Prey: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  “Then why stay involved if you hate them so much?” she finally asked.

  “Family obligations, Sophia. I have no choice. They have no tolerance for betrayal of any kind and anyone who gets in the way of their plans will be annihilated.”

  “We all have choices. For example, you didn’t have to kill those men. You can stop right now, give yourself up and if you do, I’ll make certain you get a fair trial and are completely protected. You can’t run away from the truth, Wrath. Lies and deceit will always find you. Come with me.”

  “Interesting.” Wrath lifted his gaze, studying her intently. “Sadly, since you seem to know so much about my family and the consortium, you realize that’s not something I can do. My family won’t allow that to happen. Besides, there is no manner of protection for a man in my position.”

  The way he issued the words brought a level of sadness into her heart that she hadn’t expected. He wasn’t telling her a lie. “I’m sorry, Wrath. We all deserve to have choices in our life. I would help you if I could.”

  “My beautiful Sophia. This is why I was drawn to you, why I brought you here. This is why you will be in my life, at least for now. What you have already given me is a level of freedom I never expected.” He closed the distance once again, brushing his fingers down the length of her arm.

  “What do you want from me, Wrath? What? You act like you actually care about me and you and I both know better. You could never care about anyone but yourself.” Jerking her arm away, she almost dropped the glass. All her defiance, her months of trying to catch this monster and she was floored by her body’s reactions. Stop lying. You can’t lie any longer. You want this man. You crave this man. Hiding behind the glass, she took a sip. Even the slow burn in the back of her mouth wasn’t going to ease her fear. She’d been lying to herself for months, pretending that what they’d shared hadn’t mattered in the least.

  A blip in time.

  A light switch she could easily control.

  A nightmare she would awaken from.

  “That is where you’d be wrong, Sophia. I thought you knew me better than that.” He turned away, shaking his head.

  She watched his actions, the way his brow furrowed. He was cunning, but this was something entirely different. His life had just come to a crossroads. When he turned to look at her, there was no emotion riding his expression, merely the cold man she’d initially met. For a few seconds, she wanted the man who’d adored her to return, maybe pretending they could rekindle what they’d shared.

  That was never going to happen.

  “Very well. This is merely a matter of good business. It seems we both have something to trade. I’ll make certain that your very secret life is kept completely private and away from prying eyes, including anyone finding out about what we shared. I’ll also make certain that no one in my family or members of the consortium have any clue who you are.” Wrath swirled his drink, disappointment remaining in his eyes.

  Her anger resumed, shoving aside the wayward woman who’d forgotten all about her training and her conviction to help fight the good fight. The bastard really thought he could get away with this. “We make this crazy deal and you go scot free to kill again?”

  “No. In addition, you will be labeled a hero, capturing one of the ten most wanted criminals in this glorious country.” His eyes twinkled.

  She laughed, rolling her eyes in disgust. Then she was shaken by the concept. “You’re serious.”

  “I am not a joking man, sweet Sophia. I think that is a fair side to this delicious deal.”

  “Why the change of heart? You just told me there is nowhere to run and no place to hide.”

  “Facing reality isn’t something that I’ve been willing to accept, but I’ve grown weary of the chase. Maybe there are ways that you can provide me a new life.”

  Witness protection. The thought wasn’t a bad idea, although he’d be required to give up members of the consortium as well as his entire family.

  Shaking her head, she knew this man was cagey, would try anything to get away, but what if she could one-up him on the game? The arrest would take her very far in her career, no matter how unscrupulous her actions might become. “And what do you want in return?”

  He took a purposeful sip then two steps toward her. “Why, that should be an easy one for you to answer, my sweet.” Keeping his hand mere centimeters from her face, he eased his arm behind her head. “We’ll make it even easier. Two days. Forty-eight hours. A small portion of your life for the rest of mine.”

  As he pulled away the clip holding her long hair in place, she held her breath. Yes, she knew the answer. Sweet Jesus. He wasn’t joking. “I can’t do that again, Wrath. I just can’t.” She shuddered at the thought, her pussy clenching from the idea alone. Her desire for the man wasn’t the issue.

  Her heart breaking into millions of little pieces was.

  “This is entirely your decision, Sophia,” he stated in the most commanding manner. “You are precious to me. I never lied to you about that. I am also an honorable man, even for an assassin.”

  Damn this man. Damn this life. The man thought she was going to fall into his web, believing anything he had to say. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep from moaning. What in the hell was she supposed to do?

  “If you fuck with me in any way, you won’t have to worry about members of the consortium. I will take you out in a manner that will make you beg for your brutal friends. Do you hear me?”

  “I understand completely. Tell me what I want,” he commanded and ran his fingers through several strands of her hair. “Tell me what you’ll agree to.”

  Sophia was shaking, her blood pressure increasing but her reaction wasn’t from terror of the man, the killer standing in front of her, but from her heightened excitement. Blinding desire.

  “Tell. Me.”

  Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. And I will again.

  And again.

  And again.

  “Yes, I’ll submit to you.”

