Ruthless: A Dark Mafia Romance Read online

  Blinking several times, I opened my mouth to retort when he jutted his hips forward, pushing past the tight ring of muscle.

  “Fuck!” I was unable to bite back the cry as anguish tore through every cell, weaving its way into my brain. I hadn’t been fucked in the ass for years and this was...

  He thrust in an even manner, pulling all the way out then plunging inside and with each hard slam, he issued a guttural roar.

  I knew the instant he came, his entire body shaking violently and a warm gush filling me. I could imagine his seed spilling out, dripping down my legs. What had this man, this self-imposed monster done to me?

  We remained in the same position for a little while, his hot breath continuing to skate across my skin. I was breathless, my mind foggy.

  Releasing his hold, he rubbed his hand on my shoulder, hesitating as if he had no clue what or if to speak. I noticed his intense gaze as he shoved his cock back into his trousers, his eyes mere slits.

  “Remember what I told you,” he stated in a dominating manner before sliding his index finger all the down my spine and smacking both ass cheeks.

  My bottom stung and I knew my skin was red, marked by the stranger I’d allowed to become my lover.

  I couldn’t turn or even glance any longer into the window. A few seconds later, I heard him on his phone.

  “Come to the room. You’ll need to drive my visitor to her car. Stay with her and make certain she’s safe.”

  I was being dismissed. I was angry, shocked to the point I wanted to lash out, jamming my fingernails into his eyes.

  Fuck him. Fuck. Him.

  Bastard.

  Chapter Three

  Veridi

  What exactly were the words I’d said to the lug of a chauffeur driver just seconds before exiting the glorious Mercedes? Oh, yeah. “Tell your boss, or whoever the hell he thinks he is that he’s the biggest fucking asshole I’ve ever met. Oh, and good fucking riddance.”

  Even the driver seemed shocked by my vehement words.

  Aww, what a shame...

  Drip. Drip. Drip.

  I glared at the coffeepot, ready to pitch the entire thing out the window. Unfortunately, I needed coffee ASAP, especially since my hangover was vicious, almost as much as my anger level. I glowered at the ancient appliance, my cup in hand as I took stock of the night before. The evening’s festivities had started off with vodka martinis, moving to smooth whiskey then finishing off with a half bottle of cabernet. What was it they said about liquor before wine?

  Ah, hell, as if my mind could think clearly this morning. I rubbed my brow, praying the ibuprofen would kick in sooner versus later. I certainly hadn’t intended ending up completely alone. I’d moved from asshole of the year to pompous jerk of the year. My batting averages were in the toilet.

  Thank God for one more day away from work. Maybe the embarrassment would wear off. I certainly didn’t want to go anywhere after that interesting... or horrific Saturday night experience. I was still drained as well as pissed off and questioning my sanity after allowing myself to spend a night with a stranger.

  Correction—one hour.

  I’d spent less time in his hotel room than a typical hooker.

  “You’re a beautiful woman and I can’t wait to taste you.”

  Why were his seductive words lingering in my mind, burning a hole into my psyche? I hated the jerkoff. I couldn’t stand the thought of him.

  Liar...

  Sighing, I wiggled, my pussy muscles clenching, and I inadvertently brushed two fingers across my lips. They were still swollen from the night of passion. Why couldn’t I get the jerk off my mind?

  Finally, a beep, beep, indicating the coffee had finished brewing and the pinging sound made me nearly jump out of my skin. Why in the world was I so skittish? After pouring a cup, I heard my phone and for about five seconds tops, my mind rallied around the possibility that my mystery lover was calling begging for forgiveness. As if he had my number. Wait a minute. As if I’d actually give him my number. Asshole. Jerk. Creep. I snickered at the thought and leaned against the counter, flicking on the small television. I had to get my mind off the Neanderthal.

  The world could wait. I refused to answer the phone for anyone.

