She doesn't belong to his world, where men like him rule and women are put up on auction blocks to be sold to the highest bidder. — When Sienna Williams meets Giovanni Adams, the Lord of the Italian Mafia, she has no idea that her life is about to change. Agreeing to his proposition of spending just one night in his bed as repayment for a debt, she's set her mind on what to expect from this ruthless, dangerous business man. But what she finds out is that there's more to Giovanni that meets the eye, and sadly, one night with him will simply not be enough. Giovanni Adams is cruel, vicious and mean. He always gets what he wants. And no one owes him. Ever. When Ciara Williams betrays him, he goes for the only treasure she has left in the world. Her sister, Sienna. Sienna's fierceness excites his primal instincts, and he was rest assured that one night in his bed would quench this sudden, burning passion.
Lihat lebih banyakSienna
It's past midnight when I get home, the perfect clear sky black but for the sliver of the moon. The walk from the bus stop is only two blocks, but this isn't the best neighborhood and I'm on my guard.The one thing I can consistently rely on is that the street lamps will always be broken. I wonder if the township even bothers to fix them anymore.Twice on the short walk I catch myself glancing over my shoulder, the streets quieter than they should be.When I turn onto the walkway leading up to my house, the motion detector sets off the light and I reach into my tote to dig out my keys.Once more, as I climb the three steps up to the porch of the quaint, two-story yellow house, look behind me.But I'm alone.And all the windows of all the houses are dark and the only sound is that of my keys jangling as I finally find them at the bottom of the bag.I insert the key into the top lock but when I turn it, nothing happens.Did I forget to lock it? It's happened before, when I'm not paying attention. Although I'm usually careful.I dismiss it, insert another key into the second lock. That one is locked.Relieved, I push the door open and step into the house and before I've even pulled the key out or closed the door, I know something's wrong.It's the smell of the place. It's different. Subtle, but it doesn't belong.Aftershave.And not just one scent.Instinct tells me to run. To get out. But before I can process, the light goes on and it's simultaneous to someone clearing their throat.It's only then that I manage to get my legs to work.But I don't even get out of the house before a hand clamps down around my arm and tugs me back inside as the door is slammed shut.I stumble, out of breath for that smallest effort, and I don't know how I don't scream.How, with my heart hammering against my chest, I somehow don't scream as I look at the man sitting on the armchair, a worn-out antique that came with the rental.As I take in the two who stand in my living room.The third who's holding onto me, his grip like a vice."Let me go!"I struggle.The one in the chair watches and I can see he's entertained when his lips curve upward.He gives a nod of his head and I wonder if he timed his order for the man to release me because the moment he does, I fall flat on my ass.I'm surprised he doesn't laugh when I do."Finished?" he asks when I look up at him.He's rocking a suit and the others are dressed in black jeans and black shirts.I don't know how I don't move or scream. It's like I can't. Like I'm paralyzed. Even my vocal cords are paralyzed."Ms. Williams," the man in the armchair says.They know my name.Of course, they know my name.Men like this, they're not petty thieves. Not here to steal things. Not at this house anyway."Are you finished?" he asks.I swallow. Nod.He gestures to the man looming above me who once again closes his hand around my arm and hauls me to my feet before releasing me to stand on my own.Armchair Man checks his watch. "Tsk. You're late.""Who..." But my question dies away as he rises to stand.He's huge. A giant. Bigger even than the one beside me, and I find myself shrinking back."And now we're behind schedule," he says casually, simply continuing his sentence.I spring back as he approaches.He grins and I get the feeling he's used to this. To people being afraid of him. I get the feeling he likes it."Who are you?" I ask."I'm not the one you have to worry about, sweetheart, " he says with a wink.He gestures with a single nod to the man at the door to open it.I look outside at the sedan that's just pulled up to the curb. It looks totally out of place here in this neighborhood. It's got to be worth more than several years of mortgage payments on any of these houses.The driver gets out, leans against the car and lights a cigarette. A second car, a replica of this one, pulls up behind it."Coming?" Armchair Man asks me.I turn back to find him watching me. He gestures for me to go to the car and he's not smiling anymore.We both know I don't have a choice, but still, I can't just go with him."This is a mistake. I — ""Giovanni doesn't like to be kept waiting. Are you walking on your own or am I walking you?""Giovanni? I don't know — ""Walk or be walked, Ms. Williams?"I swallow quickly.He gives