Page 72 of Beneath the Shadows

I grab her camera, raising it as if considering her request. “You misunderstood me,” I say, before hurling it across the room. The camera smashes against the wall, pieces scattering on the floor.

“No,” she cries, dropping to her knees, frantically trying to pick up the pieces.

I stalk across the room and grab her by the hair, yanking her head back. “You want to be on your knees?” I growl, undoing my pants. “Then make yourself useful.”

Pulling out my cock, I demand, “Open.”

She clamps her mouth shut, and my anger explodes. My hand connects with her face, the crack echoing through the room.

“I said, open your fucking mouth.” Tears streak her cheeks as she finally obeys. I thrust into her, shoving myself so far down her throat that she gags and claws at my thighs in a pathetic attempt to breathe.

Holding her there, I relish the power I wield over her. The way her body fights against me. “This is a picture worth taking,” I sneer. “My whore on her knees, taking my cock.”

I pull out, giving her just enough air to take a shallow breath before shoving back in. I don’t care if I’m hurting her. She deserves it for her disobedience, for trying to deceive me. Her tears fall faster, her body trembling as I tighten my grip on her hair.

“Look at me,” I growl, yanking her head up. “You need to remember who owns you.”

She meets my gaze, the fear and pain in her eyes heightens my arousal. I thrust harder, my movements becoming more erratic as I near my peak. Her muffled cries and the tightness of her throat drive me to my breaking point. With her face held against my groin, I release wave after wave of cum down her throat.

When I finally let her go, she collapses on the floor, gasping for air.

I stand over her crumpled form and savor the sight of her broken and humiliated. “Who do you belong to?” I ask as I zip up my pants.

“You,” she whispers through her tears.

“You’d better remember that,” I growl, shoving her aside with my foot. “Disobey me again, and the price will be far worse.”

She nods weakly.

“Stay on all four and get the hell out,” I snap, dismissing her with a wave.

As she crawls out, broken and trembling, a wave of satisfaction washes over me. One way or another, she’ll learn her place—beneath me, where she belongs.

Another problem dealt with, but there’ll always be more. I’ve handled worse before, and I’ll handle what’s to come. Soon, everyone will understand the price of crossing me, and no one will dare challenge the power I command.

Antonio

Dante:I think Val found out about the gallery.

Me:What? How?

Dante:I don’t know. He was waiting for us when we got back. Alessia’s in his office. I’m afraid of what he’s going to do to her.

Fuck. I knew something like this was going to happen. I’m about to walk into a meeting, and I can’t afford to be a no-show. My hands are tied.

Me:Does he know you’re involved.

Dante:Yes.

Dammit. This is a complication we don’t need. I have to do damage control before this gets any worse.

Me:I’m going to try to buy us a little time. I’ll wrap up here as fast as I can.

Right now, I need to remain focused on this meeting. The Carlini’s have been allied with us for generations, but they’re furious over Valentino’s new alliances with DeLuca and Salazar. Drugs and humans were never part of either of our businesses and they want to keep it that way.

I enter the conference room where Saverio Carlini, the patriarch of hisFamiglia, is already seated at the head of the table, his sons flanking him. The tension is thick as I sit opposite them.

“Saverio,” I greet with a nod. “Thank you for inviting me.”

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