Broken

by Willow Winters

  “At least you’ll go faster,” she says.

  I smirk at her. “Precisely!”

  I sway my hips to the beat of the music booming through the club. I slowly raise my arms with a drink in my right hand. It’s dark, but the lights flash every few beats and the up lighting gives the club a hot vibe I’ve grown to love. This is our place to unwind. And I enjoy every minute of it. I like getting lost in the seductive beats.

  Gwen bumps her ass into me and shakes it while sticking her tongue out, making me laugh. I look around, wondering who she’s putting a show on for.

  I don’t see anyone staring back, so I smack her ass playfully and let out a laugh. I’m definitely buzzed and enjoying this night. I start work in one week, and I’ve gotta pack my shit up, move and get settled. I don’t have much, but it’s going to keep me busy. Tonight I can just enjoy myself though. I can have a little fun and take in the moment.

  Gwen stands upright and turns to face me, mimicking my movements. She leans forward, unsteady on her heels. I quickly balance her, grabbing onto her arm and we both laugh. It’s getting late and I think she’s had more than enough to drink. I’ve had my fair share, and my feet are killing me. I’m more than happy to call it a night.

  “Wanna go?” I ask her, practically screaming so she can hear me over the booming music.

  “But Mr. McHotStuff saw!” she screams in my ear.

  “Who?” I scrunch my forehead and look through the crowd as she points behind me. My heart stops in my chest, and my skin chills as I see him.

  “He’s all yours, baby! He hasn’t taken his eyes off of you.” I barely hear her voice.

  Kade.

  I stare back at him, not knowing what to do. I’m afraid to move, afraid to breathe even. I’ve thought I'd seen him a hundred times before, but it was never him.

  I’m afraid if I blink, he’ll vanish.

  “Kade?” I whisper. And as though I’ve broken the spell, he turns and pushes through the crowd, leaving me.

  Gwen grips onto my arm as I try to leave. “Where are you going?” she screams over the music with a worried look in her eyes.

  I shake my head at her and point to the bar. “I’ll meet you there in ten.”

  She points her finger at me. “Ten minutes.”

  I’d laugh at her trying to be the responsible one if I had any humor in me, but I don’t. My blood pumps with adrenaline and anxiety as I push past the swaying hips on the dance floor and search for Kade.

  I make it through the crowd and out to the other side in time to see Kade looking back over his shoulder and walking through the exit door.

  I don’t even hesitate. I’m not letting him get away from me.

  I practically run in my heels to catch the door before it closes and yell out, “Kade!” as I see his back.

  There are a few people out here smoking by the door. I barely notice them even though they stopped talking the moment I yelled. I’m sure they’re staring, but I don’t care.

  Kade stops walking, but he doesn’t turn around.

  I take a few hesitant steps toward him but stay a few feet away. It’s late and dark, but there are lights out here on the sides of the building. I can hear the low music get louder as the back door opens and then it dims as the door shuts with a loud click.

  It’s almost silent, save the sounds of the cars on the street at the end of the alley and the faint beat of the bass from inside the club.

  “Kade?” I weakly call out to him. “Please,” I start to beg him, but my throat closes and tears prick my eyes. I’d give anything to be with him. But he left as soon as he saw me. Nothing’s changed. He doesn’t want to be with me.

  “You never loved me, did you?” I talk to his back, but that finally gets a reaction from him. He turns around, and my heart slows.

  He still looks the same.

  His sharp jaw has several days of stubble and his hair is grown out slightly, but the dominance and hard features are still present and they make me want to drop to my knees in this dirty alley. But I don’t. I won’t do that for a man who doesn’t love me.

  He opens his mouth, but doesn’t say anything. He swallows thickly and watches the door as it opens, bringing the loud noises of the club along with it. He closes the space between us and puts his hand on my hip, although his eyes are on whoever left the building. I can hear their steps grow distant as they walk in the opposite direction and farther away from us.

