Continued:Nodding, I frowned slightly at her words, sounding as unloved as any woman being forced to marry. She meets my gaze, and the flash of a camera goes off around us. "I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride." I'm ready to thump the man beside us, fed up with this fakery and idiocy. But Bianca surprises me, stepping forward to press her lips to mine. Her fingers play with the lapels of my jacket, and eventually, she turns the kiss into a hug before she whispers in my ear. "How much did you waste on this fake wedding?" "The rings?" I question back. "Please tell me they're fake." "If fake stones cost millions," I grin with amusement, stepping back and holding my hand out for her to take. Her eyes portray shock and horror as I turn us towards everything before us, the resounding sound of clapping hands making me grimace. Yet, I have to plaster happiness on my face because the photographer is snapping pictures quicker than I'd like. As practised, I walk
BiancaNiko holds onto me for dear life as we wander along the dimly lit hall and through the doors that lead us into a multitude of people gathered within the large hall, ready to greet us. I had presumed that this little ceremony would have been over as soon as I said I do, but I'm being treated more than the second daughter married off just because I can be. Faces blend into faces as he guides me to talk to the first set of people to our right. I note Dimitri upset in the corner, obviously disliking that we escaped almost as soon as his priest said we finished the ceremony. Yet the funny thing is we signed off on the dotted line last night, and I have no doubt those papers were fast-tracked to ensure our matrimony was official. Don Hendrix congratulates us with a warm smile, and his wife tells me how beautiful I am in this dress, which itches every part of my skin it is touching. Nothing really sinks in besides the blood swooshing in my ears because of my racing heart at the numb
Continued: His smile drops, and his hold on my hand tightens. He dives to his left to greet an old couple against the wall, who look very bored to be here and not interested in greeting us like the many other people are. I looked back at where we came from, noticing why he had chosen to head this way. Turning back, I talked to the old couple more animatedly than the rest of the people we spoke to. They are an old family, one that doesn't partake in criminal activities anymore and hasn't for a while. But they still hold the respect of all the families. Niko's arm finds itself around my shoulders in a gesture that screams intimacy, but honestly, I'm sure it's because he can feel the same sets of eyes on us that I can. Choosing to play his game, I reach up and lace my fingers in his, kissing his thumb, too, as he strokes my lips. It's almost as if my decision to do such a thing endangered my life, for I can feel Franko and his father shooting daggers at my back. The red-hot sensatio
Continued: "How about fuck off?" Niko spits angrily before turning us away and walking us to Dimitri. "We're out of here," he spits so lowly that his voice reverberates through my bones. "You should sort that out before I do." "Your wedding is not over," Dimitri warns quietly and calmly. "It's done when I say it's done. We've married, you have what you want. I won't stay here and allow him to verbally abuse my wife before all these people," Niko states, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together before he turns us away. Everyone parted, making room for us to leave. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, knowing everyone had heard exactly what Franko said. It's obvious he's planted seedlings of doubt within the minds of every guest here. "Niko," I whimper, anxious to be gone already. Needing to find the protection only he seems to give me. "It's okay," he mumbles quietly, obviously trying to reassure me as I stumble to keep up with his quick steps. He leads me outside
Bianca Niko is unsettled, his leg bouncing beside mine as he stared upfront while one of Luca's men drove us out of Dimitri's drive. The irony is upon me that I came here a Rossi, and I'm leaving a Costa. It's nerve-wracking and upsetting. It's also exciting and sordid. Niko's warning that my use of the word 'no' plays in my mind. I wonder what would have happened if we had been alone five to ten minutes more. There's so much that remained unsaid in those moments before we were interrupted. There's so much Niko could have done. For a moment, he scared me. It seems my virginity might have been a buffer between Niko wanting and taking what he wanted. Would he really have fucked me here in the back seat of the car? The driveway gives way to the forest surrounding the roads between Dimitri's and Luca's, and I find myself lost in the sea of green and brown foliage that mesmerises me. I'm a married woman now, and the thought is strange and foreign. As I process this in my
Continued: I press my thighs together at the sudden intrusive thoughts of needing Niko. "Keep staring at me like that, and we won't get as far as the bonnet of this fucking car," he tells me. A small smile now plays on his lips. Is he playing with me just for kicks? "I wasn't staring. I was listing out the things I hate about you," I lie, turning to stare at the plane waiting for us to board it. Now, a smile plays at my lips—a large smile because I know he knows I'm bluffing. "Is that so?" He questions humorously. He shifts beside me, but I avoid looking his way to see what he's doing. "Yup. Just tallying up the things I despise about my now husband so I can memorise each and every one." "You're something else, Bee." "Never claimed to be perfect like Emma," I shrug nonchalantly. "I wouldn't want you to be anything but yourself. They're ready. Come on?" He requests. Turning, I note he's outside of the car, holding his hand out for me that I take, unwillingly, of course
