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CLAUDIA

Claudia's veins pumped as Dominic grabbed her hips and opened her legs. He kissed her muscles and navel.

She immediately sat up. There was too much going on to do any of that.

"Dom..."

He massaged her inner thigh. "Yes?"

"I think..."

Claudia couldn't speak after he kissed her cheek.

She inhaled and raised her head. "Let's stop for a second."

"You want to?" Dominic kissed beneath her ear.

"Lust does this to people." He chuckled as she continued. "Do we want to ruin our first time together like this?"

"No, but we both want to do this." He gently kissed the top of her thigh. "I want you."

Claudia nodded. "I do, too." She inhaled a breath. "Just ... be gentle."

A wry grin covered his lips. "Always."

She breathed deeply as he slid one finger over her wet opening and brushed his mouth along her side.

"Wider," he said. Dominic kissed her again. Claudia closed her eyes and rested against the cupboard. His hands and mouth separated her legs. She clutched his hair and pressed her hips against his mouth as the pulsating sensations became intense. He moaned with pleasure. His lips warmed her clit.

"Dom..."

Several minutes later, with such force that she surprised herself by not falling off the kitchen island, Claudia bucked and reached her climax. Dominic squeezed her hips after the tremors stopped, letting her feel his thirst. His hardness penetrated through his clothes. She knew it, and she wanted to give him everything. She swung to his rhythm with one leg around his torso.

Dominic breathed near her mouth. A sudden shift consumed him quickly. His face darkened. His bright gaze cooled the room. Lightening flashed through the crack in the windows as thunder rolled outside.

Her heart skipped when she touched his chest. His skin was warmer than it had ever been. "Dominic..."

All of a sudden, he was gone. He was across the room when he reached the threshold.

He was bathed in darkness.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she sat up. "Did something happen?"

No response.

Nerves entangled her. Dominic prevented her from climbing off the counter with a low sound.

"Stop," he growled.

Her pulse slowed. "Why?"

Moments passed.

"Steer clear of me."

Half-on, half-off on the counter, Claudia stopped moving.

As small goosebumps spread across her body, the warm, pleasant glow disappeared.

"I need you to leave," he said, continuing, "Go upstairs. Please."

She wasn't going to entice the monster anymore with her looks. This wasn't fiction. Fear ran down her spine. The hallway's shadows hid him.

Claudia quickly gave up the idea that she didn't care what Dominic was really like. Whatever happened to him in the kitchen was a sign to get out of that room.

She ran out like the devil was after her. Her bare feet met the living room's wooden floor. She was holding the banister when her hand slipped. She dropped to one knee and glanced up.

"Holy shit," Claudia muttered.

The banister and steps became colder. She exhaled sharply, forming a small cloud of white, foggy air. Houselights flickered and went out. A torrential downpour crashed the hallway windows with strong trees.

She paused. Claudia noticed Dominic during the lightning. He was toward the bottom step. Goosebumps coated her entire body.

She rested on a cool surface. It was difficult for her to look through the darkness at first because it was so vast and empty.

"Dom," she gasped.

He gazed at her softly.

Coming closer, Dominic bent over her waist, muscles rippling.

He murmured, "You..."

She clasped her shoulders and raised her knees, her heart pounding. He didn't speak again.

Brown eyes turned hazel.

Two hands grabbed her shoulders and jolted her neck as they hit the step on both sides. She didn't recognize Dominic when he anchored her with his gaze. It wasn't him from the kitchen or the smart-ass, obnoxious brat she found curiously charming. He glared without humanity. No pity. No warmth.

Claudia trembled, trying to compress, but her knee touched his abdomen, generating a growl-hiss sound.

His eyes sparked with deadly hunger. He dipped while his cool nose touched her. The thicker air tingled her throat.

"Control yourself," she whispered. "You can do it."

Dominic shuddered. He curled his head, stretching. Then sprinted.

There was no sound at all. She was now alone on the staircase.

❖ ❖ ❖

She only slept for two hours before she woke up and looked around Dominic's room. The power was back on, and the home was cooler than usual around dawn.

After a quick shower, Claudia put on a long-sleeved blouse and pants and walked to the kitchen. He was absent as she prepared a cup of coffee and took it to the kitchen counter, where they were making dinner the night before.

Yesterday seemed like a dream.

Claudia knew the Mafia better than she thought. She sat on the counter, tucked her legs in front of her, and peered into the deep shadows cast by the heavy trees on the forest surface as she approached the window. As she drank coffee, she wondered why someone stayed outside for five hours. She and Dominic might benefit if the person knew anything, but it would also be terrible. They needed to take the person down.

