Illicit Proposition: A Dark Mafia Romance

by Piper Stone

  She narrowed her eyes, studying mine. “You suspect. Let me get this straight. We’re going to the house of the man who killed your family, threatened your life, and forced you to leave your country for years. And you say you don’t have a death wish. Am I missing something?”

  The haughtiness of her tone of voice made me laugh. “Other than the death wish, you are correct. You need to keep in mind that Rafael has nothing to do with the guest list, nor does he care about the majority of the three hundred people who were invited, and I assure you will attend. The night is all about acquiring additional business partners, although not in any traditional sense. His methods of operation include blackmail and extortion.”

  “Isn’t that how all mafia families handle operations?”

  I eased hair from her mouth, taking the time to caress her cheek. An instant flush rose on her dazzling skin, the shimmer pushing me into full arousal mode instantly. Then she leaned back, trying her best to avoid my touch. I fisted my hand, moving toward the window. “To some degree, Devon. My father wasn’t considered a good man by any standards. He was ruthless, brutal when necessary, and forceful. However, he was also considerate and gregarious.”

  “Not your leadership style?”

  “Times have changed. While I don’t long for violence of any kind, that is a possible outcome.”

  She took a deep breath, scanning the room again. “I hope you have a decoy crest I can replace the real one with. That’s going to be the only way you’ll get away with this. That is if heat or weight sensors don’t shut down the entire process.”

  “There are no weight or heat triggers attached to the box.”

  “So glad you’re so certain,” she snarked.

  Chuckling, I held up a single finger. “Wait here.” She truly believed I hadn’t thought of everything. I jogged down the stairs, moving toward my temporary office. My father had installed several safes throughout the house, all hidden in various clever manners. After typing in the combination and opening the door, I was forced to take a deep breath before taking the creation into my hand. While the crest was identical, the gems were fake. Still, the piece was similar enough I was thrown into an immediate fog, far too many memories threatening to drag me into my own private hell.

  After a few seconds, I managed to shake off the feelings, closing the safe and returning the books in front of it. As I walked up the stairs, I continued to realize that my need to return the piece to my family was overshadowing what needed to happen.

  Family.

  With no one left, what the hell did it matter?

  When I returned to the room, she remained in the same place, her look of contempt changing the moment I held out the piece.

  “I have to admit that this is beautiful,” she said as she took it from me.

  “While this isn’t real, I doubt Rafael will notice any difference.”

  “Assuming I can break into the box.”

  I gave her an encouraging smile. “I have no doubt you can.”

  “Are you planning on killing Rafael tonight in front of all his guests?”

  “That is not my intention,” I answered honestly. However, I would if necessary. I grabbed the piece, fingering the fake jewel. “I will have limited access to weapons.”

  “Great. But you’ve promised to have me protected. While I appreciate that, Santiago, you are only one man.”

  She definitely had no idea what I was capable of. “I assure you that my soldiers will remain in close proximity to the party.”

  Devon shook her head as she looked away from me. “You’re unbelievable. You really think you can get away with this without getting us killed.”

  “Attempt the exercise without the lights.”

  “Then allow me to use the piece,” she stated as she held out her hand. “If you want me to practice, then I need a goal. I also need to think about how I’m going to handle it. Don’t you think that’s important?”

  “Not a bad idea.”

  “You do realize the odds at success in stealing this crest are minuscule, don’t you?”

  I drank in her perfume, allowing the intoxicating scent to filter into my system. “I’m certain you will do your best.”

  “And what if I fail? What happens next?”

  “Then all hell breaks loose.”

  Chapter 11

  Santiago

  Serendipity.

  I remembered my mother using the word often. She’d always believed in the capabilities of karma, subscribing to the belief that anyone who wronged our family would meet a greater fate. I hadn’t thought about that in a long time. Maybe the party was nothing but tempting destiny.

  Or perhaps my insistence at attending the event was more about hoping Rafael would recognize the man he’d treated like an animal from across the room. Would some call my decision foolish? Absolutely. But I’d never been a man capable of taking anyone’s advice.

  I’d been pleased as well as surprised that Devon had mastered the course throughout the day after finally focusing. However, I’d also noticed that she’d remained on edge, her nerves likely the reason the alarm was tripped on several occasions. Perhaps after the party she would feel more comfortable.

  Then again, I was pushing her, given my fear the timing would need to be changed. I would make the determination if it was necessary to pull the plug after returning from the event.

  I would also continue her education in following orders as well as understanding respect. She’d crossed one too many lines. As I turned the last corner, heading toward Rafael’s estate, I could sense just how nervous she was. The moment I slid my hand on her thigh, she flinched.

  “You’re going to need to trust me, Devon.”

  “How can I trust a man I barely know? One who didn’t provide all the details before I signed my life away?”

  “You will have a life. I promise you that.”

  She slowly turned her head in my direction. “You can’t make that promise, Santiago. Not this time.”

