The Rossi Crime Family: The Complete Five Book Mafia Series

by J. L. Beck

  “My dad shot me. That scar is from the bullet. It was the same night Xander shot him.”

  Damon’s gaze seems far away, and I wonder if he’s thinking back to that night.

  “Actually, it was the reason Xander shot him. My father tried to kill me. He wanted Xander to do it. When by brother refused, my dad shot me instead. It’s a good thing he’s a lousy shot. If not, I’m sure I wouldn’t be here today.” He grins, but it makes me feel sick. I’m sure he’s smiling to lessen the blow, but it doesn’t. Unfortunately, he can’t protect me from all the bad in this world.

  At least his father is dead…I guess.

  My chest hurts thinking about what Damon must have went through. His own father tried to kill him, then their father died by the hands of his brother—right in front of him. It sounds horrendous and makes my life problems seem mediocre.

  “I’m sorry.” I give him a somber look and squeeze his hand tightly, as if that will take his pain away.

  “I am, really. I’m sorry we had to come here. I can’t imagine what being here in this house has done to your head.”

  Damon shrugs. “It’s okay, Keira. I don’t want your pity. I wanted to come here, and it was worth it. You make every hard thing worthwhile. If you didn’t bring me back here, it would’ve been my brother with his asshole ways, so don’t feel bad, baby.”

  Damon pulls me into his arms and drags me to the bed. We cuddle up in the heavy comforter, and I bask in the feeling of him holding me like this. It feels so good, I almost don’t want to go to sleep.

  The last thing I think about before sleep finally claims me is how Damon’s story gives me a newfound appreciation for Xander. Discovering all I did about him tonight shows me there’s more than one side to him—sides he’s trying to hide from the world. The question is: will he ever find someone to pull him out of the darkness he tries to hide himself in?

  Chapter Twenty

  Damon

  The girl on the stage—whatever her name is—dances around the poll aimlessly. She’s uncoordinated and looks like she might barf. She also can’t hold my attention for longer than two seconds, so why the fuck would I hire her?

  I take a calming breath through my nose and exhale out my mouth.

  I look back over my shoulder at Keira sitting at the bar with my laptop in front of her. She finally re-enrolled in classes, and we agreed until I can get a man I trust to guard her, she will take only online courses.

  I can’t believe how attached I am to her. Normally, I couldn’t care less for a woman, but Keira isn’t just any fucking woman.

  She is the woman.

  My soon-to-be wife.

  My world.

  I turn back around in my chair and hold a fist to my head. This is the first time I’ve been back at the club in almost two weeks, and it’s only because I had to hire some new girls.

  No one here knows about our engagement—mostly because I don’t share my personal life with the staff—and because it’s nobody's fucking business. I’m not hiding, but I’m not going to put an X on her fucking back for being hitched to me.

  The door opens next to the stage, and three of my best dancers walk in. They smile brightly at me as if I’m going to cut them a bigger paycheck for doing so.

  “All right. You, you, and you.” I point to the top three girls who auditioned. “These are three of my best dancers. They’re going to show you the night routine. If you can keep up, you’re hired. I’ll let them be the judge.”

  My eyes drift to the remaining girls. “The rest of you are welcome to audition again later in the year.”

  Two of the girls frown, and the other flips her hair over her shoulder like I inconvenienced her. If this place didn’t make me so much fucking money, I’d burn it to the ground and start over.

  I scrub a hand down my face. I want a drink. It’s not late enough in the day, though.

  Seconds after the rejected chicks walk out, a long-legged blonde in a pencil skirt walks in, carrying a bunch of folders.

  “Hello, I’m Maria, the wedding planner,” she announces, setting off a chain of giggles from the girls who know me. The woman looks shocked as she notes the half-naked girls near us. I’m sure this doesn’t happen every day in her line of work.

  “Sorry, lady, you’re at the wrong place if you think someone is getting married here. This is a strip club, not a church.” Georgia snickers, her eyes dazzling with amusement.

  I shake my head. She has no fucking clue how wrong she is.

