Dark Crown: A Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance (Russo Royals Book 1)

by Shanna Handel

  I push away the shameful memory, focused on my revenge.

  I’m going to go after him. Pay him back for the humiliation he imposed on me. See how he likes having the tables turned. But first, I’m going to demand more responsibility at home.

  I’m finally be old enough to make my own decisions.

  Mature enough to take over the kitchen from Sophia.

  I love her like a grandmother, a mother even, as she was the one who raised me. I see how tired she grows as the days go on. I’m young, I have boundless energy, and she’s the one who’s taught me everything I know.

  Vincent—should I be calling him Dad?—wants me to be a proper princess. To keep my hands clean. To get a higher education. But I’d be riddled with anxiety if anyone claims their stake on that kitchen other than me.

  And if I’m being honest, I can’t leave this castle.

  It’s my home.

  And nothing can tear me from these walls.

  The End

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  Book 2 in Russo Royals

  Esme

  As a baby I was abandoned in front of the Russo family castle. Wrapped in a blanket and laid in a basket, my fate was set that day when Vincent Russo, king of the mafia, found me on his doorstep.

  They say I never cried. They say I reached up, wrapping my tiny fingers around his thumb. As if I knew this was meant to be. As if I knew, in my infant mind, this man would one day be my father.

  Last year, on Christmas Eve, he made our relationship legal, permanent, by officially adopting me. Making me the princess of our mafia. And nothing could have made me happier.

  But, today, on my eighteenth birthday, I find myself feeling a bit restless, unsettled. I’m pacing the stone floors of the castle, wearing lines on the red rugs with my boots.

  I need to get out of here—just for an hour. I grab my cloak, the dark one with the wide hood.

  I’m now an adult, but still under lock and key. Ever since I became his legal daughter, taking the Russo last name, Vincent’s feared for my safety. He won’t let me go anywhere alone.

  Today, for just a few hours, I want to escape the eyes of my father’s army, to leave the castle unencumbered by his guards.

  I do this from time to time…sneak out and wander the streets of the village like I used to. We live in a seaside town in the countryside, our cobblestone Main Street could be straight out of a fairytale with its charming little shops, their doors painted in cheery yellows, blue and reds. A constant, soft breeze blows in from the ocean, the salt air refreshing on your skin.

  Pulling on the cloak, I tug the hood over my hair, pulling it around my face. I head out through the kitchen. Sophia is napping in an armchair in the corner, her chin resting in her hands, her wire-rimmed glasses sitting on the top of her steel gray hair. I slide past her and sneak out the back door.

  Keeping my head down, I make my way to the gates. There’s a group of workers leaving for the day, and I join their ranks. I hear a shout, wait up, and I startle, turning to see who calls out. It’s one of the cooks, catching up with a friend. I breathe a sigh of relief. The shout was not for me.

  As I walk through the gates, a little ripple of excitement runs through me.

  I’m free.

  If only for a few hours.

  I love the castle, in fact, it was my choice to begin university online, after graduating school, not wanting to leave home for a strange place, but still, when you turn eighteen, officially a woman, you need to take a few hours to yourself.

  Right?

  I think of Vincent. His stern brow and dark eyes, that gaze of disapproval he sometimes gives me. Oh, the trouble I will be in if he finds out. I shake my head.

  There’s no way he’ll find out.

  Every so often I slip past our walls, undetected, just for the fun of it, just for the thrill.

  I’ve never, ever been caught.

  Why should today be any different?

  We reach the dusty road that leads to Main Street. I break off from the group as they head down the narrower paths to their homes. I’ll go to town, maybe grab an espresso and one of those flaky chocolate croissants the bakery is known for.

  I’m licking my lips, dreaming of a delicious pastry when I feel a tug on the hood of my cloak. The cloth falls back, my blonde hair spilling out.

  “Hey! What are you doing?” I turn my head over my shoulder to see who’s tugged my hood.