  My gut continued to churn. There were too many obstacles, chances for things to go wrong. I’d come to realize just how important Devon had become.

  To my needs.

  To my soul.

  Even to my heart.

  “Yes, I can. You look exquisite tonight.” I wasn’t certain if she’d even care about my compliment. I refused to take my hand away, the sensations just as incredible as always. My cock ached to be inside of her, the longing something that never seemed to leave.

  “Thank you. I wish we were going to a wonderful party, just the two of us, hoping to share some champagne and maybe a dance or two.”

  “Would you like that?”

  She laughed softly, her tension easing. “Actually, I would. Or maybe just going out to a quiet dinner on the beach somewhere. That would also be amazing. You’re wrong about the girl I am inside, Santiago. I love romantic walks on beaches, looking up at the stars. Maybe there would be a lovely fire. We could cook crabs and shrimp, drink wine or champagne. Then we could relax on a gorgeous blanket as we waited for the beautiful sunrise.”

  I was surprised she’d let me into her fantasies on any level. “That sounds amazing. Believe it or not, I would enjoy that as well.”

  “I’m actually not certain I could believe it. You seem like the fast cars and Learjet kind of guy. You know the type. You prefer dark clubs to beach parties.”

  “Well, you just might be wrong about that. I could surprise you.”

  I could feel the heat of her gaze, my body reacting immediately as my cock pressed against my zipper.

  “I would love to find out, Santiago. But only if you decide to let me in after dropping your armor.”

  “We all have something we keep locked inside.”

  “This is true,” she said wistfully.

  I’d never asked her about her parents or any other aspect of her life. At least not to any degree. In truth, I was very curious about the woman inside.

  “Why did you move into a life of crime? Fr
om what I’ve read, your family was wealthy and influential. You went to the best schools and had everything at your fingertips.”

  She seemed uncomfortable by my questions, sighing as she fiddled with her hands. “That’s very true, although I didn’t care or respect that until it was too late. My father was always a diplomat. We lived in Venezuela for two years, although I was too young to remember. Then he was awarded the station in Madrid. That’s the life I knew. I was really a Spanish kid and totally fit in, or so I thought. When we returned to the United States, I was sixteen and already rebellious.”

  “I can see that,” I said teasingly.

  She gave me a look, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, well, when I returned to the States, I felt important. I quickly learned I was nothing more than an outcast. I hated the private school I was forced to go to, and my grades reflected it. The kids hated me, doing everything in their power to make my life miserable. I rebelled even more, finding some kids from a normal high school to hang out with. Then I met Snake.”

  “Snake?”

  “Don’t laugh. He had a snake tattoo, which made him one of the most popular kids in school. He was badass through and through. And he liked me. Imagine that. To answer your question, I allowed him to draw me into his world because I thought I was in love. Sure, at first everything was awesome, but he was so angry. He’d been shifted from one foster home to another, and it warped his thinking about right and wrong. I allowed myself to get trapped. When things went south, of course he dumped me. I was crushed. Thank God my father cared enough to use every influence he had to keep me out of jail. The prosecutors had wanted to try me as an adult, but he was having none of it. It was a huge scandal though, which is why it has followed me to this day.”

  She looked away, her breathing ragged.

  “Your parents really loved you.”

  “Yes, they did, but I still didn’t care. At least until my father died. That was the most horrible moment of my life, or so I thought.”

  “What happened to your parents?” I could tell the second I asked the question she was prepared to shut down.

  But she surprised me once again.

  “My father died of cancer. He suffered endlessly for months, determined to try various breakthrough experiments, none of which were covered by his insurance. He spent almost every dime trying to survive. When he died, my mother was heartbroken. He’d been the first and only love of her life. She couldn’t bear to live without him, so she simply faded away. It took six months. She endured six months of the memories and hopes. When she slept, she had nightmares every single night. I did what I could to comfort her, but she had no will to live. When I told her in anger that I never wanted to find that kind of love, she scolded me. And my mother was so good at that.” She shifted her gaze to the window, taking several deep breaths.

  “I’m so sorry.” While I wasn’t certain what to say, I was surprised at the horrific ache I felt.

  “You know, she told me that the only thing that mattered to her in the entire world was her family. Nothing else. Not money. Not a big house or a car. She loved being in love. She even made me promise that when I found true love that I would never allow anything to stop me from having an amazing life with the man of my dreams. Just like she’d found.”

  “Your mother sounds amazing.”

  “She was. And I took it for granted until she was gone.”

  I took a deep breath, realizing we were getting close. A significant part of me wanted nothing more than to turn around, finding a quiet little restaurant on the beach.

  But it was something I couldn’t do.

  “Don’t give up on your dream, Devon. You deserve to find the right man in your life, one that will treat you with respect.” I’d never been the kind of man to care about anyone else after my own tragedy. Maybe it was time to learn to live again.

  Even love.

  Jesus. I’d been thinking of her as nothing but a possession just like she’d accused me of.

