Ruthless Prince : A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance (Dark Syndicate Book 1)

by Faith Summers

“You’re right, you don’t need to know me to know this is wrong. There must be some other way my father can pay you back. Let me go.” I’m proud of myself for the little speech, but the pride fades when a deep chuckle rumbles within the walls of his hard chest.

  “I’m the one the debt is owed. I choose how I want to be paid. I choose what I want to take.”

  “So, you picked me?” I give him an incredulous glare. “Why the hell would you pick me?”

  As soon as the words fall from my lips, I feel completely stupid. I’m my father’s heir, and I get the Balesteri family inheritance when I turn twenty-one. My inheritance alone is worth several million. That contract stipulated Massimo would get everything.

  “My dear Princesca, you really are living in the dark.” He smirks, revealing the dimple in his left cheek.

  “There must be some other way.”

  “I’m sure there is, except I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do,” he answers. My heart squeezes. It feels like a rug has been pulled from beneath me. This is the man I’m supposed to marry. While he looks like a fairytale prince, he’s not.

  My lips part, but I’m at a loss for words.

  “So… you see, it can’t be any other way, Emelia Balesteri. I marry you, and I get everything you own. You belong to me, and everything you have and will get belongs to me too.”

  “It’s wrong. You must know that.”

  “Stop it,” he orders. His smile fades. That cool, calm demeanor returns, and I realize then that this is his dangerous side.

  “Stop what?”

  “Stop trying to prey on my good side. I don’t have one. Don’t think I’m good just because I stopped your father from hurting you. I’m not.”

  I tremble now as his gaze bores into me. He’s telling me things I should know, but mostly he’s saying I have no hope.

  “Don’t you have a heart?” My voice has reverted to the weak tone it took when I first spoke as I make one final attempt to reach whatever I see in him that might resemble something human.

  “No,” he answers. “I have no heart, Princesca.”

  “This has nothing to do with me. I don’t know you.”

  “Massimo D’Agostino, age twenty-nine, soon-to-be owner of D’Agostino Inc. Last check came up clean.” He smirks, and my soul quivers. “We will be married in one month’s time. You will live here, and that is all you need to know.”

  “You think that’s enough,” I lash back.

  “It’s enough because I say so. Enough nitty-gritty. I think I’ve given you enough answers to your questions. Now, take your clothes off.”

  Chapter Four

  Emelia

  I can’t control the whimper of shock that falls from my lips.

  “No…” I choke out, shaking my head.

  “Yes. I want to get a look at what’s mine.”

  Oh my God. This is it. He’s going to rape me, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

  My survival instinct kicks in and I try to bolt past him, but one large hand clamps down on my wrist and brings me right back to where I was.

  “Please, no…” I plead.

  “Emelia, if you want to get along here, you will obey me, or life will be very difficult for you.”

  “Obey you? Who do you think you are?” I must have some death wish asking him such a question. I’m not thinking straight. Who could in this nightmare?

  “Don’t make me answer that, or repeat myself,” he hisses. “Take your clothes off.”

  My God… he’s serious. I’m going to have to do this. Obey. What will happen to me if I don’t? What is worse? To be willing and allow him to take me and do whatever he wants to me, or for him to take it violently?

  He releases me, and the hardened gaze he gives me now tells me not to push him. If I do… I don’t know what he’ll do to me.

  I can’t believe I’m even having these thoughts. His eyes become stormy, turbulent like a tempestuous sea as his gaze rakes boldly over me with lust-filled invisible fingers.

  Swallowing hard, I will myself to do this.

  With trembling hands, I move the tiny strap of my summer dress down my left shoulder, then my right. I curse myself for choosing to wear this stupid dress because it makes me look cute. It’s also very easy to take off. The dress drifts to my feet the moment I slip off the second strap.

  I’m in my bra and panties now. Those and my little ballerina pumps. That’s all I’m wearing.

  He gives me a nod, signaling for me to take those off too.

  “All of it,” he states, and his jaw tightens.

