Bastiano Romano: A Standalone Mafia Romance Novel (The Five Syndicates Book 4) by Parker S. Huntington (28)

I woke up to an arm around my waist and stayed as still as my breathing would let me. I’d lost feeling in my right hand. Inching it up into the air, I shook it lightly, trying my best not to wake Bastian up.

“What are you doing?”

My eyes darted to Tessie at the base of the tiny hallway.

She tilted her head and stared at Bastian beside me. “Is that my brother?”

I considered lying for a second. “Yes.”

“Oh. Can you wake him up? I’m hungry.”

“I’m awake.” His voice vibrated against the back of my neck, and he moved his arm from me and stretched, like he woke up next to women every day. “Luna will have breakfast for you when we get to my place.”

“Where were you last night?”

My head cocked to Bastian, taking in his face. I could read it in his eyes. He didn’t want to tell Tessie, but he didn’t want to lie.

I made the choice for him. “Can you help me pick out my outfit for the day, Tessie?”

“Okay!” She ran off to my room, and I heard my closet door open before I even shouted my permission.

When I turned to face Bastian, he didn’t just have his thank you projecting from his eyes. It sat on the tip of his tongue, too. “Thank you.”

“I’m still mad at you. You don’t want me near Tessie, yet here we are.”

His sigh heaved past his chest. Heavy. Like it took everything in him to exist. “I’m going to sound like a hypocrite, but I need a favor.”

I eyed him warily. “Fine.”

“Until we find him, everyone will be looking for him. My mom, my dad, my uncles, Asher, everyone who works for them, me… Everyone. I clearly can’t trust Tessie’s babysitter, and…”

“And you trust me. The woman you wanted to keep away from your sister.” Even as I said them, my words held no real bite to them.

I didn’t take it lightly that Bastian trusted me with Tessie, a fact he’d be reluctant to admit had Vince’s absence not changed everything. In fact, he still didn’t admit it. That was okay. I had my secrets, too.

I could never tell him about that night with Vincent.

Even as tearing the city apart looking for Vince tore him inside.

I was his Apate, not his Jupiter.

Never Jupiter.

“I’ll do it.”

Of course, I would.

I loved Tessie.

Sure, that’s why.

“I can pay you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want your money.”

Bastian paused for a moment, staring at me like I’d just said something bizarre. He stood and pulled up his pants, which I hadn’t even seen him remove last night. “I’ll have someone cover your shift, so you can come back with us and get set up with the security.”

It wasn’t lost on me that, just as I’d committed to leaving the FBI, I’d been given an unheard-of opportunity into Bastiano Romano’s penthouse. Who knew how much intel the place held?

None of it interested me.

I wanted to help Tessie.

Nothing else.

I was such a mess.

“Security?”

“Your own badge to enter and exit the building, a key to the penthouse, and biometrics. Do you have a car?”

I raised a brow. “Do you pay me enough to own a car?”

“You won’t need a parking spot in the garage then. It’ll be quick. A few scans, and you’re good.” He rattled off a text message as he spoke. “They’ll have the key and badge ready for you by the time we get there.”

Tessie ran out into the hall with a giant duffle bag that fit my entire wardrobe in her hand. “I’m ready. I got your clothes.”

“What?” I went to grab the bag from her.

This was enough clothes to stay the rest of the month. No way would I sleep over at Bastian’s. Letting him spend the night on my couch after he scoured the city for an uncle I knew was either dead or soon-to-be dead was one thing, but moving into his place… even as I thought it, I knew I wouldn’t fight it.

I didn’t want to be his Apate.

“Good idea.” Bastian nodded and grabbed it from her hand before I could. “You’ll probably need all this until…” He trailed off and glanced at Tessie.

I turned to her. “How did you know to pack the bag?”

She looked so proud of herself. “I ear dropped.”

“Eavesdropped,” Bastian corrected.

She turned to him. “Who are you and everyone looking for?”

“Whom,” Bastian corrected again, like he was buying time. He glanced my way, shot me a shut-up look, and turned back to his sister. “Adult business.”