  * * *

  Wrath studied the range of emotions peppering her beautiful face. He was jazzed, his muscles full of adrenaline. Seeing her this way, vulnerable but perhaps also one of the strongest women he’d ever met was far more formidable than he ever dreamed. She was exquisite in her mannerisms, the way her hands had wrapped around the gun, so capable in her skills. His cock was hard, his heart thumping and his mouth watering to taste every inch of her.

  Was she serious or playing the same kind of game he’d perfected?

  The necklace she wore was telling in itself, the fantasy remaining in the fronts of their minds, perhaps even their hearts.

  What they’d shared before had been magical and he couldn’t deny it. He also couldn’t squelch the intense desires that had riddled every night. The deal he’d made would undoubtedly end his life, but he was prepared to face the very wrath of the consortium. All the damn soul searching he’d done in the last few days had been eye-opening.

  He wanted another life.

  He craved a family.

  He required a passion unequaled by money or power.

  All that wrapped around Sophia. And not a single man on Earth could convince him otherwise. Maybe he was a fool, but what the fuck. He was ready to take on a level of risk unlike any he had before.

  “Fine. What are you waiting for? I said I’ll submit to you.” Sophia immediately looked away, her mouth twisting.

  Her admittance was like sweet music, filling his soul with happiness. Inhaling, the lovely fragrance of her very wet pussy told him exactly how much she’d missed their time together.

  She seemed exasperated, rubbing her brow as she took deep breaths. “What now?”

  He debated the very question. Given his probationary station with the consortium, he had limited time before he was required to check in. Putting her in harm’s way would never be a consideration.

  Unfortunately, her knowledge of the Dark Haven meant she’d been asking questions. If anyone
from the consortium learned of this, they would issue a contract on her life. Keeping her close was indeed vital.

  “You are now under my control. You will do everything that I command for forty-eight full hours. I need your phone right now.” He wasn’t stupid. She’d come prepared, ready to take him out at any cost. He would deal with her car and he’d pay attention to the local law enforcement chatter. While he doubted she’d left a trail, especially given the fact she hadn’t told anyone about what had occurred in Monte Carlo, he also wasn’t a fool. She’d grown bitter, angry given the way they’d left things. Revenge was much sweeter for a woman.

  “Fine.” Glaring at him, she yanked the phone from her pocket, staring at the screen before handing it over to him.

  He chuckled as he accepted. “This will be protected for when we are ready to leave.”

  She shook her head as if disbelieving in anything he had to say. “What else? My clothes? My badge? Do you need to frisk me?”

  “Cut the sarcasm, Sophia. That doesn’t suit you.” He sipped his drink and stepped around her, gazing out at the crystalline pool, almost mesmerized by the lights. “There will be rules and yes, you will be required to follow them.”

  “Yes. And you will abide by the terms.”

  “I am a man of honor, Sophia. While you might think of me as nothing but a monster, I live by the honor that was taught to me many years ago. What I am doing is merely a job.”

  She laughed. “A job. Living in the finest homes in the richest cities. Expensive meals and liquor, women, and cars. And all you have to do is murder innocent people. I have no idea how you were able to fool me.”

  A flash of anger jetting into his system surprised him. He rubbed his eyes, tamping back his emotions. He refused to allow her to turn the tables. “First rule. We will not talk about my business or yours, but I will tell you this much and it will not be debated. What I said to you before was true. Those innocent people you speak of were horrible individuals, allowing many to die or be killed. They used their power and influence in order to rape societies, stripping away what little many people had. And because of greed. Entitlement. They are the true soulless creatures.” He was almost disgusted with opening up, telling her anything, but for some odd reason, unexplainable in any manner, he didn’t want Sophia to think badly of him.

  Sophia remained quiet then simply nodded.

  “The second rule. I will not harm you, but I will hurt you.” He moved away from the window, circling her form, his index finger tracing lines and circles across portions of her naked skin.

  “Okay.” She tried to keep her conviction even as her lower lip quivered.

  “The third rule, you will call me sir.” He grinned, seeing the way she rolled her eyes. This was a feisty woman and while she wanted nothing more than to submit, she had no understanding of what she was craving. When she didn’t answer, he tapped her twice on the butt, taking the drink out of her hand and setting both down. Things were about to get dicey. His cock was aching to the point he sucked in his breath. No woman had ever elicited this kind of reaction from him.

  She was the one. If he could have a happy ever after, it would be with her. That wasn’t a possibility, but he would enjoy every second out of her full submission.

  And on his terms.

  “Yes, sir,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Fourth and final rule. I am going to lock your gun along with my various weapons. You will not know the combination, nor is there any way of breaking the code. I will give you my word that you will be given back your weapon and I will not fight you when you arrest me.” He could sense she’d followed when he walked into the dining room, retrieving his Sig and holding it into the light. He moved to his coat, pulling the knife that had been in his possession for years.

  “Come with me.” He knew she would follow as he walked into the office, removing the Glock from the drawer.

  “Don’t you have an arsenal? Sir?”

  “Not here. I am a very careful man, Sophia. You should already know that by now.” He took long strides back into the kitchen, removing her weapon from behind his back.

  While she narrowed her eyes, debating whether he was telling the truth, she exhaled. “Fair enough. Fair enough, sir.”

