SebastianI tilted my head, the slender light from the moon as well as the few lights on the dock allowing me to see the gleam in his eyes. "Yes, I agree. You know, you could have told me this over the phone, my friend.""I could have but I needed a couple days off. The lure of such a magnificent city.""How is your lovely bride?" I asked in passing.He grinned, an unusual sight for such a hard and brutal man. "A beautiful yet very disobedient woman.""Exactly what you need.""As she continues to tell me." His face clouded over as he took a deep breath. "Besides, I wanted to bring you some information that should be important to you and in truth, security should be of the utmost importance within your organization." Aleksei pulled an envelope from his jacket, cursing in Russian under his breath."What is this?" I asked, peering down at the thick package."Call it insurance, which you may need. I took the opportunity of doing some research on Mr. Garcia. It seems that he's ruthless in
SebastianI'd talked to a few sources, runners whose livelihood would be affected by the shipments' destruction. While they all seemed scared, there was no indication of further betrayal, at least as of yet. My personal warning to each and every one of them should buy me some time.The penthouse was entirely too quiet when I walked in, barely acknowledging Enrique other than to tell him to go home for the night. With Castillo on ice and Kostya in some Philadelphia morgue, I doubted there would be any attempt of a hit for the rest of the night.However, I'd remained prepared for anything.I didn't like the way things were occurring, as if someone held a grudge against my family first and was using my family's business almost like a ransom without any demands made. As. Of. Yet.I tugged the envelope from my pocket, rubbing my thumb back and forth. Whatever information was inside, I had no doubt the details would further increase the rage furrowing in my mind. I merely tossed it on the c
SebastianThe moment I heard the cello, I closed my eyes, envisioning the concert once again. Carmen was extraordinarily accomplished, her talent remarkable. With every note, every amazing chord, I fell into a magical journey that only something so beautiful could accomplish. The darkness, the magic wrapped around the intense passage literally took my breath away.I found myself stumbling backwards, self-loathing pushing the ache in my head to a dull roar. I could feel the level of anger releasing, a moment of raw sadness interrupting my thoughts, dragging on my synapses."Turn that off!"Her demand managed to filter over the music, her voice shaking from her own heightened anger.I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. She stood like a beacon of hope, her long hair cascading down her shoulders and arms in a halo effect. I found it difficult to respond and when I didn't, she moved toward the stereo, slapping her hands against the CD player in an effort to stop the music."I said,
CarmenWife.The man was either insane or far too self-centered.Or both.I'd been right before; this whole abduction thing was a scheme to be wed into my family? Maybe the money was more important, or the clout? I thought about the reasons and knew his decision had more to do with further ostracizing my father as well as thwarting his power. Did I really care? Hell, I wasn't certain about anything any longer.However, if he thought for even a minute that I was going to marry him, he would have a rude awakening. I could barely think straight, had difficulty accepting what he'd said, but the expression on his face screamed that he was determined keep his promise. "You're out of your mind. I would never marry you." I managed to get out of his grasp, taking several steps backward."It's the only way I can attempt to keep you safe," Sebastian said after a few seconds."From my father or from your enemies?"I could tell he was debating his answer. "I wasn't lying to you. Your father is a r
CarmenEverything was a blur as he shifted his lips to my jaw before dragging his tongue across the seam of my mouth. When he slid the pads of his fingers down the back of my neck, tickling the skin on my back, a moan pushed up from the very depths of my being."Tell me what you want, Carmen.""I don't... know.""I think you do," he whispered, the tone full of lust and innuendo. "I know you do. Tell me everything your body requires."I swallowed, allowing the words to filter in my mind, trying desperately to turn off the intense yearning. But I couldn't. Every part of me had betrayed the woman inside, peeling away at the mask I'd worn for so long. I was reeling, unable to think clearly as he continued trailing his fingers down my spine, shifting them under the hem of the beautiful nightgown. I'd never felt so sexy or desired, my mouth suddenly dry.When he kissed me again, his lips exploring mine, the touch so gentle, I rose onto my tiptoes. The slight hint of his tongue in my mouth w
Carmen"Hmmm," I huffed and eased my fingers down his chest, marveling in the way his muscles rippled even under the material. I slowly unbuttoned his shirt, able to lean down and blow hot air across his skin.Sebastian threw his head back, moaning several times. "Damn, woman."I eased back until I was able to slide my hands down to his belt, slowly unfastening the buckle. He finally tilted his head, watching every move I made as I struggled to unfasten his pants, tugging at the zipper. His laugh was sensuous, his dancing eyes illuminated by the slender moon. For some reason, his irises were shimmering, drawing me through a crack in his armor and into his very soul.His darkened and haunted soul.He trusted no one, including me, his world full of utter organization, a complete requirement. If anything within his regime was altered, he became unraveled, as if the control was the only thing he could count on.I'd tossed a wrench into his pristine setting, forcing him to unravel if only
CarmenSebastian shifted me on his lap until I was facing away from him. I closed my eyes as his fingers trailed down my arms, the goosebumps making me lightheaded. I shifted back and forth, my pussy juice no doubt staining his expensive linen trousers. The thought made me smile even as he raked his nails down my back. The touch was exhilarating.He lifted my hips once again, pushing my feet tight against the floor. As he pressed his cockhead up and down the length of my pussy, I bit back a moan. When he plunged his cock back inside, I couldn't hold back my exclamations, releasing a scream that filtered into the air above us."You like it rough, don't you?" he asked in his usual demanding manner."Yes." There was no reason to lie."You crave my thick cock buried in every hole."Fuck, yes. "Yes. God, yes." I wiggled back and forth, enjoying another wave of friction."Then every hole is what you deserve." Sebastian eased his hand under my bottom, shifting his shaft and pushing me forwar
CarmenI heard him rustle with his clothes and knew that he'd left the room. I turned my head, staring at the envelope. Whatever had occurred when he was gone had disturbed him in several ways. I knew better than to ask what he was hiding or what he planned on doing. It just wasn't my place.Huffing, I concentrated on the sounds of the ocean, the sloshing waves just loud enough to allow me to relax, catch my breath.Even as my curiosity continued.There were so many questions to ask, so much information that I wanted to learn. One day, maybe he would trust me enough.I heard his footsteps as he returned and closed my eyes, uncertain of what to expect."Truly a very bad girl. You're disrespectful and mouthy," he laughed softly as he ran his fingers down my spine, tapping my ass. Then he pressed my ass cheeks apart."What are you doing?""Giving you something to think about tonight."I felt pressure, a hardened substance that made me cringe. He was using an ass plug. Oh, God. Every part
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