Illicit Proposition: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  He was nothing but a predatorial bastard.

  I was gasping for air by the time he was finished, trying to put myself together before he gently pulled me off his lap. The same flush of embarrassment occurred as before, the heat building in my face even more explosive. I backed away, fighting to keep my eyes off him as I struggled to jerk my panties into position then yanked my dress down. I kept my eyes closed for a few minutes, trying to catch my breath.

  “I don’t think you understand what is required of you for this contract to work.” He stated the words casually as he rose to his feet.

  “That doesn’t matter, Santiago. I’m leaving. You will not hold me prisoner here.”

  I could tell I’d riled him, but I didn’t care in the least. This was the most horrifying experience I’d ever been through.

  “Devon, I pull no punches. I’m a very busy man with particular tastes. Daniel spent a significant amount of time finding the right person for my needs. While I regret insulting you in any way and I appreciate the fact you are a take-charge woman, what I require will test not only your resolve but your diplomatic skills.”

  I had to admit that he was drawing me further into his web. “If I’m to go any further I’ll need more than your limited explanation.”

  “Of course.” He adjusted his jacket, his eyes never leaving mine. “However, we can be civilized about this. I suggest we return to the gallery and enjoy the rest of our time together.”

  I continued to be surprised by his callous attitude, so damn cavalier that I honestly had no retort come to mind. A sensual smile crossed his face before he walked out of the storage room, leaving me aching and hating the fact I was still turned on. When he’d left the area, all I could do was laugh. After snatching my purse and contents from the floor, I allowed my hand to slide across the cold metal of the weapon. At least he knew he couldn’t fuck with me.

  Another laugh bubbled to the surface. Who was I kidding? I took a few seconds before heading into the gallery, finding him pouring more champagne as if nothing had happened.

  The same gorgeous Spanish music was playing, but I could swear the man had dimmed the lights. Did he actually think he was going to seduce me? After taking a deep breath, I walked closer.

  “I think you can leave your purse in a safe location, Devon. I have no intention of hurting you.” His words were said casually, as if he hadn’t just spanked me like a bad little girl.

  However, I found myself doing exactly what he requested. What I wanted was answers so I could give the police as much information as possible.

  Then again, what the hell would anyone from law enforcement be able to do? I had come here of my own free will. I had signed a nondisclosure, which would mean I’d forfeit the money I’d already received. Or so I thought. Hell, nothing was making any sense at this point.

  “What kind of job are you offering, Santiago? I want, no, I need details.”

  “I thought you weren’t interested.” He gave me a quick glance before grabbing the glasses and inching closer. Everything about him was captivating from the look in his eyes to the way he carried himself. I was certain he was used to garnering all the attention in a room just by entering.

  “I’m curious how a man like you could even afford the services of Dark Overture.” I accepted the glass, giving him a hard onceover. I refused to allow him to see that he’d flustered me on any level.

  He chuckled, the sound continuing to excite every cell in my body. “I assure you that the money my family amassed over the years affords me many opportunities. If you’re worried about the fee you’ll be paid, I suggest we get that over with immediately.”

  “Let’s do.”

  I smiled before taking a sip of champagne. I couldn’t wait to hear how much he thought would be enough to tolerate his line of garbage.

  “I believe that two million dollars will suffice. Don’t you?”

  There was no possibility of hiding my surprise. Coughing, I was forced to throw my hand over my mouth to keep from spewing the cold bubbly all over myself.

  He smiled coyly, enjoying my reaction. “I thought that would get your attention. Before you ask what the job entails, I will tell you that until you sign the contract, I will not feel comfortable to provide every detail. I’m certain you can understand that.”

  “All right. Continue.”

  “You will travel with me to Spain where you will be introduced to various powerful people. You will be observant, gathering certain information about their habits. From there, I will be able to determine if a project I’ve had in mind for several years can come to fruition. I assure you that the accommodations will be exemplary, all provided of course, including anything you should need from food to clothing. Does that help ease your concern?”

  “To a point, but obviously you’re hiding the prize.”

  He laughed again, shaking his head. “As intelligent as you are beautiful. You are everything I’d hoped for and more.”

  And he would remain an asshole in my mind.

  “The duration of my requirement?” I asked, tilting my head and studying his eyes. The man was hiding a significant portion about himself. He was also doing his best to mask some kind of pain.

  “It could be as long as two months, even three, but that will depend on how we are received.”

  We. The word brought another round of shivers dancing in my system.

  “I will need some time to think about it,” I said with only some continued defiance.

  He lifted his glass, walking closer. “As I would expect. This is a business transaction after all.”

  “As long as I follow your rules, remain obedient.” I stood my ground, refusing to back down to him. Damn it, I was trembling all over, his scent lingering.

  His breathing labored, he remained quiet as he studied me, finally using a single finger to lift my chin. “You are absolutely dazzling.”

  Every inch of my skin felt as if his single touch had seared my nerve endings. Butterflies swept through me like a tidal wave. I wasn’t supposed to be so attracted. I couldn’t stand the fact my nipples continued to ache, longing to be licked and nipped. As another jolt of electricity sparked between us, I finally found the courage to pull away, moving quickly to place my glass on the table. “I need to leave, but I will think about your offer.”

