Bianca As I sat there, sobbing at the enormity of what was happening, I felt like doing what my Dad had done; run away and end my life. But …I could not. Heather, for all her sins, was a good soul, kind-hearted and sweet but utterly clueless. And Anna and Rose, my sweet younger sisters, who were five years younger than me, deserved a better life. Nelson would not hesitate to prostitute them, I thought grimly if I was not around. A soft hand on my shoulder made me look up. It was Heather. She sank to her knees beside me, so that we were on eye level. “I’m sorry Bianca,” she said and I melted. I threw my arms around her and wept. “I failed you, I failed my husband, your father. But…I loved him and he never told me…” I pushed away and smiled, “It’s ok, Heather, I’m trying to get someone to help me.” A pair of brilliant blue eyes and a set of tawny eyes flashed into my mind’s eye and I shivered. Heather looked at me in concern. “No, darling,” she said and I felt Rose and Anna
To my shock, Liam O’Grady turned his smile on me but his eyes were …blazing. I stiffened.Job? I thought stupidly. What was he talking about?Had he misunderstood me yesterday?*But my stepmother was gabbing away cheerfully, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room. But then, she was nicely drunk, I thought wearily.Heather, whose hand he had been holding, clasped his with both her hands fervently, as she said, happily,“Oh, Bianca, it’s your lucky phase now, don’t you think so dear!”And she turned to O’Grady, still smiling benignly as she said, clucking her tongue at me with a mischievous smile,“Just yesterday she had a job offer and she turned it down…the naughty little girl!” I whipped my head around t give her a lethal look. Naughty girl indeed, I thought, fuming, and my anger shot up as I saw Liam O’ Grady smirking at me. Finn St Just gave an audible snort and I wanted to die of humiliation.Suddenly Heather saw my expression and stopped. She had figured out, a little
Bianca I rose, my cheeks hot with embarrassment and …I did not know what else. “How dare you…?” I began but Liam O’Grady nodded at his brother and gripped my hands. ‘We will take care of Dean Nelson. In return, you will be our submissive for a year.” The words sank in slowly and I recoiled in horror. “OUR submissive? Did you just say OUR submissive, Mr. O’Grady?” I stammered, as I went on, shock making me widen my eyes, ”You mean like…sleep with BOTH of you?’ “Ah lassie, ‘ said O’Grady almost tenderly but his eyes were hot and blue and openly laughing at me as he said, “Not just sleeping, love.” I pushed him away fiercely, throwing the sheets of paper at Finn, uncaring as they scattered wildly. Breathing hard, I spoke in a low voice, jabbing my finger at him. “So, I have to be your sexual slave for a year and in return, you will free me of my father’s debt?” I looked from one to the other. Finn was watching me, his face blank but Liam? His eyes were glowing with an unholy
All the way home, I thought of what my options could be. I did not want to look at the only solid option on the horizon. By the time I arrived home, I had made up my mind. I was going to meet Liam O’Grady and Finn St Just and agree to their…barbaric proposal. But I would have to make up a tale to tell dear Heather.*The news that we were to be evicted had already reached Heather who was hysterical with grief. The twins, who had come home to their weeping mother, were shaken and white-faced.I sank to the ground where Heather, ever the drama queen, was sitting, a bottle of vodka beside her.She reeked of drink.Putting my arms around her, I said quietly,‘I have a way out of this problem. Trust me.” The twins looked upset. They glanced at each other.“We heard you…speak about that dirty old lecher, Nelson.”And Rose, ever the softer one, began to sob,“Bee, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for us!”I smiled thinly.If they only knew!But I stood up and said, “Make me a cuppa, the
Liam O’Grady stood at the wide table, in his pristine white shirt and neatly pressed deep blue trousers, looking for all the world like a model in a men’s fashion magazine. I made out Finn St Just who was lounging in a chair beside his brother.The northerly light fell into the large room, pale and diffused, for the myriad glass panels were helping it to filter in slowly, and the aroma of cigarettes, leather, and whiskey greeted me.*This was a man’s den.The overwhelming masculine power that radiated from the walls, made me shrink in alarm. There was nothing soft and feminine here.And I bet, I thought, my throat clenching in terror, the walls must be soundproofed too! I don't know why I made that observation.My fertile imagination was working overtime.But the feeling of being totally at the mercy of the men in the room brought on a feeling of fear.Of helplessness...*This room had a dark wooden floor, and no carpeting to disguise the beauty of the polished wood. The ceiling,
Finn St Just cleared his throat impatiently.“Did you read it then?’ he said in a cold voice, and it took me a minute to figure out that he was asking me about the contract that I was holding in my hands.I quickly began to read in earnest. The entire document was couched in legal language and fleetingly, I wondered how many such women had read the deeds I held in my damp, sweaty hands.For surely, I was not the first! I had no illusions about myself. Or the brothers lounging splendidly before me.*In return for my'services,’ as it stated, I was to be given a handsome remuneration every month. My mind boggled as I saw the sum. I had never seen even a quarter of that in my life!Then again, as I read, I felt my incredulity grow.*I would, apart from the handsome stipend, be given a car of my own, an apartment and a sizeable income, that I could continue to keep even after my one year was up.I blinked and looked over at Liam O’Grady. *I gaped up at him.St Anne’s was a prestigiou
