Vicious 23 (Patreon)

Author's note: Hello! 🫶🏻 Here is a new chapter of Vicious and get ready because these vacations are going to be HOTTTT. The next chapters will contain smut. Let me know what you think! 

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Harry stood outside the manor, leaning against the sleek black car parked in the driveway. His hands were tucked into his trouser pockets, his sharp green eyes watching the front door with a mixture of impatience and amusement. The car was packed, the engine ready to purr to life, but there was one thing delaying their departure: Y/N and Giana.

They were standing just inside the doorway, Giana’s arms wrapped tightly around Y/N, as though they were parting ways forever.

With a sigh, Harry shifted his weight and called out, his voice laced with that familiar dry wit. “We’re not leaving for the ends of the earth, you know. Just ten days.”

Giana shot him a sharp glare over Y/N’s shoulder but didn’t loosen her grip. “Oh, shut up, Harry,” she snapped. “This is a big moment.”

“A big moment?” Harry arched a brow, straightening as he crossed his arms. “We’re not eloping, Giana. We’re just going on our honeymoon.”

“That’s practically the same thing!” Giana retorted, her voice muffled as she pressed her face against Y/N’s shoulder.

Harry rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. “For God’s sake, Giana, let her go before I have to pry you off myself.”

With a huff, Giana finally released Y/N, stepping back but not before throwing a dramatic glance over her shoulder at Harry. “Fine,” she muttered, lifting her hand to flip him off without so much as a second thought.

Harry’s lips twitched, though he didn’t give her the satisfaction of a full smile. “Charming as always.”

Y/N, caught between laughter and mild embarrassment, turned to Harry, her cheeks tinged pink. “I’m ready,” she said, her voice soft but steady.

“Good,” Harry said simply, gesturing toward the car. “Let’s go before Giana decides she needs another round.”

Y/N bit back a grin and nodded, giving Giana one last reassuring glance before stepping toward Harry. He opened the car door for her without a word, his movements precise and practiced.

As Y/N settled into her seat, Harry rounded the car and slid into the driver’s side, his expression calm but unreadable. With a low rumble, the engine came to life, and they pulled away from the manor, leaving Giana standing in the doorway, waving dramatically as if seeing them off to war.

Harry shook his head, muttering under his breath, “Ten days, and you’d think it was a lifetime.”

Y/N smiled faintly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. She didn’t say anything, but the thought of ten days alone with Harry felt like both an escape and an adventure all its own.

As soon as the car rolled down the gravel driveway, Y/N turned to Harry, her curiosity bubbling over. “So, where are we going?”

Harry kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel steady. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Y/N frowned, leaning slightly toward him. “That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting,” Harry replied, his tone cool and matter-of-fact.

Her brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms, staring at him. “You seriously can’t just tell me? I don’t see the point of all this mystery.”

Harry’s lips twitched in the faintest hint of amusement, but he didn’t respond.

“Harry,” she pressed, drawing his name out in a way that was almost a challenge. “You do realize I’m going to keep asking until you give me something, right?”

“Then we’re in for a long day” he said smoothly, his green eyes briefly flicking to her before returning to the road.

Y/N huffed, leaning back against the seat. “You’re impossible.”

He glanced at her again, this time with a flicker of a smirk. “And yet, here you are, coming along anyway.”

Her mouth opened as if to retort, but she stopped herself, letting out an exasperated sigh instead. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But if I don’t like where we’re going, I’m blaming you.”

Harry didn’t reply, though the faint curve of his lips remained.

Y/N stared out the window, trying to feign indifference, but her curiosity only grew with each mile they drove. She could sense that wherever they were headed, it was bound to be unexpected—just like the man sitting beside her.

The drive to the airport was quiet, the hum of the car filling the otherwise still air. Harry focused on the road, his expression unreadable, while Y/N’s anticipation grew with every mile. The airport came into view before long, and soon they were whisked through security and boarding a private first-class flight.

The luxurious cabin was a stark contrast to the estate they’d just left behind, and Y/N couldn’t help but marvel at the comfort. Plush leather seats, a selection of gourmet snacks, and a sense of privacy that made the world outside feel distant. Harry, however, seemed unaffected, his attention divided between his book and the landscape passing below.