  Finally, he looks down into my eyes.

  My heart clenches in my chest. I don’t know why he’s here; he's supposed to be in jail. I tried so hard to track him down that first year. But they wouldn't tell me anything. I felt pathetic for even trying to find him, but also like I'd failed him for never seeing him. But then again, I found solace knowing he'd never looked back.

  In this moment, I know one of two things will happen. Either he tells me he loves me and we find a way to make this work between us, or he doesn’t and I leave him behind forever.

  “I just need to know if you ever loved me.” I stare into his eyes and ignore the tears running down my face. It may kill a small part of me to hear he never did, but I’ll survive. I just need to know.

  He cups my jaw in his hand and runs his thumb along my bottom lip. My head falls back slightly and my lips part.

  “I should tell you I never did. I should do that for you. I should lie.” Hope blooms in my chest, and I take in a deep breath.

  “But I’m a selfish man, and I love you so fucking much.”

  My heart swells and hurts so much I can hardly stand it. This time it's a good pain.

  “I don’t deserve you, and I’ll understand it if you send me away. I’ll stay away; I promise I will. But if you have any feelings for me left at all, I want you, Olivia. I want to build a life with you. An honest life. I’m done with all that. I promise you.”

  I wipe the tears away from under my eyes, trying to calm myself, but it’s so hard. I’ve dreamed of him coming back for me, but I never thought it was possible. I didn't think I'd ever see him again.

  He loves me.

  I want to beat my fists against his chest for leaving me. For throwing me away all those years ago. For not telling me the truth. For never looking back. Somewhere in me, there's anger.

  But more than anything, I just want him to hold me. I miss him.

  I lose all composure and wrap my arms around him, kissing him with everything I have.

  And he holds me back just as tight, kissing me with passion and longing. He pulls my body against his hard, muscular chest. His tongue dives into my mouth and I lean into him. My body lights with a desire I haven't known for years.

  He breaks the kiss and pulls away, both of us breathing heavily. “Not here, angel.” He kisses my hair and looks back at the door.

  After a long moment, I finally ask him, “You’re really here?”

  “I’m here, Olivia. If you want me, I’m here.”

  “I do want you.”

  “Somehow I knew you’d come back for me,” I whisper into his chest. I don’t know how, but I knew. Years later, I still feel like my heart belongs to him.

  “I’m so sorry.” He kisses my hair and holds me closer to him. “I wanted you to live your life. I wanted so much more for you than what I could give you. I'll make it up to you. Every day for the rest of my life.”

  “All I want is you, Kade. I love you.” I need him. My heart and soul need him.

  “I’m all yours, angel.” He pulls away from me and kisses the tip of my nose. “I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Olivia

  “You two look so cute together! How did you meet?” the waitress asks as we sit down to dinner. She looks sweet and innocent, but I hate it when people ask that question. I hate lying.

  In the three years we've lived in the area, I’ve never been to this restaurant before. I love the seaside cabin feel of it. It’s a good hour away from the winery, but I needed a vacation, and Kade said this is the first stop.

>   The renovations on the winery are seriously eating into its profits, but luckily Kade’s investments are paying for this trip. He doesn’t understand why I don’t just quit since we don’t need the money, but I like being challenged and learning the business. Maybe one day I’ll sell it, and until then I have his complete support to pursue my dream.

  I lay the white cloth napkin across my lap and smooth it out.

  “At a club.” I give the answer I always give. Kade reaches across the table and takes my hand. He knows I hate this.

  “Oh, I love hearing these stories.” She hugs the menus to her chest. If only I’d told her the truth.

  “I’m starving,” I not-so-subtly say to get this conversation moving. Kade chuckles at me and accepts the menu as the waitress hands one to him and then to me.

  “You should try not to look so pissed when you answer that question,” Kade says as the waitress leaves us.

