Bad for You

Fifteen

H e just sleeps.

And sleeps.

Perhaps it’s because it’s the first time he’s felt safe enough to do so.

Lewis is now sixteen years old, but I barely recognize the boy in this motel bed as my brother.

After I threw his ass in the shower and scrubbed him clean, I put him to bed and told him to sleep because he was safe.

That was three days ago.

But soon, he’ll wake as he’ll be jonesing for his next hit.

Aldo gave me some drugs to help with the withdrawal, but it seems fucking pointless to mask one addiction with another.

When the door opens, I reach for my piece on the coffee table, but when I see it’s Bria, I chill the fuck out. She’s not here to hurt us.

She tosses a bag of fast food in front of me. The smell turns my stomach, but I appreciate the sentiment.

“You have to eat something,” she says, locking the door behind her.

“Last I checked, my mom burned in a fire. But thanks.”

She rolls her eyes, not bothered by my morbid sense of humor because she has one too. She sits beside me, offering me a beer from the six-pack. Now this is more my language.

We drink in silence, both watching Lewis sleep soundly.

I’ve had this stupid idea that won’t go away. I told Bria about Gianna. She thankfully put to rest the notion that Gianna isn’t her mom—the world doesn’t need her offspring in it. But Bria has balls. She’s also fucking smart.

And that’s why I thought she could talk to Valentina and smack some sense into her.

Even though Gianna isn’t her mom, she knows who she is, and what she did to her father. Maybe if Bria were to tell her the things she’s told me, then Valentina may listen.

Probably not, but it’s worth a shot.

“Spit it out.”

She knows me well because we’re both schemers. She promises she’s stopped dealing her dad’s shit. But I’m not too sure.

“Remember the girl I was telling you about?”

“How can I forget?” she replies, tongue in cheek.

I ignore her quip. “I can’t leave her with Gianna.”

“She’s a big girl, Lenny. You can’t save everyone.”

“She isn’t everyone,” I correct, unable to keep the hostility from my tone. “She’s a pain in the ass, but she’s my pain in the ass. I have to at least try.”

“Try what?” Bria asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

“Maybe you could talk to her.”

“About?”

“About fucking unicorns. What do you think?” I reply while she chuckles, humored by my discomfort.

“I don’t know why you think me talking to her will change her mind, but sure, I owe you.”

“You owe me jack shit,” I clarify because she doesn’t owe me a thing.

She lets the matter slide. “Just tell me when and how because I don’t think Gianna is going to welcome me over for cake and tea.”

She’s right, which is why I reach for my phone and text Valentina the motel’s address and ask her to meet me right now.

“You must really love her.”

“Don’t use words I don’t understand.”

She nods, sipping her beer, knowing better than to argue because her battles are yet to come.

When a knock sounds at the door, I take a deep breath because this is either the smartest idea I’ve ever had or the dumbest.

Bria doesn’t stir from reading her book.

Standing, I have three seconds to call this off, but instead, I open the door and see Valentina. She looks at me with curiosity. I knew it would get the better of her and that she’d come.

“So, care to tell me what we’re doing in this shithole?”

I hear Bria chuckle from behind. So does Valentina as she stands on her toes to look over my shoulder, eyes narrowed.

I open the door wide, welcoming her in.

She steps inside cautiously, and when she takes in the scene before her, she is clearly confused. Her attention bounces between Lewis and Bria before it stays on Bria. She can guess who the guy passed out in the bed is, but she has no idea who the pink-haired girl reading Macbeth is.

“Sit,” I order her.

She simply stands and folds her arms.

Well, this is off to a great start…

“That’s Lewis, my brother. I found him because Gianna knew where he was this entire time. She also knew he was a junkie but never told me that. I could have helped him before he became that.” I point at the bed, angered. “If she actually gave a fuck about anyone other than herself, then she would have told me years ago.”

“It’s not her fault your brother chose the path he did,” Valentina says, not a lick of judgment toward Lewis. For that, I’m glad.

“No, I know that, but it is her fault for purposely holding on to information when I asked her time and time again, and she blatantly lied to my face.”

I’m trying so hard not to yell, but just the thought of Gianna has me wanting to stab something.

“Who is she?” Valentina doesn’t hide her judgment this time when she glares at Bria.

Bria looks at me because this is my show.

“This is Bria.”

“Who is she?” she repeats, not interested in names.

I don’t want to give too much away, but how do I expect Valentina to trust me without telling her the truth?

