The Vendetti Queen Read online

  Reciting prayers has done nothing. I keep praying, waiting for the Almighty to come to my rescue. Where’s the do-gooder stopping by with fuel or offering me a safe ride? I need help, and at my lowest, I need a sense of newfound hope.

  I do what any young, inexperienced woman my age would do: I sit in the car that swiftly grows cold and cry my eyes out. So much for being strong right now. I feel like a complete fool at the moment. I have to find someone to help me, but who? My cousins can’t do a thing with me out here. Sure, one could send a car, but that would take forever to get here, and by the time I made it to my family’s home, I’d be too late. I can’t call my mother, and if I call Matteo, he’ll bring me back to the estate. I’ll be locked away with increased security and never be able to reach my mother or anyone for that matter. She’ll be killed and laid with my already-deceased father.

  Tossing my useless phone on the passenger seat, I climb out of the vehicle. Cars zip past me, the icy wind bites into my skin, and the tears fall with a flourish. I’m useless, always having to depend on others. When this is all over, I need to have a serious chat with the Capo. He has to be open in giving me some sort of independence so I can survive on my own if I ever need to. I know his brothers would be there for me, but in a situation such as this, it’s all useless. They wouldn’t help me get to my mother right now; they’d do Matteo’s bidding and have me locked in my room as quickly as possible.

  I’m reduced to begging from a Good Samaritan. Standing behind the small BMW, I wave my hands at the many cars zipping past me. They pay me no mind, besides a few random honks here and there. Not that I can blame them; it’s dark and I’m looking like a hot mess. They probably think I’m nuts, not that I need a ride to help save my mother.

  Finally, after who knows how long, a sleek-looking sports car pulls over. My arms are frozen as I stop my frantic waving. Hell, my entire body feels frozen. Hopefully, whoever this is, they don’t recognize me as the Capo’s wife. Surely, very few people in New York actually know what I even look like. The passenger door opens, the interior light illuminating a big man.

  He stands and closes the door, turning in my direction. It registers who he is and a gasp leaves me.

  Dante Vendetti. Shit.

  His eyes are wide, crazed even as he approaches me with angry steps. “Do you have any idea how fucking stupido this was of you? How dangerous?”

  I’m shaking so badly that his anger morphs to concern and he yanks me to his huge, hulking body. Muscles and warmth crush me to his frame as he furiously grumbles, “It’s fucking freezing and anyone could’ve gotten you.” His hands move up and down my body, bringing warmth into my limbs, blocking the chilling wind.

  His comfort has me shaking more, relief and exhaustion setting in. His voice, his heat...it’s everything I needed right now and didn’t realize it. “Dante,” I breathe into his wide chest. “I need you.”

  Then his hands are moving, cupping my face, tilting it up to his. His lips fall to mine in a sweltering kiss, bringing life back to the frozen feature, and I can’t seem to get close enough to him as I crawl up his body. He embraces me, his kiss punishing as he ravages my mouth. I’m no longer cold as a burning ember blossoms in my core, heating me from inside.

  Pulling away, I admit again against his mouth, “I need you, Dante, so badly.”

  With a growl, he lays me over the tiny iced-up trunk of the car and yanks my yoga pants down my thighs. With a few shifting movements, he pushes my thighs together over one of his arms and then is thrusting into me deeply. His free hand comes to rest around my throat.

  “I should choke the fucking life from you for pulling this shit. You had us raging with worry,” Dante utters with a grunt and thrusts hard enough to drive my body into the cold metal. “Matteo will be absolutely furious. You will be punished!” Another powerful plunge into my heat and I’m moaning so loudly I must sound like a dying cow.

  “P-please, Dante.” I don’t even know when the begging began, but I need him to give me a twisted sense of the normalcy I’ve come to expect in my time being a Vendetti.

  His hand squeezes my neck tight enough to have me seeing spots, and then I’m coming all over his thick cock. “Yes, oh God, yes!” I scream, and with a hard drive, he’s filling me with his seed. It’s hot and slippery and everything I needed in the moment.

