COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2020 by J.M. Stoneback. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons , living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Design: Jersey Girl Design
Editor: Amy Briggs
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Trigger Warning: This book has a lot of triggers and is not suitable for children. Please, read responsibly and at your own risk.
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Stalk Me
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Other Books by J.M.
Roselyn
I LEAN AGAINST THE BALCONY’S iron rail, peering down at pedestrians strolling on the wet concrete. New York City is usually alive and vibrant during the evening. The sky is hues of orange and purple and looks like the colors were thrown in the blender and tossed in the air. Hones honk from the busy street and I lift my nose to the air, inhaling. I adore and hate this city.
Sometimes, I stand out here imagining myself free from the mafia lifestyle and raised in a normal household and having a normal life.
Exhaling, I stroll to the glass door, pull the latch, enter the living room. The cold air kisses my delicate skin.
Papa stomps inside, fixing the strap on his black duffle bag. My throat feels drier than a desert and my heart ping-pongs in my chest.
Oh, shit.
Oh, shit.
He was supposed to be spending another week in Philly for a gun trade, but he’s here in the flesh. What to do? What to do? He’s going to be so pissed I didn’t go see my fiancée in Vegas so we can start prepping for our wedding in the fall.
His starling blue eyes meet mine and the corner of his mouth crinkles. “What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Vegas?” His tone is laced with annoyance.
My Papa looks young for his age, he’s well into his fifties, but looks like he’s in his early forties. My eyes trail to his strawberry blonde hair which is neatly combed to the side and a splash of freckles decorate his wide nose. He’s made of pure hard muscles which are tight in his dress shirt. Women are constantly throwing themselves at him. When I was in high school, a few of my friend’s mothers would even try to hook up with him.
“My trip was canceled earlier this morning.” I try to keep the fear out of my tone.
“Don’t lie to me. You cancelled it because you don’t want to get married. But you don’t have a choice,” he states. “This is the second engagement you tried to get out of, and you will not ruin it because you want to be disobedient.” He stalks up to me and his pupils dilate. He grabs my tiny arm, digging his nails into my skin, I’m sure it’s going to leave a scratch. Biting down on my plump lip, I try to escape from his grip.
“Stay in your room and don’t come out until I say so. I’m going to rebook your trip and you will be leaving tonight.” He ushers me to my bedroom, shoves me inside, and slams the oak door in my face. Grinding my teeth, I lie on the fluffy mattress, propping a soft pillow under my head and stare at the white ceiling fan as it rotates in slow motion.
I know better than to disobey my papa. He’s an underboss for the Vitali familiga and is known for his cruelty. Unfortunately, his cruelty didn’t stop when he came home from work. He was mean to me when I disobeyed him. He didn’t necessarily beat me like most parents do in the mafia, but he used to call me all kinds of names. Now, he takes away anything he knows I love.
I continue to stare at the ceiling for what seems like forever and Papa barges in my room.
“Your flight is rebooked and leaves in two hours. When you get there, Atrocious is going to explain everything to you. He’s going to keep you there permanently.” He grabs my purple suitcases decorated with Tokyo Ghoul stickers. Atrocious is my fiancée and the underboss of the Las Vegas territory.
“Why would I need to move right away? The wedding is four months away.” I try to keep a blank expression, but my face molds into a frown. “Papa, what’s going on?”
“No time to explain. ” He crinkles his nose, leans down, kisses my forehead.
I swallow thickly as if cotton coats my mouth and adrenaline buzzes through my bloodstream. “Are the feds after you? Or is your gambling addiction getting out of hand again?”
He shakes his head so hard I think it’s going to roll off his shoulders. “Let’s go. I need to get you to the airpo—”
The doorbell rings and Papa’s eyes widen the size of saucers. He stands still as a statue.
Papa’s soldier pops his head in the door. “Devious is here.”
“Very well. Send him to my study,” Papa tells him then turns to me. “Stay in your room and do not come out until I say so.” He turns on the balls of his expensive loafers, leaving me in the room alone.
I pace the wooden floor as anticipation eats at me. Why would the Don of our famiglia be here this time of day? I need to know why Papa wants to ship me off to my fiancé so quickly.
Tapping my fingers against my chin, I tiptoe down the hallway and stop at the cherrywood door. The smell of expensive cigar wafts in the air and heavy footsteps scrape the floor. I place my ear against the cold thick door. It’s no use, the only thing I hear is muffled voices. I can get into a lot of trouble for listening to my Papa’s business with his Don. Women are only involved with the mafia to bear children and used as business transactions. But I can’t help wondering what type of trouble Papa’s in.
The door swings open and my ass hits the marble floor. Standing up, I dust off my white dress decorated with pink flowers. One of Papa’s soldiers stares down at me.
