His as Payment

by Piper Stone

“A product of Drummand’s evil,” I answered.

  Giordano walked closer to his old friend, gripping his shoulder. “She’s safe. I’m certain she’d love to see you.”

  “And I’d love to see her again. You know, I told my wife about her years ago, the affair not something I was proud of, but she understood.” Carmine rubbed his jaw. “If I’d known about Caroline, I would never have left her in the hands of that... man. What are we going to do about him?” He hissed the question.

  “I know exactly what we’re going to do,” Giordano stated, glancing from Carmine back into my eyes. “However, you’re not going to be a part of this. Going to get messy.”

  “I’m already a part of this.” If my father thought I was going to vanish, he had another think coming.

  “Drummand Hargrove grew up in my neck of the world, Dominick. His father actually worked with me for years. We ran the streets of Southside under my father’s direction. Now, as you can imagine, the good senator certainly doesn’t mention that in any of his propaganda pieces or interviews. In fact, he ceremoniously disowned his entire family heritage, taking his mother’s maiden name before moving to New York when he was barely eighteen. This is old business.”

  I knew better than to go against them, especially if they were working together. However, this was far from over in my book.

  Giordano finally smiled, crossing his arms. “I had a chat with a few buddies of mine, including the lieutenant governor. He filled me in on what the Feds have been investigating. The shit is really going to hit the fan and in several states I might add.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. My father’s influences were far more powerful than anyone realized. “And?”

  His smile widened. “Let’s just say that with Carmine’s help, I think we can solve several ‘issues’ as you call them. You need to take care of your fiancée, assuming that there will be a wedding in the future.”

  “If she’ll have me.”

  I knew there would be no additional comments, no laid-out plans detailing exactly what they were going to do. They would simply handle the situation in their own manner.

  And New York would never be the same.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dominick

  Five Days Later

  The bright sun cast a shimmer down the length of her body as she stood at the window, her lovely copper hair smooth as silk. She seemed pensive, her eyes never blinking as she stared out at the parking lot. I stood in the doorway, watching her.

  Bathing in her beauty.

  I heard Bruno behind me, the larger than life man refusing to stay in the hospital for more than two days. He’d been my constant companion, rarely leaving my side. The days had been nothing but a blur of activity, including shoring the ranks within the family, but thankfully, today I was taking her home.

  “I’ll be waiting downstairs, boss.” Bruno kept his voice hushed, his eyes twinkling from the sight of her.

  I nodded, waiting until he walked away before taking cautious steps inside. She and I had talked for hours after she’d garnered her strength. Although I hadn’t confided about the information in the box, only telling her that her mother was safe and in good hands, she needed to know. After she’d asked about Drummand three times, I’d been forced to tell her about his arrest and the reasons why. Since then, I’d refused to allow her to watch television, even going so far as to have the set removed from the room. She didn’t need to be mired with the sweeping events that seemed to occur every hour. I would tell her the rest soon enough.

  “You’re late,” she said, her tone the seductive purr I remembered.

  “Five minutes.” I inched closer, sliding my hands over her shoulders.

  Caroline leaned her head against my chest, basking in the warmth of the day. “I missed you.”

  I kissed the top of her head, longing to have her safe in my arms and very much behind closed doors. “There were some things that had to be done. Are you ready to go?”

  “More than ready.”

  I took her hand, grabbing her small suitcase and the moment we were in the elevator, I dropped the bag, palming both sides of her head and growling as I lowered mine. “I have you all to myself. All mine.”

  “You know what the doctor said. Rest. Quiet.” Tipping her head, she moaned before pressing her lips against mine. She clutched my jacket, twisting the thick leather as she rose onto her tiptoes.

  I darted my tongue inside, tasting her sweet essence, the scent of her even more intoxicating than it had been before.

  Before the lies.

  Before the deceit.

  Before the truth.

  I was just as obsessed with her as Carmine or my father had been with Margaret, perhaps even more so, but I was determined to do this the right way. Many would say that love wasn’t enough, that my criminal activity would always keep her in danger. They might be right, but I was willing to risk all I had in order to savor this happiness.

  She loved me. The why didn’t matter and I wasn’t going to ask.

  The notion was one I hadn’t been able to get used to. I’d been dominating, bordering cruel and she’d unraveled the steel bindings wrapped around me with ease.

  The ping of the elevator was the only reason I eased away, but not before whispering in her ear, “The things I’m going to do to you.”

  She rolled her eyes, pushing my chest in an effort to sidestep me. Her defiance hadn’t dampened even though she’d almost died. “Not yet.”

  I chuckled and kept my eyes sweeping the lobby as we walked toward the door. While I no longer feared being arrested or assassinated given the shakedown that had occurred in several phases of law enforcement, I would forever be cautious.

  “Bruno,” Caroline muttered. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She threw her arms around his neck, shocking the hell out of him.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning like a kid. “No place I’d rather be.”

  I was no fool. There were going to be difficult times ahead, especially since there was continued speculation regarding drug-related activity, but I was cautiously optimistic that Drummand would spend a significant amount of time behind bars. Slave trafficking was indeed a heinous offense that crossed state lines, much more so than anything my family could cause.

