Contents
Dedication
Copyright
Chapter 1 Tag
Chapter 2 Penny
Chapter 3 Tag
Chapter 4 Penny
Chapter 5 Tag
Chapter 6 Penny
Chapter 7 Tag
Chapter 8 Penny
Chapter 9 Tag
Chapter 10 Penny
Chapter 11 Tag
Chapter 12 Penny
Chapter 13 Tag
Twisted Desire Chapter 1
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Books by Laura Dunaway
This book is dedicated to my amazing PA, Shannon Passmore, better known as Shanoff Reads. Words cannot express my gratitude for all you do.
Twisted Fate
Copyright © 2014 Laura Dunaway All rights reserved.
Published by: Laura Dunaway
[email protected]
Editing: Marti Lynch
Cover Design: Shannon Passmore
ISBN-13: 978-1503289079
ISBN-10: 1503289079
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts for review purposes only.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Chapter 1
Roman wants to see you, now.
The text came from Rico, Roman’s right-hand man. I squeezed the phone tight in my hand, hating that it was Rico summoning me, not Roman himself. Releasing my grip on it, I stuffed the phone into my jeans pocket and headed to his cabin.
I rapped my knuckles on his door three times. Hearing a muffled, “Come in,” I twisted the knob and stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. The room was dark, save for a lit candle on his desk. Opera music was playing in the background, making me cringe. As I walked in, I could see his shadow moving to the music, his arm going side to side, as if directing the vocalists.
“You wanted to see me, sir?” I asked loudly so he’d hear me over the god-awful music.
He slowly turned around, his head still moving side to side, his hand still directing his invisible orchestra. “Tag, yes,” he said, finally turning the music down to a decent level. “I have a job for you; it’s by far the most important one I’ve given you yet.”
My ears perked up hearing this, and my heartbeat accelerated. Finally, Roman was recognizing all of my hard work and assigning me a huge job. I hid my excitement, only nodding my head once. “What is it?”
Roman pulled out the enormous chair behind his desk and sat down, steepling his fingers together over the desk. Since he didn’t invite me to sit, I stayed standing. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small maroon box, setting it on his vast mahogany desk. Opening the lid, he pulled out a Cuban cigar, lighting it quickly. Wrapping his thin lips around it, he took a few short puffs, his lips smacking against the cigar as he did. A minute later, he returned the box to the drawer and finally looked at me.
“We will have a new guest soon, but she won’t be happy about being here. I’ve decided you are the best man to not only lead the team acquiring her, but to also watch over her while she’s here, to make sure she doesn’t do anything, how shall I put this…out of line.”
It was like the sound of brakes screeching went off in my head. Kidnapping? Watching over her? What the hell? “How old is this girl?” was all I asked.
Roman took another puff of his cigar, dropping some ash into his ashtray. His hand started to direct the music again, and suddenly all I wanted to do was drag him out of that oversized chair and demand he tell me. Instead, I waited.
“She’s not a child, Tag,” he said with a chuckle when he finally diverted his attention back to me. “She’s twenty-one, not that her age should matter to you. This is a job, and I expect you to carry it out to the best of your ability.”
Damn. In all my years working for this bastard, he’d never once had me kidnap a woman. The idea was repulsive to me. What the hell was he thinking?
“Who is she?”
“Penelope Santoro.”
Holy shit.
My expression immediately went blank. I had mastered the art of hiding my true feelings with my job. The smallest mistake could mean my death.
“Raul Santoro’s daughter,” I commented.
“The one and only,” Roman replied, his eyes shining like a hunter out for his next kill.
Keeping my cool, I couldn’t resist asking him a question. “With all due respect, sir, is kidnapping the way to go?”
Roman’s eyes turned to slits, and it was obvious he wasn’t happy with my question. It wasn’t often one of his men questioned his motives, but this was a job I felt he should avoid. I refused to back down and take it back.
“I’m not a foolish man, Tag,” he hissed. “This is the only way to get what I want. That’s all you need to know.”
He stared at me as he took another puff, trying to intimidate me. It didn’t work. I knew not to question him more, but he wasn’t going to make me cower. “When do we acquire her?”
The smile that came over his face was pure evil. “That’s better. She’s ours tomorrow night.”
Tomorrow night? He had to be shitting me.
