MAVERICKI paced in the basement, which was literally a bunker. One reason was that I felt claustrophobic. Second, I was worried about the guys who went to the compound. I hoped they had the element of surprise, or they could have walked into the trap.I checked my phone. No service. “There’s no service down here.”“So if we got locked up here, no one could find us? What if there’s a massive earthquake, and this villa falls down? We’re stuck, die in hunger and suffocation?”“If there’s a massive earthquake, we’re likely to be dead drowning from a tsunami, baby. Remember, the villa is facing the ocean.” He held my hand, pulling me on his lap.“Jeez. You’re not helping. Can you be a little more optimistic?”“Sit down. It’s only been twenty minutes.”I released a shaky breath as I sat on his lap. “I should have been out there, helping them. This wouldn’t have—”“Okay. Okay. This is not your fault. Your father has been doubtful about Giosue’s loyalty and is investigating his corruption. D
LAKEMore gunfire echoed. It was dark outside the basement. The intruder might have cut the electricity and disabled the alarm, considering I did not hear it go off.I made sure Maverick locked the door before I walked away. I stopped by the stairs, hid myself behind the wall, and listened to footsteps coming my way.I couldn’t hear any, and the gunfire seemed outside the house. I blindly walked through the hallway to find a room.My phone suddenly vibrated, and the service came back. I took my phone and dialed my uncle. I knew his men would not risk him getting outside.“Why do you have service? Where the hell are you?”“I got out. I left my wife in the basement,” I whispered.“Are you insane?” my uncle asked sharply.“What’s going on? Did Giosue’s men manage to breach the house?” A suppressed gun sound caught my ear. “I’ll call you back.” I hung up the call and hid myself.Hiding behind the pillar, I noticed a shadow of a man despite the darkness and the lack of generator backup. Fr
MAVERICKI started to hyperventilate the longer I stayed alone, and tears kept rolling down my cheeks.I was terrified that Lake and everyone outside might be hurt. I gave a jolt as I heard someone must have twisted the doorknob from the outside.My hands were sweaty as I held the gun up. Until I finally heard five knocks. I released a shuddering breath as I got up and stuffed the gun in the band of jeans. Then I fumbled to unlock the door.The door swung open. The first person I saw was Lake, smiling at me. I lunged straight to him, jumped into his arms, and squeezed him tight. “I was so worried.”“I’m fine, baby. Thanks for listening to me.” He hugged me tight and kissed my temple. “Sorry for leaving you alone.”As I pulled apart, he looked at me, eyes filled with pain. “You’ve been crying.”“I thought I would be left here alone.” I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I was worried you’d get hurt.”He beamed at me, cupped my head, and kissed me hard, and that was what exactly I wanted— to prove
MAVERICKThere were bruises all over Celestina’s chest and probably more all over her body. If I were her, I would have been in a coma. How did she tolerate that pain was a miracle?“That motherfucker!” I jumped at Terzo’s voice, booming inside the study. He said something in Italian before the door slammed next, vibrating in all corners.The room went utterly silent, but my sobs.“Shit.” I thought it was Linden.I turned to find his voice, and he just went to the door. “Gabe, what is it?”“They took Giosue with them,” said Celestina. “Terzo is gonna torture him in inhumanely possible.”I swallowed hard as I found it hard to digest. “You should take a rest.”“I’m fine. I’ll rest later.”“I can find you some painkillers.”“I’ll go find a medicine cabinet,” Lake volunteered.“So you’re Lake, the husband?” asked Celestina.“Yeah, the husband. I wish we’d met not in a circumstance like this.”She smiled. “Don’t ever raise a hand at her, or I will kill you.”I held my laugh as I sat next t
LAKEShe worried me. What she’d just witnessed was traumatizing that she shouldn’t have seen. And she just slept it off and didn’t want to talk about it.I informed Owen. “When is the jet going to be ready? I have to take Maverick out of here.”“I’m so sorry, boss. She must have been terrified.”I shook my head without a word. There were no words to describe what had just happened in two days. These people were terrible for her and would do nothing but cause her pain and put her life in danger.That was my biggest regret of digging up her family tree. I’d seen and experienced it since she learned about her father. If only I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have taken her here.“I’ll get it done as soon as possible.” He gripped my shoulder before he left.I went inside the room where we stayed for a night. After what happened at the compound, I wouldn’t trust a hotel room. Conti loyalists could have come after Siciliano.I hadn’t reached the bed when Maverick started screaming and jo
MAVERICK“You’re not even wearing a swimwear.”I shrugged. The water was so revitalizing. This was what I wanted after all those shits happened in my life for a week now. I needed a getaway, and my husband made it possible.“You only live once, Winston! Take off your clothes and skinny-dip.”He laughed in amusement. “I enjoyed watching you then get my ass frozen.”“It’s not even cold. You won’t get blue balls. Come on, Winston. Have fun. You have money, influence, power, and a sexy wife waiting for you. Just take a leap and jump!”The more I talked, the more he laughed. “That’s true. I have a sexy wife.”He stood up, took off his shirt, and showed me what I missed for days. He looked ripped. His glorious chest and magnificent abs were on full display.I held my breath and bit my bottom lip in anticipation as soon as he opened the fly of his jeans. Damn, those strong thighs. Unfortunately, he kept his boxers on before he jumped into the pool.Within seconds, he was in front of me, cupp
LAKEShe was half asleep as she sucked a breath, feeling my fingers sliding in her heat. She squeezed her thighs together in response.“Open your thighs, and let me make you feel good.” My voice was deep, my cock hardening as a rod in anticipation.Once she relaxed, I lightly rubbed her clit. Her hips tilted, and she began rocking into my fingers.I kissed her cheek and whispered, “Do you want to come?”She nodded instantly, eyes opened, biting her lip.I rubbed her harder, kissing down her jaw, sucking the skin on her neck, nipping her earlobe. She moaned instantly. I quickened my pace, fucking her with my fingers.“Babe,” Her moan grew louder, and her breathing turned to pants. Her hand came to my wrist, gripping it, seemingly in chaotic thoughts to pull away or keep it there.My fingers were coated with her wetness, dripping down her hole. She felt so warm and tight, and I was so hard, yearning to be inside her.The moment she clenched around my fingers, I pressed my thumb on her c
MAVERICKIt was a beautiful day despite my being too tanned and exhausted. After our boat ride, we watched the sunset at Oia and had a dinner date. It was nothing fancy, but I loved the fact that he could be an ordinary man while he was with me.I was glad Owen and Homer watched us from a distance, and I didn’t see people checking him out. Sometimes, having a lack of privacy can be annoying.Then, we ended our night strolling at the private beach down the villa. I even forgot what happened in Sicily for a while. I had so much fun, and I was grateful that this trip happened.When I struggled to walk on the sand with my sandals, Lake shook his head. He was entertained with my struggle.“Let me help you with that.” He went on his knee to undo the straps, took my sandals off, and carried them for me.“Thanks.”“No need to thank me.”“No, it’s about this trip. I didn’t realize I badly needed it until I had fun with you today. It feels like, right now, some weights lift off my chest.”Owen