Emilio

"I won't be a prisoner," Zara tells me, her eyes glaring daggers at me and I didn't doubt for a moment that if I gave her one she would use it. Her hands are still tied and still wearing the white tank top that exposed her stomach and sleeping shorts. My eyes watch as she actively tries to wriggle out of the rope, when she catches me, she raises a challenging eyebrow, daring me to do something. But I was too busy being completely and utterly weak for her to care. Hypnotized by her brilliance and valor. She wasn't just beautiful, she was everything.

She looked just like I imagined she would, making the room that sparkled with chandeliers and white tile flooring dull in comparison. Her natural hair was back with the help of Cornelia taking it off while she was knocked out. The cold blue eyes were as unwelcoming as her heart, but I planned on changing that soon. Then there was the smallest lift to her lips, between a snarl and a scowl, showing her displeasure.

My heart thudded in my chest when Viktor told me she was ready to meet me. A smile bloomed in my face instantly and I rushed out of the meeting I was in with my father. I would pay for that later, to come here. Moment's ago she was so out of reach and now, she was standing in front of me- waiting.

After the club, I watched from the corner; the ease in which she maneuvered the knife, the agility in her movements, and the way she was so cocky it bleed into her fighting. It wasn't a bad thing, she knew her skills were unmatched, but having some restraint would keep her from underestimating her opponents. Her daddy, the word is mocking on my lips- tasting like tar- must have taught her the proper way to fight and yet here she was showing off. She wanted my men to know she was trained and skilled, she wanted to toy with them for fun. Back in her house, she must have delivered precise and clear striked but here in the open, she was free to do whatever she wanted.

I smile to myself, she was indeed the girl I fell in love with. Defying her father in any way she could, no matter how small or inconvenient it seemed. No one would notice, not even him, but I would. I would notice any small detail of her's; such as a speck of snow falling in her unsuspecting eyelashes, the small quirk of her mouth when she's displeased, and even the knowledge of a small birthmark that's like a speck of dust on her lower back in the shape of a crescent moon that was lighter than the rest of her body.

I did notice every small detail I could, even when she was no longer in my sight. Watching her from afar, learning every small detail I could, only got me so far and I finally broke- wanting her closer. Wanting her to be mine. And now with certainty I could say, she would be.

"You won't be a prisoner," I confirm, nodding my head at her. Her eyes narrow slightly as she carefully assesses the situation.

I knew I could tell her now and put her out of this misery but this was much more fun.

"I won't be used as leveraged either if that's what you're thinking."

I shake my head. "Not even close."

"You know me, that much I do know," she says. "You purposely waited to tire me out until you got me here." I shrug in response to her accurate take on things. "You wanted to show me you knew who my daddy-" she shakes her head, "I mean- dad- is."

"Mhhh," I muse. She was clever and was catching on quickly.

"But you don't work for him. You can't."

I lick my lips and let her marinate in her words for a few minutes more before responding. "I don't." I stand up from my throne- a chair fit for a king- and take languid steps towards her. "Pity too. Your daddy had something I wanted very much, Zara." I lower my head to be at eye level with her. "We would have had a partnership, but he said no- twice."

"What did you want from him?" the shimmer of defiance blazing in her.

What? The question is almost laughable. It wasn't a what but a who. Who did I want? I quickly brush her hair from her shoulders which leads her to recoil slightly. I pretend not to notice as I grab one of her curls and wrap it around my finger before letting it bounce out. "Something only he could provide me." I smile as she intently watches me. My eyes slide over to hers as I take out one of my silver pocket knives from my pants and slide the blade out. She eyes the rusty knife I've carried with me since I was seven curiously and watches my steady movements as the point gets closer to her. She doesn't move, instead raises her head in slight defiance, her breathing is more ragged but if she's scared- she doesn't give it away. Yet she falters in a step backwards before I grab the rope and pull her closer, tearing it in half as I whisper, "You."

The rope falls between us and I grin, sliding the pocket knife back into my pants as if it was never there to begin with. She scoffs at my statement, feeling her wrist that contained a small outline of the rope. "Me? I can tell you right now that he won't give anything to get me back. I'm not worth anything to him. And I'm not even sure he has the power to anyway."