  As far as I was concerned, the Lugiano family was out of the drug business.

  At least under my regime.

  We both remained quiet after Bruno started the engine, pulling away from the curb. He’d already broken off his cast, insisting he was healed. Soon enough, he could become a capo, one of the few men I could trust with my most valuable possession.

  I took her hand, wishing I could make the information easier for her to learn. “I’m glad the box was recovered.”

  “And opened. You already know what she was desperate to tell me.”

  “I wish you’d shared that with me, had trusted me enough.”

  Caroline sighed. “I do trust you, Dominick. Maybe I’m crazy or the attraction I feel for you clouding my judgment, but I know in my heart I can trust you. I’d forgotten about her plea before she... Before Drummand imprisoned my mother. Bastard. If only I’d found it earlier, she wouldn’t have suffered. You have no idea how terrible I feel.”

  “What I can tell you is that even if you had found the box, you couldn’t have known that he was capable of something so devious. My guess is you wouldn’t have believed it even if you suspected.”

  “I suppose you’re right. I just... Why didn’t I follow my gut? I knew something was off about her death. It happened in the blink of an eye. She supposedly was very sick and didn’t call me, dropping into a coma and dying and my own father didn’t contact me?” Hissing, she looked out the window. “I was played but I’m the one to blame.”

  “No, baby. You’re not.”

  “Well, you know all my tawdry little secrets. No wonder my father was happy to sell me off.”

  The comment seemed out of place. “I had to know the connection, why Drummand w
ould go to so much trouble in order to take down the Lugiano family. What I uncovered was a man hiding from himself.”

  “How could Drummand do such horrible things to those girls?” Shivering, she glared at the box with hatred. This was the second time she’d used his first name.

  She already knew.

  “You should look inside before you meet with your mother. That will make it much easier, at least for her.”

  “I already know what she needed to tell me,” Caroline said quietly.

  “You do, huh?”

  She looked into my eyes. “Drummand isn’t my father.”

  I eased a strand of hair from her face before shaking my head. “No.”

  “I guess I always knew that. He tried to care for me, especially when I was little, but I could tell by the way he looked at me that he was...” She huffed. “He was frightened of me, like I was the devil’s spawn.”

  “You’re an amazing woman, Caroline Hargrove.”

  She placed two fingers across my lips. “I’m just me. Thank you for protecting me, loving me.”

  “And I’m just me, Caroline. All I can offer you is a promise that I’ll love and care for you as my heart.” After kissing her fingers, I eased the box into her lap. There was nothing else I could say, no promise that her pain would be eased. Her reaction might alter the course of our future, but this was her choice.

  I refused to remain the man chaining her to a life she didn’t want.

  She took several deep breaths before sliding the lid to the side, fingering the envelope. After a nod of her head she opened and removed the contents. Only two minutes later she replaced everything, closing the lid and placing the box on the opposite seat. She remained quiet, staring out the passenger window.

  I’d promised her privacy, time to spend with her mother and I was going to honor that promise. Bruno had already swept the safe house earlier in the day. I remained in my seat, unable to find the right words.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Why are you thanking me?”

  She moved closer, kissing me on the cheek. “For helping me learn the truth. I will never forget it.”

  As she stepped outside, the wind lightly blowing, a sparkle of sun floating in through the open door, I clenched my fist. She was so damn beautiful.

  My greed and anger had almost allowed me to lose the only good thing that had ever happened in my life.

  * * *

  Caroline

  Love. L.O.V.E. The concept was honestly ridiculous.

  And beautiful.

  And breathtaking.

  And exhilarating.

  And maddening.

  But I was in love with a man I should run far away from. I knew that the odds were against us, danger lurking at every turn, but honestly? I didn’t care any longer.

  In the three weeks since everything had occurred, my life had changed. At least the fifteen minutes of fame for the defamed daughter of a promising presidential candidate was just about over, the newscasters moving onto other scathing stories. And here I sat in a convertible sports car on St. Thomas Island, my hair flowing in the breeze, the day more gorgeous than any I’d seen in months.

  And I sat beside Dominick.

  “Where are we going? Some beautiful resort?”

  He grinned, shifting his gaze in my direction. “You’re going to have to learn patience, my dear. We’ll work on that on this trip. As a matter of fact, we’ll take care of that right away.”

  I wiggled in my seat, knowing exactly what that meant. More discipline. He’d resumed his dominating nature after I’d fully healed, still professing rules I was required to follow, punishing me often for my misguided behavior. The spanking the night before had left me squirming, the scratching from my little cotton dress a reminder that I belonged to him. “Yes, sir.” Unable to resist, I slid my hand across his lap, stroking his already hardened shaft. “Mmm... Maybe you have something else in mind first.”

  “Such a tease.” Laughing, he shifted the gear, roaring into fifth as he careened down the curvy road. I hadn’t seen him this excited since I met him, and certainly not since he’d talked about how ill his father was. Cancer. While the man’s prognosis was good, there were no guarantees. I’d certainly learned that the hard way.

