Page 6 of Merciless Queen
My father wasn’t home. He was never home, but I had my mom. She was the best thing I could ever ask for, even if Dadwas gone. It made me sad, though. A lot of girls at school had good relationships with their fathers, and it made me envious. I wanted a life like that, but I’d take my mom instead.
“No frowns today,” she cooed, making my own smile tug at my lips. “Even with your father absent, we just need each other. I am no one without the sweet girl who makes my heart whole. He might be a big meanie, but he gave me you.”
“Mom, I’m a teenager, you can call Dad a dick or an asshole.”
She gave me a stern look, and I shot my hands up. “None of that. It’s not ideal, but I’m happiest when I’m with you.”
“I love you, Mama.”
“And I love you, my sweet girl. More than you will ever know. So, tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Uhm, I like someone.”
She smiled brightly. “Oh? Who’s the lucky boy?”
My cheeks burned. “Uhm, her name is Mallory.”
I didn’t know what I was expecting, but her response wasn't what I expected. “Okay? And what are you going to do about it?”
“You’re not mad or disappointed?”
“Baby, why would I be mad when it makes you happy? I don’t care about what society views as wrong. Love is meant to make you happy, not everyone else around you. Besides, all a mother wants is for her child to be happy, and if this girl is going to make you happy, then that’s enough for me.”
I smiled brightly, feeling tears in my eyes. The universe blessed me with the greatest mom a girl could ever ask for. “I kissed her under the bleachers the other day, and she kissed me back. I think I’m going to ask her out, but I’m scared. She kissed me, but was it like a real kiss or an experiment?”
“Follow your heart, baby.”
I was ripped from my happy place when Vincenzo dug his nails into my thighs as cum hit my center and my breasts. My stomach churned as Vincenzo kissed my neck and his men defiled me.
“Boss,” someone said as they walked inside. Shame and disgust consumed me as this man witnessed my assault by these men. His eyes dilated, and I could see his cock become harder at my misery. “I—uhm.”
“Look at me, not my whore. What is it?”
“Moretti. The cunt found our new shipment of women. She killed everyone and took the girls.”
“Son of a fucking bitch. I’m sick of that Moretti whore ruining everything.”
I knew her. Girls whispered about her. She was pristine and proper in the morning, running multiple businesses. At night, she was a vigilante saving women, but she was still a killer. She was ruthless. Didn’t show any mercy to anyone. I didn’t even know the mafia had female leaders.
Vincenzo gave my butt a quick tap and pushed me up. He spun me on my heels before pulling me closer. Xavier and Sebastian’s cum seeped into his shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind. Vincenzo caressed the spot on my cheek where Xavier backhanded me before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine. When I didn’t open my mouth, he dug his nails into my skin, making me gasp, and he stuck his tongue down my throat. He tasted like stale tobacco and cheap whiskey.
He pulled away and grabbed my hand, looking at the prison sentence on my finger. “Keep this on, and I’ll be home latertonight to consummate our engagement. Vivian will be here later to clean you up and get you ready.” He leaned in closer. “I can’t wait to put my baby in you.” He kissed me once more before walking out of his office and leaving me alone.
I collapsed to the floor, pulling my knees to my chest as I sobbed. My fate was sealed. Marrying him was still a slow death. Carrying his heir was a fate worse than death, and being trapped in his bed would be my undoing.
CHAPTER 4
Caterina
I flasheda bright smile at Birdie as I strolled into Voyage Corporation. My father was owner and CEO of Voyage, but he was somewhere in Italy with God knows who. I despised the magazine, but I supported women, and I could admire the beautiful models who were photographed for it. Being his COO of the company meant I needed to show my face, interact with our employees, and approve certain things for the next spread. I detested this.Did people even read magazines anymore?
My father made a name for himself in the city. A multi-million-dollar pharmaceutical company, a fashion magazine, and an industrial lot used for drag races, amongst other things. He was rich, one of the wealthiest bachelors in the city. He wanted to have a legit business as a decoy for his illegal business with the mafia, and to my dismay, I was the heir.
I loved the man, but after taking my rightful place as heir, sometimes I wished he would have adopted a son. He didn’t care about that stereotypical alpha male, submissive female bullshit that everyone else followed. I could rule with an iron fist. I didn’t care about that. It was everything else. The parties. The charity galas. The fucking marriage and producing an heir. Men weredumb and thought I needed a man to stick his dick in me to get a baby. The thought of carrying a baby made me sick. I saw myself as a mother, but I didn’t need to carry to fulfill that.
“Caterina Valencia,ciao mi bella,” Mario Scavo clamorously greeted, kissing both my cheeks. “Gorgeous girl. How are you?”
“Mario, always a pleasure. The magazine is beautiful as usual. My father wants to know how everything is looking. Are the models happy?”
