Mafia Queen (The Manning Sisters #1)

by Christina Escue

  “Dakota, what were you going to do if I would have married Mike?”

  “I was going to go to Costa Rica and try to get you out of my head.”

  “Like you tried all these years?”

  Dakota looked at her for a second before he nodded. When he reached his hand up and cupped her cheek, she leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. “Lis, none of those women ever held a candle to you. You were the one that was always on my mind. You were the one I always wanted in my arms, and in my bed.”

  Lis opened her eyes and looked at Dakota as his hand circled around to the back of her neck. When his fingers tangled in her hair, she sighed and moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, causing him to groan softly.

  “Lis, I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered softly just before he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. When he went to pull back, she opened her mouth and her tongue made contact with his lips. He groaned again as he touched his lips to hers one more time. Her hands snaked around his neck and her fingers tangled in his hair as her tongue teased his lips.

  “Dakota, kiss me the way you’ve always wanted to,” she whispered against his lips and smiled softly when he pulled her against him.

  This time when his lips touched hers it wasn’t a gentle brushing, but an invasive assault. When his tongue brushed against her lips she opened for him and their tongues met in an erotic dance.

  His hands left her hair and trailed down her back, pulling her flush against his body as their mouths continued their assault. He let his hands continue to trail down until they rested on her hips. As he went to lift her into his arms, a knock sounded on the door.

  Reluctantly pulling apart, Lis looked into his eyes and whispered, “We will finish this later.” Dakota nodded and released her.

  As she walked to the door, he disappeared into the restroom so whomever was at the door didn’t see the tent in his jeans. When he heard Rachel’s voice, he instantly knew something was wrong and the passion he’d felt just moments before was immediately replaced with concern.

  “What’s going on?” He asked as he stepped out of the restroom.

  “James just got a call from one of his men. Morrison’s men are here. They’re in the hotel. They know you’re here, Dakota, and they know Lis is here.”

  “How the fuck did they find us?” Dakota asked quietly as he quickly snatched Lis’ suitcase off the floor and tossed her clothes inside. “Lis, gather what’s left and I’ll go grab my bag. We have to get out of here now. They may know we’re here, but there’s no way in hell they know what room we’re in.”

  Lis nodded as she and Rachel gathered what little she’d unpacked. In less than two minutes they met Dakota, James, and Tiffany in the sitting room of the suite. “Here’s what we’re going to do. Morrison’s men don’t know James and Rachel are here so they’re going to go down first. After they leave, we are waiting two minutes and going out the back. Lucas will meet us back there with the SUV and we are heading straight to the airport. Rachel, James, and the rest of her security will meet us there. David is getting the plane ready now and we will be in the air as soon as we can all get there.”

  Everyone nodded their understanding as Lis pulled Rachel into a hard hug. “I love you, sis, and I will see you in less than an hour at the plane.”

  “Love you, too, sis. Trust James and Dakota to bring us back together.”

  Lis nodded, but didn’t say anything as James opened the suite door and looked up and down the hall. “All clear. Let’s go, Rach. See you at the plane.”

  As soon as the words were out of his mouth he pulled Rachel from the room and they disappeared down the hall toward the elevators.

  “They’ll be okay, Lis,” Dakota reassured her and pulled her to his side. “And I promise to keep you safe.”

  “I know you will, but who will keep you safe?”

  “We will keep each other safe,” he told her and handed her his backup gun. “Now, let’s go.”

  Chapter Six

  As Lis and Dakota were about to enter the stairs, Morrison’s men exited the elevator and headed toward their suite. “They’re in suite 308. Remember, we are not to harm Miss Manning. Mr. Morrison wants her untouched.”

  “What if Jackson interferes?” One of the men asked.

  “Kill him,” was all the apparent leader said and Lis gasped. Dakota pressed his finger to her lips and silently opened the stairwell door. As they stepped inside they heard a knock on their suite door then a loud crashing sound as the door was kicked in.

