“What does any of it have to do with me?” she asked.
Colosar stood up, and she took a retreating step back.
“Stop. Do not pull away from me,” he ordered, and she tightened up at his tone and how quickly he got to her and grabbed her hands. He pulled them behind her back. She gasped.
“He owes me a lot of money. He should be dead right now,” he told her and then used one hand to caress her cheek as he held her wrists with his other hand. He was strong and crazy. She knew not to fight him like this. She was scared. What did Paulie get her involved in?
He stared down into her eyes and stroked her cheek, her jaw tilting up toward his face.
“He caused me problems, and under normal circumstances he would be dead.”
She gasped and clenched her teeth.
“However, Trojan here realized he was a relation to you, and knowing how you and I are doing business and how I like you, Bella, he didn’t kill the fucking piece of shit.”
Tears stung her eyes. Colosar was a monster. A criminal gangster hiding behind his custom suits and big business corporations. She thought about her uncle and how upset he would be when he found out what his son had done, but mostly she thought about the consequences. One look at Trojan and she knew the man was a killer. Colosar was the same. He wanted something from her, but what? What could she possibly have to offer him?
“What do you want from me, though? I’m not my cousin’s keeper.”
He made a funny face as if he didn’t believe her.
“You aim to please, Bella. You don’t know the damage I can do to your family. To your uncle’s business, and even your other uncles’ businesses. Let me see. What was it, Trojan? Her uncle Tony, who owns several dry cleaning businesses in Brooklyn. Her uncle Giuseppe, who owns a nice bakery and deli in Little Italy, and Uncle Louie, who has a small restaurant, and his wife, Gianna I think it was, isn’t doing so well medically. It would be a shame if something happened to those businesses.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“No. No, Colosar, please don’t do that. Please, they’ve all worked so hard and they’re good people.”
His grip tightened and then he stroked her tears away.
“Well, that all depends on you, Bella, and how obedient you’re willing to be.”
He slid his hand down her arm, now holding both wrists behind her back. He pressed close to her, used his palm to squeeze her ass. More tears fell and she gulped hard. There was nothing she could do. Her entire family would suffer. This is what Colosar did. He found people’s weaknesses and used them to get what he wanted.
“You will need training. It will take time, but I can be patient as long as I get some rewards,” he told her, and she felt his palm ease over her ass. He licked his lips.
“Next week is the event at the Hotel Royale. You will be my date, and the day of, you’re set for the works at the salon of my choosing. This body will be well groomed for me. You won’t resist any of the services I ordered to be done. They will be to my standards and I expect full cooperation from you.”
She was shaking in her heels. Her heart pounded so loudly and hard against her chest she thought she could have a heart attack, despite her age.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she asked. She felt his palm slide along her ass and the other against her lower back and then up her spine firmly to under her hair and to the back of her neck where he gripped her possessively.
“Because I can,” he said and began to kiss her cheeks, the corners of her mouth before he took from her what he wanted as she stood there numb and petrified.
Anger boiled inside of her. This man was not going to take her virginity, rape her, possess her, and destroy her family. She remained unaffected by his hands, his mouth, and he caught on quickly. He pulled back and gave her body a jerk.
“Kiss me back,” he stated through clenched teeth.
“No.”
He grabbed her throat and shoved her up against the wall.
She couldn’t catch her breath and she grabbed his forearm and held tight, trying to pry his hands free. The evil son of a bitch stared down into her eyes.
“I could tear off your clothes right now and fuck you into submission or I can ease you into this relationship and treat you with respect. It’s that simple, Bella. I’m capable of both, so don’t cross me.”
He stared at her and she stared back, wondering how this could be happening to her and how she lost all her rights, her abilities, and power because of her cousin’s stupidity. Now it all came onto her shoulders whether her whole family survived, not just Paulie. Colosar could destroy all of them. What choice did she have?
“What is it going to be?” He eased his hand from her throat and slid it down over her breast to her hip.
“Kiss me, Bella, and show me that you submit to my terms, and we can continue our meeting.”
She didn’t want to. She instantly hated this man and all he was capable of. She tilted her chin up and had to press her hands against his chest in order to lift high enough to kiss his lips. He lowered slightly and he took from her mouth while his hands roamed freely over her body while she submitted to his control.
* * * *
“I heard from Fedarro’s guy Slade. You aren’t the only businessman they are considering for the position if Major and Mateus choose out,” Trojan told Colosar.
“Who the fuck else are they looking at?” Colosar barked at him.
“Miguel Lupo.”
Colosar’s eyes widened. “That fucking guy is involved with more shit out of the country. Why the hell would he want to start business in the States?”
“I think he has some businesses here now and is looking to expand under the Fiorre name. He’s close with them.”
“Not that close. Didn’t he overstep his bounds and do some business in Fiorre territory last year in the Bahamas?”
“He did, but he made good on it in the cut he gave to the Fiorre family. It’s just hearsay right now. I think you’re still in the top running. Perhaps if he fucks up again it will change Fedarro and Collin’s mind about him as a potential candidate.”