I furrow my brows, she misunderstood. "But you're worth everything to me," I assure her.

She blinks back before chuckling again. "You're psychotic. You probably stalked me for what- 3 months and now you think you're in-love with me?" She asks dumbfounded.

"Make it 10 years," I tell her as if this was the most logical thing in the world, my gaze never wavering. She sputters, clearly taken aback by my confession. I had no qualms about how long I've been pinning after her. "I've been in love with you since we were 15."

She shakes her head. "You're delusional," she says, like it's a fact.

However, I know it's not and I shake my head. "It's not a delusion when you know it will happen, but it does become an obsession."

"Maybe you should seek a therapist for both."

"I did. They told me to work on forgetting about you," I tsks at the memory and then sigh. "How could I do that when you're so perfect for me?" And with a shrug I add, "So I had him killed."

Her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water I can't help smiling at how cute and baffled she looked. Not because death wasn't a part of her daily life but because someone would go to that trouble for her. I sigh, if only she knew how much I would go to the ends of the earth just to see her and be with her every moment of our lives, how I would defy death itself if it meant holding onto her for even a minute longer when the time came. I guess I would just have to show her how serious and fully committed to her I am. Slowly. Patiently. I will.

Her hands travel down her legs and I know she's found the knife I purposely left her with. That's when her whole demeanor changed and I watched as she became a Vixen and I- her willingly prey.

She sauntered over to me, so close we were a breath away. Her breast pressed into the fabric of my suit, her hands gliding up my arm, while the other stealthy inside her shorts. She was creating a distraction, clever little minx. Yet, I didn't care cuz her other hand was now on the back of my neck and she pushed my face slightly forward. Our lips are so close, one centimeter and I would get the answer to one of my questions, but then she's smiling. "Well Mr. Suitor. You should know some things about me."

I'm pushed back slightly with her hand pressed firmly on my chest, right where my heart is located.

"I'm selfish," push.

"Arrogant," push.

"Needy." A hard push and I'm sitting on my throne with her straddling my lap as she gazes down at me. Our sitting position allowed her to be a bit taller than me as she straightens her back and I'm slightly crouched down on my seat.

"And I'm much better skilled with a knife than a gun." The knife is pressed deeply into my neck, I know it will draw blood with any small movement. The blade isn't sharp, dull, an ordinary kitchen blade used one too many times. Which is the only reason it hasn't cut through my skin yet. She's aware of this and it's why she's pressing it so hard her hands are red from being wrapped tightly around the base, exerting her energy on this one simple thing.

The dim light of the sun peeking through the blinds allows her hair to glimmer under it. Her eyes were so full of menace that they penetrated through my taunting. Her tan skin glowed like the heat of a lantern under a black background. Her face is so soft and delicate like pottery, practically blemish-free. Until my eyes snag on the tiny mole on the tip of her nose. Unable to contain myself, my index finger traces the bridge of her nose until I reach the small mole. I smiled to myself, she was so enchanting, my soul ached.

"Any last words?" She swats my hand away. I almost laughed, did she forget she was the one who willingly sat on my lap holding a thinly veiled threat to end me. But fuck if she wasn't a sight for sore eyes, even when holding a knife and a promise to slice my neck.

Having nothing to lose I start talking. "I just never thought I would actually have a chance to see you so close. To be able to count each one of your eyelashes, the small twinkle in those blue blue eyes filled with so much depth underneath them." She's frozen solid at my confession, so I continue. My hand snakes to the side of her ear as my thumb swipes across her cheekbone, "to notice the slight tint of pink shading here and not be left wondering whether it's blush or you naturally carry it with you. Secretly I hope it's the former because I want to be the only one who makes you flustered." I bite my lip as she blinks up at me. "How smooth your face feels under my rough and callus hands that will leave you speechless, wanting them all over you as you beg for more." I lick my lips as I stare at hers. "And then your lips-" she gulps as I swipe the bottom one, pulling it down slightly, playing with it. My voice is so soft like a swaying leaf knocked from a tree as I whisper, "Plump lips who are as appetizing as nectarines, I want to bite into one and suck your bottom one between my teeth. Finally finding the answer I had so many sleepless nights over, wondering if your lips taste as sweet as they look. Or maybe they taste like sin in its purest form, or like a prayer being answered over years of suffering. Suffering I knew too well as I longed for something- for you." I let go of her lip and grinned at her, my eyes twinkling. "Will you let me find out which one it is?"

