Illicit Proposition: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  With every step I took closer, her breath became more ragged. I was delighted to see her lower lip quivering. I wanted her afraid of me. Even more so, I didn’t want her to get too comfortable with any aspect of the job she’d been hired to perform. That could mean costly mistakes. However, maybe it was time she began to understand what was expected of her.

  “The crest belonging to my family is worth almost five million dollars. It is being held under a bulletproof glass in a room covered by a great deal of security, including the use of heat-tracking lasers as well as a solid two dozen cameras. The building itself is protected by at least twenty guards at a time, all of whom are heavily armed with instructions to shoot to kill. If we are lucky enough to make it past those guards, there are additional men waiting inside. A single trip of an alarm will mean instant death.” I hesitated, waiting to see her reaction. “As far as my father, he was a consummate businessman who parlayed his wealth by working with the gray area of the law. He has significant enemies, including the man who ordered his death. You’re very astute, Ms. Rapshire, in your assumptions involving my need for revenge. However, you should learn when it’s the appropriate time to ask questions and when you should keep your mouth shut. Do I make myself clear?”

  The anger had increased in my tone, something I abhorred doing, but this time I felt it was necessary.

  “Yes, perfectly clear.” She backed up several steps before turning once again, heading out the door.

  “Make no mistake, Devon. You are my employee, the price I paid also allowing me certain perks. You will do as I say. You will wear the clothing I purchase for you. You will obey my every command. And you will surrender to my every need.”

  She didn’t bother turning in my direction or making a single sound, yet when she slowly looked over her shoulder, her eyes were nothing but cold, hard steel.

  As she walked out of the room, my mouth continued to water.

  My resolve strengthened.

  I would take her again.

  Only this time, she would understand without reservation that when I selected a possession, it would always be mine.

  No matter the cost.

  Chapter 6

  Devon

  His possession.

  Santiago.

  A man I still couldn’t stand.

  Yet he truly thought he’d be able to drag me to such an incredible location in another country and tame me like some wild animal.

  The bastard had another think coming. I already regretted signing on the dotted line. How could I have been so stupid. Money wasn’t everything. My honor meant so much more. If he thought he was going to be able to break me, he had no understanding of the kind of woman I was.

  There would be no surrender of any kind.

  As far as the job I was supposed to perform, who the hell did he think I was? I didn’t have those kinds of skills. There was no way we would be successful in stealing the crest.

  Maybe that’s not what he cared about. Maybe I was a sacrificial lamb in order for him to have the opportunity to act on his revenge. Jesus. No wonder he didn’t have any issue agreeing to my renegotiated price.

  I wasn’t going to survive the heist.

  I could put two and two together. His father had been murdered by a rival mafia family. He was here to take back what was stolen from his family, the crest just the beginning.

  A cold chill shifted down my spine. How the hell could I get out of this mess? I leaned against the wall, fighting to control my breathing. The man wasn’t just dangerous.

  He was a killer.

  The wineglass suddenly felt heavy in my hand, the liquid sloshing from the fact I was shaking. Santiago continued to unnerve me, which few men ever had. He was also still intoxicatingly gorgeous, dragging my senses to the surface from the electricity we shared alone. I’d enjoying challenging him at every possible chance, although I knew he was losing his patience.

  As if I cared.

  At least I knew he had to keep me alive to perform like a seal. Maybe that would give me enough time to figure out some kind of plan.

  I took a sip of wine, staring up the winding staircase. I’d have to make my peace with staying here somehow.

  As I walked up the massive set of stairs, there wasn’t a part of me not shaking.

  Breathe. This is just dinner and nothing more.

  Maybe. I wasn’t certain of anything any longer. One day at a time. That was all I could do.

  I’d never seen such an incredible house or grounds, the view alone something the majority of people never had the opportunity to see. Yet here I was, in the lair of a dragon, the man perched and ready to consume every inch of me including my soul.

