CATHERINEIt was nearly six o'clock. I walked through the long hall, heading to where the limousine had already been waiting. My wavy hair swayed from side to side as I tried to keep my walk steady. I was dressed in a black fitted dress that ended right above my knees. Not the most conservative look I could pick, but at least it had a shallow neckline and no inappropriate slits.The chauffeur opened the door and helped me inside the car. My father was already there. I slid to sit beside him and gave him a tight smile. He slowly looked me up and down and gave me a curt nod of approval. “Relax, Catherine. Would you like a drink?” He smiled and pointed at the small bar between our seats. “You seem tensed. A few drops of alcohol might help you calm down.”My eyes widened in disbelief. Was that truly my father? Was he actually trying to be nice? I watched him take two glasses and pour a thin layer of whiskey into both. He grabbed one glass and gestured for me to take the other one. God… th
I must have gone absolutely insane. There was no other explanation for why Hunter Thorne's name had flown out of my mouth. Why had I even thought about him?! It felt like my mind had gone blank for a second, and his name was the only two words that existed.I didn't know if Grasso and Thorne knew each other. What if he called Hunter right now and asked about his engagement? This lie might cost me a lot… Seriously, I might have dug my own grave.I inched back, keeping my eyes on the deadly predator in front of me. I braced myself, awaiting some kind of crushing response, but both, Grasso and my father, fell silent. Grasso worked his jaw, anger flaring in his dark eyes. “It seems that your father failed to mention this little detail,” he gritted out.He believed me. He bought the lie. My body nearly rattled in relief, but I restrained any signs that could betray my bluff. “My father was never interested in whom I dated, and I didn't feel obligated to tell him,” I said, my face blank.Be
I stared at Ace, having a hard time acknowledging his words. Did he truly suggest I should marry Hunter Thorne?“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Fifi burst out, glaring at Ace. “That man is practically a Mafia Don! Not to mention that he has a long line of enemies waiting to kill him... and his wife!”Ace gave her a look. “Don't be so dramatic. You're forgetting that he also has the biggest number of soldiers at his disposal. I'd say he's pretty well protected. I'm also certain he'd make protecting his wife a number one priority.”Fifi worked her jaw. “He's doing a lot of illegal… stuff!”“Well, no shit!” Ace snorted. “May I remind you your family deals with all of the Italians, Russians, Chinese Triads, and Yakuza and is quite OK with taking money from them?”Fifi rolled her eyes. “That's… different. We don't get to pick our clients.”“Spare me that bullshit, Fifi.” Ace gave her an unimpressed look. “And may I remind you that Cat can either marry a sadist or... choose someone equ
My stomach turned to lead. He refused. This was a script from my worst nightmare. I could feel the blood draining from my face. Had I been too arrogant in thinking he might agree? Perhaps I was only fooling myself. I wasn't presentable enough. I had no true value to him. Still, I wanted to know. I needed to hear it. “Why?” I choked out. “Is it because I'm not Italian?”He shook his head. “If I'd wanted someone to act as my wife, I would have hired an actress.” His cold voice echoed through the room.“Then what else do you want?” My hands shot up in frustration. “You want me to become your assistant? Your personal maid? Or maybe you want me to bake you fucking cookies?!”His lips curved, but the smile that formed was dark... feral. “What you offer is still only the wrapper. What I want is the whole package.”I swallowed, suddenly feeling naked despite the layers of fabric covering my skin. “There are limits to what I am willing to sell,” I gritted out.A soft chuckle escaped him. “Do y
I was still in a daze after our quite intense kissing, but I was conscious enough for all kinds of questions to appear. I stared at him in silence, processing everything he had told me before blurting out, “I won't bear you a child.”Amusement danced on his lips. “Never say never.”My hands fisted. “We're not going to add a child into our deal.”“There won't be any deal.” He leaned forward, his lips forming a sly smirk. “You will marry me because you want to, and I will pay for your mother's treatment out of the goodness of my heart.”I huffed out a laugh and folded my arms across my chest. “Are you serious?”His smirk turned into a sultry grin. “Deadly serious. My friend, Rowan, will drive you home and give you a few documents to fill out. I'll need them to take care of your mother.” He leaned back in his chair and glanced at his watch. “Now I'll have to ask you to leave. I'm having an appointment in a few minutes.”I studied him in absolute disbelief. “You really mean what you said,
HUNTERI stood by the wall-to-ceiling window, looking at the sun setting over Manhattan. I should have been celebrating. The first part of my plan had succeeded. Instead, the mix of emotions I felt put me on the edge.The sun was bloody as if to emphasize the recently spilled blood. Exhaling slowly, I looked at my hand and the itching skin on my healing, still-reddish knuckles. A faint smile stretched my lips. At least one good thing happened today. One piece of shit less in this fucked-up world.The door behind my back slid open, and Rowan stormed into my office. “The news about the police finding Marchetti's body is now everywhere,” he said through his teeth. “I bet that the old fucker is already heading here.”I could feel the incoming headache. I glanced at my hand again and turned around to face Rowan. “How much do you think he knows?”Rowan dragged his hand over his face and slumped down on the sofa. “He knows that Giulio was last seen at the wedding. Apparently, Giulio told one
