ProserpinaI leaned my head against Lucien’s shoulder and stared out across the rolling hills.It had taken some time for me to comprehend what my lover had said. I was relieved to think that he would finally be stepping down from his position as the Boss; I also knew that my son-in-law to be, Philippe, was capable and sensitive, a true heir. Piers did not have the single minded devotion to the Mob which my husband and now, Philippe had; and my son, Claude, would prefer hopping in and out of women’s beds or breaking someone's arms to the regular, controlled task of running as large an outfit as the Delano mob. I had no illusions; my husband was a gangster but a highly respected and loved one as well. Stepping into his shoes would be a humungous task, and neither of my sons, the eldest ones at least, were ready yet.But I knew that Philippe, with his dark, intense loyalty, would be an ideal choice.We were on the balcony, having spent the evening in each other’s arms. Lucien was in a b
The news that a man had been spying on them from the hills had Lucien in a rage.He had immediately put the wheels of action into motion, and the man now lay at the bottom of the gorge while his jeep smoldered. When the police turned up, they left as quickly as they had come, for this was Lucien Delano’s territory, and the men in uniform knew better than to challenge the Mafia Don’s dealings.*Proserpina knew better than to disturb her husband when he was involved in some work; she sat quietly beside him, her laptop open before her, working silently.She was proud of her small team, which was working out of the Far East and spreading into the Indian subcontinent too. There had been an invitation from Delhi, India, and she was eager to visit the colorful country and set up a base there too. Besides, she wanted to visit Tara; video calls were not enough!All in all, her daughter seemed to be settling down, and for that, she was grateful.Now she smiled softly, humming to herself as she
Memories of the days when I had been kidnapped and kept a prisoner, to be sold as a sex slave...I had been pregnant with the triplets at the time and had been at the lowest point in my life. Alone, defenceless, humiliated and broken.Suddenly, I was tumbling back into an abyss of darkness, an abyss in my mind.It had taken many sessions with a psychologist to restore my calm and sense of security. Seeing that dreadful photograph had plunged me back into a world of darkness, and I had to be sedated after a while. Schwartz had been summoned and he held my hand, whispering words of affection as i lay, sobbing softly, safe in Lucien’s strong arms until I fell into a dreamless sleep.*Lucien paced about the room restlessly, barking orders on the phone. As he had expected, the ip address was untraceable.The front door opened, and he heard the sound of his children. The triplets, Dom and Lou were the loudest, followed by Claude’s deeper tones, and those of Ria, who burst into the study an
Lucien pounded on the door. ’Woman, open up. Are you all right?’ he thundered.I sighed.“I am fine,’ I whispered as I opened the door.He studied me, his grey gaze narrowed in concern.After I had taken a warm bath to clear my head, I returned to the room. Lucien had guessed that I needed to be alone and he was standing in the middle of the room with a towel wrapped around his middle. He had stepped out of the shower in the adjoining bathroom and he whirled around to look at me.‘Woman,’ he grunted as he strode over and gathered me in his arms.We stayed like that for a while, as I buried my face in his chest, inhaling the clean, spicy smell of my lover, the Mafia Don.We had come such a long way. From a starry-eyed romantic teenager of eighteen, I had matured into a woman of thirty, with seven children. And I had been kidnapped, and almost sold along the way, into the sex trade.Our love had grown over the years. For all his brusque exterior, I knew that Lucien Delano was a man who
Proserpina I smiled up at him as our littlest son chuckled in delight."I am fine," I whispered. "That happened a long time ago."He grunted and pulled me into his arms. I looked around at the faces of the people around me—everyone who loved me just as I cared for them.James Schwartz. My sons, Piers and Claude. Beston, who was watching me anxiously, as was Gustav.I smiled, safe in the arms of the only man I had ever loved."I am strong," I repeated.*The phone calls began soon after.Calls from unidentified numbers to my handset. When I responded the first few times, there was only a deep, heavy breathing. It was meant to scare me for I could sense the hostility, the deep menace behind the sound. The first two times, I was shaken and replaced the phone hurriedly.When I informed Lucien, he was livid. He ordered me to stay off the phone; all calls would be diverted to me through his staff. But when a call, presumably from a client, popped up on my screen, I answered it absently.Wit
Claude strolled into the Club, his eye roving over the walls, noting how work was almost complete for the big inauguration just two weeks away.He grinned as he saw the Capo who appeared to be hiding a smile as he watched a new recruit in a short dress, leaning up to clean the newly created plaque over the door. The poor blonde was on a step ladder and obviously scared. As Claude watched in shock, the Capo surreptitiously reached up to grip the girl’s small waist. He was given a slap on his hand for his efforts.Was he cheating on Ria, thought Claude furiously?His face hot with anger, Claude stormed down the corridor for the two people were alone, most of the other staff elsewhere in the place that was crawling with workers and overseers, making sure that the final touches were one and quickly.“The F*CK are you doing, flirting behind my sister’s back, Capo!’ he bellowed and the Capo spun to look at him as he rushed forward, intent on smashing the bigger man’s nose. The girl on the l
Lucien was still scowling as he walked downstairs for a late lunch a few hours later. He had hoped to spend time with his wife and maybe lose himself in her soft, lush body. But she had danced away, like a girl in love, and not stopped, although she had sensed his displeasure. Damn the woman, he thought, and he sat down at the head of the table for a lonely lunch.Beatrice marched in with an appetizing Irish stew and chunks of homemade bread. Lucien attacked the food, recognizing his wife's handiwork. Wolfing down the soft bread that was buttery in texture, he grunted in pleasure. His wife could cook like a professional, he thought as he attacked the dessert that appeared before him.“But you don't remember her birthday,’ snapped Beatrice, entering the room, scowling. She had effectively interrupted his thoughts.Lucien wiped his lips and scowled at her."What do you mean, old hag?" He growled, still irritated at the way his wife had waltzed out when he came home.“Your WEMEN. Her bir
Piers.A short while before.The call from an unknown number came as he was leaving his office at the Club. Ria had arranged a surprise birthday bash for Mumma and he had been winding up for the day as he was planning to spend the night at the big house.Hila’s throaty voice floated over as she growled,‘Pretty boy. Your Mumma needs to be more careful.’ There was a soft chuckle as he felt his blood turn to ice.She went on even as he stuttered,’ Mumma…what about…’She silenced him abruptly as she interrupted him saying crisply,’ Your mother is safe. For now.’And then, before the line went dead, she went on a warning note in her voice as she said,‘She has to be more careful, Pretty Piers.’And the line went dead.He was out of the room, racing to his car, pulling on his jacket as he ran even as Ria called to tell him what had happened. His twin was almost sobbing as she told him how close their Mumma had come to being killed.*Now he raised his keys and met Lucien Delano’s silver