Caged (Dark Empire #2)

Nine.

Ashlee

The villa was breath-taking. With its sleek, opulent design and vast, open spaces, it exuded luxury. The panoramic views were nothing short of magnificent, a perfect blend of beauty and grandeur that left me in awe.

I woke up nestled against Ethan in the most luxurious bed I'd ever experienced. Last night, I'd enjoyed a wild, playful time with Magnus, but a part of me couldn't stop worrying about Ethan. He loved to watch, but he had left us alone and never returned. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making my heart race as I wondered what it meant for us.

After getting out of the pool and wrapping a towel around myself, I'd found him sitting on the sofa in just his boxers with a glass of whisky. He then led me upstairs and made me get ready for bed without saying much, and then we just cuddled. I didn’t question him because exhaustion crashed down upon me.

I glanced at him, studying the calm look on his sleeping face. He rarely looked at peace like this.

I eased myself out of his arms and drew the duvet back to expose his bare chest. My lips brushed against the light coating of hair, slowly moving down to his firm stomach.

I wanted to show him how much he meant to me, and what better way to wake him up than with a blow job?

I licked the happy trail of hair on his stomach, my tongue running down over the material of his boxers.

His hand came to rest on top of my head as a groan left him. I sucked his dick through the material, feeling it grow with every passing second.

“Fuck, baby,” he hissed.

I rolled his boxers down, freeing his erection and licking my lips. I took his dick into my mouth, sucking as I withdrew while staring up at him.

“Christ, Ashlee, I don’t know what's gotten into you, but don’t fucking stop.”

I practically swallowed his cock, eager to please my man. He groaned, his hips beginning to buck up as his muscles started to tense. My palm wrapped around his girth, stroking him alongside my mouth, his muscles tensing even more with pleasure.

“Swallow it, sweetheart,” he hissed. “Going to come.”

I tightened my lips forcing him to bliss, and I moaned as he erupted into my mouth.

“Fuck me, Ash, that was amazing.”

I climbed up the bed, leaning over to kiss him. “You didn't say much after the pool last night. I just wanted to show you how much you mean to me.”

“Ash, last night I just wanted you to have some time alone with Mags. I know he's not bothered by the fact that I married you, but I want him to know that you're his as well.” Ethan smiled and stroked my cheek. “I also want you to know that you have him whenever you need him. Baby, I will never be like Mags. I know I’ll never be able to fuck you like him, and I'm okay with that, but I want you to know that you have him whenever you need him. I'll never stop you both.”

“Ethan,” I said with a frown. “When are you ever going to realise that I love you exactly how you are? Did you not feel how much I loved your cock just now? It’s perfect. I'm wet because of the taste of you.”

“Jesus fuck, baby, don’t say things like that,” he groaned.

“I mean it. I love the taste of you, and I love how you feel inside me. Mags isn't better than you. You're both equally amazing in different ways.”

He rubbed his thumb over my lips. “Ashlee Prezello, you know exactly what to say to me. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

I laid my head against his chest with my arm around him enjoying the sound of his heartbeat among the peaceful silence.

“So, what are we doing today?”

“I thought you'd like to see my families vineyard.” His stroke the back of my head.

“I didn’t even know you owned a vineyard.”

“Well, my dad does. As I said, our heritage is from here. My dad likes to keep a foot in our homeland.”

“Are there any...erm...crime circles around here?” I asked awkwardly.

He chuckled. “Yeah, but my dad has an alliance with them. The Romero family work on this island, although mostly from the other side.”

“Oh, right.”

He kissed my head. “We better get up, baby.”

“I need a shower,” I said.

“Go and have one, and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

When I emerged fresh and dressed, Mags was standing in the kitchen with a frying pan.

“Morning, princess,” he greeted with a grin.

I stood frozen, staring at him. He wore nothing but low-slung jeans, and no matter how many times I saw his body, it still left me breathless. He was a masterpiece of muscle and ink, every line a work of art on his sculpted skin.

“Red?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

I shook my head and walked over to him, his arm slinging over my shoulders once I was beside him. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Did you?”

“The bed was a little empty, but yeah.”

“Sleep with us tonight,” I said without even thinking.

“Ash...”

“Please, he won't mind, or if he does, I can sleep with you instead.”

He grinned, leaning forward to plant a hard kiss on my lips. “I'd do anything to hold you at night, Red.”

“That's settled then.”

I stayed beside him while he cooked us some pancakes, and just as he was dishing them up, Ethan walked in.

“Smells good, pal.”

“Because I actually cook for myself,” Mags said with a smirk.

Ethan chuckled and shook his head as he sat at the table. “I cooked last night.”

“Your recipe book is fairly limited, Ethan. You live off takeaways and pasta.”

I barked a laugh because it was true.

“Ash,” he warned.

“Sorry, but he's right.”

I took a seat beside him while Mags brought our plates to the table.

“I have cooked for you, sweetheart.”

“A few times. Pasta and toast.” I shrugged. “I'd cook if you'd let me.”

“You can cook for us tonight then,” he said with a smirk.

