Chapter One
MALIA POV
Have you ever looked at someone who becomes your entire world and wondered when things would turn into shit? Even after years of commitment and understanding. Living with the thought in the back of your head that at any moment, the other shoe will drop.
Your mind becomes a cloud of doubt—is this person with me because we share demons? Is this easy only because of our similarities?
As I watch Caine Byrne sleep peacefully beside me, my mind runs a mile a minute. The rare insecurities that plague me when I least expect it, feeding off my comfort like a parasite. I'm not a selfless person. I am not insecure. I've always been the cocky bitch who has all bark and bite. A manipulative cunt willing to do what it takes to get what I want.
But with him, that selfishness subsides. The sexual gratification I get with inflicting pain on others while I want to take him. Caine is the balm to my tortured soul. Our darkness collided in the most delicious way. For three years we've been exclusive, without a title. However, that exclusivity becomes questionable when you both live on opposite sides of the country.
I take in the moment of Caine's peaceful sleep, admiring his features. A sharp jawline with slight stubble, high cheekbones, his ash blonde hair messy from rough sex and sleep. Soft ivory skin and a dusting of freckles along with his nose. The striking hazel eyes shielded by his fluttering eyelids, framed by long dark eyelashes that girls only dream of having. Caine's body was solid, all-defined muscle, a stark difference from the boy I met years ago. The boy who became the man.
A smile creeps along my lips as I rub my knuckle along the side of Caine's perfect face. The memory of when we first met invaded my mind.
Three years ago...
I looked over myself in the mirror, my eye swollen shut from the handle of the gun my mother took to it only an hour ago. A deep gash runs from the top of my left eyebrow to below my lower eyelid. No doubt a scar will form when it heals. A constant reminder of the vile woman who helped give me life. When I finally kill that bitch I will still see her in my mind's eye every single time I look into the mirror.
Fuck, I need ice to take down the swelling.
I walked along the hall, avoiding any of my father's men that pass me. My brother and his best friend, Breckin, were likely training in the gym. I don't know shame, and I won't allow that woman the satisfaction of thinking she defeated me. Her time will come. With the splitting headache that comes with this gorgeous black eye, I didn't want to deal with questions. And I sure as fuck didn't want to deal with my dad screaming the mansion down for that witch hurting his baby girl.
I giggled at the thought of my mother's fear that my dad will undoubtedly strike in her when he brings all of hell down.
I could make it to the kitchen with no questions. The men that I did pass were likely aware I was too pissed off and left me alone valuing their lives. Good little sheep. I beeline straight to the fridge to look for the multiple ice packs we had. Only just to remember my brother used one on his balls last week after I sent them into his throat with my knee. Olin's have an issue with being a little too mouthy for our own good. But we can back it up.
I grabbed a frozen steak, not willing to risk having the ballsack ice pack become best friends with my face, a powerful presence stood behind me. Along with two others.
Fuck, I forgot my dad was having a business meeting with a potential arms buyer. Here I am, strutting around the house in tight boy short underwear and a tight tank top. Fucking hell, I don't want to deal with this bullshit.
My dad cleared his throat. I knew my current attire... or lack thereof irritated him.
"Malia, we have guests," he says with a sigh.
"Forgot. Let me get what I need and I will go back to my room." I refused to turn around and face them. It's bad enough that I'm nearly butt-ass naked in front of my dad's business associates, but the moment I turn around and he sees my face... The Omen will come out full throttle and that fury alone could make the coldest motherfucker's blood turn to ice.
"No need to retreat. Go get dressed and meet us in the armory. You're one of our best shooters. You can show them our stock in action."
Yeah, great. My aim would be piss poor with one fucking eye. Though the compliment of being only sixteen and a top marksman in my dad's mafia had my pride soaring. You're damn fucking right, I am.
"Daddy, I'm sorry. I have a really nasty headache."
"Alright, I'll have Donovan assist. Feel better, baby girl," my dad said with concern laced in his words. The freezer door was still open, and I was practically hiding inside of it. He knew there was more going on but wouldn't dare pry while two strangers stood in the room.
I felt them leave the room, their steps silent. A common trait with men raised to hunt and kill. With a sigh, I closed the freezer, the steak in hand, and booked it to the terrace on the other side of the mansion.
The summer day was blistering hot. The humidity in the air nearly stole my breath. I placed the steak on my face while I basked in the afternoon sun. The contrast between the hot and cold soothed me. Listening to the birds singing in the distance brought my fury to rest. I didn't bother going to put clothes on. My dad was busy with his guests and few come to hang out on the terrace.
After standing in the heat for several moments decompressing from the morning's events, the footsteps sounded behind me. The stride wasn't any I was familiar with and now I cursed myself for not bringing my gun with me in case my mother got ballsy. The steps were careful, clearly wanting me to hear them approaching. I inched closer to the railing, keeping my face away from the stranger. I needed to stay calm. It could be one of the men here for my dad and lashing out would not be helpful for him.
