Possessive Stepbrother by MINK

3

Torino

Iwon’t let this happen. I can’t. Just the thought of that piece of shit Finnegan touching my Alessa sets my teeth on edge.

She leaves the room, her chin still high, her hips swaying. I want to chase her down, throw her to the floor, and fuck my claim right into her. There’s no way she’s going on birth control. She won’t need it, not when she’s my woman. She’ll want my babies inside her.

“You can’t control her, Torino.” Allegra leans back and gestures toward the plate of cookies. “Have one.”

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.” She shakes her head. “You have to let her go. This alliance with the Perths will end the bloodshed between our families. It’s a good thing.”

I stare her down. Allegra has never bothered me much. She’s the typical mafia wife—all about power and appearances. But at least she seems to truly love my father. Not at first, of course. But they grew to enjoy each other after they sealed their strategic deal to marry.

Though she’s never rubbed me the wrong way before, right now I’d like to shake the shit out of her until she sees reason.

I force myself to take a deep, calming breath. “She’s not marrying Finnegan Perth.”

“She is.” Her gaze never wavers. “This is the way of things, Torino, and you know it. She’ll be a good wife and make babies that will further cement our position at the top of this family and this city. You need to see this for the opportunity it is. With this alliance, you’ll be set. You can take over the Rossi family when it’s time, and you’ll be able to choose a bride. By marrying Alessa to the Perths, we’re giving you your freedom and paving the way for you to assume the Rossi mantle.”

She explains it with such logic. It really is a wonderful plan. Too bad I’ll never let it happen. What Allegra doesn’t understand is that I’ll happily stay at war with those asshole Perths as long as that means Alessa stays far, far away from them.

“I don’t need an easy path, Allegra. I’ve never asked for anything like that.”

“Then what do you need?” She blinks slowly.

I need Alessa. Those are the words that dance on the tip of my tongue, but they’re also the ones I can’t say.

After a while, she sighs. “You need to accept it, Torino. While I find your protectiveness of your sister very endearing, you can’t let it cloud your judgment. When you’re head of the family, you’ll understand that some hard choices have to be made sometimes.”

I accept nothing.

A short staring contest ensues. I win, and when she drops her gaze, she does it with a slight shake of her head. “It’s done, Torino. Leave it be.”

Turning on my heel, I stride from the room. The very last thing I’ll do is leave it be. I can see why Allegra thinks this is a good idea. I truly can. Her motives are in the right place. When I overheard their conversation earlier, I tried to put myself in Allegra’s shoes. It didn’t work. I could never accept a marriage between Alessa and Finnegan. I never will.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m on the second floor of the north wing. Alessa’s room is just down the hall. I stop and stare at the door, the dark mahogany hiding her from me.

I don’t do this. I don’t enter her room unless she’s asleep or in the shower. Letting her know that I’m here will only cause problems. Besides, I enjoy watching her when she has no idea. She’s so vulnerable then, so open. I swear sometimes I can almost hear her thoughts, feel her emotions. It’s like we’re having a silent conversation, one that’s been going on for years.

Moving closer, I put my palm on her door. I can’t hear her inside, but I know she’s there.

A bell pulls my attention down the hall. Tinker trots up, his chin wet with cat food or maybe some cream. He rubs against my pants like he always does, leaving a trail of fur in his wake.

Before I can stop him, he stretches out a paw and scratches at Alessa’s door. He gives me a smug look before doing it again.

Asshole.

Thinking quickly, I back down the hall, then start walking as soon as her door handle starts to turn. Hopefully she’ll think I’m just walking down the hall, not stalking her like a goddamn predator … Which is exactly what I’m always doing whenever she’s concerned.

She opens the door, and Tinker darts in, then she turns and sees me. “Oh.”

I come to a stop in front of her and stare down into her warm brown eyes.

“Why do you care if I’m on birth control?” she blurts.

I don’t answer.

She shifts from one foot to the next. “Torino?”

“Yes?”

“Answer my question.”

Because I want to fuck babies into you. Because when I claim your cunt, I want there to be nothing between us, not even something as small as a pill. I want all of you, every last bit, and I want you bare.

“Why are you so keen on marrying Finnegan Perth?”

She huffs out a breath. “You know I have nothing to do with that.”

“Nothing to do with getting married?” I counter.

“I mean, obviously, I’m the bride. But it’s not like I picked him.”

“Would you have picked him?” The question is covered in all sorts of sharp edges. If she says yes… Fuck, if she says yes, I’ll leave this house and go right to wherever that bastard is and put a bullet right between his eyes.

“Of course not.” She bites her lip.

I stow away my murderous impulse. For now.

“Then why are you so quick to agree to marry him?”

She rolls her eyes. “You know why. It’s for the family.”

I step closer. So close that we’re almost touching.

Her breath hitches, and her tongue darts out to wet her pink lips.

“You’d do anything for the family?”

She nods. “You know I would. Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes.” It’s the only reason I haven’t taken her virginity, haven’t made her toes curl while I eat her pussy, haven’t spread my seed deep inside her again and again.

“Then you understand. And you should also understand that whether or not I take birth control is my choice. Not yours. Why are you so interested in me having Finnegan’s kids, anyway?”

That thought is so fucking vile it makes my stomach churn. “You’re not having his kids.”

She blinks. “I know. That’s why I want the birth control.” Her nose wrinkles. “Wait, did we just go in a circle?”

Yes. We did. We’ve been dancing around each other our whole lives. But here’s the thing, there’s no way in hell I’ll let Finnegan Fucking Perth cut in.

Alessa is mine, and I’ll never let her go.