Spiked Roses: The Complete Top Shelf Series

by Alta Hensley

  I hated hearing that there was something wrong with Cheri, and I would do anything for her. But first, I needed to go see what was going on.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cheri

  A thundering storm by the name of Roman Cassian swooshed into my bedroom. There was no polite knock, no asking if he could be let in, not even my mother standing by his side allowing his entrance. He marched over to where I lay in my bed feeling sorry for myself and sat on the edge with concern washed all over his face.

  Placing his hand softly on my cheek, and then my forehead, he asked, “What’s going on? Are you sick?”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t sick, though I was pretty sure I looked it.

  “Tired?” he asked.

  I shook my head again.

  His brow furrowed. “Then what? Why haven’t you eaten or gotten out of bed. You have your mother and Tennessee in a real tizzy. They both are two seconds from strokes.”

  He smirked, and normally hearing his words teasing my mom and my dear friend would have made me smile in return, but I felt nothing but a thick blanket of darkness.

  The smile left his face when I didn’t show any emotion at all to his comment. “Cheri, what’s wrong? Tell me?”

  I took a deep breath and fought the urge to just pull my blankets over my head and hide from his questions. “I just need time.”

  “Time for what? To sleep?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I just feel sad.”

  “Because we left the manor?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  I expected Roman to be angry that I still hadn’t let that notion go, but instead he crawled into bed with me and pulled me into his arms. I rested my head on his chest and snuggled close. It was the first time since returning home that I felt a sense of security. His simple hold of me was washing my demons away little by little. I inhaled his scent as if the aroma was the very air I needed to breathe to survive.

  “I know the initiation was hard on you, but—”

  “That’s just it,” I interrupted. “It’s harder being back. I feel lost. At least there, I had a purpose. I had a mission. My life was about the initiation. I was told what to do every second I was there, and I grew accustomed to it. You were my everything there. There was not a part of my existence that didn’t involve you. I guess it was a dark bubble. A fucked up bubble. But a bubble that I am sad to see pop.”

  “But I told you—”

  “Yes, yes. That it wouldn’t change, but it already has. I’m here in my bed alone, you are off doing whatever it is you do, and things have changed.”

  Roman kissed me on the top of my head. “It’s temporary. I told you that.”

  “But is it?” I asked as I looked up so I could see his eyes looking down upon me. “Or am I destined to live the life of my mother? Galas, charity events, hair and nail appointments, tea with other women who live as boring lives as I do? Is this the life I am to live as Princess Cherise Cassian?”

  “Not if you don’t want to. You… we can do whatever we want. If you don’t want that proper, perfectly groomed, and clean life, I assure you we can definitely dirty it up. What happened at the manor was just a small taste of what’s to come. I plan to treat you like a lady in public but treat you like the dirty kitty you are in the bedroom.”

  My heart skipped at his words. “You do?”

  “Why do you look so shocked? Did you really peg me for a man who would all of a sudden turn vanilla just because we got married?”

  “Well… our lives are just so formal and structured.”

  “So you assumed that our sex life would be as well?”

  My face heated. I couldn’t believe that I was damn near slipping into a pit of depression because I was afraid the man wouldn’t dominate me like he did at the manor.

  “Trust me, dirty girl. I will be your Master from this day forth. Nothing has changed. Nothing.”

  “God, I feel so needy,” I admitted, hating my weakness but at the same time loving the fact that I could be vulnerable and honest with the man I was about to marry. “And it’s not just the sex. Though I had no idea until the manor how important that was to me. It’s our life. I don’t want to become my mother. I don’t want you to become your father.”

  Roman laughed loudly, causing his chest to bounce my head around as he did so. “I could never be anything like my father. You saw Spiked Roses. Could you even picture my father, or even my brothers stepping foot in that place? And as much as you are afraid of becoming your mother… I just don’t see that happening. I agree with you. I want adventure, spice, and an excitement in our life that is laced with some dark tinges of taboo. Nothing will whiten our soiled souls. I love you, Cheri. I love how you are just as twisted and debauched as me. I love knowing that our lives will be anything but boring. I promise you this. I promise you a life that will take you to the edge of lunacy.”

  “I love you. And I love that you want this too.” God, I craved this man. There was no doubt about it. It was a deep type of love that caused an undercurrent of madness.

  Roman adjusted his body so he could bring his lips down upon mine. With a perfect blend of force and gentleness, he mastered my mouth as only he could do. My body lit with excitement and any sadness or depression I had had was drowned by my need to have him buried deep inside of me again.

  He pulled from the kiss and looked at me with darkened eyes. “You are about to marry into royalty.”

  “I know,” I said as I lowered my hand to his hardened cock that unfortunately for me was restricted by the fabric of his pants. My body, mind and soul were hungry for my king. He would be my king in every single way.

  “Which means that crown jewels are very important.”

  I arched an eyebrow as I unzipped his pants and took his cock into my hands. “Is that so?”

  “I collect diamonds. Very, very expensive and priceless diamonds.”

  I laughed as I began to pump his dick with my fisted hand.

  “I expect my princess bride to help me acquire these diamonds.”

