Page 9 of Savage Prince

Ahead, the strobe lights of the dance party pulse in a hypnotic rhythm. There must be hundreds of people at this damned event. I pat the gun at my hip, my finger itching to wrap around the trigger. First, I’ll kill Isabella so I can enjoy watching Raffaele break as he stands by unable to save his belovedprincipessa. Then I’ll put him out of his misery.

A twinge of unease streaks through my chest as vivid images of the Valentino heiresses flit through my mind. It was the first time I’d met them in person that night outside of my nightclub in Rome, when Giuseppe and I accidentally crossed paths with Raffa and his new charge. I’ve done many questionable things in my thirty-four years on this planet, but I’ve never executed an unarmed woman. Just the idea of it doesn’t sit right…

Perhaps after all these years, a sliver ofMamma’s heart still breathes life into my dark one.Dio, the damned cancer took her from us when she was so young, whenwewere too young. Was it enough time to leave a lasting impression on a vulnerable, hurt boy? Her pale, gaunt face surges to the surface, and I can almost see her look of disappointment.Did I raise you like that, Tonio? No, she didn’t get to raise me at all because the brain tumor stole her from us on my tenth birthday. The pain of the past floods in, threatening to swallow me whole.

She never would have wanted me to turn out like this. After she died, everything changed.Papà’s restaurant couldn’t cut it anymore, and he dove deeper into debt until he borrowed from the wrong man. From there, it was a downward spiral for all of us. He never set out to create a criminal empire, and I never intended on fulfilling my role as heir but once you start down that dark path, it sucks you into oblivion. One that’s impossible to escape.

I must have my revenge. It’s the only way to survive for now, then maybe I can finally do the impossible and leave this life behind for good.

Then I hear it, the unmistakable sound of a woman moaning in pleasure.

All the dark thoughts fade back into my subconscious, to the far corners where I keep them locked up tight. My feet propel me toward the hypnotic sound. That voice… sexy and sensual, andcazzo, it has my cock leaping up in attention for the first time in months.

“Mmm, yes.”

I follow the siren’s call, my feet moving of their own accord. All thoughts of Raffaele, of his girl, of revenge fly right out of my mind. My heart slams against my chest, my cock hardening with every step closer. The moans grow louder, and I move faster. Now, only a few yards away, I see them through the encroaching darkness. A man backs a blonde against a tree. I dart behind an ancient oak, the trunk big enough to conceal my entire body. I peer around the corner, my pulse skyrocketing.

“Mmm, yes, that feels good,” she groans, head tipped back as he fondles her breast. Her hand is curled around the back of his neck, long, delicate fingers tangling in his hair. The guy’s head is in my way, obscuring her features. I only get an occasional glance of the top of her head, her mouth, her bare breast. It’s a milky white, the peaked bud a perfect rosy pink. I imagine licking it, drawing my teeth across the sensitive tip until she cries out my name.

The woman’s bottom lip is trapped between her teeth, keeping the moans at bay as the guy fingers her, or at least I assume that’s what he’s doing. I can’t quite see where his other hand is from this distance, but judging by her moans, it’s a fair assumption. I wonder what her pussy feels like. Is she wet? Tight?

Her panties fall to the ground, and I hear the unmistakable sound of a zipper being dragged down.

“Condom?” she whispers.

Fiery heat races to my dick at the sound of that voice. There’s something oddly familiar about it, but I can’t quite place it with the haze of lust blanketing all logical thought. My breaths are coming hard and fast as I imagine my own cock freed from its tight constraints.

Dio, when was the last time I had sex?

I’ve been so consumed with rage and thoughts of revenge, I ended things with my girlfriend, Stefania, right afterPapàwas killed. And even before that, we weren’t having sex often. My head simply wasn’t in it. I can’t even remember the last time I jacked off or even wanted to. Now I’m so fucking hard I’m certain I’ll explode if I don’t come.

Papà. My thoughts refocus for an instant.Merda, what the hell am I doing? I’m supposed to be trailing Raf, finding his girlfriend and putting an end to this. But all I can think about is that voice, the curtain of wavy blonde hair, and that pouty lip trapped between perfect white teeth.

Dio, I've never felt such an intense, instinctual pull toward a woman, especially one I've yet to meet up close.

A groan builds in my throat, the need for release overpowering all common sense.Fuck it. My hand dives beneath the waistband of my slacks, my fingers wrapping around my cock. I close my eyes and imagine those pouty pink lips on it as I start to stroke myself.

The woman’s moans are a symphony in the background, the perfect backdrop to my fantasy. I get so worked up, my shaft slick with precum, I stagger an inch, and my shoe crushes a twig beside a delicate sprig of violets. My eyes snap open, the sound reverberating across the sudden stillness. Through the inky darkness, I meet a pair of familiar blue eyes. The blonde is glancing over the guy’s shoulder, scanning the woods, and for the first time, I catch a good glimpse of her entire face.

Wavy blonde hair, the perfect bow of pink lips, lively, darting eyes…

No…

My stomach drops, and I yank my hand out of my pants.

Cazzo, Serena Valentino.

CHAPTER 6

CUORE MIO

Serena

I glance up at the clock from my desk and mutter a curse when I notice it’s just past seven. I’m supposed to meetPapàat my apartment in less than an hour. Like always, I got sucked into the work and lost all track of time. There isn’t one thing about this internship I don’t love. From assisting in the design process, from concept to development, including sketching, sourcing fabrics, and helping with fittings, every second has been amazing.

“I’m out, girl.” Santi’s head of dark hair pops up over the cubicle, and he releases a dramatic yawn. “I’ve been working like a dog all day. It’saperitivotime for me.”

“Lucky you.” I watch only slightly jealously as he throws his satchel across his shoulder. “Have an Aperol Spritz for me.”

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