In a flash, Liam O’ Grady was on the phone, barking orders at people, arranging matters. Finn was doing the same but in a more controlled manner. I watched, fascinated. If Liam O’Grady had appeared to be a soft-spoken gentle man with the most charming manners earlier, now I saw a man who was ruthless. From snatches of the conversation, I understood that he was going after Dean Nelson. I squirmed in anxiety. I had not noticed Finn watching me gravely, so when he spoke in that deep baritone, I almost jumped. ‘Are you anxious, little pet?’ he growled and I turned t him in astonishment, Little pet. Yes, that was what I was going to be for them. A little pet animal to be replaced when a newer one came along. The thought that I would be displaced so easily, made my heart sink to the floor. But I did not let it show on my face. * Forcing a bright smile on to my face, I shook my head. “No Sir…it’s just…” But I did not get to complete my sentence. * The door flew open and two young
When Liam O’Grady released Paige Hardy from their torrid kiss, she was breathless. Liam smiled. He liked to think that he was in control all the time. * Liam O’Grady had come up the hard way. He had climbed to the top of his ladder when it came to being a street fighter, then turned to underground fighting, which was lucrative but he had no intention of making it a full-time career. No, he did not want to end up with Parkinsons or some such illness, he thought dismissively. Liam O’Grady had a plan. He needed to climb up in life, and make money. That was something he had desired all through his childhood, when he was growing up, seeing his father evolve into a small-time mob leader. But Liam wanted more. And he had found a way to get it too. * His charm, and his sexual magnetism meant that women fell for him. And he had chosen Paige Hardy, along with her rich and powerful father, Brett Hardy, to be part of his ascent. Brett Hardy was a political player and close to the Governo
The back garden was deserted, and the man who was dragging her along had planned his escape down to the last T.He had however, not taken into account the fact that Jamie had only had one drink all evening. The cautious teen had refused to get inebriated, for she did not want to disappoint her father. So the job of taking her to the waiting car without difficulty was proving to be a huge challenge. The man swore and tried to pick her up, but she wrestled with him, using all her self-defence training to her advantage. But the trained assassin was too much for her. With one hard blow, he felled her to the ground and began to drag her unwilling body.Jamie was struggling for all she was worth. Something was off and she was not about to go without a fight.“You…” she screamed but her voice came out soft, whining. She tried to hang back but the man smacked her across her head, hard. Jamie literally saw stars as she cried out. Once, long ago, when she was a child, an attempt had been made
Jamie felt a little lightheaded as she was firmly guided to another room, down a long corridor. She giggled hysterically as she noticed something odd..She had spotted some women, young women at that, with pacifiers worn around their necks on plastic strings. She stumbled, staring as she wondered why they wore them.“Like babies,” she thought and giggled.The man who was escorting her impatiently looked down at her from a great distance and his voice was loud as he said, in exasperation.“What’s so funny?”Jamie giggled again but shook her head. She felt disoriented but also, vaguely, cheerful. Se kept staring at the man who seemed to be glowing, like an angel.“You’ve got an aura!!!’ she cried in wonder.The man rolled his eyes but continued to tug her along the corridor, his movements getting more agitated as he did so.He ahd a deadline to keep; the car would be waiting outside and he had to spirit this wretched girl away at the earliest. Or Jana Rudenko would eat him for breakfast
Jamie stepped out of the car, having been driven to the door by her father’s men. She beamed at them, for she had known them since she was a toddler. Bidding them goodbye, she said softly,“Thanks,” and then, she was entering the modest house. Music and laughter echoed in the corridor as she hesitated, for she did not know many of the guests, who mostly belonged to the crowd that Sadie currently moved in.Older youths, with long hair and tattoos, girls in the shortest of clothes, their bodies on display as they swung their hips exaggeratedly and walked.For a minute, Jamie considered the option of turning and heading back home. A deep sense of uncertainty swept over her. A sixth sense, like her Mumma called it, begging her to turn and leave before it was too late.When she had been in the protected confines of her old school, she had been cosseted, protected from reality. But Lucien Delano had abruptly announced his decision to shift his children, Rudolph and Jamie, to a school closer
