CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

Lillianna Damion looked at the man sitting in front of her and felt her throat constrict. This here was AJ Fortes… Notoriously well known. He came into the diner where she worked and asked to see her…

AJ Fortes was looking at her darkly. She felt her entire body tense. “Can I help you?” She asked not knowing why this man wanted to see her. How the hell did he even know her name? She was really unsure… This man was infamous… He was dangerous and everybody who had any sort of social media knew this.

“Paul sends his love…” How did he know Paul? Paul was her brother… He worked for the feds as and undercover agent…

“What?” Lillianna felt her heart drop. What the fuck?

“Paul… Your brother… He sends his love…”

Lillianna had a dreaded feeling in the pit of her stomach. Paul… He was working undercover at the Forte’s? Oh my god… He was caught out…

Lillianna did not like this feeling at all, she felt anxious and edgy. AJ Fortes in the flesh sitting there in front of her telling her that he knew Paul was an undercover cop. Boy… He was one intimidating man. Good looking to say the least but extremely intimidating.

“I don’t know what you are talking about?” She was too afraid to let on that she knew who Paul was in case this was a test… She was just not sure how to be right now.

AJ leaned forward before he spoke to her.

“Lilli…” He was looking at her name badge. “Is that short for anything?”

“Lillianna…”

“Right… Lillianna, let me let you in on something… Your brother… He will be dead today…” Her body went icy cold. “Now… You can stop this from happening…” Oh my god. “See, Paul think’s I don’t do my homework… I do it. I do it well… Idiot should have put you in protection before he decided to take this role… It doesn’t matter. Your brother will die…”

“Stop…” She could not take this any longer. Oh my god this was so bad. “What do you want?” She was about to collapse right now.

“What I want is your to come with me…”

“What?”

“I said you will come for me… In exchange for Paul’s life… Let’s say you will work for you…”  

“Work for you? I… I am not a whore…” She was about to have heart failure.

“You are whatever the fuck I say you are…” The way he said that… It sent chills down her spine. “You will be there and serve me…” His eyes so dark… So intense.

“How?”

“Basic bullshit. But you will be there… You want Paul to live, you will tell your boss you quit right now.” She knew right that second that she did not have a choice. She was to leave with AJ that minute… He had this way about him…

In the car and she felt her heart about to stop. He was not fucking around… This man was known for how dangerous he was.

“Does Paul know?”

“Does Paul know what?” He asked her casually.

“That you know… That you know his cover is blown?”

“No…” Oh my god… “Nobody knows the situation, nobody knows he is a cop but me… So for your own sake, for your brother’s sake you make it out like you are here for the job… Nothing more.” Great… This was so bad.

Seeing the mansion come into view was like so frightening. Lillianna wanted to turn around and hide when she reached the huge iron gates. There was guards all over the grounds, all with big guns… Oh my god… Oh my god…

AJ parked the car and walked her to the huge doors before he opened them and told her to go inside.

“Looky here… We have us another one…” A very pretty blonde said that. “And you are?” Lillianna didn’t respond, she found a man eyeing them out in the living room… This would be the brother Tristan Fortes. She recognised him from social media.

“This her?” Tristan asked his brother.

“This is her.” AJ nodded his head. “This is Lillianna. She works at a diner I had a coffee in today.”

“Lilli…” She found herself correcting AJ again. Not because of anything she just didn’t like to be called Lillianna. Everybody she knew called her Lilli.

“She’s fucking stunning bro…” Tristan lit himself a cigar and smiled. “Please sit down and join us.” Oh god.

Feeling way out of her comfort zone right now, Lillianna sat down opposite to where the men were sitting. Three women were sitting by the men looking all interested.

“So… You are the newbie then?” One of the girls asked her.

“I…” Lillianna didn’t know how to respond.

“As I told you earlier on your job is to serve. You serve and nothing more. You will dress pretty and just serve. That’s it. Nobody will be doing anything with you.” AJ was being very serious. Lillianna didn’t really know how to respond. “Now, about your pay… You will receive five thousand dollars a week.”

Lillianna almost choked when he said that. Five thousand dollars to serve drinks? He wasn’t going to pay her… He was using that as a front.  

It was all too much, she was in way over her head.

