Bad Medicine (Underworld Kings)

“I love you, and I promise to make you safe. I will check in while Ferro is handled, and if at any point he harms you—” He eyes DeLuca. “—you tell me, and I will bring you home.”

“I will,” I reassure him before resuming my previous position in front of DeLuca.

“Take him to his car. Make sure you’re not followed back,” DeLuca orders Maxwell. My father and my captor share a look I don’t understand, but when they do, a silent agreement is made. Moments later, the two other men are gone, leaving me alone with DeLuca.

He doesn’t speak. We don’t move. I now have to face him to get answers.

I drop my head and ask the first one.

“You work for The Ruin?”

“Yes,” his hoarse voice sounds out. His grip on my hip doesn’t loosen.

“You were going to kill me?” I can’t help the whimper that leaves me.

“No, no, baby.” He moves us, turning me and lifting me by my hips to place me on his desk. Standing between my legs, he leans in and put his face within inches of mine. “The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I could never hurt you. I knew I would be bringing you home to protect you from the monsters of The Ruin. Of the fucking world, piccolina.” He wipes away the tears cascading down my face.

I place my hands on his wrist and bring my forehead to his. “I’m scared.”

“Don’t. Don’t be afraid. I have you, and I will die before anyone touches you,” he declares, and that has me crying harder.

“That’s scares me too. The thought of you dying. Of you not being here,” I admit my biggest weakness. Me falling in love with my—

And then it hits me.

DeLuca was never my captor.

He was always my savior.

“That will never happen. I need you to breathe, okay? I’m here. Feel me?” He grabs my ass and scoots me all the way to the edge so that every part of my body from my core up is aligned with his. I want to feel his words. Feel his safety. Feel him. It’s all I want. All I need in this moment.

“Take me to bed, please. Just… take me.” I’m not above begging at this point.

“Anything. You rule this kingdom, Arabella. You rule over me,” he growls seductively, and I whimper, feeling his hard cock against my core. I want to feel like I’m a person worth more than being a pawn or a bargaining chip. I want to feel what it’s like to be DeLuca’s.

Our lips meet, a raging storm of desire taking over. His tongue against mine, mine against his, our tastes becoming singular. As he picks me up, I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. We keep at it, our moans and heavy breathing trying to escape between the small cracks.

“Fuck, baby. I want you,” he confesses as he separates us before leaning in to bite my chin, then ear.

“Hurry and get us to our room.”

“Our room. That’s a good girl.”

I bite my lip and nod, looking into his eyes. This is more intimate than sex, this longing lust-filled gaze we share.

“Promise me something,” I prompt.

“Anything.”

“Keep me safe. Keep me away from anyone who would dare try to get between us.”

“You love me, don’t you? You’ve realized only I can give you all of this, haven’t you?” he asks, and I respond with a nod.

“Good. Because I am. I will never let anyone come into our world and try to take you. Ever. You belong to me now, piccolina. Always. You live for me. Breathe me. Dream of nothing but me. I have stolen you from the very world itself.”

I cry out when he leans in and bites my neck, surely leaving a mark.

We make it to the bedroom, and he lays me down. Standing back up, he undresses, exposing his perfect body to me one article of clothing at a time. My core is throbbing, so wet with need. I have to have him now. I can’t wait any longer.

I reach for the hem of my shirt and remove it, exposing my chest to his longing gaze. He takes off his pants and boxer briefs. My eyes widen.

Holy hell, will I ever get used to his length and girth?

“All yours. And you’re gonna take it, aren’t you, Arabella?”

“Yes, all of you. Please, I’m aching,” I admit as he leans to help remove my jeans and panties in one effortless move. I’m naked in seconds, and the only thing stopping us is him.

“You’re going to always ache and hurt for me. You will need this cock to keep you satiated.”

I moan, “Yes. God, yes.”

“Spread your legs. Let me see that pretty clit.” I lie back and lift my knees before spreading my ankles. “Mmm, beautiful cunt. I’m so goddamn hungry.” I watch him as he strokes himself while admiring my body, and I feel like a fucking work of art at the look he gives me. It makes me squirm. “We’ll play later. I need to come inside that body. Claim it. Mark it. Own it.”