Extended Epilogues

Vanessa

Several people had warned me that the morning of the wedding was always a nightmare. There were concerns about whether the right decision was being made, as well as the reality of being tied to a single person for the rest of one’s life. Nothing of the sort bothered me.

On the morning of my wedding, all I wanted to do was see Ethan. Every minute I spent in my bedroom having women accessorize and do my makeup to get ready for the ceremony, I wished Ethan would barge in.

I was dressed in the most intricate beautiful outfit I had ever worn in my life. And every time I looked in the mirror, I knew it was all worth it because I knew Ethan would adore the dress.

“Would you please hold our hands so I can paint your nails?” a woman asked.

“Please, stay still; I will do your hair,” another stated.

“Please, please,” they all said, but I was uninterested in conversing with any of them. I let my frustrated mind wander, imagining what Ethan would look like.

I’d seen him in a suit at a charity event. He looked sophisticated, tall, and elegant. He wore it well, and his smile twinkled alongside it. He looked fantastic, his shoulders accentuating the fashion statement. I smiled just thinking about him. I wondered if he was as happy as I was.

“I love you,” he’d said to me every day until the wedding. He’d said it so many times that I heard the words even when he wasn’t with me.

“So you don’t forget it, when in doubt,” Ethan explained why. It had instantly been saved in my mind as one of my sweetest memories.

I was the luckiest woman alive.

“You look stunning!” the women screamed when they finished.

I stood in front of the mirror, wondering what Ethan would think of me.

My heart ached as I allowed myself to miss him once more.

We had made an agreement to turn off our phones and resist the urge to contact or see one another in the hours before the wedding.

The knock on the door rescued me from my depression. Ethan?

“If it isn’t the bride,” Anna sang as she entered the room.

“I thought you were going to be late,” I said to Anna, my face flushed with frustration.

“I apologize. Believe it or not, I was delayed by my uncle, who wanted me to act as a liaison between the two families for the day. They will not attack the Levine family again, and they want that to be seen as a wedding present in addition to the other expensive items they had me bring here,” she explained to me with an eyeroll.

Ethan, I thought once more, when I heard the good news. It was incredible that the war was finally over. “That is great!” I exclaimed.

“How are you feeling?” my friend asked.

“I’m ready to get married.” And spend the entire wedding night making love to Ethan.

In a matter of minutes, I was in a chapel with more guests than I had anticipated. I barely knew any of the people there, but they all smiled and welcomed me into the Levine family with open arms.

“It’s time,” an usher said as I took my bouquet and walked towards the double doors where Ethan was waiting—my future husband.

Anna trailed behind me, holding the long helm of my gown.

My gaze was drawn to the altar in search of Ethan. He stood there, a slightly anxious smile on his face, waiting for me. Everyone smiled as I walked between the pews and up to the altar to join the groom, who was accompanied by his best man, Tristan.

Ethan was even more attractive than I remembered. He’d gotten a new haircut, which gave him a calmer face, though he still exuded intimidation. I could see lust in his eyes as he watched me approach to stand opposite him.

“I thought you might have changed your mind, Mrs. Levine,” Ethan joked. “You look absolutely beautiful in that dress,” he added.

As I heard Ethan’s words, all the butterflies that had been forgotten in my insides flapped their wings once more.

“You look amazing in the tux,” I replied, my voice full of meaning.

“We have gathered here to join in holy matrimony…” The priest started while Ethan and I stared at one another.

That’s it. I knew he felt the same way I did. We were both there because we knew how much we loved each other. I knew I’d take a bullet for Ethan, and I knew he’d do the same for me in an instant.

“I love you,” he mouthed to me.

“I love you,” I mouthed back before the priest turned his old gaze to us again.

“Your vows,” he said to us.

Ethan cleared his throat, took my hands in his, and drowned himself in my eyes. “Vanessa, my heart, my spirit, my soul, my body—they will always be yours. You are all; you are my everything. I promise to breathe life into you until the end of our days and far beyond. I was born to love you. I will always do,” he said with deep emotion in his voice.

My eyes welled up with tears, but I blinked them away because it was my turn to speak.

“You are the most extraordinary man, and our journey has been the most eventful, adventurous, remarkable journey of my life,” I began, reminiscing with him. “You have protected me and shared your all with me. You, Ethan Levine, have shaped and embodied love for me, forever. I love you for all time,” I said.

Following my vows, Ethan squeezed my hands. I could tell he wanted to kiss me because his brown eyes twinkled at me. I wanted to kiss him as badly as he did, but between the two of us, I was the one who had more respect for everyone at the wedding.

“You may kiss the—” Ethan drew me to himself before the word was spoken, pressing my body against his as he claimed my lips.

I wanted to lose my marbles right there on the altar, clutching the man I loved. He kissed me differently that night, passionately claiming me in a way only I could comprehend. And I gave him myself for life.

***

“Let’s sneak off,” he suggested.

I laughed, enjoying Ethan’s naughty idea. “But we have guests. They are here to celebrate with us and—”

“And this is our wedding. Mrs. Levine, will you accompany me?” Ethan asked, holding out his hand to me.

My decision was simple, and I made it in a single breath. I put my hand in Ethan’s and let him lead me into one of the SUVs that his bodyguards rode in, so we wouldn’t stand out in our escape.

When we were miles away from the wedding venue and on our way to the mansion, I allowed myself to laugh aloud.

Ethan drew me along with him as he exited the car at the mansion and walked towards the entrance.

“No one comes in,” he told the guard at the door before proceeding to the stairs. His hunger for me and the urgency of it had already aroused me.

He yanked me into his arms and carried me up the stairs.

“Our bedroom,” Ethan said as he approached the door.

He pushed the door open and came over to put me on the bed. Ethan quickly changed out of his outfit while I took my time, teasing his eagerness.

“I’ll fuck you in your wedding gown,” he threatened, and I relented, revealing the black lingerie I’d hidden beneath my wedding gown.

“Wow,” Ethan exclaimed as he stepped onto the bed.

He kissed me briefly before staring at me without saying anything.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I’m going to fuck you like a bride should be fucked,” he growled, and my pussy grew wetter as I imagined what he had in store for me.

“Close your eyes,” he said, and I did. My body tingled as I guessed where he’d kiss me first or if he’d be gentle at all.

When I felt him tie a blindfold around my eyes, my arousal increased. My hands followed, tied behind me as he dragged me to the head of the bed, where I could hold for support.

I was helpless, waiting on him.

What will he do? My mind raced as fast as my heart pounded.

When he spanked my ass cheeks, I bit down hard on my lower lip. As I waited for him to spank me again, the ripple stimulated my clit.

“You are now mine, Vanessa,” Ethan growled in my ear. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“I am yours,” I swore, but not loudly enough. As a result of the volume of my words, I received another harsh mix of pain and pleasure.

Ethan spanked me again as I moaned, unable to contain the pleasure that washed over my body. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of his hard body close behind me and the sting on my ass.

His thick hard cock slapped against my ass before he drove slowly into my wet pussy. My fists clenched against his thickness, having missed him — lusted after him. And I could tell from his groans that he enjoyed the sensation of me against him.

He rushed into my pussy, grabbing my hair with both hands. As Ethan pounded me with his cock, all the preparations I had made earlier in the day crumbled. I didn’t mind my undone hair as Ethan rammed his dick in and out of me, wrecking my body with pleasure.

I couldn’t see or hear anything as my head bobbed back and forth from the force of his hips. As Ethan fucked me, my hands gripped the head of the bed tightly to keep me upright. My legs trembled as he fucked quickly, picking up the pace and pushing me ever closer to orgasm.

I didn’t expect to come so quickly, but Ethan made it happen.

“Oh Lord!” I screamed, my nerves frayed, pleading for help from deities I couldn’t see.

I was about to orgasm again, a feat made easy by Ethan’s skill at pleasing my body. His thick thrusts lit up my pussy and took my breath away.

I found myself getting closer and closer to my orgasm, disoriented and caring little for what was happening outside of wedding night sex with my husband. I couldn’t control my limbs, and I couldn’t even control my breathing. Everything faded, and I had no control over anything. Ethan’s refusal to let go was all that kept me from falling.

Ethan groaned as he fucked faster, his groin slapping hard against my ass. As Ethan rode my body, I felt my strength begin to fail me.

“I’m about to cum,” he growled in my ear.

“Don’t pull out,” I told him, wanting to make that round last as long as possible.

Suddenly, I became aware of his slowing pace behind me. An inquiry should have been made, but my body trembled from Ethan’s strength, which had suddenly slowed after knocking my senses back slowly.

Why are we stopping? I wondered.

Ethan grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my trembling body back to him like a strong wind. He pulled out, and I leaned in close to him.

“Grind that ass against me,” Ethan said, and I did just that as he entered me from behind. It was difficult to do with Ethan’s cock growing inside of me.

He yanked my hair harder when I didn’t move as quickly as he wanted. I was too weak.

His hand reached in front of me and cupped my breast, squeezing and trapping my hard nipple between his fingers, pinching them.

“Oh Ethan,” I moaned as I fell back into a slower lovemaking. My body relaxed as Ethan kissed my neck gently at first before suddenly nibbling. I let out another loud moan as his other hand wrapped around my throat.

His cock then yanked out of me and rammed back into my pussy.

“Say it, you’re mine!”

“I am—” I began but couldn’t finish my thought.

My legs gave way under me, and I felt onto Ethan, who shot his seed into me. My chest pounded, and my body jerked atop him.

Ethan cuddled me as he helped me onto my side of the bed.

“I love you, Mrs. Levine,” he said to me.

“I love you, Ethan. You are the love of my life,” I replied to him, pulling his loving arms around my body. In that moment, I knew happiness would last forever with him by my side. In him, I had a husband, a protector and a lover. And staring at Ethan, I only wanted more.

“I will always love you and protect you, Vanessa,” he said to me with candid eyes. “You are my life now.”

“And you are mine too.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Laura

One Year Later

“Maxine! You made it!” I hold my arms out happily to my best friend as she enters my home.
My home. It still feels so strange to think that this is my home.

“Of course I made it! What kind of friend would I be if I missed my best friend’s housewarming party!” Maxine steps into my hug, and I hold her tightly. I’ve missed her so much more than she knows. It’s been so hard to catch up with her over the past year because she’s been traveling so much with her husband.

Not that I’ve been the easiest person to catch up with either.

I’ve been splitting my time between Chicago and New York for the past three months for more than one reason. After graduation, I submitted more applications than I can even remember to various publishing houses across the country. I didn’t expect to hear back from any of them but I was contacted by a small independent press based in New York city that I simply couldn’t pass upon. They only require me to fly up there once a month and the rest of the work can be done remotely from home, which gives me ample time to spend with Pietro. What more could I ask for?

Shortly after that, I was contacted by none other than Eric Connor, my cousin. Even though it still feels strange to think of him as my cousin. He feels more like a brother to me by this point. Given that Allan also adopted him, I suppose that he is technically both my brother and cousin. One afternoon, I was leaving my internship, and he was waiting outside the door, leaning against a car.

He isn’t anything like I expected him to be. The impressions that Gregory gave me about him couldn’t have been more wrong.

His interactions with Gregory seemed to mirror how my brother finally presented himself. He admitted that after his father died, he had gone slightly insane with power. He stepped into his new familial role, but he was not raised to fill Allan’s shoes. If he hadn’t been stopped, his greed would have put the entire city in danger.

