13. Christina
Christina
13
Being stuck at home while the boys are at work was bad. But waiting for them to come home from… whatever they are doing… is much, much worse.
I’ve sent at least 20 texts and called each of them twice – but no answer. Everything goes to voicemail, and the messages turn green.
I don’t know what to think.
They’ve left me here, alone, while they what? Go off and terrorize Matt? Kill him?
I want to scream but that would draw the attention of the guards. I definitely don’t want that.
If this is what being a part of the Mafia is like for a woman, I want no part.
When pacing the living room is no longer satisfying enough, I opt to explore the first floor, only to find that Albert’s men guard nearly every door that’s closed off.
This giant home is beginning to feel like a prison cell rather than an elegant manor.
One thing is for sure: I refuse to live the rest of my life like this.
Mario – the only guard I can consistently remember the name of - is standing in the hallway by the grand staircase. His attention on the men gathered around him who disperse at that nod of his head.
I walk the last two steps into the room.
He turns to look at me, not surprised.
He’s clearly been told what’s going on, and it makes it all feel that much worse. How hard would it have been to just fucking text me?
Matt is my ex, shouldn’t I get to know?
I hate that I’m being kept in the dark on purpose.
“Where did they go?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” he says, refusing to meet my gaze.
“I don’t believe you,” I say.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. But I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”
“And what am I supposed to do?”
“This is your home. You can do whatever you like.”
“Except go into certain rooms in my own house.”
“You have much of the home available to you, barring a few private areas, Miss.”
“Or go outside.” I narrow my eyes at him.
“For a temporary time, outside is restricted for your safety, however you could go swim in the indoor pool if you would like.”
“And if I wanted to go to the University? Or see my friends?”
“Is there a point to this conversation, Miss Christina? Or are you looking to take your anger out on me?"
I cross my arms against my chest. “I want out.”
There’s a brief flash of sadness in his eyes. “There is no out, Miss.”
I will not cry. I will not cry.
“Isn’t there something I can do? I can’t stay trapped in here. Can’t I just go somewhere?
Anywhere. I’ll take a guard with me.”
I hate how fragile I sound. It’s pathetic, but I’m desperate. I need to get out. Even if there’s nowhere to go.
Mario shakes his head, looking around us before responding.
“Not at this time. There’s been… an incident.”
His jaw clenches, as if holding back the unsaid words.
It’s clearly not the word he wanted to use. I narrow my eyes, looking for a sign of what he is really saying.
“Several of our guards were called in to help. I’m sorry, I don’t have anyone at the house to spare to take you somewhere.”
Take me somewhere.
The words bounce around in my head, grating on my nerves. “I’m not a child. You can’t legally keep me here.”
He nods, slowly.
“Miss, you are under the protection of the Venitti family. You are our responsibility to keep safe. We take that very seriously.”
There’s a pleading look in his eyes, as if saying, don’t make this any harder than it needs to be, but I also recognize the threat.
Mario isn’t going to let me leave. Not willingly, at least.
I want to throw my hands up in the air and scream. Throw a temper tantrum. Something.
Anything.
Instead, I nod my head in understanding, and retreat up the stairs.
I know this isn’t his fault. Nico and Enzo would skin him alive if something happened to me.
It’s the only reason I don’t fight back. I can feel his gaze watching me as I climb the stairs but I don’t care.
It’s not like I’m trying to hide my actions. He’s made it very clear that there’s nowhere for me to go.
Everything I’ve ever wanted is slipping away from me faster than I can hold onto it.
I reach my bedroom and close the door, locking it in place, before sliding down to the floor in front of it.
I’m trapped in a golden cage, and I have no idea what to do about it. The overwhelming truth that hangs on my shoulders is too much to bear.
Once again, tears start to fall down my cheeks, but I’m so damn tired of crying.
I swipe them off my cheeks and crawl onto my bed, clinging to a pillow and screaming long and low into it.
I scream and scream into the pillow until there’s nothing left.
Is this what rock bottom feels like?