  Dante pulls free, the cold instantly hitting my thighs, and I shiver. A new batch of goose bumps covers my skin as he tucks his length back into his pants. He moves, pulling my thin black yoga pants in place, then helps me off the vehicle, cocooning me in his bulk. As he turns toward the awaiting vehicle, he’s met with a fist. The crack’s loud enough it has me wincing and ducking free.

  My husband has arrived and Dante was right...he’s not happy.

  “Fuck!” Dante shouts as the hit settles in. His fists clenched, breaths coming heavily, puffs of white smoke fill the air in front of us. His jaw clenches, teeth gritting together as he stares down his older, violent brother.

  “I told you to find her, not fuck her,” Matteo warns, then grabs my bicep, yanking me to him. In an instant, my coat is wrapped over my shoulders and I’m being carried princess-style to an awaiting SUV.

  “Matteo, please, I’m sorry.”

  His harsh glare cuts to me, leaving his brother in our wake. With powerful strides, we’re at the SUV in no time, the back door being held open by a worried looking Santino. He casts me a gaze full of pity as Matteo loads us into the back. He puts me on his lap and barks, “Drive!” to Santino.

  The heat’s turned up, blowing plenty of hot air to the back, stinging my skin. “Matteo, please,” I mutter, not above groveling. He has to understand I have an important reason for taking off like I did. The vehicle pulls out, gravel and snow flying as we lurch back onto the busy road. The sports car follows closely behind, and they drive far faster than I ever could’ve attempted.

  “Begging will get you nowhere with me, carina. You will find I punish those around me for less.”

  A tear works its way free, cascading over my cheek. I’ve been a blubbering mess since I found out my father was murdered. I don’t have time to stop and grieve right now, so I have to do it this way, I suppose. “My father was killed,” I choke the words out, swallowing a few times as to not wretch with the severity of their meaning.

  He nods, his gaze not quite as harsh with my vulnerable admission.

  “M-my mother is next.”

  He nods again. “I know. Who do you think is on that list afterwards? And you’re out running free with no protection. Tell me, mia moglie, how long do you think it would’ve taken until someone found you on the side of the road? They would’ve loved having you like that, so defenseless. An easy picking for a chump, so foolish,” he scoffs, and my face heats in embarrassment.

  “Please don’t do that...not right now.”

  “Do what?” he mutters, tucking his arms around me. I couldn’t move from his lap if I wanted anyhow. I already know that much.

  “Don’t scold me as if I’m a stupid child. I left because my mother’s being threatened, and the caller told me I could possibly save her if I got home in time.”

  He sighs, his eyes clenching closed for a moment as he collects himself. “Your father, God rest his soul, was an idiot for leaving you so innocent. It’s more dangerous than endearing.”

  Another tear falls and I hastily swipe it away. No matter if my papa is gone or not, I don’t like crying in front of Matteo for any reason. He pulls me closer into his body and tucks my head under his chin. With a sniffle, I pull myself together enough to bring up what I admitted a moment before.

  “I have to go to her, Matteo. I need to try to save her. I’m the only hope she has.”

  “There’s no way you can save her. This is exactly why your father gave you to me. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he died the same with the rest of his familia.”

  “You’re powerful, you’re the Capo. Please h-help me.”

  He tsks. “And what, mia Violetta? You expect me to load my brothers up, order my men along so we can go and clean house in a city that I’m not even in charge of? You would risk all their lives for one old woman who treated you so poorly? I think not.”

  “I don’t expect you to risk anyone. I will kill the person responsible for this. They would never expect it.”

  “You?” He chuckles, amusement laced in his voice. “You can’t even drive a car without it running out of gas.”

  Chapter 3

  “She was brave and strong

  and broken all at once.”

  -Ana Funder

  “IF YOU RECALL, I WAS able to take that car in the first place,” I remind him, and his chest stops shaking with laughter.

  “It was reckless,” he hisses, and I shrug.

  “I’ll do it again, if I have to, if you won’t help me.”