I hope to fuck I don’t live to regret this.

“You remember Aldo, the man you said was coming for us? Well, Aldo is Gianna’s ex-husband. And this, this is his daughter.”

I look at Bria, ensuring this is okay.

She simply nods.

Valentina is utterly still. I don’t know if mentioning Aldo has stirred up feelings in her that still plague her dreams, but I need to tell her everything and hope it works.

“Aldo is Gianna’s biggest rival, and we know she doesn’t like competition. She trained us to take him down because who would suspect two kids?”

“How do you know this?”

But I don’t need to answer.

“You traitor, Lenny. You’re siding with Aldo after everything Gianna has done for us!”

“Gianna isn’t the hero in this story! For fuck’s sake! Open your eyes. Look what she did to us! Look at Lewis! I could have helped him before he got to that! And look at what she’s turned you into. She’s turned you into her!

“She knew where your mother was this entire time, yet she held out all these years to tell you. She is fucking evil! She uses people. She doesn’t love. She’s taught us that.”

Valentina exhales slowly. “You know nothing about my mother. Gianna had her reasons!”

“Such as?” I ask, incredulous to this horseshit.

“She was trying to protect me.”

“No, sweetheart, she is trying to control you. There’s a difference!”

“Lenny,” Bria says, trying to calm me down as she stands. “Hi, Valentina. You don’t know me, and if I were in your shoes, I would be fucking angry too. But what Lenny says is true. Gianna was married to my dad for years.

“He loved her with all his heart. But the only reason she stayed was to steal from him and turn his men, his world, against him.”

Valentina looks seconds away from ripping out Bria’s throat. I stand between them, a gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed by Valentina.

“I mean you no harm. I only want to help Lenny because I’m the one who dealt drugs to his brother. Lenny could have killed me for what I’ve done, but he didn’t. He cares about people. He cares about you.

“But Gianna doesn’t.”

Valentina’s anger simmers when she hears Bria’s confession.

“Please, come with me,” I say, hoping she finally sees reason. “I’m not going back there ever again. I understand if you want to stay, but I just…” I can’t finish my sentence because the words get stuck in my throat.

“Where will we go?” Valentina asks, walking toward me.

We? Is there a we in this equation, then?

“Aldo will give us a place to stay.”

“And what happens to Gianna?”

My silence answers her question.

“Your father was kind to me,” Valentina says to Bria, surprising me. “I remember him. He meant everything he said.”

Bria nods. “Look, he’s a pain in the ass, but he means well.”

Valentina’s lips twitch.

I don’t know what is happening right now, but it’s not bad.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I ask, confused.

“Okay, I’ll come. But I need to get my things. Gianna isn’t home. So if we go now, we can—”

I don’t let her finish. I wrap her in my arms and hug her tight. I can’t believe this actually fucking worked. I look at Bria, nodding in gratitude.

Bria waits downstairs as Valentina packs as much stuff as she can into her overnight bag.

I can’t help but continue looking at my watch because time is of the essence. Each second spent here is a second closer to getting caught.

“Look, whatever you need, we’ll buy, okay? Let’s go.” I grab her wrists, stopping her from rifling through her drawers.

But she looks at me with almost sadness. “I know, it’s just, this is the first time I’ve ever owned anything that was mine. It’s hard turning your back on something when you’ve had nothing. I know it’s stupid.”

I’m such a dumbass. Of course she’s nostalgic. This is the only home she’s ever known.

“No, it’s not stupid. I’m sorry. Take your time.”

I let her go, and she smiles, but it’s bittersweet. “So, Bria is pretty.”

“Is she?”

Valentina rolls her eyes. “Like you didn’t notice. It’s fine. You like her. I get it.”

“Hold up, I like her?” I ask because, what’s that got to do with anything?

She turns her back and walks into the walk-in closet. But I follow.

“Can we not do this now?”

“You’re the one who’s making a big deal about it,” she has the gall to reply as she rips a coat down from a hanger.

“No, I’m not the one who brought something so ridiculous up.”

“So you don’t think she’s pretty, then?” she asks, spinning around.

“She’s fucking pretty, but so what?” There’s no point denying it.

“Have you fucked her?”

“Are you fucking serious right now?”

Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of red. If this were any other time, I would revel in her jealousy. But now, this is just pissing me off.

“So that’s a yes, then. But, I mean, who haven’t you fucked? She was your brother’s drug dealer, for fuck’s sake! And now we’re going to live with her and her father! And you think here is bad.”