Eric admitted to me after we became more acquainted that he had begun to be suspicious of his movements. And in the months leading up to his death, he began following him and tracking his movements. After following me due to my interactions with my brother, he was able to piece together the puzzle and discover that I was Gregory’s sister. He arranged for a few publishing houses to contact me and offer me an internship after learning that I graduated with a major in English. As we got to know one another better, I started splitting my time between Chicago and New York.

It might be rather complicated but having a family is really wonderful. And now I am finally able to fill in more of the gaps in my knowledge of everything.

Naturally, Pietro wasn’t thrilled about this new acquaintanceship at first and insisted on attending the first few scheduled meetings with the two of us. I still can hardly believe that both Eric and Pietro get along as well as they do. It took about a month before the pair hammered out a solid truce between the New York Mafia and the Italians here in Chicago. Makes me feel really special if I’m being wholly honest about it. Seeing them brought together after being rivals for so long because of their affection for me matters the world to me.

I link my arm through Maxine’s and walk further into the house.

“It’s not just a housewarming party, you know. It serves a dual purpose. Really it’s more like the housewarming section is just me gloating about being allowed to decorate sections of the house. I think that was Pietro’s gift to me,” I grin and gesture to the sitting room around us. All of the massive paintings have been removed from the walls and transferred to the single room upstairs now dedicated to all things Victoria. Since Pietro and I have been able to speak about her from time to time, it’s been easier for him to find some closure.

We’ve kept the baby grand piano that Pietro plays for me some nights. The common spaces have been updated to reflect our personal tastes instead of those of his previous marriage. Though, I tried my very best to still leave a tribute to her in my own small way. She didn’t deserve the end she was given.
Pietro and I have settled into our busy schedules but we dedicate as much of our weekends to one another as possible. But, more often than not, I find myself dragging him into the bedroom the moment that he or I return home from our work-related travels. If we even manage to make it all of the way to the bedroom.

“You’re only throwing a dual party because you want double the amount of presents.” Maxine teases.

“Of course,” I admit without shame. “Birthday presents and housewarming presents. It’s a win-win for me.”

Until Pietro, the only time I’d ever been able to officially celebrate my birthday was when Maxine bought me a day-old donut and stuck a candle in it during the few years we lived together in college.

“Well, don’t you worry, this year you will be very happy when you open your gifts. I promise you that!” Maxine announces happily. “Give me the rest of the tour, will you?”

“Sure! We will leave the kitchen for the end as I believe Pietro is still working on the cake that he plans to surprise me with,” No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop smiling. I’ve never been happier in my life.

“He’s actually baking the cake himself?” Maxine asks with a giggle.

I shrug. “I’m not supposed to know one way or the other, remember?”

A knock at the door comes and Luca appears out of nowhere. That’s something that I’m never going to get used to. Glass of red wine in hand, he crosses to the door and pulls it open to reveal none other than Eric himself.

“Eric!” I exclaim and quickly greet him with a hug.

I haven’t had the chance to tell Maxine about Eric yet. My birthday wish to her was to have a whole night with her to myself. No husbands, no interruptions. Just bad rom-com movies and all of the greasy snack foods we can eat. We used to dream about nights like that. It’s a literal dream come true. I figure that we will catch up on everything then. We’ve both come so much further in our lives than we ever previously dreamt possible.

Eric is only a few inches shorter than Pietro. He has sandy brown hair and a jawline sharp enough to cut glass on. He’s slim but strong, with crow’s feet forming at the corners of his eyes. He is physically everything you would expect from someone who works on Wall Street. I couldn’t have guessed what he did for a living if I hadn’t known him.

However, beneath his coat are just as many tattoos and scars as the rest of the mafia. Eric is good at hiding them.

He kisses me once on either side of my cheek in greeting but the movement is hasty and feels awkward.

“Hey,” he breathes. “Happy birthday, yeah?” I take a step back, and my brow furrows in confusion at him.

If I had to use just one word to describe my newest found brother, it would be relaxed. He’s always seemed content to take his time in everything he does. He’s particular about the way he steeps and drinks his tea. Eric is the sort of man with an imposing, controlling aura who dominates every room he enters and seeing him look nearly jittery is very strange.

I suppose we have grown very close, Pietro included.

“That’s it? A face bump and a hasty happy birthday? I expect better from you.”

“Your present is on its way, promise. I’m just in a hurry because I need to pick Angelica from her dance camp.” Eric responds quickly. I’m not sure why he didn’t just pick up his daughter and bring her with him. He knows that she is always welcome here. If anything, she’s the reason Pietro and I have begun to consider having children of our own someday. They are unlikely to be as perfect as my niece, but I can dream.

“Hello, I’m Eric. Nice to meet you,” he reaches his hand toward Maxine, who gives me a sideways look as she shakes it.

“Maxine, nice to meet you as well.” She’s chomping at the bit for an explanation but I can’t stop thinking about how weird Eric’s being. He’s fidgeting with his hands as if trying to crack a finger that simply will not pop.

“I hate to be that guy but I only have enough time to say hello to Pietro before I have to leave.”

“Why don’t you pick up Angelica and come back here? If you are concerned about her being around all of the adults, she will be perfectly content in one of the rooms.” I offer but Eric quickly shakes his head no.

“That’s – that’s just not needed,” he grins.

I place my hands on my hips and arch my eyebrow at him. “Okay. What’s going on here?” I shift my weight to one hip and wait for an explanation. “I’ve never seen you this anxious before. Is this really about your daughter, or are you trying to sneak off to meet up with a date?” I tease; fully expecting to be shut down instantly. Eric has not once mentioned a woman to me. We briefly discussed the mother of his child in passing and nothing else. He’s an intensely private person but I feel confident he will tell me if he’s dating somebody.

“No, what a silly thing to say. I feel bad that I can’t stay to celebrate your birthday with you properly, that is all,” he flashes me a charming smile. Too charming. It seems to me like he might not be telling the entire truth to me.

“I’ll have one of Pietro’s men go get her; problem solved. They can bring her here and provide her with whatever she needs. Please stay and celebrate properly, as you say,” I respond. His reaction is more than meets the eye. My gaze widens as I realize I might have guessed correctly after all. I cannot let such an opportunity pass me by. “I’m not going to let you leave this house until you explain why you’re acting so strangely.”

Eric stills himself and locks eyes with me. “When there is something to tell, I promise that I shall tell you.”

“I will hold you to that!” I call after Eric as he heads toward the kitchen in search for Pietro.
I secretly hope it’s a woman. I know Eric has impossible expectations of everyone around him. I can only imagine how high they must be for a woman he’s interested in dating. But he deserves to be happy.
I could never have imagined a life where my heart is so full. Some days feel surreal, as if they are a dream. If that’s the case, I don’t want to wake up. For me, family and friends gathered under one roof. There is nothing else I could ask for. I had to go through hell to get it, and if I can help my brother find the same kind of inner peace and happiness that I have – I’m going to do everything to make sure that he gets the same opportunities.

Something clatters from the kitchen and I hear Pietro greeting Eric loudly in happy, boisterous Italian. If Eric won’t tell me, I will just have to find out for myself.

“Hang on just a sec, Maxie, make yourself at home, okay?” I say to my best friend as I slip my arm from hers and follow Eric into the kitchen against Pietro’s wishes. I playfully put my hands over my eyes like a shield as I interrupt their conversation.

“My love, you are not supposed to be in here.” Pietro teases in a faux-serious tone as he spots me.

“I’m technically not looking at whatever surprises you’re making for me,” I giggle as Pietro’s hand snakes around my waist and pulls me into his side. “Eric here has left me so quickly I didn’t get time to demand my present from him!”

I peek an eye at Eric, who flashes a guilty look. “In my haste, I might have forgotten to bring one.”

I smile. “Alternatively, you could tell me the truth about why you’re fleeing my birthday so quickly!” That will suffice as a present.”

“You are leaving?” Pietro asks and sounds a little bit disappointed.

“Yes, he is! He claims to be on his way to pick up Angelica. Still, I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s picking up or meeting someone else along the way,” I smugly smirk and place my hands on top of Pietro’s.

Pietro gives him an accusing look and Eric knows that he will not be able to persuade either of us to let this go.

“Fine,” he concedes. “I will tell you but not tonight. Tonight is about celebrating you.”

“So there is someone!” I reach my hand to him triumphantly and squeeze his forearm. “Seeing you happy is a perfect birthday present!”

I pause for a moment to appreciate where we are. In the last year, so much has changed. My family has grown significantly. I’m in a completely different place than I could have ever imagined. If things go well with Eric’s lady, perhaps my family will grow even larger! I miss Gregory all the time; at least, I miss the Gregory I knew as a child. I’m still healing, but I know there’s a brighter future ahead of me.

Eric’s phone rings, and he answers it. I hear Angelica asking his whereabouts and Eric smiles warmly.

“I’m on the way, honey.” He turns to me and kisses my temple. “Happy birthday. Sorry to run so quickly.”

“You better bring my niece with you next time!” I call to his retreating form. If Angelica knows who this mystery woman is, I’m sure she will tell me.

I tighten my grip on Pietro’s arms, and he turns to look at me with a look of admiration that gives me butterflies. Being here with him makes me believe that anything is possible.

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Ty

Six years later…

It was a mild winter afternoon in Malibu, and the scent of the sea greeted me as I stepped out of the car and gazed down the California coast.

Grinning to myself, I quietly grabbed my bag from the back of the car and gazed up at the Spanish-style house tucked in between palm trees and bamboos. Contentment bore into me, deep and warm, at finally being home again.

I was a day early, too, to surprise my wife.

My business in San Francisco had wrapped up early which allowed me to visit Daniel and spend the afternoon with him since he lived there now – as did Sara. Both of them worked in the tech industry, so it was just a big coincidence, or so went Lia’s cover story, who had been trying to play matchmaker for six years.

Who knew with the two of them?

I did agree with Lia, though, that the more they tried to hold themselves apart from each other, the more they inevitably snapped together — like ending up in the same city. Not only that but they were in the same damn neighborhood.

Walking into the house, I slipped off my shoes and stole quietly through the halls, taking in the lovely open layout and the colors bursting from the walls. Lia had thrown herself into decorating this place and had been the one to fall in love with California first, suggesting that we get a fresh start here — even though it had hurt like hell to leave Boston behind.

In the aftermath of taking out Hendrix; things had gone to hell for that crime family. Last I heard, Caleb’s brother, Cole, had been named successor on their father’s deathbed but that was more a cruel curse than a gift. Rumor had it that he was still cleaning up after his brother — and was still working off the Bratva, a blood debt for Caleb’s murder of Ivan.

Meanwhile, Kir had worked for the Cantori family, first as Lia’s personal bodyguard, and then, when I’d gotten enough of my affairs in order and my guys set for life, I’d handed over what I could of the criminal empire to my guys who wanted to stay in the business, and to Kir. Last I heard, he still lived in Boston and somehow navigated working for two families.

It helped that I’d also given them Marina Fioreno’s intel to help keep the criminal underbelly of Boston in line. I’m not sure it was what Marina would’ve wanted but at least they’d cleaned up a lot of shit. Civilians couldn’t be safer. I mean, my old friends and associates weren’t fucking boy scouts, but at least Boston wouldn’t fall prey to monsters.

Meanwhile, I went as legit as I could. And Danny, well, he was still getting there.

