“What the fuck are you doing, Luci?”
Salvatore holds up his hands in a pacifying gesture. “Just happened upon our guest. We had a little chat. Very nice lady, don’t you think?” He looks at me and winks.
Christian’s eyes dart between us and it’s clear he doesn't buy the bullshit. “Dessert is waiting. Sydney?” He offers me his arm and I exhale with relief, eternally grateful for his sudden appearance.
The mob boss laughs. “If you’ve won over Christian, I think we’re good.”
Nathan is on his feet, coming toward us, narrowing his eyes. He looks questioningly at Christian who gives him a barely-there nod and escorts me back to my chair.
“Crisis averted,” says Christian. Nathan whips his head around and stares at Salvatore. I feel tension rising and put a hand on his thigh.
“We were just having a conversation. Your uncle welcomed me into the family.” I meet Salvatore’s gaze head on, staring challengingly at him. I won’t let him scare me. I can’t live like that. I’ve chosen Nathan. I have to find a way to navigate these people.
Salvatore throws out his arms. “Bumped into your girl on my way to the restroom. No harm done. She’s lovely. Hold onto her.”
“Will do,” mutters Nathan and squeezes my hand.
The capo remains standing as the rest of us go back to our seats. He clinks a knife to his glass, making everyone go silent. “I’ll be brief. The gelato is melting. Sydney, dear, welcome to our famiglia.” His eyes travel from me to Nathan, and then back, pinning me with his gaze. “I like her, Nathaniel. Take good care of this woman. We can’t have her leaving. She knows too much.” He winks and my stomach churns.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Uncle!” says Nathan.
“To a long and prosperous life! May you pop many little Russos. It’s fucking overdue.” Salvatore gives Christian a pointed glare.
Christian flips him off and gets a slap on his hand from Bianca. Throwing up his hands, he then grabs his glass and raises it. “To Sydney. Welcome to our dysfunctional family.”
Everyone mumbles their agreement and I forget my resolution not to drink more alcohol.
“So, Miss Lewis, tell us about yourself.” Mrs. Russo leans a little closer.
“I come from Miami. I’m a hotel manager. Well, was. About to become again.”
“So which is it?”
“I have bought a small hotel in New Orleans that I will restore together with my friend.”
“With my son’s money?”
I feel Nathan’s full attention on our conversation. I pray that he won’t intervene. Every instinct tells me that this is my fight. If I can’t win her over on my own, I’ll never earn her respect. “No. I’ve saved up, and we’re in talks with my bank.”
“And how will you go about this? It is a risky business. Many fail.”
“I know what I’m doing, ma’am. I’ve been doing this for a long time.”
“Running hotels?”
“No, but working in them.”
“There’s a huge difference between being an employee, Miss Lewis, and owning a business.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Really now? So when did you start this… endeavor? Before or after you met my son? He is very wealthy. Is he your safety if things go down the drain?”
“Ma’am, with all due respect, I think Nathan is quite capable of making his own decisions regarding who he chooses to be with.” I meet her steely gaze head on. “And I believe I have already answered this question.”
“Not to my satisfaction, Miss.”
“Well, I guess then you’ll just have to see, won’t you? I’m not leaving his side. I love your son more than I love air, and I’m here to stay.”
She leans back and gives me a once-over as her eyes narrow. “I appreciate your frankness. You might actually fit right in. Welcome to our famiglia, Sydney.”
Inside I sag with relief, but I force myself not to show it, instead I smile. “Thank you, ma’am.” I nod toward the table. “Thank you for this opportunity to meet you. I understand you came all the way from Chicago. Also, I have to mention it before I get too plastered, this is possibly the best food I’ve ever eaten. And the wine is exquisite.”
A half-smile pulls at her lips. “My pleasure, Sydney, and my brother knows what he’s doing. He’s got all the best people on his staff.” She raises her gaze and looks across the table, at Christian and Eric. “No matter what they’re hired to do.” Mrs. Russo looks back to me, challenge in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. She’s testing me.
“I’m sure he does.”
“Nathan,” she says a little louder, making him turn. “I approve of your lady. Take care of her.”
She doesn't beat around the bush. That’s an order. I hear the rest of the sentence, and so does everybody else.
Or I’ll have your head on a plate.
The rest of the night passes without any more covert threats or hostile glances my way, and I find myself actually enjoying the company. All of these people have a magnetic pull on me, they’re exuding these larger than life personas that almost make me waver in my resolution to not live in this world. I have to keep reminding myself of what they are.
When Salvatore declares we’re done, everyone stands.
Bianca air kisses my cheeks and tells me not to be a stranger. And to breed.
Eric holds my shoulders, keeping me at an arm’s length, studying me. He doesn't say anything, then he drops his arms and moves toward the door, slapping Nathan’s back on his way out. The door opens, closes, and he’s gone.
Christian wraps me in a tight hug that instantly makes the world go black as I disappear in his arms. Weird as it may be, I know that I’m safe with him. He’ll be on my side.
