Page 66 of Christmas Vows with the Devil

“Well,” he says, his voice low, dark. “Why don’t you think about it while you’re on your knees?”

Entirely too enthusiastically, I clamber down from the desk and drop to my knees in front of him. He’s hard when I grab ahold of him, ready for me. I stroke him slowly, looking up to meet his eyes. He sways, love-drunk, threading his fingers into my hair.

I lick up his length, holding his gaze and he groans, tossing his head back. The room, heavy with the smells of cigar smoke and spicy whisky, spins as I take him into my mouth. The feel of him, the taste of him, it’s so heady—like a potent drug I haven’t touched in years.

I worship him on my knees, licking and sucking, taking him as far as I can. His moans fill the room, his body thrusting involuntarily. Suddenly, he pulls out of my mouth, grabbing me around the waist. He spins me around, bending me over his desk.

My fingers glide across it to grip the other side, my cheek pressed against the smooth wood. A flash of pain sears through me as Dante’s strong hand slaps my ass, followed by a gust of pleasure as he kisses it lightly. And then, he’s pushing inside me.

I’m so turned on that I’m barely hanging by a thread, already floating towards my orgasm. He’s thrusting hard, pushing deeper and deeper. I moan, the sound muffled by my heavy hair. He brushes my hair aside, pressing himself close to me as he continues to thrust.

“Let me hear you moan, Gia.” His voice is rough, wild. I let go, giving him what he wants. Another heavy-handed slap on my ass sends me into another dimension and I whisper his name like a promise.

“Dante, Dante, Dante, please.” I’m so close, and yet, I never want this to end.

“I love you, Gia.” Dante’s breathless whisper echoes in my ear, sending me to the edge. I reach my climax, shivering and shaking underneath him.

“I love you too, Dante.” I whisper as he explodes inside of me. He falls on top of me, pinning me to the desk. His heavy breath like a drum beat against my skin. The crushing feeling of his body feels like home, like where I want to be for the rest of my life.

And just like that, I realize that it’s true. I love him. I loved him six years ago, I loved him when he broke my heart, and I love him now.

He trails a line of kisses tenderly down my spine, pulling me up to stand with my back pressed against him. The moonlightstreams in, casting a filmy haze on our intertwined forms. He bends, kissing behind my ear.

“When this is all over,” he says softly, “and we have our boy back…I’m going to ask you a question. And I really hope you say yes.”

Chapter Tweny-Four

Dante

The warehouse looms like a shadow at the edge of the city, hidden in a cluster of run-down buildings. It’s a perfect hiding spot for someone who knows how to stay out of sight.

I can feel the tension building in every nerve of my body, the weight of everything pressing down as we approach. This is where he’s been hiding. And, if our intel’s right, this is where he has Matteo.

Gia is beside me, her face set, her jaw clenched, hands balled into fists at her sides. I feel the weight of her presence, the shared determination between us to get Matteo back, no matter the cost.

Around us, the Vitale family and my own men close in, moving in synchronized silence. Every step feels deliberate, every breath calculated.

When we reach the perimeter, I give the signal, and the men fan out, slipping into their positions. We’re in unfamiliar territory, but I can sense my father’s handiwork everywhere. Inote the strategic placement, the guards stationed in shadowed corners—all markers of his cunning evil.

We don’t have much time, and I know the risk we’re taking.He’s waiting.

“Remember,” I whisper to the men nearby, “this is about Matteo. Get him out first, then handle the rest.”

Gia glances at me, her gaze fierce. She gives a slight nod, and I nod back, a silent promise between us. With a final signal, we ambush the building.

The first explosion shatters the quiet. The sound reverberates through the walls, sending up a plume of smoke and dust. Men pour out of the building, scrambling in confusion, and we move in. The Vitales take the first line down before they can even get their bearings.

The entire place erupts into chaos as more of my father’s men spill out. There is gunfire, shouting, and the sound of fists hitting flesh as the two groups clash.

I move through the crowd with practiced efficiency, my focus sharpened to a deadly point. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to come out. He’s hunkered down somewhere deep in the warehouse, in a safe room. I slip inside, sticking to the shadows. I glance back at Rocco, following closely behind me.

We slink through darkened corridors, carefully avoiding open areas and cameras. I thank my lucky stars Gia agreed to stay on the outside, protected by her family. I wouldn’t be able to focus if she was at my side instead of Rocco.

We reach the first closed door we’ve come across and I freeze, thinking this must be it. I kick it open, but the room is empty. We continue forward until we get to a dead end. Rocco nudges me, pointing up. A small ladder leads to a hidden second floor—likely a supervisor’s office when this was a functional warehouse.

I nod and move to scale the ladder but Rocco pulls me back.

“He’s probably watching,” he whispers, his voice dripping with disdain. “And that sick son of…well, he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you down. Let’s find another way up.”

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