15. Fallon
Fallon
My pussy throbs as I stare up at Luciano’s serious face. There is no amusement or humor there. He’s totally serious about punishing me, and for some reason, I don’t hate it. Not even a little bit.
I never got to enjoy being free of responsibilities.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had to take care of myself in one way or another.
My mom was too busy living her own life to cook for me or give me baths or tuck me into bed.
By the time I went to school, I had figured out how to make ramen and mac and cheese that I would get from the free student pantry because my mom wouldn’t bother to buy groceries.
I don’t remember any part of my childhood being free of adult responsibilities.
Yet Luciano wants to give that to me. With rules attached that could end up with me bent over his knee.
“Have you ever been spanked?” he asks.
My panties become more and more drenched the longer we stand here. I’ve never been so wet, and he hasn’t even taken my clothes off.
“No,” I answer honestly. “I asked Joshua to spank me during sex, but he said he wasn’t into that.”
Luciano’s expression morphs into disgust. “Baby, you could ask me to do anything with you, and as long as it wouldn’t harm you, I’d fucking do it just to please you.
What the fuck do you mean he said he wasn’t into it?
You want Daddy to spank you during sex? I will.
Just know that the spanking you get during play will be different from the one you will get if you break a rule.
Especially a health or safety rule. I don’t give any leniency on those. ”
“Do I get to give you rules?” I ask.
A smirk slides over his face, and he arches an eyebrow. “Do you want to give me rules, princess?”
Fighting a grin, I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe you shouldn’t be allowed to touch yourself without my permission.”
His eyes sparkle as he laughs and then cups my chin. “I’m afraid that’s not how this dynamic works, baby. Though I can assure you that when I am touching myself, the only thing on my mind is you.”
A whimper escapes me, and he winks, then leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“We can keep talking about this over text if you have more questions while I’m in the air, but for now, obey me, and go get in the fucking shower before I peel your clothes off and bury my tongue in your hot little pussy. ”
Then he turns me around and swats my ass hard, making me yelp and shuffle forward as I rub the stinging spot.
“And don’t even think about playing with your pussy in there because I’ll know, and you will be in trouble.”
Well…shoot. That sucks.
When I emerge from the bathroom and cross the hall to my bedroom, I’m speechless. In the short amount of time I was gone, Luciano made my bed, dimmed the lights, hung a string of twinkle lights, and made a tray of food for me that he set on my bed.
His back is to me, but as soon as he hears me, he turns, his phone in hand as his fingers move over the screen. I have a feeling he works a lot, but it’s something meaningful to him, and I respect that even though what he does is unusual and dangerous.
“You’re beautiful,” is the first thing he says when he sees me, leaving me speechless.
I don’t remember the last time a man told me that. Possibly not ever. I’ve heard men tell me I’m hot and sexy but never beautiful.
“I made you a sandwich, and some cut-up fruit. As much as I’d like to stay and tuck you in, I have to catch my plane.”
Swallowing, I nod and try not to show the disappointment I feel.
A few days ago, I wanted nothing to do with any men, and now I’m sad that he’s leaving.
It feels like something has changed between us tonight.
I’m not sure what or how, but the walls I’ve tried to keep up around him feel like they’ve started crumbling quickly.
“You can text me as much as you want before you go to bed, but I want you to be lights out and phone off by midnight. You’ve been through a lot this past week, and you need to rest. Understand?” he asks when he comes to me and slides his phone into his pocket.
He’s giving me a demand, and a tiny part of me wants to challenge him and tell him that he’s not the boss of me. At the same time, I like that he’s taking control, and it’s coming from a place of caring and not just being an asshole.
“Yes, I understand,” I reply softly.
“That’s my good girl.”
And if he keeps calling me that, I think I’ll do just about anything he asks.
Luciano reaches out and pulls me to him, his warmth soothing me like a weighted blanket. We hold each other for a long moment before he releases me and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Talk to you soon, princess.”
And then he’s gone, and I crawl onto my new bed that feels like a cloud and grab my phone because I have got to talk to Monroe about this.