I woke up the same way I'd woken up yesterday and the day before—with a painful hard-on. Growling out a curse, I rose from the bed and walked into the shower cabin. If only jerking off could lessen the thirst I felt. It sure as fuck didn't work this way, and Catherine Duncan was the one to blame.I wanted those rouge, heart-shaped lips wrapped around my cock. I wanted to watch those stunning green eyes widen as she took me in. I dreamed about it and about everything I would do to her once she became mine. I wondered if she knew how badly she had gotten under my skin. I bet she had no idea.I couldn't fully comprehend it myself. At first glance, she wasn't much different from other pretty faces I had met before her. Perhaps it had been that wild determination in her eyes or the way she'd tried to fight in my office. I could still hear her breathy little moans… Fuck, I was hard again.I'd just walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my hips, when my phone rang. I snatched it
CATHERINE“And this will be your bedroom.” Marcello Salvo, the maggiordomo, opened the door and gestured for me to enter.I gave him a nervous nod before passing the threshold. My breath caught at the sight of a beautiful chamber filled with light. A slow smile rose on my face as I took in the large, dark wooden floor, cream-white furniture, large canopy bed, and carefully chosen accessories. My feet moved on their own, heading to the row of arched windows. They overlooked the stunning garden. God… I could paint this place for hours and hours.“I hope you'll find this place comfortable,” Marcello's voice sounded behind me. Only then did I realize he was still here, waiting for my reaction and perhaps acceptance.I turned around and smiled at the gray-haired man. “This room is amazing. This whole place is mesmerizing.”Marcello slightly bowed at the waist before pointing at the door on the right. “The bathroom is over there. I took the liberty of filling it with a few cosmetics worthy
CATHERINE“And this will be your bedroom.” Marcello Salvo, the maggiordomo, opened the door and gestured for me to enter.I gave him a nervous nod before passing the threshold. My breath caught at the sight of a beautiful chamber filled with light. A slow smile rose on my face as I took in the large, dark wooden floor, cream-white furniture, large canopy bed, and carefully chosen accessories. My feet moved on their own, heading to the row of arched windows. They overlooked the stunning garden. God… I could paint this place for hours and hours.“I hope you'll find this place comfortable,” Marcello's voice sounded behind me. Only then did I realize he was still here, waiting for my reaction and perhaps acceptance.I turned around and smiled at the gray-haired man. “This room is amazing. This whole place is mesmerizing.”Marcello slightly bowed at the waist before pointing at the door on the right. “The bathroom is over there. I took the liberty of filling it with a few cosmetics worthy
I woke up the same way I'd woken up yesterday and the day before—with a painful hard-on. Growling out a curse, I rose from the bed and walked into the shower cabin. If only jerking off could lessen the thirst I felt. It sure as fuck didn't work this way, and Catherine Duncan was the one to blame.I wanted those rouge, heart-shaped lips wrapped around my cock. I wanted to watch those stunning green eyes widen as she took me in. I dreamed about it and about everything I would do to her once she became mine. I wondered if she knew how badly she had gotten under my skin. I bet she had no idea.I couldn't fully comprehend it myself. At first glance, she wasn't much different from other pretty faces I had met before her. Perhaps it had been that wild determination in her eyes or the way she'd tried to fight in my office. I could still hear her breathy little moans… Fuck, I was hard again.I'd just walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my hips, when my phone rang. I snatched it
HUNTERI stood by the wall-to-ceiling window, looking at the sun setting over Manhattan. I should have been celebrating. The first part of my plan had succeeded. Instead, the mix of emotions I felt put me on the edge.The sun was bloody as if to emphasize the recently spilled blood. Exhaling slowly, I looked at my hand and the itching skin on my healing, still-reddish knuckles. A faint smile stretched my lips. At least one good thing happened today. One piece of shit less in this fucked-up world.The door behind my back slid open, and Rowan stormed into my office. “The news about the police finding Marchetti's body is now everywhere,” he said through his teeth. “I bet that the old fucker is already heading here.”I could feel the incoming headache. I glanced at my hand again and turned around to face Rowan. “How much do you think he knows?”Rowan dragged his hand over his face and slumped down on the sofa. “He knows that Giulio was last seen at the wedding. Apparently, Giulio told one