I have no allies. My ex is psycho and trying to ruin my reputation – something that he may very well die for. My friends can’t know the truth. And I’ve lost all that I’ve ever known.
For what?
I have no answers.
I have to believe that life will work out somehow – that this will get better.
I bury my face in the pillow. This can’t be all that I’m meant for. There has to be something else.
Not even this room can make me feel safe anymore. At any moment, someone could barge in, demanding something from me, forcing me to fit into the mold they’ve decided I should fit.
And what would I do about it? What could I do about it? Nothing.
I hate feeling helpless. Nothing about my life right now feels like mine.
This room isn’t mine. The décor isn’t mine. My memories, my belongings – they are all shoved in boxes in a walk-in closet. It’s like we moved here and all of a sudden, I had no past – just a future that was already decided for me.
Somehow, my mother managed to marry the one man that seems to guarantee things will only get worse.
I pull out my phone and text her again.
We need to talk about Albert.
Her response is almost immediate. We can talk later. When I’m home.
Please, mom. I don’t want to wait.
Christina. I can’t talk about it now. We’ll have to talk in person, okay?
My fingers hover over the words I want to type but I click my lock screen shut and toss my phone across the room to stop myself from saying something I might regret.
We’ll have to talk in person.
God, it’s as close to admitting the truth as we’re going to get, but it’s enough to make me feel sick.
She knew.
I don’t know when, but at some point, she has to have known. She’s a smart woman. She has spent years prosecuting men like this.
And yet, she has chosen to stay with him. To call this place home. To ruin my life.
I groan. The betrayal feels overwhelming.
I can’t lie here any longer.
A shower seems like the best option.
Washing the stress from my body sounds nice and it’s a step forward.
A baby step – but a step all the same.
Determined, I make my way into the bathroom. The tile floor in the bathroom is heated. I wiggle my toes as I wait for the steam to swirl warmth into the room before slipping out of my clothes and into the water.
There are some elements of luxury that I could get used to pretty dang easily, and this bathroom is one of them.
Before I moved in, I found it hard to believe that people really live like this. But here we are.
I breathe in the sweet-smelling shampoo. Leave it to Nico and Enzo to have nicer beauty products than I do. Now, who’s the princess?
I try to empty myself of thoughts, letting the water beat against my shoulders. The tension eases slowly, unraveling slightly with every minute the water burns my skin.
Maybe I can’t become a lawyer. Maybe I don’t even want to become a lawyer. What will that do for me? Allow me to end up like my mother?
No, thank you.
I can still do something with my life. Something that matters.
I think for a minute, rinsing the shampoo from my skin. What would I do if money wasn’t an issue?
The answer comes to me almost immediately: I’d help women who have been abused. Who need a fresh start.
By helping these women, it’s an opportunity to cleanse some of this blood money and corruption that surrounds me.
Maybe that would make this luxury a bit more palatable.
I can’t deny that there are some benefits. Safety, the situation with Matt.
I know they are fucking him up right now. I should feel bad or maybe even angry, but mostly I feel relief.
They are protecting me and seeking vengeance on my behalf. It’s violent and oddly sweet at the same time.
How many times do the Matts of the world actually face consequences for treating women like shit? How many times are they forced to endure the same kind of pain and suffering that they force on others?
I remember the anger the first time he cheated on me. The first night he put his hands on me.
Would it really be so bad if they took care of him?
I never could find articles tying them to murder. Maybe the things I know about the Mafia are myths. Maybe taking care of someone means blackmail and a blackeye. Maybe I have it all wrong.
But surely there’s something I can do, something legal, to help the women who aren’t as lucky as I am.
I hear the door push open and I freeze, covering my body with my arms. I expect it to be my mom, home from work early, trying to see where I am.
But the sound isn’t right. I turn slowly.
In the doorway is Nico, his stare glued to my body. My naked body.
My heart beats hard in my chest. The water feels hotter against my skin.
I push my wet hair from my eyes, blinking. My stomach sinks when I take in the blood that covers him.
