[Killer 01.0] Killer for Hire

by Alexis Abbott

  Just as I’m about to give up and go back to the bar to return the key to Rafaela, I feel an arm snake around my waist. I look down, then back up, and to my uncontrollable joy I see Luca beaming down at me, a fire in his eyes.

  “I’m here, Serena. I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.”

  Wordlessly, I hold up the key. His expression changes instantly, that affable smile melting into a white-hot smoulder. He nods and takes me by the hand, leading me to the staircase down the hall, tucked away just out of the hubbub of the bar crowd. Before we can even make it all the way up the stairs, Luca pushes me against the wall, leaning in close over me. His chest is heaving and I can tell that he’s working as hard as he can to control himself, to stay level-headed. It’s a thrill to think that he’s as intoxicated by me as I am by him.

  The noise at the bar fades into nothing as he takes my face gently in both of his rough, strong hands. Luca peers into my face as though he’s searching for something, some answer hidden in the shape of my features that he’s desperate to decode. And then, with only a split-second’s hesitation, he closes the space between us and captures my lips in a passionate kiss.

  Immediately, I feel my entire body going limp and pliable, the sensation of his full lips moving against mine like a shot of Everclear straight to my brain. He’s like a drug, like the most addictive dream, and I need more. His tongue gently pushes into my mouth as his hands slide down to my shoulders, then down to grip my waist possessively. I am riveted to the spot, afraid to move for fear that this magical dream will fade away and leave me standing alone in the stairwell.

  I feel his hands roving back over my hips to cup my ass, feeling his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my upper thighs. He wedges a leg between my thighs and presses the full length of his body against me. I’m warm between my legs and the sensation of his thigh rubbing against me is delicious. I moan into his mouth as he takes my wrists in his hands and pins them up above my head, making me feel both vulnerable and powerful at the same time.

  He breaks our kiss for a moment, nudging me to turn my head to one side so he can kiss a line down my jaw to breathe softly in my ear. I tremble and arch toward him as his lips press into the ticklish skin of my neck, sucking and nipping gently in a way that makes my whole body shake. He remembers me so well, perfectly mapping out each of the places on my body that are sensitive. He knows me better than anyone else in the world, and after I lost him so many years ago, I never thought I would feel this good again.

  How can this be real? Am I dreaming?

  Suddenly, the echoing clack-clack of high-heeled shoes interrupts us and I glance around Luca’s shoulder to see the shadows of some women approaching. Quickly, Luca hoists me up and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me up the rest of the stairs.

  “Which room?” he asks, his voice rough and gravelly with desire.

  “Six,” I whisper. We find the door at the end of the hallway and he bends his knees so that I can fish out the key and fit it into the keyhole with a laugh. Once the door is open, he takes the key, shoves it in his pocket, and pushes through into the room.

  Rafaela really, truly came through for me on this one. I’ve seen some of the rooms here, and while all of them are decent, standard-issue lodging, this particular room stands out. It’s designed with a kind of 1960s vintage charm, and there is a king-sized canopy bed by the massive bay window.

  “Wow, she really hooked us up,” I murmur as Luca sets me down on my feet. But before I can say anything else, he pulls me close into another kiss, stealing the breath right from my lungs. I close my eyes and fold into his arms easily, letting him lean me backward onto the bed.

  “I’ve thought about you so many times,” Luca growls, bending to kiss me again. His hands reach down to peel my blouse up and over my arms, leaving me bare-chested except for my bra. He cups my breasts while his leg wedges between my thighs again, and I let out a groan of frustration. I need more, more, more. He’s got me craving him like an addict.

  “Please, don’t take your time,” I beg him. “I-I can’t wait, Luca.”

  He groans and stands up to strip off his jacket, shirt, and then unzip his jeans. He pushes them down to stand in his boxers and I can’t help but sit up and lean toward him, my fingers roving across the massive bulge in the fabric. He’s much bigger than I even remember.

  “Take off your clothes,” he commands softly. Without a word, I obey, unclasping my bra, then pulling off my shoes, skirt, and panties to sit totally naked in front of him.