  I get up from my chair and hold out my hand. “Don’t mind them. You’re in the right place. We’ve talked a couple times on the phone. I’m Damon.”

  “Nice to finally meet in person, Mrs. Rossi?” She seems confused for a moment as she addresses Georgia, clearly thinking she’s Keira. “I brought everything you asked for, and I just need you to choose from the selections.”

  “Keira,” I call out, my voice gentle. I turn around and find her standing right beside me. “Why don’t you take Maria to my office where you can have some more privacy? If you need anything, let me know.”

  “Sure, this way,” Keira beams and leads her to the back.

  My gaze flickers to the girls on stage. I expect to find them dancing, but instead, they are all looking at me like I lost my fucking mind.

  Jesus Christ. I definitely need a drink. As I sit back down in the chair, the side entrance door opens again. Diego fist bumps Hero as he walks through the door.

  I smile. “Hero, you just missed the show. We had some great girls audition today. Would’ve been nice to have your help selecting a few.” I smirk, wiggling my eyebrows. Elyse walks closely behind him.

  He shakes his head, disgust filling his features. “Next time. Maybe.”

  Elyse apparently doesn’t think anything I’ve said is funny and elbows him in the ribs. He holds his side, pretending it hurts, and I almost roll my eyes. As much as I hate affection of any sort—except showing Keira love—I really do care for Hero and Elyse…which is weird to think about since I tried to kill Elyse at one point.

  “Keira just took the wedding planner lady to my office. They’re making final decisions today or something,” I tell Elyse with a shrug. I pretend like I have no clue what’s going on, but I’ve helped Keira select everything she wanted for our wedding, down to the damn napkin color.

  Elyse smiles, but I still see the lingering sadness in her eyes. Even though me helping track Hero’s father down probably saved her life, I still don’t think she likes me very much, but she tolerates me, and that is good enough in my eyes. She’s been through hell and back, and I cannot imagine how I would feel if something like what happened to her happened to my Kiera.

  “Yay. Let me go help them then.” Elyse gives Hero a kiss on his cheek before heading toward the office.

  Hero sinks into a chair beside me and watches Elyse walk away. Once she’s out of earshot, he speaks. “I’ve never really thanked you for what you did that day. I mean, without you, I might have gotten there too late.” I hear the anguish in his voice. Finding her like that broke him, ripped him apart inside, almost more than killing his stepfather.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “While she was in the hospital, we found out she’s pregnant.”

  My eyebrows lift in surprise at his confession. Holy fuck, Hero is going to be a father? The idea seems ridiculous, but the more I let it sink in, the more it makes sense. Hero and Elyse are having a baby. Keira and I are getting married. Two ideas that would have been nothing more than a joke a few month ago are now a reality.

  “Congratulations, Hero.” I slap his back, recalling when he told me loved her. How stupid I thought he was. Now look at me. Funny how karma comes around.

  Hero smirks. “You're next.”

  I shake my head. “No. I want to enjoy Keira for a while on my own.” I don’t dive into the technicalities of the marriage. I’m sure Hero has thought up his own reasons for it, reasons that probably make me look crazy as hell being that the last time
he saw me with her I was a raging dick.

  “I didn’t think I’d want kids. Like ever. Not after everything with my own father.”

  I clench my fist, understanding far fucking more than he thinks. “Love changes people,” I state, looking him head on.

  “Sure fucking does,” he chuckles.

  I guess it’s never too early for a glass of whiskey—not with all the happiness surrounding us. It’s almost like we’re fucking normal, instead of overrun with crime and drugs.

  “Candy, bring me two glasses of whiskey, please,” I yell over my shoulder.

  Hero’s eyes go wide. “When did you start saying please?”

  I grit my teeth. Fuck, he noticed.

  “Recently. I’m trying to be fucking nicer to people. Not everyone deserves my dick tendencies—or at least that’s what Keira says.”

  I can tell Hero thinks it’s funny as hell, but he’s just as whipped and in love with his woman as I am.