We were hoping that if everything went as planned, Luca could come back to the States and maybe live in California too. The three of us cousins would finally be back together.

Against all goddamn odds, it had mostly worked out. We still had some things to figure out and fix, but I had a good, stable, legitimate life in California. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else anymore.

I couldn’t imagine a different life, either. I’d gotten myself on the straight and narrow, and I’d never go back.

Dropping off my bag in the hallway, I heard noise coming from the backyard and crossed the house to step outside. For a brief moment, I took in my son Mario running laps with our big fluffy black dog, Fenway. He hadn’t seen me yet and my heart swelled with joy, watching him roll and laugh, play-wrestling with Fenway. Then he somersaulted back to his feet and spotted me, letting out the type of shriek of joy that only six-year-olds seemed capable of.

Walking forward, I crouched down, arms already open, as Mario tackled me and knocked me into the grass. Meanwhile, Fenway, equally ecstatic, licked my ears and writhed around; barking as though he could talk. Ruffling the dog’s ears, I laughed as I hugged Mario close with the other arm.

“Daddy, daddy,” Mario said in my ear. “Yesterday in school, we did an art project, and I painted Fenway, and everyone wanted me to show them how I could do it because Mommy showed me how to draw and paint, and then the teacher gave me a prize, and now I get to take extra art lessons with the bigger kids, and Mommy said that you’d be so proud, and…” He trailed off and leaned back so he could gaze up at me. “Do you want to see it?”

“Do I want to see your art?” I asked gruffly. “Of course.” Lia and I liked to joke that Mario had a paintbrush in his hands before he could even walk and talk. “You’re a prodigy, kiddo. And lucky for you, your mother has art dealers across the country wrapped around her finger.”

“Pro-gee?” Mario asked and tilted his head. “What’s that, a snack?”

I let out a laughing groan. “Geez, all you think about is your stomach, huh? You’re just like your Uncle Luca. No, prodigy means that you’re really good at art.”

“Oh, yeah, I guess,” Mario said and shrugged. He was utterly humble, this kid of mine.

“Should we go in and see your painting of our dog?” I asked. “Find a place to hang it up?”

“Yes,” Mario said and scrambled back, standing up and offering me a hand. Then his face lit up and he bellowed, “Mommy, Daddy’s home.”

“I see that,” Lia said, and I glanced up as she came to stand over me. Her voice went low and teasing as she asked, “You wanted to surprise me for once, is that right, husband?”

I grinned up at her, my heart swelling as I took her in, still a little staggered that this beautiful, passionate woman was all mine. She was not only mine but my wife and the mother of my children. Standing there, barefoot in loose pants and a paint-splattered shirt, with our daughter snoozing on her shoulder – she’d never looked more beautiful.

Lia’s face softened as though she could read my thoughts, and she gently tugged on my hair. “Ty?”

I realized I hadn’t answered and said, “Something like that.” I gave her a look that promised we’d have our own long and intimate reunion tonight behind locked doors when the kids were fast asleep. “I missed you, my darling wife.”

“We all missed you,” Lia said. “I was just getting this one up from her nap, but I don’t think she’s quite awake—”

Our daughter jolted upright and blinked her dark eyes down at me. Something powerful hit me every time I saw those eyes of hers. They were exactly like mine. Marina, or “Rina,” as she was usually called, was so much like me, while Mario sometimes reminded me so much of Lia, it made me laugh.

“Daddy?” Rina blinked and gazed at me.

My little golden daughter reached for me desperately, tears shining in her eyes, and I took her. Her gold hair tickled my cheek, and her little hands clutched at me as though reproaching me for daring to leave her for even a little while.

“I love you, Rina,” I whispered in her curls. “And I love you, Mario.”

Mario laughed and threw himself onto us, hugging his sister and me with all his heart, wide open and brave in a way that I was still learning. It warmed my heart every time I saw Mario patiently playing with his little sister, reading to her, or painting another picture. Meanwhile, Rina adored her big brother and followed him around like a little puppy.

Lia and I had been so lucky to be blessed with two kids like them. Every day, they taught me how to be a better man, a better father, and how to love in a million brave little ways. They also brought back more happy memories of my own childhood with my mother and grandparents, until the nightmare that followed in Boston with my father shrank down into nothing.

I’d come a long goddamn way since Boston.

As though hearing my thoughts, Lia ran her hand through my hair, and then she plopped down to join us sitting in the grass, leaning against me, and closing her eyes.

When I’d found out Lia was pregnant, I’d been ecstatic. It wasn’t until our son was born that I was besieged with doubt — and also determined to be the best of fathers.

I wanted to be the kind of parent that my mother and grandparents had been, to never, ever take out the hell of my childhood on my children or subject them to that. They’d never have to fight for their right to survive in a basement against grown men or learn the dark dealings of the Mafia. They’d never have to whittle down their souls in order to glean acceptance from their cruel father.

The bloodstained Cantori legacy and the Rhino’s line of heirs had ended with me.

And I’d never been prouder of a damn thing I’d done in my entire life.

My children would never know differently since, years ago, we’d changed our last name to Fioreno.

It was the least we could do to honor Lia’s mother.

Mario gave me a smack on the cheek, jolting me out of my thoughts, and then took off running. Rina scrambled out of my lap and toddled after him, Fenway leaping between them. Meanwhile, I snuck my arms around Lia’s waist and pulled her into my lap.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Lia murmured as I snuck a kiss onto the spot where her neck met her shoulder. A fluttered gasp escaped her lips.

I cut her off with a long and deep kiss, pulling her back against me and letting my arms find her familiar curves. When we broke apart, both of us were a little breathless and smiling. Wordlessly, Lia turned and wrapped her arms around my neck, snuggling against me.

God, this was so right, all of this. I closed my eyes by listening to my kids laugh and play, the dog bark, the distant crash of waves, and Lia’s familiar breathing.

This was everything.

I had everything I could ever want, sitting here in the grass under California sunshine with our dog and our kids, never mind my beautiful wife, Lia.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you,” she said back, and her hazel eyes danced. “I hope you know that you’re mine, Ty.” She growled the last part, in an imitation of me, I was sure. “Forever and ever.”

“Wasn’t that the plan all along, brat?” I asked in a deep voice as I tightened my grip and gave Lia a look that promised all sorts of delicious pain and pleasure later.

“Yeah,” she sassed and snuck a kiss on my lips. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Thank my goddamn lucky stars every day that I bumped into you in a bar,” I whispered. “And then I decided to never let you go.”

“Is that what happened?” Lia asked with a laugh.

“Details,” I said with a wink, and Lia laughed again as I kissed her. Suddenly, a blast of cold water hit my neck. I gasped and looked up, only for Mario to hit me in the face with a squirt of water from his water gun, then run off, shrieking with laughter.

Lia and I exchanged a look as I got to my feet, then pulled her up. As much as they were sweet and good kids, they were also shameless troublemakers. But in a way, that only made me happier. It was as though I got to see how it could have been for me and Daniel.

What it should have been.

Still, I couldn’t help teasing Lia in a mocking tone; our ongoing joke as to whose fault it was that Rina and Mario were hellions, and I said, “There’s no doubt these are your children, Lia.”

“Me?” Lia said and gave me a playful shove. “That brand of sneak attack is all you, Ty.”

Looking over, I saw Rina pounce on Mario’s back and snatch his water gun then hit him in the face, causing him to laugh. Fenway raced around them before stopping and rolling onto his back, waving his paws in the air. Both of my kids flung themselves down and proceeded to copy the dog.

Lia and I burst into laughter, causing Rina and Mario to perk up and come racing toward us, Fenway flying with them.

“Uh oh,” I said and nudged her. “Think we’re in trouble?”

“Oh yeah,” Lia said with a shake of her head, but her eyes glowed with affection. “Good trouble.”

Wrapping my arms around her waist, watching Rina and Mario race back toward us, I said, “I agree. This is all I could ask for and more.”

“Yeah?” Lia asked.

“Yeah,” I whispered and tightened my grip, closing my eyes. “This is everything. You are all my world, my everything.”

That was it; the simplest, goddamn truth that I’d been looking for all my life and found in Lia’s eyes. And now, I had everything, every day, with my family.

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Ten Months Later

Camila

“I don’t know what I’m so damned nervous for,” I say while shaking my hands out. It’s not like the constant motion is actually going to get the anxiety to leave me. I know that it can’t be that easy, but I’m trying anyway. My wedding dress skims across the floor as I pace. The tight bodice felt like a comforting hug when I first had it designed for me, but now it feels uncomfortable. If it hadn’t taken so damn long to get into the thing in the first place, I would seriously consider just ripping it off and starting over.

“I don’t either, babes… This is like a dream come true for you, after all. Fulfilling the desires of your youth, and all your other wishes at once. The whole nine yards, really. This is the type of shit that happens in movies!” Amanda teases.

Her pale green gown looks amazing against her olive skin. She had chosen the shade of the gown specifically to give her a reason to spend time working on her tan before the big day. Her hair is styled up and away from her face with modest makeup. Chandelier earrings catch the light and accentuate her slender neck, while loose waves of hair have broken free from the updo in a way that somehow makes her look even more beautiful, as she tries to fan me with a magazine that she found sitting in the dressing room.

“I know that. I don’t have anything to be afraid of, and yet here I am, filled to the brim with anxiety!”

“It’s just a ring and a piece of paper. No big deal. You have this on lock.” Amanda gives me her most winning smile, but it still doesn’t help at all. “Okay, okay. New tactic. Come here.” She grabs her skirt in one hand and grabs me by the upper arm. She yanks me toward the large floor-length mirror and positions me directly in front of it. “I know that you aren’t a big fan of affirmations, but you need them. So, Repeat after me. I am strong. I deserve love. I deserve abundance.”

I exhale slowly and drop my arms to hang down by my sides. I stare at my reflection.

There’s no denying that I look amazing. My dress is something out of a fairytale. The ballgown skirt extends out wide in every direction from my hips. The bodice is fitted, laced up the back in a nearly corseted fashion, except that the front has a deep V to make the outline of my chest fall into a heart shape. Sheer sleeves reach down my arms and end with a loop that hooks around my middle fingers. It’s the sort of dress that makes me feel just as beautiful as I know I look—just racy and daring enough to be alluring, but still modest enough to be a proper wedding dress. It’s not like Nathaniel hasn’t explored every single inch of my body anyway.

“Affirmations make me feel dumb,” I admit with a glance to my best friend and maid of honor.

“I don’t care. Do it anyway!”

I sigh. “I am strong. I deserve love and abundance.”

“Good. Now: I am marrying the love of my life and I deserve to be happy.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek for a moment. “I am marrying the love of my life and I deserve to be happy.”

“And lots of pretty, pretty babies.”

“And lots of- Hey!” I turn around and slap Amanda playfully on her arm while she cackles maniacally. “We haven’t even discussed children yet! I don’t even know if that’s something that I want for my future, let alone what he wants! We’re so young, and we’ve lost so much time together already. I wouldn’t want to rush him into something like that.”

“Do you think that maybe that’s part of the reason that you’re so nervous? I know the two of you have covered a lot of ground since everything happened. Maybe it’s the things that you haven’t covered that are making you so nervous?” Amanda asks kindly.

I hadn’t considered that if I’m being really honest. “Maybe. That’s probably something that we should have gotten fully out of the way before today, huh?”

