31

Chapter 31
Dominic
It’s almost midnight. I’ve made one of Renato’s old gambling dens—one of the few we didn’t burn down to its foundation—my new base of operations. The construction crew was swift to gut the place, renovating everything to my exact specifications. It’s centrally located between both Renato and Lorenzo’s old territories, which gives me better control of all happenings within my newly founded kingdom.
“They found a body,” Milo informs me.
I forgot the bastard doesn’t bother with knocking, but I’m too on edge to call him out on it. “Where? Do you think it’s Elio?”
Milo hands me his phone where an image is already pulled up. It’s grainy and poorly lit, but it’s obviously of a cadaver resting on a cold examination table in the morgue. I’ll admit that some of the body’s features are strikingly similar to Elio’s—same nose, same hair, same square jaw—but…
“That’s not him,” I say. “How can you tell?” “Head’s too small.”
Milo rolls his eyes. “Are you fucking serious? Is this your idea of a joke?”
“When have I ever given the impression that I care for comedy? I need you to keep looking.”
“I’m telling you, it’s him.”
I grind my teeth, pausing for a moment. Am I in denial? Elio was a giant pain in my ass, but he was also a dear friend. The thought of him actually being gone is too difficult for my brain to understand. I’m not ready to grieve again. Fuck, I don’t think I ever stopped grieving after Tomasso was killed. There’s a good chance that my refusal to believe Elio’s been murdered is my brain’s way of protecting me from the shock.
I swallow hard at the sticky lump in the back of my throat. “Get me a
positive ID,” I say. “I’m not going to write him off until then.”
Milo clicks his tongue. Even though he’s on the other side of my office, I can smell his smug arrogance stinking up my air. “No wonder they’re all so loyal to you. If I ever go missing, will you send out the search party for me, too?”
I glare at him. I’ve always hated this guy, but he knows my answer. He’s one of us, a part of a bigger whole. Of course I’d search for him if he went missing. “I don’t play favorites.”
Milo puts a hand over his heart and gives me a cheeky grin. “I’m flattered.”
“Now, get out of here. Don’t come back until you’ve found Elio.” “Dead or alive?”
“Preferably the latter.”
“Will do, boss.” His tone makes it sound like an insult. I pay him no mind. Sometimes the only way to deal with yapping dogs is to ignore them until they wear themselves out.
When he leaves, all the stress I’ve been carrying suddenly doubles down to crush my shoulders into my chest. To say I’m exhausted is an understatement. I’m so bone tired that I’m two blinks away from passing out where I stand. Lorenzo’s racket was easy enough to rearrange and consolidate, but Renato’s books were a mess. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out his accountants had been skimming off the top because that’s just how disorganized his numbers were.
All I want is to go home, fix myself a scotch, kiss my daughter, and hold Arin in my arms. The sooner I get all this sorted, the better.
Johnny is stationed outside my apartment door on security detail. Good.
He’s also falling asleep on the job, his head bobbing as he tries to keep his eyes awake. Not so good.
“Report,” I say.
Johnny snaps to attention with a snort. “Wh—uh… All clear, signore. We arrived home after her go-see event around five.”
“How’d it go?”
“Boring as hell, signore.” “Not for you. For her.”
“Oh. I think she had fun. Definitely seemed like she was in her element.
Still lots of work to do, but I’m sure Ms. Wilson can manage.”
“Good. Did you notice anything suspicious? Any tails?”
“No, signore. I had the auxiliary team sweep through the area before her arrival. It’s been very quiet.”
That’s what I was worried about.
No news is supposed to be good news, but ever since the takeover, I’ve been dealing with a strange feeling brewing in the pit of my stomach.
It was easy throwing Lorenzo under the bus.
Too easy.
I fully expected resistance, maybe a few border skirmishes here or there. Apart from needing to adjust to my new position of authority, it’s been relatively smooth sailing. No one has questioned my command or my motives. Even the higher-ups I now report to have basically been radio silent.
There hasn’t even been an inkling of news from the Russians or the Irish trying to weasel their way into the area.
