BIANCA
“Iwon’t fail you, princess,” Fallon whispered urgently in my ear. “We’ll be together. I swear to you. You’re so strong. My strong girl. We’ll get through this. I’m so sorry for what I did to you. So fucking sorry. I know you’re pissed, but I’ll make things right. I swear I will. I’ll prove my worth.”
I nodded against his chest, my throat aching from trying to choke down my sobs. This was worlds better than thinking he was dead and feeling the agony of that. The guilt. The remorse. I knew there was hope for all of us now. Whether the kings realized it or not, they'd shown me what they were truly made of over the past few days.
Now it was my turn.
“Be careful,” I said, peeking up at him. “Because there won’t be a second time for us, Fallon. I haven’t forgiven you. What you did……what you were going to do to me…” I wanted to shout my fury at him but bit it back, not sure how to express it.
He nodded and thumbed my tears away. “I’m so sorry. I promise to make this right and prove it to you. I’ll see you soon, baby.” He placed a gentle kiss on my cheek before stepping away from me.
Dominic was quick to come from behind me and ease my back to his front, his arms encircling me as he held me.
“He’ll be fine, B,” Vincent said, leaning down and pressing a kiss to my other cheek. “I’ll make sure of it.”
I nodded and squeezed his hand. It seemed to make him happy because he gave me a lopsided smile and backed away.
Levin shifted awkwardly, catching my attention. He didn’t come toward me. He didn't do anything other than stare at me. He and I had a lot to talk about and sort through. I was still so pissed at him after what happened. The same held true for Dominic. At least Vincent had shown some sort of remorse the night Levin and Dominic had decided I was supposed to die with Fallon. It didn’t mean Vincent was off the hook. My rage flowed deep.
I watched as they led Fallon away before I spun in Dominic’s arms to face him.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was alive sooner?”
His lips twitched, but there was no hint of humor in his smile. “Because I wasn’t sure if I was going to let him live.”
I swallowed. It seemed like an honest answer.
“What changed your mind?”
“You did,” he murmured. “I didn’t want to lose you. The thought drove me insane. So I made a sacrifice, potentially endangering us, all in the name of love.”
“You really love me?” I asked, disbelief in my tone.
I peered up at him, scrutinizing him, trying to find any semblance of a lie. Green eyes filled with sincerity were all I found.
He lifted my wedding-ring-clad finger to his warm lips and pressed a kiss to it. “Yes.”
He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t push.
“I’m still mad,” I said with a pout.
“I know.” He kissed the corner of my lips. “And I’m still hurt you were fucking Vasiliev behind my back. I figure we’re even as long as you promise to be my good girl and stay in line.”
“You know I can’t promise that.”
“I know. And oddly, I think it's what makes me eager for you to promise me and then break it so I can break you,” he said, leaning in and biting my bottom lip.
“You’re messed up.”
“You don’t know the half of it, wasp.”
I didn’t, but something told me I wouldn’t have to wait long to find out.
* * *
“You should eat.”Dominic leveled his gaze on me as I sat cross-legged on his bed hours later, the food he'd brought earlier still untouched.
“And you should give me my phone back. I’d also like some pants.”
He shook his head. “You’re a De Santis now. My wife. We made a deal before that though, and that deal was you’d wear what I said you’d wear. And this”—he gestured to his t-shirt on me and my bare legs—“is what I want you in, wasp.”
“Right.” I licked my lips. “But happy wife, happy life. If you deny me my pants, I’ll choke you to death with yours. Get me?”
His lips quirked up as he chuckled. “I’d love for you to try it.” He pushed off the doorframe and stepped into the room. “Speaking of death threats, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t try to kill me in my sleep again.”
“And I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t stick your dick inside me and blow your load after you pissed me off,” I retorted sourly. “Especially after I asked you not to.”
He stalked toward me like a predator and shoved me flat onto my back, straddling me. My heart jumped into my throat as I stared up at him. His silver necklace hung down and tickled my skin, his glorious body doing things to me that pissed me off because I didn’t want to feel them right then. I was still so mad at him and the kings for what they’d done. It would take a hell of a lot more than a few smiles to get me over it. But at least the pain in my chest at the thought of losing Fallon was gone. I knew he was safe and alive now. It helped my mood immensely.
“You're my wife. I'll stick my cock inside any part of your body any time I want. In return, you own me, Bianca De Santis. I am yours as much as you are mine.”
I panted out, my heart racing. “What about Stella?”
“Stella who?” he murmured, leaning down and kissing along my jaw.
Fucking asshole knew how to work me, and I hated it. I wanted to give in, but I wanted to kick him in the dick too. My emotions warred with one another.
“The bitch who's been sleeping down the hall. The one you have a history with.”
“The only history I have with her is one that means absolute shit, mia regina. She’s a tool. I have her doing dirty work which could get her killed. If she dies, she dies. If she lives, she brings me valuable information. Past that, she’s worthless to me. I care nothing for her. And my dick isn’t going anywhere near her and hasn’t since I realized I was in love with you. When are you going to realize my world revolves around you and has since the moment you ran into me in that hallway?”
I swallowed as he shifted and looked down at me again.
“I never lie, and I never break a promise,” he murmured.