by Nicole Fox
“Sleep with him,” her father replied casually.
“What?” she sputtered, unsure that she had heard him correctly. “You want me to do what?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’re a virgin. I know you’ve had a little fun here and there.” His voice was smooth and cajoling. He knew he would have his way, whether she liked it or not. And she didn’t.
It was true that she’d had her fun, but when her last boyfriend hadn’t been good enough for her father, he’d had the poor man beaten half to death and dragged behind a car until he swore he would stay away from Kenzie. Mitch had been a guy she’d met at school. His good looks and charming manner had been enhanced by the fact that he was incredibly brilliant. Kenzie had loved to just listen to him expand on their material as they were studying, questioning what he read and suggesting how things should change in the future. But Matteo wanted her to be with a mafioso who could help him build his empire. He wanted Kenzie to have a man who would kiss his ass and be yet another member of the family. That was never going to happen, not if Kenzie had a choice.
“Dad, this is ridiculous. I’ve given plenty of cryptic messages to random strangers and I’ve dropped packages into post office boxes, but I’m not going to just sleep with some random stranger.” A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. Sure, the guy was good-looking. The assignment could have been worse in that regard, but still. “Why would you want me to do that, anyway?”
Matteo laughed softly. “For the same reason I do anything else, pumpkin. I want money. The man’s name is Xavier Flynn, and he’s a prominent member of the Reaper’s Hearts motorcycle club. They’ve taken it upon themselves to steal some of my business, and I can’t simply let that stand. Nobody messes with the Labriolas and gets away with it; you know that. I can extort him and his club for everything he has, including guns and drugs. It pay me back for the profits I lost, and then some.” He spoke as though she was donating to charity instead of using her body for the sake of her mafia boss father.
“Why would he give you any of that just because I slept with him?” She shouldn’t have even bothered asking. Kenzie knew her father always had a plan up his sleeve, and maybe it was better if she didn’t know all the sordid details.
But Matteo was ready with them. “Simple. You’ll threaten to tell the police you were raped. This man knows as well as I do that no tattooed biker can go into court on a rape charge and get away with it. They’ll proclaim him guilty on sight. Men like him are never innocent. Judges know it, juries know it, and even the bikers know it. So he’ll give me what he wants.”
Kenzie leaned against the counter and pinched the bridge of her nose. Countless times, she had considered running away. She didn’t want to be part of this world. But Matteo and his men would just track her down and bring her back, and things would only be worse if she made him do that. There would be no more college, no more job, and no more contact with the outside world. She would be under lock and key the entire time. Or worse. Still, this was asking too much. “I just can’t do that.”
“I figured you would say that, so do me a favor and take a peek out the window.”
With cold sweat forming on the back of her neck, Kenzie did as she was told. Her car was parked in the back lot, away from the customers, and under a flickering street lamp. A man she recognized as one of her father’s goons leaned against the fender, tossing a chunk of metal from one hand to another and grinning. Shadows came and went across his face as the street lamp blinked, giving him an even more sinister look than the man normally had.
“Angelo’s already got the starter,” Matteo said in her ear. “He wanted to cut the brakes, but I told him we would save that for a later date. You’re going to sleep with Xavier and report back to me tomorrow morning. The standard threat applies.” There was a click as he hung up.
Kenzie stared at her phone for a minute, wishing she would wake up from this nightmare. But she knew exactly what the “standard threat” was. If she didn’t do as her father asked, he would cut her off completely. She would have no money—even the money she had worked for and had put in her savings—and no car. She wouldn’t have her job or the ability to go to school. Matteo had also threatened to kick her out. That part didn’t sound so bad, since she wouldn’t have to be a part of his world anymore, but she had a feeling he would actually make that part of the threat much worse. Kenzie picked up one of the beers she had just poured and took a slug of it. She wasn’t supposed to drink on the clock, but what was the manager going to do? Fire her? Not if he wanted to keep his bones intact.
With a deep breath and a solemn vow that she wouldn’t do any more favors for Matteo, she went back to work.
Chapter Three
Xavier
A few beers in, Xavier was feeling good. He was enjoying being out with his buddies from the MC, shooting the shit, and just being himself. There was nothing better, unless he could get that sweet little brunette to go home with him. She had been in and out of the kitchen numerous times as she schlepped food and drinks. At one point, she had opened the kitchen door and laid her eyes right on him, but after that she had been careful not to look in his direction.
“Looks like you might be lonely tonight after all,” Chrome said as he watched the waitress fend off the advances of a table of newcomers. “She doesn’t look like she’s in the mood for any fun. I swear she’s seen you looking at her, but she hasn’t bothered to come over here.”
“And you’ve made so much progress with the blonde, I see,” Xavier remarked. “You’ve done nothing but sit there and drool. I think you might have chased her off. She hasn’t come back by the table in a while.”
Chrome shook his head, unconcerned. “She’ll have to soon enough. I’m almost out of beer.”
