Tales of Darkness & Sin - Pepper Winters Page 0,84
Roscoe, knowing he’ll understand my command without further explanation.
Pop.
Blood sprays the wall behind Monroe as he falls to a heap on the floor, a bullet wound in his head. Melody starts for me, but Westwood, obviously realizing he’s screwed, snags his daughter, pulling her to his chest like a shield.
“Everybody just calm the fuck down,” Westwood says, his voice shrill and filled with terror. “We’re going to talk this out and strike a deal.”
The time for deals is over.
Roscoe unties me and I stand, shaking my hands out.
“We already struck a deal, Westwood. You fucked up. All that’s left is retribution.” I crack my neck. “Give me my wife and I’ll end you quickly.”
Lies.
I’ll make it fucking hurt.
“N-No,” he barks out. “You come near me, and I’ll break her neck.”
Her green eyes flash with fury. The betrayal of her own father weighs heavily on her. It’s been a useful tool in my agenda.
“There’s something you must learn,” I say with a rumble. “Melody isn’t weak anymore. Certainly not the fifteen-year-old girl you practically sold to me.”
“Stay back,” Westwood warns, ignoring my words.
“You left her to the wolves,” I continue. “But, you see, the thing with wolves is, we’re a pack. We look after our own.” I bark out a harsh laugh. “We teach them how to be motherfucking wolves. I taught your daughter more than you’ll ever know.”
His brow dips in confusion. “My daughter—”
The wolf in sheep’s clothing twists in his weak grip, driving the blade in her hand, she’d discreetly been holding onto, into the side of his neck. Based on the spray that shoots from his carotid artery, soaking my girl, I’d say this isn’t the first man she’s done this to today. Pride has my dick stiffening in my slacks.
“Not yours anymore, Daddy,” she bites out, pushing away from him. “You were never my father. You were just a man who held me in that tower, one who used me. I was never yours to have in the first place. I’m his. I’m a Vitale now.”
He clutches onto his neck, falling to his knees. His eyes are wide with shock as he stares at the girl he betrayed.
Strong.
Fierce.
A force of nature.
And fucking mine.
The piece of shit man slumps to the ground, his hand falling away as he quickly bleeds out. I had plans to properly make him pay, but I’ll allow this gift for Melody. After all she’s gone through and become, she deserves it.
“Come here, Tesoro,” I command, loving the way her green eyes dart my way, filled with a wild intensity.
She rushes to me, flinging herself into my arms. Our mouths connect for a fiery kiss that tastes metallic from the blood of our enemies. I grip her ass, lifting her, so she’ll wrap her sexy legs around me. Once she’s settled and hanging on, I pull away to admire her pretty face.
“I knew you could do it,” I say, grinning at her.
We hashed out this plan numerous times, and while she worried, I never doubted her abilities for a minute.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, hugging me tight.
I run my palms up under her dress and squeeze her ass. “What for?”
“For rescuing me. You saved me.”
“I’m the villain,” I remind her, amused by her words.
“The villain who freed me and made me his.”
“I guess that makes you a villain too.” I nip at her ear. “You ready to go home?”
“Can we stop for ice cream on the way?”
Roscoe snorts from where he’s already rummaging around in Westwood’s desk, clearly amused by this girl.
“Sure thing,” I promise. “Anything else, your majesty?”
She pulls back, her green eyes studying me. “One day will you take me to the carnival?”
Her question is an odd one, but I can tell it’s important to her.
“I will,” I agree without hesitation. “Only if you let me kidnap you again while we’re there.”
“After I’ve had cotton candy this time,” she sasses, her brow arched and daring me to argue.
“You got yourself a deal, Mrs. Vitale.”
She holds her hand out, ready to shake on it. I take her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing her knuckle.
“Until the carnival comes back to town, we have many, many nights to practice all the ways I will take you kicking and screaming.”
By then, she may have given birth to our child. Looks like Roscoe is going to have to add diaper changing to his list of skills because I have a dirty date planned with my wife and I can’t miss it.