JAYCE BECKETT I’m in my fucking head.There was no other explanation for this, I had lost my fucking mind and I knew it."Shit, Jayce. What are you doing?" I groaned out.Cole's refusal to let me leave the house still simmered in my mind. Despite destroying the invitation card and ruining my chances of getting into the clubhouse, he still wouldn't let me go. It had taken drastic measures to escape him - a swift kick to his groin had finally freed me from his grasp.Now, forty minutes had passed since I'd arrived at the clubhouse, and the bouncer still barred my entry. Renato Marino and his underdog from earlier, Salvio, were nowhere to be seen. Just as I was starting to lose hope, my phone vibrated against my thigh, making me jump. "Cole, not again," I hissed, snatching up the call. He'd been blowing up my phone nonstop, and I'd been ignoring him, but I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. The last thing I needed was for Cole to keep calling me while I was trying to get into the c
RENATO MARINO "Giovanni is here to see you, boss," Salvio announced, his voice piercing through my calm demeanor like a dagger. My head throbbed in anticipation, even though I hadn't yet dealt with my cocky, insufferable nephew. But he and his brothers were just a pain in the ass and I hated to have to deal with them. We were family, bound by blood, but our working relationship was nonexistent. We operated in different spheres, respecting each other's boundaries, neither enemies nor rivals, but rather two entities that coexisted in an uneasy harmony. My brother and his children only sought me out when they needed my help, and the weight of those expectations often became overwhelming. I felt like a safety net, a backup plan, a solution to their problems. But what about my own problems? When did I get to be the one who needed help? I raised my head, my eyes locking onto Salvio's neutral expression. "Where is he now?" I asked, my tone measured, betraying none of the turmoil brew
JAYCE BECKETT I slammed my fist into the wall, the crunch of my knuckles against the hard wall a stark release for the fury brewing inside me. "What the fuck is wrong with me?" I hissed angrily, my voice hoarse with frustration, as I clenched my fist, the pain radiating up my arm a welcome distraction. "Why did I have to go and act like a damned fool?" I half-yelled, my words tumbling out in a torrent of self-loathing. "Why did I have to get all squirrely and suspicious? Why did I freak out and haul ass like my pants were on fire?" I paced back and forth, my feet pounding the floor in time with my racing heart. My mind replayed the scene, each detail etched in my memory like a bad tattoo. I cringed, reliving the embarrassment and anger. I spun around, my fist flying toward the wall again, but this time I caught myself, my arm trembling with restrained fury. I took a deep breath, the air shuddering into my lungs, and let it out slowly, trying to calm the storm raging inside m
RENATO MARINO I still couldn't fathom what had driven me to do that. What transpired between Jayce and me was never part of my plan. My initial intention was simply to show him the way to the restroom, despite suspecting it was his only excuse to justify why he entered into the office. I should have turned back and left, but instead, I decided to take a leak. Messing with him was never on my agenda.The situation took a turn when I unzipped my pants, and his backside was facing me. For a fleeting moment, I could have sworn Jayce was Aspen. I've had hallucinations before, but what happened in that restroom was stark reality. My mind wasn't playing tricks on me; I simply wished Jayce was Aspen.Grief washed over me like a tidal wave. I missed Aspen terribly, the ache in my chest still raw. I would have given anything, paid any price, to bring him back to life. But that didn't change the fact that Jayce was different from Aspen. While they shared similarities in their blonde hair an
JAYCE BECKETT As soon as I slid into the driver's seat of Renato's car, he barked out an order. "Turn on the music." I grumbled under my breath, "Yes, boss," and pressed the button to fill the car with the smooth, sultry sounds of a classic Italian song.My gaze drifted to the rearview mirror, where I watched Renato's fingers tap an agitated rhythm on his thigh as he stared out the window. His face was a mask of fury, his eyes blazing with a fire that made my gut twist with unease. I wondered what had sparked his anger. Shouldn't I be the one seething with rage?Renato's actions in the bathroom still had my mind reeling. He'd sneaked up on me, his presence a cold, calculated reminder that he could do as he pleased, whenever he pleased. And to drive the point home, he'd had some guy go down on him right in the open, in front of me, a twisted display of power and control that had left me feeling raw and exposed.It fucking pissed me off.Renato's bark cut through the air, making me
RENATO MARINO Irritation, uncertainty, rage, frustration.So much fucking anger weighed down on my chest making it hard to breathe. I was angry at myself for slipping up and allowing my emotions to get involved with the fucking rat I was trying to tame.I was pissed off at Jayce too because why in the hell did he have to look so much like Aspen, confusing the shit out of me? But above all else, I was furious with my act. I was over pretending to be someone I wasn't.I wasn't who I was presenting myself to be in front of Jayce. I wasn't nice, nor was I clueless. Nothing ever goes behind my back and I wouldn't know.I wasn't the person I pretended to be in front of Jayce. I wasn't the naive, clueless Renato Marino who welcomed anyone into my inner gang just because they'd taken a bullet for me. That wasn't me - not the calculating, ruthless leader who'd stop at nothing to protect my empire.I was a master manipulator, always in control, with eyes and ears everywhere. Nothing slipped pa
