“Oops,” I finally muttered.
“Oops is right. I’ll add another twenty onto your sentence.” While the playfulness in his voice remained, I knew what we were facing weighed heavily on his mind. He didn’t like being out of control for a single second.
His smacks were methodical, moving from one butt cheek to the other as I wiggled in his hold. All while Bella sat on her haunches, panting and I could see the smile on her face. She was a little mischief creator.
The pain increased, his strikes becoming almost brutal. He wanted me to remember this for a long time to come.
What, so I wouldn’t question his authority? Oh, hell, no, he didn’t know me very well.
After taking a deep breath, he rolled his fingers along my spine, lazily trailing a line down the crack of my ass.
“Later tonight, baby. Later tonight.” The timbre of his voice was dark and stormy, his unbridled need dripping in every syllable.
Did he think I would object?
The powerful man resumed the spanking, enjoying every minute of what he was doing. My stamping feet and frustrated moans only seemed to drive him further.
When he was finished, he pulled me into his lap. Beads of water trickled down both sides of his face. His suit was ruined, his tie a mess and in my mind, he’d never looked more handsome than he did at that moment.
The same beat we’d shared before occurred, his eyes dancing across mine. “You’re safe here with me, Fallon.”
“I know.”
“And I want you here. With me. If that’s something you’d like.”
I cupped his face, enjoying the private moment. They were precious to me. So many terrible things had occurred, yet I did feel safe when by his side. “We are quite the team.”
“Yes, we are. Only you’ll need to relinquish your title.”
“My title?”
“Yes. I will be the captain.” He lowered his face and I stretched my neck until our lips were just touching.
“Not a chance.”
He captured my mouth and sparks of light floated in front of my line of sight.
There were so many reasons I should slam on the brakes. I didn’t know him. He was a criminal. He had a background in violence. He lived a dangerous lifestyle. He was the epitome of a bad boy. He’d been my sister’s fiancé. Yet none of the reasons meant anything to me.
Because I knew that he would make me happy for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER 32
Vissarian
My father was expecting me.
He’d either anticipated the meeting or had heard through the grapevine I was pissed and would have my say. Either way, I’d been summoned to his house at precisely two in the afternoon.
He’d been kind enough to give me a few hours of rest. Not that I’d taken any. I’d remained on the computer, learning everything I could about Giovanni Bruni and his organization.
As Carlos had stated, they were not well organized or that well-funded even with their foray into arms deals as recent as four years before. In my experience, syndicates with solid hierarchy including members of the immediate family were usually more highly respected and therefore more affluent and successful.
From what I’d learned and knew from my vendetta against them was that they’d floundered over the years.
Until recently.
It was very apparent they’d had an influx of cash and if I had to make an educated guess, I’d say it was all because of theirproposed alliance with the Russian Bratva. The Costa family had provided more details as to just how much Marcos Bruni’s treachery in leaving his family had hurt them.