  “Well,” I say as I open the menu and look down the list of fresh fish. “Maybe we should come up with a different story.” I wouldn’t change anything between us. Not a damn thing. But I don’t want to share it with anyone. They’ll never understand.

  Kade brings my hand to his lips and kisses my fingers.

  “I don’t want another story. I love our story.” His confession makes my lips kick up into a small smile. “It’s sad at times, and we went through hell. But I love you.”

  Tears prick my eyes. “I love you too, Master K.” I blush as I say his name and he raises his brows.

  “Don’t start what you can’t finish, angel.” His voice is low and laced with a threat. A threat that makes my pussy clench. We'll be on vacation for days. I've been looking forward to this since I found out we were going.

  “I would never.” I look up at him through my thick lashes and see nothing but devotion in his eyes. Our story may not be the typical love story, but it’s ours, and no one can take that away from us.

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  About the Author

  Thank you for reading Broken. I hope you loved reading it as much as I loved writing it.

  More by Willow Winters

  The Valetti Crime Family

  Dirty Dom (Book 1)

  His Hostage (Book 2)

  Good Girl (Book 3)

  Bad Girl (Book 4)

  Bad Boy (Book 5)

  Stand alone Novels

  Inked

  Broken

  Stalk me everywhere!

  @WillowWintersBB

  AuthorWillowWinters

  WillowWintersWrites.com

  WillowWintersBadBoys@gmail.com

  Check out the first book in the series

  If you haven’t already read the first book in the Valetti Crime family series, Dirty Dom (Available Now!), have a little sneak peek:

  Dirty Dom

  A Bad Boy Mafia Romance

  (Valetti Crime Family)

  Winter Willows

  Blurb

  Dominic Valetti is only interested in two things: getting paid and getting laid.

  He’s a bookie for the Valetti crime family, and he knows his sh*t.

  Dom’s busy doing business, no time to dabble in social niceties. The women that chase after him wanting more than a dirty, hard f*ck are only gonna get their hearts broken.

  That is, until Becca stumbles into his office to pay off her ex’s debt. A hot brunette who’s just as guarded as he is and has a body made for sin… and for him.

  They’re not meant to be together. A woman like her shouldn’t be with a man like him. He’s mobbed up; she’s a good girl who deserves better.

  When they push their boundaries and cave to temptation, they both forget about the danger. And that’s a mistake a man like Dom can’t afford.

  Will Dirty Dom risk it all to keep Becca safe, or will he live up to his name?

  This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy. Guaranteed HEA.

  Prologue

  Dom

  Becca

  I crack my knuckles and stretch out my arms while looking out over the football stadium from my suite. I fucking love that this is my office. But then again, when you do what I do, your “office” can be anywhere. I snatch my scotch from the bar and tell Johnny to grab our lunch. Taking a seat on the sectional, I grab my phone to look at my schedule. My first drop off should be here soon.

  I’m so fucking nervous. I click my phone on and see I have fifteen minutes to find the bookie’s suite. I grab my purse tighter, holding the Coach Hobo closer to my side. I’ve got 12k in cash under a scarf and the idea that I’m going to be mugged and then killed by the bookie is making my blood rush with adrenaline and anxiety. I can’t believe Rick would put me in this position. Shit. I’m such a bitch. I swallow the lump in my throat and square my shoulders to keep the tears pricking the back of my eyes from surfacing. Now is not the time to think about Rick. And it’s not like he asked me to do this. His problems keep coming after me and I wanted to cover my bases.

  The knock at the door seems hesitant and that makes a deep, rough chuckle rumble in my hard chest. Whoever’s behind it is scared and I live for that fear. They’re right to be scared. I didn’t get where I am today by being kind and understanding. Fuck that. I’m a ruthless prick and I know it. My chest hollows for a fraction of a second, but I shut that shit down ASAP. I’m a tough fucker and I’m not going to let some pussy emotions make me weak. Some days I wish I didn’t have to be such a cruel asshole. I don’t like fucking guys up, breaking their legs and hands or whatever body part they pick – if I let them choose. But they know what they’re signing up for when they do business with me. Damn shame they don’t have a doctorate degree in statistics from Stanford, like me. A devilish grin pulls at my lips. If you’re gonna be making bets with me, you better be ready to pay up.

