Forbidden Temptations (Tempted Series Book 2)

by Janine Infante Bosco

  “The rings? What rings?”

  My eyes narrowed into thin slits as I stared at him trying to hold back my temper. He flashed me a smile and winked.

  “Just kidding,” he patted his suit pocket. “I got the bling.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief and loosened the death grip I hadn’t realized I had on Mike’s shoulder.

  “Don’t fuck with a man on his wedding day,” I grunted.

  “There’s my grumpy friend I love!” He smiled widely, smacking me on the back. “I miss your brooding ways!”

  I peeled his fingers from my suit, rotated my shoulders, and straightened up. “I would have the best man that gets a kick out of fucking with me,” I muttered.

  “You love me, stop it! I bet when Adrianna has a ‘headache’ you miss the days of me being your roomie.”

  “Adrianna doesn’t get headaches,” I say smugly. There were perks to be had from spending so much time apart; you get a chance to make up for lost time.

  “All kidding aside, I’m happy for you,” he said sincerely, forcing me to turn around and meet his gaze. “It took a long time getting here but I’m glad it did. It allowed me not to miss out on standing beside you when you take Adrianna as your wife.”

  “Everything happens for a reason, Mike,” I said. “I’m glad you’re here too. Real glad.”

  We were interrupted by a knock on the hotel room door.

  “Who is it God dammit!” Mike hollered. “We were in the middle of a moment here,” he mumbled a stream of curses as he walked towards the door and pulled it open. “Who the hell are you?” Mike asked.

  I stepped around Mike and glanced at the man on the other end.

  “Jarvis? What’re you doing here?” I asked Vic’s lawyer. I clenched my fists at my sides as I stared at him, baffled as to what had brought this man to Mexico. Nothing good ever came from a visit with your lawyer, especially on the day of your wedding. That was in another country.

  “You know this clown?” Mike asked, looking over his shoulder, sticking his thumb towards Mr. Jarvis.

  “He’s Vic’s attorney.”

  “For fuck’s sake!” Mike turned around and glared at him. “We’re in the middle of a wedding here.”

  “I need a moment of Mr. Bianci’s time.”

  Mike glanced back at me. “You okay with that?”

  “It’s fine,” I said, motioning for Mr. Jarvis to come inside. He made his way into my hotel room, towards the small table overlooking the ocean and set his briefcase on top of it, popping it open. He pulled out a folder, opened it, and handed me the papers.

  My eyes drifted down to the papers then back to his eyes.

  “What’s this?”

  “A gift from your father-in-law,” he replied.

  I stared at him momentarily, shocked and caught off guard. I snapped out of it and studied the papers. The first page was a note from Vic.

  Anthony,

  My sincerest congratulations on your wedding. I wish you and my daughter nothing but a lifetime of happiness. I know you will take good care of my little girl. You’ll treat her, as she always deserved to be treated.

  I never thought the day would come where I would want to thank you for loving her but, here we are and I’m not sure how to go about doing so. Please accept the deed to the Long Island house as gratitude for the love you give my daughter, our girl.

  It’s a nice place to take your family, a great place to make memories, and it’s my gift to you.

  All my love,

  Vic

  I flipped the page and stared at the transfer paper that legally entitled Adrianna and me to the house she loved. It was a house full of her fondest memories with a promise to make even more with our own family.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” I whispered.

  I stared at the envelope that my father’s lawyer had dropped off moments ago, trying to find the courage to open it and read it.

  “Do you want me to read it to you?” My sister asked softly behind me.

  I turned around, my eyes found hers and I handed her the envelope. “Please?”

  She nodded, taking the envelope from my hand and opening it, unfolding the pages carefully.

  Dear Adrianna,

  I’m sitting here, trying to wrap my head around you getting married. It’s so hard for me because even though you’ve grown into such a beautiful woman, I still look at you and see the little girl who stole my heart. I know you might find it hard to believe but it’s true. You’ll always be my little girl.

  I think about you, my sweet Adrianna and I remember the girl who would run to me whenever I walked through the door. You’d smile up at me and no matter how grim my day had been you brought joy to my life.

  I wish I were there to walk you down the aisle. I don’t even know if you would’ve wanted me to but still I would’ve been honored to give you a way to Anthony. A part of me thinks that it would’ve been redemption for tearing the both of you apart.

  I’ll be thinking of you today and when I go to sleep, I’ll dream of the dance we would have shared today. I love you, Adrianna. Please never doubt that.

  All my love,

  Daddy

  Nikki folded the letter, lifted her eyes to mine, and she reached out and brushed away my tears.

  “Don’t cry you’ll mess your make up,” she whispered, sniffling a little herself.

  “I wish he was here,” I said hoarsely. How crazy is that? If someone would’ve told me six months ago that I’d miss my father, I’d tell them they were crazy. When I was a little girl I used to dream of my wedding, and my dad was always there walking me to my prince charming. I guess that’s when I believed life was made up of fairytales. It took a long time, a lot of heartache, to understand that life isn’t about fairytales but that sometimes, the lucky ones still find their happily ever after.

