Protect Me: A Mafia Romance (The Rossi Crime Family Book 1) Page 13

  I direct my attention to Xander. “Times of sharing my toys with you are over. You’ve broken them one too many times.”

  Memories of the last woman we shared come to mind.

  “Please, no. Please, stop…” she screamed, her eyes pleading with Xander, begging for him to stop.

  All I did was stand there, swirling the whiskey in my glass, having already gotten my fill of her. I can still remember the sound of her shriek as he fucked her face and placed the barrel of his gun beside her head, warning if she pulled away, she was as good as dead.

  What she didn’t know was that no matter what, she was dead.

  Humans are disposable in my brother’s eyes. The way he’s watching Keira tonight reminds me of the way he watched that woman—predatory, with a purpose.

  The woman’s blood will forever coat my hands and my black soul. There’s no way in hell I’ll make that same mistake twice.

  No. Keira’s blood would never coat my hands.

  “I can always get you a new toy if I break this one by accident,” he boasts, smiling at Keira. “Though, it would be a shame to break something so fragile. She really is far too pretty to break so soon.”

  I watch her shudder, and I want nothing more than to wipe that smile off Xander’s face with my fist.

  “All right then, let’s sit down for dinner and we can discuss the technicalities. There is no need to fight over pussy, no matter how good it is. There are plenty more women for the two of you to select from.” Uncle Dom chuckles, like he’s enjoying our little bickering match. He motions for us to follow, and we all walk into the dining room.

  I have half a mind to tell Dom Keira’s pussy feels like no other, but that isn’t any of his damn business—none of it is anyone’s business.

  My other uncle, Vincent, is already seated at the table, a drink in his hand and an annoyed expression on his face. “Look who made it. I didn’t think you would actually show. What’s it been? Three years?”

  Unlike Xander and Dom, he pays no attention to Keira. In fact, he ignores her, acting like she isn’t even there—and that’s perfectly fine with me.

  “Hello, Uncle Vincent.” My greeting sounds like a chore. This entire fucking event is a headache.

  I make Keira sit on my right while Xander takes the seat beside me. My Uncle Dom sits across from us and beside Vincent. The table is set, looking like we’re about to have a Thanksgiving feast. When Xander sets up dinner, it’s a fucking party—an extravagant event and nothing less. I watch as some of Xander’s men meander around the room, standing guard. The thought of my brother needing a guard makes me laugh.

  The bastard could kill all these fucking people with his bare hands. He doesn’t need a bodyguard, but the fact that he feels the need to have one is amusing.

  Keira fidgets in her seat. I want to tell her to hide her fear from these men, that they will do nothing more than eat it up—but I don’t. Warning her of anything that is to come is a slippery slope and will only be seen as a weakness.

  “Bridget!” Xander yells, and a staff member scurries into the room. “Get my brother and the girl whatever they would like to drink.”

  Bridget’s fearful gaze moves to Keira and I.

  “She’ll have a water, and I’ll take a whiskey.” I save my pleasantries for another time. She’s not expecting a please and thank you, I guarantee it.

  Bridget runs back to the kitchen, bringing the attention back to us.

  “Oh, come on, brother. Can’t the girl have some wine?”

  “Nope. I want her coherent when I fuck her later.” I don’t miss a beat, and Xander chuckles.

  Our drinks appear moments later, and I keep my gaze anywhere but on Keira. Tonight is going to be hard for her. I may have to do some things I’m not proud of, but I’m certain she’ll leave here in one piece.

  I take the glass of whiskey and down half. I don’t even feel the burn as the brown liquid slides down my throat with ease. Fuck, I’m going to need a lot more of it if I plan to get through the rest of the night still sane.

  The salads arrive, and we start eating. Tension hangs thick in the air like a fog. I keep peeking at Keira, but avoid eye contact. Her hands are shaking so much, I worry she might drop the salad fork. Before I reach out to steady her with a calming hand, my brother clears his throat.

