Right where he left them, I think as I pull away the old panel of floorboards in the kitchen beside the fridge, exposing the crate of firearms. It must have been there for at least sixteen years now, and as I lift it out of the compartment, I find myself doing something I can’t remember doing more than once or twice in my life: thanking my father.I hear Daisy’s footsteps behind me about to enter the room and call out to her.“Don’t come in here, baby.” I don’t want her to see this—these instruments of violence and death. She’s already experienced enough hardship in her life; she doesn’t need to be reminded of what’s going to occur today. Protecting her doesn’t just mean keeping her physically safe. It also means making sure she is no longer tormented by the life she’s been forced to lead since encountering Matt.All I want is for her to be happy and at peace. As long as she’s with me, she’ll never hold a gun, so why does she need to see a whole crate of them like I’m a soldier gettin
I’m hardly ten minutes away from Daisy and I’m already feeling it—that ice-cold, feral focus that comes over me when I need to get something important done. And right now, nothing could be more important than rescuing Daisy’s mother.The Palace, as Matt calls it, is a hideout mansion like something out of Scarface. It looks like a house a frat boy would buy if he suddenly woke up with a hundred million dollars. Gaudy, tasteless, and if I remember right, registered to some shell company owned by Matt that he does business through.I’m crouched across the street in the bushes like a wild cat, surveying tonight’s security, which seems sparse. I only see two men by the gate and one patrolling the grounds. Matt hasn’t had much competition as of late; maybe he’s letting his guard down.Quietly, I screw the silencer onto my pistol and take aim.The guard on the left goes down before his companion even has time to notice. He’s reaching for his own weapon when my shot hits him in the center of
I almost can’t believe it when I see Giovanni pulling up with my mother in the passenger seat. It’s been months since I’ve seen her, and as I focus on her, I realize that a part of me actually never expected to again. I guess I was just never able to expect that.I’m nearly tripping all over myself as I run down the steps to the truck. I don’t know what I’m more excited about; the fact that my mom’s here or that Giovanni returned safe and sound without injury.“Momma!” I cry out, throwing my arms around her in a massive hug. I can tell she’s not in her right mind, and I have Matt to thank for that, but she does still recognize me, and Giovanni and I will get her right soon enough.“Oh, honey,” she says sweetly, hugging me back. “How…are you? This…this nice man…he came and…he brought me here.”“This is Giovanni, Momma.” I smile. “He’s my…well, I guess you could call him my boyfriend.”I turn and smile at Giovanni, who winks back at me.“Boyfriend?” Momma gasps. “Well, ain’t that someth
Five Years Later…I’m grinning as I drive. And not because it was another great day at work where I closed another big security contract, but because I’m on the way to see my wife and take her to my special night I have planned. I know she’s just finishing up now and will be waiting out front for me when I get there, and the last thing I want to do is keep her waiting.When I pull up out front, I see her standing there looking as gorgeous as ever. She’s wearing a pair of slim blue jeans and a loose-fitting peach T-shirt that she thinks looks casual and professional at the same time, and while it might, I find it extraordinarily sexy. I stop the truck in front of her and open the door for her to climb in.“Look at us.” I smile as she sets her bag in beside me. “A couple of working stiffs.”“How was work?” she asks, kissing me on the cheek.“No, no, no,” I reply. “That is not good enough.”“What—?” I cut her off with a deep French kiss. It hasn’t even been eight hours since I last saw h
Fred had one mission.Kill Dolores Romano.It was meant to be a very simple job for him, really. But somehow, Dolores has worn his heart with her ambient eyes, quiet charm, and banging body. So, instead of killing her as he's been contracted to do, he hides her.But the longer he keeps her with him, the harder it is for him to keep his hands to himself. He's the furthest thing from a Prince Charming, yes, but Dolores is an angel. Undefiled. Innocent.He wants her, but will she accept him for who he really is? A devil sent to put an end to her life?-------------------------1 - Fred.Politics is a dirty business. What you see on the news isn’t even the half of it. The reality is more akin to what you see in the movies.Bribery, extortion, blackmail, corruption. I’ve seen it all. Hell, I’ve done it all. Even murder.I’m a fixer. A bag man. I handle things that can’t be done legitimately. I keep them quiet, off the books, in the shadows. That’s where I live.Most people think that elect
My heart stops, starts, then stops again.Did he just say he’s been sent here to kill me?A hot blush makes my cheeks tingle as a cold surge of adrenaline pumps through my veins, chilling my fingertips and toes.I stare and try to process what’s happening.He can’t be a hitman. He’s too handsome for that. Not handsome in the traditional sense like you’d see in a magazine, but in a purely masculine way that reminds me of a feral animal. The kind of man who could live on his own in the mountains and be just fine.His eyes are steady, cold. Like a killer. And when I see the gun in his hand, I realize that’s exactly what he is.This isn’t a prank; this is really happening. I’m about to die. But if I am, I’m not going down without a fight.I try to move, but my body simply will not respond. The best I can do is make my right hand twitch, causing my book to fall to the floor. And when I open my mouth to scream, my voice stops half-way up my throat.This is it. I really am helpless.And I’m
