Mafia Queen
The Manning Sisters
Book One
Christina Escue
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 Christina Escue
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without prior written permission of the copyright owner. This is a work of fiction.
Acknowledgements:
First, I want to start by giving a huge thank you to each and every one of you reading this. Without you, authors would have no one to share their stories with.
Now, I want to give a huge thank you to several people who lent me their names so the characters in this book could become a reality.
Elisabeth Mansfield and Rachel McCaffery, thank you for being my Mafia Queen and Princess. You two ladies are truly amazing and I cannot wait to write the second book in this series.
James O’Brien, you are a wonderful person and an even better “son”.
Tiffany Wallace, your part may have been small in this one, but don’t fret, you’ll get your moment in the spotlight.
John Kingston and Michelle Elliot, thank you for being the awesome “parents” I needed to make this book come to life.
Kiwa Nadas, Ashy O’Neill, and Aaran Fredriksen, thank you for being willing to die for me. May your memories forever remain in the reader’s minds.
Ramya Chakravarthy, you make a great mob boss. Never change who you are.
Chris Schaffler, Anna Oggier, and Amanda Carbajal, you may have had small parts, but they were very important.
Shaina O’Neill, don’t worry, you will be back.
Mike Adickes, thank you for lending me your name for my villain. I swear he is in no way a reflection of who you are.
To all the staff at FH and TWoMW, thank you for the endless support and friendship. I love you all to the moon and back.
Thank you to my wonderful beta readers/editors, my books would be nothing without you. You ladies are the best friends a girl could ask for and I love you all from the bottom of my heart.
To Dayron Colon and Gina Moody, thank you for not letting me give up when the going got hard. I know I can always count on you to give me the kick in the butt that I need. I love you both dearly and couldn’t ask for a better support system.
Finally, I want to thank my family for your endless support and tolerance of my imagination, and constant muttering to myself. I love you more than words can express.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my family at Founding Hogwarts and The Woes of Mrs. Weasley. Without you, and our mutual love for Harry Potter, inspiration for this book would not have struck. I think Dumbledore said it best when he said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”. Always remember that no matter what life throws at you, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Chapter One
“Lissy, do you and Mike have plans for tonight?” Bianca Manning asked her oldest daughter as they pruned the dead heads off her rose bushes.
“We do. It’s hard to believe that he and I have been together for three years now.” Lis told her and smiled. “It’s even harder to believe that daddy approves of him.”
“How could he not? Your father has known his father for thirty years and they have been business associates for twenty-five of those.”
“I know, but daddy never approved of any of the boys I dated in high school. Mike and I have known each other for years, but I never considered him anything more than a friend until Jonah’s accident.” Lis paused as she slipped into memories of her first love.
Jonah had been her lab partner in ninth grade biology class and they’d had an instant connection. They became best friends and were always together. It wasn’t until their senior year, after they'd both had a series of bad relationships, that they started dating.
“When Jonah was killed in that car crash I thought my life was over. But then Mike stepped up and helped me more than I thought possible. He was my rock during that time, but he was also such a gentleman.”
“Lissy, you and Mike were meant to be together. It’s what your father always wanted.” Bianca confessed and Lis popped her head toward her mother.
“Daddy wanted me and Mike to be together? Is that the reason he always rejected Jonah?”
“Don’t fret about that, Lissy. Your father always had your best interests in mind. Mike is a strong man, and he will be able to keep you safe, the way your father has always kept us safe.”
Lis didn’t say anything else as she finished working on the rose bush she was pruning. When she was finished she gathered her things and went to the pool house she shared with her sister to prepare for her anniversary dinner with Mike.
***
Two hours later Lis opened the door to her fiancé and smiled shyly. She’d been thinking about everything her mother had told her earlier, but she decided to not let it bother her. She had loved Jonah, but she loved Mike now and she knew Mike could keep her safe from the life her family led.
“You ready?” Mike asked shortly after a moment passed with her just looking at him.
“Yes,” she responded as she snagged her keys from the table beside the door. “Where are we going tonight?”
“You’ll see when we get there,” he answered distantly. Something was on his mind, but Lis knew better than to ask. He’d tell her when he was ready and not a moment before.
As they walked to his black Audi Q5, followed closely by his security detail, she looked over at her dark green VW Bug and sighed. Her father hated that car because she couldn’t take a lot of security personnel with her wherever she went, but that was the exact reason she bought it. She’d wanted a car where she could just get in alone and drive.
Mike pulled her from her thoughts as the head of his security opened the door for them. After she was settled into the back of the SUV, she caught a glimpse of her own head of security as he climbed into the front seat and made himself comfortable.