  I’m one of the lucky ones. Mine and Anthony’s story was anything but a fairytale, but after everything we had gone through, we found our happy ending.

  I kept my eyes glued to the other end of the white runner that had been laid upon the sand, waiting for the first glimpse of my wife.

  Wife. It sounded strange, but it felt right. I gave up on this day a long time ago, and if she hadn’t given up on me, we probably wouldn’t be here today. I’ll always be grateful for that.

  The music sounded, and she appeared, taking my breath away instantly. She was always the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on but she made a stunning bride. My bride.

  I glanced at her side and saw the person who was giving her to me, the one giving me permission, to love and cherish her for all the days of my life. The pair made their way down the aisle and I anxiously met them half way unable to wait any longer. I leaned forward and pressed my lips quickly to hers before bending down and lifting my son into my arms.

  “You ready bud?” I asked Luca, kissing his cheek.

  “Yep!” He said, wrapping one arm around my neck.

  I held him with one hand and laced my other hand with my bride’s, escorting her to the priest waiting for us. The priest smiled knowingly at Luca before asking him a very important question.

  “Who gives this woman’s hand in marriage?” The priest asked.

  I glanced at Adrianna, smiled at her before we both looked at Luca as he raised his hand.

  “I do!” He shouted.

  Other Books By Janine

  The Tempted Series:

  Illicit Temptations (Book One) *can be read as standalone*

  Blurb

  Michael Valente

  My father was the underboss of an organized crime family. He was murdered when I was a teenager leaving me broken. My mother died in a tragic accident, her death annihilated me. My life was in shambles until Victor Pastore, one of New York’s most notorious gangsters and my late father’s best friend, recruited me to work for him.

  Everyone expected me to walk in my father’s shadow, to be the prodigal son, the next big thing to hit the mob. I was torn between fill
ing those expectations and walking the straight line my mother wished I had. Nothing made sense and I felt as if I was just passing through life.

  The only beacon of light in my otherwise dark world was the one girl that was off limits to me. The one girl who could bring me to my knees consuming my mind, body and soul.

  She’s the sweetest temptation I’ve ever known and the most illicit.

  Nikki Pastore

  My father’s a gangster. My boyfriend’s is the king of New York’s night clubs. I am often labeled as Vic’s daughter or Rico’s girl, never just Nikki. I struggle for people to acknowledge me for the woman I am and not for the men in my life. I’m fighting a losing battle.

  There is only one person who sees me for me, my Mikey.

  He’s wild.

  He’s reckless.

  He’s hot as hell.

  He’s completely unattainable but oh so tempting.

  The Riverdale Series: *sound be read in series order*

  Pieces (Book One)

  Blurb

  Jake Lanza is one of Riverdale New York’s favorite sons. He owns a tattoo parlor in the small upstate town and prides himself on being a fun-loving, live by the seat of your pants type of guy. He has everything he wants in life, a thriving business, a great family and a best friend with whom he could never live without.

  Cara Sloane weaved her way into Jake’s life when they were fifteen years old. After her life fell apart at such a young age, Jake helped her heal, and began to pick up the pieces of her fallen life. His unconventional ways slowly had him becoming the anchor in her life.

  Now fourteen years later Jake begins to see Cara in a new light. The things he thought he never wanted, he suddenly began to yearn for. The only problem was they were both too frightened to lose the greatest love either of them has ever known. Can Jake convince Cara there is more for them than just a friendship? Is he willing to take that gamble himself?

  Broken Pieces (Book Two)

  Blurb

  Nick Foti left Riverdale New York, seven years ago, leaving his dreams and the only family he ever knew behind. Most of all he left the one girl that managed to completely unravel him. Samantha Lanza was his best friends little sister. She wasn’t meant to be his, she was his to protect like a sister.

  When he finally decided he couldn’t fight his attraction to her, events unfold that force him to leave her and the only life he has ever wanted behind. Forced to work for his father in Seattle, Nick is miserable. He spends most his time in the boardroom playing the corporate mogul. The rest of the time he loses himself in a bottle and random woman that will never compare to the one he left behind.

  One day Nick hits rock bottom and decides he’s had enough, he hangs up his suit and tie and sets out to reclaim the life he was meant to have. He heads back to Riverdale just when the family he has always loved as his own needs him the most. Everyone welcomes Nick with open arms, except Sam. She wants nothing to do with him. Can he convince her he’s a changed man who wants nothing more than to have her in his arms forever? Or has is the betrayal she feels too great to forgive.

  Fitting the Pieces (Book Three)

  Blurb

  You’ve laughed with them. You’ve cried with them. Now it’s time to say goodbye to the Lanza Family, in the final installment of The Riverdale Series.

