“I’m sorry, sir, there’s something you should know.”
My right-hand man, Richie, is about to tell me something I already know and as he utters the words that change everything, I struggle to breathe.
“There’s an announcement in the news. Ivy Thompson is engaged to be married to Drew Warner. I’m sorry, sir.”
I cut the call and watch them disappear through the arched wooden door to a place I don’t belong. As I think about the man who held my angel’s hand and touched what can never be mine, I make a decision that she will thank me for in the future.
Ivy Thompson will only marry Drew Warner over his dead body.
I wait for them to come out and all the time imagine the slow and painful death I have in mind for a bastard much like her father. Drew is a player of the worst kind, and I should know because I’m way better at it than him. Our paths have crossed on many occasions because he loves to taste the depravity that I surround myself with. He’s an acquaintance, someone I know from the pit of hell that we occupy, and yet he’s the worst kind of demon because he pretends to be a saint on the outside, when inside, he is no better than me. Now he has something of mine that I want back. My image of perfection that was tarnished the moment he laid one finger on her.
All through the service I plotted my way out of something that I have no right to. I must save Ivy from a future filled with so much pain she may not survive. I can see it now, an empty marriage arranged for political reasons. She is a prize for someone with ambition, and Drew has more than most. He is heading for the Whitehouse and is apparently being bankrolled by the Governor himself. Ivy would be the perfect wife to walk beside him, and I know this is just another maneuver to get him there. He will use her to elevate his ambition and bury himself deep in the whores I provide at night. He likes to play dirty and I am always on hand to feed his passion in exchange for the green stuff and a file so large on him he will always be controlled by me. It pays to have leverage over men that have power, and it’s how my family has always operated. We find their weakness and use it against them, and his is the worst kind. Drugs, sex and perversion are Drew’s particular passions and the thought of him touching a woman as pure as Ivy makes me feel physically sick.
By the time they walk out into the sunlight, a plan has already formed in my mind and I can’t fail.
I watch with a hunger that only increases and never dies as she steps into the sunlight, removing her shades quickly from her purse and protecting those gorgeous blue eyes. He still has his hand in hers as they walk beside her parents, the perfect image of happiness and respectability. Picturing Drew, banging into a whore or three in one of my private rooms, stirs the beast inside me as I watch through narrowed eyes as they make their way to the waiting car. No doubt heading off for brunch to plan their upcoming society wedding.
My fists curl as I imagine the scene, one that I will never be part of and almost howl like a broken animal as I face the fear that’s always sat in my heart. I will lose the one woman I love and she doesn’t even know me. The one image I carry with me through life of something that I can never have. All the time she’s single, I allow myself to dream that a miracle will happen and we will be together for eternity. Now that dream has become a nightmare as I imagine her walking into that church and pledging herself to another.
As they slam the car doors behind them, I set my mood in place, brushing aside the pain that squeezes my heart like a vice. I need a clear and level head to dispose of this problem and so I turn the key on the Harley and head off to set the plan in place that will ruin their intentions, forever.
Chapter 2
Ivy
He was there again. I’ve come to expect it. Every Sunday I look for him and when he’s not there, it affects me. It’s as if he’s here for me. I’ve always felt it, although I could be wrong—I doubt that. I’m not sure why, but it’s as if he watches over me and not in a sinister way. A guardian angel perhaps, it’s certainly the right place to find one and God knows I need one.
Drew is holding my hand tightly and I can feel his palms sweating. It’s uncomfortable, but I know better than to pull away. My father is speaking and we all listen, outlining what to expect when we proceed with arranging the society wedding of the decade. Ivy Thompson is to marry Drew Warner to create a political dynasty. It was always going to happen because when it became obvious that my father’s own aspirations on reaching the White House were doomed, he began the search for a deserving protégée. Drew was that man, and our union was engineered along with every other event in my life. I am expected to play the dutiful daughter and trust my peers because this is an arranged marriage of the worst kind.
Mom sits beside my father, straight backed and dignified as always. She keeps her opinions locked inside and agrees with everything my father says and does—she always has. Sometimes I wonder about their marriage. They say and do all the right things, but even a blind man could see there is no love lost there.
I shiver a little as I contemplate my life with them. If anything, this marriage is a way out of that but to what—a mirror image with different reflections staring out of the mirror with an unhappiness that will merely grow with time?
I can feel the walls closing in as I hear them planning my future around me, and all I can do is pray for a miracle.
“Is that ok with you, Ivy?”
Drew’s voice cuts through my silent thoughts and I snap back to the present. “I’m sorry...”
“Pay attention, Ivy.” My father’s voice drips with impatience and I shrivel under the force of it. “Drew was asking if you would like to choose the ring this afternoon. He has set up an appointment at Tiffany’s.”
“Of course, that would be lovely.” I flash a smile at my fiancé and don’t miss the promise in his eyes. He is staring at me as if I’m the brunch he is about to devour, and I feel like a lamb to the slaughter. I don’t love him. I never have, and now I will have to give him my most precious gift—me.
