Taken: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  Nothing was going to stop me from going.

  As the elevator opened, I braced to see Matteo’s face. There was no one I recognized as I peered out into the lobby, the crowd of comings and goings allowing me to breathe easier once again. I took quick steps into the lobby, moving toward the underground parking garage, able to see the car I’d borrowed from my parents in the distance.

  The clipping of my heels on the concrete echoed, the sound giving me goosebumps. The look on Matteo’s face when I’d drawn the large ‘X’ had been priceless, a perfect moment in my mind. No one had expected I would refuse to follow the rules. I was almost giddy as I reached the Mercedes, sliding my hand into my purse in order to find the key fob.

  The sounds of the busy traffic outside were a reminder of how much I loved the city. The lights. The people. The entertainment. I’d begged my parents when I was younger to take me into the city, hating the quiet life in the Hamptons. While Florida wasn’t nearly as exciting, it was home and I would be glad to get back to it.

  The single sound behind me made me bristle. When a strong pair of arms wrapped around me, yanking me against one hard body, a hand slapping over my mouth, fear unlike anything I’d ever known swept through me.

  “You’re coming with me. There is no choice. You belong to me. Now and forever.”

  * * *

  Rage.

  I’d known far too many instances of rage during the last day, more than ever before. I sat in the seat, the thick belt securely positioned not only in case of turbulence but as a reminder that I was to behave.

  We were on a private plane, a jet housing every creature comfort anyone could ever ask for. Leather seats. The finest in entertainment equipment. A fully stocked bar. The location was meant for a top-level executive.

  Or a man who fashioned himself to be God.

  I had no way of knowing where we were going, Matteo’s silence likely given my performance at the Capodanno office. Once again, I’d made fools of them. I thought about what little I’d learned about him, including his company.

  I’d had exactly one hour to search the internet for information regarding the Capodanno empire. The majority of business references were glowing, especially after Matteo had taken over the position as CFO. He and his brother were important in the world of land development, their projects worth billions of dollars. I’d also found plenty of older articles, mostly speculation, written by a reporter months before. Various pieces had alluded to the sect, but only heated speculation about it being anything other than a wealthy yet cult-like community.

  The article highlighting the reporter’s death had been horrific, only creating a million additional questions in my mind.

  With a few exceptions, including questions regarding several unexplained deaths over the years. My thoughts had immediately drifted back to the story my father had told me. Maybe it hadn’t been a made-up nightmare in order to keep me in line.

  There were also fans across the entire world, all reveling in the luxurious lifestyle surrounding the special group of families.

  The disgusting and very glamorous coverage on Stephanie and Christian’s wedding had turned my stomach, their representation of our community being Camelot reprehensible. There was nothing about the cult that was remotely about a fantasy, unless it was in a twisted and toxic world where evil always won.

  The reports of the FBI looking into the Capodannos did create concern, even if the business now appeared to be squeaky clean. Although Christian and his firm had been cleared of any wrongdoings, there seemed to be questions that had remained, including which politicians and other influential partners had been paid very well to keep their mouths shut.

  There had been some trouble on a few of the construction sites, buildings destroyed as well as vehicles torched. Just more speculation regarding the Capodanno power.

  My conclusion had been that they were important but very dangerous people.

  Especially if you crossed them and I’d done just that.

  They also had enemies.

  I shuddered, struggling to keep my resolve in check.

  Matteo sat in the seat opposite of me, his eyes never leaving mine. He was even more gorgeous than before, now devoid of the restrictive jacket and tie he’d worn at the great contract signing. He’d rolled up his sleeves, showing off his magnificent muscular arms, his long fingers that I envisioned brushing down the length of my body.

  I hated my thoughts, trying desperately to push them away. No matter what drifted into my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He’d taken me against my will for a serious reason and I doubted it was because I’d defied the sect. I fisted my hands, fighting the insane sexual urges, hating myself even more.

  What the hell was really going on? I had no idea what to think.

  He’d said very little after shoving me into his car, securing my wrists with actual handcuffs and driving to a private airport. The plane had taken off within minutes, destination unknown. I hadn’t bothered pleading. There’d been no point. I knew in my heart that my parents would likely be thrilled that he was taking me away, breaking me down until I agreed to sign the contract. Then the wedding would take place whether or not I remained in his bondage.

  The thought made me sick to my stomach.

  What other horrors would I have to endure?

  I turned to look out the window of the small plane, watching as fluffy clouds drifted by. My stomach churned, even though my senses remained aroused.

  By him.

  My fiancé, now my captor.

  I almost laughed. Did he really think this was going to endear me to him? He certainly didn’t know what I was made of. I realized I was chuckling when he leaned forward, close enough I could feel his heavy breathing, the scent of his musky cologne making my mouth water.

  I was actually still thinking about him in a sexual manner, an unbridled hunger keeping my nipples hard as pebbles and my pussy clenching every time he came near. The amount of shame I felt was intoxicating in itself, let alone his prowess and rugged mass sitting right in front of me.

  What had I done so wrong in my life to deserve this, to be treated like some object instead of a grown woman with needs and desires all her own? I gave him a harsh look, hoping he would go away. That was never going to happen.