Amanda shrugs. “Maybe.” She starts to fluff my large skirt around me. “But maybe not. I mean, you two spent years apart and still managed to find your way back to each other. With all of the things that you have endured, I feel like a conversation is something you can manage as well. It will happen when it happens. It’s not like you have to make any choices right now. Today, you just have to walk down the aisle to the stud of a man that is almost your husband and promise to love and obey him till death do you part, blah, blah, blah.” Amanda smiles once more. “Man, you look freaking beautiful, seriously. He’s going to die when he sees you.”

I can’t help but snort in laughter. That would be ironic, after all this.

“Feel better?”

I nod. “Thank you for being here with me, I know it wasn’t easy to pull all this off with your schedule, but I’m so glad that you’re here to keep me sane, Amanda. I mean it. You’re my best friend.”

“Yeah, I know that.” Amanda winks with faux arrogance.

The door to the dressing room bursts open quickly and then slams shut once more as Diana blocks the gap with her small frame. She looks out of breath and fumbles to lock the door, but there’s no lock on the handle. “Damnit.”

“Diana?” I ask curiously. She’s my only bridesmaid and is dressed in a very similar dress to Amanda, but hers is a light blue color to suit her complexion and hair better.

“I tried to stop them. I really did,” she huffs as she tries to steady her breathing.

“Stop who?” I ask.

“The men!” She says with some level of spite. “I tried to tell them that it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, I tried to explain that it was a jinx and something horrible was going to happen if he did it… But then Nathaniel started going on and on about what happened at my wedding, and I was so embarrassed that he knew about it even though Stephan and I had been so careful. But, anyway, they took advantage of my humiliation and slipped past me and Stephan. I had to run the whole way here just to make sure that you were decent enough to be seen!”

“What happened at your wedding?” Amanda asks curiously, and I’m glad she did because I want to know too.

Diana blushes a furious red. “I was hoping you weren’t going to ask me that.”

Both Amanda and I give her a knowing look. “You can’t just say something like that, and then expect us to not ask you about it.” Amanda laughs.

“Okay! Okay, fine. Stephan and I… may have gotten a little carried away at the reception.” She shifts anxiously with her back against the door. “It would have been fine had Nathaniel not come looking for us afterward. He may have caught us in a rather compromising position after we, ah, finished consummating our wedding vows. If you know what I mean.”

Amanda and I exchange a look and burst into laughter.

“Stop laughing! Stop it, or I will make sure to return the favor!” She huffs in mock indignation while Amanda nearly falls over from laughing so hard.

“Okay… Diana… You need to breathe or sit… or something.” I laugh. The door behind her starts to open, but Diana leans her weight back into it to try to keep it closed. I can hear Nathaniel swear on the other side of the door and start muttering something about how he’s a grown man and his sister is acting like a child. “It’s okay, Diana. I’m not superstitious. I don’t mind if he comes in. He clearly has something he needs to tell me.”

Diana looks reluctant to move even though I’ve given her permission. “This goes against every instinct I have as your bridesmaid,” she says and pushes away from the door.

As soon as she’s away from it, the door pushes open, and Nathaniel and Alessandro come rushing through.

Nathaniel looks so damned handsome in his tuxedo. Even for a man who practically lives in a three-piece suit, there is something even more spectacular about seeing him dressed up quite as formally as he is right now.

He places a hand on his chest, and his mouth goes slack at the sight of me. And, just like that, every fear and insecurity that I had felt about today and the things I’m going to do dissipates. It just turns into nothingness and floats right out of the air vents in the ceiling. How could I ever be unsure about this man? He smiles dopily at me and crosses the room to scoop me up happily into his arms.

“Really now! This is a bit too much, don’t you think? Nathaniel! Have you lost your mind?” Diana scolds her brother from across the room as he spins me around in place, but she makes no effort to stop him whatsoever.

“You look… so damn stunning,” Nathaniel says reverently, his eyes taking in every bit of my glowing face. “You weren’t getting cold feet, were you?”

“Me?” I grin. “Never. Is that why you came in here? To make sure that I wasn’t planning on leaving you at the altar for some reason?”

Nathaniel chuckles under his breath. “Even if you did, I think at this point Alessandro would find one or both of us and force us down the aisle.”

“That’s right,” Alessandro says, but my brother’s voice sounds strange.

Nathaniel sets me back on my feet and I turn to ask Alessandro what’s wrong, but he’s focused on Amanda. They seem to be locked into a staring match. I hadn’t even thought what it might be like for her. Alessandro had left her, too, without so much as a word. She had mourned him. Sure, she had dated some men and women on and off throughout college, and even less frequently afterward, but it was always an unspoken fact between us that she would hold a flame for my brother—the man that she considered to be her one true love. She had thought that he had died, and it was something that had brought us so much closer through college and even our internships and beyond.

She hadn’t taken the news of his return very well. She ran through the entire spectrum of emotions at least three times in the span of an hour, and then again when I had the unfortunate obligation of informing her that he had not asked to see her. Amanda had only been mentioned to Alessandro in passing. Perhaps I should have done more to make this less awkward.

He was a member of Nathaniel’s groomsmen; she was going to have to see him. She knew that, and she insisted that it would be fine. However, being fine with something, in theory, can be a whole hell of a lot different than being fine with it in practice.

I didn’t realize until right now that any time Amanda has been brought up over the last few months, Alessandro would find any reason to excuse himself from the conversation. It’s funny how my brother is always good with physical confrontation, but emotional confrontation… not so much. I can cut the tension in the air between them with a knife. They have always had a rather unique relationship, but something is different now. I would have made him say something to her had I known that they hadn’t spoken this whole time.

Alessandro’s shoulders square, and he sets his jaw firmly, determined to not show any emotion other than his polite, formal mask. Amanda’s gaze hardens. I can’t imagine what Amanda must be feeling: confusion, betrayed, hurt… But there’s something else in her eyes, something electric.

Poor Diana is stuck on the other side of the room without a single hint as to what’s going on or why the pair of them are very pointedly not staring at one another. I was too afraid to ask Alessandro if he missed her, or if he had thought about her while he was away. Despite everything that happened, I didn’t feel like it was my place to push something like that onto him if he wasn’t ready. He had been keeping to himself so much as it was. If he needed time to transition back to regular life while we put all of our affairs in order, he was entitled to that. However…

“Alessandro, you look well.” Amanda was the first to break the silence, and that made Alessandro look only that much more guilty.

“Ah, thank you. You, as well, you too… look good.” Alessandro rubs at the back of his head, mussing his hair as he looks every but at Amanda.

“Thank you. I’m glad you’re in good health.” Amanda locks all her features and emotions into a carefully controlled mask. It’s the sort of thing that I have watched her do in the courtroom time and time again, most of all whenever the subject matter has affected her a bit more than it should have. She can handle some really intense cases. I think, on some level, she was internally congratulating herself for being the bigger person. But I also know her well enough to know the pain that mask is hiding… and, perhaps, something else—a longing, something that she’s told herself she didn’t or couldn’t want when she wants my brother so badly it’s making her sway on her feet. “Maybe we should get a drink sometime. Catch up on everything. I’m sure that you’ve got some really great-”

Alessandro’s hands ball into tight fists at his sides, and he turns and walks straight out of the room.

Nathaniel and I exchange knowing glances. “I should go and check on him.” Nathaniel steps away from me and then leans back in to kiss me softly.

I nod, he should go and see what’s the matter.

“No,” Amanda interrupts. “He doesn’t get to run away from me a second time.” There’s a fire in her eyes as she glares at the spot that Alessandro filled only a moment ago. “I’ll go.” She picks up the bottom of her skirt in her hands and stomps out of the room after Alessandro.

“I don’t think I would want to be him right about now,” Nathaniel says so that only I can hear, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Oh, he’s brought this on himself.”

“Should we wait for them?”

“Something tells me that they are going to be a while. He couldn’t avoid her forever.”

A loud crash resounds from somewhere down the hallway, and I hear loud Spanish cursing coming from my brother directly after. Nathaniel, Diana, and I all look at one another and start laughing.

“Come on, we have a ceremony to get to.” I roll my eyes at the feuding couple. There’s no point in attempting to break up their argument now. “Better for them to get it all out of their system, now.”

Nathaniel links his hand with mine and holds open the door for me. “She might have a temper to rival yours,” he teases me.

“Oh no, she’s so much worse.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Maria

As I walked into the building, I noticed Dorothy at the front desk as always. She smiled at me softly. I nodded, recalling how we had fixed things. She had forgiven me easily after our confrontation the night I left the penthouse. She said she had understood my anger and fear.

She tapped the button for the elevator doors from her desk as I walked in. “Welcome home Mrs. Preston. I hope your day went well.”

“Absolutely fabulously, Dorothy! How about you come upstairs later, and we can celebrate. Bring some champagne while you are at it!”

Dorothy nodded, “What would we be celebrating?”

“When you get upstairs, I’ll let you know,” I replied, walking into the elevator. As the door closed, I smiled, excited to tell Angelo the good news. I had kept it a secret from him for long enough, and now was the time for me to tell him. The elevators stopped, and Benny walked in, nodding at me.

“Madam.”

“Benjamin.”

“Going up?” He asked.

“Only way I know,” I replied.

He hit the button for the floor he would be stopping on and the elevator climbed until it got there. He stepped out, nodded at me, and walked away. I liked that he was not entirely fond of me, but he knew that Angelo loved me, and he respected me for it. It had gotten a lot better with time, and I was certain he was going to make a great uncle when the time came.

The doors opened to the floor that I had spent the best moments of my life on. It had undergone a few changes to ensure it did not look exactly like the den of a mafia kingpin anymore. A few colors to spruce things up, better drapes… A little woman’s touch had brought the entire floor to life. There was a lot of work to be done still, but for now, it was home.

“It is just like the first time you walked in here… Beautiful, graceful. The best thing I have ever laid eyes on.”

“Even after all of the time, we have spent together?” I asked, giving him a little spin.

“Especially after it all.” Angelo grabbed my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. I allowed myself to be taken in by his love, because I was completely in love with him.

I had doubted it in the beginning, I had doubted myself. I had no idea why, but being with Angelo had allowed me to see a side of myself that I did not know existed. I became more confident, more sure of myself. I loved the woman I had become, the woman who had doubted that she loved this mafia lord was long gone. All that was left was the wife of Angelo Preston, the man who controlled the city. It was more than I could ask for, and I was more than grateful.

“Maria, you are everything I could ever want and more.”

“Well, I am about to become much more than that,” I replied, reaching for the envelope in my bag.

The security alert blared to life and Angelo pulled away, reaching out to the desk to pick up the call coming from the ground floor. I heard Dorothy speak from through the intercom. “Sir, ma’am, we have a visitor. I don’t think it’s someone we’re friendly with. He has requested to see both of you, and we have vetted him, so he is completely safe. I think he has something he wants to say to you both.”

“Both of us?” Angelo asked, still getting used to the fact that we were going to be referred to as a couple.

We hurried into the elevator and took it all the way down. I watched Angelo sneak a gun into his jacket as we went down just in case we ran into some sort of trouble. It had been six months, and we were well past all the madness with Vasquez, but he was not the only threat we would ever face. There would always be others, those who would want to come for our power, and so we had to be ready for it all.

