Chapter 9

Present day

Daniel

She hated me.

She craved me.

I wanted to break her.

I couldn't get all three thoughts out of my mind. The taste of Maria's sweet pussy lingered on my tongue from the wedding night before. I couldn't wait to take her once again. And I would as soon as I was finished with the morning business.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I hit the thick red bag hanging from the ceiling several more times, dancing around in a circle as I did so. I'd taken up boxing almost a year before, even being lured into getting into a ring now and again for fun and the essence of competition. Now I simply wanted to control my level of testosterone, attempting to drive the savage thoughts from my system. I wasn't certain why given it was obvious my lovely bride liked it rough.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I did another two minutes until sweat beaded down both cheeks and the back of my neck. The rush of endorphins was almost as powerful a release as sex, although I was beginning to question that logic since getting an extended taste of Maria.

The bag continued to swing from my hard hits as I grabbed a towel before studying my knuckles. I only used gloves when lured into a competition, preferring the ache from the brutal hits. After wiping sweat from my face and tossing the towel around my neck, I grabbed the bottle of water I'd brought with me into the gym. I took a few seconds to chug down the entire contents, crushing and tossing the bottle. Today was an important day, the meeting with the Brotherhood something I couldn't avoid, even though it interrupted the festive plans as initiated by my sister-in-law and sister.

They'd been the ones to help with the wedding, which I'd had no interest in and Maria and her parents certainly weren't familiar with the city. Although it hadn't stopped my lovely bride from enjoying time in a couple of clubs. I'd had her followed more than once, curious as to what the girl was made of.

She was entirely different around me.

As I strolled into my office dressed in only jeans, my feet bare, I was surprised to see Kane already waiting for me. Granted, it was after eight in the morning, which was late for the usual start to my day.

"Howdy, Kane," I said as I immediately headed for the Keurig machine.

"You're in a good mood, although boxing usually means you're trying to get over your anger about something."

"Not anger. Testosterone. And why shouldn't I be? Last night was my wedding night. After today's meeting, we're leaving on our honeymoon to Cozumel. Ten days of nothing but sun and sin. And maybe a few cocktails thrown in along the way." I selected a hazelnut coffee pod, even humming as I placed it into the small container, grabbing a mug then hitting the start button.

"Are you certain it's the right time to leave the country?"

"Do you mean because of the bogus threats I received?" After my encounter with Ronin, I'd received a phone message indicating my life would end soon. I'd chalked it up to the big boy needing to assert his manhood since I'd stripped it from him. "That was over a week ago." The second one had been via a text from an unknown source, likely a burner phone. If the fucker thought he was unnerving me, he was out of his mind. I ate men like him for breakfast.

The thought allowed me to smile all over again.

"They're not bogus and you know it," he said as he walked closer. "Maybe you're not bothered by them, but given what happened yesterday and last night, you fucking should be."

"I'm certain you're going to explain."

"Yeah," he huffed as he walked closer. "One of the blackjack dealers was almost killed last night after leaving work, the asshole driver leaving the scene. And there was an unexplained fire in the kitchen of another resort. Thank God there were two fire extinguishers, or the place would be ash at this point."

"Is that why you left the reception early?" I asked as I yanked the bottle of Irish cream into my hand, smirking after doing so. In the two weeks since I'd all but reduced Ronin to a worthless man, there had been rumblings on the street of a possible threat, but the idiots had heeded the warning. Hearing the trouble that was increasing meant the Irish bastards were taunting us. I would bet everything I owned on it.

Perhaps I'd gone too far in my endeavor to send a message, but my brother had certainly been appreciative.

"Yeah, that was the reason. I didn't think it appropriate to interrupt your special night." He was grinning when he issued the words, although I sensed his concern deepening.

I poured cream in my coffee, lifting the mug and taking a deep whiff. "Have some of our men head to little Ireland. See what scuttlebutt they learn."

That's not what the area was called officially, the ten city blocks overrun with Irish bakeries and pubs, restaurants and shops, but it was a phrase Constantine had coined a couple of years before. It was worth noting that only recently, it appeared the area could now be owned by the Irish mob. It was a perfect landing spot, expensive real estate surrounding the quaint businesses.

Ordinarily, neither Constantine nor I would care, but if what Kane was insinuating was true, it was just the beginning of Irish retaliation.

"You're out of your mind, Danny boy," Kane huffed, the expression one he'd called me years before. "I think that hot sex has gone to your head."

I glared at him, taking two long strides in his direction, more than a hint of anger crossing my face. I could tell he was surprised, but he knew me well enough to lower his gaze. Respect was all that I asked for, other than complete loyalty. "Need I remind you who you work for, my friend? If it weren't for my idiotic ideas, you wouldn't own a Maserati and a ranch only two miles from mine."