The dark way AJ was looking at her was a little alarming. Lillianna wasn’t sure what that look was about.

Paul… What the fuck was she going to do? She needed her brother!

“Let’s go.” AJ was on his feet now. Okay then… Lillianna stood up feeling extremely overwhelmed. She was kind of scared. “I’ll show you to your room.”

“My room?”

“I told you already. You are to move in. I mean, it’s in your job description…”

Oh god… She was so afraid.

Lillianna followed AJ up the elaborate stairs. This place was like so over the top. It was too much…

AJ stopped and opened the door to a huge room. Like wow… Huge king bed, a little living area, this place was like a penthouse.

“Why so nervous?” He asked when she followed him inside the room. Nervous was an understatement. “I told you. I mean, I told you what was going to happen.”

“I know… It’s just…”

“It’s just what?” He was looking at her darkly, his eyes… The way he stood there and tilted his head at her was kind of making her feel unsafe.

“I… Nothing.”

“Right. Okay then… I will have Britney organise your clothes. You don’t need to start tonight, have a shower, rest and come down when you are ready.” This was a trap for Paul…

AJ was going to use her to get Paul back… As long as he didn’t kill her brother…

***

AJ walked out of the room and headed downstairs. This was one the first time in his life that AJ kept anything from Tristan. Lillianna Damion was Paul’s sister. Nobody knew that but AJ. AJ who did his homework and made sure to know the ins and the outs of anybody who walked through their doors.

Paul… Paul Damion… Undercover agent. Sent to bring them down. Did the feds think he was stupid? Did they honestly believe that they could put one on him? What a fucking joke… The first thing that AJ did when he met Paul was run a check on him. He was a hard one to crack. It wasn’t until later in the game that AJ figured out what the go was. He had almost believed that Paul was the way to go, that he was a solid man who would die for you…

Finding out about Paul’s life after AJ figured out he was a cop was what AJ did. Took him a while before he worked out that he had a sister… This was the opening that AJ needed. It was funny… Tristan knew that Paul was a cop as did his cousin but they were all playing along for now. Nobody knew about Lillianna being Paul’s sister. Only AJ knew this. He would keep this to himself for now.

AJ had Lillianna here purely to make Paul think that he was in the clear. This was going to be interesting.

Tristan raised his eyebrow at AJ when he joined him. “So… What’s the go with the new girl? Why again can’t we fuck her?”

“She’s not like that… Her job is to serve me alone.”

“What if she agrees to let us fuck her?”

AJ laughed at how serious Tristan was. Idiot… His brother was a funny bloke at times.

They hung around for a while and AJ waited for Lillianna to make her appearance. She was such a gorgeous number. Dark brown hair and her spectacular greenish blue eyes were something. Her face was almost porcelain like. She had this grace about her. She was young but she you could see it in her eyes that she had been through life.

AJ was not sure what way to go with Lillianna and Paul right now. That fucker had come into his home and played like he was one of them.

Paul really fucked up with AJ. He truly liked him, found a good quality in him… The feeling of betrayal that AJ was experiencing right now was beyond words. He was going to fuck Paul up for real. It was his own fault that Lillianna was now involved. Paul knew how this game was played.

It was okay… AJ was going to do things his way now.

“So… Do tell, what is the deal with this Lilli girl?” Marla asked.

“She’s here to serve me.”

“And the other stuff?” Sally asked now.

AJ gave her a dark look to watch herself. The girls knew not to overstep. Tristan was not so caring, he didn’t bother for much but AJ… AJ did not like it when anybody questioned him. He did not take too kindly to being disobeyed or defied.

Sally rubbed her lips together knowing he did not like it how she thought it was her place to ask him anything. “Sorry…” She was quick to add.

Before anymore was said, Lillianna made her way to the living room to join them. She was wearing a simple dress. A little short, a little tight… That was the norm here. AJ could clearly see how uncomfortable she was in that. He had told Britney exactly what to put her in. The intent was for Paul to see his sister this way.

“Ah… You look gorgeous…” Tristan winked at her and offered her to sit down. Lilianna smiled, a forced smile before she did sit down.

“You settle in okay?” AJ asked her making it out like it’s purely business.

