Chapter 2

Two

Lili

I am so angry I sway a bit where I stand at the end of the hallway.

"You can either sit at the table with us with your mouth closed or return to your room."

I ignore Bastian and turn to the man who desperately tries to look like Elvis and fails epically. Bastian isn't my real father, but he's sure as hell picked the worst timing to marry me off like I'm his to do with as he pleases.

"You need this, right?" I ask the Elvis wannabe. I know his name, but I refuse to use it and give him power over me. I dread the words I already see forming on the end of his tongue.

"With your consent or without." The coif of hair on the top of his head bounces as he speaks. The first thing I'll do the second I am under that man's roof is give him a buzz cut in his sleep. That thought makes my bunched-up muscles relax.

"You do realize you sound like a douche, right?"

The man flashes a grin at me, but it's the downright unhinged smile on his son's lips that has my skin crawling. The way his light blue gaze travels up my legs and over the swell of my breasts has me shivering with disgust.

"Irons, where is the contract? I'm ready to sign." I look from my stepfather to my husband-to-be, panic locking my throat.

Bastian keeps his eyes locked on me as he answers. "Behind you, Accandis. Sign and initial each page. Your son, too. Then we will have a deal."

William Accandis and his two pieces of trash sons, Liam and Noah. Identical twins from head to toe. They even share the same dimpled grins and leering smiles.

Gag me. If I'm unlucky enough to not get out of this with my life intact, I know the numbered days I have with those two will be torture from sunrise to sunset. They can't seem to do anything without the other one mirroring the same motion. One stands, the other one does, too. They probably get hard-ons at the same time.

And Bastian the rat bastard is handing me off to one of them for a little peacetime. What a joke.

I can't keep the massive wave of heat out of my cheeks. I mean nothing to this man. Less than nothing. No wonder my mother left only a few months into their marriage. I only wish she didn't leave me behind on her way out of Bastian's life.

The way Bastian speaks with enough ice to keep the poles frozen for decades to come, makes my heart want to shrivel up and die. Tears burn the back of my eyes. How long have I wanted my stepfather to see me as a woman and not some chess piece he can move on his proverbial board? Too long, is the answer. Too damn long. I thought he called me back from college because he was finally ready to admit how he feels about me.

Ha. Well, I was dead fucking wrong, wasn't I?

I look on in dismay as my life is signed away and there isn't really a damn thing I can do about it.

"When I get you home, I'm going to enjoy teaching you to obey me."

My gut wrenches. "I can't wait to see you try," I hurl back at Accandis Junior as he puts his name on my stepfather's marriage contract.

"I own you with this." Liam snatches the contract off the table and shakes it in my direction while his twin smiles at me in a way that says he can't wait to tag team me with Liam. Their father does nothing to rein in his son's vile behavior. I guess they didn't fall far from the tree.

I'm a lot of things. Quiet, meek, and a pawn are three things I never could get into. I blame my maternal Irish blood. My mother says it's all my father's bad blood in me.

Either way, the result is the same. Me fueled with high-octane juice and the ability to have tunnel vision when I'm pissed.

I don't realize my feet are moving until I'm across my stepfather's stupidly large penthouse and placing my palm across Liam's face.

"No one owns me. The only thing you will do is fear for your life. Because the first night in your home, I'll kill all three of you in your sleep." I enunciate each of my words, so they know I mean every single one of them. I jab a finger into Liam's flat chest. He's not as tall as Bastian, so when I speak his eyes are level with mine. There's malice swirling deep in those dark eyes. He takes pleasure in hurting people, and it scares me more than I will ever admit.

He takes a step back from me. I guess he sees my brand of crazy, too. He's not as dumb as he looks.

I don't want to be this way but the men in my world are infuriating to the max. Machoing around and always dick measuring. For fuck's sake.

Steel arms wrap around my waist, and I'm hauled out of the room over a beefy shoulder. A curtain of hair falls around my face and blocks the view of the other men's expressions. But I see my stepfather. That scowl he levels in my direction needs smacking off.

Large hands shove me into my room. The second my feet hit the ground, I whirl only to find a slab of oak closing in my face. I raise a fist and beat on the door, but Con isn't giving in.

"Damn it, Con. Let me out of here!" I grab the doorknob and give it a violent tug.

Nada.

My heart beats wildly. Blood whirls through my veins and rushes in my ears. Tiny white dots fill my vision. But I don't back down. "Con! Let me out of here or so help me or I will never speak to you again." Given where I am going it's a promise that won't take effort to keep. I have a deep-seated feeling the Accandis men will keep me locked in their basement the second the wedding vows are over.

"You gotta calm down, Ms. Irons. Please. For me."

