Page 21 of Dare To Free Us

“I know, I’m sorry. I had to wait for Shura to come back into the country. He’d gone back to Russia after he couldn’t take you.” He pulled me close so we were pressed together tight.

Heat flamed in my stomach. A shiver ran up my spine. God I wanted him so bad. For years it was all I dreamed of, having Matteo in my arms without having to hide. After weeks of waiting for him my body was buzzing with stimulated anticipation. I needed him to touch me and pleasure me as much as I needed the air in my lungs. I trembled in his arms as he looked down on me with those hungry eyes.

“Arianna?” he asked with concern.

I looked deep into his eyes. “I want you to take me home now, Matteo. I want you to claim me all over again.”

His pupils grew large as his fingers flexed on my hips. He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Prepare yourself, Beautiful. This time we are going to go all night. You won’t be walking straight for a week.”

“Promise?” I asked in a husky voice.

He blinked, as if shocked that I hadn’t shied away, then smiled in such a devilish way heat flamed in my cheeks and my knees got shaky. “I promise, Beautiful.”

4

MATTEO

THREE YEARS LATER.

“It’s good to see you Jasper,” I said while shaking his hand. Jasper had beed my most lucrative and loyal informants for years.

“You as well, Matteo.”

“Have a seat,” I offered, gesturing to the plush chair across form my desk.

Jasper took his seat as I rounded my desk to sit in mine, after removing my jacket.

It had been a long time since Jasper visited my office above my family's lounge, Red. Simple name, but it told you everything you needed to know about the place. Red and soft yellow lights illuminated the space with no windows and solid double doors. Black leather covered the couches and chairs, accented with dark wood. The space spoke of secrets, dark thoughts and desires, while regulars used the place to relax and possibly make a deal or two that would not be deemed legal. It was also a place our high-end escorts picked up high paying clients.

Of course no one made deals in Red without my knowledge or consent. Fuck anyone who thought they would come in and make money on my property without paying dues. A small cut or percentage did the trick just fine, and people were willing to pay because I provided a safe space to operate. Swept daily for bugs and strict vetting on the workers were small compared to the fact the DA and most of the police force were in my pocket.

Ever since I gave Luca the office above Ecstasy, Red was the base of my operation. I loved my club but not all people I dealt with appreciated it, especially my father, and Luca deserved that office. Now it belonged to Nico, my cousin, it didn’t feel right to take it back after Luca was gone.

Lorenzo— making top of the list— preferred to meet at Red then go down and peacefully lounge while picking up on some poor waitress to cheat on my mother with. Or take one of the escorts home at no charge.

My father was dead now, shot coming out of one of his mistresses homes, but I still hated him for his opinion that women were nothing but fuck-toys who didn’t deserve any respect whatsoever.

“How was your trip?” Jasper asked.

“It was good. Made the wife happy.” And terribly sad at the same time. A month ago we returned from our private vacation to meet with Luca and Becka in secret.

Two years ago my best friend fell desperately in love with Arianna’s best friend, Becka, who had come to be maid of honor at our wedding. Poor girl no clue about the fact her best friend was marring a mafia heir. Unfortunately, despite all the carful planning Becka witnessed something that led to her being forced to marry Luca or eat a bullet from my father.

Becka turned out to be Luca’s entire world. He’d even been willing to betray me for his love— the man I trusted more than anyone— and the pain of that has never faded, even if I did come to understand why and forgive him for it. After Arianna asked me to help them escape we used a fire the night I took revenge for my father’s murder to fake their deaths. Becka never belonged in this world and Luca was determined to get her out.

After waiting two years I was able to see my best friend again and damn if saying goodbye for the second time didn’t sting like a bitch. I missed him every day. I thought about him most when I needed advice or someone to watch my back.

But Arianna took saying goodbye to Becka the hardest. She sulked for days after returning, asking when I thought we would see them again. Before we left we learned that Becka was pregnant and Arianna hated that she would miss an amazing part of her best friend’s life. I told her the truth; I had no fucking idea.

That did not go over well. The fight was epic. I couldn’t calm her down until I pinned her down on the kitchen table and put my face between her legs. Within seconds she was begging for my dick, then proceeded to hate me for making her want sex while so pissed off. At least she wasn’t yelling or throwing things at my head.

“So, what do I owe the pleasure of seeing your face, Jasper?”

“I have some interesting information for you.” He tapped his fingers on the arms of the chair, the sign that he was feeling nervous.

“Well, don’t leave me in suspense.” I rested my hands on my stomach as I leaned back in my chair.

“I have it on good authority that Shura Petrov is returning to Boston.” Jasper’s eyes watched me intently, his sharp features tensed at my reaction.

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