“As you should. I just cannot.” I don’t hold any blame on her for anything.
I pull back while still holding her at arm’s length. “And you don’t have to get along with any of them, but promise me that you’re going to do your best to stay well whilst I’m gone, por favor.”
“Por supuesto.”
I kiss her and leave. I steal a glance back as we pull out of the driveway.
“She’s going to be fine, Victor.” Fernando is usually right, but as a son, I must always be concerned about her well-being.
“I hope so.” I check my watch and send a text to my pilot. Ten minutes out.
“I have the file on the families when you’re ready to review it.”
“Have you gone through it yourself?” Fernando’s team created the file and I’m certain he saw most of it, but as the head of security, he’s too busy to gather the intel himself.
“Yes. Intriguing and a bit worrisome.”
“How so?” I’ve been keeping busy with the growing tensions from the pressure of a new rival inching closer.
“They’re in the middle of a shake-up and our host had a huge part to play in it.” He hands me the file, and I start to read the front page. It’s a report with a small picture of Santino and Giada Benedetti. He’s kissing her temple as they sit at a restaurant. The notes under the picture read: Son of the former boss of the Marchetti family, Rafael Marchetti. Killed half brother Rafael Jr. in self-defense while in Santino’s company office. Giada is the daughter of Antonio Avanti.
“We’ll discuss it on the plane,” I grumble, closing the file. I never realized how difficult it was to read in a moving vehicle, and we’ve just hit a bumpy patch of road.
“Remind me to have that repaired as soon as possible.” Hard rains can damage the road quickly, and we just had a heavy storm.
Fernando nods in the rearview mirror as we hit the straightaway to the private airstrip. Once we pull up to the spot, his second in command, Luis, who followed behind with two others, helps unload our luggage. “Gracias,” I say. They will fear me, but I want their respect and loyalty.
We shake hands, and then Fernando and I board the plane and meet with Ernesto, my pilot. “Hola, Jefe.”
“Hola, Ernesto. How long until we land in New York?” I’m already anxious to return. I’m not one for going to the States. To me, there’s nothing special about it. I have everything the American dream can offer, and our history is much richer. I prefer traveling to Europe if I wish to have a vacation, which in all honesty, I do not.
“Nine hours, as long as the weather holds.”
“Bueno. We’re ready when you are.”
He nods and says, “Okay. We’ll take off in five minutes. Please take a seat and buckle up.” He swiftly turns around and heads into the cockpit while my men and I take our seats.
A few minutes later, we’re up in the air and the seat belt warning turns off. The flight attendant is Ernesto’s daughter, Delia. “Can I bring you anything to drink, Señor Serrano?”
“Please bring us some bourbon. Don’t forget to ask them as well.” She’s new, and I want her to do a good job. My men know not to flirt with her, so I want her to get comfortable. She’s a good girl and ready to start college soon. The men are sitting away from Fernando and myself as we discuss matters that are just between the two of us. I bring out the file on the American families and place it on the table between us.
“So tell me what these pages don’t,” I say, clapping my hands on my thighs and rubbing them back and forth twice over.
“The tensions are high. The Marchetti family no longer exists. Santino and his security team wiped them out over a short time while stealing the wife of his brother. Despite having the makings of a great mob boss, he’s not a part of that life. He ended their reign and moved on with his life. His wife is expecting, and his associate has taken the reins to start his own operation.”
I don’t respond because Delia’s back with our drinks. “Would you care for the in-flight meal?”
“Yes, but please give us a couple of hours.” The men ate before they picked me up, so we have plenty of time before the next meal. She nods and leaves us.
“This Johnny fella?” I ask, continuing our conversation.
“Yes. He’s got ties to the Irish in Boston. Santino’s also been working with the Russians.”
“Damn. Are you sure he’s not running something underground? Getting his hands into different pots?”
“Not from what we see. It’s only been a few weeks since Rafael Marchetti has been arrested.”
“Well, then, we’re going to need more information before we contact them. I don’t trust Avanti, but he’s looking for allies so we’ll see what he has to offer. At least there’s a party tonight. Perhaps some of them will be there. If there’s a shake-up they’ll be looking for lifelines and we’ll hear whispers.” I don’t want to deal with these people for anything other than shipping, but I also need to be aware of who my enemies are.
“I have your back either way,” he reminds me.
I raise my glass to him. “I’m grateful to have you at my side.” I toss the bourbon back and then we go back to the plan.
* * *
My men pick up our rental SUV while Fernando and I wait. I refused the offer for their men to meet us because frankly, I don’t trust getting into vehicles with strangers, especially men who operate openly on the other side of the law. We put the address to Avanti’s estate into the navigation system. There’s a decent amount of traffic, but we make good time.
We arrive at the closed gates and are escorted into Avanti’s home before his guests arrive for their party. I freshen up in my guest room while my men do the same in the room next door. I tug on my cuffs as I check over my appearance. Strong and powerful as always, which is exactly what I am despite my current situation. With my plans waylaid, I’m at the mercy of my host. Our meeting was to happen yesterday, but due to the severe weather, my flight had been delayed.
