Chapter 23
Viviana
F lynn presses the penthouse button in the elevator. My hands are sweating, and I'm struggling to catch my breath. Anxiety tightness in my stomach. Flynn remains silent, his tall frame leaning against the elevator wall, stealing occasional glances at me, checking if I'm holding it together.
The elevator doors don't open, sharp and sudden, and my heart skips. Declan stands just beyond the threshold, his presence overwhelming in the soft, cold light of the chandelier. His black shirt clings to his broad chest, and the rolled-up sleeves reveal forearms taut with barely contained tension. His face is unreadable, but the storm in his dark eyes says everything.
I step into the penthouse, my gaze scanning the room until it lands on something that makes my stomach drop: the notebook.
No. Oh God, no.
I snap my eyes at Declan, panic flooding every nerve. Did he read it? He tilts his head, rolling his shoulders in a slow, deliberate motion. The anger radiating from him feels like a physical weight pressing down on my chest. The moment stretches on, and instinct takes over—I turn to bolt for the elevator.
Before I can even take a step, Flynn's arm wraps around my waist, locking me in place like an iron band.
"Let me go!" I yell, fighting his hold, desperation flooding my voice. "Please, Flynn!" But he doesn't care. Of course, he doesn't.
"Sorry, sweetheart," Flynn mutters under his breath, effortlessly hauling me toward a nearby room. Declan follows silently, his heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway.
I glance back, and the sight of him cracking his tattooed knuckles sends a fresh wave of terror through me. His piercing gaze burns into mine, his jaw tight as if he's barely holding himself back. There's a grimace on his face—what is he going to do? Kill me? Or worse…
I shake, trying to resist as Flynn carries me, but he holds me firmly.
Flynn throws me onto the bed, and I land hard, the mattress bouncing beneath me. Scrambling, I retreat to the headboard, pressing my back into it, trying to blend into the wall to disappear.
The room feels small and suffocating, with dark grey walls that seem to close in around me. The crimson drapes cast eerie shadows, deepening the oppressive atmosphere. There's no escaping this place.
Declan shuts the door with a soft click that feels deafening. He and Flynn take positions on either side of the bed, their towering figures boxing me in. The air in the room is heavy, the silence only broken by the pounding of my heart.
"I told you I'd bring her back safe and sound," Flynn says, his eyes never leaving me.
I snap, fear and anger blending into a volatile mix. "And why did you do that? So Declan can kill me?" My voice cracks, betraying the bravado I'm trying to project.
Declan speaks, his voice low, commanding, and cold. "Did you know?"
The question is razor-sharp, and I know exactly what he's asking. I shake my head, meeting his unyielding gaze. "No," I whisper, the truth trembling in my voice.
"And when we got married?" He leans against the desk next to the bed, crossing his arms, making the fabric strain against his muscles. His jaw ticks as he glares at me with such intensity that my cheeks burn. He's studying me, every move, every word.
"I didn't know anything," I say quietly. "Not until I found that room. When I saw the dates, something clicked, and I needed to know more."
"So you went back to the room," he growls, his voice like gravel, "even though I told you not to."
"I don't deal well with orders," I snap, the words escaping before I can stop them. Flynn chuckles softly, but Declan doesn't react; his face is unreadable.
"Oh, I fucking know that, firecracker," he says, his tone dropping an octave, each word heavier than the last.
He steps closer, his voice quieter but no less deadly. "Were you going to tell me?"
For a split second, his eyes flicker with something unexpected—pain, raw and vulnerable—but it's gone as quickly as it appeared.
"Yes," I say, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands. "I was going to tell you, but your friends kidnapped me. Remember?"
"Convenient, isn't it?" he counters, his tone accusatory, cutting.
I shake my head, my voice breaking. "I knew it," my chest tightened, and I let out a sigh. "I knew you would never believe me."
I take a deep breath, their eyes fixed on me, but I'm too tired to care anymore. Everything is so complicated, and I don't know what else to do or say.
So, I push away from the headboard, sliding off the bed until my feet hit the cold wooden floor. My legs shake under me, but I stand, and Declan freezes, his eyes rising slightly in surprise.
I take a step toward him, forcing myself to hold his gaze. "Just get it over with," I say, my voice steady. "I'm not going to apologize for something I didn't do. My father did something unthinkable to someone who didn't deserve it. If I had known what he did when you chose me as your wife, I would've run. I would've told my sisters to run. I wouldn't have stayed in your bed."
Tears sting my eyes, but I don't let them fall. "So do whatever you need to do," I say, closing my eyes and bracing for his wrath.
After a long silence, only the sound of our breathing fills the room. Then I hear Flynn sigh. "Dec," he says softly.
I feel Declan's hand under my chin, tilting my face up. His rough fingers are steady but gentle, and I meet his eyes reluctantly. The worry in them hits me like a punch.
"Do you really think I'm going to kill you?" His voice is low, huskier than usual.
I swallow hard. "If you're not, then why did you bring me into this room with…" I gesture vaguely at Flynn, "him?"
Declan glances at Flynn, who simply shrugs.
"Scare tactic," Flynn says casually.
