Niccolo (Blood Brothers) (17 page)

Immediately, Niccolo and Dante stepped forward and knelt next to the dying warlock.

“I must apologize to you, Niccolo. I used you for my own means. I knew you didn’t realize you were falling for Sasha, just as she already had for you, but it didn’t fit my plans for you two to be together, so I cast a spell that you would fall for Petra instead. The spell was twofold: while you loved Petra, you would feel the opposite for Sasha. In my jealousy for my own child, I sought to punish her through you. But I see you have managed to overcome the spell. No matter how strong the enchantment spell is, it can’t trump the bond of true mates, or in your case Niccolo, bloodmates. I’m happy to see this.”

“Why? Why did you cause your own daughter so much heartache? Because of you, I missed the most important years of my son’s life. Maybe Sasha is ready to forgive you, but I am not,” Niccolo hissed at her father. His eyes glowed with anger.

“Please, Niccolo, he’s dying,” Sasha pleaded.

“After what he did to you? To us? He deserves to burn in hell!”

“Hear him out, Nico.” Dante touched Niccolo on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

Niccolo pursed his lips mutinously, but didn’t speak.

Sasha turned back to her father.

“I don’t blame you. If I were in your shoes, I don’t know how forgiving I would be either. In any event, the Council is planning to make a move toward world domination. They’re slowly killing off groups of humans associated with any immortal. The message being sent is to join them or be destroyed. There’s been talk for years of breeding a super immortal ... I thought who would make a better mix than a Romanov and a Grimaldi. Petra was devoted to the cause and was willing to bear a half vampire child. I…” he broke off coughing, spitting out more blood. After a moment, he continued, visibly weaker.

“Thirty years ago, I sent out a message to someone I knew was connected to your Underground on a pretext to get one of the Grimaldis here. I thought with our two families merged, we would be unstoppable, but Romeo wouldn’t stay in one place long enough to really pay much attention to Petra, and you, Niccolo, though you were charmed by her beauty, there was no spark between you two. Sasha was kept ignorant about the movement because it didn’t suit me at the time to bring her into my confidence. I saw the secret looks you and Sasha exchanged. Still, I would not be thwarted in my plans, so I cast the spell on you. You were putty in Petra’s hands afterwards, but then
he
found out and ... they tore her to pieces.”

A tear slid from his pale blue eye.

“In my hurt and anger, I lashed out at Sasha. I bound her powers because I convinced myself that she was the root of all my problems. It was that damn mark again. The old jealousy resurfaced, and, once again, I let my little girl down and bound her powers. But by that time, I was in too deep. They had killed Petra, but I thirsted for power and vengeance. I moved to take control from
him
, and lost my sons because they wanted nothing more to do with me. My wife has left me, and even those I trusted have turned on me. After what they did to Jagger, I spoke out against
him
. I tried to get out but ... he can’t be stopped. The Council. They’re all in on it. They’re being controlled by him.”

“Who are you talking about? What is his name?” Dante asked.

“
Il Demonio
he calls himself, but his name is Adonis.”

The collective gasps of the two vampires made Sasha’s heat shoot up. What was the significance of that name?

“Who is he to us?” Dante asked.

“Don’t you know? He’s your brother,” the warlock said, his voice slowly fading with each word.

“Then who the hell is
il Diavolo?
” Dante would not let up.

“Also your brother.” Ivan closed his eyes for the last time.

Chapter Eighteen

“Are you okay, Niccolo?” Sasha wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. He didn’t really know how to answer her. For the first time in a long time, he felt like himself again. Things seemed right and he was with the woman of his heart.

His bloodmate.

He loved her and he was free to feel this way without the cloud of the spell hovering over him. One part of him was happier than he could imagine, but another part of him was worried and frightened about what was to come. Ivan’s last words didn’t answer all of their questions; in fact, they had only generated more. Were
il Demonio
and
il Diavolo
in fact two different rogues, and how was it possible that he or they could be their brothers? There were no other brothers he knew of unless ... was their papa still alive?

No. He couldn’t be. Dante was absolutely sure he had witnessed their papa’s death. Not only that, Dante had said the redheaded rogue in Salzburg mentioned the name Giovanni. What did it mean? Their papa’s name had been Giovanni, too. None of this made sense. At least they knew the Council’s plans now. Niccolo figured Dante knew even more beyond that. His brother had looked pale at the warlock’s last words.

He hadn’t said much on the plane trip home, and the moment they’d stepped off the plane, Dante had said he needed to go home and take care of a few things. They would meet at GianMarco’s the next day.

Niccolo didn’t want to go to his brother’s right away. He wanted to have Sasha to himself for the night; he knew more trouble would ensue within the next few days.

“I’m fine,” he finally answered.

“Your lips say you’re fine, but your eyes tell a different story. We are one now, and you should be able to tell me anything,” she said, rubbing her head beneath his chin.

“I fear something big is going to happen.”

“You mean what the Council is planning?”