  “Let’s go. I don’t want a shootout in the stairwell.” Dakota said quietly and gently pushed Lis ahead of him. They made their way down the three flights of stairs in record time and were out the back door and into the car in a matter of a couple of minutes. As Lucas pulled away from the curb, Morrison’s men charged out the back door of the hotel with their guns raised. Dakota pushed Lis’ head down as the first round struck the SUV.

  “Fuck!” Lucas shouted as he rounded the corner at the end of the alley. “That was too fucking close.”

  “Just get us there,” Dakota ordered and stroked his hand down Lis’ hair. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him and laid her head on his shoulder. “Where are we going to go from here? We can’t go back to Boston right now.”

  “We aren’t going back to Boston just yet. We are going to visit my parents on the Cape. They will give us a place to stay for a few days while we get some things settled.”

  “What about the organization? It’s been three days since mom and dad were killed and there is no one running it at the moment.”

  “There are plenty of your father’s men there keeping things going. All business transactions are suspended at the moment anyway because police are still all over the mansion. Everyone is laying low until we get back.”

  Lis nodded and glanced behind them. When she spotted an SUV a few cars behind them she tensed. “We’re being followed,” she whispered to Dakota and he nodded.

  “I know,” he told her and laid her head over in his lap. “Just stay down. Lucas, lose them.”

  Lucas nodded and immediately exited the freeway. As they weaved through the suburban streets the SUV that was following them was right behind them. Lucas cursed under his breath and took a sharp left on the next side street then an immediate right down another street.

  After about five minutes of constant turns and twists, they entered the freeway again and the SUV was nowhere in sight. “We lost them,” Lucas told them.

  “Good, but just in case, take an alternate route to the airport. We don’t want to lead them to everyone else,” Dakota told him as he continued to look out the back window.

  Ten minutes later they pulled into the airport with no sign of their tail and Dakota sighed with relief. As they got out of the SUV, James approached them.

  “Jessie was shot and two of Morrison’s men are dead. As we were leaving the hotel, Morrison’s men spotted us and took a shot at Rachel. Jessie pushed her out of the way. Nathan stayed with him while Tiffany and I got Rachel out of there. Morrison’s men followed us and we had a little shootout. As we were crossing a bridge I shot one of their tires out and their SUV flipped into the water. It exploded when it hit the shallow river below.”

  “You can finish telling me after we’re in the air. We shook off our tail, but they could be back at any time. I want to get out of here,” Dakota said as he grabbed the two small suitcases out of the SUV and led Lis up the steps. Once they closed the door, David started moving.

  “Shit, Dakota, we have company!” David yelled from the front of the plane.

  “Get us in the air!” Dakota shouted as he sat in the cockpit beside his twin. The two SUV’s were heading their way, but they weren’t close enough to be a problem.

  Once they were in the air, Dakota unbuckled and headed back to where Lis was sitting. “We’re safe,” he informed them all and Lis sighed in relief.

  “Dakota, why would they wa
nt Rachel dead, but me unharmed?” Lis asked.

  “I don’t know,” Dakota answered honestly. “With Rachel dead they’d have no bargaining chip to get you to do what they wanted. I think the plan all along was to kill your parents and kidnap Rachel if you didn’t marry Mike. They all know that you would do whatever it took to keep Rachel safe.”

  “So they’ve changed the game,” James observed and Dakota nodded.

  “But why? What happened to make them change their strategy?” Lis asked, but no one had an answer for that.

  “I don’t know, but we will find out,” Dakota assured her. “Now, let’s all try to get some rest. It’s been a really long day and I have a feeling things are going to get more chaotic before they calm down.”

  “We need to start planning a wake for our parents,” Rachel said and Lis nodded. “As soon as the police release their bodies we need to have it and show everyone that we are not defeated.”