Valentina stands her ground, daring me to challenge her. We do not have time for this shit, but fuck me, she needs to be punished for being so goddamned disobedient time and time again.

She doesn’t stand a chance as I grab her by the throat and slam her back to the wall. She tries to fight me off, but I only grip her harder.

“I’m not fucking her,” I say, slipping a hand under her skirt and rubbing over the front of her underwear. She’s wet.

“I don’t care who you fuck.”

I simply laugh in response.

Her moans are muffled because I’ve not let her throat go. But she enjoys the pain. I can tell by the way her breaths quicken as I tighten my grip.

“You’re a bad liar, sweetheart.” I’m not gentle as I sink two fingers into her wet pussy and fuck her with them.

I will never tire of this.

Of the feel of her.

Of the way her breathless whimpers sound.

I’m so hooked on her, regardless of what my aloof actions may convey.

I’m so fucking in love with her and will do anything for her.

I would die for her, which is very probable in our world. I want to choke her most days, but I wouldn’t change her in any way because her tenacity and strength to stand up for what she believes in make me love her all the more.

The moment we met was fated in the stars and sealed with a bloodstained kiss.

I watch the way she surrenders to me, the only time she ever does. But I know this is a war she doesn’t mind losing because it’s one we both win.

“Kiss me,” she whispers, her body bending to my will.

I slam my mouth over hers, and we kiss like this is the last day on earth. And in some ways, it may be because a new future awaits.

She moans into my mouth as I fuck her mouth and pussy with a hunger I only ever feel when with Valentina. With two fingers inside her hot pussy, I slide a third finger around to her ass and gently rub over it.

She gasps into my mouth but doesn’t shy away.

“Every inch of you is mine,” I state against her lips because this isn’t up for discussion. “You were mine from the very moment we met. Say it.”

This is the only time she’s happy to concede.

“I’m yours, Lennon. Always and forever. No matter what.”

No matter what? Why does that sound as though there is finality to her tone?

She kisses me longingly, lowering her guard.

Her body is lax. Her breathless whimpers filled with desire. With two fingers still inside her, I rub over her clit and watch with utter craving as she comes to my touch. She doesn’t close her eyes. She looks into mine, allowing me to see a vulnerability that is so beautiful.

“I want you inside me.”

She tugs at my belt and unfastens my jeans. My cock is hard. Her wish is my command.

Spinning her around, I lift her skirt and admire her glorious ass. There is only one response to seeing something of utter perfection.

I slap it.

She moans, arching her back, offering it to me.

So I smack it again, harder this time.

And again.

Her ass cheeks are pink, remnants of my handprint lingering on her supple flesh.

Gripping her hips, I enter her pussy swiftly, and the moment I hit deep, I don’t move, allowing her to feel every inch of me.

She feels like a hot, wet kiss on my cock. I need to fuck her, and I need it to be rough. She wiggles that ass, an invitation to give in to my desires and gorge myself until I’m stuffed full.

There is nothing gentle about this, and the louder she moans, the harder I fuck. Her hands are splayed against the wall, using it as support because I do not give her a reprieve. Using her hips as leverage, I bounce her back onto my cock, engrossed in the way her ass looks as I’m fucking her into a legless stupor.

She spreads her legs, taking me deeper.

Bending down, I bite her neck, wanting to tear her apart.

I watch as she blindly feels her way toward a shelf, and when she produces a flick knife, I only fuck her harder.

She passes me the knife behind her back.

I know what she wants.

Blood has always been our triggers, and there’s nothing more carnal than bloodletting.

Still embedded deep inside her, I slice between her neck and shoulder and take her flesh into my mouth. With a sharp pull, I lick away the metallic sting, sending every nerve ending in my body into a frenzy.

She moans, dropping her shoulder, offering me more.

And more I take.

I fuck her without mercy as I suck at her wound, and when I reach around to play with her clit, she comes with a loud cry. She shifts so I slip out of her, only to turn around, yank the knife from my hand, and slash it across my chest.

She bends low and frantically sucks at the wound, peering at me with those trusting eyes.

I cup her head to my chest, feeding her my blood. It does something to me. Offering your life source to your beloved is a new form of obsession, and I’m so fucking hooked.

I lift her and slam her back onto my cock as she wraps her legs around my waist.

I fuck her, eyes locked as she makes another incision across my throat and sucks.