  “Not yet, little kitten. We’re not finished.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  He wrapped his hand around my neck, yanking me around to face him. I immediately smashed my hands against him, pushing as he forcefully placed his glass on the table. He kept his hold, his fingers digging into my neck, but unlike before, our connection had nothing to do with his need to assert his authority. This was all about his desire to fulfill his promise.

  To taste me.

  To take me.

  To consume me.

  I couldn’t allow that to happen. I wasn’t for sale in that way, no matter what he thought. Yet as he dragged me closer, lowering his head ever so slowly, I knew I was losing the fight, the attraction to him winning over any concept of rationality.

  “Mi preciosa gatita,” he whispered as he brushed his lips across mine.

  My gorgeous kitten. I knew he wasn’t going to take no for an answer and as he crushed his mouth over mine, I almost lost my resolve. The taste of him was spectacular, the way he slipped his tongue past my lips keeping me on edge. I realized I was clinging to him, my fingers fisted around his shirt, my body arching into his.

  He took his time exploring my mouth, dominating my tongue as he pulled me even closer, crushing me against him. I was lost in the moment, enjoying the tingling sensations sweeping through me. Our bodies molded together perfectly, the feel of his heated body against mine spectacular.

  A slight growl cascaded past his lips, the sound forcing me to shiver. He was nothing but a predator.

  Then my mind finally shoved aside my raging desires and I started to fight to get away. I would not succumb to him, no matter what he thought or had the
audacity to require. Yes, the money was enough to give me an entirely new start in life, but at what price?

  He seemed shocked when I managed to jerk away, yet the primal growl he issued told me in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t finished with me yet.

  “Get away from me,” I hissed, smacking him across the face. When I attempted to repeat my action, he caught my hand, pushing me backwards.

  “That’s not going to happen, Devon.” As he kept his head lowered, his breathing even more ragged than before, he forced me against one of the walls.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  Santiago didn’t answer in words. Instead, he yanked one of my legs, sliding his hand under my thigh. His hold was possessive, as if the man would never let me go. All time seemed to stand still, the music placed on hold as he dragged his tongue around my lips, his hot and heavy breathing fueling the fire. He crowded my space, grinding his hips back and forth as his fingers tickled my skin.

  He pressed his lips against my cheek, rubbing them up and down. I tilted my head, unable to fight him as the sensations nearly exploded between us. I closed my eyes, trying to regain control, but as he stroked my leg, every muscle in my body exploded into flames. Breathing became almost impossible as he whispered words in Spanish, some of them too soft for me to understand.

  When he slid his hand under my dress, wrapping a single finger around the thin strand of fabric of my panties, I issued a single whimper.

  With a snap of his wrist, he ripped my thong away, tossing it to the side. As he continued kissing my face, I fisted my hands, pushing harder than before. There was no budging the powerful man.

  “I’m going to fuck you.” He said the words in a dark and husky voice, yet done in a way that let me know there was no way to tell him no. When he bit down on my lower lip, a series of sounds floated into the air.

  He was freeing his cock.

  The realization broke the spell and I shoved him hard, but the force wasn’t enough to break his hold. “You can’t do this.”

  “Yes, I can. I take what I want. Besides, tell me you’re not wet and hot. Tell me that you aren’t aching to have my cock inside of you.” When I didn’t respond immediately, he laughed, the sound adding to the vibrations swirling around us.

  “I…” The words were stuck in my throat. Within seconds, there was nothing I could do. He split my legs wide open, lifting me into the air. When he thrust the entire length of his cock inside my pussy, stars floated in front of my eyes. “Oh… My… God.” I was breathless, my entire body shaking as my muscles tried to stretch to take his tremendous girth. I was shocked how large he was, his shaft throbbing, swelling inside of me.

  It had been so long since I’d felt a man’s cock buried deep inside that I was tossed into immediate pleasure. This couldn’t be happening. I wasn’t being fucked by a man I knew nothing about. Blinking furiously, I realized there was no possibility I could focus on anything.

  Santiago pulled out, plunging into me again. He smacked his hands on the wall, using the power of his muscles to keep me aloft.

  I gripped his shoulders, squeezing my legs against his hips, glaring into his eyes. The dichotomy of sensations and emotions was debilitating, keeping me from fighting him even harder. He had me exactly where he wanted, keeping his sinful promise. As he started fucking me in rapid thrusts, rolling onto the balls of his feet and jutting his hips, all I could do was try to concentrate on breathing.

  Soon we were nothing but wild animals, the powerful man becoming even more insatiable. As he shoved me against the wall, whimpers exploded from my mouth. The lights seemed to dim all around us, replaced with a vibrant spectrum of colors splashing across my field of vision.

  With every savage plunge, I was driven further into a raw state of bliss, no longer the same woman who’d arrived. I was nothing but a carnal beast, my desires overcoming my sense of responsibility or decency. I couldn’t care less who peeked through the window, catching us in such a filthy moment.

