Deadly Obsession - Chapter 14 (Patreon)

I’ve always known Romelo isn’t a good man. And I never put him on some delusional pedestal to think he is capable of change. But this level of change is something else entirely. 

"Charlie, you're wandering again." I jump slightly, Romelo's voice pulling me out of my thoughts. He's sitting next to me in the car, looking at some kind of file. He looks handsome. His black hair is wild and his face is cleanly shaven, with a crisp black suit to match. He’s also calm. He looks nothing like a man that is about to shatter my existence.

Romelo looks at me with his terrifying eyes. I gaze into those depths, trying to find some shred of emotion. But I get nothing but cold and empty pools of death and hatred.

"I understand that tonight is going to be really personal for you, and for that I will let some things slide. But do not mess this up, Charlie." He reaches out, lightly touching the jewels on my choker.

"You know the consequences," he says threateningly. I nod my head slowly, fear creeping through me. Romelo has my body completely at his mercy.

Tonight, I’m meeting my father. For the first time since I was taken all those years ago, I am meeting the man on my birth certificate. And I’m extremely nervous.

I can’t help but wonder if he’ll like me. Does he want me to be a part of his life? What if he hates me because of my mother’s untimely demise was connected to my disappearance? Not only that, but our meeting is a lie in itself.

I am to tell him that I am in love with Romelo and that we are engaged. I used to love Romelo a long time ago. When I was young, and he was my world. Even after he found out, I still loved him. But he changed to drastically and now my every waking moment is met with fear.

When Romelo told me about this meeting, the thought of telling him the truth didn’t even cross my mind. Only when Romelo warned me not to try anything funny is when I realized the situation. That’s what scares me. I don’t have flight instincts anymore. I’m broken beyond repair.

We finally reach my father’s mansion and I can’t help but stare in awe. It’s beautiful. I guess that’s a perk of being a senator. This whole charade was put together by Romelo and Luca to make the North untouchable. My connection to my father combined with my marriage to Romelo would make them big political contributors and virtually untouchable.

My father is currently in the running for the Supreme Court. And since he is favored by the controlling party, he can virtually call it his. My untimely arrival will be another tool in his back pocket to seal the deal. All of this was calculated by Luca. But for me, it’s personal. I’m meeting my father.

The door opens and I realize Romelo is standing outside waiting for me to get out of the car. I lightly place my hand in his and he helps me out of the car, and up the looming driveway. I can feel my heart rate beginning to spike and my palms are getting a little sweaty.

Romelo stops walking, and I look at him in confusion. He stares at me, with that blank stare and I have no idea what he is thinking. But he does something that I’m not expecting at all.

He smiles. Not the cruel smile I’m used to. A gentle, comforting smile. Like the one, he gave me when we were kids. He places his hand against my cheek, rubbing his thumb over my skin softly.

"He's going to love you, Charlie. I'm right here. Don't be afraid." He leans in giving me a light kiss on the cheek, and I want to pass out. Romelo for the first time showed me physical affection. No false meaning behind it, no torture to follow, just a way to calm my nerves.

Before I can think any further, he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. I can feel my cheeks burning from so many new things that were happening to me, and I have no idea how to cope.

* * * * * 

We walk into the large entry area, and a member of the staff leads us into a sitting area. Romelo is still standing close to me, and oddly enough, it's comforting. We both sit on the couch and wait for my father to enter.

After a few minutes, I hear footsteps. My heart is beating a mile a minute and I feel Romelo clasp my hand in his, just when my father enters the room.

He’s a tall man, with graying hair, but not too gray. His eyes are like mine, a deep and vivid blue. His eyes land on me, and I realize I'm holding my breath. I slowly stand from my seat on the couch, and Romelo lets me. My father is watching me as well, his eyes beginning to tear up.

Everything in me stops, this moment feeling like a suspension of time. Nothing can ruin it. Seeing the man that raised me for seven years of my life, my father, is overwhelming.

I realize that I’m crying. I reach my father, and slowly reach out touching his face. A small laugh escapes me. My father’s smile grows wide as he eyes me, and he pulls me in for a hug. I squeeze him back with all the strength I can muster. For once, I feel safe. I feel comfort. I take in everything I can possibly remember. The warmth, the scent, the feel. I feel him vibrating over me, and realize he is crying just as hard as I am.