“But—”

“Do you want breakfast or not? We might not make it back before Luna leaves if you keep talking.”

She shut her mouth then opened it again. “It better be pancakes.”

It wasn’t. It was strawberry chocolate chip flaxseed waffles, which Tessie promised she liked better. She gobbled them down, unaware that her favorite uncle had been missing yesterday. Then again, Bastian was unaware that I might have been the last to see him, and I wasn’t about to confess anything.

Bastian showered, changed, and left before Tessie finished her breakfast. Luna cleaned up the dishes and left, too. The concierge sent a few security guys up with some portable tech. They took my fingerprint, retinal scan, and breath scan. My fucking breath.

Tessie watched from the kitchen island, her little feet dangling off the barstool. She kicked the side of the island just to watch her shoes light up before looking at me. “Are you going to tell me what’s happening?”

“What do you mean?”

I knew what she’d meant. I just didn’t want to be the one to tell her. For one, it wasn’t my place. I also didn’t want to be the one to break that news. I knew in my gut this wouldn’t end well.

Vince wasn’t just missing. He was either already dead or about to die. I’d seen that look in his eyes, the sunken-in cheeks, the way he’d sought out closure. He’d been preparing to die. I just hadn’t realized how soon.

Tessie kicked the island again, and her shoes flashed a kaleidoscope of colors onto her ankles. “Everyone is freaking out. I called Daddy while you were breathing into that thingymabob, and he seemed scared. I think. I don’t know.” She scratched at her shoulder. “I’ve never seen him or Bastian scared. Except once.”

I nodded my thanks to the security team as they finished packing up their stuff, handed me a badge and keycard, and let themselves out. I considered answering Tessie’s question, but again, it wasn’t my place, so I redirected it.

“What happened that one time?”

“It was a few years ago. My cousin took me to our cabin in Big Bear. There was a squirrel outside. It looked hungry, so I grabbed some food from the kitchen and snuck out the back. It ran away from me when I tried to feed it, so I chased it. I tripped on some wood and broke my leg. It was snowing. I was too far from home. I called for help until I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Daddy, Bastian, and Mommy were all in the same room. I hadn’t seen them in the same room for a while, but they all looked scared until the doctor told them I’d be okay.”

“Were you scared?”

“No. I didn’t know what was going on, but the doctor was right. Everything was okay.”

“Are you scared now?”

“No. I don’t know what’s going on.”

I grabbed her hands and kneeled a little, so we were face to face. “Good. I’m going to tell you the same thing the doctor told you. You’re going to be okay. No matter what happens in life, no matter if you break your leg and get too cold, no matter if everyone is acting funny around you, no matter how you feel in one moment, you will be okay. You have so many people who love you and want you to soar, and you are the smartest little girl I’ve ever met. If anyone is going to be okay, it’s you.”

She flung her arms around my shoulders and dug her nose into my hair. “It’s Uncle Vince, isn’t it?”

I pulled back and studied her. “Why do you think that?”

“He snuck into Daddy’s house after Asher married Lucy. He told me to never be scared because he’s always with me, but he’s not here now. I talked to Bastian, Daddy, and Mommy this morning. Uncle Frankie and Uncle Eli called me, too. Asher and Lucy are with Bastian. Where’s Uncle Vince?”

My heart broke for the little girl who’d never have another second with her favorite uncle, who didn’t realize the last time she’d seen him would be the last memory she had of him, who was too young to feel this kind of heartbreak.

I shoved down the tears I felt building behind my eyes and whispered, “Close your eyes.”

She did.

I grabbed her hands and held them tight. “Think about Uncle Vincent, all the favorite things you’ve done with him, and every memory he’s given you. Can you do that?”

I wished I had a memory of my mother. Just one to keep me warm at night when I tossed and turned, and my life felt like a chaotic mess I couldn’t fix. The thing about love is, it hurts when you lose it, but it hurts more to never have it in the first place.

Tessie nodded her head, her eyes still squeezed shut. “Yes.”

