Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny

by Michelle Hardin

  She chuckled. “While I appreciate being called young, I have to say, you’re a bigger idiot then I remember. Open your eyes dumbass.”

  Mitchell frowned. “I’m confused—”

  She cut him off by raising her hand. “Spare me please. I just, I didn’t think my American accent was that good. I mean, it’s mediocre at best. And I’m positive I don’t look that young, but if you choose to call me Carterina, then by all means Mitch, let’s pretend I’m Carterina.” She let out an exasperated sigh and waved her hand in the air. “Tell me, where are you going?”

  What? He thought. “Out,” Mitchell said backing away from her. She was making him uneasy, so was the deadly look in her eyes. She looked at him like she was reading him. Like she knew every thought in his head, every plan he ever made, and every lie he ever told to cover up his betrayal. It took everything in Mitchell not to break out into a guilty run.

  “Out where, Mitchell?” she asked her face suddenly serious, and a little different. There was something different about her, he just couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was, but there was a difference.

  “That’s none of your business,” he said still putting distance between them.

  She shook her head feigning disappointment. “You have too much in that head of yours Mitch Romano, thinking this way can only end badly for you.”

  “I don—”

  “Your fists are clenching and unclenching, you have sweat beading on your forehead, and you keep putting more and more distance between us. Your body language indicates fear. Are you afraid of me, Mitchell?” she asked in a cold menacing tone.

  “No I am not, now if you would excuse me.” Mitchell tried to walk past her but she moved in front of him.

  “Yes, you are afraid, Mitchell.” She cocked her head to the side. “Do you know why yet? Do you know why you’re afraid of me?”

  “I’m not—”

  She held up her hand, effectively halting his next lie. “Yes you are. And now I’m going to have to kill you whether you’ve done what I suspect you’ve done or not.” She shrugged. “It is time for you to die anyway. You were never any use to Angelo in the first place. I told him he should get rid of you, a long time ago,” she said, but she was starting to sound different. Mitchell noticed her accent become a bit more foreign and…Wait a minute, what did she say?

  “I’m sorry, did you just say get rid of me a long time ago?” Mitchell starting to actually get a little frightened.

  A sinister smile spread across her face and she nodded. “I did,” she said her accent becoming thicker with each word. “Has your brain caught up with your body yet? Your instincts are trying to tell you something Mitchell, but your mind is not listening. You’re seeing what you want to see. You’re not seeing what’s actually in front of you. Or should I say who’s in front of you?”

  Mitchell’s heart beat quickened and sweat beaded on his forehand. “Wait, why are you speaking like that, what the hell is going on here?”

  “Do you really want to mess with me, Mitchell? Ask yourself that, do you really want to fuck with a Stone?” She pushed his chest hard. “Don’t fuck with me,” she snapped.

  “I don’t understand—”

  That’s when reality slammed into Mitchell, nearly knocking him off his feet. Fear, dread, and terror ceased his body, causing him to shake uncontrollably as he tried to utter the forbidden name that no man wanted to speak.

  “Ann-a-a-Ana-Ugh!” Mitchell’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when her hand wrapped around his throat and she pushed him into his office door, hard. She pressed a large golden knife against his throat, and Mitchell nearly pissed his pants.

  “Shhh. What is it that Angelo’s sweet son says to you to get you to shut your mouth again? Be silent?” She flipped the knife and pushed the pointed tip against his skin and Mitchell stop breathing. “Be silent, Mitchell. This little meeting will be our little secret, okay?”

  Hot tears began to fill Mitchell’s eyes, and his legs felt as if they would give out. “P-p-please don’t kill me.”