Our mouths are coated in blood.

Our bodies entwine in a beautiful union.

She pulls away and presses her mouth to mine.

Our bodies are one.

I can’t help but come with a sated moan.

Valentina rocks against me as if wishing to milk every last drop out of me.

I’m lost to her, to this moment, but when she meets my eyes, I realize this was all a ruse to bide time. And when I hear a scream downstairs, I realize that the look I see reflected in her eyes is…guilt.

“What have you done?”

Before she has a chance to reply, the door bursts open. I quickly turn my back to protect her, but when I’m sucker punched in the stomach, it seems she isn’t the one needing protection.

I’ve not seen this asshole before, but no doubt, he’s Gianna’s new lapdog. When he goes to punch me again, I duck and slam my fist into his jaw. His head snaps back, and I’m on him, knocking us both to the floor.

Anger courses through me because, right now, my mindset is attack first, ask questions later.

Valentina screams, which has me losing concentration for a split second—rookie move on my behalf because ten billion volts of electricity run through my body, leaving me gasping for air.

A fucking Taser.

I will my body to stop being a little bitch, but it’s no use when he tases me again before I succumb to the screams of Valentina.

I wake with no recollection of who I am.

Where I’m at.

It’s a nice feeling to escape who I was. I figure I’m not a good guy as I’m hanging from chains on a basement wall.

I tug at the metal cuffs, but it’s no use. I’m not going anywhere soon.

“Have a nice nap, Sleeping Beauty?”

Turning to my left, I see pink hair…

I’m then sucked into a whirlwind of color before I’m spat back out into this reality that can suck my dick.

“Where the fuck is she?”

I don’t need to clarify who.

“I had no other choice,” the star of the show says.

Gianna steps out from the shadows, and if I wasn’t chained to a wall, this would be fucking comical. But right now, I’m far from laughing.

“You had a dozen other choices,” I correct, not interested in playing her games. “Where’s Valentina?”

She’s not down here, imprisoned. So where is she?

Gianna examines her red nails as if bored to be here. “She is where she should be.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means she knows what loyalty is. You, however, have chosen your side.” Gianna turns her attention to Bria. “You should have minded your own business, carissima .”

“Yeah, I guess the same could be said about you,” Bria replies, unmoved. “My father is going to fucking kill you when he finds out what you’ve done.”

“What I’ve done?” Gianna says, placing a hand over her heart, faking hurt. “All I’m doing is protecting myself. What anyone would do.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, cut the bullshit. I’m so sick of your lies. We all know how this ends, so let’s get a move on, shall we?”

Gianna chuckles.

She is without a doubt enjoying this, and why wouldn’t she? She’s finally got me by the balls.

“Your father is trying to ruin me. And I cannot have that.” Gianna stands perfectly still, which concerns me because she is calculating something. I just don’t know what.

“He is only taking back what is rightly his,” Bria bites back, defending her dad. “You’re the traitor here, not him. You’re just upset he’s better at it than you are.”

I can’t hold back my smile because even chained, Bria’s smart mouth continues to run.

Gianna, however, doesn’t appreciate her sass.

She gestures with her head for her goon to show Bria what happens when one doesn’t bend to her will.

The asshole slaps Bria across the cheek. Her head snaps to the side with a loud crack. But she recovers, spitting her spilled blood into his face before a slow grin spreads from cheek to cheek.

He goes to slap her again, but Gianna raises her hand. “Enough.”

I doubt she’s had a change of heart because she doesn’t have one after all. So I wonder what trick she has up her sleeve. And when I hear someone coming down the stairs, I know this is no magic trick.

This is real life.

Valentina appears from the darkness, the horror clear on her face. It makes me feel remotely better that she’s not involved in Gianna’s devious plans. But that’s not entirely true.

I remember how she didn’t appear surprised when we were under attack. No doubt she was the one who tipped Gianna off. Was she stalling the whole time?

Disgust suddenly fills my belly, and it shows on my face.

“Don’t hate me,” Valentina says, reading my thoughts.

I can’t look at her right now because I’ll say something I’ll probably regret. I don’t pretend to understand her loyalty to Gianna. But I realize there is nothing I can do to change her mind, which means we will always be on opposing teams.

Regardless of my feelings for her, I know that she and I will never work. So where does that leave us?

Me chained to a wall, it seems.

“Let Bria go. She’s got nothing to do with this. I won’t fight you.”

