by Piper Stone
Her whimpers matched my husky growls, the combination decadent as hell. I envisioned all the vile, filthy things I would do to her and that only fueled the adrenaline rush sweeping through my muscles. I could fuck her for hours. Sadly, I had other business to attend to before the night’s end, a message to be sent.
As she arched her back, meeting every hard plunge, I was unable to resist smacking her bottom several additional times. The heat that had built up in my loins as well as the warm blush remaining on her bottom were powerful aphrodisiacs. Even taking her now did little to decrease the hard, pulsing ache that had surfaced from the second I’d walked in the door.
The woman made me insatiable, pushing my limits of decency. As I slunk further into my savage needs, the look in her lovely eyes only minutes before remained burning in the front of my mind.
She was innocent in the war her father had become a part of. Now she was going to pay the price for betrayal, and she knew it.
I began to lose control, the starved man inside of me unable to stop his brutal actions. I slammed into her again and again, the force plunging her forward. Even her scattered moans weren’t enough to stop the beast as he took what he wanted.
What he believed was owed to him.
Within seconds, my entire body began to shake, my heart skipping several beats as my balls filled with cum. When I finally erupted deep inside of her, all I could think about was filling her womb with my seed.
An heir.
That would solidify a deal made in blood.
My entire body shuddered, a strangled roar erupting from the belly of my being as I continued pounding into her. As the last strings of cum flowed inside, a satisfied smile crossed my face.
When I was finished, I turned her over, easing her onto the bed. Then I wrapped my hand around her throat, staring into her eyes. “Make no mistake, Catherine. There is nothing that you can say or do that will alter the tragedy that occurred. My father is dead, your father one of the reasons. There isn’t enough money that could pay off a debt of betrayal. While I will never hurt you, other than for punishment, and I will destroy anyone who tries to touch you, you’ve become my possession and nothing more. You will do as I say when I tell you to. Do you understand me?”
Her eyes no longer held the terror from almost two hours before. In them was a bold and furious level of contempt. I’d yet to break even a tiny portion of her spirit. Good. I wanted her like an untamed mare, to be broken in the manner I deemed appropriate.
“I will never belong to you, Matteo. There isn’t anything you can do to me that you haven’t already done and I’m not cracking.”
“We shall see, la mia principessa.” As I captured her lips, she tried to snap her mouth shut, keeping me from tasting her sweet essence. I easily pushed my tongue inside, taking my time to sweep it back and forth against hers. The moment seemed fragile yet special, but this kiss wasn’t an incredible as the one after I carried her to our marriage bed would be.
Her moans of disgust increased, but only for a few seconds. Then as she’d done before, her body yielded to mine, our kiss becoming more passionate. While I still dominated her tongue, I allowed her to explore my mouth as I’d done to hers. I should have known the little minx would never surrender.
When she bit my tongue, a slice of pain jetting through me, I tightened my hold, digging my fingers into her lovely neck. Within a few seconds, she let go, pretending to allow her body to go limp.
I pulled back, rubbing my mouth as the taste of blood trickled down the back of my throat. Chuckling, I reached over her head, unbuckling my belt and slipping it away.
“Nice try, volpe cattiva, but there is nothing you can do that could possibly hurt me.” I moved away from her, immediately reaching for my things, cognizant of the rustling sound behind me.
“What did you call me?” Catherine asked in a demure voice.
“Naughty vixen, which suits you nicely.” I fastened my pants, taking the belt and sliding the thick leather through the loops as I turned in her direction. “We will be leaving the country in two days. That doesn’t mean I won’t consider visiting you before we go. While you are allowed to pack a few things, your wardrobe will be replaced once we arrive.”
“You mean I can’t have a huge wedding here?” she chided as she sat up, rubbing her wrists.
The sight of her full breasts increased my hunger all over again. I gave her a heated gaze before walking toward the door. “We will be getting married in the chapel where my parents were married. That should serve a good reminder of why you were sold.”
As I walked out, I heard her statement and smiled.
“To the devil himself.”
Devil.
I liked the moniker Catherine had given me. It suited the kind of man my father had groomed me into becoming. My thoughts had remained on her during the drive, but it was time to get down to business.
While the Benedetti Empire was populated mostly in European cities including with customers and well-known associates who worked with the family on certain occasions, we still had a number of loyal informants in the United States. Our father had drilled into his children that the best business practices were often those that seemed unconventional. He’d nurtured relationships in several countries, likely in his hope of expanding over the years.
Now his three sons would be forced to take over when he should have remained at the helm for a few years longer.
My rage remained, although for the most part I had it under control.
“You’re certain of the location?” I asked Gio as I turned my head in his direction. I wasn’t thrilled with this part of the city, an area known to be crime infested. Granted, the O’Sullivan mob controlled a solid thirty blocks, soldiers making certain that members paid their dues in order to stay in business without issues. That certainly made my decision to further my wrath of punishment dicey. However, I enjoyed a challenge.
