Page 38

Chapter 38

Nova

Sunlight pokes through the curtains as I lay on my side, curled in a tight ball. I haven't slept all night. My fear wouldn't allow it.

Yesterday, I'd retreated to my room, trying to suppress the hurt and betrayal of being reminded that Massimo would never want a child with someone like me. Gemma came to see me multiple times, trying to coax to into talking or eating. But when she came in the early evening, I knew something was wrong, and she admitted that her family had discovered two of my father's men were in the city.

I knew my father would be hunting me, but hearing confirmation that reinforcements had arrived—braving enemy territory—was a brutal reminder that they were coming for me. That I'd be dragged back to my father.

Seeing the terror on my face, Gemma rushed to reassure me that Massimo would be home soon and that they'd keep me safe.

But why would they keep me safe? Even if Massimo had kidnapped me to strike at my father, if it meant their people would be harmed or killed to protect me, they wouldn't do that. Not with my father's sins. They'd cut their losses and hand me over.

I'm the Mancini Princess. The spawn of a snake.

"Why would I want that snake's spawn?" Massimo's words to his brother that I overheard while in his safe room reverberate in my head, nearly shattering me all over again.

Stupid. Gullible. Fool .

If there is an escalated risk to any of Massimo's family or people, he'd never sacrifice them for me, especially with my father's involvement in human trafficking and death rings. And I don't blame him.

Since I've learned of my father's men's presence in the city, I've been in a near-catatonic state. Paralyzed with fear, and replaying all the heinous lessons my father forced me to learn.

"Princess."

I startle, snapping out of my paralyzed stupor by Massimo's deep voice. I hadn't heard the door open or him come in.

He's back . Here. Home.

You're an idiot , my mind reprimands me as tears burn my eyes.

He comes into view as I lie on my side, his massive, powerful body kneeling in front of me, blocking the window. But he doesn't block the light. With him here, it's as though the room itself grows brighter. The darkness that had been creeping at the edges of my vision pulls back, allowing light—and hope—to slip in.

Stupid. Gullible. Fool. He won't protect you.

But a small part of my mind rejects that thought.

Massimo's dark brown eyes are concerned but warm, and his expression is open. It isn't filled with malice, venom, hate, or spite. It's filled with…

I don't dare let myself hope about what I think I see in his expression.

"He's coming for me," I choke, sitting up. The weight of my fear and the paralysis I've been feeling for hours finally abates and lets me move. "My father—"

"Is never getting his hands on you." Massimo lifts me like I'm a doll. He cradles me to his chest before he lays back down with me, with us on our sides facing each other and me pulled flush against him. "You're safe, Nova. You're my princess, not his." One big hand cups the back of my head, holding it to his chest, while the other rubs along the length of my back. "He'll never take you from me. Never ."

The word shudders through me. It sounds like a vow.

But how can it be? With who and what I am, and who and what Massimo is?

Exhaustion presses in like a tidal wave. Now that Massimo is here, holding me, whispering reassuring words that I desperately want to believe, my fear and panic have eased enough to allow me to fall asleep.

"Please don't break me." My whispered plea escapes my lips.

His arms tighten around me, pulling me deeper into that net of safety. His answer is a seismic rumble through me. "Never. You have my word or my life."

It's his vow that allows sleep to pull me completely under.

It's dark when I wake. I stiffen as the blackness presses in, and panic spikes my heart rate. It's not as dark as the pitch-black room my father would lock me in, but I'm spiraling back there in an instant.

Of all the psychological tortures he brutalized me with, this—along with what he did to my mother—is the worst one. It's like the darkness is a tangible, living being. One that presses down on me, holding me under, sucking the air from my lungs, and snapping away the essence of my soul.

"I'm here, Nova." A big, solid body presses against my back. "Just breathe, princess. The darkness can't harm you, but I'm here to protect you."

Tears leak out of my eyes. I'm so broken and damaged.

A dim light flickers in the darkness, and then my body is gently rolled over until I'm lying on my back. Massimo's hair is mussed, his eyes are heavy with sleep. I realize the light is coming from the flashlight on his phone.

I scan the room, searching for the nightlight Massimo had set up for me before leaving on his trip.

Yes, a grown woman, needing a nightlight is pathetic, but there is it.

However, the nightlight that usually turns on automatically when it's dark isn't glowing.

"The power is out," Massimo explains. "That's why the nightlight isn't on. "

Massimo's presence had been calming me, but my panic snaps back in an instant.

He sees it. "Gabe says a storm has taken out the power. It's not the work of your father."