  She frowned. “But why?” she asked with genuine confusion in her eyes. “Why would you say that to me, Mitch? I’ve been waiting so patiently. I want to see your blood.” Her gaze fell to the skin her knife was sitting against then she looked into his eyes. She pierced his skin with the sharp knife, and Mitchell nearly howled in pain, but she immediately stopped him. “Shh…” she said sharply. “You make a sound and I’ll kill you. I promise you Angelo won’t punish me for your death.” She looked to the side as if she were lost in thought. “Well, he might punish me, I miss his punishments…so much fun.” She shrugged and her eyes came back to him. “I think you did something bad Mr. Romano. I need more evidence to prove it, but I think you did it. And when I prove my suspicion correct, I will kill you. I would kill you right now, but I don’t need the attention. Not yet. She’s not ready, I can tell.” She frowned. “And I need my baby to be ready, Mitch. Do you understand?”

  Mitchell nodded frantically.

  She nodded her head once then pressed her knife against his neck again. “If you touch my child, Mitchell —I don’t care if it’s an accident, or you’re just shaking her hand— I will decapitate you. Do you understand me?”

  As if she already knew his answer she pushed away from him and stuck her knife in the back pocket of her jeans.

  “Get me out of here undetected. I don’t want anyone else to know I was here.”

  There was no one but them around. Mitchell thought she may have been talking to him. Just when he was about to obey her orders three men that worked for Angelo came around the corner. Mitchell’s eyes shot open wide as the men lead Anastacia Stone away from him.

  Once she left, he escaped the office planning to never return. He planned to collect all of his money and leave New York, but he couldn’t seem to get himself together. Over the next few days he felt as if someone was watching him. He saw Anastacia’s face everywhere he looked. That’s when he came to the realization that there was no running, there was no hiding, and there was no getting away.

  Anastacia Stone was going to find out what he did. And when she found out, she was going to kill him.

  Mitchell knew right then that he had to do something.

  18

  She Called You The Maid!

  “No Jenna, you don’t have to cook. You’re our guest, just order something anywhere and charge it to my credit card. It’s in the night stand next to my bed,” Carter said as she made her way through the large luxury hotel lobby with Mickey and three other men following close behind her. She smoothed down her knee length pencil skirt, and adjusted her fitted purple top, making sure it was tightly tucked in. Her black pumps clicked on the marble floor as she made her way to the last meeting she had for the day.

  “Carter, I don’t need you to buy me anything. I have plenty of money. Don’t start getting a big head just because you live in this incredible penthouse, and are practically married to a trillionaire Zeus-like businessman,” she said in a teasing tone.

  Carter smiled. “I’m not getting a big head you goof,” she said while she switched her cell to her other ear. “You shouldn’t have to spend your money here Jenna, you’re our guest, that’s all I meant.”

  “Carter, I’ve been here a thousand times since you first moved here four months ago. I have personal items that I leave in the guest room which I now consider my room. I’m hardly a guest,” she said dryly and Carter chuckled. “Ben’s mad at you for constantly stealing me away. Remember I’ll be staying at a hotel with him tonight. He says he should open another bar here and we should move to Manhattan. I don’t know, I think I agree with him Carter. You and I seem to be closer than we thought we were when we lived in the same house,” Jenna said as if lost in thought.

  She was right. The first week Carter was in New York she started getting ‘Jenna-sick’. She could care less about Hope Beach, she just needed her Jenna. She was almost to the point of tears when she called Jenna and told her
she needed her to visit because she missed her.

  And that’s when it began. Nearly every Friday Jenna would hop on a plane, come to Manhattan, and stay until Sunday. Carter loved her visits and Nathan always made sure Jenna felt welcome in their home, like she was a part of the little family Carter and Nathan had built since she moved to Manhattan.

  “Do it, Jen. There’s a penthouse open in the building,” Carter said nearing her destination, and getting excited at the thought of Jenna living so much closer to her. “Talk about it with Ben and tell me what he says. I have to go,” Carter said quickly as they reached their intended destination.

  A man stood in front of her dressed in an all-black Italian suit. He stood about 6’ tall and had four big men standing with him. He looked at Carter straight in her eyes. Good, he had heard about her, these things went so much faster when they knew what to expect.

  “What do you mean you have to go? You just got on the phone with me literally two seconds ago, and when are you coming home. I’m lonely. I need company until Ben gets here,” Jenna said with a pout.