I was still in a daze after our quite intense kissing, but I was conscious enough for all kinds of questions to appear. I stared at him in silence, processing everything he had told me before blurting out, “I won't bear you a child.”Amusement danced on his lips. “Never say never.”My hands fisted. “We're not going to add a child into our deal.”“There won't be any deal.” He leaned forward, his lips forming a sly smirk. “You will marry me because you want to, and I will pay for your mother's treatment out of the goodness of my heart.”I huffed out a laugh and folded my arms across my chest. “Are you serious?”His smirk turned into a sultry grin. “Deadly serious. My friend, Rowan, will drive you home and give you a few documents to fill out. I'll need them to take care of your mother.” He leaned back in his chair and glanced at his watch. “Now I'll have to ask you to leave. I'm having an appointment in a few minutes.”I studied him in absolute disbelief. “You really mean what you said,
My stomach turned to lead. He refused. This was a script from my worst nightmare. I could feel the blood draining from my face. Had I been too arrogant in thinking he might agree? Perhaps I was only fooling myself. I wasn't presentable enough. I had no true value to him. Still, I wanted to know. I needed to hear it. “Why?” I choked out. “Is it because I'm not Italian?”He shook his head. “If I'd wanted someone to act as my wife, I would have hired an actress.” His cold voice echoed through the room.“Then what else do you want?” My hands shot up in frustration. “You want me to become your assistant? Your personal maid? Or maybe you want me to bake you fucking cookies?!”His lips curved, but the smile that formed was dark... feral. “What you offer is still only the wrapper. What I want is the whole package.”I swallowed, suddenly feeling naked despite the layers of fabric covering my skin. “There are limits to what I am willing to sell,” I gritted out.A soft chuckle escaped him. “Do y
I stared at Ace, having a hard time acknowledging his words. Did he truly suggest I should marry Hunter Thorne?“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Fifi burst out, glaring at Ace. “That man is practically a Mafia Don! Not to mention that he has a long line of enemies waiting to kill him... and his wife!”Ace gave her a look. “Don't be so dramatic. You're forgetting that he also has the biggest number of soldiers at his disposal. I'd say he's pretty well protected. I'm also certain he'd make protecting his wife a number one priority.”Fifi worked her jaw. “He's doing a lot of illegal… stuff!”“Well, no shit!” Ace snorted. “May I remind you your family deals with all of the Italians, Russians, Chinese Triads, and Yakuza and is quite OK with taking money from them?”Fifi rolled her eyes. “That's… different. We don't get to pick our clients.”“Spare me that bullshit, Fifi.” Ace gave her an unimpressed look. “And may I remind you that Cat can either marry a sadist or... choose someone equ
I must have gone absolutely insane. There was no other explanation for why Hunter Thorne's name had flown out of my mouth. Why had I even thought about him?! It felt like my mind had gone blank for a second, and his name was the only two words that existed.I didn't know if Grasso and Thorne knew each other. What if he called Hunter right now and asked about his engagement? This lie might cost me a lot… Seriously, I might have dug my own grave.I inched back, keeping my eyes on the deadly predator in front of me. I braced myself, awaiting some kind of crushing response, but both, Grasso and my father, fell silent. Grasso worked his jaw, anger flaring in his dark eyes. “It seems that your father failed to mention this little detail,” he gritted out.He believed me. He bought the lie. My body nearly rattled in relief, but I restrained any signs that could betray my bluff. “My father was never interested in whom I dated, and I didn't feel obligated to tell him,” I said, my face blank.Be
CATHERINEIt was nearly six o'clock. I walked through the long hall, heading to where the limousine had already been waiting. My wavy hair swayed from side to side as I tried to keep my walk steady. I was dressed in a black fitted dress that ended right above my knees. Not the most conservative look I could pick, but at least it had a shallow neckline and no inappropriate slits.The chauffeur opened the door and helped me inside the car. My father was already there. I slid to sit beside him and gave him a tight smile. He slowly looked me up and down and gave me a curt nod of approval. “Relax, Catherine. Would you like a drink?” He smiled and pointed at the small bar between our seats. “You seem tensed. A few drops of alcohol might help you calm down.”My eyes widened in disbelief. Was that truly my father? Was he actually trying to be nice? I watched him take two glasses and pour a thin layer of whiskey into both. He grabbed one glass and gestured for me to take the other one. God… th
HUNTERI pushed through the broken doors, entering the Desiderio Club—MY fucking club. Steaming rage slowly filled my veins as I surveyed the damage, estimating the costs. The broken glass screeched under my shoes. It was hard to find the tiniest spot on the floor without it. I kept stepping between the blood puddles, marking the spots where three of ours had been stabbed and a few of those fuckers gutted. The security had been too tight for them to carry the guns, yet they'd skipped a few knives, and so the bloodshed had begun…I walked over to the bar, staring at the pile of broken bottles and spilled liquor. “I will fucking kill them,” I gritted out, grabbing a half-broken bottle and smashing it against the wall.“Someone's in the mood,” Rowan muttered, stopping beside me. “It's not the first time someone tried to ruin our club. So what pissed you off that much?”I blew out a breath and massaged my temples. “Maybe I'm just tired of renovating the clubs over and over again.”“Nah.”