If I had arrived on time, I would have been out of here three hours ago instead of waiting for our meeting, which rankles my nerves. I’m not the type to be waiting for anyone, especially a mediocre criminal. He’s one step above the politicians in this city, but without the clout. I want access to the coastlines without restrictions, and Avanti has the connections I’m interested in.
My mother’s illness made matters worse. I wouldn’t have taken the trip if she had not insisted on it. She might not approve of my life, but she understands it and loves how I’ve taken over my father’s empire while feeding him to the vultures.
Still, my mother deserved more than she had been given and I’ve tried to make up for the past, but some damage can’t be undone. Her father sold her like chattel to my father for rights to his vineyard.
My brother and I were the only children she had before miscarrying three more times. My father had six other children with his mistresses. I hate what he did to her, parading his little leftovers with his mistresses in her face. Most of my half siblings hated him as well because they were the bastard children who were only used to promote his virility. He wanted nothing to do with them, just like he hadn’t with us. Now, I own everything from both sides of the law and will one day have someone to pass it all down to, although that doesn’t look to be happening soon. At least, not soon enough for my mother.
If I ever marry, I’ll never betray my wife. Fuck that noise. The damage had killed my mother’s heart and ruined her happiness. With all my power and money, I can’t get her to take the treatment. She wants to go on her own terms, and I’m not ready for that. Being here and not by her side only brings my pain and rage to the forefront of my mind. I need to get this meeting over with and head back to Spain in the morning.
I send up a silent prayer that she’ll come to her senses and get the treatment she needs before it’s too late. My phone buzzes, and it’s a message from the woman. Stop worrying. I’m well. Do what you have to. Maybe meet a beautiful girl.
As the head of the Serrano family, I have an obligation to the organization to keep the empire running smoothly. I decided to up my own actions to show my strength.
“Your mother?” Fernando says, coming into the room.
“You know it.” I roll my eyes and then go back to adjusting my tie. “Is my pilot ready to go in the morning?” I ask.
“He’s ready as soon as you are. The plane has been refueled and stocked. Ernesto is sleeping with his phone in the hangar as he waits for your call.”
“Good. I don’t want to be here any longer than necessary.” I didn’t get more than a two-minute call from Avanti when I landed. “Avanti makes my stomach turn. He’s weak and troubled. Maybe I should have contacted one of the other families.”
The sound of footsteps stops all conversation, and then there’s a steady knock on the door. Fernando walks over and grabs the handle, opening the door just enough to look out. “Can I help you?” His tone is brisk with the guy.
“Signor Avanti has a message for Señor Serrano.” Fernando closes the door and then looks at me. I give him the nod to open it to one of Avanti’s men. I take him in, and he’s not as large as most of Avanti’s guards and most definitely not as large as Fernando or myself.
“Señor Serrano, Signor Avanti will see you in ten minutes, although he asks that you be informed of tonight’s festivities.”
“Festivities?” I’m not in the mood to celebrate shit. I want to do business, and that’s it. I made it clear that I had no interest in attending.
“Yes. This is the annual Virgin Sale.” My eyes widen, and rage slams hard into my chest. This fucker deals in that kind of business. Immediately, I’m ready to leave and say fuck the deal. I’ll find a different shipper.
“Virgin Sale?” He can see the disgust in my voice, so he continues quickly with a hint of annoyance.
“Yes. The party begins as the guests arrive. You can purchase one night with a virgin via their handlers. Guests are free to negotiate the deals and depart to participate in the transaction.”
“That’s fucking disgusting,” I bark out, causing the little guy to flinch. Good. Let him feel my wrath.
He gains his composure just enough to continue his warning. “It is a profitable business that Mr. Avanti would hate to have ruined. If you do not purchase a lady for the evening, that is fine, but no one is allowed to depart before midnight or before every female has been purchased. If you do purchase a woman, all sales are final.”
Who the fuck does he think he is?
“Where is Avanti now? I need to speak with him immediately.” I don’t wait a second before brushing past the man, storming out of my room and down the grand staircase with my man and his following behind me. I already know where to find the bastard. He’s in his office surrounded by two of his men, sitting down in his chair with his feet kicked up on his desk. Damn, what a fool. I could have unloaded on him from that position, even with his guards. They barely move when I enter the room. They should have flinched. Fernando would have been prepared and had his gun out on someone’s head.
“Hello, Avanti. Can we discuss business privately?”
He drops his feet off his desk and then grabs his glass. “This is as private as it gets for now. You look a little heated, Serrano. Why don’t you have a drink and settle down?”
“I’ll pass on the drink and the pussy. I thought this was a party and not a prostitution ring,” I bark out while Avanti straightens his tie. Two of his men stand guard, eyeing me as if I’m a threat. I am, but I’m not stupid enough to do it without a plan. I might not like Avanti, but I have no reason to end his life—yet. Anyone that messes with my business isn’t left to talk about it, and should anything go wrong tonight, I will kill him easily.
He leans back in his chair, smug as possible while holding a glass of cheap scotch without a care in the world, rankling me even more. “Relax, Serrano. These women are here on their own accord. They want money, and we want pussy. Don’t you?”
