Bianca stood, horror-stricken, wondering how her world had come crashing down. She took a deep breath, trying to assimilate her thoughts, to speak-but there was a loud pounding in her ears.She stepped to Beth, but her sister was furious. The younger girl struck her hand away fiercely, hard, and Bianca wobbled, falling back.“I’m calling Mom, “snapped Beth, tears running down her cheeks and she shoved Bianca aside and stomped out.The shocked young woman could hear her sister scream,‘You put her away in an institution because you wanted to be a wh*re, isn’t that right you disgusting sl*t?”Bianca flew after her but Beth shut the door in her face, effectively locking her out. Bianca sank to the floor, sobbing as she heard Beth from the other side of the bathroom door. Her sister was also sobbing as she spoke and the young woman, leaning against the door, helplessly pounding her fists, heard Beth.“…Anna kidnapped…Bianca’s fault…SHE’S BECOME A WH*RE, MOM! A FUC*ING GANGSTER’S MOLL!!!”
Bianca turned at the sound of the soft, kind voice. She was sobbing uncontrollably for what had taken place in the hospital room had driven her to the depths of despair.Beth had gotten there before Bianca. Holding her mother’s hands, Beth had hissed,‘Get OUT, you dirty wh*re, you!” and then, when Bianca had faltered, holding the door for support, for Heather was unconscious, her sister, still a teenager, had risen and stormed over to her, slapping her hard across the face.“Isn’t this enough for you?” Beth had screamed as Bianca cupped her cheek in shock.“Haven’t you done enough damage? “And gripping Bianca’s hair, she had shouted,“Where’s my sister, you bit*h, where is she?” and then; slapping the shocked Bianca again, she went on, even as the nurses rushed in.“YOU! You are responsible for this- my poor mother …”Someone had stepped forward and pulled Beth away as Bianca stood, oblivious to the hurt.The physical hurt, yes, she could accept that…but blaming her?Hysterically, sh
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
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
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 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
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
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
It had been a very relieved Wasim who was dragged out from the elevator, bruised and moaning, threatening to bring the law against the good ladies who looked flushed with pride.“I know my rights, you coffin dodger,” yelled the plump woman who had told Bianca her name was Laura.Van Dyke, who had rushed in, expecting to drag a crazed Wasim and tackle him, to save his friend’s pregnant girlfriend, was taken by surprise. As for Liam O’Grady, he was torn between relief and anger. And, if he was honest, he was also finding it difficult to keep a straight face.“Your little lady doesn’t need saving,” drawled Van Dyke as he watched the Irishman help Bianca to scramble to her feet and step out of the elevator.Bianca, who was exchanging smiles and speaking to the plump lady who had been with her during the encounter, spun around at his words.She glared at Van Dyke and suddenly, he knew what his friend found fascinating about the young woman with her cascading brown hair and her flashing bro
Bianca had been looking for a chance to strike.I won’t give up without a fight, she told herself determinedly.Her hand felt sweaty as she held the pen tightly in her left hand. The assassin, Wasim, was getting increasingly agitated. His eyes went to the elevator numbers above the door, as they flashed swiftly. He held the knife to Bianca’s throat and wished he was out of the elevator. Bianca glanced at the plump woman who was clutching her bag and looking terrified. She winked at the woman.It was just a quick flutter of her eyelids.Luckily, the woman seemed to get the message.She opened her mouth and screamed.*Wasim, the would-be assailant, was taken by surprise. He had never killed a person, had only been a pimp. Suddenly, faced with two women who were not behaving like scared biddies, he yelled,“SHUT TEHF*CK UP!”As he shifted, Bianca saw her chance.She thrust her pen, nib first, into his crotch, praying that she had hurt him.The fierceness and suddenness of her assault to
Gabriela Perez was in the car, careening down the road. She had underestimated the autistic boy’s expertise, she thought grimly, as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white. She had not waited for her lover’s brothers to come to her aid; they were fools, pus*ies, she thought contemptuously as she raced down the road.Her hitman had got to the hospital where Liam O’Grady and his brother, the sick fellow, were staying. The man she had sent, Wahid, was a druggie, a youth who had become a pimp and was now too far gone to disobey her. He had managed to capture the girl, the one who was the common lover of both the Irishman and his brother. Inspite of herself, Gabriela smirked.She would make a good sale on the dark net, by parading this young chit. Because Gabriela Perez did not doubt for a minute, that she would be back in business by the end of the week. The former Dominatrix had arranged for a vehicle to meet her and arrange for her transport to Mexico.Suddenly, she screamed