It was easy when I hid behind the disapproval of my parents. I’m a good girl, saving myself for my husband. It was easy to push him away when his hands started to wander and his kisses deepened. He tried; I’ll give him ten out of ten for that at least, but I always played the innocent virgin—a part I have trained for all my life. No boys, no connections and no chance in hell of forming one outside of my father’s wishes.
Locked in a girl’s school under the watchful eye of nuns until I graduated and then trailed after my mother, perfecting the role of society queen. I hate my life and I hate them. They never wanted what was best for me, it was always them and the appearance of a happy life they create for the voters.
Now I’m to follow in their footsteps and marry the best of a bad bunch. Drew Warner, ivy league asshole who I’m sure screwed his way through high school, college and every intern position he occupied until he became my father’s protégée. Not ugly on the outside, but rotten to the core inside. I’m marrying a bastard like my mother did, so it’s no wonder my father loves him like the son he never had. He is certainly cut from the same cloth and I’m running out of time.
We pull up outside Novikov and the valet springs forward to open my father’s door. Drew pulls me after him and helps me gallantly from the car and then hooks his arm around my waist in an act of possession that has me weeping on the inside.
I follow them into the restaurant and the waiter greets us with a respectable nod. “Your usual table, sir?”
My father nods pompously and we follow the waiter to the window, giving us a view on the beautiful day outside.
We take up our positions and tolerate the usual round of visitors to our table, intent on sucking up to my father for their own reasons. Mom shines on occasions like this, and her soft laughter echoes through the room as she plays the perfect wife and mother. I smile through my pain and act as if I’m the happiest girl alive, instead of one who would rather stab herself to death with the cutlery rather than marry the total sleaze who is running his ha
nd up my bare leg under the security of the tablecloth.
He makes my flesh creep and my blood boil, but I smile and act as if I am enjoying every second because years of conditioning has brought me to this point and the man responsible is bellowing as if he’s Santa fucking Claus from across the table.
I hate my life; I hate Drew and I hate them.
Their chatter washes over me as I return my thoughts to him. The man on the Harley dressed in leather and waiting for someone, or something. I steal secret glances in his direction and imagine what lies behind the helmet. In my mind he is handsome, young and brave. A warrior who could take them all on and win. My knight in shining armor and one who could save the world with one thrust of his impressive lance. My lips twitch as I imagine the dirtiest thoughts that usually occur after he rescues the fair maiden. In this case, me and we ride off together into the sunset leaving my hated parents and fiancé slain in our exhaust fumes.
“Is something amusing you girl?”
My father’s rough voice slices through my daydream and with a well-rehearsed comeback, I smile demurely. “I was just thinking of how excited I am to choose my engagement ring this afternoon.”
My father nods as my mother smiles her approval and Drew raises my hand and kisses it gallantly in a contrived show of love. “I can’t wait to show the world you’re mine.”
His words cause me to die a little inside because he’s not lying. He considers me an object, something to own and wheel out to be admired on his arm. An object to take whenever he wants and provide him with a family, the perfect family that America expects from its politicians.
I smile as if I’m the happiest girl alive to disguise the fact I’m the most desperate one. Luckily, the food arrives, and I am spared from feeling the clammy hands of a man who repulses me, touching my skin and making it crawl.
Throughout brunch I make the right noises, say the right things and hatch an escape plan. Maybe I could do this. Up and leave one day and take off where they won’t find me. Europe perhaps, Alaska? Somewhere far they would never think to look. I don’t need money; I would sacrifice it all for freedom. Perhaps it’s time Ivy Thompson grew a pair and stood up to the bullies because as I see my future stretching before me, it leads me down a path to destruction that I should avoid at all costs.
Chapter 3
Romeo
Rather than head home, I take my beauty on a ride and burn up the pain I feel inside. Speed usually calms me down. Danger creates adrenalin, and I’m addicted. I run red lights and cut up trucks and limos and raise my middle finger if they dare to protest. I am out of control in more ways than one, and now I’m insane at the news I just heard. Drew Warner is the lowest piece of filth ever to walk into my club, and he is about to learn what stepping in my shadow will cost him.
I picture all kinds of painful torturous deaths for Drew and yet somewhere, from out of the vengeance, comes a plan that I may just pull off.
By the time I reach the ocean and take a look back on a city I rule with my two brothers, I have set my mood in place accordingly. Miami sparkles in the sunlight like the precious jewel she is, and I see a place we control with fear. She offers herself up like a whore and we rape her again and again because Miami will never be safe from what we have planned for her. Many have tried to rid Miami of the Romanos, but they all failed and suffered the cruelest fate for their cockiness. Now Drew Warner has overstepped the mark, and he doesn’t even fucking know it.
