a singsong voice that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Why are you calling for Thomas?” How the fuck does she know who Thomas is too?“I need a problem solver,” she says and turns to look at Thomas when he reaches her. “Hey, Thomas. Do you consider yourself to be a problem solver?" Thomas’s gaze nervously darts between me and Arnica before he finally decides to answer. “Well… I've always been told that I have a knack for solving the impossible, most times.”I bite down on my molars, silently
I adjust the fabric of my turtleneck, pulling it higher over my throat to conceal the red mark along my neckline. Even though it's like ninety degrees outside, a cold chill creeps through my veins, leaving me on edge. What happened this morning between me and Maverick is a little hazy because I refuse to dwell on what transpired between us. The way he looks at me when he knows something is up… When he tells me that everything is going to be okay because he will never let anyone hurt me…I believe the things my mother used to mutter to herself. 'If you can’t stop thinking about someone. It’s because they can’t stop thinking about you too.'I should never have mentioned his mother and sister. It was a low blow, and if anyone knows what it is like to lose someone you love and admire dearly. It's me. But he is experiencing it tenfold as he lost two important people at once, and I refuse to try to imagine how that would feel. Returning my attention to my Aunt Joy. I turn my body sideways
“Maverick. Did you hear what I just said?” Removing my hand from my cheek that still stings from Arnicas’ palm, I raise my gaze to meet Levis’. “Yes, I heard you. Was I listening? Well, no.” I state boldly, rising from behind my desk. Combing my fingers through my hair, I head towards the door. “What the fucks gotten into you this morning?” Levi hisses, hot on my heels. “If this is about last night. I’ve apologized once for how I handled things with Mrs. Quinn. You won’t get a second one out of me.”I stop dead in my tracks and spin around to face him with my nostrils flaring. “I fucking put my hands on her.” Raising my head, I meet his stunned, encased irises. “She mentioned my mother and Scarlett.”Exhaling and shaking his head, “shit.” Levi says. “When you say that you put your hands on her-”“I tried to fucking strangle the life out of her. A red haze took over me and I was consumed with rage. The look in her eyes…” My voice trails off as I swallow thickly and try to elevate my
A moan filled with pleasure escapes with my breath as my hands ball the bedsheets at my sides. Still groggy from my sleep, I arch my back as the sensation of my clit being licked and then sucked on, causes my body to shudder. Pressure builds in the pit of my stomach as my clit is flicked and a finger slides between the slick folds of my sex. “Shit…” I cry out, squeezing my eyes shut when another two fingers stretch me, thrusting deep inside me. “Come for me, Angel,” a hoarse voice growls with desperation. “Come all over my face and scream for me.”Overwhelmed by desire, I can't help but lose control. I gently grasp Mavericks' hair beneath the sheets, keeping him in place as I indulge in the intense pleasure. Ecstasy courses through my heated body, igniting a whirlwind of tremors as waves of pleasure consume me. Maverick delicately teases my sensitive clit with a flick of his tongue, and he gradually eases the pace of his tortuous fingers within me, extending the duration of my clima
After Maverick leaves the library, I pause for a moment, touring the books before making my way out and heading towards the flight of stairs to find the powder room. I could have opted for the one on the main floor, but I prefer not to engage in conversations with unfamiliar people in particular, considering that I currently have semen running down the insides of my legs. I walk down the hallway, noticing the different color doors and handles.“Mahogany door with a brass knob.” The barmans' words enter my mind at full force, trying to compel me to seek out Mavericks’ office.I swiftly pivot on my heel and head back towards the staircase. I'll just wait until we get back home to freshen up. This seems like a risky and ill-advised plan, especially if I were to be discovered. The last thing I desire is to betray Mavericks' trust and have the other members of the Elite family suspect me of being a spy.“Make it happen, Matthias, or I will personally see to it that you and Contessa lose ev
