Royally Mine: 22 All-New Bad Boy Romance Novellas

by Susan Stoker

  Enzo nods and is already sliding his phone out of his pocket as he walks away.

  Chapter Five

  A little while later, we drive to a boutique shop owned by a family friend. Allegra walks in beside me, and Margot, the shop owner, looks up from behind the counter where she had her head bent over a thick ledger. She smiles immediately in recognition.

  “Gregorio!” she comes around the counter. In her early fifties, she still looks good. I smile as she cups my face and looks me over from head to toe, same as she always does when I come in here. I remember her from when I was younger. She and my mom used to be the best of friends. “You’re even more handsome than your father.” She kisses both cheeks and then hugs me. I catch Allegra’s eye. She’s standing back, watching this exchange with a curious look on her face.

  “Margot,” I say when she releases me. “It’s always good to see you.”

  “You need to come in here more often.”

  “I don’t normally need women’s clothing.”

  She turns to Allegra and looks her over from head to toe. I introduce her, and they shake hands.

  “What can I do for you, Gregorio?” Margot asks, walking a circle around Allegra. She’s probably already figured out her dress size.

  “Allegra needs an evening dress and some street clothes. A coat. Casual boots and evening shoes.” I realize then she doesn’t even have a pair of underwear since I made her leave it all at the disgusting hotel. “Underthings. Whatever.”

  “Um…” Allegra starts. I know she wants to refuse.

  My phone buzzes, and I reach into my pocket to answer. It’s Giovanni. “Just work your magic,” I say, ignoring Allegra and stepping outside to answer.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve already got something for me,” I say.

  “I started digging after our call this morning,” he says.

  “And?”

  “Well, rumor has it John Antonino was grooming a cousin to take over the family. But it’s just that, a rumor.”

  “So bypassing the firstborn son.”

  “Yeah. Also, Arturo had a fiancée, but that’s apparently off.”

  “Know the reason?”

  “Another rumor is he roughed her up one too many times.”

  My hands fist at my sides. “I have a feeling that’s no rumor, brother.”

  He’s silent for a moment. I know he understands what I’m trying to say. “There’s more. That cousin I mentioned, well, the family is on the verge of a split. Half are with Arturo, the other half with the cousin. If that split happens, there’s going to be blood.”

  “Any idea how the Rossi family fits into this?”

  “Funny you should mention them. Arturo made a deal with them. He wants to unite the families—”

  “By marrying off his half-sister against her will to a man more than twice her age.”

  “I’d normally say it’s not our business, but if that union happens, it becomes our business.”

  “Even without it, it’s my business now. She’s my business, and I don’t like the look of a bruise on her face. I think he hit her.”

  “You’re sure it’s him? You need to be sure.”

  “I asked her outright, and she ran off to avoid answering.”

  “If we throw our weight behind the cousin now, we’ll be drawing a line.”

  “Since when have we been afraid to draw a line? You know the Rossi family is involved in flesh trade. It’s not something old man Antonino would have wanted. And certainly not for his daughter.”

  “You’ve got two days with the girl. Get what you can out of her, and I’ll keep digging. I’ll put a call in to Dominic. See what he knows.” Dominic Benedetti is head of the Benedetti family, the family we’re aligned with. We rule the east coast. All of it. Which means Florida. If the Rossi family is planning on this union with the Antonino family, they want territory on the east coast. And that’s not going to happen.

  “Call me as soon as you have something.”

  “I will. You ready for tonight?” Tonight, I’ll sign paperwork to acquire silent control of a casino/hotel for the Santa Maria family. It’s the almost legit side of our business paid for by the other side.

  “Yeah. I’m taking Allegra with me.”

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? There may be people who recognize her.”

  “I don’t care if they do.”

  “Take backup.”

  “Always do, brother.”

  We hang up, my head full. This is much bigger than I realized. We could be on the verge of a mob war, and Allegra doesn’t have the first clue she’s being used as a pawn to start it.