Y/N couldn’t sit still for long, her mind racing with questions. Where were they going? She tried to act casual, glancing out the window at the clouds, but the thought of what awaited them kept creeping back. Harry was, as usual, tight-lipped about their destination.

They spent the flight in a comfortable, yet quiet, peace. Y/N occasionally snuck glances at Harry, who was munching on some mixed nuts, looking as unbothered as ever. She grabbed a packet of crisps from the snack basket, trying to focus on the crunching noise to distract herself from the bubbling excitement inside her.

Hours passed, and as the plane began its descent, the captain’s voice crackled through the intercom. “We’ll be landing shortly in the Maldives,” he announced.

Y/N froze. Her heart skipped a beat. The Maldives.

She tried to play it cool, but she couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Harry caught the small shift in her expression but said nothing, his eyes still glued to his book.

The plane touched down softly, and soon they were walking through the terminal. The tropical warmth hit them immediately, a stark contrast to the chill of the flight. As they moved toward baggage claim, Y/N couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the surroundings—lush greenery, the scent of saltwater in the air, the distinct hum of paradise.

It wasn’t until they reached the gate that Y/N saw it. The sign.

“Welcome to the Maldives.”

Her eyes widened, excitement surging through her. The Maldives. White sands. Clear waters. Sun-soaked beaches. The kind of place she’d only seen in travel magazines.

She turned to Harry, unable to contain herself any longer. “This is where we’re honeymooning?” Her voice betrayed her excitement, though she tried to keep it light.

Harry, ever the stoic figure, didn’t seem moved by the breathtaking surroundings. “It is.”

Y/N tried to keep her expression neutral, but the joy was impossible to hide. She had dreamed of this place, and now, she was actually here. The thought of spending the next week in paradise, just the two of them, made her heart race.

“So, is this your idea of a honeymoon?” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she watched him.

Harry glanced at her briefly, his lips curving slightly. “I thought it might do us both some good.”

Y/N couldn’t suppress her grin any longer, her excitement bubbling over as they moved toward baggage claim. No matter how much she tried to play it cool, she was ready for whatever this adventure with Harry would bring.

After they were whisked away in a luxury vehicle, the drive through the Maldives’ winding roads led them to their private sanctuary. The house sat right on the edge of the beach, the sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the shore mixing with the gentle tropical breeze. It was everything Y/N could have imagined—beautiful, serene, and incredibly private. But more than anything, it felt like an escape from the chaos they had left behind.

The house was modern yet intimate, a stark contrast to the grandiosity of the manor. It was spacious enough to be comfortable but not so large that it felt impersonal. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to flood every room, with the ocean stretching endlessly just beyond the threshold. The best part, Y/N thought, was the simplicity of it. There was no pretension here, no high society expectations. Just them, the ocean, and the privacy of a place where no one would be looking over their shoulders.

But Harry wasn’t fooled.

He had instructed for the property to be fully equipped with security—armed guards stationed discreetly around the perimeter, cameras monitoring every angle, and a security team on call 24/7. Despite the paradise around them, Harry’s mind never fully relaxed. This was a temporary escape, but he couldn’t let his guard down. His enemies weren’t bound by location, and being out of their familiar surroundings was a risk.

Y/N noticed the tension in his posture as he surveyed the house, his eyes scanning the windows and doors as though he were already evaluating possible threats. She could see the weight of his responsibilities following him, even here. Despite the luxury and beauty of the place, Harry’s mind was always on his empire, his family, and the dangers lurking just beyond the horizon.

Y/N, however, let herself breathe for the first time in weeks. She wandered to the large balcony that overlooked the beach, the fine sand stretching out to meet the crystal-clear waters. The world felt distant here, and for a moment, she could almost forget the chaos they’d left behind.

Harry stepped outside moments later, his footsteps light on the wooden deck as he joined her by the railing. He stood beside her, his eyes scanning the horizon, but for a brief moment, he allowed himself to be still.

“This place is beautiful,” Y/N said softly, her gaze lingering on the waves.

“It is,” Harry replied, his tone as calm as the breeze around them.

Y/N said, turning to look at him now. “Perfect for getting away from everything. A chance to... connect.”

Harry finally turned his attention to her, his expression softening just a fraction. “Yeah. A chance for us.”

She smiled, the warmth of the moment settling over her. For the first time in what felt like a long time, it was just them—no business, no family obligations, just the two of them in a beautiful place. She didn’t have to worry about anything else.