  Finding out my father was a kingpin of another mafia family had turned my world upside down, but all things happen for a reason. My mother was happy, taking over Drummand’s estate and developing a friendship with both Carmine and Giordano. I hadn’t been able to call Carmine my father yet. Perhaps I’d never be ready but learning that I had a brother had been a joy. Lorenzo was larger than life, gregarious where I was reserved.

  Now, I could spend time with Dominick.

  He rounded another corner, slowing down as he peered at various mailboxes, finally lifting his sunglasses. “We’re here.”

  The tree-lined driveway was impressive, various flowering shrubs and fruit trees adding vibrant color. I leaned forward, seeing the house in the distance. I gathered a scent of the ocean, the fragrance like nothing else. After stopping the car and turning off the engine, he sat quietly for a few seconds before pulling a set of keys from his pocket.

  “What’s this?”

  “A gift. A wedding present.”

  “You bought me a house?”

  “For us. Come on.”

  As I stepped inside, I realized that the entire setting was exactly like the pictures I’d painted. From the beach-style cottage to the amazing white sandy beach only a few feet from the back door, everything was perfect. I walked closer to the fireplace, shaking my head. He’d shipped the painting of us here. Tears formed in my eyes as I studied the two lovers, never knowing that he could actually let go, enjoying the quiet passions we’d experienced. “You really did this?”

  “I really did this,” he growled as he pulled me into his arms, running his hands down my back. “I love you, Caroline. I will always love you.” He captured my mouth, sliding his tongue instantly inside. The feel of being in his strong arms, the way his throbbing cock pushed against my tummy was glorious.

  Shivering, I moaned into the moment of passion as our tongues entwined. I wanted nothing more than to have him inside of me, fucking me with wild abandon.

  He eased his hand under my dress, fingering the thin string between my ass cheeks. When he wound his index finger around the material, I tensed. The sharp yank of his hand freed me from the encumbrance, sending pulses of electricity shooting down the length of my body. The kiss became intense, our bodies molded together as one, the heat shared between us skyrocketing.

  I was shaking to the core, my desire building to the point I had difficulty breathing. I couldn’t get enough of this dangerous, dominating man.

  When he broke the kiss, he nipped my bottom lip before smacking both ass cheeks. “Come outside with me.” He took my hand, guiding me toward the bank of sliding doors, flicking the locks and yanking them open. The warm breeze wafting inside brought the scent of the ocean as well as jasmine and other exotic fragrances inside. The sound of the lapping waves brought me such a moment of sweet peace.

  I eased out of his arms, moving toward the railing. The house was on stilts, towering over what appeared to be a very private beach. He moved behind me and the weight of his body drove another series of tingles down my spine. “Amazing.”

  “Just like you are.” Dominick eased the hair from around my shoulders, lowering his head until he was able to lick the base of my earlobe. “You’re going to learn to obey me.”

  “I think you’ve told me this before.”

  “But as my wife.”

  I wasn’t prepared for the ring he placed on my finger, the dazzling array of diamonds and rubies glittering in the sun. I held out my hand, shuddering from the realization. I truly belonged to him. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I had the ring made for you.” He licked down the back of my neck, his raspy tongue mixing with his heated breath, forcing my pussy to cle
nch. He wound his finger around one strap, sliding it down my arm then the other, taking a step back until the dress fell to the deck.

  This was sinful and naughty, freeing and I was so alive.

  “Now, for that spanking.”

  My grip tightened on the railing as he pressed his hand on the small of my back, kicking my legs apart and pulling me further away. Leaning all the way over, I’d never felt so exposed in my life. The moment he smacked his hand across my bottom, I whimpered. It wasn’t from the pain, but the excitement of being here.

  With him.

  My protector.

  “You’re so disobedient,” he breathed as he peppered his hand from one side to the other, the hard slaps pushing me hard against the thick railing.

  The stinging sensations were intensified from my earlier spanking, the pain rushing down the backs of my legs. I’d accepted my role, my place by his side. He would always be in charge, the head of household, and in truth, the arrangement was perfect.

  As the spanking continued, my heart racing, I wiggled and moaned, my nipples hardening to the point they ached. I wanted him to twist and pinch, lick and suck.

  “Are you wet for me, my sweet Caroline?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I can see how swollen those pretty pink pussy lips are for me.”

  He smacked harder and faster, keeping a perfect rhythm.

  “Yes. Sir.” The scent of my cream wafted all around me, my hunger building.

  A slight chuckle slipped from his lips as his hand came down hard and fast. I imagined the warm blush, turning quickly into a deep scarlet as the spanking proceeded.

  I closed my eyes as he smacked three fingers against my pussy lips. The moan coming from deep within matched his husky growls. The man was ravenous. I was thrown into a moment of raw ecstasy, my body swaying and my mind moving into paradise.

  When he pulled away, I whimpered, shooting a look over my shoulder. He stood off to the side, his eyes never leaving mine as he undressed, tossing his things as if they no longer mattered. His expression was one of a carnivore ready to devour his prey.

  Primal.

  I’d awakened the true beast inside the man, but his darkness no longer bothered me.