me that grin again and leans in close like we're old friends.But I know men like him.I grew up with them.And there's nothing remotely friendly about them."I suggest you walk. The other way isn't so pleasant."I also know there's no benefit to doing as they say. No leniency for obedience. And so I try again to run because I can't not.This time, I make it out onto the porch and it's when I'm setting foot on the front lawn that he catches me.Armchair Man. And his grip, it's different than the other man's.Harder.More cruel."Please," I plead, tugging to free myself. To somehow pry his fingers from me."For a minute there, I thought you'd be smarter," he says, beginning to lead me down the cracked pavement to the waiting sedan, my struggles seemingly inconsequential.When we get to the car, I set my hand against the hood, brace myself."Really?" he asks like I'm too stupid for words.I meet his eyes and I try once more to free myself. He releases me abruptly, then boxes me in and cocks his head to the side. The look in his eyes is so steely, so cold, it sends ice along my spine."Get in the goddamned car," he orders, his voice harder.He doesn't give me a chance to obey.Instead, he wraps one arm around my middle and a moment later, I'm in the car and he's beside me, and when we pull away, I hear the locks click into place and that sound, it's like a foretelling of my future.StefanSpring, One Year Later* * *She never did sign those annulment papers. My stubborn, beautiful wife.I stood drinking coffee at the kitchen window, watching Veronica talk to one of the workers. Charlie, full grown and weighing eighty pounds, never left her side.We'd come back to Tuscany a few days after the bank took possession of the house in Philadelphia. Robyn had come with us and would be starting her final year at a school in Florence geared toward gifted musicians.Thanks to their grandfather's greed, Veronica and Robyn had lost everything. Guardia Winery no longer existed, except as an example of corruption and destruction.Robyn never spoke about any of it. She rarely mentioned her grandfather at all. Veronica worried, but Italy was a good move for her. It got her away from everything, the past, the publicity, gave her anonymity again, and hopefully would give her a fresh start.I finished my coffee and set the mug in the sink before walking outside. Veronica waved whe
Veronica"Well, I wouldn't want to put you out. You've probably been busy tonight, putting someone else to bed." I didn't mean for it to come out angry like it did."Ah." He finished his drink and poured another. "The truth.""I never lie to you.""You did once.""When?""You lied to protect your sister."I felt heat flush my face. How had he known?"I haven't put anyone to bed but you since we've been together," he said, cockiness gone."Oh.""Did you really think otherwise?""I don't know what to think. You don't have to be married to me anymore. I'm really more of a liability now.""I think of you as a human being, not a liability.""But I'm not an asset either.""Human being. Don't feel sorry for yourself, Veronica. Shit happened to you. You survived it, and you will now move forward. Welcome to life.""Piss off."His face changed, hardening a little. "Be careful, sweetheart."Sweetheart. God, I loved when he called me Sweetheart. "I'm not feeling sorry for myself.""Then ask the
VeronicaThe house had never felt like home to me. I didn't want to stay here and wouldn't have if it weren't for Robyn. But she'd been closer to our grandfather than I ever had been. And she'd lived here for as long as she could remember.After the very public scandal, Grandfather took the plea deal he was offered, which meant a reduced prison sentence—they took into consideration his age—in exchange for full disclosure. He'd kept meticulous notes, so much like him. In addition to the notebook Robyn had found, there were three others. At least three that were uncovered. I wondered if there were more. If he'd ever tell us. The land in Italy was auctioned off, bought by Vincent Moriarty of all people. And what a deal he got. It was unfair, but it was also finished.I saw my grandfather during his sentencing. I watched from inside the courtroom. I didn't make physical contact with him. Seeing him like that, up there looking smaller, older, I wondered if there was something wrong with me
StefanShe finally quieted.Fuck. I hadn't come here to fuck her. I hadn't."You still want me to let you go?"She shook her head.I released her wrists and flipped her over onto her belly, then straddled her again, trapping her beneath me."I love you," I said, reaching over to grab the bottle of hand moisturizer she had on the nightstand. "But you're a pain in my ass." I drew her hips up, so she was on her knees. "Don't get up," I told her when she started to rise. I pushed her knees apart with mine and fisted a handful of her hair, pushing her face down into the bed. "Ass up, face down. Understand?""Stefan—"I slapped her hip—not hard, but enough to get her attention. She cried out and looked back at me from the corner of her eye."Understand?""Yes.""Good." I let go of her hair and twisted the lid off the lotion, squeezing about half the tube on her lower back. "Now like I said," I started, unzipping my jeans and pushing them and my briefs down, my cock like steel in anticipatio
