Chapter 04

Your right hand will be the third party in this marriage.

***Andy***

 

“I hate you.” Those three words slide right out there.

Not in hate, nor in defeat. It’s just a fact that’s stated. It’s like I can’t win. I failed with getting revenge, let Marco slip right through my fingers. I failed myself in not taking care of my body. My brother, who’s sold me off to this guy right here…well, not really sold me off. More like threw me at him to smooth over connections and get me off his hands.

And then this guy. Who I don’t even know. Not personally anyway. I’ve gathered every single piece of information I could get my hands on after I met him. Only because he was the first guy who made something stir inside me. After everything that happened to me I thought I was asexual. Yet he made me feel something…as if you check and see if a battery is fully charged or dead as a doornail. I came out surprised as hell that there was even a spark inside me.

Now I’m supposed to be his wife? Well, he sure lucked out with me because sex is never going to happen. Spark or no spark, I simply can’t. Or he’d have to tie me down, but even then…no one can take pleasure from this body. It’s not made that way. I’ve been told so. Many times when I was assaulted. They didn’t even touch me with their hands, too disgusted so they wore gloves to handle a knife. Hell, they used a large wooden dildo to take my virginity before they shoved a message inside. See? My pussy is nothing more than a mailbox. That’s what I have down there, something less functional.

“I know, Andy. I know. But love and hate walk hand in hand with a fine line in between. Might not expect it…but I intend to erase that line. You’ll see.” The man just picks up another piece of that cheesy garlic bread that smells so damn delicious.

“No, you’ll see. And then you won’t be able to un-see,” I mutter, grabbing myself a piece of the bread.

Not that I ever intend to get naked with this man. The man that’s in bed next to me with his bare chest and only wearing tight black boxers I might add. He just narrows his eyes and takes me in without saying anything.

Dozor whines and draws my attention. Drool is dripping down and now I’m glad he’s got his own couch at the end of the bed so he’s not drooling on the bed. God, this cheesy garlic bread is amazing.

Eyeing the pieces, I need to make sure there’s more before I give Dozor a piece. “Who made this?”

“I did. I can make some more if you devour this one,” Afon tells me and grabs a bag from underneath the pile of goodies he brought.

Surprise hits me both from the fact that he made the bread and because he’s holding nougat candy with almonds. Damn. I haven’t had that in years. Before he can even open the bag, I snatch it from his fingers. Throwing the rest of the bread toward Dozar, who catches and devours it with ease, I make fast work to get a piece of nougat into my mouth.

I close my eyes and moan, “Sooooo freaking good.”

“Dammit. The one damn piece of candy that wasn’t on the list Tarzan got me…my fucking candy I bought for myself, and you steal that one.” Afon, curses some more.

I can’t help but giggle. Blame it on the sugar rush, I don’t care. “You’re not getting it back and I’m not sharing.”

I give him a bright smile and grab the remote, flipping through the options we have on the TV. I settle with an action series I already watched a year ago. Good time as any to watch it again. Knowing how good it is, I can let my mind drift and hopefully fall asleep later on.

I feel the bed shift and watch how Afon arranges the sheets around his waist. Shit.  Wearing nothing but his boxers. Abs sculptured to perfection complimenting his hard upper body. Inked upper body. Everywhere and all over.

Then I see it, gasp, and grab his right hand that’s covered with new ink. A skull with a flower next to it, one petal falling down. “When did you get this?”

A proud smile spreads on his face. “Yesterday. Right after I had you safe and sound in my bed.”

“But that’s not possible.” My fingers hover over his skin, where I feel the heat of his new ink.

The tattoo on his hand is only given to a few who are loyal, and well respected. It’s the visual proof that you belong to the inner circle of ‘Buca Di Volpe’.

The dots connect in my head. “Oh, God. I’m out. You took me in by signing the contract.” I swallow back the lump that’s closing up my throat. “I’m promised to you so Ricca is now the head of Buca Di Volpe. I’m out…I’m. You…you’re?”

My breath. I can’t breathe. My fingers wrap around my throat, panic fills my veins.

“Andy. Goddammit. Breathe. Hey,” Afon snaps as he’s got both hands cupping my face. Black spots swamp my vision, closing in until there’s nothing.

Something is licking my face and stroking my leg. I jolt up and glance right into Dozor’s face. He jumps up and throws his front paws smack into the middle of the bed, making all the food bounce on the bed. His playful move makes me somewhat at ease, until I feel something touch my leg again.

