The next day arrives far too fast and I'm not sure if I've ever been this nervous before in my entire life. I wipe my sweaty palms down the front of my jeans and try to listen to what Trish and Solana are telling me about their youngest brother as we drive over to the Volkanov brownstone together.But I'm not going to lie—I'm having trouble focusing on anything but the nervous flutter in my stomach. And I know it's silly to be feeling so anxious. It's not like we're actually going to get married. The whole thing is silly and probably nothing more than a waste of my time. His time, too. Because I'm willing to bet anything that we're both going to be on the exact same page.The only reason I'm doing this is to appease my brothers. Of course, I can't help but be a little curious, too. Especially after Solana describes what Luca looks like. I've always been a sucker for tall, dark and handsome, and it sounds like Luca is sporting all three in abundance.When Trish pulls the car up to the
"Why don't we leave them alone," Anna suggests, backing out of the room."Yes," Trish agrees. "Let them get to know each other a little bit.""I need a hug first," Solana exclaims and throws herself into Luca's arms."I missed you, Lana," Luca murmurs in a low voice that makes my toes curl. It's ridiculous, but a part of me is jealous at the way his eyes light up when he's embracing his sister. Then he looks over her head and extends his arm to Trish. "C'mere."Trish joins their hug and the three of them all start talking at once. The girls told me they haven't seen Luca in two years, so I know they're excited. And who could blame them? I know I'd miss him, too. Although in a much different way than a sibling would.Luca is lighting a fire inside me and right now it's simmering at a very hot temperature. And there's no denying the possibility it could build into a scorching inferno if I let it. Physically, he's everything I've always found attractive in a man. The question is does he
As Finley walks out of the room, my hungry gaze slides over her long, dark red hair and down to appreciate her curvy backside. Those jeans fit her ass like a second skin and my mouth begins to water.To be honest, I'm a little shocked by the immediate response I had to her. That doesn't usually happen to me. I can't deny that my body would love to get to know her better, definitely more intimately, but my mind refuses to cooperate. I'm too pissed at my father.And not even a pair of gorgeous blue eyes and a tempting rack is going to make me change my mind. Maybe I'm far too stubborn for my own good, but Finley Mennetti is trouble. I can feel it in my bones. And I don't mean trouble in the usual way. I mean trouble as in she could potentially have the power to reel me in and make me want things I've never even considered before. The power to upend my entire life and I don't like that. Not one little bit.Giving my head a good, hard shake, I stand up and stretch. So much for that, I thi
For a long moment, I don't say anything. He's cornering me and I need to get out of here. I immediately turn and walk out. Even though I'm more stubborn than a mule, my father is extremely persuasive. And I refuse to let myself cave in to him.No one is around and I make my way through the brownstone and to the large side porch. Dropping down, I rake my fingers through my hair and scowl. But then an image of Finley flickers through my mind and my frown turns into a small, slight smile. Somehow, she has the power to make me smile even when I'm angrier than a hornet. I have no idea how, but it intrigues me.She intrigues me. Even more than maybe I'd like to admit.The idea of marrying Finley and spending the next few months with her isn't the issue. It's giving in to my father that's leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Truthfully, I can't stop thinking about Finley and I'm beginning to wonder what it would be like to kiss her. To breathe her floral scent in more deeply and to touch her. Is
After Luca's rejection, I go back to the hotel and disappear into my room. I think my mom is relieved that the fake marriage isn't going to happen. A part of me is, too. But, at the same time, I can't stop thinking about Luca and why he didn't want me.I shouldn't be this upset. I dodged a bullet, right?Dropping down on my bed, I lay on my back and stare up at the ceiling feeling like a complete loser. I shouldn't let the situation get to me, but I'm sensitive and how can I not take it personally? If he'd been attracted to me, I bet he would've gone through with it.I've been spurned by a man who is a complete stranger. So pathetic. What's wrong with me? Why haven't I ever had a boyfriend? The doubts are creeping in full-force and suddenly I'm having a pity party for myself.If I hadn't led such a sheltered life things might be different. Maybe Luca wants someone more experienced and worldly. And that definitely isn't me.Bolting upright, I realize that it could be me. I just need to
I'm reaching the end of my first drink and quickly realizing this is a bust. As I contemplate leaving, someone sits in the empty stool beside me."Hi," a voice says, and I look over to see a guy smiling at me. "Can I buy you another drink?"I hesitate, not sure if I should go or stay. He's cute, I suppose, but not my normal type. A little stocky, he has thick arms and light brown hair. But his blue-gray eyes draw me in because they seem to hold a twinkle."Sure," I say slowly.He orders another round for me and a beer for himself. Then he turns and gives me a roguish grin. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's up to something. For whatever reason, he's giving off a mischievous air. Like he knows something that I don't, and that puts me on edge a little."I'm Ewan.""I'm—""Stunning," he interrupts, gaze sliding down my figure.First of all, ew. And, second, I don't really appreciate the way he cuts me off while I'm speaking. Forcing a smile, I finish introducing myself and say, "Finle
