23. Hannah

Once we're safely back on the ground, Vin and his brothers go into damage control fast. I give them a full recounting of what happened and how Caleb bought up a bunch of stock and planned to destroy them from the inside out. After telling them everything I know, Vin takes me back to his place, and he tells me to eat something and try to relax.

I hate watching him walk away when all I want is to stay locked in his embrace, but he and his brothers have things to do. "Can I help you?" I ask as he's leaving again.

"You can help me most by staying here where it's safe. We have an emergency meeting with the Five Families and some serious damage control to do. I don't want to worry about you on top of everything else, okay?"

I nod and he kisses me. Before it can become too intense, Vin pulls back. "I'll be back as soon as possible. Promise."

The big apartment is so quiet without him and I hope everything is going to be okay. I'm not sure how it will be when Caleb Durant's broken body is lying on the sidewalk outside of his building. But, then again, we're talking about the five most powerful mafia families in the city. Disposing of a body probably isn't anything new for them.

While Vin sets things right, I realize how hungry I actually am. I can't even remember when I ate last because so much has been going on. Vin's fridge is stocked full of fresh ingredients and I love the fact that he's a good cook. He's also very modest about it, but that man can whip up a plate full of deliciousness with ease.

After searching through some tupperware, I sit at the island and eat some pasta salad with fresh basil and mozzarella. My thoughts keep returning to Caleb Durant and how things could have ended so tragically. If Angelo hadn't already been out flying, he never would've made it to Vin in time to reach me. But he came flying in at the last minute and flew Vin up to save the day…and then Angelo ended up shooting Caleb and saving Vin before he went over the edge…

My stomach and heart is still all twisted up and thinking about what could've happened is wrecking me. I quickly lose my appetite, clean up and decide maybe a shower will help relax my nerves. Because they're completely shot.

I walk into Vin's large bathroom and turn the shower on, adjusting the water until it's the perfect temperature. As I strip out of my clothes, I catch sight of myself in the mirror and pause. I see bruises I didn't even know were there, thanks to the awful way Caleb had roughly dragged me around. I'm also scraped up and, now that everything is quiet, things are starting to ache and sting.

Hopefully, the warm water will help soothe my frayed nerves and bruised body. I step beneath the spray, grateful that I'm still alive. And, of course, that Vin is, too. The fact that things could've ended so very differently and so much worse will always haunt me.

After washing my hair, I pour some of his shower gel on a washcloth and lather up. Mmm. It smells just like him—a citrusy, slightly spicy fragrance that has me yearning for him. As if in answer, Vin suddenly appears and I freeze when I spot him through the steamy glass. He quickly sheds his clothes, opens the shower door and steps inside.

His electric green gaze slides down my naked body like a caress and then he pulls me into his arms, kissing me passionately. Like it's the last night of the world and we're the only two left. Wrapping my arms up around his neck, I lean into his warm, wet, very aroused body and kiss him back with every ounce of love in my heart.

I haven't told him yet that I love him and I don't think I can wait much longer. But his hand drops between my thighs and he starts doing deliciously wicked things. Dropping my head back, gasping as his fingers slide into my wet core, I whimper and moan and writhe. Vin knows just how to touch me and I'm climaxing fast.

"More…" I beg, kissing down his wet chest. "I need more, Vin. I need all of you."

When I wrap my hand around his huge, pulsing cock, he groans. Then he scoops me up, turns and presses my back against the cool tiles.

"If that's what you want, then that's what you'll get," he says, pushing the head of his cock between my folds. With one powerful thrust, he fills me and I tighten my legs around his waist, hanging on for dear life as he begins to power into me.

"Oh, God," I gasp. He's stretching me like never before, filling me up, and nothing has ever felt so good. So very right. At this moment, I give everything to Vin—my mind, my body and my heart. It's all his.

"Come for me, Angioletto," he rasps, increasing his pace and massaging my clit until I'm biting down on his shoulder to stifle my screams. "That's it. Let me hear you scream my name as you come on my cock."