As the doors parted, we walked out and noticed the members of the family who were in the lobby. They did not have their guns pointed at the man, but I knew they were there, underneath their coats, waiting to be pulled free. The man would be shot to the ground the second he appeared to be some sort of threat. Benny walked up to him, questioning him, but we could not pick up on his replies from our distance. As we got closer, I saw his face and recognized him immediately.

“Johnny?”

“Maria, Mr. Preston.” Johnny turned to look at Angelo beside me. “Look, Maria, I know what you’re thinking right now, and I know I fucked up. I could have stopped all the madness, I could have helped you escape that night when you came to my home. But I was a part of Vasquez’s crew for so long, and if I had betrayed them, they would kill me. I couldn’t turn down a direct order like that. I’m so sorry, and I wish, more than anything, that you will find it in your heart to forgive me.”

I reached for him and took his hand. I had watched his face the entire time. Studied his countenance. Johnny was not a bad guy. He was just stuck in an unfortunate situation and had to do what he did to survive. The fact that I was on the receiving side was just an unfortunate haphazard. But he was here now, begging for forgiveness. “I understand Johnny, I get it, and I’m sorry you were in that situation. It’s okay.”

“I remember you. You were the one who worked for Vasquez, the man who refused to shoot us in the end. I tried to look for you afterward, checking the reports of those who they reported dead, but you weren’t among them. So, I guessed you fell off the radar, went on the run to save yourself. You did a brave thing, Johnny. You almost died, and in doing so, you saved my life. Both our lives, and I am eternally grateful for that.”

Johnny nodded, looking at both of us. He sniffled a bit and I saw the color of joy wash over his face. “There is something else, though.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was wondering if I could join your family. Since Vasquez is gone, I can offer my services and expertise in any way it’s needed.”

“Sure,” I replied. “As long as you are okay with it?” I turned to Angelo.

“Absolutely.”

We took the elevator and headed back to the loft upstairs. I turned around and hugged Angelo, “As I was saying, I received something in the mail today.”

“What is it?”

“A letter from the med school I applied to.”

“You applied at med school?” Angelo asked, shocked.

“Yes… I think it’s time I became Dr. Maria Preston, don’t you?”

“Wait, so what did the letter say?”

I smiled at him and kissed him. “It said yes. I’m in!”

A smile erupted across his face, and he pulled me in tightly, “Well, I think my current doctor is certainly in need of a break.”

“If you get yourself shot or hurt, just know that you’re paying full price,” I laughed.

“Yes, doctor… Though, perhaps we could come to some other kind of arrangement.” He grazed the side of my ear with his teeth and smiled seductively at me. “But more on that later. How about we go celebrate?”

I smiled back. “I’d love that more than anything.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

of Kill

Which was the part you liked most in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

Will you read, or have you read, the sequel to Hunter's Prey (Hunter's Kill - Helena and Daniel's story)? *

• Yes
• No

Would you like to see Anya with a new love interest in the third book of the series? Or would you rather she remained with Nikolai? *

• Yes, I would like to see Anya with a new love interest.
• I don't know? But I'm open minded about it.
• No, I would rather Anya and Nikolai remained together.

Would you like to see Nikolai with a new love interest in the fourth book of the series? Or would you rather he remained with Anya? *

• Yes, I would like to see Nikolai with a new love interest.
• I don't know? But I'm open minded about it.
• No, I would rather Anya and Nikolai remained together.

Who is your favorite dark mafia romance author? *

I need some new inspo!❤️

Submit

Anya

My wedding dress is the most spectacularly stunning thing that I have ever seen in my life. It’s cut off the shoulders, with a heart-shaped neckline. The bodice is corseted and fit snug just below my waist. The white lace is thick over my breasts to keep things modest, but it turns sheerer to accentuate the flowers embroidered through the body and the top layer of the skirt that explodes out from the bottom of the fitted torso, and out in a ballroom style over my legs. However, it’s the daring slit up the side where my left leg is visible that I love the most. Just enough to flash Nikolai a hint of leg, get him all riled up before the ceremony actually starts. Just the way that I like him.

My hair is done up in a low bun at the nape of my neck, loose waves have been pulled throughout to soften the lines of my face with chandelier-style earrings. I wear no other jewelry besides my engagement ring. My veil is fastened into my bun, heavy, but I’m managing well enough. My heels are short, but I could have been wearing platforms and I still would not be anywhere near Nikolai’s height. The very inner layer of the skirts is a soft pastel pink made of satin that feels divine as it brushes against my bare legs. I didn’t want to wear all white, it just didn’t feel right, all things considered. It is just enough.

I run my hands down the bodice. I keep waiting for the nerves to settle in, but they don’t. I don’t have any regrets; I don’t have cold feet but I always thought that somehow it was supposed to settle in right about now. We have invited limited guests to our wedding, mostly just his hired men and a couple of my friends from Vegas who just assume that Nikolai is some rich oil tycoon, or a sugar daddy, or some foreign model. They have different, crazy theories that they run past me every now and then and I always make sure to agree to each and every one. They are mostly just here so that my side of the lawn isn’t totally empty. The only person that I really care about is the man waiting for me at the end of it all.

In just a few more minutes, it’s going to be official. I will be Anya Volkovich.

I can’t get the smile off of my face.

It feels like closure and a new beginning all at once. Ending a chapter, or rather closing a whole book on the life of when I was Anya Griffith and letting her go. I am writing a new story as Anya Volkovich. My new thick lashes brush against the tops of my cheeks as I close my eyes and breathe deeply to let everything really sink in.

When I open my eyes again, Nikolai is standing in the doorway, looking at me looking at myself in the full-length mirror. “Damnit!” I gasp and nearly knock the mirror over as I jerk away from the sight. “Get out of here!”

“You cannot tell me what to do.” Nikolai rolls his eyes, confidently strolling into the room, one hand in his pocket. He pops the knuckles on his other hand with his fingers, one at a time as he advances on me. “Tell me something, Anya, when the priest gets to the part of the ceremony where he says that you are to honor and obey…what are you going to say?”

“It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding! I’m in my dress and everything!” I back away from him, and snatch a decorative couch cushion from the nearest couch to pull in front of my body, not that it’s doing any good.

“Bad luck, Pah.” Nikolai spits at the floor to banish my mention of bad luck as he snatches the pillow from my hand and throws it forcefully back to the couch. “We have had quite enough bad luck for one lifetime, don’t you think?”

His fingers encircle my wrist and he yanks me forcefully to him, and I crash into his chest. Both hands flatten out over the crisp white fabric of his oxford shirt as he smirks at me.

“See, what I am thinking is that you have pulled some trick…or attempted to bribe the poor priest out of saying that part. Do you think that you will not have to obey me?” He lowers his face closer to mine. “Being my wife only means that I shall have more tools at my disposal than ever to get you to obey my every desire.”

I scoff. “Bribery? Me?”

“You made the priest cry…he came to me to express some reservations about your purity.” His smirk spreads into a full-out grin. “I admit, I did laugh when he implied that you were pure in any way. Do not worry, I have informed him of all of the ways that I have personally corrupted you. Now we might have to have Ivan marry us.”

He looks far too proud of himself as he walks me backward to the nearest wall. I feel my shoulders collide solidly with the wall, and logically I should move. I should try to get away because I’m far too easily trapped by him like this.

“You sound way too proud of yourself. Besides, Ivan cannot marry us — he’s walking me down the aisle.”

“He can do both.” Nikolai shrugs.

“No, he can’t. Get out of here right now, and go apologize to that poor holy man.”

“Soon,” he says ominously, and his nose brushes mine. I can’t even pretend to be mad that he’s snuck in here. “I have corruption to attend to first.”

Nikolai nearly kisses my teeth I’m smiling so big. “You still haven’t told me just what I’m supposed to expect from a mafia wedding anyway.” I giggle.

Nikolai answers while trailing kisses down the side of my neck, focusing on that spot where my neck meets my clavicle that makes my knees buckle and my toes curl, until I’m clinging to him breathlessly.

“It is much the same as any other wedding…just a lot more vodka and tattoos.”

He pauses for a moment, his hand grabbing mine so he can brush his thumb over the now healed tattoo covering my entire hand and the majority of my arm. Some of the ink I had gotten to match Nikolai’s after we had signed our first property documents together. Others we had gotten in promise to one another, and some were to commemorate the union of our families. Then I had gotten away with connecting the rest of them.

“You will fit right in now, do not worry there.”

“I’m not worried,” I answer. Apart from the half sleeve I have managed to acquire over the past few months, I have also added another much smaller tattoo to my collection. A small set of tally marks on the back of my hip to commemorate the years that my mother has been dead. I entered into this strange relationship unblemished and now I’ve got enough ink to pass for any of the guests in attendance. I love it. Fitting into Nikolai’s world has been so much easier than I ever imagined that it could be. Not even just because Nikolai threatened to maim anybody who gave me any shit either.

Those few men that came from my father’s old empire vowed their loyalty to me easily and proved it to Nikolai. The dissonance caused by Elias and my father left a lot of people in search of guidance, needing somebody to look up to. Nikolai is that person, a natural-born leader.

One who serves nobody but me.

Nikolai’s lips resume their trail down my neck, his teeth closing over my sweet spot, and I gasp. He’s going to mark me before we even have a chance to walk down the aisle if he keeps that up. “Enough,” I gasp, pushing at his chest. He doesn’t budge. “There will be plenty of time for that later,” I laugh. “Forever, really, you’re supposed to wait until tonight at least!”

“I am not a patient man, Anya, you know this — besides, I’m hungry now — and you look divine.”

Desire pulsates through me, sending fire to every piece of me. He looks up at me darkly and lowers himself to one knee in front of me. I can’t deny him anything when he looks at me like this. His calloused hand wraps around my ankle, scraping his tough skin up the softness of my calf, and further, until he cups his hand behind my knee and bends it up to rest on his shoulder. The slit in my skirt comes in just as handy as I thought that it might, as his hands trace the muscles in my thighs and up to my hips; where he finds no opposition for him to remove, no fabric to get between us other than the layers of skirt. His smile turns positively feral, and I lose all desire to fight him. Not when I know what is coming.

His handsome head disappears from my view, the layers of fluffy skirt blocking the beautiful display as he places a kiss on the inside of my knee, chasing the soft sensation away with the sharp sting of his teeth. Again, and again as he travels his way up the inside of my thigh. I have nothing to hold onto, no leverage offered by the walls around me as I teeter on one leg, wholly at his mercy. I try to gather some of the skirts up in my hands, but it is of no use.

I end up with fistfuls of fabric, and I cling to them as he kisses the strained muscle where my thigh meets my hips.

He teases a trail toward my center, his tongue paying special attention to anywhere but where I want him most. My head falls heavily back to the wall, and I desperately wish that I could tangle my hands up into his hair and force him to my center.

I grunt in frustration as he deliberately bites the inside of my other thigh, and I can feel his short chuff of laughter against my skin — and then he parts me with his tongue and I nearly fall.

I wobble on my leg, and sag further into the wall so that I can push my hips as close to his face as possible, his wonderful tongue exploring, delving deeper with delicious sensations that curl my toes. He pushes his tongue inside of me, replacing it with two fingers that slip easily inside of me as he finally shifts upward to my overly needy clit.

“There, yes, please,” I pant as he flicks his tongue over me.

It’s not enough, I need more…I want everything. He’s moving too slow and it’s driving me crazy. The small jolts of pleasure have me jerking awkwardly. “Nikolai, please.” I try to press his face forward using my skirts, but I can’t get quite enough pressure. “Please!” I beg, and he finally relents. He swirls his tongue around my center, and a pleased moan tears its way from my throat. Any lingering tension in my body melts away.