“He won’t be bothering you anymore, Angel,” Nico growls. “He’s gone.”
He steps forward, Enzo right behind him.
“Y-you’re covered in blood again,” My eyes widen at the sight of them.
Nico has the worst of it. His shirt is splattered with blood. Enzo looks a bit more put together.
I imagine he spent half the time keeping Nico in check as much as doing what he felt was right.
This answers my question of whether or not they do murder or not.
Yet, once again – I don’t feel guilt.
“It’s something you’re going to have to get used to.”
I stay silent as I process that. It’s a big ask. This lifestyle is the opposite of what I want for my life.
Then there’s the heavily implied sentiment of whether I like it or not. I don’t love that.
“What do you mean by gone?” I ask, softly
I know the answer in my heart, but I need to hear it.
“He’s dead, princess,” Enzo answers.
Holy shit.
My knees feel as if they’re going to give out and I steady myself on the wall. Matt is dead.
Maybe this time a part of me is glad. It’s not like the man didn’t deserve it. But it doesn’t change the fact that he’s dead because of me. Is that how it is now? What happens tomorrow when they come home like this again?
Nico steps into the water, still dressed, catching me before I fall to the floor, holding me upright, and tight against his hard body.
I shiver, and he holds me tighter still, his fingers brushing the back of my head.
“He’s gone. You’re safe.” He repeats the words like a mantra.
I cling to him and let the tears fall as his words start to set in.
Matt is gone. They killed for me.
“Are you all right, Angel?” Nico asks. One hand cups the back of my head while the other presses into the small of my back.
It takes me a second to respond. “Y-yeah. I think… I think I just need some food.” I hiccup.
“Go get her something,” Nico says at the same time Enzo moves towards the door.
Nico holds me in the water. My chest presses against the bloody stains on his stomach.
I think he realizes it, because he pushes me back and takes the wet shirt off his body, revealing his sculpted abs, and the Italian words tattooed across his chest.
“There,” he says, tossing the shirt aside. “You never have to see him again.”
I see some of the red-brown slip down the drain. The only pieces of Matt left.
A choked sob escapes me, and I close my eyes, willing myself to calm down.
Matt might have been a bad man, but he was still a person I knew. And now he’s dead… and I think I’m okay with that.
Am I any better than them?
“Are you alright? Talk to me, Angel.”
I nod my head, afraid that my voice won’t come out right. No one has ever taken care of me like this… like I matter. Like I’m worthy.
My voice is small when I finally speak. “Thank you.”
He kisses the top of my head. “You never have to thank me for doing what it takes to protect you.”
I hear Enzo return. “I’ve got your dinner, princess. And there’s dessert, too.”
Nico kisses my forehead and steps out of the water, grabbing himself a towel as Enzo steps forward with one for me and dries me off.
He wraps me in the warm, soft towel, pulling me into his arms. “You look better. How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I say, honestly. It’s the truth, even if I don’t want to admit it. In fact, I feel far better than I deserve for certain.
They don’t leave me, instead, choosing to stay and tell me about their day, the non-Mafia related bits at least.
I appreciate their company. After being alone all day, it’s nice to have people to talk to.
The dark part of my brain wonders if that’s their aim. A sordid plan to lure me into a sense of false safety.
I shove the thought down.
The conversation is nice, and after everything that’s happened, I think I can hold off on the more serious questions. There’s a growing comfortability that I have with them, but I can’t ignore the underlying tension that flows between us.
Sultry little looks here and there. The way my body shivers when Enzo’s hand brushes mine or when Nico runs his fingers down my calf.
It’s like my body is constantly orienting itself towards them. Anytime I’m around them like this, my body reacts.
“Ready for dessert?” Enzo asks.
“Yes,” I say.
Nico laughs. He’s draped himself across the bed, horizontally, hands propped behind his head, taking up nearly all the space.
“Come here then,” he says.
“Not if you’re going to look at me like that.”
“Like what?” He feigns innocence. “Hmm?”
My core clenches and I twist my shirt nervously. Fuck it. Today is not the day to be shy.
