SebastianWith no traffic on the roads, I'd arrived at the penthouse within ten minutes, finding the door ajar, Sylvie knocked out cold, and no sign of Carmen. While every soldier had been dispatched to start looking for her, I knew in my gut I'd be the only one to find the woman I loved.The asshole responsible wouldn't be easy to find, but I had one idea in mind where the fucker just might go.I'd been such a fool, swallowed up in the concept of turf wars and the destruction of illegal drugs that I'd allowed into my life that I'd forgotten that the majority of true enemies were ones you considered your friend.Or your family.My grip on the steering wheel was tight, my mind reeling. I'd decided to do this one alone. When I drove onto the street, I almost laughed. The once up and coming location had been turned into little more than a ghetto, the small houses no longer cared for. I'd often wondered why he'd kept the place. Now I had my answer.My father always told me that revenge co
SebastianThere was no funeral for my lying sack of shit brother-in-law, although his body was cremated to allow Selena to hold some kind of memory of her father. My niece had been told that he'd been called to God and nothing more.While I'd anticipated anger from Elena, after hearing all that Winston had done, she'd barely even mentioned his name. I couldn't lie that I was glad the asshole was out of her life and I felt absolutely no guilt. I'd also found his buddies who'd pulled the trigger in the parking garage, thanks to Castillo's help. They'd been handled in an entirely different way, establishing life far removed from Miami. They had one chance to keep the fuck away from me.As far as the alliance Santiago and John had mentioned, I'd been called to my parents' house only two hours before they were to leave for the airport. The story should at least be interesting."Come sit by the pool, son. Beautiful day. I took the liberty of making you a drink." My father looked the epitome
CarmenSadness.I'd known such sadness all my life. I'd also known tragedy. To learn about Rodriguez and the fact he'd been using me had taken a piece of my soul. However, I was glad to know the truth. Learning that my father did love me and had tried to protect me had at least given me comfort, even though he was still a brutal monster.Finding love with Sebastian was unexpected and so beautiful, although knowing that both our fathers had decided we should be together years before was unconventional. Maybe they knew we were meant to be together.As we strolled along the beach hand in hand, I knew there was so much on his mind. We'd both been very quiet over the past few days. While he'd said little, I'd learned that Rodriguez was still on the run, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would be found.Bastard.I no longer wanted to look to the past. I was ready to share a future with the man I loved.The roar of the ocean was calm in comparison to the rapid beating of my hear
CarmenFour weeks laterSebastian had packed my things for me already. My cello was the only thing he'd left for me to carry to the car. I stood outside his office door, the sleepless night more difficult than I could imagine, but I'd made the right decision and I knew it.I rapped on the open door before walking in. When Sebastian turned to face me, I could swear the man had been crying."Is it all right if I come in?" I asked quietly."Of course. Are you all ready?""Not exactly.""What is missing?" he asked as he walked toward me.I inched closer, more in control of my emotions and my life than I'd been in years. "I wanted you to know how much I appreciate what you did for me. I don't think I told you that.""It was the right thing to do. You're going to be a star, my beautiful princess."I took his hand into mine, placing it over my heart. "Maybe, but in my way."Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?""It means that I am going to be a soloist for the symphony, but I w
"You are going to learn to obey without question." His husky voice sent shivers into the very core of my being."Never! Let go of me!"He wrapped his hand around my hair, yanking. "You're not in charge any longer, Sasha. The sooner you get that into your head, the better off you'll be.""Fuck you." Bastard."I will teach you," he muttered, his hand peppering my ass cheeks and upper thighs.I continued to struggle in his hold, kicking out, and flailing one arm behind me. "You're nothing but a bastard." I expected him to whip me even harder, to teach me the lesson he so desperately wanted me to learn. Maybe I was pushing his every button to see just how far he would go."I'm not going to harm you, Sasha. You don't seem to understand that I care for you. From the very first time I laid eyes on you, I refused to settle for another woman. I had to possess you.""I'm not an object.""No, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Now be a good girl and hold still. This will only hurt
AugustThe ballroom was decorated in various hues of silver and blue; from what I'd heard the colors of the senator's alma mater. I couldn't care less, but the swanky party was perfect for exacting my revenge."Champagne, sir?" the girl asked, batting her eyelashes as she gave me a seductive smile. In her hand was a tray full of crystal flutes.Preparing for the upcoming celebration."Absolutely. I'm in a fantastic mood." I grabbed a glass, allowing my gaze to linger on her voluptuous breasts. I was hungry as hell tonight. The taste of the bubbly was spectacular. The senator had spared no expense in touting his brand of bullshit. "Tell me, do you have any idea where the senator is?""I think he's in the next room," she purred.I lifted my glass in appreciation before glancing toward the main opening. If the accounts were correct, Senator Morales would announce his candidacy at precisely nine p.m. He was a man of many things, including a static regimen. I could appreciate that, even th
August"You are a bastard."The second picture was much more devastating, exposing a secret no one knew. He'd failed miserably. His desire for young women would be his undoing.His mouth twisted, his body swaying."Yes, that may be true. Here's the thing, Drummand. I don't give a shit what you think. I don't give a shit about you at all, but I do believe you care about your reputation, the various businesses you've turned into an empire. And I am certain that you don't want to go to prison.""Damn you," he struggled, wheezing. "What do you want from me. What?"I slipped the photographs back into my pocket. "Simple and in agreeing to my demands, the gambling debt will be wiped off, the pictures secured in a vault meant for my eyes only. Just in case you try and betray me.""Just fucking tell me, for God's sake. What? I don't have anything. The businesses are crap, every dollar I invested gone. I'm wiped out. But then, you already know that.""True, but there is something much more prec
AugustThe hotel bar was filled with Morales supporters, eager and very hungry young men and women, praying for an opportunity to work with the rising star. Sasha's look of disdain as we walked through added to her haughty attitude. The fact she ignored everyone as she paraded through the crowded space, heading directly for the bar, wasn't surprising.I adored the nervous tic on the corner of her mouth, the pulse thumping in the side of her neck. She was attracted, her erect nipples straining against the bodice of her dress. Every gesture was provocative in nature, even her laugh meant for seduction.After being seated, the drinks in front of us, she continued to hesitate before speaking.For this, I had limited patience."My father believes he can handle the office of the presidency better than anyone who has come before him, and his followers believe it," Sasha snarked. "Unfortunately, they don't know him very well." I noticed a hint of sadness in her voice, but it was quickly repla
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