  “Can I…?” I ask meekly, almost licking my lips at the sight of his cock straining to break free of his underwear. Luca nods and I hungrily tug his boxers down so he can step out of them. His cock springs free, bouncing in front of my face. I reach up to stroke him with both hands, feeling his enormous size and warmth. I can’t resist. I need to taste him.

  Adjusting to kneel on the bed, I lower my head down to take his cock into my mouth, stretching my lips to accommodate his size. As I slowly begin to work his shaft with my mouth and both hands, Luca groans appreciatively. His hand comes down to press lightly against the back of my head, pushing me down on his cock further until I’m almost choking on it. I wish desperately I could take his full length into my mouth, feel him swelling and pulsing against the back of my throat. I bob up and down, sucking him hard and fast until his hips are moving in rhythm with me. I can feel myself getting wetter by the second, just from the intoxicating taste of Luca’s cock in my mouth.

  But then he stops me suddenly, gently pushing me back away from him. I don’t get a moment to feel sad, though, because he lifts and tosses me further back on the bed before climbing on top to straddle me. Once again, he takes hold of my wrists and pins my arms down, this time on either side of me. Then he leans to kiss his way down to my breasts, his lips nipping and suckling at my nipples until I’m crying out with need. Every kiss and bite sends a thrum of heady desire down to that secret place deep inside me, and before long I’m nearly teary-eyed with frustration.

  “Please, Luca. I need you inside me. I’m so wet… I’ve waited so long for you,” I murmur, hardly even aware of what I’m saying.

  “Are you sure?” he asks gruffly, and I know it’s taking every ounce of his self-control to resist.

  “Yes! God, yes. Please! Fuck me, Luca,” I plead desperately, yelping when he lets out an animalistic growl and bites harder. I’m arching my hips toward him, my body lifting up off the bed.

  Finally, he pulls back and readies the head of his cock at my slick opening, and just this gentle touch is enough to make me tremble. For a few moments, he swirls the tip of his beautiful cock against my clit, making me groan and grip the sheets. My pussy is aching, swelling with desire.

  “Fuck me,” I mumble. “I want you so bad! Don’t make me wait any longer.”

  And with that, Luca shoves the entire massive length of his cock inside of me in one smooth motion, until the tip brushes against that sweet spot deep within me and I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him down to me. I need him close. I need to be flush with his body, to feel every part of him at once all around me.

  “Oh my god,” I whimper as he starts to thrust, pulling almost all the way out to slam back into me again and again and again. He groans and kisses my neck, his teeth grazing my skin. I can tell he wants to let go, to use my body like a fuck toy. But he’s too gentle, too careful with me to do so.

  But I want him to let go.

  “You don’t have to be gentle, Luca,” I whisper, my breath tousling his hair softly. “You can fuck me however you want to.”

  And that’s all it takes. Permission granted.

  His teeth sink into my skin while his hands grope at my breasts, squeezing my nipples between his fingers while his cock slides in and out of me faster and faster. “Fuck, I’ve thought about this so many times, mia passerotta,” he hisses through gritted teeth. “I’ve thought about how badly I wanted to touch you, fill you up with my cock.”

  “
Harder,” I breathe, scarcely able to form coherent thoughts as I lose myself in the swift rhythm of his thrusts. My pussy clenches with every movement, tightening around his cock. Luca reaches down between my legs to massage my clit with two fingers, making me scream in pleasure. His other hand comes up to cup over my mouth while he fucks me mercilessly, making my pussy ache with every powerful push. Finally, I feel my pleasure mounting to a climax and I cry out, orgasming against him. He moves faster and his fingers don’t relent, even as I try to pull away from the overstimulation. He isn’t going to give me a break. Not at all.

  I come again and again, tears burning in my eyes as I toss my head back and twist the sheets in my fists. “Oh god, it feels so fucking good,” I pant.

  “I want to fill you up with my come, baby,” Luca growls. “I want to pump you full.”

  “Do it,” I reply, with a daring tone. “Please. I want your come inside me!”