“You take care of my brother,” he whispers. “He needs it more than you think.” Then he lets go.
I stumble back, dazed. “I will,” I say. “I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” He slaps Nathan’s arm, kisses Bianca on both cheeks, exchanges a gaze with Salvatore and disappears out the door.
Nathan takes my hand and I clutch it. I stare at Salvatore, still apprehensive in his demanding presence. He looks between me and Nathan.
“You go do your hotel thing, Sydney. And Nathaniel, I expect you in my office on Wednesday. We have business to discuss.”
I tense, and it’s obvious that Salvatore notices.
“I always honor an agreement, Miss Lewis. You marry your man, and we’ll all be good. Capisce?”
I hold his gaze a few beats. “All good.”
“Luci,” says Nathan. “I know you had to get it out of your system. I stood back a little tonight because you and Syd had to work this out or it’d never have worked in the long run. But you fucking behave in the presence of my fiancée. You hear me? She’s here to stay. We’ll stay out of your face, live our own lives. On Wednesday we’ll be in New Orleans, inspecting the hotel. I’ll call you on Skype.”
Salvatore’s lips tighten as the two men face off.
“Very well, nephew. Buona notte, the two of you.” He nods toward me in a farewell greeting and turns to leave. “Ivan, Sean,” he says, and gestures for the two bodyguards to open the door. They’ve been standing by the entrance for hours, unmoving. I’d even forgotten they were there.
Nathan and I stand in silence, side by side, staring at the door as it falls closed. Behind us there’s clinking of cutlery and plates as the staff hurriedly clears the table.
“You’re a bit unfortunate, babe, to be the first,” says Nathan.
I tear my eyes off the lingering ghost presence of the capo. “The first what?”
“Civilian to enter this… crowd.”
“Are there no other… I mean, women? Partners?”
“They’re not easy people to be around, Syd. I promise you we’ll stay as far away as we can, because this is not the place for you.”
“You’re giving it all up?”
“I’m not giving shit up. I
’m finally finding the life I never knew I missed. You.”
I pull him to me, forgetting about our surroundings, the weird evening, everything, as his body presses against mine and his arms engulf me. “You smooth talker,” I whisper, tilting my head back, my mouth brushing his.
“Is it working?” His voice takes on a huskier tone, sensual, seductive.
I groan. “Mm-hmm. Let’s get out of here. Let’s go home.”
“Here? Or back to New York.”
“I just need a bed and a door that locks. Tie me up, babe, spank me and fuck me until my mind goes blank. I just want to see you, feel you, be with you.”
Nathan grabs me, his arms under my knees and back, hoisting me up in his arms. “You’re on, future Mrs. Russo.”
I squeal as he kicks open the door and heads for our car with long determined steps. “Soon to be,” I gasp as I fiddle with a button on his shirt, flicking it open, finding warm, smooth skin.
Our driver jumps out of the car when he sees us and opens the back door. Nathan throws me into the back seat. As the door closes behind us, throwing us in semi-darkness, he pushes a hand up along the inside of my thigh.
“Soon to be,” he growls. “Our future begins now. You’re mine, and you’re so fucking stuck with me. You know that, right?”
I tingle everywhere he touches me, arching, gasping. “Forever yours. Not going anywhere.”
“Damn right. Now spread your legs for me.”
Obeying his command, I pull up my skirt and everything is as it should be.
His hunger is my hunger.
His need is my need too.
He’s mine just as much as I’m his.
THE END
The Russo Saga continues with ‘Ruin’.
https://books2read.com/RUIN-NM
An innocent coffee. A dazzling stranger. What can go wrong?
Anna Raymond focuses only on her work at a little custom printing company in LA. She’s become a recluse after a traumatic experience that tore her life apart. Then Eric happens, barging into her life one morning at a Starbucks. By the time night falls, she has witnessed a murder, fought for her life, and revealed secrets she meant to keep buried forever.
Eric Reed is a hired killer, well aware of his effect on women and how to use it to his advantage. He’s in LA for one thing only: Finish the contract he’s been assigned. Anna was nothing but a means to an end, but he finds himself reluctantly drawn to the enigmatic woman, a mistake that can cost him everything.
That long, cold night trapped together changes something fundamental between them. Anna must make a choice: will it be her path to happiness, or will the fervent Eric burn her to ashes?
Publisher’s Note: This extremely dark romance is intended for adults only and may contain triggers. It contains elements of danger, suspense, action, adventure, sensual scenes, power exchange and a guaranteed HEA.
‘If someone told me I could be seduced into falling in love with a stone-cold killer in a book, I would have said it could never happen. Yet this author did just that. The storyline moves forward step by step, ripping away my reservations one page at a time. Anna and Eric’s story will grab you by the throat and make you feel the fear, pain, and growing connection between two diametrically opposed individuals, both in personality and focus. This series is impossible to put down - I just have to read more!’
Amazon reviewer.
