Divine Obsession (GodHood #2)

Chapter 14

Present

RAGE STILL SIMMERED THROUGH MY veins. I could still hear her voice in my head – taunting me.

Gìo? Maybe.

Yeah? Well, it was my hand she grinded against to make herself come. My mouth she wanted kissing on her neck. My body she trembled against.

Natalia Moretti had awakened the beast inside me. And it wouldn’t get tamed until I got what I wanted.

She blushed when I looked at her. Parted her lips in anticipation, begging me to claim them. Dug her pretty, pink nails into my biceps every time she got her hands on me.

Then went on and gave her attention to other men, thinking I wouldn’t care.

She’d hugged Gìo. She’d never hugged me.

She’d smiled genuinely at whatever-the-fuck-his-name-was from Communications. She’d never been that nice and sweet to me.

Not until I had my hand on her pussy, stroking her real nice. Yeah, she liked that.

She was real sweet to me then. No complaints or anything.

But she just had to piss me off and say some stupid shit like, It’s none of your business who I’m with.

Who I’m with.

Who.

Gìo.

I even tried to be more easy-going – the way he seemed to be with her, and the way she seemed to like so much. Turns out she didn’t like it on me.

Nah. She liked me being rough. Manhandling her. Talking dirty.

She fucking loved it.

She even made me skip one of Davis’ classes and they were the only reason why I even came to campus. But I’d been so… Hot . And angry…

I drove straight to the gym and took it out on punching bag before someone tapped my shoulder. Turned out, Zach had skipped his other classes too after getting into a fight with his brother over the phone. We fought in the ring for the rest of the afternoon.

Gìo? Maybe.

What was so fucking special about him anyway? Sure, he was going to take over as Boss of all Bosses in the Italian-American Mafia’s East Coast Operations.

But me? I was taking over a hundred billion worldwide corporation in cybersecurity, technology and weapons dealing. I was wealth.

There was not a single object, subject, or concept, I couldn’t obtain if I wanted to.

Sure, I killed sometimes. It was necessary in my line of work – the same way it’d been necessary to find and eliminate those who’d fucked with the Dynasty’s underground operations.

But compared to those around me? I was a fucking saint in the underworld.

And I was fucking kind too. Bet she didn’t know that.

I had millions a month go solely into charity and humanitarianism all over the globe. I made sure the family’s real, legal company advocated for people’s rights around the world. I paid for kids’ treatments at hospitals. I supported causes for food banks, endangered animals and the homeless.

If Natalia stopped herself from seeing any of it, I wouldn’t force her to. Regardless of knowing she’d like what she’d see.

I wanted Natalia to see the real me. But fuck if I was going to cut myself open and beg for her to look at me.

My thoughts vanished when I pushed a heavy, metal door open, and entered the dark underground warehouse.

Zane didn’t turn around, only called over his shoulder. “Hey, man.”

“What’re you doing?” I advanced towards where he was checking the build of an MMA cage in the center of the large, open space.

“What do you think?”

“Looks good.” I pulled on the bars. “Sturdy too. What for?”

We were underneath a rundown warehouse building in Downtown Manhattan – Zane’s newest real estate acquisition in New York. He’d traveled all the time for his job. Now, he was finally settling down and putting down some roots. He’d called me earlier to come take a look at the place.

“Remember those underground fighting rings we used to go to?”

I turned to him, surprised. “Shit. For real? Here?”

He nodded, admiring the MMA fighting cage.

“Thought you were going straight. Now you’re starting a fight club?”

“First of all, I’m not quitting . I’m simply being more selective when picking my jobs and targets.”

“How much is a life worth these days, anyway?”

“Two-fifty. Unless it’s for the Italians. Then, I bump it up a notch to half a mil.”

“Double. And they still want you out of every contractor out there.”

“Who doesn’t want the best, at their level?”

I scoffed. They’d pay ten million for Zane to handle their mess. He was the best of the best – not only in New York, but everywhere. “So… Fight Club, huh?”

“Hey, man!” Zane walks by me and smacks my shoulder. “First rule!”

Chuckling, I followed the idiot to a table near one of the thirty-feet tall walls, and glanced up at the high ceiling. “What about upstairs? You can’t just leave it and pretend it’s abandoned.”

Smirking, Zane rolled open blueprints of renovations and design plans. For a fancy, upscale gym with full amenities, from spa and saunas, to combat rooms and even a restaurant.

