Taming Seraphine (Morally Black, #1)

by Gigi Styx

Congratulations on completing your first mission. The man you killed was Enzo Montesano, the leader of the syndicate that rules New Alderney.

She continues slicing something on the chopping board, using the precision of a sushi chef. I glance over her shoulder to see what she’s cutting, and my heart stops. It’s a severed penis. “What the fuck are you doing?” I rasp.

“You’re making a sandwich?” I ask, incredulous. She nods. My stomach churns. “Why?” “They need to know I’m not afraid.” “The voices in your head?” I whisper, my pulse quickening. What the fuck did I bring to my home?

I carry my cooler and chair through the trees, waiting for her to drag the corpse and her equipment. My lips twitch. I’m going to enjoy watching her learn that her actions have consequences.

“You try digging a grave after five years in a basement,” I mutter. The car slows. “Did you say five years?”

“You can’t go around stabbing every man who shows you disrespect,” I say. “Why not?”

In a flash of movement, Leroi produces a gun and points it at my head. My jaw drops. I jerk backward, only for my clit to rub against his hardness. Tingles shoot up my core, making my breath catch. What the hell is Leroi doing to me, and why do I want him to do it again? “Put that down,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “You first,” he replies with a smirk.

“Look at me, Seraphine,” I say. “Are these outbursts out of your control? Do you black out?” She shakes her head, her bottom lip quivering. “No, just...” Her head bows, and she exhales a ragged breath. “I can’t stand being prodded. Or touched.”

“I need to know your boundaries before we begin. What things make you uncomfortable apart from shock collars?” “Rude men,” I say. “That much is obvious,” he says, his eyes twinkling. “Anything else?” “Don’t tamper with my food or anything I drink, and don’t shoot me with tranquilizer darts.”

“Promise me something,” I say. Her head twitches. “Promise me you won’t hurt yourself,” I say, my voice tight. “That you’ll save all your hurt and anger for the men who did this.”

“If what you say is true, then go back to one of the other men you’ve been screwing because the child you’re expecting isn’t mine.” “It’s yours. There hasn’t been anyone else.” “In that case, you should consult a priest.” She hiccups. “What?” “I had a vasectomy,” he snarls. “We used a condom and you have an implant under your skin.”

“Please, Leroi,” she whispers. “I need you.” Leaning down, I place my lips to her ear. “Obedient girls get orgasms. Girls who conceal weapons from their Doms and disobey their orders get to lie on their beds with aching pussies and no release.”

“Enzo Montesano was a predator.” He shudders. “I found video footage of him with underage girls.” “Shit.” I rub the space between my brows, wondering how the hell Uncle Enzo could have kept something like that a secret. “How young?”

“After breakfast, you will tell me what you mean.” Her eyes widen. “You’re going to let me eat?” “Withholding food was used to control you in that basement?” She nods. “I will never hold food over you as a reward or punishment. Is that understood?”

“Tell me about these assignments.” It’s not a request, but she hesitates. Stiffening, she clenching her hands into fists. “I can’t say.” “Can’t or won’t?” I ask, my voice gentle. “You’ll make me leave again.”

“My blood wasn’t part of our bargain,” he says. “But since you like blades so much, I’ll give you a choice. Do you want to come on my fingers or the knife?” “The knife,” I reply instead of asking what he means. Leroi steps back. “Take off your panties.”

How the hell did she manage that with just a table knife? “Seraphine,” I say, my voice sharpening. “What?” “Have you been hiding weapons again?” I turn to look her full in the face. Her eyes widen, and her lips part to form a perfect O. “No.” I turn her around. “Then where did you get the knife?”

We step out into the street, and a pair of green eyes meet mine. It only takes a second for them to widen with recognition, and I jerk my head to the side. It’s Samson. Samson Fucking Capello. The more psychotic of the twins, whom Leroi said was dead.

When she presses against me and brings her mouth closer to mine, my resolve not to get involved crumbles. It’s just one kiss. Just one taste. “Fuck it.” I lean down and press my lips to hers, and instantly regret it. Kissing Seraphine is like finding home. As I pull back, she loops the tape measure around the back of my neck and holds me in place.

“Seraphine,” I groan. “I don’t want to be another guy that hurts you.” “You won’t be,” she says through panting breaths. “I want this. I want you.” “Fuck. You don’t understand. I’m not right for you. The way I fuck is rough, painful, wild. I can’t promise I won’t get carried away and do something I regret.” She grabs my face with her bloody hands. “I don’t want gentle,” she says through clenched teeth. “I want you to take me, to make me feel alive. Please. I trust you.” “Why?” I growl.

