Taken: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  For now.

  “And you’re going to resign from the appropriations committee citing personal reasons,” Christian added.

  “Lastly, you’re going to resign as senator of our great state. I’m certain your wife will appreciate the time you will spend with her in order to mend your relationship. As far as my daughter,” Carmine half whispered, the tone dripping with dangerous innuendoes. “If you ever attempt to contact her or my grandson again, that will be your last day breathing. I hope I am very clear because I will not say this again.”

  The senator glared from one to the other, his grip on his glass shaky at best. As he took another gulp, beads of scotch dripped down his chin. The poor bastard was terrified.

  As if I gave a shit.

  “Do we have a deal, Mr. Bellows?” Christian asked, already sliding a hundred-dollar bill on the table.

  Senator Bellows polished off the remainder of his drink before answering. “Yes, but I will warn you, son, that things aren’t always as they seem. Be careful who you trust. Some of the most precious things in your life can easily be taken away from you and there is nothing that you can do about it. After all, there are sharks everywhere swimming off the beautiful Hampton beaches.”

  There was a look on his face that I hadn’t seen before. His statement wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.

  One that sent a chill down my body.

  Both Christian and I rose from the table. “It’s been nice doing business with you, gentlemen. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to plug a leak.”

  As Christian and I left the restaurant, we both knew that we were facing the true end to the sect that we’d known all our lives. It was time to move into the future, something we’d both wanted since Father McGivney’s death.

  Now Christian would be forced to play a hand. Would we ultimately regroup? I had no doubt the sect would be fine, perhaps merely living as everyone else seemed to do.

  A day at a time.

  * * *

  I’d been in the inner sanctum of the Sacred Sect only a few times, preferring not to venture behind the hallowed doors. I remembered as a kid being taken inside, the man I knew to be my father holding me on his lap as he conducted business. I’d been enthralled with the process, enamored by the powerful men in suits who’d treated my father with such respect.

  Perhaps that’s the reason I’d allowed myself to get sucked into the world of the sect, believing that what my ancestors and those of four other families had provided was decent. I knew better now. We’d altered the course of thousands of lives, but were they any better? Were the families of the community made happier by the extreme wealth and influence they wielded?

  I think both Christian and I would argue that the day of reckoning was long overdue.

  As Christian opened the door, the impromptu meeting based on the newspaper article, the face of the single Council member inside was telling.

  “Thank God, you’re here,” Bobby huffed, wringing his hands as he moved toward us.

  “Bobby. Where the hell is Frank?” Christian hissed.

  “I don’t know. He left me an odd message, something about being a disgrace to the sect.”

  Christian and I looked at each other. Learning that Frank had betrayed the sect had been difficult to hear, the man a longtime friend of our father’s during the years and the last man I would ever think would sell out the sect.

  “Goddamn it!” Christian barked. “We need to find him.”

  “What the hell is going on?” Bobby insisted.

  “Frank has betrayed all of us. He’s the one who’s been leaking information to the senator.” I thought about the senator’s last words, a cold chill shifting down my body.

  “No fucking way,” Bobby whispered. “I should have seen this coming.”

  Christian got in his face. “Whatever you know, you will come clean and there are going to be some significant changes. I’m done with this bullshit. Shut down everything that you can and do not talk to anyone about this.” He turned his attention toward me. “We have to find him before he does more damage.”

  “Don’t worry, Christian. I’ll make some calls,” Bobby suggested.

  My anger increased. The asshole wasn’t going to get away with this. By the end of the day, Frank Neves’ family would be without their patriarch.

  As we raced out of the office, a terrible foreboding shifted into my mind.

  Winter.

  “We need to find Frank.” I bolted toward the elevator, furious that I’d left Winter alone. I believed she’d be protected at my house. No one but Christian had known we were back in town.

  But there were few people I could trust.

  When Christian wasn’t right behind me, I growled. Then I noticed he was on the phone. As he fell against the wall, I took long strides in his direction.

  “What’s going on?”

  Christian lifted his head, tears in his eyes. “It’s Stephanie. She’s been taken to the hospital. She collapsed. Her heart is damaged from the illness she had as a child. The stress of the baby magnified her condition. And... And the doctor doesn’t think she’ll survive the birth.”

  The news was stunning, the horror hitting me hard. The sins of the past could never be forgotten.

  Only I refused to allow any of the innocent ones to be destroyed.

  Not because of greed or power.

  “Come on. I’ll get you to the hospital.”

  Then all hell was going to break loose.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Winter

  Pacing.

  That’s all I’d been doing the entire day. I was in a strange house that wasn’t my own waiting for the man I loved to return from finishing whatever plan he’d put into motion. I couldn’t stand the fact that he’d kept me in the dark, although I realized he believed he was protecting me.

  To hell with protection.

  I wanted normal. I wanted a real life. I wanted...

  I smiled as I thought about Matteo. He was still dark and dangerous, yet the last night we’d spent together had been incredible, the passion unbridled. I could still feel his strong arms around me, the way he licked every inch of my body. Even now, my pussy quivered with anticipation of another glorious night.