  I studied the screen, even though I was only half paying attention. While sleeping had been fitful, my dreams had been infused with images of Gio. I could swear the taste of his luscious lips remained on mine, as if he’d stained me permanently. I shuddered, taking another sip of the hot beverage. I wanted to exalt in some of the best sex I’d ever had in my life, sharing my experience with my bestie, but why would I ever admit my stupidity?

  Rachmaninoff.

  The piano.

  Being fucked next to a plate glass view of the world.

  “And in other news. The gangland-style shooting death of Montego Calduchi has the majority of Chicago on edge.”

  Chicago. How long had it been since I’d even seen the city? I glanced at the television and for some reason, the aging male reporter seemed quite happy with the teleprompter he was reading.

  “While the local police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation remain tight-lipped, there are reports that the oldest son and heir to the Calduchi throne is in critical condition at a local Chicago hospital.” His voice droned on.

  Throne? Now thugs were being treated and respected like kings? Oh, to hell with that. Brutal images of another murder were the last thing I needed. Let them kill themselves in cold blood. Who cares? I couldn’t shut down the television fast enough, nearly tossing the remote across the room. Why was I so angry? I’d known it was a one-night stand going in. Gio never promised me anything. The erotic tryst wasn’t about flowers or romance. Nope.

  Snorting, I shifted against the edge of the counter and was immediately reminded of the hard spanking. I gingerly pulled down the elastic waistband of my shorts, exposing a good portion of my butt cheek. The majority of redness had faded, but there was enough of a hint left as a nasty reminder. Why was my mouth suddenly dry? How could I have allowed any man to treat me in such a fashion?

  Gio’s initial statement about cherishing a woman had seemed rugged yet chivalrous, and a total lie. He was controlling, dominating in a manner that suited his Italian stallion personality.

  And you were wet the entire time, longing for more of his touch.

  This was ridiculous. I also wasn’t going to continue being ashamed at my behavior. What was done was done. At least I hadn’t spent a single minute saddened about Jimmy. I laughed so hard I almost choked. Today, I was gifting to myself. No phones. No interference. It was all about a hot bath, delving into binge-watching television shows and ice cream. Lots of Chunky Monkey.

  A rumble of thunder in the distance caught my attention. A lovely spring storm was approaching. I heard the wind whipping, the light scratching of the various tree limbs that I needed to cut back from the gutters and siding. The concept brought a smile to my face. My own little house, purchased with money I’d made and not given to me by anyone. I was very proud of the recent accomplishments. Moving to Columbus had been a great decision, allowing a fresh start without any baggage. I gazed out the window, admiring the yard and small garden that would come alive with my hands.

  One day.

  When I had the time.

  Chuckling, I dumped the rest of the coffee and made a face, remembering to turn off the maker.

  Scrape...

  The sound gave me the jitters. I made mental note on the next nice day to cut back the damn branches. Shuddering, I folded my arms and walked toward the living room. The next sound I heard had nothing to do with trees, limbs, or any other aspect of nature. I was certain of it. I lived behind an entire group of trees and tall hedges, my house offset from the road a solid two hundred yards.

  Taking small and quiet steps, I moved to the front door, eyeing the handle. At least I’d remembered to engage the lock before falling into a bottle of wine. I half ran into the kitchen, double checking the back door, fin
ally taking a deep breath. I was simply skittish for no reason. I laughed to myself, shaking it off.

  Then a shadow.

  I would bet my life that someone had walked past the kitchen window, allowing me a single glimpse. This was insane. It was in the middle of the morning and I doubted anyone was going to attempt a break-in now. Even so, I inched closer to the knife block, wrapping my hand around the handle of a chef’s knife. I took quick glances outside the window, seeing nothing. I moved to the double windows in the living room, peering around the blinds. There was no boogeyman standing in the rain, waiting to rip me apart.

  “Idiot.” The word seemed to echo, creating a small tic in the corner of my mouth. I stood still for at least three minutes then disgust replaced my anxiety. A laugh bubbled from my throat and I was ready to park the knife when two solid knocks on my front door were just about enough to push me over the edge. Shit!

