Corrupt Vows (Vicious Mafia Kings #1)

Chapter 7

Serenity Vivaldi

The hairs on my nape stand on end a millisecond before Nico’s reflection appears behind me in the mirror. I grab the dressing room door and rush to close it, but he shoulders through and locks it behind him.

“No. No way in hell. Get out,” I hiss as I shove at his chest.

He leans back against the door and smirks. My stomach bottoms out and fear skitters down my spine.

“Your sister is right there .” I jab toward the wall before shoving him again. “Get out.”

I freeze as his massive hands wrap around my forearms.

“What did I say about touching me?”

He pushes me across the small room and pins me against the wall. I gasp as he plasters his front against mine, lifts my arms, and holds my wrists together above my head with one of his gigantic hands. The heat in his eyes burns all the way to my soul. My body flares to life, heightening my senses and waking parts of me I never knew existed, even as fear thrums through my veins.

I shiver as he trails his fingertips down my arm. His eyes drop to my lips. Need pulses low in my abdomen, but I turn my head when he leans down.

He captures my chin between his thumb and forefinger and pulls my face toward his.

“Are you still afraid I’m contagious, principessa ?”

He’s so close his breath ghosts over my lips.

His filthy promises whisper through my mind, adding fuel to the fire raging in my blood, and I realize he’s already infected me with the hunger in his gaze.

“Yes,” I whisper.

His smirk turns my knees to jelly.

“Good girl,” he murmurs.

He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip, and all the oxygen disappears from the room.

“Do you want our first kiss to be tomorrow?” I blink and struggle to hear him over the pounding in my ears. “Are you hoping I’ll hold back if we’re in a room full of people?” He tugs my lower lip down with his thumb. His voice deepens as he studies my mouth. “News flash, principessa , I won’t.” He releases my bottom lip and slides his hand down to wrap his thick fingers around my throat.

“So what do you say, Serenity? Are you going to turn away again? Want to tease and deny me until I’m so hard for you I can’t control myself?”

His words thrust me into a lust so thick I can’t discern which way is up and which is down. My heart hammers against my sternum.

“Want to see if anyone will stop me if I take it too far in front of a crowd?” He brushes his nose over my cheekbone and flicks the lobe of my ear with his tongue before trailing back over my cheek.

“Or do you want to let me taste those pretty lips right now?”

I shudder and force my thoughts through my tingling mouth.

“What’s the difference? Who will stop you from taking it too far right now?”

He leans back and meets my eyes.

“You, Serenity.”

I freefall. It’s thrilling and terrifying.

“I could take whatever I want whenever I want.” He grinds his hips against me. I gasp at the thick, hard length of his cock. “But if you give it to me willingly, I’ll treasure it forever.”

“Why?”

“There is no why. It just is,” he says.

I swallow. He groans and tightens his fingers around my throat.

“Make your decision before I lose control. Let me kiss you, Serenity.”

My heart stops and every thought in my head leaks out of my toes. I nod.

“ Mio Dio, thank fuck,” he groans as he leans down.

Expecting a hard, savage kiss, I gasp when he brushes his mouth over mine. He sneaks his tongue through my parted teeth, but groans and pulls back to tease my lips. With every lick, nip, and suck, he steals part of my soul, until I give in to the need pulsing through me and seek more.

He gives it, invading my mouth with his tongue and exploring me more thoroughly than I ever thought possible. This is no sloppy, teenage kiss, but a precursor to the type of sex that leaves a woman unable to walk for days. I tug on my arms, not sure whether I mean to push him away or pull him closer, but he tightens his grip and growls.

With our bodies plastered together, the vibration works into my chest and awakens bone-deep need.

He hunted and trapped me like prey. His broad shoulders dwarf mine and his natural strength overpowers me with ease. Heat scorches through me as I realize just how helpless and vulnerable I am.

He lifts his head and sucks his bottom lip into his mouth. His groan as he enjoys my residual taste tears me to pieces.

I shiver as he releases my throat and trails the back of his hand down my side, only to stiffen when he plays with the bottom hem of my skirt.

“Don’t. Please,” I manage despite the lack of oxygen in the room.

We both freeze at the sound of Natalie’s voice, but she asks an attendant to find a smaller size dress for her and closes her door again.

Nico reaches behind me for my zipper.

“What are you doing?” I hiss.