  Which should I start with? My bra or my panties? While I decide, I bend and slip off my shoes… slowly. One, then the other.

  No one has ever seen me naked. Not even this much. Nobody, not even my doctors.

  I straighten and note the amused look on his handsome face. Amused at me for taking my shoes off and the slowness in which I did it. My hands shake as I reach up to the little butterfly clasp holding my bra together, and I fumble to get it undone. It’s not actually that hard to undo. I just can’t get my hands to work. My breath catches when the clip snaps open, and I wince when the heft of my breasts spill out.

  I can’t look at him. The hot blush of humiliation that sweeps through me leaves me breathless and lightheaded. I’m frightened and ashamed. I’m terrified and angry at what I’m being forced to do.

  I take off my bra, and it drifts to the floor, joining my dress. My breasts bobble when I bend to push my panties down my legs. Once they’re down, I step out of them and steel my spine, willing myself to be strong.

  I keep my gaze ahead, staring at the white of his shirt, avoiding his eyes.

  He reaches out and lifts my chin, guiding my gaze back to his. The brush of his fingers on my skin sends a shiver through me. A shiver of sexual heat that I hate. I shouldn’t feel anything for this man. Definitely not anything sexual. No part of what he does next will be with my permission. Nothing. Nothing at all.

  He holds my gaze and releases me, but not before brushing his fingers along my neck. Then slowly, slowly he walks around me, circling me the way a predator would its prey. His eyes have a lean, hungry look that grows hungrier, greedier with each passing second.

  They touch me everywhere. My head, my chest, my stomach, right down to the smooth mound of my sex, where he lingers before his gaze flicks right back up to meet mine.

  “I can see what the talk is all about now,” he comments. I don’t know what he means. “Beautiful…” he adds. My traitorous pussy clenches with need.

  I’ve never had a man look at me the way he is. If they have, I wouldn’t have seen them because they would have been scared of my father. I’ve also never had a man call me beautiful either, for the same reason. Not even Jacob.

  “Take your hair down for me,” he adds. I pull the band from my ponytail.

  As soon as I do, my long dark locks tumble down my shoulders and gather at the small of my back.

  The desire in his eyes is a tell that he’s ready to strike. Fear lances through me like a bolt of lightning.

  He takes one step closer, and I step back. One more step, and I’m completely pressed up against the wall. I wasn’t far from it in the first place.

  He places a hand right by my shoulder, blocking me in so I can’t move. I can’t stop shaking. The terror comes from deep inside. Deep inside my soul. I can’t control it.

  Massimo lowers his head until he’s a breath away and smells my hair. Then he reaches down to touch a lock. His fingers brush over my nipples, making them hard. The contact makes arousal ripple through me, and my throat goes dry.

  Allowing the ends of my hair to curl around his thumb, he watches, fascinated. Then, when he presses his hand to the flat of my stomach, I know this is it. He’s going to strike. I just don’t know if I’ll survive it.

  “Please… not this way. I’ve never…” I wince, hoping he won’t laugh at me and make me feel worse.

  “Never… never what, Princesca?” he as
ks. His warm breath tickles my nose.

  “I’ve never… been with a man.”

  At the declaration, the devilish smile that lights up his face scares me. It’s unlike the one he gave me before. It holds an air of victory, like he just struck the jackpot.

  “Fucking hell. I definitely did well,” he breathes out and chuckles. “Are you on the pill, Princesca? I like to fuck bareback.”

  My mouth opens, but I can’t speak. I’m not used to people talking to me like that. His dirty mouth shocks me but at the same time commands a response from my body in a way I don’t like.

  “Answer me,” he pushes.

  “Yes,” I reply quickly.

  “Good girl. Make sure you take them.”

  I take the pill for my skin. When my doctor prescribed them, I never even thought about sex.

  When the seriousness returns to his face, he releases my hair and runs his thick finger over the flat plane of my stomach, never taking his eyes off me. Pressing into the wall, I try to hold myself up to keep from falling over as he traces the line from my belly up to the deep valley of my cleavage. His fingers flutter lightly over the swells of my breasts then linger on my left nipple. It pebbles at his touch. Wetness gathers deep in my core. He smiles down at me like he knows. Then it occurs to me that maybe he does.

