Prey: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  Pierre wasn’t satisfied, dragging her off the couch. He tossed her over his shoulder, taking long strides toward the bank of doors.

  Sophia’s mind was thrown into a fog as he threw open the doors, the scent of the ocean assaulting her senses. Even the light breeze cascading across her heated skin was enough to accentuate the combination of excessive heat and the goosebumps that continued to pop, one after the other. All her senses were dancing, so alive and electrified.

  She lifted her head, trying to figure out where he was going as he stormed down the set of stairs. A pool. A glorious pool that seemed to sweep straight to the lapping ocean. Lights shimmered from under the water, dazzling in their array of colors.

  After moving onto the pool deck, he eased her onto her feet, both hands caressing her bottom. “I have many surprises in store for you.” The kiss was even more passionate, his lips crushing hers as his massive hands kneaded her ass cheeks.

  Sinful.

  Shameful.

  The words continued to play in her mind even as she swept her arms around his neck, arching her back until she was able to feel the hard press of his cock against her stomach. When he simply walked them off the edge, the shock of the cold water became the most scintillating feeling yet.

  They dropped into the deep water, waves swirling and the lights shimmering. She kept her eyes open as the passionate embrace continued, Pierre turning them in circle after circle. A full minute passed by as he thrust his tongue inside, never breaking the connection of their mouths.

  A second minute passed as he crushed her body against his, the momentum of his pull forcing them in another series of circles. Their tongues entwined, teeth gnashing together and in a split second of utter terror, the air seemed to run out.

  Pierre pushed hard against the bottom of the pool, jetting them to the surface. The second they both broke free, he tipped his head back and roared.

  She threw her legs around his hips, gyrating until his cock slipped easily inside. Everything about this moment was mind-blowing, the perfect escape from reality.

  His expression was carnal as he lowered his head, his breathing ragged. “There is nowhere you can go to escape my control.”

  Clinging to him, the erotic dance became intrinsic as he pumped in slow motion. Water splashed all around them, creating a glowing halo. There was no stopping this man.

  Her lover.

  Her dominator.

  Her enemy.

  The danger was a powerful aphrodisiac, creating a wave of electricity that consumed both of them. He held her head as he turned in another series of circles, swimming toward a breathtaking waterfall. The roar of the water matched their animalistic moans as the pull from the generated waves dragged them under the heavy stream.

  Sophia finally closed her eyes as he thrust in and out, a climax rushing from her curled toes. There was no holding back, no concept of asking for permission. She was simply lost in the extreme bliss. “Oh. Oh...” Sensing his own needs taking over, she clamped down her pussy muscles, the move shattering their last resolve. As he erupted, spewing his seed deep inside, she rested her head on his shoulder and prayed.

  That nothing would tear them apart.

  Chapter Seven

  Bloodshed. There’d been too much of it during the last month and none of it by his own hands. His brother had taken every opportunity to make his mark, accepting missions as if the assassinations mattered to no one but the extended families. In his mind, Gabriel had been far too careless, leaving a calling card a mile wide.

  But Wrath was no longer in charge of the contracts.

  The anger remained, a bitterness at the circumstances, but he’d been forced to learn patience.

  Wrath had taken a significant chance finding Ashley, especially since the consortium had halted all manners of business for a cooling-off period.

  With one exception.

  He studied the way the moonlight shimmered on her face, his balls tightening. She was his nemesis, a woman who could potentially bring down the entire kingdom. She had no idea of her level of importance, nor did she seem to care. At least he now knew her real name and it suited her. Sophia Waters. Federal Agent Sophia Waters. The irony wasn’t lost. They’d both hidden their true identities given their respective training. Good versus evil.

  He’d traced Sophia’s activities since leaving him in the dust in Monte Carlo. She’d been quite clever in her abilities to hide Stephen Wallace until leaving Monaco, but she was no longer in charge of babysitting him. The fools who were had gotten sloppy, slipping their location and allowing Wrath to find the safe house with ease. They hadn’t bothered to take the mark out of the state, which would be a huge mistake that would haunt them. From what he’d been able to determine, Stephen would remain on lockdown for another week. That was the methodology of the FBI. After that and if no other attempts had been made on the man’s life, Stephen would be set free.

  Only he’d be dead by then.

  “You have one last chance, Ricardo, or the consortium will take matters into their own hands. You are a fool if you think you can beat them at their own game. They are the masters of this. Have I taught you nothing, boy?”

  How many times had the words been repeated by his father before he’d left Italy? Far too fucking many. He’d been brought in front of the consortium, sanctioned for his failures and threatened with banishment just as his father had mentioned. He’d left the chambers issuing his own veiled threat, one driven from his own arrogance. The men hadn’t taken kindly to his behavior, sending a threat of their own.

  Destruction of his family’s wealth and stature.

  He’d placed himself in a precarious position with his anger and frustration. Only Angelo had talked him down off the ledge, convincing him to apologize to the leader. That had merely appeased the consortium, enough to sanction his trip to the United States, but only after a period of reflection as they called it.

  Their form of punishment.

  Wrath had heeded their ruling, gathering his strength and biding his time, and all he’d been able to think about was the fiery woman who’d ignited every blood cell.