“Like you want to devour me.”
Nico laughs, patting the space beside him. “Come on, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
I side eye him and smirk. “Why do I doubt that? Do you even know what best behavior means?” I tease him.
He growls, surging forward to grab my hand pull me tumbling onto the bed.
I lay perpendicular against him, my head resting on his chest as he strokes the loose strands of my hair.
“I want to have you for dessert, Angel,” he whispers, his fingers dancing across my skin.
“What do you think about that?”
My heart starts to pound, and I bite my lower lip. The temperature in this room just rocked up at least 20 degrees.
My experience with sex is limited. Sure, Matt and I fooled around a little bit, but we never actually made it to the main event. He pressured me constantly but every time we would get close, something always held me back – a little instinct that told me that I should wait.
When I think about what it might be like to have sex with Enzo or Nico, though, my heart just beats faster.
Tentatively, I nod my head and meet his eyes. “Okay,” I whisper.
“That’s my girl,” he growls, sliding his hand down my neck and under my shirt.
I gasp when his hand cups my breast and his fingers tweak my nipple.
It sends a jolt of white-hot desire through me, and I groan.
Fuck.
He chuckles and reaches for my other nipple.
I gasp when he pinches them both at once. The sensation is so overwhelming that I arch up against him but, as the sharp pain morphs into pleasure, I think I like it.
“I thought you were going to be on your best behavior?” I whisper, “Baby girl, this is some of my very best behavior.” He growls.
His hands are freely roaming my body now and I twitch and wiggle against him, trying to capture all the sensations that are erupting across my body.
I clench my thighs together, aching for just a little more friction. His touch feels so damn good.
“Is someone feeling a little desperate?” Nico asks silkily. His hand trails up my inner thigh, stopping just before he gets to where I want him.
“Come on, Enzo, join us,” Nico calls out. My eyes follow Enzo as he walks to the edge of the bed and looks down at me with a devilish smirk.
When he leans over the bed, I lick my lips and try to prepare myself for his kiss, but his hands stop at my waist. “I think you’re wearing too many clothes, princess,” he murmurs.
I can’t even say anything to that, only nod.
His fingers make quick work of my jeans, slipping them down my thighs. He grips my calves and pulls me towards him, dragging me down Nico’s body until the back of my head rests on his lower stomach. This is really happening.
“You are so beautiful,” he says, positioning himself between my thighs.
I wiggle in anticipation, my feet dangling over the edge of the bed as I wait.
“Do you think you’ll be able to handle us, princess?”
I look at his cock, hard and huge, too big for his own hand as he pumps himself, his gaze flickering over my body.
Seeing it in person makes me suddenly unsure and I bite my lip as fear starts to settle in my heart.
“I’m not sure,” I whisper. “You’re so – I mean, it’s just… so much bigger than I thought. I don’t think it’s going to fit.”
Enzo laughs and pumps his cock again.
“Bigger than Matt, then? Good.”
I roll my eyes, “That wouldn’t have been hard, but I mean, it’s just… we never, did that. I’ve never…”
My voice is barely audible, but I know they both hear me because they freeze.
Mortification floods my face and I want to run and hide. I shouldn’t have said anything. This is just… embarrassing.
“Princess,” Enzo says carefully, leaning over to tip my chin up and meet my gaze. “Are you telling us that you’re a virgin?”
I don’t think my face can get any redder, but I try to hold his gaze.
“We fooled around some,” I whisper, “But the main event? No. I’ve never done… that.”
Nico swears behind me and grips my arms tightly. Enzo looks up at the ceiling in a wordless prayer.
I wish I had kept my stupid mouth shut. Clearly, I ruined this moment.
“Maybe we should just go to bed. It’s been a long day,”
“No!” Enzo says fiercely, leaning down to brush his hand across my face. “No, Princess.
Don’t hide from us.”
“I fucking love that no other man has touched our pussy,” Nico growls, sitting up and moving me onto my back on the bed.
