You won’t be smirking when I’m through.” I inch down the length of his hard body until I’m straddling his legs. I look at him hungrily, awed by the size of his erection through the thickness of his jeans.I yelp in surprise when he grips me to his chest with one hand and pushes down his jeans with the other. I look toward the door, wondering if we will be caught like two teenagers left home alone. And not really caring.“Ready?” he asks, placing me back on his hips.I nod and lift my knees above him. Slowly, I lower myself over him, and with Andrei’s steady hand on my ass, I slide my body slowly down his stiff length.His hands grasp my hips, firm and unyielding, as I straddle him, pushing my body fiercely against his with every thrust. My damp dress clings to my breast where he sucked. I can feel the heat of his body as his hands move eagerly up and down my ass. I bunch my dress up around my waist, and his hands roam over my skin, sending shocks along my flesh until he finally touche
You are beautiful,” I whisper as the heat grows between us. “I want you always.”“Thank you, Alfredo.” She giggles as if embarrassed, but the look of appreciation on her face tells me what she’s too flustered to say. Despite everything that has happened and will happen, Charlene is worth it.***The ballroom is packed full of people and furnishings; mid-modern furniture made of pale wood and decorations in bold colors fill the gaps between the lively guests. A pleasant smell of newly cut grass drifts in from open French doors as the sun sets in the sky. The room is noisy with upbeat voices and the laughter of adults and children. The chairs are littered with gift bags and tissue paper as a fast-growing pile of baby gifts—from stuffed animals to rattles, onesies, and booties—towers on a nearby table.It’s Paige baby shower and guest are in arrival, I wish we could invite people from her side but she has no one except her newly found sister and her dad who is ill. My sister and mom invi
Afraid to fall back asleep, I get out of bed. It’s almost 3:00 a.m. I have hours to wait before the rest of the house is stirring. Pulling on my robe, I walk over to the window and look into the distance at the woods. Wondering if anyone else is up. Someone is always awake, watching to make sure we’re not murdered in our beds.The thought sends a chill through me. How can I pretend this life is normal?A flash of light appears outside, and I wait to see if it happens again. The garage illuminates for a second, and then it’s dark again. Who is out there? Getting back in bed and hiding under the covers seems like a good idea, but I don’t hide from trouble. I can’t.The light comes on again, and two figures are by the garage door. There’s just enough light to see a man and a woman.In seconds, I’m hurrying toward Regina’s room. The door is unlocked, and her bed is empty. It was never slept in.Shit. I told her not to try and leave the property. I told her there are worse people out there.
Why?”“They didn’t say. They just grabbed me.”“I can tell you’re lying to me. Do you think hiding the truth will make this easier for you?” My voice is full of contempt as I place my gun on the table.He hesitates before speaking, unable or unwilling to meet my furious stare. “May I speak, Alfredo?”“Look me in the eye if you want to speak.”He lifts his gaze to meet mine, his expression hard like stone. “I want to be initiated so that I can right my wrong. So, I can reclaim the Alvrado’s brotherhood honor. And mine.”I take a deep breath, suppressing my fury at the Gregory’s insult. might’ve been their prey, but my authority was their true target. But why? Since when has theGregory grown a pair of balls to do something as audacious as this?“You have no honor to redeem,” I tell him. “You are not a soldier.”Atkins nods. “I want to show I deserve to be one, Alfredo .”Sean taps the boy’s chest with his gun, and his voice is menacing. “You can do that by telling us the truth. Why did
You may leave.”Jasmine glances at me standing in the open doorway. She hesitates, perhaps wondering if it’s all right for me to be there, then quietly steps out of the room.The bed looks large and imposing, engulfing my father’s frail body. The machines by the bed hum softly, and their beeping is the only indication that he’s still alive. I move closer to get a better view, my stomach tying in knots as I stare at him hidden beneath heavy blankets despite the summer heat. My throat tightens, waiting for any sign of life, when his eyes suddenly flutter open.I catch my breath.Finally, I’m allowed to speak with my dad alone, and the sight of him ravaged by chemo twists my heart. I know Alfredo is doing the right thing by providing treatment, but I can also tell that my father is in pain.I sit in an armchair close to the bed, resting my hands on my lap. “Dad, are you awake?”He starts to cough, and I stand immediately, rubbing his back until the coughing fit is over.“Raise the bed,”
CharleneI slowly stood up in confusion, My eyes stay on him as my hand feels for the doorknob, and in a swift move, I’m back in the empty hallway. My whole body starts to shake as I collect my scattered thoughts.“Alfredo?”Alfredo’s voice makes me jump, and I can’t conceal my shaken nerves quickly. He takes my hand and tries to pull me close, but I pull away. Leaning against the wall, I lean my forehead against the hard wall.“Sorry, but I feel claustrophobic,” I explain.Alfredo frowns with concern. “I was worried about you seeing your father alone.” He wipes the tears off my face with his thumbs, holding my face gently. I feel so numb. I can walk out the front door, but I’m still caught in a trap.I look up into Alfredo’s face and don’t know what to think. He’s an expert at masking his emotions, so for him to look concerned, he must care, but about what? Is all this for the money? Or is he concerned about his heir? Did he ever love me?Did any of them?Alfredo cracks the door ope
