Page 98 of Lorenzo's Claim

“Artem, my father’s right hand at the time, was the only one who truly ever cared for me in that house. But he disappeared without a trace, and after that day I’d never felt so alone. Sure, I had my grandparents, but they didn’t live with me, and even though mybabushkaasked for me to live with her anddedushka,my father said no.”

“Stop, it’s okay, you don’t need to talk about it.” I cupped her face, as she nuzzled her cheek into my palm.

“I used to want him to love me as much as he loved my brother, but I knew what I was good for. I knew he would eventually use me by handing me off to a man I didn’t know.” She whispered. “I just thought he’d have the decency to let me meet him first, but I guess that was too much to ask from him.”

“I’m so sorry I played a part in that. I’m so fucking sorry, and if I could change it even the slightest bit, I would.” I half smiled. “But I wouldn’t change marrying you. You are the only person who has kept me on my toes. The only one who isn’t afraid to put me in my place, and the one that makes me feel something.” I forced her to look up at me.

“Our fathers were as bad as one another, both power and money hungry. I don’t blame your father for what he did to mine. I don’t even blame you for wanting revenge for what you thought happened.” She sounded so sure of herself. “If your father didn’t betray mine, mine would have stabbed yours in the back. It was inevitable.”

“We won’t pay for our father’s mistakes anymore, but believe me when I say I’ll spend a lifetime paying for mine.” I brought my lips to within an inch of hers. “Your father doesn’t deserve you,mi amore.” The Italian endearment rolled off my tongue with a smoothness that made my own heart flutter. Or whatever it did. This shit was all new to me. It was the first time I’d called her that, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last.

“And you deserve me, do you?” she whispered.

“Yes, I do. ” I smiled, and it was the first time I truly felt as though I was worthy of her.

That I deserved every single part of her.

I pressed my lips against hers, as if needing to seal my words. She responded eagerly, her hands wrapping around my neck as she deepened the kiss. The taste of her, the feel of her body against mine, was a reminder of what we were building together, a bond that transcended the chaos of our fucked up worlds.

Being holedup in my office at the club wasn't my idea of fun today, especially since Rox was the reason I was here. But there was no way in hell, I’d have him come to the house, so here would do. He’d already made his first fuck up, that stupid bastard had been trying to undercut me with shitty weapons, and that was one thing I didn’t take kindly to. I wouldn’t let some lowlife weasel do me over.

The door clicked open without warning. A female worker slipped inside, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She was young, maybe in her mid-twenties, with a pencil skirt that cinched tightly around her waist and a blouse that was unbuttoned in a way that revealed way too much. Her eyes shone with a mixture of ambition and desire. Desire that was unwanted.

Her hips swayed as she approached my desk. “Mr. Ricci,” she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I just wanted to check and see if you needed anything else. I could…stay late if you’d like.”

My eyes flicked down to my phone, my expression hardening. I held up my hand to silence her, but she ignored it, running her fingers along my shoulders. Her touch was anything like my wife’s. My grip tightened on my phone, and my knuckles whitened.

“Get your hands off me,” I ordered. Of course, she didn’t comply. I grabbed her wrist without even looking at her, the force of my hold causing her to gasp. “I said get your fucking hands off me and get out,” I hissed. “Before I make you regret it.”

Before she could respond, I heard the door slam shut. I half expected it to be Rox turning up early, but instead, it was my wife who strode into the room. She was a vision, dressed head to toe in black. Her eyes narrowed in on me as her lips pressed into a thin line. She wasted no time in moving closer as the waitress's mouth twisted into a smirk.

“He’s busy, sweetie, or have you come to join us?” she murmured seductively as Anastacia looked just about ready to kill the bitch with her bare hands. Once upon a time, she would have said go ahead, have him, but not anymore.

“Didn’t you hear my husband?” Ana asked, her voice deceptively calm.

“Husband or not, we can still share.” This woman didn’t have a clue when to shut up, did she?

Without warning, Ana closed the remaining distance and grabbed her by her hair, yanking her head back with a force that made her whimper. “My husband told you to leave, so unless you want to end up in pieces scattered across the city, I suggest you do as you’re told and listen.”

The girl's face drained of colour, her eyes darting between Ana and me in panic. “I-I’m sorry…” she stammered, trying to pull away from Ana’s grip. “I didn’t mean to?—”

“Shut up,” Anastacia snapped, her voice like a whip. “Get out. Now,” she said with a warning in her tone. “If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I’ll find you, and trust me, it won’t be pleasant when I do.”

She nodded frantically as Ana shoved her head away. She didn’t look back as she fled, the click of the door echoing through the silent office. Ana watched her go with a cold smile before turning her attention back to me.

“It would seem as though my wife has a possessive side when it comes to me, am I right?” I teased, pulling her between my legs by her belt loops.

“I don’t like people thinking they can take what’s mine, that’s all.” She grinned, her eyes softening.

“Nobody stands a chance,mi amore.I only want you.” I smiled. “So, what did I do to deserve a visit today?” I asked.

“Nothing.” She smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I just felt like it.”

She grabbed my tie, pulling me up until I was standing toe-to-toe with her. Her hands moved to my belt, her fingers deft as she undid it before making quick work of lowering my pants and letting them fall to the floor. I didn’t resist. My eyes darkened with desire as she stepped back, her gaze bold and unapologetic.

I rested my hands on my desk as she dropped her knees, her skirt riding up around her waist as she knelt on the floor, looking up at me through raven lashes. Her fingers traced invisible lines on my legs. Her touch was light and teasing as she moved her petite fingers up my thighs, her nails grazing my skin.

“Always so hard for your wife,” she whispered, her breath warm against my aching cock. Her fingers brushed against my length, teasing me to no end. All I wanted to do was fuck that pretty little mouth of hers, but I let her take the lead, wanting to see what her plan was for me. She pressed her lips to my hip and kissed across my stomach. Anywhere but where I wanted her mouth. “Let me taste you,” she breathed against my skin.

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