“No!” Stephanie and I screamed, fighting to hold onto each other. My father held me back as the man ripped Stephanie away from me. She kicked and screamed as the man carried her out the door. The scary man took a few steps forward, stopping in front of me. I hid behind my father as the man reached down and grabbed Stephanie’s suitcase.
He looked to my father and smiled. “Beautiful little girl you have,” he said and walked out the door.
I froze as realization dawned on me. When I first saw Wilson here, I thought I knew him from somewhere, but I couldn’t remember where. I’d spent so many years trying to forget the time I spent with my parents in order to help me accept that they’d abandoned me. But now I remembered him perfectly clear.
He was the one who came and took Stephanie away.
He had the same predatory look about him as he did when I was a child. There was no telling what he’d done to Stephanie before she ended up with his son. Wilson destroyed my sister’s life as well as my own. He took everything from me. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t be here in the first place. My parents and Heath wouldn’t be dead and I’d still have my life. It wasn’t fair what he’d done to me and probably countless others.
I looked down at Stephanie’s grave. My sister, one who was taken from me and destroyed by this family. Wilson Moreno would pay for everything he’d done and I wouldn’t let it go until he was dead.
“Having another psychic vision?” a voice said, startling me. I looked up to see Bennett approaching. I quickly scramble to my feet as he came to a stop in front of me. “Well?”
“No, sir,” I replied. “Remembering things from my childhood.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“I remember the day your father took my sister,” I bit back.
He nodded, putting his hands in his pockets. “A contract is a contract after all.”
“I wasn’t a contract, so fucking explain that,” I snapped. “I thought my father was an asshole who was entirely too overprotective. But this whole time he was trying to protect me from yours.” I took a step toward him, rage building within me. “Your asshole father ruined my sister’s life and stole mine. You can take this however you want, but I want Wilson dead. If you try to stop me, I can put you on my list, too.”
After staring at me for a long moment, he chucked me under the chin and smiled. “You’re so sexy when you got that ‘dark princess’ thing going on,” he said and walked past me.
I spun around and glared at him. “I’m not fucking joking around,” I snapped.
“I never said you were. But if you have any plans of killing my father, you can take a number,” he said. He looked down at Stephanie’s grave. “Do you think you’re the only person who’ve lost something at the hands of him?”
“Then why aren’t you doing something to get to him? Why are we just sitting around waiting for him to attack?” I all but screamed. He only looked at me, his expression indifferent. “You don’t understand—”
He held his hand up. “You actually don’t understand,” he interrupted. “This is the mafia in real life. This isn’t an action movie where you can run into his house with guns blazing and walk out a hero for taking down the bad guy. Wilson isn’t stupid; he’s well aware that I’m coming after him so he’s doubled his security and probably preparing his men. I’m not going to put my men at risk with a half-assed plan, so when it happens, it’ll be done right.”
My body trembled with anger as I stared at him. He was right, absolutely fucking right and I couldn’t even argue with that. A hot tear rolled down my cheek.
“Then what do we do?” I asked, my voice cracking. “I want him dead.”
“That makes two of us.” He walked closer to me, reaching up to brush my tear away. “Taking him down is going to require us to work as a team. That means we don’t have time for your bullshit or anything that’s going to earn you a trip to the Retribution room, clear?”
“Yes, sir. But I want to be prepared for this, Bennett,” I said. “I don’t want to be shoved into a room or a bathroom again.”
“Aurora, this is a battle bigger than you—”
“No,” I ground out. I was so sick of people trying to “protect” me by hiding me away. I thought I’d proved myself when I took down the Russian in the bathroom. I thought I showed him what I was capable of when he let me kill the man at the club. I wasn’t this fragile flower that needed a man to protect me. I’ve been protecting myself my whole life and I damn sure didn’t need him tell me I couldn’t handle this. “I’m not weak.”
He dropped his hand from my cheek. “I know you aren’t.” Something flashed in his eyes as he looked at me, something akin to sadness. “I couldn’t protect Stephanie and I have to live with the guilt of failing her every fucking day. I refuse to let anything to happen to you.”
His words stumped me a bit. The concern in his hard gaze gave me pause.
I released a soft sigh. “I know, but that’s why I’m asking to be prepared. I’d rather die trying than live as a coward.”
I was a bit relieved when his serious expression broke into a slight grin. “What cereal box did you get that slogan from? It’s a good one,” he said.
I gave him a playful shove. “Bennett, I’m being serious. I want to be apart of this. I need to be a part of this.”
He stepped away from me and paced in front of Stephanie’s grave, his eyes never leaving it. I wrapped my arms around myself, waiting for him to speak. Wilson’s demise was just as important to me as it was to him and I knew we’d need to find a way to work together in order for us to get what we wanted. I just needed him to trust me.
“This will only happen under one condition,” he started.
I nodded. “What is it?”
He stopped pacing and met my gaze, his face serious. “What are my three rules?” he asked.
My mind reverted to our very first encounter, when he had me bound on the plane. I’d never been so terrified in my life. The look he had on his face was the same as it was on the plane.
