Alexander Vittorio POV I feel the date was a massive success as I carry my sleeping son into the house.Anya helps to change him out of the tuxedo and into his pajamas before I pull the covers over him and press a kiss to his forehead.I leave Anya to whisper good night to our son and walk to the living room.I’m fucking nervous. There’s been such a huge build-up to the kiss, and I feel pressured not to fuck it up.Shrugging my suit jacket off, I roll up the sleeves of my dress shirt. My eyes keep flicking to the hallway, but when too much time passes and there’s no sign of Melody, I frown.What’s keeping her?I check that the front door is locked, and when she’s still MIA, I head down the hallway.I peek into Vincent’s room, and not seeing her, I walk to her bedroom. I nudge the door open, and hearing running water, I slowly move closer to the bathroom.A smile spreads over my face when I catch her staring at her reflection in the mirror.“You’re a confident woman. It’s just a kiss.
Anya de Luna POVIt was just supposed to be a kiss, but with Xander’s head between my legs, I couldn’t bring myself to stop him. All my intentions of taking things slowly have flown out the window. My body is wound tight, and I grab hold of Xander’s head to make sure he doesn’t stop.I almost died of embarrassment when he stared at the valley between my legs, but the moment he started sucking and licking my clit, the pleasure was too good, and the embarrassment went out the window, along with my intentions. He pushes a finger inside me, and my butt lifts off the bed. My hips swivel, and I shamelessly rub myself against his mouth.“Crap,” I gasp. “Alexander.”The man goes to town on my clit while fingering the ever-loving hell out of me. Pleasure explodes through my abdomen, and my body convulses from the intensity. The orgasm overpowers me, and whimpers and moans spill from my lips.I’m too loud. I quickly cover my mouth with both hands, and Xander doesn’t let up on my clit. He keeps
Alexander Vittorio POVWe’re lying on our sides, and with Anya in my arms, her naked body nestled against mine, we just stare at each other. I don’t know what I did to deserve this miracle, but I’m so fucking thankful I have her back. Slowly, I keep brushing my fingers through her hair, drinking in every inch of her beautiful face.“I love you,” I whisper.“I love you too.”Hearing her say the words and knowing she’s mine to keep, a smile lifts the corners of my mouth.Finally.“I love you,” I say again.She lets out a chuckle. “I love you too.”Anya uses her body to push me onto my back before she straddles me. I’ve been hard for a while, but I don’t push her to have sex again. I remember she was sore the first two times, and the last thing I want to do is hurt my woman.She brushes the tip of her finger over the bullet wound on my shoulder. “How did you get this scar?”I let out a chuckle, and still unable to lie to her, I admit, “Viktor shot me.”Her eyes widen, and she gasps. “Wha
Anya de Luna POVLifting Vincent out of his car seat, I set him down so he can run to the playground, where Jonas is waiting for him.“I have a Daddy,” he shouts for everyone to hear.Grinning from ear to ear, I walk to where Rosemarie is sitting on a bench.I take a moment to peek into the stroller and brush my hand over Roman’s hair. “Hi, sweetie.”He’s chewing on a teething ring looking content to be at the park.Smiling at Rosemarie, I say, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”“I’ve only just gotten here.” Her eyes scan my face. “It feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you. How are you doing?”Has it been that long?After doing a quick calculation, I chuckle, “It’s been three days.”“When you’re worried about your friend, it’s an eternity,” she mutters.To put her at ease, I say, “I’m good, Rosemarie. There’s no need to worry.”A smile brightens her face. “So, I’ve noticed Xander’s hardly home. Is there something you want to share?”I check on Vincent, and when I see him on the
Alexander POVWatching Anya relax makes me relax. I was worried she’d want to leave early, but the food is almost ready, and it looked like she was having fun.“How did you and Viktor meet?” she asks Rosemarie.Oh, Fuck. I spoke too soon.“I kidnapped her,” Viktor mutters from the grill.Anya laughs, “Funny.” She glances at Rosemarie again. “So, how did you meet?”“No, really. Viktor kidnapped me a week before my eighteenth birthday.”Anya’s mouth drops open, then her eyes flit to Isabella. “But I thought you saved people from sex slavery?”Jesus Christ.Before I can jump in, Viktor says, “I waited until Rosemarie was twenty-one. Give me credit.”Rosemarie places her hand on Anya’s arm. “He was the perfect gentleman. He basically saved my life by kidnapping me. Then he let me go and had to save me again. Now he’s stuck with me for life.”“Oh,” the word pops from Anya, then she gives Isabella an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. The words came out before I could censor them.”“It’s okay.” I
Anya de Luna's POVXander has been constantly asking when we’re moving in with him. The man doesn’t understand it takes time to pack up an entire life. Of course, he’s offered to bring men over to help, but that’s where I put my foot down. This is something I want to do myself.During the day, I go to work, and at night we pack a couple of boxes. It’s become our routine. I like taking my time, that way, I can get used to the idea of living with Xander.Sitting behind the counter in the bookstore, I listen to Vincent talking to his cars while I place an order for new books. One of those books is The Art of War by Sun Tsu.I want to read it and see why Alexei loves it so much.My thoughts turn to the BBQ, and I must admit, I enjoyed it a lot. And Rosemarie was right. Everyone seemed pretty normal.I don’t know what I expected. Maybe guns and men smoking cigars while plotting the end of the world?I let out a bark of laughter. What a stupid thought.Anyway, I’m impressed with Isabella an