While uneventfulness is something I wish to strive for, this is a level of peace that makes me uncomfortable. It means trouble is percolating just beneath the surface, waiting for the moment to strike. At least, that’s what the nagging voice in the back of my head tells me. I need to be prepared, on my toes. I’m waiting for the hammer to fall, but I don’t know when or how hard it will happen. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’d much rather be paranoid than dead.
I nod. “Well done today. You’re dismissed.” “Thank you, signore.”
The apartment is completely still. None of the lights are on. I don’t even hear the rhythmic beat of Arin’s sewing machine coming from her room, which tells me she’s probably asleep. I’m tempted to give both my daughter and my woman a kiss good night, but I’m tired as hell and I wouldn’t want to disturb their beauty rest. Instead, I kick off my shoes at the door, loosen my tie, and head straight for my bedroom.
The moment I lay eyes on her, all the blood rushes from my head to my cock.
I’m suddenly very awake. Unfortunately, Arin isn’t.
She looks like a present wrapped in what I can only describe as ribbon around the curve of her breasts and between her thighs. Her long hair pools around her head like a halo, her chest rising and falling slowly as she sleeps.
I shrug off my jacket and shirt before climbing into bed with her, my hands on either side of her hips as I hold myself just above. She smells divine, like vanilla and coconut, the silky softness of her skin beneath my fingers utterly satisfying.
I drink in the sight of her, fighting the urge to part her thighs and fuck her awake. I know she wouldn’t have any qualms about it. She’s in my bed after all, presenting herself as the gift that she is. Why else would she be here if not to be fucked by her man?
But I like the way she looks when she sleeps. So beautiful and radiant and at ease, surrounded on all sides by my blankets like she’s made herself a little nest. I want her to be like this always, protected and safe and warm.
My cock throbs, straining against the confines of my pants. I really need to relieve some of the pressure, but I’m even more desperate to taste her on my tongue. I press light kisses to her cheeks, moving as carefully as possible to place myself between her legs. Making quick work of my belt and zipper, I pull myself free with a sigh.
“The things you do to me,” I mumble against her lips. “It isn’t fair at all.” Arin stirs, her eyes cracking open a sliver. “Dom?”
“Go back to sleep, dolcezza. I just need to take the edge off.”
She reaches down between our bodies, grazing her fingers over the length of my cock. “Let me help you,” she mumbles. “Do you like what you see?”
“Very much,” I admit as she strokes me slowly. “So fucking much.” “What took you so long?”
“I’m a stupid, stupid man.”
Arin pouts her lips, slowly rolling over onto her stomach.
There’s no back to her little ensemble. I have a perfect view of her nude flesh and peachy ass. A growl rushes from my lungs as I settle my cock between her cheeks, grinding against her with a huff.
“Fuck, mi amore. You’re really something else.” “Fuck me, Dom. I want you to fill me up.”
“Oh, is that so?”
She nods, peeking at me over her shoulder. “I want you to feel your cum dripping down my legs.” Arin wiggles her ass against me. “Please, signore. Fuck me and make me yours.”
My cock throbs at her filthy words. “Dear God, you’re going to kill me.” “Maybe later,” she teases. “For keeping me waiting.”
“Consider my lesson learned.”
Arin whines as she backs up into me. “Hurry up already.”
I’m barely hanging on as it is, so I’m quick to circle an arm around her waist. I push her legs apart with my knees and sink deep and slowly into her delicious wet heat. Her pussy grips me tight, clenching around me as she moans against my pillow. My chest is pressed flush against her back, not an inch of space wasted.
We’re a tangle of arms and legs, moving together in pursuit of heated pleasure. It’s wonderfully rough and sinfully sweet, hard thrusts punctuated by tender kisses.
“So nice and tight,” I growl against her ear. “Fuck, mi amore. Jesus Christ, I’m fucking obsessed with you.”
“D-Dominic—”
“Don’t hold back, Arin. Give me everything. Let me feel you come on my cock.”
The way she shatters around me makes me want to put her back together all over again. The sounds of her languid moans and breathy whimpers are music to my ears. My own climax hits me just as hard, an explosive heat bursting inside me as I empty into her.
As I scoop Arin up in my arms and hold her close, a sudden realization dawns on me. It isn’t a tangible thing, but a feeling. Her importance in my life is too great to put into words.
She is everything—everything.
If I have to work myself to the bone to make her happy, let it be so.