Jamie danced down the stairs and then, hastily sobered as she walked down the passage to her Pappa’s study.She wanted to meet her father, promise him that she would be back soon and then leave. Because she loved, nay worshipped her Pappa; he had always been the star in her life, the only man she had looked up to, the one who never let her down.Her very own Knight in Shining Armour.And now, as she walked, she beamed at her Pappa’s valet, old Gustav, who smiled benevolently at her as he held the door open for her to enter.“Ummm…is he alone, Uncle G?” she asked in a small, diffident voice for she did not want to anger the Boss by going in when his associates were around. The room was inevitably full of cigar smoke and the smell of alcohol when he had guests over and the law that was never to be broken, was that none of the Mafia Don’s women were to be anywhere around at such times. Mumma always obeyed Pappa and so did Jamie and her sisters. Lucien Delano had flown into an unholy r
When Bianca came awake the next morning, it was to the tantalising aroma of freshly brewed coffee.“Wake up, sleepyhead,” chuckled O’Grady and she blinked. He was shirtless, leaning over her, a tender look on his handsome face.She dimpled.“Quick, to the bathroom, lass,” he chuckled, tugging off the bedclothes and she pouted. His eyes narrowed. Even with the baby bump, Bianca Cruz could make him hard in a minute. In a husky voice, he growled,“Quick, lassie…or…” she giggled and grabbed her nightshirt from the floor as she trundled to the washroom.A few minutes late, she was having a hearty meal of bacon and eggs, scrambled just the way she liked it. Pancakes were stacked on the side and the sight had her waddling across to hurry and eat one. But St Just, who was busy making them, turned and grinned as O’Grady easily grabbed Bianca, restraining her.“I’M HUNGREEEE!” she wailed crossly, glaring at St Just who was obviously enjoying the scene.“So am I, pet,” grunted O’Grady, rubbing
Her Masters were literally over the moon.They held her in their arms, kissing and generally making a fuss over her. Roxanne Piccolo, who had been hovering in the background, softly spoke up,“I’m leaving now, Bianca.”Pushing herself out of the arms of her men, Bianca rose and went to hug Roxanne.“You went to a lot of trouble for me, bae,” she said softly but Roxanne only dimpled shyly.After she had left, with a couple of O’Grady’s men to escort her safely home, Bianca turned to her Masters, leaning against the door, her eyes dancing. She held out her arms to them, appealing and suddenly shy.The brothers exchanged looks. O’Grady came forward and lifted her up in his arms, an arm under her knees, the other supporting her as she wound her plump arms around his neck.“Lead the way, Saint,” declared O’Grady with a devilish grin, pretending to huff and puff as he took the stairs.He deposited her tenderly on the bed and she raised herself on an elbow, as she commanded,“I want you ge
Jamie sat at the table, looking at her father nervously. They were at dinner and Lucien Delano was conversing in a low voice with James Schwartz, seated on his left.Proserpina hovered around, bringing out the dishes, till her husband gripped her wrist and growled,“Sit the f*ck down, Woman. Why do I have a house full of f*cking help ?”Sending him a pointed look for using such language, Proserpina subsided, dimpling at Schwartz, who looked at her, his heart n his eyes.“No mystery about why Uncle James never got married,” thought Jamie drily.She cleared her throat and her brothers, Dom and Rudy, who had also turned up for dinner, looked at across at her in surprise.“Papp…” she began, ashamed to hear the squeak in her voice. But after the evening when he had slapped her, she felt a great deal of fear when she faced her for her intimidating patent. Pappa had such a daunting personality, that people automatically quaked when they saw him, and women swooned. Jamie knew of his legendar
O’Grady was bone tired by the time he reached home that night. St Just had joined him at the flagship Casino, where he had been dealing with a missing sum of money amounting to a couple of millions.The Irishman was furious, to put it mildly.And to top it off, the Home Office people were still on St Just’s back, insisting on checking the loan details for a few months back. The blonde man, his hair tousled and his stubbly jaw making his face look more shadowed yet rakishly handsome, glanced at the Irishman, seated beside him. O’Grady always looked virile, no matter how weary he was and today was no exception.‘Have a fight coming up on Sunday,” mumbled O’Grady and St Just shut his eyes briefly. He felt his brother’s concerned gaze on him,“You ok there, Saint?” snapped O’Grady, ever conscious that St Just had undergone surgery a few months back.His brother smiled and nodded,“Thinking of the Pet, actually,” he grinned and they shared a smile.Bianca was in her second trimester. She h
Jamie Delano soon realised that she was no match for the wily, beautiful Bianca.If she had expected a meltdown because she had deliberately been late, having coaxed her bodyguards to allow her to ride pillion on her old friend’s bike, while they followed her, it had been a stupid thing to do.Now Bianca was flirting outrageously with the boy who had been Jamie’s best friend through school and who was always with her in all her escapades.“Brandon,” snapped Jamie, having had enough of listening to Bianca’s peals of laughter echoing in the café as she leaned in to speak to the smitten Brandon.“Wh…wh…what?” asked Brandon, blinking rapidly, trying to focus on what Jamie was saying.Bianca shot her a look from beneath her lashes, laughing at her, outright.Jamie fumed.She rose abruptly, dumping Bianca’s book satchel that she had been saddled with, unceremoniously on the table.“I think I want to leave,” she snapped. Bianca arched a brow and said in bored tone, ‘Not yet, hon. I haven’t f