"Vin!" I cry as my inner muscles squeeze tightly, milking his cock. The orgasm pummels me and he groans, shuddering hard as he erupts inside me. The water falls over us and our rapid breathing fills the steamy air. We stay connected like that for a long, precious minute, his cock buried deeply, our breaths hard and fast and intermingling.

Then he sweeps my wet hair back and whispers raggedly, "I love you."

My heart speeds up and I tighten my arms around him. "I love you, too. So very much."

After another squeeze, Vin slowly pulls out and sets me back down on my feet. "You can't even begin to understand how much," he says, cupping my face in his large hands and staring intently into my eyes. "If anything would've happened to you today?—"

"It didn't," I assure him, placing my hands over his. So much passes between us at that moment. All the love we have for each other and all our hopes for the future.

"Thank God," he whispers, dropping his forward against mine.

Vin and I rinse off quickly because the water is getting cool. He shuts it off, grabs a big, fluffy towel and wraps me up in it. Before I can move, he sweeps me up into his arms and carries me to his bed, gently laying me down. Crawling in beside me, Vin turns on his side to face me. He studies me so intensely and I know he wants to say something, but he hesitates.

"Tell me," I whisper, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Whatever you're struggling to say, you can tell me, Vincentius."

It's the first time I've ever used his full name and he reaches out, takes my hand and squeezes.

"I fought this—us—and I'm so ashamed that I did. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Hannah, and I am so damn sorry for pulling away and hurting you. I was just…scared."

"Scared of what? I would never hurt you."

"I know that now. My past kept holding me back."

"Your ex?"

He nods. "We were engaged and I was young and naive. I thought I loved her."

"What was her name?"

"Cynda Drake. Why?" He arches a brow.

"Because I need to know her name so I can add her to my dead-to-me list."

"It's that like your shit list?" he teases, mouth edging up.

"It's worse."

Vin chuckles and places a kiss on the back of my hand. "She cheated on me. Most likely multiple times, but I walked in on her with an acquaintance and the sight of them fucking left permanent damage. It's like everything inside me froze and I walled off my heart and swore I'd never let a woman get that close again. Promised myself that I'd never get emotionally involved or let down my guard. And it worked…until I met you."

"You mean the day you saved me at the auction and spent a fortune?"

"I'd spend anything to save you. Don't you know? You're priceless, Angioletto."

"Thank you, Vin," I say softly. "If Caleb had won me?—"

"I refused to let that happen."

"Why?" I ask, genuinely curious about what made him spend so much money on a stranger.

"Because when I looked at you up there, I saw a woman hurting, vulnerable and scared. I vowed to get you out of there and I didn't care how much money it took or who I needed to outbid."

"Vin…" My heart expands so much, it hurts.

"I also saw an angel who desperately needed help."

"More like a damsel in distress."

"No, an angel. You're good and kind and pure, Hannah. There was no way I was going to let a cretin like Durant defile you."

My throat tightens with emotion and I can't speak for a long moment. So, instead, I kiss Vin with all the love I'm feeling in my heart. "My hero," I whisper. "I can never repay you for all the times you've come to my rescue."

"I don't want you to repay me, Hannah. All I ask is that you love me."

"I'll love you forever and ever and ever," I promise, crawling up and straddling his powerful thighs. "And I'm going to seal that promise with a kiss."

Settling back, I take his cock and begin stroking until it's rigid again. Then I lean down and lick the tip before wrapping my lips around his firm length and sucking him deep.

"Ahh, Jesus, Hannah," he moans, hips bucking up off the mattress.

I lick and suck, holding him tightly, squeezing gently, and paying close attention to what he likes and responds to. And it seems that he likes everything I do. Before he comes, Vin pulls me up and slides me forward.

"Get on my cock, Angel."

I'm a little surprised he didn't finish in my mouth, but I do as he says. Very slowly, I line up his throbbing cock with my entrance and then sink down, taking him to the hilt. We both groan and I begin to move my hips. Leaning forward, finding the exact right angle, I rub my clit against his pelvis and take the lead.

As we soar together, finding our bliss, for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I'm not alone anymore. Vin is my new home and I know that he will always love and protect me.