“Yes. Can you imagine the chaos? Where would it end? They plan on taking out humans. Let’s say their plan is successful. What would they do next? Do you think they would be satisfied with just humans? What if they decided to take out immortals that didn’t fit their mold? Their idea to breed a super immortal worries me. Who says that once there are enough of them that they don’t try to wipe the rest of us out? Even if they don’t intend to get rid of us, they would try to control us. We can’t let them win.”

“And we won’t.”

“I wish I had your confidence right now.”

“I’m confident because I have faith in you.”

“It doesn’t bother you that my brother will need me?”

“No, because I plan on being by your side through this entire thing. Jagger has already expressed an interest in joining the Underground.”

“Absolutely not on both counts. I can’t risk losing either one of you.”

“I can’t say I’m crazy about the idea of Jagger joining either, but he has that trademark Grimaldi stubbornness. One thing I’ve realized after nearly losing him is that Jagger is a man, not a little boy, and he has to make his own decisions. If that decision includes joining the Underground, then so be it.”

“Dante would never allow it. He’s too young.”

“Says who?”

“Says me, and my brother will think so as well.”

“I’m sure Jagger will have plenty to say about that, but I’ll allow him to fight his own battles, and what a battle it will be when you forbid him to join.” She smiled mischievously. “While we’re on the subject, why can’t I help? I’m older. I have my powers back and they’re stronger than ever.”

“Yes, but you’re my woman and you haven’t trained in a very long time. You shouldn’t involve yourself in this.”

“What a sexist attitude! Aren’t there women in your precious Underground?”

“A few, but they are of a different ilk.” He leaned down to kiss her neck. “Why are we arguing when we could be making love? I got this hotel room so we could be alone tonight. Let’s go to bed.”

She wiggled from his embrace. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to distract me again while we’re having a serious discussion. As to my training, when my brothers get back from their sojourn, they will help me train.” She folded her arms over her satin-clad breasts. She looked so sexy in her emerald-green teddy that he wanted to rip it from her body and fuck her until she was unconscious.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight? Green is my favorite color.” He grinned at her.

“Stop trying to change the subject, damn you.”

“I thought we were talking about making love, because I sure want to make love to you now. My dick is hard and you need be sitting on it.” He licked his lips suggestively.

“You are being a big fat unreasonable jackass, and no amount of seduction will change my mind on this matter.” Sasha presented her back to him.

He knew he had pissed her off, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t wish to discuss her joining him and his brothers, and his horniness was getting the better of him. He was eager to get between her legs.

Niccolo slowly walked up behind her and pulled her against his chest. Her back was rigid and she didn’t respond to his touch. He kissed the delectable curve of her shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart, don’t be mad. We’ll discuss it later, all right? Besides, I know you want me, too. I can smell your hot little pussy. I bet it’s getting wet as you think about my cock sliding into you. Your cunt will be so creamy for me as I move in and out. I won’t stop even if you beg me to because I want you to cum for me, over and over again. I want to hear you scream my name as you climax for me, and let all that sweet cream run down your thighs so I can lick it up.” Niccolo smiled. “Would you like me to fasten my mouth over your pussy and run my tongue over your clit?”

It seemed his words of seduction were working. Sasha shivered and relaxed against him.

“Niccolo, you’re not going to change my mind.”

“I know, sweetheart, but we’ll talk later, okay?” He ran his tongue along the side of her neck before lifting the heavy curtain of her sable hair. Niccolo pressed kisses against the nape of her neck. “You taste delicious. Would you deny me?”

“You know I won’t, you big jerk.”

He turned her around to face him. There was a vulnerable gleam in her eyes and he wanted to wipe all her worries away. His emotions for her were so deep at the moment that he wasn’t even sure there were words to express how he felt. But he could show her.

He supposed he loved her, but it felt much deeper than the mundane love poets spouted off, or the silly, soap opera type of love. Instead, this feeling burned him to his very soul, making him ache for her when she was near, dream about her while he slept, and jealous of anyone else she bestowed her attention on. His love was dark, hungry, erotic, and intense to the point that he cursed himself for even doubting this woman was his bloodmate.

The love he’d had for Petra, induced by Ivan’s spell, couldn’t approach these feelings for Sasha. Right now, she looked so beautiful, her dark eyes staring at him with so much trust and desire. His head dipped to taste the sweetness of her slightly parted lips. Each time they kissed was a marvel, no matter how many times their lips met.

Dio,
she was sweet.

He felt her tongue dart out to meet his, and then shyly retreat. He cupped her face to deepen the kiss and he felt her tongue come out again. This time it was much bolder, tasting and exploring his mouth. He liked it. It filled his body with a pounding lust to know Sasha wanted him as much as he wanted her.

She pulled back slightly to trace the outline of his lips with her tongue. She gave him a little smile. “I love the way you taste.”

“I love the way you taste me.”

