“Open this fucking door! Now!” Nico roared. He slammed his fist against the door, and the wood started to crack.I saw Maria’s face turn ashen. A servant ran to open the door and Nico barged in, blood streamed down his right arm and dripped onto the carpet. Salvatore was right behind him.“Where’s Darina?” His eyes were wild and then he noticed me lying on the carpet with Maria standing over me with her gun. I held the side of my head, and my fingers came away bloodied.Maria took three steps back from me. The fierce look on his face had her falling to her knees. He snarled at her; lips drawn back in a feral growl. “I have warned you, Maria. Twice now.”“She attacked me, Nico. I swear, I thought she was going to escape.” Maria pleaded with him, crying. “Please, you’re hurt. Let me help you.”He ignored her, falling on his knees next to me. My head pounded so much I could hardly look at him.“What happened?” I asked, “You’ve been shot.” He scooped me up, glaring at the sobbing woman a
NICOBefore dawn I crept out of the mansion, let the wolf take over and went for a run at the far end of the property. My men were patrolling but they didn’t see me, I kept to the shadows. They were extra vigilant since Marcello’s men attacked us earlier. Good. They needed to up their game. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, I snuck back into the house in human form. I paused for a few minutes at Darina’s room, listening to her steady breathing and heartbeat. She was asleep.Turning away from the door I went to get dressed, almost forgetting to replace the bandage. I had to call an emergency meeting with my associates, and I had to deal with Maria, not something I was looking forward to. But I couldn’t let it go, she was defying my authority. Although this wasn’t a werewolf pack, I applied the same rules. They were my pack, human or not and I was their Alpha.The Snake Man and his merger could go to hell that’s how I felt. I’m sure the others would agree with me. If it’s a
DARINAMy head still hurt where that bitch clubbed me with her gun. I touched the bump lightly and cringed. At least I got all the blood out of my hair. My door slid open, and I saw Nico in my mirror. My heart leapt in my throat; his expression looked so dark. I sat, frozen, on the dressing table seat my hand holding the brush suspended in mid-air. Unsure if I should kneel or what.His hands were on my forearms before I could blink.“Master?” I croaked my throat dry all of a sudden. Thank goodness I was already dressed.“It’s time I started training you, my little fox. Last night was just a bit of fun. But now the real fun begins.” He said, looking at me sternly. “First thing I told you when I enter a room where you are, what was it?” he asked.I gulped. Shit. He came in so unexpectedly I became flustered. “I… I had to kneel and look at the ground?” I asked.His hands tightened on my arms. “So, tell me, Darina? Why didn’t you do it?”“You startled me.” I watched his eyes in the mirro
My father caught my eye. I saw a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead and upper lip. Why was he so nervous?“Alexi?” Nico asked again. His hand on my thigh stiffened and I felt the tension going all the way up his arm.“I… Maybe we should consider it? He has influence in parliament.” Daddy’s voice faltered. “And how do you know this, Alexi?” Nico’s eyes narrowed as he stared my father down.He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief he rummaged out of his jacket pocket. “The word on the street is that this man, Petrov, I believe is his name, is extremely dangerous. He has an army of men too, Nico. I don’t want my daughter caught up in all of this. We could all die!” he stood up to approach the table. “You want a war, I didn’t sign up for this, Nico.”“So, what are you actually saying, Alexi? Huh? You want out of my organization? Is that it?” Nico chuckled, shaking his head. “Alexi, you should know no one leaves the Romanesco alive.”He threatened my father! I gasped, trying to get off
NICO“What do you want, Alexi?” I asked the older man. He looked grey in the face, twisting his handkerchief around his fingers. I was tired and pissed off. I had no patience left. Darina sat unmoving on the couch, at least she knew better than to cross me right now.“I need to talk to her, please.” He just never knew when to give up. “Nico, I’m trying hard to get back the money I used…”“Stole, Alexi. Stole.” I corrected him.“But I’m trying to get it back. I will pay you back every last penny. But then you have to let her go.” Alexi touched my arm.The look I gave him had him remove his hand rapidly. “Sure, Alexi. You’ll get her back when hell freezes over.” I turned away from him and beckoned to Darina to come to me. She stood up slowly, and I watched as she swung those delicious hips of hers as she walked.“Darina, my child…” his eyes misted over, and he reached out to touch her. I swatted his hand away, pulling her to my side. “I’m so sorry I’ve gotten you into this mess. Your mo
DARINAI cried until I had no more tears left. The way my father fell down on his knees in front of Nico… I couldn’t get that image out of my head. I’ve always thought of my father as a strong man, but Nico reduced him to a weak, blubbering mess. Now more than ever I was determined to get my revenge on him, if not for my father, then for myself.But I was angry and disappointed in my father for getting my family into this violent situation. What the hell was he thinking? How long had he been working for the Romanesco Mafia? I blamed myself for letting my parents keep me in the dark to what dangerous game they were playing at. The moment I got suspicious I should have confronted them, but no, I was so wrapped up in my studies and my own life I let it slide. And just look what it got me.In the bathroom I washed my face, my eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Removing my makeup, revealing the purplish hickeys he left on my neck, I turned away from the mirror ashamed to look at myself. It was
