Slingshot by K.L. Savage

Ican’t walk without feeling the slight burn of the spanking Noah gave me last night. I always assumed a spanking meant on the ass.

Boy, did Noah show me I was wrong.

I came from it too. Long and hard, wild, and free. He took everything from me last night and somehow gave me everything in return.

Noah turns on his phone as I pack up the stuff in the penthouse. He somehow thought of everything and bought a small pink duffle bag to put all of our…toys in. Damn, we didn’t even get to use the bullet. I was so strung out from whatever spell he put me under last night. After the bath, he gave me a full body massage which left me useless, kissed my temple, and told me to fall asleep.

I feel more well-rested than I have in my entire life.

“Oh, that can’t be good.” His phone continues to ding continuously about twenty times before it finally quiets. It doesn’t last long because it’s ringing. His lips press into a thin line as he answers it. “Hey, Badge. We’re fine, why?” He waits while Badge finishes speaking. “What? Are you sure? You’re serious? Is everyone okay?”

I set the pink duffle on the bed and put it on the edge of the mattress, staring at him in concern.

“Yeah, we’re on our way. No, I know. I said I fucking know, Badge!” Noah yells before hanging up the phone. He presses it against his chin and curses to himself, eyes closed.

“Is everything okay, Noah?” I hate to ask when everything is obviously not okay.

He shakes his head and opens his eyes. When he finally looks at me, I see shame. “What happened?” I get up and go to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“There has been an attack at the Moretti Manor, Natalia.”

“Is Papa, okay? Zio? Salvatore?” I rush out in a panic. Oh god, I should have been there. Instead, we ignored everything and all our responsibilities to have a night away from being so frowned upon. We just wanted to be ourselves.

Emotion bubbles up, and a sob catches in my throat when he slides his finger under my chin to lift my head. “You’re family is safe. They’re okay. They got out unharmed, but five of Mateo’s men died.”

Okay, that’s not horrible. I mean, I didn’t like half of the men in the syndicate, but that isn’t a reason for them to die. I won’t shed any tears though. As long as my family is okay, then I’m okay.

“But there’s a problem. Maximo escaped.”

I tense when I hear the one uncle’s name I don’t want to. I had hoped he would have been one of the casualties. “We have to find him before he finds other women to sell again. We have to—”

“—I know. I know they’re waiting for us at the compound and your family will be there soon. Are you okay? I know this has to be a shock.”

I let my head fall forward onto his shoulder and take a minute to try to understand how I feel. I’m relieved my family is okay. I’m dreading going back to the world, selfishly. “I’m scared of what it means that Maximo is out. He isn’t a man that needs to be out in the world.”

“I know, and we’re going to do something about it. Come on.” Noah snatches the pink duffel and throws it over his shoulder.

“I can get that.”

“I know, Good Girl. I want to get it.” He pats my butt as I walk in front of him and down the steps.

I glance at my ring one more time to make sure it’s still on my finger. So surreal. Once we walk out that door, it all comes to an end.

My head is in the clouds as we walk in silence and get onto the elevator. I watch as the door closes to our alternate universe just as two metal slabs shut in front of me. While we descend, I think about Papa and how pissed he must be. At me, Noah, his men dying, and Maximo missing. He isn’t going to be pleasant to be around.

Minus the drama, I still dread telling him about my swift marriage to Noah. Something I don’t regret, but something he will try to make me feel bad about. I don’t have anyone in my family that I can celebrate with. I bet if my mom were alive, she’d be happy for me, but she died in childbirth, so the only things I know about her are the things Papa told me about.

I’d give anything to be able to call her right now and tell her about Noah and how happy he makes me. I haven’t taken the time to stop and realize how much I miss her or need her. I cross my arms and tilt my head, letting it lean against the mirror that is the elevator’s wall.

My eyes burn with memories I’ll never have. I was never a woman that dreamed about her wedding day because I didn’t want to dream if it meant my mom couldn’t be a part of it, but now I am married, and all I want to do is tell her. I would give anything for one day. One day to go dress shopping while I try on big fluffy gowns that make me feel like a princess and she’d cry or laugh depending on how ridiculous I looked.

After purchasing the dress, we would look for the ‘Mother of the Bride’ gown, and it would be slate grey, I imagine. Papa said she loved that color. A strapless gown with sequins to give it an extra bit of glam along the top.

We’d go out to eat and have bottomless margaritas and laugh. We’d have to call an Uber to bring us home, and Papa would be worried sick as we stumbled in the door. He’d probably curse in Italian at us.

I guess I have thought about my wedding day, but it’s more about the days spent with Mom doing wedding planning than the actual event of a wedding.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Noah croons, swiping a tear from my lash line.

“Just thinking about my mom. She died when I was born. I’ve lived my entire life thinking I was fine without her since I didn’t even know her, but somehow…it’s hitting me that only makes it worse. I want her here for this. For us. To celebrate because no one is happy for us and I would think she would be.”

“You miss her,” he says.

“I don’t even know her, and I miss her.”

“Ah, my good girl. I understand. I miss mine too.” He gathers me in his arms and holds me tight while I try to get myself under control. “Is there anywhere we can visit her grave?”