  My stomach drops into my boots as I look right into the ice blue eyes of Luca Romano—my arch nemesis since childhood. He loved to yank the end of my braids and call me Goldilocks and basket baby, among other names.

  He’s an asshole.

  And was a schoolyard bully. Now, he stands tall with broad, rounded shoulders, a full grown man. Four years my senior, I guess he is one.

  He roves those blue eyes over my body like he’s undressing me beneath my cloak. Heat rises in my cheeks. A lock of his tawny hair falls in front of his face. He tilts his chiseled chin ever so slightly to the side, bringing his eyes up to meet mine.

  “What’s Goldilocks doing out of her castle without her guards?” He reaches out, brushing his finger down my cheek. “Doesn’t her daddy know there are big hungry bears out here who would love to eat her?”

  The heat in my cheeks turns to flames as I pull away from his touch. “My father knows the bears out here are stupid and easy to outwit.”

  I go to step past him.

  He moves before me, crossing his broad chest with his arms and blocking my path. “If I had to guess, I’d say your daddy doesn’t know you’re here. I’d also say, he’d be pretty angry to find out you’re out here all alone. I think…” he takes step toward me, looming over me, “you’d be in a lot of trouble with daddy if he found out.”

  Tonight is my eighteenth birthday ball, a party I’ve been looking forward to all year. Vincent is a strict disciplinarian; he wouldn’t think twice to cancel it if he knew I’d snuck out.

  I can’t let that happen.

  I look up at Luca through my dark lashes, attempting to on the charm. His eyes are so cold, I don’t know if I even have a chance at melting that ice. I give a coy smile. “Well, he doesn’t need to know, now does he?”

  He moves closer. I force myself to stand my ground and not shrink under his stature. He slips a hand around the back of my neck, his touch making my skin tingle. He pulls my ear to his mouth, his breath tickling my skin. “I guess we could make a deal.”

  Having him so close to me, touching me, my heart races in my chest. I hold my tone as even as I can though my heart threatens to beat of my chest. “What deal?”

  He pulls back from my ear finding my gaze. His hand stays wrapped around my neck. His eyes burn into mine. “One kiss. One kiss will seal my lips and I’ll not tell your daddy what I saw here today.”

  A…kiss?

  A tremble runs through me. A kiss? With Luca? I despise him.

  I loathe him.

  And he hates me. Why on Earth would he want to…kiss me?

  And yet…

  The fate of my birthday ball hangs in the air.

  He pulls away, sliding his hand over my neck as he does, leaving a tingling trail behind on my skin. He cocks his head to the side, studying my further flushing face. “What do you say, Goldie?”

  Anger wells in my chest. Stupid nickname. Why did I have to run into Luca of all people?

  I think of my light green silk dress with full skirts hanging on the closet door of my bedroom, waiting for tonight. The cake Sophia is baking me. The caters readying the meal ri
ght this moment.

  I hate myself for it, but fine. One kiss with my arch nemesis to secure my party.

  I hiss my answer between clenched teeth. “One kiss. Though I don’t know why you’d want to kiss me anyway.”

  He gives a sneer. “Isn’t it obvious? I like making you squirm. Always have.”

  My eyes focus on his mouth. His lips are full, his teeth white and straight, his tongue a wicked tool as he runs it over his lips.

  My body betrays me—a traitor—a melty feeling overtaking my core. I’m suddenly wondering what it will feel like to kiss him.

  I find out soon enough.

  He takes my face in his hands, rough and possessive, his skin cool against my flushed face. He holds my gaze as he moves closer, the glint of a predator in his blue eyes. He presses his lips against mine, hard and punishing. His tongue pushes past my lips, swiping at me, tasting me.

  I stand there, arms at my sides, as he abuses me.

  And it feels…so…good.

  Why does it have to feel good?

  His kiss is terror and harshness, yet in it I feel exhilaration, a haunting desire building within me.

  It ends. Slowly, he releases me, his hands falling from my face.