JAYCE BECKETT Gillian Owens.I had never wanted to remember that name again. The mere mention of it made my blood run cold. I never wanted to recall the face behind that monstrous name, the face that haunted my every waking moment for years. I never wanted to relive the incident that shattered my life, that stole my parents lives, and my sister's sanity. It had taken me ten long, arduous years to forget, to push the memories deep into the recesses of my mind. But it only took one fake ID to unleash the horrors, to bring the memories flooding back like a tsunami.The drive back home was a blur, my vision obscured by tears that streamed down my face like rain. I drove on autopilot, my heart heavy with grief, as the images assaulted me. Imagine if my sister, clutching her tattered dress, her eyes wide with terror as she tried to jump down from the crossover bridge, trying to take her own life because of what Gillian Owens did to her. Something she could never live with.The sound o
RENATO MARINO I'm not going to think about it.I'm not going to fucking think about it.But I am thinking about it.I was in a challenging yoga pose, my arms trembling with fatigue. My palm was planted firmly on the cold floor, supporting my weight as I balanced on one hand. My legs were stretched out in opposite directions, one of them bent at an awkward angle, with my hand grasping my ankle, pulling it towards my head. My other arm was stretched out to the side, providing balance and stability.I was attempting to master the "One-Legged King Pigeon Pose", a complex yoga pose that required strength, flexibility, and focus. Yoga was one of my go-to activities to clear my mind and unwind, but tonight, it wasn't working its magic. The memories of what I had witnessed a few hours ago lingered, refusing to be pushed aside.Rage simmered beneath my skin as I recalled Jayce's words: "I'm fucking straight." What a blatant lie. My mind seethed with resentment, my organs twisting in angu
JAYCE BECKETT A throbbing sensation consumed me at first, but as I began to register my surroundings, I became aware of a cool cloth on my forehead, the gentle softness of sheets beneath me, and the warmth of a blanket covering me. I slowly forced my eyes open to see that I was in my room.The last thing I remembered was rushing home after a frantic exit from Renato's Villa, feeling like my life was falling apart. I'd walked into my living room to find Cole hunched over his laptop, typing away furiously as he told me something about applying for a marriage license. But I'd been too overwhelmed to respond, and the next thing I knew, I was slumping to the floor, blacking out completely. Cole must have carried me to my room."That fucker." I groaned, rubbing my eyes.BEEP.BEEP.The jarring sound of my alarm blaring ripped through the air, prompting a harsh grunt from me. I lifted my hand, first removing the damp cloth from my forehead, and then reaching for the annoying alarm on the
RENATO MARINO Lying around and healing? Not exactly my style. I'd rather get to work on the task that slimy Sasha had dumped on me. The clock was ticking – the new Don would be chosen soon, and I needed to move quickly.I slipped out of bed and padded silently around the guest room. I'd held onto the hope that Jayce would still be here when I woke up, but he was long gone. "That bastard," I muttered, wincing as I clutched my side. The guest room was spotless, and I couldn't help but notice the tidiness. The cleaner wouldn't have arrived this early, and Chocolate usually avoided morning visits to spare me the embarrassment of being seen naked. That left only one person – Jayce. "So, he cleaned up before ditching an injured guy? Classy move," I said with a mix of annoyance and sarcasm.If I'd known he'd bail as soon as he realized I was playing him, I wouldn't have said his name. And honestly, I wasn't even trying to play him in the first place.What I saw wasn't a lie. At first, a
JAYCE BECKETT I was still desperately trying to dull the throbbing pain in my butt, but it seemed like an impossible task.Every twitch, every shift, every beat of my heart sent a fresh of agony through my butt. I can't remember how long this had been going on for. Whoever Aspen was, he was one strong bastard! I didn't think I could keep going, but each time, that bastard would groan and grunt, grumbling how Aspen was so strong enough to take him in for two days straight without stopping.Somehow, I was starting to doubt if Renato was only trying to convince himself that I was Aspen. Or maybe he already knew who I was and was doing this to punish me for impersonating his lover.I was literally dying. I hadn't exactly seen where people died from having too much sex but I was convinced I was going to become the first victim.I could feel Renato trembling against me, and just when I thought he had finally reached his limit and was going to cum, he pulled out of me. Making my eyes widen