  I nodded as I licked my lips, preparing to place his cock inside my mouth. “I will consider it my royal duty… Master.”

  The End

  Sinners & Gin

  Chapter One

  Matthew

  Nothing would stop me until the job was done.

  Consequences.

  There would be extreme consequences that would be delivered swiftly.

  This is how I did business. They would all see my wrath and what that entailed.

  He would see. He would feel. He would beg for my fucking mercy.

  There was a code of conduct in business. A level of respect that should always be followed. Vittorio Costa broke that rule, disrespected me, and I was done playing nice.

  “It’s fucked up.” Harley Crow was the first of my business partners sitting around the ridiculously expensive and nearly priceless conference table to chime in. “He thinks because he’s a boss that he’s untouchable. Those mafia fucks always think they’re invincible.”

  “Yeah well that mafia fuck needs to be checked,” Kenneth Saxon—the usually level-headed managing member of our business—snarled.

  It wasn’t just the loss of money that pissed me off. It was the theft. It was the blatant fuck you the man was sending me. I got the message loud and clear, and it damn near caused my blood boil.

  I appreciated the support from my seven business partners. I knew that if one of us were fucked with, we all were fucked with to some degree. We didn’t just own Spiked Roses together. We were more. We were practically brothers.

  “I’ll handle it,” Harley Crow stated simply. Killing someone wasn’t something new for this assassin, although I knew he was trying to clean up that part of his past. Deep down, he wanted his killing days to be behind him forever. A harder task than he had planned.

  And besides… this was my problem.

  Vittorio had entered my empire, and I was the king who needed to rule over my new en
emy’s demise.

  “Listen, gentlemen, if we fuck with the mafia…” Lennon Wolf began, “I’m not saying we don’t get Matthew’s shipment returned but killing the man might not be the best plan of action.”

  “I don’t want him dead,” I said between my clenched teeth. “I have a much better plan. One that will make it known to all to not fuck with Matthew Price. You don’t steal from me. You don’t even breathe on what is mine.”

  “Let’s all take a deep breath,” Alec Sheldon chimed in calmly with his southern drawl as he smoked off his cigar as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His nonchalance would have been infuriating had I not known that a calm before the storm was simply Alec’s way. “How many stolen paintings are we talking?”

  It wasn’t just the paintings, although I had plans for the ten pieces that were being shipped to me from Naples. It was the fact that behind each painting, tucked away in the back panel, were priceless diamonds. The shipment served a dual purpose, and clearly Vittorio Costa got wind of what was really inside those crates.

  The fucker beat my men to the transport ship.

  “Enough,” I answered. “I didn’t build my businesses by allowing someone to get one over on me. I sure as hell won’t start now.” I clenched my fists so hard that I lost feeling in them and had to release the pressure.

  “Does he know you know it was him?” Victor Drayton asked.

  “Does it fucking matter?” I snapped. “And no, I don’t believe he knows I’m aware that it was him who took the shipment. Which helps me in what I have in store. It’ll be a fucked up surprise he doesn’t see coming.”

  “So, what’s your plan?” Kenneth asked me. He knew that I was a lot like him. Where Harley would rather just go and shoot the man dead, Kenneth and I were more civilized in how we conducted our business. Although no one would dare steal from Harley Crow so maybe I should have taken note on that fact and just killed the fucker who dared mess with me. But my sinister plan would be a torturous revenge.

  “To have him beg for me to take my paintings back.”

  The men around the conference table snickered and shook their heads as they all sipped from their drink of choice.

  Roman Cassian chuckled the loudest. “And how is that going to happen? We can steal them back, but I highly doubt the man is just going to give them willingly back. Let alone beg.”

  “He’s having a party in Aspen this coming weekend. He’s got a mansion up there and it’s invite only. I’m going to get invites for all of us under the guise that we are doing some research for Spiked Roses and our tasting parties. I don’t need anything more from you all other than your attendance.”

  Each man smiled and nodded. They knew exactly what kind of party Vittorio Costa was throwing. He was known for his pet parties, and they attracted men and women from around the world to partake in. The seven owners of Spiked Roses attending was not something out of the ordinary and would be not only welcomed but practically expected that we would make an appearance.

  “It’s fucking cold in Aspen,” Victor Drayton said with a smile. “But I’m down to be a spectator if it’ll help you.”

  “I’m aware that most of you are in serious relationships, and I don’t expect you to do anything but show up, shake some hands, have a few drinks, and allow me to take it from there. No one needs to leave the party with a sexy kitty unless they want to. Or hell… bring your lady as your own pet.”

  I glanced around the table to see everyone nodding and pondering what exactly their plan would be. Their willingness to dive into the belly of the monster and walk into a mafia boss’s kink party so I could enact my revenge said a lot about our friendship.

  “Just don’t get yourself killed, man,” Harley Crow warned.

  “Or allow this dark fury to eat you up,” Lennon added.

  Too late.

  Too fucking late.

  I took a deep breath and started rattling off the details of the party so the men could add it to their schedules. Once I was done with the minor details, I excused myself and headed to the main floor of Spiked Roses in search of Tennessee Charles, our house manager. Once I saw him sitting at the bar going over some books, I pulled up a stool and sat next to him.

