Page 39 of Madness & Mercy (Deadly Sins #1)

JULIAN

The second Nico rounds the corner, I wait just long enough to not look suspicious before going after him.

What the hell is he up to that’s so damn important? And why the fuck can’t I be part of it?

I don’t need protecting. And I sure as hell don’t need him dictating where I can or can’t go.

A shiver cuts down my spine when his voice echoes in my head: “Like chaining you to the basement and leaving you there for days.”

Psycho. He meant every damn word. He’d chain me up all over again, break me just to prove he could. Keep me locked away like I belonged to him.

But I’m not his fucking pet. I’m not staying behind while he runs off to do God knows what.

He’s hiding something, and I don’t care if it’s reckless—I’m going to find out what.

I creep down the hall, eyes scanning every door, every shadow. I saw Nico walk toward the left wing, but which room is it? I’ve got no fucking clue, they all look the same. My pulse spikes with every step, but I can’t stop. I need to know what that bastard is up to.

About halfway down, I bump into someone.

“Julian,” Luca says, stopping short. His shoulder is wrapped, mostly healed, but there’s still a faint scar from the bullet. His gaze locks on me, sharp and wary.

“Luca… shit,” I blurt, stepping back. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine,” he mutters, stretching his shoulder. He studies me for a moment, and I can feel the scrutiny in his gaze.

“What exactly are you doing?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

I shift, trying to sound normal, but I can feel my throat tightening. “I’m just… going for a walk,” I say, almost too quickly. My hands twitch at my sides. “Just trying to clear my head after all that shit that went down.”

Luca doesn’t look convinced. “A walk, huh? Cross, you’ve been stirring shit here since day one. Nico might not see it, but I do. So for your own sake, don’t go poking around where you don’t belong. Got it?”

I swallow, heat prickling down my neck. “I… got it. I won’t cause any more trouble,” I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

He gives me a curt, tight-lipped nod and moves on, leaving me pressed against the wall. My pulse spikes, heart hammering, I force my gaze back toward the left wing.

Fuck it.

I’ve never been on this side of the Estate before. This entire place is a goddamn maze. I press my back against the wall, freezing as a pair of guards pass. I’m honestly surprised Nico didn’t leave me with one this time—guess he actually trusts me now.

I lean in, trying to catch their conversation, but a firm hand clamps around my forearm.

“Going somewhere?”

My whole body locks. I turn, expecting to see Nico, but it’s not him. It’s Enzo.

“Just… going for a walk,” I mutter.

Enzo’s smirk is sharp. “Boss wants to see you.”

What? Nico said he’d be busy all day. What could he possibly want with me now? Wait… maybe this is a good thing. Maybe he’s finally letting me in on whatever he’s hiding. Either way, I’m gonna find out.

“Fine,” I mutter, yanking my arm free. “Lead the way.”

I fall in step behind Enzo, my curiosity burning hotter with every turn. My pulse thunders in my chest, equal parts excitement and defiance. I can’t stop thinking about Nico—about what he’s doing, about how close I’m getting, and about that pull he has over me no matter how hard I try to resist.

Enzo doesn’t speak at first, just keeps moving down the hall like a shadow. Finally, he mutters without looking back, “Relax, Cross. He isn’t gonna kill you or anything.”

I snort. “Yeah, real comforting.”

He smirks faintly. “Just… don’t do anything stupid. He’s in a mood today.”

“He’s in a mood every damn day,” I mutter, ignoring the warning as my gaze flicks to the end of the hall. A tall door looms ahead, faint light spilling from the crack. My stomach twists.

Enzo stops just shy of the door. “He asked me to leave you two alone.”

I nod. “This better be good,” I mutter, twisting the knob and stepping inside, every nerve on fire.

The door clicks shut behind me, and there he is, sitting at his massive desk, laptop open, several files spread around like controlled chaos.

His jaw is tight, fingers drumming on the sleek surface.

Stress and irritation flood his features, but the moment his eyes meet mine, that familiar smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth.

“You’ve been spying on me,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “I saw you on the cameras.”

I blink. “You… were watching me that whole time?”

He leans back, smirk widening, eyes glinting with amusement. “Of course I was. I’m always watching you, Julian. I watched you run around like a mouse trapped in a maze for twenty minutes, and then I had Enzo bring you here.”

I grit my teeth, trying to push down the rush of heat shooting up my spine. “Crazy bastard.”

“Takes one to know one,” he murmurs, tilting his head, that smirk turning into something almost predatory. “You think you can sneak around me and I won’t notice?”