Mirth glints in his wicked eyes.

“Undressing you.”

“No, stop.”

I mean for the words to emerge threatening and decisive, but they sound breathy and uncertain even to my own ears.

“We both know this isn’t the dress you’re wearing tomorrow. Let me help you take it off,” he rumbles as he pulls down the zipper.

“You can’t stay in here.”

“I can, though,” he says as he sneaks his hand under the fabric and traces the back strap of my bra.

I try to yank my arms free, but he doesn’t let go.

“Nico, stop. Please.”

He groans and drops his forehead to mine. Our breaths mingle as he closes his eyes and grinds his teeth. He opens them to reveal a desperation I never thought I’d see in such a ruthless man’s eyes.

“ Mio Dio , say it again, principessa .”

“What?”

“My name. Say my name in that needy little voice again.”

My tongue sticks to the roof of my dry mouth. I give my head a tiny shake, not wanting to taunt the beast, and search for a speck of mercy in his dark eyes.

He inhales. His chest expands, shifting his body against mine.

The attendant knocks on Natalie’s door. She thanks them and shuts the door again.

Nico sighs, lifts his head away from mine, pulls his hand out of the back of my dress, and releases my wrists. I take a relieved breath but squeak when he hooks his fingers under my shoulder straps and pulls them down my body.

The dress pools around my feet.

He grabs my wrists and prevents me from covering myself. Goosebumps cover my skin as he gives me a lazy, appreciative perusal from top to bottom.

Embarrassment heats my face. I didn’t expect to give a strip tease today, so my high-waisted panties with playful, colorful swirls and my lucky white bra—complete with frayed straps and a snag in the lace overlay—are far from sexy. With group critiques going as horribly as I expected—my peers have eviscerated not only my lack of progress but also my overall concept—I chose comfort and bright colors over sexiness. I regret it now.

Until Nico’s low, tortured groan filters through the pounding in my ears.

“It’s like unwrapping the first present at Christmas. Holy hell, woman, what are you doing to me?”

Liquid warmth pools low in my belly and seeps into my panties. I resist the urge to rub my thighs together, not wanting to give away how desperate I am for release.

I’ve never been this aroused before.

His phone buzzes, wrenching me out of the haze of sexual frustration. He releases my arms with obvious reluctance and squats to pick the dress up off the floor.

“Step out,” he demands.

I hesitate. He’s too close. I’m afraid I’ll reveal too much if I lift my leg.

His intense grey eyes trail up my curves before he meets my stare and pierces my soul. My body moves without my permission. I lift my leg and step out of my dress. He sucks in a noisy breath through his nose, closes his eyes, and stands with the crumpled dress in his fists.

“Put on the next dress,” he demands.

When he remains as still as a statue, I rush to cover myself with whatever’s on the next hanger. With a low back and short skirt, I rule it out before the bottom hem settles over my upper thigh, but when I pull the fabric up to take it off, the man hell-bent on destroying my sanity growls.

“Spin before you take it off, just for me, principessa , because no one else on this godforsaken planet will ever see you in it.”

Without his hands on me, my brain gives a slow churn and insecurity grips me.

I don’t know why he’s doing this. Is he just playing with me? Getting payback for whatever I did as a child that made him hate me so much? Is any of this real?

“I know you’re already wet for me, so don’t play with me. I can smell your desire. Give me a spin before I decide I need a taste right now .”

I hesitate before turning in an awkward circle, then give him my back as I whip the fabric over my head. As I toss the skimpy dress toward the no pile, I snatch the next off the hanger.

I freeze as Nico’s body heat seeps into my back. He’s too close. My skin tingles and my lungs constrict. I hold my breath as he runs the tip of his finger over my shoulder.

“There’s something I need you to always remember,” he murmurs. “My suit is the only civilized thing about me, at least when it comes to you.” He draws designs down my shoulder blade and leans down so his lips brush against the shell of my ear. “ Capisci, principessa ?”

I swallow and nod. He steps back. I slip the dress over my head and reach back to pull the fabric together, but he brushes my hands away and pulls the zipper up without touching me.

Not quite knee-length, with a simple, elegant design and a layer of lace fitted over the bodice, the dress looks made for a beach wedding. My stomach lurches.

“I can’t wear this. We’re announcing our engagement, not getting married, right?”