He looms over me, and I don’t know where to look – do I stare up into Nico’s unfathomable depths or do I look down at Enzo who is still palming his enormous cock?
I’m saved the decision by Nico leaning down and capturing my lips in a savage kiss. I’m swept away by the fervor in which he kisses me. He’s in complete control and I cling to him, my mouth opening on instinct.
He swallows my gasp when I feel Enzo’s hands on my inner thighs, spreading my legs. His cool hands caress me softly and I squirm in anticipation.
“So needy, princess,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. “I bet if I checked, you’d already be soaked for us, wouldn’t you?”
I don’t get a chance to answer because Nico reaches down and tweaks my nipple again, making me cry out just as Enzo’s tongue laps the most sensitive part of me. The combination of sensations is almost too much for me. I’m completely at their mercy, caught in a riptide of pleasure.
“Good girl, let Enzo get you ready for us,” Nico growls, moving his mouth to my neck. His teeth scrape against my pulse point and I reach up to wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer to me.
Enzo’s skilled tongue pleasures me and I feel his finger slide into me.
“Soaked already, just like I thought,” he whispers from between my legs. His lips wrap around my clit, sucking gently and I almost arch off the bed.
“Please,” I cry out, my fingers digging into Nico’s back as he nips at my skin.
“Please what, Angel?” He growls in my ear. “Tell us what you want.”
I want everything and more, but I don’t know how to say that. The pleasure building between my legs is already close to exploding. But I want… more.
“More,” I gasp out, grinding my pussy on Enzo’s face. “I need more.”
They both chuckle darkly.
“You are going to get more than you bargained for, pretty girl,” Nico promises, “But first, I want to see what your tongue can do.”
He pulls away from me and I crane my neck to see what he’s doing. Three pillows plop down next to me, and he hauls my shoulders up, leaning me up against them. I’m in a halfway sitting position, giving me an even better view of Enzo between my legs. Nico still looms over me and he’s stroking his own massive cock.
I eye it hungrily.
He stands next to the bed and props one foot up, making his cock directly at face level. I lick my lips when he leans forward and brushes the tip against my cheek.
“Such a dirty girl, aren’t you Christina?” He growls, stroking my face with his cock. “So hungry for your stepbrothers’ cocks. You’re dripping wet and ready to beg for it, aren’t you?”
I bite my lip and look at him. He’s right. I hate that he is, but my desire for them can’t be hidden. My body is already trembling with need, and they make me feel like I’m on the verge of internal combustion.
“Tell me what you want, Angel, use your words” he orders, pressing his tip against my lips.
My tongue snakes out and tastes him, making him hiss in surprise. His reaction emboldens me and I open my mouth just a little wider and swirl my tongue around him again.
“I want your cock,” I whisper softly, “Both of your cocks.”
Nico’s hand wraps in my hair and he pulls, making me freeze in place.
“Then open wide, Angel.” He commands, “And stick out your tongue.”
My mouth falls open and he slowly eases his girth in. He’s thick and my cheeks ache slightly from taking him, but I do it. My tongue caresses the underside of his shaft, and he groans.
“Fuck, your mouth feels amazing,” he mutters as he starts to move. “Just like I thought it would.”
He moves slowly at first, pulling out and then pressing back in – giving me time to adjust to him. But, as Enzo picks up the pace and makes me whimper more, he follows suit. His hand tightens in my hair, and he sets a steady pace, thrusting into my mouth until I gag and tears drip from my eyes.
“You like that, don’t you Angel?” Nico growls roughly. “You greedy girl, you want both of us to fuck you.”
My mouth is full of his cock, and I can’t speak, so I give him a thumbs up which makes Enzo choke with laughter.
Enzo slides another finger into my wetness and then a third, stretching me as he continues to wreak havoc on my clit. I’m so close.
I feel full and on edge – close to my climax but still far away. I try to rock my hips against him, urging him on as Nico fucks my face.
I close my eyes and try to focus on just feeling. The delicious fullness of Nico’s cock as he thrusts in and out of my mouth. The way Enzo’s fingers and tongue are driving me to new heights.