I shake my head. “She was cremated in Italy.”

“Well, we have a cemetery on the back of the property. If you want, I’ll make her a headstone, and then you can go there and talk to her whenever you want.” He brushes the hair out of my face and kisses the tip of my nose. “Would that be alright?”

“I’d love that. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Thank you so much.” I squeeze around his waist. “Maybe for your mom too?” I press my chin to his chest and stare at him through my lashes.

“I like that. I love that, actually. We will do it once everything calms down.” He slips his fingers through my hand and guides me out the doors when they part.

We pass the front desk, and the same woman is there that hit on Noah. She’s staring me down, and I make sure Noah isn’t looking.

Or maybe I want him to because the punishment last night was far from punishable.

I lift my middle finger in the air to her and her lips part in surprise.

Bitch.

“I saw that and don’t think it will go unpunished. I’ll remember,” Noah says, staring straight ahead.

I blush at getting caught. “Yes, Sir.” Worth it.

There is a line of cabs to the left waiting for someone to need them. Noah lifts his hand again, and the first car pulls out of line and comes to the curb. Noah opens the door for me, and since I’m not wearing a dress today, I don’t have to worry about tucking the material over my butt to make sure I don’t flash anyone.

I’m just in a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt today.

“I need you to go to the garage across from Wild Jills.” Noah tosses a few twenties at the guy, and without another word, the driver pulls away and takes us to where Noah’s bike is parked.

The drive is short since the traffic isn’t too bad during the day and the cab stops in front of the bar. We climb out of the car and hurry across the street. I can see the chrome of the tailpipes from here and a spike of adrenaline hits me like it does every time I get on his bike.

“You do realize that only certain women are allowed on the back of bikes, right? Not everyone is allowed to ride bitch.” He straps the duffle bag to the Harley and mounts it. His impressive jean-clad behind catches my eye and those thick thighs have me remembering how strong they are as he used them to thrust into me.

I shake my head.

“Well, not a lot of bikers like people on their bikes. It’s one thing to be in charge of ourselves, but to have someone else with us makes the bike feel different. The weight. So we reserve the seat for the woman who will be our ol’ lady.”

I swing my leg over the seat, put on my helmet, and hold onto his middle. “Well, I’m glad you chose me to ride bitch.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He rubs the hand lying against his stomach before pulling out of the parking lot.

The grumbles of the bike sound louder in the garage, reverberating off the cement walls. The sun barrels down on us as we take a left down the strip and head away from the wild Vegas brings. We have no traffic in front of us, and we hit every green light. I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth the sun brings while we hurry to the clubhouse.

Once we get on Loneliest Road, he hits the throttle, and the power jerks me backward, but I’m holding on tight so I can’t fall. My hair whips around me, stinging my arms as it flies all around me. I memorize the mountains, the cloudless blue sky, and the cactuses casting shadows along the desert.

We come upon the tall fence of the compound all too soon. The Ruthless Kings own a lot of land that spans miles. The bike slows, and Noah doesn’t bother turning on his blinker as he takes a left onto the driveway. It’s a bouncy ride as we hit every single pothole.

When we come to the gate, Braveheart is there, pressing the button that swings the large iron barrier wide.

Right as we pass the entrance, there is yelling on the front porch between Reaper and Papa. They look at us when they hear the motorcycle and Papa is running down the porch steps, hurrying over to Noah and me.

My stomach turns with how bad this is about to be.

Noah bumps the kickstand with his boot. I hop off and fumble with the nest of my hair as I tie it in a messy bun on top of my head to get it out of my face. Papa is furious.

And that’s putting it mildly.

His suit has spatters of blood and there is soot on his face maybe from a fire? “Natalia. You scared the hell out of me.”

I slam into his chest, and it knocks the air out of my lungs. He squeezes tight. Too tight. “Papa, I can’t breathe,” I struggle to say.

“I’m so glad you weren’t at the manor. I hate you were with him, but you’re safe; that’s all that matters. My baby, I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He places his forehead against mine, and now I feel guilty for wanting to run from him.

“Noah said you lost a few men and that Maximo escaped.”

“It’s why I’ve been worried. I didn’t want him to get you again.”

“He wouldn’t have. Not with me around.”

“Oh?” Papa’s eyes turn to slits. “What are you going to do? Fling a rock at him with your slingshot? Please. You can’t protect her. It’s why we are leaving this instance. We have a safe house.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Papa. I love Noah.”

“It’s a crush, Natalia. He isn’t good for you.”

I lift up my hand to show him the huge ring on my finger and whistles sound around us.

“Damn! Look at that thing,” someone says.

“Oh, shit.”

“Aw, yay!” that sounds like Nora.

Papa’s eyes turn a murky shade of black as he grinds his teeth together. “Tell me that isn’t what I think it is. Tell me, you didn’t get married.”

“I did get married. Noah is it for me, Papa. Please, accept that.”

Papa doesn’t say a word as he stares at me. I can tell he is tired and he isn’t in the mood for this. He’s had a rough day, but I’m not going to get bullied or manipulated. I know how I feel.