“I think you’re right. Why don’t we work on that? I’m going to have to go away for a few days, it could be an opportunity to set Miguel and his organization up and I won’t be in the vicinity when it all goes down. In fact, we could use Paulie to do the job. If he gets caught then he’ll get killed and I won’t need to get rid of him. I’ve worked very hard to gain the attention of such organized crime families like the Fiorres and the Monteiths. This is my chance to really become powerful. All we need to do is not get caught setting these fuckers up. Understood?”
“You got it. I’ll work on a plan right now.”
Chapter 3
“Hey, what’s going on? Are you headed to your grandma and uncle’s house?” Adalina Carleone asked Bella over the phone. Adalina was heading out of the gym and to her car.
“Yes, almost there. How is everything going with you? Did your business trip go well?” Bella asked her. They had been friends since elementary school. They lost touch for a little while through college but it didn’t matter. Time apart didn’t seem to lessen the strength of their friendship.
“Yes, but it was stressful. I wish we were all leaving for the D.R. this week. I could use the vacation.”
“I hear you. I could definitely get away from here for a bit.”
“You sound upset. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, just things are going on. With work and stuff.”
Adalina thought Bella sounded upset. She wondered what it could be. Her friend was so sweet, and very quiet. She kept to herself and was always there to help others.
“You sound tired. Are you sure nothing is going on?”
Bella’s hesitation warned Adalina that something was up.
“I’m good, really. I’m just pulling down their street now.”
“Okay, well, enjoy the day and let me know if you need to talk.”
; “Will do, and the same here. Oh, want me to say hello to Vinny and Sunny for you?”
Adalina felt her heart race immediately and she stuttered.
“Um, no, definitely not. I thought we discussed this,” she said to Bella.
“And I do believe I walked around the corner of the club and saw Vinny’s hand on your ass and he was about to kiss you.”
Her cheeks felt hot. “And I do believe you also saw me stopping him.”
“Never understood why. I mean you like him and Sunny.”
“You know I have my reasons.”
“Yeah, so you say there are good ones but don’t share.”
“I would if I could, you know that?”
“I guess I’m starting to understand that feeling and position, too. I need to go. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye,” Adalina said and thought about Bella’s words. Something was going on. What?
As she took out her keys and put her phone in her bag, she headed through the parking lot and saw the black Mercedes sports car with the tinted windows. She hesitated only a moment. She knew she had a gun in her bag and one in the car. Turk Montrose was a made man in the Monteith organized crime family. He started paying attention to her a year ago when he caught her at a private meeting in the back room of some big shit money men in Queens. She was doing someone a favor, and her position in the family was secret, but these men were extremely important to her cousin Tudoro, and he needed someone he trusted to sit in on the meeting and give feedback and present his position on a deal. No one knew that she was cousins with Tudoro Garlitto, or that her father was one of the most powerful smugglers in the black market. She was raised by a family friend in order to protect her from getting killed by her father’s enemies.
Turk Montrose showed great interest in her. Some family members thought it would be a good match and a way to protect her from any enemies of the family if she were involved with a man like Turk. He was tan, muscular, very capable, and had black hair and dark eyes. He was a killer and had a violent side to him that she saw the results of. She also thought it was a push by the families to expand by marriage. The problem was that his cousins tried to rip off her father. It caused a bit of a distrust and wedge between the two families, and some arguments turned violent. Loyalty was strong in the Garlitto family.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. She wished she had put on her light sweat jacket. Standing here in her workout clothes, tank top, and spandex shorts was not exactly a way to keep Turk’s eyes and hands off of her.
He opened the door and when he got out he towered over her. She was tall, like five-foot-seven, but he was six-foot-three. He eyed her over, looking serious.
“You wear that to work out?” he reprimanded her. She rolled her eyes and tossed her bag into the passenger seat of her car but took out the sweat jacket and started putting it on.
“What do you want, Turk? I’m in a hurry.”
“Come on, Adalina. I’m trying to make peace here.”
She raised her eyebrows at him.
“Make peace, huh? Interesting, considering it was only a month ago your cousin York beat the shit out of two guys in Brooklyn that run a furniture delivery business for my friend Tudoro.”
“Furniture business my ass, and they were stealing from Tudoro. I got wind of it and intervened. That’s what friends are for,” he said, eyeing her over.
“It’s none of my business. You should make peace with Tudoro.”
“I would if he would meet with me. He’s being a stubborn fuck.”
She felt on the defensive. Turk definitely was not a man to trust. His temper was terrible, too, and a person wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his anger.
“Well, I need to go.” She closed the door and went to move when he took her hand and pulled her close. He pressed her against her car. He held her hip on one side with one hand and kept a hold of her wrist. He looked down into her eyes.
“When are you going to have a drink with me?”
“Never.”