“How about getting out of those clothes so I can get a better look at that beautiful body of yours?” She walked over to the bed. The thin spaghetti straps on her teddy slid down her shoulders. She pushed one off to reveal one rose-tipped breast. Niccolo’s mouth went dry as she stuck her finger into her mouth and slowly pulled it out to circle the taut peak that crowned her small but perfectly shaped breast.

“Do you like this?”

“Hell, yeah,” he answered, stripping his clothes off in a hurry. He had to have her and if he didn’t get some pussy now, he thought he’d go crazy.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” She shook her head and held up her hand as he moved toward her. He halted.

“What?” he demanded impatiently.

“I don’t want you to touch me until I say so.”

“You’re being ridiculous, woman. Give me some pussy.” He took another step forward and ran into an invisible barrier. If he had to deal with one more damn barrier, he swore to God someone would get the fucking of their life…and that someone was going to be Sasha. He would fuck her so hard and long that not only would she not be able to walk straight, but her pussy and ass would be sore from how much he would use her hot little body.

“Remove this barrier, Sasha.”

“Why should I? You are denying me something I want, so it’s only fair that I do the same.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I want to help in your missions.”

“No, Sasha.”

“Okay. I guess you’ll have to suffer.” She got to her knees in the middle of the bed and slowly slid her teddy down her body, revealing both of her breasts. He was dying to wrap his mouth around them. Sasha cupped her breasts in her hands, squeezing them. She moaned deep in her throat.

“It’s really too bad these aren’t your hands touching me. I bet you can smell my pussy from where you’re standing. I bet you can tell how wet I am.”

He threw his fist out, but the barrier did not budge. “Dammit, Sasha, how are you holding that barrier up without your hands?” he asked.

She shrugged. “With my mind, I guess.”

It dawned on him that perhaps Sasha was indeed a very powerful witch. Maybe there was something to that birthmark after all. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter how powerful she was, he wasn’t going to let her join the Underground.

Maybe if he told her what she wanted to hear she would give him what he wanted. “Okay, okay. You win. Whatever you want is yours,” he said gruffly.

She paused as though considering his words. Then she gave him a lazy smile. “Lip service is not enough. I don’t believe you’re sincere.”

Niccolo grabbed his cock, which was so hard by now that he could barely think straight. “Look at me! Can’t you see I’m suffering?”

“Mmm, your cock does look like it needs some pussy.”

“You’re damn right it does, and if you don’t give me some now, I won’t be held responsible for what will happen next.”

She laughed at him as she leaned back to discard her teddy. She tossed it in his direction.

“
Strega
, you will pay for this,” he said with narrowed eyes.

“We’ll see,” she sing-songed. Sasha lay back on the bed and spread her legs wide to reveal the delicious pinkness of her cunt. Niccolo grabbed his cock in his fist, stroking himself as he watched her dip two fingers inside of her wet little hole.

“Oh, yeah,” she moaned

How could she do this to him? In his long lifetime, he had been tortured, beaten up, and even been set on fire once, but nothing compared with the excruciating pain he was experiencing at this moment.

He watched in tortured fascination as she fucked herself with her fingers. He wanted very badly to be those fingers. “Come on, Sasha. Have mercy on me,” he begged.

She ignored him, moaning in response. Her body writhed and wiggled on the covers. He could tell she was enjoying this act of exhibitionism. His mouth went dry and his balls began to throb. She removed the damp fingers from her cunt and slid them along her body in an upward motion until they reached her mouth.

Sasha slid her cream-dampened fingers between her lips. Niccolo could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It should have been his mouth tasting the sweet juice of her pussy.

He had had enough. With every ounce of his strength he slammed into the barrier, shattering it. Sasha sat up with a startled look on her face. “That’s right,
strega,
you thought you could deny me, but you will learn otherwise.”

She scooted back on the bed, but he grabbed her by the ankle and pulled her back toward him. Niccolo fell on top of her and, without the slightest hesitation, parted her legs and thrust into her with such force she screamed with joy.

He gripped her thighs and began to plow into her like a man possessed. “This will teach you to deny me,” he said roughly, reveling in the tightness of her pussy around his cock. She was so wet for him that her pussy dripped with the evidence of her desire each time his cock pounded into her.

“Oh, yeah, sweetheart. You like this, don’t you?”

She shook her head back and forth. “Oh, God, yes! Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me!” she screamed, thrusting her hips upwards.

“You little tease. You enjoy this, don’t you?”

Her smile was answer enough.

“You know what I want to hear, don’t you, Sasha?”

“This is your pussy! Yours.” She groaned in acquiescence.

“You’re damn right it is, and don’t you forget it either.”

He fucked her like a madman, keeping up a frenzied pace that would probably have killed a non-immortal woman, but Sasha took the forceful entrance of his cock as if she couldn’t get enough. When her pussy muscles finally tightened around his dick and she screamed her release, he continued to fuck her.

He was a man of his word and he fully intended to exact full payment by the end of the night.