“My rules are simple. You will bow, you will break, you will obey. Follow them, and you’ll survive. If you don’t, I’ll hurt you in ways that’ll make you wish you were dead. Now repeat what I just said.”
“I will bow, I will break, I will obey,” I said, my voice trembling. “Follow them, and I’ll survive. If I don’t, you’ll hurt me in ways that’ll make me wish I were dead.”
He stopped in front of me. “You have bowed and you have broke, but you don’t listen very well.” I stared at him without a word. “Are you ready to obey?”
It was such a simple question with a heavy meaning. In order to work with him, I had to play by his rules. At this point, I’d do anything to get my hands on Wilson, even if it meant making a deal with the devil.
“What will it cost?” I whispered.
A sinister smile formed on his lips. “Everything,” he replied. “Think you can give me all of you? Mind, body, and soul in the name of revenge?”
I thought of everything I’d gone through thus far. Bennett was a small part is an orchestrated puppet show, but now it was time to close the curtain on the puppet master. Everything had a price, and in order to get what I wanted, I had to give Bennett the last part of me.
My soul.
I mean it goes with your plan anyway. It would make him fall for you, which was your end goal, the small voice reminded me. Though it was right, it didn’t account for what I’d lose at the end of all this, granted that he and I survived. As he looked at me, waiting for an answer, I thought of everything I’d already lost at the hands of Wilson Moreno. I looked down at the grave of a woman that tethered Bennett and I together. No matter what it took, I’d do this for my parents. For Heath. For Savannah. For my sister.
“Well? Are you ready to obey, dark princess?” Bennett asked again.
I squared my shoulders back and took a deep breath. “Yes, sir.”
“Good girl,” he murmured.
There was o
nly one seat for a king in Hell, and the ultimate battle for it loomed dangerously close. I would die before I allowed Wilson to take anything else from me. Despite everything I’d been through with Bennett, we were finally on the same page with one common goal: kill Wilson Moreno. You couldn’t go through life untouched when you’d wronged so many people. I promised I’d make him pay for everything he’d done.
“Let’s go, gorgeous,” he finally said, holding his hand out to me. “We have work to do.”
Taking a deep breath, I put my hand in his and allowed him to lead into the darkness to the point of no return. The old me was gone, a darker, blood-thirsty soul in its place. I was hungry for revenge, for justice.
I’m coming for you, Wilson Moreno, I thought. And I won’t rest until you’re dead.
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
-Lewis B. Smedes
AURORA
Life had an interesting way of coming full circle.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a myriad of thoughts crashing in my head. As the clock ticked down, doubt trickled its way into my mind. Was I making a mistake by doing this? I sighed, focusing on finishing my makeup. Now wasn't the time for having second thoughts. I just hoped Bennett didn't make me regret this decision.
Carrie appeared in the mirror behind me, giving me a small smile. Her usual attire of jeans and a graphic t-shirt was replaced by a fitting black dress that stopped at her knees. Her makeup matched her dark look, a deep maroon color on her lips with a pretty smoky eye.
“Well, don’t you look pretty?” I said with a smile, meeting her gaze.
She giggled and struck a couple of poses. “You think so? I wasn't sure if it was too dark,” she said, her voice carrying a sarcastic tone.
I smirked. “I don't think anything is too dark for an all-black party.” I turned back to the mirror and put the finishing touches on my makeup.
“Ready for tonight?” she asked as she moved closer to me.
I met her gaze in the mirror and shrugged. “Can you really be ready for this kind of thing?” I murmured.
She grabbed a brush from the vanity. “I mean…are you sure you want to do this?” she asked as she brushed my blond wig.
It wasn’t as if I had a choice. Bennett made my options perfectly clear, leaving the decision up to me. If my soul was what I had to sacrifice in order to get what I wanted, it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
“I have to,” I finally said, meeting her gaze in the mirror. She continued to brush my hair, the sadness evident on her face.
“This is a permanent decision, Aurora,” she said softly. “Even when all of this is over, you can’t undo the choice you make tonight if you choose wrong.”
I released a shaky breath and nodded. “Yeah, I know.”
We sat in silence for a few moments as she continued doing my hair. Our eyes would meet occasionally, her gaze telling me what her mouth wouldn’t. Her solemn face told me what I didn’t want to admit to myself. I had my own fears about this decision. What if Bennett didn’t hold up his end of the bargain? What if I got more than I asked for? Carrie was right; when everything was done and Wilson was finally dead, then what? Would I be able to live with the decision I would make tonight?
Did I really want to make a deal with the devil?
My mind drifted to my father. He’d worked so hard to protect me from his mistakes and yet, he still paid with his life. I wondered what he’d think about what I was prepared to do. Whether he’d be proud, upset, betrayed. Whether he’d consider it a slap in the face after everything he’d done to shield me from the chaos that was now my life.
I squared my shoulders and sat up a little taller. It was still a price I was willing to pay. Wilson Moreno would pay for destroying my life and having my family slaughtered. Taking Bennett’s offer probably wasn’t in my best interest, but consequences be damned. I wouldn’t stop until Wilson was dead.