"I thought I'd lost you forever.”

For once in a long time, I feel pure, untainted joy.

Once me and my father get our whits about ourselves, we all are in the sitting area again. I'm sitting next to Romelo who is silently eyeing him.

"It's nice to see you again, Romelo," my father says. He shakes Romelo's hand and sits down. Two servants enter the room with steaming cups of tea. I take mine graciously, but Romelo declines.

"And you as well, senator," Romelo says.

"I can't begin to thank you enough for keeping my daughter safe all these years."

Romelo told my father of the abduction by his mother and told him about saving me from there. However, he left out all the years of abuse, replacing them with love thus, the reasoning for our marriage.

He has my father believing that he didn’t know who I belonged to all this time. But I know Romelo was aware of my identity the day we moved into our home. He just kept it from me. That’s why I figure something big is at play here. Because Romelo decided to finally reveal my identity.

Unfortunately, my father already knows who Romelo and Luca are. He knows the entire crime family. He enlisted their help in securing his place in the senate. But he doesn’t know that I know that. He wants Romelo to keep that a secret. It’s a shame he doesn’t know Romelo. I can tell from his constant squirming that Romelo makes him uncomfortable, just like he does with anyone he comes into contact with.

"I hate that I missed all the years of you growing up, Charlie. I wish there was something that I could do to make up for it."

He looks between me and Romelo.

"And now when I finally find you, I'm already having to give you away." He looks down at his cup, lightly shaking the liquid.

"So when's the wedding?" he asks. He looks up, and his eyes are sad.

"Two months," Romelo pipes up next to me. I sit back in the seat, leaning into Romelo like he said to do. He told me when someone asks about our wedding, to lean into him so that we seemed in love. He told me not to flinch, and not to look at him too often because my eyes automatically widen when I do.
He told me to lean into his touch and smile.

"Of course Charlie will be spending more time with you than with me during the time leading up to our wedding. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of her reunion with her father," Romelo says as he reaches over pushing my curls behind my ear. His voice is as smooth as silk. It takes everything in me not to look at him funny. My father smiles.

"Of course. I can't wait to catch up on all the time we missed together," he says looking at me.

"Me too," I say.

We spend the rest of the night making up for lost time. My father and I speak mostly, and Romelo only says something when the conversation calls for it. It’s strange, seeing him interact with someone like this. I've only ever seen him angry and cruel.

"I want to have a celebration for the both of you to celebrate my daughter's safe return, and her engagement to the love of her life,” he smiles widely at the both of us. I muster the best smile I can, trying to find some comfort in his words.

"Of course, Senator that would be lovely," Romelo speaks for me.

"Oh, please. I think we're past first name basis. Call me Scott," my father smiles.

"And of course, Luca and his wife are invited as well," he says.

"We will have everyone come in to celebrate my daughter's return, and to know that our efforts over the years weren't in vain," he says. If only he knew they were. Honestly, if Romelo hadn't come up with this plan, my father probably never would have found me.

Romelo and I stand to leave, and I can feel myself getting nervous. Romelo has been the perfect gentleman tonight. Not only that, but he’s funny and charming and sweet. He even touches me lovingly. But it’s all a facade. And I have no idea what he’s truly feeling.

My father and Romelo are discussing the details of the party, as well as honeymoon destinations as we make our way to the front door. I laugh bitterly to myself. I'm pretty sure there is not going to be a honeymoon for this "marriage".

We step out into the chilly air just as the car is being pulled around. Romelo gives me a light kiss on the cheek which stuns me for a moment.

"I'll go wait for you by the car," he says. He even smiles for good measure. I’m so used to his straight face, his smiles are scary to me. He walks towards the car, leaving me and my father to say our goodbyes. I turn to him, and he has a sad smile on his face.

"I hate to see you go. You've really grown into a beautiful young woman, Charlie. Your mother would have been so proud," he says. I give him a smile, and jump into his arms again, squeezing him with all my might. He chuckles underneath me and hugs me back.

When I step back I realize he is crying again.

