Take Me Apart (Vitale Brothers, #1)

by Brea Alepoú

“Why are you cleaning now?” Tex’s black brows dipped, and his nose scrunched up. “Because I can tell it was bothering you. During the last movie, you kept looking to the floor where some popcorn had fallen.” I had, but I hadn’t thought he noticed.

“Noted, everything has a spot. You know it’s impossible to memorize them all. Get a label maker or something.” “I don’t mind going behind you and fixing it.”

A soft smile graced Tex’s face, and I was instantly hit with the desire to chain him up. I wanted him to smile at me like that, only me.

“Why are you staring at Pen like that?” Tex took the cat from my arms, and I couldn’t help but glare at the orange fur ball. “Enzo, you hurt my cat, and I swear there is no jail cell that will keep me from killing you myself.”

“Do we need to go over a list of people you aren’t allowed to hurt?” “Will you try to leave me if I hurt any of the people on said list?” “Yes,” Tex shot back. He crossed his arms and let out a groan. “This is insane.”

“You can give me the list once we get home.” Tex’s arms dropped to his side. “What? I am home.” I was already shaking my head before he could finish his sentence. “We are here to get a few of your things. We can even take Pen.”

“I didn’t say I was staying with you.” I grabbed a bag and began neatly filling it with clothes. “I don’t recall asking.”

Penelope meowed the entire ride on the elevator. “I know, Pen, we’re getting kidnapped, but don’t you worry. Enzo has a nice-looking couch for you to scratch up.”

Tex groaned. “Whatever this is.” He pointed between us. “Is… I don’t know, done.”

“I thought I made myself clear; I am no longer giving you chances to leave me.” Tex’s eyebrows dipped. “And when you go to jail?” He cleared his throat and stood up taller. “I’m a cop. You’re the bad guy.”

“You’re shit at listening.” I grabbed another box and handed it to him. “I’m never letting you go, Tex Caster.”

My body heated instantly, my cock stiffening. His chest was pressed against my back and I could make out the hard ridges of his body through the thin t-shirt. “Step back,” I said.

“You distract me, and risotto is a delicate dish.” “I’m distracting you? How?” I sighed. “You being so close makes me want to bend you over the counter and fuck you as I hold a knife to your throat.”

“Who is it?” “My friend.” I peaked at the name Chelsea. “That’s her third time calling today.” Much like the other times, Tex forwarded the call. His shoulders slumped the moment he put the phone away.

He was silent for a long bit, and I let him be. Something was bothering him, but I couldn’t figure out what. I bet Giancarlo could. He was fantastic at reading people. Even Benito could understand other people. People’s actions and words were nothing more than a constant jigsaw puzzle for me to put together. I never had all the pieces, and it left me confused and guessing.

“Nothing on your record indicated that you were that bad. A few graffiti incidents but nothing more.” Tex laughed. “Why am I not surprised you looked into me?” He didn’t sound upset. “My dad was a big-shot detective, and he pulled strings anytime I got caught.”

“The same dad that left a mark on your body?” I barely contained my rage. My hand tightened around the glass cup. Before I knew it, pain erupted over my fingers. “Shit, Enzo.” Tex grabbed my hand, jerked it over to the other side, and turned on the water. “The fuck is your problem? Be careful.”

“It’s not too deep,” I said. “Are you a fucking doctor?” I blinked at Tex’s anger and the worry rolling off him in waves.

Warmth blossomed over my chest, and I found it hard to breathe as Tex checked over my hand. He picked out tiny pieces of glass. With every piece he pulled out, he stopped and stared up at me. I was too lost in the overwhelming possessiveness and want trying to consume me.

“Tex.” My voice was soft even to my ears. What was he doing to me? “Does it hurt?” Tex asked, his blue eyes scanning my face as if he’d find the answer. It didn’t hurt but something felt strange and it only intensified every time Tex was near me. I shook my head, my mouth too dry to speak.

“And now?” “And now what?” Tex asked breathlessly. “Are you still spiraling?” He stared at me for a long second that felt like an eternity. “Probably.”

“But I’m not craving drugs or even alcohol.” He licked his lips as his eyelids lowered and his pupils dilated. “I found something far more intoxicating and just as deadly.”

I didn’t give a shit about what I was doing anymore. The outside world was messy and complicated. But in here? With Enzo? I knew where we stood. He was who he was, and I was who I was. We weren’t pretending, although we were ignoring the inevitable. This would all fall apart eventually.