  I marveled at the works of art hanging in the hallway, the collection bold and beautiful in its depth, every one of them depicting an ocean setting. I brushed the tips of my fingers across one, the limited light in the hallway still managing to capture the nuances of every colorful building. It brought back memories of trips made with my parents outside of Madrid in what seemed like a lifetime ago.

  Exhaling, I pulled away from the painting, hating the bittersweetness of the images floating into my mind. My mother had loved living in a foreign city, constantly finding new places to explore and dragging me along whenever my time spent in school would allow.

  And I hadn’t cared about spending time with her, at least not after I’d turned thirteen. I’d been far too interested in the Spanish boys to be able to enjoy sharing an experience with my mother. What I wouldn’t give to turn back time. As with almost every other aspect of my life, I had regrets.

  Including developing a relationship with one very bad boy when we’d returned to the States. His aura of power had entranced me, his lust for life pushing my limits. He’d been the first boy I’d ever kissed, the first I’d allowed to touch me in an intimate manner.

  Then he’d demanded I share in his life of crime. Why I’d agreed remained beyond my comprehension, much like dying my hair to a horrid shade of fuchsia. My rebellion had almost cost someone their life. If my father hadn’t intervened, using all his power and influence to keep me out of prison, I had no doubt my life would be in further shambles.

  I’d done everything in my power to shove aside my past, my juvenile record sealed and impossible to trace. Yet Daniel Darke had sliced through the red tape, able to locate all my dirty little secrets in an effort to make his client happy.

  Now I would be forced to risk my freedom once again.

  For a man I couldn’t stand.

  Yet desired.

  The irony was almost too much to take.

  Every door I passed reminded me of stunning entrances to a castle, the thick wooden slats and ornate hardware straight out of another century. The double door at the end of the hallway indicated a grandiose room. I wasn’t prepared for the sight of the suite, including a four-poster canopy bed fit for a king, a gorgeous velvet comforter in royal purple covering the sheets.

  This was getting ridiculous.

  The sitting area off to the side was surrounded by a bay window, the view of the ocean even more spectacular than peering over the iron posts of the lookout or the thick stone of the entrance. There was a balcony off to the side as well as some of the most ornate carved furniture I’d only seen in glossy magazines.

  The two bags I’d brought with me seemed shabby in comparison to the ones Santiago had used and for about a million reasons, that pissed me off. I grabbed the handle of one, tossing it out the door, smiling as it tumbled against the wall. I repeated the action, taking absolute satisfaction in pretending to shove him out of my private space.

  Only it wasn’t mine on any level.

  I closed then locked the door, huffing my satisfaction. One way or the other, the bastard was going to leave me alone.

  When I walked into the bathroom, I was stunned at the size, the room larger than a good portion of my apartment. Marble in sparkling black covered the walls, the soaking tub big enough for four. Even the shower had four s
eparate heads as well as a television on one of the walls. At least I’d know what living the life of luxury was like for a short period of time.

  I resisted a giggle, trying my best to yank back my girlie reaction as I touched almost every surface in the room. A long soaking bath would be a small gift I gave to myself.

  After enduring sharing dinner with the man.

  He was insufferable, demanding as well as maintaining the arrogance I was starting to grow accustomed to. I couldn’t help but notice my reflection, the jeans I’d worn threadbare, the shirt one I’d purchased at the local thrift store. The clothing I’d brought with me was certainly not up to par for Santiago’s standards. I actually smiled at the thought.

  I reluctantly returned to the other room, staring at another set of double doors. The closet. I could only imagine the kind of clothing he’d purchased for me. When I opened and peered inside, the light automatically turning on, I wasn’t certain whether to be ecstatic or pissed off. Whoever had done the shopping certainly had style. However, everything was formal in design, including several long dresses. I dared to walk inside, shifting through one dress after another.

  Santiago had authorized a small fortune in order to dress me well. As I picked through the things, I realized they all had a recurring theme.