VeronicaI felt stronger, like the effects of the wine were wearing off. Maybe it was the water or the coffee, but I had a feeling it was the anger inside me burning away the alcohol more than anything else.But then he said what he said."If you wanted me out of your life, you would have signed the annulment papers."And I knew it was true. He was right. If I wanted him out, I would have signed and put all this behind me."I've changed my mind, anyway. You're not going anywhere, Veronica.""Not until you have my signature, you mean? Did you bring a clean copy of the paperwork?""You're being stupid.""No, I think the word is naive. You used that once too, didn't you? You had my number all along. I was the fool to fall for it, for your tortured soul act. Get out. I mean it.""No.""Get the fuck out."He cocked his head to the side. "Fine. You want me out? Make me go."I narrowed my eyes and went toward him. With both my hands on his hard chest, I shoved him backward.Except he didn't
VeronicaI left by train from Siena to Venice that evening. Once I checked into a small hotel, I called the attorney who'd overheard my conversation with my grandfather and left him my address, telling him to forward any paperwork to me here. I called Robyn and told her I was in Venice, told her what had happened and what I'd done, and told her I needed to be off-line for a few days.I missed Charlie. I missed cuddling up with him on my lap, missed his unconditional love.The first twelve days I spent in bed, feeling sorry for myself.On the thirteenth day, someone knocked on the door. When I told whoever it was to go away, they answered that I had received a package.Reluctantly, I went to the door, cringing when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I opened it and took the large white envelope, assuming it was paperwork about Robyn's guardianship. I pushed the shutters and window open to let in some fresh air and sunshine. The room smelled stale, and it seemed my sadness had
StefanIt had taken all I had to turn my back on Veronica and walk out of that office. I knocked someone's shoulder on my way out but didn't look back, didn't apologize, couldn't stop. I went out the door and into the hallway and flew down the stairs and out the front doors where I stopped, gasping for breath, my hands on my knees, wanting to vomit.Lying to Veronica on the chapel floor, that had wounded me. But this? Today? Leaving her like that, signing that damned contract and walking out on her, it finished me. I'd promised her truth, and I'd kept my promise, finally. And it destroyed me.I straightened, wiping sweat off my forehead.I didn't remember walking through the city to the parking garage. Didn't remember driving home. As soon as I stepped out of the car, though, Charlie came running to me. I stopped and looked down at him. Watched him wait for the passenger side door to open, for Veronica to step out. He barked several times, ran back to me, tail wagging, then returned t
VeronicaAfter Stefan left the office, I stood in the room, staring after him. Staring at the space where he'd just been before falling back into my chair, my legs unable to support me.I wasn't sure what would be easier, thinking he didn't love me or knowing the truth. Although I guess I knew there was no easy. This would hurt. It would hurt for a very long time.My grandfather and the attorneys walked back into the room. No one seemed to take notice of me. Grandfather set the ring and pen aside and checked the signature on the contract."It's done," he said, handing it to one of the men who slipped it into his briefcase then clicked it closed. No one sat back down. "Gentlemen, thank you. I'll be in touch."They were shaking hands, almost at the door, when I spoke. "Why did you want the marriage consummated?"They all stopped. Someone cleared their throat. My grandfather turned to me, a coldness in his eyes that chilled me, then shifted his attention back to them."Forward official c
VeronicaStefan shifted his gaze from my grandfather to me, but his eyes revealed nothing. My hand rested in his. His thumb drew circles in my palm.The longer he took, the heavier the silence grew, the more tears welled in my eyes.This was it.Stefan and I were finished.My grandfather cleared his throat and rose from his seat. "Five minutes, or the offer expires, and you can take your chances on the payout." He buttoned his jacket. "I'll be outside."We didn't watch him go, and we didn't speak for an eternity after the door closed.Stefan stood and went to one of the two windows. "I thought you were dead," he said, his back to me."What?" I started, swallowing the lump in my throat.He faced me but remained where he was. "I have this nightmare—I've had it for six years now—where I keep seeing the fire at the house, keep running inside to save my mother, and keep finding her too late."A weight heavy as a pile of bricks settled in the room with us."Well, it changed over the last fe
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