Declan turns back to me, his expression softening slightly. "I wanted to make sure you'd tell the truth. But I would never kill you, Viviana."
My brows draw together in disbelief. "This was a scare tactic?" I gasp. "This motherfucker!"
Without thinking, I clench my fist and punch him square in the jaw. I feel a sting in my knuckles, but the satisfaction of releasing that pent-up anger makes it worth it.
He steps back, stunned, and Flynn bursts into laughter. "Fucking hell! That's one hell of a right hand," he chuckles, doubling over.
Declan's hand rises to his face, fingers brushing the reddening spot where I hit him. The corner of his lip swells slightly. "You use a scare tactic on me?" I yell, my anger bubbling over. "I hate you so much right now, Declan!"
"Fuck," Declan mutters, his voice tinged with amusement. His smirk returns, the glint in his eye making my anger burn even hotter. "Almost forgot about that fucking right arm of yours!"
"I should punch you too," I snap, turning to Flynn, who immediately raises his hands in surrender.
"Nah, I'm good, sweetheart," he says, grinning wider.
"You should let her," Declan says, still massaging his jaw, his expression amused.
Flynn straightens up with a devilish grin and turns to Declan. "I'll leave that to you mate. What's the next move, besides getting punched by your lovely wife?" He winks at me.
Declan's expression hardens, his jaw tightening as he mutters, "Nolan Keeffe."
"No! Not that!" I cut in, my voice sharp as I pushed against his shirt. Declan turns to face me, brow furrowing in annoyance.
"Why not?" he asks, his tone carrying disbelief, as though my objection is some ridiculous request.
"I'm fine." I raise my hands, gesturing down my body. "See?" I say firmly. "Nothing happened. You are not going to kill him."
Declan studies me for a long, uncomfortable moment before exhaling heavily and shifting his gaze to Flynn. "Fine. Just give him something to remind him whose wife he isn't going to touch. Ever."
Flynn's grin twists into something sinister, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Did you hear me?!" I snap, grabbing Declan's arm to force his attention back to me.
"I did," he replies with maddening calm. "You said not to kill him, and I agreed." His smirk deepens, a dangerous glint in his eye as he
licks his bottom lip. "But you didn't say anything about teaching him a lesson."
I throw my hands up in frustration. "I swear, you Irish men are insane—always out for blood!"
Declan's smirk widens into a knowing wink, and Flynn chuckles, his tone shifting to something darker. "And Giovanni?"
Declan's entire demeanour hardens, his body coiling like a predator ready to strike. "My brothers are on it," he says coldly, his voice devoid of any amusement. The icy calm sends a chill down my spine.
"Declan," I murmur, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach.
He turns to me, his gaze softening slightly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to kill him. Yet." His knuckles brush my cheek in a gesture so tender it nearly breaks me. "I need to deal with the Koslovs first. But after that, Viviana? I will kill him."
The weight of his words cuts deep. Deep down, I know he's right—my father's betrayal has crossed every line. He doesn't deserve forgiveness.
"And my sisters?" I ask, my voice cracking as fear creeps in. My breathing hitches, terrified of his answer.
Declan steps closer, his hand moving from my cheek to lightly brush against my neck. "They'll live," he says gently, "but they'll have to leave town."
Relief and grief collide, and tears well up in my eyes. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice trembling.
"Don't thank me," Declan says darkly, the smirk returning to his lips. "Thank Connor. He's the one who convinced me to spare them. After what Silvana did, I was more than ready to kill her."
The menace in his tone sends a fresh wave of unease through me.
"Declan, can I use your office? I need to check something," Flynn interjects, already heading to the door.
"Make yourself at home, mate," Declan replies absently, his fingers still brushing my neck. From the corner of my eye, I see Flynn leave, the door clicking shut behind him.
As the sound fades, Declan's hand circles my neck with firm, commanding pressure. My heartbeat stutters as his breath brushes my skin, his presence consuming me entirely. My body reacts on its own, warmth pooling low in my belly, and I clench my thighs together in a futile attempt to control the fire spreading through me.
"Breathe, Viviana," he whispers, his voice a low, soothing growl. "Slowly."
I close my eyes, inhaling deeply as his scent surrounds me—a potent blend of spice and power. I nod, my breaths evening out.
"Good girl," he murmurs, his tone dripping with approval. His other hand trails down, unbuttoning my jeans with deliberate slowness. Before I can process the movement, his palm presses against me, the heat of his touch making me gasp.
"Declan," I whisper, my voice trembling.
"Fuck, I love hearing you say my name," he growls, his lips crashing into mine with a raw, unrestrained urgency. His tongue claims mine, and I surrender, my body responding instinctively as his thumb circles my clit, drawing a moan from deep within me.
I grip his shirt, tugging hard enough to send buttons flying. He groans, pulling back just enough to smirk. "I liked that shirt," he mutters, but there's no real annoyance in his voice.
Before I can reply, he pushes me back onto the bed, his thighs parting mine as he positions himself at my entrance. His cock is thick and ready, the sight of it making my breath hitch.
