Oath of Sacrifice (Deviant Doms 4)

She grins and takes Natalia by the hand. “Of course, no problem.” I glance over at the table, where Nonna’s set out a large platter of homemade macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders, a clear nod to a child’s palette. Yeah, there’s no worry about Natalia eating any of this.

I walk ahead of Santo. As if I’m not aware that he’s walking close to me.

As if I’m not vividly aware that I’m wearing a wet bathing suit, that we’re heading to my suite alone, and that no one can suspect a thing, because he’s following orders issued by Tavi.

“You guys find out any more about Romeo?”

He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “He called Vittoria, and said he has the option of hiring an attorney or using one provided for him. Hasn’t said much, but he’s mentioned to Tavi he’s working with Flynt.”

It doesn’t feel right.

I nod, still concerned, as the front door opens and Mario heads in.

“Thought we were on lockdown?” I ask Santo drily. “Now I don’t believe for a minute that you guys are only having the women and children on lockdown.”

Santo narrows his eyes on Mario. “Where were you?”

“Checking surveillance footage by the cars. And you?” Mario grins good-naturedly, daring Santo to give him shit.

“Just checked the footage in the war room. All looks clear. We’ll check in later.”

Mario’s eyes come to me. “You swimming, Rosa?”

“Took Nat for a dip. She’s bored out of her mind.”

He winces. “I’ll do something fun with her later. Show her how to drag race or something.”

“Go for it,” Santo says. “And I will happily kick your ass.”

Mario leaves us, chuckling, and we hear him talking to Nonna in the other room.

My heart squeezes. I don’t want to be here. I want to be alone with Santo. I don’t want my entire, bustling Italian family eavesdropping and snooping.

God, sometimes it’s stifling.

I trot up the stairs ahead of him. He’s walking so close behind me it should be illegal, and would definitely draw suspicion if anyone was here right now. I feel his eyes on my legs, and suddenly remember his promise to punish me later when we’re alone.

I open the door to my room, then step aside as he does his usual sweep of the place.

“No scary boogeymen or robbers hiding in my shower?” I ask innocently. He only grunts in response.

“You sure you checked the heating vents?”

“Fuck,” he curses. “Don’t push it, woman. You’re already in trouble.”

I blink in surprise. Didn’t actually expect him to take me seriously.

I walk to my room tentatively, shivering from the cool air that comes through the vents.

“Vents clear,” he says.

It’s broad daylight out, my entire family is here, and doing anything with him is so risky it’s insane, and yet I can’t help craving him. I remember what happened last night and want so much more.

We’ve never done much beyond kiss, and it isn’t fair, it’s not right that the only man I’ve ever actually cared about has always been off-limits to me.

Ah, but there was that one time…

No, there were a few times…

The door lock clicks behind me. My pulse races.

His voice is a low whisper no one would ever hear on the other side of the door.

“Swimsuit off, sweetheart, while I check Nat’s room and the nanny’s shower. When I come back here, I want you stripped and naked and laying over the bed.” The rough sound of his voice makes shivers erupt on my skin. “It’s time for your punishment.”

My thighs clench, and I squirm with delicious apprehension. When I don’t respond right away, he steps quickly toward me, grabs my hair and fists it in his thick palm. “What do you say, Rosa?”

“Ow,” I whisper, making him grin wickedly. Those full lips, that crooked smile…

“Yes, sir,” I whisper.

Something crashes in the nanny’s room. I stifle a scream when he shoves me behind him and cocks his gun. “Get down,” he snaps. I fall to the floor for cover. “Who’s there?” he shouts.

“Please, Mr. Santo, please, it’s just me—”

I blink in surprise to see a house cleaner, dust rag and spray bottle in hand, leaving the nanny’s bathroom. She looks at me, still dressed in a damp bathing suit on my knees behind Santo, and Santo.

Fuck.

“We thought you were an intruder,” I breathe. I gasp in air and let it out again.

Did she hear anything?

Did she see anything?

Our position here alone could be… compromising.

Santo hasn’t dropped his weapon.

It’s no surprise that he hasn’t let his guard down yet until he sweeps the nanny’s room, too.

“Stay down, Rosa,” he orders in a low growl. This time, I don’t question him. I do exactly what I’m told.

Is someone else here?

Did they put her up to this?

But when Santo goes into the bathroom, I hear nothing. I stay exactly where I am.

“Go,” he says. “No more cleaning this room until we call you.”