Unlike this sick bastard, I have standards, and that doesn’t include paying for sex. The man has a wife, but I bet he’d screw as many of these women as he could. He’s just like my father, and that turns my disgust to hatred quickly. “I have no interest in participating in this. I don’t pay for pussy. I came to talk about my exports and nothing more.”
My temper’s hot. I’m on the cusp of telling him the fuck off, but it’s not wise at this juncture. “We have time to discuss this in the morning. You can stay in your room for the night if you don’t want to spend some pocket change, but I assure you some of these little morsels are worth the money.”
Fury rips through me. My time is money, and here I am wasting time. This fucker believes that he can get me to stay like I’m not the head of my own family. I’ll cancel the deal and shoot this prick in the face when he’s least expecting it. I don’t care if I lose the money. Never once have I had moral qualms when it comes to the people I deal with, but something about this whole selling of a barely legal girl’s virginity makes my stomach churn.
“I’ll be in my room.” I walk out of the office without another look at that poor excuse for a man, and then catch something out of the corner of my eye. The party has already started with well-dressed people all around. I can’t hide my disgust until I see her.
I’m able to take her in from head to toe before she sees me: a petite blonde whose eyes pull me in. My first thought is that she’s mine, but that’s nuts. I watch how the short black dress barely covers her ass and her large tits nearly spill out of the top. The urge to cover her up strikes me. I push away that feeling because I didn’t come here for any woman.
Something in her look screams that she’s not ready for this party. Does she have second thoughts? She just entered through the main entrance with a man at least twice her age. The diamond around her neck reflects in the room, perfect for gaining any man’s attention. She’s going to be snapped up quickly like that. That idea doesn’t sit well with me. It doesn’t sit well at all. Fucking hell. She’s going to ruin my morals. I have to get away before it’s too late.
2
Dove
I run the straightener through my hair unsteadily, leaving parts with a wave and a crease so I’ll have to redo that section again, further aggravating my father because it’s taking too long for him. It’s not intentional, but his presence just outside the bathroom door unnerves me, causing my already tense body to shake. This whole situation makes my stomach roll. It’s bad enough that I haven’t eaten since I had a small bowl of oatmeal this morning, but I’m not allowed to eat until this is all over because he doesn’t want to risk me looking bloated. I’m just one hundred and twenty pounds, most of the weight in my boobs and butt.
“I can’t do this,” I complain, knowing that it’s pointless because he’s not going to change his mind and I have no way of escaping. I don’t just mean our tiny hole-in-the-wall apartment, but out of town. He’s made sure I have no other recourse but to go along with this illegal, immoral, super-expensive prostitution.
“You don’t have a choice. You have to do this, or they’ll kill us both,” my father shouts through the pressed wood door that separates the bathroom from his bedroom. I’ve got a hit on my head if I don’t make a lot of money tonight. That knowledge sends a chill up my spine and is the only thing driving me to look my best.
Yesterday he showed me the text message with the threat in it as a reminder that my life hangs in the balance.
Dove follows through or both of you will be chopped up after we take her for free.
I told him we should go to the police, but he told me they own the police, which isn’t hard to fathom. Money and power shape this world, and I have neither of those. Now I’m getting ready to sell my innocence to the highest bidder in order to pay off his debt. Not even my debt—his debt. My father, Donatello Falcone, is the epitome of greed and excess, wanting things he can’t have and buying
stuff with money he doesn’t earn. The more he gets, the less he feels satisfied. He can sell me now, but once I’m used up, his bargaining chip will be gone.
“Do you need to see it again?” The threat is laced in his voice. If I fail to go through with this, we both die. He’s worried about his own skin, not mine. I’ve been expendable since the day my mother died. He would have gotten rid of me then, but she left a small trust to be used for my care. Every penny has been spent, and not on me.
“No.” A shiver runs through me as I consider the alternative. If I go to this party, I’ll be sold like a piece of meat for one night, or door number two, I get raped and murdered if I don’t. I suppose staying alive is my only option, so it’s the reality I have to accept.
I continue to work on my hair and listen to him pace outside the door—as if that’s going to help me get ready any faster. Now that my hair is finally completely straight, I unplug the flat iron I got for twenty bucks at the CVS. He gave me just a hundred dollars to get dolled up, as he put it. I can’t leave it down because they want my slender neck and shoulders on display, so I give myself the Ariana Grande hairstyle, straight and tight with a slight twist.
“I doubt anyone is going to buy me for half a million dollars.” He’s truly got to be out of his mind to think that my virginity is worth that much. I’m so damned inexperienced, it would probably be a terrible event. He’d want a damn refund, but I can’t get back my innocence. Hell, who am I kidding? The only thing that remains of my vestiges of childhood innocence is my virginity. I’ve spent years learning the ins and outs of shady dealings.
“You never know. Besides, they said I only need to come up with two-fifty. I’m sure your virginity is worth that at least. Some of these fuckers are twisted and get a kick out of it.” Says the man whoring out his daughter. If I weren’t afraid of being killed, I would have told him to shove the idea up his ass, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to stay alive.
Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series Page 3