  I wipe the cold sweat from my hands and onto my skirt, ball my small fist tighter and knock on the door a little harder. I wonder if the people walking by know why I’m here. I swallow thickly, feeling like a dirty criminal. My eyes dart to an older woman with kind eyes and grey-speckled hair pushing a caterer’s cart. I’m sure she knows. I’m sure everyone who looks at me knows I’m up to no good.

  My eyes glance from left to right as I wait impatiently. Sarah’s waiting outside and I have to pick up my son from soccer practice soon. I lick my lower lip as the nerves creep up. I’ll just pretend this isn’t real. Just hand them the money and walk away. Back to real life. Back to my assistant and move on with my normal, non-threatening, everyday life.

  I take my time getting to the door. No matter how much money they owe me, or how much they’ve won, they need to know that I do everything whenever the fuck I please. If they have to wait, they have to wait. But I sure as shit don’t wait for them. I open the door and my cold, hard heart pumps with hot blood and desire.

  A petite woman in fuck-me pink heels and a grey dress that clings to her curves and ends just above her knees is staring back at me with wide, frightened hazel eyes. Her breasts rise and fall, peeking out of the modest neckline. Her black cardigan is covering up too much of her chest and I barely resist the urge to push it off her shoulders. My eyes travel along her body in obvious appreciation before stopping at her purse. She’s clinging to it like it’s her life line. My jaw ticks, what’s a woman like her doing making bets with a guy like me? Johnny handles most of that shit now. We aren’t supposed to take bets from women. I don’t like it. I’m definitely going to have to ask him about her.

  The door opens and I nervously peek up at the gorgeous man looking down at me through my dark, thick lashes. The lines around his eyes means he’s every bit the man he looks, but his devilish white-toothed grin gives him a boyish charm meant to fool women like me. He’s fucking hot in a black three-piece suit that’s obviously tailored to fit his large chiseled frame perfectly. With that crisp, white button-down shirt and simple black tie you’d think he
was a young CEO, but his muscular body, piercing blue eyes and messy brunet hair that’s long enough to grab, makes him a sex god. Lust and power radiate from his broad chest as his eyes travel down my body. He looks like a man who knows how to destroy you.

  A wave of desire shoots through me when my eyes meet his heated stare. My breathing hitches and I swallow down my distress with my treacherous body. I’ll just give him the money Rick owed him and get the fuck out of here. At the reminder of why I’m standing in his doorway, I push my purse towards him.

  I grin at her obvious nervousness and cock a brow, “Purses aren’t my style, doll.” Pulling the door open wider, I step aside, just enough for her to get through. Her soft body gently brushes mine as she walks through the small opening I gave her. The subtle touch sends a throbbing need to my dick and I feel it harden, pushing against my zipper. She hustles a little quicker when I lean closer to her. Her hips sway and I stifle a groan when I see that dress clinging to her lush ass. Fuck, I want that ass. I never mix business with pleasure, but there’s an exception to every rule. Something about her just pulls me in. Something about the way she’s carrying herself. Like she needs me, or I need her. My dick jumps as she turns around to fully face me. Fuck, at least one part of me desperately wants her attention.

  His body touching mine makes every nerve ending in my core ignite; I nervously squeeze the strap of my purse. I just want to get the hell out of here. My stupid heart is longing for comfort. My trembling body is aching with need. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s only been three days; I should have more respect for Rick than this. I will the tears to go away. I just want to be held. But I know better. This man staring back at me, he isn’t a man who will hold me. I take in a gasp of air and turn around to face the man my husband owed money to while digging in my purse to gather the bundles of cash.