Harry exhaled slowly, leaning closer, and despite his usual reserve, she could see something in his eyes that made her heart skip. It wasn’t the hardened mafia boss he often portrayed—it was the man who’d chosen to spend this time with her.

“So, what now?” she asked, her voice teasing, yet sincere.

“Now we take it slow,” Harry replied, his tone low and calm. “Just you and me.”

Y/N nodded, the excitement in her chest settling into something deeper. This wasn’t just a vacation—it was their chance to build something real, away from everything that had pulled them in different directions.

Y/N changed quickly into her bikini, eager to enjoy the warm weather. She stepped outside onto the beach, feeling the sand shift beneath her feet and the cool ocean breeze brush across her skin. The water was inviting, and she didn't hesitate to wade into the shallows, letting the waves lap at her legs.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Harry standing by the house, his arms crossed as he watched her. His stance was typical—guarded, as though he was always on alert. But Y/N couldn't deny the way his eyes lingered on her, tracking her every movement.

She raised an eyebrow and called out to him, her voice light but teasing. "You just going to stand there all day or are you planning on getting in?"

Harry didn’t answer immediately. He just stood there, the intensity of his gaze unwavering. Then, slowly, he uncrossed his arms, but still, he made no move toward the water.

Y/N smirked, splashing a little water in his direction. "Come on!. I know you’re not too good for the beach."

He let the comment hang in the air for a beat before he finally started walking toward her. He didn't rush, though—his steps were deliberate, as if he was deciding whether to give in or not.

"You really think I’m too good for the beach?" Harry asked, his voice low but with a hint of amusement that made her smile.

Y/N shrugged casually, pretending to consider the idea. "Maybe. You’ve always liked to keep your distance, after all."

Harry stopped just before the waves, his gaze fixed on her. "Distance is necessary, Y/N. You should know that by now."

She raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in her tone. "Is that why you’re still standing there? Keeping your distance from me?"

He didn’t respond at first, just let his gaze flicker over her, the tension between them palpable. Then, without another word, he stepped into the water, the cool waves swallowing his feet as he walked toward her.

"Better?" he asked, looking down at her with an almost imperceptible smirk, the ocean splashing around his legs.

Y/N couldn’t help but laugh softly, the sound genuine as she stepped closer to him. "Much better," she replied, the tension easing, even though there was still something unspoken between them.

Y/N tilted her head, eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. "You know, I didn’t think you’d actually get in."

Harry looked at her, his expression steady but with that faint, teasing smile pulling at his lips. "You don’t know me as well as you think."

"Oh, I think I do," Y/N replied with a smirk, her eyes scanning him for a second. "You like to act like you’re above it all, but I can see right through you."

Harry chuckled, low and quiet, a sound that was both familiar and rare. "You should be careful," he warned, though the warning was almost playful. "You might not like what you see."

Y/N matched his grin, feeling the thrill of their playful banter. "I don’t know about that. You might surprise me."

Harry’s gaze lingered on her for a beat longer, the air between them charged with something neither of them said aloud.

"Maybe I will," he said, the words carrying more weight than she expected.

For a moment, the teasing faded, and they simply stood there, the quiet ocean around them, the weight of their history and their future still looming in the back of their minds. But for now, in this moment, they didn’t need to say anything else. They were just two people on their honeymoon, sharing a rare, peaceful moment away from it all.

Y/N smiled to herself, deciding to break the silence with a more playful note. "I still think you’re too serious for your own good."

Harry shot her a glance, his smirk returning. "And you’re too curious for your own good."

"Guess we’re both trouble, then," she teased, feeling a bit more at ease now that the tension had softened.

Harry didn't reply right away. Instead, he stepped a little closer, the water now rising up to their knees, and without a word, he pulled her toward him, the sudden move catching her off guard. Y/N laughed, surprised by his action, but before she could protest, Harry's lips were on hers, the kiss deep but not rushed—something more intimate than their usual exchanges, but still holding back just enough.

When they pulled away, their faces were close, breaths mingling.

"Maybe you’re right," Harry said, his voice softer than usual. "Maybe I’ve got a little too much distance between us."

Y/N didn’t say anything, just let the moment hang there, letting it settle between them like the warmth of the sun on their skin.