Instead of answering her question, I reach out and help Finley up off the cold ground. "Are you okay?" I ask. My gaze moves over her body, searching for hurts, and pauses on her knees where I see her jeans are ripped and her knee is visible."I'm okay," she murmurs, dusting her backside off.Looking over my shoulder for Ewan, I'm glad to see he disappeared because I'm on the verge of kicking his ass. I know we had a deal, but I didn't expect for him to rough her up or manhandle her like this. Me "saving" Finley was the plan, of course, but that asshole took things a step too far and now I'm grinding my jaw furiously.I never wanted her to get hurt.Finley looks up at me with the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen—the exact shade of the Caribbean Sea—and guilt washes through me. I feel bad for tricking her, but I don't think she would've been very happy to see me otherwise. If I hadn't come racing to her rescue like some kind of Knight in Shining Armor.Little does she know, my armor i
My gaze moves over her dark red hair which looks fiery and untouchable in the streetlights and, without thinking, I reach out and caress a lock between my fingers. Finley stiffens and my gaze meets hers."I've never seen hair this color before," I say in a low voice. "It's beautiful."I can't help but notice the way her chest begins to rise and fall faster. I think mine is doing the same thing. "Thank you. Guess it's an Irish thing," she finally forces out.Very reluctantly, I release the fiery strand, unable to help myself from wondering if the hair between her thighs is just as lovely. Clearing my throat, I straighten up and realize that's something I don't have to worry about. Stay focused, Luca.There's no real future between us and I don't have any intention of fucking Finley. Although I wouldn't mind stealing another kiss or two. That last kiss we had shocked the hell out of me.Pushing those distracting thoughts aside, I turn and motion for Finley to start walking with me. "Let
"Welcome to the family, Luca. Officially," Connor adds, his champagne flute extended, and we all chuckle. The toast makes my heart happy because for the first time, what's happening between our families is genuine.Looking down the table, I take a moment to soak in what I see—endless smiling faces and a fierce love that brings tears to my eyes. Except for Matthias, Anna and Giovanni, everyone is here and it's amazing.We're at the hotel, celebrating in the attached restaurant. My brothers sit with their wives and my two nephews are being held by their glowing mothers. Trish and Connor are incredible parents and I hope to follow in their footsteps one day. Same with Solana and Rylan who is healing up quite nicely and being fussed over constantly by his adoring wife. Roberto and Adeline will be having their own little one soon enough and the way he looks at her makes my heart tumble.My mother sits beside Harrison Shepherd who's been welcomed into our dysfunctional chaos with open arms.
The intensity of her sucking increases and even though I'm trying to be good and not blow, it's getting damn hard. "Fuck, Finley," I swear. It's all too much and the moment she hums and those little vibrations skate up my aching length, I grab her shoulders and pull her up."I wasn't done," she says with a frown.Fighting for control, a muscle flexes in my jaw as I turn her toward the tub and help her step inside. "I want to come inside that sweet pussy, baby girl. And you're going to take my cock deep inside you and ride it hard. Can you do that for me?"She licks her lips in answer and I nearly blow my wad.Lowering myself into the tub, I guide Finley down to straddle me, and rest my arms along the porcelain edges. She takes a moment to get situated then shifts forward, spreading her legs wider. I drop a hand into the warm water, grasp my throbbing cock and push at her entrance. "Take it all," I encourage her. "Every last inch."With a soft moan, Finley starts to sink down, her body
After losing the assholes enforcers, the drive back to the city is uneventful. And that's fine by me. I've had enough adventure to last a lifetime. From this point forward, all I want is to focus all of my attention on Finley and make her the happiest woman in the world. I know I have some more apologizing to do, but right now, I just want to make it up to her.And my plan is to start with multiple orgasms. Butter her up a little first then pour my heart out and beg for her forgiveness. Hopefully, it's a good plan.I've lost what little faith and trust I had in Matthias, so I tell Roberto to drop us off at the hotel where their mother is staying."But I want to stay with you," Finley murmurs softly. She's curled up on my lap and my mouth edges up."You will. Don't worry, I'm not letting you out of my sight. I just don't want to go back to the apartment my father gave us. I'll never trust him again and we'll get our own place soon, tesoro."When Roberto finally pulls the Jeep up to the