  I never had visitors. I also hadn’t ordered anything recently. Then I remembered. Brunch. Shit. I was an idiot. I was supposed to go to brunch with my best friend and had completely forgotten. Rushing toward the door and flipping the lock, I was ready to initiate a huge apology. Anna was a true bestie and would devour as much of the story about last night that I could stomach telling her.

  “I’m so sorry. I forgot...” The words trailed off the second I opened the door. The bouquet of at least two dozen roses positioned in midair were gorgeous, vibrant red in color and the fragrance to die for. I knew instantly the man standing behind them, offering his form of an apology. My first instinct was to lash out, yanking the flowers from his hand and smacking them across his face. How dare he think that some of the most gorgeous flowers could make up for his crap.

  Then I realized the tall, dark, and mysterious man offering an olive branch wasn’t Jimmy.

  “Gio. What are you doing here and how the hell did you find me?”

  He didn’t move at first, then slowly lowered the flowers to the side, his grin just as infectious as before. “When Antonio dropped you off, I instructed him to make certain you that you arrived home without incident.”

  The phrasing seemed calculated, almost cold. Had he been concerned? I tried to remind myself that he’d sent me away after getting his fill. This wasn’t going to happen.

  “Is the poor guy stuck in the car? Is he planning on waiting for you or just dropping you off? My suggestion is that you stop him before he leaves since this is going to be an extremely short visit.” The harsh words flew off my tongue easily.

  “You’re angry with me,” he said, lowering the flowers further and continuing his sultry gaze.

  I couldn’t help but notice he was dressed much more casually, the sharp charcoal linen pants and form-fitting sleek black shirt highlighting his luminescent eyes, shimmering even on such a cloudy day. The shirt managed to show off his sculpted body in a way his suit hadn’t been able to. He was a fine specimen of carved stone, rugged and debonair, every inch of his body perfectly formed. My mouth watered at the sight even though the fury pushed me onto a different ledge.

  He inhaled, holding the deep breath as he gazed all the way down to my bare feet and I’d never felt so naked wearing clothes. And by the way the cock grew in size, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

  I was ashamed as my nipples immediately responded, aching and fully erect. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and his eyes hungrily settled on my chest. I refused to react, giving him any satisfaction. Fuck the man. Fuck his attitude.

  And fuck the flowers.

  “I’m a realist, Gio and not a little girl. What we shared was nice, but it was one blip in time. I didn’t invite you here, so you can leave. And... I’m quite capable of taking care of myself, including getting home.” Before I changed my mind, I started to close the door.

  He was having none of it, firmly planting his palm against the wood and pushing. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. What was it you said to Antonio before slamming the car door? Oh, yes. ‘Tell your boss, or whoever the hell he thinks he is that he’s the biggest fucking asshole I’ve ever met. Oh, and good fucking riddance.’ Did I quote you correctly?”

  I hadn’t expected that he’d ever hear the soliloquy, let alone confront me with it. I wasn’t certain if he was agitated or amused. “So the fuck what? You are an asshole. You fucked me, got what you wanted, and tossed me out like garbage. Seemed you obtained Jimmy’s playbook. Now, get the fuck out before I call the cops.”

  He pushed harder, one foot crossing the threshold and dropping the roses on the small foyer table. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you and nice girls don’t spout off crap like that.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Damn that man. As he inched even closer, crowding my space, the scent of him alone was enough to make my legs quiver and my panties to become soaked.

  Gio cocked his head, slapping his hand around my wrist and yanking me away from the door, closing and locking it. “Only bad little girls deserving of a hard spanking.”

  “You’re out of your fucking mind.” I struggled to get away, slapping my hand against his chest. He managed to block my leg only a split second before I raised my knee.

  “I told you before that I wouldn’t take that kind of behavior and I still won’t.” He grabbed both of my wrists, dragging them over my head and shoving me savagely against the wall. A husky hiss left his mouth as he ground his pelvis against my tummy. “You’re not in charge any longer, Minx. You need to come to terms with that.”

  The breath knocked out of me, I fisted then opened my hands, continuing to struggle. “Like hell I’m not.”

