Chapter 31
Marcello
The knocking at my door has me pulling myself out of my thoughts. I’m trying not to spiral from inviting Ellie over to my apartment. I’m supposed to be keeping her away from me for her safety. Then I get one opening, and the words are spilling out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Opening the door with a subtle smile, I try not to show my whole body vibrating with excitement. “Was the trip over good?” She looks so much happier nowadays. Her hair is up on the top of her head and is all black besides that front white piece. I’m sure Blair did it. I need to send a text to Blair telling her how well she did on it.
I’m staring at her gorgeous frame. She’s wearing a black cut-up crop top that shows the little peek of her stomach that her black high-waisted leggings don”t cover.
“Yes, Marcello, quit being so proper and invite me in.” I outstretch my arm, inviting her in. She walks in, looks around for a second, and starts to head toward my all-white, too-big-for-just-me sectional.
She’s the only person I allow to talk to me like she does and get to live to see another day. When she does it, though, it brings me sick joy. And makes your cock hard, fuck face.
She flops down on the couch like she owns the thing, and honestly, she just needs to say the word. I would hand over my whole empire if that meant she was safe while also being able to be with me. I sit down beside her close enough that my thighs brush hers when I spread my legs out. I question her, “What happened today that needed my attention?”
“Where do I start?” She’s tapping her chin like she’s actually thinking, then continues on, “I woke up covered in what I’m pretty sure was jizz.” She smiles at me, but it looks like a smile before you’re about to lose your shit. “Started my fucking period standing there looking at a bag of expensive-ass underwear sitting on my dresser that I didn’t buy, then pulled this note out of the bottom of it.” She hands the note over to me, but I don’t need to read it. I know what it says; I wrote the damn thing. I act like I’m reading it though, and I plaster a scowl on my face. “I don’t like this, Ellie. Someone is coming into your apartment, coming all over you? And on top of that, my niece is there too.”
“They don’t seem to be interested in Blair, thankfully. I would’ve already moved out if that were the case. I’m not risking her safety because some creep can’t leave me the fuck alone.” She looks over at me and continues, “Your dirty cops aren’t doing a thing about this either. Anytime I call, they ask if someone is actively in my apartment, I tell them no, and then they tell me to call the non-emergent number and file a report.” She gives me the most unamused look, clearly not impressed by the cops I keep in my pocket. She doesn’t know I pay them to brush these incidents and reports under the rug.
Noah intercepts the calls most of the time, acts like he’s filing a report, and just calls me, telling me I’m a sick fuck. I think he might get some kind of voyeurism joy out of all of this. Even if he knows he can’t watch the cameras in her room. I’d take his eyeballs out of his head and make Doc fix him up. Leave him blind for looking at what’s mine.
“Those aren’t the cops in my pocket, Elle, and you know that.”
“I know, I’m just being dramatic, and I thought I had remembered that nickname! Nash has been calling me that. It’s been so long since I’ve heard it come from you. I couldn’t put two and two together.” I see red. That little fucking prick touching what’s mine. Him even talking to her pisses me the hell off.
Her hand is on my thigh, and she asks in a concerned voice, “Marcello, are you okay? You’re really red.” I just nod. If I open my mouth right now, I’ll lose it.
I fume for a minute, then get up. “You want something to drink?”
“Not before you tell me what just happened.”
I raise one of my brows, but she raises both of hers in competition, not backing down from me, and fuck if that doesn’t have my dick alert and ready to go. “That’s my nickname for you.” Is all I say before turning around like a pouting child heading to the kitchen.
“Jealousy looks hot as fuck on you, Cello.” Fuck, her calling me Cello itches something in my brain that I didn’t know I needed. I’ve missed her so fucking much, but I feel like I’m around her all the time, just without her being coherent for it. You know, for her safety.
I look over my shoulder at her, distracting her from my behavior; she can’t know I have the feelings I do for her. We can never be together, but that doesn’t mean someone else will bring that smile to her lips or that laugh I would sell my soul to hear. “I have Noah at your apartment now installing state-of-the-art cameras to ensure you two will be safe. I’m also assigning my best guards to help keep you safe.” Her mouth opens like she wants to argue. “You will be safe no matter what, Elle; I’m not letting this piece of shit around you. Whoever it is.”
Goddamn, I really am a sick fuck.