Niko Bianca sits across from me as we taxi down the runway to take off for this impromptu honeymoon I hadn't expected to take. She looks worn and tired, yet she lounges back in her wedding dress so unladylike that I can't imagine doing anything but spend this time looking and appreciating the vision before me. She's comfortable even if she should be anxious and wary. I was swept up in my own emotions, so I brooded opposite her, remaining stoic and quiet as I assessed Bianca in her calm state. She is beautiful and breathtaking. I'm honoured to have stood up there beside her, making vows to remain beside her for the rest of our lives. I hadn't expected to feel so overwhelmingly possessive of her, and I hadn't expected to lose my shit the moment Franko goaded me to get that exact reaction. She didn't want to marry, andthat much is evident, but does shetrulydislike being with me? And does she want to be with a man like Franko, who obviously favours his father's tendency to treat wome
Continued: She shakes her head slowly, her brain obviously refuting my proposal, yet she doesn't voice her reluctance, which means a part of her, no matter how small, wants me back, and I can work with that. Expand on it. "It's our wedding night—evening. I want you, Bee. I've wanted you all week." "No—," she squeaks. "What did I tell you about that word?" I ask gruffly. I drop her foot, placing it down on the floor. And I follow it, kneeling at her feet like a man possessed. "It's a dirty word," I grin. "One punishable by denial." "And what did I tell you?" She asks. "I'm your husband, Bee. I have needs. Needs that you haven't met." "They're not my responsibility..." she whines, yet there's playfulness in her eyes that I suddenly want to play against. "So when you want to get off, is your need not my responsibility?" I counter her. "No." "You sure about that? You sure you don't want me to help you along?" I ask, skating my fingers up the inside her thighs that are spread in
Continued:Sven turns back to rejoin Bianca and me by the bed, and as I stand, I peep out the small window to my right. My heart races as my eyes dart across the street below, searching frantically for a way to get Bianca down and into another building safely, away from the danger lurking just beyond that door. Each hotel looks inviting, but just as with this one, its buildings are tall and overtly open."Not going to answer the door, Niko?" Densel's voice booms, dripping with mockery. I can almost envision the twisted grin on his face as he twirls his gun, the metallic glint reflecting the darkness of his intentions. The threat is unmistakable, hanging in the air like a storm cloud, and I brace myself for what comes next.Laying on the floor, hoping to crawl out of sight to the balcony door, I move precariously. Climbing the wall, with my back flat against it, I extend my hand toward the door, carefully unlatching it to avoid making a sound that might alert anyone nearby. As the door
Niko A profound sense of connection envelops us, and a look of mutual respect passes between our eyes. We've worked together long enough to know how each other thinks, which can only be helpful for the pair of us.In the background, I hear Bianca let out a soft sigh, drawing my attention back to her. She remains frozen in place, her expression a mix of tension and confusion. What is troubling her so profoundly that she feels compelled to stay anchored there, motionless?"I need a favour," I whisper."What is it?""I need you to go down to the Western to collect whatever Luca has just sent over." I showed him the phone, and a one-word message from Luca remarked, 'Done.'"You owe me," Sven chuckles dryly before picking his weapons out of the bag, ensuring they are full before he turns to the door, his hands on the chain, it hanging open between him and the door when suddenly, a sharp knock echoes through the room, jolting Bianca out of her reverie. She springs up, darting to my s
Continued: "Do you have money?" Sven barrages me with questions. "Yes," I nod, but in the same instance, I frown. It's all fucking digital, every last penny. "What?" they both mirror my horror. "Applepay, it's traceable," I mumble. "May I?" Bianca asks for my main phone, and I pass it to her without question. Only a second later, she turns it back to my face. She's downloading a banking app, and I'm not sure where she's going with this. "Use that," she stipulates with indifference as I glance down at the phone, reading her father's name on the card now residing in my wallet. I nod, but I'm not sure I will use it. There has to be another way; I think to myself as we walk in unison to the counter, Sven standing on our six until I ask him to step closer. "Do you have any cash at all?" I request eagerly. "No," he shakes his head. Swearing softly to myself, a profound sense of unease settles in as I contemplate the idea of using Bianca's father's money. The truth is, it feels li
