Page 11 of Vicious Redemption

And all the while, his fingers continue to roll my clit until the last shuddering aftershock ripples through my body.

“Holy hell,” I groan, slumping onto the bed and turning my head to face him as he drops onto the bed beside me.

He quirks an eyebrow, his grin cocky as he eyes me up and down. “So I take it, you liked that?”

I groan, nodding appreciatively. Then I scoot closer, resting my head on his shoulder as I drape my body along his side. Leo holds me close, his fingers tracing circles on my skin as he puts his other arm behind his head. The position shows off his considerable muscles, reminding me of just how strong he is. And yet, how gentle he can be.

I can’t believe that after everything that’s happened, we somehow made it through the storm and feel closer than ever. Being with Leo just feels so… right. It brings me immeasurable peace.

And yet, as we share the silence, I can’t help but think of my family.

I never got a straight answer from Leo about what happened after his men took me home.

Deep down, that makes me wonder if he has a reason to not want to tell me—like he’s already killed them.

And despite my father’s actions, despite the hurt he’s caused, I don’t want that.

“Leo?” I ask tentatively, not wanting to disrupt our happiness. But I have to know the truth.

“Hmm?” he hums, the sound adorably content.

“What happened to my family after I left?”

Leo tenses beneath me, his fingers stopping their affectionate design on my skin. “Why do you even care?” he demands, suddenly defensive. “After how callously your father disregarded your safety… He didn’t even flinch about letting you go home with me when the mayor was worried for your well-being. Your father said what he did to drive a wedge between us. All he cared about was getting a rise out of me. And he didn’t care if it put you in danger.”

His words cut deeply—even if they’re true—and worse, his defensive answer brings a sense of foreboding that knots my stomach.

Sitting up abruptly, I turn to face him, my heart pounding an unsteady beat. “What did you do?”

6

LEO

Tia’s eyes shine with unshed tears, her hurt and anxiety twisting my gut and making me tense. Of course, I couldn’t do anything to the Guerra men, with Mayor Romney and half of Piovosa at the charity ball as witnesses. Not to mention, the police took the men into custody almost directly after Tia left.

But that doesn’t mean I won’t settle the score once Don Guerra’s men are released. They need to be taught a lesson. And I don’t particularly want to say that after how Tia behaved at the town hall—and how she’s acting now. She clearly still cares for them, fears for their safety, and would side with them even if they betrayed me.

It doesn’t seem to matter to her that I’m her husband.

She still chooses them even when she says she loves me.

“I didn’t do anything to them,” I growl, sitting up in bed to meet her eye directly. “But they deserve an ugly death for shooting my father and breaking their word so blatantly. Your family is traitors, and I can’t just go around forgiving them because I married one of Don Guerra’s daughters.”

The color drains from Tia’s face, and it’s like we’re right back to where we were before. The trust shatters between us as she sides with her family, concerned for their well-being even though they’re the ones who broke their word.

They’re the bad guys here—not me.

But she will never see it that way.

“Leo, please?—”

“No,” I state flatly, cutting her off because I don’t want to hear her beg for mercy again. I don’t want her to plead for the lives of the men who don’t give a shit about her. “I was willing to accept an alliance for your sake—and the baby’s—but I won’t just roll over and let your family disrespect me. They’ve made it clear that they intend to overthrow me, and the best way to crush that idea before it gets too far out of hand is to kill the men involved and teach the remaining Guerra family members what happens when they break their vows.”

Tia gasps, her expression horrified as she leans away from me. Her arm comes up to cover her breasts as if to defend against me. Every inch of her body language tells me I’m a villain. “Does that mean you intend to kill my cousin along with all those men at the ball?”

Her voice is barely above a whisper, and yet, I can hear every trembling word.

“That’s exactly my plan,” I state coldly, and I watch as the emotion transforms, her features twisting as true recognition dawns in her eyes.

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