Alexander Vittorio POVI’m still angry as fuck at that idiot who tried to make a move on my woman, then insulted her in front of me.The memory of burying two bullets in Bernie's gut and ordering Peter to let him bleed out before disposing of the body is the only thing keeping me calm.It’s been a fucking week, and Anya is taking her sweet time packing. We’ve already put Vincent to bed, and my boy is in dreamland, yet it doesn’t look like we’ll be going to bed soon.I glare at the box of linen, then mutter, “Why do you like to make me suffer?”She gives me a surprised look. “What do you mean? I haven’t done anything.”I give the box another glare. “You’re taking forever to pack. Are you doing it on purpose?”She climbs to her feet and lifts her chin. “Don’t take your foul mood out on me.”Instantly I school my face into that of a saint. “I’m sorry, moya malen'kaya lyubov'. It’s just as soon as I have you and Vincent safely in my place, I can go to the Philippines to take care of busin
Alexander Vittorio POVAfter I have Mama settled in a seat, I sit down beside her and take hold of her hand.I wait for the private jet to take off and reach flying altitude before I look at her and say, “I have a lot to tell you.”She frees her hand from mine and rests her palm against my jaw. “You’ve changed. There’s no sorrow in your eyes.”“Remember Anya, the girl who was in captivity with me?”“The one your father killed?”“Yes.” A smile spreads over my face. “She didn’t die.”Shock registers on my mother's face. “God is good.”“I’m going to marry her,” I inform Mama. I take hold of her hand again, then say, “I have a son, Mama. Anya named him after Marc Vincent.”Mama’s face crumbles, her grief for the loss of her eldest still unbearable.I wrap my arms around her and pull her to my chest, then whisper, “Vincent is three years old. He’s amazing. I can’t wait for you to meet your grandson.”She clings to me as she sobs, “You’re a papa.”“Yes. I can’t tell you how incredible it is
He slipped the ring on her finger, climbed onto the bed, and swept her into a kiss. By the time he was done, her head spun more than a little, and there was a strange clapping sound assaulting her ears. “Ignore them,” he whispered, cupped her jaw, and lowered his head for another kiss.Confused, she looked beyond him, toward the door. Val, Ginger, Ariana, Lee Anne, Anaisse, and Tommy gathered just beyond the threshold, clapping.“About time, Snowflake,” Ginger called.“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Ryan called, never taking his eyes off her. His smile held wicked intent.The door whooshed closed.“I’m injured,” she warned as he moved in.“I’m careful.” He traced the front opening of her hospital gown, barely grazing her flesh.“I guess you are,” she managed, as his fingers parted the gown.“And creative.” As proof, he tapped the bed-adjust button and eased her into a more reclined position.She raised a brow at him. “A nurse could walk in here at any moment to check on me
The light hum of female voices registered first, followed by the smell of roses and lilies. Annabelle lay still for a moment, kept her eyes closed, and did a quick physical inventory. Toes? Check. Fingers? Check. Head still attached to the shoulders? Check.Best she could tell, all parts were present and accounted for. She felt stiff and groggy like she’d been asleep for a week, but nothing too alarming. A vague impression of Ryan holding her hand and telling her not to worry about anything danced through her mind, but she couldn’t say for sure whether that was memory or wishful thinking. She racked her brain for something more. Other images formed—a nurse with a short brunette bob offering her water. Anaisse smiling through tears while helping brush her teeth and hair—but no Ryan Ferrer.Deciding to chance a look around, she opened her eyes and blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden brightness. Sunlight streamed through an unfamiliar window, below which sat a metal cabinet holdi
Ryan hurried down the passageway toward the stage, hugging the wall and keeping his steps quick and light. He doubted anyone would hear him coming over the noise of the party, but he didn’t plan on leaving it to chance.The passageway widened at the back of the stage. A retractable metal security gate spanned the stage to prevent anyone from moving the festivities to the backstage area. The blackout curtain hung just beyond the security gate. He wrapped his hand around a slat and gave the gate a shake, testing it. Fully secure, with very little give. No one had slipped into or out of the backstage area through there. He worked his fingers between the slats, moved the curtain aside, and looked out. A sea of zombies, ghouls, princesses, and pirate wenches danced under flashing purple lights. Nothing unusual.His phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the screen. A text from Tommy read, At the back door. Wait for me. For a nanosecond, he considered waiting, because, pro