“Out,” Fred says as he opens my door. As I stand, I glance over his shoulder at the trees. He notices. “You can run, but you won’t get far. And even if you do, the wolves will get you before you make it back home.”“Wolves!?” I exclaim. But Fred just turns his back on me and walks toward the cabin, giving me no other choice but to follow.He moves with an almost robotic precision, his hulking, muscled shoulders moving up and down slowly as if in time with his breath. I can see the bulging definition of his thick, frightening physique through the fabric of his shirt, and as strange as it is, I feel myself being pulled to him like a magnet to a piece of metal. He may have just kidnapped me, but for some bizarre reason, I feel safe with him.I follow him up the stairs and into the cabin. The smell of dust fills my nose, and the old wood creaks beneath my feet. Fred steps into the impossible blackness, there’s a click, and a small lamp in the corner switches on, bathing the living room in
When I wake up, it’s about mid-day. At least, that’s what I figure based on my incredibly, ultra-amazing abilities of judging the location of the sun.I find two bags of groceries on the table with a note:I hope you cook.“Yeah, why’s that, Fred?” I say to no one. “What am I? Your cook? Your wife?”I manage to make myself dry scrambled eggs with toast and marmalade jam and eat out on the steps. Despite the fact that this is now technically my prison – one surrounded by people-eating wolves and managed by a massive, would-be murderer with a celebrity-child name, it’s actually beautiful.My life is normally quite hectic. Having to show up places with my father and smile to give off the impression that we are a nice, happy family is simultaneously exhausting and soul-sucking at the same time.We are anything but happy, and that’s why I doubt my father’s even worried about me right now – if he’s even noticed I’m gone yet.Fred is right; politics is a dirty game filled with liars and croo
I love everything about our little seaside village of Ferragudo, but it’s especially magical in the early hours of the morning, when only the fish and the birds are awake. I love coming out onto our deck to observe the calm, quiet world. Usually, I can even manage to get a good page or two written before the kids wake up.I curl my hands around my mug of coffee, the tendrils of steam evaporating into the cool air, and smile before taking a sip. The last ten years have been better than anything I could have ever hoped for. Finn and I had the most beautiful wedding right here on the beach, just a few miles away from where we now live.The ceremony was small and intimate and absolutely perfect. Finn cried, and yeah, I was a blubbering mess by the end as well. Standing there next to him, peering into those deep brown eyes while the waves tickled my feet was one of the greatest moments of my life. I finally felt like I was right where I belonged, with someone who wanted me as much as I wan
Zarina slumps over the balcony as I pull out of her, our combined releases dripping down her thighs. Jesus, I’m almost ready to go again at the sight. Spinning her around, I scoop my woman up in my arms and carry her to my bed, ridding her of her clothes before stripping down and crawling in beside her.She snuggles up next to me and I wrap an arm around her, tucking her closer into my side. “I love you so damn much,” I whisper into the top of her head. She sighs so sweetly, her breath tickling my bare chest.“I love you, too. Thank you.”“For what?”Zarina props herself up on her elbow, looking down at me. “For...everything. I...I don’t know how to explain it. Like your letter said, we haven’t known each other that long, but in a way, we have. I know you. I feel you right here,” she whispers, placing my hand over her heart. I slide it up her chest and wrap my fingers around the back of her neck, drawing her down for another kiss.“I feel you, too,” I murmur against her lips.“Did...d
Twenty minutes later, we're pulling up to my apartment. I've traveled from city to city and country to country over the last nineteen years, but this little apartment has served as home base in between gigs. I want something so much grander for my wife-to-be, but this will have to do for now.“It’s beautiful,” Zarina whispers as I help her out of the cab. The building itself is painted white, matching the other homes and buildings here in Ferragudo, Portugal. The seaside town is quite breathtaking and picturesque with boats adorning the shores and whitewashed homes dotting the skyline.“You’re beautiful,” I say with a grin when she rolls her eyes. “Now let’s get inside before I lose my mind.”I drag my Zarina through the lobby of the apartment building, almost forgetting her damn luggage again. She giggles and spins around in my arms once we step inside the elevator, getting up on her tiptoes to give me a kiss. I wrap my arms around her and haul her into my chest, groaning when I feel
I wipe a sweaty palm on my jeans and tighten my hold on the bouquet of wildflowers I gathered from one of my favorite parks overlooking the ocean. The plane should be landing any minute now, and I pray to every god I can think of that my babygirl is on it.These last three days have been absolute misery without her. I knew Darren would be upset, but I underestimated his temper, as well as his connections. After we gave our statements about what happened in the hotel room, Darren talked to the officers and apparently greased the wheels to have me fucking deported.After an arduous and humiliating journey back to Portugal in cuffs, I spent the night in a holding cell. I was released yesterday when they realized the charges were bogus, but TSA took my passport, so there was no way to hop on the next plane back to New York.And God, that’s all I’ve wanted to do. I won’t rest until Zarina is in my arms again. I need to hold her, to look at her sharp, beautiful eyes and tell her I love her.
