Born in Blood Collection Volume 1 - Cora Reilly Page 0,209

length. I wrapped my arms around Dante’s neck, bringing our chests close together, and pressed my mouth to his.

Dante’s hands cupped my butt and guided me up and down his erection. “Look at me,” he demanded hoarsely. My eyes flew open, meeting his heated gaze. “I love seeing your eyes when I’m in you.”

We kept our gazes locked as our breathing quickened and my movements turned jerky, and even when I cried out my release, followed by Dante’s own raspy groans. His gaze was all the declaration of love that I needed as we clung together, unwilling to separate even now that we were spent and satisfied.

Dante slowly lay back, taking me with him so I was stretched out on top of him. A silly smile spread on my face as I peered down at Dante. His messy hair, the shadow of stubble, his unguarded expression. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, whispering, “I love you.”

Dante’s arms around me tightened, and he pressed a kiss against the side of my head. I closed my eyes, listening to the cacophony of our pounding hearts.

We lay like that for a long time. I never wanted to move, but eventually we slipped under the shower.

Afterwards, we crept into the nursery. Gaby was sitting in the rocking chair reading a book, but quickly got up when she saw us.

“You can go,” I whispered. “We’re going to watch her the rest of the night.”

Gaby nodded and slunk away, closing the door without a sound. Anna lay in her crib, her tiny hands curled to fists and her face peaceful. She was still small, but she’d grown a lot since we’d been allowed to take her home from the hospital two weeks ago. I tiptoed toward her bed and rested my hands on the edge, itching to stroke her rosy cheek, but I didn’t want to wake her. I loved watching her in these quiet moments. I never felt more peaceful. Dante came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, leaning his head against mine. “I’ll never let anything happen to you or Anna. I’ll protect you until my last breath.” I knew he would.

It had taken a while and we’d encountered some bumps along the road, but finally I had what I’d always wanted: a husband who cared deeply about me, and a beautiful baby we both loved more than anything else in the world. It felt as if I’d finally arrived where I was supposed to be.

BOUND BY HATRED

(Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #3)

PROLOGUE

Gianna

My reflection could have been the opening scene of a horror movie. Blood covered my chin and more blood dripped from the cut in my lower lip and onto my white shirt. My lip was already swelling, but I was happy to find my eyes dry, no sign of a single tear.

Matteo appeared behind me, tall frame towering over me, his dark eyes scanning my messed-up face. Without his trademark shark-grin and the arrogant amusement, he looked almost tolerable. “You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” His lips turned into a smirk, but it looked somehow wrong. There was something unsettling in his eyes. The look in them reminded me of the one I’d seen when he’d dealt with the Russian captives in the basement. Something dark and twisted lurked in their depth.

“Neither do you,” I said, then winced at the pain shooting through my lip.

“True,” he said in a strange voice. Before I had time to react, he gripped my hips, turned me around and hoisted me onto the washstand. “That’s why we are perfect for each other.”

Back was the arrogant smile. The bastard stepped between my legs.

“What are you doing?” I hissed, sliding back from the edge of the washstand to bring more distance between us while pushing against his chest.

He didn’t budge, too strong for me. The smile got bigger. He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. “I want to take a look at your lip.”

“I don’t need your help now. Maybe you should have stopped my father from busting my lip in the first place.”

“Yes. I should have,” he said darkly, his thumb lightly touching my wound as he parted my lips. “If Luca hadn’t held me back, I would have plunged my knife into your father’s fucking back, consequences be damned. Maybe I will still do it. I’d fucking love it.”

He released my lip and pulled a long curved knife from the holster below his