He chuckled, his hand beginning to direct the orchestra in his head again. “I see the surprise in your eyes. I know it’s quick and I didn’t give you much notice, but you can handle it. There’s really not much to it. She’ll be going to The Orchid to celebrate her best friend’s birthday. I’ve already talked to Derek; he’ll be the one on the inside. He’ll come on to her, make her think he wants her. Once he’s plied her with drinks and has her begging for it, he’ll take her outside. That’s where you come in.”
My head was spinning. Shit—he was such an asshole. Resigning myself to this screwed up task, I asked carefully, “What do you need me to do?”
He tilted his head to the side, studying me. “I expect you to be the one to shove the syringe in her neck and toss her in the trunk of the car, then bring her on board my yacht. As soon as she’s here, we set sail for the islands, and you’re in charge of her. No one besides those on the team is to know she’s here—no one touches her, do you understand me?”
I nodded, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at his dramatics. “I do.”
“Good. Do you have any more questions?”
I had a million, but none I could voice. “None other than I assume you will email me any important details?”
His eyes crinkled as he shot me another evil grin and nodded. “I already have.”
Of course he had.
“Okay, I’ll start preparing. Do you need anything else?”
He turned the volume back up, shaking his head in dismissal. I turned and walked out the door to my cabin with a few thoughts running around in my head.
Watch over her? Be a babysitter? That’s what he’s seriously telling me to do. He wants me to kidnap her, then watch over her. No way. This was a damn joke. I had to put a stop to this ridiculous idea. The question was, how the hell was I going to?
Chapter 2
The substitute instructor of my swimwear course in fashion was putting me to sl
eep. His voice was the worst monotone I’d ever heard, and the fact he was teaching on swimwear was a joke in itself. He was dressed in a brown tweed jacket and was wearing penny loafers. Was he serious?
When the time for class to end finally came, I couldn’t pack up my bag fast enough. I needed to get the hell outta there. His nasally, sleep-inducing voice was making me crazy.
Thank goodness it was Thursday. One more day until Kimberly’s twenty-first birthday celebration, and no more of that boring class until next week. I was about ready to lose my mind and needed the break Kimberly’s birthday would provide.
I was happy she chose to go to The Orchid. It was always a blast and definitely the place to be on a Friday night. But really, Kimberly was the life of the party wherever she went, so there was no need to worry about not having some fun.
“Oh good hell, can you believe that instructor?” my friend Trish huffed in agitation as she suddenly appeared by my side. “He was putting me to sleep!”
I laughed as we walked across the lush green grass to our cars. “Girl, I know. I was about ready to scream.”
She laughed too as we reached the edge of the parking lot. Turning to face me, she brushed her long, wavy blonde hair behind her ear. “So what time is Kimberly’s party tomorrow night?”
I put my hand up to shield my eyes from the brightness of the sun. “Seven-thirty. I can’t wait—it’s going to be amazing.”
Trish adjusted her bag over her shoulder as we continued walking to our cars. “Knowing Kimberly, it’s going to be insane.”
I tilted my head to the side. “That’s an understatement. She’s definitely going all out. I have no doubt she’s going to get crazy on us.”
Trish laughed again. “Oh, she will. I just met her through you a few months ago and already know more about the girl than most do. She’s definitely not shy to share her experiences.”
I smiled at that, because she was exactly right. Kimberly was very open about her sex life. Too open. I’d tried to tell her that so many times but had given up because she just didn’t care. If someone didn’t want to hear about it, they could leave, was her argument.
We reached my car and I tossed my stuff onto the passenger seat, then turned to face her. “I’m so glad you’re coming tomorrow. She’s invited a lot of people from her sorority, which will make it even crazier.”
Trish rolled her eyes and shifted her feet. “Do you realize how lame her sorority is?”
I nodded. “Trust me, yes. Out of all the ones she had the option of joining, I have no idea why she chose the one she did.”
We said good-bye, and I hopped in my cute red Volkswagen Jetta that my father bought for me for my eighteenth birthday. When I had turned twenty-one a few months ago, he told me to choose a new car, but I didn’t want to part with my Jetta. I loved it too much. Daddy had been surprised but just smiled and got me round-trip tickets to Tahiti for when the semester was finished—with Kimberly, of course.
I drove along the city streets and relished the freedom driving gave me. I loved being in fashion design school, pursuing my dream. I loved being old enough to live in my own apartment, free of my parents’ house and rules.