  I walk back into the shop to the sound of Allegra laughing. It makes me stop, and I realize I haven’t heard her laugh once. I’ve barely seen her smile. It’s a pretty sound.

  “He won’t be able to take his eyes off you in this,” Margot says.

  “Oh,” Allegra starts just as Margot draws the curtains open and they both realize I’m back. “It’s not like that,” she finishes, a blush creeping up her neck and cheeks.

  I look at her, stunned. Margot’s got her in a black halter dress cut in a deep V between her breasts, cinched at the waist with a belt studded with sapphire and emerald colored gems. The skirt has a slit that reaches to the very top of one tanned, sleek thigh. She’s wearing high-heeled black sandals, and I’m speechless.

  Allegra’s watching me. Waiting.

  I clear my throat, and when I shift my gaze to Margot, she gives me a wink and whispers, “Oh, it’s exactly like that, sweetheart,” to Allegra just loud enough for me to hear.

  “You look beautiful,” I say. It’s an understatement.

  “We were just trying it on for fun,” Allegra says, turning away, already reaching back to unzip it.

  Margot slaps her hands away. “Nonsense.”

  “I agree with Margot. We’ll take it. Did you get some casual things?”

  Margot starts to talk, but I catch Allegra’s eye, and she’s more than a little uncomfortable.

  “Ring it up,” I say to Margot, handing her a credit card as I walk toward Allegra. “I’ll help her out of this one.”

  Margot discreetly walks away, arms full of clothes.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  She’s got her back to me, and she’s struggling with the zipper which has stuck. My gaze skims the soft, tanned flesh of her arms, the delicate lines of her shoulders, her back, the curve of her spine. My throat is tight, and I close one hand over her tiny waist, not sure why I’m impacted like this. She drops her arms to her sides and I know she’s watching me in the reflection of the mirror, but I can’t look at her right now. I unzip the dress, and it’s like I can hear each tooth of the zipper, like I’m trying to draw this out as long as possible. I feel Allegra’s eyes on me, but I can’t speak or think as more flesh is exposed, the zipper moving lower and lower, over the bow of her lower back to reveal the swell of her ass.

  The zipper stops. I’m at the end. And I’m not sure what I’m thinking, or what I’m doing because I’m almost surprised, like I was caught up in this—like it was something else, not me unzipping the dress of a woman who isn’t mine. Whom I never intend to have as mine.

  It’s not like she’s the first woman I’ve seen like this and she’s not even naked. Not even close. And I can’t tell what it is, but when I raise my head to meet her steady gaze; I don’t know, maybe it’s what I just learned about her family, maybe it’s the fact I know Arturo is using her, what he’ll make her do. Maybe it’s that I know he hit her. Whatever it is, I can’t take my eyes off her, not now, not right this second.

  There’s an urge inside me, an instinct to protect, to shield.

  But maybe I’m wrong.

  Maybe it’s just the urge to have, to possess, that I’m mistaking for something noble. Something honorable.

  “I don’t want to owe you,” Allegra says.

  It takes me a moment to realize what she’s talking about. It’s from when I’
d made the comment about her father owing me. How it was good to be owed favors. I blink. What kind of favor does she think I’ll ask to repay the cost of a dress? A few clothes?

  I step back. “You owe me nothing.” I run a hand through my hair. “They’re clothes, Allegra. It’s nothing.” I shift my gaze to the fading bruise on her cheek. I have questions but now isn’t the time.

  “Let me help you get the dress off,” Margot says, coming around the corner. If she notices any weirdness, she doesn’t mention it. Allegra breaks eye contact and smiles at Margot. I walk back into the shop and pick up the two large bags Margot’s prepared and walk them out to the SUV. By the time I return, Allegra’s dressed in her jeans and sweater, but now she has on a pair of knee-high boots and a coat as well.

  “Thank you, Margot,” I say, taking the dress which is hanging in a garment bag.