  I stand, dumbstruck by his kiss.

  “See you, Goldie.” He gives me a devilish l wink. He turns and leaves, sauntering away with the swagger only a man as good looking as him can pull off.

  I murmur to his back. “See you. Asshole.”

  My hands are shaking as I start toward the bakery. As I walk, my anger grows.

  How dare he do that to me?

  Force me to kiss him so he wouldn’t snitch on me for sneaking out? Isn’t there some code with mafia men about keeping secrets, not ratting people out? We are rival families, the Russos and the Romanos, but still.

  What. An. Ass.

  I have to pay him back. There has to be something I can do to him in retaliation.

  My mind wanders, looking for a solution.

  With every step I become more obsessed with the idea. Could I put sugar in the gas tank of his precious little Alpha Romeo? Slip blue hair dye into his shampoo bottle?

  I find myself wanting revenge more than a croissant. The idea of getting him back gives me more of a buzz than the caffeine I was looking forward to from the foamy cappuccino I’ve been dreaming of.

  Change of plans.

  Leaving Main Street, I walk along the back alley that leads to the Romano estate. I’ll scout out the property, see if there’s somewhere I even can get in. Then, I’ll make my plan.

  When it comes into view, I’m reminded of how lovely it is—a beautiful place for a family with ugly souls. The sprawling stone compound has views of the sea as well as the mountains. Lush gardens dot the property, as well as several orchards. Built as a thirteenth century convent, its current use couldn’t be further from its original.

  It’s full of Romano thugs.

  Luca, the worst of them all with his mean ways and his sharp tongue…I think of how it caressed mine and my mind suddenly goes cloudy.

  “Snap out of it, Esme. It’s time for revenge.” I slip up the hill, pressing my body against the sand colored walls. They have fewer guards than us, and why wouldn’t they? Their family is nowhere near as powerful as ours.

  At least not in wealth.

  But they are the oldest family name in the village, the original settlers of our seaside town were Romanos. The people have not forgotten, and many are loyal to John Romano and his sons. They own a massive stretch of fertile land, farms and fields and orchards.

  Luca loves to work the land, his shirt off, the sun shining on his bare back.

  Damn him.

  I’m not sure what I’m going to do to repay him yet; my first step is just getting onto the property. I find an arched doorway further down the wall. The gate is small and creaks as I tug on the round, metal handle. It’s unlocked. I inch it open, taking in the stone, center courtyard that it leads to.

  Perfect.

  My target is in sight. Luca lies lounging in the sun, an apple in one hand, an open book in the other. His face is relaxed, a half-smile curling on his lips as he reads.

  He looks almost…human.

  He takes another bite of the apple, running his tongue along his lips, making me shamefully press my thighs together.

  What’s he reading?

  I peer further forward, trying to make out the gold lettering on the red leather spine. Romeo and Juliet.

  There’s no way a brute like him is reading a romance. My eyes must be deceiving me. I lean in further and—oh shit!—fall through the gate and onto the ground. My hands and knees press into the stones.

  Horror seizes me as I realize the danger I’ve put myself in. Slowly, I look up, to meet his furious gaze.

  “Goldie? What the hell are you doing here?” Fury radiates from him. “Spying for your daddy?”

  “No, not spying!” I stand, brushing my hands off. “I uh...I guess I got turned around. I’ll just be going now.”

  “I don’t think so.” He rises from his seat, crossing the ground to me. “Not until you tell me what you’re doing on Romano property.”

  Ack. It’s so embarrassing to admit my childish plan. A plan that I didn’t even have, not really. Shame fills me as I murmur my confession. “I—I was going to pull a prank on you.”

  His brow furrows. “A prank?”

  “Yes, it was stupid and —”

  “Damn right, it was stupid. Do you know how lucky you are that it was me who found you and not my brothers.” He runs a hand through his hair, agitated, looking around the courtyard, his muscles tensing. “I don’t even want to think what they would do to you.”