Over and over, picture after picture, Finn poured his heart out to me. That day at the farmers market he told me he communicated better with photos, but I think his words are just as powerful.Underneath the pile of photos, I see a letter folded up. I reach for it, handling it like a sacred document. To me, it is. Something falls out of the letter when I unfold it. Picking up the scrap of paper, I gasp when I see it’s a plane ticket to Portugal. My name is at the top, along with tomorrow’s date. Was this his plan all along? Was he going to bring me back to Portugal with him?I set the ticket down on the bed and reach for the letter again, hoping to find the answers to my questions.Zarina, my beautiful babygirl,I love every moment of every day with you. Everything you do is enchanting. Magical. I didn’t know what was missing in my life until you flashed those eyes at me and challenged me for control.We haven’t known each other long, but at the same time, my soul knows yours. You fee
Three days. It’s been three days since Miriam hauled me out of the hotel. Three days since Finn made love to me. Three days since my heart was healed and then shattered.Where is he? What happened? Finn told me he loved me, but the doubts are starting to creep in.That first day, I collapsed on my bed and cried myself to sleep. I was so certain I would wake up next to my Daddy, but when I blinked my swollen eyes open, I was alone, just like I always am. I barely left my room the second day, only venturing out into the house to use the bathroom or grab something to eat.My father won’t even look at me. He’s hardly spoken ten words to me in the last few days. All I know is that he and Miriam got a call when they landed in Bora Bora from someone who saw Finn kissing me at the wedding. According to Miriam, I ruined her wedding and made a fool out of myself and my family.Last night, my dad told me he set up an interview with the dean of NYU next week to discuss my schedule for the fall. M
I feel her pussy knot around my shaft, squeezing me so damn tight it hurts in the best way. Zarina inhales a sharp breath as wave after wave of pleasure wracks her body. She claws at my back, ripping my skin open, making me roar my release and fill her with my seed. I come so damn hard I feel like I might pass out.“Breathe,” I say to myself as much as her.Zarina gasps for air and clings to me as her body trembles with the last of her orgasm. I slide her down my body and hold her close, kissing the top of her head.When we both have somewhat recovered, I step back and pour body wash into my hands before rubbing it over the dips and curves of her body. Zarina leans into me for support, making me smile at how thoroughly fucked and sated she is right now. When I’m done, she soaps me up and places a sweet kiss over my heart.I cup her face and kiss her deeply, passionately, but slowly. One drugging kiss leads to another and another, and before I know it, I’m spinning her around and placi
I strip out of what little clothes I have left on and then practically tear Zarina’s dress off of her, leaving her in a matching bra and panty set.“Hey!” she shrieks and then giggles. “Be careful! I don’t want you ruining another dress of mine.”I kiss her neck, needing my lips to be on some part of her body right this goddamn second. “I’ll buy you a new one,” I grunt, biting and kissing her again.I slide my hands down her body, gripping her thighs and lifting her gorgeous, curvy body up into my arms. She gasps and hooks her ankles behind my back. I growl and kiss down her neck as she arches her back and presses her body into mine.“Fuck, I need you,” I grunt before nipping at the sensitive skin below her ear.“I’m yours, Daddy,” she pants, rubbing her hot little pussy over my stomach letting me know she needs me, too.“Take a shower with me.” It’s not a question, it’s a command.She nods her head and twists her fingers in my hair, pulling me in for another kiss.I carry her into th
We walk silently through the market and take a cab back to the house, where I direct Zarina to pack an overnight bag. The sassy little smirk she gives me nearly has me tossing her on her bed and burying my cock between her pouty lips, but I manage to restrain myself.Once we’re packed up, I order an Uber to Four Seasons, ready to show my little love everything she’s asking for. Zarina smiles at me and snuggles into my side, content to let me take care of every little detail.My chest swells up with pride when I step out of the car and hold my hand out for my babygirl. She doesn’t hesitate to take my hand and let me lead her through the opulent lobby and onto the private elevator. I love that she trusts me like this. As soon as the doors shut, I slide my hands down her body and grip her hips, pulling her back against my front.She moans softly, melting into me as I trail kisses up and down her neck. My hands roam up her generous curves until I’m cupping her breasts. Zarina gasps and th