"Don't be a stranger, You're welcome here anytime sweetheart." I nod my head, and he leans in giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"Be safe."

"Bye, Dad."

I never thought I'd be able to say those words. And now I am. I walk slowly down the stairs and to the car. Romelo is standing by the door, holding it open like the perfect gentleman. But I knew once those doors closed, he would be back to his old self.

I slide into the car, and Romelo slides in next to me, and we're off.

* * * * *

"I told you he would love you." I look up at the sound of Romelo's voice. He's watching me with a curious gaze. I look away unable to hold his eyes. I hear his deep chuckle.

"Are you happy, Charlie?" he asks.

"What?" I ask completely caught off guard.

"I said, are you happy with seeing your father?"

"Of course." I give him a weak smile. He raises a brow at me.

"But...?" He urges me to continue.

"I just wish I could spend more time with him and not have to put on this false charade." Romelo's amused look dissipates quickly, and I know that I have made a grave grave mistake.

"False charade," he repeats.

"You mean, our marriage,” he says looking at me. I nod my head slowly.

He seems to be thinking about something. He moves in the seat, sitting right next to me, and pulling my body atop his lap. He reaches around my body, closing my hand and looking at the ring on my finger.

"False charade...," he repeats. And I'm scared. I don't know why he keeps repeating it.

"How do you feel about being married to me, Charlie?” He doesn't make eye contact with me. He only stares at the ring on my finger.

"It's ok. You can be honest with me,"  he adds.

I take a deep breath. He may say that I can be honest, but I don't know if he really means it.

"I…,” I trail off.

"You... what?"

"I'm fine with it," I say.

"Fine with it?"

I nod my head gingerly.

"I mean, it's not like I was hoping to be with someone else. I've already accepted my fate," I say.

"And what fate is that." Silence overcomes the car as I think of my next words carefully.

"That I belong to you. You're my life, Romelo," I say. His fingers wrap around my cheeks slowly, and he brings my face close to his. I'm forced to look into his gaze. It never ceases to instill a deep fear in me.

"You're right. I am your life. And you do belong to me. And once we are wed, it will be in writing. And you will belong to me, unconditionally."

He ends his sentence with a smile. The same smile I’m used to. The one that has no joy in it. Just a taunting curve of his lips, in a cruel mask.

"But... why? Don't you want to marry someone that you actually love? Someone that you can fall for and be happy to see them? You're really going to throw all that away because Luca wants diplomatic immunity?" I ask. I know for a fact that I am treading dangerous waters. Romelo is overly protective of his Capo.

Romelo scoffs bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Love? I despise the very species that are called women. I will never love one. I can use them to my heart's content because that's what they are for. But I refuse to love one. As for throwing away a chance at happiness for Luca's sake? I'm not throwing anything away. It was my idea, Charlie. It's my duty to keep us strong and untouchable. And as for marrying someone, I love..."

He pulls me off his lap, pressing my back against the seat of the car so that I am laying on my back. He crawls over me, gazing into my eyes for a moment.

"I know that the way that I feel about you, is not a way I can feel about any woman. I don't want to touch others as I touch you. I don't want others sleeping in my bed like I want you. I don't want to simply, enjoy the presence of others like I do with you. My emotional connection with you may not be love, Charlie..." He runs his hands slowly up my stomach, trailing my breasts and resting it at the base of my throat.

"But I know that I need you."

* * * * * 

Romelo leads me into the house and pauses in the doorway of my bedroom.

"Wait here," he says. I nod my head and watch as he disappears down the hallway. I know what he's going to do. He's going to set the gate back to stun so that if I tried to escape it will shock me and he’s going to run a bath.

My mind is still spinning from his words in the car. It wasn't exactly a love ballad. But he did confess his need for me. My mind travels back to my father.

He was so happy to see me, and yet he was still so sad. I wish that I could be there more with him maybe even live with him, and get to know him. But Romelo's plan prevents me from doing so.

Even though my father and I have been reunited, I’m still trapped. It’s as if the whole world is laughing at me and I’m just the end of a really bad joke.

"Charlie." I jump. I hadn't even noticed Romelo in the doorway. My eyes travel his body and I immediately look away, blushing like crazy. He’s standing in the doorway, naked. I keep my eyes trained down and walk towards him.