  “So, let’s start talking business,” Xander announces, setting his empty whiskey glass on the table. My uncles nod in agreement, dabbing at their mouths with their napkins.

  “What business is there to discuss?” My gaze stays trained on the remaining amber in my glass. I try to sound aloof.

  “Keira is rightfully mine. Her brother worked for me, then betrayed me. He stole a lot of money from me. Just before I slit his throat, he said he couldn’t pay me back, but that I could have everything he owned, and clearly, that includes her.” He points the salad fork at Keira, and I have to bite my tongue before I tell him to fuck off. Sparring with my brother isn’t going to make this conversation smoother.

  “I have to say, killing him was fun, though. I tortured him for a while to make sure he was telling me the truth—though, I suppose anyone will say what you want them to when they’re staring down death.” Xander keeps staring at Kiera.

  I know what he’s trying to do, and I hope Keira isn’t falling for it. Playing into my brother’s hands does nothing but feed the monster.

  “He cried when I cut some flesh out of his leg. He begged me to stop over and over and over. Those are the most fun, you know—when they beg for the pain to stop. Personally, though, I loved it when he promised me your virginity. That was the best part—like he expected your frail, virgin body to pay for his debts.”

  I’m about to interject when I catch Keira’s movement out the corner of my eye. She grabs the knife and lunges at Xander, her beautiful face wearing a mask of fury. Xander remains seated. His sadistic smile tells me he knows he’s proved his point.

  I only have a split second to decide what to do, knowing neither one of my choices is going to be pleasant. I grab her wrist first, slamming her hand on the table, making her drop the knife. She whimpers, her eyes attempting to meet mine.

  I don’t know why she’s crying. She knows what’s coming.

  She should’ve listened to me. Fucking Christ.

  My uncles are laughing like they’re watching some comedian on a stage, but I know none of this is a laughing matter. Keira played right into my brother’s hand, and now I’m left with no choice in the matter.

  Now I have to show them I have her under control. I have to hurt her.

  I grab the knife she dropped and force her hand flat onto the table. She struggles in my grip, but there’s no fighting my hold. I tighten my hand over her wrist, watching as pain contorts her features. “You really shouldn’t have done that.”

  I hoist the knife in the air and bring it down to stab her hand. I use such force, the tip of the knife embeds into the wood of the table between the knuckles of her index and middle finger.

  “Next time, you’ll lose a finger,” I warn, releasing her wrist as I push her to the floor behind me. I don’t dare look at her face. If I see her tears or even fear, my mask will crumble to the ground, giving us both away.

  I take my seat, keeping my back to her. “You are done eating with us. Go upstairs to one of the bedrooms and wait for me, naked and on your knees.”

  I clench my jaw, and when I hear her soft footsteps leave the room, I damn near exhale in relief. She’s gone. She’s safe. For now. My brother has the biggest fucking grin on his face, and I decide right now I’m going to kill him someday.

  “Well, that was fun,” he snickers. “She’s a bit of a feisty one, brother. I’m glad you’ve trained her well.” He pauses, taking a sip of his drink. “It will make her transition into my care that much easier—since she technically belongs to me.”

  My uncles nod in agreement, and I clench my fists under the table. “She is mine. You won’t touch her. I don’t give a fuck what you
had going on with her brother. She is under my protection now.”

  Dom shakes his head. “Damon, you know it doesn’t work like this. The only way you can keep a woman under your protection is to make her family.”

  Why the fuck didn’t I think of that?

  “Fine, then I’ll marry her.” I don’t think of the repercussions. I simply think marrying her will help her, give her the protection she needs.

  Xander scoffs. I can tell he’s shocked, but he doesn't let on much. Only his eyes widen a little. “You’re going to marry your play thing…just to prove a point? Fuck, her pussy must be made of gold—or she can suck some good cock.”

  When I don’t respond, he laughs. “Suit yourself…I guess, but that doesn’t bring my money back. It doesn't right a wrong, brother.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’ll pay you whatever Leo owed you, but I’m sure this isn't about the money.”