  Sultry and provocative.

  Whatever the hell he was planning, I was beginning to want no part of.

  I shifted to the dresser, yanking open drawer after drawer. My God. He’d even had one of his house staff purchase lingerie. I was sick inside, fighting the urge to rip them to shreds. I closed the last drawer, taking a deep breath then heading for my suitcases, tossing both on the bed. To hell with him if he thought I was going to dress up like some freaking Barbie doll. That wasn’t my style and I refused to succumb to his sick wishes.

  I tore through my clothes, finally finding exactly what I wanted—a pair of black jeans I’d owned for years and my favorite sweatshirt. This would be perfect for dinner.

  After changing, I hung out in front of the bathroom mirror, taking my time to refresh my makeup while I finished my wine. There. I looked perfectly presentable for whatever dinner had been planned.

  As I walked down the stairs, I was pleasantly surprised to hear music, the same type that was playing in the gallery, only the Spanish guitarist was performing a much more dramatic piece. Dark and dangerous.

  Just like the man who’d bought me.

  I gripped the railing when I stood on the landing, hating the nervousness that continued to build. I wasn’t used to being controlled in every manner, forced to perform like a seal. As I tried to plaster a smile on my face, I heard a flurry of activity, voices chattering in Spanish coming from all directions. How could I get used to having a large staff in the house?

  After taking and holding a deep breath, I moved into the interior of the house, moving from one room to another. In my effort to find him, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful rooms. Even more surprising was the fact that the formal entrance and great room gave way to a more comfortable interior. While the furniture remained plush, the ambiance straight out of a rich and famous magazine, the pieces were more inviting. There were even fresh flowers and entertainment systems, the majority of rooms also having the most picturesque view of the outdoors.

  “May I help you, dear?” Frances’ voice was just as pleasant as before, the Spanish accent making every syllable sound romantic.

  “I was looking for Santiago.”

  She didn’t offer a look of disdain, or any admonishment for what I was wearing. Her smile was just as delightful as the woman herself. “I believe you’ll find him on the veranda. He requested dinner to be served where you’d be allowed to have a view of the ocean.”

  I almost laughed at her belief he could care about my interests. “Um, which way?”

  Her laugh reminded me more of a kitten’s purr. “I’ll be happy to show you the way. I’m surprised the master of the house didn’t give you a grand tour. I can have that arranged for you whenever you’d like.”

  “I would enjoy that. Maybe tomorrow.” As we walked slowly, I realized I had so many questions I wanted to ask. The best way of knowing how to deal with Santiago was finding out what he was made of. “May I ask you a question?”

  “Of course, dear.”

  “You knew Santiago’s mother?”

  “Oh, yes. Lucia was truly a wonderful, loving woman. She was also a shark when it came to working with contractors. I have no idea how she managed to renovate the grand manor in three short years. She worked tirelessly night and day.”

  “Was she close with Santiago?”

  When she hesitated, I had a feeling the subject was off limits. “She was… very busy. Unfortunately, that left Santiago to get into, how do you say it in English? Mischief? Manuel was older, normally away at school, which also didn’t help.”

  I chuckled, able to see images of what she was talking about. “I can only imagine.”

  “Yes, he was a handful, so much like his father, God rest his soul.” The way she said the words was with such sadness that I could tell Frances had been close to the entire family. “Anyway, I did my best to try and keep him in line, but that was tough. At least he’s turned into a wonderful young man.”

  I didn’t want to burst her bubble in any way. “Yes, he’s very unusual.”

  She stopped just outside a set of French doors, placing her hand on my arm. “That’s why you’re in love with him, dear. He’s just through there.”