"You're mine, Viviana," he growls, his voice low and possessive. "And anyone who tries to come between us will meet their death."
His words blur into sensation as he pushes inside me with one hard thrust, a gasp tearing from my throat. My body stretches to accommodate him, every nerve alight with pleasure. His lips find my breast, teeth grazing my sensitive skin as his hands grip my hips, pulling me closer, deeper.
"Fuck, you're perfect," he groans, his movements steady and commanding. "So tight, so wet. You were made for me."
The intensity builds, our breaths and bodies moving as one, and I feel myself giving in completely—to him, to us, to the fire that threatens to consume me.
He stops his thrusting and removes his cock slowly; I feel the loss of him inside me. I feel empty, my arousal dripping to the floor, and my breathing is so erratic I feel like I'm going to pass out.
I watch as Declan heads to the nightstand and retrieves a bottle from the drawer. He turns to face me. "Lube," he says, shaking it and opening it with a pop. I choke on my breath; there is no way he is going to…
"On all fours, firecrackers. I'm going to fuck that pretty little ass of yours," he mutters darkly, full of anticipation.
I stare at him, moving my mouth, but no sound comes out.
"Oh," I finally manage to say, "I don't think I can take you." I bite my lip, looking at his massive cock gleaming with my warm arousal.
"You can, and if you can't, just say your safe word," he says gently but dominantly. "Now turn the fuck around and put your ass up."
I do as he demands, slowly. I have my safe word, and he will stop if I say it. I will say it if it becomes too much—he won't fit; how the hell will he fit? My skin feels as if it's burning under a thousand suns. I catch my breath when I feel the drops of lube on my ass, and his finger spreads it around my rose button.
Oh, fucking God.
He gently presses his index finger in, breaking the tight walls around my hole. I feel my ass stretching, my insides getting accustomed to the strange feeling. He enters with more ease than I thought he would. I feel his digit move slowly, in and out, and I'm hyper-aware of my body. I feel everything.
My nipples harden even more, so sensitive that even my breathing makes the skin tingle. "Take a deep breath," he commands. His voice is dominant but not in a scary way; he commands like he knows what he's doing. It's like a general commanding his troops, and I obey. I trust him.
As my lungs fill with air, he presses another finger in. I feel more drops of lube as he works his two fingers in and out.
He moves them very slowly, so gently, and I can feel my body easing under his touch. Little sparks of pain shoot through my spine, but so does the pleasure. It's a magnificent dance of sensations.
"You are being such a good girl for me," he says, his voice a deep rasp, his cock pressing at my pussy entrance as the muscles on his thick thighs flex with restraint.
He removes his fingers and drops an absurd amount of lube. "Now, let's go slowly." He spreads my ass cheeks with both hands, and I feel his cock at my tight hole. Pressing gently, he increases the pressure, and I feel my entrance parting slowly, with a hint of pain. I feel every muscle of my cheeks spreading as his cock makes its way inside me.
"Hmm," he grunts as he pushes the first inch inside. He stops and lets my body get accustomed to him. I breathe through my nose, trying to keep it in control, and the pain dissipates. He presses a little more, and I feel my insides open for him. A purr, mixed with a whimper, leaves my lips, and I press my head to the mattress.
"That's it. You're taking me so good, firecracker." He drops more lube, and I feel his finger massage it around his thick cock as he pushes in more and more with each breath. I can feel every inch of him stretching me in ways I never thought were possible.
"I'm almost all in, Vi," he grunts, his hand pressing on my hips, making me move toward him. His cock enters until he is fully seated inside me, and he begins to move slowly, in and out. I cry out his name, and he digs his nails into my skin.
It feels different from what I thought; it's a mix of pleasure and pain. The pain seems to increase the pleasure in a way I've never felt. I feel full of him.
"Can you take my finger on your drenching cunt?" he asks, but before I can answer, his two fingers thrust inside me. I move, making his cock dig deeper inside of me, and I scream as I feel heat pour all over my core.
"That's it. Fuck me, just like that," he growls, and I move my hips into him. His hips circle, and I moan as he hits every sensitive part of my insides. His fingers curl, and he hits my G-spot with an expertise that makes me whimper.
God, he is so good at this! I'm going to pass out!
He begins to thrust harder and faster in both my ass and pussy.
I'm panting for air, our bodies moving like a symphonic masterpiece, my heart beating in my throat, my eyes becoming blurry, and my core is on fire. It's as if a volcano will erupt inside me. Declan curls his finger inside my pussy, his thumb on my clit, and his cock in my tight hole.
It's all too much! Oh God! It's too much!
"Declan!!" I scream his name as I feel my stomach and back burn, my muscles tightening all around him. My fingers curl on the sheets.
I lose all sense of reality. I come so hard my entire body moves, crashing into his, and he grabs my hips harder to keep me in place as he fucks me through my orgasm. When I think it's over, a new wave of heat hits me like a freight train.
I hear Declan grunt like an animal about to attack. His warm release shoots inside my ass, and I moan as another orgasm hits me,
a different feeling that I can't explain. Declan holds me up, leaning over, his lips at my ear.
"You are fucking amazing, Viviana."