I don’t answer, shifting my gaze to the mountain of files on his desk.

“Come sit,” he murmurs, his voice low and taunting.

“There’s nowhere else to sit,” I mutter, trying to sound indifferent.

His smirk deepens. “Sit on my lap… or the floor. Your choice.”

I grit my teeth, chest tight, and take the path of least resistance; sinking to the floor in front of him, muscles coiled.

He chuckles, slow and amused, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Good boy,” he hums. “Now, what should your punishment be?”

Heat flares in my gut at the mention of the word punishment.

“I didn’t do shit,” I mutter, my voice almost a growl. “You’re the one being all secretive, locking yourself in your office and not telling me what you’re doing.”

He leans back in his chair, raising one brow, lips curling into an amused arc. “Oh? So you’re brave enough to accuse me of being secretive… but not brave enough to come closer?”

I grit my teeth, trying to hold my ground, but my damn body betrays me.

Slowly, his boot slides under the table, brushing my leg. A shiver crawls up my spine, heat pooling low. “What… what are you doing?” I manage, my voice tighter than I want it to be.

“Just reminding you who’s in charge,” he murmurs, pressing a little firmer, tracing that maddening line up my thigh. “I asked you a question, piccolino. Are you going to confess… or do I have to drag it out of you?”

I swallow hard, chest tightening. My pulse is pounding in my ears. “I… I—”

“Hmm,” he hums, leaning forward so his gaze locks with mine. “Not so easy, is it? Hearing yourself admit it. Tell me you want me, Julian. That’s the real reason you came looking for me, isn’t it? Say it.”

Heat surges through me. My lips part, ready to tell him off, but my body aches for him, betraying my words before I even speak.

“Say it,” he whispers again, pressing down harder. “Or I won’t stop until I hear it.”

“I want you,” I bite out, my voice rough, torn from somewhere deep.

“That’s it.” His grip knots in my hair, jerking me closer, until I’m trapped against him beneath the table. His words are a dark purr. “Now be a good boy and please your master.”

I reach instinctively for his zipper, and his hand yanks my hair back harder, forcing a gasp from my throat.

“Did I say you could use your hands?”

I clench my jaw, but lean in, snagging the zipper with my teeth and slowly dragging it down.

He shifts, his breath sharp and smug. “No hands,” he orders. “Just use that pretty mouth.”

Heat rips through me, my pulse kicking into overdrive as I lower my hands. My head’s screaming not to give in to this insane bastard, but my body doesn’t give a damn. It’s already burning, already begging for him.

Fuck…

I lean in slowly, lips parting. The heat of him radiates, making my mouth water before I’ve even touched him. I brush my lips against him once, tentatively, like I’m testing the fire. My tongue follows, and his sharp inhale tells me I’ve surprised him—maybe even pleased him.

For a moment, he lets me set the pace. My mouth moves in shallow strokes, careful, unpracticed but desperate. My cheeks hollow as I take in more of him, the taste thick on my tongue, my jaw already aching.

Then his hand clamps down on my hair, yanking me closer until I gag.

His laugh is low and dark. He thrusts deeper, rougher, forcing me past the point of comfort.

My throat burns, eyes watering, tears slipping down my cheeks as I choke and strain against him.

My own body betrays me, heat twisting low, a pulse of want so sharp it’s humiliating.

And then, his boot presses down harder. The sharp pressure grinds against my cock, pinning me in place.

My hips jerk helplessly against the sole, the friction brutal, and I can’t stop the muffled sound that slips out of me.

My nails dig crescent moons into my thighs as my throat convulses around him, every breath ragged and broken.

“Good boy,” he murmurs above me. “On your knees where you belong.”

A knock at the door makes me jolt, panic flooding me so fast I almost choke outright. My eyes go wide, watering harder, but Nico doesn’t release me.

He smirks, all calm control while I’m suffocating on him. “Come in,” he calls, at the same exact moment he shoves me down, burying himself deep in my throat.

My lungs seize. My throat stretches, raw, fire licking all the way down. I grip his thighs, trembling, trying not to make a sound as I fight for air.

The door swings open. Luca’s voice is steady and clipped. “Boss. Got the shipment details.”

Nico doesn’t so much as twitch. His boot stays pressed cruelly against my cock, grinding slow, lazy circles that make my hips jerk in a helpless, shameful rhythm. My eyes sting, throat spasming as I force myself to stay quiet.

“Go on,” Nico says. His tone doesn’t betray a thing. “I’m listening.”