I’m getting way too attached.

“You don’t want to clean those up?” Enzo gazed at them and then back to me. “You’re more important right now.”

“What are we doing?”

“We’re having sex,” he answered. When I gave him an exasperated look, he kissed me again. “And whatever the hell we want to do. Why can’t we figure it out later?”

Enzo didn’t plan to play around with me, only using the dildo. He was going to try to stuff me full of his cock too.

I worked the toy inside of me, twisting it in and out as a groan slipped free. Normally, I only did this when I was alone. When I looked up, Enzo watched me intently. He stroked his cock while he did and spread lube all over, his eyes never leaving mine for more than a few seconds.

“Enzo.” “Keep moaning my name, Tex,” he said, his voice a breathy whisper. “The more you do it, the more I know you’re mine.”

Enzo slid in deeper as I clenched around him. My hands shot up, gripping his back as my nails dug into his flesh. The look on his face was priceless. The mask he normally wore had fallen away, replaced with pleasure and freedom. He thrust deeper until he was buried completely.

I swallowed hard. “You don’t want to know the answer to that.” Enzo slammed into me, his cock driving to my core. The last bits of my sanity unraveled. Should have kept that thought to myself. It was too late to go back now. Shit, even if I could, would I? Enzo was fucking me so beautifully that I didn’t regret it.

“I can feel my cock moving inside of you,” he panted. “I really am going to make you mine.” A shiver passed through me. “You’re crazy.” “You have no idea.”

“Let’s talk about that comment you made,” he said, sitting up. “Who was it that filled you up before?”

“I would never tell you in a million years,” I whispered. “You’re insane.” “And you keep coming back.” He was right about that. “Can’t seem to help myself.”

“Tex?” “Yeah?” I mumbled, falling into the pleasant buzz that traveled through my body. ...

Slowly, I raised a hand and pushed my fingers through his hair. It was soft to the touch, thick, and smelled amazing. The more I stroked his hair, the more he clung to me, cuddling against my body like I was going to...

“I feel better here. Maybe it’s because I know no matter how much I screw up, you and your family have done much worse.” I tensed. “That’s not what I⁠—” “No,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s the t...

I was losing the fight against sleep. My phone buzzed, and I snagged it off the floor. Chelsea. Rourke. My father. The only person I responded to was Chelsea. Tex: I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. And sober. Chelsea: Asshole. Glad you’re okay. Tex: I’m sorry.

Penelope as he ran inside the room and hopped up on Enzo’s bed. He made himself at home, curled up on my chest, and promptly started falling asleep. Enzo glared at him. “Leave my cat alone. You’re gonna have to share me.” Enzo growled. “Never.”

He doesn’t seem to mind.” I yawned, relaxing all over again as I pet Penelope. “He loves me anyway.”

He left a kiss on my lips. “What was that for?” I asked. He shrugged. “I felt like it. Now go to bed.”

Enzo tossed the blanket over Penelope and me before sliding under it himself. He gave Penelope one last glance, sighed, and cuddled up against me. I snickered under my breath. Who knew a man like Enzo Vitale would be jealous of a little old cat?

I’m closer than I’ve ever been. This task force was going to get me to my goal. Finally, I would show the world I wasn’t the strung-out loser everyone thought I was.

Thoughts of Enzo distracted me. I could see the hurt on his face, the anger. Even if he didn’t kill me, he would be devastated. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Everything we’ve been doing could be a lie. And I’m falling for it.

I couldn’t imagine Enzo playing along for this long, though. If he wanted to kill me, he could. Enzo could make my body disappear in the blink of an eye and not think twice. Instead, he was taking care of Penelope and me, holding us close when there was no reason to. Could ...

The more I went through, the angrier I became. Not because Enzo had killed him, though. The feeling was… stranger, more twisty and desperate. And I realized I wasn’t pissed; I was jealous.

…I think I’m in love with E. We went out of town today. E gave me whatever I wanted. …I never thought I could be so happy. …Am I doing the right thing? …He knows. I know he knows, and I’m terrified. I wish I could tell Abi, but she wouldn’t understand. I’m fucking scared.

I believed him. When I got back to Enzo’s apartment, I knew exactly what I was going to have to do. Even if it made my skin clammy. I need to get out of his place.

Whether Enzo was lying or telling the truth wasn’t the problem. I was now officially on the team against him. There was no way I could go on sleeping in his bed and pretending to be happy when I knew what was to come. I had to leave Enzo alone once and for all.