Eddie had been brutal with Sophie. He was called by someone in the take concerning her alleged markings.

Eddie called for her to come home immediately so he could deal with the problem. He rarely touched her face because that's what all the men saw initially and it would be such a shame to ruin a lovely parcel, or so he said, but he'd been a little angry about the rumors.

Saul felt sorry for her and he also felt bad for himself. Alexander was definitely going to have some words now.

As she slipped away, Alexander appeared in the entrance hall of their home.

"Saul? A word," he motioned for his son to join him in his study.

Taking a seat, Saul fidgeted, but soon got comfortable and stared at his father as Alexander shuffled some papers.

"Exciting day at Merrick?"

"Boring. "

"I heard a loose cannon went for a Reynolds kid."

Saul shrugged, "We didn't see it. "

Alexander nodded, " Glad you didn't get hurt. I heard you and Joe got into another fight. "

"So? I can fight him. He has to stay away from Sophie while she's in our custody. "

Alexander sighed, "Son, don't fuck this up. She's a Swann, you're a DeMarco."

"We're not an item."

"Accidents happen. "

Saul breathed in deeply. He didn't care about Sophie, but he did care about his father telling him who he couldn't sleep with.

"You sound like Eddie."

"I'm a concerned parent and the head of this family," Alexander darkened, "I won't have it tainted by Swann offspring. I'm not telling you who to screw, but be careful. "

Word must have gotten around to him exactly why he and Joe were fighting.

"I'm sure Hal and Eddie wouldn't appreciate it and that's drama I'd like to stay out of."

"Then just give her back to Eddie," Saul said, more perturbed than usual at his father than he wanted to be, "I'm already tired of being her fucking babysitter and having the Crane's ogling me all damn day."

"Joe has reason to ogle you,"Alexander turned to his notes, flipping through them, "Security doesn't need to watch you screwing her in our basement, either."

Saul rolled his eyes, "I don't give a fuck about that."

Alexander crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, "I must admit, I was a little surprised they cared enough to come to me with that information."

"Nothing better to do."

"They're looking out for you, Saul," Alexander sighed, "I was young once, too and I liked all the girls and I got a lot of women before your mother. I'm glad I met your Mom before I got in trouble."

"Jesus, what's with this baby shit? She's on the pill, Dad, just leave it alone,"Saul fumed, "It's nice to have the birds and bees talk, but I'm not a kid."

Alexander sighed, pressing his lips together, "No, you're not and I can't exactly tell you what to do. Be safer."

"This has been a nice PSA, but I'd really like to get back to tormenting her now and she's not going to do it to herself," Saul winked before his Dad waved him on.

"Bout time I turn those cameras back on,"Saul thought to himself as he headed to his personal security room.

The minute he turned on that switch, he saw her. Laying on the bed, shoes kicked off. She was scrolling through her phone, but without the WiFi password, she was probably just going through messages.

"Mom?"She was saying into the phone.

"Yes, I'm fine...No, he didn't...The school hasn't sent out any,-"she paused, "I'm fine, Mom. No, I'm not sleeping with,-..."

Saul could tell her Mom was on her ass about something and it probably had to do with him.

"They said the shooter was some lawyer's kid...no, I don't know him...."She was twirling her hair and pacing the room, but Saul caught sight of her holding her side quite a bit.

"I'm safe, Mom...I can't tell you any of that, Mom, you know the rules. I have my orders. Are you OK? Are you sure?"

"Mom, I have to go. I will try to call you tomorrow. Yes. Yes. No, I will. I love you, too."

She hung up, tossing the phone on the bed. Lifting her shirt carefully and slowly over her head, Saul zoomed in on her body and could see the bruising on her ribs. Maybe she'd be better off getting out of Eddie's house and marrying Joe, he thought.

Sophie took off her bra and tossed it on the bed. Saul sat back in his chair and smiled. She'd kill him if she knew he was watching her. Her body was exquisite and he felt himself harden in his pants. Saul had a taste of her already and he wanted more, no matter what she said. They wouldn't get caught again, he'd make sure of it.

Sophie shimmied out of her jeans, leaving on her panties. She stood close to the vanity and ran a hand over her injuries. Saul knew he'd have to ask her to go back to the infirmary to check out her ribs, but there was no way in hell she could know about the cameras.

"Well, it could be worse,"she said aloud.

Of course, she'd look at the positive parts. He realized he'd shoved Romeo and Juliet in his back pocket and took it out, flipping the pages.