“I wasn’t doing anything.” I lie as my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Your presence is requested by your father.” He drags me into the office, ushering me to the chair in front of Papa’s desk. Papa’s face is redder than a tomato and he rubs the back of his neck. My eyes venture to Devious, who stands next to Papa with his hand tucked in his pocket. His lustful eyes rake over my face, then my breast, then my legs. I’m used to men gawking at me as if I’m a piece of meat, but when Devious does it, a shiver chills my spine. He’s more beautiful than the Northern Lights in Iceland. His jawbone is wide and sharp like a razor blade and a few
locks of his inky hair cascade down his forehead. My God. The man can wear a suit. His navy suit is made out of fine thread and hugs his hard muscles. Shaking my head, I tear my gaze from the man everyone thinks of as a God, including myself.
“You wanted to see me?” I ask.
“Your engagement is off with Atrocious.” He clears his throat and smooths out his red tie.
I sigh in relief. “Thank you, Papa. Because I didn’t want to marry him. May I be excused?”
“No.” His shoulders slump. “You’re going to marry Devious to pay off the debt I accrued over the last three months.”
The smile on my face dissipates at his words and I glare at Devious. His face is wiped clean of emotion.
“No, Papa.” I push back my shoulders, trying to put on a brave face.
“You don’t have a choice.” He bangs his large fist against the oak desk.
I jump in my seat. “I said no. I’m not going to be used as a pawn anymore. You use me as a pawn to marry Atrocious so you can switch territories. Now, you’re trying to use me again. When I’m going t—”
Devious pulls out a gun from his holster, aims it at Papa’s forehead. “Marry me or watch your Father’s brain decorate this tacky ass wall.”
My hand trembles and my heartbeat quickens. Fear wraps around me like a cocoon. I nod my head and tears trickle down my cheeks.
Devious places his Glock back into his holster, stomps up to me, yanking me from the chair.
“Papa, please. No! No!” I try to snatch my arm away from his grip. It’s no use, he is far stronger than I am. I punch Devious in the chin and he doesn’t flinch.
“I’m going to have fun breaking you.” he says, with a wicked smile on his face. He continues dragging me out the condo building like a rag doll.
We make it out to the black SUV and his soldier opens the door. Devious pushes me into the backseat, strapping a seatbelt over my tiny frame. His large palm engulfs my neck, cutting off my airway. I dig my nails into his flesh, but he squeezes tighter.
“You put your hands on me again and I’ll snap your neck.” His tone is casual, then he lets me go.
I don’t respond.
“Am I clear? You answer either in yes, yes sir, or yes daddy.”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Good, girl.” He climbs in the seat next to me.
“Take us to the penthouse,” Devious orders.
The driver pulls off onto the black asphalt. I rest my head on the window and the building passes in a blur.
Twenty minutes later, we get out of the car and head into the private elevator, neither of us speaking to each other. But Devious’s azure eyes are on me, watching every inch of me. I feel naked and exposed even though I’m fully clothed.
The metal doors open, and we step inside the massive penthouse. I glance around at my new prison. Greek paintings hang against the white walls and a gray sectional couch is in the middle of the living room. The room is cold but elegant, like him.
Devious shrugs off his navy suit jacket and places it on the coat rack. I stand near the door and my eyes shift to the wide window wrapped around the whole penthouse.
“Follow me,” he says. He leads me to his bedroom. Our bedroom. Like the living room, everything is gray. The dressers, the bedsheets, even the drapes.
He unbuttons his expensive cufflinks, and he rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt. He folds his arms across his hard chest.
“Strip.” Devious says, crossing his right foot over the other.
He makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand.
Slowly, I remove my dress, tossing them on the polished wooden floor.
“Take off your panties and bra.”
“Why?”
If he tries to rape me, I will knee him in the balls and run for dear life.
“You’re already leaving a sour taste in my mouth so it would be wise to shut the fuck and do what I say.”
With shaking hands, I unhook my lace bra and pull down my panties. His eyes gawk at my small perky breasts then down to the valley of my vagina. Goosebumps sprout on my arm from the cold air.
He stalks up to me, and I peddle backwards until my back hits the wall. He places his hands above my head as his eyes burn holes into mine, and he bites his bottom lip. My chest tightens, and my hands catch a bad case of the tingles.
“When I fuck you, I expect to see blood.”
“I know the law, Devious. Women are supposed to remain a virgin until we’re married off.”
“Good. Because I would hate to kill someone as pretty as you.”
I gulp at his words.
He walks to the drawer, yanking a white t-shirt, tossing it at me. “Put this on and go to bed. You need to get up early and meet me at the dining room by eight.” Then he shut the door.
I throw on the clothing, climb into bed and cry myself to sleep.