Detective Ryan FerrerRyan bit back a curse as he examined the broken lock. Kicked in? He pulled his gun and crept through the door, keeping it low. Since nobody shot him in the head the moment he cleared the threshold, he swept left with his gun, then right. No sign of anyone.He straightened, stuck his gun into the back of his jeans, and debated his choices. Val’s office and the dancers’ dressing room were down the hallway to the left. The hallway on his right led to the stage, and beyond that, another narrow hall led to the back door of the club.Instinct told him to go right since that direction ultimately led to an exit. He shot off a text to Tommy. The door’s busted. Get back here. Don’t bring Anaisse. He didn’t wait for a reply, just tucked the phone in his pocket and started down the hall, scanning in every direction as he went. A few steps along, he glanced down and froze. What the hell…? He crouched and picked up a small white feather.His heart thundered in his chest. Annab
Oh, no. No one would see them up there. “I can’t. I’m afraid of heights.” Also, she was in no condition to scramble up a straight-vertical ladder. Numb hands, shaky legs, and the unrelenting pain in her side made the climb risky.She released a shuddery breath when the pressure of the gun disappeared from the center of her back. Her shoulders dropped and she relaxed infinitesimally, just knowing the damn thing wasn’t poised to blow a hole through—The cold, unforgiving metal pressed against her temple, scattering her thoughts like seagulls. She heard the click of the safety release.“Climb or die.”“Okay, okay.” The words scraped along her tight, dry throat. Turned out her fear of bullets trumped her fear of heights. She clasped the nearest rung in a bloody grip. “I’ll climb.”Working her way up the ladder took even more effort than she’d anticipated. Escape scenarios cart-wheeled through her mind too quickly for her to get a solid hold on any one plan.Stay calm. Easier thought than
Fuck, fuck, fuck, Annabelle, where are you? Ryan cut a path through zombies, mummies, and vampires, scouring his search area for any sign of her. There was none. To compound his apprehension, his phone remained frustratingly silent. The secret hope he’d harbored that she’d sneaked away to a stall in the ladies’ room to put herself together and curse him to hell and back waned with each passing second.If anything happened to her, he’d…he didn’t know what he’d do. His hand shook as he shoved it through his hair, pulling hard at the roots until his scalp screamed. They had to find her. End of discussion. There was no way his last interaction with the love of his life could take place in a back room at a strip club, her staring at him with a heartbreaking expression on her face, saying, “I’m sorry.”Absolutely not. He’d find her. And when he did, he’d sit her down and they’d have an honest talk—no more games or tactics. He’d ask her, point-blank, what the hell part of their relationship
Now Tommy turned and looked at him. “She doesn’t have her phone.”“What?” True, Annabelle hadn’t been carrying hers either, but Anaisse was the responsible twin.“You saw what she’s wearing. You think she’s got a BlackBerry built into her shoe?”“I was hoping.”“Sorry to burst your bubble. I don’t suppose Annabelle told you what she did on her way in to the party?”The bad feeling came back. Stronger. “She said something about handling her pen pal.”“She scooped him. He threatened to reveal that she used to strip for a living. Annabelle decided to break the news herself, so she rolled out of the limo this evening and held herself a press conference, during which she mentioned she’d spent two years dancing at Phoenix.”He felt the color drain out of his face. “Holy shit. Exactly why am I not supposed to be worried yet?”Tommy shrugged but returned to inspecting the crowd. “She could be right. Now that he’s got no hammer to hold over her, he’ll lose interest.”“Maybe. Or could be he’ll
The insult stung. Did he really think he’d fooled her up until they’d danced? Like she only recognized him by the feel of his cock? “I knew it was you the minute I saw you. Letting you think otherwise was just”—she lifted her shoulder in a casual shrug—“an entertaining little game. But the game is over and, ultimately, doesn’t change what I want.”Apparently, she could sting him back, because his eyes narrowed. Then he ground his hips against hers until she bit her lip and moaned.“You’re sending mixed signals, Annabelle. You don’t know what you want.”Sadly, she did—she wanted far too much, more than he’d offered—but her stupid, traitorous hips lifted, seeking more from him.“Careful. The condom…” He reached down between them and pinched the base of his erection, holding the latex in place. But when he started to pull out, she panicked.“Don’t.” Her hands flew down to his hips, and her fingers dug in to hold him still. Don’t leave me empty. Not yet.“Annabelle…” He swore under his br
Annabelle rode out the last trembling aftershocks from the mind-numbing orgasm—the kind of full-body meltdown only Ryan could deliver. Shaky, sweaty, and tingling like she’d been struck by lightning, she barely registered when he lifted her and put her on his lap. She opened her eyes and immediately tumbled into his. Dammit. He pinned her with an expression she couldn’t fully read, but made her heart want to flip over in her chest and expose its soft underbelly. Which only proved she was, in fact, her own worst nightmare. No faceless stranger could lay claim to the title. She held that honor all on her own.Was that what you were looking for, Angel? He’d spoken quietly, but she heard the test in his voice as if daring her to push him even one more inch.Oh, she dared. Pushing him was about the only thing she dared do at this point because she knew full well her resolve would collapse like a house of cards if she came clean about their charade. And God only knew what confessions would