  With a growl, he squeezes me tight enough I nearly squeak. “Don’t threaten me. I can easily tie you up and you won’t be able to move a limb unless I deem it.” He’s such an entitled jerk, and damn it, he smells amazing, which makes it even worse. How I can be attracted to him at a time like this is beyond me.

  Clearing my throat, I hedge, “You want me to have your children.” I bring up the one subject I know he’s extremely passionate about, looking to bargain. I have to get him on board somehow, and at this rate, I’ll do whatever it takes.

  “Si.” He nods, his chin moving against the top of my head. “You will have mia bambino soon, fiore.”

  Matteo Vendetti is so sure when he speaks, like it’s already set in stone. Yet, I persist. It’s not in me to give up when I want something.

  “If you take me to my family’s home by tomorrow, I’ll willingly have ten of your children. I’ll do whatever you want me to, to be your dutiful wife. No more fighting from me, Matteo. I just need you to give me this.”

  “You’re striking a deal with me?” He sounds skeptical and a bit shocked, but of course he is. He believes I hold no pull in this, that I have nothing to bargain with, but he’s wrong.

  “Yes, I’m not above bartering for what I want.” My papa told me to always have a plan. A good talker can be the difference between life and death at times. The current situation being my mother’s life, not mine.

  His head shakes. “You do have a spine, mia moglie, I’ll give you that. It may be buried deep, but it’s in there.” I don’t know what he means by that, and I don’t ask. “Say I’m willing to come to a... agreement of sorts. You’ll do anything? No matter what I request of you?”

  “After,” I emphasize, “we go to my family’s home. By tomorrow, and you help me kill my father’s murderer. I will do whatever you ask of me.” I bite the inside of my bottom lip, waiting for him to speak. This is my one chance, I can feel it. The guy is stubborn, but he’s also spoiled, and this is a way he gets what he wants from me willingly. I may regret this decision; in fact, I can almost bet money on it that I will. A cornered, desperate woman will do what she has to though.

  “Killing them won’t be the issue. Your safety is my top priority, however, and having you ‘help’ is what concerns me.”

  I’m shaking my head before he can finish. “Look at me, Matteo.” I lean forward so he can take in my swollen eyes, my glossy lips, covered in the gloss’s pink sparkles and minty scent. “I look anything but threatening. If anything they’ll think I’m an easy target.”

  He scoffs, yanking me back to his warm, solid chest. “Because you are.” I move to protest, but he cuts me off. “However, I understand your point, and we’ll figure something out. As long as a few of my brothers and plenty of men are with us, it’ll be hell for anyone to lay a hand on you.”

  “So you’ll do it?” I breathe with my chest beginning to foolishly fill full of hope. I can’t believe he’s even considering it. I may need his help, but I know he’ll no doubt be stubborn about the entire process. The Capo likes things done his way; his brothers have forewarned me already.

  “Let’s see if you’re that excited once you hear the price.”

  I wish he wouldn’t say that and allow me to pretend to be naïve, but it’s not the case. He does come outright with the warning, and I’d already been feeling a bit suspicious. His voice rises as he speaks to his brothers in the front seats. “Santino, head for the jet. Luciano, text Dante. Have him and Valentino follow us. Also, Severo, Vito, Angelo, and Luigi need to know to meet us there as well. Tell Cristiano to alert the crew to have the jet on standby for us.”

  “We’re flying?”

  He grunts before threading his fingers into my hair and whispering into my throat, “We won’t be walking, that’s for certain. Besides, you have some groveling to do for taking that car, and the plane will be the perfect place to begin your first lesson on your knees.”

  Oh my.

  I can feel his hardness under my thigh, but it seems he plans to act on it. Was it because he showed up witnessing Dante fucking me on the side of the road? “You didn’t have to hit Dante.”

  A growl rumbles his chest, making him sound more lion than man. “The hell I didn’t. He was fucking you.”

  “I told him I needed him. I was freezing,” I admit on a whisper. I don’t know why I get quiet speaking about it; he’s seen them all between my thighs.

  His fist tightens in my windblown locks. “You should stop speaking about him before we get to the jet.”

  “But why?” I can’t help but blurt, my curiosity overpowering my common sense.

