Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

J enna

Once Vincenzo left the house, an overwhelming loneliness settled over me. I knew he was coming back, but with both him and Bella gone, it was more than a little of a downer. The quiet house felt too big, too empty. Bored, I wandered aimlessly from room to room, trying to find something to occupy my mind.

In Bella's room, I found a book on her nightstand— Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. I had heard good things about it, so I decided to give it a try. I curled up on her bed and started reading. Before long, I lost myself in the story. For a while, it worked, and I was able to forget about the uneasy feeling gnawing at me, but it didn't last as long as I would have liked.

After a few chapters, I needed a break. I put the book down and decided to watch something on Netflix. The new season of Bridgerton had been on my watch list for a while, and it seemed like the perfect distraction. I settled on the couch in the living room, wrapped in one of Bella's cozy blankets, and hit play.

The vibrant costumes and romantic drama of the show were pretty captivating, but I found my attention drifting anyway. With a frustrated sigh, I paused the show and glanced around the room, feeling a strange mix of belonging and disconnect. This house had been a second home to me for years, but now, it felt different.

More significant, somehow.

Like I belonged here more than I did before, but somehow, I didn't.

Feelings were weird.

I decided to explore a bit, hoping it would make me feel more at ease. I walked through the familiar rooms, touching the furniture and remembering all the memories I had shared with Bella and Vincenzo here. The kitchen, where we had countless late-night snacks; the dining room, where we had celebrated special occasions; and the living room, where we had watched movies and played games together time and time again. Although everything was the same, it still felt different in a way.

I didn't understand it.

Maybe it was because the two most important people to me were missing, and it was just me here all by myself.

Maybe it was because everything was different now that I'd fucked my best friend's dad.

I sighed with frustration. I needed a distraction.

Badly .

As I wandered back into the living room, my phone rang. It was Sophie and I picked up right away, despite the fact that she was probably mad that I'd blown her off the other day and missed the party she'd invited me to.

"Hey, Soph," I answered, trying to sound cheerful.

"Jenna! There you are! It's about time that you answer your phone," Sophie said, her voice a mix of relief and irritation. "Where have you been? We missed you at the last party. It was super lame without you."

"I've been… busy," I said, not wanting to get into the details of what was happening between me and Vincenzo, especially not how I had his cock between my thighs multiple times in the past forty-eight hours and how much I wanted it there again.

"Busy doing what? Sulking at home?" she teased, but there was a hint of seriousness in her tone. "We miss you. I miss you. Do you even love me anymore?"

"Of course I do," I replied, feeling a pang of guilt. I should have at least texted her that I was alright, maybe played sick, but there wasn't much I could do about it now except play the apologetic friend.

"Then come out tonight!" she said, her voice brightening with excitement. "Everyone's going to be there. It'll be fun. You need a night out."

"I don't know, Sophie," I hesitated, thinking about what Vincenzo might think, especially since he said I wasn't to leave this house. "I've got a lot going on right now."

"Come on, Jenna," Sophie pressed. "Just one night. You deserve a break. Plus, it's not the same without you. I miss my friend."

I sighed, the guilt and loneliness weighing on me. Vincenzo couldn't keep me here forever. I was young and I had my friends to think about. He'd just have to deal with that.

I lifted my chin, feeling a bit defiant.

"Okay," I said, giving in with a smirk. "I'll come out tonight."

"Yay! I knew you'd come through," Sophie cheered. "I'll text you all the juicy details. Can't wait to see you!"

"Me too," I said, trying to muster the same enthusiasm, but Sophie was always a couple of pegs above me, so it wasn't a fair fight to be sure.

As I hung up the phone, I sighed and plopped down on the couch. It would be good to see my friends and get out of the house for a while, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was doing something I shouldn't.

I decided at least to try to focus on getting ready. I went back upstairs to Bella's room, looking for something to wear.

I found a cute top and a pair of jeans and slipped them on, checking myself out in the mirror. It felt good to get dressed up, even if I was still a bit uncertain about the whole thing. With one last glance in the mirror, I headed downstairs, ready to face the night.

Sophie had already texted me the details. I looked down at the phone, reading her text, and then an image of her and the rest of my girlfriends popped up.

They were already pre-gaming. A pang of jealousy pulsed through me at the sight of their happy faces, and I nodded once and gave myself the pep talk I needed.

I would go out tonight, and I would have a good time, catch up with my friends, and let loose.

I deserved that.

My life didn't end just because of whatever was happening with me and Vincenzo and whatever bullshit was following him from his Mafioso past.

Just then, I heard the front door open, and I walked into the foyer. I watched as Vincenzo walked in, and another man followed him inside. My gaze slid between the two of them and for some reason, I felt a bit suspicious.

"Jenna," Vincenzo said, his voice warm as he approached me. "I want you to meet Tony."

Tony was an imposing figure, standing a few inches taller than Vincenzo with short-cropped hair, piercing brown eyes, and a solid, muscular build that screamed military. What I could see of his arms was covered in tattoos. His eyes scanned the room like he was looking for a threat before they finally settled on mine.

Tony extended his hand, a friendly smile breaking the seriousness of his features. "Nice to meet you, Jenna. I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope," I replied, reaching out and shaking his hand.

"Mostly," Tony said with a wink. "Vincenzo here can't stop talking about you."