But it was the brunette who made her way across the room to them. She flashed a smile that was surprisingly pleasant. “Hey, guys! Sorry to keep you waiting. Candy is on her break, and I’m trying to keep up with everyone. What can I get for you?” She held her ordering pad at the ready, watching the men eagerly as though she couldn’t wait to know what they wanted.
“I’m ready to switch to some whiskey, neat,” Crocodile ordered.
Throttle and Chrome each asked for more beer, and then the waitress turned to Xavier. Her eyes were the color of cinnamon, and they sparkled enticingly. “And what can I get for you?”
“That depends,” Xavier replied with a grin. “Are you on the menu?”
She giggled and pushed playfully on his shoulder. “I might be. But for now, what can I get you to drink?”
“Just another beer for now.” Xavier couldn’t stop looking at her. She was gorgeous, and he wanted her. The scent of her perfume drifted toward him and wrapped around him like a silk scarf, increasing his desire. From the sound of it, she wanted him, too, but he knew from the way she had been dealing with the other customers that he would have to take some time. But the fact that she had flirted with him so willingly was a good sign. He wouldn’t have too hard of a time getting her, and that was good. He didn’t want a hassle. He just wanted to get drunk, get laid, and forget about everything else. This chick seemed a little familiar, but he had probably just seen her around on the club scene or something.
“Coming right up.” She gave him a wink and was gone again, those sexy hips sashaying across the floor.
“Woo, she’s a hot one. And I think she’s horny for you.” Throttle let out a belly laugh.
The girl returned a minute later with their drinks, giving Xavier a long look under her lashes as she placed his in front of him. “Just holler if you need anything else.” Her tight little ass was a pleasure to watch as she walked away. Oh, yes, he was going to get what he needed that night.
Chapter Four
Kenzie
It was almost impossible for Kenzie not to roll her eyes at Xavier. He was just another typical biker who thought he could get any woman he wanted. He was hot, and there wasn’t much doubt about it. She didn’t usually go for g
ingers, but his auburn hair suited him. It also went well with those pale green eyes and his chiseled jaw. She hadn’t missed his strong arms and tight abs, even seated at a table. Even so, he was just another jackass that rode a motorcycle, drank himself into oblivion every weekend, and probably wouldn’t ever have a real job. Kenzie didn’t have time in her life for men like that. There were enough of them between work and the goons her father hired.
She scowled as she headed back to the kitchen, trying to keep her anger going so her fear wouldn’t take over. Kenzie didn’t know this man or what he was capable of, but he must be important and dangerous if her father wanted to mess with him. Matteo wouldn’t have bothered otherwise. Her stomach jumped as she wondered what kind of trouble this would get her into. What if the guy was a lunatic?
Candy came in the back door smelling of cigarette smoke. “Anything crazy happen while I was gone?”
“Just the usual. The burger buns are still stale and we still have mice getting in the store room. Getting hit on by bikers and truckers and general sleazebags.”
Candy ignored her nasty attitude. “I wouldn’t knock the bikers. There’s something kind sexy about a man in a leather vest and riding a motorcycle. Did you see that one out there with his buddies, the one with the red hair? God, he’s hot. His friend seems more interested in me than he is, but I think I would take any of them.” She popped a fresh piece of gum in her mouth and fluffed her hair with her fingers.
“Oh, I saw him all right,” Kenzie replied. “He’s been trying to catch my attention for a while, and I finally had to wait on their table while you were gone. He gave me some corny line about whether or not I was on the menu.” She did roll her eyes now that only Candy could see her. He might as well have asked her if she was tired because she’d been running through his head all night. What a load of shit.
“Aw, that’s sorta cute! So are you going to go with him? We only have an hour until we close, and it would be real easy for you to ask for a ride.” Candy’s blue eyes sparkled at the thought.
Kenzie scoffed in disgust as she threw several tumblers in the sink to be washed. “Yeah, cause it’s going to be so delightful to fall in bed with him after he’s been drinking all evening. He won’t be so sexy with a limp dick.”
“Give him more credit,” Candy insisted. “Lots of the regulars can hold their own. Besides, if there’s anyone here who needs to get laid, it’s you.”
Not interested in finding out how Candy knew about the customers and how well they performed while drinking, Kenzie moved on to the last part. “Me? Why do I need to get laid?”
Candy laughed. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re so uptight, Kenzie. The tiniest things make you angry, and you storm around here like someone pissed in your cereal. You need to learn to relax a little.” She grabbed a tray of drinks and trotted back through the door.
Sighing, Kenzie knew that the other waitress was right in some ways. She was angry, but she had lots of reasons to be that way. Her father controlled every bit of her life, or at least he tried to. He had been so proud of her when she’d said she was going to law school, but he would change his mind as soon as he realized she was actually getting her degree in criminal justice. It was a shock that none of his hooligans—who she knew were always watching her—had figured it out and reported back to him, but it was probably because they were just too stupid to know the difference. Even so, she wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or talk to anyone without Matteo’s approval. Others might think she had a charmed life simply because she drove a nice car and had expensive clothes, but she would have gladly traded it all for a more normal existence.