The man in the little lift was wearing a balaclava and Bianca felt her body grow stiff with tension. The plump woman beside her squealed in fright as she stared at the man, whose black eyes, beady and dead-looking, glared at her.The man suddenly brandished a knife and grabbed Bianca by the arm, propelling her forwards, into him. “Silence!” he growled in a thick Middle Eastern accent and Bianca winced. He stank of stale sweat and something else; drugs probably, she thought, her heart pounding. The plump woman with the large brown handbag was cowering, her hand on her mouth, blue eyes wide and terrified.All of a sudden, Bianca wished she had waited for O’Grady before storming out, but she had been so hungry…*Lucien Delano held his Woman’s trembling body to his as she wept. A deep sadness engulfed him as he listened to her sobbing.He had failed her repeatedly. But he could not envision a life without this little woman, with her large, loving heart, her wide smile, the sensuality in
Gabriela’s voice came over the amplifiers for Hila and Piers’ men had set up the system to record and amplify the sound. Paddy was seated in a corner, his nose red, tapping away on his keyboard quickly as he tried to detect where the call was originating from. The young man had been extremely disturbed on hearing about his beloved Proserpina’s situation and had been weeping silently in a corner.“Hello my love,” breathed Gabriela and Lucien felt a slow burning rage begin in his chest.“Ah, you are angry, aren’t you my love? Like in the old days when we f*cked like rabbits, my Don. Remember how you used to hold my head down while you…”Lucien Delano realised that she was playing with his mind. She was setting out to humiliate him before the people here, knowing full well that the call must be on speaker, that his family must be listening to every word.Serena glanced at Louis and placed a restraining hand on his hard, muscled arm.“No,” she mouthed silently as her fiancé clenched his f
Jamal Khan had been able to get a job as a lowly assistant gardener on the sprawling Delano estate after a long wait. He had been groomed by Gabriela’s men. The fact that he was also a druggie, heavily dependent upon ‘the juice’, as he called the drugs he took, having picked up the term from his stint with ex-cons, only aided the Perez mob.They had used men like him to launch similar attacks before this and the fact that he knew he might die, did not really affect the gaunt-faced, hollow-eyed tall man. He had been given the task of remote controlling the drone, having helped the men who hid outside the heavily guarded compound wall, to get the small, yet lethal drone into the grounds.It was not difficult to find him, he was zoned out and about to inject himself with a lethal, intoxicating dose of his drug of choice, when Beston’s men leapt upon him.*Lucien was beside himself with rage and worry. Piers had burst into the room on hearing the sound of the firing and had been the fir
O’Grady was in his gym at home, practising when Bianca came down, wrapped in her robe. She looked wan and he sensed that she had not slept well. She had a mug of sweet tea in her hands and he stopped punching, just to look at her. Her hair floated around her face and she looked so incredibly young, he thought, his shaft hardening, despite the fact that he was sweating like a pig and had been going at it for half an hour now. His trainer, Jeb Walderman, looked around and grinned at Bianca. She dimpled shyly and sank on the steps, holding her mug in both hands.“Babe, I’ll join you in a moment,” yelled O’Grady, disconcerted to see the look on Jeb’s face. It was not that he felt insecure; heck, Jeb had a beautiful wife named Cherry and two adorable little daughters. The coach adored his little family. But his openly admiring look annoyed O’Grady.Bianca sent her Master a look and then rose, saying “I just wanted to remind you, O’Grady. We need to be at the hospital in an hour.”She turne
The burly Irishman and the woman he loved slept in each other’s arms, and Bianca lay, snuggled and safe as she thought of St Just. He had looked so thin, emaciated even, as he lay in the ICU. Although the two of them had wanted to stay at the hospital all night, the doctors had dissuaded them.“Mrs O’Grady,” said the matron, indicating Bianca and failing to see the blush on Bianca’s face at the words,” She’s pregnant and needs her rest, Sir.”O’Grady had smiled wolfishly, looking dark and dangerous as he nodded, his eyes gleaming as he looked at the blushing girl beside him.“Ah, lass, you’re right,” he drawled.Later, as they were riding home, he held her to his body and murmured,” We need to make an honest woman of you, Bianca Cruz before the babe comes out.”She shuddered at his choice of words but he prevented any retort by kissing her soundly and she subsided.Now they were snuggled in bed, thinking of St Just.She sighed and O’Grady grunted questioningly.Bianca rubbed his stub
St Just had been put on a ventilator as soon as the doctors arrived. When he emerged form the surgery, he was deeply sedated. The doctor surveyed O’Grady and Bianca grimly as he said, ‘We can’t conduct the tests today, I’m afraid.”He sighed and spoke, almost to himself,“It’s out of the question.”O’Grady rubbed the back of his head, pacing wrathfully. Bianca stood, small and silent, staring at the doctor, an unspoken plea in her large, liquid brown eyes.“Let’s wait, eh?” and he clapped Bianca on her shoulder in a fatherly way before striding away.O’Grady came close, muttering things about ‘unfeeling bas*ard doctors’ and ‘blo*dy fool hospitals.’She said nothing, just sank into a seat, leaning back, her small hand over her slightly swollen belly. Bianca imagined she could feel the hardness of her stomach and almost jumped out of her skin as a larger hand descended, clamping down over hers, warm and reassuring.The familiar musk of O’Grady surrounded her as he leaned into her and sa