The biggest mistake of my life was being born a mafia princess.
And to Mathias Volkanov. You see, my life was already decided even before I was born. The schools I'd attend, the job opportunities I'd be allowed to pursue as a docile young woman, the man I'd get married to, everything. I wasn't allowed to give an input. None. Ever since I can remember, my father has been the one making both the minor and major decisions regarding my life. Matthias Volkanov might be my father, but he's also the most dangerous man in upstate Venice, Italy. Well, one of the most dangerous. Control fuels him. Control is his armor. And as the reigning Don of the Volkanov Mafia, once he gives an order he expects it to be followed down to the letter, whether they agree with it or not. He cares about no one, but the Volkanov legacy. He has no issues killing anyone who dares to oppose him. Death is the ultimate answer to every opposition, whether small or huge. He rules Italy with an iron fist. In the public eye he's a role model, hardworking businessman, thanks to his legitimate businesses, corporations that rake in billions, and loving father. But in secret he's a man who tangos in the dark, ruling over the shadows with a brutality that makes me shiver. It's a part of himself he keeps away from me, well-hidden, well-tamed. But I don't like to dwell on such things. Moreover, the rumours I've heard, not only about his legendary viciousness, but the wickedness of my grandfather and every other Volkanov Don that'd reigned before made my stomach turn. I had a hard time reconciling the fact that the strict family man who takes care of my mother, me and my siblings with the harsh, ruthless Pennywise they've made him out to be. I'm laying on my back, half asleep when I hear the soft knock on my bedroom door. Mother enters as I sit up, and draw my butt up so I can rest my back against the gigantic, black, silver-rimmed headboard. "Your father wishes to speak to you." "About what?" I asked. "Come with me." Father's study was upstairs, situated at the very heart of the mansion. Butlers, stewards and housekeepers move about, cleaning, and setting everything in place for dinner. Father's door is ajar, and Antonio comes out just as we're about to enter. "Hello there, Trish," he greets me in passing with a wink. My stomach churns at his presence. I glance at my mother. She nudges me into Father's study, going to stand by his right hand side with her head bowed. The atmosphere is gloomy. Did someone die? "Good evening, Papà." He nods and gestures to the chair opposite him. "Sit down, please." I do as he says, wondering for the first time ever if the rumours about him are true. Does he actually enjoy threatening and killing people? Is that how he makes much of his money? The thought of it is discomforting and I shift in my chair, staring at his face which looks like it's carved from stone. It's all hard, rigid planes and angles, and not even is slightly round nose looks soft. His cerulean blue eyes are filled with so many secrets, they're incapable of giving anything away, and his thick, golden hair is pulled back and held together by a gel that smells like sweet tobacco. "You're not a child anymore, Tricia. You're turning twenty-two in a month's time," he states. "It's time for you to take on your duties and responsibilities." I adjust myself on my chair again, wondering where exactly he was headed to with this. "I have found you a man. A noble one. Antonio Dombruso," he looks up at Mother for some weird reason, then faces me again. "You shall marry him, and bring forth heirs to carry on the Volkanov legacy. You have to understand how important this is, darling. You're my first daughter." "But, papà — " "I'm not done speaking yet," he cut me off, putting up a hand. "And I shall not condone any objection. Antonio just left here, and I told him you're eager to get to know him better. You've always been a good daughter, my princess. Don't ruin the good perception I have of you now. Go see Antonio. Make an effort. Is that clear?" Wanting to get out there quickly, I nod begrudgingly. "Yes, papà." "Good. We're done here." I want nothing to do with Antonio Dombruso. Out of all my father's men, he's the one I dislike the most. He's been my father's top enforcer since I can remember, and he's almost ten years older than me. I look up to my mother for help. But I know there's nothing she can't do. She's never challenged Father before. And there's no telling what he'll do to her if she does. Becoming Antonio's wife means hitting rock bottom. He's a cheesy, misogynistic piece of shit. I've never been a disobedient daughter, but in this situation, the prospect is tempting. I stand up and walk out, my head hanging like I've just been scolded. As soon as I'm in the comfort of my room, I turn the lock and drop down on the floor with my back against the door, burying my face in between my palms as I let the tears flow. I want to scream. I'm not a child anymore. I should be the one making the decisions regarding my life. Until recently, I've never questioned my father's activities and his organization. But now I am questioning it