“You already punished me, did you not? Or what else was that at the club? You fucked me even though I told you no, you bastard,” I growled back, my anger growing to match his. There was pure fire in his eyes at being called out, but I wasn’t backing down. If they wanted me back, then they’d get me as I am, sass and all.
“And you could have used a safeword at any point, which I fucking pointed out,” he challenged, and I couldn’t fucking argue that point. Even back when we’d used safewords, I was too stubborn to actually use them. Though they read my body well enough to know what I could take.
“Safewords from high school don’t fucking count. And if you ever touch me without permission again, I’ll castrate you,” I seethed, both of us staring at each other like angry bulls, chests rising and falling in pure, unfiltered anger. Mine was mostly due to frustration at how easily I’d given in, but I wasn’t about to back down now.
“Let’s establish some new ones then, because he’d never stop complaining about his lack of balls,” Ky said, stepping between us and blocking the others from view. I heard Keir talking to Killian before something thudded, like a fist hitting the wall. I didn’t bother to look away from the triplet in front of me, Ky’s chocolate eyes serious as he waited for my full attention. “We won’t let you go now, Sana. You’ve always been ours. But if you want a new safeword, then you’ve got it. How about Thornhill?” My immediate reaction was to want to say no, but then I thought about what that included, and I was far too invested in finding out just how much they’d changed to walk away just yet.
“Fine,” I agreed, “but I’m not submitting for you. Any of you. Never again.” At that, Kyrell literally laughed in my face, my anger coming back as I glared.
“Alright, I believe you. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try breaking you, Kitten. You’ll be submitting at my feet before the end of the week,” he promised, leaning down and capturing my lips in a searing kiss before backing away. My brain went offline for a moment, but my body responded like it was starved for attention, every nerve-ending practically begging for him to come back, to kiss me again.
When he stepped out of view, I saw Killian rubbing his jaw, but there was no anger behind it. After the thud earlier, I’d expected them to be fighting, but it seemed that Keir thought Killian had needed to be punished, and he’d dished it out like only an Adrostos could.
“Ready, Princess?” Keir asked, the name somehow not sounding awful when he used it. He offered his arms, and I stepped forward without thought, sliding mine through his with a smile. His eyes softened a fraction, looking down at me like we were the only two people in the room, before turning us and leading me out of the apartment. It was only a moment later that I realized I’d submitted without thought. Fuck, the effect they have on me is infuriating. I barely managed to grab my keys, and Keir refused to let me take a wallet. Done with arguing for the moment, I nodded, following him out while Ky took my keys and locked up the apartment.
“This place isn’t suitable for you,” he muttered.
“That’s for me to decide,” I said back, my voice even as I hid my annoyance. I’d worked hard to get where I was, and this apartment was perfect for the lifestyle I led.
“For now,” he conceded. I wasn’t naive enough to think they’d drop it, but it wasn’t a battle that needed to happen right now.
As we walked down the stairs to the entry, I realized that they had gotten in without a code. The moment we stepped outside I could see why, the call box still smoking from what I could guess was a gunshot. I’d known they’d come after me, but this was insane.
“I’m assuming the Lexus is yours?” I asked as soon as my eyes fell on the sleek black car. A group of teens I recognized from the neighborhood were standing nearby with arms crossed and eyes narrowed at anyone who got close.
“Of course,” Keir said, chuckling and opening up the passenger door for me to climb in. A rough growl escaped when he got an eyeful of my bare pussy, and he moved slightly to hide me from view. “Naughty girl,” was all he said before he leaned over and buckled me in. His cologne, a hint of sage and citrus, was heady and familiar all at once, and without thought, my eyes closed briefly as I breathed him in.
I didn’t say anything as he leaned away and closed the door. Just before he was able to close it, I saw Ky doling out wads of cash to the teens and smiled. They might have been tough guys, well, they were definitely beyond that, but they always spoke reverently about their city. This wasn't just about the Lexus. In one of the few conversations we’d had about our pasts, they’d mentioned how their family controlled the crime here. But instead of using and abusing anyone they could, they were cleaning it up so the city was safe for those who deserved it and dangerous for those who didn’t.