When she picks up on the second ring, I smile and cross my legs together, ready for some girl talk.
“I’m so glad you called. I miss you so much,” she says as soon as she answers. “How are you?”
I pick up the sandwich Luciano made me. “Oh my God, I have so much to tell you. I found Joshua cheating on me three days ago, and I left him, and I accidentally met a guy because I beat the shit out of his car with a bat, thinking it was Joshua’s, and so much has happened since then.”
Monroe is silent for a moment before she starts cackling. “What in the world? Oh my God. Girl, we have so much to catch up on. I broke up with Ryan three days ago!”
“You go first,” I say and then take my first bite, letting out a silent moan of happiness.
This may only be a turkey sandwich, but it’s the best damn one I’ve ever had. Maybe I’m just really hungry, or maybe it’s because Luciano made it for me. I don’t know the last time anyone made me a meal.
“I couldn’t take it anymore, Fallon. No matter what I did, it was always wrong.
The longer we were together, the scarier he got.
He threw a candle across the room trying to hit me because I didn’t consult him about what color throw pillows to buy.
I moved back into my parents’ house for now.
He keeps calling me and driving by, but I’m hoping he’ll stop soon. ”
My chest tightens, and I set down the forkful of strawberry that I was about to eat. I think he put honey on the fruit, and it’s amazing. Not only does he make food, but he makes yummy food. I guess not all of Luciano’s flags are red.
“I had no idea he was that horrible,” I say through the massive lump forming in my throat. Joshua was an asshole to me, but he never tried to physically hurt me. And Monroe is literally the sweetest human I’ve ever known. Her family has always been so kind to me too.
“I know. I was so afraid to tell you because I know how you are. You probably would have taken a baseball bat to him, and you don’t look very good in orange; I have to be honest.” She giggles.
That makes me burst out laughing with her because she is correct about that. I was sixteen when I decided I was tired of men hurting me and I started fighting back. It’s sheer luck that I haven’t ended up in a jail cell. Not that I regret any of it.
“If he doesn’t leave you alone, tell him I’m coming after him, Monroe. I’ll wear orange for you. That asshole never deserved you,” I tell her, the amusement gone from my voice.
“I know. I just…” Monroe lets out a quiet sigh. “I feel so stupid.”
My heart goes out to my bestie. She has no idea how amazing she is, and no matter how much her parents tell her or I tell her, she never believes it. One day, someone good will come into her life and show her, but until then, I worry about her.
Part of me wants to tell her I feel stupid too for falling for Joshua, but Luciano’s voice plays in the back of my mind, telling me I’m not allowed to put myself down.
What Joshua did wasn’t my fault. I had no way of knowing.
Especially since he seemed so great in the beginning. There were no red flags.
Maybe that’s the difference between men like Joshua and men like Luciano. Men like Joshua are the kind my mother dated. There were no flags in the beginning. It wasn’t until she was in deep that they showed their real selves. Luciano has shown me his authentic self since the first time we met.
“I love you, Monroe. I think you’re an incredible person. You’re going to find someone so much better than Ryan. Fuck that asshole. I’ll kill him.”
I wonder whether Luciano will show me how to really use a gun.
My stomach twists. Shit. I’m not sure how much I can tell Monroe about him. Luciano probably doesn’t want me sharing that he's in the mafia, but what am I supposed to say?
Putting my phone on speaker, I quickly pull up my message app and send a text.
Fallon: What am I supposed to tell my best friend about you?
The three dots appear instantly, and I stare at the screen, waiting for a response.
Luciano: Tell her I’m your Daddy and your man. Who is your best friend?
The corner of my lips twitches.
Fallon: I mean, what do I tell her you do? Like for work?
Luciano: Baby girl, as long as you trust her, you can tell her anything you want. Your best friend is an extension of you so that means she will be safe too as long as she never hurts you.
Fallon: Is that a threat?
Luciano: It’s a fact, princess. Not one person will hurt you in this life again and survive me. I don’t play about what’s mine.
Oh my God.
“So, tell me about what happened with Joshua,” Monroe finally asks.