His hand was in my hair, pulling my neck back to look up at him while I stood on my knees.“Do I have to remind you how many times you have displeased me, Darina?” he asked, his voice soft yet chilling.“No.” I grunted as his hand pulled and twisted my hair at the back of my head. “Master.” I gritted out.“Good. Now you have to make up for it. Do you agree?” he narrowed his eyes at me, twisting my hair around his hand. My neck was bent so far back I thought it might snap.Did I have a choice? “Y…yes, Master.” He let go and I gasped, falling onto my hands.“I like that position. But it would look better if you were naked. Take off your clothes.” He ordered.“What?” I squawked. Was he for real?He sighed. “Take off your clothes and get on your hands and knees. I would like to look at my slave. Is that so hard for you to follow a simple instruction? Do I have to help you?”I shook my head and getting up with my knees still shaking I started to undress. Feeling my face light up like a be
NICO She hates me. That is what she tells herself. But I know her body says different. There was no denying the mate bond. The wolf still sulked at the back of my mind, angry that I haven’t claimed her yet. I tried telling him to be patient, but he wasn’t listening.I will claim her when I am satisfied that she accepts who I am. If she were a she-wolf it would have been so much different. Also, I needed to find out if I do claim her and she changes, how dangerous will it be for her.The meeting with Dr. Anthony Miller had been an interesting one. He was not what I expected at all.Two days ago.The elderly lady at the reception took me along the bustling hallways to the office of Dr. Miller, the supernatural anthropologist. We passed groups of students, some of them openly staring at me. I knew I looked handsome in my grey Lardini suit. I winked at a group of girls hearing them whisper and giggle as their gazes followed me.Dr. Miller was expecting me.“Mr. Lupei, so good to meet you
The atmosphere in the living room was tense as seconds ticked by waiting for Nico’s reply. His arm around my waist tightened and trying to calm him, I stroked his broad back, feeling the muscles contract under my palm.But then he spoke. “Zane, Mariana, I don’t want my children to grow up not knowing where they came from. I want them to know their grandparents.”I blew out a deep breath I never knew I held in. Nico looked at me and back at them. “All these years knowing what hell we’ve suffered at the hands of Constantin and yet you did nothing. It’s hard to wrap my head around it, knowing that I am your son.” The lines around his mouth deepened while he looked at Mariana.“I didn’t know everything, Nico. You know he never allowed us to visit.” Mariana stepped away from Zane who went to sit down with Anthony by his side. Anthony put a comforting hand on Zane’s thigh and Zane covered his hand with his own.Mariana reached for Nico. He made no move to go forward. “I never wanted to give
DARINAWhat was taking so long? “I can’t stand it anymore. They should have been here already, Sanda. Something’s wrong.” I was in panic mode, pacing around the living room.“Slow down, my love. Nico won’t let himself get caught. You’re making yourself ill.” Sanda smiled serenely back at me, lounging on the couch.“I don’t know how you can just sit there so calmly. We should have gone with Zane.”“Darina,” Mama came into the living room with Daciana on her hip. “Is Lycas with you, because I can’t find him.” Daciana held onto Mama’s neck with her little fist in her mouth, giggling at us.That boy would be the death of me. “I left him in the playpen together with his sister, Mama.” He must have transformed again. I sighed. Using the mind link, I sent out messages to the pack to help find my small wolf cub. “I have a mind to spank his little behind.” I said, storming to the front door.“Boys will be boys.” Sanda laughed. “He’ll turn up when he’s hungry.”“Someone lost a pup?” Nico filled
“Can everyone just calm the hell down!” I glared at Zane and Sanda. My grip on Darina tightened as I held her around her waist with her back to me, hiding my erection. She didn’t struggle but leaned back against me ever so slightly. “I get it, you are mad at me. I fucked up. Maybe.”That earned me a snort from Sanda and Zane’s eyebrows raised a few inches. He stood with his arms folded across his broad chest and I knew from the look in his eyes he was considering breaking a few bones.“But as soon as the dust settles and we’re all back at Romania, we can go on with our lives. Just like you wanted. No more humans trying to get us killed or wanting to use our pups for lab rats. No more Mafia. Okay?” By the gods! What more did they want from me?Sanda came towards me. “Idiot.” Her hands on her hips, she glared at me, “You should have trusted us.”“Sanda’s right.” Darina wriggled her way out of my grasp. “That’s not how you treat us, your mates. We don’t keep secrets from you.” She went t