deeply. And I'm so sad that my life is affected by it this way. I resume my previous position on the bed, realizing that I'll also be required to hand over my virginity to Antonio. My family are staunch Catholics, and I've been a good girl who kept the faith since birth. I've never slept with a man. Sure, I talk to boys and even had a 'relationship' kinda thing with a man once before, but nothing intimate happened. I didn't want to be the reason why my family's reputation would be smeared. But now I feel helpless. Even though I've left the dorm, and I'm now back home where I'm allowed to do whatever I please and free, I'm feeling more restricted than ever. I don't want to give myself to Antonio, or any one of my father's men. Tossing and turning endlessly, a thought comes to me. Yes. I don't have to give myself to Antonio. The wedding wouldn't be till another week or two is passed, so there's more than enough time for me to choose who my first time will be with. I can pick a man I'm attracted to, and give him one night. We don't have to know each other deeply. We just have to be sexually compatible. Plus, it'll be a 'fuck you' to Antonio, and a gift to myself. One I deserve. Especially as I'm expected to sacrifice my happiness for my father's dark antics. Antonio is cold, brutal and cruel for me. The thought of him touching me, kissing me — being inside me makes my eyes sting with fresh tears. I hate it so much. Sitting up, I run my hand through my hair, deciding to do something about it tonight. I refuse to let Antonio be the first man in me. I may have to marry the bastard, but I'll love to see the shock on his face when he discovers on our wedding night that I'm not a virgin. That he lost. No more waiting for orders from father like a little girl. I'm a grown woman, so I'm going to sneak out, find a man I like and fall into bed with him. My mind made up, I stroll casually into my vanity. Sitting down on the stool, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, then do my make-up darker and grungier than usual. I put on a nice, sexy red dress and also a red, chilly lipstick, take an Uber and go to the other side of town. The darker side.Standing beneath a streetlight, I glance around and spot a few bars and restaurants on the block. It's ironic that I'm drawn to the corner pub because it clearly has an Irish theme. It's perfect, I think. Just another way to tell my dad and Antonio to shove it. Go mingle with the enemy.Although it's not exactly the Irish they hate. It's the Mennetti family.Before I lose my nerve, I cross the street and walk into the bar, It's packed, the music is loud and the crowd is a little older than me.I make my way through the mingling people who are laughing, chatting and hanging out together. I've never had a large group of friends before, only a couple of close ones at school, and I suddenly feel very intimidated.I force myself to sit down on a bar stool, and let out a breath, staring down at the menu. I couldn't eat a bite, I'm so damn nervous. Alcohol, on the other hand, will be perfect for my mood tonight.I order a bottle of Guinness, pay, and begin my search. Now what? I wonder. Do
After we get our credit cards from the bartender and he pays for everything, ignoring my offer to help, we step outside into the warm night air. It's July and the Midwest air has a humidness to it that matches the wetness currently happening between my thighs."My apartment is on the next block," he says and when I nod, he reaches for my hand. Our fingers lace together and it feels so damn right. Even though this man is still such a mystery to me, I'm so grateful he stepped in earlier and we met. He's kind, a gentleman and I'm dying to get to know him better.More intimately.When we arrive at his place, I'm not sure what to expect, but it's nice. Small, but upscale and, for whatever reason, it doesn't feel very lived in.As if he reads my thoughts, he says, "I've been staying with my family just outside the city, so I haven't been here in a month or so. Sorry about the dust.""It's fine." The place looks immaculate to me. Before I can ask about his family, he flips a lamp on and the
At some point right before dawn, I wake in a strange bed and it takes me a moment to remember where I am and why I'm twisted up in a man's big, warm body. The panic subsides when I remember Gideon and breathe in his clean scent which instantly calms me.I can't believe I went through with it and gave my virginity to a stranger. What's even more unbelievable is the fact that he turned out to be so incredible in every single way. I don't regret a thing, but a panic suddenly flares within me and I need to leave.Somehow, I manage to remove his heavy, muscled limbs without waking him and then I slip out of bed, throw my clothes back on and sneak out of the bedroom on my tiptoes. But right before I walk out, I look back over my shoulder and watch him sleep for a moment. He's lying on his back, arm thrown over his head and his angular face looks almost boyish in repose.The sheet sits low on his hips and I lick my lips, knowing what lies beneath it. I'm sore, but in a delicious sort of way.
