SALVATORE“He’s just shy, you know,” Emily said, her laughter spilling out loud and carefree as we climbed the narrow stairs. Her arm hooked through mine, her body pressing close, soft and warm as her cheap perfume clogged my nose. I laughed along to match her, but inside, a quiet fire burned. This was it. My plan was locking into place, every piece sliding together like a well-oiled gun. The casino, the smooth words, and her quick nod to my proposal had all worked, even better than I’d hoped. She giggled, oblivious to everything, and leaned harder into me, her satin dress brushing my leg. She thought I was hers, but every creak of these stairs brought me closer to Miguel who was the real prize.For once, since I set out to get Miguel, I was a little satisfied. Though I hadn’t gotten exactly what I wanted, I was so close. Emily tugged me into her room. The space was a cluttered cave of satin sheets and cigarette butts, the air stale with her bad habits. She shut the door, still ch
MIGUELI woke up late to sunlight stabbing through the cracked window. The mattress sagged under me as I turned to the edge. The sheets were uncomfortably tangled from a night of tossing and turning.It was one thing to be restless over some creep stalking me at my place of work. It was a whole other thing to have that same man at my doorstep, hands all over my stepmother, shooting me that look of satisfaction. Emily’s giddy announcement twisted my gut all over again. Stepfather. The word tasted like bile. I rubbed my eyes, hard, trying to scrub it all away, but my hands shook. Sleep had dodged me after that knife-to-throat dance with his amber stare burning holes into every inch of my skin. I couldn’t stay at the bar anymore with him showing up at will, watching me do my job while doing god-knows-what in the shadows. And now, if I was to think about the current turn of things, the house wasn’t safe, either. But I couldn’t move now. Not with Emily’s debt still hanging around my nec
SALVATOREI sat on the couch with Emily sprawled beside me, her laughter grating on my nerves. The room smelled of her cheap perfume clinging to everything like damp rot. Irritation rolled through me like a slow wave I couldn’t shake. She shifted closer and threw herself onto my lap. Her arms looped around my neck, pulling me in. “Fuck me, Salvatore,” she slurred, her breath hot with gin, her lips brushing my jaw. “I want you now.”I stiffened and caught her shoulders before her lips met my neck. She pressed harder, her fingers tugging at my shirt, but I stopped her cold. “No, Emily. We are not fucking.” My voice came out firmer than I wanted, and I could only hope she didn’t read the irritation in my voice. I eased her back, stylish as I could, and stood up. “But I can tease you with my fingers if you want.”Her eyes lit up, intrigued, and she leaned back on the couch and crossed her legs. “Oh, I like that. Go on then.” I smirked and stepped away, adjusting my jacket with a cough
MIGUELI woke up slowly, my eyes cracking open to the grey light seeping through the window. My body felt heavy, pinned to the mattress by a night of half-sleep. Salvatore’s face had haunted my sleep, his husky tone plaguing every part of my mind. His crazy utterances played on repeat, sinking deeper each time.I stared at the ceiling. The cracks had gotten worse over the years and now spread across every inch of the plastering like veins. I was off work today, but somehow I wanted to jump there and slave myself until evening. But there was also this inner need to lie down in my bed and rot until the following morning.My chest tightened. The diner was supposed to be my out, my clean slate. One shift and that bastard had found me. I rolled onto my side, the sheets rough against my skin. Emily wasn’t home because there were no shrieks or slamming doors. Just quiet. And for once, I could think.I stayed there, sprawled out, my arm dangling off the edge. The bar was gone, but Salvatore
SALVATOREI shouldn’t be here. Hell, I should have rejected the invitation to grace this damn meeting with my presence. But this was about money, and I didn’t joke with my cash. Especially when it seemed people were already trying to sabotage my business.The evening sun bled red through the warehouse blinds, slicing the room with sharp, uneven light. I sat at the head of the table, my chair creaking as I shifted uncomfortably. They kept talking about more and more shipments, but nobody was saluting anything beneficial to the missing ones from weeks back, and even months before that.My suit was crisp as usual, the fabric cool against my skin despite the thick, sticky heat. I should have just told John to represent me here.Six men sat around me, my partners. Their faces were carved with hard lines and stubble. Cigarette smoke drifted up, thick and grey, curling around their heads like a haze. We were neck-deep in plans for the next shipment of guns and cash. It was a haul worth mill
MIGUEL“I can help you pay off every cent you owe her, and get you out of this cage she’s locked you in.” Salvatore leaned in, his breath fanning my face as his words made my heart pound.My feet were glued to the wood and his hand was tight on my arm. The blood on his shirt was like a red flag glaring at me, warning me to stay far away from anything that had to do with this man. I tried to look the other way to gain back some resistance but his amber eyes pinned me deeply, pulling me in hard into his orbit. My heart pounded harder against my chest, the shock locking my knees in place. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing my jaw, his breath fanning every inch of my face.“So beautiful…”He traced my jaw. His fingers were slightly rough against my skin, sending a jolt straight through me. I hated it. I hated the heat spiking up my neck and the shiver rippling down my spine. I hated the way my breath hitched. I needed to push him off, to grab my knife and get away. But I stayed sti
