The Vendetti Soldier (The Vendetti Famiglia #7)

Chapter 6

I was bred for war darling. Be it love or chaos, everything I do is to the death. - Dave Wise

Santino

I ’ m furious.

Positively boiling mad at what’s going down. On our land, where our home is, no less. We’ve had people attempt to sneak onto the Estate many times, but this is a full-on attack . They’ve breached our walls and have literally brought it to our front door. The same door that helps protect our famiglia. Knowing they have a way to harm my nieces and nephews and are so close makes me insane with bloodlust. I want to peel their skin from their faces and watch them all burn in one heaping pile. If Dante were here, I have no doubt he’d be doing exactly that, but he’s not, so his depravity falls to the rest of us to carry out.

Leaving Mischa secured in my office with Rorik, Luciano makes sure they’re strapped with fresh weapons and plenty of ammo before we close the door behind us. It won’t get that far, though; there are too many of us home right now that we’ll paint the entire Estate red before a pezzo di merda makes it to our famiglia to harm them. If I were truly worried about the attackers getting inside, I’d have sent our betrotheds to the closest safe room to wait it out.

“Ready, Luc?” I ask as I check my favorite gun I own; machine guns have never steered me wrong, so I automatically grabbed for it out of my hiding spot when I crossed the threshold to my office. The Estate is peppered with various weapons if you know where to look, and each of our offices and bedrooms are equipped with safes housing cash, various jewels, and an array of weapons. The garage is worse; if anyone ever had access to our stash in there, they’d be able to arm a small army.

He nods, “Stay safe, fratello.” We run in opposite directions.

I take one last glance at his back, loaded down with his sniper supplies, taking comfort he won’t be in the direct line of fire. I retreat down the hallway, running as fast as my feet will carry me. We’re supposed to be out there protecting our Capo, but he’s crazy enough to throw himself in front of everyone given the chance. The entryway is smoky when I finally arrive, so I use my free arm to cover my nose as I move to join mio fratelli. There’s a lone Irishman standing on the opposite side of the same car as before that had the twins in it. He’s got his weapon drawn on the twins’ father.

Yuri sits still, and dare I say it, calm? My respect for him grows, knowing he was more concerned about his children’s safety that he stayed behind as a distraction to help protect them.

“I’m leaving here, alive !” the man says, his Irish lilt heavy with his screamed words.

“Do you want him alive, Capo?” I ask, knowing Luciano should be on the roof at any moment. Mio fratello is one gifted sharpshooter and will have this man on the ground in a matter of seconds. Valentino stands at my brother’s right side, both hands filled with his gold-plated Glocks. Salvatore is on his left, closest to me, while Cristiano will no doubt be in front of the main panic room, ready to be the last to defend our famiglia. He’s always been the baby to us, and Matteo has made it more than clear he expects him to be inside the panic room to preserve the bloodline, but I know Cris better than that. He’ll hate being out of the action and unable to help protect our Capo, so he’ll be pacing outside the door, ready to shoot whoever may make it close enough to him.

A shot pierces the air, echoing in the stillness, and the weapon flies from the Irishman’s hand. He wails at the sight of his now-missing hand, and I take my first full breath since we were alerted the gate was breached.

“You won’t be going anywhere,” Capo declares. He’ll have an endless amount of questions paired with excruciating pain for the man. “Salvatore, grab him. Valentino, get a rag for his hand. I don’t want blood all over the floors. Santino, get Yuri inside.” He dishes out orders to all of us, then he’s on his phone checking in on the men we have around the property while demanding there be more rotations across the premises. He’ll be calling Dante next to give him a heads-up on what’s happened and to be prepared in case they try to hit him again next.

I move to help Yuri out of the car and into the safety of the Estate. He’s been hit, I quickly discover, as he falters standing, weak from being a sitting duck in the back of the car. His adrenaline must be leaving him, as his face turns ashen. It’s only a shoulder shot, but an ugly one, and must be hitting him harder at his age.

I’m reaching my hand to him when a rage-filled battle cry takes me by surprise. The man comes at me from the side of the vehicle, brandishing a large knife. It shines in the many lights from the Estate and in that moment, I know I’m about to be stabbed. Yuri has his grip on one of my hands while the other is heavy with my machine gun. Capo has made it clear he has questions, so I can’t kill this man as I’d do without a second thought if we didn’t need him.

Mio fratelli run to help me, but none of it matters. As the man steps close enough to plant the blade in my flesh, his body flies backward as multiple shots hit him in the chest. Pink mist flies everywhere with the accuracy and destruction Luciano’s powerful sniper rifle inflicts.