He does such wonderfully sinful things with his tongue. His fingers pump inside of me, finding an easy rhythm that I want him to quickly replace with my favorite appendage of his.

I’m close, so close — I can feel the heat building in my core and spreading the warmth through to my fingers and toes. My vision starts to blur and I’m putty in his hands. I start to slide downward; my legs can’t hold me up. I’m about to buckle, lost in sensation when Nikolai catches me. He knows my body almost better than I know it myself. He’s pushed me to limits and beyond them countless times now.

Warm, tattooed hands grab me by my thighs and I’m sliding back up the wall as he deftly pushes his way between my thighs until I’m pinned between the bulk of him and the wall. My thighs stretch comfortably to accommodate him as he undoes the front of his black slacks.

My eyes cross as he pushes up inside of me. I can taste myself on his fingers as he covers my mouth with his tattoo-covered hand.

“Careful, or they are going to hear you,” Nikolai warns.

I can’t find it within me to care, not now. I grasp his upper arms, feeling the muscle tense under my holds as his forehead falls to my shoulder. I love feeling the way his arms and back move. Such a handsome, strong man and he’s all mine. I can’t stop my breathless smile as he drives into me, over and over — consumed by need and lust. Mine. More than anything I have ever thought was mine in my life, Nikolai is mine and I am his.

Husband and Wife, leaders of a powerful Bratva empire.

Nikolai’s teeth close over my shoulder, a growl of self-control building as his pace becomes erratic. “I guess you like my dress?” I pant, Nikolai nods into my shoulder, and bites me again — I yelp in surprise which only spurns him harder as we chase climax.

“You look beautiful,” he agrees, his voice dark and sensual. “You just needed a final touch, something new.” he winks and if he didn’t feel so fucking good, I might roll my eyes, but the friction is building and I feel like I’m floating.

“There,” I mutter, barely even a word on my lips as my eyes shut as my orgasm rips through me. All I can do is hold on until the end of the waves. Each time with my soon-to-be husband is better than the last. Nikolai kisses me on the corner of my mouth, and I capture his lip between my teeth, greedily holding on as he cums inside me. Damned primal bastard always has to mark his ownership of me. I stopped minding a long, long time ago.

He kisses me slow, and soft. His lips pressed against mine with a languid brush of his tongue over my fuller bottom lip, letting the last waves of our orgasm rock through us both before he leaves me, and slowly lowers me back down to my feet. I almost tell him not to. My legs feel like jelly.

“Clean yourself up,” Nikolai tucks himself away and straightens his shirt, tucking the tails back into the slacks with a wink. “We have a wedding to get to.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Maxine

A few weeks later

 “Are you sure that I look alright? I can dress up…or down…or do something else?” I stare at my reflection in the mirror and hope that I wasn’t wrong in thinking that this was acceptable to wear to dinner.

It’s certainly outside of my comfort zone, I know that much. The white high heels are a bit too high, and I think I would feel more comfortable wearing a nice dress. By changing things up and wearing a pantsuit, I look more formal, but the flowy white pants that tie in a pretty box at my waist feel like they should belong to somebody else. I’m wearing a white sleeveless shirt with a modest neckline, and my blonde hair is tumbling over my shoulders in big waves. I know that I look presentable, but I don’t feel like I look entirely like myself. The person in the mirror isn’t really me.

“You would look fine, no matter what you choose to wear,” Dalton says from the doorway leading into the bathroom.

His hands are in his pockets. He’s chosen to dress more casually tonight as well. He’s wearing a white button-down with the top few buttons undone and dark navy slacks. Our outfits complement one another – something that I think absently as I admire him from his reflection in the mirror.

“Right, but do I look alright for tonight?” I stress because I know how important tonight is for both of us.

This isn’t a normal evening where I’m going to meet my boyfriend’s boss, because Dalton isn’t exactly my boyfriend, and Constantino isn’t his boss in the meaning that I would normally place on the word. It’s something more than that. I feel like we are going to have me inducted somehow. Not that I will ever really be a part of their world in that way, but close enough.

To think that it wasn’t long ago I was dreading even the idea that I would be in the same room as somebody with mafia connections…and now I’m here hoping that they will like me. I don’t know what would happen if I got there and Constantino or his wife decided that they didn’t like me.

“What if I say the wrong thing? What if I spill something on myself? What if-” I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from talking any longer. My hands join together in front of my body and I start to fidget, shifting anxiously in place as Dalton crosses the room to me. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and grabs me by my throat. I can feel the tension melting from my shoulders as I lean back into his sturdy frame.

“Let me worry about all of that. You just worry about being yourself, and not choking on your food because you’re overthinking things,” Dalton says with a soft laugh to the side of my face. “You are going to do just fine, I’m certain of it. Constantino means the world to me, and he will love you just as I do.” Dalton kisses the side of my face and lets me go.

I nod. Dalton is so sure that it’s hard not to be as confident as he is.

Dalton glances at his watch and sighs. “Time to go.” He waves me out of the room, and I grab my clutch purse from the dresser and head to the elevator. It’s been so easy to make myself at home here. So much easier than I ever thought. There is more clutter with all of my stuff here, and I’ve nearly taken over the sunken living room as my own personal workstation for school-related things. I’ve quit my job at the bookstore, but I still volunteer on the weekends. I don’t need the money anymore, something that Dalton made sure that I understood properly. I protested at first, but we both agreed that it’s just easier to have me safe and sound in the loft rather than having his men posted outside of the book store every day that I’m working. It’s doing wonders for my grades to have so many of my previous stressors removed from my plate. Not having to worry about money, or where my next meal is coming from…I can actually dedicate my time to learning and getting all of my work done quickly. That in and of itself is invaluable.

I’ve tried to not be a burden by overtaking many other rooms in the house, and Dalton has invited me to come into his gym with him, but I had refused. He gives me enough cardio on a daily basis that I don’t feel like I need to worry about stuff like that presently.

He’s even allowed Laura to be escorted here a few times, which is nice. I like being able to take Austin to go and visit her in her apartment as well. Unlike me, she has no issues taking Dalton’s money. She will happily accept any and everything that he offers her. Granted, she has to tease him mercilessly while she’s doing it.

My anxiety returns after we’ve been sitting in the back of the car for a while. I pull at the skin of my bottom lip as I zone out looking through the window. Dalton’s hand on my knee tightens to bring me back to center.

“You’re still worried, aren’t you?”

I drop my hand heavily to my lap, and start to pick at the loose skin on my knuckles as I nod bashfully.

“Is there anything that I can do in order to put you more at ease?” Something dark gleams in his eyes, and his hand shifts, rotating to trail up the impossibly soft material of my pants.

“I know you think it’s silly…but I haven’t ever met a big-time mafia don before, you know. It’s not a common occurrence that many people have to learn how to deal with.”

Dalton grins, all of his brilliant teeth on display as he shakes his head. “Please, do not call him that to his face. I don’t think his ego will fit through the door as it is.”

I shift in my seat, pulling my feet from the insides of my high heels, and move to sit on my knees on the seat as I face him. “I’m serious, Dalton! I’m nervous!”

Dalton leans back into the headrest and nods. “You know, people are intimidated to meet me too, I’m not chopped liver here. Big, scary mafia man, sitting right here.” He gestures to himself in such a cavalier way that I almost laugh.

“That is not the same, and you know it!”

“Ah, so because I’m just a right-hand man, and not the head honcho – all of a sudden I’m a fluffy kitten?”

“No! That’s not! Oh – you are impossible.” I cross my arms over my chest and sit back on my heels. I’m pouting, and it’s childish, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I just want to express myself clearly and words seem to be failing me. That in and of itself is very frustrating.

“You are going to do great. Don’t worry.”

Dalton leans forward and grabs the bow keeping my pants in place, and tugs the thing loose. He holds the two loose strings in his hands and pulls me closer to him. He kisses my chin and then trails a line of soft kisses around my jawline until he can close his teeth over the corner of my jaw, just below my ear.

“You look amazing, and you are going to do just fine. This is important, I know that, but you are important to me. I think you just need to relax a little.”

He pulls me closer to him, slips his hand inside of my pants, brushing over my navel and lower. He parts me with his fingers and pulls me closer.

“You just need to stop thinking about it. Hm?”

I’m straddling his leg, and his hand is supporting me around my lower back, holding me close to him. He spreads my wetness over his fingers, toying with my center before he sinks a single finger inside of me, and just like he suggested, all thought stutters right out of my head. His thumb finds my clit and starts to make slow, deliberate circles with a soft, teasing pressure. He works a second finger inside of me.

“Tell you what.” He begins as I start to ride his hand. “If you don’t cum for me by the time that we get there, you won’t be allowed to have any dessert. Focus on that. Focus on how my fingers feel inside of you right now, my pretty little whore.”

He pumps his fingers inside of me, and my hips find a rhythm that works against it, bucking against his thumb. This is exactly what I needed. It’s like he always knows when my body is craving him. He has some sort of secret connection with my sex that I cannot begin to understand.

From the beginning, my body has only ever responded to him. My body knew that he was meant for me even before I accepted the truth. Now, I can’t imagine anything else.

“You better hurry, slut – or you won’t orgasm in time.”

I let everything else drift away. I can feel the way that my peaked nipples are brushing against my shirt. I want him to pay attention there too, but I want my orgasm more. I want to fuck him, right here in this car. I’ve been so busy today getting everything ready for this dinner that I haven’t had him since waking up this morning. I’ve grown accustomed to him interrupting me throughout the day.

Just yesterday, I was working on my paper when he came into the living room and bent me over my workstation. He pulled my sweatpants down just underneath my ass and slipped inside of me with the instruction that I was to keep working. I think we have mastered the act of a quickie in just about every inch of his house. He is insatiable, I’ve learned that about him as well. I guess that means that I am also becoming insatiable. Perhaps I’m actually becoming a slut for him, just like he always says that I am. I always want him inside of me. I want more than his hands right now, but I will take what I can get.

“Hurry up slut, fuck yourself on my hand – that’s my good girl.”

His deep voice echoes in my head. I let myself lean into his hold and circle my hips faster as he stuffs a third finger inside of me – and I don’t last long after that. He increases the pressure on my clit, and the combination of sensations proves to be overwhelming as I cum on his hand. My thighs tremble and shake as they try to clamp around him. My eyes snap open as I lift my head to kiss him. I don’t even realize that the car is slowing as my hands move for his shirt buttons in a lust-induced haze. I want him. Now. I need him right now.

I have his shirt halfway undone as the car stops, and I mewl in protest as he breaks contact with my lips.

“Needy little whore.” He kisses the tip of my nose and pulls his hand from my pants. He sticks his fingers in his mouth with a hum of contentment. “Perhaps I’ll just have you for dessert. Would you like that, slut?”

“Yes, Master.”

Something in his expression darkens. “Oh, don’t do this to me right now. Constantino likely won’t be happy if he finds out that the reason that we are late is because I was fucking you senseless in his driveway.”

Dalton smirks and nods to the sash of my pants. Reluctantly, I tie the box back into place and attempt to make myself look a little less flushed as Dalton rebuttons his shirt and steps out of the car.

