CarmenWe walked in silence, finally reaching the car where she half pushed me inside, roaring the engine to life."You're worried," I said after watching her."Hell, yeah. There's some shit going down that no one can figure out. You can almost feel a war is about to break out. Haven't seen blood in the streets in a long time.""My father?"She eased the car to a stop just before leaving the garage. "You're going to have to discuss that with Sebastian.""Of course. No one wants to tell me anything." I studied the rolling waves as she drove, unable to get what my father had said out of my mind."You like him," Sylvie said almost casually as she leaned back in her chair, giving me a wry smile."Who?""Don't play coy with me." She half laughed."How can I like a man I don't know?""Hmmm... Sebastian is a complicated man.""Sounds like you do know him very well," I said, realizing that a hint of jealousy had crawled into my system.Sylvie's grip on the steering wheel tightened, the sound
CarmenRevenge.The word continued to revolve in my mind all the way back to Sebastian's penthouse. The other word was trust. A part of me wanted nothing more than to trust him, but something was holding me back, as if I was Cinderella waiting for the glass slipper to shatter. Just like everything else had in my life.Sylvie merely helped me bring the things inside, checking the penthouse before she'd allow me to set two feet further than the foyer. Given the all clear, only then did she leave, promising to remain by the door until Sebastian returned. She was all business once again, taking her work very seriously. I had no doubt she'd make certain that Sebastian knew all about my disobedience.At least my conversation with Sylvie had provided more valued information about Sebastian than all the searches I'd done on the internet. I studied the small foil bag I'd purchased, adjusting the gold ribbon not once but twice. I'd already signed the card, although it had taken me some time to
SebastianDeals.Secrets.Lies.Revenge.They'd been four words I'd known from the time I was small. My father even used them in various orders he'd given the soldiers, as if it they were part of a mantra for him. For me, they were the straw that might break the camel's back. Was my father's retirement an actual strategic move? I was beginning to believe so.I couldn't get over the feeling that a deal could have been struck between my father and Santiago, only I couldn't figure out for the life of me what that could be or why. The deals my father was talking had to do with money in exchange for loyalty, not some jaded situation with a man who'd grown into a full blown enemy. Then again, Santiago had truly strengthened his level of power in the last twenty years, taking over from his father during that time. Perhaps the deal had been established long before.I'd find out one way or the other at the meeting with Santiago and this time, the man would answer me without his usual bullshit
SebastianWhy did I feel awkward telling her about my past?She leaned over the table. "What's troubling you tonight?""Nothing for you to worry about.""I don't think it has anything to do with your business or my life."I lifted my glass, studying her wry smile. My cock ached as it always did around her, the electricity sparking and buzzing between us. "You think you know me better now?""A little but only when you let that armor slip. What's wrong? While I realize that you'll never share your business with me, there are other aspects of life including good and bad times. If we don't get to know each other, then how am I supposed to love you?"Love. The burden and guilt of wanting to feel romantic, crazy in love was almost too much. Perhaps I was simply too practical. The feel of her hand wrapping around mine was enough to send a wave of almost violent arcs shooting into every cell and muscle in my system. "Carmen, I don't want to burden you. You have enough things on your mind.""P
Sebastian"Did you know that stars are truly magical?" Carmen asked.I sat in the background, watching her as she floated around the patio. Her shoes were off, her foot no longer swollen and for the first time since I'd met her weeks before, she seemed free. Even laughing.She tipped her head and the wind whipped through her long strands, several sticking to her luscious lips. "That is if you believe in magic. Maybe that's something you need to do." Her smile was beguiling as she took a sip of her wine, swirling the liquid in the glass then easing it onto a table."Maybe you're right.""I'm always right," she breathed and gripped the railing, leaning over. The girl was fearless.Conversation had turned light over dinner, the kind that two people would have on a first date.What kind of food do you like?What's your favorite color?What's your favorite movie?Being a normal guy for a portion of the evening meant more to me than I could admit to her.Now we were home.Now I would take h
SebastianMy desire was ready to explode, a series of lights flashing in front of my eyes. I continued the spanking for a time then wrapped my hand around the thin strap of her thong. With one quick tug, I tossed the unwanted material to the side.While she yelped, she shook her head. "You need to buy me a few pair.""I'll buy you an entire store," I growled and yanked at the hem of her dress, lifting until I dragged it over her shoulders, tossing it aside. "Fully naked. That's the way you're going to stay.""Might be awkward with guests," she mused."They'll get used to it." I pulled her forward again, resuming the spanking.She tossed back her head, her grip on my shoulders firm as she rocked against my legs, sliding her slickened pussy over my cloth-covered cock. She knew what she was doing to me, the little minx.My heart raced, my blood boiling as I smacked my hand from one side to the other, savoring the buildup of heat. I could envision the lovely crimson blossoming across her