“We both know that isn’t true,” Gianna says with a smirk. “That’s why you’re here. If only you just left well enough alone. But now, you’ve left me with no other choice.”

I’m so done with this bitch.

“Oh, blah, blah, fucking blah. Go on then, let’s do this.”

“Lenny…” Valentina gasps, understanding this is a fight until one of us is dead. And seeing as I’m the one chained to the wall, the odds are not in my favor.

“Mario.” Just his name is enough of a cue for this motherfucker to jump to command, like the good dog that he is.

Mario punches me in the stomach, and as my head drops forward, he punches me in the jaw.

“Oh, you’re a big fucking tough guy,” I quip, laughter erupting from me. “You’re just another one of Gianna’s little bitches. Fucking pussy.”

Mario doesn’t appreciate the constructive criticism and kicks me in the ribs. He cracks two.

“Stop it!” Valentina screams, rushing forward and latching onto Mario’s wrist to stop him from punching me again.

But I don’t want her help.

“You chose your side, darling. Own it.” And only then do I meet her tormented gaze.

“This was never part of the deal!” she screams, pleading with an unmoved Gianna.

“What deal?” I wheeze, trying to see straight after Mario punches me in the face, breaking my nose.

Valentina’s bottom lip trembles.

“What fucking deal?” I scream, not at all moved by Valentina’s sudden regret.

“I was to bring her Aldo’s daughter, and my mother is free,” she confesses, head bowed.

Fuck you, universe, and your sick sense of humor. I practically delivered Bria to her on a silver fucking platter. I thought I was doing something to help Valentina. But I’ve done the complete fucking opposite.

“You do realize she doesn’t want Bria to catch up on old times! She’s going to use her as collateral! Aldo will do whatever she wants because unlike her, he actually has a heart! Fuck, Valentina!”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her regret clear. “I didn’t think she would hurt you.”

“Does that make it any better?” I demand, shaking my head at her. “You’re okay with someone who has nothing to fucking do with this being chained to a wall because Gianna has to play dirty? I don’t know who you are anymore.”

She gasps, wounded by my words.

“And I don’t plan on hurting him,” Gianna says calmly. “But Bria isn’t so innocent. What would your father think if he knew you were stealing from him?”

I don’t know how Gianna knows, but this isn’t good.

Bria doesn’t waver, however. “I’m dead anyway, aren’t I? So what difference does it make?”

Gianna walks forward and strokes Bria’s cheek with the back of her hand. “You’re much more valuable to me alive than you are dead. But I think we need to scare your father a little. What do you think?”

Again, she isn’t asking because there isn’t a choice.

Mario punches Bria in the stomach. She buckles in half, wheezing for air. Whatever air she manages to get is in vain because he punches her in the face, and the back of her head slams against the concrete wall.

He’s about to punch her again but stops when I burst into maniacal laughter.

Hardly the appropriate response, considering our circumstances, but the line between sanity and going fucking mad blurred long ago.

“What are you laughing about?” Mario asks, appearing genuinely offended, which just makes me laugh harder.

Once I catch my breath, I reply, “You realize you sound like a little bitch when you punch, right?”

In case he doesn’t, I mimic a sound akin to a dying hyena.

“Must exert a lot of energy to hit a defenseless girl.”

Mario doesn’t appreciate the jab and shows me this by punching me in the stomach. Then the face. He busts open my lip. And it’s exactly what I was hoping for.

Just as he’s about to hit me again, Gianna stops him.

“Your services are no longer needed, Mario. You may go.”

He looks at her like she’s spoken in another language. But he eventually gets the hint and leaves.

When we’re alone, Gianna smirks, looking at me in anger or awe. I can’t decide which.

“Very clever,” she says, folding her arms across her chest. “Baiting him so he hits you instead of Bria. But your chivalry will get the better of you. Once again, your humanity is your downfall.”

“Listen to yourself! My humanity? I’m not a fucking robot! But I don’t expect someone like you to understand. No wonder you’re alone; no one could ever love a heartless bitch like you.”

The room falls silent.

I’ve struck a nerve. I can see it in Gianna’s face.

Usually, she’s expressionless, but this one stung.

“What’s wrong, darling? The truth hurt?”

It’s apparent on her face that she’s weighing over what to do next. Usually, she wouldn’t react. But this time is different.

She walks over to Bria and does something which surprises me—she unlocks the chains from around her wrists. Bria is confused as she shakes out her hands. The fact I’m still chained, however, has me guessing my words are about to come back and bite me in the ass.