NICOA few days earlierJohn wasn’t kidding. That blast knocked the shit out of me, also, burned off my clothes. I guess I should have moved further away before I pressed the button. Then I heard Sanda scream, and it took all of my willpower to stop the wolf from rushing back to comfort her.Our mate was in anguish, and he fought me with everything he had to go there. She was crying, screaming my name. I dug my nails into the earth and clamped my jaw shut not to cry out. The wolf turned his back on me in disgust.We’ll go back when it’s dark, hide in the stables. I tried to placate him, but he huffed and turned away. My blood turned to ice when I heard the men screaming for Darina to stop. Oh, no! She ran towards the burning wreck! That was when the wolf took over. There was nothing holding him back. He rushed towards the blaze, but the heat was too much. Whining he backpedaled.But then Sanda came, and I heard her say that no one could survive that. I reigned the wolf in hard. Patie
The day of Nico’s funeral came, the day all of us dreaded. Zane, silent as a ghost, moved about the mansion, looking but not seeing, touching things but not feeling. I had no words for him. Because I felt the same. Mama knew better not to touch me or look at me with pity. She only did that once and I snapped at her. I needed to be strong for my babies and for Sanda. She needed me more than ever. More than once I found her in the bathroom, hiding in a corner, crying. I’ve never seen my dear one so broken.“What makes it so hard for me, is that I could do nothing to protect you or Nico.” She said through her tears, “I’ve failed both of you.”I took her into my arms and stroked her tear-streaked face. “Nonsense. Stop this. If we have to blame someone, blame Nico. His arrogance got him killed. Nothing else.” I kissed her trembling lips, closing my eyes, because I didn’t want her to see how deep the hurt was that I felt.So many cars, so many people coming to his send off. All of his assoc
DARINAMen running, women screaming and above them all I heard Sanda’s voice lifting into a howl. I crushed the twins to my chest, wide-eyed and terrified. My legs wanted to run, to see what was happening, but my brain refused to cooperate.Katherina ran to me, clutching her belly. “Darina! Oh, my God!” She fell down at my feet, sobbing.I was frozen like a statue with the twins in my arms. They cried just as hard as Katherina. She looked up at me. “His car… oh, my God, his car…”Something snapped into place in my brain. “Whose car?” Nico and Sal went out early that morning. I put the twins down next to Katherina and my legs carried me out of the house.When I saw the inferno in front of me, I sank boneless to the ground. “No. No. No.” I couldn’t believe it. Not Nico. Not my mate.Sanda ran to me, her face contorted with anguish. “Darina, he’s in there. We have to get him out.” She screamed at me, but my ears refused to hear.“It can’t be. No.” I clawed at the earth beneath me. Sanda
NICOHours earlier“Are you sure about this, Boss? I mean, why do this now when everything is going so well? We’ve destroyed our enemies and we have control over the city once more.” Sal tried his best to convince me to discard my plans. Although he did everything I asked him to do, he wasn’t happy about it. Which was fine by me, he didn’t have to like it.The meeting with my associates went well. Business was picking up and the money rolled in. Problems with the cops and the feds were minor. Most of them could be bought, it was just a matter of the right price.Sal and I were having lunch at a bar in London, going over the plans for my death.I touched Sal’s shoulder. “Yes, Salvatore. I am doing this for my mates and my pups. Zane is right, I don’t want this life for my children.” I twirled the glass in my hand, staring at the golden liquid. Besides, I owed it to my pack because of all the trouble I caused.“But you lived for this, for our business.” Sal groaned, “I can’t do this wit
DARINA I can’t believe the arrogance of this man! Acting like he is invincible or immortal for that matter. Sanda followed Nico around like a watchdog, she never says it, but I know she loves him with every fiber in her body, just like I do. Thank the gods for the twins, because I would lose my mind worrying about Nico and our safety.“He just received another threat, I heard when he answered his cellphone.” Sanda came into the nursery where I had just bathed the twins and put them in their cribs. “The voice was disguised, like they used some kind of machine.” She plopped herself down onto the rocking chair, holding Daciana’s pink unicorn on her lap.My hands stilled on the clothes I folded. “Sanda, if you continue trying to be his bodyguard, you’ll make yourself sick. If anything should happen, there’s not much we can do about it, is there?” I made my voice sound casual, but my stomach clenched with anxiety.She glared at me like I was crazy. “Don’t patronize me! You’re just as worr
“You have officially lost your mind.” Salvatore spat out his cigarette. “What the fuck’s wrong with you, Nico?”“Lower your goddamn voice.” I growled at him and pulled him after me down the steps. “I don’t want the girls to hear us.”He pulled his arm out of my grasp. “Well, I think they should. Talk some sense into your…”“Salvatore!” I let my Alpha aura wash over him and he submitted at once, dipping his head in deference. “Let’s take a walk to the stables.”He followed me, silenced by my authority. It started to rain, and I lifted my face to the cold, grey sky. I would miss this place. This was the first place where I felt I belonged.Sal drew his hand through his dark mop of hair. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”“Dead serious. I want to fake my death. But it must look believable.” I went into the stables, inhaling the warm scent of hay and horses. There was no way I was going to leave my horse here.Salvatore looked at me as if I had grown horns. “How the hell do you expect m