  I know my brother far better than anyone in the room. Money isn’t what he’s after. He has a reason for calling me here. He just used Keira to ensure I would follow through.

  “Yes, you’re correct. I don’t really want the money, but there is something else I want—besides your pet.”

  I wait for the blow to come…

  “You could start working for me again.”

  My blood runs cold. No fucking way.

  Before I can utter a single word, Uncle Dom cheers, lifting his glass in the air. “Well, perfect. I’m glad we were able to come to an agreement so quickly. You get to keep your pet, and the two of you are working together again. All's right in our world, and the Rossi empire will prosper another year.”

  Xander smirks like the fucking monster he is before excusing himself and getting up from his seat. I know there is no point in fighting him. There’s no point in any of this, actually. I basically gave myself back over to my brother—all to protect the fragile woman who owns a sliver of my heart. I did this for her. I did this for…

  Love?

  Another glass of whiskey is set beside me as the main course is brought to the table. I decide now that Keira is safe, I may as well drink myself into a drunken stupor. Since I just signed up to marry her—and fucking work for my monstrous brother again—I think I deserve a drink…or maybe twenty.

  Chapter 17

  Keira

  I think I may have had a mild heart attack. I clutch a hand to my chest, my heart beating so fast, it hurts. Even now, as I walk around the mansion by myself, it doesn't seem to want to slow.

  I tell myself to breathe, and I do—though the action is painstakingly slow. I want to cry. I want to run out the front door and hide until it’s time to leave. I’m stupid…so stupid for playing into Xander’s twisted game. I should have known better than to take his bait, but he knew exactly what to say—exactly what to dangle in front of me to make me lose control.

  I stroll the seemingly endless hall, feeling frazzled and stressed. Damon said to go to a bedroom upstairs—well, he should have given me a damn road map with instructions.

  All the doors are closed…so how am I supposed to know where the bedrooms are? Or what rooms I can enter and what rooms I cannot.

  It feels like a trap—like one wrong move and something’s going to jump out and get me. I already had a taste of fear downstairs when Damon nearly took my finger off. What’s the worst he could do now? Cut one off?

  I open the first door to my right and pop my head in. It’s dark, but the light from the hallway allows me to see this is a sitting room of sorts. I close this door and try the next. My stomach clenches. What if Damon finishes his meal and I haven’t found a bedroom? Worse yet, what if his brother gets to me before he does?

  With shaky hands, I twist the knob on the next door. I sigh, my eyes taking in the huge walk-in shower and clawfoot tub. Clearly, this is a bathroom, and one that’s bigger than the bedroom in my apartment.

  Who has a bathroom this big?

  I shake my head, my feet starting to ache from walking in these heels. Leaning against the wall in the hallway, I slip them off my feet. The floor is cold against my feet, but it’s a welcome feeling to my burning hot skin.

  I tiptoe down the hall, stopping at another door. What I find behind it is so unbelievable, I think I might have landed in an alternate universe.

  This room is unlike any other I’ve seen. The walls are painted pale blue. The furniture is white, and the room is lit with a nightlight that casts stars across the ceiling.

  Is this a nursery?

  I hold a hand to my lips. Is this...? Is this Xander’s child’s bedroom? No, it can’t be. Maybe it’s one of his worker’s children? Or someone else’s? There is no way Xander has a baby. No way.

  A calming melody plays from a small toy sitting on top of the dresser. My feet move forward without my brain agreeing to do so. I only make it two steps before a voice drags me back to the present.

  “I don’t think this is the bedroom Damon was referring to when he told you to go upstairs.” Xander’s voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

  Impulsively, I turn around to face him. His expression is hidden in the shadows, and I wonder what my punishment will be for crossing such a line.

  “I…I didn't know.”

  “You ever heard the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’?”

  I nod, unable to make my tongue work. My throat is completely closing up, and my pulse beats furiously in my ears.

  What’s he going to do?

  Will he make Damon punish me? Or will he do it himself?

