Ravenous Kingpin (Kingpins of the Syndicate #4)

13. Emory

CHAPTER 13

Emory

L ooking right at me, Killian’s mouth curled slightly at the corners.

In the chaos of events that occurred today, I knew he was right. The Syndicate wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate me if they determined I’d violated their sacred rules. But with the weight of the Irish mafia behind me, I might get away with a slap on the wrist and a warning.

Except, there might be a greater danger in marrying Killian, who was smiling at me savagely, knowing he had me cornered.

“By the way, Em,” he said in a deep baritone that had my heart batting against my chest, “I won’t take no for an answer.”

I cleared my throat, desperate to regain some composure.

The Syndicator was dangerous, but my instinct warned the real Killian could be even more vicious. At least to me and my peace of mind.

And if he learned the secret I kept from him, I had no doubt he’d tear me to pieces.

“I heard your last engagement didn’t end so well. Are you looking for a replacement bride?” I asked quietly, and Killian’s jaw clenched.

The seconds ticked by as I squirmed under his gaze. It was unfair to bring it up, but it was the only defense I had left. I’d witnessed countless murders, but it was only around this man that I lost my composure.

I trembled as his lips came within a breath of mine.

“Don’t—”

“Don’t what?” he rumbled, his warmth seeping into my pores.

“Don’t touch me,” I whispered, quivering with the need for the exact opposite. “I don't want anything from you.”

“Such a liar,” he murmured. “I can see it in your eyes. You want me to touch you.”

My face warmed as I squirmed under his piercing gaze. “Not… Not true.”

He let out a dark chuckle.

“We both know it is.”

I scoffed. “Maybe, but only because I want to release some of my own tension. I’ve had a rough day.”

He smirked, and I fought the urge to punch his beautiful face, wiping that smirk off his face. “Keep telling yourself that, Em.”

I pushed my shoulders back, like the boss bitch I was and took charge. “Are you going to keep talking? Because if that’s so, I’ll go find someone else. This isn’t about your needs, but mine. So be the man to take care of them or get the fuck out.”

His lips brushed my ear and my thighs clamped together. My pulse sizzled through my veins, desperate for more of him. “It won’t be anything sweet. It’s going to be filthy and raw. I’ll take your cunt right here on the floor. I’m going to fuck it rough, fuck it right, until all you can do is scream.”

Jesus Christ .

That sounded better than it should. So like the woman in charge that I was, I slammed my lips against him and kissed him roughly. My mouth tingled, that familiar taste of him as intoxicating today as it was six years ago.

He grabbed my nape and pulled me back some. “Are you sure?”

God, why was he asking? As if he cared about me and my feelings.

“Yes.” My voice was barely a whisper, but it was all the confirmation he needed.

“Good girl.” He smiled wickedly. “First I’m going to have your tight pussy cream all over my fingers and tongue, and then…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but I could let myself imagine the rest. I trembled as he reached up, his rough knuckles brushing my cheek. A quiver rippled through my body as a moan spilled from my lips.

“Please—”

He ran his knuckles down my jugular before dropping his hand and cupping my pussy through my dress. An electric pulse shot through me, and I bit back a whimper when he started to rub slowly.

I bit my lip as he started to rub my pussy harder, adding pressure to my swollen, aching clit. There wasn’t any possibility of him missing how soaked I was, how desperate I was for his touch.

I shuddered when the thick pad of his finger slid beneath the lace of my panties and he rolled over the sensitive bud.

“Killian,” I moaned.

“Say you’ll marry me,” he murmured into my ear. His teeth bit my earlobe sharply before he added, “I can feel your greedy pussy clenching my fingers. Just say the word and I’ll give you what you want.”

My thighs clenched and quivered, my whole body beginning to shake.

“You don’t know what I want.” But the filthy sounds of my wet pussy contradicted my words. He rubbed harder and faster, groaning deeply into my ear. He pressed his hard erection into my stomach and my breath shattered. “Now shut up and make me come.”

His fingers continued teasing my soaking folds while the sound of his zipper echoed in the air.

I barely had time to suck in a breath when sparks of pleasure burst within me, and then he was thrusting against my heated core. The only thing separating us was the lacy material of my panties.

“I’m going to pound into your tight cunt until you’re screaming my name for this entire hotel to hear.”

Do it , I wanted to say, but I couldn’t find my voice. I hadn’t had sex since that sinful night with him. I tried, God knows I did, but nobody knew how to touch me. After the dominant and deliciously intense sex with Killian, nothing compared.

“You want my cock inside you, don’t you?”

So close to detonating, I jerked my hips, seeking friction.