One word, written in fancy capital letters at the top.

PYTHON.

“What do you think?” He glanced at me, a stupid smirk on his face.

I wiped a hand over my mouth to hide my smile. He’d been talking about opening his own gym for years; he was finally doing it. “I like it.”

“Seriously?”

“Fuck yeah. Using your code name? Cold.”

Zane Takashi became known by many names over the years.

Killer. Aniquilador . Macellaio . Shi . Palach .

Though only two ever stuck. In the West, he was known as Samurai . In the East, as Python .

I glanced at him. Black hair. Black eyes. Black clothes. Black, traditional Japanese tattoos stopping right at his jaw. Both ears pierced and a nose ring.

I’d always found Python to be more fitting.

Zane turned to look at the cage, causing me to do the same. “First event is tonight.”

“Who’s fighting?”

A dark smile curved his lips. “ Python .”

I got back to Columbia at around four in the afternoon. Just in time for basketball practice before the Home Game. We were playing against Harvard and it was our most anticipated match of the season.

After a full day of not being able to get Natalia out of my head – or the way her soft brown eyes had lit up on me – I could use the distraction.

I could control the twisted desire in my veins when all she did was blow me off. It was good. I need it to keep me in check.

But when she returned the sentiment? Pouted those glossy pink lips and rolled her hips back into me, begging me to do more ? I was fucking done for.

It had taken everything in me not to throw her over my shoulder, lock her in my car and drive until we were alone and I took what could be mine.

What I could make mine. Whenever I wanted.

There was a thought.

I pushed through the college gymnasium’s door, immediately catching the team’s attention and receiving some variant of a nod, wave or greeting from each of them.

“A’ight. Run plays four and seven,” Zach ordered them before walking towards me.

“Thanks, man.”

Just as I predicted, as vice-captain, he had already made the team run drills and prepared them for the long-anticipated game. Dropping my sports bag on a wooden bench near the wall, I began taking out my stuff.

“ De nada . You know I can’t wait till I’m captain next year.”

“What does Matteo think about that?” I asked nonchalantly, despite the topic being anything but. Zach and Matteo’s relationship was rocky, to put it nicely.

And it didn’t help that Matteo wanted him to graduate early. Zach could have if he wanted to – just like me – but then that meant giving up being captain next year and joining the NBA.

“I don’t give a fuck what he thinks.”

“Careful,” I mocked, even though everything I was saying was the truth. “That’s El Diablo you’re talking about. He decapitates motherfuckers like roaches.”

“Fuck off,” He laughed, throwing the basketball he’d been holding, at me.

Matteo was tough – especially in the way he raised Zach – but he’d never harm his baby brother. It was out of love. He had to be that way, to ensure their survival.

I saw myself and Kali in them sometimes. We didn’t always get along but I’d lay down my life for my sister, and I knew she’d do the same for me.

Zach could say he hated his brother all he wanted. I knew he’d do anything Matteo asked of him. Not out of fear, but out of respect and love.

“I see you got an audience,” I drawled, glancing toward the cheerleaders warming up in one of the corners by the bleachers.

They weren’t supposed to be here. They had a different gym they were supposed to warm up in, then meet us here for the game.

The cheerleading captain had her eyes fixated on Zach’s back. My words made him look over his shoulder just in time to catch her rolling her hips while in splits – the insinuation more than clear – and giving him a small wave.

Every guy on the team slowed down, their focus switching from the ball, to the brunette’s ass.

Zach’s face was bored when he turned back to me and lifted a shoulder in disinterest.

“Not interested?” I threw the basketball back at him, so I could put on my jersey.

“Nah.”

“How come?”

He faked a thoughtful face, bouncing the basketball from one hand to the other. “I like a little more mystery.”

“ A good chase ,” I let out in a breath of amusement because I knew exactly what he meant.

He winked, chewing his gum and smirking, before walking off to join the team.

My eyes switched to the door opening on the other side of the sports hall, and my uninterested gaze turned hot.

She walked in all bubbly and energetic. All the cheerleaders immediately went to welcome her and it was then I saw what she was wearing – a goddamn cheerleading uniform .

I’d never paid much attention to their matching outfits before. Not until now.

I suddenly got the hype that all my team players seemed to lose their minds over.

The short, tight skirt that ended scandalously right at her ass, bringing all the attention there and to those thighs...

The long-sleeve top – cropped so it ended right under her tits – leaving her soft, slightly toned abdomen on display.