  “We’re going to see about that.” Wrenching my arm behind my back, he forcibly walked me into the living room and toward the couch.

  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Giving you exactly what you need.” He wasted no time or energy as he plopped down on the couch, yanking me over his lap. While I continued to struggle, almost making it off his lap, he managed to yank down my shorts, ripping away at my thong.

  “Don’t you dare!”

  “I will do exactly what I need to do.” His hand was firmly placed around my wrist and he threw his leg over mine, keeping me pinned down as he peppered my bottom with hard smacks, one coming after the other.

  I was mortified, unable to react for almost a full minute. Then I attempted to fight like a cat, clawing and scratching, jerking to the point he almost lost his grip. “Stop! I’ll have you arrested.”

  “Try it, sweetheart. Go ahead and try it,” Gio chuckled in the most ominous manner as he continued spanking me, peppering my ass cheeks with the palm of his hand.

  I was shocked and enraged, gasping for air in my fight to get him to stop. He was so strong, much more so than he’d even been the night before and he refused to stop. With every brutal slap, the sound smoldered in my ears, ringing in an almost melodic tone, leaving me dazed and confused. Shame washed over me from the way he was handling me but also my own body’s reaction.

  I was wet and hot, desire swimming to the surface like a wild lion. I lost count as he continued, swat after swat, the heat increasing on my bottom to the point that tears surfaced, forming in my eyes. “Don’t!” My voice was weaker, like a sniveling little girl getting the spanking she deserved. This couldn’t be happening. I realized too late than I was grinding my hips against his huge bulge, hungry to have his cock thrusting hard and fast. I wanted him to strip me of my will and take me like the ruthless man he was.

  Oh, no... I couldn’t want this. This was wrong. This was pure sin.

  I hated him. I...

  “You will learn soon enough that bad behavior had consequences. You won’t speak to me that way,” he stated in a commanding tone as he stopped the round of punishment, rubbing my ass in such a gentle manner. “Do you understand me?”

  “Get off me!” I still had fight left somewhere deep inside.

  “That will garner you thirty more.”

  He started again in earnest, coming down even more savagely, smacking my b
uttocks and upper thighs. I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week. Jesus. This was...

  “Stop, please!” I was begging? No fucking way. I wasn’t submissive in any manner. Fuck him. Fuck this.

  “I’m going to teach you how to obey.” Gio’s husky voice floated over me, creating another wave of raging desire.

  I was thrown into an odd state, anguish yet bliss, fury yet ecstasy. I could feel my pussy juice trickling down both thighs and all I could think about was whether I’d stained his expensive pants. Closing my eyes, I almost had no fight left in me, the pain overwhelming.

  With every hard smack, I fell deeper into a lull, my head lowered and tears slipping from my eyes. The sadness had nothing to do with the pain, only remorse and embarrassment. “Please. Stop!”

  He hesitated, pressing his hand on the small of my back. “You have no idea what you do to me, the hunger that refuses to be denied.”

  I had no comeback, but I knew exactly what I was doing to him, the throbbing of his thick and delicious cock hitting my belly. I was ready to devour him with my mouth, sucking every drop of seed. I was ready to spread my legs wide open, begging him to lick and eat me. I wasn’t the same woman. This wasn’t the girl who was respectable and ready for a real relationship.

  I simply wanted to be fucked.

  “Ten more.”

  The blistering sensations continued, and I groaned every time his hand came down. He seemed methodical, taking his time as if practiced at what he was doing. When it was over, I heard his soothing voice telling me that I’d been a good little girl. What? I was a woman and I wasn’t going to tolerate this and... My thoughts were muddled as he took me into his arms long enough to brush the hair from my eyes.

  “Now your real training begins.”

  Training? I knew I hadn’t muttered the word but the look in his eyes was primal, more like a carnivore than a man. “I don’t understand.”

  “You will when I’m finished with you.” He pushed me off his lap, leaning back against the couch and placing his arms on the back. “Remove your clothes.”