“I’m certain, boss. I visited the informants myself. They wouldn’t lie for fear of retribution,” Gio said quietly. He wasn’t usually reflective but tonight he seemed entirely different than when we’d arrived.
“Do you need to say something to me, Gio?”
“No, boss.”
Sighing, I glanced out the passenger window, my thoughts returning to Catherine. The sweet taste of her remained in my mouth.
“Maybe, boss.”
“Just spill it, Gio. For God’s sake, we’ve known each other for a long time.”
He seemed even more uncomfortable as he made a turn. “Are you sure you want to do this? With the girl, I mean?”
“It’s just business and nothing more. I think it will send as much of a message to the men who orchestrated my father’s murder as what I’m about to do.”
“Maybe, but what about the girl? She doesn’t deserve all this.”
“You need to remember that family is the most important aspect of anyone’s life. What the bastards took from us was more than just revenue, potentially damaging our reputation. The assholes took something that didn’t belong to them. Retaliation must be enacted or there will be a push to end all connections to the Benedetti Corporation.”
“Why do you care about coming to the United States? Aren’t you happy in Tuscany?”
“It’s not a matter of being happy, Gio. My father outlined the future and it’s my responsibility as the new Don to ensure that happens.” I certainly wasn’t going to tell him that there remained confusion as to the real reason my father had been in the States.
Gio exhaled in an exaggerated manner as he pulled the rental car into a parking space on the street. “By the way, you’ve always seemed like the Don to me, boss.”
While I knew his words were meant to be a compliment, they still irritated that hell out of me. My father had worked very hard to grow the business, enduring significant loss. He deserved continued respect. I curtailed my anger as I climbed out of the car, studying the broken sidewalk.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, boss.”
Gio flanked my side as he buttoned his jacket.
“You didn’t. Anything special about this… bar you mentioned?”
“It’s a dive and pretty small. Nobody gives a shit about what happens behind the cinderblock walls.”
“Perfect. Less worry about bystanders. Let’s get this over with. I have an early morning.”
“Yeah, I know you do.”
Early. Formally identifying my father’s body would be difficult, especially since the body wasn’t going to be released for at least another week if not more. Depending on the investigation, or so I’d been told. I didn’t feel inclined to believe the detective put in charge.
We remained silent as we headed to the location. I knew exactly the two men I was looking for. As we walked inside, the stench of stale beer and cigarettes hit me first, the damp musty odor second. The atmosphere reminded me of a cave, very limited lighting located in only a few places. Almost no one paid us any attention given the lack of customers as well as their varied dress code. From bikers to businessmen, all walks of life seemed to be represented.
Although I’d never given a shit about blending in before.
I milled through the small area, noticing the pool tables in back. The two O’Sullivan soldiers playing a game were obviously off duty, although they continued to carry their weapons in shoulder holsters. Both Gio and I walked toward them, immediately taking our weapons into our hands. We’d achieved enough of a surprise that they weren’t able to reach for their guns before my Capo and I fired at the same time, the single bullets hitting them between the eyes.
The two men were entirely responsible for the carnage, although they’d done so under their Capo’s orders. By all rights I should hunt the fucker down, but this would do for keeping O’Sullivan on edge, uncertain of what my brothers and I would do in the future. While I doubted that the police commissioner had found the balls to tell anyone about his daughter’s upcoming nuptials because of his level of embarrassment, word would spread soon enough.
I enjoyed the thought tremendously.
I quickly turned, eyeing the others, most of which had stood immediately after the shots were taken.
“I wouldn’t do anything that you will end up regretting. This is just a warning that you can share with Mr. O’Sullivan. Don’t fuck with the Benedetti family ever again.” While I kept the gun in my hand, I headed for the door without hesitation, Gio ensuring that no one would dare take a shot. It was widely known throughout the ranks that my father had been gunned down. Whether or not they’d been warned of another Benedetti member seeking vengeance was another thing.
However, the assholes were smart enough not to attempt to follow or to try to take matters into their own hands. That was a code of sorts they followed. No one handled business of this nature without the Don himself making the call.
As we approached the car, I took a look behind me, studying the skyscrapers surrounding the area. The truth was that I’d originally had no desire to increase the business, trying my best to convince my father otherwise. Now I wanted to take over the goddamn world one city at a time.
New York City would be first.
Morgues.
I’d spent my share of time in them during the course of business, although none of the visits had been personal in nature. The thought of being forced to see the extent of damage that had been done to my father had kept me from sleeping the night before. All I could think about was whether my father had had any inkling that something might go wrong.
He’d never been a cautious man, more cavalier than anything with regards to his safety, something my mother had complained about on several occasions. But to think that he’d suspected something would go awry and didn’t ask one of his sons to provide another level of protection continued to burn deep within. Roberto Benedetti had never been a naïve man under any circumstances.