“Cazzo!” I curse, flashing my attention to the roof. Luc stares back at me in return, his expression just as stubborn as mine is, currently pointed at him. “We needed him!”

Salvatore claps his hand on my shoulder, “We need you more, mio fratello.”

“Si,” Matteo agrees. “There will be plenty more to question and kill, I don’t doubt it. What is truly important is that mio famiglia is alive, and we have the chance to get our retribution for this blatant slap in our faces.”

“Pezzo di merda,” Valentino mutters and spits at the dead man on the ground.

“You have me wishing I had more children,” Yuri comments, making a few of us chuckle in response. He sighs and then shakes his head with sadness, “All of them gone. Good men, killed.”

Matteo stares down the long driveway, saying, “They were trying to sabotage your visit.”

“Now they have an idea that our families will be joining.”

Matteo meets his gaze. “Exactly. Which is why there will be no more engagement.”

The group draws in a swift, stunned inhale at his sudden change of plans. Not only do I lose my beautiful fidanzata, but this will cause problems with the Bratva now. We need less enemies, not more. But when my brother feels cornered, the underground world shakes from it. Blood will spill, as it always does, because it’s our way of life.

“Capo dei capi Vendetti,” Yuri addresses respectfully as I continue to allow him to lean on me. He should be lying down with our doctor checking him over. This argument ought to wait, but I’m merely a soldato, so I keep my mouth shut until I’m told otherwise. “We have a good match, my daughter and son will make your brothers stronger, not weaker. Let’s think about this before we call it off.”

“Off?” He casts a confused glance around the group before shaking his head. “No, absolutely not. We have the Irish shaken with the potential alliance between the Bratva and The Empire. We won’t be calling it off; we’ll be expediting the wedding. Forget the engagement and the planning; they must marry. Now .”

Yuri’s downturned lips pull into a wide smile. “Yes, excellent plan. I will tell my children in the morning. Tonight is enough on them; everyone needs rest.”

Salvatore chuckles, “You the most, Yuri. I’ve alerted our doctor; he should be here any moment to sew you up.”

Matteo nods. “Yuri, I hope you and your famiglia will join us here at the Estate for the remainder of your visit. We have an empty carriage house you and your men can utilize until you continue on with your trip. Your children will be safe under our roof, I swear it.”

It’ll be dangerous to have so many Bratva on our property, but it’s also smart on Matteo’s part, as the house he’ll put them in is under serious surveillance. Our men will know when one of theirs so much as farts in their sleep, let alone any pertinent information we may garner in the meantime.

Salvatore takes over helping my future father-in-law while I storm for my office. “Open up,” I shout after knocking a few times.

“Santino?” Mischa calls.

“Sì. Let me in.”

Rorik unlocks it, as I’d purposefully left my keys with her so no one could take them from me and get to her. She has her gun pointed at me as I open it wide and stand in the doorway.

“It’s over for now.” I greet, and she lowers it to her side, clicking the safety back on before setting it on my desk. We all have our own offices, although most of us rarely use them as we’re always working or meeting in Matteo’s.

“Oh, thank God. Are you okay?” she asks.

“Luciano?” Rorik inquires at the same time.

I nod. “We’re all alive. Yuri has been taken to a guest suite to rest and meet with our doctor; you can find it on the third floor. I have business to handle. Leave the guns and I’ll put them away.”

Rorik sets his down beside Mischa’s, then she hands me my keys. Her hand comes up to rest on my jaw, worry clouding her gaze, but I turn away. I can’t handle soft right now; I’m still too furious we were attacked at our home. “I’ll see you later,” she murmurs while passing close enough that her breasts brush against my arm.

With everything locked back up, I go in search for our Capo. No doubt he has orders he’ll want executed after I burn this dinner jacket covered in blood.

E ntering my suite, I discover Mischa asleep in my bed as I’ve been occupied for hours. Her creamy skin practically glows against the charcoal sheets and rich mahogany wood frame. She’s so peaceful with her hands tucked under the pillow I normally use. Is this what married life will be like? Me coming in after a night filled with blood and anger, to find her looking sweet and utterly breakable? I want to slide into bed, wrap my hands around her dainty throat, and squeeze while I fuck her raw. Put my baby inside her. Then do it all over again.

The sound of the shower draws my attention away from my twisted thoughts of Mischa and how I’d ruin her if I were to touch her right now. I’m feeling more violent tonight than usual, with adrenaline still flooding my veins as I peel my clothes off, tossing them in my closet. Heading for the bathroom, steam fills the air as I find Rorik about to step over the threshold of the shower. His gaze meets mine, and for once, I allow myself to check out a man. They’ve never been my thing in the past, but knowing he’s going to be Luciano’s husband has me wanting to look.