  Candy appears with two glasses of whiskey. I grab one and hand the other to Hero. He eyes me for a moment, waiting until Candy is out of earshot, then he lifts his glass for a toast.

  “To being pussy whipped.” The shit eating grin is a permanent fixture on his face, and I can’t fucking believe I’m toasting to this.

  I shake my head and raise my glass to his, and we clank them together. “To being pussy whipped.”

  The whiskey burns my esophagus, blanketing my belly in warmth.

  “Are you excited to be married?” Hero asks after downing his drink in one gulp. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. He’s still working for me, but not as much as before—and I understand why now.

  I shrug. “It’s marriage. I doubt anything between me and Keira will change.”

  “Do you love her?’

  His question hits me right in the chest. I've never confessed to anyone but Keira how much she means to me. I don't plan on hiding it from anyone, but I don’t want to make it known either.

  If hiding my feelings from everyone but her protects her, then that's what I'll do.

  “Yes. At first, I wanted to hate her because she got under my skin and refused to listen to me.” I think back to how big of a pain in the ass she was.

  God, she was a thorn in my side.

  “Yeah, I can relate. Our women fight tooth and nail even when we’re trying to do the right thing by them.”

  “That's what we should've toasted.”

  Hero laughs. Then the ringing of my cell interrupts our conversation. My mood sours as soon as I see Xander’s name flash across the screen.

  “What?” I growl, trying to sound as annoyed as possible.

  Of course Xander completely ignores my attitude—which pisses me off even more.

  “Damon, I need you to come to the mansion. We have some important matters to discuss, and you should bring Keira as well.”

  It’s enough that he’s commanding me. Now he wants to tell Keira what to do as well.

  My annoyance turns into anger. I hate that he has such a hold over me. I need to find a way out of this mess. But for now, it will be best to keep him happy.

  “We’ll be there tomorrow night.”

  “I would prefer you come today.”

  He's not asking, he’s telling.

  But I have something with Keira planned—something far more important than meeting my brother’s needs.

  “Well, I’d prefer not to come at all, but we both know how that would go over…so how about we come tomorrow?”

  “Suit yourself.” His tone is clipped.

  My mouth pops open—a response is on the tip of my tongue—but I don't get to say shit because, like always, the bastard hangs up.

  What the fuck was that?

  I shake my head, slipping my phone back into my pocket. If I look confused, Hero doesn't say shit.

  “All done,” Keira chirps behind me. When she comes into view, I see a huge smile on her face. Her eyes are bright and full of happiness. I hide my features and smile back at her. The unease I feel from talking to my brother consumes me.

  My brother’s a dick, but he doesn't do shit or ask for shit unless it’s truly needed.

  Maria joins us. “Yes, Mr. Rossi, we are all set. This will be a beautiful wedding. I think you will be very pleased with the outcome.”

  Of course. After all, she's getting a big fat paycheck when this is over.

  I’ve drowned out the dancers on the stage—as have Hero and Keira. Maria and Elyse, however, are clearly uncomfortable with the half-naked girls dancing in the background.

  “Well, if no one needs anything else, I guess we’ll see each other at the wedding.”

  Maria tries to hide her discomfort by being overly chipper. Armed with her stack of folders and books, she walks out the door like she can’t get away fast enough.

  Watching her leave reminds me I want to get out of here too. But boss duties will keep me here most of the day. The excitement of what's to come tonight eases some of the tension from my veins.

  I've got it all now. What could possibly go wrong?

  ***

  I can’t believe how fucking nervous I am. It’s just a stupid ring. It’s not like I'm asking her to marry me. So why does it feel like someone kicked me in the stomach ten times?

  I wipe my sweaty palms against my dress slacks. She’s already agreed to marry me—not that she has a choice in that matter. Even if she said no, I'd still make her mine. I grab the little black velvet box from my pocket.

  Keira is curled up on my couch, reading a book. I had planned on giving her the ring at dinner, then at dessert, and then I pushed it back to…when we arrived at the house.

  I feel sick to my stomach, thinking she may not like it. Maybe I could give it to her after she’s done reading. It’d be rude to interrupt her, right?

