8. Eliza
8
Eliza
I want this man to grovel.
I’ll admit, his apology did catch me off guard. After leaving me to fend for myself, leaving me to dab at my wounds by lonesome, I knew I needed something.
Something as simple as I’m sorry shouldn’t be enough, but it sure helped.
I hate that I want this man. The time we spent apart felt like torture. I assumed he hated what we did, like he felt I wasn’t good enough.
Now, I’m not so sure. He’s looking at me like he’s fighting his control.
Now that the light is on, I can see the bruise on his jaw and see that he’s bloodied the sweatpants I’m wearing from his light touches. For a moment, I’m distracted by the destruction happening to his handsome face.
“Pause, actually. What happened?” Reaching for him, I cradle his jaw, surprising us both that I care. “Did Rocco come?”
I really don’t expect him to, but there’s the smallest chance he’d snap out of this bastard phase of his and be the old loving brother I remember.
Urzo clicks his tongue, shaking his head. “Needed to release some steam, that’s all. It’s what I do.” He pulls his raw knuckles away when I try to touch them next. Capturing my wrist, his teeth graze my racing pulse. “Shouldn’t I be apologizing right now? We can talk about anything else another time.”
He’s right, but it’s not enough. Much to his dismay, I’m wiggling out of his hold. Instead of running, I shift so I’m sitting on my heels. Looking down at him, I take in every inch.
“I should get revenge,” I murmur as I take in the outline of his cock pressing against the fabric of his pants. So hard, all for me.
I’ve never wanted to hurt someone in the way I want to hurt Urzo. I don’t want to cause him physical pain. No, I want this man to know what it feels like to no longer be in control. To have someone be demanding and take control. To feel… powerless.
All the while feeling an indescribable pleasure.
He starts to stop me, insistent on letting me have all the attention. Well, I’ve gotten plenty out of this. I want to be a little curious about this guy while he’s too distracted to mock me for it.
“For once, let me be in control,” I huff out of frustration.
Urzo freezes, staring at me in surprise. Maybe it’s the demand in my voice, or the heat in my gaze, but I swear the tented erection grows in size. His throat bobs when I reach out and barely graze my fingernails against the bulge. His cock all but jumps at the contact.
“You want to touch me, princess? Torture me with your fingers, possibly that persistent mouth?” His brows furrow deep enough to match his curled scowl. Reaching down, he isn’t even hesitant with freeing his cock. No, he hisses as his flushed erection bobs, freed for me to see.
Something tells me Urzo would enjoy suffering under my control. It wouldn’t be a punishment or anything of the sort. No, it would be more of a reward for us both.
Licking my lips, my mouth waters at the sight of precum seeping from his slit.
I didn’t really get to see it beforehand. Now I’m in absolute awe. He’s got a weapon, alright. Thick is an understatement, and that flushed tip looks as angry as he does. The vein running along his length pulsates, inviting me to get closer for a better view.
Reaching forward, the heat of his arousal sears my fingertips as I wrap my fingers around him.
For once, I’m curious. Not just of cocks in general, but of this man’s in particular. To think this thing was once inside of me. No wonder why I was so sore. One little squeeze is all it takes to draw a growl from his lips.
His teeth look like they could crack at how tight his jaw is. Still, he fights the urge to take over.
“You can just keep going, huh?” Murmuring the words, I squeeze him tighter and watch as a bead of precum rolls down his slit. Spreading it with my thumb, the blush on my cheeks burn hotter. “Is this something normal for you?”
“No.” Hissing through his teeth, he pinches his eyes closed to concentrate as I slowly start to stroke him. “Only started once you appeared. It’s like a fucking curse. My cock isn’t even my own anymore.”
Biting my lip, I watch his throat bob as my hand moves in a blur. I’m probably slow and showing my inexperience, but he doesn’t care. Not when I feel his thighs flexing against my arm, his cock jumping against my fingers, and the gutted moan that’s manifesting in his throat.
“Fuck, tighten your fist,” he orders, his voice wavering.
Instead of snapping at him for trying to take over, I’m too busy doing as I’m told. Panting right alongside him, my hand moves with no struggle as more precum continues to spill. His knees lift before his hips jerk.
Now this… this is a sight worth seeing. I’m staring hard enough to make my eyes burn. I’m tempted to tuck a hand between my thighs and match his pleasure.
Suddenly, his eyes snap open. His movement is quick, his palm moving to cover the head of his cock as I continue stroking. He moans and curses as his hand catches his release, but I feel his release running and dripping along my fingers as I slow down.
We’re left staring at each other, and he’s fighting to catch his breath.
Without warning, he’s burying his other hand into my hair and dragging me to his mouth. His kiss is as harsh as the last one, but something’s changed. A shift has happened. The obvious sign that there is no reversing this.
He knows it. I know it. Tomorrow, who knows how we’ll be seeing each other? However, right now, I don’t want this to end.
He’s awoken something in me. Something that demands more of this.
Pulling away, I’m kissing the bruise on his jaw. “How long until you can go again?”