1Oh, my sweet Ellie, bloodying up my white underwear I bought her. She did it right on camera for me. I scrolled back the surveillance feed to when she woke up. I’m curious to see if she liked her new ones or not, and I would take that as a yes. She’s looking really pissed off doing this out of spite, but little does she know that blood of hers is so pretty.
She’s at work now, so I’m going to pop into her apartment and grab those panties that are mine.
I unlock her door with the key I had made and walk right to her room. It’s late, Blair’s here, but from what Noah said, she’s sleeping. I need to make sure his ass isn’t catching feelings for my niece. I’ll be busting some faces in if that’s the case. He’s been very adamant about watching her, making sure she’s “safe” even though he knows I’m the stalker.
Stealthily, I walk to her bedroom door, which is shut. I head straight for her dirty clothes basket where I know my prized possessions are going to be. I quickly dump all its contents onto the floor and rummage through the dirty clothes, but I don’t see them anywhere. I know for a fact she didn’t wear them after making them a complete mess for me this morning. I probably should’ve kept watching the video to see what she did after she pulled them off, but I was too busy coming in my hand… I do love a good hunt.
I look around and see the lace sitting on her desk. Jackpot. She even left me a note with them.
I whisper to myself, “Oh, Ragazza Dolce, you think this was a hit to me? I love blood, but yours…” I grunt while rubbing them down my clothed dick and then stuff them into my pocket for safe keeping. Grabbing the pen sitting beside the note, I scribble another note back.
I could get used to this.
I’m pulling my phone out to send my interior designer a picture of the stained underwear. I want to be reminded of Ellie and her beautiful blood anytime I’m looking at the walls in my bedroom. My designer knows not to ask questions; she’s paid too well to give a fuck.
It’s just past midnight now; Ellie had to go into Shenanigans for a shift alone again. I’m trying to finish up here so I can be there when she gets off. I’m working in my office at Sins, doing all the paperwork you wouldn’t think a leader of a mafia business would need to do. However, most of my businesses are legal, which makes them a pain in the ass. The mafia side comes out when we don’t get what we’re owed or the person is so shitty we have no other option. That is always my favorite route; we take a piece of shit off the street and give their organs to people in need. It’s a win-win situation, in my very humble opinion.
Noah comes strolling into the office without even knocking, as usual. He’s not your typical hacker with the innocent looks and cowering personality. No, the complete opposite. This fucker would be scary if I weren’t who I am. He’s a good six three, bulky like he spends every waking moment he’s not behind his computers in the gym lifting, and covered in tattoos—some places even all the way blacked out. He has short, buzzed hair and always has a bandana around his forehead. Add all his piercings and he has me questioning things about myself sometimes. I keep it professional between us, but he’s a flirt and knows it.
“Boss Daddy, what’s poppin’?” I swear to fuck. I’ll knock his teeth in.
“Noah, what the hell have I told you about the ‘Boss Daddy’ shit?”
“So you can just be Daddy, okay, cool cool.” He pauses for a minute, and I roll my eyes just basking in the silence, praying to the gates of hell that he’s not stomping in here with bad news. “There’s been movement at Shenanigans.”
I’m up out of my seat before I can even think about anything else.
He tries to soothe me, standing up too. “Calm down, Rhett’s there watching the building.”
I pull my Glock out of my shoulder holster, putting the gun to his head. “You’re working with the traitors?”
This certifiable fuck is just smiling with a gun to his head.
He takes a serious tone when he finally answers me. “You know better, Boss; I would never cross you. You saved me and let me become who I truly wanted to be.” I got him out of one of the worst religious cults I’d seen in a while, and we haven’t looked back since. He knew a lot when I found him, but I’ve had him trained with some of the dirtiest hackers money can buy.
I holster my gun back up and flop back in my chair; Noah follows suit.
“Does Rhett have what he needs there?” I need to call Lev and see what else he’s found out now that he’s not with the Russians anymore. I’ve sent him on a scavenger hunt to figure out who else is fucking with my shit and who thinks they can smuggle in women and children under my nose.
He just nods, and I let out a breath. This sure as fuck isn’t going to stop me from going to sit in the bar parking lot to make sure she’s okay. I make a mental note to call Charlie in the morning to offer more than I did last time. Hopefully the old fart will sell the place to me, finally.
Noah’s at the door, most likely going back to his computers, but calls out over his shoulder, “Next time you have a gun to my head, my cock will need to be out… Daddy.”
Goddammit. I’m already dealing with two too many cocks as it is.
1.Skin and Bones - David Kushner