“Um… Yeah. I’ve got to go home and grab some of my things…” AJ smiled at that. She was trying to do one on him. Funny girl.

“What is it you need?” AJ asked indulging her for now.

“Um… My clothes… This isn’t really my style.” He could she was nervous. She was pushing her dress down to cover her thighs.

“We are only allowed to wear what AJ and Tristan want us to wear.” Marla spoke now. “They purchase all our clothing.”

“But… I’m not…” She looked really taken aback by that and was having a hard time trying to word what was on her mind. Tristan waited to hear it.

“You are not what?” He asked her now. She frowned and licked her full plump lips before she spoke.

“I would rather wear my own clothing. I…”

“You can pick out what you want online. I will see over it and if it’s what I think is appropriate I will give you the okay.”

“It’s fine… I have my own…”

“Now…” AJ stopped her from continuing her sentence. “Let’s get the formalities out of the way. This is Marla, Britney and Sally. As I told you before, they all have their own jobs to do. As long as everybody sees to their own jobs, there should not be a problem.”

Lillianna nodded her head. She was trying to take it all in.

AJ told the girls to take her around the mansion so she could familiarise herself with where everything was. The girls took over and did what he wanted. “She’s pretty.” Tristan said shrugging his shoulders.

“She’s not for the taking.”

“Why not? Why would you hire somebody if we can’t get the best of them?”

“Fuck off Tristan… You have plenty who are more than happy to do what you want. Don’t touch her.” AJ had to be very careful. One mistake could be fatal. Until Paul was dealt with, Lillianna was completely off limits.

“What’s with you lately… Something I should know?”

“No. All good.” Tristan was good to know when something was amiss. AJ did not want him to know about Lillianna just yet.

Again, nothing got to him more than the fact that he actually liked Paul… He liked him and that did nothing but infuriate him. AJ never got it wrong… How the fuck did he get it wrong with Paul?

Dinner time and his cousins arrived along with Paul. This was going to be something. The look on Jarred and Max’ faces when they saw new blood was comical.

The thing that AJ was waiting for was seeing Paul’s face when he saw Lillianna. It was worth the wait. The look of horror when he noticed his sister…

Lillianna looked white as a ghost. She looked at Paul with her big crystal coloured eyes…  

“And who might you be?” Max asked Lillianna.

“Lilli…” She looked around nervously.

“This is Lillianna… Lillianna, Max and Jarred, my cousins… Paul my friend…” AJ introduced them. Paul ran a hand over his mouth. He looked extremely stressed right now.

“Pretty…” Jarred nodded his head. “You can sure pick them there cuz…” 

“I serve drinks.” Lillianna blurted out. That got them men and women laughing. AJ knew she was struggling with how things worked. She was trying to figure it out.  

“Yeah, no funny business with Lillianna here. She’s here to serve and nothing more.” AJ nodded his head. He wanted Paul to fuck up… Come on Paul… Say something you fucker… This was payback…  

“Lilli…” She said looking at him strangely.

“What?” AJ had no idea what she was on about.

“My name… Lilli…”

And that got the men all laughing. Never would any of his women correct him.

“I’m paying you a hell of a lot of money to be whatever I say you are.” AJ gave her a dark look. This bitch better not forget herself. He would crush her… He was going to crush her regardless but she needed to watch how she spoke to him.

The silence that filled the air was something. Everybody knew not to overstep with AJ. Tristan was a little more accepting and let things go, AJ could not afford to be that way. He had to stay on top of his game. For all their sakes…

The thing was, the minute he put down his guard he would get fucked over… Paul being the prime example of that.

“Need a drink…” Jarred was looking at Lillianna now. Lillianna who sat there looking all freaked out. “Honey? Your job is to serve right?” Jarred was being a bastard as he always was.

“Oh… Um…” Lillianna stood up and looked around nervously.

“You serve only me.” AJ gave her a dark look when he said that. Her face dropped. “You do not take orders from anybody but me. Is that clear?”

“Yes.” She nodded her head. She looked ready to cry. This was a show for Paul. Paul you fucker! Why? Why did you have to fuck everything up?

“Now, I told you already, you will start working tomorrow. Tonight you will watch and learn… See how we are around here. You need to find your place…”

She nodded her head and came to sit back down. AJ shook his head and called her over with his hand. She frowned and rubbed her lips together before she reluctantly made her way over to him.