  He knows his touch is arousing me. I gulp and fight back tears when he leans even closer and nips the lobe of my ear. It weakens me, and for a moment I give in and allow the arousal to claw through me. My breath comes out in a rasp as I try to catch it.

  His fingers return to my stomach, then down he goes. Down, down until his hand cups my sex and his fingers slide over the smooth mound of my pussy.

  I gasp when he slides a finger into my virgin passage and starts pushing in and out.

  He moves back to my ear and whispers, “Wow, your pussy is so tight. I’ve never fucked a virgin before. I’m definitely going to enjoy you. You feel so good, Princesca. I can’t wait to feel you around my cock.”

  My cheeks burn at his dirty words set to control my arousal and encourage my attraction to him. Then my throat tightens so much I think I might faint from the lack of air when he stares down at my pussy and starts pumping in and out faster.

  The smile fades from his lips, and his handsome face takes on that hard edge again, hardening as he fingerfucks me into the wall.

  Arousal hits me, making me hotter. I moan with each thrust, embarrassed and ashamed that my body is responding to him in such a way. When a jolt of pleasure rockets through me, I lose control completely.

  My hands leave the wall and grasp his shirt.

  He gives me a wide grin, and I’m shocked when he bends his head to suck my left breast. He starts sucking hard and speeds his movements inside my pussy. Suddenly, pleasure bursts through me. I try to fight it, try to hide it, try to will the sounds of ecstasy away from my lips, but I can’t.

  I come. Hard. As I come, I moan so loud I can’t believe the sound escapes between my lips. Wetness gushes from my pussy onto his fingers, and it’s only then that he stops pumping and sucking.

  Straightening up, he pulls his finger out of me and holds it up for me to see the glistening juice.

  I’m shocked further when he places it in his mouth and licks it off.

  The breath leaves me when he crouches down, pulls my hips to his face, and nuzzles his face between my thighs so he can thrust his tongue up into my passage. Arousal sparks inside my pussy again as he laps up the wetness that’s gathered between my legs.

  Shame fills me as I watch the gorgeous man who just bought me eating me out. I’m shocked and enraged at myself when my traitorous side admits that I like what he did to me.

  When he stands up, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. A lock of his jet-black hair falls over his eye.

  My gaze drops to the distinct bulge of his cock pressing against his pants, and I gulp back the fear.

  “Well, isn’t this interesting,” he taunts. “Hope you liked the taster, Princesca. Next time will be even better.”

  “Next… time?” I mutter, my voice barely audible. I don’t know if I should be relieved that it seems like he might not rape me or worry over next time.

  “Next time… I’m not that kind of monster, sweet, innocent Emelia. I’m not going to fuck you tonight,” he says, lifting my chin and gripping the edge of my neck. “I won’t take the cherry between your legs tonight. When I do, you’ll give it to me. You’ll want me to take it.”

  Fury grips my insides at his confidence. I hate that he seems so sure of himself. He doesn’t know me.

  “No, I won’t. I won’t give you anything,” I snap back. He tightens his grip on my neck.

  His smile widens, and he nods with the same surety. “Oh, you will. You know why?”

  I’m curious. “Why?”

  “Because you already want to. Fear and arousal. I can smell it, even now. I smelled it before I made you come. You wanted me at hello.” He lets me go. I sink into the wall, my lips parted. “It’s okay. I wanted you too.”

  He winks at me before he turns and walks away. I watch him as he leaves and the door clicks shut. A second later, a key rattles inside the keyhole. I’m locked in.

  It takes a moment before I realize I’m not breathing, and the smoke clears from my mind.

  This is crazy. I don’t want him. I can’t. He’s the enemy. My enemy. I can’t allow myself to be used this way.

  There’s only one thing I can do.

  Escape.

  I have to try.

