73

73
I spent the remainder of the night cradled in Gosto’s arms. I couldn’t tell when exactly sleep had claimed me, but we woke up entangled, and as I breathed in his scent, my heart stuttered against my ribs. The world beyond the walls was cloaked in darkness and uncertainty. A new enemy loomed faceless, unnamed and an attack could descend without warning. Yet here, wrapped in his warmth, I allowed myself a fragile sliver of peace.
“We probably need to get up,” Gosto mumbled drowsily, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head.
I let out a soft laugh, my lips brushing against his chest. “Can we pretend the day hasn’t started yet?”
He sighed. “I wish. The night council will be convening in a few hours. We should be ready by then.”
“The night council,” I echoed with a grimace.
He pulled back just enough to cradle my face in his hands. “Don’t look like that. If everything goes smoothly, I might be named King of the Underworld today.”
My brow arched. “Do you really believe Romeo Pirozzi will just hand over his late cousin’s throne?”
Gosto chuckled. “Of course not. But he may not have a choice. By blood, the claim is mine.”
“Maybe, just maybe, luck will finally side with us.”
“Perhaps,” he said, flashing a grin before capturing my lips in a kiss that sent a tremor racing down my spine. It wasn’t fair he knew exactly what he was doing. How could I possibly climb out of this bed now?
As it turned out, I wasn’t the only one affected.
“Or,” he murmured against my lips, “we could delay getting up a little longer.”
Before I could respond, our clothes vanished between heartbeats. His mouth closed around one breast while his hand caressed the other, sending waves of heat across my skin.
“God,” I moaned as his teeth grazed my nipple.
He chuckled, low and wicked. “Not even close.”
His tongue teased with unbearable precision. His fingers glided lower, slipping easily into my slick center. A deep growl vibrated from his chest and into me, coaxing a shudder from my body. My hands roamed over his back, over every hard ridge and muscle. Then he moved lower, settling between my legs. His tongue flicked over my aching bundle of nerves while his fingers anchored me in place. Heat rose and spilled over, my body tightening and trembling beneath him.
“Gosto!” I gasped, my voice ragged as another wave seized me.
He lifted his head and stared at me from between my thighs. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” I panted. “You.”
“You have me,” he said, voice low and burning.
“Inside me,” I rasped. “Now.”
He rose to his knees, dragging his erection against my soaked entrance. The moment he entered me, hard and fast, I cried out. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, thrusting deeper, forcing more pleasure out of every sound I made.
He drove into me harder, each stroke igniting me from the inside. My body coiled tighter with each movement. His hands gripped my ass, pulling me closer, slamming into me with raw power. Pain flickered at the edges, but it was swept away by the flood of pleasure. I wrapped my legs around him, urging him deeper.
“Harder,” I demanded.
He obeyed, lips curling into a devilish grin as he pounded into me.
“Fuck,” I groaned, delirious from the high he dragged me into. When had I become so bold? When had it become second nature to ask for what I wanted?
Another climax crashed through me, and Gosto followed close behind, leaning over to press his mouth to my neck. His fangs pierced my skin. I cried out again, the pain tipping into unbearable ecstasy. He came with a wild groan, his mouth still on my throat, his body still inside mine.
He braced himself on either side of me, licking the blood from his lips with a hum of satisfaction. “We’re definitely going to be late for that meeting,” he murmured, nuzzling my cheek.
I chuckled, trailing my fingers over his chest. “Do we really have that much to discuss?”
He gave a playful shrug and smirked. “Just an impending war.”
I sighed, biting my lip. “Then I should probably shower.”
He kissed me softly. “Which means they’ll be waiting even longer.”
The shower was no less sinful than what came before it. By the time we were done, my cheeks were flushed, and a ridiculous smile had taken permanent residence on my face.
Instead of my usual jeans and tee, I chose a fitted, knee-length red dress. I wanted to feel like a woman. Powerful. Desired. Gosto clearly approved, his lingering gaze making that very clear. He held my hand as we walked into his office, surprising everyone inside.
“Looks like you two finally made up,” Diamante said with a knowing smirk, eyes drifting pointedly over my dress.
I gave a small nod, trying and failing not to grin. Ermes laughed softly, relieved. Only Fosco remained stiff, barely masking his disapproval.
“Congratulations,” he muttered. “The night council will convene in three hours. Romeo Pirozzi tried to keep that from us, hoping Lord Santini wouldn’t attend. But we still have allies within the Night Council.”
“We do?” I blinked. “I mean you do?”
Fosco nodded. “Their hierarchy isn’t complex. For minor matters, the Head or majority of the council decides. But for matters of great consequence like choosing a ruler the Elders must vote. There are twenty-five of them. Romeo is one, but his vote doesn’t outweigh the others. Luckily for us, many Elders hated Gualtiero and have quietly supported the Santini line. I’ve confirmed they’ll vote for Gosto.”
“That’s... good news, right?” I asked, scanning the room and the less-than-enthusiastic expressions.
Ermes offered a half-smile. “Gosto’s the strongest vampire alive. The obvious choice. But that doesn’t mean someone else won’t try to take it from him.”
My eyes widened. “You think whoever orchestrated the massacre at the castle will just show up and challenge him?”
“We don’t know who he is,” Diamante said, her voice tight. “But if he’s gathered enough support, he could.”
Gosto’s voice was grave. “Tell them about the vision.”
I swallowed and recounted everything I had seen every sound, every detail. By the time I finished, the room was thick with silence. Ermes cursed under his breath. Diamante leaned back, eyes wide with disbelief. Fosco stood.
“I’m calling in our forces. We’re not stepping into the Night Council without an army.”
Three hours later, the chamber was filled. I sat in the back with Diamante, Ermes, and Leandro. Fosco stood with Gosto in the honored seats closest to the arena.
I didn’t envy them. And I didn’t miss Romeo Pirozzi, even though he sat smug and expectant in his chair. The night council session began with formality, and Romeo was first to speak.
“A terrible tragedy has befallen us,” he declared. “King Gualtiero and Prince Anselmo have been assassinated. We must now choose a new ruler. I suggest each Elder nominate”
“Why bother?” a deep voice interrupted. Heads turned to the southern seats. A tall Elder in red rose, bowing sharply to Romeo.
Diamante leaned in to whisper, “That’s Ettore Sorrentino. Loyal to Gosto’s father.”
Sorrentino raised his voice. “We all know only one bloodline is worthy. No vampire rivals Lord Agostino Santini. Why pretend?”
Another Elder stood. “I call for a vote. All in favor of naming Agostino Santini King, raise your hands.”
“Not so fast!” The booming voice that followed made my blood run cold.
Alighiero. He strode in, flanked by nearly fifty warrior wolves. Leandro growled, shielding me with his body.
Gosto and Fosco were instantly on their feet. Fosco’s gaze shot upwardwhere our warriors were meant to be. I followed it and gasped.
Bodies lay sprawled on the steps above. Dozens of masked men now surrounded the hall.
“What is this madness, Alighiero?!” Romeo barked. “How dare you disrupt the Night Council?”
Alighiero laughed. “We’ve only come to escort the rightful heir.”
“Who?” Romeo demanded.
A man stepped forward, masked and draped in black. He was Gosto’s height, with the same jet-black hair. Gosto moved as if in a daze, descending to meet him.
The man removed his mask. Gasps erupted across the chamber.
His face was breathtaking sharp, flawless, with eyes as dark as midnight. He turned to Gosto with a slow, chilling smile.
“Hello, brother.”