I watch my older brother walk away and curse the Mennetti family. They've always caused problems for my father. Our family businesses are in constant competition, but clearly it's become more than that. A power struggle is happening and now people are in danger of getting shot down like in some gangster movie. A chill runs through me as I lift my phone up and pull up a search engine.Until now, the Mennetti family has never really interested me. They were just always the bad guys to avoid and fear. Like the monster under the bed. You never saw it, but you knew it was down there irking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.I type "Nolan Mennetti, Chicago," into the search bar and a ton of hits pop up. Ignoring the articles, I hit the images button, wanting to see what Nolan Mennetti looks like. Wanting to see the man who's now clinging to life in the hospital and whose family is out for my family's blood.Nolan Mennetti looks to be in his early 50s with a head of thick, dark hair
After my father leaves, I spend the rest of the day scouring the internet for information about Connor Mennetti. I still can't wrap my head around the situation and I feel sick.And not only Connor was my problem now. Now, I have to dress up, and smile prettily at stupid Antonio for our engagement photographs next week. The news of us coming together as husband and wife were circulating slowly among the masses, but no official statement has been put out yet. Father intends breaking the news to the public in a grand manner. Not that he asks me if that's what I want to.I and my feelings don't matter.Soon enough, the next Friday arrives in a whim, and I find myself seated in the formal living room, trying to keep up appearances in a modest blue, light gown with almost no make-up and my blonde hair loose, hanging in soft waves over my face. I try my best to fight the unpleasant churning in my stomach, and the ache in my chest caused by fright of what Father would do if he finds out abou
Two months after spending the night with Connor Mennetti, my worst fears are confirmed.Looking down at the positive pregnancy test in my hand, I feel sick to my stomach. Actually, that's the whole reason I finally caved and went out and bought a pregnancy test.For the last couple of weeks, I haven't felt well. It's been on and off and, at first, I chalked it up to stress and thought I might be coming down with the flu or something equally nasty.When the proofs from the engagement photos arrived, I started looking through them and after less than a minute, I jumped up, ran into the bathroom and puked.I attributed it to the fact that marrying Antonio Dombruso makes me physically ill.But now I know it's so much more than that. I just don't understand.Slumping forward, leaning a hip against the bathroom counter, I think back to that night. Connor used a condom and I assumed I'd be protected.So what the hell happened?I toss the evidence of my pregnancy in the trash and wander back
When Father turns and marches away, I close my door, sagging against it. That was close. God, I can't even stand up to him when it comes to little things like this.How in the world am I ever going to explain my pregnancy?And, holy hell, if he ever finds out that the father is Connor, he's probably going to keel over from a heart attack and die. And I do not want to live with that kind of guilt.For the time being, I'm not telling anyone. It's our little secret, I think and lay a hand against my flat stomach. The problem is I'm not sure how much longer my stomach will remain flat.Already, I can feel the differences in my body. It's only a matter of time until the entire world knows. When my belly is so swollen with Connor's baby then there won't be any more hiding it from anyone.Trying to distract myself, I start getting ready for the event tonight. I've got plenty of time to kill until we leave, so I put in some extra effort with my makeup and hair. Then I choose a dress I've neve
The moment I see the long, dark hair and slim, yet curvy figure, I recognize Trish. It's like my body remembers hers, as though she imprinted herself onto me, and I take a moment to stare, trying to make sure she's not just a figment of my imagination. She's eating a petit four and looks gloriously happy about it which makes my lips twitch.Then her tongue flicks out to lick the frosting off those full, plump lips of hers and my dick twitches.I haven't been able to forget about her since our night together. Despite stepping into my father's shoes and working so much more, Trish has always remained at the edge of my thoughts during the long days and the center of my dreams every single night. Even though I'm across the room, I can already smell her honey vanilla scent.She calls to me in every single way, like some kind of siren. Then her dark brown gaze lifts and the moment she sees me, her mouth forms a little "O" of surprise. I don't know what I'm expecting to happen, but definitel