“Fine, but Mags is sleeping with us tonight.” I smirked back.

“What?” His eyebrows drew together.

“Or I can sleep with him tonight.”

“No, it’s fine, he can stay with us,” Ethan said quickly.

“Ethan-” Mags started saying but Ethan cut him off.

“No, the woman gets what she wants, and she clearly doesn’t want you to be alone.”

I grinned. “The bed’s big enough.”

“It is,” he said. “Whatever makes you happy, wife.”

After we finished eating, Mags drove us about an hour out of town to the family vineyard. We were greeted by a middle aged man who Ethan spoke to for a bit in Italian, and then we were left to look around.

We walked through the various trees, the sky clear and the sun out. It wasn't hot, but it wasn't cold either. Ethan held my hand while explaining the history of the place, capturing my fascination the entire time.

Then we sat for a wine-tasting session. I'd been tasked with picking a bottle to go with dinner which was proving to be a challenge. They all tasted so nice.

“This is a Pinot Noir,” the server explained. “It’s a red wine which comes from black grape.”

I tasted it, finding the flavour quite fruity. He continued talking about the qualities which went right over my head. By the time he finished, I had emptied my glass.

Ethan was tasting his properly, smelling and sipping it like he knew all about wines while listening intently to the man. He probably did know about them to be fair. His family owned the place after all.

“Looks like someone liked that one.” Mags chuckled.

He was only sipping them since he was driving.

“Yeah, I did.”

“So, is this one your choice?”

“How many are left?”

“Three more, Mrs Prezello,” the server replied.

It was strange being addressed like that, and I noticed Ethan's smirk. I could tell that he liked it.

“I’ll make my choice at the end,” I said.

I was pretty sure that I'd need another taste of some of them before picking. I couldn't remember the first few.

The winery produced nine different variations of red and white wines here with all of the grapes being grown in the vineyard. It was clear that Stefan had ploughed enough money into it to make it successful.

“So, which will it be, sweetheart?” Ethan asked.

“Erm, I need to taste them again.”

Mags barked laugh while Ethan released a sigh. “Put the bottles in a row with a shot glass of each for her to taste.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once they were ready, I walked along tasting them all again and had nailed it down to two.

“It’s between the Pinot Noir and the...that one.” I pointed at one.

“The Nero d'Avola.”

“Two reds, how fitting,” Mags said with a chuckle.

“We’ll take one of each,” Ethan said to the server. “You two can go and wait outside while I sort this out.”

Mags grabbed my hand and led me outside, swinging me into his body once we were out. “Mmm, hello beautiful,” he murmured, staring into my eyes.

“Mags.” I giggled.

He brushed his lips along my neck softly. “I want to mark your skin so badly right now. Do you reckon your husband will mind?”

“He’ll probably want to do the same,” I said.

“Sounds like a good plan to me.”

I met his lips, kissing him gently until a subtle cough sounded. “Magnus.”

His body stiffened. “Dante Romero. What brings you to our land?” We turned to face a tall bearded man wearing a suit.

“I heard a Prezello was in town.”

“Ethan’s here on his honeymoon.”

“The youngest Prezello got married? Wow.”

“Dante-”

“What are you doing here?” Ethan's voice cut Mags off.

“Ethan Prezello, I heard that a congratulations are in order,” he said in a heavily Italian accent. “Who’s the lucky woman?”

“Yes, they are, however, that didn’t answer my question.” He passed Mags the bag of wine.

“I'll answer yours when you answer mine.” Dante smirked.

Ethan glanced at me which was all the answer he need.

“Ah, the woman with her arms wrapped around another man. Good start to a marriage.”

“Dante, how about you mind your own business and tell me why you're here,” Ethan snapped.

“We need to chat about business.”

“Then speak to my father.”

“This requires a face to face chat...in private.”

Ethan frowned, glancing at me and Mags. “Fine, I'll come with you. Mags, take Ashlee home. I'll call you when I need picking up.”

“Sure.” Mags frowned.

Ethan glanced at me again, striding over and kissing me hard. “Be good for Mags.”

“Will you be okay?” I whispered.

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, baby, I'm armed. I'll see you later.” He kissed me again before walking with Dante towards a black car.

“Don’t worry, Red. Nobody fucks with a Prezello. Your husband will be just fine.” Mags grabbed my hand. “Let’s go home.”

I was preparing dinner by the time Mags left to pick Ethan up. I'd spent the last two hours worried and barely able to concentrate on the book I'd plucked from the bookcase.

“Hey, sweetheart,” both men walked into the kitchen.

I turned and studied him, assuring myself that he was in one piece. “What did he want? Are you okay?”

Ethan chuckled. “Just to talk.”

When I frowned he continued. “Some information about Dmitry Volkov trying to sway Dante’s alliance.”

“Oh,” I muttered.

“Don't worry about it, Ash. Make us a nice dinner while I phone my dad.”

I nodded, trying to convince myself that everything was fine. Anything regarding the Volkov's caused a dark pit of despair to form in my stomach.