NikoThis morning, an unsettling instinct crept into my mind—a gut feeling or perhaps a sixth sense—that today was poised to take a dark turn. With this foreboding hovering over me, I pulled Sven aside before Bianca even woke up. The weight of unpreparedness settled heavily on my shoulders. I had nothing that I usually had at my fingertips, and I couldn't shake the echo of Alexandra's words: living without permission but forever at the forefront of my thoughts.When I arrived on this isolated island, I came armed with the weapons that had adorned me on my wedding day—two knives and two guns with only one round in each, reminders of a day when I was meant to be the groom, not the protector. It wasn't until just a few days ago that I finally reclaimed my phone, another lifeline to reality.A wave of unease washed over me as I stepped off the boat. It felt as if I was walking into my impending fate. I turned to Sven, my voice low and steady, asking him to gather everything we needed to e
Continued: As I sat there, my mind wandered to Alexandra. Would she be joining us on the flight home? The mere idea of enduring her incessant chatter for an entire journey left me feeling uneasy. I could already imagine her animated and unrelenting voice filling the cabin as we soared through the clouds, unable to escape one another.My thoughts then drifted to Niko and how the familiarity of home might alter our dynamic. Would the ease we shared during this honeymoon transform back into the more complex opposition we had previously experienced? It would be disingenuous to say these questions didn't preoccupy me. However, Niko kept his silence, and I found myself caught in the web of my own musings, choosing not to voice my uncertainties. The air around us was thick with unspoken words, and I remained wrapped in quiet contemplation as we readied ourselves with Sven on his boat.The journey to the mainland was tumultuous, with the ocean raging against the boat's sides as we travelled
BiancaI hate to admit the days pass with blinding speed, but we fit as much sex and physical touch into them as we possibly can, and in the times between, we do a lot of talking, exploring one another and our future and how that might look upon leaving this island. We fuck in the hot tub, on the kitchen counter, with hushed giggles at the thrill of potentially being caught, fucking against the window I can't help but stare out of when I'm standing in the bedroom. Soft sensual sex in bed, hard fucking from behind when I tease him about something, and he just can't keep his hands off of me. That has got to be my favourite, but I've not voiced that to him.My sexual appetite has doubled, if not tripled, in such little time that I wonder where my need has arisen from. But similarly, our need to explore what one another wants to uncover itself.As our conversations flowed seamlessly from one topic to the next, we found ourselves wrapped in a captivating exchange that lasted two days. It
Continued:My previous thoughts of not forcing this on her and making her happy in our forced marriage chose this exact time to crop up, my teeth grinding in annoyance as I looked at her thoughtfully."Niko," she breathes my name, making me move to sit up further. Our chests come together as I reach to kiss her neck.I reach around her waist and pluck the bottoms bows just as she had the tops so they float off in the water as the bubbling swirl that's them under their wings."You're beautiful," I murmur against the skin of her neck."Please," she begs. Fuck the beg is almost my undoing; in fact, my cock pulsates at that one word, and yet I find myself exercising complete control to elongate this as far as I can.Instead, I kiss along her collarbone before moving down her breast, sucking her nipple into my mouth to pebble it. I rhythmically lavish it with attention before I release it with a pop so I can move on to its twin."Bianca." I grin when I pop the second one from my mouth. Her
NikoThe morning unfolds with unexpected tranquillity, the sun streaming through the windows and casting warm golden rays across the room that was yesterday shrouded in intense darkness. This ease, however, only amplifies my thoughts, drawing me into a spiral of self-doubt and guilt, haunted by the reality that Bianca faced danger because of my actions.As evening descends, the sky blushes with hues of pink and orange, and we find ourselves ensconced in the soothing embrace of the hot tub. The gentle warmth of the water contrasts with the cool air, wrapping us in a cocoon of serenity while Sven eagerly busies himself, constructing a makeshift bedroom for his stay. The humid air carries the faint scent of cedar and the distant sounds of nature, creating a false sense of security.Our trio had engaged in deep discussions about Sven's plans as we ate breakfast, each idea shared like a lifeline, reinforcing the belief that having another person around would heighten our chances of safety.
Contained: "Sure," Niko nods, touching his mug on the counter with a soft clink. "We'll try," I agree, though the truth looms heavily in my mind: a bond can only deepen with time, and it feels like we've had too little of it. I keep this to myself, reluctant to acknowledge that a part of me senses a wedge still exists between us. However, once we're back home with Luca and Emma, I'm confident we won't get close enough to others for them to attempt to pull us apart anytime soon. "I'll walk you out," Niko offers, trailing after Lucia as she strides towards the front door. The moment she reaches it, her men snap to attention, bowing their heads in unison—an unspoken testament to the respect she commands. Stepping outside onto the already warm, sun-kissed sand, I cast my gaze toward the water and see her boats bobbing gently in the surf. A few small vessels equipped with retractable engines lurk close to shore, while a larger yacht lies further out, seemingly calling for Lucia to ret