“If you can hold on to those memories and those feelings, he will always be with you.” My voice broke.

My mom was never with me.

Tessie peeked an eye open. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

My heart broke for her, but it broke for me, too.

The city lights left the alley behind Depravity unscathed. I barely made out the scattered trash and cigarette buds under the dim moonlight. A black cat hid in the corner, but I paid it no attention as I swung my leg at the dumpster container. It didn’t move an inch. Pain shot up my leg, and the cat darted away like even it didn’t want to remain in the shadows with me.

Another place empty.

Another place without Vincent.

And my gut—the gut that wouldn’t shut up—whispered, he’s already gone. You’ll never find him.

Weeks ago, Vince had set Niccolaio up with a safe house to hide from the bounty on his head. Niccolaio had been attacked, and sometime before Vince had gone missing, he’d captured him. Tortured him. Accused Vince of betraying his location, then let him go when he’d realize his mistake.

And then Vince vanished. No trace behind.

Not a coincidence.

Uncle Frankie expected all of us not to blame Niccolaio, but I couldn’t. I got it. I did. He’d made a mistake, and Vince forgave him, so we should, too. But it was easier to blame Niccolaio than myself, for not understanding why my own uncle left. And we knew he’d left. It was the only way he could have eluded his security.

Vince’s voice teased me, the sleep deprivation sinking its claws into my head.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

I kicked at the dumpster again, needing the pain to lap its way up my body and chase away the rage. The back door swung open, and a security guard peeked his head out. He took in my glare for a second before bowing his head, apologizing, and shutting the door to Uncle Frankie’s club.

When my phone rang, I answered without looking and barked out, “The fuck do you want?”

“D-dad?”

Shit.

“Everett. I thought—” Nothing. No excuse. Just… fuck. “Sorry, kiddo.” I leaned the back of my head against the brick wall, harder than necessary, but I deserved the pain. “How are you?”

In seven years, I’d never yelled at him. Never cursed at him. Never spoke to him in any way less than he deserved. All that love, all that tenderness, all that devotion up in flames. If I were anyone else, my fist would be in my face, and I’d wake up with a black eye.

Everett’s breathing grew ragged over the line. “Mom’s acting weird.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Can I come home yet?”

I ran a hand down my face and bit back a swear. I wanted everyone home twenty-four-fucking-seven. Him. Vince. Tessie. This—always searching or waiting for the people I loved to be near me—chipped at my sanity, scattering a trail of my soul across the city with each step I took.

“I’ll find a way, Everett,” I promised, hoping I could keep it.

You can’t, the distorted Vince in my head taunted. I needed sleep. Time’s running out.

Tick.

Tock.

Too late.

I’d never let myself grieve my mom. I’d always felt that, if I took the time to hurt, I’d never stop. It made no sense. I’d never met the woman. I didn’t know what I was missing out on, so how could I miss her?

The first tear slipped past my lashes as I stared at Bastian’s bed. I’d tucked Tessie into bed in her room a few minutes ago, and I was supposed to be finding a place to sleep in this stupid two-bedroom penthouse with a million useless rooms but no guest room.

Leave it to Bastian to not want guests.

The second tear volleyed past the first as I kicked my duffel bag to the side of his bed, something like grief clogging my throat as I told myself it made no sense to grieve someone I’d never met.

The third tear chased the second as I stripped off my clothes and shrugged into satin pajama shorts and a thin camisole, trying my best to follow a routine. I froze, the shirt halfway down my midriff as I realized I’d been following a routine my whole life.

Up until I’d turned eighteen, it was school, homework, books, and sleep, trying my best not to get in my aunt’s way. In college, it was school, homework, and doing my best to avoid people. At the bureau, it’d been burying myself in legends because I didn’t want to confront my own life and sought an escape through my covers.

But here I was, Ariana De Luca for once, and I was tearing at the seams. A ripped dress I’d once loved and vowed to sew back together but had tossed in the back of the closet and forgotten before I could fix it.

