Ria turned in astonishment as Philippe strode into the kitchen of the Delano mansion. It was almost one in the afternoon, mealtime at the sprawling Delano mansion.With his black hair tied back, the beard neatly trimmed, in his black leather jacket and black jeans, complemented by black leather boots, he cut a stylish, impressive figure as he walked in, heading to the young woman with her golden hair in a messy bun, plump lips parted in astonishment as she saw him.Her grey-blue eyes widened in shock.*The Capo was a man who followed a strict agenda. He never came home to meet her, not in the middle of the day, anyway! He respected her father way too much. And it was lunchtime. He was usually at someplace where her father saw fit to send him. What was he doing her now?Ria had been with Beatrice and Camille in the kitchen, helping to prepare lunch, and baby Rudi was peevish, so she was carrying him on her hip, her little brother who had cereal all over his mouth and managed to look a
Hila leaned against the wall, her disguise in place. She was now working as part of the crew that did the mechanical work in the new Club and it had not been easy to wrangle a new identity card and more importantly, recreate herself all over again to fit the mould.But she was resourceful and still had contacts within the Monk’s people, those who feared, hated yet obeyed the diabolical man who pretended to be a holy person.In her new avatar, she was a member of the crew that helped to put the finishing touch to the electrical fittings of the sprawling buildings.She was dressed scruffily, her black hair hidden in a wig of short brown hair, a bandana about her head, and tattoos and piercings attached to her eyebrow and lower lip. All removable, of course. But it guaranteed that most people would focus on the tattoos and not on the shining green eyes which glared at them.All in all, a good disguise. And yes, since she was quite good at her work, for all her years in the army had train
Dusak smiled at the man who sat before him. Ramos the Spaniard who had once been beaten up in public by Lucien Delano, nervously kneaded his hands as he tried to look away from the photographs spread across the glass-topped table.Dusak smiled again, an evil smile, like a lizard watching his prey, thought the ageing Spaniard with a sickening lurch of his stomach.The photographs showed him in various poses with various women, each more sinister than the other. Ramos loved beating up women and the pictures were particularly graphic. He got off on inflicting pain. And he knew that if these snaps were revealed and the press got their dirty hands on them…Madre Dios!Ramos was now into politics and he had climbed up the ladder, successfully growing into a figure to be noted. The next elections were around the corner and he wanted to be the face of the party, the man who was tipped to be a future Presidente del Gobierno, Prime Minister of Spain. He had thought that he was keeping his little
HilaShe sank down on the floor of the tiny apartment room that she had rented. Just one room, with no furniture, nothing to show that it was inhabited. For she knew that her time was running out; the monk was searching for her and she was only managing to stay ahead because of her wits.Ravenous, she attacked the sandwich and wolfed it down. She had had to get a head start this morning and had only grabbed a bite in the noon. Now, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she stared out of the window dully.The news she had gleaned from the chatter between the Monk’s close associates, was that he was planning to kill the Delano family, definitely Proserpina Delano, the Mafia Don’s beloved wife, and probably incapacitate the Don himself. A team of men was being assembled for this purpose and she knew that they had to be warned. True, knowing the way Lucien Delano operated, it would be almost impossible to get to him but with the Monk and his dreaded nephew, one never knew.She sighe
Piers walked into his office and stood, surveying the room, a feeling of slow happiness spreading through him. Philippe who had accompanied him, stood in the doorway, hands on his hips, watching. Piers glanced at him and a look passed between them. They understood each other and he knew that the Capo would always have his back.He was glad that the Capo was to wed his firebrand twin sister.“All good?’ asked Philippe, a frown appearing on his dark, handsome face as he checked his phone. And then, he turned to leave as he read the message.’Gotta go. The Boss is leaving and he wants me to attend to some last-minute stuff.Piers nodded and the Capo disappeared, moving swiftly for such a large man.Soon, he was lost in the business of managing the finances of as extensive an operation as his father’s mob holdings.His father abruptly summoned him to the office for an impromptu meeting as the Mafia Don needed to leave the country urgently. The meeting was followed by lunch with Philippe a
Hila's MessageHe nodded at his men and strode in. He sent Philippe a call,’She wants me in the bar on the side. I am going in.’Philippe grunted and swore. But Piers was already entering the shady-looking place.He looked about, ignoring the interested looks coming his way.No one could ignore his striking golden looks and his clear grey-blue eyes which lacked Lucien Delano’s command but still looked impressive as he strode across to the table, she had told him about. He waited, staring out at the dismal rain, and the darkness, and only turned around when he felt someone slide into the seat in front of him. He spun around to meet Hila’s bright black eyes and he felt the breath leave his body.F*ck, but he wanted to lean across and grab her, kiss those lips, make her his forever.She said in a cool voice,’Whatever it is, the answer is NOT NOW.’He opened his eyes and then scowled as he saw her mouth turn up at the corners. She was laughing at him.The waitress sashayed up to them, l
Piers looked around sharply as the door to his room in the Club was opened and a figure stepped in.‘I didn’t…’ he began but then he stopped as he saw that it was Hila. She was in her greasy overalls effectively hiding her shapely body. They looked at each other for a while. It was afternoon and the Capo had retaliated to the Monk’s gesture by attacking him on three fronts, on Lucien’s orders. The Monk would not recover easily from the killing of two of his close associates and destroying a warehouse in the docks where he stored his contraband goods.Piers watched, unable to tear his eyes off her as she stepped to him, zipping off her overcalls, his eyes feasting on her like a hungry man as she came to him, in her tank top and jeans. She shed them as she walked and he felt his breath quickening as she took in her body, firm, athletic and so inviting.Naked, her firm little breasts with the small pointed nipples, the thatch of dark fuzz between her legs…Then she was in his arms, her h
LucienHe strode into the room, oblivious of the electrifying effect he always had, carrying himself with authority, fierce pride, and a confidence that was hard won.He had made the decision to break off his journey and return home before he had spent half a week in Brussels. His associates had been disappointed but he had brought James Schwartz with him and Handsome James, though not as powerful a substitute, could be safely trusted to make sure that his allies could be counted upon and the final deal inked without any hassles.The thought of his Woman in danger had actually made him change his mind. He was aware that he was growing old and with the kind of life he was leading, walking on the cusp of danger and violence, he did not know when he would be killed…he wanted to make the most of his life with the one person he loved dearly. True, he loved his children and yes, also Paddy, in a detached sort of way. But Proserpina? She was the one he lived for, he reflected as his cavalcad