Page 87 of Devious Kingpin
Iwoke up to the faint scent of a forest and fresh rain and the heavy weight of a muscled arm draped over my waist. It made me feel protected, the strong, solid muscles comforting.
Dante’s finally home,I thought happily.Home. It was amazing how quickly I’d started to think of this place as home.
He had been gone for almost a week. It seemed forever, although five days was hardly forever. We had exchanged a few texts, but we’d kept it short.
I didn’t move, enjoying the moment instead. I let out a soft sigh of contentment and snuggled closer to him, listening to my husband’s even breaths. Something about him made me feel protected. Safe.
And the news I saw flashing across the screen last night confirmed that.
Travis Xander was found dead. Evidence of torture.
My lips curved into a smile, and I kept my eyes closed, picturing how Dante made him suffer. I hoped the little bitch cried. Just like his accomplices. I made those two fuckers cry, especially Travis’s best friend. Fucking Sam.
He begged like a bitch and a coward. They both did and the sadistic part of me hoped that Travis did too.
Ever since it had happened, I always avoided thinking about it. It brought on anger, self-disgust, panic. I knew it wouldn’t go away overnight, but I couldn’t help but feel relief that those boys were gone.
Nothing was left of them. Dead. Perished. Just like that.
What goes around comes around, motherfuckers! Karma’s a bitch.
* * *
The sun shone through the windows, deceiving with its warm glow.
The ground was covered in a few feet of snow and no amount of sunshine would melt it today. I’d lain awake next to Dante for an hour, listening to him breathe.
Contentment filled my chest. I had arranged for an antique car repairman to fix what I’d destroyed. It would take a week or two, but he promised to make it a priority. After learning how much it meant to him, I couldn’t not do anything.
Although, I had to wonder why he hadn’t fixed it in the two years since I'd taken a bat to it and ruined the paint with my petty message left in lipstick. It actually still had that dick drawing on the window. Of course, I washed it before the guy came and picked it up.
I went to move but he pulled me back. I giggled, the mattress dipped, and Dante’s body came down on mine. A choked grunt sounded foreign, almost as if someone else had made it. My ears buzzed. Images flashed through my mind. My heart raced so fast, I feared I’d pass out. Panic choked me and black spots swam in my vision. My body started to shake.
A muttered “fuck” sounded in the room.
“Juliette, open your eyes.” A cold, commanding voice. The mattress shifted and my body rolled over, ending on the mounds of hard muscle. “I’m sorry.” Dante’s voice came through. It was compelling. The lifeline. “I was half asleep and my brain was too slow to catch up. I’d never hurt you. Open your eyes.”
I did, looking down into dark, warm eyes. I was now on top of him, my body flat against his muscles and his hard length pushing against my thigh.
“You’re safe,” he assured softly, his arms roaming my back soothingly. Up and down. Up and down. Swallowing, I inhaled a deep breath, then exhaled while my heart still pounded hard against my chest. “You good?” he asked, although his tone was slightly strained.
I nodded, then buried my face in embarrassment. “That’s not how I wanted your first day back home to start,” I muttered into the crook of his neck.
Dante’s hand wrapped gently around my nape and pulled my face away from him, locking his eyes with mine.
“Don’t apologize,” he murmured softly. “You’re here with me. It’s the best welcome home.”
“Travis is dead,” I rasped. “You made him pay.”
He let out a quiet, tense breath. “I made him suffer,” he said softly, vehemence showing through. “But it’s still not enough.”
My gaze drifted to the window where the sun rose up to the sky, promising a beautiful, cold day.
“It’s enough.” My words were quiet. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.
“Look at me, Juliette.”
I did.