I came from a big family, and while I adored them, I also needed my own space. My mother wasn’t thrilled when I announced I’d found an apartment a few miles away, but she knew not to argue. I was good about still going home for Sunday dinners and on some nights just to say hi. My younger sister Ava and I were very close, so more often than not, she’d be the main reason for me to visit.
Taylor Swift was singing “Shake It Off” on the radio, and I turned it up, singing as loud as I could since nobody could hear me. The light changed to red, forcing me to slam on my brakes a little harder than normal, which had me laughing in surprise. I looked over at the car next to me and felt a small jolt at the very cute guy in the passenger seat of a black Corvette. He gave me a wink and a smile, making me blush and turn my head. Just as the light turned green, I looked back over and saw he was still staring at me. I pushed hard on the gas, making my tires squeal a little as I accelerated out of there.
I pulled into the Starbucks parking lot, getting ready to settle in for a few hours of studying with my favorite latte. I grabbed my bag and headed in, loving the scent of hazelnut and coffee that surrounded me. The girl at the register smiled, recognizing me as a regular.
Once I had my mocha latte, I found a place in the corner and set my stuff down. I fell into one of the chairs and sat back for a few minutes, looking around. A couple was sitting at the table next to me, obviously studying, but holding hands over the table as they read their textbooks.
I’d just set my cup down and bent over to get my laptop out of my bag when a weird sensation trickled down the back of my neck. Staying bent over but looking up, I looked around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Telling myself it was just my imagination, I set my laptop on the table and powered it up.
When the screen lit up, I clicked on my school’s website and signed in, sighing at the fact I had so much studying to do. Taking another sip of my latte, I clicked on one of my classes and re-read the assignment that was due the next day.
Just as I was finishing reading, the weird sensation of being watched came over me again. Jerking my head to the left, a guy wearing all black and a black beanie suddenly turned away from me and walked out the door. Knowing he was the reason for my unease, I watched him through the shop’s window as he climbed into an older-looking car, looking back at me. As the car sped away, I caught a glimpse of striking white hair in the backseat, and couldn’t shake the feeling they had been there for me.
Chapter 3
I got back to my cabin and shook my head. This was seriously the stupidest thing Roman had ever done, and he’d done some pretty stupid things. The guy headed a huge drug cartel and so far had avoided criminal charges, but this latest scheme had me worried. Why the hell did he want to take Penelope Santoro, and why the hell did I have to be her damn babysitter?
I stood in front of the dresser, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I usually kept my head shaved, though it had been a few days and my dark hair was growing in. I rubbed my hand across my head, debating whether to go into the bathroom and get rid of it once again. Deciding against it, I eased my hand down over my face, feeling the rough scratch of my stubble. My dark hazel eyes looked tired and worried, and I knew I needed to either find a woman or get drunk off my ass before this stupid job tomorrow.
Swearing, I turned and headed out the door, slamming it behind me. I walked into the dining room and sat down at the closest table. I was relieved to see the room was empty because I was in no mood to talk.
“Dude, you drinking tonight or what?”
I looked up to see the guy in charge of the kitchen, Juan, standing beside my table. I chuckled and ran my hand down my face. “Hell, yes, I’m drinking. Start me with some Johnny Walker, quick.”
Juan nodded and laughed as he headed to the kitchen. A few TVs were on in the room, and I sat back on my chair and mindlessly watched. CNN was reporting a kidnapping, and it hit me that soon enough, they’d have another one to report. I knew without a doubt Roman’s kidnapping of this rich girl would definitely make national news.
Juan came back and set the glass down with a thud on the table, then the whole bottle itself. “Because I know you’ll only keep bugging me for more.”
I flipped him off, and he was still laughing when he headed back to the kitchen. Juan was a good guy, but half the time I wondered if he truly knew what went on behind closed doors with his boss. Shrugging, I took the first sip of my drink and moaned at the smooth way it slid down my throat.
I was on my second round when the chair beside me moved back and Rico took a seat. I cringed inwardly but remained impassive. Rico was a piece of shit. Not a day went by when I didn’t wonder how the hell he landed the job of being Roman’s right-hand man. I also refused to kiss his ass because of it.
“Tag, my man,” he spoke in
his god-awful squeaky voice. “I hear you’re the man Roman picked to head the team that’s taking the girl.”
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