AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Honesty. Good."It bothered him too, honestly. The more blood that came out of him, the more he screamed. Death has a way of bringing out the true nature of men. He was weak, crying for me to stop.” I lower my hand. “What is your nature, pet?"
She looks lost for a moment. "I don’t know what you mean."
"Yes, you do. You are a Valachi. Your family has been on top of this bloody heap for two generations. Everything you’ve always wanted has been handed to you on a silver platter. Those days are over. I know you were raised to be a mafia wife, but this isn’t the Italian mafia. Our wives don’t ask questions. Our wives trust and honor their husbands and their ways above their own blood. If you cannot do this, you will be put back in that cage. Is it in your nature to do this?"
Vivi sniffs loudly, trying to stifle a sob, maybe. If it's to make me feel guilty, it fails miserably. Then she turns to me, and there's a boldness in her eyes that I've seen many times before. From her brother. That foolishly brave, determined look that dares me to go further, that welcomes anything I can dole out to them.
I stroke a finger down the curve of her cheek. "Listen to me carefully, Vivi. That fire in your eyes might have served you well in your old life, but here, it will get you killed." I lean in close, so close she can feel my breath on her face. "Obey or suffer. Those are your only options."
Her breath hitches again, but she doesn't look away. That damn stubbornness. It's going to be a challenge breaking her, but if doing so gains me access to her depths, I’m up for it. I lean back, satisfied for now.
"And what if you do not honor me?" Vivi asks, her voice stronger than before.
Yes.I admire her spunk, even as I work to crush it. "Your father is dead. Your brother is a prisoner. There is no one left to fight for your honor, pet."
We ride in silence after that, leaving Manhattan, New York, and heading into New Jersey. Bayonne's docklands give way to the Romanov estate, a luxurious property secluded by great, tall trees. The mansion's windows blaze with light, casting a warm glow against the dark backdrop. Somewhere beyond the house, the waters separating Bayonne from Staten Island lie silent and dark.
The car pulls into the governor’s drive. One of my men opens the door for us. This time, Vivi doesn’t need instruction; she gets out quickly and follows me into the house.
She is a quick study.
A row of staff is waiting, each individual with their gaze downcast. They are only present in case I decide I want something. Vivi hesitates on the threshold, then steps inside. She has no choice but to go up the stairs, as the line of staff blocks any alternative path.
She climbs the stairs, and I follow. I close the bedroom door behind us, and we're alone.
I turn to face her. This is the moment. The first true test of her obedience. She stands there, chin raised, tears threatening but held back, eyes darting to the cage that still stands ominously in the corner of the room.
It stands the height of the room, gold-plated bars reaching to the coffered ceiling, and is triangular in shape, fitted into a corner. It's simple, otherwise, sturdy bars in a standard vertical format with a horizontal bar breaking the monotony midway.
I’ve held Vivi there, painfully close to me, for weeks now. I’ve watched her sleep, listened to her breathe, fixated on how her presence fills this room without her smallest effort.
I’ve been patient, wanting to have my ring on her finger before I took her body, but my patience has run out.
I step closer, my voice low and commanding. "You know what is expected of you, Vivi."
She nods almost imperceptibly, but defiance still burns in her eyes. I can see her weighing her options, knowing full well the consequences of that emotion if she fails to keep it reined in. The cage is a constant reminder of what happens to those who don’t comply.
I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She flinches but doesn't pull away. "Remember, pet, this is about survival. Your brother's life depends on your obedience."
She takes a deep breath, steadying herself. "I understand," she whispers, though there's no enthusiasm, no submission in her voice—just cold, hard necessity.
I grip her chin, forcing her to look at me. "Good. Now, show me."
Her eyes flicker with something akin to fear, but she starts to move, her actions slow and deliberate as she steps closer. She won’t look at me, but she presses her lips against mine. She's doing what she has to, nothing more, nothing less. I watch her, studying every movement, every flicker of emotion on her face. The kiss is light and without warmth.
I let out a laugh. “That’s it?”
Her cheeks flame, her gaze darts around the large bedroom. She turns, but I reach out and grab her wrist, dragging her small frame toward my large one.
When I release her wrist, she doesn’t move. But the wave of unshed tears is back. I step closer to Vivi, my eyes never leaving her face—my hand slides inside the neckline of her dress. The tension in her body is instant; the way her breath catches when my fingers close around the soft globe of one breast gives me a twisted sense of satisfaction.
She presses her lips tightly together, but not before a small moan escapes.
She's not broken yet, but this is the first step. And as much as she tries to hide it, I can see the cracks forming in that brave facade.
Moving my hand, I guide her to sit on the bed. She's stiff, unyielding, but I press on, determined to break through that barrier.
The blood on my hands against the paleness of her dress catches her attention, and she recoils. I laugh, a low, dark sound. I head to the master bathroom, turn on the faucet, and wash the blood away. As the water runs red, I glance at my reflection. The predator staring back at me is pleased.