I know that Romelo likes to undress me, so I keep my clothes on as I follow him into the bathroom. The room is already filled with steam. Romelo stands behind me, slowly pulling the zipper off of my dress. He pushes it off my shoulders, the soft fabric falling to the floor, leaving me in only my underwear. He reaches around me, cupping my breasts as he places soft kisses against my shoulder.

He slowly reaches around me and takes my collar off.

I almost breathe a sigh of relief. The whole night I was worried about his mood because it felt impossible to read him. But judging from his actions, he’s going to be gentle with me. I could almost cry tears of joy.

He pulls me towards the large tub, and we both settle in. The warm water caressing my body. Romelo moves me so that I am straddling his body. Even in the heat of the tub, I can feel his hard erection pressed against my sex. He seems to be focused on something else entirely. He begins caressing my breast with his fingers. He trails his hands down and begins circling my navel.

"You are so beautiful, Charlie," he murmurs. He slowly sits up, causing me to move off of him. He leans in and places another kiss along my collarbone.

"Such soft skin," he murmurs. He captures my nipple in his mouth, as his hand trails down further between my legs. I gasp and a soft moan escapes my lips. Romelo moves up, capturing my lips between his.

"How do you want it tonight?" he purrs against my lips. I open my mouth to tell him, and just as I do, he pushes a finger inside of me. So instead of words, another moan escapes me. He chuckles out loud.

"What was that?" he says. He latches onto my throat, sucking hard. He knows my body like an open book. He knows exactly what to do to have me writhing in pain, or screaming in pleasure.

"I want you to be gentle," I whisper. Before I can even take in a breath, he hoists me up out of the water, and we exit the bathroom. The cold air hits me, but not for long before I'm met with the plush carpet.

Romelo's lips are on mine, kissing me hard as he runs his hands up my forearms and clasps my fingers between his. My body feels like it's on fire. His hands drift down, cupping my breasts, and his kisses leave my mouth, trailing down until he reaches my breasts, and he begins sucking on them. All too soon, he stops. I want to groan and cry out in frustration. When I open my eyes he's staring down at me, with that terrifying gaze. I know that gaze. I don't know what it is that’s clicked in his head, but I know I won't like it.

"Rom-"

"Shh," he quips. He reaches out, picking my body up so easily, and flips me over.

"Romelo, wait. I'm sor-" I'm cut off as his hand comes around my throat silencing me. I don't know why I was even apologizing. Anything to get him to calm down. But that wasn't going to happen.

I feel his hot erection against my backside. My breathing is hard. I'm scared. I feel his large cock pressing against my entrance from behind. I'm already wet from earlier when I thought he was going to be gentle with me. A gasp escapes me, followed by a moan. He moves so maddeningly slow, and I know he's teasing me. His hands run along my arms, until they are directly on top of mine, holding me in place.

He pulls out slowly before thrusting and jolting my body from the force. A cry escapes me from the mixture of pleasure and pain. And he begins fucking me. Over and over, each thrust deeper than the last until I'm crying out. I feel his hand around the back of my throat as he forces my face flush against the carpet. I can feel myself getting even wetter from this position.

"That's it, Charlie. I know your body like the back of my hand," he growls in my ear.

"I know you want this."

I squeeze my eyes shut. Romelo pulls out of me, flipping me over so that I'm lying on my back before he plunges back into me. He immediately goes for my throat and squeezes. I immediately begin clawing at his hand when it gets too tight, I open my mouth trying to gasp but I can't get anything out.

"That's right baby. Fight me. Beg me for your next breath."

He takes my struggle as begging, and lets go of my throat. As soon as I take a deep breath of air, my orgasm hits me, causing a loud scream to tear its way from my throat. Romelo doesn't slow down. If anything he gets rougher as my inner muscles begin spasming around him. I instinctively reach out, grabbing ahold of his forearms as I try and find something to steady me. My orgasm finally subsides, and I realize that Romelo is still hard.

I gaze at him with wide eyes and he's watching me with a sadistic glare. He leans into me, so that his body is flush with mine, and trails his finger along my lips.

"I'm not done with you Charlie. Not yet."