Page 44 of Corrupting Lily

“I’ve never told anyone.” About any of it, actually. Those secrets remained in that house when I left at sixteen. I never looked back.

My parents contacted me a couple of years ago. I thought it might be because they wanted to reconnect, but it turned out they only wanted money. When I said I wouldn’t give them any, their barely cordial demeanor dropped, and once again, I felt like that naughty girl from years ago. I told them to fuck off. The silence on the other end indicated their surprise, and then I hung up. They tried several more times after that until, eventually, I changed my number. I haven’t heard from them since. And now I would never hear from them, thanks to Dominico.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s hard to hear. And harder to accept. I know. But it is true,il mio fiorellino. Some people go their entire lives wondering about the person they want to be, only because they have never seen the person they do not want to be. That lesson has been handed to us in the most vivid way. But a lesson it is.”

The depth of Dominico's words astounds me, probably because of the truth that sits in every word. I vowed that I would never hurt my child if I ever had one. They would know love every day. They would never question its existence or wonder what it felt like. This is also why I never had kids withhim.

“I went from one lesson to another. First with my parents and then with…him.” I can’t say it. Saying his name instils fear, like he will appear before me.

“You need to say his name. You’re giving him too much power, little flower.” Dominico's voice carries a hint of anger, but the way he strokes my back tells me it is not directed at me.

Power. I have never had it. And yet, I lie in the arms of one of the most powerful men I have ever known. And I don’t feel small. I feel equal. Which can only mean one thing. His power is my power.

I take a deep breath, clutching onto him as I use his body to ground myself.

And then I say it. I say his name.

“Johnathan. Johnathan Edward Williams.”

Chapter 28

Dominico

Senator Johnathan Edward Williams. A high-ranking member of the Senate. Thanks to old money and even older connections, not all above board. There were rumors that his political campaign was funded by dirty money and even dirtier backers, but this was never proven. I could believe it based on his interactions with Lily and the videos I had seen. The fact that no one in the building ever reported him for domestic abuse speaks to the kind of influence he wields and the circle he moves in.

Just thinking of him laying hands on my woman makes me want to revert to my younger self. Reckless. Out of control. But that wouldn't work in this situation. Not with such a high-profile target. I would have to be patient. In the meantime, I would make Lily untouchable in an irrefutable way.

“Everything is ready.” I nod at Dante's words, dipping my head inacknowledgement. I can see he wants to say something as I round my desk and head toward where he is standing in the doorway of my office. It takes us walking to the mansion entrance before he finally spits it out.

“Have you told her?” I shake my head once, my answer making him laugh.

Who would have thought that by the time I, Don of the Mafia, decided to take a wife, I might have to trick her into it? I knew more than a dozen women who would marry me this minute if I snapped my fingers. Yet, I have chosen this one—a woman outside of our world who offered me no business leverage. It was already a hot topic among thefamiglia. But thinking of anyone else having her, or worse still, her not breathing, brings with it that familiar feeling of absolute fucking jealousy and terror. Emotions that don't sit well with me. As with anything I don't like, I would remedy these by tethering her to me in a way that will stop her from being either one of those. Problem solved—an easy way to rid myself of these peskyfeelings.

“What if she doesn’t go through with it?” Now it is I who wants to laugh at Dante's words. This was a possibility. But I also knew Lily wanted me as much as I wanted her. She just wouldn’t admit it. Admitting it would leave her vulnerable. So she thought. She underestimated my feelings for her. Until she came to terms with it, I had a workaround.

“She will. I will use her best flaw against her.” His eyebrows lift in surprise, and he pulls a face that reflects his confusion.

“Jealousy. She has a jealous streak that rivals my own.” Dante laughs and shakes his head as if he cannot believe what I am saying.

Jealousy in most women repelled me, but it was like experiencing a tornado in little Lily Valentine—all parts of it. Lily was usually the eye of the storm, but when she was jealous, she became the storm itself. Her true emotions shone through, and she was magnificent. Commotion to our right draws our attention just as Lily and Matteoappear at the top of the staircase.

“I told you, I’m not going!” Holly’s angry voice echoes in the silence, followed by a grunt and a squeal before Nero appears. He has her slung over his shoulder, her shrieks to let her go falling on deaf ears. When his hand lands a hard slap across her ass, the sound she makes is far from angry. It's more of a moan. Confusion and desire flash across her face, followed by anger. She starts pounding on his back, but for him, it would probably feel like a massage, and when he doesn't react, she starts swearing at him.

"Petit morveux," he mutters as he walks towards us, his eyes as wild as hers. Love. It was as dangerous as someone wielding a gun, capable of inflicting as much pain and inciting as much chaos.

“These two are at it again. I hate being in the middle,” Dante groans when Holly sees him. Her pleas for him to help her are met with another slew of cursing as he raises his hand helplessly.

“We will meet you at the airport.” A swift exit follows Nero’s gruff words as he carries his unwilling cargo to a waiting car. He has been reduced to a caveman. At least I have progressed, and Lily is coming with me willingly.

“Is she okay?” Lily voices her concern as she reaches the bottom of the stairs, her eyes wide with shock.

“They’re fine. It's their mating ritual. I just wish they would fuck already. The sexual tension is making it worse.” Lily’s face reddens at Dante's words, her eyes flicking towards me, and then away again. Yes, I understood the frustration. But I would only fuck Lily once my ring was on her finger. Which would be in a matter of days. In the meantime, I was acquainting myself with her perfect body. My hands and mouth were doing the work of a cartographer, mapping every groove, every ridge. Noting every sensitive spot, like a blind man reading braille. Directions to be etched into the very cells of my skin. Iwanted to know her body in the most intimate way, not just through fucking. It was the very minimum of what she deserved.

“Let’s go.” I lace my fingers through hers and head outside toward the waiting SUV. I open the back door, assisting her inside before I round my side and get in.

Only once we are out of the mansion gates does she finally ask where we are going.

“Italy.” Her eyes widen in surprise before being replaced by panic. It suffocates the small space around us.

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