He acted as if he was going to become incensed then shook his head. "I'm aware of that, Daniel, but the Irish aren't the kind of people to be fucked with."

"And I have no plans of doing that any further. If you determine Liam or Ronin is behind the two incidents, then I'll make good on the promise I made to both men."

"Did you tell Danika or Constantine about their unholy request?"

"I didn't find it necessary at this point in time. You know what would happen should Constantine learn."

"Good point. I'll have several soldiers head into little Ireland incognito. What about the meeting with the Brotherhood? Do you want me to attend with you? You shouldn't go unescorted."

"No, stay with my bride. I have a feeling she's going to remain a handful. I'll take Brock with me."

"Anything else?"

"Just make certain the pilot is on schedule. Maria and I will be leaving around four this afternoon. And don't worry, Kane. I'm only a flight away."

"Do me a favor. Take two soldiers with you."

I had to smile, the man worrying about me often more than my own family. "Stop being a nag, Kane. I know how to protect myself."

"Whatever you say, boss."

Boss. Now he was frustrated with me. Not that I blamed him.

He eyed me carefully but determined I wasn't in the mood to be challenged. I returned to my desk, enjoying another sip of coffee before easing down the mug and grabbing my phone from my pocket. I was eager to return to my bride, if only for another hour or so. As I dialed Constantine's number, I couldn't seem to take my mind off Maria.

Everything about her had been unexpected, including the initial meeting where she'd tossed wine in my face, calling me on the carpet for my possessive words. I'd never been challenged that way by any woman. I'd been furious and aroused at the same time, almost unable to wait until our wedding night to consummate our marriage. While the moment I'd laid eyes on her I'd known the arrangement was one I wouldn't mind, her actions had sealed the deal, only in wine, not blood.

However, today I would spill the dark red substance keeping me alive for a heightened purpose: entering into a lifetime alliance with a merciless group of men. The oath I'd issue would be one only allowed to be ended by death.

The allegiance to the Brotherhood wasn't something to be taken lightly. Perhaps that's why the nightmare I'd had after attempting to garner an hour or two of sleep continued to trouble my mind.

No matter the brutal acts committed by her father, she was the light to my darkness, the good to my evil. It seemed we were two perfect opposing forces that had been forced together for all eternity. In my dreams, I'd reached out for her and she'd suddenly disappeared, fading slowly as the sun set in strings of color behind her. It was the strangest dream I'd ever had.

And I wondered if it was telling, a premonition of things to come.

"I thought you'd be fast asleep at this point," Constantine said, half laughing.

"It was impossible to sleep with a beautiful vixen by my side. But you already know that."

"Perhaps I do."

"You heard about the fire and one of our employees?" I asked casually.

He exhaled before answering. "A moment of flared testosterone and nothing more. There's no need to react."

"Aren't you worried their warning was just the beginning?"

"You mean because of what you did to poor Ronin weeks ago? They know better than to come at us with both barrels. Stop worrying, brother. Their reaction is par for the course. I confirmed the meeting with the Brotherhood for noon."

"Where?" I glanced out the window at the view of my ranch, noticing a few of the horses were already active in one of the three corrals. It had been far too long since I'd been riding, something I used to do on a regular basis. It was something I'd enjoy introducing Maria to.

Why did it matter? As she'd told me more than once, we weren't destined to be friends.

The push and pull had already had pronounced effects on us, which I continued to find surprising.

"At Casino Royale. Why not?"

The fact my brother had insisted on the meeting being held in one of our operational sites versus a secluded location with no direct affiliation meant he truly wasn't worried about Liam or his band of merry men. I wasn't so lucky to take the offensive maneuvers in stride. I'd learned the hard way that my instincts were almost always correct. "I'll be there. However, I'd make certain we have extra protection in case we have visitors."

"Ah, now that you're married, you've already become more worried. Perhaps it's old age."

"Very funny. I'll be there." He was still laughing when I ended the call. I glanced down at the coffee, ceremoniously pushing the mug aside, preferring some sweet nectar instead. I headed out of my office, padding toward the stairs. As soon as I reached the bottom, I noticed a flash out of the corner of my eye. Grinning, I took the stairs two at a time, continuing to be amused at her playfulness.

When the nightmare had awakened me, I'd remained sitting in the chair in the room, watching her fitful sleep, murmuring words that made no sense. A mother she missed. Disease. She'd seen her mother only hours before, the woman appearing healthy and without issue. Perhaps there were some secrets my lovely bride was keeping from me. That only added to the need to peel away the many layers.