She laid her coffee down and rubbed her temples as she contemplated his statement about the Mafia having to deal with outside threats to stay on top. She thought of Vinny's call like a bird considering its next move and Dominic's statements like a river, revealing that the spy was tied somewhere.

She forced herself to consider what she'd learned in the past two weeks she'd been in this house.

Pre-Dominic days were harder to remember. Claudia almost didn't believe Kayla, which would not have helped her understand what she'd witnessed.

Mafia operations differ.

Taking advantage of them was dangerous.

Dominic was a member.

Those three details clarified things, yet she was comfortable with him doing things that he shouldn't.

She wondered why Kayla was so worried. And playing with the Mafia not being a joke? It sounded just like something from The Godfather.

Claudia knew better. She tried to remember something else her friend warned her about, but it kept slipping away.

She muttered, "Crap," and closed her eyes as she leaned back.

"You look agitated."

When she heard Dominic's voice, she shrieked. She turned around and saw him walk through the side door into the kitchen. "Holy bananas, you're like a silent ninja."

His lips tipped up slightly on one side.

The sky was dim and gray, but the smell of rain was strong. "When I want to, I can be very quiet."

"I'm sure you can." After Claudia put her hand on her chest, she could feel her heart thumping. "Growing up and playing 'quiet as a mouse' did have its perks, huh?"

"Among other things." Dominic lifted his chin and looked at the kitchen light. "Claudia, we need to talk."

When he called her by her name instead of her pet name, her chest jolted.

She draped her arms around her stomach. "I guess we do."

He paused in front of the counter, inhaled, and asked, "Should we talk here or in the living room? Wherever makes you feel comfortable."

"Um..." Claudia cleared her throat, grabbed her mug, and started walking to the back door. "Let's go sit outside if that's okay."

"That's fine."

She gave him a small nod as they sat down at the patio table. "So, what's going on?"

He looked at her with an attractive, calm face. "I know I scared you last night. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, Claudia. I almost killed you. I could have, but I didn't."

Wow. Hearing Dominic admit that so openly didn't help her accept it. She took her eyes off his face and looked at a small bird hopping from branch to branch. "You got control of yourself."

"But that doesn't mean I can go after you. Something went off in my mind, and I couldn't stop myself. I'm pretty sure I would have killed you before morning."

A shiver danced down Claudia's spine. He took a deep breath.

She didn't know what to say to that.

Yes to the going after her part, but please don't try to kill her anymore?

"You're better now."

"For the moment," he replied in a sterile, emotionless voice. "I might not be next time. Especially when we're getting ... intimate."

She quickly turned to look at him. Whoa, pal. "You think we're going to get hot and heavy again?"

Dominic's face filled with pride, and he smiled sarcastically. Go figure that was the way he responded. "Last night won't be the last. You know that."

Her brows went up. "That's so arrogant of you."

"It's inevitable the longer we're together. My desire to fuck you intensifies. Let alone the need to kill somebody." He placed his feet on the concrete and turned to face her. "I think I understand what triggered me."

"What was that?"

"Amelia was the last person I had done oral sex with. I thought of the guy who poisoned her, and I wanted to choke the living shit out of him."

Claudia barely held her mug.

"And I'm pretty sure you came harder last night than you probably ever have," he continued with enthusiasm. "You will want to do it again to feel that, even though I struggle with this side of myself."

She eyed him. She wanted to punch him.

The lure was still there for him. Claudia wanted to vomit thinking about his fingers and lips, but she needed to focus on something else.

He looked peered into her eyes. "Even after what I did, you still want to be here with me."

"You just admitted that I'm your trigger for being a killer, Dom. Why would I stay around to die?"

His brown eyes darkened. "You wanna fuck, Dia. Your nipples are still perky. Your desire is growing swiftly. It embraces you. It makes resisting what you felt yesterday difficult."

Claudia was uncertain whether to laugh or smack him. "Are you serious right now? You're suggesting I did this."

"You need to stop being obsessed with me."

What the hell? She raised both hands. "You think way too highly of yourself."

Dominic's eyebrows rose. "Did I get it wrong?"

"You're attracted to me!" She rose and strolled past thick shrubs while the sunlight warmed her neck. "You can't deny that."

Dominic appeared at the door before she did. She was too angry and annoyed to be afraid of or fascinated by his speed. "Leave me alone, Dominic."

He bit his lower lip while looking at her.

Then he freakishly grinned.

"I need to get my stuff and go," she growled.

"Do you want to leave, Claudia?"

"Yes!"

"I doubt you do."

He blocked her.