Dakota Jackson had been on her security for the past three years, but he’d been part of her father’s organization for at least a decade. She watched his profile from under her lashes as they headed to their destination. She took in his deeply tanned skin, his curly, dark hair, and his deep, sapphire eyes, surrounded by lashes so thick and long they were the envy of every woman he met. She knew he had a reputation as a playboy, and she could understand why the women would flock to him. Not only was he superficially gorgeous, he was also tough as nails and had a heart of gold.
As they pulled to a stop in front of one of the restaurants Mike’s father owned, Lis cringed and looked at her fiancé. “Why here?” She asked, not really expecting an answer.
“Because I have a little business to attend to before we dine,” he answered and she looked at him in shock.
“You do remember that it’s our anniversary, right?”
“Of course I do, Elisabeth, but I have to get this taken care of tonight. You’re very lucky I didn’t cancel our plans completely. Just behave and you’ll have my full attention in an hour or so.”
Lis looked at him for a moment before she walked to the bar and sat down on a stool at the end. “I’ll be right here when you’re finished.”
Mike nodded and walked away as Dakota sat on the stool beside her. “You know you can do so much better than him, right?”
“Mr. Jackson, who I date or do not date is none of your business. My father may have assigned you to protect me, but I make my own decisions.”
“So you’re going to sit here and tell me that Michael Morrison was your choice? I do
n’t buy that for a second. You and he have absolutely nothing in common.”
“You don’t know anything about me, so how do you know what he and I have in common?”
“I know that you want nothing to do with your father’s business. I know that if you marry Mike you’ll never be free to leave. You’ll always be trapped in the heart of the organization. You’ll always be a pawn in the game between territories. Mr. Morrison and your father made a deal when you were a baby. If you and Mike marry the territories will merge and your fathers will hold the largest territory in the region. They’ll be unstoppable.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Lis asked and looked at him as he took a sip of his soda.
“Because I think Mr. Morrison is going to double cross your father as soon as you and Mike marry, if not before.”
“What makes you think that?” Lis asked curiously.
“Let’s just say, I have ears everywhere,” he answered and shrugged.
“That’s good to know,” Lis commented dryly.
Dakota didn’t say anything else as he watched her order a second apple martini. He knew more than he should, but that just made his job easier.
“So, tell me Mr. Jackson,” Lis said as she sipped her drink. “How do you like being owned by my father?”
“No one owns me,” Dakota said with a trace of humor. “I went to work for your father because he and my father were friends. I signed on for ten years and my contract ended a few months ago. I’m still here because I want to be. You may not believe me, but I truly care about your family.”
Lis didn’t say anything to that as she finished her drink and ordered another one. They sat in silence for the next few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts. When footsteps sounded behind them they both looked up and saw Mike standing there with a grim look on his face.
“How many of those have you had?” He asked and nodded toward her empty glass.
“Three,” she answered and Mike looked at her.
“No wine with dinner,” he said and grabbed her hand.
“Mike, why did you propose to me?”
“Because it was the best thing to do for both families.”
Lis looked at him and shook her head. “It wasn’t because you love me?”
“Elisabeth, be serious. I care for you, but I’m only marrying you because it’s what our fathers expect.”
Before she could respond the waiter approached and Lis ordered another martini before Mike could stop her. “Do you love someone else?” She asked bluntly.
“Yes,” he answered and looked her in the eyes. “And I will continue seeing her even after we are married. My father and yours know about her and they do not disapprove as long as you and I produce an heir. Once we do then you can have your own little flings, too.”
When the waiter sat her martini down she tossed it back in one gulp and rose from the table. “I think it’s time we leave.”
“Elisabeth, we haven’t had dinner yet and I’m famished. Please don’t act like a spoiled brat tonight. I’d like to enjoy this meal in peace.”
“You can stay here and enjoy your dinner, Michael, but I am going home,” Lis turned to walk away when Mike grabbed her arm.
“Elisabeth, if you walk out that door we are over and both of our fathers will be disappointed.”
“You and both of our fathers can go to hell!” She spat out as she pulled from his grasp and walked out of the restaurant.
“You okay?” Dakota asked as he placed his hand on the small of her back and steered her toward a waiting SUV full of her father’s security staff.
“I feel like such a damn fool.”
“You’re not a fool. A bit naïve, but not a fool,” Dakota told her as they climbed into the SUV and headed out of the city.
“Thanks,” she said dryly and looked out the window.
Dakota didn’t say anything else as they turned on the road leading to the security gates. As they approached, the sky filled with blue lights and Dakota stiffened in his seat. “Mac, pull over and I’ll see what’s going on.”
Mac pulled to the side of the road and Dakota got out. Before he shut the door he ordered, “Keep her safe.”
Lis watched as he walked over and spoke to one of the police officers. Not a minute later he jogged back to the SUV and climbed back inside. “Mac, drive now.”