"Welcome to the family, Luca. Officially," Connor adds, his champagne flute extended, and we all chuckle. The toast makes my heart happy because for the first time, what's happening between our families is genuine.Looking down the table, I take a moment to soak in what I see—endless smiling faces and a fierce love that brings tears to my eyes. Except for Matthias, Anna and Giovanni, everyone is here and it's amazing.We're at the hotel, celebrating in the attached restaurant. My brothers sit with their wives and my two nephews are being held by their glowing mothers. Trish and Connor are incredible parents and I hope to follow in their footsteps one day. Same with Solana and Rylan who is healing up quite nicely and being fussed over constantly by his adoring wife. Roberto and Adeline will be having their own little one soon enough and the way he looks at her makes my heart tumble.My mother sits beside Harrison Shepherd who's been welcomed into our dysfunctional chaos with open arms.
The intensity of her sucking increases and even though I'm trying to be good and not blow, it's getting damn hard. "Fuck, Finley," I swear. It's all too much and the moment she hums and those little vibrations skate up my aching length, I grab her shoulders and pull her up."I wasn't done," she says with a frown.Fighting for control, a muscle flexes in my jaw as I turn her toward the tub and help her step inside. "I want to come inside that sweet pussy, baby girl. And you're going to take my cock deep inside you and ride it hard. Can you do that for me?"She licks her lips in answer and I nearly blow my wad.Lowering myself into the tub, I guide Finley down to straddle me, and rest my arms along the porcelain edges. She takes a moment to get situated then shifts forward, spreading her legs wider. I drop a hand into the warm water, grasp my throbbing cock and push at her entrance. "Take it all," I encourage her. "Every last inch."With a soft moan, Finley starts to sink down, her body
After losing the assholes enforcers, the drive back to the city is uneventful. And that's fine by me. I've had enough adventure to last a lifetime. From this point forward, all I want is to focus all of my attention on Finley and make her the happiest woman in the world. I know I have some more apologizing to do, but right now, I just want to make it up to her.And my plan is to start with multiple orgasms. Butter her up a little first then pour my heart out and beg for her forgiveness. Hopefully, it's a good plan.I've lost what little faith and trust I had in Matthias, so I tell Roberto to drop us off at the hotel where their mother is staying."But I want to stay with you," Finley murmurs softly. She's curled up on my lap and my mouth edges up."You will. Don't worry, I'm not letting you out of my sight. I just don't want to go back to the apartment my father gave us. I'll never trust him again and we'll get our own place soon, tesoro."When Roberto finally pulls the Jeep up to the
My knees give out and I drop down to the rooftop patio, shaking so hard. The sound of pounding boots fills the air and I immediately tense—until I see Luca. He sweeps out onto the terrace, pulls me up and I sag against him."Thank Christ," he murmurs, pressing a string of kisses against my temple. "C'mon, we need to go."We lace fingers and jog back through the storage room then down the three flights of steps."How did you get away? Where are my brothers? Rylan? Is he okay?" I manage to ask."We overpowered some enforcer scum," he tells me. "Rylan was grazed by a bullet, but he's okay, and your brothers are loading him up into the Jeep right now.""I-I killed him," I murmur, still feeling a little shell-shocked."Don't think about it," he says, sliding an arm around my shoulders and holding me close. "You did what you had to do."I send up a little prayer that Desmond's twisted body is lying on the side driveway and not here in the front because I don't ever want to see it again. Luc