  Sophia walked through the living room, studying the various pieces of art almost haphazardly hanging on the wall. “Does the house belong to you?” she asked.

  “The agent who sold it to me assured me this was a steal.” Wrath moved into the kitchen, reaching for the already opened bottle of wine, pouring two glasses. After learning of her true identity, he’d gone about hiding it. The trouble had been keeping the knowledge from the members of the group. They would have assigned another the contract to end her life without question.

  And the end would have been ugly, perhaps for Wrath himself.

  He wrapped his hands around the glasses, his grip white-knuckled. Would he die for her, a taste of a woman who was playing the same game that he was? He wasn’t entirely certain he wanted to search his soul for the answer.

  He’d managed to track her with relative ease, the connections he’d been afforded his entire life allowing him to weed through the bullshit undercover operation. The FBI had no idea how powerful the consortium truly was. In fact, they had no confirmation of the existence, although they were sniffing more than usual. Eventually, the marks in the United States would be called into action. The grandiose plan of the consortium meant elimination of several powerful leaders within the United States.

  “Why here, Pierre? I will admit, I don’t believe in coincidences.” The words had a lilt to them even though her eyes were dead serious.

  “I’m here because I have business,” he answered as he approached, amused she continued to grill him. They’d just had incredible sex and she was back to business within minutes. She stood in one of his robes, her wet hair clinging to the soft terry. In his eyes, she was more beautiful than ever.

  “What business could a police officer from Monte Carlo have in South Florida?” Turning sharply, she eyed the wine, almost as if he’d dare to poison her.

  “I
have many businesses, Ashley. I had an opportunity arise that I couldn’t pass up in the States and yes, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to try and find you. That’s not a crime.” He inched closer, crowding her space. “Or is it? Would you have preferred I hadn’t found you?”

  “I... I don’t know you, Pierre. Not really. That fact you’re here and found me so easily is terrifying.” Her statement was telling. She already gathered he knew her identity. The sweet baker with a Golden Retriever couldn’t have been pulled off.

  “I am a man with many powerful friends. I’ve never lied to you about that.” He held out the glass, determined to break her pensive mood. She could either decide to tell him her true identity or keep the fantasy going. That was her choice. He’d made the decision not to confront her. Why end the beautiful tryst at this point? That would happen soon enough, once she learned of Stephen’s contracted kill.

  There would be no way she could deny Wrath’s existence any longer. He dreaded the time but had no other choice. Neither did she.

  Sophia finally accepted the offering, still tentative as their fingers touched. A slight moan escaped her mouth, making him even hungrier. “But you’re never going to share aspects of this... business with me. Are you?”

  She’d obviously decided to forego any additional questions regarding how he’d found her. He had the distinct feeling that that wouldn’t last for long.

  “I have something for you,” Wrath said quietly.

  “A present?”

  He chuckled as he walked toward the kitchen counter, pulling the small box into his hand and fingering the lid. “I found this after we were together.”

  She inched closer, a curious look on her face. She eased the wine on the counter before taking it into her hand. As she opened the lid, he watched her expression, the way her eyes lit up seeing the locket. “Where did you find this?”

  “Near the elevator. I wasn’t certain I’d see you again, but I know this was precious to you.” He eased the necklace out of the box, moving until he was able to fasten it around her neck. “You have a very sweet buddy there.”

  “Yes, he is,” she whispered, unable to look him in the eyes. She fingered the locket, a slight smile curling across her lips, but the gesture was meant for her alone.

  So many secrets. So many lies. They would both be caught in them eventually.

  He moved out onto the deck, leaning over the railing. Still naked, he enjoyed the way the whipping wind felt against his over-sensitized skin. He scanned the shoreline, searching for any signs of visitors. The house was situated in a secluded location, away from prying eyes of neighbors, but certainly not from other members of the consortium. If they wanted him, they would find him. At least his arrival in Miami had been without fanfare.

  He could tell she was standing in the doorway, waiting for any admission of his sins. He wasn’t stupid. She might not have figured out a way to confirm his identity, but she knew in her gut who he was and what he was responsible for. This was merely a fantasy world for both of them. “What I do in my life, Ashley, is dangerous. Some would say criminal.”

  That got her attention, her feet padding onto the deck. She moved to the railing, although she kept her distance. He sensed a hint of fear in her. Well, good. He’d come to terms with the fact that every minute he spent with her, he was placing her life in jeopardy, but his obsession wasn’t bending.

  “Go on,” she said, not in a very encouraging fashion. She was ready to grill him even further.

  He shot her a look before taking a sip of his wine. He’d never been a real wine drinker until spending time with her. Then he’d devoured bottle after bottle. Merlot. Cabernet. He’d raided the wine cellar almost every night while he remained at the estate. “I work for some very bad people. They wouldn’t take kindly to me sharing anything with you. Besides, knowledge isn’t in your best interest.”

  “Are you a killer?”