Before I can stop him, his fist connects with Noah’s face and Noah stumbles away, slamming against a bike that almost tips over. He leans against it and scoffs while smiling, licking his lip as blood pools.

“I’ll let you have that one old man, but she’s my wife. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’ll go six feet under if I have any say in it.” Papa attacks again, and Noah tackles him to the ground, and Papa’s back hits the ground with a hard thud.

Nora is on the steps and doesn’t seem a bit bothered by the entire thing.

“You have to stop! Stop this. Papa, I’m grown. Stop treating me like a child. I’m allowed to make my own decisions!” I yell at him as he throws another fist into Noah’s face.

I cup my hands over my mouth and squeal when a string of blood flies through the air and lands on my shoes.

They roll around kicking up dust and Papa will be furious when he sees the state of his suit. Noah stands when he’s pushed away, and Papa reaches for a gun in his inner pocket, aiming it right at him.

“I’ll never forgive you if you shoot him. He is nothing but kind to me. He treats me like you’d want a man to treat your daughter.”

“Screwing her in a taco truck—”

“Is no different than you fucking Nora in the kitchen where we eat!” I scream at him.

Nora snickers because she knows it’s true.

“What do you want?” Noah asks, spreading his arms out. “What do you need me to do to prove your daughter is it for me? I can tell you I love her all day, but what do you want? If it’s to leave her alone, that’s not happening.” Noah takes a step forward and places his chest against the barrel of the gun. The same spot he was shot before. “I’m not leaving her. She’s my wife. It’s you who can’t take her from me now. You want to know what she does to me? Every beat of my heart has been to fix something or someone my entire life, but I had no idea that I needed to be fixed in between them. That’s what Natalia did for me. She creates moons and stars for me, Mateo. She’s my universe. You can kill me, but that won’t change that she’s my world.”

Papa removes the gun from Noah’s chest, and I do a silent happy dance in celebration, but Papa is a man that acts on impulse. He aims the gun at Noah’s arm and pulls the trigger. The bullet grazes his arm again, and Noah shouts in agony, holding his hand over the wound.

“What the hell, Papa?”

The members are laughing, but I don’t find it funny.

“Tongue, did you see it?” Reaper asks as he aims the phone in our direction.

“Happy and I both did. Didn’t we, buddy?”

“That is for marrying my daughter and not giving her a proper wedding.” Papa holsters his gun just as a slow clap begins from behind us.

We all turn around, and Maximo is holding a gun to Braveheart’s head while another man I don’t know is the one clapping. “Isn’t that sweet? Aw, I think I need a tissue.” He dabs under his eyes. “Fucking beautiful.”

“Dad,” Noah growls.

“Daddy!” Maizey comes running out the door and wraps herself around Reaper’s leg.

“Shit,” Noah curses when his father’s eyes land on his daughter.

“The girl for this guy,” he says, waving his hand to Braveheart. “And we all can walk away unharmed. Isn’t that right, son?”

“Fuck you,” Noah spits.

His dad pulls a gun out of his waistband and shoots Noah in the leg. “Kiss your mother with that mouth?”

“Noah!”

He shouts, then holds it in, growling viciously.

A ninja star lands in Noah’s estranged father’s upper shoulder. He barely flinches and looks down, pulling it free. The silver is adorned with blood, and he drops it on the ground. “Isn’t that cute?” he says, then cocks his gun again. “The girl for the boy. Now.”

“Don’t,” Braveheart manages to says.

“Shut up!” Maximo slams the gun down on Braveheart’s cheek before placing it against his head again.

“You two are stupid,” Reaper says and all the men, including my father’s men, pull out their weapons. “What in the world makes you think you’re going to walk out of here? There are only two of you.”

“Because I’ll kill at least two of your men on the way down. You won’t kill me. And I’m his dad.”

“Yeah, we don’t give a fuck about parents here,” Skirt announces. “Yer going to die here. Ye fucking idiot.”

“I wasn’t an idiot when I had Maizey, Aidan, and yer girl in the swamp, was I?” He taps the gun against his temple.

“No fucking way,” Noah whispers in awe and horror.

“Oh yeah, Maximo and I go all the way back. That auction he nearly sold that sweet piece of ass of yours at? My idea.”

“That makes no sense,” Reaper says. “The Hellhounds—”

“—The Hellhounds were a front.”

“The women that were going to be sold at the auction, they were breeding stock, weren’t they? For more sales? You were going to sell their kids,” Badge realizes.

“Ding. Ding. Ding. A trophy for the smart one. Money was tight when Noah’s mom died. She left every dime to him, and I had to make a living. I met Maximo, he gave me an in, and I was kind of fucking brilliant enough at my job that he let me expand on my own.”

“Zio,” I say in heartbreak as I stare at the man that used to play with me as a child.

I realize right then and there, it doesn’t matter how much you love someone because you’ll never truly know them. No matter what, they’ll hide behind their deepest darkest secrets and wait to spin love into hate.

That’s the bitch about evil.

It doesn’t care who you are. It will take you.

And if you aren’t careful, it will take everyone down around you too.