AXEL SALVATORE ROSSI

Seeing her reluctantly give me access to her body did something to me. I felt like an asshole, trying to take advantage of a sweet, innocent child. She was 20, turning 21 in a few months, and I was turning 30 in a couple of weeks.

I knew she was a virgin, and that was the part that excited me, drew me to her. But, strangely, it felt wrong. I couldn't do this, she didn't deserve this.

I spread her legs apart, parting them open so I could slide inside of her wet, dripping hole. My index finger went in first, and I saw the way she forced her eyes shut, and then her lips started quivering.

She felt tight- so fucking tight, and I felt the walls of her coochie gripping the only finger I had inside of her. She tried to hold it in, to suppress the pain she felt... until she couldn't bear it anymore.

"Ouch!''

It hurt, I knew, still, I kept thrusting. But, she was in pain. And watching her express how it affected her slowly made my urges disappear. I'd never force a woman against her will.

And Olivia wouldn't be any different.

I pulled my finger out of her after a few seconds, retreating as I bent over to pick up my clothes.

I-I couldn't do it.

She was too fragile, too weak. And I knew she wouldn't be able to handle all of me.

"Did-did I do something wrong?"

Her voice sounded scared, like she'd committed a crime that deserved death. I threw on my pants, trying not to express the pity and concern I felt towards her.

"Go wash up," my voice was husky and a bit raspy. "I'll get Rosa to make something for you."

I didn't look at her, but I felt her gaze on me, obviously surprised by my actions. I did my zipper and threw on my shirt over my shoulders, not turning back to even take as little as a glimpse at her.

I headed straight to the door, unlocked it, and took my exit. There was only one place for me to relax my nerves-my office.

"Axel. Can- can I go in now to meet her?"

Rosa appeared just in time. She seemed to have been waiting and hovering around the entrance. I traced the hint of concern in her voice, and I knew there was a soft spot in her heart for Olivia.

I turned to look at her, my shoulders squared. "Yes. I need you to give her some of that... stuff."

She widened her eyes, and I could tell what was running through her mind. But, I wasn't ready to answer her questions.

My legs walked away from her, heading straight to my office. I noticed the door was slightly opened, and my forehead creased. Nobody was allowed to go in there. Absolutely nobody.

I saw his figure hovering over the shelves of books. I furrowed my eyebrows, walking closer to my table to take my seat.

"You're not supposed to be in here, Viper," I tried my best not to sound annoyed as I pulled out my chair. "This place is off limits."

He gave out a chuckle, taking his time to face me. I saw the smoke that clouded his face, and the cigarette that was at the corner of his lips which he held out in his hands while walking towards me.

"I thought I was different."

I gave out a scowl. "A rule is a rule."

"I see..."

He had something to say. His tone gave it all away. Viper was one to talk, he could never keep anything to himself no matter what it was.

I reached for the scattered paperwork on my table, trying to arrange nothing in particular. Olivia's thoughts clouded my mind, and I couldn't understand why she'd occupied space there when we'd barely been together for 24 hours.

"You look so... lost."

I raised my head to him, noticing his hands reaching for my cigarette box to take a stick. Did I forget to add that he was a chain smoker?

"Your eyes are clearly deceiving you."

"Don't try to hide it, Ace." he scoffed, pulling out the seat in front of me. "I know what's going on."

I smirked. "Then tell me."

He took a seat. "It's about that damn girl, Olivia." 

I gritted my teeth at the word he used to describe her. Damn? He had no right to call her that. My fists were slowly clenching, and I was trying so hard to refrain myself. 

I straightened my posture. "Olivia has nothing to do with anything."

"Oh yeah?" he sounded mocking, and his tone was attacking when I caught sight of him reclining in his chair. "You fucking chose her over the item we've been searching for!"

I swallowed, twitching my eyes. He'd reminded me. And the fact that I wasn't even thinking about the consequences of the decision I'd made.

"I'll find a way to get the item from La Mano nera." I tried to sound convincing, tried to push the blame from my kitty. She had no idea about anything or what was going on.

The sound of the lighter lingered for a while- Viper gave light to his cigarette and took a puff, blowing it into the air as he leaned forward with his other hand on the table.

