Taking The Bait (Nothing But Trouble Book 1)

by Steele, C. M.

  “So you were going to steal my niece, and that bastard used my daughter as the bait and switch.”

  “Yes. Just so you know they’re were going to have you all killed too, and it was looking like that’s what Tino was planning to do before we stopped him.”

  “I’m supposed to believe you?”

  I called out to the hallway for Regan. “Amore, come in here please.” She gasped in shock when she seen her father tied up.

  “You said you wouldn’t hurt him.”

  “Does it look like he’s hurt?” I shook my head at her.

  “Dante,” she scolded. Oh no, here was the trouble my father warned me about.

  “I was going to let him go, but he’s being stubborn. He doesn’t believe me. Cara, please inform your father how we met.”

  “Diana took me shopping all day, and I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t have a choice. I was trying to be a fun cousin, but everywhere we went it was like we were famous and had to be surrounded by guards and hidden under hats and glasses. It was crazy. Then we went to a club that night dressed exactly the same. Then she told me she and her boyfriend were leaving for a moment to…you know,” she said with a blush. Fuck. I forgot how innocent she was until she met me.

  “Well they didn’t come back and these guys kept trying to hit on me, so I…”

  I looked at her letting her know that she was in trouble. “Wait you didn’t tell me some guys were hitting on you.”

  “What does it matter? I don’t know who they were.”

  “It matters to me.” I reached for my phone. “Dominic, get the footage from the club on the night. Yeah.”

  “You are ridiculous. You aren’t going to kill them too, are you?”

  “I didn’t kill that ass out there, and he’s kissed you.”

  “Only once.”

  “Once is enough. I told you he’s gay as fuck,” I said with a smirk.

  “Anyways…I went out to call her again when your asses grabbed me. They made a shitload of threats believing I was Diana. Then you came in and scared the shit out of me, and well…”

  “Did I rape you, Regan?”

  “Of course not,” she said in outrage. Then realizing she was admitting her intimacy in front of her father, she turned bright red.

  “See, I told you. Now I need to deal with that fuck in the other room before anyone else shows up. By the way, Regan, find something pretty to wear for tomorrow morning. We are getting married.”

  “What! You’re not marrying my daughter, unless she wants to.”

  “Really, she asked me not to hurt you, but you’re really starting to piss me off.” I turned back to Regan, “Amore, we are getting married before your fuck of an uncle makes another move. I have evidence that he planned our nabbing of you, but our marriage will solidify the case.”

  “You’re only marrying me in a rush to save you some trouble.”

  “Ha. Marrying you, I know I’m going to be living with trouble. I want to marry you. I told you that before. Now please do as I ask.”

  “Not until you let my dad go.”

  “Really. Didn’t I tell you to go and do that?” She just stomped her foot in anger and disregarded to my order. My father walked into the room and laughed.

  He shook his head at him. “Son,” was all he said and I knew it was a battle I was meant to lose. Shit.

  I went around and untied him.

  “Now go,” I growled at her.

  She smiled brightly and said, “Thank you, love.” Then kissed me and rushed off.

  “See, I told you, son.”

  “Mr. Daley, I am Stefano Franchetti. My son has still to learn that a happy wife is a happy life.”

  “Looks like he got his first lesson. I’m Callum Daley.” They shook hands and just looked at us.

  “Ha. She wasn’t even spitting mad yet. Once that happens, then he’ll learn.”

  “She’s like her mother. It will happen soon.”

  “Now, I’ll let you watch if you like or you can join your wife and Regan in the other room. I need answers, and this fuck is going to give them to me or die slowly.”

  “If what you’re say is true then I want to be there. I might even help.”

  “Have you ever killed someone before?” I asked. If he spent all these years clean there was no need to start getting his hands dirty now.

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t recommend you start now.”

  “If it’s true, then my daughter was sent to slaughter. If you’d hadn’t been struck stupid by her beauty she would have been dead.”

