2. Apollo
V on sat there for a moment and blinked once before responding. “Dude, that is fucking creepy.”
“Is it?” I challenged.
“Oh, come on.” Von scoffed. “If you know as much as you claim to about me, then you know if I think it’s fucked up and twisted you’ve gone off the deep end.”
I shoved her legs wide causing her incredibly short shorts to reveal she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Then I slid closer, invading her space, and leaned forward until my nose pressed against her spandex-covered pussy and breathed in her scent.
“Why are you lying to yourself, my treasure?” I questioned, pressing a kiss to her clit. “You’re fucking thrilled with how addicted I am to you. In your cynical twisted mind, you believe it gives you power over me.”
Slowly my fingers hooked on the waistband of her shorts. Von’s breath hitched, then quickened as I stopped only to pull back slightly so I could meet her gaze once more.
“Look how your skin prickles at my touch, not to mention how easily you spread your legs for me,” I whispered, my nose brushing along hers. “Listen to how your heart beats faster the closer I come. Others might believe this reaction was caused by fear, but I don’t. Do you know what I’m seeing when I gaze into your eyes?”
“Your death,” Von quipped.
Chuckling, I pressed a quick kiss to her lips before she could retaliate. “Yes, but that’s not all.”
Lifting one hand, I traced a finger along her jaw, down her neck, and caressed the swell of her breast which was pushed up by her enticing corset.
“What I see in your mesmerizing eyes, is a woman who’s lying about forgetting me,” I taunted. “You remember everything about that night. Do you play it over in your head? What about how I bent you over my desk and made you scream as you came all over my cock.”
Hunger flashed in her eyes which proved I was right. I used my knuckles and brushed them over her pussy as I continued. “Treasure, it’s obvious the memory lives so close to the surface no matter how you deny it. You couldn’t even make it ten minutes on the dance floor before you were desperate for my fingers to be inside you. Destiny might have created you to be my grim reaper, but I’ll be at peace knowing I’ll haunt your memories for eternity.”
Von’s lips slammed against mine in a brutal kiss full of rage and passion. My fingers slid into her hair at the base of her neck where I fisted her hair and yanked her back, breaking the kiss. The look of outrage mixed with confusion gave me butterflies of hope in my stomach. Lust and anger were emotions I knew how to work with.
You’d be surprised just how close love and hate were to each other on the scales of fate. For Von and me, our lots have been cast, there was no running from it. No matter what she thought, it wasn't chance that brought Von to me two years ago. Although I’ll admit, I’d been too blind to realize it right away.
However, this time I wouldn’t make the same mistake.
“As much as I would love to skip right to the part where we hate fuck each other’s brains out, I need to first convince you to keep me alive,” I explained.
Von’s expression shifted to one void of emotion as she stared at me, waiting to hear whatever desperate attempt I’d come up with.
“I need to confirm one thing, even though I’m fairly positive I know the answer,” I said and took a deep breath. “You’re the one who’s been charged with killing me and my brother, correct?”
Von rolled her eyes at my stupid question. “No, I just like to hunt down people related to the Accardi Family, keeps me in shape since they’re so good at running.”
“God, I love how fucking sassy you are,” I muttered, releasing my hold on her and raking my fingers through my hair which had fallen in my face.
“People only say that when they have no clue how sassy I can be,” Von commented as she tried to find a more comfortable position to sit.
I grinned as I stood, then slipped my hands into my slacks pockets. “Oh, my dark treasure, I’ve been watching you ever so carefully for the past two years. I’m quite aware of how much sass and sarcasm you’re capable of. However, we’re going to put a pin in that conversation so we can get down to the meat and potatoes of it all.”
When Von didn’t comment, I took that as a sign I should continue.
“Let me start with what I believe to be my strongest asset.” I paused, pressed a hand to my heart, and counted to three for a perfectly timed dramatic pause. “You see without me, you’ll never find my brother.”
Von let out a bark of laughter. “Really? I found you, didn’t I?”
“True, but the difference is, my brilliant, cunning treasure, I wanted to be found,” I countered as I waved off her claim with a flick of my fingers. “All these years I’ve been trying to find a way for us to connect once more. Then your dear friend Astin, or should I call her Queenie, provided it on a silver platter.”
Von snarled at my use of her special nickname for Astin, so I made a mental note. Nicknames are off-limits, check.