"There's something you're not telling me, Ace."

I heaved a heavy sigh, already getting tired of the conversation. "Viper, that's enough."

"Have you even touched her?"

I froze at his question. Why was he asking though? It was none of his business.

A vein throbbed in my forehead. "And how is that relevant?"

He grinned, taking another puff from his stick. "It's written all over you," I turned my gaze away, sorting through nothing in particular on my table. "Your emotions are spilling over and this is not a good thing for us- for a man in your position!"

Maybe he was right. I'd never felt this way for a woman. I'd never stalked any woman, never travelled far away just to keep an eye on them.

My eyes narrowed, obviously blazing with the fury that surged through my veins as I gritted my teeth at him. "I don't want to talk about this."

He didn't say anything. And I thought he'd given up talking about it, only for me to hear him ask...

"Are you doing this because of what happened?"

My muscles tightened, especially my jaw. My hands halted for a moment, and I pushed my gaze to him.

"What?"

"The incident... the last war that happened. Is this why you're so protective of her?"

He'd struck a nerve, and opened another deep wound I'd been fighting to conceal. I felt a knot tightening in my stomach, and suddenly, the air felt suffocating.

"Ace?"

There was no answer to that question. And even, if there was any, I couldn't part my lips to respond. This was worse than a blade going in my chest.

"So, it's indeed because of it."

He'd confirmed it. I stood up abruptly from my seat, trying to throw on my shirt and walk out, when I heard a heavy knock on the door. And then another figure rushed in...

It was Rosa.

"Axel..." her eyes burned with fear, and I noticed her jerky moments alongside her shaky voice. But I didn't take them seriously. If being dramatic was a person- it was Rosa.

I kept my focus on my table, my hands grabbing a stick from my cigarette box. "What is it?"

"It's Olivia," I raised my face to her immediately, my eyes already asking questions. "I- I gave her the stuff like you asked me to. And now..."

I exchanged looks with Viper briefly, and then strode towards Rosa who seemed to have a problem speaking.

"And what?!"

"She's unconscious," I heard her swallow, a tear running down her left cheek as she added. "She's not breathing."

OLIVIA

I blinked my eyes, forcing them open against their will. My head felt like it was about to split into two halves, and my whole body felt numb.

I'd passed out.

I couldn't remember anything, except for the irritating feeling I had after Rosa handed me a cup of disgusting liquid. Whatever that'd happened after that was history in my memory. 

The room was awfully bright– sunlight peering in through the windows threatened to blind me as it went straight into my eyes. 

And my mouth tasted bitter like I'd eaten crumbs of burnt bread, garlic, and cheese. Whatever I'd taken last night from Rosa was the cause of the unpleasant taste in my mouth.

And I had no idea what it was.

I forced myself up from the vast bed, trying to ignore the pain I felt in between my legs. Axel's finger had hurt me, and thinking about what had happened last night, I was glad he'd retreated. 

Because there was no way I would have been able to take all of him– deep inside of me.

He was huge. 

Yes, huge.

I hadn't seen it yet, but the bulge my eyes always caught in his pants was frightening. 

My feet went into the flip-flops close to the bed, and I tried to wave off the dizziness I felt. The one that threatened to send me crashing to the marble floor.

Tossing my hair into a messy bun. I headed straight to the door, turned the knob open, and walked out of the room.

I'd only noticed how big the whole house was, and it was hard, like a difficult task to find the kitchen. 

And when I finally did, I swept myself in, eager to make something to drown away whatever was happening to me.

I thought of something to make, a drink that could help me out of my predicament.

Peppermint tea...

Just like my mother always made, and whenever either of us felt nauseous or sick to the stomach. 

But, how could I make one?

I had no idea.

I was a bad cook, and could only make a few decent meals. And coffee– to add to the list.

I stood confused in the kitchen, feeling the nausea caught up in my throat. 

Rosa. 

Where was Rosa when I needed her the most?

I turned around swiftly and found myself crashing into something. A broad, sweaty surface.

My heart pounded in my chest as I felt it, realizing it wasn't something, but someone. I raised my head slowly, forcing the lump down my throat as my eyes met who it was.

Axel.

