Chapter 49
She stared at the desk, then back at him.
Vee rose from the chair slowly, her thoughts tangled and loud. She lifted both hands in a small, ceremonial gesture, palms up, asking permission without saying a word.
Luca watched her with narrowed eyes. “Use your words,” he said.
“Who punishes you when you mess up?” she asked.
The question landed wrong. Just… wrong in the way truth often was. Luca straightened, brows drawing together.
“Excuse me p>
She stepped closer. “I don’t know what this is,” she said, gesturing vaguely between them. “I don’t know how this works. But I’m guessing I’m not your slave, right p>
“So,” she continued, “when you do something wrong, do I get to punish you p>
Luca smiled. She was truly a fiery queen. If things were different, he would crown her a Genovese immediately.
“If you ask me to behave, Bambola,” he said, stepping closer, “I will. Gladly. Immediately. Without argument p>
He reached out, touching her hair, his hand on her waist. “You punish me every day,” he continued. “Every time you shy away from my touch. Every time you look at me like I’m a nightmare. Every time you choose another man over me p>
That last one was unfair.
“I cannot love you, Luca,” she said quietly. Not cruelly. Just honestly. “You know that. So why don’t I save us both the time of writing a letter and just explain it to you p>
He tilted his head, considering. “Because it’s supposed to be a punishment,” he said. “The point isn’t the writing. It’s how difficult it will be to write p>
Her gaze dropped to his hand as he lifted the remote, its presence suddenly loud without making a sound. “Because this,” he added evenly, “will be on p>
Vee lifted her chin. “Then put it on while I tell you,” she said.
For a moment, Luca simply studied her. Then he nodded once. His thumb pressed the button.
Vee sucked in a breath. She clenched her jaw, fingers digging into his skin as she reached for his arms to steady herself.
“Start talking,” Luca said quietly.
She swallowed. “Love, Luca, is supposed to be a choice,” she said. “You’ve given me none p>
“You took my freedom,” she continued. “Yes, I know you won the auction. I know I walked into a fire and acted surprised when it burned. But tell me this… if someone else had bought me, would they have demanded my heart too? Would they have asked me to care p>
She bit her lip hard. “How do you expect me to love you,” she said, eyes shining, “when you’re holding my sister p>
Luca exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. “That,” he said, weary now, “was never my intention. Your father offered Valentina p>
“You accepted,” she shot back.
“Yes,” he said. “I did. Because I needed something from Bastardi. I don’t trade in women,” he said firmly. “Bastardi is in the market for something rare. Valentina is… a rare find. The deal was sanctioned. Even my father signed off on it. If this deal collapses, people die. If it had not been made, I could stop it. Its done, Vee p>
“What makes her a rare find?” Vee asked.
“Young, and a virgin.” he said. “That’s what Bastardi uses to reel in his pervert clients p>
“I was right,” she said. “There is some good in you after all p>
“There isn’t, Vee. If you’re looking for a good man, a man like Cassidy? That’s not me.” He met her eyes again. “I’m called the devil for a reason, Bambola p>
A low sound slipped from her throat, her thighs tightening reflexively. “God,” she breathed.
“If it’s a rare find you want,” she continued, “let me take her place. Luca p>
“You heard me say young and a virgin,” he said.
Her head snapped up. “Are you saying I’m old p>
“No,” he said immediately. “No, that’s not what I meant. You’re—” He stopped, cursed under his breath, his mind finally catching up with what she was offering. “No p>
“When I say young,” he continued, “I mean young, young. Even younger than your sister p>
“Luca… help me save her and I will owe you my life,” Vee said. “You want me to love you? I will try. I’ll try my hardest and damndest. Just… don’t let her disappear into that world p>
Then he lifted the remote.
“See,” he said calmly, “I would believe you if I didn’t know that since this thing was on…you’ve been faking p>
“What?” Vee blurted, instinctively stepping back. Her heart slammed into her ribs. This was it. The moment. The one kids of nowadays blabbed about. There was a catch.
“Sweetheart,” Luca continued, “my entire profession is built on knowing when people lie p>
“I’ve fucked enough women,” he went on, lips curving faintly, “that I’m fairly certain there’s a very warm seat in hell with my name etched into it. And you think I wouldn’t recognize when a woman is faking p>
“I… what… I—Fuck p>
“You’re a very good actress,” he said. “The bitten lip. The nails in my arm. The timing. You made it convincing. Almost admirable p>
“Your duplicity,” he added, “is impressive p>
“Thank you,” Vee said quietly, rubbing her arms, “but I’m guessing I just put myself in further trouble p>
“Did it hurt?” he asked suddenly.
She blinked. “What p>
“When you had the underwear on,” he clarified. “Was it hurting you p>
“No.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t pain. It was just… too much for me p>
A corner of his mouth lifted. “That’s the point p>
“It is too much for me, Luca. I would have asked you to fuck me right then and there. And you know that’s not what I want. Please p>
“What do you want?” he asked.
She dragged in a breath. “I want to cum,” she blurted. “Badly. This torture is beyond me.” Her eyes burned. “I’m sorry p>
Before she could say another word, Luca lifted her effortlessly, setting her on the edge of the dresser.
“I’ll help you,” he said. “But you need to tell me exactly what to do p>