His only response is to cup his hands over my shoulders and guide me in front of the mirror.

“This is the dress you’ll wear tomorrow.”

My mind launches into a million different possible hidden meanings behind the words.

I know he isn’t responsible for our sudden engagement, but doubt creeps through me. His lack of a definite no means there’s a high probability of a yes, and I’m not ready to get married. I don’t want to walk down the aisle tomorrow.

Even if we’ll basically live as a married couple starting tomorrow, I’m not ready to be legally tied to him for the rest of my days. I need the next four months to come to terms with my new life.

“No.” I shrug his hands off my shoulders and reach for the zipper. “I’m not wearing this.”

He covers my hands with his. I still and meet his eyes through the mirror.

“When we say our vows, you’ll be wearing the most expensive dress in New York City. We’ll have the lavish wedding every little girl dreams of having. Flowers, guests, photos, food, everything will be over-the-top. Everyone will envy us. Nothing is off limits,” he says. With gentle nudges to move my hands out of the way, he pulls my zipper and continues.

“This sexy little dress is perfect for announcing who you belong to. You’re mine now, Serenity. I want every man in the room to know you’re off limits.”

He turns and opens the dressing room door.

“Why are you—?” Natalie starts, but Nico steps aside.

I twirl around and nearly lose my balance as I meet Natalie’s gaze. Her eyes widen as she checks out my dress.

“Oh my god, Nitty, that’s perfect!”

She leans in and tugs me out into the viewing room. Nico silently maneuvers around us, ready to catch Natalie if she trips, but judging by her firm grip and sparkling eyes, she doesn’t need his help.

“Look at you! You’re like a summer goddess. All you need is a mani-pedi, some sandals, and jewelry. This watch is already perfect, but you need a new purse, a necklace, and some rings,” Natalie says.

“No rings,” Nico growls.

Natalie rolls her eyes and lifts our joined hands to show off my fingers.

“She has ten. You only need one,” she sasses.

Nico crosses his arms over his chest, leans his shoulder on the mirror, and pierces me with his dark grey eyes.

“My ring will be the only one on her finger from now on,” he says.

My core clenches.

“Wow, now I see why she’s mad at you. When’s the last time you had your rabies shot?”

“I’m overdue.”

His deadpan response sends fear down my spine. I curse my wayward body as my senses heighten, highlighting my sensitive nipples and pulsing clit.

Natalie opens her mouth to snark back, but I press my palm over her face and shake my head.

“It’s not important, Nat, so just drop it. You can’t rationalize with rabid animals.”

Her brows scrunch as she searches my eyes. The disappointment in her gaze reminds me of how much fun it was to coax her out of her shell when she was a little girl. I smirk and turn my attention back to Nico.

“The only humane thing to do is put them down.”

His eyes darken. I offer him a syrupy smile before ignoring him completely and rating Natalie’s dress. It’s beautiful and fits her playful personality so well with its flouncy skirt and floral fabric. When she decides to buy it, I breathe a silent sigh of relief and escape into the dressing room while Natalie still stands between us, preventing Nico from following me inside.

I change into my clothes at the speed of light and stare at myself in the mirror for a moment. With flushed cheeks and mussed hair, I look more alive than I have in a while, but as I grab my overshirt from the bench, the faint bruise along the inside of my forearm catches my attention, and the blood drains from my face.

Ralf gave me the bruise when he squeezed my arm, half a second before he completely switched gears and propositioned me.

Is that Nico’s plan? Is he hitting on me while planning to hurt me?

The two men share similar traits. Cold one moment, hot the next. Menacing aura. Enormous body. Masculine presence.

I don’t know what kind of life Ralf has lived, but Nico’s known violence since he was young. There’s nothing to stop him from hurting me. While my father has never raised his hand to me, my mother has, and neither of my parents will help me if Nico treats me like crap.

My heart hurts. I miss Alfonso.

Natalie leaves her dressing room and starts chatting away at me through the door. I shrug my overshirt on and swing my bag onto my shoulder before grabbing the hanger with my suspiciously beautiful not wedding dress and unlocking the door.

Nico stares at me from across the room. I avoid his eyes and link arms with Natalie.

I don’t care if it makes me a coward; I’ll hide behind his sister for as long as I can. Every part of me aches with uncertainty and fear.

Nico Russo scares me. He has the power to destroy me.

Inside and out.