Flipping out my phone, I dial the number of the only person who knows of my secret obsession and he answers immediately. Richie Garcia, my right-hand man and my brother from another mother. He’s always there and always willing to do everything I ask of him whether he agrees or not, unlike my brothers who disagree with me most of the time, and yet I love them with a fierceness that hurts. My family. Four brothers united in hate and a life neither of us chose for ourselves. Somehow, we navigate through getting our kicks the way only we can and yet I want something more—something different, something I never had. Love. I want a woman who loves me unconditionally despite who I am. Someone to hold me when I return bruised and bloodied from battle and kisses my pain away. I would worship that woman because she would be everything to me and there was only ever one woman fit for the position—Ivy. The little girl who stole my heart and never even knew it. I only want her, which is why I’m on a destructive path leading to my ruin.
Richie is waiting in the underground car park of the building I own in the center of town. He watches me tear up the tarmac and doesn’t flinch when I rip off my helmet and throw it angrily against the wall. Taking a moment to collect my rage, I turn and say roughly, “Follow me and make sure to order a new fucking helmet.”
We head to my apartment that overlooks the city. It’s where I feel most at home, even though our family one is not far away. The Romano mansion is a place I try to avoid for my own sanity, preferring my penthouse that sits on top of a building that I bought and use for my own pleasure.
The top floor is my personal accommodation and only I ever set foot inside the place.
On the floor below is a gym and swimming pool complex with a running track around the perimeter.
Below that my men live in their own apartments which some of their women share and below that are my playrooms. Dungeons for illicit pleasure and others for pain and revenge. Each one designed to drive a person to the edge of them. I love that particular floor because it gives me the most satisfaction.
Below that is a space for entertaining and parties. Rooms set aside for guests to stay the night and indulge in activities that won’t have the cops knocking at the door. Politicians, celebrities and businessmen crave invitations to my parties. Illegal gambling, drugs and prostitution are all activities that amuse me.
I also have an exclusive club where membership is invited rather than applied for. Only the wealthiest, influential and attractive women step through those doors and enjoy the strip club, casino and lap dancing that my girls are famous for.
Yes, I live a decadent lifestyle that I would give up in a heartbeat for the love of one woman - Ivy.
We head to another level where I have my office. I conduct my business from here and, like every respectable businessman, have a team of staff who help run my empire. We all have them. Lucian, the head of our family by default when our elder brother Lorenzo gave it all up to join an MC Club, has his own businesses’ and offices that he runs from his own space. Dante is much the same, although now he lives mainly at the mansion to keep his son and wife safe. Luca and Isabella are his entire world and along with our grandmother, they prefer the security of the family home.
It suits me that my brothers stay away because I am out of control and living life in the pit of hell. Together we control an empire—the Romano brothers. Drugs, prostitution and gambling are just a few of the pies we dip our dirty fingers in. We work in the family business and love every second of it. Pain, hate and fear are what we live our lives by, but there is one word missing from that—love.
“What’s the plan?”
Richie speaks up, knowing I will have one already. He knows me better than anyone and as I tear off my leathers and drop them on the couch in my office, I turn to him and smile with a wicked grin.
“We throw the happy couple a party.”
He says nothing and I reach for the decanter of whiskey that is never far away and pour us two glasses. Offering one to him, I say darkly, “Arrange an evening on the Black Heart. It’s been a while since we enjoyed a night on the boat, and this is the perfect excuse. God knows my brother’s been hogging it all to himself since he decided to show Riley the fucking world, so it’s about time I got some use out of it.”
Richie nods, looking thoughtful.
“Who should I invite?”
I sit down heavily on my chair and spin around to look out of the window on the city I control.
Thoughtfully, I swig the fire water and feel the burn as it cuts a path to my soul and ignites the flame e
ven further.
“The happy couple, obviously. Maybe the usual business acquaintances that will provide the bait for Drew. Harrison Scott, for instance, he’s the one running in opposition and Drew will hate knowing he is making contacts he should be developing. I’m not bothered who else because they won’t be around long enough to enjoy my hospitality. Make the boat ready and stock up on supplies. We may be heading out to sea; I haven’t decided yet.”
Richie nods, and even though he writes nothing down, I know he will remember every word that passed my lips. I trust him with my life and I would kill for him. We are a team, a left and right arm working in unison toward a common goal, and one can’t operate without the other.
We set the details in place and as he leaves to carry out my commands, I think about the woman who makes me so crazy, probably cozying up to a near dead man right this minute. If I thought for one moment she loved him, it wouldn’t change a thing because they say love is blind and it needs to be where he’s concerned. Even if he’s the love of her life, I would still be doing her a favor because he would ruin a saint and corrupt an angel. Drew Warner hides a tainted soul inside a respectable exterior, and it will take a special kind of evil to bring him down.
Chapter 4
Ivy
Surely, it’s every girl’s dream to shop for a Tiffany ring, but we may as well be fitting a ball and chain as far as I’m concerned. I just agree with whatever Drew suggests, and he opts for a Tiffany three stone diamond, symbolizing eternal love. The sales assistant looks impressed and I suppose on the outside it looks as if I’m living the dream—I’m not.
The Throne of Fear: The Romano's Page 2