  I want to sob as he takes a step forward, making me flinch and take a retreating step. Instead of coming for me, though, he steps around me and walks to the side of the crib.

  I watch his every step. His every movement. I’m compelled to stare at him. I’m under a trance, and I can’t break gaze for a second.

  My body shakes as he leans over the side of the crib and takes a baby into his arms. The movement is so mundane, so simple, so gentle—for someone who isn’t him, someone who has a heart and a soul unlike him. I immediately have the urge to grab the baby from him.

  To protect the innocent little human from someone as evil and vile as Xander.

  Courage pulses through my veins, and I take a step toward him. My intention is to stop him from hurting this baby. However, that thought leaves me when I witness something that can’t be true—even though I know it is because I am seeing it with my own two eyes.

  Xander leans down slowly and ghosts his lips over the baby’s forehead. He’s possessive and caring, and he cradles the baby’s head as if he knows what the child needs and how to nurture him. They must have slipped something into my water, because there is no way in hell this can be reality.

  “Why do you look so shocked?” he whispers, his voice silky and soft. It’s a strange contrast to his features—since his eyes and face always seem to scream murder and pain.

  With trembling lips, I ask, “Is that...? Is that your child?” If this is his child, then what happened to the mother? Why isn’t she at dinner? Is she being held hostage somewhere in this mansion? A thousand thoughts circulate my mind.

  When Xander takes a step toward me, I straighten my back, forcing myself to remain standing in place. I know he can sense my fear, taste it probably, but he doesn’t make it known. He just closes the distance between us, bringing the baby closer to me.

  In the dim lighting of the room, I can only make out some of the baby’s features, but what I do see answers my question.

  Cradled in a blue blanket sleeps a dark-haired baby boy. He’s sleeping so peacefully, I’m afraid breathing will wake him from his happy dreams. Lifting my gaze from the baby to Xander, I realize he’s watching me.

  I smile. “He’s beautiful.”

  “He is, and he’s the primary reason I brought you and Damon here. His safety is my biggest importance, and just like you would do for your brother, I will do anything and everything to make certain my son is safe.”

  I nod, swallowing past the knot in my throa
t. Xander is a dark and sadistic man, but watching him hold his son, seeing how much he cares for him, proves there is a deeper, caring side to him I didn’t think existed.

  He walks back to the crib, kisses his son once more, and places him back down. Then he turns on his heels and heads straight for me. His facial expression is masked, and I’m afraid of what may happen next.

  When his hand touches the small of my back, edging me forward, my knees buckle.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Keira. There is no point. I got what I wanted already, and my brother got what he wanted as well.”

  “And what is that?” I gulp, afraid to even ask. We slip out into the hall, and I let him guide me.

  “You. He wanted you.”

  I exhale sharply, realizing Xander has figured us out. He’s realized I am his brother’s weakness.

  “No, he doesn’t want me. He just wants to use me.” I stumble over my words, trying my best to make some of them sound believable.

  Xander chuckles. “You’re a terrible liar. Terrible.” He shakes his head, stopping in front of a door to our right.

  I’m not sure how long we’ve been walking, but I’m terrified to see what is on the other side. When he twists the knob, I squeeze my lids shut.

  Xander ushers me forward, and I assume this room is his torture chamber. My legs wobble, thinking about all the pain and suffering I’m about to experience.

  “You don’t have to be afraid of me anymore. Yes, I am very much the monster you assume I am, but you’re my brother’s property now, and I will respect that. He has something he cares for greatly, just as do I. We’re even now.”

  I open my eyes and realize I’m not being led into a killing room. I’m standing in a huge bedroom with a four-poster king-size bed.

  “What happened to his mother? Did you...? Did you kill her?” I scurry away from Xander, wanting to put as much distance between us as I can. The rest of the lights in the room flicker on with my movement, and now I can see Xander’s entire body.

  He slides his hands into his front pockets and gives me a somber look. He appears more like a laidback businessman, and less like an unhinged murderer.