  “What do you find so funny, Winter?” he asked, his seductive tone creating another wave of tingles dancing down my arms and legs.

  “Let me count the ways.”

  “I don’t think your sarcasm is going to help. Do you?”

  “Well, it makes me feel better.” I jerked forward, my lips now centimeters from his. I studied him intently as I dragged my tongue across my lips. “Did anyone tell you that you’re an asshole?”

  “Did anyone tell you that you need to have your mouth washed out with soap?” he countered.

  And that pissed me off even more.

  “You kidnapped me against my will after spanking me not once but twice. We won’t discuss the carnal activity. I don’t think that makes you boyfriend of the year.”

  “You belong to me. That has been made very clear on several occasions.”

  I couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling from my throat. “This isn’t the nineteenth century and the last time I checked, we weren’t living in Saudi Arabia. You need to take me back home or I will have you arrested.” The look on his face was pensive, his eyes locking onto mine.

  “You don’t want to threaten me, Winter. I am not a good man, not on any level.”

  “No, from what I can tell, you’re an arrogant prick who believes himself to be better than everyone else. I assure you, Matteo,” I stated with as much confidence as I could muster, “I only make promises.”

  It was as if a line had been drawn in the sand, his eyes flashing a combination of anger as well as respect. He enjoyed pushing my boundaries as much as I did his. He sat back, a smug grin crossing his face, remaining silent for a full minute.

  “Were you aware that your parents made a deal w
ith the Taglioni mafia family to give you in the hand of marriage to one of the most ruthless and brutal monsters on the East Coast?”

  I blinked several times before rolling my eyes. The Taglionis? He honestly expected me to buy that level of bullshit? He was really pulling out all the stops. Maybe I was too much for him to handle. I laughed in his face. “Why are you such a liar?”

  “I’m not lying, Winter. I only wish I were. Carmine Taglioni has something on your father. Maybe you can help me figure out what that is.”

  Damn the man and his sexy voice, the cleft in his chin that drove me wild. Even the light stubble he’d allow to grow from the day before yanked at every bit of my hunger. However, I wasn’t going to fall into this game he was playing. That’s exactly what he wanted me to do.

  “You’re not going to discredit my family in an attempt to make yourself feel better. I don’t like playing games, Matteo. In fact, I abhor them. If you want us to get along on this unplanned, sick trip of yours, I suggest you try another tactic.”

  He didn’t blink nor did he budge. My stomach churned as I stared into his gorgeous eyes, a nagging settling into the back of my mind. My parents had been so cagey, insisting I come home, as if they couldn’t handle the disappointment if I didn’t.

  Or as if their lives were at stake.

  They’d played me, knowing I’d be a good daughter and return home; however, my father would never give me away to a thug.

  What do you think Matteo is? He’s only better looking and more sophisticated.

  No, I refused to buy it.

  I looked away, trying to rationalize why Matteo would tell me something so horrible.

  “This is no game, Winter. What I told you is the truth and the reason I took you out of the state. I need to figure out what hold the Taglionis have on your father, because by breaking whatever deal there was, both you and your parents could be in danger.”

  I glared at him, hatred forming in every cell in my body. “That’s crazy.”

  “I only hope you’re right. Your act of rebellion likely made its rounds throughout the entire Hamptons. We are celebrities after all. That allows for an opening in certain... plans that are being made against our community. You are considered of high value, nothing more than a commodity. I assure you that Franco Taglioni will attempt to collect his prize. I couldn’t allow that to happen. He is a merciless man who refuses to take no for an answer. I hate to think the lengths he would go to in order to gather his possession.”

  “You mean exactly like you did? I am nothing to you but a checkmark on a rulebook, the contract we were about to enter into adding millions to your already lucrative empire once we say our glorious vows. I can only imagine after reading the various articles about you that you’ll gain another notch in standings with dignitaries and politicians. Hell, maybe you’ll get invited to the White House for lunch. Hasn’t Christian already been given that honor?”

  He was shocked at the length I’d gone to and the fact I’d checked out his background.

  Matteo sneered. “There is a huge difference. I’m not a murderer. You should be very careful of the information you deem to be correct. Things aren’t always as they seem.” He leaned forward once again, placing the tip of his index finger under my chin, the pressure enough I clenched my teeth. “Be careful about delving into the darkness. You might find the very devil himself.”

  I couldn’t breathe, my mind fuzzy but as a swarm of ugly emotions rushed into me, I did the only thing that would make me feel any better.

  The hard slap across his gorgeous face surprised him, the force enough he reeled back.

  “You asshole. Fucking asshole! I hate you! I don’t know you at all, nothing about you but I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with you. You are far worse than a murderer,” I hissed, prepared to strike him again.

  His reaction was swift, his hands grabbing my wrists and yanking me over his lap, jerking up my dress.

  I struggled in his arms, almost able to get away until he pinned one arm against my back. “I suggest you stop fighting me.”

  As his hand came down, I didn’t react at first. That’s exactly what he wanted. No way. I refused to give him any satisfaction.