  Before I had a chance to disagree with her, she’d started walking away. There was no chance my eyes showed anything but contempt in them. As I opened the doors, they were immediately drawn to the gorgeous view. The veranda was open on three sides with stone walls and arched columns, the corners lined with tropical flowering plants. A wafting of the ocean permeated the air in the light breeze. The expansive space had two distinct seating areas, one with an incredible stone fireplace, the other more intimate. There was a large dining style table located at one end and candles lit everywhere. The music was even more pronounced, the sound adding to one of the most romantic settings I’d ever experienced.

  What a shame this wasn’t about romance or passion.

  I didn’t see him at first. When I did, I was taken aback. He’d changed into dark trousers and a white shirt, the lighter material flowing in the breeze. He was leaning against one of the columns, staring out at the ocean, a drink in one hand.

  As I walked closer, I gazed down at the lovely table setting, the red tablecloth providing another slight shiver. Maybe this was how dinner was supposed to be. I wouldn’t know, my usual setting in front of the television, trying to find solace in a drama of some kind in order to get my mind off my crazy life.

  There was a bottle of wine already open on the table, a small bar in the corner, complete with a bottle of champagne in a wine bucket. I felt even more uncomfortable in my skin.

  When he turned, his eyes managed to shimmer in the dim lighting along with the full moon rising over the ocean. I could tell the second frustration and fury slithered into his system, the look on his face hardening.

  “This is very nice,” I stated, my words stilted.

  “You were going to change for dinner.”

  “I did.”

  “Not acceptable.”

  As he always managed to do, he brought a round of anger from the depths of my being. “Why? Is there some Spanish rule book requiring formal attire? Oh, wait. I know there’s not since I lived in a very formal setting in Madrid for years. I wear what I like.”

  He exhaled in an exaggerated manner before taking a sip of his drink. Then he turned to face me, walking very slowly in my direction. When he stood only a few inches away, the scent of his cologne washed over me like a soft blanket, rushing into every pore. I was instantly lightheaded, the exotic fragrance staining my skin.

  After gazing down to the same shoes I’d worn on the plane once again, he glanced out at the ocean. “I can see I didn’
t make myself clear enough to you, Devon. While you’re in my house, you will follow my rules. One of those rules is that whether we are in this location or attending a function outside of the house, you will dress accordingly for dinner. Once you learn what that means, you will have free reign to choose whatever you’d like to wear. Until then, that selection will be made for you since you obviously have limited tastes.”

  Appalled, I backed away, shaking my head. “How dare you! I will not be told what to wear like some child.”

  When he gave me a stern look but with a twinkle in his eyes, I realized I’d had just about enough. I reacted, or perhaps overreacted, lifting my arm to smack him across his chiseled face.

  Santiago was far too quick, snapping his hand around my forearm, digging his fingers into my skin. He inched even closer, managing to slide his drink onto the table then cupping my face. His grip was just as firm, twisting my head until I was forced to look into his eyes. “You are in desperate need of discipline, little girl. I refuse to take your antics any longer. I can see I have a need to remind you on a regular basis that you belong to me.”

  There was something even darker about the way he issued the words, a harshness that seemed escalated. He lowered his head, and I was certain the man was going to kiss me. The feel of his hot breath blowing across my skin created a round of goosebumps. I couldn’t stop shaking, uncertain of what he was going to do.

  “To that end, you need harsh punishment.”

  “Leave me alone. You will never spank me again like some bad little girl.” I managed to shove both hands against his chest, but even using all the strength I could muster, I didn’t break his hold.

  However, I pissed him off even more.

  He released his hands, but in two seconds flat, he ripped the front of my shirt completely.

  “What are you doing?” I screeched, pummeling my fists against him.

  “You have two choices tonight, Devon. One. You can remove your clothes all the way down to your underwear and you will remain that way through dinner. Two. I will remove them myself, every single piece. Then I will free my belt. If that is the case, you will receive a very harsh punishment followed by standing in the corner for a full half hour while I enjoy dinner. Then I’m going to take you inside where I will wash your mouth out with soap. The choice is entirely up to you.”