Urzo makes this choking sound, a mix of a laugh and a groan. “Fuck, princess. You’ve squeezed me dry twice in a day. You think I can survive a third?”
Resting my weight on my knees, I move my cum-covered fingers to my clit, stuffing my hand straight into my pants. “You have to.”
He can’t see what I’m doing, but I know he can hear the wetness of my pussy against my fingers.
Now that he’s opened up Pandora’s box, he’s responsible for dealing with the consequences.
“If you can’t handle me now, then how do you plan to deal with me once I’m at my best?” When I’m not lost in a path of confusing feelings and worries over my siblings. Leaning against him, I let out a breathy moan against his ear as I circle my clit with his release. “Maybe I’m going to have to get that vibrator after all.”
That makes him growl, causing a shiver to rack through my body. Suddenly, his hand is against my ass with a slap hard enough to cause a light sting.
The darkness is back in his eyes, fueled by untamed hunger. I guess this little moment of control is over.
When my back hits the mattress, and he’s collected my wrists, pressing them above my head, I know I’ve said the right words.
Curling under his gaze, my smile grows as his scowl does the same.
Aren’t honeymoons supposed to follow weddings? Seeing as I’m not going to have a big wedding or anything of the sort, I might as well try to skirt along the line of tradition.
Even if it takes all night, we’re going to both accept this union one way or another.
As scary as the realization is, I can’t lie. I’m more than halfway there.
He doesn’t shove my thighs apart and split me open with his cock like I expect him to. Rather, he pulls away. Still within my reach, his eyes travel across my front. Taking me in one inch at a time, I can see the hunger dancing around in his eyes.
“You need rest. Time to heal and adjust,” he murmurs as he brushes my kneecap with his fingertips. Turns out, he can have a gentle touch if he tries hard enough.
I don’t want to sleep. What happens if I wake up and all this is some kind of heated fantasy? What happens then?
“Stay here.” Giving the order, he lifts off of the bed and heads over in the direction of the bathroom. Returning with a cloth, he cleans my hands and wrists. Erasing all evidence from this, he hovers once he’s finished.
We’re both hovering over strange territory. I think he’s feeling just as lost as I am. Does he feel as vulnerable?
Where in the world do we go from here? Am I meant to act like the wife I am and stay by his side? Will each day get any easier than the last?
This guy is all about power and control, and I know tonight is just a slip of weakness. What kind of man will I wake up to in the morning?
Will he be an asshole who demands I listen to his words like they’re the law, or will he touch me as gently as he does with the washcloth?
Catching himself getting lost in his stare, he turns and disappears long enough to ditch the cloth. Once he returns, he slides back onto the bed. At first, he keeps his distance. As if he doesn’t know what to do with himself, he turns off the light, leaving us in darkness.
What do I want him to do? Do I want distance?
With conflict clashing around in my chest, I shift close to him to soak in his warmth. Settling my cheek against his chest, I hear the rhythmic thump of his heart. Guess he has one, after all.
Just tonight, I’ll be a little weak with him. When tomorrow comes, we can figure out how we both want to act when the time comes.
From the way his arm securely wraps around my back, keeping me in place, I can see he silently agrees.
* * *
When I wake up, I expect it to be because of Urzo snoring in my ear. Instead, it’s a light knock against the door. Too light to be from any of these brutes.
The sun is already high in the sky, and I squint at his alarm clock. It’s way into the afternoon at this point.
“Ignore them.” Sleep laced around his voice, Urzo doesn’t loosen his hold. In fact, I think he tightens his arm. When I dig my nails into his arm, he growls.
If it weren’t for another knock, my pussy might be happy to accept his tone.
“It’s Camellia,” I tell him, huffing. “Release me before I shove an elbow into your face.”
I won’t actually, not with the swelling of his nose. But still, my threat works and he sighs as he rolls onto his side.
He looks… good. I haven’t bothered myself to get a better look at him. Now that the opportunity has come, my sister is getting in the way.
I love my sister, I do. I won’t let her persistence annoy me.
Instead of taking in his scarred golden skin, or his restful expression, I crawl off the bed and make my way over to the door.
Camellia’s frowning when I find her on the other side. Not in a ‘ you’re a traitor for letting the enemy between your legs ’ kind of way, but a ‘ something bad happened ’. Did she and Santino get into a fight?
We’re a little late for any reversed decisions. However, if he hurt her, then I swear I’ll kill Urzo’s brother.
“Can we talk?” She chews on her lip, relief on her expression when she sees Urzo isn’t in any rush to join me. “Somewhere alone.”
We’ve been apart these last few days for most of the time. While she’s been absorbed with the don of this family, I’ve had the brute in bed to deal with.
“Yeah, for sure.” Glancing behind me, I’m quick to see Urzo is awake now, clearly hearing us. He’s got good ears, and he’s used to needing to know everything. “Stay. Don’t even think about it.”
I expect him to ignore me and get up, anyway. However, all he does is frown harsher. Whatever, I’ll take it.