“Clean his face,” she orders Bria, offering her a handkerchief.

Bria looks at Gianna like this is some sort of trick, but when she sees she is in fact serious, she takes the handkerchief and walks to me. Her back is turned to Gianna, so she speaks to me with her eyes.

She too is wondering what the fuck is going on.

She begins cleaning the blood from my face carefully, her eyes never leaving mine. She is the one who is free. Therefore, she is the one who needs to fight. And I make that clear as I look over her shoulder at Gianna and then back to her.

She nods subtly, understanding.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Lenny, that has women wanting to care for you.”

“I don’t expect someone like you to understand, Gianna, seeing as you’re alone because no one can stand being around you.”

Bria’s lips twitch.

“This upsets you, doesn’t it?” she asks Valentina who I have purposely ignored.

“Yes. What are you doing?”

“I want you to see men for who they really are. Men will give you attention until something better comes along. They’re all the same. The sooner you see that, it’ll save you a lifetime of pain. Why did you do that for Bria?”

“Because I was the one who got her into this mess.” I look at Bria, who shakes her head. She makes it clear she doesn’t want an apology.

“Men are also liars,” Gianna says to Valentina. “You like Bria. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Bria’s cheeks blister red.

I’m damned if I do, and I’m damned if I don’t. I refute; I hurt Bria’s feelings. I don’t say a word; I hurt Valentina’s feelings.

I soon understand Gianna’s game plan.

“And she likes you.”

“If you’re trying to make a point, get to it,” I say, not interested in playing this game.

“Kiss him then and prove me wrong.”

Bria looks at me, desperate I tell her what to do. We both know Gianna isn’t going to let this slide.

It’s just a kiss, right? What harm can it do? Other than hurt Valentina, that is, which is why Bria leans forward and presses her lips to mine.

It feels foreign to have someone’s lips on mine other than Valentina’s. It’s over quicker than it began. But Gianna tsks us.

“You can do better than that.”

I know she won’t stop until she makes her point. So I nod at Bria, hinting it’s best to get this over with as quickly as possible.

Bria takes a breath before slamming her lips to mine. She kisses me with passion, and it’s evident none of this is staged. She feels something for me, just as Gianna said. She wraps her hand around my nape and deepens the kiss.

I kiss her back, hating what this is doing to Valentina, but this is what she wanted. She sided with Gianna. This is now the consequence of her choices.

Bria is in control because I’m chained, but I’m a willing participant. A part of me, the asshole part, is pleased to know I’m hurting Valentina. It’s a side of myself I’m not proud of. But goddamn, it feels good.

Bria moans into my mouth, biting my bottom lip before sucking it softly.

“Bravo,” Gianna says, victory loaded. “But I still think we can do better.”

Bria places one final kiss on my mouth before pulling away. She only seems to realize the dangerous door we just opened.

“Fuck you,” she says, turning over her shoulder and glaring at Gianna.

I lock eyes with Valentina, and any part of me which relished hurting her is soon squashed because I realize she will never look at me the same way ever again.

It seems we only ever hurt ourselves and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives. We are toxic, but like most things that want to kill you, they’re the things that make you feel most alive.

“Touch him,” Gianna orders as Valentina closes her eyes tight.

“What? No,” Bria gasps, shaking her head.

But again, we don’t have a choice.

“Okay, fine. If you won’t, then Mario will. Mario!”

“All right!” Bria cries, tears in her eyes.

Gianna won’t be satisfied until she humiliates us all.

Bria strokes my face with an unfamiliar touch. I compare it to Valentina’s. My body doesn’t respond because it’s not Bria’s touch it craves.

Gianna clears her throat, hinting to continue.

“Just do it,” I say under my breath, giving her permission.

“I’m sorry,” she mouths, but she has nothing to be sorry for.

She touches my chest and down to my stomach. Her touch is apprehensive. But she continues. When she gets to my belt, she works her hands back up, but Gianna stops her.

“Don’t be coy. We’re all friends here.”

Bria exhales heavily before moving her hands over the front of my pants. She quickly works her way back up, but Gianna storms over and grips her wrist.

“You are really testing my patience!” She coaxes Bria to touch my cock, ensuring she never breaks eye contact with me.

I do the same because I want Gianna to know she’ll never win. She can break my body, but she will never break my spirit. As long as I have air in my lungs, I’ll never stop hunting her. So let her have her fun because the moment I’m released, she’s free game.