He holds a hand back for me and escorts me up the stairs. It’s a good thing that he does, too, because the sheer enormity of the mansion in front of me is overwhelming. It’s almost like each and every place that Dalton takes me is grander and more extravagant than the last. Constantino’s mansion is exactly what I would have pictured.

“So this is the Negrini Mansion?” I utter in an awed voice. I have the feeling that very, very few people are ever actually invited to come and stay here.

“It is indeed.” Dalton jogs up the steps, perfectly comfortable and not seeming to be intimidated whatsoever by the luxury of the place. “Why? Do you want one?”

My eyes might pop out of my head. “W-what?! You can- do you-” He cannot possibly be saying that he could just up and purchase a mansion like this whenever he wanted to. He doesn’t even bother answering me, he just smiles.

The door is opened for us, and we are escorted into the parlor, and then through into the dining room with a massive table already laden with beautiful, deliciously fragrant food laid out over the expansive surface.

I link my arm through Dalton’s and stick tightly to his side before a young boy comes running into the room with his arms extended toward Dalton. “Dalton!”  He releases me to scoop up the young boy who cannot be much more than six or seven, and spins him around in a wide circle as if the child weighed nothing at all.

Seeing him with Constantino’s son warms me in a way that I cannot explain. I can hardly tear my eyes away from the sight at the sound of rapid high heels clicking as a beautiful brunette woman comes running in after the boy, probably not having expected him to get away from her so quickly.

“Oh, I see what got him all excited,”

The woman breathes and shakes her head. I was hoping that Dalton might introduce me to them, but he seems so occupied with the boy that it slipped his mind. The woman tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and crosses to me. She hugs me, a real hug – not that socially polite sort of hug but the real kind that puts me at ease and instantly makes me feel welcome in her home.

“You must be Maxine! Dalton has told us a lot about you, I’m Clelia!”

She glances over her shoulder to the large, intimidatingly handsome man coming up to put his arm around her waist. It’s an effortlessly possessive gesture, and I can see automatically how well he and Dalton must get along. “This is Constantino.”

I almost curtsy, but I smile and hold my hand out instead. He eyeballs it strangely and I think for a moment that I’ve already offended him, or somehow done the wrong thing, but then he smiles. He leans in to kiss either side of my face instead. Whatever I was expecting, it wasn’t this. It’s more casual than I could have hoped, and I smile.

“It’s about time that Dalton found a good woman.” Constantino glances at his wife with a look of pure, open admiration.

“Thank you so much for having me over.”

“No, thank you for coming – as you can see, Otello has been missing Dalton awfully a lot since I’ve been away. Please, come sit – I am looking forward to getting to know you a little better.”

Constantino gestures for all of us to have a seat at the table and snaps expectantly at their child.

“First, I think that congratulations are in order, of a sort.” He reaches for his wine glass and toasts in my direction. “Welcome to the family, Maxine.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Diana

“I don’t suppose that your brother has told you why he summoned all of us here in the middle of the night?”

“My mother is sleeping. I mean, technically that means he could want to talk about anything at all, really.” It’s the truth, because as much as I want to have an answer to give my husband, I don’t. Nathaniel has been working at home a lot lately. While he makes all of the obligatory work trips and stops, he has been delegating a decent amount of the work to our mother. Not that she minds being able to get out of the house every now and then, but we have all noticed that Nathaniel is a little more on edge lately than he used to be. I’ve tried asking him what the issue is, but he usually offers me a one word cryptic sort of answer that doesn’t leave anybody satisfied.

“It seemed important, though.”

“You’re just upset because you want to be in bed,” I tease.

“No,” Stephan corrects me in that dark tone of voice that I love, “I want to be in you; it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with being in a bed or not. I could have you right here in the back seat of this car and be just as happy.”

A dark curl of desire pulsates between my legs instantly at the insinuation, and for half a moment I seriously consider taking off my pants right now and mounting my husband in the back seat of the car.

Yet, I slap his thigh as if it’s somehow a bad idea that he wants to fuck me as much as he does. If anything, marriage has increased his already insanely high libido. I keep waiting for the honeymoon phase to end, but it hasn’t. We have been married for months, and I still want him just as badly as I always have. Maybe I’m just attempting to compensate for all of those years that we weren’t together…or perhaps this is just how it is going to be between us.

“Slapping me is only going to make me want to bend you over my knee. You know that…and yet you do it anyway. Brave or incredibly stupid, Diana, which one is it?” Stephan teases as the car pulls into the driveway of my paternal home.

“Is it bad that I’m half tempted to tell Leo to drive the streets for another thirty minutes or so, that way you have to carry me inside of the house because you will have ruined my ability to walk?”

“Oh, that is very tempting,” Stephan says, and he gestures for Leo to keep driving. He doesn’t get another two feet, though, before Nathaniel throws open the doors to the estate and waves us down.

“Damn,” I mutter and shake my head.

“I guess we will have to attempt to be rather sneaky; perhaps we can sneak away for a quickie in your bedroom.”

I laugh and shake my head. “That’s insane.”

“Insane? To you—I think it’s brilliant. Now I will absolutely be fucking you at least three times today inside of your family home. Imagine, taking you in the very same room that you were pining for me all those years ago. Did you play with your clit fantasizing about me?” Stephan asks with his familiar bad boy grin as he opens the door and slides out. He holds the door open for me to pass through, ending the conversation unless I want to answer some really awkward questions from my brother as to the topics of our conversation. I don’t want to do that, so I flush and choose to shut up.

“That’s what I thought. I’m rather looking forward to exploring your teenage fantasies, Diana. I’m sure we can make them more vivid,” Stephan whispers and places his hand on the small of my back to guide me to to the front door. He reaches out for Nathaniel’s hand and shakes it firmly as we get closer.

“Nathaniel, it’s been what…a week?” Stephan cuts to the chase, but Nathaniel just nods and then goes back inside. Stephan and I exchange strange glances before following him inside. “Is it just me, or does he seem a touch more on edge than he normally does?”

“No…he’s definitely acting weird,” I agree, watching my brother and his quick pace through the mansion that both Stephan and I struggle to keep up with. Nathaniel stops abruptly in front of his office. Inside is a mess. For a man who is normally very neat and tidy, seeing his office this way is distressing to me.

“What is all of this?” I ask and step out of Stephan’s grasp, moving into the room as I run my fingers over some of the papers on the tables. My stomach drops when I see the folder labeled “Elijah Lord.” I pluck the folder open and see the autopsy report sitting on top, a collection of photos that I don’t really have any real desire to go through if I don’t have to.

There seem to be other documents and newspaper clippings across the surface of the table, and some of them have fluttered from the edge and lay scattered around the edges of the table as well. “Nathaniel,” I say, picking up a picture of Elijah having lunch with another figure with his back turned. “Seriously, what is all of this?”

Nathaniel looks at Stephan, “I have found out some rather distressing news.”

“Distressing to the point that you had us come here in the middle of the night?” Stephan says, not unkindly. I can tell from his expression that he’s concerned that perhaps Nathaniel might be obsessing over the death of Elijah in an unhealthy way and debating whether or not he needs to say something about it. Elijah is hardly the first person that Nathaniel has killed over the course of his career, even if he doesn’t ever want to talk about it in any amount of detail. I guess I can’t blame him. Dealing with the murder of another person is a very private, personal thing, and so long as he’s able to handle it, that’s his business.

It hasn’t occurred to me before this moment that perhaps my brother isn’t handling it as well as perhaps he should be.

“Yes, well…I needed to get it out of my head. It occurred to me that perhaps I shouldn’t have been going through all of this research on my own. Perhaps I should have included you sooner, but what is done is done, and I am including you now.” Nathaniel nods, and I notice the heavy circles under his eyes.

“Nathaniel…you could have called us any time that you needed help.” My voice softens, “If you needed to talk…or if you just didn’t want to be alone…we would have been only too happy to come and just keep you company.”

Stephan nods, but Nathaniel looks confused by my words.

“What? No, it’s nothing like that.” Nathaniel shakes his head and walks around the table to grab his bottle of water before chugging the entire thing.

“How long has it been since you slept?”

Again he looks at me, confused. “What? Stop it; that’s not why I asked you here. I didn’t summon you in order to debate my health or the state of my mental faculties. I called you here because I found something that affects both of our families, the Lords and the Angelos, in a big way, more than just the restructuring of power that we have been working on in the months since you’ve been married, Stephan.”

That seems to capture Stephan’s attention in a wholly different way. “What do you mean?”

“Look,” Nathaniel slides an image over to my husband, and Stephan picks it up. He examines it for a good long while before shaking his head. Nathaniel sighs as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world and he cannot believe that Stephan would miss it. “I’ve discovered that Elijah wasn’t working alone.”

“What? Of course, he was,” Stephan starts and tosses the photo back onto the table. “I’ve had each and every member of my family interrogated, no matter how distant the relation—including the divorced spouses. Which, let me tell you, was not a fun thing to accomplish, Nathaniel. If somebody in my family was working with that viper, I would have found out by now.”

Nathaniel just shakes his head and pushes the photo back again. “No, it’s somebody outside of the Lord family. That much I am certain of. Which means that somebody else was also implicated in my imprisonment. Which means that there is still somebody out there laying in wait at this exact moment that had a hand in my abduction and the subsequent tortures that I had to endure while in confinement. I don’t much like that idea, would you?”

Stephan shakes his head. “Of course not, but do you have any idea who it might be?”

Nathaniel answers cryptically, “You’ll soon find out.”

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book

Constantino

Dalton has been given the weekend off to attend to some personal matters, and it makes me feel a little exposed without him by my side, whispering his confidence and advice into my ear.

The beach house is supposed to be a sanctuary to my wife’s memory, but I no longer want to keep it as a shrine to her.

It’s such a beautiful piece of property that it’s a waste to let it sit there idle without anybody to enjoy it. It’s a big step and not one I want to do alone.

The beach house is my refuge, and I no longer have to share it with my wife. She’s always going to be there. Every time I look at my son, I see her looking back at me. He’s still asleep, but it won’t be long before he rises from his slumber to stumble down to the kitchen, looking for something to eat.

Clelia and Otello have accompanied me. There are always going to be memories tied to the place, some good and some bad, but it’s about making new memories with those that I care about the most.

I can see her down at the beach collecting shells barefoot, wearing this white off-the-shoulder number. It’s early in the morning. I’m enjoying the view, but I’m feeling restless with that need to roam coming over me. There’s no rest for the wicked I suppose.

“I hope you’re hungry,” I call out over the balcony.

She looks up with her hand shielding her eyes from the sun. “I could eat,” she announces.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I inquire.

“I couldn’t disturb you when you looked so peaceful. I did check in on Otello. He was snoring a little, but it was so cute. He takes after his father,” she teases.

“Hey, I don’t snore; I breathe heavy,” I defend.

“It was such a beautiful morning that I decided to get an early start. This place needs to be explored. It has to be appreciated,” she says, holding a handful of different colored shells.

My ostentatious Hawaiian shirt in red and black flowers flutters in the breeze. It’s open to reveal my muscular torso. It’s nice to let down my guard, but I’m always on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Lucas is in jail, and despite his sister saying she didn’t want anything to do with him, she still foots the bill for his lawyer fees. Family is a fickle mistress. We might want to turn our backs, but they will always be blood through thick and thin. He will pay for his crimes while she has the business to run in their family name.