“Please,” I gasp. I wrap my thighs around Enzo’s waist. “Please, oh god, please.”
“Since you asked so nicely, princess,” Enzo replies, smirking up at me. His face is shiny with my juices and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“You’re going to come for me and then I’m going to feed your greedy little pussy my cock, do you understand me?” He orders.
Nico withdraws enough for me to speak and I bite my lip before nodding.
“Words, princess. Use your fucking words.”
“Yes, I understand.” I whisper.
“Good girl,” he praises before dropping his head back down. His teeth scrape against my clit while his fingers work in and out of me, pummeling that little tangle of nerves inside. The pressure makes me cry out and Nico takes advantage, slamming his cock back into my mouth until he hits the back of my throat.
“Come for us, Princess,” Enzo orders, sucking on my clit.
My entire body feels like I’m floating as I explode into a million tiny pieces. Pleasure rocks through my body and I arch up, thrashing as I try to hold on.
Nico holds my head still and drives into me until he comes with a roar, his own release spurting down my throat in thick ropes.
“Fuck,” he growls, “Take every last drop, my Angel. Don’t waste any of it.”
I try to swallow it all and clean him with my tongue, but it feels like my entire body has turned into a live wire.
Hands touch me, lifting my ass and sliding a pillow underneath.
“Eyes on me, Princess,” Enzo says, demanding my attention.
I lean back against my pillows and face him. He’s kneeling between my legs, his cock positioned just at my entrance.
“Watch me as I claim this pussy as ours,” he orders.
He eases into me, slowly and my breath hitches as he stretches me. A sharp pinch startles me and then he’s fully seated.
“You are ours now. No other man will touch you ever again – just us,” he growls.
Nico grunts his agreement, leaning over to suck on my nipple.
“Talk to me, princess – how do you feel?” Enzo asks, giving me time to adjust to his size. I can barely speak. He moves slightly and I moan. The friction is fucking amazing.
“I want you to move,” I whisper, lost to my own pleasure. “I feel so full – and I want you to move.”
His dark eyes twinkle with amusement and he starts to rock against me, making little jolts of pleasure spiral up my spine.
I have never felt this full.
“Christina! Honey, are you in there?”
My mother’s voice calls out from the hall and the three of us freeze.
If she were to find out what we’re doing…
“Answer her, Angel. Tell her what she needs to hear so she leaves,” Nico growls in my ear.
Enzo moves inside me again and I let out a whimper.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now!” I yell, praying my mom will take the hint and leave.
“Honey, don’t be like that,” she says, knocking on the door. I stare in horror as she tests the doorknob. Did I lock it? Please tell me I locked it!
Enzo flexes within me and I slap his thigh.
“Go. Away.” I scream.
“Christina,” my mother sighs, “This isn’t like you. Why are you acting like this?”
She knocks again. “Just let me in and we can talk about things.”
Enzo’s fingers dig into my thighs as he drives deep into me and I almost pass out. I want to scream but if I do, my mother will probably make a guard break down this door.
“Fuck,” he groans in my ear as I shudder.
“Mom, I promise I will talk to you later. I just need some space,” I gasp out.
“Okay, honey. But I don’t appreciate you yelling at me. I raised you better than that.” My mom says, resigned.
“Sorry,” I call out weakly.
“You are ours.” Enzo thrusts harder. “Do you understand me?” He grunts. “You belong to us.
Tell me you understand me.”
“I’m yours,” I grunt in between thrusts.
Enzo comes inside me with a groan. My body feels limp when he withdraws, leaving me collapsed on the bed, unable to move or speak.
Nico reaches down only to wipe the come from my thighs and shove those fingers into my mouth.
“Our good, dirty girl,” he says.
His praise warms me from the inside out. It scares me how much I want that. To be their good girl.
I feel Enzo return with a warm damp cloth, cleaning me gently.
“Look how greedy she is, sucking my fingers dry.”
“She is so fucking perfect.” Enzo places a soft kiss on my forehead.