  With a few short, rapid thrusts, Luca comes. “Fuck, Serena!” he shouts. His cock pulses with jet after jet of thick, hot come, filling me up while I orgasm again. He fucks into me a few more times and then collapses next to me, peppering my face with kisses.

  We lie there breathing heavily for a few minutes, just soaking in the magical afterglow. He pulls me into his arms and holds me there, both of us totally silent and content. If this is a dream, then I never, ever want to wake up again. This is perfect. This is… paradise.

  Finally, I make the suggestion that we should shower off. I slip out of his arms and prance across the room, feeling his hot seed slipping down my thighs mingled with my own juices. “Come on,” I beckon flirtatiously. “Let’s get wet again.”

  Luca sits up and smiles at me, lighting a fire inside my heart yet again. “I’ll be there in a minute. I promise.” But just then, there’s the buzz of a cell phone going off. I wait in the doorway of the en suite bathroom while Luca gets up to check it. His face pales slightly, and his smile fades away.

  “What… what is it?” I ask, a little worried.

  Luca looks up at me, a pained expression on his handsome face. “I was summoned by the Capo.” My heart drops into my stomach. Is Luca in trouble with the Mafia?

  And if so… was it my fault?

  Luca

  The scent of her is still on me when I get into the car. It’s something that’s going to be on me all day, I know, and I’ll remember it even longer. And when I see her next, what’s to stop me from getting her on me all over again?

  My eyes flick down to my phone before I stuff it into my pocket and check behind me to pull out into the road.

  When I first saw the message, I wanted to crush the phone in my bare hand and throw the remains out the window. My instinct was to tear down anything that would dare step in and interrupt what I was having with Serena. And under any other circumstance, that’s just what I would have done. But this message came from the very thing that forced us to be apart. It was one thing that I hated more than anything, but I knew it was also the only thing that would make sure she could be safe.

  My bosses. The mafia.

  This message came from Diego Milani, to be precise, a capo. The capos are the guys who manage enforcers and associates like me in our business. I’ve known Diego as long as I’ve been involved with these men. A message from someone like him means either something very good or very bad.

  And considering what happened back at Serena’s shop, I have a feeling I’m about to get chewed out. I don’t care. I did what I had to for Serena’s protection, and that’s all my whole career has been about. That’s all I acted for.

  Is it, though?

  I grip the steering wheel as I move through traffic, trying not to let my thoughts distract me. My mind flashes back to Serena on that bed, me tearing her clothes away, the feeling of her bare skin in my hands, the way my bare cock felt sinking into her to the hilt…

  My manhood starts to swell between my legs. Just the thought of her stirs up a beast within me I can hardly control. And that’s the problem. Everything I’m doing with these thugs is to give her a chance at life. I’ve done terrible things to make sure she’ll be kept safe, out of all this ugly business.

  I gave up my life to protect her, but I can’t protect her from myself.

  When I was a teenager, I let the fire in my soul rule me. I did what I felt was right, what I wanted. Serena makes me feel like that all over again, no matter how much the short years tried to snuff that fire out. It’s dangerous. She makes me dangerous.

  I feel a smile tug at my stony face as I pull up on the side of the road. I’ve beaten men down with my bare hands, fought off seasoned enforcers in knife-fights, and rained gunfire on rivals, but this woman who barely stands to my chest makes me more dangerous than any of them.

  I climb out of the car and head around the side of the building to step into the room we “rent” at the back of this liquor store. It’s been a place we use for last-minute meetings for a while, and the owner is an associate of ours. It’s not a bad deal for him. He gets a break from protection money in exchange for letting a few musclebound Italians meet in the back of his store. I have my gun on me. I know it’ll get taken, but it’s a formality to show that I’m never unready.

  In my business, you could come out of a meeting with your boss with a promotion or in a body bag.

  When I get up to the door, there’s a man outside it waiting for me. I’ve seen him before, but I don’t know his name. He just nods to me and opens the door to usher me in. My eyes regard him carefully as I step inside, but he’s relaxed. When a man’s about to fight, he has tells, like a gambler about to lie. I’ve gotten good at recognizing them. A twitch of the finger, legs poised a certain way. You can even see it in the eyes.