  Chapter Five

  Massimo

  I can’t remember the last time I jerked off.

  It was so long ago, the memory of when it might have happened is a complete blur. And I’m pretty sure I was drunk.

  The minute I left Emelia standing against the bedroom wall, naked and beautiful, aroused again for me, I knew the only release I’d have tonight would be in my shower.

  Either that or heading to the club to pick up a whore for the night. I wouldn’t be able to do that though. I’d gone too far with the raven-haired beauty to want anybody else. I’m used to getting what I want, and what I want is her. My cock wants to be inside her tight, wet cunt.

  I lie down in my bed and rest my head on the stack of pillows. I lick my lips as I gaze up at the skylight. I still have the taste of her in my mouth. It’s a taste I savor. When that sweet nectar flowed from her pretty pussy into my mouth, all I knew was I needed more.

  Fucking hell, I’ve been fascinated since this whole idea to marry her came about. At the ball I thought she was another stuck-up princess, but this girl is far from that. There’s a fire inside her that captivates me. It makes her think she can defy me. Tell me no? I can’t recall the last time a woman uttered that word to me. The fact that it came from a powerless, defenseless being like her in her perfect nakedness is pure arousal. I can see I’m going to be quite amused in this business venture.

  Right now, I’m the happiest motherfucker. I have my enemy’s daughter, a captive in my house, and I’m on the precipice of watching Riccardo lose everything. The Syndicate is a dream you hope to happen upon. He won’t be able to rebuild, and once investors start pulling funds, his business will go under and he’ll be useless to them. Once they kick his ass out, he’ll be nothing.

  What must the princess be doing now?

  I can just imagine my beautiful virgin Princesca still pressed up against the wall, mortified at what I did to her. I’ll bet with the way Daddy Dearest runs things, what I did to her was the most she’s ever done sexually.

  I had her checked out and learned that she has a guy for a best friend. Unusual, given who her father is, even if the guy’s father works for Riccardo. Everything that man does is tactics. Everything. And I’m willing to bet that little trip to Italy she thought she was going to take was tactics too. I just don’t know in what way. I didn’t know about that until yesterday. That was one reason why we had to move fast. Riccardo kept that hushed.

  Un
beknown to the princess, my room is right next to hers. There’s a door that opens right into her room. I used it as a spare room that was never actually used, but it came in handy tonight. I had the place prepped yesterday when Pa and I decided on what we were going to do. We’d been waiting for a few more details from Dominic before we enacted our plan.

  It was him who discovered Riccardo’s secrets. My brother can find dirt on anybody. Even when they think they don’t have dirt, Dominic can find shit to use against a person. This time, he hit the motherload.

  I have a plan for my brothers if they will join me. I know my ascension to leader has caused a stir. Before I got home, I got a text from him letting me know all transactions have been complete and transferred to my name. My brothers would have been alerted too. I wonder what they all think now.

  My ownership of Emelia too might cause another stir. We were all at that fundraiser that night when Riccardo presented her to the world. I know it wouldn’t have just been me who liked her and wanted her. I just got to have her because I’m boss now.

  Now, she’s in my house, and I want to fuck her.

  I’ll wait though. I meant what I said. I’m not that kind of monster. No matter how ruthless and heartless I am, I wouldn’t force myself on a woman. I like to fuck, and my woman must want me as much as I want her. Even if we just met, that connection has to be there.

  I own a gentleman’s club, and the women I employ there are always willing to give me whatever I want. I have my pickings. I don’t have to try. The fiery beauty next door to me, however, has given me a thirst for more of her. I got my taste, and I want more. More I will have, and like I said to her, she’ll give me what I want. My cock hardens at the thought of breaking her in.

  Attraction is there in abundance. I felt that the moment our eyes locked in her father’s office. What I never expected was to be so taken with my enemy’s daughter, like the call of a siren to a poor bastard sailor who’s lost his way.

  Desire and chemistry are what sparked tonight between us.

  She felt it too. I know she did. I like that she’s fighting it. I like a challenge.