The wind shifted, blowing a musky citrus scent in my direction. Giving away the person behind me was a man. It fits with the long, confident strides in his steps, but some bitches can be heavy-footed too. So long as it's not my mother stomping her feet in a ridiculous tantrum.
"Miss Olin." The velvety voice said behind me. I leaned forward on the stone railing, shifting my weight, forgetting I was in my underwear and giving this stranger a full show of my ass. Fuck it.
"You found her," I say, keeping my focus on the forest that surrounds our property. "What can I help you with? And how the fuck did you find me?"
A low chuckle at my snappy comment came from the man. His amusement at my annoyance had me flexing my fists, trying to avoid turning around and laying the motherfucker on his back.
"Nathaniel asked me to check on you. He and my father wanted to speak alone, and he said you might be out here. Gave me directions." Ah, so it is one of the men here for my father. Without looking at him, it was hard to tell if he was telling me the truth or got a hard-on from my ass hanging out and wanted to get some young pussy.
"Sorry, don't feel like babysitting today."
"Why won't you turn around? I love looking at your ass, but a face-to-face conversation would be nice." As much as I love someone drinking in my body and spoon feeding my ego, I was in no mood to be some fucker's conquest in my home. I bet he will feel dumb as hell knowing he's trying to dip his wick into a sixteen-year-old's cave.
Against my better judgment, I tossed the steak into the woods and turned around. Scowling as best as my sore, swollen face would allow. I sucked in a breath at the same time the man in front of me did. The color draining from his face and eyes blew wide, taking in my condition. I wasn't prepared for him to be around my age, let alone weak in the knees, gorgeous. Maybe a little older, but couldn't be by much. I couldn't be bothered to get information about who Dad was doing business with today. Within two strides, he closed the distance between us, gently securing my chin with his fingers so he could get a better look at the damage.
I jerked my head out of his hold and turned away from him, suddenly feeling self-conscious, something I'd never felt before. Given there's a beautiful man in front of me who was eye fucking my body until I turned around, it was near enough to finish this bullshit game between my mother and I.
"Don't turn away," he says in a low, comforting voice. "You need stitches."
"I'll deal with it later." I tried to hint in my tone that I didn't want him here.
"You'll deal with it now. Show me where your infirmary is. I'm sure someone as big as The Omen has a doctor on call."
I scoffed at his demand. He was a good bit taller than me, firm and muscular—I wondered if I could get away with throwing him over the railing and say he tripped. My dad wouldn't buy the bullshit, though.
"Fuck off."
"Didn't expect the famous Olin attitude so soon. Now, you can show me to your infirmary so we can get you taken care of, or I'll go get your father and have him make you."
This motherfucker.
"What makes you think my dad doesn't already know?" I queried.
He goes silent for a moment. I had almost hoped he snuck away; most mafia men don't tolerate disrespect towards them. God forbid you to bruise their ego and stomp on their pride. His powerful presence and scent stood tall and unwavering behind me.
"The fact you were nearly crawling inside your freezer to hide from us."
Once again, turning to face him, he was closer than he was before. Concern strained his handsome features. Compassion wasn't something I was used to in men I was raised around.
"Let me help you, Malia."
Present-day...
"You okay, baby?" Caine's rough voice broke through my memory. The deep gruffness from sleep was one of my favorite sounds. I couldn't bring myself to answer because I didn't know how to.
The hard lines returned to Caine's beautiful face, no longer enveloped in a peaceful sleep. I turned my face away, not willing to make eye contact and allow him to see the insecurities plaguing me. The last thing I wanted to do was bring my doubt front and center, only to cause us unnecessary issues.
Caine shifted beside me before pulling me under him. His eyes bounced between mine, silently searching for the answers I was unwilling to give him. He wouldn't push me. He never did.
"Happy birthday, Byrne," I say, giving Caine the fakest smile I could muster while exhausted. He leans down and kisses me, passionately telling me he knows I'm trying to direct the conversation elsewhere. The love and need in his kiss act as the balm to all my doubt.
"Don't deflect, Malia. You look exhausted. Have you slept at all?"
It wasn't often that my words were stolen. I was a loud person by nature. I could only shake my head before Caine settled his face in the crook of my neck, kissing me softly, and sending a wave of goosebumps down my body. He chuckled in my ear, his breath teasing my neck.
"I could fuck you into a coma if that'd help." I couldn't help but laugh at his suggestion. Caine ground his hardening dick against me, kissing the sweet spot under my ear. The spot he knew would have me spread my legs in a second. "How about you get into your birthday suit for the birthday boy?"
Caine bit my earlobe, summoning a low groan from my throat. He smiled against my neck before coming back to meet my eyes. "You know we have a long night ahead of us. You need to get all the sleep you can."
"I'm nineteen, not fucking forty, Caine. I can party my heart out on no sleep."
"But if you're tired, then I can't fuck you into oblivion afterward," he teases. "Go to sleep."