He glanced up just in time to see her panties slip right on to the floor and for her to head into the bathroom, holding her work clothes from Georgina.

The cameras were still going in the bathroom. He didn't feel weird watching her. They'd already been intimate, but he couldn't help but feel a little sense of regret. Why was he watching her? He felt the need to bust into her room just to fuck her, hold her and then fall asleep with her in his arms. Maybe she was washing off Joe Crane.

Joe Crane...

Maybe his dad was right, though. He couldn't get caught up with Sophie Swann. Turning off the cameras again, he started reading Romeo and Juliet. He couldn't very well leave the room with a hard on and a growing set of blue balls.

When he did emerge from the confines of his security room, he found Sophie tidying up the kitchen when Saul snuck up behind her.

"Boo!"

"Ahh!"Sophie yelped and then composed herself, about to impale him with the fork she was holding, "Dammit, Saul! I could have stabbed you."

"You still could,"he gently took the fork from her and placed it in the sink, "Now let me see your ribs."

"My ribs?" Sophie narrowed her eyes, "My ribs are fine, DeMarco."

"Prove it," he said, "Prove they're fine."

Sophie blinked, "How? I'm not lifting my shirt."

"Then we're going to the infirmary and you've got no say in it,"Saul crossed his arms, "Fight me."

"I'm not going. I don't need it."

"Yeah?" Saul leaned in as if he was going to touch her and she stepped back, wincing.

She frowned.

"How bad was it?" Saul asked her, "You want handcuffed again? Placed in your room the entire time you're here?"

"I don't,-"she waved her hand, "Fine. Let's go."

She had some bruised ribs, but nothing that couldn't be managed with home remedies. Her lip was looking better.

Nurse Lynn eyeballed Saul, "Keep an eye on her while I get some pain meds."

Saul did just that, but he noticed Sophie wouldn't make eye contact with him.

"Why did you spy on me and Joe?" she asked without looking.

"I tracked you because you weren't in your science class,"he admitted.

Sophie breathed in, slowly, "Did you watch?"

Saul didn't break his gaze from her, "You're quite the little liar when it comes to Joe Crane."

"You watched us?"

"Let's just say I was stuck in the moment,"Saul threw his hands up, "I had to see if he was assaulting you, Sophie."

"Lies,"she coughed, "Everyone lies."

Saul was looming over her, "Why would I lie? Because you think I'm a perverted piece of shit?"

"Yes."

"Why? You weren't so upset when you let me fuck you."

"Then I am a whore."

Saul frowned, "I never said that, but if that's how you feel, Sophie..."

She glanced up at him, a look of defeat splayed across her face. Saul couldn't keep being nice to a Swann. He was suave, he was a playboy, he wanted her, but he couldn't bring himself to coddle her while she was here.

"You truly are a piece of work, Saul DeMarco," she said, turning away before Nurse Lynn reappeared.

"I'm giving you some pain meds and ice packs,"Lynn said, handing them to her, but Saul intercepted. Lynn raised an eyebrow as Sophie held out her hands only to have Saul take her supplies.

"I'll take care of her, Lynn,"he grinned, meeting Sophie's concerned look, "Trust me."

Lynn sighed and handed him the supplies, "She needs to rest so tell Georgina no chores today. Nurse's orders."

"Got it,"Saul smiled and watched Lynn leave, texting Georgina the information regarding Sophie.

Saul handed Sophie some water for the pills and told her to lean back on the bed.

She hesitated, but Saul waved the ice pack at her so she complied.

"You're not going to make a big deal about this, are you? Why do you have to fight Joe? You could get me into trouble,"she winced as he placed the ice pack on her side.

"Sorry, I know it's cold,"Saul rested it there while she waited for an answer, "I don't like Joe."

"You don't like me."

"I like you more than I like Joe Crane."

"That makes me feel better," Sophie rolled her eyes.

Saul tried to take her in. He knew what she tasted like now and he needed more. He didn't want her to even think about going back home.

"Sophie, you know it's going to happen again so you might as well be ready,"Saul ran a finger over her stomach as she winced, glaring at him, "Does it hurt or does it feel good?"

Sophie scowled, "I don't know why you're doing this."

"Tell me you want me to stop, Sophie,"Saul hummed, "I will."

Sophie didn't want him to, but she wanted to have some restraint.

"I don't need a repeat from today,"she grabbed his hand and looked up at him, "I don't know what this is, but I just can't risk it."

"You need to take risks."

"Look where it gets me."

He leaned in closer to her, "I want you."