  “Rach, we will. For right now though, we need to trust Dakota and James. We need to rely on them to help us. Dakota has agreed to step to the head of the organization, but we need James as the second in command. When that happens it should take the heat off of us,” Lis told her sister and Dakota nodded.

  “I agree. Once it is known that Lis isn’t taking over the business then you will both be safer. As for now, we are heading to my parents’ house in Cape Cod. From there we will work up an official announcement to make before we have your parents’ wake. That way you two can be there without worrying about someone trying to take a shot at you,” Dakota told them and James nodded.

  “As for the decision making, you will still be making them, Lis. Dakota will just be the voice that lets those decisions be known. You are head of the family, but the only ones who know that are the four of us,” James said then looked straight at Dakota. “I think we may have a leak somewhere. How else would Morrison’s men have found you?”

  “I’ve been wondering that myself,” Dakota told them then sighed. “Other than us four, there were only six people who knew where we were. They had our suite number so they knew exactly where to find us, but no one had that information except my two men.”

  “Dakota, do you really think that Lucas or Collin would do that? Lucas has been on my security for six years and Collin has been with us for three years,” Lis said and shook her head. “Shit, Collin joined just before I started seeing Mike.”

  “I know how we can find out who the mole is,” Dakota said and they all listened as he explained his plan to them.

  When he was finished Lis and Rachel nodded their agreement. “Now, let’s relax a bit before the plane lands. Once we are safe I will contact the families and let them all know that I am taking over the Manning territories,” Dakota said as he glanced at Lis.

  “Thank you,” Lis mouthed silently and Dakota grinned.

  “Anything for you,” he mouthed back and Lis smiled.

  For the first time in three days, Lis felt like things were going to be okay.

  Chapter Seven

  As the plane touched down on a private air strip, Dakota held Lis’ hand. He was so scared that something would happen to her still, but he was confident that his plan would work. Once they had the mole caught he knew she’d be safer.

  “Dakota, it’s going to work. I have faith in you and your plan,” Lis assured him as they rose from their seats. “I have faith in you as the leader of the family, too. You can do this. You can make this work.”

  “We can make this work,” he told her and she smiled. “This will work because we will be working together to make sure it does.”

  “Together,” Lis agreed as they stepped off the plane and onto a private airstrip. The sun was just starting to set and Lis knew it was going to be a long day still.

  “James, you and Rachel will go with David while Lis and I take the other car,” Dakota told them. “I’m going to talk to Collin and Lucas. They will be going in opposite directions and do not have each other’s numbers so we will soon know who is feeding information to Morrison.”

  They all nodded and Dakota walked off to talk to Collin and Lucas. When he walked back a few minutes later, he grabbed Lis’ hand and gently tugged her to the waiting car and watched as David, James, and Rachel loaded into the other car. Once they were gone he looked at Lis. “Once we get to my parents’ house I need a few minutes alone with you.”

  “I need that, too,” Lis answered and sighed. “Dakota, I need to contact Detective Ballard. He was on dad’s payroll and I need to make sure he is the one handling everything.”

  “I’ve already contacted him, Lis. He was the first person I called once you were safe. He has everything under control.”

  Lis sighed in relief as Dakota started the car and they headed toward the coast.

  Twenty minutes later, after a lot of twists and turns to make sure they weren’t followed, Dakota pulled into the driveway of his parents’ home. Nestled in a gated community on the beach, the house was a vivid shade of yellow with a pale blue trim and floor to ceiling windows facing the ocean. There was a lighted walkway to a private beach and Lis longingly looked at the water as the waves crashed upon the sand.

  “We used to come to the Cape a lot when I was a kid. My grandparents lived on the other side of the island and we’d go swimming there every summer. They died just before I turned fifteen and we never came out here after that. Dad said it was too dangerous.”

  “Lis, once this is over you are welcome to come out here any time you want. I have a small beach house just up the shore from here and you are more than welcome to use it whenever you need a break from everything.”

