SeraThe bracelet was cool against my heated skin as I wrapped my arms around Killian’s neck and leaned in to deepen the kiss.Any and all thoughts left my mind, and I lifted on my toes and pulled him closer. I wanted him. I needed him. I hated that I had to wait for him to come to me.“Take me to bed.” I brushed my lips over his in a teasing kiss.“I’m not used to taking orders,” he rasped and nibbled on my lower lip.“Better get used to it. You gave me a phone. Now I can call you up here whenever I want.”He lifted me and my breath caught in my throat. I wrapped my legs around his waist. My fingers combed through the hair on the back of his head, and he kissed my neck and jaw.Before I’d settled in for that movie earlier, I’d changed into a pair of cotton shorts and a loose sweater that fell over my shoulder. I’d never been more thankful for a pair of shorts than now. He slid them down over my ass and gripped my bare skin.He sat me on top of the dresser and it trembled. A vase of f
KillianI couldn’t remember the last time I woke up next to someone. Well, the times I’d woken up in a booth at Diavola with two or three naked dancers draped over me while my head pounded against my skull didn’t count. That hadn’t happened in months.In fact, I hadn’t gone out in several weeks or even given another woman the time of day.I glanced over at the sleeping woman beside me, her dark hair covering most of her face. Sera snored lightly sometimes. She also flailed about and stole the blankets. I’d woken up twice to her elbowing me in the face.Still, I didn’t think I’d ever slept as deeply as I had last night.She needed a bigger bed if this thing between us became a habit. In fact, now that I stood and looked around, she needed an entirely different room.If she behaved for at least three days in a row, I’d move her into the suite downstairs next to mine.I pulled the sheets over her naked shoulders and got dressed, careful not to wake her, which wasn’t all that difficult. I
SeraVague memories of Killian leaving my room before the sun came up flittered through my mind. I could still taste his kiss, however, and that made me feel so warm and cozy that I almost, almost, forgot that I was technically his prisoner.I shoved that thought away and pulled on a comfy matching cashmere sweater set, then tied my hair into a bun on the top of my head. At a quarter past nine, Olivia still hadn’t come in with breakfast, and I’d definitely taken notice of the fact that Killian had left my door open. Hungry, I stepped out into the darkened third-floor hallway and walked downstairs in search of food and company.The house was eerily silent. Even the main kitchen lacked the usual hustle. A maid mopped the floor while I passed through the dining room. She mentioned that one of the “guys,” which was what I’d come to learn meant anyone who worked for Killian as a soldier, had left donuts in the informal kitchen in the back of the house.Even that part of the house was quiet
Killian“Kill them all.”It was the only order I’d given my men before we descended upon the De Luca house. My men knew to spare the maids or any women they found in Giuseppe’s house. Everyone else was fair game.Only a few of my men came in with guns. Tonight wasn’t meant to be clean, quick, and tidy. The first wave had already gone through, igniting terror and taking out most of Giuseppe’s guards. Then I came in with only one person on my mind.I stepped over mutilated bodies and ascended the stairs in Giuseppe’s gaudy mansion of horrors. Tommaso stepped up beside me, a dagger in one hand and a sawed-off shotgun in the other.I had Joe’s favorite blade clutched in my fist. Earlier that day, I’d had a few of my guys get him situated and hidden in New York with his daughters. This act of revenge would be carried out for the death of his wife. Joe had pressed the blade into my hand and told me to do my worst, so I would, for him and for me.“Where is he?” Tommaso moved ahead of me as w
SeraSteam wafted from the clawfoot tub in my bathroom, fogging up the window. I stood on my toes to look out at the silvery landscape. A fresh dusting of snow covered the trees, washing everything in a bright, clear glow.Whatever Killian and his crew were up to last night had kept everyone busy. Even Olivia, for whatever reason. She’d tumbled into my room at ten the next day with a tray of food and coffee, dark circles lining her eyes, and she was uncharacteristically quiet. When I asked what happened, she just smiled and waved me off, telling me to eat before taking her leave.I guessed I should get used to this, being left alone and in the dark when it came to this family. The secrecy was a stark reminder that I didn’t really belong here. The Ricci family had always been an untouchable dynasty, one that my father envied and despised.I rarely thought about my last name anymore. Here, at least lately, I was just Sera. And I was alright with that.Three o’clock rolled around as I sa
SeraSoft light poured from frosted windows as Killian’s hand slid along my lower back, his other hand grasping the handle and pulling open the door that led into the restaurant. Hidden away from the masses, we’d had to go down an alleyway and a short flight of stairs to reach it. The intoxicating fragrance that wafted through the open door told me it was worth it. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath, my stomach rumbling in response.Killian tugged me inside. I smiled up at him as we entered a dimly lit, small space with a handful of booths and a few tables sprinkled around the center. It was cozy, nonthreatening. I liked it already.“Ricci! My boy.” A handsome older man rounded a vinyl counter and walked toward us with open arms. He kissed Killian on one cheek, then the other. “Look at you, so healthy. How is your mama?”“Alive, unfortunately.” Killian smiled. A real, genuine smile. “Sera, this is Yiannis Ariti.”“Hi.” I felt my cheeks go warm and pink as the man’s blue eyes met
KillianFucking Yiannis and his ouzo had my angel feeling like she owned the night.I wasn’t about to stop her fun. I liked seeing her eyes light up with excitement. She gripped my hand and tried not to bounce on her toes while we looked out over the second floor balcony at the dance floor below, her red lips parted in a grin. It was evident she wanted to be here, with me.I also hated that I liked it, because that feeling was dangerous for both of us.“She’ll have water,” I said to the waiter from my private booth in VIP.“A gin and soda, with two lemon slices, please,” she corrected, shooting daggers at me.“Bring the water, too.” I waved the waiter away and met her glare. “What are you looking at me like that for? You were hungover for two days the last time I took you here.”“Well, it wouldn’t have been a problem if you’d let me dance a little longer. Maybe even, I don’t know, joined me?”“I came here for a meeting.”She inched closer to me in the booth. “You’re not in a meeting n
SeraI left the lingering effects of the ouzo on the dance floor, feeling free for the first time in what seemed like ages. Killian dancing with me, his body against mine, set fire to my blood and all I wanted to do was climb into his lap.His fancy sports car made that exceedingly difficult.“Do we have to go home so soon?” I pouted.A flicker of amusement danced over his face. “Yes. I’m a busy man, Sera.”“Too busy to spend the rest of the night with me?”He glanced at me, his shoulders relaxing as he looked back at the windshield. “If you continue behaving yourself, maybe.” His hand slid over my thigh, then higher.My breath caught in my throat, but the soft moan I whispered was abruptly cut off by Killian’s phone ringing. He cursed under his breath and pressed the touchscreen on the dashboard.Tommaso’s voice echoed through the car. “Boss, we gotta issue.”“What?” Killian’s voice was sharp, but his hand was warm and heavy on my thigh. I shifted my weight, trying to arch into his t