Almost to emphasize that point, there's a loud crack of thunder and lightning briefly illuminates the bedroom.

"Will your security system still work without power?" I worry the inside of my lip.

"Yes, we have backup sources." He feathers a kiss on my forehead. "And generators for those back up sources. No one is getting in here."

I'm almost melting into him as I stare up at him, still struggling to understand how someone so big and powerful can be so gentle. But right on the heels of that thought is my doubt and hesitation, the lingering question of whether I can truly trust him, and the uncertainty of his motives.

But I want to believe him and what he's showing me. Desperately.

"It's night," I state the obvious. "And you're home."

His lips curl into a smile. "Home. I like that word coming out of your mouth." His eyes drop lower. "That delectable little mouth."

I wet my suddenly parched lips, and his eyes track that movement with a predator gaze. I'm suddenly very much aware of him pressed against me, of the hardness pressed against my hip.

When he returned from his trip, we were supposed to pick up where we had left off. I had pleasured myself numerous times while he was gone at the promise.

And with the threat of my father growing ever closer, I urgently need to remove that chess piece off the board—my virginity—so when my father got me back, at least I'll have taken some kind of shot at him.

Guilt slashes through me at the thought of using Massimo like that.

But quickly on its heels are his words to Vito, along with the reminder that he doesn't want to get me pregnant.

His knuckles run down my cheek as he frowns, studying me, trying to read my thoughts. "Hey, where did you go in your head? "

I turn my face away. Or try to, but he's having none of that and makes me look at him. He studies me for a long beat, then he kisses my forehead and stands from the bed, making me feel cold and empty without him.

He's wearing a rumpled dress shirt and slacks. My mouth goes dry as he undoes his shirt with his eyes locked on me. My mouth goes drier still as his massive, strong, and tattooed chest, shoulders, and arms are revealed. Wetness pools between my legs as I watch him undo his pants, and he pushes them and his boxer briefs down. His erection—as massive as he is—springs free and slaps his abs.

"Jesus," I croak, my eyes widening in shock, even though I've seen it before.

His smile should be outlawed. As should the sight of him gripping that massive erection and giving it a slow stroke along its length.

"Soon, princess." Then he turns, giving me the view of his glorious , sculpted backside. The muscles in his broad back, ass, and strong legs flex and coil as he walks to the dresser. When he turns back to me, he's holding a tray. On the dresser, there's a warming plate the tray had been set on.

I sit up, clutching the blanket to my chin, even though I'm wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and watch him come to the bed.

"Up and undress."

I go rigid.

He curses and sets the tray down on the bedside table. Sitting on the bed, he reclines back, watching me. "I didn't mean to order you. I'm sorry, Nova. However, I would love it if you were naked while we ate, princess."

Suddenly, my clothes constrict tightly, and I want that. Very much.

I quickly get off the bed and pull my T-shirt over my head, then push down my sleep shorts.

His monster cock jerks as his gaze sweeps over me, and the realization of the power I have over him courses through me.

I kneel on the bed. "What now?" I ask, unsure of what to do.

"You decide how we'll sit and eat."

I bite my lip. "How do you want me? "

His cock jerks again. "I want you sitting impaled on my cock—just sitting on it, not moving, but with it deep inside you—while I feed you." His eyes stare deep into mine as I blush and my core pulses. "But since I haven't had the privilege and pleasure of your virginity yet—and that cockwarming kink and desire isn't possible right now—I'd love for you to straddle me, with your pussy lips settling on either side of my dick, while I feed you."

Jesus. H. Christ.

Before I know it, I'm doing exactly that. Crawling over to him, swinging my leg over his hips, and lowering down on him. He pulls his erection so it is flat against his stomach, and I wiggle until my pussy lips are split with his steel length wedged between them.

I've never been naked in front of a man before, never have been touched or kissed until Massimo, but here I am, with no qualms or embarrassment. Like this is the most natural way to eat a meal.

"Good girl," he rasps, staring up at me. "Fuck, you're so wet, princess."

My core clenches, and his expression tells me he felt every movement of that.

"Feeling your pussy clench around my dick is going to destroy me." His large hands settle on my hips and squeeze. "But first, let me take care of you before I fill that soaked pussy with my seed."

My mouth falls open. Hearing cum being referred to as 'seed' shouldn't be hot… But holy Christ, my pussy throbs.

His dark smile tells me feels that as well. "What do you say, princess?"

His voice is a caress, and my nipples pucker painfully.

"Yes."