I fold over Arnica, my hair falls forward, and it tickles her heaving chest, matching my heaving lungs. “Gods, you are fucking perfect.”She runs her fingers through my damp hair, giggling. “I think a certain someone has had a little too much to drink.”I nuzzle her breasts, liking how soft they feel against my face. “You do realise that this changes everything between us, don’t you?” I pull her up as I get to my feet, my cock still buried deep inside her, until the soles of her heels touch the hardwood floor, and she is standing in front of me. “I will have your things moved back into my room before we return home.”She pulls her lower lip between her teeth and nervously starts to chew on it as her gaze shifts to the other side of the library. Her good mood disappears, and I can’t help think it’s because I’ve said something I shouldn’t have. I place the pad of my thumb on her chin, bending at the knees so we are face to face, and her gaze lifts to mine.“Tell me what is going on in t
“I’m losing my mind over you. I can’t work, I can’t sleep or think straight. My body aches for you, but I won’t force you to do anything that you don’t want to do. Give me a safe word, Angel.”Tears run freely down my face, splashing on the upper swelling of my breasts, and Maverick licks at them. How will I recover if I let him make love to me? How will I survive if I don’t let him?“I want you, Maverick,” I whisper. “The need to have you fill me is consuming and overwhelming at the same time. You have the power to hurt me. To destroy what little of me that isn’t damaged.”His gaze flits with confusion and a promise that he will never do wrong by me the same way his brother did. “Don’t compare me to my brother, Angel. This is about us. What was meant to be. You were mine from the moment I laid eyes on you. Once won’t ever be enough. You’ll crave it. Need it. Dream about it. No one will ever satisfy your body again. Don’t let your past push me away.”I nod my head, “I won’t,” I whispe
I make my way to the bar, placing my wine glass on top of the varnished counter, lifting my hand as I grab the barman’s attention.“Another refill?” He asks me, holding up a bottle of flat white wine.I don’t know what I’m currently drinking because I never bothered to ask him what he is serving. As long as it loosens the tension in my body, I'll drink it.Pushing my glass forward, “that would be lovely, thank you.” I say with a forced smile, not wanting to be here.When Maverick had picked me up from my aunts earlier this evening, he reluctantly informed me that we had to attend a prestigious event to pay tribute to one of the influential Don's he is associated with at the Elite Family estate. This venue is perfect for exclusive events, where a strict code of conduct ensures a peaceful atmosphere for all attendees.This particular Don, whose name I didn’t bother to remember, is being recognized for his outstanding achievement in leading a big project aimed at providing a safe and eng
I walk out of Mavericks' office, ignoring the dozen sets of eyes staring at me as I slide my large shades over the bridge of my nose with a little bounce to my steps. My body feels lighter, and I still feel raw. Sensitive. Full. And truly well fingered. Two of Mavericks men cast shadows behind me as they follow my movements. I wonder if they can see the slight tremble in my legs with every step I execute. Not that it matters. One of them rushes forward to hold one of the double doors wide open for me. A stream of sunlight hits my face all for a second before it is eclipsed by a large shadow that instantly has killed my mood, and I try to step around the obstacle blocking my way, but I fail. “Arnica, fancy seeing you here.” A deep voice murmurs with an underlay of surprise and lack of conviction. “Why wouldn't I come here, Matthias?” I say in a placid tone to cover the irritation in my voice. Just by being in his presence, he has killed my mood, and after all these years, seein
“Now's not the time or place, Angel. Besides, only good girls get what they ask for, and you showing up here unguarded was a seriously naughty thing to do.” She blinks at me, lowering her skirt, and she stands up. “Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, and you won't hear me begging you, Maverick.” I watch as she walks to the door and sticks her head out, looking left then right. “See you at dinner,” she calls over her shoulder. “Oh, Thomas…” She calls out to one of my barmen in a singsong voice that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Why are you calling for Thomas?” How the fuck does she know who Thomas is too?“I need a problem solver,” she says and turns to look at Thomas when he reaches her. “Hey, Thomas. Do you consider yourself to be a problem solver?" Thomas’s gaze nervously darts between me and Arnica before he finally decides to answer. “Well… I've always been told that I have a knack for solving the impossible, most times.”I bite down on my molars, silently