I felt my cheeks heat up as I glanced at Vincenzo, who gave me a reassuring smile. "Tony works for me," Vincenzo explained.

"Don't let him fool you," Tony added with a chuckle. "I'm just here for the free food."

I laughed, immediately feeling at ease with him. His good-natured humor was comforting.

"Well, I hope you like Italian," I suggested lightly.

"Love it," Tony said, his brown eyes twinkling. "And if you're cooking, I'm sure it's fantastic."

"Oh, I don't cook," I corrected him. "Vincenzo does."

Vincenzo placed a hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention back to him. "Tony's going to be your bodyguard, Jenna. With everything going on, it's important that we take every precaution."

"I don't need a bodyguard," I protested.

Vincenzo gave me a stern look. "It's not up for discussion, baby girl. He'll stay close to you, and if anything happens, you'll listen to him and do exactly as he says. Do you understand me?"

"Or else what?"

He wouldn't threaten to spank me in front of Tony, right?

I should have known better.

"Or else I'm going to take you upstairs, bend you over my bed, and mark that bare beautiful ass with my belt."

He would .

My mouth dried and my gaze jerked from his to Tony's and back to his again. I opened and closed my lips, wanting to say something cutting, but some small shred of self-preservation held my tongue.

"Vincenzo," I breathed. "You wouldn't dare."

His gaze narrowed and my stomach twisted up in knots. I didn't want a spanking right now. I wanted to go out with my friends.

"I would dare, and you know that. In fact, I'll even tell Tony to stand guard by the front door while I tan that pretty little hide," he threatened, his voice low and firm and I hated how my pussy clenched with desire at his overbearing warning.

"Maybe we can talk about this," I tried, taking a few steps toward him, and reaching for his chest. My fingers lightly trailed along his white button-up shirt, and he wound his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

My body pressed against his, and his free hand came up, cupping my cheek. I could see the fire in his eyes, the barely restrained hunger, and my inner walls fluttered wildly as I remembered what he felt like inside me.

I swallowed, trying not to squirm as he looked down at me.

"Not up for discussion, baby girl."

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me hard. When he pulled back, I was breathless, my body trembling with anticipation. I wanted more and he knew it, but then I remembered that we weren't alone.

I glanced back and forth between him and Tony, wondering what he might think. To his credit, Tony kept his expression neutral, but I swore his brown eyes were laughing at me even though he remained silent.

Vincenzo kissed me on the top of my head, his arm tightening around my waist.

"You don't need to worry about Tony, my sweet girl."

I nodded, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I took a deep breath and composed myself, trying to act like everything was normal.

Like my boyfriend didn't just threaten to spank me in front of a total stranger. Was that even what we were? I didn't know and I was too chicken to ask.

Vincenzo must have seen something in my expression because he gripped my chin and forced me to face him.

"What's on your mind?" he demanded, his voice firm.

I hesitated, not sure if I should tell him the truth and Vincenzo's eyes darkened, his grip on my chin tightening. I swallowed hard, trying to figure out what to say before he cleared his throat.

"Jenna," he warned. My bottom cheeks clenched knowingly.

"I-I have plans with the girls," I stuttered. I didn't want to tell him the whole truth mostly because I didn't want him to think I was too attached to him already or anything like that. Maybe this was just a short-term thing, like we fuck a few times and then that's it. What if it was nothing more than that?

His eyes searched mine and I felt my heart skip a beat. I didn't know why I cared what he thought, but I did.

"Where?" he asked, his tone low.

"Just at a friend's house," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're just gonna have a few drinks and catch up."

"Who's all going?" he pressed.

"Uh, a bunch of people from school. It's no big deal," I explained further.

Vincenzo's jaw tightened as he considered my words. I could see him battling his emotions within them, the need to protect me warring with his desire to take care of me.

"You can't keep me prisoner here forever," I said softly, hoping to appeal to his more rational side. "I need to get out and see my friends, Vincenzo."

He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "It's not that I want to lock you away," he began, his voice strained. "It's just… I need to know you're safe. There are dangers out there that could come for you just like they're coming for me."

"I know," I said, stepping closer and placing a hand on his arm. "I'll be careful, I promise."

He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Alright, you can go. But Tony goes with you."

I frowned, my initial reaction one of pure disbelief and irritation.

"Tony? But he?—"

"No buts, Jenna," he interrupted, his tone firm. "You're taking Tony with you, or you're not going at all."

The threat of his belt remained in the air between us, and my backside clenched again. I didn't want him to take me upstairs and for Tony to hear me get a spanking, but there was no doubt in my mind that that's exactly what would happen if I pushed Vincenzo any further.

Reluctantly, I nodded, seeing no other option. "Fine. Tony can come."

Vincenzo's expression softened slightly, and he brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

"I just need to know you're safe," he murmured, his voice soft and full of warmth. The sound of it made all my frustration fly away and I sighed, cuddling closer to him and wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I understand," I said, offering a small smile. "And thank you for letting me go."

He pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," I whispered.

"If you break that promise, little girl, I'm going to have to punish you. You might enjoy it, or you might not, but I most certainly will," he warned, and my breath caught in the back of my throat.

Did he mean his belt? Or was there something else he had in mind? The possibilities swirled through my head and my body heated.

"I'll behave," I managed with an embarrassed whisper, and Vincenzo smiled, a knowing expression on his face.

"Good girl."