The Mafia's Pet

Chapter 25

Vanessa

Realizing I don't have a choice, my heart thrashes against my chest as he reaches for the hem of my shirt and raises it up slowly. His calloused fingertips trail up my body in the process, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He pulls it over my head and tosses it in a laundry basket. His eyes ignite with a blazing sapphire when he sees I'm not wearing a bra. Of course I'm not; who in their right mind would wear those death traps to bed?

His eyes never leave mine as he pulls down my pajama pants along with my panties. Completely exposed to him, heat rises to my face, and I quickly cover my bald pussy. Just as fast, he yanks my arms back down to my sides. "Don't ever hide that pretty pussy from me. It's mine!" he growls possessively.

I avert my gaze to the tiled floor. "I-I'm sorry, Sir," I mumble.

The bathroom is filled with the sound of him settling into the bathtub, water sloshing around him. "Get in, Mascota," he orders sternly, the command cutting through the air.

"Okay." The water, hot but still pleasant, envelops me as I enter the tub across from him. I keep my eyes fixed on the ripples forming in the water, refusing to look directly at him. Even though the tub is unnecessarily spacious, knowing that we're both naked underneath the water is enough to have my skin crawling from my bones.

"Eyes on me." I meet Diego's gaze and see him leaning on the other side of the tub, his arms spread on the edges. The soft glow from the bathroom's dim lighting highlights the contours of his face, accentuating his chiseled features.

Damn, he really does look like a sex god. I squeeze my thighs together underneath the water to silence my pussy's throbbing heartbeat. "Why are we doing this?" I ask weakly, the filthy thoughts in my mind running ramped against my will.

"To work on our relationship." He raises the glass of wine from the side of the tub, his lips meeting the rim with a deliberate motion. "I couldn't help but notice yesterday that my absence has led you to forget who you belong to. Therefore, I've decided to be present for the next few days to refresh your memory," he states, his voice a blend of authority and certainty. The soft clink of the glass returning to the edge of the tub punctuates the weight of his declaration, leaving a resonating echo in the room.

I furrow my brows, a frown deepening on my face. I know there's no use arguing with him, so instead, I ask, "Am I at least allowed to go outside now?"

He takes another measured sip from the glass, a deliberate pause before responding. "No. Your safety is not secured, but I promise it will be soon."

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach, and I'm afraid to ask what that means. All I can picture is him killing more and more people. How many will he have to kill before they're not after me anymore? And I still don't know why they are after me in the first place.

As the minutes pass, the cold reality sinks in. I'm tethered to a dangerous man, entangled in a web of secrecy and violence. The thought of being a pawn in a game beyond my understanding grips my thoughts, tightening its hold on me.

I steal a glance at Diego, his expression remaining stoic. I suppress the urge to voice my questions, knowing he wouldn't tell me shit anyway.

"Vanessa." Hearing my name snaps me from my thoughts. "I know you're acquainted with Danny but knowing that he's spent more time with you than I have boils my blood." An unknown emotion flickers in his eyes, but it's gone just as quickly. "As my pet, I want you by my side moving forward. However, we must first establish trust. For both of us."

I stare at him. He wants me by his side? What does that even mean? That I'll serve as his arm candy in public when I'm actually permitted outside? I'm not stupid enough to think he'll ever regard me as anything beyond his plaything.

In a sudden, fluid motion, he's right in front of me, the water sloshing around our emerged bodies. My breath hitches at our proximity. He gently caresses my face, gazing at me with intense scrutiny. "As you already know, I don't take betrayal lightly. I won't hesitate to blow those pretty brains of yours out the next time you try to betray me. Do you understand, Mascota?"

His face becomes fierce, scary...and I fight the urge to cower underneath his steel gaze. There's no doubt in my mind that his words are a promise.

"Y-Yes," I stammer, feeling an icy chill running through my veins.

His expression immediately softens. "Good girl."

He pulls away slightly, giving enough space between us that I can breathe again. He washes his own body before I watch him lather soap on another washcloth, and without warning, rubs it against my chest. I gasp softly, but he ignores me, his focus fixed on washing my skin in small circles.

"You're so fucking beautiful," I hear him mumble beneath his breath. He takes his time with every part of my body while I stare down into the water, just wanting to get this over with.

I wonder why he's so suddenly interested in doing all of this. Most of our interactions are me removing his clothes before bed, but now he's doing something for me. Or perhaps it's just as much for his own satisfaction. The guy is a certifiable egomaniac, so who the fuck knows.