We sleep on opposite sides of the bed, and when morning comes, Alfredo leaves early while I stay in bed, blaming it lamely on the baby. Eventually, I sit by the window, gazing out at the lawn, but I don’t take anything in. My heart races as my nails bite into my palms. Yesterday when we were in bed, I thought Andrei would say it. There were moments when I thought I saw love in his eyes as he looked down on me. I wanted him to lose control and say it. I wanted him to say that he loved me, even if it was a lie and my heart will for once believe that I am not just a pawn juts like I was to my step mom and stepdad in the past. I want him to say it maybe it will help me believe he is different from the people taking me for a fool.Instead, he did everything I asked him to do. I demanded that he cross the line, and he did.A soft tap on the door breaks me from my thoughts, and Regina slowly opens it, peering in.“Come in,” I tell her. “Let’s talk.”The timid look on her face is replaced by
Alfredo carries me easily into the bedroom, and his hard muscles make me feel girly. He lowers me onto the bed and positions himself over me, and his huge arms cage me underneath him. His intense gaze moves over my body, and I feel naked despite my tee and knit leggings. Excitement heightens my anticipation as I wait for his next move.Despite my doubts about us, my body responds willingly to the sexy sight of him above me. I try to hold my body still, but my arousal makes my pussy wet, and I start to squirm. My gaze stays latched onto his as my chest rises and falls in my thin tee. Right now, I’m in no position to deny my husband anything.And the fucked up thing is, I don’t want to deny him anything.Alfredo leans down close as if to kiss me. But he shifts slightly and draws a line down my neck with the tip of his nose. He inhales the scent of lemon soap and perspiration off my skin. I tilt my head back, moaning as his mouth touches the sensitive skin at the base.“I smell your scen
Despite my fear, I can’t bring myself to go too far. Tears are streaming down my face as I scream uncontrollably. But no one can hear me with the hallway door shut.I keep crawling, and in the dark, my hand touches something in Alfredo's jacket … his gun.And it’s enough for me to make a split-second decision. One that I hope will ultimately save our lives. I grab the gun and pull the trigger. An ear-splitting bang alerts the whole household. Suddenly, all the lights come on in every room of the house, and I hear footsteps running up the stairs. I scream again, and Vanya appears at the door, fully dressed though his brown hair is slightly ruffled.“Charlene, where is Alfredo?” he asks, wide-eyed.But before I can respond, another gunshot resounds through the bedroom, making me shriek in terror. Maya hurries toward the bedroom door and yanks his gun from his belt. His face contorts in fury as he disappears into the room. I turn back to follow him, but I’m swept up from behind by strong
“I prefer it,” I reply curtly. “Who shot the cop,Sara? Was it you or Lance?”“How do you know it wasn’t your sister?” A smirk tugs at her lips.I shake my head. “Sonya wouldn’t.” But as soon as the words leave my lips, I realize just how little I truly know my own sister.“An eye for an eye.” The sly smile widens across Sara’s lips. “One family for another. You know as well as I do that Sonya was never raised in the rules of the Bratva like you and I.”The private room is filled with an uncomfortable silence, and the waiter’s footsteps echo as he enters. He looks nervously at us and realizes no one has even picked up a menu. He hesitantly asks if we’re ready to place our orders. No one wants to eat, so I order a bottle of vodka.“No one will want to associate with someone wanted by the law,” I break the silence. “Not for this. And if you goaded Sonya into doing this—”“I didn’t.” She stops me before I can finish my accusation. “That’s why I want to talk about a truce.”The waiter ente
Charlene smiles shyly and then focuses on her salad, spearing a piece of avocado with her fork. Her gaze falls on the lone brass key in the box, and I know she’s dying to ask questions.“Technically, we don’t own it yet,” I reply. “We’re negotiating the price, and then there’s closing. The couple that owns it are excited to retire early. None of their children are interested in running the place. It’s a good location.”“What about security?” she asks, eyeing the few diners seated at random tables.“The river protects one side, and security can stay in the inn. You don’t have to open it to the public. You’ll be safe here as long as you don’t forget who you are.”Charlene puts down her fork and looks around the charming antique interior with exposed beams and wood plank floors. A large stone fireplace crackles and fills the room with warmth. The walls are a mix of wood paneling and stone accents. In the corner is a bar stocked with local craft beers. Old, framed prints and maps of the a