Her fury increased. "I'm not the only one here who loves someone. It's not my fault you wanted to strangle me, Asshole. Resist me if it's risky. Have you considered that?"

"I have." Dominic laughed, which she appreciated but wanted to kick him in the groin. "If I did what I've been taught my whole life, I wouldn't see you anymore. Will I be pushed again? I can't answer."

She coughed. "That's what I mean. Your brain has a switch. I can no longer be near that. You need help."

He kept grinning. "Damn, you talk too much. I like it, Dia. A lot."

Claudia finally got around him, irritated. He emerged before she reached the living room. Now she screamed. "Jesus! Would you please stop?"

He draped his arms across his chest. "I can't. This is fun."

She blinked.

"You're right," he murmured.

"What about?"

Dominic grumbled. "You're innocent. I control my actions. You haven't continued our attraction."

"Yeah, it takes two to tango, mister."

"But we can't keep on doing this."

Claudia rolled her eyes and sat on the couch. "I don't want you. I know I should stay away, so quit being so..."

"So what?"

"Irresistible?" She sighed and felt her cheeks turn red. This conversation was irrational and useless. "Did you always feel like killing? Especially with someone you seem to care about?"

"No. I was triggered."

She breathed deeply and massaged her legs before asking, "So, what happened to make you switch? You've kissed me before, but you've never done that."

Dominic responded gradually. He appeared to be solving a challenging cognitive puzzle. "I encountered our spy before entering the house."

"And afterward, you and I became closer in the kitchen," she finished.

"Correct. Cooking and fighting make me want sex."

Claudia fully understood everything. Not.

"Depending on the sexual activity I'm doing, it makes me want to become darker than I should," he added, almost in passing. "Sex makes me pretty much open to anything."

Wow. That made it... awkward to have sex with him. "Is that how it always is?"

"No."

That answer surprised her. "It isn't?"

"I can usually distinguish sex from killing. It's harder with you." He shrugged. "I don't want to treat anyone this way. But you're my escape."

"What?" She squinted at him. "Wait. You're trying to tell me that I could stop the evil inside of you?"

"Or continue it." Dominic sat next to her. "I'm not sure. Since Amelia's passing, I've never been this close to someone."

"You've slept with other women, right?"

He looked down and nodded. "Yes, but I kept a part of myself closed off during those times."

"And what part was that?"

Dominic looked her directly in the eyes and responded, "My heart."

"Okay. We need to—"

He suddenly stood up and swiveled.

Claudia almost fell off the couch in astonishment. "Would you please stop moving—"

He said, "Go upstairs," without looking at her. He stared out the window.

"Uh . . . I wasn't planning on going upstairs. Not when we're talking."

He crept around the couch toward the foyer. "Claudia, go to my room and stay there. I'm not playing around."

Anger soared like a touchdown. "Before doing anything—"

Most people would run away from his warning glance. A knock on the door resonated through the house. Claudia's eyebrows went up. "Are you expecting company?"

"Not at this hour," he answered. "Go."

Dominic's attitude stunned her less than her curiosity. Her thoughts shifted shortly.

"All right," she responded cheerfully.

He hesitated. "Dia..."

Someone knocked again, louder. "I'm going. Water first."

Dominic took a moment to stare at her before turning on his heel and reaching the front door. She dashed into the kitchen. She wanted to know who was at the door and what was happening, even though it wasn't wise.

"I didn't expect to see you. At all." Dominic's stern voice indicated they were now in the living room. "You surprised me. Again."

Deep laughter followed.

The guest was male. "Nicco, you can't be that surprised, can you?"

"I am," Dominic growled. "But now I see that giving my guards the morning off was stupid."

"Nah. It'll be good for them. They need a break from your crazy ass."

Claudia crept toward the threshold to see who was talking, but she couldn't get a good look.

"I'm not surprised that you're in New York," Dominic said. "I didn't expect you to come to my door."

"You didn't?" The stranger laughed coldly.

After a pause, Dominic replied, "You picked a bad time." His calm voice was unsettling. "Why don't you come to my office in the city, and we'll talk?"

"That won't be necessary, Dominic."

"I'm busy."

"Is it related to what's in your kitchen?"

Claudia froze.

Oh. Shit. 

She closed her eyes tightly.

"It has nothing to do with anything." Dominic's tone went from being cool to being as sharp as a scalpel.

She heard a low growl and movement that reminded her of him last night.

The stranger remarked, "You might as well come out and join us. I won't hurt you. I promise."

She paused. Her pulse accelerated.

The man laughed and added, "Don't look at me that way, Nicco."