  Luke Lanza is a man who has always done the responsible thing. He has faced a lot of challenging obstacles in his life; from raising his daughter on his own, to building a successful business, even being the only viable donor that could save his brother’s life. Knowing this about his brother and knowing that he was going to die, Jake asked him to look after the love of his life. Now Luke is torn between the promise he made to his brother and the pull of something he’s never known before.

  “Promise me, I need to hear you say it, Luke.”

  Luke swallowed. “I promise I’ll take care of Cara, you don’t have to worry about her.” A tear slipped down his cheek as he finished his vow to his little brother.

  Jake smiled slightly and closed his eyes. “I could always count on you.”

  Cara Sloane is struggling with the loss of her first love and the power of addiction. Jake had been her rock for so long, with him gone she realizes how broken she is. She doesn’t want to feel anything, least of all the emptiness in her heart.

  “I know you’re at peace and I should be thankful for that, but I can’t be. I never realized what a selfish person I was. You were suffering and all I could do was pray for you not to leave me.”

  A tragic accident leaves Luke and his family pleading with Cara to change the course of her life. Can Cara face her demons and learn there is life after Jake? Can she learn that she can hold onto to the beautiful memories they made together and still live her life?

  “I don’t want to fix her because she’s broken.” He said with his own voice sounding a bit broken. “I want to help her because losing her too isn’t an option.”

  Individually they try to heal, together they wonder if they can fit the pieces of their broken lives.

  Jake’s Journal (Book 3.5) novella – companion to the series.

  Blurb

  In honor of the one year Anniversary of the series you can now read Jake’s Journal.

  If someone would’ve told Jake Lanza he would have ever kept a journal, he probably would’ve laughed in their face. Journals were for females. His sister had a journal. He would know, being as he stole it once and read all her deepest darkest teenage secrets. Yet, to his surprise when Nick gifted him a blank journal, he decided to give it a try.

  Dear Diary,

  Fuck. That don’t sound right. In fact it sounds kind of gay. Why don’t these books come with instructions? You know what? Fuck this.

  Jake

  (Because I think I’m supposed to sign my name)

  During the most the darkest days and most trying times, Jake used his journal to expose the deepest thoughts he wouldn’t allow himself to say out loud. In this journal you will read the thoughts of a man fighting for his life. Read his letters to Cara as he pours out his heart and soul to her, through his works and drawings he wished to create. Discover the plans he had for his loved ones and the promises he left behind. Enjoy the legacy Jake Lanza left behind.

  About The Author

  Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York City, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

  Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.

  Janine loves interacting with fans feel free to contact her on any of her social media sites.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janine-Infante-Bosco-Author/491551810973318?fref=ts

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8095100.Janine_Infante_Bosco

  Website: http://www.janineinfantebosco.com/

  Amazon Author Page: http://smile.amazon.com/Janine-Infante-Bosco/e/B00NTS80V6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1437152451&sr=8-2

  © Copyright

  Forbidden Temptations

  By

  Janine Infante Bosco

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Published by Janine Infante Bosco

  Edited/formatted by: Jennifer Bosco

  Cover Design by: Hang Le

  ISBN: 9781495168857

  SNEAK PEEK

  Jack “
Bulldog” Parrish

  There was no God, no higher power I prayed to hoping to relieve me from my sins. No one to grant me penance for all the wrong decisions I made. There was only the devil, and I tangoed enough with him in my twenty-five years to know I was at his mercy. There was nothing I could do but eat the crow he threw at me. I’ve swallowed a lot of shit in my life, losing my parents, my wife cheating on me, my brother turning his back on me and becoming a federal agent. But there is one thing you don’t swallow, one thing you never get over, one thing that stays with you, forcing you to question everything you know in life and that is losing a child. No parent should outlive their child, no parent should have to pick out a casket for their baby and no parent should have to sit in a funeral home as a man dressed in a cloak prays over their son’s lifeless body.

  I wanted to believe the man who offered his condolences to me and my ex-wife, to trust his God would take care of my boy. I wanted to relish in the comfort of knowing a loving man would hold his arms wide open to embrace my sweet boy and welcome him into eternal life. I closed my eyes as his words cut through me, the promise of there being someone to take care of the innocent boy I created, to guide him with a steady hand and be there for him when he was scared and missing his mama.

  Someone to take care of him better than I had.

  I leaned forward, dropped my head into my hands, unable to stare at him lying there in that box. He looked so peaceful it was almost as if he was sleeping, just a little boy holding his Harley Davidson teddy bear as he took a nap.

  Only he wouldn’t wake. Not for me to chase the monsters under the bed or see the dawn of a new day.

  Not this time.

  I’d never look into the eyes of my son and see the innocence of a child staring back at me.

  I pulled my head back and lifted my eyes glancing at my brothers that stood on either side of my son’s coffin, the President on the left and the vice president on the right. They weren’t my brothers by blood; I had one of those too. I had raised him after our parents died but like everyone else in my life I lost him. Still, I thought he would’ve been here, hoped he’d put our differences aside and stand beside me as I lowered my son into the cold earth.