  “She still wouldn’t have been dead. I’ve never killed anyone who didn’t deserve it, and I knew she was who she claimed to be the moment I walked into the room.”

  “I don’t care. That bitch begged and pleaded for Regan to come to Chicago. She tricked her into being her bait.”

  “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. By the way, if you’re going to throw up please leave the room. It’s more mess to clean up.”

  “After this Michael and his daughter are next,” he snarled. Fuck, they created an angry monster. I liked it.

  Chapter 7

  “So you came into my home, pretending to protect us. You’re as low as they come, and if you don’t start talking I’m going to start to slowly kill you. It won’t be this asshole right here. It’ll be me that takes my time. I used to skin calves all the time. I would love to try it on a person. Especially on someone who tried to hurt my family.”

  “I’m not scared.” Tino tried to act brave.

  “Moira! Get me my calving kit!”

  “Okay!” she shouted from the other room.

  “I like him,” I said to my father.

  “Here dearest.” Mrs. Daley walked into the room and handed her husband the kit.

  “Do you boys need anything else?” she said sweetly. Damn, I’d started to wonder if this was really their first time.

  “Are you going to start talking or am I going to let my father-in-law start the skinning process?”

  “I…I…” I guess we were going to get somewhere.

  “Spit it out, boy!” my father said.

  “He sent me here to kill the whole family.”

  “Why?”

  “To make sure no one talked.”

  “About what?” her father asked with a fileting knife in his hand.

  “About her abduction and the supposed letter. They knew once she was contacted by the investigators, they would learn that she didn’t write the letter. That’s all I know.”

  “My man said you were at the club when they grabbed Regan. What was the plan with that?”

  “Your men were tipped off that they would go to the club. She was dressed like Di and once your men were spotted leaving your home, Di left. I was there to make sure you took the bait.”

  I swung on him for calling my woman bait. “She’s not bait,” I growled.

  I was ready to go back at him when her father stopped me and said, “Calm down, Son. She’s in the other room.”

  “Where’s Diana now?”

  “I’m not sure…”

  I looked at her father and gave him his cue. He was fast. The filet knife crossed his face, tearing off a flesh. The pussy shouted out in pain.

  “I believe he asked you a question,” I said.

  “Vacationing in Hollywood.”

  “Is Flanagan still in Chicago?” I questioned.

  “He should be.”

  I walked over Regan’s father and whispered in his ear. He just gave me a nod. I took out my gun and pulled the trigger, blowing Tino’s head off. He was shocked to see the mess, but at least my men put a tarp down before we got started with the fuck. I had to get cleaned up before I found Regan.

  I was too late. In a panic, Regan came running in. She instantly looked at the slumped body covered in blood. Fuck.

  “Damn it, Regan. Get out of here, amore.”

  “Oh my…” she said completely disturbed by what she saw. I handed the gun
to my father and ran up to my woman. I wrapped her up in my arms.

  “Shh…amore, you shouldn’t have come in here.”

  “I’m sorry. I was just worried when I heard the gun shot. I thought it could be you.”

  “Amore, I don’t care if it was me. You don’t come running into danger ever. Understood?”

  “But…”

  I pinched her pretty lips shut and shook my head. “No. You don’t risk yourself. Ever.”

  I looked at her, and her eyes kept trying to look away from me, but then she’d end up looking at the corpse.

  “Stop looking over there,” I commanded, but she wouldn’t look away. Damn, I didn’t know what to do.

  It was her father that responded, “Take her upstairs the second door on your left.”

  “Come, amore.” I turned back to my father, and he gave me a quick nod, letting me know that they’d take care of the mess.

  “Shh…my beautiful brave woman. You weren’t supposed to see that.” My heart actually hurt with her emotional confusion.

  Once we reached the room, I realized where we were—her bedroom. This was not the time for my cock to wake up, but it did. Normally, I wasn’t into sex after I offed someone. Unlike some, killing wasn’t a turn on, it was a must. Right now, though, I was feeling like fucking my woman until she returned to me.