SALVATOREI knelt by the couch with my hands resting on Emily’s feet. She slept hard, really hard, snoring like a man working in the mines. You’d think she had a strenuous job that kept her up all day and night. Well, selling pussy was strenuous, I’d give her that. I heard footsteps and looked up just as Miguel bounded down the stairs, his coat slung over his shoulder. He darted out the front door, banging it shut behind him. I didn’t chase him. I just watched him go before turning my attention back to Emily. Her mouth hung open as her chest rose and fell. The urge to strangle her hit me fast, and my fingers twitched as I watched her twitch in her sleep. She’d trapped him, bled him dry, and I hated her for it. With her gone, it will be easier for Miguel. I hated to even think about it but Miguel had nothing close to a family without her, but he was going to be okay with me. I stood up, resisting the urge to make her stop breathing and cook a story for those who cared to listen. No
MIGUELI sat at the library computer, my elbows on the scratched table. The screen flickered and cast a dim light across my hands. I typed "Salvatore" into the search bar and hit enter. A mess of results popped up but none of them were right. Some mechanic in Ohio, a chef with a blog, but nothing close to the guy I needed. I frowned. My fingers hovered over the keys, then I added the city name and tried again.The page reloaded, and a few articles caught my eye. I clicked one and skimmed the text fast. Salvatore Erik Blackwood… business mogul, owned companies—real estate, shipping, and some vague consulting gigs. There were no details, no dirt. It was just a name tied to money. I opened another tab and checked a different site. I found the same dry story. No pictures, no scandals, no hint of who he really was. My stomach tightened and unease crept in. I leaned back, the chair creaking loudly in the quiet room. “He’s too clean,” I muttered to myself, rubbing my jaw. A guy like that
MIGUELSleeping in the park was comfortable. Not more comfortable than a worn bed and a roof barely holding together, but at least, I was at peace.But then it wasn’t safe. Twice, I was approached by idiots who wanted nothing but my body, and twice I had to use my knife. Well, I’d survived the night. Another day to make bad decisions and get more depressed.The morning sun was warm on my face as I sat up, grass sticking to my body. I grabbed my bag, stood, and stretched. Maybe I could come here to pass the night again today. Just maybe. I would be discreet because the last thing I wanted was for Salvatore to discover this location. Paul’s place was already out of the options.As I dusted off my jeans, a feeling crept up my spine like someone was watching me. I glanced to the side.A man sat on a bench, reading a newspaper. It seemed like he was pretending to.His eyes flicked up just for a second then went back to the page. He was older, maybe mid-forties, dressed neatly in dark slac
SALVATOREI stood in the warehouse, flipping through a stack of papers, my eyes scanning numbers that didn’t add up. I hated this, but John had insisted that I come here. I wasn’t in the right state of mind, and I didn’t need this stress.John was hunched over a table nearby, receipts spread out, his pen scratching quickly on some papers as he made calculations. The guy running this place, Eddie, stood in front of me with his arms crossed tight, his face pale. His eyes were wide like he thought I’d snap his neck. Maybe I would. I hated incomplete figures and messed-up calculations because they hinted at stealing.Sincerely, I wanted this to be a case of stealing. I would finally have a place to push all these pent-up emotions into. But even as I worked, I couldn’t focus my attention on the figures. There was a reason Miguel was doing everything he could to fight me, and sincerely, it was infuriating. I couldn’t think of one reason why he didn’t see me as a good fit for him. My profe
MIGUELPaul’s hands slid to my shoulders, his eyes searching mine. I was holding my breath, trying not to flip, but it wasn’t working. My thoughts were a jumbled mess of a plan that I knew could cause disaster. Had Paul always been this handsome?Or… was it the alcohol?He snaked his tongue out, wetting his lip, adding shine to them. Okay, he was handsome. And maybe…“Are you fine?” he asked, his voice low, soft with worry. Our gazes locked and held there, seconds stretching into more heavy silence. My chest tightened. His face was close, his breath brushing my skin. My mind spun around as I thought about how crazy it would be to use Paul to push Salvatore away from my thoughts.Maybe I was this way because I’d refused to allow myself some physical intimacy. Paul could help me forget Salvatore.His eyes dug into mine with a fierceness that made me more worried than scared about what I was able to do. “Paul,” I said softly, barely above a whisper. “Yeah?” he muttered, his voice rou
