Owned by the mafia boss

LIANA

What was that?

An ambrosial aroma beckoned me from sleep. My cheek unstuck from the pillow as I inhaled mouth-watering, savory deliciousness. I dropped out of bed and padded toward the scent of crackling bacon.

A banquet of cheese, cold cuts, pastries, fruit, eggs, and meat spread over the kitchen counter. Folded napkins perched on gilded trays. A bouquet of calla lilies burst from a glass vase. Standing beside this image of perfection was Vinn.

He was decked in a black tux I’d never seen before. He stood tall and straight, as though he prided himself on his good looks. The sharp outline of his muscles strained against the suit. His ebony hair swept back over his head. A wide smile broke on his handsome face.

“Morning.”

“Wow, look at you.” I slipped my hands inside his jacket, my heart flipping. “Am I dreaming?”

His steady gaze bore into me. “Am I in your dreams?”

“Only the best ones.”

I glided up his chest to anchor on his shoulders. I grazed his smooth neck and shaven chin, kissing the dimple under his lip. A need to touch him everywhere consumed me as his aquatic scent wrapped me like a warm cloud.

“Take me before you leave.”

His eyes met mine, sending a jolt through my body. “But I’m not going anywhere. Not without you, at least.”

I beamed at him. “Isn’t today my lucky day.”

“Baby, you have no idea.” He pulled away from me. “Sit. Eat.”

When I hesitated, he grabbed a handful of my ass and guided me into a chair. The harsh line that defined his eyebrows softened as he loaded a plate of food and slid it in front of me.

I picked up my fork. “Did you make all this?”

“Hell no. I had a chef come in early.”

I’d barely dug into my eggs before he poured me coffee, serving it just how I liked, and then he slid a flute of orange juice beside me. My stomach burst with warmth. I’d dreamed of being doted on like this, but it was bizarre coming from Vinn.

“You’re very nice today.”

Vinn shrugged. “I have my reasons.”

“Which are?”

He swiped a thumb under his freshly-shaved jaw. “You’ll see.”

Well, that’s ominous. “Did you eat anything?”

“A little.”

I moaned as I bit into airy waffles drenched in bourbon maple syrup. The strawberries soaked up the excess sugar. I grabbed one. Vinn moved my wrist aside before I touched the berry to his mouth.

I laughed. “Seriously, what’s with the suit?”

“Eat your breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry for food. I want to sit on your lap and let you do things to me.”

Vinn’s smoldering expression made my body ache. His hand rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll do you dirty in a few hours.”

“Promise?”

“Oh yeah.”

My pulse thundered as he dragged the T-shirt over my head, locking my arms together. My world darkened as the cotton shielded my gaze. There was nothing but the distant hum of the air conditioning.

Then wetness stroked my nipple.

My thighs clenched as the wicked heat scorched a line straight to my pussy. A sharp pang nipped the sensitive skin, and then his hands cupped my ass, pushing me down the hall.

“What are you doing-oh.”

He ripped off the shirt, and suddenly I stood in a wedding boutique. Racks of familiar Vera Wang dresses filled the room.

I fingered the lace of one, heart pounding. “What is this?”

“We’re getting married.”

My laughter rippled through the air as I whirled, facing him. “I never knew you to be a practical joker. That’s Michael’s thing.”

“I’m not joking.”

Vinn leaned against the doorway, his posture non-threatening, but the no-nonsense tone indicated I wasn’t leaving until I wore something white. I gaped at him, my belly fluttering. I’d imagined my wedding to Vinn a hundred-thousand times. Not once did this scenario cross my mind.

“I made an appointment at City Hall.” His voice was kind but firm. “Pick a dress. We leave in two hours.”

A high-pitched sound broke from my lips. “What?”

Is he crazy?

Shock wedged the protest in my throat. I fought the bizarre impulse to laugh. This was absurd.

He didn’t want to marry me.

“Why? Is this because of Nico?”

“This is for me,” he said.

I blustered through a half-assed protest as Vinn crossed the room and kissed my cheek. Blood rushed to the spot where he touched me.

“I need this, and I need it now. Not in two weeks or five months.” Vinn didn’t soften, but he lightened the gravel in his voice. “Honestly, Li. What did you expect would happen after I took your virginity?”

“I-I thought we’d take it slow!”

“Slow isn’t in my vocabulary.”

My throat tightened. “Vinn, this is insane.”

“I don’t do casual with my best friend’s sister. It’s all or nothing, and we’re past the point of no return.”

It was lightyears from the proposal I’d wanted, but he gave me a sudden, arresting smile.

My stomach churned with doubt.

“But I want a real ceremony.”

It wasn’t frivolous to complain about being marched into a courthouse. There was no romance in rushing a wedding. He hadn’t even asked me to marry him.

“I always pictured my friends and family there. It’s important to me.”

“If you want another wedding, then we’ll have one. But we’re getting married today.”

“Vinny.”

“I’m not caving.”

My mouth dropped open. “Are you sure you want this?”

“Yeah, I really do.” He swept the hair from my shoulders. “Get ready.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and reopened them. Vinn still stood in front of me, which ruled out the possibility of a dream. I had no idea who he was anymore.

Two hours later, Vinn dragged me up the brick steps of City Hall. I followed in my A-Line dress, hesitating as Vitale opened the doors. Vinn palmed my back, nodding at him. I’d worn the seashell necklace in a last act of defiance that was more silly than anything, considering I was marrying the man who’d given it to me.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Vinn hadn’t pitched a fit. It was as though the knowledge I’d soon be forever his had quieted his soul. I bounced my knee while we waited and swallowed a lump of nerves as we approached the judge.

“We’re seriously doing this?”

“I already applied for marriage licenses and paid off the judge.” Vinn pressed his lips to my ear, triggering a wild swirl in my stomach. “I made up my mind weeks ago. Nobody else will be your husband.”

My future husband was a damned enigma.

Little of the ceremony branded into my memory except for those words, and his brimstone gaze, blazing with hellfire as he promised to love and cherish me. He slid the wedding band onto my finger. His eyes seemed to glitter with savage laughter as he held my face and crushed his mouth into mine.

My heart flip-flopped like a fish on dry land.

It was possession, not love.