Wrapping my legs around his waist and with his help, I flipped Caine onto his back. I straddled him, grinding my pussy against him, causing him to grunt under me. His hands land on my ass, giving each cheek and rough squeeze.
"I think the birthday boy needs some attention." I smiled, grinding a little harder. Caine's grip strengthens on my ass. His hard cock locked and loaded.
"Fuck, Mal. You're just trying to distract me," he says through clenched teeth.
"And it's working." I lean down, brushing my lips against his. Caine's breath dances along my face in short pants, his eyes hooded in need.
"I think you're my favorite gift today."
"Sun isn't even up yet. You do not know what you're getting today." Caine smiles and kisses me to shut me up. I know something cheesy and uncomfortably adorable is going to come from his full lips.
"Doesn't matter. You and this fucking body, Mal. They're my favorite gift every goddamn year." Caine was always better with words than I was, at least with me. I couldn't respond with something just as disgusting, but I could show him my appreciation with my body.
I crash my lips into his. His soft touch becomes rougher and greedier the longer we kiss. Slowly grinding against him, pulling more groans and grunts from Caine's throat. He slowly travels his hands up my ass and slips them under my shorts. I raise my hips, allowing him to remove them as I go to work on his sweatpants.
Caine's long thick shaft pulsed under me, his panting coming in sharper and louder. I sat up, allowing my nails to trail down his defined stomach.
"I need to be inside of you, Malia," he pleas. "I want that tight pussy of yours to milk everything I can give you."
I giggled, watching Caine roll his bottom lip between his teeth. My mouth-watering, excited to take it between my own and make them fucking bleed. I was already wet for him, ready and needy for him to fill me. We've already fucked twice before we settled down for bed. I was fine with skipping the foreplay and getting straight into giving my man exactly what he craves.
"Anything the birthday boy wants."
"The birthday boy fucking needs it." I lifted, taking his cock in my hand, giving him a few strokes before aligning him with my entrance. No sooner than his tip was flush at my hole, Caine drove up inside me. We both groan in pleasure at the sudden sensation. My pussy hugged his dick in a perfect embrace.
"So fucking greedy, Byrne." Caine chuckles before he pulls me down against his chest. Too enticing for their own good, I take the invitation and trap his bottom lip between my teeth. Caine bucks up again, begging me to move. Threatening to take control if I don't ride the fuck out of him right this second.
And I'm not one to disappoint.
I added pressure to his lip. The subtle metallic taste of blood graced my tongue. Caine groaned and, in satisfaction, I released him, kissing the pain away. I move my hips slowly, Caine's hands finding my waist and digging in. A little torture during sex isn't the worst thing. Caine and I are always rough and wild. Our primal nature always taking over.
"Fuck, baby, you're going to kill me at twenty-one," he groans. Slowing my pace, I kiss from his jaw to his neck. Caine's hands tangle in my hair as he bites down on my shoulder. The pain caused me to scream out, only encouraging me to speed the fuck up.
He knew what he was doing. The pain was my vice. Caine was done with my fucking with him, and he knew exactly how to get me moving. I sit up, resting my hands on his broad chest, increasing my thrusts. His needy touch pinched and flicked my nipples through my shirt. Looks like we got ahead of ourselves.
The beautiful man under me loved my tits on display for him. So, I know his need was ruling out his normal desires. Caine's thumb finds my clit and starts circling, throwing my head back, allowing the pleasure to build within me.
"You're so fucking beautiful when you ride me like this," he pants. Caine's abs contract under my touch, bringing my focus back to his face. He watched me. He always watches me when we're like this. The clenching in his jaw and tightening muscles under my touch were telling me he was close. Caine added pressure to my clit, pinching and teasing with his thumb, begging me to come for him.
I changed my pace, moving from back and forth to up and down, twerking and bouncing, allowing that familiar building in my core.
"Fuck, Caine, I'm close." I caught a glance of Caine biting his bottom lip in pleasure. Just that one movement enough to send me over the edge. My orgasm explodes throughout me, causing a song of screams and panting. My pussy squeezed his dick, begging for him to fill me.
Caine sits up, capturing my lips in a bruising kiss. Guiding my hips back and forth at the pace he needs while I ride out my orgasm. He kisses my jaw to my shoulder, then gives me a matching bite on my unmarked skin. Increasing my speed, I clench my walls. My pussy was hungry for his orgasm. Caine grunts before he reaches home and fills me with his warm seed. I help him ride out his wave of pleasure, greedily milking him for everything he can give me.
"Mmm. Like I said... my favorite gift," he says through heavy breaths, kissing along the exposed areas of my chest before pulling me down onto the bed with him. Caine's enormous arms wrap around me, his cock still buried deep. He kisses my nose, then pulls me tight, tucking my head under his chin. "Think you can sleep now?"
My eyes become heavier as our breathing returns to normal. The sound of Caine's cold, dark heart that I hope only beats for me sings me to sleep.
"Yeah, I think I can." His lips press into my hair one last time before I finally drift off.
