CarmenI was shocked, mortified, and unable to speak or even put two coherent words together. I couldn't believe he thought this was acceptable here and now. This was crazy, sickening. "You just can't." I watched in horror as he maneuvered the buckle, finally able to pull the thick leather strap from his belt loops. Seeing the action in the light made my legs quiver. By then, two other women had come into the bathroom, their faces registering surprise as well as something else.Lust.My God, they were turned on by seeing this brute getting ready to spank me. Like some bad little girl. I didn't deserve it! I didn't. I kicked out, catching him in the shins and when he fisted my hair, yanking my head as he leaned over, I could only whimper."You have no choice. None. I suggest you remain in position or your spanking will be much worse. This time isn't about you acting like a bratty and mouthy girl. You could have gotten yourself kidnapped or killed. You have no idea what kind of person y
CarmenI slapped my hand on the glass, glaring at my reflection and taking several deep breaths. What the hell was he doing? I was pitched into a moment of being paralyzed as I realized he was unfastening his trousers, slowly lowering his zipper. Oh, dear God. The man was going to fuck me. Right here. In this godforsaken place."No. Don't you dare," I barely managed, my eyes falling to his thick cock, the bulbous tip engorged and purple. My mouth was suddenly parched, my throat tightening until the air was restricted."I already told you, princess. I take what I want. Besides, I can tell by the scent of your ripe pussy just how much you crave a hard fucking.""You're wrong, you nasty, wretched human being." God, oh, God. He was right. I was excited, every cell and muscle sizzling from the red-hot heat shifting between us. This just couldn't be happening. This was just... I couldn't finish the words, my eyes still locked on his throbbing shaft and swollen balls. I'd never seen a man so
CarmenExcitement.Did every woman feel that way around Sebastian? Did they fall prey to his bad boy image hidden so cleverly underneath a beautiful package?Sophisticated.Muscular.Sensuous.He was this and much more.I could still smell the scent of him, as if he'd permanently stained my skin.He'd taken me to one of the most expensive hotels in Havana, the price unobtainable for ninety percent of the people living within the entire country. He was just as privileged as my father.Then again, I would have expected nothing less from a man like Sebastian, the penthouse suite overlooking the ocean. I knew without a doubt he had every whim catered to, could only imagine how many women he'd seduced since being in our beautiful country.As I walked out onto the balcony, the warm, humid air seemed more refreshing than normal, yet every move reminded me of his harsh punishments.And the humiliation I'd endured.I'd never been one to cry for any reason, hardened by what my father called lif
Carmen"Maybe you just haven't found the right woman.""Perhaps." He guzzled the entire glass of champagne, shifting slightly until he was able to face me. Even in the hint of the gorgeous moonlight, seeing his sculpted chest was like a magnet. He was gorgeous in every way, chiseled to perfection. "I have no plans on hurting you. I abhor abuse of women and I meant what I said. I will protect you until you are back in your father's house."I could tell my lower lip was quivering and with every breath I took, I realized my heart was beating rapidly. "I don't need protection.""My guess is that you do." He inched even closer, brushing hair out of my eyes. "You are very beautiful, Carmen. I am certain there are many men who would do anything to have you. Never forget how incredible you truly are."Nothing could have shocked me any more than the words, as if he were a different man. As he closed the distance, the heat of his body combined with the soaring electricity left me breathless, no
CarmenThe kiss was more passionate than any I'd experienced, his mouth consuming mine, his tongue taking full control. I no longer felt my legs, goosebumps prickling every inch of skin. The humming buzz of the shared electricity increased, threatening to explode all around us. He was demanding in every action, brutal in every manner.I was no longer the girl who believed in finding a hero, just a woman who accepted who and what she'd been turned into. It was as if he could see right through me, peeling away all the layers I'd fashioned around me for years, picking apart the pieces.I no longer knew myself or how I could surrender this easily. I should fight him, screaming for help or running away but the draw was too significant.He broke the kiss, still remaining close as he shifted his hands to my shoulders. Using just his index fingers, he slid the material of my dress down my arms, growling with every inch.I whimpered, my body trembling when the simple frock slipped past my brea
CarmenGasping, I dropped my head, watching as he planted his mouth directly on my clit, his tongue swirling in lazy circles.He gripped my bottom, his fingers digging in, forcing my hips to jut forward.I threw my head back, my mouth opening wide, staring at the beautiful stars as the man feasted. I was so wet, so damn hot and all I could think about was just how embarrassed I should be. I could no longer tell, the electricity on overload. I could tell my body was rocking and I clung to him, trying to stay in place, trying to be a good little girl.The thought was riveting, tossing my rational mind into various dark places. I actually wanted to please him, never to see disappointment in his eyes. Whether or not I wanted to be horrified didn't matter. He was far too powerful in his actions, keeping me on the very edge of raw bliss.He rolled his fingers down my thigh, lifting and planting my foot on one of the rungs of the railing. The growl he emitted was nothing short of a beast, a
CarmenAlmost instantly my hands were on fire from the slightest touch. I brushed them down his chiseled arms, marveling in his toned abs and slender waist. Every part of his body seemed perfect, as if he refused the lack of control in any aspect of his life. He seemed surprised that I took my time rubbing my fingers across his chest, trailing them down to his stomach, even swirling the tip of my finger around his bellybutton.His breathing remained ragged as I unbuckled his belt, allowing my fingers to stroke the leather in remembrance. Every part of me was quivering, the breath caught in my throat. When I was able to peel away the edges of his pants, he allowed a single husky sound to push past his lips.I slowly dropped to my knees, tugging on the material, marveling in his muscular thighs. As I removed his shoes, finally able to rid him of the rest of his clothing, only then did he utter a few words."Such an incredible find."As if I were indeed just a prize, a toy positioned on
SebastianThree weeks.Three weeks of bullshit.Three weeks of long hours.Three weeks of needless violence.That had been my world since returning from Cuba. I remained on edge, furious that certain aspects of shipping had gotten out of my control. Yeah, my father had warned me not to make connections of any type with the snake, Santiago. What I hadn't anticipated were the episodes of retaliation from other sources.It seemed no one wanted to deal with the man from Cuba, his reputation as a cold-blooded killer, and a man who buried more bodies than any mafia regime I knew of, a detriment. His share of enemies was significant. I'd taken a gamble. While I never lost, my decision might cost our family millions.That wasn't something my father would take without punishment. However, Santiago had kept his end of the bargain, performing to the parameters I'd laid out in the contract without question. He was a calculating son of a bitch, but he obviously knew not to cross me. His shipment o
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