JAYCE BECKETT I was still desperately trying to dull the throbbing pain in my butt, but it seemed like an impossible task.Every twitch, every shift, every beat of my heart sent a fresh of agony through my butt. I can't remember how long this had been going on for. Whoever Aspen was, he was one strong bastard! I didn't think I could keep going, but each time, that bastard would groan and grunt, grumbling how Aspen was so strong enough to take him in for two days straight without stopping.Somehow, I was starting to doubt if Renato was only trying to convince himself that I was Aspen. Or maybe he already knew who I was and was doing this to punish me for impersonating his lover.I was literally dying. I hadn't exactly seen where people died from having too much sex but I was convinced I was going to become the first victim.I could feel Renato trembling against me, and just when I thought he had finally reached his limit and was going to cum, he pulled out of me. Making my eyes widen
JAYCE BECKETT “Are you ready for me? Because I need you badly, baby.” Renato murmured, giving my hole one last lick before coming up for breath.We had long moved from the table to the bed, and I must admit this bed was a little small for the two of us.But that made it even more thrilling. I loved the way Renato pressed against me like there was no other space for him but to invade my space.I removed my two fingers from my hole and tucked my hands behind my knees to keep me raised and folded in half, ass lifted in offering. I hadn't exactly loved the idea when Rebato asked me to fuck my hole while he suck my ass. But the moment my two big fingers slipped past the first ring and Renato's tongue followed, I felt like I had been stuffed full inside.“Fuck me. Now. And don’t stop,” I paused to breathe, staring at him with my teary eyes. “even if I beg you to, don't stop.”Renato lowered over me, the width of his body keeping me open, allowing my hands to roam free. He gripped the wide
JAYCE BECKETT It took nothing at all. No effort for Renato to say, “Baby. You are my heart.” I knew I shouldn't feel hurt, but it stung to realize Renato thought he was standing here with someone named Aspen, not me. I was the one pretending to be the person his heart longed for, yet the truth made everything feel hollow and bitter. The thought of Renato touching me, kissing me, wanting me, but seeing someone else's face in his mind and whispering another name made my stomach turn. It was a twisted, toxic dynamic, and yet, I couldn't help but crave it anyway. The disconnect between reality and his perception made my feelings for him even more complicated, tangled in a web of desire and resentment.I couldn't quite put my finger on what I was feeling inside. It wasn't like I had romantic feelings for Renato or wanted a relationship with him. We didn't share any meaningful connection that would warrant this level of emotional investment. Yet, hearing him bare his heart to someone
JAYCE BECKETT "What?" I choked on a laugh, staring incredulously at him. Was it really the medication that was causing him to act this way, or was Renato just messing with me? The look on his face was so sincere, so full of longing, that I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that head of his. I searched his eyes for any sign of joking or teasing, but all I saw was a deep, almost desperate yearning. It was unnerving, to say the least."I'm serious. Otherwise, I'm not taking that thing." He shrugged, a faint, almost-wry smile playing on the corner of his mouth. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but it softened the intensity of his gaze, making me wonder what was really going on behind that mask of seriousness."Fine," I breathed out, shaking my head at the absurdity of arguing with someone who was clearly not at their best. "It's my fault for waiting around. I should have just left you and gone home." I turned to grab the pills from the table, but before I could even
JAYCE BECKETT I rolled my eyes. Renato was different than I expected him to be when he was asleep and defenceless. There was a gentle, cute side that I never would have expected. If Renato was any other man, he would be perfect for me."What the fuck am I saying?" I chuckled, shaking my head as I watched him sleep. Chocolate came in here about three hours ago, telling me to prepare myself and I still didn't know what that meant.She said that was the doctor's words and she was the one who asked her to give me that package."I don't get it," I sighed, brushing a strand of his silver turned red hair off his face. "Do you seem to have strong sexual urge whenever you're sick? Everyone is acting weird."I made to stand up, to go check my phone for time because it seemed to be about time Renato take his pills.The doctor said to feed him the pills every two hours, and I must admit, it was damn hard to feed a sleeping man. "I can't believe I fed you medicine through my mouth." I chuckled
RENATO MARINO "Let him go!" Gianna screamed, her voice piercing the air as she writhed in agony on the floor. "I beg of you, just let him go! I'll never do it again, I swear! So please, let go of him. Don't kill him."I stood frozen, my hands wrapped tightly around my brother's throat, his eyes wide with fear. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his skin was deathly pale. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – I was literally choking the life out of him. My grip seemed to be tightening of its own accord, and my brother's eyes began to bulge, his face turning a sickly shade of purple.I hated this, I hated hurting my brother, but he had crossed a line. He had used our sister for his petty revenge, despite my explicit warnings. After Father's death, we'd lost everything to his enemies. Once they'd stopped chasing us, I had thought it was time to lay low, live quietly, and never show our faces again.But my brother was consumed by vengeance. He wanted to avenge Fat