“Do you?” he demanded, for some reason needing to hear me say it. His voice was dark and raspy, almost as if he was teetering on the edge. He picked up his pace, thrusting his dick against my opening a few times with a force that shot pleasure through me. “Tell me.”

“Yes…” All my frustration spilled into that one word and it made him chuckle.

“I can’t fuck you today.”

This fucking asshole.

“Why not?” I blurted.

“I don’t have a condom on me.”

His words filled me with inexplicable disappointment. My nails dug into his shoulders, and it was only then that I realized I had been clutching on to him like my life depended on it.

“Well, if you’re going to be my husband, make sure you have them on you at all times.” The sexual frustration was making me stupid and too honest. “And stock up. I haven’t had sex in six years.”

He froze for a moment before desire tightened his features. His previous expression I could handle, but this one—a mixture of wonder and something else I didn’t dare name—I couldn’t.

He reached for my bottom lip with his fingers and tugged on it as he leaned closer. I held my breath, his lips brushing along my jaw until he reached my ear.

“To hell with a condom. You’ll be my wife today.”

The sound of my panties shredding filled the air and he groaned at how wet I was. He lifted me effortlessly on the table and I grabbed his ass, digging my fingers into his flesh. My legs parted in invitation and he drove inside me without breaking the kiss, his thrust deep and powerful.

“Fuck,” he groaned at the way my body instantly welcomed him, opening up and arching wantonly.

“More, Killian,” I begged. I’d been waiting for him for so long.

He started to move, fucking me just like he promised. The look in his eyes drove me wild, like he’d longed for me for the past six years. My channel tightened around him, strangling him, desperate for more. Our kiss became passionate and frantic, my tongue toying with his while his cock pounded into me.

I met him thrust for thrust as he plunged into me, sucking on my neck, making me cry out with pleasure. My core tightened around him, nearing the edge and desperate for release.

“You’re mine.” The sounds of my arousal mixing with our heavy breaths had my core clenching. “Your cunt belongs to me.”

The overstimulation turned me into a heap of boneless nerves. His hand came around my neck, and the merciless hold as he plunged in and out of me added to the overwhelming pleasure.

“Ahhh… Yesss…” I whimpered, tightening around him and reaching for new heights.

“Wait for me, Em.” My fingers dug into his skin, his eyes connecting with mine.

The orgasm hit me with a wrecking force, and I screamed out, “Killian!”

My shout was loud but I didn’t care, too lost in the man who had ruined me for anyone else six years ago.

I tightened around him more as he continued to move, pushing me to the absolute limit before my body went slack in his hold.

I gasped as Killian thrust his length hard inside me. He grunted as his pace picked up, and I strained to look down to where we were connected as he jerked his hips forward, the sensation nearly bringing me to the edge again.

His sinfully beautiful face appeared right out of a photoshoot as sweat glued his dark hair to his temples.

“Give me another one,” he demanded.

His other hand gripped me possessively by the hip as his teeth nibbled on my skin. The sting started at my neck but ended straight between my legs.

“K-Killian…”

“What, álainn ? You want more?” Yes, I wanted more. It didn’t matter that I just came several times or that everything seemed too much. “Say it.”

He pulled on my hair.

“What… Ohh …” My words ended in a moan when his lips latched on to the hollow skin of my collarbone.

He thrust between my thighs and against my core once, twice, before he groaned. Another orgasm hit me with a blinding force, and then I was falling, shattering with no landing in sight.

Killian roared his own release, burying his cock to the hilt before pulling out, his cum covering my inner thighs.

“Fuck!” he cursed.

He released my throat and held my hair in a fist to give him better access to my neck. He sucked on my skin while he orgasmed. I remained still, afraid that any movement would ruin this moment.

He nibbled harder on the sensitive spot, making me wince and whimper at the same time. Then he tugged on my hair so that I’d stare up at his eyes.

“You’ll be my wife today.” He emphasized the last word, reaching down to smear his cum over my thighs and pushing some inside my clenching pussy. “Just like this. As you say your vows, my cum will drip out of you, and you’ll smell of me.”

Shit, why did that sound so deliciously erotic?

“Not exactly the proposal of my dreams.” I couldn’t fall into my desires. It would cost me everything. Besides, I decided a long time ago that no man would ever control me. “You’ll forgive me if I pass.”

I met his gaze with my defiant one, refusing to budge, and he must have seen the determination on my face because he narrowed his eyes.

“This is not a negotiation.” He released me and stepped back, tucking himself in while I mourned the loss of his heat. “You will marry me, and if you want me on my knees with a ring, serenading you, just say the word and I’ll do it. But no way in hell am I letting you out of my sight.”