AJ patted for her to sit down beside him which she surprisingly did. He lifted her chin and looked into her amazing eyes. “Here… In this house, in your world for as long as you are working for me, I am the boss… Me… Do you understand that?”

“Yes.”

“Good girl.” With that he let her go. He looked over at Paul who was staring ahead. He was not impressed. This was war… Paul wanted it to be this way.

Lillianna stood out like a sore thumb. The ladies all knew to keep the men happy, that’s what they were here for. Wasn’t even about the money, the girls wanted to be kept. They wanted this lifestyle and knew that in order to stay they needed to step up their game.

After dinner and Sally put on a little provocative dance for them. Sally was a stunner, very pretty girl, she was hungry for this life. She did anything to make them all happy. She would suck his cock right now if he told her to.

That was more Tristan’s domain. AJ kept things for the room. He didn’t often display any sort of affection. It wasn’t his style.

Growing up with a dead beat dad and a younger brother was fucking hard. AJ had no choice but to step it up. Tristan was good to take the load off but ultimately it was AJ and his brother against the world. Always the case.

Their father did not want a bunch of sissy girls. He showed them tough love… Using the word love very loosely. He made them who they were. Strong and in no need for a soul. All the money that they accumulated over the years was purely from their need to survive. Their father didn’t give a fuck if they died on the street. He told them to man up or starve.

So they manned up… Simple.

Everything they had was by their own hands. They did things to get where they were. The fucked up anybody in their way and made a strong name for themselves.

Problem with fortune came fame… Fame was not a good thing. It brought about enemies. People who are envious of the things you have. People who want to bring you down just because they can’t be you…

So having Paul… Paul who he had once believed to be his friend turn out to be an undercover cop was really fucking with AJ’s head. This entire bullshit was making him physically sick.

What he had to do to Paul went without saying. It was a lesson for all involved. A message to anybody who dared to take them on… Still… He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t feel sick about it.

Paul was a fucking idiot to fuck with him and his brother. He should not have done that… They were not in his way, did not come to him… Did not hurt him or anybody he loved… Paul Damion had no business in coming into their world and trying to bring them down. In AJ’s world, they were the law… It didn’t matter if they didn’t have a uniform and a badge… They were the judge, jurors and executioners in their world. And unfortunately for Paul he were trespassing on grounds that he should never have stepped on…

AJ watched as Sally was moving her body. She walked over to Tristan and gave him an erotic kiss on the mouth. Tristan who kissed her back. He was drinking and smoking and didn’t seem to be fucked for anything more than enjoying himself.

Lillianna was looking around, her face all flushed. She looked ready to jump ship. AJ watched as she stood over the railing of the porch and looked into the estate. She obviously did not want to be watching what was going on.

AJ put his cigar out before he walked over to Lillianna. Her back was turned so she didn’t know he was behind her. He stood close to her… Not touching her but close. His cock was eager to rub against her backside but he controlled himself. AJ was nothing if not control.

“The aim of tonight is for you to know what goes on… I need to be sure that you are able to do your job.” At the sound of his voice she turned around quickly and almost hit into his chest.

She had nowhere to go, standing with her back up against the railing, one step and she would be in his arms.

“I…” She had nothing. Her face gave away her defeat.

Fuck she was gorgeous. A little too pretty… Like stunning gorgeous…

“Right, so you will sit down and watch. You will learn… Again, for now I am not asking you for a single thing expect to serve…” For now… She got the drift.

“Okay…” She forced a smile on her stunning face.

“Good. Now… Let’s go and enjoy the show.” Only then did AJ move aside. He held her hand and led her back to the party. He wanted Paul to see them… He wanted Paul to understand that you do not fuck with AJ Fortes…

This was all Paul’s doing. All of it was… This entire mess was because Paul thought to play his friend… Do anything to AJ but do not lie to him… If he hated anything more in this world it was liars…

AJ had to remember that Paul was not his friend… He shouldn’t care what happened to him… Paul was a lying piece of nothing who was looking to bring AJ and Tristan down.

Not in this lifetime… AJ was going to make Paul rue the day he thought to fuck with the Fortes’.