She swats my hand away, finally gaining back the composure she momentarily lost. "No."

At her words, I seize her wrist and hear her gasp of defiance before I squeeze so tightly like a boa constrictor wrapped around its victim, and flick her hand idly as if it was nothing more than a piece of paper. The blade slides across the floor and her murderous eyes turn to me. She was pissed. And she looked so adorable. I might think otherwise if she had the upper hand, but right now she didn't.

"You didn't like the knife I got you?" I ask her before my gaze turns to the now discarded piece of metal on the ground. "You could have asked for a better one instead of using that poor excuse of a knife as a weapon."

She blinks in bewilderment at me, "what knife- that you got me?"

"The one you left discarded on the apartment floor, but no worries, I got it back for you. Antonio placed it in one of your drawers."

She's still perplexed for a moment before it dawns on her. "The knife that guy in the club's parking lot tried to use. That knife was intended for me to keep?"

"Of course. That sorry excuse of a man can't even wild his own dick let alone a knife as precious as that. The oak is carved from the tallest and rarest tree, do you know its name Deity?"

She arches a brow at me, I've managed to pique her interest. "What?"

"African Blackwood. You can tell by the color that's black with purple hues."

"And the blade?" she asks unprompted, her mouth practically salivating as she remembers it. My girl liked a good knife.

"Palladium and as you know-"

"It's harder than gold and platinum. It could cause some real damage in the hands of someone dangerous." I chuckle at her response. She narrows her eyes and asks, "why didn't I notice you at the apartment sooner? You must have been there before. How did I-" she frowns, the tilt of disappointment digging into her lips. She was ashamed that she let me outsmart her.

"I hid under the bed of Cornelia's room," I told her.

"Even still. The smell of the cigarette wasn't noticeable until I saw the smoke." Then she rolls her eyes and curses, "Fucking Cornelia. The cheap perfumes she brushes as expensive penetrate every inch of the apartment."

I let out a laugh and said, "How about you smell me now and ingrained it into your memory."

She scoffs, "I'm not a fucking dog."

I wrap my hands around her throat tightly and her eyes widen. I squeeze once before smiling, "Oh, but what a pretty neck for a collar. I could even get you one with sparkling rhinestones if you like."

She rolls her eyes and removes my hand. "Don't even try. If anyone will be in a collar it's you."

"Anytime you want, baby," I grinned at her coyly.

"Pshh," she scoffs, "you are a cocky asshole, aren't you?"

My hands are on her waist as I lift her up slightly, she yelps and tries to balance herself by placing her hands on my chest, before I grind her down on my length- once. With a raised and mocking brow I ask, "you tell me? Am I?" Having her sitting on my lap was torturous, having her grind on it was maddening. It was taking everything to not bend her over and fuck her rough and hard. Letting her moans echo in the spacious room that everyone would know who she belonged to. She wouldn't be able to stop herself from screaming it out. But I calm my resolve along with my erratic heart. All in due time. And all I had was time. Ten years was nothing to my patience, and for her, I could wait a little longer before she gave herself to me willingly.

She glares at me and I give her a box smile, making sure to flaunt my teeth for her. "Not. impressed," she responded, exaggerating each word.

"You will be," I wink at her.

"Hate to break it to you but that will never happen," she says matter of factly, "I have no intention of returning your feelings or dating you at all."

"I'm not asking you to date me, Deity. I'm telling you to marry me."

Her eyes become so wide I fear they will pop out of their socket. Then a nasty snarl takes over. "Don't call me that. I'm not your fucking goddess and I'm not marrying you."

She hops out of my lap and begins walking away, filled with an inexplicable amount of rage- promising anyone that got in her way eternal torment. And I let her.

She makes it to the door when I call out one more time. "You walk out those doors and I can't protect you Zara."