  But as I walk through the door, he just closes it behind me and gestures for me to hold my arms out. I smile.

  “Diego’s not that jumpy, is he?” I ask as he takes the gun from me and pats me down for any other weapons.

  “Apparently I need to be,” a voice calls from further in the room, past shelves of stacked liquor and beer, “if my men are gonna start jumping the gun like you. Get your ass in here, Luca.”

  That’s Diego’s voice, no doubt about it. I snort as the doorman finishes checking me over, and I stride down the aisles of stock to the cleared-out space where he takes care of business. I’ve been in here only once before, and it wasn’t on the best terms.

  When I step forward, I start to rethink whether I’m about to be killed.

  Diego isn’t a man who likes a lot of ceremony, but this looks like a miniature courtroom. Diego himself is looking over a stacked box of expensive Scotch, and in a semi-circle around him are men I recognize. Some, I know by name. Most are enforcers like me, but one man sitting on a crate next to Diego takes me by surprise.

  It’s a consigliere. In every business like ours, there’s usually only one man like him, maybe two. Consiglieri don’t stick to our hierarchy.

  He’s the Don’s own advisor, which makes him the most important man I’ve been in the same room as for a long time. It also means that this meeting is serious. I feel his hawkish gray eyes watching me carefully as he sits there. Diego turns to look me up and down before I can say anything.

  “Luca,” he says, crossing his arms, “I’m sure you’re familiar with our consigliere, Antonio Tomasi.”

  I give the man a nod with a tight but respectful smile. He doesn’t react.

  “Mr. Tomasi thought it would be wise to sit in on this little business meeting,” Diego goes on, his formality starting to relax into his usual self. “Because when our men make waves as big as you did out of line earlier today, he likes to hear the very good reason I’m sure you have firsthand.”

  “News travels fast,” I say, keeping my eyes on Diego evenly.

  “That it does,” he says, pacing in a slow circle around me, “especially when a soldier like you takes it upon himself to pick a fight with the likes of Lorenzo Abruzzi.”

  That last name gets my att
ention. But I don’t show the slightest hint of emotion. I’m being grilled, and Diego can smell a crack in someone’s defenses from a mile away.

  “Didn’t get his name while I was knocking his teeth out,” I say, and I watch Diego’s jaw set. “He was in our territory, boss. Deep in our territory.”

  “Don’t pretend that’s what this is about, I know where the fight went down,” Diego says, coming to a stop and resting his hands on his hips as he glares at me. “I know you got your reasons to go stalking that girl, and before today, I didn’t give two shits.”

  My fists clench instinctively at what Diego is hinting, and Diego steps forward as I say, “It was still our territory, Diego. I caught some Cleaners starting to start shit deep in our territory, and I was taking care of business. I was doing my job.”

  “Your job is to do what the family needs,” Diego says, restraining the anger in his voice as much as I’m holding back mine. “And the family did not need to spark a turf war with the goddamn Cleaners!”

  There’s a silence in the room for a few moments that everyone can taste.

  The Cleaners have been like a bad word the past few months, a curse you don’t say out loud. They’ve been trying to cut in on our territory like nothing our family has ever faced before. Our family—the Costa family—has its heels dug into the Bronx deep, but everyone’s feeling the tension with the Cleaners.

  That nickname, “Cleaners,” that’s stuck with them since day one. They’re fast, they’re good at what they do, and by the time they’re gone, the cops have lost their trail before they’ve even started on it.

  But as much as us Costas don’t want to admit it, the Cleaners are a rival family of Italians—the Abruzzi family. The family Lorenzo belongs to.

  “We’ve butted heads with Cleaners all over town,” I say, not giving an inch on this, “don’t pretend I’m the one out to start a turf war here.”

  “This is different, Luca,” Diego nearly growls. “Lorenzo Abruzzi isn’t some nobody cleaning up the streets-”