“You’re nothing but a warm body for men, Valentina. Let this be a lesson learned.”

“You and your fucking lessons can go to hell,” I spit, refusing to buckle.

But I can feel my dick beginning to stir.

Gianna is still in charge, using Bria’s hand as merely a tool as she continues rubbing over the front of my pants. She realizes she won’t get the results she wants this way. So she unfastens my belt and undoes my jeans. When she places Bria’s hand down my pants and forces her to rub over my cock, I envision the many ways I plan on killing her.

The thought of restraining her and placing a plastic bag over her head to limit her air supply, only to liberate her lungs by giving her false hope that she will survive, is what gets me hard. I imagine peeling the skin from her body with precision so that she’s still alive, just a meat suit for the scavengers to eat her flesh while I stand by and watch her die a slow, painful death, sipping a neat scotch.

The thoughts of torturing her in the most creative ways have my cock swelling. I wish I had control over it, but this is what usually happens when someone rubs over a guy’s cock. We aren’t usually that composed when it comes to our dicks. And for me, blood and sex always seem to go hand in hand.

Gianna of course assumes I’m hard because of what she’s doing, but little does she know I’m turned on by knowing that I’m the one who will end her fucking life. I don’t know when or how. But what I do know is that one day I will have the satisfaction of being the last face she sees as I fucking choke the life from her.

“See, piccola , they’re just animals in the end. They don’t care about anyone other than themselves.”

“That may be the case for you because no man could ever love you.”

Gianna’s face turns a lovely shade of red. She’s mad. “So your dick isn’t hard then by another woman’s hand?”

I look at Valentina, who looks at me with nothing but hatred. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You wanted this. What did you think was going to happen?”

“I didn’t expect I would be watching two women jerking you off!” she exclaims, storming over. “Enough. You’ve made your point.”

“No, I haven’t because you’re angry, and that means you still care,” Gianna refutes, forcing Bria to move her hand faster. “You can stop this.”

“How?” Valentina screams, and I hate that Gianna has this effect on her. But I cannot continue begging her to see the truth.

“We are at the top of the food chain,” Gianna explains while Bria struggles to shrug Gianna off. It’s fruitless. “We take what we want because we are the predators. Everyone else is nothing but merely prey. What do you want?”

I clench my teeth and fight the urge to come. Just because my dick is hard, doesn’t mean I want to come.

Valentina takes a deep breath. She looks at Bria like she wants to rip her head off.

“No, don’t.”

But that’s probably the worst thing I could say because it only adds fuel to this out-of-control fire.

Valentina doesn’t hesitate as she grabs the back of Bria’s neck and drags her off me. Bria fights, but Valentina is trained to defend herself, so she doesn’t stand a chance. She slams Bria’s face into the brick wall, instantly breaking her nose.

“Valentina!” I scream, needing her to see reason and stop this.

My hard-on is long gone as I’m appalled by what I see.

Gianna finally keeps her hands to herself, watching the mayhem she caused erupt before her with nothing but a smile. I yank at my chains, snarling like the feral animal I am.

“Best you kill me now because I promise you, I won’t fucking stop until you’re dead.”

Gianna laughs, humored. “You can try, but you will always fail because I own the one thing that means anything to you.”

Her comment infuriates me, and I lunge forward, the chains the only thing protecting her from my fury. “You don’t own her.”

“You know that’s not true.” She steps forward, standing on her toes as she whispers into my ear, “If it were, I wouldn’t be able to control her the way I can.”

I don’t think twice as I connect with her forehead, headbutting her.

Her arrogance gets the better of her as I catch her off guard. She stumbles backward, stunned. I lunge forward, the chains rattling, restricting me from ripping off her head and fucking the wound.

“Valentina, you are no better than her if you don’t stop this!”

But she doesn’t listen.

She drags Bria by the hair and lifts her, slamming her back against the wall as she restrains her once again. I guess it’s a small miracle she didn’t kill her.

I look at Valentina, wondering where the innocent girl I once knew has gone because the person I see now is a replica of the monster who raised us.

She walks over to me and cups my chin between two fingers. There is nothing heartfelt about the touch.

“You make me sick.”

I grin in response. “The feeling is more than mutual, sweetheart.”

And I mean every single word.

I hate and love her all in the same breath.

Gianna has finally won; Valentina and I are on opposing teams, and I wonder who will win.

She slaps my cheek before leaving me for good.