  He developed a rhythm, driving his cock as deep inside as possible, every plunge driving me against the wall. I could hear pictures rattling from the violent way he took me. When he jerked one arm then the other over my head, grasping both wrists in one hand, I realized that I was indeed his prisoner.

  If only for the night.

  But my imagination got the better of me, images of what he would do to me flashing in my mind. He was rugged and ruthless, a man who would never be refused for anything.

  He slid his hand under my bottom, holding me in place as he gyrated his hips, every action brutal and unforgiving. The look on his face was savage, his eyes piercing mine until I could see straight into his blackened soul. My God, the man had no conscience, no ability to know right from wrong.

  Or he didn’t care, an entitled man who used his power and wealth to get what he wanted. I couldn’t stop shaking, my body further betraying me as an orgasm rushed into my system. “Oh… Oh. Oh.” I cinched my eyes closed, devastated that I couldn’t hold back. As the climax smashed into me like a tidal wave, I opened my mouth in a silent scream.

  “Come for me, little kitten. Show me how much you crave my cock.”

  I hated the man and everything he stood for, but as one orgasm pounded into another, nothing mattered any longer but the intense pleasure. I tossed my head from side to side, gasping for air.

  He refused to stop, his actions even more forceful than before. Every growl he made was primal, riddled with thirst. He wasn’t just insatiable; he was powerless to the hunger gnawing inside of him, a true beast who’d fought for his release. The thought brought me somewhat down to earth, but I was too exhausted to fight him any longer.

  Yet I held my stare, making certain he knew this would never happen again. Not once.

  A smirk crossed his face, as if the man knew exactly what I was thinking and was already proving me wrong. After four additional forceful thrusts, his entire body began to shake. I could tell he was close to coming.

  And even though I fought the various sensations exploding like bottle rockets, my pussy clenched around the thick invasion.

  As he threw his head back and roared, erupting deep inside and filling me with his seed, I made a promise to myself that I’d walk away, never to think about the nightmare again.

  The man was far too dangerous.

  Chapter 4

  Santiago

  Power.

  My father had explained years before that power was all in the mind. It wasn’t necessarily about the use of force or violence, although certain situations often required it. It also wasn’t all about money, although extreme wealth certainly created additional avenues when solving an issue. His thoughts were that true power came from within one’s mind, the ability to act on your feet while outsmarting your enemy.

  I’d subscribed to his methodology even after his death, although I’d come to realize that I was a brutal man, much more so than my father. He’d been forgiving far too often, which in my mind had led to his murder as well as my brother’s. He’d allowed a single weakness to provide the ammunition needed in order for his greatest enemy to take the upper hand.

  It was past time to crush that hand.

  I didn’t fear death. In fact, I relished the understanding that when my time was up, there was nothing I could do to stop the inevitable.

  I’d witnessed death on several occasions; seen the terror in a person’s eyes just seconds before the person holding the gun pulled the trigger. I’d been splattered with blood, watching as they crumpled to the floor, eyes now lifeless.

  I’d also been forced to observe what some would call a massacre, unable to take my eyes off the carnage.

  And I’d only been a boy at the time.

  Even though my father had scooped me off the Barcelonan street, trying to keep me protected from the evil unfolding in front of me. My mother and father had expected I’d have nightmares, but instead, my imagination had taken hold, allowing me a much better understanding of the ways of the w
orld.

  Powerful men ruled with an iron fist. They were also rewarded with all the perks in life, luxuries that the majority of people couldn’t afford. That included my family. While my father had never been considered the most influential mafia Don within Europe, he’d amassed not only respect but his share of wealth as well. That had allowed our family to enjoy the finer things in life.

  Then my mother had been murdered in front of my eyes and everything had changed. My older brother had immediately returned from college, both men determined to hunt down the person responsible.

  They’d found the lone gunman without issue, the man only attempting to steal money from the cash register of the store my mother and I had gone to on a beautiful sunny afternoon. I would never forget her last words as she’d reached out for my hand.

  “I love you.”

  Nothing had been the same in our household after that.

  “Have you managed to take care of everything, Samuel?”

  “As requested, Santiago, including the purchase of the two automobiles that you wanted. Red and black. Primal colors. I will say that I’m still surprised you’re returning after all this time. And I am pleased. Everything with the business is in order. I’ve made certain of that. While this is what your father would have hoped for, I do have concerns,” he stated with apprehension in his voice.

  The truth was that my father had hoped my brother, Manuel, would take over.

  Samuel Torres had been my father’s most trusted friend, also his closest advisor as well as the family attorney. He’d also been responsible for doubling my family’s wealth over the years, even though he’d been uncertain if I would ever return. The legitimate aspects of the corporation had flourished more than I would have thought. I owed him a debt of gratitude for looking out after my parents’ estate as well. I hadn’t been able to sell the beautiful location. I’d always known that one day I would return.

  What I hadn’t told him was about my plans for taking out my revenge. I hadn’t wanted to hear his pleadings to change my decision.