  Allegra picks up the bag of shoes. “Thank you,” she says to Margot. When we exit the shop, and I put the last of it into the trunk, she turns to me. “Thank you, Gregorio.” She nods, and I don’t know how I could ever have thought she was a spoiled daddy’s girl. She’s so far from that. Hell, it would be easier if she were just that.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter Six

  At precisely seven o’clock, I knock on Allegra’s door. I’m not sure what to expect, if she’ll even be ready, but when I open it, it takes me a moment to speak.

  She’s wearing the dress I bought her but has her hands at her back trying to zip it up. Her hair is pulled back into an elegant chignon with a few strands falling over one side of her face. The side with the bruise. She’s also wearing the makeup Margot provided for her. Thick, smoky shadows accent her blue eyes, giving them a seductive slant. There’s a hint of color high on her cheekbones and gloss shimmers on her full lips. I realize we forgot to buy jewelry to go with the dress, but she doesn’t need any. She’s beautiful on her own. Sparkling, even. She’d outshine any jewels and make them appear dull.

  “Is it too much?” she asks.

  “No.” I shake my head. “It’s perfect, actually. You look perfect.”

  “You look nice too.”

  I’m wearing a tux and, yes, not to be cocky, but I look good.

  “The zipper’s stuck again,” she says awkwardly when I stare for a minute too long.

  I clear my throat and go to her. She turns her back to me, and I intend to take hold of the zipper. I do, but I can’t help it when my hand moves to brush the soft curve of her neck. My touch sends a shudder through her, but she doesn’t pull away. I let my fingers graze over her spine before grasping the zipper and wiggling it around a little until I can zip her up as slowly as I unzipped her earlier this afternoon. This time though, when I’m done, I put my hands on her hips and turn her to face me. Even with her high heels, the top of her head comes to my chin, and she has to crane her neck to look up at me. She’s got her hands on my chest, and I can’t take my eyes off her.

  “Allegra,” I start, not sure what I’m going to say, not wanting to say anything but to kiss her. To put my mouth to hers and taste her. But the phone in my pocket buzzes, and she lowers her head, stepping backward.

  “It’s Enzo. He’s waiting for us.”

  She nods. “I just need my coat.” It’s lying on her bed, and I pick it up and drape it over her shoulders then lead her out with a hand at the small of her back.

  When we get downstairs, Enzo, who is also in a tux, whistles at us. “You clean up nice,” he tells her.

  She rolls her eyes but is smiling as she climbs into the SUV. I don’t miss Enzo’s glance at her exposed thigh, and when he sees my face, he straightens and clears his throat. I’m second guessing my choice of dress for her. Every man is going to have his eyes on her tonight.

  “What is the party for, anyway?” Allegra asks once we’re on our way.

  “It’s for a hotel and casino my brother and I are taking over.” It’s the easiest way to explain it without telling her any of the gritty details. I only hope tonight’s meeting will go as I expect and without surprises. “I’m signing paperwork tonight.”

  “Is it legal?” she asks, her expression changing.

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “I don’t know, because you’re the mafia?”

  I give her a smile. “Hmm.” I let it go. “I do expect you at my side the entire evening, and when I can’t be with you, you’ll be with Enzo, understood?”

  She rolls her eyes. “What if I need to go to the bathroom? I mean really, what do you think I’m going to do?”

  “I don’t know. You tell me.”

  An hour and a half later, Enzo pulls up to the hotel where the event will be held. I signal for him to give us a minute, and he does. “Allegra, if you have any plans to try and slip away, don’t. Is that clear? I’m going to help you, but I can’t do that if you disappear.”

  “Why would you? What do you stand to gain? You don’t even know me, Gregorio. You can’t really expect me to believe you. This is my life we’re talking about.”

  “There’s more than you know at stake.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The Rossi family, they’re my enemy. They’re the Benedetti family’s enemy. If Arturo truly wants a union with them, he’s going to be in direct opposition with the hand that allows him to feed, do you understand that?”

  After a minute, she nods.

  “You’re safer with me than out there on your own. You have to trust me.”