Switching gears, I tried a different tactic. “Oh, while we’re on the topic of Astin being the mafia queen, I’d like to clear up one small matter. I want nothing to do with my so-called father’s empire. The man was merely a sperm donor who helped to create my existence for his needs, only to hide the fact we were ever born. Poseidon and myself are nothing but spare change thrown in a jar, never to be thought about until they find themselves in a desperate situation.”
“ Riiight ,” Von mocked, nodding. “Of course, why would you want to take control over one of the most powerful crime families after what they’ve done? Trust me, I get having Daddy issues after what you’ve been through. You know what, I think that’s all I need to hear. I totally believe you, Polly, and I’ve decided to turn a blind eye so you can live your life in peace.”
The sarcasm dripping off her words would have enraged a lesser man. Lucky for her, I was cut from the same warped cloth and basked in the glow of her attention. Finally, my treasure was giving me her full attention.
“How magnanimous of you,” I said, playing along.
“Honestly, Polly, no one in the history of ever would think a con artist like yourself would want all that money and power. God, what would you even use all those connections for?” Von questioned as she continued her rambling story. “Hell, while we’re at it, maybe we should join forces and take down your bitch of a stepmom together. Then for fun, you can stab me in the back with a double cross, because that’s the only fate someone so goddamn stupid deserves."
“Huh, you know what, your story sounds like something I should have thought of. Hmm, I wonder why I didn't go that route?” I mused aloud, tapping my chin. “Oh yes, I’ve got it. Maybe it’s because the last fucking thing I want is to do what you described.”
Von scoffed and dramatically rolled her eyes. “Sure thing, Pollyanna, but you’re the only one who’d believe such a load of bullshit.”
Clearly, I needed her to take me a little more seriously or I’d get nowhere. Grabbing the only other chair in the room, I set it in front of Von, sat, and leaned forward with my elbows resting on my thighs. “All right, let me break it down for you with plenty of detail so there’s no misunderstanding."
“Wait, are pictures included in this presentation?” Von sassed.
Ignoring her remark, I laced my hands together and cleared my throat. “Let’s start with my cunt of a stepmother Serena. She’s the easiest threat for us to find common ground over.”
Von raised a brow but didn’t speak so I took that as her agreement. “The delightful serpent is the reason Poseidon and I went our separate ways. Out of everyone with power in the Accardi Family, Serena was the only one who kept constant tabs on the two of us. Growing up, we were instructed that no matter what, we couldn’t reach out or make contact with any of our relatives, even if they somehow stumbled upon us. Sperm Daddy, Zeus, and a lawyer named Mr. Ottis were the only ones who knew whenever we relocated. The lawyer is the one Serena was able to get her claws into. It was enough, though, for her to fuck up all of Sperm Daddy’s plans.”
Holding up a hand, I stopped Von as she started to speak. “Before you ask how I could possibly know all this, let me save you the time. Of all people, I’m sure you know damn well how easy it is to plant a bug, tap a phone, or clone a digital device. Well, I’ve been listening in on Serena’s conversations, that is until she discovers the bug or changes phones. The bitch is clever, I’ll give her that. So to be safe, I’ve done the same thing to the lawyer, and he’s where I got the juiciest bits of information. My favorite morsel has to be learning that Serena changed the wording in every important document so she controls everything if my father and brothers were to die,” I divulged with a grin knowing it was vital information.
Von tried shifting again to get comfortable but gave up after a moment with a frustrated growl. “Too bad for you, Polly Pocket, but you’re not telling me anything new. Did you know the spell the evil queen cast over the kingdom included a lovely little tidbit about avenging those who attacked her precious family? Oh, but wait, there’s more. Serena needs to make sure the sparsy twins are never found alive.”
“ Exactly ,” I shouted, shooting to my feet, pointing at her. “This is why you can’t kill me or Poseidon yet. If you do, then you’re playing right into her hands. However, if we remain alive she can’t lay claim to the family’s assets.”
“Um, Polly, I hate to break it to you, but what you’re saying is almost word for word what I predicted. All I’m hearing is you want me to take down Serena so you two have control of the family business. Which is absolutely not gonna happen,” Von reiterated.
I waved off her concern and sat once more. “Yes, yes, but what if we both sign over everything to Astin Caprioni? No one could stop us from relinquishing claim to the Accardi estate. Neither Poseidon nor I want that life, we’ve done everything we could to distance ourselves from the mafia. Once I turned eighteen and felt confident in my skills to start making money, I never touched a dime of the family fortune, same with Passy.”
“So that’s why you split ways five years ago, it was a way for you to stick it to the man?” Von questioned.
