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
Bianca Brian Jones, as the chauffeur said he was called, drove me to a quiet residential area in the upmarket area of Hunter’s Wood, near the state highway that led out of the little town, into the bigger city of New Haven. I had never been to this part of the town; all throughout our childhood, we had been confined to the poorer section of the town and our school, Dad’s tiny bakery and our home-all of them were around the same area. I had heard about the place I was now driving into, the residential area called Widow’s Retreat, because of the many wealthy widows who had bought homes or stayed in this beautifully designed, clean area of the town. I stared out, looking at the houses we passed, barely aware of the scenery or the palatial condos we were driving past. * The Widow’s Retreat Residences was supposed to be the apex at which life and play converge. Positioned at the highest elevation in the region, the luxury condominium residences combined expansive sunset and golf cours
The next morning, Bianca arrived at the hospital. She had been over the moon with the news, bursting to tell Heather and when she met Proserpina at breakfast, she blurted,“Please, can I stop by the hospital? I want to meet my mother…”The look of undiminished joy on her face made Proserpina smile. But thinking of how the sister had behaved cruelly to Bianca, Proserpina paused, thinking. The Don’s wife had a meeting with her academic team later in the morning and she was dressed to leave for it in a simple skirt suit. Bianca thought that the woman looked gorgeous in a burgundy twill wide lapel suit. She had a curvy figure and the skirt dramatically clung to her hips.But Proserpina had been thinking. The protective mother hen in her reared it’s head.“I’ll get Serena to come with you,” she said, after some thought, because Serena was between work at the moment and was expected to join them for lunch at the mansion in the afternoon.Proserpina found her much easier to get along with t
Bianca had not slept all night long. Sitting in the armchair beside the long French windows in her room, she stared out at the beautiful rolling lawns and the small fairy lights scattered around them and sighed.What was happening to Anna?And her Masters…?When the phone rang, she jumped up and ran to the bed where she had left it .O’Grady’s face appeared on the screen, as handsome and vital as ever, his black hair mussed, eyes gleaming.His expression said it all and, in that instant, she knew that her sister had been saved by the men she loved.She was already crying in happiness as he spoke, gently, his voice reaching out to caress her,“Bianca, lass…”He sounded like honey and she leant against the wall, looking at him. “Here’s someone who wants to see you,” he added and turned his charm on the person sitting beside him.ANNA!!!Biaca almost screamed in joy.Her sister was sobbing openly, her face bruised, looking haggard and pale . But she was alive!!Bianca managed to say so
The atmosphere on the airfield was tense; Serena Kingston was out of the car, ignoring the rain as she got into position, her army training kicking into place as she tried to figure out how to shoot the man without harming the girl. Louis Delano was beside her, cocking his gun, a feeling of desperation rising in him. Any false movement might trigger off the frantic man who had his gun on the unfortunate child. Anna was sagging, unable to stand, her head lolling back. Drugged, thought Van Dyke. For Joe Cahill, the rain streaming down, over his head, down his long black raincoat, had hauled the poor child up and was using her as a shield, his gun to her temple.The large Jeep had pulled to an abrupt stop and men tumbled out. The blonde, lean St Just, his gun in his hand was running forward as he shouted, his voice faint over the sound of the rain.“Cahill, Joe! Man, don’t do this!”And then as Cahill shook his head and yelled,“Stop right there, St Just, or I shall shoot this little c*
roserpina, who had emerged from the kitchen, with a bowl of food in her hands, quickly shot her daughter, the only one who resembled her, a quelling look.“Jamie! Don’t talk to our guests like that!”And handing the bowl to Karina who had entered behind her, she glided over to Bianca and said,“Come child, you can sit beside me.”Bianca felt close to tears but Tara had come up beside her and sank onto a chair, reaching out to her comfortingly.‘No Mamma. She can sit here, with Karina and me,” said the young woman.Proserpina, who had been bending over her husband, serving him some food, looked up, her wide brown eyes puzzled. Then she nodded. Sitting beside the Don on a good day had a detrimental effect on one’s appetite. And this child was distraught! Proserpina’s place was always on the right-hand side of her husband. She would be under the Don’s silent scrutiny and it would make her feel horrible!The Don’s sharp grey eyes, which reminded Bianca of glaciers, had been following the
