Page 84 of Psychotic Faith
"She corrupted our purest brother," Alex interjects, grinning despite the tension. "Made him almost tolerable."
Luca's hand tightens on my waist, a possessive squeeze that makes me lean into him. "Watch it, little brother."
"Hey, I didn't mean anything," Alex laughs, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Dante signs something elaborate, and Ana translates: "He says you see us as we truly are, without judgment or fear. That makes you either brave or insane. Both work here."
"To Faith," Marco raises his glass again. "May your loyalty be as permanent as your darkness."
We drink, expensive whiskey burning like a promise sealed in alcohol and blood. Luca turns me toward him, crushing his mouth to mine with possession that makes my whole body respond. His tongue claims mine while his hand fists in my hair, pulling just hard enough to make me gasp. I taste whiskey and violence on his lips.
"Get a room," Alex groans.
"This is my room," Luca growls against my mouth. "This whole house is my room."
"Our room," I correct, and feel his cock harden against my hip.
"Careful," he murmurs, just loud enough for me to hear. "Keep talking like that and I'll fuck you on this table while they watch."
The promise sends heat straight to my core, making me squirm against him.
Later, helping clear plates while the others debate territory disputes, I catch myself humming, then stop. The sound feels wrong here, too innocent for a room where we plan murder over dessert. Maria calls from the kitchen about dinner being ready soon, and I realize how hungry I am. How normal this feels, despite everything.
Through the windows, city lights spread like targets. Somewhere among them, my father's house sits in the light.We have our Sunday breakfasts where I pretend to be someone I'm not anymore, where I hide the bruises Luca leaves like love letters on my skin, where I reconnect with my father over pancakes and syrup.
"You're happy," Ana observes, joining me at the window. "That's dangerous in this life."
"Why?"
"Happiness makes you soft. Makes you vulnerable." She studies me with sharp eyes. "Most women who marry into this world spend years fighting it. You walked in like you were coming home to hell."
Home to hell. Yes, that's exactly right. Not despite the blood on these walls, but because of it. This family sees my darkness as a gift, not a flaw to be hidden.
"My father thinks Luca corrupted his little girl," I admit.
"Did he?"
I consider the question, feeling Luca's eyes on me from across the room, always watching with that predator's patience. My pussy clenches just from his attention.
"No.Besides," I add, watching Luca palm a knife while discussing something with Marco, "someone needs to keep him human enough to function. It's a full-time job."
Ana laughs, drawing others. Soon Sofia's teaching me Italian curse words while explaining which ones you say while cutting someone versus shooting them. Marco pretends not to approve. Even Dante contributes, his signs animated as Ana translates tales of Luca before I arrived. More feral, less controlled, pure violence without purpose.
Dante reaches across the table and signs something directly to me—slow enough that even with my limited ASL, I understand: "You make him smile. Thank you."
The sincerity in his dark eyes makes my chest ache. I sign back, fumbling but trying: "Family."
His expression softens completely, and he nods once. Approval from the silent brother feels like a benediction.
This is my family now. The one that chose me back despite, because of, what I'm capable of.
Through it all, Luca watches with those pale eyes that have seen me covered in blood and begging for his cock in equal measure. When our gazes meet, he mouths a single word: "Forever."
Yes. Whatever else this is, dangerous, violent, absolutely damned, it's home. The kind of home that comes with blood on the welcome mat and bodies in the basement. The kind where love means someone will kill for you without hesitation.
The only kind I want anymore.
The Russians can come. My father can judge. The whole world can burn.