Killian stared at me, roaming his hungry eyes over me and lingering for a heartbeat too long on my exposed pussy. I closed my legs, never before feeling as exposed as I had at this moment.

“So what?” I snapped, unsure of what to think about this whole ordeal. Should I be angry? Use him? Both? “You’ll drag me to the altar kicking and screaming?”

I stared up at his relaxed features. “I won’t have to because you’re not a stupid woman, Emory. You know as well as I do that you’re cornered, and unless you marry me, you’ll be either dead or forced to marry an Italian who’ll take your seat at the Syndicate table by the next morning.”

His apathetic tone coupled with his words nearly sent me into a state of pure black rage. Why was it that men always thought themselves superior? The entitlement and self-importance never ceased to amaze me.

“And you don’t want my seat at the table?”

“I don’t.” He checked his watch, then reached for his phone and typed fast. “Right, let’s speed this up. The judge is waiting for us.”

This man was fucking crazy. “I never agreed to marry you.”

His eyes darkened. “But you will. You’re a smart woman, Em.”

Killian’s ability to go from charming to threatening in the blink of an eye sent a jolt of warning through me.

“We barely know each other,” I muttered, desperate for a way out. Except deep in my heart, I knew there wasn’t one. Marriage was the last thing I wanted. Frustrated tears welled in my eyes and I sucked in a deep breath.

“We know each other plenty well.”

“Just because we had sex doesn’t make us well-acquainted.”

“I’ve spent more time than I’m willing to admit looking for you. I looked for you for almost a year before learning of your death. Fake death, I might add. And then I find you six fucking years later.” His eyes flashed with menace more terrifying than I’d ever witnessed before while his jaw clenched. “You think I haven’t learned all there was about you since then?”

My spine snapped upright, refusing to feel guilty about what I had to do to survive. “You obviously didn’t think it worth reaching out to me. Not a single word from you since we crossed paths again, and now you’re here demanding I marry you?”

He tilted his head to the side. “Did you want me to reach out?”

Jesus Christ, this man was infuriating.

“I couldn’t give a fuck.” It was a total lie, but I was too proud to admit it. “For all I care, you can go to hell.”

“I’ve been in hell for the past six years, álainn .” He let out a sardonic breath. “And trust me, being in hell with you is better than being in hell alone.” Would he think hell with me was better if he knew my secret? It took everything in me not to fidget, knowing I had to protect my secret at all costs. A secret that could very well get this man to hate me—or worse. “If you have terms, spit them out because the priest who’s about to marry us is waiting for us.”

My stubbornness refused to seal my lips. “Fine.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Name them.”

“We keep this marriage a secret.” I didn’t need my family to descend on me like the circus was in town. Besides, with all three of them married and starting families, they needed to focus on themselves, not me.

“Until it’s necessary to reveal it in order to protect you,” he agreed. “And if another man breathes in your direction, I’m ending them.”

I’d always prided myself on not being intimidated by men, but Killian’s dark tone had me wavering, sending a sliver of fear through me.

“Okay, that’s just silly,” I said, unable to stop rolling my eyes. “I have many men working for me, so you’ll have to control your urges to kill them all.”

He locked eyes with me and I froze, caught off guard by a warped gleam in his eyes. But it disappeared before my next heartbeat.

“What else?” he questioned.

I blinked. “Huh?”

He sighed. “Do you have anything else to add?”

“Yes.” I hated being cornered, but even more I detested needing Killian’s help to get my uncle and the Syndicate off my back. At least for the time being. Once I found my daughter, it wouldn’t matter.

Killian waited, and when I remained silent, he sighed. “Out with it.”

“Two years.” I inhaled deeply before adding, “We’ll be married for two years.”

It should give me plenty of time to find my daughter and disappear from this world once and for all.

He grabbed me by the waist, spread my legs apart, and came to stand between my thighs. Then he reached out, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip, and I could almost hear the smirk in his voice as he said, “Two years, huh?” I nodded. “Let’s go and get married, then.”

“Ah, I have more conditions.”

He shot me an exasperated look. “What now?”

“I can’t marry you tonight.”

“And why not?”

I straightened my shoulders. “I’m a busy woman. There’s a Syndicate to run, in case you forgot.”

“Well, that sounds like a personal problem, because I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’ll be my wife today.”

The cold expression on his face told me he wouldn’t budge on this, but before he could say anything else, I added, “I’m not marrying you in red.”

An old wives’ tale said that red on a wedding day could signify passion, but also blood. I’d rather play it safe than sorry.