  “Will you be coming with me?” Lis asked quietly.

  “Definitely,” he answered and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “But for now, let’s get inside and settled. I’ll show you my little house tomorrow.”

  Lis sighed and stepped out of his embrace. “Dakota, what is happening between us?”

  “Lis, I have been enthralled by you since I saw you lying beside the pool wearing that little green bikini that matched your eyes. That was over a decade ago and nothing has changed.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. One thing has changed. I’m not just the boss’ teenage daughter any longer.”

  “No, you definitely aren’t a teenager any longer,” Dakota agreed and raked his eyes from her head to her toes. When his eyes locked back on hers she saw a fire in them that she had never seen in anyone’s eyes before. “Now, before I forget where we are, I suggest we head inside.”

  Lis nodded and grabbed his hand. “Dakota, I’m not off limits for you. You know that, right?”

  “Elisabeth,” he said in a deep, husky voice, “I know you aren’t off limits to me. I also know that if we do not go inside right now I will not be able to keep myself from taking what I have wanted all these years. Now isn’t the time and this isn’t the place for me to make you mine.”

  “What if I think it is?” Lis asked as she ran her hand down his chest.

  “Woman, you’re killing me,” Dakota responded in a gravelly voice. “Let’s get inside and I promise we will finish this soon.”

  Lis dropped her hand and nodded. She knew she was pushing his limits, but she just couldn’t seem to stop herself with him. He made her want in ways she’d never wanted before. As they walked inside, Lis watched Dakota and knew that she’d be lost if something happened to him. Maybe having him step to the head of the family was a bad idea.

  “Lis, I will be fine. Please stop worrying so much,” Dakota whispered as he guided her through the back door and into the kitchen. “Mom, dad, we’re here.”

  “Dakota, I’m glad you’re safe,” a woman’s voice said from down the hall to the right. When an older woman with short, dark hair and sapphire eyes walked into the room, Lis immediately knew it was David and Dakota’s mother.

  “Mom, I’d like for you to meet Lis Manning,” Dakota introduced Lis and Mrs. Jackson smiled.

  “Nice to meet you, Lis,
” she said and shook Lis’ hand. “David called and they will be here in just a few minutes. Why don’t I fix us all something to eat while we wait?”

  “That sounds great, Mrs. Jackson,” Lis said and smiled.

  “Please, call me Michelle,” the older woman said and Lis smiled. “John will be down in a minute.”

  “Mom, did David fill you in on what’s going on? Does dad know?” Dakota asked and Michelle nodded. “How’s he handling it?”

  “Your father knew what kind of business Richard ran, and he understood the risks Richard faced every day. He’s upset that Richard and Bianca are gone, but he’s happy that Elisabeth and Rachel are safe.”

  “There’s some things we need to discuss once David and the others get here. There are some things I need to tell you and dad,” Dakota told his mother and she nodded.

  “I know. David told me some of it over the phone, but he didn’t want to say too much,” Michelle informed them as footsteps headed their way. When a tall man with white, blond hair walked in Lis gasped.

  “I know you. You used to be head of dad’s security,” Lis said and John smiled.

  “Yes I did, but I’m surprised you remembered. I retired when you were five,” John said and Lis grinned.

  “You used to toss me in the air and pretend you weren’t going to catch me. You did the same with Rachel.”

  John nodded and grinned as the back door opened and David walked in followed by Rachel and James.

  “David, did you run into trouble?” Dakota asked as he hugged his twin.

  “No, but I drove around the island twice and passed the house a couple times before I stopped. I wanted to make sure no one was following us.”

  “Good,” Dakota told him. “Now that we’re all here, let’s sit and fill mom and dad in on what’s going on.”

  “I know what’s going on,” John said and Dakota looked at him questioningly. “Richard and Bianca were murdered and Elisabeth and Rachel are in danger. What I don’t know is what you’re going to do about it, son.”