SebastianI loved the feel of her slickened pussy, the heat like a wildfire. I could tell by her ragged breathing that she was close to coming. I pounded into her in an almost perfect rhythm, dazzled by the friction. "Are you going to come for me?""Uh-huh. I..." She laughed softly, her head lolling."Then come for me, baby. Come on my cock." I refused to stop, powering into her until I knew she couldn't hold back any longer.Her pussy tightened then relaxed several times until she issued a high-pitched scream, her entire body shaking. "Oh, God. Oh. Oh. Oh!"Every muscle tense, I brought her into a series of orgasms, the wave washing over her, leaving her body limp in my arms.Her breathing heavy, she only half opened her eyes, blinking several times.I pulled her away from the wall, holding the back of her head. Memories of our very first time together flashed into my mind as my cock continued to throb. I'd never felt this close to a woman and I was floored at the effect she had on m
SebastianI stood in my office, struggling to maintain a level head. The call for a meeting with Santiago had come much sooner than I'd expected. At least John knew that I'd been serious. There were too many hanging pieces to what had turned out to be a very vile game. I was finished with playing, ready to move on and it didn't matter if I had to clean house.The pictures and accompanying news articles my father had given me were fascinating. I'd been able to check the information, finding that there was truth in what had been saved for all these years. I sighed and shoved the envelope into my jacket, only to use the information if necessary.I glanced at the clock and exhaled. Almost three in the morning.The darkness had enveloped the city like a suffocating blanket, even though South Beach never really slept. Tonight, I didn't want to leave the warmth of my bed or the woman I'd invited to share it with me, but there was no other recourse.I heard footsteps and resisted bristling. T
Sasha"You're so disobedient," he breathed as he peppered his hand from one side to the other, the hard slaps pushing me hard against the thick railing.The stinging sensations were intensified from my earlier spanking, the pain rushing down the backs of my legs. I'd accepted my role, my place by his side. He would always be in charge, the head of household, and in truth, the arrangement was perfect.As the spanking continued, my heart racing, I wiggled and moaned, my nipples hardening to the point they ached. I wanted him to twist and pinch, lick and suck."Are you wet for me, my sweet Sasha?""Yes, sir.""I can see how swollen those pretty pink pussy lips are for me."He smacked harder and faster, keeping a perfect rhythm."Yes. Sir." The scent of my cream wafted all around me, my hunger building.A slight chuckle slipped from his lips as his hand came down hard and fast. I imagined the warm blush, turning quickly into a deep scarlet as the spanking proceeded.I closed my eyes as he
SashaLove. L.O.V.E. The concept was honestly ridiculous.And beautiful.And breathtaking.And exhilarating.And maddening.But I was in love with a man I should run far away from. I knew that the odds were against us, danger lurking at every turn, but honestly? I didn't care any longer.In the three weeks since everything had occurred, my life had changed. At least the fifteen minutes of fame for the defamed daughter of a promising presidential candidate was just about over, the newscasters moving onto other scathing stories. And here I sat in a convertible sports car on St. Thomas Island, my hair flowing in the breeze, the day more gorgeous than any I'd seen in months.And I sat beside August."Where are we going? Some beautiful resort?"He grinned, shifting his gaze in my direction. "You're going to have to learn patience, my dear. We'll work on that on this trip. As a matter of fact, we'll take care of that right away."I wiggled in my seat, knowing exactly what that meant. More d
AugustFive Days LaterThe bright sun cast a shimmer down the length of her body as she stood at the window, her lovely copper hair smooth as silk. She seemed pensive, her eyes never blinking as she stared out at the parking lot. I stood in the doorway, watching her.Bathing in her beauty.I heard Bruno behind me, the larger than life man refusing to stay in the hospital for more than two days. He'd been my constant companion, rarely leaving my side. The days had been nothing but a blur of activity, including shoring the ranks within the family, but thankfully, today I was taking her home."I'll be waiting downstairs, boss." Bruno kept his voice hushed, his eyes twinkling from the sight of her.I nodded, waiting until he walked away before taking cautious steps inside. She and I had talked for hours after she'd garnered her strength. Although I hadn't confided about the information in the box, only telling her that her mother was safe and in good hands, she needed to know. After she'd