"Where are you, my pet?" I asked as I stood outside the door to our bedroom.

As expected, she didn't answer. My cock twitched more than before.

Maybe she truly believed she could shut me down. Whatever the case, given the mood I was in, I'd allow her to play a little longer. I pushed open the partially closed door with a single finger, studying the empty bed and what surroundings I could see. As soon as I walked in, I sensed her presence from behind the door and reacted before she had a chance to carry through with her attempt to rile me by smashing my head in with the lamp she'd taken from the dresser.

I easily snagged her wrist, walking us backward by several feet until I shoved her against the wall. She kept her firm grip on the base of the light, glaring at me just like she'd done the night before. Before our passion had taken over.

"Tsk. Tsk. You should know better, my bride." Her fingers were tight around the brass surface, but I easily peeled them away, the scent of her infusing my senses so much my balls were tight as drums. We held each other's gaze for what seemed longer than just a beat, her eyes suddenly filling with a number of emotions I wasn't equipped to read.

But she didn't fight me when I placed the lamp back in its original location before pinning her against the wall with the crush of my weight. She wiggled in my hold, which did nothing more than add to the longing we shared. More than a touch of heat stained her lovely face and it pulled at the yearning from deep within.

In those few seconds as we continued our silent sparring, my cock turned to stone, the need to drive it inside of her becoming uncontrollable.

As soon as I let go of her arms, she instantly tried to slap me and the last of my humanity snapped, the need far too great. I wrapped my hand around her throat, squeezing until she hissed before capturing her mouth. I wanted to suck the life out of her as she'd hoped to do to me in an entirely different way.

There was nothing like the fire between us, both caught in a wild storm that couldn't be quenched that easily. As soon as I thrust my tongue inside, she sucked on it, using her strong jaw muscles. It only added to the burning need that continued to build.

The passion continued to erupt and every time I ground my hips against her, the robe she was wearing began to pull apart. The heat of her naked skin pressed against me was incredible and within seconds, I took a single step back, yanking at the sash. The moment I crushed her breast with one hand, pinching her nipple between two fingers, she moaned into the kiss.

It wasn't a cry of anguish or fear but one of blissful need.

Maria suddenly ripped at my belt, her long fingers fumbling from extreme excitement or maybe just determination. It didn't matter either way. I had no plans of keeping her from indulging in the dark fantasy. As I twisted her hardened bud, she shuddered in my hold, finally managing to jerk one side of the leather strap free. More deftly than before, she finagled the button and zipper.

The second she reached past the dense layer of material, I broke the kiss, both of us gasping for air.

"Bad girl," I managed and removed my hand from around her neck.

"Uh-huh. Don't forget it." She rolled the tip of her finger down the side of my shaft and I slammed my hand against the wall. The woman was pushing me to long for the kind of filthy acts I knew she wasn't ready for. There was something almost magical about the expression on her face, the feisty woman acting as if she was using sex as a control mechanism. However, it was obvious how much she craved what we'd shared.

"I'm going to fuck you."

"What if I don't allow it?" she purred.

"Then I'll take what I want."

She laughed nervously and jerked at both sides of my jeans, managing to rip them past my hips. My cock sprang free and at full attention. I pushed it between her open legs, teasing her relentlessly as I moved it back and forth from the inside of one thigh to the other. I had a feeling this was going to be the best sex of my life. I only hoped it wouldn't be eclipsed by the Brotherhood meeting.

What the hell was I doing thinking about that now?

I ripped her robe all the way open, immediately wrapping one arm around her waist, not wasting any additional time before driving her off her feet. When I thrust the entire length of my cock deep inside, she tossed the back of her head against the wall, half laughing and half gasping for air.

"God, you feel good. So fucking tight."

I pulled out, plunging into her again, allowing her muscles to get used to the thick invasion. I could live and die by the way her pussy was clenching and releasing around my cock, the involuntary action pulling me in even deeper. As soon as I rolled onto the balls of my feet, she squealed and gripped my shoulders, biting down on her lower lip. Perhaps she was worried others would hear us. As if I gave a damn.

There was even more of a pronounced need to fill her running through my blood, enough so I wasn't capable of being gentle. Not that she wanted me to be. She clawed at my skin, wrapping her long legs around my hips as I fucked her like some wild animal.

This wasn't about romance or any kind of passion. Just pure, raw sex. And I was all for it.

Every muscle in my body tensed as I powered into her, enjoying the way she couldn't seem to take her eyes off me.

I continued being a savage until she touched my face with a soft brush of her fingers. We'd only shared a few hours together, yet she was somehow able to tame the beast inside of me. I slowed my rhythm, enjoying the feverish sensations vibrating between us.