The argument that ensued when I learned she was going out of her way to help him was a doozy. We screamed at each other until the anger and resentment fueled us into a passionate fuck. The way that her nostrils flared and her body was vibrating made me excited beyond words.

It took a lot of soul-searching before realizing she’s never going to turn her back on her brother. It’s just a cross I’m going to have to bear. Clelia knows I don’t like talking about him, but she insists on keeping him relevant in our lives.

She’s a little too forgiving, in my opinion, but she reminds me that if my son did something wrong, I would never cast him adrift without some sort of lifeline.

“I bought a breakfast cookbook in that little bookstore in the next town over when we visited on the way here. It had some interesting recipes.” The time we spent here has been very special. I still can’t get over the look in Otello’s eyes when we roamed the streets.

The day we arrived my son ran down to the beach and dived headfirst into the waves without even taking his clothes off. It seems that this place has the power to uncover our childhood freedom to express ourselves without reservations.

“That boy is a free spirit, and we should live vicariously through him,” she giggles with her hand over her mouth.

It’s giving me a reason to smile at her juvenile comment.

“My son will always be the apple of my eye, and I want him to have the whole world on their knees basking in his brilliance. But I also want him to choose his own path, without the burden of my choices. I think that will be possible over time with your help,” I respond. I plan to give my son the life he deserves without me interfering in it.

Otello has taught me to see things differently. I still work hard to make money, but I can see my son is destined for greater things. He just needs encouragement and proper education to get him to that next level. A private school will give him discipline but also introduce him to children his own age. Clelia managed to convince me that by keeping him sheltered, I make him more vulnerable to life’s perils.

“I’m glad you made the compromise to let him attend that school. I’ve been there a few times, and it has a stellar reputation,” she adds.

He doesn’t like wearing the uniform, but it’s something he’s going to have to get used to. It’s a gated community of teachers and students alike. He can still stay at home when he is not at school studying.

I step back from the railing with my face toward the sun. I can feel the warmth against my skin, rejuvenating my spirit. A break from reality is necessary when I have too many balls in the air juggling at any given moment. It’s good to know that I can rely on Dalton. He even might be the true heir to the throne when the time comes to pass down the mantle of responsibility, should Otello choose differently.

It’s my son’s decision if he wants to be involved when he’s old enough to understand the intricacies of the business. He’s going to know there are other avenues to pursue than in my footsteps.

I’m staring out to sea when Clelia joins me on the balcony. I’m miles away, thinking about business back home.

“Hey, penny for your thoughts?” She smiles and wraps her arms around my shoulders.

I turn around. She truly is a breath of fresh air.

“Oh, just thinking about business…”

Her laughter tinkles on the breeze. “It appears you can never take the businessman out of Constantino Negrini! I still see the look of concern in your eyes even when you don’t think I’m looking. I can even see how your fingers are twitching with withdrawal from not having your phone on,” she teases with a finger tracing from my neck all the way down to the waist of my cargo shorts.

“You mentioned something about a cave nearby. We should go there after breakfast. I’ve heard rumors about a secret grotto. I’ll make some inquiries and see what I can find out about the whereabouts before we leave. You can only get there by swimming underwater, but I have to inquire if we need any diving equipment or not.  This will be an adventure,” I say with my back toward her, but her hands wrap around me, stopping me from going anywhere.

She pulls me to her. “I feel the weight of the world lifted when we come here. I have this funny feeling that you feel the same. We should make this a monthly pilgrimage to unwind and recharge our batteries. I doubt you’ll have to convince your son to come. We both saw how he reacted when he got here for the first time after his mother died,” she says that last word in a whisper, knowing that I’m not ready to tell my son the unvarnished truth.

I feel sometimes he’s going to hate me when he learns about her unfortunate death. Suicide isn’t a victimless crime. She died and left me to pick up the pieces.

“I don’t think Otello should come with us to look for the Grotto―it will be too dangerous!” she states.

I roll my eyes.

“He needs to know there’s nothing that he can’t accomplish, even if it means taking a risk or two. You can’t hide from life. Embracing it and living each moment like it’s your last is the only thing any of us can do. We don’t have to shoulder the responsibility of sheltering him from the big bad world. You taught me that remember?” I tease her.

She sighs deeply. “I don’t know how you manage to spin my advice. I agree with you in theory, but you have to know his limitations. You can’t expect a young boy to have your capabilities.”

“Hey, where’s my breakfast? And I’m coming with you. You can’t leave me behind!” Otello points to Clelia as he suddenly emerges, fresh as a daisy.

His hair is still wet―he must have just taken a shower. I’ve always stressed the importance of good hygiene. Manners and poise come with his position in life. He will have all the advantages but will always have the cloud of my reputation following him around. It’s important to develop small habits that will lead to bigger ones.

“Watch your manners, young man. And take that tone out of your voice,” I warn. He might be young, but being a brat is not something that I will ever accept.

“I apologize. I’m a bear without my first cup of coffee,” he says mockingly. The very same words I use every morning. He’s teasing and doesn’t even drink coffee. The little bastard!

Clelia smiles and brings him a glass of fresh juice. She’s shown my son a way to live without his mother―maybe even becoming a mother figure to him? I’m not sure how I feel about her sharing baby photographs with him. She told me she won’t let him forget about the woman responsible for bringing him into the world.

I thought I wanted to forget about her, but I now realize she will always be there in the background watching out for us. It doesn’t mean Clelia can’t have a place next to me, but I’ve never broached the topic with her.

We have a different kind of relationship. She stays in my bed throughout the night, and we share moments of bliss until we are satiated and spent. The sex gets better every time, with our minds and bodies exploring new and different ways to please each other.

But when the morning comes, she leaves. She’s always out looking after her business. And even though I do what I can to open some doors for her, it’s up to her to make the first good impression. Thankfully, she is just as good in business as she is in bed.

Clelia is at the stove putting the finishing touches to the breakfast and looks right at home in the kitchen. “Sally Homemaker” isn’t the way I would have described her. She does have this fire nobody can ignore, especially the dazzling diamonds of her eyes.

The meal is almost ready, but I have a different idea in mind for a breakfast dessert involving cherries and a well-timed flame. They sit at the table while I prepare everything, including the alcohol that will be burned off. This is the first time I’ve tried it, but I want to create something special.

I carefully add the ingredients and then light the concoction with the smell of cherries prevalent. I pour the mixture onto the already warm pancakes with strawberries and other fresh fruits mixed into the batter.

“I want you both to be brutally honest with me,” I say before stepping back to let them enjoy their first bite.

They both look at each other and smile.

“I would love to see the look on Dalton’s face when he learns about this,” Otello cracks with a massive grin on his face.

“Watch what you say. You’re still not too old to be put over my knee,” I warn with a straight face before breaking out into laughter.

Clelia

My lungs are burning with the effort of holding my breath underwater for as long as possible. Constantino is leading, with me following from behind with Otello. It’s later in the afternoon after we’ve digested the scrumptious breakfast.

The bubbles form around us while we continue to search for the grotto. The reports are spotty at best. A few recollections on the internet lead us in the right direction. We’ve taken the boat away from the cliff edge. It’s anchored and waiting for us to return safe and sound.

I finally agreed to Otello coming with us, providing he wore the appropriate apparatus. His son is wearing scuba gear, including an oxygen mask with a tank dropped over his shoulders. I’m a pretty good swimmer, and I don’t need anything more than my athletic prowess.

Otello wasn’t happy, but he knows fighting with us wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He thought he was old enough to swim without the gear, and because we weren’t using the kit, he could do the same.

He decided to relent when he found we were two immovable objects standing in his way. He wasn’t going to come along and had a typical tantrum. He screamed that it wasn’t fair, but we needed to be a unified force to keep him safe.

There doesn’t seem to be an end to this long and winding canal. The passage is becoming a tight squeeze, but we manage to navigate the sharp rocks stretching before us.

I want to tell Constantino how much I want to become part of his dysfunctional family. We don’t do much other than have the most explicit and wild sex imaginable. It always leaves me breathless, unable to form intelligent sentences after the dust settles.  I don’t have the energy to say what’s on my mind after a marathon sex session.

We might be adults, but we’re foolish not to take our own advice. It wouldn’t have taken much for him to acquire a couple more scuba gear and oxygen tanks to wear. We are both stubborn.

I finally see a light. It’s getting brighter by the second, and it’s holding my undivided attention. I forget about my breathing and suck in a little bit of water. It’s a good thing I’m close to the surface.

Lucas still needs me even when he’s in the wrong. Incarceration will do him some good. Visiting him is going to happen sooner than later. I just have to build up enough courage to see him behind the plexiglass. I still hate him for accidentally killing our father, but I will always love him. It’s a difficult thing to wrap my mind around.

My legs and arms are burning, but I’m able to persevere, knowing that Constantino is waiting for me on the other side. I force myself to find that necessary reserve.

I gasp when I finally surface to fill my lungs with necessary oxygen.

I have a moment to take everything in. The space is tiny, with a pool of water barely more than the circumference of a kiddie pool. Stalactites are dripping with water from above my head. They have been naturally forming for centuries.

It’s enclosed with very high ceilings. The water catches the light coming from a hole in the ceiling the size of a dime. It spotlights the object of my affection, and a smile forms on the edges of my mouth.

Constantino is sitting on the ledge with his legs dangling over the side. He’s splashing the water with his feet while offering his hand, which I gladly take.

“I know what you’re thinking. I agree with you. I gave this long uninterrupted speech to my son about being safe, but we decided to brave the unknown without the required gear.” He pulls me up beside him.

I’m wearing this red revealing two-piece bikini. It’s fun to see his reaction when he sees my body dripping wet. He leans forward with one hand touching my face before he blinks into focus as his son emerges right behind me a few seconds later.

He takes off the mask. “That was amazing,” he says with a finger pointed at me. “It’s great having you around; dad’s more fun with you. You have to promise never to go away!”

“It’s not nice to point, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be around,” I direct the comment toward Constantino.

He looks at me, and I see his eyes soften. “Well, that’s something we have to think about, Otello. It’s entirely up to Clelia. We can’t expect her to replace your mother, but…I have to confess, I like having her around too.”

“I know mom is never coming back. I think she’s in heaven,” he blurts out, a matter of fact

“What makes you think that?” Constantino stammers.

“I overheard you a while ago talking about it with Dalton. She died when I was a baby,” he says.

“I didn’t know…you should have said…you could’ve talked to me about it. We should discuss it together,” Constantino responds softly.

“I know she loved me,” he says. “You told me that.”

“She did with all of her heart. And even though she’s in heaven now, you can still talk to her. She’s always listening,” he encourages.

“I do…every night,”

“Your mother would be very proud of you. I know I am,” Constantino says with a hand on the young man’s shoulder.

My heart almost breaks to see this father and son moment.

“You will stay, won’t you?” Otello asks me, his eyes round and wide.

“Well, it looks like you both want me to stay―how can I refuse? But don’t expect me to keep quiet when you Negrini men are being too rough. The same thing goes for you, young man,” I say with my hand over his shoulder until we are blanketing him with love.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Clelia. I’m glad we found each other,” Constantino whispers under his breath.

Otello and I look at each other before attacking him with the tickle monsters. He’s laughing uncontrollably, and we find ourselves doing the same thing until we are lost in the moment.

It’s what I have always wanted and never knew it. The best things in life really are unexpected.

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to be always up to date with my new releases, click and…
Follow me on BookBub

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 51 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 37 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 45 ratings

Read the book