RitaI'm exhausted when I get back to the apartment.I was right, the first day wasn't too hard. A girl named Easter ("Mom was a hippie, Dad was a Catholic, they compromised.") showed me around, introduced me to the team, and started with my training once I filled out a ton of paperwork for HR. She's small and extremely sweet, but talked really fast, and I found myself struggling to keep up as she threw a ton of information at me all at once.Now I'm feeling like I ran a marathon. I toss my bag down near the door, kick my beautiful shoes off near the entryway, ignore the fact that they gave me blisters, and hurry into the main room.It smells incredible. "What is that?" I ask as Scar welcomes me from the kitchen."Dinner," he says, holding up a bottle. "And champagne." He pops off the cork.I laugh as he pours two glasses. "What's all this for?""A celebration. To your first day.""Oh, yeah? You cooked and cracked open a bottle of bubbly for me?""I didn't cook, I bought some good Ita
ScarOrin Callahan does not sound happy.I'm back in my Dallas office. The new secretary is outside my door—a young man named Brian. Janine said he came highly recommended. We'll see about that."I'll be straight with you, Scarfoni," he says, and I note that I'm not Scar anymore. "I thought we had an understanding. You come to Boston, you work for my family, you get access to power you never dreamed about before. Do I really have to spell it out?""No, sir, you don't," I say, looking at the window. Thinking about my wife at her office right now. My real wife. "Unfortunately, Rita got a job here in Dallas, a job that I can't ask her to leave. I either stay here with her, or we do the long-distance thing, like I mentioned. I decided long distance won't work. I won't be leaving Dallas after all."Orin grunts, his annoyance obvious. "That's not acceptable.""It's the way things are. I wish it worked out differently.""You're making a mistake, Scarfoni. I'll give you another chance—""With
ScarI sit at the bar in the Oak Club and sip a fine whiskey. It's peaty, warm, almost sweet. I hold it up to the light and watch the gold glow."You guys ever think we'd end up like this?" I ask, not looking at my brothers, but knowing they're beside me.Eros says, "Not once. But here we are.""I kind of figured I'd get hitched," Ford admits. "But I never thought I'd actually like her.""Same," Carmine says and laughs. "I figured I'd get stuck with some mafia princess brat.""Strange, how it goes," I say, grinning at them. "Here's to family.""Here's to that," Eros echoes.We toast each other. Four of the five men in the Atlas Organization. "I wish Lanzo were here," Ford says with a sigh."He'll be back," Eros says, then hesitates and shrugs. "Or maybe not. You never know with that guy.""He's going to be really surprised to hear that all four of his friends are married." I turn to look at the nearby table where are wives are sitting. Kat and Brice. Cara and Rita. All four of them be
CaraMy rock bottom is a dirty martini in an upscale hotel bar.It's drinking on my husband's dime—my ex-husband's dime—and knowing full well this money won't last much longer.It's having no friends, no prospects, no income, alone in a strange city with nowhere else to go.But at least I have a dirty martini and another on the way."Excuse me, miss?" The bartender is a young guy with an ironic mustache. He leans across the bar and, based on his body language, maybe that second drink isn't coming after all. "Your card was declined."Panic slams into my chest.But no, keep it together, it's okay, I was expecting this.Maybe it's happening sooner than I thought but Christopher wasn't going to bankroll my escape forever.I'll have to move on when this drink is finished, and hopefully I can find somewhere safe to sleep tonight.I ended up at the Drake Hotel out of sheer desperation. It's the only place I recognized in Chicago based entirely on driving past it once or twice.Christopher to
Cara It takes a second to understand what he's saying. "Hungry?" I ask him like I've never heard the word before. But I quickly get control of myself. "Sorry, uh, I'm fine." I twist away from his grip and stand up. "I was just leaving. Thanks for the drink, really, you saved my life." He stares at me, head tilted to the side like he's reading the inside of my guts. "I'm not asking for your phone number, and I'm not interested in a date. I'm asking if you want some company and a meal." "I'm not hungry," I say and start walking. That's true—I made sure to stuff myself before running earlier—but I don't know how long it's going to last. If Christopher is already cutting off his stash of cards, that means I won't have any money at all to get a room for the night, much less anything to eat. I'm planning my next move as I head through the lobby, but Mr. Kazan's still at my side, keeping pace. "Pizza," he says. "Deep dish, if that's your thing." I make a face. "I'm from Philly. Deep dis
Cara"I already said thank you." I glare at him, arms crossed, no longer hungry. Mostly because I already stuffed my face, but still. He's pissing me off, and I don't know where I'm sleeping, but that's my problem to solve, not his."And yet you haven't told me who he is yet."I grind my jaw. This big bastard's not letting it go. I could get up and walk away right now—I don't think he'd stop me, not in such a crowded place—but where would I go? It's dark and I'm on an unfamiliar street, and I don't know if I can afford an Uber or a cab. Worse, I have no clue where I'd go if I could.This is basically the most poorly planned escape ever.But I didn't have time. I saw my chance, and I took it without hesitating, because hesitating would've meant getting caught.I lean back, studying him. "How about this? I graciously let you pay for this lovely meal, and you promise not to ask me about him again. Do we have a deal?"Eros's eyes sparkle with amusement. "Let me get you a room at the Drake
CaraHe wasn't kidding about the suite.It's at the top of the Drake. Two huge rooms, one sitting area and one sleeping area. Couches, tables, a full bar, all of it sleek, shining, and obscenely expensive.He gives me a quick tour. "All yours for tonight," he says. "I'll pay through the morning. There's no rush to leave.""I'll be gone early, don't worry."He shrugs as if it doesn't matter to him. "I have an early meeting in the dining room tomorrow morning, but I don't plan on sleeping here tonight. If you need something, call down to the front desk and have them put it on my tab.""Just tell them Eros Kahzan said it's okay?""That'll work.""Why are you doing this?"He hesitates near the door. "I already told you.""If this is some spiritual atonement, I'm not really sure that's how it works."He chuckles softly. "Maybe not. Goodnight, Cara. And good luck." He reaches for the doorknob and opens it.Something bubbles up in my throat. Some desire, some need. "Wait. Hold on." He looks
CaraHe releases a sultry and incredible growl before pushing me down onto the couch, pinning me there. He takes the bottle, sets it on the floor, and proceeds to kiss my mouth, neck, chest, slowly stripping off my jeans. My shoes clatter to the floor, and soon I'm wearing nothing on the bottom. That beast kisses my inner thigh, his hands reaching up my top and teasing my breasts. He licks me gently, nibbling closer and closer to the heat between my legs."For such a big bastard, you really can be very—""Tender?" he asks as he slides two massive fingers inside of my dripping pussy."Oh, fuck," I say, mind blazing and suddenly blank as pleasure rips down my spine."Lovely Cara," he whispers, licking and kissing my clit. I run my fingers through his thick hair, loving the way he says my name, but also the way he licks my pussy and slides his meaty fingers inside. I'm twitching, shaking, back arched—He reaches down and picks up the champagne bottle. Before I can say a word, he pours th