AugustThe drive was without incident, although I had no doubt that Drummand had summoned various police officers and that they were preparing for a raid. The ammunition I had should be enough to cease the brazen activity. I laughed at the concept. If what I suspected was about to happen did occur, there would be ripples from here to Chicago, a shift in the operation of both the Feds and the two local police departments.There were numerous cars located in my father's driveway, several of which I didn't recognize. I didn't bother to wait for the housekeeper, letting myself inside and immediately heading to my father's office. The door was closed, and I could hear loud voices, angry tones. Within seconds, I was able to recognize the second voice.Carmine Francesco.My father had called him. To have a meeting here and now meant a culmination of betrayals on several levels. I threw open the door, the box under my arm."You have to stop this madness, Gio," Carmine exclaimed. "You have no
AugustAt ten minutes past high noon, I found the fucker, a man I thought I could trust coming out of the district attorney's office by the back door. My hunch had played out. I sat in the shadows, watching as Jo-Jo hunkered down, yanking the collar of his coat up over his neck. He walked toward his truck, the massive F-350 one he insisted on driving. The front-end damage was actually minimal in comparison to the destruction on the SUV. He obviously didn't give a shit that anyone would ask questions. I'd driven by the impound lot, able to see the twisted wreckage that had once been a fully protected vehicle.And my anger continued to increase.I twisted one hand around the steering wheel, the other around my phone, calling Angelo. "I've found him.""Where?""At a location where he shouldn't have been. Meet me at the warehouse with a full crew in one hour. We'll take care of this.""That shithead. What the hell?""Absolution." Jo-Jo had no family, nothing to keep him loyal for any leng
AugustI resisted slamming the cup on the nightstand and jerked to a full standing position just as two nurses bolted into the room."You shouldn't be here!" one of the nurses barked."Don't worry. I'm leaving." I took one last look at him, the gentle giant who'd protected me for so many years. The man would receive his dues soon enough.I moved down the hallway, finding the nurse's station. "Sasha Morales."The nurse glared at me in obvious recognition, taking a full minute before she reacted. The same wretched fear crossed her face as she typed on the keyboard. Everyone was terrified of my wrath. "She's just out of surgery and in recovery.""Her prognosis?"The nurse gave me a comforting smile. "She should be fine. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding, but she had her spleen removed. She did well in surgery.""Where the hell is recovery?" Relief flooded me, but the adrenaline remained high."Are you family?""Her fiancé."The news seemed shocking, her face sagging. "You can se
August"You shouldn't be here, August," Angelo said under his breath as he walked with me down the hospital corridor."Like hell I shouldn't." I stormed down the hall, pushing past anyone who attempted to get in my way."You know it's only a matter of time before they're going to try and arrest you again."I laughed, touching my gun for effect. "As if I give a shit." I noticed a nurse and nearly accosted her as I grabbed her arm. "Sasha Morales. What is going on? Where is she?"The woman sputtered then shook her head. "In surgery from internal injuries, but she's alive. That's all I know.""Where?" I barked."You can't see her, sir. You're going to have to wait." She managed to jerk out of my hold, racing down the hallway."Calm down, August. Bruno is in his room. Talk to him."I ran my fingers through my hair, calming my breathing. "What do we have on the accident?""Nothing right now. The SUV was broadsided somewhere just after nine. There are no cameras at the intersection and nobo
AugustThis had nothing to do with any interrogation. I nodded, scanning the parking lot and surrounding area before climbing inside. By the time he started the engine, his hand was shaking.He roared out of the parking lot, checking the rearview mirror three times before speaking. "I want you to know that I'm putting my job, hell, my career on the line for you and your family." Dick laughed bitterly. "Stupid. I have no idea why I'm doing this.""That begs the question. Why the fuck are you doing this?""Your arrest was a setup.""Tell me something I don't know."He looked as uncomfortable as hell, now sweating profusely. "You have no idea the kinds of connections that Senator Morales has as well as the chief of police and the district attorney. They are hell bent on destroying your operation. And I think there's more upper echelon politicians, law enforcement, and God knows who else in on this. This is fucking huge and terrifying."Wait a minute. What in the hell was he suggesting? "
SashaThe parking lot in front of the UPS store was almost desolate. While the location had a neon sign indicating it was still open, there was no one standing behind the counter. Number 518 was found easily, the group of boxes nestled all the way in the back of the store. When the clerk finally realized there were customers, Bruno had already cut the lock. I chatted with her briefly, finding out the box had been rented for five years, all paid in advance.My hands were shaking as I attempted to open the door, uncertain of what I would find. The shoebox fit almost exactly with no room to spare, the lid taped as if that would matter to prying eyes. I didn't waste time searching the contents. Maybe I really didn't want to know after all.I was so very cold as I secured the seatbelt, my arms and legs shaking. Just holding the thin cardboard in my hands made me feel closer to my mother, but also bitter and angry. Canada. I would hold August and his father to the promise of bringing her ho