  “I got a proposition for you,” I started.

  Tennessee stopped what he was doing with an eyebrow arched in interest. “I do love when a man says those words to me,” he joked.

  I ordered a Nolet’s Reserve Gin Modern—my drink of choice—when the bartender approached where we sat. “A vacation of sorts,” I began.

  Tennessee snorted. “I haven’t had a vacation since I started at Spiked Roses. This place would fall apart without me.”

  I nodded in agreement, and I hated to ask this of him, but Tennessee was the only one I trusted enough to do what I planned. He would be a vital part of my plan, and without him, I didn’t exactly think I could pull it off.

  “Kenneth will be able to help out. He won’t run as tight of a ship as you, but the women will listen to him. And a change of scenery could do you good. You’ve been acting like a stick’s up your ass for weeks now.”

  My drink arrived, and I took a sip as I looked at Tennessee who watched me with both confusion and uncertainty in his eyes. He was smart enough to know this was more than just a vacation offer.

  “I have a place in the mountains of Colorado. It’s close enough to Aspen to be desirable, but far enough to be a true getaway from the stresses of life. I need you to go there and watch over it. Take care of the house, me when I’m there, and if I have any… guests. It’s remote so you would be the only staff there.”

  “So, you need a mama?” Tennessee laughed. “You want me to go play house up there with you?”

  “Yes,” I stated simply. “Can you cook?”

  Tennessee raised his hand to his chest and acted offended. “Can I cook? Can I cook? The southern boy in me is insulted, Mr. Price.” He chuckled. “Of course I can fucking cook.”

  “Well then,” I said. “How would you like to get away from the heat of New Orleans and enjoy some fresh mountain air?”

  “How long?”

  “I don’t know yet,” I answered honestly. “But it’s a huge house, beautiful scenery, and it will be stocked with whatever you want. I’ll also double your salary in cash while you are up there since it’s 24/7 that I need you.”

  “What’s the catch?” he asked.

  I smiled and took a sip of the gin. The smooth warmth of the liquid helped soothe the rage that was still within me.

  When Tennessee saw I had no intention of answering his question, he took a moment to stare at me with squinted eyes. “All right. I’ll do it. But I’m not a cheap date. I don’t put out. So, don’t expect any funny business,” he teased. “When do I pack my bags?”

  Taking the last swig of my drink, I stood up and patted the man’s back. “I’ll give you the details later today. Pack warm. It’s fucking cold up there in the mountains.”

  Chapter Two

  Aria

  I hated this house. There was absolutely nothing I enjoyed about coming to Aspen, Colorado. The mountain lodge opulence made me sick. There was nothing warm or inviting about the large marble-floor foyer with the huge double spiral staircase. The ridiculous statues of nude men and women made me feel like I belonged in some overpriced gallery in Paris. The bedrooms were too large and cold. The furniture was all modern rather than rustic and authentic lodge as I always felt it should be. It was nothing more than a sterile house adorned with expensive furnishings that screamed money.

  It was a showoff house.

  But then again, I had never lived in anything but.

  This house didn’t belong in the mountains. It belonged in Miami or something of that nature. Yes, the outside trees and mountain peak views were pretty, but it wasn’t like I was ever allowed to leave the house to enjoy the surroundings. This was just another mansion of my father’s, and another expensive prison of mine.

  But Daddy made me come. Wherever h
e went, so did I. I was just a modern-day Rapunzel, but my tower was made of cash and jewels. There was only one way to escape my father and that was by marriage. But my father hadn’t found the right man for me.

  Yes, my father hadn’t found the right man for me.

  And when I say right man, what I really mean is that my father hadn’t found the right business connection that would grow his power more by marrying off his daughter. I was simply a tool to make his reach and strength in the mafia and underground world grow. He was being picky, which meant that I was twenty-two and still being taken care of by my Daddy. His iron rule, his old-fashioned beliefs on how a woman should behave, and his sadistic nature meant that I did what he said with no questions asked. Plus, because of who he was, I lived in a little protective bubble that he had created around me for my so called, own good. Did he love me?

  He loved what I could give him.

  I was a valuable asset.

  Even as all the guests started to crowd the house, it still felt cold. Part of that was due to what I was wearing. The slinky leather dress that barely covered my ass and breasts contrasted with the soft snow that fell outside. I should be in a sweater, warm boots, and fluffy socks sitting by a roaring fire. But then I would stand out like a sore thumb. For every female was dressed in the same sexy attire as me if not even more scandalous. Some women wore nothing but a collar and a kitty tail shoved up their asses.

  If Daddy knew I was attending his precious pet party he was fond of throwing quarterly in our Aspen house, he would damn near die of a stroke. Luckily for me, the other guests holding his attention, my kitty black mask, and the fact that I just lurked in the shadows, meant Daddy never knew I watched from a distance for the last several that he hosted. I also wore a pink wig to hide my long brown hair tonight. It was worth the risk because I found the parties fascinating and frankly the only bit of entertainment I ever experienced in Aspen.