Just like Alfredo, these people will praise me for my brutality toward my family.Could Alfredo ever escape what was fated to happen?Could I?I don’t wait for the morning or for Regina to say come in.I unlock the door and enter her room. The couture dress is balled up and thrown on the floor while Regina lies on her bed in her old clothes that she took from Dad’s house. Her earbuds are in, and she ignores me as I pace alongside her bed. Her eyes stay trained on the laptop screen as if there’s actually something absorbing on streaming. I sit down on the bed near her and close the screen.“What do you want?” she asks crossly.I sit up straight. “I want to tell you that I’m sorry for slapping you.”“Is that it?” Regina asks, sitting up and crossing her legs.I watch my tone. “Yes, I’m sorry I slapped you, but we couldn’t risk it last night.”She rolls her eyes and replies, “Of course,My dear sister Charlene couldn’t risk something .”I look away and can’t think of what to say.“They do
Stefan frowns, and a nagging feeling descends like a chill down my ribs, letting me know that something might be wrong.“Excuse me.” I leave them and search for Alfredo.I don’t like the look on Stefan’s face, and if he’s up to something, I want it stopped now. All I want is a joyful night without drama and violence, and I’m not about to see it ruined by teenage hormones.“Charlene, good to see you.” A large hand grips my upper arm, and Ivo greets me with a hearty hug. “May we speak?”Distracted by his greeting, I nod as he leads me into the ballroom and almost outside through the French doors. “This is an impressive showing. You’ve done well for your first full event as Andrei’s wife. Any news?”My lips form a thin line. “I don’t know anything about Sonya Gregory. As far as I know, she’s gone underground.”“Of course.” He strokes his bushy beard with his overgrown fingernails. “But there was something else. An unfortunate shooting?”“I believe my husband. I wouldn’t be here talking t
“Maybe this friendship with Zara is not a bad thing,” Sean replies. “There is an advantage to your wife learning how to be a prop wife. Which means you can start treating her like one. You’ve allowed her too much freedom.”I chuckle as I pour another. “I kept her locked in a bedroom.”“A bedroom for a queen with endless luxuries and wealth,” replies Sean . “You’ve spoiled her. And she knows she can use sex to manipulate you. There’s a part of you that is holding onto her too tight. If you hold onto a butterfly’s wing, it will tear when it tries to fly away. Only when you let go will it want to return.” Sean continues with a smirk on his lips. “Make Charlene think she’s crazy for wanting to leave you. You must be like mu father”“Never.”“You have little choice,Alfredo.” Sean looks at his glass before taking a sip. “You need to turn Charlene into a Brotherhood wife. Your mom hated your father, but she wanted for nothing.”“Except love,” I reply flatly.“You loved your mother, Alfredo.
I remember what he said when Regina was first brought here.“A brotherhood wife sleeps with him unless he decides otherwise.”“I didn’t plan to … I fell asleep.” I stand and navigate my body carefully around his. “I’m going upstairs to pack.”I don’t dare look at him as I hurry out the door, past the guard.My foot lands on the step, and I immediately run the rest of the way to our bedroom. I know he won’t let me leave, and I must be crazy to think otherwise, but I’ll try anyway. I don’t have my own luggage, so I search in his closet. That’s not all I find. Behind a heavy wool dress coat, there’s a gun cabinet. I stare at them in rows shiny black and terrifyingly cold.I cover them up with the coat again.I drag the first empty suitcase out and toss it onto the bed when Alfredo enters the room. He walks slowly to the bed and watches me as I throw an armful of dresses into the case.Where am I going to wear these things?Evening gowns made of silk and satin are too fancy for me to hide i
“I don’t know much about being a wife to a husband in the brotherhood,” I blurt out clumsily.Her gaze rests on the small diamond pendant around my neck, and she frowns ever so slightly. “Is that a gift from your husband?”My hand rests on it, and I nod.“Is it real?” she asks.I nod again. “I’m pretty sure all the jewelry he has given me is real.”“Foolish girl.” She smiles thinly. “All your jewelry should be appraised and then duplicated. Youneverwear the originals. I will give you the name of a shop. Very discreet. They will pay for them, and your husband will never know. Never let your husband pick your jewelry.”My eyes widen as if she’s talking crazy. “Then how do I ask for it?”She tsks like I’m a child. “You admire a piece or find a picture of something you like in an auction catalog. Place the page on his desk. He will buy it for you. Don’t let him give you anything you can’t sell.”A chill descends my spine at her words. She’s not telling me how to be a wife.She’s telling m
Charlene shifts in her seat, sitting at the end of the couch away from Sean.“What do we need to do to get better families on this list?” I ask.Sean stares at the screen. “We can offer a gift?”Charlene stares daggers at me. “Are you talking about auctioning off my sister?”Sean glances at Charlene and then focuses on me. “Perhaps there are better ways than using marriage? You’ve had mixed luck with matrimony so far.”I scowl at Sean. “Names? What about Sammie or Taras?”“He’s married to Eva, and the Taras were no fans of Algredo’s father. A rushed marriage isn’t going to mend a blood feud. Especially a marriage to a sister-in-law,” he replies quickly.I have to restrain myself from shouting at him. “I need a better name, Sean”He looks at me coldly. “Perhaps the girl has plans for her own life.”Instantly, I remember the day when Alfredo mom said something similar about Charlene.What if that woman you brought here also made promises that you are making her break?My voice lowers. “I