Heavy silence cloaked the room as Carrie curled my hair. A part of me wanted to say something to ease her mind, but there was no way I could reassure her when I couldn't reassure myself. I'd been so sure of my choice before, but now that time was winding down, doubt was making a home in my brain.
When she finished, Carrie looked at her watch. “You should get dressed. Bennett will be expecting you downstairs soon,” she said with a sigh. I nodded as I stood from the vanity. She walked into the walk-in closet and emerged with a long, black lace dress. As she rattled off about accessories, all I could think about was the looming task at hand. I was essentially about to sign my life away, an action I couldn’t take back. I had no idea what that entailed. Aside from the documents I signed a few days ago, I didn’t know what else was next. The unknown made fear slide down my spine, anticipation setting me on edge.
“Have you ever been to one of these things?” I finally asked.
She shook her head. “No. I’ve never had the desire to.” She frowned at me. “You can change your mind, you know.”
“My mind is made up,” I stated firmly.
“You don’t understand. Bennett isn’t—”
“It doesn’t matter in the end. Whether I did this or not, he’s already made it clear that he has no plans of letting me go. Right?”
Her shoulders sagged a bit. “He says that now, but that can change.”
I scoffed. “Bennett is a pretty sure man. I seriously doubt there’s anything that’ll change his mind on that.” When she only looked at me, I crossed the room and took her hands into mine. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. With everything I’ve already been through, this can’t be much worse.”
She gave me a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah,” she said.
The room was silent as I moved around to get ready. Now wasn’t the time to second guess myself. Everything will be fine, I thought to myself as I slipped into the dress. Carrie walked over and zipped it up.
“Bennett sure knows how to pick them, doesn't he?" she said as I examined the dress in the mirror.
"I guess he does," I murmured. The see-through maxi dress had a plunging neckline and two high slits. My tailored bodysuit was nearly invisible under the dress, but it still left little to the imagination. Bennett was a complete asshole and monster majority of the time, but there was no denying that he knew how to dress his woman.
After slipping on a pair of stilettos, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. I definitely looked the part of being his dark princess, but inside I was scared shitless. Here goes nothing, I thought to myself, releasing a long breath.
"Ready?" Carrie asked from behind me. I nodded and followed her out of the bedroom to prepare to make the biggest decision of my life.
I made my way down the stairs, the lower level only lit by candles and the fireplace in the living room. People milled about, waiting for Bennett’s meeting to start. My heels clicked against the hardwood floor as I crossed the living room, heading straight for his office where he requested I meet him. When I arrived, he turned to look at me, leaning against his desk as he folded his arms across his broad chest. He was dressed as he usually was, a sharp, tailored suit that looked absolutely handsome on him. Bruce, Saint, and Nyxin stood off to the side, their hands clasped in front of them.
“Well, aren’t you fucking gorgeous tonight,” he murmured.
“It’s a special occasion after all, isn’t it?” I asked, noticing how my voice trembled. "Besides, you picked the dress."
He smiled, menacing and calculating, which sent a chill down my spine. “Indeed I did,” he said. He turned and grabbed a small box from his desk. “Come.”
I slowly walked over to him, coming to a stop before him. He pushed off the desk and towered over me. His chocolate brown gaze warmed my body as he looked down at me, his mouth in a slight frown.
“Do you vow to give your life to me…wholly?” he asked, his voice low.
Answering his questions were tricky. He gave no context or conditions, just a
broad statement that I had to either agree with or refuse. An all or nothing statement. My life, my soul…for the right to avenge my family.
I released a shaky breath. “Yes,” I stated as confidently as I could.
“Do you vow to honor me and La Fedeltà for as long as you shall live?”
“Yes.”
“By taking your insignia, you vow to live for, die for, and fight for me. For this family. Your new family. Do you accept?”
“I do,” I said.
He smiled his sexy, mischievous smile and opened the box. A beautiful, blood red ruby ring sat nestled inside. Small sparkling diamonds were set in the silver band, the ruby setting shaped in a queen’s crown.
“Only the best for my number one,” he murmured. He took my left hand, my heart seizing in my chest as he slipped off my engagement ring I’d gotten from Heath. Noticing my reluctance to let it go, he smiled at me. “Your old life is no more, Aurora. There shouldn’t be anything else left of it. From this night on, your life begins with La Fedeltà.”
I swallowed the emotion in my throat. As I looked at my old ring in his hand, I thought of everything it represented for me. It reminded me that there was still good in the world, that love was still real, that I was once loved by someone. Even though he was gone, that ring had brought me so much comfort in my darkest times. But in order to start my new life, I had to finally let go of my old one. This was what I’d signed up for, what I agreed to in order to get what I wanted.
The sacrifice that I was oh so eager to make.
Bennett looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to speak.
“I understand,” I finally murmured, fighting the tears burning my eyes.
He smiled. “Good.”
He passed the old ring to Bruce and I kept my gaze on Bennett as Bruce moved over to the fireplace, tossing it into the fire. Bennett slid the new one onto my finger before bringing my hand to his lips, placing a kiss on it.
“All hail the queen of La Fedeltà,” he said with a grin.
“Hail the queen of La Fedeltà,” the other men in the room said.
Rules of Bennett: The Complete Collection Page 40
