280
Seb
Her breath hitches. Her pupils dilate as she tips up her chin and holds my gaze. Her cheeks flush, and I have no doubt that my words are turning her on. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but goddamn, seeing her wearing my clothes, with my ring on her finger, with the scent of sex still clinging to her hair, all I want to do is take my wife home and fuck her… But not before I teach her how to become my perfect submissive.
“Two days,” I drawl, “that’s all I need.”
“Two days?” Her forehead furrows. “What happens in two days?”
“You’ll have had so many orgasms, you won’t be able to think straight. By which time, I’ll have broken you, of course.”
“What?” Her gaze widens. “How do you mean?”
I allow my lips to twist. “Wouldn’t you like to find out?”
Her lips part. Color flushes her cheeks. “You mean… you’ll-”Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.
“Make you submit, just like you asked me to.”
“I’m not going to make it easy on you.”
“I’d be disappointed if you did,” I murmur.
Her breathing grows more rapid. Her chest rises and falls. A pulse beats at the base of her throat, and my fingers twitch. I want to press my thumb over that pulse and feel her body respond to my ministrations. I want to press my mouth to the curve of where her neck meets her shoulders and bite down on her skin as I bend her over and spank her, right before I thrust my fingers inside her and feel her flutter around my digits.
“What do you think, Seb?” I hear one of my brothers ask.
“Five minutes,” I tell her in a hard voice, “you have five minutes to say your goodbyes.”
“Why does that sound like a threat?” She glowers.
“Because after that, the only sounds you’ll be making are groans and yelps and moans as I teach you how to behave properly with your Dom.”
Her eyes gleam, then she flicks her hair over her shoulder. “Promises, promises.”
I know she’s doing it to sass me, to test my control, to push my restraint, to see how far I can go without snapping. But she’s misjudged me if she thinks I’ll let her get to me that easily. I am in control of this relationship.
I’m the one who dictates when and how she’ll give in to me. I’m the one who intends to take my pleasure from her, after making sure that she’s been properly trained. I’m the one who suggested she marry me. I promised Nonna I’d take a wife, and I have. There are no feelings involved here. I’m simply going to enjoy the fringe benefits of being tied down. A submissive of my own-a wife who’ll be ready to open her legs to me at my command. And sure, I’ll ensure she gets pleasure out of it, too. Pleasure, and full custody of her child. I’ll make good on my promise to her. I’m nothing, if not a man of my word.
“Four minutes and thirty seconds,” I growl.
“Seb, did you hear what I asked? You-”
“Fine.” I turn to Michael. “I’ll do it.”
“Did you hear the question?” he asks, a knowing look in his eyes.
“You want me to take the lead in Trinity enterprises? I’ll do it. I’d like Massimo, Luca, and Adrian to continue to attend, to back me up in the meetings.”
Michael places the tips of his fingers together. “Considering the Russians tend to come in a pack, it’s not a bad idea.”
Next to me, Elsa shifts in her seat. Her cherry scent seems to surround me. The softness of her body beckons to me. I drum my fingers on the table, resist the urge to look at my watch.
“What’s JJ’s deal?” I force myself to ask. “He comes to these meetings alone; doesn’t seem like a man who runs an organized crime gang.”
“That’s because, technically, he doesn’t.”
“Eh?” I force myself to give my full attention to what Michael is saying. “He’s the head of the Kane Company, isn’t he?” I ask.
“You are aware he also runs the biggest media company in Europe…”
“He does?” I sit up straighter. Motherfucker, JJ runs a media company. How was I not aware of it?
“It’s called-”
“Kane Media Enterprises,” I finish his statement. “How the hell did I not know that?”
“It’s not that much of a secret, but it’s also not something he talks about too much.”
“So, he controls the media in this part of the world. No wonder he’s interested in Trinity.”
“What does that mean?” Massimo frowns.
“Technology and media overlap so much, they’re practically the same side of a coin now,” I explain.
“This must be of particular interest to you.” Axel leans forward in his seat.
“Is it now?” Michael glances between us. “Care to enlighten us?”
My shoulders tense and I force my muscles to relax.
Axel seems taken aback. I know he’s alluding to a conversation the two of us had a while ago; somehow, I hadn’t thought he’d remember that particular piece of information. But then, he’s an ex-cop, something I hadn’t known then. Even if I had, I doubt it would’ve stopped me from sharing with him. The fact that he hasn’t grown up with us, but is yet linked to me by blood, makes it particularly easy for me to trust him. And it’s clear he doesn’t forget details, either.
“It was a passing remark.” I tilt my head. “I mentioned to Axel that my ultimate goal is power, and what better way to grow your influence than by owning a media company?”
“Is that what you want, to control media?” Michael narrows his gaze on me.
“It was a thought,” I say slowly.
“Sounded more like an ambition when we spoke, ol’ chap,” Axel drawls.
I scowl. “I’m beginning to think you raised that particular point on purpose.” I stab my finger at him.
“Anything to help you fulfill your dreams and all that.” He smirks.
I glower at him. His grin widens.
“As this stronzo here has taken such pains to point out, media is something that attracts me. Especially the confluence of media and technology, which I believe is a game changer. Something that will permeate our everyday lives in a big way, given how much social media already plays a big role in influencing opinion.”
Michael strokes his chin. “You really are excited about doing something with this, eh?”
“Considering JJ Kane is in the media space, and given Trinity Enterprises is to do with cryptocurrency, there’s a sweet spot here I can take advantage of, yes,” I reply.
Silence descends upon the table. I glance about the space to find all of them looking at me.
“What?” I scowl.
“The only other time I’ve seen you this excited is when you spoke about marrying Elsa,” Massimo drawls.
I sense Elsa stiffen next to me. She’s so close, and yet, not close enough. Giving in to the temptation, I reach for her hand and weave my fingers through hers.
“I do believe you have the perfect opportunity here to do something about your dream,” Michael says slowly.
“Are you giving me your blessing?” I train my gaze on Michael.
Elsa tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip on her. The softness of her skin against mine, the brush of my jacket against the skin of her arm, the shuffle of her feet, the brush of her hair over her shoulder… All of it crowds in on me. My every sense is focused on her, even as I once more try to pay attention to the conversation at hand.
“Do you want my blessing?” Michael steeples his fingertips together on the table. Our gazes clash. The silence stretches for a beat, another. Neither of us backs down.
Michael may be my half-brother, but I’ve never considered him anything less than a brother. We were raised as brothers, and that’s the way we all feel about one another. I never wanted the designation of Capo when he took over the position of Don. While I don’t hate the Mafia lifestyle, I’m not as enamored by it as Luca is. And unlike Massimo, I’ve always been sure that, at some point, I’ll strike out on my own. Oh, I’ve been part of the Cosa Nostra long enough to know that I’ll never be able to leave it behind, but I’m sure I can carve out a life separate from it, while still remaining connected to my brothers in some form. I just never thought my opportunity would come this quickly.
“I want this,” I finally say. “The situation holds many possibilities.”
“It does.” Michael flattens his palms on the table. “You are also my Capo, my second in command.”
“And I’m grateful you chose me for that position, but you and I both know there’s one person at this table who is better suited to that opportunity.”
I turn toward Luca, when I catch a glimpse, a glimmer of something through the window. My heart drops into my stomach; my pulse rate explodes. I open my mouth to yell a warning, and the windows explode.