  “Jay, I’ll be home soon, I have a few things to pick up before the guys come over tonight,” she said staring into the black eyes of the over tanned man in front of her. He opened his mouth to say something and Carter rolled her eyes and raised her hand silencing him. “Jay, I need to go now. I’ll see you soon.” Jenna was saying something but Carter hung up the phone before she finished.

  “May I speak now Ms. Stone or is it Mrs. Salerno yet?” He asked, his tone a bit too derisive, and Carter smirked.

  “You may speak, but not here. We need to have this discussion in private,” she replied to the asshole.

  He nodded and led her, Mickey, and the rest of the men present to a conference room.

  Carter took a seat and Mickey took the seat next to her. Mickey leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his big chest. Carter crossed her legs and the light tap of her index finger against the wooden meeting table filled the room.

  “Do you know why we are here Mr. Clay?” Carter asked.

  “I actually do not. I was surprised when I got the call,” Clay said feigning surprise. “I have to say, I’ve heard many things about you, Ms. Carterina, but I am having a hard time believing the stories are about a beautiful little thing like you,” Clay said with a chuckle and a smug smile on his face.

  Carter knew he was mocking her. She knew about the buzz going around about the work she does for the Salerno family. When Angelo told her that he would find her an outlet for her anger it was like he knew exactly what she needed. Let’s just say that Carter has never been more relaxed in her entire life. She loved her job. It didn’t take her long to make a name for herself. She and her partner in crime have been raising hell all over New York City. Mickey and Carter have become thick as thieves these past four months, and Carter loved it. She didn’t realize how much they had in common until they started working together. She had no idea how talented he was with weapons. They both have spent these last four months helping each other learn new skills as well as sharpening existing ones. So Mr. Chuckles better chill with the mocking shit.

  “Whether you believe it or not is of no concern to me. You know why we’re here, so cut the shit, and stop what you are doing,” Carter said coolly.

  Clay laughed and clapped his hands. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, dear Carterina. What exactly is it that you want me to stop?” he said through a laugh.

  Carter’s jaw clenched, she really didn’t like this motherfucker.

  “Carterina, we could always just kill him and give this hotel to Angelo to destroy as a gift,” Mickey said. He kept his eyes narrowed on Clay. “I’m sure Angelo can build something nice on the property. A parking lot perhaps?” he threatened with a sly smile.

  “I’m sorry, did you just threaten to kill me?” Clay said raising an eyebrow.

  “No, that wasn’t a threat, it was a suggestion, that I believe my partner here is considering,” Mickey replied then pointed to the four men standing behind Clay. “And what did you bring these idiots for? They can’t do shit if we decide to kill you.”

  Clay frowned. “These men are here for security purposes because associates of mine have shared horror stories of you two with me.” Clay sat up straight in his seat and adjusted his suit. “There will be no killing here. You two are here because your boss thinks he’s the king of New York, and he is not. So if you would, wrap this up,” Clay said as he began to stand from his seat.

  Carter stood up abruptly and hit her fist against the table. “Sit your ass down, Clay! We aren’t going anywhere until we discuss what Angelo wants.” Clay looked up at Carter as if deciding whether or not he should comply with her command. “Sit. Down. That’s the last time I’ll say it. This is not a game, and I’ll only warn you once. I don’t like to be mocked. You’re about to find out why your associates tried to warn your ass before we got here,” she said giving him a warning glare. Clay sat in his seat slowly and Carter turned her glare to the men behind him. “Neither one of you are to move a muscle throughout this meeting. He may pay you, but it’s not worth your life. You move, I’ll kill you, and you won’t be able to spend the money anyway,” she said with a shrug. Then a mischievous smile appeared on her face. “Actually, all four of you have a choice right now. You can continue to stand behind him, and protect him, or you can come over here with me, and I’ll reward you,” she said.

  Mickey laughed.

  The four men looked at each other, and then they looked back at Carter. She smirked and raised an eyebrow, waiting for them to make a decision. When two of the men walked over to her and stood behind her, she smiled.