Her stomach twisted as she wondered who this person was.

"Come on out, dear." His boots pounded the floor. "Let's finally meet!"

Claudia knew she should hide, but she couldn't.

She breathed, stepped away from the wall, and entered the opening. She saw Dominic first. His jaw, skeletal muscle, and eyes showed contempt. She swallowed deeply as they looked at each other.

She glanced around the room with scattered nerves.

She inhaled and stepped back. Dominic and his duplicate were before her. A twin?

Same rippled black hair.

Dark chocolate-colored eyes peered back at her.

She'd never seen any pictures of Dominic and his family, nor any photographs of Amelia, so this moment was surprising.

Both men had expressive lips and cheekbones. The brother's Italian accent was about the same as their father's. Dominic sported black leather jeans, and his big shoulders were the same size. His brother wore a half-done white button-down shirt and blue pants. That was just one difference.

But the man's skin was darker from being out in the sun.

Holy mafia men everywhere—there were two of them.

Dominic and his brother walked together. Their opposing advances frightened her. Claudia's brain initiated the instinct to exit.

"Well, well, well..." the brother said, raising the corners of his mouth. She had to blink since it resembled Dominic's arrogant smirk. "So this is... Claudia?"

His stare stopped her from moving.

"Yes," Dominic answered, narrowing his eyes. "And she was about to go to my room."

"I hope your pretty lady isn't leaving because of me," the man continued, giving Dominic a look she couldn't decipher and probably didn't want to. "I rarely meet my brother's lovers."

Dominic observed him dryly. "If I had my way, you wouldn't have met her."

The twin grinned. "But still, dear brother, this is a first." He stared at both of them after he said that. "I'm Alessandro, but you can call me Alex for short."

"Nice to meet you, Alex," Claudia remarked, and then she looked at Dominic. "Do you have any other siblings I should know about?"

"What? Dominic didn't tell you anything about me?" Alessandro's eyes widened. "I can't believe my brother hid this from you. Claudia, there's so much to discuss."

Dominic's cheeks flared. "This is the only time you will ever see her, Alex."

Claudia noticed Alessandro's outstretched hand.

She forced her hand toward his, even though it was right. His fingers charged hers. Dominic moved forward in her peripheral view.

Alessandro let go and touched her palm. He looked at Dominic. "So this is why you've been too busy to call, text, or even come visit me in Italy?"

Dominic stood beside her with his arms crossed. "I don't care to ever see you again. You know why. I'm not in the mood for this, so please go."

"Pussy." Alessandro pursed his lips. His lengthy legs rested on the couch's edge. "Oh, and we're not twins, Claudia. My brother is ten months older. We just resemble each other. Imagine how it was with our past girlfriends over the years."

He glanced between them before settling on Dominic.

"You look bloated, Nicco. How have you been treating yourself? Eating well? Getting everything ... you ... need?"

Claudia felt Alessandro's eyes touching her body and realized what he was saying.

Dominic stiffened. "Enough already, Alex."

Alessandro laughed and grinned at her. "Isn't my brother a rude scumbag? I tell him it's about food. If he ate healthy, his mood would be better. What do they say about food? It makes the best parts of life come out afterward."

"You like to eat healthy?" Claudia asked.

"I do." Alessandro clapped his legs. "Eating healthy is the way to go, Dom."

"So I've read." He slowly stretched. "And don't call me that."

Alessandro raised a brow. "I can tell from the way your new fiancée looks that she keeps you on your toes."

"You have no idea. What do you want?"

"Has Gio gotten in touch with you? I can't seem to reach him."

"Does this happen a lot?" Claudia asked without thinking.

"Not at all," Alessandro said. "Giovanni always checks in with Dad or me. We get along great."

She looked at Dominic. "The last time I saw him was just a few days ago when he came here on his high horse and yelled at you for being with me."

"And now you see why I don't like either of my brothers, Claudia," Dominic replied, keeping her gaze.

"Are you sure, Ms. Marcello, that you want to marry this jerk?"

Dominic's white cheeks became red instantly. "Get to the point, Alex."

Both of them exchanged something in the silence. She didn't know what was going on, but she sensed a fight. They were not friendly with one another and had a history.

Alessandro kept smiling. "Maybe we should take this discussion outside? What a beautiful day for a walk!"

It looked like it would rain again at any minute.

Dominic nodded. "Something we can both agree on."

He stopped and looked at her, signaling trouble. That didn't bother her.

Turning away, Claudia pondered whether or not either of them would come back from their "bonding" time. They seriously had a lot of heated tension between them and needed to work out their aggression. 

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