"Stop fucking with me, Saul! I told you it's done. I'm so sorry," she hobbled off the bed, but Saul grabbed her arm.

"Baby, we're just getting started."

***************

Saul lead her back to her room, "I told Georgina about your condition so you're off the hook tonight."

"Are you locking me in?"

"I have to."

She didn't seem too upset, but then Saul decided that maybe she was just used to disappointment.

He watched as she slowly gathered her school clothes and headed to the bathroom to change out of the uniform.

She emerged a few minutes later. She was brushing her hair, but stopped when she noticed Saul sitting in the chair by the door.

"Why are you still here?"

"Reading this silly book," he waved Romeo and Juliet at her.

Sophie scrunched up her face, "I am sure you read more than that."

"I like to read the articles in Playboy."

Sophie sighed, "Of course, you would. But really, why are you here?"

"I wanted you to come do your homework with me,"Saul told her, standing up, "It's better than staying cooped up in here."

She looked hesitant and he knew why. He was going to take her to his bedroom.

"Come on, sparks,"he opened the door, "It's only up the stairs."

"Why do you keep hostages in your house, though,"she said.

"We don't."

"What?"

"Look around you,"Saul gestured to her room, "Does this look like where we'd put hostages to you? It's just a small guest room. Come on."

She shrugged and grabbed her bag and the ice packs, following him out the door.

"The basement?"

"Stop trying to get information out of me, sparky."

"I'm not,"Sophie said. He didn't believe her, but he knew not to be so open about where they kept people. He wouldn't take her there unless it was completely necessary.

"Have the meds kicked in?"

"I'm fine, Saul,"she told him, but he could see her limp mildly behind him.

"We'll get those ice packs back on you when you're in my room."

"Saul."

"Sophie, stop arguing with me. Christ Almighty."

They made it to Saul's room and Sophie was in awe. It looked like some sort of bachelor's dream, but perfectly suave. It was huge. She could probably fit five of her rooms into his one.

"Just lay down and put those ice packs back on your sides,"he ordered, opening his back pack.

"I only have some math,"he told her, tossing some books on a nearby desk.

"What are these?" she pointed to his nightstand where a pair of thongs were sitting.

"I guess they're thongs, Sophie."

"Yours?"

Saul glared at her, "I had a girl over and she had to leave before pulling them back on."

"Darlene?"Sophie mumbled.

Saul chuckled, "If you're jealous of Darlene, you don't need to be. She doesn't hold a candle,-"he stopped himself before digging a deeper hole than he already had. He didn't want Sophie to feel good, he wanted to feel good.

Saul dragged himself to his bed, crawling across it. Sophie didn't move, but she watched him with trepidation.

"What are you doing?"

"Taking you in, breathing you in, doing what I need to do to make you want me inside of you again."

Sophie felt herself grow so wet and she couldn't do this. She had to have some sort of restraint.

"Saul, my ribs?"

"I'll be gentle."

Sophie's mind raced. Her core wanted him like crazy, but she was trying so hard not to give in to temptation.

"I won't hurt you,"Saul was hovering over her now, "Unless you want me to."

Sophie sighed into him as he leaned in and kissed her lips. It was so passionate, too passionate even.

Even Joe didn't kiss her like this. She wanted him, but she was playing with fire and they both knew it.

"Saul..."

He started to unzip her pants, pushing his hand gently down in them until he felt the top of her panties.

Sophie's breathing was rapid, her excitement grew as Saul took his other hand and tossed the ice packs onto the floor. He pulled down her pants, but left on her panties.

"Tell me if I'm hurting you,"Saul whispered as he ran his tongue down from her neck, her valley between her breasts, over her flat stomach and straight to her panties. Pushing them to the side, he slid a finger into her pussy, but she was already dripping wet. Saul snickered.

"What's so funny?"

"You pretending you don't want me."

"I can't help what my body does,"she moaned as he plunged another finger inside of her, pushing in and out with his digits. Her body moved with his thrusting and he could feel her walls clenching his digits already.

"Saul, please..."

"Please what?" he leaned in and licked her clit, still thrusting his fingers in and out of her, "Do you want more?"

"I don't know...."

"Yeah, you do,"Saul teased, "I can guarantee if you don't want this, you'd say something."

"What if I'm scared?"

He stopped, pulling out and leaving her empty. Her heart crumbled and she was left staring at him.

"Afraid of me?"

Sophie swallowed hard, "I don't want to be used, Saul."

"For what? I haven't offered anything except for myself."

"Because if I don't do this, you might keep me locked up."