She twists around, defiance in her stance as she crosses her arms. "Who the fuck told you I needed your protection."

I laugh a hollow laugh. "The reason I sent my men after you tonight was to show you what you knew- you are vulnerable. I knew you caught on which is why you were leaving. Then you decided to pretend the obvious wasn't there and say I sent them to weaken you. However true that might be as well, it was first and foremost to show you how much you need me." Her foot began to tap, impatient, she seemed to have a short fuse. I love learning more about her. I remove the thought and continue, standing up now and walking towards her, "you send your father to prison Zara. A well known and connected mafia lord. Those who know about your existence will come for you and those who don't will learn about you soon. I'm offering you a safe haven like I've done with Cornelia, and if I was you I'd take it. I mean, let's face it, you were born into this world and I doubt you can step back from it. It's in your blood."

She bites her bottom lip, thinking, considering this. "What do you get out of this?"

"I already told you. You. I want you as my wife Zara Aphrodite Kovalevskaya. I want you by my side. That's all."

"That's all," she repeats, pensive before saying, "I won't sleep with you."

I shrug and I cross my arms, "yet anyway, but I won't be forcing you to do anything you won't want to do yourself."

"You're not my type," she tells me.

"Pity you are mine," I drawl.

She rolls her eyes before innocently blinking up at me. "I put one powerful mafia leader behind bars, what makes you think I won't do the same to you?"

I chuckle, this time a real one and not like the previous one. "Your father ruled with fear, I rule with loyalty. My men won't turn on me and they won't turn on you either. Besides," I shrug, "I dare you to try." I stick out my hand, "do we have a deal?"

She smiles her little vixen smile as her eyes fill with malevolence, "do I atleast get to learn my fiance's name soon?"

My grin of ecstasy is so huge it would put the Cheshire cat to shame. "Mariano Emilio Zepeda at your service. You can call me Mariano but I prefer you call me yours." I gave her a sly smile, it was a cheesy pick up line but it conveyed how I felt. "Whichever you prefer"

She grasps my hand in hers, "then you have a deal." She squeezes it and pulls me towards her slightly. Looking up to meet my heated gaze she adds, "Just know Emilio," the way she says my middle name sends goosebumps throughout my body, "you wanted me- you got me. However, it won't be as easy as you believe. You have my undivided attention now, and what a deadly price you will pay."

In return, I squeeze her hand and pull her flat out into me. Moving her hair from her shoulders I lean down and say, "I count on it. I've been curious to see who exactly daddy's little girl is and what she does when her daddy isn't here to help." Her jaw ticks at this and I smile wider, pleased with myself. She had a button I could push and I was planning to push them all.

Then I add "and just so you know, Zara, the fact that I might be in love with you won't keep away my demons. That love isn't sweet and everything nice; it's a destructive and all consuming hailstorm of fire, that you'll finally understand what I felt all these years without you. Pure insanity."

"What makes you so sure I'll fall in love with you?"

"I just do," I responded. I wish I could give her more, but there wasn't more. I just knew I would make it happen.

She scoffs and lets go of me. Turns on her heels and opens the door of the room before she speaks out, "I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you." Then she walks out and I watch her retreating figure make its way down the hall and turn.

But I will hold my breath. I knew she would fall so hopelessly in love with me that she would finally understand the pain of watching her turn around. All the times I wanted her to see me but her back always faced me instead. All the times I wanted to reach out only to have her look the other way. Yes, my little minx could play with me all she wanted but I knew her heart would eventually yield to me. The best part was, I liked to play too. I wasn't lying when I told her my love wasn't sweet, because I wasn't sweet. I wanted her in the most cardinal ways I could. Feast on her glorious body for hours until heaven came to us. Make her a part of me until we were one. My need for her was animalistic, obsessive to the point of starvation that she would only satiate.

I was a depraved lunatic who was in love with someone exactly like him. My vixen, my little minx, my Deity.

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My correcting where so shitty today because sleep deprivation will be very real. Apologies. I swear one day I will correct. 

Anywho, I made mini books. They didn't come out the best but ehh. There just for me anyways. 

Thank you for reading, please vote, comment, and share. Hopefully you like where its headed. :)