"It's Ms. Bellemore, Con. You know that. And don't you talk sweet to me when you're okay with handling me over to the devil." No matter how much I wish I could seduce my way into my stepfather's bed and heart, after tonight I know that is no longer on the table. As mad as I am right now, I might kill him if he ever let his guard down long enough to let me close enough.

"Ms. Bellemore, c'mon. You gotta let this play out. You are helping a lot of people. Please. Just think of the peace this union will give."

The anger leaves me in a whoosh. "Your brother's death." I didn't mean to make friends with my stepfather's enforcers but they all liked my homemade lasagna and I guess the way to win over killers is through their stomachs. It hurt to learn of Maddox's death. They never found out who was responsible, but everyone runs on the assumption it was the Accandis behind Maddox showing up dead in the middle of an abandoned warehouse.

"Yeah. Maddox." Con's strangled voice hits me in the chest despite the closed door between us. Con has been a friend since I came to live with Bastian almost two years ago to the day. My mother left after she got a taste for drugs and the power that came with Bastian's wealth. She abandoned me and took a nice chunk of money on her way out.

But Bastian didn't. If anything, he pulled me in closer. Or it's what I wanted to see, anyway. I don't know. I stab my fingers into my hair and rub at my scalp. My brain hurts as much as my heart. I can't wrap either around why I'm so disposable to Bastian. But it's clear he has no qualms about betraying me.

"Listen, I hear you. But this can't rest entirely on my shoulders, Con. I can't bring your brother back by going along with this crazy plan. Besides, what if the theories are correct? What if the Accandis killed your brother? You would help Bastian hand me over to those animals?"

"With no proof, we can't live our lives on an assumption, Ms. Bellemore. If you do what your stepfather wants, you could save the life of someone else's brother. James and me. Arthur. Please, Lili."

Some days I wish I could kill people and not feel a thing. I would start with my so-called friends and work my way up the ladder to their traitorous boss. "That's not fair, Con and you know it. Is he telling you to say these things?" My heart cracks open a little wider.

There's a long pause, and for a minute I think he's considering my words. "Open the door, Con. Let me walk and you will never see me again." I try the doorknob to find it won't turn. I guess I can keep talking until I'm blue in the face. He's not listening.

"No. This is me talking. Life is unfair, Lili. I'm truly sorry."

Heavy footfalls fade. My entire body shivers from the blow of his words.

I have to get out of here. I cross the room, shedding the dress I wore home for Bastian on the way. I thought he would love the low-cut V-neck and the whimsical way the casual spring dress flows around my thighs. He didn't give it a second glance tonight.

Fuck him.

I kick off the sexy heels I paired it with and grab my hair up into a high ponytail. I need shoes I can move quickly in, a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a hoodie. I pull each of the items out of my suitcase still packed by the door. The second I got here I was told to shut up and look pretty. Bastards.

The heavy thumping of my heart makes it hard to hear and the tears in my eyes make the room look blurry.

Fuck him twice.

I dash away the falling tears. How many times am I going to let other people hurt me before I learn to stop trusting people? God, I am so stupid. I thought Bastian had my back.

Over Christmas vacation we shared a moment. He kissed me and I kissed him back. It was magical until an incoming call pulled him away. He left, and I had to leave for school the next morning.

For a moment, I thought maybe there could be something between us.

But no. It doesn't matter what I thought anyway. I was obviously wrong. And stupid to think he would want someone like me. I'm simply some girl playing make-believe house with her stepdaddy. A broke girl with no mom, no other family, and nowhere else to go.

I pop off the strapless bra and slide out of my panties. Lace and silk are the last things on my mind. I reach for a cotton C cup and a pair of comfy low-cut boxer panties I like to pair with jeans.

"Where are you going?"

Bastian's deep voice growls menacingly into the large space of my suite and my body takes it as a personal invite to tingle with anticipation. I turn on the ball of my heel, not in the least bit surprised the maniac has let himself into my room.

I don't bother covering myself. Why should I? He's not interested in what I have, and I can't kick his ass, and cover my boobs at the same time without looking weak.

"You rotten, low life, rat bastard piece of mafia trash asshole!" Every single word that leaves my lips makes the scowl on his face deepen and his eyes turn a shade of murder I've never seen before. Those hard black eyes trace over the soft swells of my bare breasts and hook on the hard tips. I don't want to react to the way his gaze makes a fire ignite inside me, but I have zero control over what my nipples do.

My core clenches and lets me know I have no control over the way my pussy hungers for the brand of darkness this man would unleash on my body either.

I fly across the room and bury my fist in his face. "Bastian Irons, your soul is as black as the lowest pits of hell." My fist is in his face, and he takes another punch like a pro boxer. His neck snaps and for a second I feel good about hurting him.