  His nose scents my neck, his lips softly grazing as he mutters, “Because I said so. Because I want to fuck you. Because I’ll hurt you in this small space. Because you need to be punished for your foolishness, and he was there, busily sinking his cock into my wife’s pussy without my consent.”

  A shiver races over my flesh at his possessive proclamation. He nips my throat, reminding me of his brothers simultaneously biting me while I was being fucked in the exam room. A low moan leaves me as I squirm, pressing my legs together. I’m no longer scared of that room and what they planned to do to me. It was amazing; I’ve never come so many times before.

  “You want that?” he utters into my flesh, his mouth creating delicious goose bumps with each pass of his lips. “You want me to fuck you in the backseat while my brothers try not to wreck from watching us? Does that sweet little cunt need my cock, mia Violetta?”

  “Oh.” With a sigh, my legs squeeze together again, only to be wrenched apart. He leaves my clothes on, but his hand at my back snakes around, three strong fingers covering my core. He rubs, side to side, until I’m panting, then switching he moves those fingers up and down. Matteo applies just enough pressure to have me moaning loudly, mad with desire. I’m right on the border, listening to him speak those dirty thoughts into my neck while grabbing my hair and now rubbing my pussy until my hips chase his movements. I’m eager and so damn needy whenever it comes to his touch.

  “That drenched pussy needs to be filled. Such a shame, since you’ll be on your knees sucking my dick until I allow you to swallow my cum.” His hand switches it up again, moving in circles, and I lurch upward, the sensation exactly what I needed. Knowing he plans to punish me in the delightful way of sucking him off once we get to the plane, paired with his powerful touch, has me moaning again as my orgasm hits and pushes me further to the edge.

  I’m teetering on a rocky ledge; I just need that tiny bit to throw me into bliss completely. It happens when his tongue licks up my neck, the air following along like a delightful wisp. My legs are spread as widely as possible in this position, my hips rotating, no shame whatsoever as Matteo strokes my yoga-covered pussy. One last moan and I shudder, my gaze flicking to catch Santino’s in the rearview mirror. He’s breathing heavily, his cheeks warm as he does his damndest to watch us in the backseat. He wants to be fucking me right now, I can see it. He wishes his cock was driving into me this very moment.

  “Drive, Tino,” Matteo orders, and then the watchful eyes in the mirror are gone as he concentrates on the road out the front window.

  Sucking in a breath, my gaze momentarily moves to the right, finding Luciano just as flushed as Santino had appeared. They were staring, witnessing me come before them. Matteo was right, they would’ve easily wrecked the vehicle had my husband stripped me bare and fucked me the way he no doubt desires. What’s it going to be like on the jet? Hopefully, there’s at least a partition from the pilot. Not that I’m worried about him taking me in front of his brothers; he’s already done that. In fact, I think I’d enjoy it even more than I had the first time around. Now, I know they’ll take care of me and make me feel good—not much to complain about in that department.

  My husband’s hand comes to my chin, tipping it upward. Turning my face, I meet his gaze. “Say thank you,” he orders, and I nearly sputter.

  “Ex-excuse me?”

  “I allowed you to come after you defied me by jeopardizing your safety. If I were a harder man, I’d have held it back, watched you uncomfortable.”

  I snort, I can’t help it. “You, harder? First of all, you’re the biggest badass of a man I’ve ever met, and secondly, you’re quite solid under my thigh.” I throw in a wink for good measure and his lips twitch. He wants to be pissed, but I’m making it difficult for him, and thankfully he’s proving to be an excellent distraction from my stressful evening.

  His gaze grows stern, and after a moment, I remember the deal I’d been attempting to strike with him. He’s taking me to the airport, so I nod. “Thank you,” I swallow, not allowing my pride to get in the way.

  “Good,” he comments, and then his lips are on mine. The kiss is full of ownership and dominance. I merely came moments ago, and yet the twist and turn of his tongue has me hot and needy all over again. How do these Vendettis get me like this? I’d never even had sex before coming to the estate, and now I can’t seem to get my fill of it.