  Is that…concern in his voice? And what would they do to me? A tremor runs down my spine. “Your brothers are worse than you?”

  He grabs my arm, pulling me toward him. His eyes lock on mine, blazing with warning. “Don’t come here again. Do you understand me?”

  He’s scaring me, but I won’t let him show it. I won’t let him win. Not again. I tilt my chin in defiance. “You, Luca Romano, do not tell me what to do. I’m a Russo. Do you understand me?”

  Stormy clouds gather in his blue irises. He moves closer, his face only a bit away from mine. “Let me tell you something, little girl, Russo or not, you’ll do what I say.”

  My hands shake, but I steady my tone. “You aren’t the boss of me.”

  “Tell your ass that.” He tugs me over to the short wall that lines in the inner garden. He sits down on the wall. His hand tight around my arm, he drags me over his lap.

  “Hey! Wait! What are you doing! Let me go!” I kick my legs, trying to fight him off.

  He wraps one of his long, strong legs around mine, locking me into place. “I’m spanking some sense into you.”

  Spanking! This. Can. Not. Happen. A spanking is twice—scratch that—a hundred times more humiliating than the kiss. “My father will kill you when he hears about this!” My hands fly back, trying to push him away.

  “I have a feeling your daddy won’t hear about this, because you won’t want to tell him what you were doing.”

  Ugh—he’s right.

  He grabs my wrists pinning them to my back. “I’m only doing what your daddy should have done years ago. Maybe then you wouldn’t be putting your life at risk, snooping around where you don’t belong.”

  “Don’t you dare! I’ll scream, I’ll—”

  “No one is here in this courtyard but you and me. Everyone is down at the shore, right now, helping load a shipment for export, my guards included, which is the only way you happened to get by that gate in the first place.”

  “Let me go, Luca.” I struggle to free myself from his hold.

  “Scream your little heart out, Goldie. No one will hear you. In fact, I’ll make you scream myself.” He brings his hand down hard and fast, smacking it against my ass.

  I howl in pain and anger. “You ass!”

  “So feisty for a girl who�
��s been overpowered.” His hands move to the hem of my skirt. “Let’s pull this skirt up and see how feisty you can get.”

  No, oh my God, no. “Don’t! Luca, I swear, I’ll go home and never come back.” I can’t bear the humiliation of Luca Romano seeing my panties. My God, which ones am I even wearing? Inwardly I groan as I remember grabbing the babyish little heart covered ones from my drawer. Why couldn’t I have gone with something sexy, like black, and why the fuck do I even care…

  He flips my skirt up, cool air rushing over my skin. He gives a low moan and I feel the stirring of his cock beneath my belly. “Heart panties. You are a naughty little girl, aren’t you?” He smooths his hand over my panty-covered ass.

  His words, his hand, make a moan rise from my own chest.

  How is this happening to me? And how is the gusset of my panties so wet, my pussy aching to be touched. Will he be able to see that little wet patch, will he catch the scent of my arousal?

  My thoughts disappear as his hand comes down again and again. Right cheek, then left cheek, making the stinging warmth spread over my goose bumped flesh.

  My voice is thick, losing protest with every word. “Let me go, Luca.”

  “I can’t. Not until I teach you a lesson. Then, I’ll send you home with a sore ass. I’ll be happy just knowing you’re wearing my handprint under your dress tonight while you celebrate your birthday ball.”

  “Wait—how did you know it’s my birthday?” He’d better not have some plan to ruin it, Romanos are not invited.

  “Doesn’t everyone?” He brings his hand down in another sharp smack, making me suck air between my teeth. “You are, after all,” he punctuates each of his next words with a hearty spank, alternating from cheek to cheek, “the princess of the Russos.”

  “I’m no princess I work as hard as anyone.” My hips wriggle and I moan. The stinging increases and with it, a heavy aching in my core. I’m so wet and as I wriggle, my slick pussy moves against him in my panties, creating delicious friction.