  “You need to learn that I’m not your enemy, Winter. I want this to work. I want you. I care about you.”

  Matteo’s words stunned me almost as much as the harshness of the spanking, his hand moving from one side to the other in rapid succession. As the pain shifted up and down portions of my body, I began to fight him, throwing back my hands in an effort to get him to stop. Every time I wiggled, the hard throbbing of his cock added gasoline to the flaming embers. I was wet and hot, my pussy clenching then relaxing.

  A rush of adrenaline flowed through me, lights flashing in front of my eyes. I could no longer breathe as desire ripped through me. Instead of cries coming from my mouth, I moaned, instantly horrified at my body’s betrayal. No. No!

  “You’re going to learn to obey me no matter what I ask. You will follow my directions and I promise to keep you safe. No one is going to take you from me. No one.” His voice was husky, several growls following his frank words.

  With every part of my body on fire, I could no longer move or even think clearly. I was thrown into a state of bliss even as confusion continued to rip through me. “I’ll be good. I’ll be very good.” The words flew from my mouth before I could stop them. How could I say that? Why would I agree to obey a single command from this man?

  “I’m going to ravage very inch of you. Taste you. Fuck every hole.”

  The sound of his palm slicing against my skin was the only thing I could concentrate on. I was thrown into a world of disbelief, struggling to accept what was happening. He refused to stop, peppering one strike after the other.

  I hung my head as the pain morphed into pure ecstasy and I realized I was shifting my hips back and forth, rubbing against his hard cock. I could no longer fight the electricity shooting through us, the vibrations more intense than anything I’d felt with another man. No one had ever spanked me before him. The sensations were off the charts, opening up a side of me that I didn’t know existed.

  “That’s enough for now. There will be more later if necessary,” he whispered as he brushed his fingers down my spine, caressing my back before sliding his fingers down the crack of my ass. He wrapped his fingers around a portion of elastic of my thong. A mere snap of his wrist and the material tore away. Just like before. I’d never felt so exposed. “Are you wet for me, Winter? Do you long to have my cock buried deep inside your tight little channel?”

  I couldn’t breathe, could no longer think clearly. I wanted to scream obscenities at him, but the moment he rubbed the tip of his finger across my swollen folds, another moan escaped my mouth. I was sick to my stomach at the thought of wanting him, but there was no denying the way I felt or my body’s increasing hunger.

  He smacked my ass once again. “Tell me.”

  “Yes. Yes!”

  “Mmm...” Matteo slipped his fingers into my wetness and I realized I’d parted my legs, allowing him access.

  I was flushed all over, my body aching as he toyed with me, pumping his fingers in and out in a perfect rhythm.

  “So damn wet. I’m going to claim that beautiful pink pussy of yours. Then I’m going to take you in the ass.”

  His words were exciting, my inner core exploding as another round of electricity ripped through me.

  When he gathered me into his arms, cradling me and easing hair from my face, I lifted my chin. He was controlling in everything he did, cupping my face and flexing his fingers open. He breathed across me as he lowered his head, his jaw clenching. He brushed his fingers along my spine, floating them across the small of my back as I kept my hands pushed against his chest.

  The entire moment was nothing more than a sick fantasy, a twisted moment of time. The ridiculousness of sitting on a grown man’s lap totally bared, my bottom still stinging from the aftermath of a hard spanking was mind-b
lowing.

  “Who are you, Matteo?” My voice was little more than a whisper.

  As if my question mattered in the least. My dress remained bunched around my waist and as he slowly eased it over my head, I closed my eyes. This was filthy and amazing, disgusting and scintillating.

  “Look at me, my beautiful Winter.”

  This was a command that I followed, my heart racing. Maybe I wanted to see him as a wretched beast, but my instincts told me that he was an amazing man, one that had never found himself. “Who? Are you a monster that I should fear, a man with no heart or soul? Or are you some kind of a savior?”

  “I guess we’re going to find out.” His words were haunting, his eyes glazing over. He ran his fingers around my mouth before capturing my lips, the back of his hand brushing up and down the length of my arm.

  The kiss was soft and gentle, his lips warm and inviting. I palmed his chest, the heat of his skin searing my fingertips. We were combustible, our bodies overheated. As the kiss intensified, our tongues entwining, I could no longer hold back, the feel of him far too incredible.

  He was a powerful kisser, taking full control as he wrapped his hand around my hair, holding me in place.

  His actions became more savage, the kiss dominating. I was lost in the moment, stars floating in front of my eyes. He broke the kiss, nipping my lower lip and growling like a true barbarian before yanking my hair, pulling me into a deep arc.

  Everything about his behavior was different than before. Then it dawned on me. He’d accepted the offering of the Box. In his eyes, I already belonged to him.

  I whimpered as he lowered his head, dragging his tongue down the side of my neck. My skin was on fire, my pulse skyrocketing as he took his time exploring, licking down my body an inch at a time.

  I allowed myself to fall away, simply enjoying the moment as he swirled his tongue around my nipple.

  “So perfect,” he murmured, sliding his lips to my other breast, repeating the outstanding action.