  If that was in the cards for us. I wasn’t entirely certain I knew given the insanity that was unfolding.

  Including the fact we’d decided to cancel the wedding. It was the right thing to do, especially given the threats and potential legal issues. There was no way of telling whether or not police would show up at the church. That wasn’t a memory I wanted to see on a special day. I could only imagine my mother’s reaction, but she’d get over it. I bit back a smile, my nipples aching, wishing we were still back on the little island.

  Even after the openness and joy we’d shared, by morning he’d shifted into a man on a mission, determined to right all the wrongs of the sect. If only he’d confided in me what he was planning on doing. One thing I knew for certain. He was furious, his anger threatening to consume him.

  Exhaling, I continued to pace, shifting my gaze every once in a while toward the bank of windows leading to the road, the unease eating at my stomach.

  I hated waiting. I also loathed the rules he’d laid down before he’d left.

  Keep the door locked and don’t open it to anyone.

  Don’t go outside.

  Don’t answer the phone unless you know I’m calling.

  I knew the rules were for my protection, but he couldn’t keep me cooped up without telling me what the hell was going on. I wasn’t certain how much longer I could stand this.

  Matteo’s home was exactly what I expected after seeing the bungalow on Jekyll Island, much more subdued than the mansions owned by sect members. The house was even located outside the imaginary circle that enclosed the expansive community, only steps from the beach. Everything was warm and inviting, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean providing spectacular views.

  I stood staring out t
he French doors, studying the rolling waves. There was no one in close proximity, one road leading to the house and I’d been watching it through the window almost the entire time. I couldn’t stand it any longer, the thought of a few moments of fresh air at least giving me hope that everything was going to be all right.

  Although I continued to have my doubts.

  I had to talk to my father, to hear everything from his viewpoint. My only question was whether I could manage to forgive him.

  Sadness rolled into my system, the uncertainty of the future almost too much to bear. In a few short days, everything had changed. While I knew there might be hell to pay, I opened one of the doors, remaining in the doorway. Immediately the scent of salt and sand gave me a smile, the reminder of the crazy and special time spent with Matteo.

  A smile crossed my face as I lifted my hand, gazing at the ring. The selection seemed so unlike him, or maybe the beautiful sterling silver piece was exactly like the man I’d fallen so hard for. The ring was something I would cherish for a long time.

  I leaned my head against the doorjamb, enjoying the quiet solitude much more than before. I knew this might be the only peaceful time we had. The news had been horrific, the subsequent broadcasts I’d seen on television further igniting the rumors and lies that the senator had issued. There was even a new report that he was preparing for a press conference later in the day.

  I could only imagine what he was going to say, the bullshit he’d spew about something he had no knowledge of. Would members of the sect be arrested, including Matteo? That was a distinct possibility based on what had already been spewed. Would our marriage survive? I chuckled, wondering what ugly dress my mother had picked out and if she was frantic that I’d yet to return.

  Was the sect nothing but a cult in my mind? Yes, but through Matteo’s eyes, I’d at least been able to understand why it had been developed in the first place. I took another deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and my anger.

  Everything in my life had been turned upside down. As a single tear trickled past my lashes, I allowed it to fall, finally gathering it in my fingers. I had a fractured family, lived in a crazy society, and had the man of my dreams.

  Wasn’t that what all little girls hoped for?

  Laughter bubbled to the surface, replacing the sadness. At least I could laugh at the entire situation.

  When the phone rang, I jumped, rolling my eyes as I realized what I was hearing. Seeing the number pop on the screen filled me with relief. “Matteo. I’ve been so worried.”

  “Is everything all right?” His tone was rattled, his words clipped.

  “I’m fine, why? What’s wrong?”

  “The man responsible for leaking the information is missing. Christian’s wife is in the hospital.”

  “Oh, my God. What happened? Is she all right?”

  His deep sigh was an answer. “I don’t know right now. Christian is at the hospital with her. There’s so much to tell you, to share with you. Just hang tight for me, baby. Everything is going to be all right. I have one last thing to do and we will start our new life together.”

  “What are you doing, Matteo? Don’t kill whoever is responsible. You won’t be able to live with the guilt.”

  He chuckled. “I already told you, baby. I’m not a murderer; however, I assure you that the person responsible will pay for his sins. Just follow the rules and everything will be all right.”

  As the call ended, the kind of cold that usually occurs on a winter’s day skittered into every cell and muscle, leaving me aching. I eased the phone onto the coffee table, moving back toward the door. At this point, I wanted to believe that fairytales could come true.

  I closed the door, even more anxious than before.

  Fifteen minutes passed.

  Thirty.

  Forty-five.

  I was at the point I couldn’t take the wait any longer. Something had to be wrong. Then again, if he was coming from the city, he wouldn’t be here for at least another hour. After pacing for another five minutes, I walked toward the kitchen, throwing open the refrigerator, almost laughing that there were bottles of water, two beers, mayonnaise, and an opened bottle of white wine.