Devious
I PERCH AT THE BLACK marble table in the dining room, sip my cup of joe, reading a psychological thriller, while waiting for Roselyn.
Sip.
The best way to take down your prey is by observing them. You examine them for their weakness and strength. So, when it’s time to strike, they will be caught off guard.
Last night, when Roselyn was arguing with Lex about marrying me, I watched her body movement and facial expression. I watched how her head dipped and the corner of her mouth wrinkled. Her weakness is she doesn’t know when to shut up and be obedient. Her strength is she’s prideful and has a backbone. Her backbone and pride are going to need to be broken. Fear is something I’m going to instill in her because Lex failed in the department.
Sip.
I glance down at my Rolex and it’s five after eight. Grinding my teeth, I get up from the table, straighten my red tie. This will be her first punishment for making me wait.
As I barge in the bedroom, she lies on the bed, face down, with her face buried in a thick fluffy pillow. I snatch the black blanket from her body, lean down, and yank her Winnie the Pooh pajama pants enough to expose her pretty, plump ass. My dick is engorged, making my black dress pants tighter. The tip of my head burns as it rubs against the metal zipper of my pants, so I adjust myself and continue to stare at her ass. I want to shove my dick inside her until she’s screaming my name as I slap her ivory flesh. I want to shoot warm cum all over her pussy, marking it, claiming her. Fuck, I’m going to jack off before I have a meeting with the underbosses today.
Leaning forward, I smack her ass as hard I can, and her cheeks turn a rose color.
She turns around, sits up, rubbing her flesh and her eyes widen, frowning. “Dude, what the fuck?”
“You’re late for breakfast. Do not leave me at the table waiting. Do I make myself clear?” I grit out.
“I lo—”
“Do I make myself clear?”
“I’m ju—”
I pin her head back into the pillow, smack her ass again.
“Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” she mumbles, leaping out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“You need to ask.”
“May I take a shower, sir?” she says sir sarcastically, and I fight the urge to smack her ass again. I let her go.
This rebellious behavior will not be tolerated. No wonder Lex had a problem getting her married off to other underbosses. Lex also told me she’s spoiled and acts like an entitled brat. But she won’t be once I’m done with her.
“Yes. You have thirty minutes to meet me for breakfast.”
I leave her in the bedroom and stomp to the dining room, taking my seat at the head of the table.
Thirty minutes later, Roselyn hurries to the table, pulls out the wooden chair, and sits across from me. She examines the expensive Greek statues which cost more than this penthouse and the chandelier made out of real diamonds. She avoids eye contact with me. She’s so fucking beautiful. Her wet strawberry blonde hair cascades down her back and her face is still in the stages between girl and woman, but i
t’s angelic. She looks too much like Shelby, my dead fiancée. She wears an oversize shirt with baggy jeans, trying to hide her figure from me. No matter how much she dresses like a hobo, it won’t keep me from fucking her on our wedding night.
My chef strolls in, setting a plate of breakfast food in front of Roselyn.
“Do you need anything, Mr. Cayden?” My chef asks. All my staff and employees call me by my real name while everyone else calls me by street name.
“Refill on my coffee.” I hold my grey mug up to her and she clutches it, disappearing into the kitchen. “Let’s discuss business, shall we?” I sit forward, leaning my arm against the table. “First thing first. We’re getting married two weeks from now. You’re going to lose your virginity to me on our wedding night to pay off Lex’s debt.”
“I thought by marrying you, I’m paying off his debt.” Her perfectly arch eyebrows rise.
“That’s him paying the first half, the second half is me having your blood stain my dick.”
She swallows hard. “I’m not ready to lose my virginity to you.” She takes the shiny fork and picks at her eggs.
“You don’t have a choice.” I keep a blank expression.
“No. I’m not sleeping with you.” Her voice is stern.
I chuckle. “You keep forgetting you’re my property, Roselyn. I do as I want with you.” She does not respond, but her gaze shoots daggers at me. “You are allowed to go as you please. But be home by dinner.” This me testing her, to see what she will and will not do. To see if she’s going to run away. Lex informed me she has a past habit of running away. She escaped from her ex-fiancée, Umberto, who she was engaged to for six months and she was found in Atlanta, Georgia. He didn’t want her anymore. “Your bodyguard, Max, will escort you everywhere. Do not talk to him unless you want to leave this building. Our engagement party will be next Saturday. Marla will bring you dresses and whatever you need so you can attend formal events with me.”
The clothes the maid unpacked from Roselyn suitcase are hideous. It seems my little nymph loves wearing cheap clothing.
“Roselyn. Do you understand my rules?”
Devious: A Dark Mafia Arranged Romance (A Villain Collection Book 1) Page 1