  “Do you believe in love, Santiago?”

  I tapped my finger on the steering wheel. “For some people.”

  “Just not for you. What a shame. I think you can be an amazing man.”

  “Then I don’t think you know me very well.”

  “What if I’d like to?” she asked in a whispered voice, her eyes imploring.

  “No, you wouldn’t, Devon. We’re almost there.”

  Exhaling, she looked away once again.

  As the estate came into view, the ache remained deep inside. Devon had entered my life for entirely the wrong reasons.

  I not only wanted to own her.

  I wanted to love her.

  Everything was in place, soldiers positioned on the outer limits of Perez’s property. The irony was that he’d purchased and renovated a formal cathedral positioned in one of the most secluded locations near the ocean, access only possible one way by road. The surrounding dense vegetation made it almost impossible to access on foot.

  He’d also installed several unsavory traps for anyone who tried.

  While Rafael’s reputation as a consummate host had been in place for years, he’d pulled out all the stops for tonight’s event. The milelong driveway leading up to the estate was lit with glowing candles, the valets hired to sequester cars on an adjacent piece of land owned by the family. Every guest was elegantly dressed, some in full period costumes while others had simply purchased a mask.

  I’d had no intentions of dressing up like some coifed monkey, although I was fond of the look I’d created, a nod to the fictional character of Zorro.

  As far as Devon, she was positively radiant in her beautiful dark violet gown and sequined mask, soft curls piled on top of her head.

  Before entering, I gazed up at what appeared to be an old bell tower, shaking my head. Everything Rafael did was grandiose. The old church had once been the pride of the small village. Now it was electrified at night, anyone violating Rafael’s private space never seeing the light of day again.

  “You have one job tonight, observation,” I told her before walking into the estate. “If we’re able to get into the room, you won’t be able to ask many questions without raising suspicions.”

  Devon tipped her head, a wry smile crossing her face. “What I was good at during my days of criminal activity was observation, Santiago. You won’t have to worry about me. I’ll even manage to take a few pictures.”

  “We shall see if I need to discipline you later.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Chuckling, I pulled her closer. “You should know that Rafael has a son, a man poised to take over his father’s position. He will more likely be the one to cause any issues if he suspects you’re too interested in the crest.”

  “Maybe it’s time for you to trust me, Santiago. That’s what you hired me for. Remember?”

  “I’m certain that you won’t allow me to forget that, and I do remember your varied and useful skills. You need to be the consummate actress tonight. After all, we are a couple.”

  “Hmmm… That will be the true test of the evening.” She laughed before sliding her arm around mine.

  As we walked inside, I was immediately more on edge than before. I’d taken note of the dozens of guards who’d been assigned to walk the property. If any of the guests were bothered by the number of men carrying weapons, it was impossible to tell by the festive atmosphere.

  There were two large men flanking the entrance, searching for weapons.

  As I held my arms out, I caught my first glimpse of the expensive gala, a smile crossing my face. Rafael enjoyed flaunting his money more than anything, something my father had never done.

  When the guards moved toward Devon, I was certain she was going to refuse this invasive technique. Even I had to fight to keep control as the huge man seemed to enjoy taking his time. As he motioned for her belongings, I could tell she was on the verge of refusing.

  She finally handed him her purse, smacking it ag
ainst his chest and keeping a nasty glare on her face. From what I could tell, she’d brought little with her other than her phone, which the guard didn’t seem to appreciate.

  “No fotos,” he barked.

  “Mi madre esta en su lecho de muerte. Necesito ver como esta ella.”

  I was no longer amazed at her ability to react to a situation. ‘My mother is on her death bed. I need to check on her.’ The statement was clever indeed.

  He eyed her carefully, taking his time to allow his gaze to fall to her breasts before shooting me a look. Then he nodded, handing her the purse.

  She cursed under her breath, daring to shove him away before walking away from him.

  “Now, now, my sweet Devon. It’s not time to make a scene.”

  “That man was a pig. He’s lucky I didn’t scratch out his eyes.” She laughed, not bothering to glance in my direction.

  “Behave, you naughty girl. This will all be over within the hour.”

  “God, I hope so. My skin is crawling.”

  I’d been to Rafael’s house on one occasion, the impromptu meeting called by Rafael unexpected, at least according to my father. That had been the first day I’d been exposed to the three other mafia Dons as they’d been gathered for a meeting. I’d been allowed inside the majestic house only after the insistence of my father. Maybe he’d been grooming me for the business against my mother’s wishes.

  What I’d learned that day had been invaluable. Their meeting was all about overthrowing a new crime syndicate determined to muscle into the combined territories. They’d developed a plan to eradicate the unwanted family, agreeing on a course of action. The meeting had lasted only one hour, but the aftermath would linger for months to come.

  Within one week, the family had been gunned down, a number of the soldiers dying in a bloody war. The message the unorthodox group had orchestrated was relayed throughout several countries.