SashaAugust crushed my mouth, thrusting his tongue inside, drinking from me as if he was dying of thirst. His fingers brushed up and down my back and I was in a beautiful place of passion, pretending that we were meant to be together. He was brutal in the kiss, our teeth gnashing together, tongues sliding back and forth. Powerful animalistic noises escaped, filling the space.This was pure and utter sin. I rocked my body as the French kiss continued, the friction driving him wild.Breaking the kiss, he took several breaths, a smile curling on his lip. "I need to be inside of you. To fuck you."I slid to the edge of his knees, my fingers fumbling to free his cock. He lifted his hips long enough for me to release him. He dug his fingers into my hips as he lifted, positioning me over the tip. When he yanked, forcing the entire length of his shaft inside, I threw my head back, fighting to keep the primal scream from erupting.Chuckling darkly, he allowed me to take control, riding him ha
SashaI hadn't bothered changing out of the dress, even though I was in my bare feet, pacing the floor in August's library. I'd skipped the wine, moving straight to gin, my comforting liquor of choice.Bruno stood halfway in the doorway, his weapon within easy access. I knew this wasn't about my escaping as much as whether an assailant would be foolish enough to try a hit now.I had difficulty thinking clearly even two hours later and three gin and tonics. I was still shivering, perhaps in a mild state of shock. I was worried about August. Bruno had given no information. Nothing. The wave of nausea that had started just after the murder remained, leaving me sick at mind and in my heart as well. I was a smart girl, had seen my share of murders, but certainly only on television. This was... Something else entirely.His world.His people.His life.Now mine. I didn't give a shit about whatever deal my father had made. I also didn't give a shit about destroying his life. This wasn't going
SashaAugust gritted his teeth, turning his back on me as he walked toward the bank of windows. "Why do you think I've never bothered to care about anyone before? Why do you think that I haven't married or even considered an actual relationship? Because eventually the person I care about the most will be a target. All my protections and security advances won't stop the inevitable.""Then you don't care if something horrible happens to me." I could tell the words stung by the way his shoulders heaved."I care very much.""Then let me go.""I can't.""You mean you won't."He huffed, shaking his head. "You don't understand.""Then help me understand. I want to go home. I want to rent my apartment and paint in my studio. My studio. Not the one you provided simply to keep me quiet. Fuck my father and his bullshit. Whatever he owes you, I'm certain his minions can pay for and I honestly don't give a crap whether or not his reputation is ruined. As you've already imagined, he's not one of my
AugustEvil. I was the epitome of evil and up until this point had enjoyed the concept. Fuck. Fuck!I slammed my hand on the desk, my eyes pinned on the photograph. I shouldn't have shown her the disgusting blackmail piece, destroying what tenable hold she had on her previous reality. I'd gone over the edge, my emotions rolling all over the place. I'd been petrified leaving her behind in the garage, fighting to get back to her. If the assholes who'd invaded the casino had found out she was in the car, I had no doubt they would have taken her as leverage. Things were getting out of hand quickly.And I still had no knowledge of who the fuck they were.The asshole that Angelo had killed was nothing more than a street thug, cleaned up for the night's adventure, but it was easy to tell. The only thing that continued to trouble me was the fact they'd been well organized, able to breach the security of the garage, which would have allowed them into the casino without any questions asked. An
AugustThe morning dawned brighter than it had in a solid week, the sunlight a welcome change. I was still seething from the brazen attempted entrance. News from the Francesco family had yet to provide anything useful, which of course forced me to question my contrived loyalty to Lorenzo's honesty. I hadn't remained alive for this long by trusting the wrong person and I wasn't about to start now. Angelo had been tasked to keep an ear to the streets.I roared the Ferrari around the corner, sliding into a parking spot in front of the coffee shop. As I climbed out, I scanned the street, my desire to find one of the fucks high on my priority list. Everything seemed too quiet.The shop was packed with college kids, the noise at a high decibel. I nodded to Marco as I walked in and instantly his smile faded. The fear in his eyes was palpable. I headed for the back, bursting in and glaring at the two employees. "Get out."They scrambled without question, immediately dropping what they were wo
AugustMy father and I shared a look before I walked closer, adjusting Dick's tie. "I think you know better than that. We don't do any kind of business with the Columbians. They're nothing but animals feeding off themselves. We simply provide legitimate methods of entertainment for all the important people just like yourself, Dick.""Yeah, they are dangerous. I just thought I'd check it out. You know, doing my job." Dick managed to keep his eyes locked onto mine, not a single nervous tic that I was able to notice.What in the fuck was going on and what could he know?"Dick, I take pride in what I've built with my businesses. You know that I'm an honorable man," Giordano stated with confidence.Dick shifted, giving my father a genuine look of appreciation. The agent was on a fact-finding mission about my business, not my father's."I am confident of that, Gio, and so is most of the department. I simply wanted to give you the heads up. As I said, a courtesy only, but if you do hear anyt
AugustIf the Columbians were behind the scheme, then we were so far behind the eight ball that we might have no chance of catching up. The bomb had been merely a warning, taking out a portion of the kitchen and the outdoor dining area. They were pissed at what had occurred the night before. Either they'd known to hit the establishment when the least number of employees were working, or they were trying to get the word across quickly.Either way, our entire organization was on high alert.I'd spent the better part of the day fielding questions from the media and the local police, unable to have my own version of a conversation with the two men we'd captured. That would have to wait. All eyes were on us, scrutinizing every move. I'd been surprised Dick hadn't appeared, chomping at the bit to witness a faction of our organization implode. I left as the contractors arrived on the property, the repairs promised within a few days.Canada. There was no way I was going to share the news with
AugustThere was nothing right about this, a relationship that was forced. Forbidden. But I wanted more than anything to take a chance. I might burn in hell for eternity, but I yearned for her more than ever."I don't understand why I'm so drawn to you. I can't stand the fact I ache for your touch, your kiss. I'm terrified every time that you walk out that door that I'll never see you again, that I'll hear about some horrible bloody shooting or a terrible explosion. That's not a way to live, August. Don't you get that?" Her defiance abated, her shoulders slumped, and she held her face in her hands.Moving closer until I was only a few inches away, I wanted nothing more than to ease her pain, take away every fear, sheltering her from the horrible deeds. I didn't know how to be that man.Sensitive.Caring.God help me, I longed to try. I slid my arms around her, tugging her back against my chest and cupping her face. She was so warm to the touch, my fingers on fire the instant I laid ha
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