  I bent down, tasted her mouth and her tears.

  “I need to clean up. Do you want to sit on the bed and wait or do you want to join me in the shower?”

  She only blushed, and I had my answer. I locked her bedroom door and walked us to the bathroom. This time I undressed us both. I knew I shouldn’t be trying to fuck her in her parents’ home, but I already told her I wasn’t a gentleman at all.

  I licked her tears, tasting her pain and hurt as I waited for our shower to get the right temperature. I whispered to her after testing the water.

  “I can’t have the water too cold.” Nothing. She didn’t even smile, just nothing. Fuck, this wasn’t good. I needed the vibrant, redheaded woman who was strong and mouthy to come back to me.

  “I’m sorry for everything that happened, except knowing you. That’s something I’ll never regret,” I murmured in her ear.

  She didn’t say anything, so I took us into the shower, hoping the water would revive her. She looked up at me, her eyes swimming with unshed tears.

  “Dante…Am I dreaming?”

  “No. I’m sorry, but you’re not.”

  “You’re here. I’m not sorry about that,” she whispered before reaching up and pressing her lips against mine. It was soft, affectionate, and perfect. I wanted to rush her, but I didn’t know how fragile she was.

  “Love me, Dante. Please. I need to feel alive.”

  “Always, cara,” I whispered before I kissed her again. I wanted to absorb her into my skin. Everything about her, owned me. I missed her, and I would do anything in my power to never let us be apart again. I pushed us into the water and let the warmth envelop us. Lifting her up, I pushed her against the wall and slammed my body against hers. Looking into her eyes, I knew she like this.

  “Touch me, Regan,” I groaned.

  She tentatively rubbed her hand across my chest, slipping her fingers into my hair. The feel of her fingers as they caressed my pecs made my cock stiffer, if that was even possible. At this point, I could lay drywall with it. I wanted to just push into her heat, but I wanted her to tell me. Her little hands shook, in nervousness.

  “It’s all yours, Regan. Touch me however you want. I like the feeling of your hands on me.”

  “I like it too,” she replied boldly.

  My hands moved from her ass, just letting my body and the wall hold her up. I wanted to touch her all over. I wanted to taste her sweet pussy and have her come on my tongue. Fuck. I needed her to say it. I gripped her wet red hair and pulled her face against mine. She moaned as our mouths connected. Her tongue slipped into my mouth, and it was my turn to moan.

  “Ah, Regan,” I said pleadingly. I pressed my hard cock against her pussy, letting her feel me and know what I wanted.

  “I need you in me, Dante,” she cried.

  That was all I needed to hear. I moved just enough to align our bodies and pushed up into her. Fuck. I’d forgotten what she did to me. I knew mentally she drove me nuts, but her pussy has a similar effect.

  She tightened her thighs around my waist as I slammed her against the wall with each thrust. Her body moved in time with mine. I had her back. I could tell she was fully with me. Regan moved her hands up and down my back, clawing at me.

  “Dante,” she chanted over and over again as I took her breasts in my hands. She had such perfect breasts, and I needed to taste them. I bent down a little as I gripped her ass for leverage and took plump breast into my mouth. I groaned with satisfaction as she mewed. My movements became more erratic as I was consumed by her. I was so damn close I could feel my balls tightened, getting ready to release my seed into her naked womb. I bit down on her nipple as I started to come, and she followed, crying out her release as she bit down on my shoulder.

  I tried to calm my racing pulse. I held her close, but let her drop her legs.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, hoping her mental state was back to normal.

  “I think so. I don’t know if I could walk yet, but we’ll see.”

  “Sorry, amore. I tried to take it easy on you, but you’re too irresistible.”

  “Please don’t take it easy on me,” she said with a naughty grin.

  “Fine, have it your way. I want you again, but I’ve seen your father’s fileting collection. So let’s get washed, and we can talk for a bit. Then you can take a much-needed nap.”