  “I’m not going back with Arturo. I’m not.”

  “He’s the one who gave you that bruise.” It’s not a question.

  She turns away. “I’m not weak. I’m not some pathetic, weak victim.”

  “No, but a man is always stronger than a woman, Allegra. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. He struck you. He should be ashamed.”

  She still won’t face me. “You’d have to have feelings to feel shame. Be human.” I can hear the disgust in her tone.

  “Do you trust me?” I ask, turning her to face me.

  I can almost see her think, see her tell herself to be strong. To say yes. That she does trust me. But I know a lie when I hear one, and her whispered yes is just that. I can’t blame her, though.

  She’s got one shot to save her life.

  Knowing this, I nod anyway. She’s not going anywhere; I don’t care what she thinks.

  ***

  While I sign paperwork tonight, the casino is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, which means parties are going on all over the place. The Atlantic City property is the first of many we have planned to acquire, but venturing out to Vegas will take some negotiation. Holstein, the owner, is backed into a corner and needs the cash relief we can provide. But that’s not going to be the case with the next one.

  A red carpet is rolled out at the entrance of the hotel/casino and heads turn as I climb out and help Allegra out of the SUV. Holstein and his son, whom I like to call Junior just to piss him off, come toward us, the father with a schooled smile on his face, the son wearing a smirk. Every time I look at him, I want to smack him upside the head, but tonight will be the last night I have to deal with him. The Holstein’s need me to sign tonight, which is the only reason they’re doing this. I know that. But the older Holstein is smarter than his son. He knows we want the property, and he also knows he won’t win a war against the strong arm of the east coast. It may not sound fair, and, hell, maybe it isn’t, but he never should have let the idiot son manage his property because he drove it into the ground.

  “Gregorio,” Mr. Holstein says.

  I greet him and shake his hand, but don’t miss the scrutiny with which the younger Holstein is studying Allegra. When I turn to introduce her, I realize she’s noticed it too. I wonder if she knows him, but I don’t think so from the look on her face. I introduce her, and we all walk inside and through the constantly ringing noise of the casino to the elevator sectioned off by red rope and two men standing sentry. Upon seeing us, one draws the rop
e aside and pushes a button so the doors slide open. I keep my hand on Allegra’s back as we ride up.

  “Have we met before?” Junior asks Allegra.

  I study him, decide I don’t like the tilt of his head, the squint of his eyes.

  “Um, I don’t think so, no,” Allegra answers. I feel her scoot just a little closer to me.

  “Gregorio brings a different woman every time; I can’t keep track.” Allegra casts a glance my way as Junior continues. “But I swear I’ve seen you before.”

  My blood is boiling. “How’s your wife, Junior,” I ask, unable not to.

  He turns to me, as does his father. “Son,” Mr. Holstein says. He knows I don’t like his son, but thing is, I don’t think he likes him much either.

  The elevator doors open, and Junior rudely exits before Allegra. She follows with me close behind her and Holstein to my side apologizing for his son.

  From the marble hallway, I already hear the soft tinkling of glasses, a classical piano piece being played in the background. This I like. The sound of the casino I barely tolerate. Giovanni, on the other hand, loves it and tells me to think of all of that annoying as fuck ringing as the sound of a cash register filling up.

  The hallway opens into a large room with floor to ceiling windows. It’s a clear night, and the full moon shines on the black ocean just beyond the windows. See, that’s the thing with Atlantic City. During the day, it’s a fucking shit hole, but at night, the ocean—if you can see it from this vantage point—is spectacular.

  “Wow,” Allegra says.

  I turn to her, seeing her take it in in profile. “As good as Florida?”

  “I don’t have a view like this from school, and my dad’s house isn’t near the water,” she says, dragging her gaze away from the windows and to me. We’re not alone though. A waiter approaches, and Mr. Holstein offers us both a glass of champagne before helping himself to one. He then holds his glass high.

  “To a new partnership,” he says. I’m glad to see he doesn’t mistake this partnership for friendship.