  He kept her in his line of sight as he moved to one of the cabinets, opening the door and pressing a button. Removing the black case, he could tell she was gleaning every detail as he pressed in the combination, allowing the latches to snap. He turned the case around, lowering it down in order for her to see the contents.

  “Impressive.”

  “Only the best, but I have no doubt you’ve learned just as much about me as I have about you. And remember the rule.” Chuckling, he placed her gun inside, his guns and the knives second, closing and replacing the case. “Forty-eight hours and you will please me in every manner, my sweet and beautiful Sophia. Now, undress.” Wrath expected her to gasp or make certain he understood her displeasure.

  When he only heard the rustling of clothing, he tipped his head. Simply seeing the beautiful budding flower, petals unfolding in front of his eyes, he was thrown, sweat beading across his upper lip. She had a way about her that shook his entire world.

  He was prepared to risk all that he had, his entire world for two days. Hmm... Either he was losing his grip or garnering a chance at happiness. Time would tell.

  Sophia’s lower lip was quivering, and she stood with her hands at her sides, her fists clenched. A warm flush crested along her jawline, the soft blush creeping up along her cheeks. She was trembling, her breath sounds ragged.

  Wrath blinked several times as he admired her body: skin that seemed to shimmer in the overhead lighting, her copper-colored hair falling past her shoulders, almost covering her breasts. She had a strong jawline, a long neck, and chiseled shoulders that seemed to have the weight of the world on them.

  His cock ached, longing to taste her again, to feast on her sweet pussy.

  It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, able to truly admire her incredible beauty.

  Her nipples were hard, the aureoles the loveliest shade of rose, her thin waist rolling into rounded hips that managed to highlight her long legs. Everything about her professional attire was masculine, but the crimson painted toes and subtle makeup were a clear reminder of the sensual woman inside. He envisioned her with nipple piercings, even a single tattoo bearing his mark. God, what was he thinking? She could never belong to him. This wasn’t a choice for her to make.

  “What are you going to do, sir?”

  Her arrogance was endearing, at least at this point. “I’m going to give you that spanking you deserve.” Pulling out a chair, he sat down with an exaggerated thud, tapping his lap. “Come.”

  Sophia shifted from foot to foot, the expression on her face bordering contempt.

  “You long for my firm hand, Sophia, the discipline that you’ve been craving your entire adult life. The moments we shared were a reminder of the blog you wrote. Do you remember the joys?”

  As if she was ready to admit.

  She huffed, rolling her eyes. “That no longer matters. This is nothing but a business arrangement. Sir. I will never care about you. Get that through your arrogant ass.”

  By God, the woman needed harsh discipline. She was unruly and haughty, determined to try to break him. She had another think coming. “Mmm... Pity.” He tapped his lap again. “If I have to ask you anything twice, there will be a severe punishment. Do you understand me, Sophia?”

  “Yes, sir.” This time her answer was softer. She shifted closer, her eyes boring into his.

  Trust. He could tell she had no concept of the word, let alone the action. As if she would ever trust him in any manner. He took her hand into his, rubbing her fingers with the tip of his thumb. “I wish I could find the right words to say, to even be the man you need, but you are right. I have no soul.” Taking her over his lap, he rubbed his hand down her spine, resting his palm on the small of her back.


  She wiggled, uncertain of what to do with her arms.

  “Relax,” he instructed, pushing her head down. “Pain before pleasure. Consequences for actions. This is something you will learn.”

  Sophia slumped over, panting as she wiggled in his lap.

  Even the way her stomach slid back and forth across his groin was scintillating, reminding him that he was all male. He closed his eyes, counting to five before smacking her bottom, one right after the other. The sound was exquisite, a stern slapping noise that floated up to his ears.

  “Oh!” Her moan was slight, almost inaudible. She wrestled in his lap, her breathing ragged.

  “Keep still.”

  She cursed under her breath as an answer.

  He peppered her ass with several stinging spanks, keeping his rhythm even. Spanking her in this manner was so intimate, personal in a way that he could only do with her. “You will thrive with a firm hand, careful training.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “And you’ll learn respect.” A grin popped on his face. A handful. He continued the spanking, moving from one side to the other, concentrating on what he was doing.

  Flailing, she threw back her arm as she undulated on his lap.

  He yanked her hand away, holding her wrist. “Unruly.” All he could think about was his father, the lessons he’d been taught as a boy. His father had trained him and his brothers from the time they were very small that men were the dominating factor. Until his time spent with her, he’d simply taken the notion for granted.

  Crack! Slap!

  He heard the way his hand sliced against her naked ass, savoring the moans and whimpers and he was lost in a moment of raw bliss, a freeing of his soul.

  Sophia slapped her hands on the wooden floor, grinding her hips back and forth. “That hurts.”

  The friction she created was driving him utterly insane, his cock pinched to the point of anguish.

  “Yes, and the more you struggle the worse it will become.” Wrath brushed the backs of his fingers along her shoulders. Her skin was soft, like the velvet of a rose petal. Tracing her spine, he moved down to the crack of her ass, running his index finger up and down.