He sat up and pursed his lips together. Never in his life had he seen her look this sad and defeated. Sophie was strong and always causing him trouble. She was a Swann, but she'd been so triumphant in her trials. Or maybe that was all a facade. What had Eddie and his soldiers done to these girls?

"I'm not that kind of man, Sophie."

She didn't believe him. He could see that.

"Fine,"he lowered his head, turning from her, "Do you need help putting these back on?"

Sophie looked confused, "I thought,-"

Saul shook his head, "I might make you miserable, but I'd never use sex to get what I want from you. I liked fucking you, Sophie. I like the way you taste, the way you feel. If I keep you locked up, it's because you're my enemy and my prisoner."

"Would you really just do this because you wanted to?"

"What did I have to gain at the beach house?"

Sophie took a long, deep breath and pulled her panties down, pushing them completely off with her foot.

They didn't talk. They didn't have to.

Saul undressed, his dick hard as a rock as he got on top of her, aligning himself with her wet core.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Just fuck me, Saul."

He smashed his lips with hers at the same time plunging his cock into her wet entrance. She moaned into his mouth and that sent him over the edge. He didn't want to be rough or wild, but that's what he did. He plowed so hard into her core that he didn't notice her face tensing until she pushed back on his shoulders.

He slowed down and looked at her, "Sorry.." he groaned out as he kept his pace steady and his weight off of her.

Sophie ran her hands down his hard chest, cupping his biceps.

"God...you feel so good wrapped around me, Sophie. I want to make you come so hard...."

"Yes...." Sophie had to have been the most passionate woman he'd ever been with. Even when she was fucking Joe in the locker room, she put everything into her sensuality.

He was upset at himself for thinking about her and Joe and he didn't understand why it made him seethe, but it did. Maybe it was because she didn't love Joe and she had her whole life ahead of her to love anyone else but Joe Crane.

"Fuck, Sophie..."Saul pushed deeper into her, panting heavily. Beads of sweat were forming on his brow and he noticed a smile creep across her face when he looked down at Sophie. Her nails dug in to his arms, but he couldn't feel it—or maybe he could and he liked it. He couldn't go deeper, but damn he wanted to. He wanted to live inside of her.

Her tiny little whimpers drove him crazy and he could feel her tighten around his cock.

"Just let go, baby,"he groaned, "I'm about to come...."

That sent Sophie over her edge. She'd been teetering on that ledge for what seemed to be forever and she wanted it to last. She'd made herself hold back until he was ready and when she felt his cock harden inside of her and his pace get faster and deeper, she released her juices all over him at the same time he did. Saul grunted out his orgasm, burying his face in her neck as little streams of sweat flowed down his temples. Sophie could barely breathe, but she knew she was because her chest was rising and falling so rapidly.

"I would never make you do something you didn't want to do, Sophie,"Saul kissed her cheek before he pulled out, checking on her ribs.

"Oh, shit,"she said, giggling, "I'm sorry about your bedding."

He opened her legs further, watching the cum drip out of her onto the bed and becoming mesmerized by her womanhood.

"Saul?"

"What?"

"Can I get cleaned up? You act like you've never looked at a woman's vagina before."

"Not one this beautiful."

"Playboy...." she muttered as he helped her off the bed and into the bathroom.

"There are cloths in the cupboard."

For some reason, the rest of the afternoon was spent in silence as they did their homework.

A knock came at his door around 5. It was Sal.

"Hey, bro, it's dinner.."he stopped short, glaring at Sophie, "Getting chummy?"

Sophie, who figured Sal knew his brother and what they'd been up to, scoffed, "You could say that."

"Yeah, we'll be right there,"Saul motioned for her to follow, but Sal put his hand up.

"No,"Sal said, "They'll send her food to her just like last night."

Saul frowned, but he knew he'd lose this battle.

"It's fine,"Sophie gathered her belongings and stood up, "I need to get back to my room."

Sal nodded, "Yeah, you do."

Saul shot him a look and waved her through the doorway.

They didn't talk on the way back to Sophie's room.

"I'm sorry about Sal."

"Don't be. I'm used to it."

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Bright and early,"Her smile was faint and she turned away before he could say anything.

"This is our way, Sophie,"He whispered behind the closed door, "I don't make these rules."

Sophie couldn't hear him though. She tossed her bag onto the floor and sat down carefully on the bed. She hated the way of the mob and their version of normal. It seemed everywhere she went, each area had different rules, different traditions and values, different "ways" of doing things.

She just wanted out.