  “I don’t need to sleep. I’ve slept for days, it seems.”

  “You’ll do as you’re told woman. I say nap, and you do it.”

  “Ha. I don’t think so.” I shook my head and started to dry off. Grabbing another towel, I started to dry her lovely red hair.

  “I don’t want daughters.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. I don’t want daughters.”

  “That’s not something you choose. What do you expect me to do give her away if we have a girl?”

  “No. We’ll never give away our children. I just don’t need another beautiful woman to worry about. You are unbelievably beautiful, and I know any daughter we have will look just like you. What the fuck am I going to do then?”

  “Live with it,” she said with a shrug as she waltzed out of the bathroom in her sexy pink towel. Fuck. I wanted her again and my dick agreed.

  I just stood there and watched her dress as I stroked my cock and told him, “Later.” I needed a cold shower, but I didn’t want to leave her alone. I grabbed her towel and hung it up in the bathroom before slipping on my boxers. The rest of my clothes had blood on them. I’m sure my pops will send up my bag later on.

  She was sitting on the bed surrounded by pretty stuffed animals, looking fucking precious. I joined her on the bed, but not before calling my father to have someone bring my clothes. Apparently they already cleaned up the mess and disposed of the body. Callum Daley was a scary man for a person who never offed anyone before. It suited him. It was crazy, but I hoped I didn’t create a monster, for Regan’s sake.

  I wasn’t upset that I killed that bastard down there; he deserved it. I wish I could go down there and slowly butcher him for upsetting Regan.

  “I’m sorry that you saw what you did today. From now on, promise me not to just go walking into the sound of gunshots.”

  “I don’t want to see that again, but I don’t know if I can make that promise.”

  “You’re too important to me. You need to care for yourself and my babies,” I said as I rubbed the baby I hoped I planted in her belly.

  “Fine,” she said with a pout as she crossed her arms. I think she forgot about the pain in her arm because she winced when she did that.

  “I forgot your injured. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

/>   “No. I accidentally squeezed the area. I haven’t taken any pills in a while.”

  “Where are they? I’ll get them for you.” I jumped off the bed and waited for her response.

  “They’re in the bathroom on the sink. My water glass is there too.”

  †††

  Damn that man was gorgeous. I watched him walk back to the bathroom to get my medicine, which I really didn’t want to take, but I got a chance to admire his backside. He was sex on a stick. The muscles in his back were cut, and I could see the red marks I left on his skin. His shoulders were strong and ripped. My body ached to have him cover me with his body as he filled me up again.

  “Babe, who gave you these pills?”

  “The hospital staff. Why?” I asked as he walked out holding the filled prescription.

  “Because hospitals don’t fill the prescription with a Walgreens label, and this is not ibuprofen. How do you feel when you take them?”

  “I go to sleep every time. It only takes about five minutes, and I’m out cold.”

  “Damn it. Hold that thought, baby.” He ran to the side of the bed and grabbed his cell.

  “Dad, we have another problem. She’s been drugged since she was in the hospital. Okay. Yes, I’ll be down there in a few moments. Can you ask her mother if she has some ibuprofen tablets?” He was pacing the room, and I was scared. An angry Dante wasn’t a nice thing. I’m glad it wasn’t me who pissed him off.

  “Okay, send the bottle up then. Thanks.”

  “Regan,” he said as he sat down beside me. “These aren’t what they claim they are. Ibuprofen doesn’t make you sleepy like that. This is something else. Do you know who exactly handed them to you?”

  “No, I don’t know. They gave them to my mother, and she put them in her bag.”

  There was a knock at the door, and Dante answered it. I didn’t see who was there because he didn’t open it all the way, but he had a little suitcase and a bottle of pills. I saw that bottle all the time. It’s what we took when we had a headache, which for me wasn’t often. I looked at the tablets he handed me, and I was certain now that I was taking the wrong thing the last couple of days.