  Matteo was complex, rugged, and in need of a bit of training of his own.

  I pulled out the wine, not surprised I found an entire collection of crystal glasses, all expensive and beautiful. The man lived on the outer rim of life.

  Maybe I could help him change.

  I chuckled as I walked back into the living room, determined not to worry. As if that was going to happen. I took a sip then another before freezing.

  The door was open, while only a crack, it was enough I felt the warm breeze all the way where I was standing. Without moving, I scanned the perimeter of the room, listening for any odd noises.

  There was nothing but the hint of rolling waves. Swallowing, I took tentative steps toward the door, furious with myself that I hadn’t locked it.

  “Hello, Winter. We finally meet.”

  The sound of the man’s voice was laced with danger as well as amusement. And I knew exactly who I was going to turn around and face. Franco Taglioni. I had only two options and one of them I didn’t like at all.

  “You need to leave,” I said quietly.

  “I will, but only with you on my arm. You were promised to me and you will become mine.”

  Something inside of me shifted to another plane, a moment where I’d decided to refuse to accept any additional bullshit.

  Including from a true monster.

  I turned, tossing the wine and the glass in his face, the force breaking the crystal. Everything was in slow motion as several jagged pieces sliced across his face.

  I did the only thing I could do.

  I ran.

  Bolting out the back door, I kept close to the house. If I could make it to the road, maybe I’d stand a chance.

  I finally heard Franco’s roar as he began to follow me.

  Everything was a blur, but fear kicked into adrenaline, pushing me harder. Faster. This asshole wasn’t going to take me. No fucking way.

  But he was gaining. I could feel him.

  “You aren’t going anywhere,” Franco bellowed, his voice closer.

  Too close.

  No. No!

  I bounded forward and screamed.

  “It’s okay,” Matteo hissed, yanking me against him. In his hand was a gun. “That’s far enough, Franco. You have no business being here. A deal was made with your father.”

  I glared at the man as he continued inching closer.

  “My father doesn’t have the right to make deals. I’m taking over. Whatever deal you made is null and void. And Winter is coming with me.”

  Matteo laughed. “You will never fucking touch her. I suggest you talk to your father about the deal we made. I doubt he’ll be too happy to see you’ve gone against his wishes. Just get the fuck out of here and this will end right here. If not...”

  Franco cocked his head, taking a deep breath as he lifted his weapon. “I’m afraid that’s not going to happen.”

  As Matteo shoved me away, pointing the gun at Franco’s head, another scream erupted from my mouth. “No!”

  * * *

  The door was barely closed before Matteo gathered me into his arms, cupping both sides of my face as he crushed his mouth over mine. He was a beast unchained, a man desperate to take what he wanted.

  What he owned.

  As he thrust his tongue inside my mouth, a rush of hot sparks crisscrossed every inch of my body. I was a live wire, the hunger building the point I couldn’t hold back. He was dominating and forceful, and I felt protected and loved in his arms.

  So much had occurred, the last few hours spent acquiring a sickening and yet peaceful acceptance of everything that had happened. I undulated my hips, shivering from the feel of his throbbing cock pushing hard against me. The blur that surrounded me no longer had the haze of uncertainty and fear.

  I was free of the burdens, re
ady to take on the world.

  He pushed me against the back of the door, growling through the kiss as he planted his hands on either side of my head.

  I dragged my nails down his chest, my heart thudding from the excitement. Matteo had told me about the deal with the Taglionis and while Franco’s attack had been unplanned, Matteo had allowed him to live. The reason? Family took care of its own, including aspects of discipline as necessary.

  Franco would be forced to face his father.

  As far as my father? I’d heard what had happened and while it would take me some time to understand the bad choices he’d made, he was still my father.

  Blood was thicker than water.

  Sinners and saints. My mother had told me that there couldn’t be one without the other and that if you looked inside every soul, there would be both aspects.

  Now I understood what she’d been trying to tell me.

  Matteo broke the kiss, his breathing ragged, allowing his hot breath to cascade across my skin. “You’re never going to be out of my sight again.”

  “Ever?”

  “I’m going to keep you in a cage when I’m gone.” A wry smile crossed his face as he yanked my hands in the air, intertwining our fingers.

  “What if I don’t let you go anywhere?” I asked coyly, my breath skipping, my hunger surging.

  “You forget. I’m in charge.” He lowered his head once again, dragging his tongue across the seam of my mouth. His eyes twinkling, he yanked me away from the door, tossing me over his shoulder.

  A squeal erupted from my mouth as he took long strides, heading into the kitchen. When he pulled out a hardback chair, I moaned, realizing what was about to happen.

  He eased me onto my feet, wagging his finger in front of my face then placing the tip of his index finger against my nose. “You are one very bad girl.”

  “I didn’t do a thing.”

  “Hmmm... How did Franco get into the house? Did he break in?” He was grinning as he asked the question, although I could still see the hint of concern on his face. I’d never seen him so agitated, prepared to shoot to kill.