Luciano: What’s your best friend’s name, princess?
I smile because I already know Luciano wants to run some sort of check on her, just like he did with me.
It’s probably one of their safeguards that he was talking about, which, honestly, I can understand why he does it, so I send him her name since I know Monroe is totally trustworthy.
She’s the one and only true friend I’ve ever had, and I would die for her.
“You won’t believe all that has happened the last few days,” I begin, and then spend the next ten minutes giving her an overview of everything.
“Are you kidding me? Fallon! He could be dangerous.” The concern in her voice makes me smile because while I grew up around a lot of shady people, Monroe has a family who have always been involved in her life.
She’s definitely more sheltered and innocent.
It’s why I’ve always been protective of her.
“He’s not going to hurt me,” I say without thinking twice about it.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Luciano is a dangerous man.
The American Italian mafia is one of the most ruthless, according to the articles I’ve read over the last few days in between clients.
But according to some of the reports, the American-based syndicates have had a pact for the past several decades.
Since that was in place, there’s only been one suspected mafia-involved incident.
It happened a few years ago, and the sources seemed to be pointing their fingers at the Irish and Russian families, but of course nothing has been confirmed.
“I don’t know, that sounds scary, Fallon. What if you make him mad?” she asks. “He might decide to kill you or something.”
“Luciano has told me more than once that they don’t harm women or children. They only hurt men who deserve it,” I say.
Monroe hums, and I’m not sure whether I should tell her about the discussion we had tonight about the relationship dynamic Luciano wants. Will she think badly of him? Him spanking me wouldn’t be harming me or abuse. He made it clear that everything would be consensual.
“Have you ever heard of Daddy Doms?” I finally ask.
She’s silent for a long moment. For a second, I think I’ve lost the call, but then she clears her throat. “Yes.”
I pinch my eyebrows together at her shaky voice. “I feel like there’s more to it than a simple yes.”
Monroe and I have been best friends since middle school. I can tell there’s definitely more.
“I read a lot of romance books about Daddies,” she confesses. “I have for years.”
My jaw drops as I move the now-empty tray of food to the dresser and come back to the bed to climb under the brand-new plum-colored covers. Did Luciano pick these out himself?
“What? You never told me that.”
She lets out a breath. “It’s kind of weird to admit it’s something I like. Even to you.”
Monroe has always been a lot shyer than me when it comes to sharing stuff, so it doesn’t surprise me. Honestly, now that I know, I can see that it could be her thing.
“Well, I think I might like it, too,” I admit. “I mean, I don’t know. Luciano is a Daddy Dom. He keeps doing nice things for me and tells me to do stuff and tries to give me rules. I shouldn’t like that, but I do.”
The few times Joshua tried to tell me what to do, it pissed me off.
But the stuff he was demanding was for his benefit only.
I’m not sure anything Luciano has told me to do is for himself.
Well, maybe the no-touching-myself rule.
Which is really mean, honestly, especially after how worked up he made me before he left.
I didn’t tell him I would obey that rule, though.
“Girl, you’re living the dream, right now.” She sounds wistful.
The past few days have definitely felt that way, that’s for sure.
“The last thing I should be doing is get involved with another man.” I’m not sure if I’m saying this more as a reminder for myself or to Monroe, but it’s probably a good thing to keep in mind.
“I’m not sure about him being in the mafia, but other than that, he sounds like a really nice guy.
Give him a chance, Fallon. I know you’re afraid and you don’t want to go through the same stuff as your mom, but you won’t.
You’re the opposite of her. She lets people walk all over her; you don’t.
You deserve to be taken care of for once,” Monroe says.
“So do you,” I tell her. “If that sort of dynamic is something you’re into, you should go after it. Fuck Ryan.”
She giggles, and my chest warms because, over the past couple of years while we’ve been in relationships, we haven’t had very much time together. I’ve missed her immensely.
“Come get your haircut. You’re overdue,” I say.
“Okay!”
We make plans and end the call, and there’s a smile on my face as I curl up under the blankets and navigate to my text messages.