Salvatore walked toward the bed, his eyes tracing my body. I could see the questions in his eyes, but I had questions, too. I had questions as to why I couldn’t stop thinking of this man, or why my life was somehow turning apart while I watched, or fucking why I was rejecting help when it was right in front of me. Danger, yes… This was a dangerous man. My life would probably be unsafe with him.But even as I stroked down again, moaning as the rush hit me, I knew that was a lie. I would be heavily protected with Salvatore. So what was wrong?His eyes locked on me darkly, slicing sharply through my flushed skin. “Hey.” I bit a corner of my lip and smiled, still stroking softly. I sprawled there, clothes off, my skin bare in the dim light. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice husky, low, cutting through the quiet. Wasn’t it obvious what I was doing? He didn’t wait for a response. His hand moved, and brushed mine aside, resting where I’d been, warm and firm against me. “Hmm.” H
I stuffed everything I came with back into the bag.I was so scattered that I added the blanket I was given. I tossed it out after I realized I’d made a mistake, but I ended up tossing some of the things I’d arranged. Paul leaned against the doorway, watching me, his arms crossed loosely. I would hear occasional sighs and exhales, but he said nothing.When I finally finished, I zipped the bag, slung it over my shoulder, and turned to him. His place once felt like a lifeline, a quiet and safe place, and it was already slipping away.“Thanks for everything,” I smiled, my voice low, real. “You didn’t have to let me crash here, but you did.”He stepped closer and pulled me into a hug. What was with the frequent hugs? I wasn’t complaining though. His grip was tight, warm. “You can stay as long as you want, Miguel. The door is always open.”I hugged back in gratitude. “I appreciate it, but I gotta go.”His eyes were soft as he nodded. “Are you sure? I could ask around and find you a new s
MIGUELI scrambled through my stuff, grabbing a shirt, jeans, and my jacket. My hands shook as I shoved them into a bag. Fuck this. Fuck me. I couldn’t stay here, not with Salvatore’s scent still on me, not after what happened at the beach.“I’m going insane.” I closed my eyes tightly and dug my fingers into my hair, pulling on them until I felt pain.What exactly what I thinking? How the fuck had I allowed Salvatore to touch me back at the diner, and now feed me his cock at the beach? How?But even as I reprimanded myself, I knew I was hard. I cursed softly under my breath, running into the bathroom, and slamming the door behind me. I fucking hated this.My fingers worked faster than I could process, yanking my pants down, and lubing my cock up with some saliva.Salvatore’s face flashed in my head and I forced my eyes open. My teeth grinded hard against each other. “You fucking slut,” I snarled at myself, pouring some more saliva onto my cock and jerking faster. Maybe this would he
MIGUELOh, fuck. The taste was unlike anything I’d ever had in my life. First, it was the unwelcome sensation of having my mouth filled and stretched to its breaking point, but as soon as I went ahead for the next five seconds, my body adjusted.He tasted warm, hot, insatiable. The mix of that masculine scent I’d come to obsess over drove me nuts.My knees sank deeper into the sand, the grains cool against my skin as I moved, my lips brushing the tip, then sinking, taking as much of his cock as I could. Salvatore’s hand stayed in my hair, his fingers curling through the strands, guiding me gently. “Slowly, Miguel. Ah, yes, right there.” I moaned softly around him, the sound coming out muffled as saliva tricked from the sides of my mouth onto his thighs. His taste hit me again—sharp, warm, with a little mix of salt and him—and I couldn’t pull back. Fuck, I didn’t want to. My mind yelled at me. A jumbled mess of “What am I doing?” and “This man is my stepfather” echoed through my h
MIGUELAn angel? No, this wasn’t an angel. Though he seemed like one when he swooped in with fury and grace, angels don't kill people and batter bodies, like the buzz-cut guy by the gate, who was left bleeding in the dirt. I snaked my hand to his chest as he lowered me into the passenger seat, his intoxicating scent of leather, smoke, and something sharp, hitting me like a ton of bricks. My fingers lingered, tracing the hard lines beneath his shirt. I caught my breath as the warmth of him seeped through. He eased me down gently and stared at me for some seconds.“Where are we going?” I asked quietly, my voice rough, barely above a whisper.“Home.” Salvatore’s hand brushed my cheek tenderly, his thumb grazing the bruise. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”I nodded slowly. My throat was tight and his touch sent spasms through me. He buckled the seatbelt and reached to close the door, but I grabbed his arm quickly. “Wait, Salvatore. My knife is inside, on the floor.”He paused for a mo
SALVATORE“Hey John, I’ll call you back. Just got to the house.” I slid the phone into my pocket and took a long sigh. The air felt heavy, pressing on my chest as I pushed the door open.That was enough discussion about deals and shipments. John could handle the rest.I stepped into the sitting room. It was empty. The couch was bare, the TV staring blankly back at me. I stood there with my hands in my pockets, breathing slowly to calm the buzz in my nerves. No sounds, no clatter, just silence. I didn’t know if Miguel was home, and I hoped he was. I hoped he’d seen the flowers and felt something… anything.My mind spun restlessly. I didn’t know enough about him to understand his reaction to my apology. Would he laugh and toss the flowers and note aside, or would let them sit there, softening him up? I wanted him to feel that pull that I couldn’t shake, but I didn’t know where he stood. I’d kissed him and it felt like heaven. Fuck! It felt so damn good. I wanted to kiss him again, ta