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Acknowledgments
I have so many people to thank for getting this book into the shape it finally took. This was the first work I started on, a little more than a year ago, the first book I wrote with the aim to produce a full novel, and to publish.
Firstly, I want to thank a few generous, brilliant authors for accepting me into their circle when I was still unpublished, had a ton of questions, and was new to all this: EJ Frost - my oldest friend in this business. Sophie Kisker, and Cari Silverwood. Thank you for showing me kindness and that it’s possible to follow your dreams.
Gabriela Wolek - you are my shining star! You took me under your editing wings when this book was still an over-narrated mess. You showed me how to cut it down, a ton of basic grammar rules I thought I already knew, and stuck with me, making this good enough that I dared to start look for beta readers.
Payton James - my first real critique partner. You struck down hard on the first few chapters and pointed out all the terrible redundancies. It was hard. I thought I already had it, that the book was fantastic, but when I listened and edited, it got tighter, and better.
Tiffany Chapman - you are amazingly encouraging, and fair. You made me realize I lacked that pivotal moment when everything comes crashing down.
Beta readers - who have read parts of, or the full manuscript, throughout its many shapes, thank you all!
Carly O’Donoghue - critique partner, and alpha reader.
Kathi Goldwyn - your enthusiasm, your encouraging words, your help with building my tribe.
Shakes – who exists, in a slightly less criminal version, but still as quirky, clever, and fun.
My tribe - my wonderful group of readers who have come together in my Facebook group Martin’s Misfits. You rock!
Blushing Books - all of you, thank you for your support and encouragement. Especially my editor, Sandra Havro. I love you!
Eris Adderly - this cover rocks. Your work is amazing!
Reader - thank you! What would I be without you?
Ruin
Russo Saga - Book Two
Published by Blushing Books
An Imprint of
ABCD Graphics and Design, Inc.
A Virginia Corporation
977 Seminole Trail #233
Charlottesville, VA 22901
©2019 by ABCD Graphics and Design, Inc. and Nicolina Martin
All rights reserved.
No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The trademark Blushing Books is pending in the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Nicolina Martin
Ruin
EBook ISBN: 978-1-64563-003-6
v1
Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design
This book contains fantasy themes appropriate for mature readers only. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual sexual activity.
Eric Reed and Anna Raymond.
You’ve been with me for years, poking at my mind, demanding to have your story told.
I hope I’ve done your story justice.
Chapter 1
Eric
I grab his collar and pull him to me. The man is still conscious, which is unbelievable after the pummeling I’ve given him. Tightening my free hand into a fist, I connect it with his jaw again.
“You do not steal money from Salvatore, Sam.”
My breathing is a little labored, but apart from that, I feel absolutely nothing. This pathetic excuse for a human being has outlived his use by years.
“I have kids,” he sputters, blood oozing from his mouth. “Please.”
“Every-fucking-one can procreate. They’ll be better off without you, you little weasel.”
“No! Please!”
I hit him again. His nose crunches under my fist and his head lolls to the side. Dropping him to the floor, I stand and study the now not so conscious man. I put a shoe to his shoulder and prod him. He doesn’t stir. I could beat him to death, but my knuckles hurt. I’d have liked him to be awake when I put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Seeing that last moment of realization that they are, in fact, going to die is almost better than sex. It’s not a turn-on, but the power rush is incredible. It’s the same expressio
n I saw in my father’s eyes all those years ago. It was over way too soon, and I’ve been looking for that feeling of fulfillment ever since. I’ve never found it again.
Pulling my Colt out of the holster, I aim it between his eyes and fire. His body twitches as the bullet penetrates bone and brain. I fire two more rounds to make sure to finish him off. His skull nearly caves in on itself. No coming back from that.
I put the gun away and begin looking through the papers on his desk. Crap, crap, bullshit, more crap. Nothing directing me to the money he owes my boss. The drawers are locked, and I make short work with the locks, putting a few bullets in them.
Porn. Child porn. I shudder. I wish I’d known this ten minutes ago. My thoughts dart to my sister before I carefully lock them away, and I wish I could kill him again.
I kick the desk over. It topples with a loud crash.
“Fuck!”
I throw Sam West a dark glance, take off the gloves, pocket them and pull out my phone.
“Luci.”
Luciano Salvatore. Capo of the mightiest network of organized crime on the West Coast. My boss, my mentor, my savior. I absolutely loathe the man, and I’d die for him.
“Eric. Got anything for me?”
“Nada. He was shady as fuck, and a fucking coward, but either he didn’t know shit, or he was really good at keeping secrets. No papers here. Nothing. Do I move up the chain?”
“Definitely. Let’s not go over this on the phone, though. See you at dinner tonight. Put on a suit and bring a lady friend. I’m having a little gathering. We can combine business with pleasure.”
I had planned to do absolutely nothing tonight. A double whisky and listen to some music. You don’t say no to Salvatore, though. You can try, but it’s a painful lesson in his resolve to get things done his way.
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