SANTINO
I suspectedshe wouldn’t come easily. It didn’t matter how her father spun it. She would rebel at the idea of being sold to anyone, let alone the mafia. But I wouldn’t want her compliant. There was no fun in that. Plus, the hint of darkness in her soul called to me, begging me to free it.
So, it was surprising when Brando messaged me to say he had her and was on his way back to the manor. I expected I might have to chase her down. That would’ve been far more thrilling than having her delivered to me like a bouquet of flowers. The disappointment was bewildering. It wasn’t often I experienced such a feeling. But then again, this girl had a way of encouraging all kinds of strange feelings inside of me.
The roar of Brando’s engine drifted into the house as I descended the stairs and made my way to the front door. As I pushed it open, Brando was climbing out of the car, and her door opened, a long, pale leg sliding out under it, and when she unfolded, I reeled back.
“Who’s that?”
“Faulkner’s daughter?” Brando said as he came around the car, glancing at the girl before looking back at me.
“No, it’s not.”
“I am.” Her voice was small and quiet as she stared at me, the opposite of my hellion. This was a demure flower that could be easily crushed. And sure, corrupting her might be a sweet, delicious experience, but I didn’t want an innocent little creature like this.
“No. Where’s the other one?”
“Reina?”
My heart clenched at her name. Queen. It was so fitting. My eyes scanned the perimeter of our property, looking around carefully. She’d chased a truck while looking for her father, who was such an abominable man that he would sell his children to clear his own debts. I had no doubt she would do that and more for her sister’s life.
“Come out, hellion. I want to see you,” I whispered as I descended the front steps, walking past Brando and the flower to look around carefully.
“If you don’t want her, what am I supposed to do with her?” Brando looked at the girl and back to me.
“I don’t care—return her—kill her, whatever. I want her sister.” The flower gasped at the vague threat while I walked further out onto the property. She had to be there somewhere. Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes as her soft spice made its way up my nostrils. “There you are.”
I made my way toward the smell as it drifted toward me, and she stepped defiantly from the trees, chin jutted out as she surveyed me with cold eyes.
“You.”
“Me.” I grinned as I stepped toward her, reaching out and running my fingers along the side of her face. She shuddered under my touch but didn’t repel, but I could sense the tension running through her, longing to pull away.
“I want to trade myself for my sister.”
“Do you?” I lifted my eyebrow, fighting the smirk that threatened to lift the corners of my mouth.
“Yes. But you must set her free, have that man drive her back to the city safely, and I’ll call her in several hours at a random time to confirm she is safe and returned.”
I lifted my head in understanding but said nothing more as I stared at her. God, she was beautiful. So defiant. So angry. So delicious. I wanted to peel her clothes off her and worship each piece of flesh I uncovered until I found the prize that lay between her legs. Then I would satisfy myself on her pleasure until she cried for me to stop because it was too much. Even then, I wouldn’t. She could take it—my little hellion.
“And what makes you think you’re more valuable than her?” I asked, quirking my mouth into a smirk.
She gave me a bored look. “Don’t play dumb. You told me before I intrigued you. I’m offering myself freely to you for whatever you want so that you may explore that intrigue. Take it. I won’t offer it again.”
I turned away from her with a laugh and walked back toward the house where her sister still stood next to Brando, waiting for their next instruction.
“Take the girl wherever she wants to go. Her sister has traded herself for her freedom.” I nodded as I passed them and made my way back to the door of the house. Her heavy scent hung in the air, alerting me that she was following me to the door. I paused on the threshold to turn and see the girls hugging. They whispered to each other, the flower shaking her head desperately as Reina stood there absolute in her decision.
“I’ll be fine, I promise. Just go.” She kissed her forehead and shoved her toward the car before turning to me with a scowl. She was trying to look fierce, but it only made me smile mockingly at her before entering the house and walking through to the sitting room.
“Carter, get us a couple of drinks, please. The girl likes whiskey.” Our butler nodded and disappeared on the order to fix the drinks. Reina paused in the foyer, looking around slowly before her eyes fell on me and any interest in her eyes faded away as she hardened once more. I found it so impressive how she could compartmentalize herself. Not many female humans did so with such flawlessness.
“So, were you taking my sister to sell into the sex trade or something?”
“No,” I said as I slipped down onto the settee, crossing one leg over the other as she walked further into the room. “I was taking her as a wife.”
Surprise flickered over her features before she smoothed them out again. I wasn’t going to tell her that I originally wanted her. I liked how annoyed it made her to think I came for her sister.
“So …” She processed this for a moment, stepping into the room and taking in her surroundings with fresh eyes before they landed back on me. “You’re going to marry me?”
A feral smile cracked my face as I stared at her, nodding my head slowly. “I am. Tomorrow.”