Dressed in nothing but a black sleeveless shirt and pants that were loose-fitting. I gulped down my saliva, pulling away almost immediately as I caught his intense stare.

"What are you doing here?"

His voice attacked me, sounding stern and reprimanding. I shifted my gaze to the stove, feeling my words stuck in my throat.

"I-I..."

I didn't know what to say.

"Where is Rosa?"

I swallowed, praying silently that my presence there alone wouldn't cause trouble for Rosa. "I... I have no idea."

He took a step forward, making me take another step backward. I could inhale his scent now, a musky, earthy scent that felt refreshing to my nose.

"You're supposed to be in bed, resting."

Was that concern in his voice I heard? Or was it an order I was supposed to follow?

I sunk my teeth into my lips, still not looking at him. "I– I felt nauseous," I breathed out slowly. "And I wanted to make something to make me feel better."

I heard a scowl from him, and it made me shudder slightly.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, Kitty."

Kitty...

I hated it when he did that, called me that. And the tone he always used. It was unavoidable, husky yet alluring. And I found a part of me tingling with a sensation that I couldn't control.

I raised my head slowly, pushing through every single thing my eyes met to finally hold his steady gaze.

His eyes narrowed at me, and I thought I saw them twitch for a moment. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and as I stood there, staring at him, my heart raced at a breakneck pace.

"How're you feeling?"

It felt strange hearing him ask me that, but I knew better than to annoy him with my silence.

I forced a casual smile. "I'm... fine."

I wasn't fine. I was literally dying inside.

He gave a nod, and I felt his hands on my skin, making me aware of what I had on– a strapless nightgown that hugged my body.

News flash, I wasn't putting on a bra.

My tits were a bit exposed as the upper part of the gown had slipped a bit down on my body, and my nipples felt like a hard rock against the silk material.

And my underwear was missing from my waist. I'd lost them since his strong hands pulled them off me last night.

"You better be fine," his voice turned raspy, and I felt his warm breath on my neck as he got closer. "You had a free pass last night, but not for too long."

I knew what he meant, and understood faster than I'd thought. I felt he heard me swallow hard, my whole body shivering beneath his menacing figure.

His fingers trailed down my neck, and I felt them on my left nipple, swirling around intentionally. I gulped down a gasp, knowing he hadn't permitted me to react verbally to his touch. 

I quivered my lips, feeling his thumb at the corner. His eyes peered into mine, forcing me to hold his gaze. I struggled with myself, with the way my body was reacting to his touch. 

With just one hand, he held me firmly around the waist. And the fingers on the other did whatever they wanted to my body.

I felt him everywhere– my nipples, my waist, my hips, and even on my thighs, pushing through the fabric to touch the flesh in between my legs. 

I couldn't deny the feeling– his hands felt good and made me excited, and I wanted him to do more...

More to my body...

I was enjoying every bit of his touch– even when I wasn't supposed to.

This man had held me captive against my will. Had my sister beaten and tortured to the brink of death. 

He was supposed to be my enemy.

How could I enjoy the pleasure of his arms and touch?

"I could make love to you right here," I tilted my head backward, still holding his gaze as I felt his fingers rubbing my entrance. "And right now."

He leaned forward, pushing his head closer to mine. I felt our noses touching. He was close, so close to me that I could feel his rapid breathing on my face.

I stared at his lips, fighting the urge to taste them. I watched him get closer, and before I could tell what was going to happen, he pressed his lips against mine, shutting whatever I was going to spill.

A kiss. 

I was kissing the enemy. A dangerous mafia lord. 

I shut my eyes tightly, feeling my heart threatening to burst open at the thought.

Axel's lips nibbled on mine, and I felt his hand pin me down firmly, and his fingers grabbing my nipple.

I lost my control. 

I moaned into his mouth before I could refrain myself. 

His touch was doing something to me, and the flesh in between my legs– I could feel the moisture and tears running down.

"Kiss me," he ordered, breaking off from the kiss briefly, his eyes burning with sheer desire. "And get ready to take all of me, right here."

My heart pounded. 

This was it.

I was going to lose my virginity, in a kitchen, and to a man I'd only met for a day.

And I knew for a fact– he'd go rough on me. 

My life couldn't get any worse. Could it?