"Keep fucking me. Please."

I wasn't expecting to hear her quiet demand of resignation, but it ignited another fire deep within. I thrust hard and fast, enjoying every strangled moan of pleasure she emitted. I couldn't seem to get enough or go deep enough. When I spun her around, taking long strides toward the bed, the way she tangled her fingers in my hair was almost as possessive as the hold I'd had moments earlier.

"Un raggio di luce così bello," I muttered.

"What did you say?"

"You don't know?"

"I wasn't paying attention."

"I called you my beautiful ray of light." When I was close to the edge, I tossed her on the sheets, marveling in the lingering scent of our sexual escapades from the night before. I quickly removed my jeans as she rose onto her knees, allowing the rose-colored silk to slide past her shoulders, the soft material quickly sliding to the bed.

Her beauty was enough I could bask in it for hours, but I had other needs to attend to. She pressed her hands against my chest and I was shocked by the searing sensations. I cupped the side of her face, rubbing my thumb back and forth but the hunger refused to abate or allow me to enjoy more of the sensual moment.

I easily flipped her onto all fours, using her long curls as a leash, driving my cock back into her slickened folds. She shivered and arched her back, every action seductive whether she knew it or not. There was no holding back the beast inside of me any longer. Every sound we both made was more like two animals in the wild, every undulation of her body pushing me almost out of my mind.

There was a strange series of vibrations running through me, a harsh moment of morning light temporarily blinding me. If I could rip at the open blinds I would, but at least the shimmering glow added another dimension to her dazzling skin. And the deep flush I could still see on her cheeks.

Fucking her long and hard was easy, but I was ready to claim another forbidden part of her. When I pressed my thumb into her dark hole, she stiffened as I'd anticipated she would.

"Relax, my lovely wife. This will only hurt for a few seconds. But I can't wait to make this dirty and depraved. Just like you prefer it."

"That's not true," she countered.

"Are you certain of that?" I allowed a series of growls as I continued fucking her tight pussy. I wanted her to come, to be wrapped up in a moment of pure ecstasy before I claimed her tight asshole. I continued driving my thumb inside her forbidden hole while I fucked her long and hard, savoring the way she was doing everything she could to buck against me.

I was suddenly high on her breath sounds and the scent of her delicious pussy, the moment intoxicating.

"Yes. Yes," she moaned, but she wasn't a good liar. That much I could see.

As her body began to shudder more involuntarily than before, I pumped harder and faster, remaining the brute I'd always been. The moment her body started to spasm, I gripped her hip, digging my fingers into her soft skin.

"Oh," she cried. "Oh. Yes. Yes!"

"That's it. God, I love the sounds you make." I no longer recognized my voice, the deep rumble more beast than man.

The way she erupted, her climax rolling through her in wave after wave was a beautiful sight, almost as much as the way as she bit her lower lip around me when she was nervous. The feel of her pussy muscles clamping down tightly was almost enough to make me lose control.

But I quickly regained it, slowing down as her body began its floating descent from the crest of euphoria. My, wasn't I poetic on this gorgeous morning? When she was doing nothing more than panting, I pulled my cock free, taking a few seconds to ease the tip into her asshole.

When she tensed, I cracked my hand on her backside, her laugh a delicious and unexpected reward. It would seem I'd been right about her needing and enjoying harsh discipline. That would be a joy to provide. I pushed another two inches inside, allowing her muscle to stretch. She was hot, so much so I was certain my cock would be blistered. But what the hell did I care?

Her pants turned into another few moans then a scattered scream as I thrust the remainder inside.

"Oh, God. Oh… That hurts."

"Breathe, baby. Just fucking breathe." While she followed my command, she continued shaking but since I was a man with no patience, I only allowed her a few seconds more before developing a rhythm that would push us both over the edge.

I raked my fingers down her spine, grinning from the sight of the goosebumps popping down both arms in almost the same rhythm. It was strange and amazing how affected we were by the other, as if karma had slapped us together. Darkness and light. The thought felt like an intense rebellion developing and maybe it would be, but the vows were set in stone.

Or blood.

She was mine.

Forever mine.

And I'd meant what I said. No one would dare touch her or they'd face my wrath.

"You're perfect," I whispered. "My sweet Maria Rossi."

She tensed more than before, her muscles constricting in an entirely different way.

Now there was no way of holding back, the sudden rush of adrenaline matching the force as I erupted deep inside her tight ass.

Seconds later, as I draped my body over hers, our breathing equally ragged, I heard whimpers of acquiescence as well as a quiet whisper.

"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."