Once my sister pulls me into the hall, she tangles her fingers together as we walk. “How are you?”
Sighing softly, I shrug my shoulders. “As good as I can be.”
“I heard you signed the papers.” Her blue eyes meet mine, and it’s a crashing wave of doubt behind them. “He didn’t force you, I hope.”
If I think about what happened in that room for even a second, my face is going to give everything away.
“No.” I squint ahead. “He didn’t.”
Her sigh of relief is soft and melodic. Reaching to grab my hand, she gives it a squeeze. “Santino wants marriage too, but I’ve talked him into throwing me a wedding. Something big enough to invite others.”
I don’t know who she’d want to invite. There’s only one person that comes to my mind, and even the thought of my brother makes my jaw tighten. She must hear my teeth grinding, because she gives my hand another squeeze. It’s supposed to reassure me, but it doesn’t.
I’ll never forgive him. Not only did he send Camellia on her own, unprotected and the fend for herself to get information he could’ve received with anyone else, he tried to speed up the marriage between me and the eye patch guy instead of gathering a team to go rescue her.
If I hadn’t run, I would’ve ended up with a ring around my finger quicker than Urzo got me to sign my name.
For some reason, my baby sister doesn’t own a single mean bone in her body. She forgives too easily. Luckily for her, I’m willing to cling onto a grudge double the size of one person.
Even now, she’s got a light in her eyes as she looks at me pleadingly. Whatever she has to say, she wants me to hear her out.
For her, I’m willing to at least listen.
“We saw him, Eliza. Santino… he wanted to kill him. But Rocco… he looked so lost. Like he’s given up. He looked the same way when our father…” She squints ahead like she can’t finish the sentence. Finally, she slowly inhales. “He looked lost,” she repeats. “And I think he needs help.”
Yeah. So did she, and look how that ended up.
“Does Santino have a sister? Might as well marry her off to him then. Since everyone thinks marriage saves everything around here.” I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Otherwise, he can find someone else to help him.”
“Eliza.” The way she drags my name out using that tone that makes me weak, she knows she’ll get her way. I know looking her way will only cause me trouble, so I try not to until she says my name again.
“God, okay.” Slipping my hand from hers, I hug myself as we walk. “You know these brothers won’t let us out of their sight.”
Her brows lift in surprise. “Even now, after everything is done?”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I shrug a shoulder. In truth, I don’t know how Urzo is going to act from this point forward.
I’ve got a feeling in my gut that he’ll still try to stick around. Even if Santino orders him to do anything, he’ll still find time to find me.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to slip out. So, how can we help Rocco out if we’re stuck here?” Hating that I’m actually trying to plan here, I scoff under my breath. “Invite him here, and I’m sure someone else with a gun will pull their trigger without the order.”
Camellia shivers at the thought. “If I could just sit down and talk to him…” She sighs and shakes her head. “I know I’m not getting the full picture here.”
She’s right. Neither of us are. Our brother is a mystery, and I know a conversation or two won’t give us the answers we need. He’s too stubborn, keeping all his burdens to himself.
I’ve been asking him why he isolated Camellia for years and every time, I’ve spoken to a brick wall.
“The wedding,” she starts back up, “I’ll invite him. If he comes, then maybe we can figure out how to live in peace.”
She’s hopeful. Always has been, wanting to be the positive one even during the shittest situations. If it weren’t for this attitude, maybe I would’ve tried to slip her out and run away on our own before everything played out to where we are today.
“What did Santino think of this plan?”
Her mouth curves instantly. “He doesn’t like it. Then again, he really hates Rocco. But, funnily enough, he’s willing to do things he doesn’t like if it makes me happy.”
So, she really does have him wrapped around her finger. In the back of my mind, I thought Santino just saw her as a toy or plaything, eventually growing tired of her. But, if they’re talking about marriage, I guess he’s actually in love with her.
A tiny ache squeezes at my chest, and I know it’s jealousy gripping my heart.
I won’t be jealous of my baby sister. No, I’ll be happy for her.
We reach doors that lead out toward the back of the home. From the glass, it looks like a garden.
All this time here, and I haven’t been outside once.
Just as she casually grabs the handle of the door, I expect grunts to appear from all angles to stop us. Instead, she opens the door without hesitation, like she’s done it before.
Just like that, I’m thinking about my freedom once more.
Sure, I’m tied to this family now, but I don’t need to be tied to this estate.
I could leave. Even if there are iron bars wrapped around the land, I could climb them. Even if I got sliced up by barbed wire, if I really wanted out, I could leave.
“Eliza?” Camellia’s looking at me now, worry written all over her face. “Are you alright?”
No. I don’t think I am.
“I… don’t think I want to leave.”
She blinks at me, and steps back inside, completely misunderstanding. “We can go see what they have to eat, then. I’m sure they will have lunch ready by now.”
As the realization settles that Urzo has done more damage than I originally thought, I nod my head without thinking.
Camellia, ignorant to the dilemma happening in my head, wraps her arm around mine and guides me forward. Thanks to her, I barely avoid letting my legs give out.