And then his lips are on mine. Every muscle in his body bunches, rolls, and flexes as he dominates me. Strong fingers latch onto my ass, and he hauls my naked form up his large body. The pull of cotton across his taut pecs and the way the pulse in his neck jumps fascinate the woman in me.

Leaving his hand on one bare ass cheek, he takes the other and wraps the swaying tail of my hair in a tight hold. Unable to move, his lips take mine in another punishing kiss. I can fight, bite him, and rage until he releases me. But do I do any of that?

No. The warm swath of his tongue forces my lips open, and I moan when the taste of him hits my senses.

Giving as good as I get, I sink my touch into his hair and grip him to me. Air comes in short supply. He nips and I gasp. I do the same and we do this until we are both panting. Blunt teeth find the plumpness of my bottom lip and sink into the tender flesh.

Between us, my bare pussy clenches and releases desperate for him to fill me until his balls slap my ass. Warm liquid spills to wet his pants, but he's not paying attention to that. One tug of my hair and he sends me arching back, forcing my breasts up. Hungry lips move from my mouth to my aching nipples.

"Fuck you, Bastian!" I tighten my grip on his hair and hold him to me as hot lips wrap around my hard nipple. Teeth and tongue torture me until I'm panting and ready to scream.

I ride him, ready to demand he fuck me. But before I can find the words, he releases me, and steps back. Mirrors positioned all around my suite reveal the wildness in us.

"What the fuck are you doing to me?" He stalks across the room and then returns.

His nostrils flare and I retreat to my original spot casting around for something that will take down a monster of his size. In three strides he erases the space between us. The force of his animalistic hunger slams into me. A hurricane of emotion forces me back until the edge of the bed buckles my knees. I windmill backward, my legs falling open, and my breasts bouncing from the fall.

His eyes take it all in. I might as well be waving a red flag in front of a raging bull.

He's on me before I can protest. His eyes shimmer with a vivid desire to take me and I can feel the heat roll off him in waves. Late evening scruff covers his chin and jawline. I was so pissed I didn't notice before. Now that I do, I want to feel the burn between my thighs.

I bury my fingers in the lapels of his shirt and pull him in. "I fucking dare you. You don't have the balls to make me come."

The kingpin's expression darkens. The glitter in his eyes deepens. His brows draw tight.

"You're scared to even try."

That makes him grin in a way that has my heart thumping wildly. I don't know why I sound like a vixen or why I'm testing the control of this man, but my breathy taunting speaks to the animal in him.

His sardonic laugh coupled with the daring glint in his dark eyes has me reconsidering my bravado.

"Am I scared? No. But you should be," he growls.

His chest heaves and tests the strength of the string holding his buttons in place on his dress shirt. Strong fingers bury into my hair. He takes control of my movements effortlessly and I fucking let him.

Using one hand, he forces one knee to my chest and the way his lips latch onto my clit has me screaming. He exhales with a throaty groan.

"Come for me, Lili," he demands roughly.

I swear he might as well have chanted a spell over my pussy because I climax all over his face.

Fire rushes through my limbs and explodes the second it hits my core. Taut nipples, a clenching channel, and the feel of his stubble between my thighs wreak havoc on my senses.

I clutch at the sheets. "You bastard," I moan and writhe. "How dare you!" I demand, but the heat in my words has all gone to the climax still gripping my body in its clutches.

He spreads my folds and drinks in my hot liquid hungrily. His tongue lashes and soothes, dips and swirls. I ride his face and give him every last drop. It's always been his.

Always.

He crawls up my body and stares down at me wordlessly. My legs wrap around his thick waist made for keeping a woman locked into place. The pulse between my legs has me desperate to have him inside my virgin pussy.

"Bastian." I am unsure of what I want to say but I know I don't want him to move from his place between my thighs. He pushes to his knees and then his weight presses me into the bed.

I'm tasting myself on his lips before I can protest. We both groan into each other's mouths. I take either side of his face between my hands and force him to look me in the eye. "You either fuck me or get out, Bastian. I am done playing your games. You hear me?"

Something that looks a lot like fear and reason flashes over his handsome expression.

My stepfather stands from my bed and pulls me up with him.

The second his feet are on the floor, his touch drops away. His large hands open and close at his sides. "This can't happen."

His snarling words cut deep.

I don't know if it's the crash from the adrenaline, all the rushing blood, and swirling emotions, or what. But when my feet hit the carpet I pitch forward, off balance. Warm arms come around me and pull me into a warmer embrace.

"You should have run when you had the chance, my sweet Lili. You should have run." He steps away, dropping his arms back to his side.

"Don't make me ruin the deal I've worked months on securing."

My mouth literally hinges open. "Me? Seduce you? You stormed into my room, Bastian."

"Get some fucking clothes on before I ruin you, Lili. Don't let me touch you again."