She scrubbed the counters down with force, as if she could chase the germs and bacteria away with her anger instead of just cleaning chemicals. No amount of soap or water could ever quite get them clean, and the ratty bar had always driven her crazy. It was filthy, just like her life was. Kenzie knew she could have taken advantage of being a mafia boss’s daughter. She could have enjoyed the benefits of the free-flowing money if she had only been interested in material things. But Kenzie cared more about getting her education, getting herself a career, and becoming an independent woman. It was only when she was able to get out from under her father’s shadow that she would finally feel like her own person.
Throwing the dishrag back in the sink, Kenzie twisted the ring she kept on her right hands. It had been a gift from her mother. It was battered and dented, but she never took it off.
“I’m going to give you something, baby.”
Kenzie sat on the edge of her mother’s big bed, bouncing on the mattress. She liked presents. Her daddy gave them to her all the time, and her room was filled with big stuffed teddy bears and every single Barbie doll they made. She always knew she would get whatever she asked for her birthday. Still, she would gladly take more. “What is it?”
“It’s something very special.” Mother opened her jewelry box and plucked something out of it. She sat next to Kenzie on the bed and showed her a little ring of metal. It was old and faded, not a shiny gold color but a dingy brown. Mother’s dark eyes were soft as she looked at it, turning it over in her fingers. “My grandmother—your great-grandma—came to this country with nothing. Her husband had passed away, and she had no family left in Italy. She had big hopes for coming to America and starting a new life for herself. She had to work very hard, and there were some nights that she didn’t sleep because she was so scared.”
“Why didn’t she ask Daddy to protect her?” Kenzie didn’t understand.
Mother kissed her forehead. “Your daddy wasn’t around then, and Great-Grandma didn’t have anyone else, remember? She had to take care of herself. She got a tiny apartment, but she had to have money to pay the rent. Well, she got a job in a grocery store. The man didn’t want to give her the job, because he didn’t think she was strong enough. But Great-Grandma got up and went to work every day, lifting all the heaviest boxes, stocking the shelves, and running the cash register. There were some days when she worked from the time the store opened to the time they closed. She didn’t get a lunch break, and she had to eat a sandwich out of her pocket when the boss wasn’t looking.”
Kenzie blinked at Mother, studying her big brown eyes and her dark hair. She was so beautiful, as was everything in the house. It was impossible to imagine things being any other way, but it was also intriguing. “Then what happened?”
“Well, Great-Grandma started making deliveries. Grocery stores did that back then, especially for businesses like restaurants. She was nervous because she hadn’t done this part of the job before. She went to the Italian restaurant her boss had sent her to and began bringing in all the food. She watched the chefs as they made focaccia bread. ‘Add a little thyme,’ she said. ‘It will make it taste better.’ When she came back the next week, they told her their customers went crazy for the focaccia, and they asked her to taste the spaghetti sauce. ‘You’re cooking it too fast,’ she said. ‘You have to cook it long and slow to bring out all the good flavors.’ By the next week, Great-Grandma was working in the restaurant instead of the grocery store. The owners were very good to her, and they even let her stay in a nicer apartment above the restaurant. Great-Grandma always had food to eat, and she was happy again.”
Furrowing her brow, Kenzie studied the little circle of metal that was still between her mother’s fingertips. “What does this have to do with the ring?”
“Ah, well, once Great-Grandma had a good job and a nice place to stay, she finally had a little extra money. This was the very first thing she bought for herself. She wore it every day, which is why it’s in such bad shape, but it was a reminder that she didn’t need anyone else to make it.” Mother handed the ring to Kenzie.
She rolled it between her fingers, studying every notch and dent in the metal. It wasn’t like the big diamond ring her mother wore on her finger, nor like the sapphire earrings Daddy had given her. But there was still something special about it that Kenzie couldn’t describe. The lit
tle nicks in the metal had a personality all their own. “It’s kind of pretty.”
“I always thought so, whenever my mother would take it out of her jewelry box. Great-Grandma gave it to my mother, and she gave it to me. Now I’d like you to have it.” Mother smiled softly as she gently closed Kenzie’s fingers around the ring.
Kenzie’s eyes grew wide. “Really? You trust me with it?”
“Of course, I do. But you have to promise to keep it safe so you can pass it down to one of your children someday. It’s been in our family for a long time now.”
Kenzie slipped the ring over her finger.
Kenzie sighed. She had changed a lot since those days, and so had her father. Or maybe it was just that she had come to realize, as she got older, what an evil man had sired her. At one time she’d thought he was the best thing in the world because he lavished her with gifts and always let her do what she wanted. Kenzie’s bedroom got redecorated every time she got bored of the paint color, and she had an endless supply of gorgeous party dresses. Unlike some of her friends at school, Kenzie was never restricted on what sort of lessons she took. It didn’t matter how much it cost to learn ballet or piano or horseback riding, because her father would arrange it all.