Why do people talk to me about innocence like it's something I possess?
Men constantly strut around, acting as if they are saving me from something, when all they are doing is making themselves feel less disgusting.
You can't take my innocence, Sir. For it's already been taken.
--
"I can't be around you," he mutters, his eyes darkening. I furrow my brows, taking one step closer to him, as if challenging him.
"Why? Am I annoying to you, do you hate me?"
"Dios mío, Valentina. Can't you leave it alone?" He says, exasperation in his tone as he rakes a hand through his hair.
I shake my head, clenching my jaw. "Tell me. Tell me what about me you hate," I ask, my voice shaking. "Tell me why you seem to hate me when I don't even think I did anything. Tell me, Orion," I say, getting louder.
Suddenly, he grabs my shoulders pushing me into the door. His hand darts out and he locks it. Slowly, he leans down to my ear.
"I hate that I can't be around you without wanting to fuck the innocence right out of you," he growls.
I am rendered speechless. He brushes his lips against my neck, and softly sucks on my sweet spot as my breath hitches.
"Now tell me, novio, what's my name?" He says against my hot skin.
"Papí," I moan.
-
Cover by @whoiskim
[CASTELLO DI CARTE MAFIA CHRONICLES, #1]
[Formerly known as *Precarious: The Game of Hearts*]
𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀
When my mother's declining health forced me to reconsider my career options, my boss steered me in an unexpected direction. The job was simple: get in, get the information, and get the hell out.
Except, it wasn't that easy.
Especially when my target was the most nefarious man alive in New York.
The closer I got to him, the more I saw sides of him I never knew existed. He burned me with his scorching touch, demanding kisses and eager gazes. He was determined to have me at all costs.
One might think he would stop at that, but-devil, help me-he needed more. More than I was ready to give.
There was a reason I never wanted to enter the Underworld.
When my past came crashing onto my doorstep, every lie unravelled, but nothing prepared me for the worst.
That was the truth about the connection between the man I desired and my dead sister.
𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒
We all know what they say about sweet things: when consumed excessively, they turn from savoury to bitter in seconds. That was what she was. A poor excuse for a sweet I wanted to devour.
I wanted to make her suffer with the same intensity.
She deserved it. And so did her scheming sister.
Only, I didn't know the latter was dead, and I might be the one at fault.
But did that stop me from craving the sweet? Hell, no. If anything, my desire to have her had magnified. She became mine the moment she walked into my life with those hauntingly beautiful blue eyes.
She was the only one who could give me the one thing I never had in life: happiness.
But being the master at ruining everything I cared for, how could I ever be the man she wanted me to be?
CONTENT WARNING (CW): This book contains depictions of violence, abuse, trafficking and other darker themes, along with sexual content that may not be suitable for some readers. 18+ recommended.