“Thank you. Hello, Dad.”
Lastra nodded at her.
They were frozen on the doorsteps.
“It’s getting cold. Come on, we must take you inside.” Her mother grasped her arm and urged her forward. Klaus followed, never once breaking eye contact with her father. This was a challenge all right, but Lastra wouldn’t come out the victor. He was a sniveling wife- and daughter-beating piece of shit, and Klaus knew exactly what to do with men like him. Every other man in Lastra’s position would have been killed by now. Instead, he had to play it safe. To play the bigger role.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” Lastra said.
Klaus ignored the hand offered to him and pointed for the man to continue. It was a standoff with neither backing down. He could do this all day, and in the end, Lastra backed off, which was exactly what he wanted.
Stepping into his home, he closed the door, letting the man know he may be in his home, but Klaus was the one who held all the power, and that wasn’t going to be going away any time soon.
There was no time for pleasantries, and so he found his wife already sitting at the dining room table. She sipped at a glass of water.
“No wine?” her mother asked.
“No, none for me.”
“Are you trying to tell us something?” Her mother started to giggle.
“Enough!” Lastra clicked his fingers as he sat down. Klaus took the other end of the table, watching his opponent.
Waiters came out carrying silver serving platters of food.
Klaus’s jaw clenched as he caught sight of his wife’s plate. There was barely anything on it, while he had several slices of toasted baguette with a tomato relish. His wife had one already prepared.
“To keep with your weight, darling,” her mother said.
He looked at her father and of course, there was a smile.
“Get my wife the same as us now,” Klaus said.
“But her figure!” Her mother pointed at her.
“Feed her, or this is over. I will not have my wife insulted. Parents or not.”
“Klaus, it’s fine.”
He looked at his wife. “We came here for dinner. The least they could do is be polite hosts and feed you. I consider this an insult, and all Accardi will see it as one. Wars have been started for less.”
Lastra once again gave in.
Whatever the son of a bitch’s game was, he refused to fall for it.
The waiter took Isabella’s food from her and left. She took a deep breath.
Silence rang out in the dining room. Klaus refused to eat anything. This was a mistake.
Her mother picked up her bruschetta and took a bite. “It’s delicious.”
He counted to ten, wondering if he would get Isabella out of this hell hole while he also killed every single fucker here. The fact her mother wouldn’t fight her battles pissed him off. When his own mother was alive, she always tried to coddle and defend him whenever she could.
Isabella belonged to him, and it was time others realized it. He wouldn’t have her embarrassed again. When the waiter returned, Klaus made the man stand while he counted everything. Satisfied, her plate was put in front of her.
The meal began and like he’d hoped, silence continued throughout.
****
Isabella laughed as she climbed out of the car. They were finally back at their home, and she’d never been so happy to see their house on the hill.
Klaus rounded the car and pulled her in close. “We made it. God, I didn’t think I’d make it.”
“Yeah, but I know it pissed you off.” She kissed his lips as he ran his hands down to her ass.
She was very much aware they were not alone. His guards patrolled everywhere.
“Someone will see.”
“No, they won’t. They know to look the other way.”
She shook her head and giggled. “I hope I can get used to that.”
“What?”
“You threatening everyone every chance you get. I doubt I’ll ever get used to it.”
He squeezed her ass even tighter. “You’re going to need to get used to it. This is who I am. What I do.”
“Did you get a reading off my dad? Any sign? Anything?”
He shook his head. “The hit is real. I feel it in my gut. What I don’t know is when it’s coming. He’s enjoying this. I know he is.” Klaus took possession of her lips, and she was thankful for the distraction.
There was no way she could defend her father’s actions. He was a monster through and through. They all were. Their lives meant they were constantly in the thick of pain and trouble.
“Come on, let’s get you inside.” He took her hand, leading her into their home. She removed her jacket and he took it.
Together, hand-in-hand, they walked upstairs to the bedroom. Before she had a chance to move, Klaus grabbed her by the back of her dress, keeping her in place.
“Klaus?”
“I’ve spent all night wanting to take this dress off. I never want you to think of your parents and the shit they say.” He lowered the zip and his lips were at her neck. He nibbled on her shoulder. “Understood?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t get to think about what they say. In your world, my word is law.”
She giggled and then held her breath as his hands moved around to touch her stomach. He didn’t stop there. His fingers traced up, cupping her breasts. The moment he touched her, she released a gasp. He pinched her nipples through the lace, and his other hand delved between her thighs, touching her pussy.
His finger stroked over her clit before going down to plunge inside her.
Teeth sinking into her bottom lip, she tried to contain her squeals of enjoyment, but Klaus wished to take control of them as well.
“Let me hear you scream,” he said.
With each touch, he set her aflame. Within a matter of seconds, he had her bent over the bed and he’d removed all of her clothes. He spun her around and pushed her thighs apart. Keeping them open at
