Page 74 of Massimo

"You'll have free rein of the house." He gently pushes my hair back from my face. "I just ask that if Gabe or Jerome need you to go to your room, please know it's for a good reason; you're not being punished. I'd like to let you go outside into the garden maze, but…"

I'm reminded I'm a prisoner, no matter how you look at it or that I was saved from a different more, hellish prison.

"Princess." His knuckles drag on my cheek again. "We need to keep your presence here under wraps, especially while I'm gone. I'm not trying to cage you, Nova."

I nod, turning back to him. "I understand."

He sighs. "Maybe I'm being paranoid thinking about the possibility of satellites or drones catching sight of you and proof that I have you…" He shakes his head and lowers his mouth to mine. "But I'm not risking you."

I close my eyes as feelings war inside me. The swirling of desire, the blooming seeds of hope. The dread that I'm being stupid, gullible, and a damn fool.

Because if I don't watch myself, I could fall for the monster who could do what my father never could.

Utterly break me.

Chapter 31

Massimo

AfterIateNovaout again, she collapsed into a dead sleep, and I used the time to hold and watch her. When I woke her before I left so I could make her come again, she shyly asked why I wasn't taking my pleasure. It was hard to explain that taking care of her, and giving her so much toe-curling pleasure, gave me unbelievable pleasure.

Hello, fully unlocked caretaking kink.

However, if I didn't have to make this transatlantic flight, I would've taken the time to let her explore touching me, wrapping her hand around my girth. I would've shown her how to jerk me off; I would've happily had her lick and swallow her first cock.

Instead, I left her with a kiss and a promise that Gabe and his men would keep her safe.

On the plane, I took advantage of my privilege as Don and slept in the bedroom in the Dassault Falcon 8X. Not because I'm a pompous ass and above my men, but because I needed to fist my cock to relieve the unbearable ache. And when I did sleep, I dreamt about Nova and woke up needing to do it again.

Remembering her last night and how she responded so perfectly to my touch… Her cries of pleasure… How she instinctively moved against me, chasing and owning that pleasure… The way her fingers burrowed in my hair, holding my face to her perfect cunt.

Jesus fuck, I need to stop because I'm going to have to jerk off again, and we've just landed.

I smile, remembering how Nova had trusted me. How she'd bloomed like a flower for me, unfurling to reveal the rapturous, fierce beauty she hid from the world.

I adjust my sable-brown tie, smooth back my hair, and exit the bedroom. Marco finishes his espresso and sets the porcelain cup on the table.

"Sleep well,Zio?"

"Like a baby." He smirks at me and stands. "Which means I was up every three hours needing to take a piss."

"The things to look forward to."

He grunts but turns serious, his eyes sad. "Growing old is a privilege,nipote."

I squeeze his shoulder. "I miss him, too."

Papàdied too young. Many do in our dark world, but for him, it was his health that did him in.

"He'd be proud of how you're ruling, Massimo. Tommaso was always proud of you."

Emotion fills me, and I squeeze his shoulder again.

"Sir," Marcelo, the head guard on this trip in Gabe's absence, stands at the exit. "The vehicles have been checked, and we're ready when you are."

I grab my bag and lead the way out of the plane, down the stairs, and get into one of the SUVs on the tarmac. Tino drives the SUV I'm in, and Marcelo will watch for threats. He's in contact with Crispin, our tech genius, back home, who is using drones to ensure the surrounding area is clear and we won't be ambushed.

As per our safety protocol,ZioMarco gets in a different SUV. If someone tries to take out the Don and succeeds, then having my second-in-command still alive is imperative.

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