That meant he’d been promised business and had been purposely lured to the United States. Still, he’d been to New York on several occasions, none of the times endangering his life. Something had changed drastically.
I’d left Gio in the car, preferring to handle this alone. While I wasn’t emotional, at least with regards to sadness, I wasn’t certain how I’d react. As I walked inside, the cold chill coursing through me pissed me off even more. Greed and power were the reasons I’d been forced into this situation.
Almost immediately I was approached and by the look of the guy, I knew he was the detective who’d been assigned to the case. Although he’d done his best to make his appearance similar to common folks on the street, he had a smell like all members of law enforcement did.
Repulsive.
“Mr. Benedetti.”
“Yes, I’m Matteo Benedetti. And you are?” I cocked my head, forcing him to lock eyes with mine. He didn’t like me any more than I liked him.
“Detective O’Hara. I was assigned to your father’s case.”
“And what do you know, Detective?”
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any additional evidence than when you and I spoke on the phone last.”
I laughed and slipped my hands into my pockets as I inched closer. “You and I know exactly who is responsible. I knew that the second I was shown the video of the restaurant.”
“We handle things a certain way here, Mr. Benedetti. These things take time.”
“I’m certain they do. I’m curious. Was my father alone?”
He narrowed his eyes, acting as if he was double checking his mental notes. “Mr. Benedetti. I’m no fool. I am well aware that the man who died in close proximity was a member of your family’s organization. While the waiter as well as two other customers succumbed to their injuries, neither patron had been sharing as much as a conversation with your father, let alone a meal. He made certain the closest surrounding tables were empty before being seated.”
His disdain was evident. I gave him a cold smirk.
“Take me to my father.”
“Right this way. I have to warn you, even though his body has been cleaned up, it’s still pretty gruesome,” the detective stated with absolutely no care in his voice.
I shot him a look, trying to keep from laughing. Gruesome. He had no idea what the hell that truly meant.
He exhaled as if realizing I’d seen worse and led me down a series of corridors, pointing toward a door. “He’s in there. You can take your time.”
“And my father’s friend, Mario Tongola?”
Now the bastard chuckled. “Mr. Tongola has already been identified. Evidently, he has family in New York.”
Interesting. I hadn’t heard that before. “Very well.” I pushed my way into the examination room, staring at the sheet that had been draped over the body. I’d been prepared for something like this since I was a boy, had even been forced by my father to view my grandfather’s body after he’d been gunned down. My father had told me that it would help to make me a better man as well as a tough leader. Maybe so.
Maybe that was the reason I felt nothing but cold inside. I inched closer, taking a deep breath as I peered down. I found it difficult to remember the last words I’d said to him before his trip. I’d been rushed to get to the airport to make my damn flight. However, I did remember his last words to me and at this point, they were haunting.
“Take care, son. Remember that change is often necessary.”
I could swear his statement had a hidden meaning. What the hell were you doing, Pops?
I purposely glanced around the room, the cold stark nature of the profession itself always bothering me. What kind of person could handle working with the dead all the time?
“Well, Pops. I wish I knew what to say to you. You should have trusted your son, allowing me to help you. Instead, you left our mother alone. By the way, she’s devastated. Fucking destroyed. For what, Pops? Huh? We didn’t need additional business. Even if we had, you weren’t the one who should have handled it. You have no idea what you’ve done.” I realized I’d gotten angry, my voice raising. What the he
ll was I doing?
I studied his form under the sheet, shaking my head. A full minute passed. Then two. “You will be missed, Pops. I’ll take care of the family. That much I can promise you. As far as New York, I’m not certain exactly what I’m going to do.”
Perhaps I should have prepared myself for my response but as I pulled the sheet away, all I could think about was the hunger I had for revenge. The body lying on the cold steel gurney had nothing to do with the vibrant man whose laugh could light up a room.
And whose command could put the fear of God into anyone.
I sensed a presence behind me and hissed.
“Am I to assume that you’ve made a positive identification?” the detective asked.
The detective’s attitude was far too snarky. I would need to restrain myself from slitting his throat.
“That is Roberto Benedetti.” I gingerly placed the sheet back in the same position then turned sharply, backing the man against the wall. “I don’t expect you will attempt to do anything to bring justice to my family.”
“That’s not true, Mr. Benedetti. I’m required to treat every case equally.”
“Are you certain of that, Detective? I am well aware of who you work for.” I took my time studying his face then glancing down the length of him to his cheap shoes. “But I’m in a generous mood. I’ve left you a gift.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“That means that the two bodies found at a joint called Smileys on Second Avenue are the two bastards who pulled the trigger. My guess is that if you actually check footage from the various security cameras that are located in many of the stores and bars located across the street, you will be able to make positive identifications. That is if you give a shit.” I took a step away, repulsed by his pungent aftershave.
He seemed as uncomfortable as I hoped he’d be but covered it up fairly well.
“Are you telling me that you’re responsible?” Detective O’Hara asked in a smug tone.