Page 5 of His to Honor

Matteo

My brothers would say I’m wallowing in self-pity. Hell, they have said it. Repeatedly. For weeks I’ve been refusing to go home. I can’t. Not until I sort out the shit in my head. My sins are weighing heavily on me right now. I’m not fit to be around people. I want to shut out the world and drown in misery. If I’m meant to come through this, I will. If not, then my family’s better off without me. They can leave me here to rot.

I don’t know why Sofia Montalbano’s death is bothering me so much. I barely knew her and it’s not as if her killing is the first I’ve witnessed. She’s not even the first innocent I’ve seen getting caught in the crossfire. But she was young, guileless, and her only crime was passing in front of me as the assassin took his shot. I should have caught the bullet, not her.

The worst of it is I didn’t see it coming. I was distracted, watching a bridal party as they processed through the cobbled streets of the village. I lost focus for a moment as I allowedmyself to be swept into the fantasy that I could have what the young bride and groom had, that special bond.

My three older brothers have all married incredible women. Even my mother is getting a second chance at love with the Bratva boss she fell for. I’m not a romantic guy, but I’ve always imagined I’ll get married and raise a family one day. Letting myself daydream about that for a minute cost a young girl her life. Though I hunted down and killed every one of the Rossis who were involved in the botched hit on me, my guilt hasn’t been assuaged.

Taking another sip of vodka, I reread the latest text my brother sent me. Antonio has been relentless with the voice messages, texts, and emails. He’s asked our cousin Damiano to come up here to persuade me to leave more than once. My brother wants me back in New York. There’s civil war raging within the Bianchi family right now. As our primary enemies tear themselves to pieces, it’s a good time to consolidate our family’s power. For that, Antonio needs all of us by his side.

His latest message perplexes me. He’s tried everything—threats, promises, pleading. He even tried emotional blackmail, trying to guilt me for not being around to support our youngest brother as he recovers from being shot. Now Antonio tells me he’s sending someone to keep me company. Fuck knows who that will be. Whoever he sends, I’ll make it clear they’re not welcome here. I don’t need a damned babysitter.

As I drain the vodka from my glass, I hear the front door clicking shut. I’m not expecting anyone and I have no idea how they’d have gotten past the security system. My senses sharp despite the alcohol I’ve consumed, I grab my gun and head out into the darkened corridor, just in time to see someone slipping into the study. What do they want in there?

Treading lightly so I don’t alert the intruder to my presence, I walk along the corridor and peer into the room. Against the moonlight coming in through the window, I make out a distinctively female form. It’s not the housekeeper, who acts as if I’m a vampire or some shit and avoids coming here at night.

It isn’t my sister either. She’s the only other woman who would have a legitimate reason to be here. This woman isn’t short, standing at around five nine, but she is curvier than Olivia.

Her hair is short, but I can’t make out the color in the half light. She’s wearing a flared dress that falls below her knee and high-top sneakers. It’s not the typical attire of a burglar. Who the fuck is she?

As the woman gropes about in the dark, apparently searching the desk, I rush forward and wrap an arm around her throat. She gasps as I pull her back against me. Immediately, I detect a delicate floral fragrance on her skin. It’s familiar, comforting, but I can’t place it. My cock twitches as she wriggles her firm ass against me, trying to break free.

“Uh-uh,” I scold. “Don’t struggle.”

“I…”

“Why are you creeping around my house?”

Before she can answer, I slap a hand over her mouth. I don’t care what she’s doing here.

“There are consequences for sneaking about in the dark.”

Removing my hand from her mouth, I shove her face down over the desk.

“Don’t!” she protests as I whip her skirt up around her waist.

Something about her voice strikes a chord, but I don’t know why.

“Shh.” I run a hand over the soft cotton of the panties that cover most of her ass. “You’ll take your spanking without complaint or I’ll whip your ass with my belt.”

The mystery woman sucks in a sharp breath, but offers no resistance as I slide her panties down over her hips and then nudge her ankles with my foot to spread her legs apart. I draw my hand back and bring it down hard on her left butt cheek. The woman squeals—in surprise, I’d guess, rather than pain.

I briefly consider putting the lights on so I can see her flesh turning red beneath my palm, but I don’t. There’s something unsettling about being in the dark with this woman. My desire is running rampant, though I haven’t even seen her face. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m nervous and I don’t know why. I should turn on the lights and get a look at her, but I fear that would somehow ruin the moment.

Holding her down with a hand at the small of her back, I spank my little captive repeatedly, giving both sides of her ass equal attention. She wriggles and moans, the sounds becoming frantic as her flesh heats beneath my hand.

“Are you enjoying this, sweetheart?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

“You know, I’m not the type of man you should lie to.”

Keeping my hand firmly on her back so she can’t escape me, I run a finger along her feminine slit, finding her drenched.

“And you just lied to me, sweetheart, because you are soaked.”

I push a finger inside her. Fuck, she’s tight. I add another finger and her pussy clenches.

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