  The question didn’t stun him. He’d been waiting for it since his arrival in town. Laughing, he shook his head. There were some things he wasn’t going to share in any regard. Keeping her in the dark was definitely his prerogative. “I’m an art dealer. Some would say an unscrupulous one. Have I threatened people? Absolutely. That’s a part of my job. Murder isn’t one of them.”

  She remained quiet for a few seconds. “Hmmm. O-kay. I appreciate you trusting me.”

  Tipping his head slowly, he gazed at her, drinking in the very essence of the woman he was willing to risk everything for. “I don’t trust anyone, Ashley. I can’t afford to. However, I do respect you more than anyone else who is currently in my life.” He turned his gaze back to the ocean. He heard the haunting quality in his voice and almost laughed. During the last months, he’d been forced to come to terms that he’d lived an exceptionally lonely life. The excitement of being the world’s most elusive assassin no longer held the kind of fascination that it once had.

  “That’s very sad, Pierre. Trust is vital for any relationship. You asked me to trust you several months ago and against my better judgment, I did. Was I wrong in doing so? Are you here to hurt or destroy me in any manner?”

  Wrath debated answering but nothing he said would be the truth, at least not technically. He eased his hand against her cheek, rubbing his thumb back and forth. “I adore you, Ashley, and for us, this is all about a beautiful fantasy. I will never hurt you intentionally. You have my promise.”

  Sophia shifted her eyes back and forth, her lips pursed. She finally rose onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his then whispering, “If you do, I will retaliate.”

  He burst into laughter, digging his fingers into her skin. “Somehow I believe you. That’s a deal. Now, I need for you to make me a promise.”

  “Hmmm... All right.”

  “For however long you’re here, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like, you’re not to leave this house without me. There are many dangerous people in my world who would stop at nothing to hurt you.”

  “Your work is that dangerous.”

  “I didn’t lie to you.” He knew that sooner versus later, a babysitter of sorts would be sent, watching out that he’d completed his mission. The way of the group. If her presence was detected, all hell would break loose. They would ask no questions before taking her life. Losing her would destroy him. “Does that mean you promise me?”

  “I promise.” She shivered as she glanced at the ocean. “You’re right about trust. I guess I’m in the same position. What I do know is that at some point in our lives, we have to feel secure enough to let go, confiding in at least one person. I guess neither one of us is ready.”

  “I can’t promise you anything but what we’re sharing. That’s not the kind of man I am.”

  “That much I understand.” Sighing, she turned away from him, sliding her hand on his arm as she walked inside.

  He twisted and glanced over his shoulder, issuing a low-slung growl as she untied the belt on the robe, allowing the thick material to slide to the floor. As she backed away into the shadows, he couldn’t stop the hunger from building to an insatiable level. He could never get enough of her. She’d become his absolute obsession.

  He remained on the deck for a few minutes, taking sip after sip of wine before heading into the house. A single glint of light caught his attention and he bristled, reaching for a nonexistent weapon. Hissing, he walked from one side of the deck to the other, searching once again for any sign his location had been compromised. He was close to the point of losing his edge, far too fearful that Sophia would be caught in a trap.

  He’d been a fool to find her and an even bigger fool to bring her here. As he walked inside, he realized that he’d changed. How could he protect her from an organization that had no care or concept of life?

  * * *

  “Never forget, I love you...”

  “I won’t,” Wrath muttered, a warm sensation sweeping into his body. He inhaled and the scent of her sex covered everything, filling his nostrils.
He slid his hand down his chest, murmuring as he wrapped his fingers around his cock. The words continued echoing in his mind, as if on rapid repeat. Love. Love.

  There was no such thing.

  He snapped his eyes open, taking a deep breath. Shit! He’d been dreaming. Of her. Sophia. Yawning, he stretched then wiped the sleep from his eyes, blinking several times as he glanced at the window. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, the golden hue still too bright. He shifted, turning his head. The covers had been pulled back, the other side of the bed empty.

  Jerking up, he listened for any signs of her, or anyone else for that matter. There was no noise of any kind except for the high tide slapping against the shoreline. His hackles raised, he shot out of bed, grabbing the gun secured behind the nightstand. He had several in various locations throughout the house, hidden in case his identity was compromised, not that the Feds wouldn’t turn the house upside down.

  He peeked out the window, making certain to stay out of sight. There was no one on the shore and no boats that he could see. The bathroom was empty, with no signs that she’d changed clothing. He doubted Sophia would try to walk out of there. He struggled into a pair of jeans, trying to keep his cool then continued his search. Would she simply disobey him?

  What he didn’t find was the robe, which could mean she was searching for evidence or had heard a noise. An agent of the law would certainly investigate any disturbance. As he walked through the house, checking for any signs of a break-in or other activity, his anger turned into vile rage. If the motherfucking consortium did anything to her, he would hunt every one of them down.

  He took several deep breaths as he opened the front door, carefully scanning the lush plants and trees surrounding the house.

  Nothing.

  She’d all but disappeared.

  Finding the back door cracked, he checked the clip, snapping it back into place, ready to fire. Very slowly he opened the door, stepping outside. Holding the gun in both hands, he moved to the railing, darting his head over. A wash of relief flooded through him as he caught sight of Sophia sitting on the sand, her knees to her chest and her arms crossed over.