  Clay’s eyes went wide and he shot up from his seat. “What the hell are you doing? Get your asses back over here now!”

  “No, they are not your men anymore, they are mine, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Carter said leaning forward with her palms flat on the table, never taking her eyes from Clay’s. “That all? You two don’t want to be over here with me?” She asked looking at the two men who hadn’t moved…yet. “If you think that I or my friends will harm you, you are wrong. The only way you will be safe from us is if you are with us, not against us. But, if you choose not to come over here, well…”she shrugged and took a deep exaggerated breath.

  The two remaining men walked over to her and stood behind her and she laughed. “Damn, Clay looks like you’re all by your lonesome self over there. I bet your feeling pretty cold right now,” she said through a laugh.

  “What the hell do you want from me?” Clay shouted. Carter saw that she pissed him off and she smiled.

  “You rent out women and young men as sex slaves in your hotel,” Carter stated.

  “That’s none of Angelo’s damn business. This is my hotel!” Clay yelled his tan face turning crimson.

  “Wrong! It is his business, especially since the police think he has some involvement in your fucking business. Angelo Salerno doesn’t sell humans. That’s sick,” Carter spat.

  “So what the fuck am I supposed to do about that? The cops can’t prove shit and they never will.”

  “Angelo doesn’t give a shit about what the cops can prove. He doesn’t want his good name tarnished. He is a very important man, and he will be backing the senator in this upcoming election. He doesn’t need this shit going on in his city.”

  “This is not his—”

  “This is his city,” Carter shouted, and Clay flinched. “And it would do you a world of good to remember that.” She looked behind her at his men then turned back to him. “Do you see how quickly I took what was yours? Your protection, your safety, your money, because I’m sure you pay them good money to protect you. Look at them and imagine this… It will be easier than that for Angelo to take everything you have, and do what he pleases with it.” She stood up straight and walked over to the side of the table where Clay stood. She walked in front of him and sat on the table. She smoothed his suit and tightened his ti
e.

  Clay didn’t move a muscle.

  “Clay, you’re a good business man,” she said looking in his eyes. “I’m sure you only became this successful because you made good decisions, made the right moves, at the right time. Am I right?” she asked him. And she waited for him to nod his answer, and when he did she continued. “Then tell me, business man,” she said as she wrapped his tie around her hand, pulling him closer to her and putting her lips close to his ear, “what’s your next move?” she whispered then she pushed him back hard and he fell back in his seat hard. He gasped loud and moved to stand again, but couldn’t when Carter’s leg shot up and she pressed her black stilettos against his chest. “Don’t move,” she commanded her voice as smooth as silk.

  Clay sat down in his seat slowly, and stared at her with wide eyes. She kept her stilettos against his chest as she began to lift her skirt up her thigh. Clay’s eyes shot directly to her legs as the skirt rose higher and higher until a holster holding four small knives came into view. The holster wrapped around her upper thigh, and was held in place by a garter. Clay was trying his best not to drool.

  Carter gripped one of her knives and pulled it loose from the holster. “Tell me Clay, have you heard a lot about me?” she asked while looking at her knife, as if examining it.

  “M-My An-Um-associates said ma-many things,” Clay said now looking at the sharp knife in her hand.

  Carter’s eyes locked with his. “Did they mention how much I hate repeating myself? And don’t speak when you answer, just nod.” Clay nodded yes and Carter leaned forward, her stiletto still against his chest. “You’re no longer selling sex in this hotel. If you want to keep it, clean it. Run it completely legit. It’s nice, you’ll still get plenty of business if you know what you’re doing. If you choose not to listen now, Mickey and I will have to come back… I do not like making two visits. It makes me look bad with my boss. The second visit won’t be like this Clay, I’m warning you. I’ve come to you today peacefully, but if I have to come back I…I…” Carter let out an exaggerated sigh. “I just don’t know if I can let you live, Clay.” She smiled warmly at him. “Will I have to come back here, Clay?” she asked. “You may speak now I want to hear your answer.”