When we were all finally closed in the car together, the tension rose again. I could practically feel Killian’s eyes boring into me, but shockingly, his gaze didn’t feel angry anymore. Instead, there was a mix of curiosity and lust. After his punishment in my apartment, I figured he’d blame me, but then a flash of me kicking him in the balls and him liking it, hit me. Maybe the punishment was really about calming the storm he was keeping inside instead of what he did to me. He’d always liked it rough, our sex after his fights was proof enough, but this was a new part of him, and I had a feeling there were going to be a lot of new things we’d be learning about each other.
“So, you guys own a club?” I questioned, realizing I hadn’t even known that a club was nearby until this morning. But then again, I lived like a recluse for the most part. “I don’t know how I’ve never seen it.”
“Did you even leave your apartment and shop?” Kyrell asked dryly from the driver’s seat, his hand drifting to rest on my leg. “It’s been there for years, and we own it. Most of our… business meetings are conducted there.”
“How long have you been in town?” Keir asked, but the accusatory edge had me pausing, not wanting to answer but also not wanting to make it worse.
“Three years,” I said quietly.
“So, back to my question...” Keir said, sounding exasperated.
My fingers trailed over Ky’s knuckles as I thought it over, tracing the scars and calluses on there from years of life in the mafia. I was familiar with it all, but they’d never known the extent of what I faced as Eros Priamos’ Princess. If they did, I had a feeling there wouldn’t be a single Priamos standing at the end of the day despite living halfway across the country from them.
“Barely. I probably don’t have to tell you that my family didn’t let me go easily, so I try to stay under the radar as much as possible,” I said. Hence the apartment I could pay for in cash and the side business that gave me my own separate money I had stashed up. My backup plans had backup plans and it all played into it. In fact, the money my grandfather had sent me away with made it possible for me to buy the store, but after that, I wanted to do this on my own, cutting him from my life completely. So my store ran solely on profits, and the weapons I sold on the side kept me fed and in this apartment.
Plus, I liked the fact that this was about as discreet as I could get, no one likely to expect a mafia princess to live somewhere so... basic. Or at least it was discreet before they found me.
“I can’t wait for that story,” he said, turning smoothly into the backlot of the club without prying for more information. The gate opened as we approached, so we could drive right in, grabbing a spot in VIP parking.
Killian was at my door before I could even reach the handle pulling it open and offering me a hand. I unbuckled and slid my hand into his, letting him help me out, but he barely stepped back so I was forced into his personal space as soon as I stood. The spicy, sharp smell of his aftershave invaded my senses as he towered over me.
“Does this mean I’m no longer in the dog house?” he whispered as I stared up at him. I was confused at first before I noticed he was standing, feet apart, leaving himself vulnerable in case I was going to attack. I wasn’t sure if it was in anticipation of being rejected or showing me he would submit if I wanted. A chance for him to earn my forgiveness, but I had no intention of holding onto that anger any longer. I’d had time to think while getting ready, and I was prepared to face that. Just from the way he looked unsure for the first time ever, I had a feeling it wasn’t easy for him to do this, which made me appreciate it even more.
“No, you’re still in the dog house,” I said, but this time the heat behind it had lessened. He nodded and stepped back, and I tried to not let it make me sad at the loss. I had to hold my ground now; otherwise, this relationship would be volatile.
“Boss,” the men beside the door greeted as we walked up, eyes grazing over me curiously, but one cleared throat from the triplets had them ducking their heads and snapping back to attention. I peeked at them curiously, but it wasn’t fear that I saw in their eyes. The Adrostos garnered fear, yes, but they were also respected. I could see it in the way their men regarded them, following orders without shaking hands, stuttering, or nervous tics. Something my grandfather had told me was unnecessary. Yet another thing that distinguished the gap between us. When I was twenty, I had found a guy I’d hooked up with regularly. Well, when Eros discovered it, he put out a bounty on the poor guy, having him murdered. I’d lost it when I heard what happened to him, rushing up to my grandfather’s office and slamming open the door, not giving a single fuck if he was mad. His explanation? Oh, just a heartless lecture saying how caring about someone made you weak, something I couldn’t afford to be. The guy and I weren’t even in a relationship, simpl
y friends and fuck buddies, but Eros hadn’t cared either way. That was the moment that solidified my need to escape, to have freedom. It just took a few more years to gain the courage to fight for that chance.