Raking my fingers through my hair I almost lied, as I’d done with so many others over the years, but Von wasn’t just anyone. This woman was my equal on every level and deserved the respect that came with it.
“Nine years ago,” I corrected.
“ What ?” Von demanded.
“We split right after our eighteenth birthday, when Sperm Daddy decided we didn’t need to be watched anymore. SD felt we were old enough to know our place and stay there. With Trent’s help we kept it quiet for a few years, then he led everyone to believe we split five years ago. Our hope had been that someone would take notice of what Serena was up to, but SD was stupid enough not to suspect a woman as a threat.” I paused to chuckle, running my hand through my hair. “It’s rather fitting that SD died at the hands of the brutal and bloody Mafia Queen. God I would have killed for a glimpse into hell just to see if he’d admit he misjudged women.”
“You know, while I’m simply loving this trip down memory lane, I’m getting bored,” Von drawled, slumping to tilt her head back against the chair. “Please tell me we’re getting to the good part soon or just knock me out until you’ve finished your journey of self-reflection.”
Shoving to my feet, I walked to the small kitchenette and pulled a small wooden box from one of the cabinets. “My apologies, treasure, I know how much you hate to be bored. Perhaps this will help to ease the discomfort,” I offered, revealing the pre-rolled blunt. “It’s not laced with anything special, but I think it’ll help you relax and feel more comfortable.”
I placed the blunt between my lips and slipped a gold antique lighter out of the inner pocket of my suit jacket. Etched on it was a replica of the god I’d been named after. Passy had given it to me on our eighteenth birthday before we began our separate lives. It was one of the few things I treasured and took with me everywhere. With a flick, the lighter ignited and lit the end of the blunt. I puffed on the blunt until I finally got a decent hit. Knowing I had to keep two steps ahead of Von, I only took one hit.
When I offered it to Von I half expected her to refuse, yet she was more than willing to take a few hits.
“Thanks,” she wheezed trying to hold in her last hit.
After a moment, I watched as the smoke curled around her lips as she slowly exhaled. “Now, can you cut the bullshit and tell me the real reason I shouldn’t kill you? You wouldn’t risk all this unless you had an ace in your pocket, so stop pussy footing around and tell me.”
Slowly, I turned and put the blunt in the ashtray on the counter before facing Von again. She was right, I did have a trump card and hadn’t wanted to play it, but she was leaving me no choice. I’d hoped to find another way for her to see my true intentions and feelings for her. The truth of the matter was, Von didn’t let people get close. Although, the number had doubled from two to four, possibly more if you counted Astin’s many husbands. I closed my eyes and felt the weed doing its job as it took the edge off my anxiety.
It’s now or never .
I closed the distance between us and dropped to one knee so we were eye to eye. “Von, Serena’s plans for revenge aren’t limited to just you.”
“Ooo, so scary. I know she’s probably gonna go after Astin and Ivy as well,” Von countered.
“You’re not hearing me,” I snapped. “Everyone and anyone who helped take down the Accardi and Leoni Families has a target on their backs. You made sure to take out everyone immediately related to Gian and Bosco so none of the heirs or their children could take over the business. Without either of us alive, the next person to inherit the Accardi estate would be a cousin five times removed. Bosco wasn’t as worried about his family line so the Leoni’s were wiped out for good. Serena is an eye for an eye kind of bitch, she won’t be satisfied with just killing you when you killed her whole family.”
Von’s eyes went wide as she understood what I was trying to say.
“No one on her payroll would go after you so she was forced to improvise. Which is why she put a bounty on your head. Not her ideal plan but bitches out for revenge can’t be picky. That aside, when it comes to your family, Selena has more than enough options to exact her revenge.” Von gave me a withering look. “Hey, if you don’t want to believe me, that's your choice. Just know when you get a call saying your entire family has been slaughtered in their beds, their blood will be on your hands.
“However,” I murmured as I let my fingers brush down her neck. “If you take the risk and believe me when I say I want nothing to do with the Accardi’s, I’ll tell you everything I know. I want to help you keep the people you love safe. Please, my treasure, I will do whatever you need me to, so I can prove myself to you.”
“Then get these fucking cuffs off me,” Von ordered.
Nodding, I pulled a pen out of my breast pocket and twisted it to reveal a knife. I wrapped my arms around her as if I was giving her a hug and cut the bands. Seconds later, Von headbutted me, grabbed my arm, and twisted my wrist until I let go of the knife.
Fuck. I should have seen that coming.