Luca seems to be on the same page. "Do you really think you can get away with this?" he asks. "Matthias is coming for you and there isn't a soul more ruthless than him. He won't rest until you're no longer a threat.""He's right," I add. "Matthias will fight you until his last breath.""You think I'm scared of Matthias?" Desmond scoffs. "After I take care of you, he's next. I've already hired the hitman to take him out."Luca and I exchange a quick look. Is he telling the truth? I have no idea, but it's definitely possible. We need to get away from Desmond, but how? Suddenly, two huge enforcers appear and Desmond motions to us."Grab them," he orders.My heart sinks as I'm yanked away from Luca and the enforcer forces me to walk toward the house. I have no idea what Desmond is planning, but I'm really starting to worry about my brothers. Where are they?I find out the answer as soon as we enter the house. Connor and Roberto are each sitting in a chair, tied up, and it looks like they
My eyes snap open and I carefully move my arms and legs. All good, no breaks. I have no idea how I'm still in one piece and all I can do is thank my lucky stars. Then I call out for Luca."Luca..." Turning onto my side, I look for him, but my eyes are still trying to focus after being knocked silly. Coughing from the smoke, I struggle to pull myself up into a sitting position, squinting through the thick billows of ash and black clouds. Finally, I spot Luca a hundred or so feet away from me.He's lying on the grass and not moving."Oh, God, no." Is he hurt? Or worse? Heart in my throat, stomach dropping in dread, I pull myself to my feet and stumble over to him. Falling down beside him, I lay my hands on his chest and lean down. "Luca?"When he doesn't respond, everything in me sinks hard and fast. Panic sets in and my fingers curl, grabbing hold of his shirt and shaking. "Luca!" I hiss.This can't be happening. He came to rescue me, told me he loved me and would never leave me...and
"We have a big fucking problem!" Luca snaps into his comms unit. "Stay away from here. Desmond has the barn rigged with explosives and I need to get Finley untied! Stall him!"My heart plunges. Connor and Roberto abruptly stop walking after Luca warns them that they're heading straight into a trap. Which, of course, is going to let Desmond know that something is up. But, thank God, Connor seems to play it off smoothly as he reengages Desmond in conversation.But, I know my brothers will only be able to stall for so long before Desmond realizes something is going on. He's too damn smart and ruthless.Luca stays low, working frantically on my bindings and I'm twisting, pulling and turning until my scraped wrists start bleeding."Fuck!" Luca glances up and I see fear and worry flash through his molasses eyes. Connor and Roberto have turned back around and continue talking to Desmond again, still stalling, and I don't see Rylan anywhere.Suddenly, chaos erupts up by the house and we look
By the time we get to the compound, I'm on the edge of my seat and ready to get this done. I want my woman back in my arms where she belongs and I'll do anything to make it happen.Roberto drives around to the rear of the property and lets me and Rylan out. We're splitting up so we can keep an eye on things better. I slide the tiny communications unit into my ear and we test them quickly. Everything appears to be in working order and Roberto gives us a salute."Stay in touch," Connor says."Roger that," Rylan responds and I give a sharp nod.The Jeep drives away and Connor and Roberto head to the front gate. The plan is for them to meet up with Desmond while Ry and I will stay under the radar, keeping a close eye on things. If Desmond deviates from the plan or tries to be sneaky in any way, we'll be ready."Ready?" Rylan asks."Let's do this."We move through the woods and sneak onto the property. From here, the plan is to split up and move to opposite sides of the large rear yard."S
Sweeping around the corner, our plan foremost in my brain, we walk straight into two enforcers and immediately jump them. They aren't expecting us and we use the element of surprise to our advantage. It's four against two and, even though the guys are big, they don't expect us to come flying out of the blackness and attack like wraiths.Roberto and Rylan quickly overpower the guard on the left while Connor and I take down the burly guy on the right. I tackle him at the knees and he drops hard while Connor slugs him with a fist to the face. We work well together and I pop up, lift my gun and slam it down against the base of the enforcer's skull. He drops like a brick and Connor gives me a nod.Glancing over, I see Roberto just finished doing the same thing.Once the guards are taken care of, or at least momentarily out of the picture, I stalk over to the cell and see Sean Flannigan cowering in there like the weasel he is and always will be. Looking down, I see the cell door is locked.