The same waist I’d had my arm wrapped around just hours ago.

A sudden need – to never let my hands leave her skin – surged through my veins, urging me to do just that.

Maybe I would.

Advancing towards them, my focus went back up to her face.

Fuck, she was pretty. With soft brown eyes, caramel hair, and a sweet expression that I was sure would bring me to my knees.

Natalia . In that tiny cheerleading uniform, I just wanted to lift her up and fuck her against the lockers.

She waved at the girls before quickly heading behind the bleachers to leave her stuff there.

She walked in and didn’t even see me.

It would’ve made me laugh if for some reason it didn’t piss me off.

Changing direction, I headed to the other end of the bleachers. Everyone else was too busy warming up to notice either of us.

She was the first person I looked for when I walked into a room.

No. Scratch that. I felt her before I even saw her.

And she didn’t. Even. Acknowledge me.

The moment I stepped into the shadows behind the bleachers, she saw me though.

She halted, about halfway already, and I silently made my way towards her, my onyx eyes darker than my soul.

“Hi,” She breathed out, and I knew her heart was beating just as fast as mine. Knew all she could think about was what happened earlier in Davis’ class.

“What are you doing here, amai ?”

“I’m here for the game?” She replied in a sarcastic tone, raising a brow. Blood rushed to my dick knowing she always made it a point to humble me. Least she was thinking of me.

Stepping closer, I nodded understandingly; sarcastically . “Leave.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

She scoffed. “Why?”

Another good question. Another one I couldn’t answer.

Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because said answer would probably scare the fuck out of her.

It was on the top of my tongue.

If she left, so would I. We’d leave together. Zach would take over tonight’s game. I’d get Natalia in my car and drive until we were alone, and she was begging me to take what she knew was mine.

“I can’t just leave .” She whisper-yelled, throwing a worried look over her shoulder. It wouldn’t be a great look for either of us to be caught together behind the bleachers.

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

She raised her chin, straightening her posture. “I’m the new cheerleading vice-captain.”

“Are you now?” I murmured, hooking my finger around the hem of her skirt and pulling her into me.

“ Yeah .”

“ Hm ,” I hummed in agreement, dragging my knuckle along the margin of her skirt, sending goosebumps along her lower stomach. “I see…”

When I dipped my finger even lower, goosebumps formed all over her skin as she swayed into me. Bet she would’ve let me finger her right there if I wanted.

Despite her sarcasm regarding my manners, I did think of myself as a gentleman. So I broke the moment.

“Already game for round two?”

Her eyes popped open and she pushed me away, though I only took half a step back.

“You were so eager for me to touch you earlier. Thought maybe you’d let me get away with it again.” Raising a shoulder nonchalantly, I put my hands in my sweatpants’ pockets.

She groaned in frustration, though I didn’t miss the pink blush heating her cheeks. “What do you want?”

“I already told you.” I didn’t actually want her to leave – not without me, at least . Just needed a reason to talk to her.

“Yeah? Too bad.” Natalia turned away from me, bent down to her pink sports bag, and pulled out her white and navy pom-poms. “I’m not leaving.”

“This isn’t over until I say it’s over, Natalia.”

The smile she threw over her shoulder made my dick hard.

“ Then have fun playing with yourself, playboy ,” She purred, her voice all sinful.

It didn’t help that I was left watching her perfect, round ass in that tight, white skirt as she walked away. Her hips swaying… Those caramel curls bouncing with her every step…

Rubbing a hand over my mouth, I wiped the stupid smirk off my face.

Check-mate.

The game had started no more than ten minutes ago.

And she already had me planning some idiot’s funeral.

Harvard’s captain had his eyes on her the minute he walked into the gym hall. I clocked it the moment his eyes swiped down her figure. And I’d been right when he didn’t take his eyes off her for the rest of the time he was on the court.

I was pissed. Maybe even thought about keying his car at the end of the night or catching him later this week to smash his face against the hood.

I was pissed.

Now… Now, I was homicidal.

The idiot just had to tip me over the edge.

Zach had already scored multiple times within the first five minutes of the game, and I could see sweat gathering on the rival team players’ foreheads.

Through all the passing and shooting, Harvard’s suicidal captain got hold of the ball.

I didn’t trip; not even when he ran across the court to shoot a couple points.

But when he slam-dunked and dedicated the shitty two-pointer to none other than Natalia…

He was dead.