The tears built behind my eyes. I could feel them pushing, pushing, pushing, trying to tumble past my stubborn irises, but I held them back.

You don’t cry.

You don’t cry.

You don’t cry.

You are not Jupiter. You are not Ganymede. You are not Apate. You are Ariana De Luca, and you do not cry.

I was thankful for the crash that forced me to push aside my self-pity. Rushing to the living room, my right hand absentmindedly patting my hip where I knew my holster wasn’t, I had my other arm up, ready for a fight.

It lowered when I caught sight of Bastian and the tossed piano chair beside him.

He turned to face me, his eyes distraught and his voice so low, I struggled to hear him. “We’re not going to find him.”

No, you’re not.

Instead, I kept my secrets carefully tucked in my gut, where they festered like a decomposed heart; crossed my arms; and swiped at my stupid tears. “You’re unhinged.”

He took a step toward me, and it struck me how much space his body took up. He could break me if he wanted to. “Do you fucking blame me?!”

I held my ground, my voice low but strong. “Tessie’s asleep.”

He opened his mouth but stopped, his gaze raking my body in my sheer pajamas and settling on my cheeks, which glistened with the tears I’d failed to wipe. Stupid fucking tears. Instead of picking and prodding at my weaknesses, he just stared at me. I felt broken, bare, and vulnerable before him, but I suspected he felt the same.

It happened before I could stop myself.

We eyed the door to the bedroom, where Tessie slept. I met his eyes and took a step toward him, pushing us both to his front door and into the hallway outside of his penthouse. His eyes flared, and then we were on each other, our lips attacking one another so quickly, I barely had time to shut the door behind me.

He tasted like demons. Ours. Intertwined. Mated in something we couldn’t control.

I pushed my tiny shorts down my legs.

He pulled back and glared at me like there was nothing he hated more than me. “Take off your panties. Now. Or I’m fucking you with them on.”

He hooked one of my legs around his waist, and my hands moved to push the lace down, but he was already pushing them aside.

“Too slow.” And then he sunk himself deep into me.

My fingers dug into his back, unsure whether to pull him closer to me or push him further away. My wetness dripped onto his cock, the insides of my thighs, the hallway floor where anyone could see.

Each thrust was punishment for making him want me. The louder I moaned, the less controlled his movements became. He leaned forward and bit my nipple through my shirt, sucking it into his mouth along with the fabric.

A door opened down the hall. I swung my face to the right, saw the blurred shadow of someone through my lust-hazed eyes, and couldn’t hold back the groan as Bastian’s piercing hit me just right.

He didn’t stop, not caring about the audience. It was just me and him as his neighbor retreated. It struck me, not for the first time, that Bastiano Romano could do whatever he wanted, but right now… he wanted me.

He bit the side of my neck and nipped his way up to the corner of my lips. His hands spread my cheeks, and he toyed with my backside, sliding his finger in and out to match the way his cock hit my G-spot.

“I could take this, too,” he claimed, always so enthralled by the idea of taking from me even though, I realized, I’d give him everything in this moment without him asking.

“Do it,” I dared him, diving deeper into this thing between us than I’d ever expected.

His eyes flared, and he set me down and urged me to my knees. “Beg for it.”

I studied his face, the tick of his jaw, the hardened set of his eyes. He needed this. He needed to control me, so he could feel control in his life again. His temporary lack of power was the sickness, and giving him control of me was the cure.

And I would.

I’d give it all to him.

Not because I felt guilty, but because I was just as depraved as the people I lied to. I wanted Bastiano Romano. Any way I could get him.

“Beg for it,” he demanded again, this time less gentle as he gripped my hair.

“Please.”

“Not with your words.” He fisted his cock and guided my head to it by my hair. “Show me how needy your tight little ass is for me.” My hands gripped his thighs as he thrust into my face. “Your ass better feel tighter than your mouth,” he goaded and pushed deeper into me until his piercing hit the back of my throat.

I wanted to gag but held it back, determination driving me to take all of him. Glaring at his taunts, I sucked my cheeks in, narrowing my mouth’s hold on his cock as his balls tightened and hit my chin.