“Come on, Adalina, we would be good together. The attraction is there. We could explore that,” he said, eying over her mouth and her breasts. The hand on her hip caressed her ribs and was moving higher. She used her free hand to push against his chest, but he wrapped his arms around her snugly. “Don’t resist, baby. Make things go smoothly.”
“I told you I’m not interested.”
“That was after the night you hung out with those two guys, fucking nobodies, the Costanza brothers. I would have fucking capped them to make sure they didn’t move in on you. You’re going to be mine.”
“No, I’m not going to be yours, and if you keep this up, I’ll tell Tudoro.” That got him to ease up. She was so angry at him and also worried about Vinny and Sunny. She couldn’t get involved with them even if she wanted to. Their lives would be on the line, and Turk would think nothing of killing them. Besides, she had jobs to do and a cover to keep.
“I don’t know why you have to be like this.” He slid his hand along her hip bone and thigh as he kept space between them and gazed over her body.
“I think about you and this body all the time.”
“I need to go.” She turned to the left and was glad he didn’t try to stop her. She exhaled, looked over her shoulder as he narrowed his eyes at her, and remained standing there.
“I won’t give up. I always get what I want. You should know that from your friend Tudoro,” he said to her. She got into her sports car and started the engine.
As she left she knew what he was capable of and that he did have the reputation of getting what he wanted when he wanted or making people suffer. She wouldn’t put it past him to try and hurt her or others to get to her. She had to always be prepared, and that was another reason why she couldn’t entertain that instant attraction she had with Vinny and Sunny. Hell, she couldn’t even get in a one night stand with them. She knew the difference. With them, it would become an addiction, a need, and that would be disastrous. She had to keep her secret and remain unattached to anyone. It was called survival, and that was her life as a blood member of the Garlitto family.
* * * *
Bella bent over to smell the enticing pot of sauce she made this morning. The fresh herbs from Nonna’s garden, especially the basil and oregano, enhanced the tomato sauce. She finished up adding the fried meatballs, pieces of pork, and beef braciole and stirred it. When she heard the set of male voices she smiled wide, knowing that her uncles Tony, Giuseppe, Louie, and Paulie had arrived, along with her cousins. Her heart ached at the same time. A nervousness, uncertainty about the future, and all the happiness that meant being part of this family. A quick glance over her shoulder and she saw her cousins Vinnie, Sunny, and Don. Tears filled her eyes. This occasion every Sunday was something she cherished and looked forward to. Now she was wondering how long it would last and if she had the willpower to allow Colosar to control her in order to keep them all safe and happy.
It was a typical Sunday in her Italian-American household. Although she rented her own apartment in the city, she headed here to her Uncle Tony’s house early Sunday morning to help his wife, Aunt Annise, and Nonna prepare Sunday dinner. Soon enough the house would be bursting with all their nieces and nephews and the kids. It was typical chaos.
She felt the hands on her hips and then the kiss to her cheek.
“It smells incredible, cuz. I’m so freaking hungry. Did Nonna make the eggplant, too?” her cousin Don asked her.
“Of course she did, and Nonna has fresh Italian bread baking in the oven.”
“Yes,” he stated, and she chuckled. None of her cousins were involved with any women. None married or dating anyone. She often wondered if it was because they had it so good coming here during the week and every Sunday for home cooked Italian dinners. Maybe they didn’t think they could find a woman who cooked like the women in the Costanza family. She smirked. She knew a few women who would faint if Don, Vinny, Sunny, Clemenza, or Alfredo just winked at them. Heck,
a lot of her friends found her cousins sexy and intimidating.
The thought had her smiling, but then the image of Colosar entered her mind, and how she caught his interest and his push to be involved in her life was getting out of control, to say the least. What started out as a chance meeting in a hallway at the company she worked for—and he owned—had turned into a bit of an uncomfortable situation. From there, it had gotten worse. She stayed awake at night wondering, fearing he would show up, force his way into her bedroom and rape her. She never had sex before and now a man like Colosar would be the one to take her virginity? It wasn’t fair. She wanted to talk to Paulie Jr., see if he knew the trouble he had caused her and the entire family, but she was sworn to keep her mouth shut by Colosar. She knew that her uncle Paulie knew who Colosar was. She hoped that he didn’t talk to her about him or push for her to get involved with Colosar. If her uncle knew what was really going on, he would lose it. Uncle Paulie had enough problems and didn’t need this, too.
She swallowed hard and turned toward the kitchen table where her aunts were chatting away about the neighbor’s daughter getting married. Of course they looked at her and gave her those expressions that she knew meant they wanted to see her married. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. She was twenty-five years old and had seen the worst in people, especially in men. Not that she didn’t believe there were good men out there, she just hadn’t met any man who didn’t want to claim her body as a possession and then cheat and become abusive. She had turned down so many offers. Now she wished she hadn’t. At least she would have been in control of who she gave her virginity to. It would have been her choice and not a man’s. How ironic for her to wind up in this fucked up situation. There wasn’t anyone who could help her get out of this. Not anyone.
Made Men 1: Bad Timing (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4