“Dakota, what’s going on?” Lis asked as she looked out the back window at the fading police lights.
“Lis, your parents have been murdered,” he told her and she felt her world shatter.
Chapter Two
“Lis, may I come in?” Dakota asked after he knocked softly on the bedroom door of the hotel suite.
“Sure,” she answered just loud enough for him to hear.
“When was the last time you heard from Rachel?” He asked as soon as he entered the room.
“I talked to her two days ago. Why?” Lis asked as a wave of worry flooded over her.
“I’ve been trying to contact James, the head of her security, and I’m not getting an answer. Was she still at school when you talked to her?”
“Yes,” Lis answered as she stood from the chair she’d been sitting in. “She was getting ready for finals. She was supposed to have her first exam today.”
“I’ll keep trying to contact James, but I need you to try calling her please.”
“Okay,” Lis responded and picked up her cell phone. She tapped her sister’s picture and listened as the phone rang. When her voice mail picked up she left a quick message and hung up. “Voice mail. She never lets my calls go to voice mail.”
“All I’m getting is James’ voice mail, too.”
“I need to go check on her. I need to know she’s okay.”
“We will. Let me call someone first, then I will get us a flight out there.”
“Why can’t we take daddy’s jet?” Lis asked with a tilt of her head.
“Your parents were murdered less than twenty-four hours ago and I’m not taking any chances with anything connected with the family. I’m going to call a friend of mine and see if he can fly us out. If not, I’m going to book us a flight with my credit card. I don’t want anyone to know where you’re at.”
“Okay,” Lis responded. She understood his caution and knew that he was only trying to keep her safe, but she was desperate to get to her sister.
“We’ll find her, Lis.” Dakota reassured her before he pressed his phone to his ear.
As he was making his call she tried calling her sister again only to get her voice mail once more. Tossing her phone on the bed, Lis made her way to the bathroom. She grabbed a wash cloth off the little shelf and looked in the mirror. Her green eyes were bloodshot from crying and her face was red and puffy, but she didn’t care what she looked like. All she wanted was to find her sister and make sure she was safe. After washing what was left of her makeup off, Lis tossed the wash cloth in the sink and walked out of the bathroom.
“We have a flight in just a little over an hour. We need to get you something to change into before we go.”
“I have cash that I can get a few outfits with.” Lis said and snagged her purse off the table. “Let’s go.”
Dakota opened the door and looked up and down the hall before letting her exit the room. He’d rented this room under one of his many aliases, but was not taking any chances with her safety. She was the heir to the organization and he’d do everything in his power to keep her safe.
“All clear. Let’s go,” he said and ushered her into the hallway. Once they were in the elevator he leaned against the wall and watched the numbers descend as they headed toward the basement parking garage. When the doors opened he stepped out of the elevator and motioned for her to follow him as her other security guards joined them.
Once they were loaded into the SUV, Lis turned to Dakota. “I want to go somewhere I won’t be recognized; somewhere no one would think to look for me.”
“Where would that be?” He asked as he watched the cars surrou
nding them.
“Maybe GAP or Old Navy,” she answered and Mac nodded.
“Definitely not stores you’d normally be found in.” Dakota commented under his breath.
“Excuse me?” Lis said hotly. “I have shopped at GAP and Old Navy several times, thank you very much. They were my favorite stores when I was in college.”
“I have never seen you go into a store like those.”
“I haven’t since college so you wouldn’t have seen me. My family preferred me to shop at the higher-end stores,” Lis explained with a shrug.
Dakota didn’t say anything else as Mac pulled into the parking lot of Old Navy. As they exited the SUV, Dakota placed his hand on Lis’ back and steered her toward the building. Once inside she shrugged off his hand and headed to grab a few pairs of jeans, some shirts, socks, shoes, and underwear. Once she had what she needed, she headed to the counter and paid for her purchases. Before they left the store she went into the restroom and changed out of her cocktail dress. After glancing at herself in the mirror, she headed out and they were on their way to the airport.
“I have never seen a woman shop so quickly,” Mac murmured as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward a small, private airport.
“When I know what I’m looking for I would rather not waste time looking at other things,” Lis told him and he chuckled.
“You’re definitely different than I previously suspected,” Mac said and looked in the rearview mirror at her.
Dakota caught his gaze and shook his head. No way was he letting a man like Mac get any ideas about Lis. She was finally free from one controlling, egotistical ass and he’d die before he let her get mixed up with another one.
Before anyone could say anything, Mac pulled into the airport and stopped beside a small, private jet. “Lis, don’t freak out when you see the pilot,” Dakota told her as they climbed out of the SUV and Lis looked at him in confusion.
“Why would I freak out?” Lis asked as she looked up into a pair of eyes identical to Dakota’s.
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