Page 54 of The Ecstasy of Sin (Brutal Brotherhood #1)

Wren

My eyes widen as we pull up to intimidating black iron gates, with a surrounding fence lined with barbed wire that curves inward toward the heavily wooded property. It’s ominous, reminding me of a federal prison.

When Dominic first turned down the long, freshly paved driveway in his Camaro, I fully expected us to drive up to a hidden cottage tucked away in the trees.

I wasn’t expecting this.

“Are you… taking me to jail?” I ask, leaning forward to stare out the windshield at the gate.

Dominic laughs, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. “No, baby. This isn’t prison. Just extreme safety measures to keep you safe.”

“I don’t think I’m worth all this,” I point out in a whisper.

When silence fills the car, and he doesn’t move to open the gate, I glance over at Dominic. My breath catches from the way his hands grip the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the tension.

“I will fuck you on the hood of this car until the only words you’re capable of saying are, ‘I deserve everything,’” he whispers, his voice low in warning .

The threat of sexual violence never fails to make me wet. “No need for violence,” I reply softly, and even I can hear the arousal in my voice.

He smirks. “There’s always a need for violence.”

Rolling down his window, he reaches out and presses a button on the entry terminal. A moment later, a voice crackles from the callbox speaker.

“Full name and purpose?”

Dominic leans out the window, eyeing the camera. “Use your eyes. I installed this camera system myself, so I know it works.”

“Ah, fuck. Sorry, boss.” The voice is sheepish, and a moment later, the electronic lock clicks and the gates begin to slide open.

Dominic doesn’t respond, he just waits patiently until the gate is open, then eases the car through. Behind us, the gates shut with a solid, mechanical snap.

As we pass, I spot a sleek, newly built security outpost to the left of the gate.

A heavily tattooed man is slouched behind a shiny new pane of bulletproof glass, lit blue by the flicker of camera feeds. He slides the window open just enough to lean out and shoot us a lazy two-finger wave as we pass.

It takes almost a full minute to reach the house, and when it comes into view, my jaw literally drops.

I wouldn’t call it a house, it’s more like a mansion—all sprawling stone and glass, set atop a flawless green lawn and framed by towering evergreens .

The scale of it is surreal. It’s the kind of place that belongs in glossy magazines or hosting billionaires at extravagant charity galas.

In the back seat, Hunter’s tail thumps excitedly against the leather.

“That’s right, my man. All of this is yours.”

My heart melts. Not only does Dominic not care about Hunter’s perfectly manicured paws on his expensive leather interior, but part of his excitement about this home—this fortress—is about Hunter. About the space he’ll have, and the life he’ll live.

This place is definitely a dog’s dream come true. If I’m being honest, it’s mine too. I have never been anywhere near a house this big. It must’ve cost a fortune.

“You’ve gotta be a secret billionaire to afford this,” I mutter, still staring at the massive home like I’m mesmerized.

He pulls up to the front door, lowering the back window and giving Hunter a release command.

I turn just in time to see him leap gracefully through the open window, landing like an athlete on the pavement before trotting into the sprawling front yard, his tail wagging and that long tongue lolling with joy.

“Money doesn’t motivate me, but I’ve got a ridiculous amount of it. My bank account just keeps growing thanks to Ghost’s expertise,” he explains, half amused. “Aside from this car and my motorcycle, I don’t exactly look as filthy rich as I actually am. ”

I shake my head slowly, my eyes still fixed on him, stunned. “I had no idea. I mean, after yesterday, I figured that might be the case. Seeing it in person just makes it more real.”

He shrugs like it’s nothing. “One of Ghost’s side hobbies is hacking billionaire funds and redistributing the wealth between the four of us. I don’t know what my brothers do with theirs, but I donate most of mine to charities.”

I think my jaw is about to unhinge at this point with how wide my mouth is. “You… donate to charity?”

He nods, completely serious. “I like feeding the homeless. I also fund the building of hospitals in third world countries, and animal shelters here in Canada.”

Just when I think Dominic cannot possibly be anymore complex of a human being, he proves me wrong. “You…” I say, barely forming words. “You are a serial killer who donates money to charity. I’m literally—I don’t even know what to say.”

Dominic laughs, the sound rich and low.

He shrugs again, like he doesn’t know how to explain himself either. “Billionaires are assholes by default, unless they’re giving their money back to society. I try to aim my darker urges at the ones who deserve it.”

