Page 36 of The Vendetti Soldier

I turn my cheek, no longer wanting to meet his concerned stare. He stops me, leaning in and pressing a kiss to the top of my cheek. His tenderness right now burns like acid against my flesh.

“Rorik. I need you to listen to me, and listen good, capisci?”

I hold my breath, on pins and needles as to what he’s going to admit to next.

“Mischa is perfectly fine. A little sore, but alive, well, and healthy. Cristo, she’s probably happier than she’s been with Santy before.” At his admission, I train my attention on himfully, my brow now scrunched as his was before. “We didn’t harm her. When I say we punished her, I mean we took her to a breeding room we had designed for her. Strapped her in, drove her crazy with lust to the point of promising she’d listen to us. That she’d stay out of any danger and do everything in her power to remain safe. We had to make her see reason; to understand she already has the most important job in the Empire.To raise our children.”

“You didn’t hurt her,” I repeat, my mind finally beginning to seem a bit clearer, my shoulders no longer bearing the weight of the invisible five-hundred-pound lead block her death would’ve no doubt been on me. “But… I don’t understand. I was locked in here.”

“Everyone was locked down, all of our spouses, while the men did their searches. They wanted to make sure the laptops weren’t compromised because of your sister’s foolishness going rogue.”

“Where is she now?” I can’t help but wonder, wanting to see for myself she’s well.

“She’s naked, sleeping on top of Santino. Full of his dick and our cum after being fucked all day long. She’s exhausted and sore… in thebestways.” He leans in, lightly resting his forehead against mine, still cupping my cheeks. “I will never harm you or Mischa.Never.I will raze down anyone who tries. Capisci, mio marito?”

Releasing a choppy breath, I nod, finally allowing him to lean in and rain tender kisses across my face. My chest is no longer tight, my stomach no longer churning, and he’s here. Finally. It’slike I’m breathing for the first time in my life, and the air tastes good. I inhale deeply, continuing to catch his lips to return his kisses.

“I-I don’t know what I would do if something tore us apart,” I admit shakily. My feelings run too deep for him. He has the power to absolutely ruin me, and the thought is both sobering and a bit terrifying.

“Shh, you don’t have to worry so much, my love. I’m here now, and I promise to ease the burden from you. I will take care of you, always.” He pushes me back, and I crawl into bed, under the covers. My head hits the pillow, then he’s there, his trim body positioned between my thighs as he gently applies a bit of his weight on me. It’s enough to have me groaning and growing hard for him. “Mm,” he hums. “I love how your cock responds to me so quickly; it knows who you belong to.”

“You, Luciano. I belong to you.”

His gaze softens, staring at me like I’ve hung the moon when in reality I’ve done nothing extraordinary to win his affections. Just simply exist and hand over control, even if it’s tearing me up in the process to become nothing more than a kept man for him. I feel so useless, and yet, when he tells me he wants me to be safe, spoiled, and help raise our future children, it suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, it’s the opposite, sounding pretty damn perfect if he’s there by my side.

“And Santy, hm?”

“Yes, Santino too. You’re still alright with me taking cock from both of you?”

“Of course, I want you to belong to both of us. It only works if we’re all in, all the time.” His hand trails down my stomach, between us, until he’s gripping my shaft. We sleep naked, and I wasn’t thinking of clothes when I woke up, just looking for answers. He tugs, twisting his hand and adding in the perfect amount of pressure.

A moan escapes me, needing to feel him everywhere after the stressful day and night I had. My legs fall open to the sides a bit more, giving him full access to touch me as he pleases. “I want you,” I murmur.

His mouth hungrily claims my lips, his tongue shooting inside to tangle with mine.

Our bodies move as one, already knowing what the other wants and how to touch to make us both go crazy. The room blurs around us as I focus solely on the connection between us and how it feels to be wrapped in Luciano’s strong, capable arms. His hands roam my body with a familiarity, making me shiver with desire, each touch leaving a trail of electricity in its wake.

I’m never going to get enough of this man. I don’t want to offer him my submission alone; I want him to possess my entire being. To be as obsessed with me as I am with him.

“You’re everything,” Luciano whispers, his breath trailing over my mouth before he ducks to the side, placing open-mouthkisses along my throat. He continues, raining them across my collarbone, my chest, sucking one nipple into his mouth, then switching to the other. In the process, he somehow manages to use one hand to remove his remaining clothes, tossing them somewhere off the side of the bed. His cock bobs eagerly as he shifts his hips, rubbing his length against mine. I’m so hard I could burst and spray cum all over him.

“I’m falling for you, mio bell’uomo. You’re not only my husband; you’re my everything. I’m in love with you,” he softly admits, and I know it’s difficult for him when he’s used to demanding control from me. Instead, he gifts it to me, giving me the most precious thing in the world he can possibly offer.

His heart.

Chapter 18

The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls. - Edgar Allan Poe

Santino

My heart pounds away,thumping erratically inside my chest, and I swear anyone around me can hear it as I make my way to mio fratello. Matteo asked to see me, and ever since my wife was questioned by him in his office, I’ve been on edge. It wouldn’t be so bad if Luciano were by my side to help me face whatever’s coming, but he’s with Rorik, Cristiano, and all of the wives.

We’ve been on high alert since before my and Luciano’s weddings, and then on top of it, being holed up inside during the cold months when we’re used to taking trips… well, it’s making us a touch more stabby-er than we’d typically be. So mio fratelli took some of the men to help with protection of the famiglia and reserved a few private tours. Last I heard, they were headed into the city to start at the Museum of Natural History, as Violet has turned into a little history buff. Cristiano loves that sort of stuff too, so the two of them are probably more excited than anyone else in the group, especially being they have the entire facility to themselves to geek out over.

Matteo stands; his expression unreadable as I approach him with caution at the forefront of my mind. “You wanted to see me,” I say, attempting to keep my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my gut.

“Sì, fratello,” he greets, moving for his chair. He’s out on the fourth-floor balcony, which overlooks the many acres sprawling behind the property. The gardens are all dead and miserable right now after the harsh weather we’ve been having, so I rarely pay attention out here unless I’m watching for enemies.

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