He sighed. “Fine. Let’s go get you a wedding dress.”

“I don’t want to get married during Easter week,” I blurted out just as he took a step, my hand in his firm grip. “It’s bad luck, and as far as I know, we’re both Catholics.”

I held my breath as I waited for him to call me on my bluff. His blue eyes turned dangerous.

“We’re getting married. Today. No matter what.”

And just like that, our agreement was forged.

We arrived at the dimly lit bridal store where a blonde in a tight skirt and even tighter blouse greeted us with a smile. The owner of the bridal boutique opened exclusively for us, and when I saw her eyes locked on Killian, all her smiles for him alone, I understood why.

She was infatuated with him. “Killian, your call was unexpected but so welcomed.”

He nodded at her.

“Samantha, thank you for being so accommodating.” I scoffed. Of course she was, the woman was besotted with him. Was he too blind to see it? “Can you fit my fiancée for a wedding dress within an hour? You did such an amazing job with Branka.”

Her expression shattered for a moment before she pulled herself together and stepped aside to let us in.

Branka? He fucking brought me to the dress shop of his last fiancée. Fury bolted through my veins and I gave him my most hateful—okay, maybe jealous—glare.

Killian must’ve sensed me tense up because his hot breath tickled my ear and he whispered, “Don’t do anything stupid, or I swear, the whole world will learn of your betrayal.”

“Oh don’t worry, you’re doing all the stupid,” I muttered under my breath, and vowed I’d escape him at the first opportunity.

Without another word, he nudged me into the store and took a seat on the couch while I was ushered into the dressing room.

Samantha didn’t waste any time. She barked orders to her assistant while I stood there numb, waiting for the right time to call Ines. They washed my hair, pulled it into an elegant bun, then presented me with sexy undergarments to slip into.

I finally got my opportunity when they disappeared to pull various wedding gowns from the boutique floor for me to try on. I reached for my cell phone on top of my discarded red gown and quickly dialed her up.

“Where in the fuck have you been? I’ve been calling you for the past hour,” was how she answered.

“Listen, I don’t have much time.” I got straight to the point. “My uncle learned of the deal I made.”

Her sharp inhale filled the line. “How?”

“I don’t know,” I hissed. “But Killian Cullen is using it against me and forcing my hand in marriage.”

“What the fuck!”

“Exactly my thoughts,” I muttered. “The guy is—” Hot as fuck. Cold as fuck. Ruthless as fuck.

“Sexy as fuck,” she filled in for me. “It might not be a bad idea to marry him.”

My eyebrows furrowed. Ines was my harshest critic, and I valued her honesty. “Why?”

“Because that psychotic Serbian don is on a rampage after learning his niece is dead. Killian could offer a layer of protection.”

“Fuck.”

“Exactly that,” she agreed. “Fuck.”

I heard the rustle of fabric and lowered my voice. “I’m not leaving you to deal with all this shit alone. Hang in there, and I’ll be back soon.”

I hung up just as the women reappeared with an assortment of white, off-white, and more white. I tried them all on dutifully and finally settled on one I didn’t detest. They helped fit me into one of the most beautiful dresses I’d ever seen, if I was being honest. From there, they applied a natural touch of makeup, painting my lips a soft pink.

Soon enough, I was standing before a judge, a veil fastened to my updo and my pointed heels pinching my toes. Lace and silk hugged my body, but my panties were long gone thanks to my soon-to-be husband’s impatience in the car on our way here.

I chewed on my bottom lip, my eyes locking with Killian’s. The storm in his gaze resembled something akin to carnal possession and it made me a nervous fucking mess.

My pulse beat in my throat, and my hands were clammy as the judge with a blonde chignon gurgled the words that would tie me to Killian forever.

Or rather for the next two years , I reminded myself. The thought oddly didn’t sit well with me.

His presence and the light scent of his cologne consumed me in a familiarity, and it took all my strength to calm my thumping heart.

“I do.” Two spoken words, while Killian’s eyes burned like blue flames, and our lives were forever intertwined. He vowed to love, cherish, honor, and protect me for the remainder of our days, and I repeated the words promising the same.

Then, without even requiring a kiss, the judge cleared her throat and proclaimed us husband and wife.

No rings. No kisses. No family.

My heart sank to the pit of my belly with disappointment, and I struggled to understand why. I didn’t need or want this. So why did it bother me?

And just like that, I was Mrs. Killian Cullen.

Outside, the glimpses of the moon between tall buildings shone through and my gaze lifted to his, catching a spark in his gaze that burned bright.

But a foreboding crept in, warning me that sooner or later, we would be doomed.