The huge giant, Alexander Van Dyke had come up behind O’Grady. He had heard every word and his velvety voice growled,“Which girl?”St Just gripped his brother’s arm as the Irishman sought confirmation from the hard-faced Serena Kingston.She flipped her red ponytail over her shoulder as she said, addressing Louis,“I’m off. I’ll follow him.”And she was running to her Subaru, heedless of the rain which had increased. One of Louis' men joined her at the Delano scion’s nod.Louis Delano turned to O’Grady.“Claude got a tip-off from one of his Bratva men. Cahill had kept the girl on a schooner in another area. Not here.” He indicated the large liner which was now swarming with SWAT operatives. The FBI had also been alerted for it was a major international issue. There were apparently women from countries in the Far East, who were being used as captive sex slaves.Gunshots sounded and they could hear men shouting, and women screaming over the drumming of the rain.Van Dyke was watching
It was to be a big operation, the police chief had growled, apprehensive as he looked at the cruise liner that was preparing to leave, having applied for clearance from the port authorities the previous evening.Lucien Delano had snapped his fingers and the Governor had acted at once, pulling out all the stops to prevent the luxury liner from sailing away.It was raining now, a light, annoying drizzle and O’Grady, who had been instructed to stay in the background, for his was a noticeable face, with his reputation sticking out a mile before him. As the owner of the chain of Casinos in the area and a boxer of some repute, along with his playboy tag, the reporters would have a field day if he was noticed.The burly Irishman had bristled but his brother had shot him a warning look. It appeared that Serena Kingston and Louis were working in tandem with the Bratva here, for Claude Delano and his brother had been the ones to leave the car and talk to the police chief. The shorter thickset
Lucien Delano stopped as he watched his Woman, hurry towards him. Proserpina, the girl he had taken as his mistress when she was just eighteen, the woman who had weathered so many storms with him.The Woman he had grown to love, whom he cherished.She still made him grow hard, just by appearing before him, her Bambi brown eyes wide and trusting, those plump lips, moist and parted; and the body of a Siren.She was hurrying to him, for he always insisted that he met her in the hall before he proceeded to his study. James Schwartz, who had entered behind him, grinned, a debonair older man now, but still strikingly handsomely.Now his friend, murmured gently,“Looks like our hen has something important to say to you, mate,” he said as he grinned at Proserpina, who dimpled at him affectionately.Handsome Schwartz had been his Underboss and best friend for decades now and the mutual respect they had for each other was a sign of their relationship. The debonair Schwartz, who had seen all t
It was dinner time, but the Mafia Don had not arrived. His lovely wife stood, biting her lower lip, glancing at the clock before she turned to her daughter Tara, who was cheerfully munching on a peanut jelly sandwich at the breakfast bar.‘Tara, darling, round up the little ones, please. And Bianca, would you like to help her?”The words were spoken sweetly but Bianca guessed that it was Proserpina’s way of suggesting that she move out of the kitchen and stop behaving like a lost ghost.With a baby latched to her hip, the Mafia don’s wife came forward and gently stroked Bianca’s hair as she said,‘Your men …I will see that they are contacted. But I would like you to stay here for a few days.”And as Bianca opened her mouth to protest, her alarm over Anna overriding her caution, the beautiful woman went on, softly,“I was kidnapped and kept a prisoner for months. Lucien and Melissa’s husband sought me out and brought me back home.”With a soft smile, she took Bianca’s arm, guiding her
Bianca stared as she climbed the marble steps to the large entrance of the palatial house they had arrived at. The women in the car had been murmuring in quiet whispers throughout the journey, but no one had asked her probing questions. She had the strong feeling that Tara Delano Lord had worked that one out for herself, thank you very much. The huge double doors were opened by a woman in a white starched uniform and beyond her, a huge hall stretched out. In the evening light, lit by amber in the background, a woman emerged, the most beautiful woman she had seen.Proserpina Delano.Bianca swallowed. The woman was coming forward, her arms outstretched, a gentle smile on her face. Bianca stood awkwardly. Was she going to embrace her daughter, maybe?But with a small giggle, Tara pushed her forward.“Welcome to our home, Bianca dear child,” said the lovely woman, wrapping her in a loving hug, a faint fragrance of vanilla surrounding her as she dimpled and Bianca sagged.It had been so l