  Fuck this, I’m being ridiculous. I just need to do it.

  I waltz over to her, and she looks up from her book, confusion written all over her delicate features.

  “I got you something.” I pull out the box, then sit down next to her. “I hope you like it.” I swallow my anxiety. Her eyes go wide, and understanding settles onto her face , as a softness takes over her features when I hand her the tiny black box.

  She doesn't say anything until she flips open the top and sees a two-carat diamond ring set in a white gold band.

  “Damon,” she gasps, her hand clutching her chest. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You really like it? We can get something else if you don’t.” I rub the back of my neck. My cheeks heat. Fuck…how long has it been since I felt this way?

  Keira gazes up at me, her mouth gaping open. “Are you kidding me? It’s stunning. I love it! We’re not returning it, and we’re not getting anything else.”

  I take the ring from the box, grab her hand, and slide it onto her slender finger. Thanks to Candy’s trickery, I obtained Keira's ring size without having to ask…thank fuck. Simply so I’d be able to see this moment as it should be seen. Her eyes sparkle as she tears up. She looks at her hand a few more moments, then throws them around my neck and crawls into my lap.

  I hold her tight against my chest, burying my nose into her hair so I can breathe her in. She’s soft, and I run my hands up and down her body. I want to strip her bare and hold her close while I move in and out of her with a rhythm that might kill us both.

  My lips are seconds from pressing against her skin when the fucking doorbell rings.

  Who the fuck has the balls to ring my doorbell?

  It rings so seldom, I hardly know what it sounds like, but right this second, I want to disable the fucking thing and rip it from the front door.

  “Wait here,” I mumble against her hair. It’s probably nothing, maybe a Girl Scout selling cookies, but I’d rather check and be safe—especially when it comes to Keira.

  I’m irritated as fuck. My fists are clenched. Fucking people are always ruining shit. Once I look through the small pane of glass and see who it is, my annoyance reache
s a newfound height.

  Motherfucker. No.

  What the fuck is she doing here?

  I yank the door so hard, I worry I might break it. I open my mouth to tell her off, but I can’t even get a fucking word in.

  “Damon, I’ve been trying to reach you.” Hayley’s high-pitched voice makes my ears start to bleed.

  “And the fact that I’ve ignored every one of your calls and texts didn’t make it clear enough for you?” First, she fucks with Keira. Then she shows up on my doorstep and ruins my fucking night. And for what?

  “Just...just give me a chance. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll let you fuck me whenever you want.”

  Tears swim in her eyes, and I might be a cold, callous asshole, but I don’t care.

  “Get the fuck off my property before I have you removed.”

  Hayley shakes her head, hiccupping as she takes another step forward. I’m seconds away from slamming the door in her face when she rushes me. Her small frame slams into mine, hardly moving me, but it’s enough for her to gain entry.

  It’s not her throwing herself at me that causes me to lose my fucking mind, though; it’s her lips crashing into mine. Disgust and anger fill my veins, and without even thinking, I push her away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

  I’m not one to hit women, but I really, really want to fucking hit Hayley right now.

  She steadies herself as if she’s prepared for me to push her, and then I see it—the metal glint of a gun pointing in my direction. I can disarm her in a second, but it takes less than that for a bullet to release from the chamber.

  She points the gun at me, and I don’t even flinch.

  “It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Hayley screams and looks past me.

  I glance over my shoulder looking, following her gaze. When I find Keira standing a few feet behind me, I nearly come unglued.

  My heart pounds out of my chest. Fear cripples me when I hear the click of the safety being released and see Hayley pull the trigger.

  There’s no way I can stop the bullet—no way—but I still lunge for it. Everything happens impossibly fast, yet I feel like I am moving in slow motion. I’m trying to shield Keira with my body, but I am too slow. I feel the bullet whizzing by my head before I hear the bang. I’m so close to the gun, I can’t hear anything but a ringing in my ear. My head swings back to Keira. She looks scared and shocked, but unharmed. Relief hits me like a wave, but then washes away just as quickly.