“You’re mine,” he says, his voice dangerously low. “Who do you belong to?” “L-Leroi,” I reply with a whimper. “Good girl. See how well you’re gripping my cock? That’s your cunt inviting me in, welcoming its new owner.”

“What’s that for?” she asks, her voice light. “To clean up this mess. Dried blood is a bitch to get out of the floors.” She giggles. “You care more about the state of the floors than you did about your dead poker friends.” I open the security door, step out into the hallway, and pause for the automatic lights. As they flicker on, I meet her huge, blue eyes. “That morning, when I woke up, seeing them all dead, the first thing I thought about was you.” Her lips part with a gasp. “What do you mean?” “I thought someone had broken in to steal you back. The thought of you being taken… It made me murderous.” She pauses for several heartbeats before raising trembling fingers to the side of my face. “You cared for me even back then?” “From the moment I saw you in the dark,” I say, my voice choked.

Her eyes widen. “Wow,” she says, her voice breathy. “So big.” From any other woman, those words would be a compliment. I can’t stop thinking about how she sliced Billy Blue’s severed penis like it was salami. I clear my throat. “That time you bit through Samson’s cock.” “Yes?” she whispers. “What happened to the rest of it?”

“I’m going to fuck you like an animal,” he snarls in my ear. “Pound your perfect little pussy into the dirt until you scream. Would you like that, my fallen angel?”

“What are you doing?” I rasp. “I’m just touching it.” “Why?” “Because it’s mine, and I want to feel you.” She leans in and whispers in my ear. “Let me play with it, please?” “Behave yourself.” She chuckles. “It’s so long and thick and veiny. I can’t resist it.”

It’s the flogger. “I’m going to whip your pretty pink pussy until it’s aching and dripping. If you can take the flogging like a good girl, then I’ll fuck you until you come around my cock,” he growls, his hot breath tickling my neck.

“Yeah. Sam’s never getting her back. She belongs to me.” Our eyes lock for a tense heartbeat before we both reach for our guns. Anton’s reflexes have been dulled by the special blend, so I shoot first. His eyes widen, he falls to his knees, and his pistol slips from his fingers. A wet patch blooms across his shirt, just over his heart. He stares up at me, his eyes wide, his mouth opening and closing in a soundless gape. The man I thought I knew was only a facade. Despite my newfound loyalty to Seraphine, my chest twangs with a pang of regret. This mess needs to be cleared up before she comes upstairs looking for me with a knife.

“Does Gabe Jenkins live here?” Miko asks. She smiles. “Gabe moved out a year ago. Do you want his new address?” Miko and I exchange shocked glances. New address? Wait a minute. I thought Gabriel was a prisoner.

All the blood drains from my face and into my thrashing heart. This can’t be possible, but it’s there before my eyes. It’s Mom. Mom is alive.

“Are you Gabriel Capello?” I ask. “Who’s asking?” “A friend of your sister’s.” I reach into my holster and pull out my gun.

“This one is special,” I mutter. “You’re lucky to be alive.” The medic chuckles. “Good thing for you this girl of yours had a terrible aim, or you’d be dead.” My hackles rise. If she missed, it was on purpose. Seraphine’s knife skills are impeccable. Anton would have trained her in advanced anatomy. I rear up, but Sal clenches my shoulder.

By the time the man carrying me ascends the stairs, the drugs have worn off enough to allow my limbs to twitch. Rough hands thread through my hair and yank up my head, forcing me to meet Samson’s eyes. They’re even more soulless than ever. Blown pupils ringed with a thin strip of green and surrounded by dark circles. “Welcome back, Sera. You’ve caused me a lot of trouble.”

“After you.” “Don’t shoot Samson,” I say. “He belongs to Seraphine.” Roman scowls and is about to argue when there’s a scream from the door on the left. My stomach lurches. It’s her.

“Why haven’t you reached for your gun?” I ask. His jaw tightens. “I don’t want to hurt you.” “Why not?” “I’ve killed two of the most important people in my life for you. For your protection,” he says through gritted teeth. “Isn’t it obvious, Seraphine?” I shake my head. “No.” “Because I love you,” he adds.

“If you don’t love me, then finish me.” Tears blur my vision. I blink them away, but they’re only replaced by more. I don’t want Leroi dead. Who would I cuddle up to if he dies? Who would supply me with chocolate fountains and mind-blowing orgasms? Who would make me breakfast and chase away my nightmares?