Swinging my head to the left, horror strikes me. Afon is touching my bare thigh. My scarred thigh. The blanket is thrown back so the whole thing is visible. I push him back and slam the blanket back over.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I seethe.

The man only gives me a smug smile. “Nothing there I haven’t seen, anima mia. You had a panic attack and blacked out. I wanted to check your wound to make sure you weren’t bleeding. I took advantage of you passed out because I knew you wouldn’t let me if you were awake.”

A panic attack? I had a panic attack? “I never have panic attacks,” I growl. “And what do you mean ‘nothing there I haven’t seen’?” My breathing picks up. Did he see? All of me?

“Oh, fucking no, you don’t. Get your damn breathing under control, goddammit. Snap the fuck out of it,” Afon growls as he wraps his fingers around my throat. There’s a glimpse of fury in his eyes as he leans right in my face. “I’ve seen you. Now what are you gonna do about it, baby? Got any anger in that weak body of yours?” A chuckle slips over his lips, making fury spike my veins, driving back the darkness as I regain control over my breathing.

With two hands I push hard against his chest, knocking him on his ass. I lunge forward and straddle his waist, wrapping my fingers around his throat. I hear a low growl right next to me and see Dozor flanking my left.

“There she is,” Afon croaks due to my tight grip. “Now call him off.”

Triumph courses through me. I have full control. I felt myself tumbling into an abyss a moment ago and yet now, I’m on the top of a mountain. And even though the guy I’m holding in place got me out of it, I don’t even think of giving him credit.

“Make me,” I snicker, knowing I can put on a good fight even more when I’ve got Dozor on my side.

His hands slowly slide up my bare thighs, making me aware I’m sitting right on top of his dick with nothing but our underwear on. Luckily, I’m also wearing a tank top. Reaching back, I wrap my hand around his forearm and squeeze. Afon releases a hiss of pain. Glancing down, I see there’s a large cut with lots of stitches. An image flashes before my eyes making me aware I’m the one who did that to him.

“Shit. I’m sorry. Dozor, get on your couch. Go,” I snap and stand up, holding my hand out to Afon as a peace offering to help him to his feet.

Glancing down, I see my panties for the first time. Skull and roses boyshorts. What the hell? I don’t even own...oh, no.

“Yeah, fuck, no. Right here, anger overrules panic. Give it to me, Andy. Spit it out.” He’s back in my face, his own dog at my side again. Clearly Dozor likes me and yet he’s not attacking his boss but does make it known he doesn’t like the two of us arguing.

My hand digs into Dozor’s fur as he leans against me, giving me the strength I need. “Not my panties. You’ve seen,”

I can’t even voice the words. I don’t have to because Afon knows exactly what I’m talking about and yet there’s no disgust or pity on his face.

“I’ve seen what’s mine. Yes. You’re gorgeous, Andy. Every single curl that makes the black mass of hair that flows down to your back, every inch of skin, down to those adorable toes of yours. Did you know you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their toes? Some think it’s bullshit, but it’s a funny little thing I read a while back and sometimes it all adds up perfectly. That third toe for instance tells me that you’re resourceful and extremely energetic. The big toe,”

“Okay, stop right there, asshole. We’re not going to discuss my toes. We are, however, going to discuss why I’m wearing these panties and where they came from.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and pin him with a stare, demanding an answer.

“I ordered them especially for you. Tarzan picked them up for me and dropped them off along with a few other things. When the doc stitched you up and was done, I looked after you...cleaned you with a warm washcloth and dressed you in the panties and tank top.” He gives me a hard stare, daring me to make a remark about something he thinks was a good thing to do.

‘I’ve seen you.’ I feel another wave of panic flows through me. Afon shakes his head very slowly. That arrogant man. A man who saw me naked. Is still here and in the screwiest of ways claimed me to be his. Sick and twisted.

Fury pushes away the panic. “Did you see me naked before you signed the contract or after? Because after would have sucked because then you’d know sex wasn’t in the cards for you if you’re married to me. Or will you slip in another tradition? One where you have a mistress?” Unexpected jealousy hits my chest limiting my breathing.

“Hey,” Afon snaps, wrapping his fingers around my throat in a punishing grip. Yet somehow his touch allows me to regain my breath. “No-fucking-one on this earth can hold a candle to the woman who’s standing in front of me and who’s mine in every way. Do you think a few scars and a past will diminish my need for you? Will diminish what my body craves? You’ve got a lot to learn, anima mia. But we have all the time this world has to offer.”

“Well, then your right hand will be the third party in this marriage because…I. Can’t. Have. Sex,” I hiss through my teeth. “Not ever.”