My knees give out and I drop down to the rooftop patio, shaking so hard. The sound of pounding boots fills the air and I immediately tense—until I see Luca. He sweeps out onto the terrace, pulls me up and I sag against him."Thank Christ," he murmurs, pressing a string of kisses against my temple. "C'mon, we need to go."We lace fingers and jog back through the storage room then down the three flights of steps."How did you get away? Where are my brothers? Rylan? Is he okay?" I manage to ask."We overpowered some enforcer scum," he tells me. "Rylan was grazed by a bullet, but he's okay, and your brothers are loading him up into the Jeep right now.""I-I killed him," I murmur, still feeling a little shell-shocked."Don't think about it," he says, sliding an arm around my shoulders and holding me close. "You did what you had to do."I send up a little prayer that Desmond's twisted body is lying on the side driveway and not here in the front because I don't ever want to see it again. Luc
Luca seems to be on the same page. "Do you really think you can get away with this?" he asks. "Matthias is coming for you and there isn't a soul more ruthless than him. He won't rest until you're no longer a threat.""He's right," I add. "Matthias will fight you until his last breath.""You think I'm scared of Matthias?" Desmond scoffs. "After I take care of you, he's next. I've already hired the hitman to take him out."Luca and I exchange a quick look. Is he telling the truth? I have no idea, but it's definitely possible. We need to get away from Desmond, but how? Suddenly, two huge enforcers appear and Desmond motions to us."Grab them," he orders.My heart sinks as I'm yanked away from Luca and the enforcer forces me to walk toward the house. I have no idea what Desmond is planning, but I'm really starting to worry about my brothers. Where are they?I find out the answer as soon as we enter the house. Connor and Roberto are each sitting in a chair, tied up, and it looks like they
My eyes snap open and I carefully move my arms and legs. All good, no breaks. I have no idea how I'm still in one piece and all I can do is thank my lucky stars. Then I call out for Luca."Luca..." Turning onto my side, I look for him, but my eyes are still trying to focus after being knocked silly. Coughing from the smoke, I struggle to pull myself up into a sitting position, squinting through the thick billows of ash and black clouds. Finally, I spot Luca a hundred or so feet away from me.He's lying on the grass and not moving."Oh, God, no." Is he hurt? Or worse? Heart in my throat, stomach dropping in dread, I pull myself to my feet and stumble over to him. Falling down beside him, I lay my hands on his chest and lean down. "Luca?"When he doesn't respond, everything in me sinks hard and fast. Panic sets in and my fingers curl, grabbing hold of his shirt and shaking. "Luca!" I hiss.This can't be happening. He came to rescue me, told me he loved me and would never leave me...and
"We have a big fucking problem!" Luca snaps into his comms unit. "Stay away from here. Desmond has the barn rigged with explosives and I need to get Finley untied! Stall him!"My heart plunges. Connor and Roberto abruptly stop walking after Luca warns them that they're heading straight into a trap. Which, of course, is going to let Desmond know that something is up. But, thank God, Connor seems to play it off smoothly as he reengages Desmond in conversation.But, I know my brothers will only be able to stall for so long before Desmond realizes something is going on. He's too damn smart and ruthless.Luca stays low, working frantically on my bindings and I'm twisting, pulling and turning until my scraped wrists start bleeding."Fuck!" Luca glances up and I see fear and worry flash through his molasses eyes. Connor and Roberto have turned back around and continue talking to Desmond again, still stalling, and I don't see Rylan anywhere.Suddenly, chaos erupts up by the house and we look
By the time we get to the compound, I'm on the edge of my seat and ready to get this done. I want my woman back in my arms where she belongs and I'll do anything to make it happen.Roberto drives around to the rear of the property and lets me and Rylan out. We're splitting up so we can keep an eye on things better. I slide the tiny communications unit into my ear and we test them quickly. Everything appears to be in working order and Roberto gives us a salute."Stay in touch," Connor says."Roger that," Rylan responds and I give a sharp nod.The Jeep drives away and Connor and Roberto head to the front gate. The plan is for them to meet up with Desmond while Ry and I will stay under the radar, keeping a close eye on things. If Desmond deviates from the plan or tries to be sneaky in any way, we'll be ready."Ready?" Rylan asks."Let's do this."We move through the woods and sneak onto the property. From here, the plan is to split up and move to opposite sides of the large rear yard."S
Sweeping around the corner, our plan foremost in my brain, we walk straight into two enforcers and immediately jump them. They aren't expecting us and we use the element of surprise to our advantage. It's four against two and, even though the guys are big, they don't expect us to come flying out of the blackness and attack like wraiths.Roberto and Rylan quickly overpower the guard on the left while Connor and I take down the burly guy on the right. I tackle him at the knees and he drops hard while Connor slugs him with a fist to the face. We work well together and I pop up, lift my gun and slam it down against the base of the enforcer's skull. He drops like a brick and Connor gives me a nod.Glancing over, I see Roberto just finished doing the same thing.Once the guards are taken care of, or at least momentarily out of the picture, I stalk over to the cell and see Sean Flannigan cowering in there like the weasel he is and always will be. Looking down, I see the cell door is locked.