“Have you ever killed someone innocent?” I ask, genuinely wanting to understand him better. He’s the most complicated man I’ve ever known, and I can’t wrap my head around how someone like him exists.

He looks at me, and just like that, the warmth vanishes from his expression. “Yes, I have. Don’t let my philanthropic efforts fool you, I’m still a killer. I’m both of those things at once, and one does not redeem the other.”

I watch him for a moment, our gazes locked, and then I nod.

“Sometimes when you talk, you make me think of a philosophy professor… or some genius poet.”

His smile is devastating, as usual. “I’m glad you think I’m intelligent and well-spoken.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I reach for the door handle. “Well, let’s check out your new house.”

Before I can open the door, his hand wraps around mine. “ Our new house,” he corrects.

He crowds into my space, his face hovering close, gaze narrowed and locked on mine. I swallow the lump forming in my throat and nod again. “ Our new house,” I repeat.

He gives me a quick, sensual kiss. “Good girl,” he whispers against my lips, before pulling back and getting out of the car.

I sit there for a second, dazed, half-convinced I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Dominic rounds the car and opens my door. He offers his hand, and I slip mine into his, letting him help me out.

“Dr. Everly’s already downstairs,” he says, guiding me toward the wide stone steps that lead to the front doors. “She’s been reviewing your medical records for a few days now. You ready for your appointment?”

Hunter trots along behind us, his tail wagging while he sniffs every inch of our new home.

“I think so,” I say softly. I have no idea what to expect .

Dominic leads me inside, and I’m once again stunned into silence.

The interior is stunning. Modern, but not sterile. The framework is dark wood and rustic stone, with massive windows letting in floods of natural light. Through the glass, I catch a glimpse of the sprawling property. The views are incredible.

He leads me toward an elevator, nestled in between a sweeping double staircase, and hits the call button. I must look like a deer caught in headlights. I’ve never been in a home this beautiful in my entire life.

Dominic keeps hold of my hand as the elevator doors slide open, like he thinks I might panic and make a run for it.

I step inside with him, still speechless. It’s a lot to take in. Going from homelessness and starvation, to this.

As we begin to descend, he leans in and kisses the top of my head.

“You—” I pause, then correct myself. “ We have an elevator... in our giant mansion house.” The words come out flat from disbelief, edged with a dry sort of humor.

Dominic chuckles under his breath. I elbow him, but of course he doesn’t even flinch. “Yes.”

The doors slide open, revealing a cozy, well-lit space. It’s not what I expected. It looks more like a warm, lived-in lounge than a medical facility. There’s a large rug, with plush couches surrounding an entertainment center, and soft lighting.

Now that I think of it, this must have been built with his brothers in mind. It’s the perfect spot for four big, scary men to hide away from the world and be together in private .

Dominic gently guides me through the room and into a hallway.

“I’ll give you an actual tour of the house later, but for now,” he gestures toward the first set of double doors. They’re glass, revealing an incredible home gym beyond. “We have a gym.”

“We sure do,” I murmur, eyes locked on the space beyond the doors. Every piece of exercise equipment I’ve ever seen, and plenty I haven’t, sit arranged in neat groupings across the massive room. “Wow.”

“My brothers will spend a lot of time down here.”

I glance up at him and smile. There’s a look of contentment on his face like he’s already imagining the guys inside, sparring and lifting, all while shit-talking each other the way they always do. “There’s a sparring ring in the back corner, too. You can come watch me kick their asses.”

How is this my life?

“You deserve it and more,” he replies instantly.

Oh. I must’ve said that out loud.

I blink, startled. Not just by him hearing me, but by the fact that the voice in my head, the one that usually tells me that I'm worthless, is silent.

Maybe Dominic did fuck my self-hatred away. Or maybe he’s helping me see that I never deserved it in the first place.

“And this,” he begins, turning us to face the dark doors across the hall, “is our new medical facility. Fully equipped to deal with any injuries, and help you manage your chronic illness. ”

He slides the doors open, and for the millionth time today, my eyes widen in surprise. Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m seeing.

It’s large and state-of-the-art, with multiple side rooms branching off, each labeled clearly. The first door on the left bears a plaque: CT SCANNER.

To the right is a clean, minimalist workspace; a sleek matte desk, with dual monitors, and an absolutely insane looking computer system.