He flicks his stare down my body in return. “I could help you with that,” he gestures to the heavy, hard cock hanging between my thighs. He’s used to sharing, so I shouldn’t be surprised by his offer, but I am.

“I won’t kiss you,” I growl the words as I take a step toward him. “And I’m feral right now; you sure you want to try and handle a beast?”

“Don’t underestimate me.”

A dark chuckle escapes my lips as I step into the shower, shoving him back a step. “You’re in the wrong room tonight. I’m going to hurt you, little boy.”

Fire lights his gaze as he steps into my space, “I’ve heard Luciano fucks harder, so I doubt it.”

Grabbing him by the throat, I slam him against the shower wall and lean in, my nose to his. “Be careful; he’s not here to save you.” Rorik had to challenge me, and growing up with a house full of brothers, it’s amazing we didn’t slaughter each other in our need to be the best.

His hands fall to my chest, trailing lower to grip my cock. He squeezes, licking his lips. I like being in control, and with him attempting to fight me for it, I only want to dominate him more. Mount him and show him who is in control in the dynamic between the two of us. Luciano may let him call a few shots, but it will never be that way between us.

He attempts to drop to his knees, but I stop him. Drawing in a deep inhale, I exhale when his palm rubs against the tip. Adrenaline surges through me as he starts to jack my shaft, using the hot water spraying over us to his advantage, and I decide I don’t want to wait any longer. With one hand still wrapped around his neck, I use the other to help spin him around until his back is against my front. My muscles bulge with the effort to control him, but eventually, he gives in, knowing I’m stronger and taking whatever I want from him.

Shoving his face against the wall, I lean in, murmuring, “You won’t touch yourself; you haven’t earned it yet. You’ll keep your hands on this wall, and you’ll take everything I give you. Capisci?” He gives me a shaky nod, and I growl in response. “Say it,” I demand.

“I-I understand,” he pants, and I can’t help but flick my stare down to his cock. He’s achingly hard, and it brings me a sick sense of pleasure knowing I turned him on with my demands and forcefulness but nothing more. He’s responsive, just like Mischa.

Keeping my grip on his throat, my other hand reaches for the conditioner. A few pumps later of the silky moisturizer, I’m running it over my cock like I’ve done so many times in the past when I’ve needed to bring myself pleasure. Tonight, however, Rorik will be taking care of me. Once my cock is evenly coated, I push myself between his cheeks. Usually, when Luc and I share, I go for the pussy and he takes the ass. It works for us, but now I wonder if I’ve been missing out. Rorik is insanely tight as I fight the head of my cock inside him.

He whimpers, spurring me on to push deeper. He obviously hasn’t had a cock as big as mine before, as his body is stiff. My hand drops from his neck, moving down his chest. He’s not overly muscular, his body softer than mine. My perusal pauses to wrap my hand around the base of his cock. I don’t move it, except to squeeze it randomly. Each time my fist flexes, he moans, loudly . I wonder if Mischa would join in if she found us like this.

Working my hips, I eventually thrust my way inside, gritting my teeth in the process. “Cazzo,” I huff out the curse. He’s crazy tight, and it has my head growing light, stars dancing in my vision. Rather than allowing me a chance to catch my breath and him to adjust to my size, Rorik pops his hips. I squeeze his cock in response, so he does it again and again. I’m going to explode if he doesn’t stop. “Do not come. You hear me? You come without permission, and so help me; I will rip you apart.”

He whimpers again, desire reflecting in his expression before he clenches his eyes and takes every thrust I give him. Tears trail down his face, and I don’t know if it’s from the size of my cock or the denied pleasure. Could be a combination of both, but whatever it is, it only serves to motivate me more.

I fuck him without abandon. Not once concerned with needing to be gentle as I would if he were a woman. No, Rorik offers me a taste I’ve never had before: freedom in my passion, and I take full advantage of it. Sobs wrack him as I find my release deep inside his tight channel, and I know then I’ll be back for more. I won’t want it from just anyone either, only him when it comes to this.

Moving my hands from his hip and cock, I pull him away from the wall until he’s using me to hold him up. He leans his head back on my shoulder, turning to meet my gaze. He offers me his full submission, and in return, I lightly run my fingers through his hair, relishing his bloodshot eyes and puffy face from sobbing. I want him to always look like this.

Needy .

Desperate.

Eager to please.

The Russian prince willing to fall to his knees for me.

“You will not come unless me or Luciano permit it. Capisci?”

He swallows, clearing his throat before he gives me the ultimate pleasure.

Control .

“I understand.”

“Good boy.”