I ball my fists up and hammer them into any part of Bastian I can reach. He leans his face out of the way and lets me pound my frustration out on his massive chest.

"I fucking hate you with a passion," I roar for the entire city to hear. "You have no right to talk to me like that. No right to swear my hand in marriage to another man." I can't see the scowl on his face through the tears, but I know it's there. It's always there.

Warm air brushes against my cheek. The press of his hard muscles flattens against my front, and I'm moved back until solid oak holds my back ramrod straight.

The fight in me reignites. I struggle against his hold on me, but Bastian isn't a man who gives up easily. At nearly six and a half feet compared to my five-foot-five inches, I'm not really making him break a sweat.

Add to it he's got a hundred-plus pounds on me, makes anything I do pretty much worthless.

"Bastian, let me go." If I can't use force, I'll use the only other defense I have on hand.

"Haven't you done enough to me tonight?" I snarl with all the vinegar I have left in my system.

Between us, the length of his cock presses between my legs. My exposed sex nestles against his shaft and with every move I make the swollen head hits my confused clit. It thinks we like this, and to be honest, we do. But I can't let the rat bastard know.

He pins me to the wall and easily takes both of my wrists in one hand and latches them in place over my head.

"This can never happen again. Tomorrow I hand you off to another man and you'll finally be safe."

I lift my gaze to his and see the inner fight behind his lashes. His position as the head of the family weighs on him in ways I might not understand. I know he carries the responsibility of every man who has sworn his loyalty to the Irons' name on his shoulders. Their families. Their children. Being the head of a mafia family comes with an immeasurable duty to protect them at all costs.

"Don't do this to me, Bastian. Please. Daddy." My words slip from my lips as a strangled plea.

Fire flashes between us. The heat of his body turns into an all-consuming wave and drowns us both with the need to have one another.

The throb of his cock against my bare folds is unmistakable. I let out a shuddering breath.

"Daddy," he repeats with a tortured husk. His intense gaze drops to my chin. I can see him mulling the word around. In the two years I've lived with him, I never called him anything other than his given name.

He eases me to the floor and steps away until there is nothing but cool air and heartache between us.

He turns his back on me, shoving his hands in his pockets. Like this is over because he said it is.

"The wedding will happen here tomorrow at noon. As soon as you say your vows, the bloodshed between our families ends. You will be an Accandis, and I will no longer have any right to you."

I scoff. "You think the Accandis will honor the contract? You think you are doing all this for the right reasons?"

I grab a nearby blanket hanging off a chair and wrap myself in the knitted warmth. I need something to fight back the chills erupting over my body.

"You're so damn self-righteous you can't see an inch past your nose, Bastian Irons. You want the violence to end, and you are willing to sacrifice me to get it? I'm not sure if that makes you a Saint in front of God or a demon at the devil's side."

Bastian moves to the door and pulls out a key.

Torment swirls in his eyes when he finally looks at me again. "Both are equally lethal positions, Lili Irons. Trust no one."

As my stepfather speaks, he pulls something out of his pocket. A key, I realize too late.

"What are you doing?" I demand in a rush. My stomach bottoms out because even though my brain is having a hard time understanding, my eyes know how a key and lock work without the middleman getting involved.

"Saving us both."

Blood drains from my face. "Bastian, no!"

"I'm sorry, my sweet Lili." He actually has the fucking guts to look torn about what he is about to do.

I rush forward but I am too far away. He's already closing the door. Metal clinks and I'm locked in with no chance of escape.

I slam a fist on the oak, but it's no use. "Bastian, don't do this! Let me out of here, damn you!"

I hear someone come up to my door. There is low murmuring. Something about tailing and watching. Is he talking about my future husband and his crooked family?

"Keep me informed. I want to know where William and his sons are every hour until they are in my living room tomorrow afternoon."

Bastian's order to his enforcers comes through loud and clear. Why is he so worried about what the Accandis family is doing now? It's too late. The damn contract is signed.

"And you, keep her locked in there and don't let her sweet talk you into letting her out."

I slam a fist on the oak, a jolt of pain ricochets up my arm and I simply pound again. I can worry about the bruising later.

"Bastian, you rat bastard! The next time I see you I will stab you in the eye."

There's a pause and I swear I hear a coloring of humor to what he says through the door next. "I believe you, sweetheart. Now get some rest. Tomorrow will not be easy for any of us."

"Us?" I shriek. "I'm the one on the chopping block!"

"James, you have your orders."

I mentally scramble for something that will make him break his oath, but all I come up with is black space. "James, you can't do this. You gotta let me out of here."

"Honey, the boss gave an order. I'm sorry."

Me too.

"Damn it, Bastian. How could you? I trusted you."

The only sound after that is my breaking heart and his retreating footsteps.