The wetness dripped down my thighs, making a mess in the hallway, where anyone could walk out and see me suck hungrily at his cock like it was my first meal of the day. I reached between my legs and tried to swipe the wetness off my thighs, but he swatted my hands, pulled out of my mouth, and spun me around.

Reaching down, he grabbed my hips and lifted. His fingers gathered my wetness from behind and used it to slide them into my ass. He spread my wetness then replaced his fingers with his cock.

I screamed out in surprise as he slid the tip of his cock into my ass, my spit and wetness making his movements embarrassingly smooth.

“Bastian,” I groaned as he slid in and out of my ass, his movements slow as he prepped me.

“Tell me what you want.”

“You. Oh, God, I want you.”

He sank his cock all the way, and my groan echoed up and down the halls. My eyes darted from side to side, knowing his neighbors could hear my pleasure at this ridiculous hour and marveling at the fact that no one dared to enter the hall and cross Bastian.

I could practically feel their eyes peeking through the peepholes on their doors, their hands stroking themselves to the sight of us, watching Bastian’s relentless movements as his nails dug into my hips and his cock sank into my ass.

“Touch yourself.”

Hoarse. Rough. Gritted.

I could barely make out his words.

“What?” I breathed out through the haze.

“Three fingers. Inside your pussy. Now.”

“I—”

“Stroke my cock through your walls. Make me come.” I hesitated, and he growled, “Now.”

I braced the wall with one hand and slid my fingers inside me with the other, gasping out when I felt him through my walls. Holy shit. We moved together as my fingers hit my G-spot each time I stroked his cock as he thrust inside of my ass.

Buried in this hostility was our unspoken need. I didn’t know how it had happened, but I no longer loathed him.

I clenched around my fingers, and I knew he felt it from behind because he bit my shoulder. “Don’t you dare fucking come.”

I was so close, but I pushed the feeling aside. He had me obeying his every demand, giving him everything he asked of me and more. Like I belonged to him. And perhaps my body did, because he fucked it like he owned it, until even I believed it.

“Come,” he demanded, and I let my body take over.

Traitor, the agent in me whispered as pleasure whipped a frenzy in my core, pebbling my nipples into disloyal peaks that brushed against the wall with each thrust.

Apate, I accused as my head fell back on Bastian’s shoulder, and my glazed eyes caught the security camera above us and I wondered if someone could see the pleasure on my face and the lies beneath my skin.

Ganymede, I hoped when the beginnings of an orgasm blurred my thoughts and I felt like I’d only be in his gravity and never my own.

Jupiter, I begged as he came inside me, marking me as his in a way that could never feel permanent enough.

I was no one and everyone at once.

A liar.

A con.

A traitor.

A distraction.

A savior.

His.

I rested my forehead against his shoulder, my arms clinging to him as he held me up while I tried to gather myself. He set me down, letting me fall a little before he steadied me.

Neither of us said anything.

My heart in my throat, I broke the silence first. “Tell me about your day.”

I waited for him to tell me about his day. Why he beat up his piano and sought refuge inside me. He didn’t say anything. Instead, he wrapped an arm around me, scooped me up as I wrapped my legs around him, carried me back into his penthouse to his room, and tossed me onto his bed.

I opened my mouth to speak. I had his cum dripping down my thighs, my satin shorts on the floor in the hallway, and the scent of sex all over my body. I couldn’t sleep like this or in a bed with him.

Bastian cut my words off with a shake of his head, tore off his clothes until he stood in front of me in his boxers, and sank onto the bed until he hovered above my body.

He stared at me, looked me in my traitorous eyes, and whispered, “You’re the only good thing about my day.”

And for a second, as he ignored the ebbing redness of my tear-stained eyes and I pushed aside his grief over his uncle, I pretended I didn’t have any duties, I’d never lied to this man, I didn’t know anything about his missing uncle, I was not his Apate, and I was normal. That nothing tainted me and this crazy, fucked up man.

Nothing stopped us from being each other’s.