Hard Knight: Dark Mafia Romance

by Faye Pierce

  This is some spectacle. No expense has been spared.

  Of course, this is my way of making a statement about my position. There are those looking to topple the King from his throne. It’s not easy being on the top looking down at the little people begging for the slightest recognition.

  Many faces I recognize, but there are still several I can’t seem to place no matter how hard I try. It’s a never-ending revolving door of new people arriving. My own sister mingles among them. It makes me cringe to see her limp but the smile on her face washes away the guilt temporarily. It comes back stronger at night when the shadows of my mistakes haunt me.

  “Security is tight. The exits are being watched. We don’t want any surprises on your big day. It would be just like one of your enemies to think this is the perfect time to strike when your guard is down. I have everything under control,” Leo states with his back straight.

  He’s showing a slight bulge under his jacket.

  I want to tell him to take it off, but I know he’s not going to. He wants everybody to know he’s packing.

  Those that have entered had to relinquish their firearms at the door where the metal detector is located. Leo and his men are patrolling the grounds. It makes me feel safe to know they’re working diligently on my behalf.

  “I know you don’t want me to say this, but I consider you my brother from another mother. We make a formidable partnership. You’re not just an employee, but I think you already know that. The kind of loyalty you’ve shown me gives me a sense of security, but I will never lower my guard,” I say, staring at my sister.

  I wonder deep down if she truly forgives me for what happened.

  I never want to talk about it, even when I indulge a little too much. Drinking is my vice. Vodka is a Russian specialty I find incredibly comforting. I only enjoy the finest libations. The vodka is shipped to me from the motherland. It’s also a good way to keep relations civil between them and me. They’re always trying to muscle in on my territory, but I have an understanding with the guy in charge.

  Midnight is doing her due diligence by staying in close contact with those interested in taking what I have. She’s very personable and basically the social butterfly of the family.

  Her injury was inflicted conducting family business. It’s not something that I will never forget for as long as I live. A permanent reminder that I took my eye off the ball.

  Complacency is the enemy.

  “I owe you my life. I was lost, and you found me. Giving me a purpose and responsibility is more than my government has ever done for me. I was disallowed when I returned from active duty. I think about those days, and I get physically sick at some of the things I’ve done to protect the freedoms of others. Following orders without even questioning where they came from became an albatross around my neck,” Leo says.

  I check my watch and see that she’s running late, but she’s probably doing it on purpose to get underneath my skin. It makes me smile to think that I’ll have the rest of my life to break these silly notions. She must be seen and not heard.

  I turn to Leo. “I saw your potential and gave you a chance to rise above your circumstances. There’s this look in your eyes. I can’t even begin to describe how it feels when you look at somebody with that cold, calculating precision. It’s scary and exciting at the same time. It makes them fear you, but I know they’re curious to see you in action. They just don’t want to do anything to ruffle your feathers. I wouldn’t want to meet you in a dark alley. I’m just glad you are on my side,” I say, fussing with my white starched shirt.

  It’s cutting off my circulation.

  “I’m not going anywhere. This is my place. Nobody will get to you unless they go through me first. We’re in this together to the end. My life is nothing without you, and it’s an honor to be your right-hand man. Standing here with you is exactly what I need in my life. I hope she makes you happy. I’m not entirely convinced she’s the right woman for you, but I understand this has nothing to do with the antiquated notion of love.” Leo adds.

  Love. I don’t even know what that word means. I couldn’t even begin to describe it. Women say the word too easily, whereas most guys feel deeply needing a label. The word doesn’t scare me, but I never want to be the kind of man to say it when I can’t even contemplate the full extent of what it truly means.

  What I feel for my sister is unconditional. That comes from being family with the same blood running through our veins. She will always have my protection. Our arguments usually revolve around the men following her around. It’s for her own good, but she doesn’t see it that way.

  I reach for his gun and hear an astonished gasp of response from the audience. They shift nervously in their seats while I inspect the weapon. It’s amusing to see them fidget, wondering if I have an ulterior motive. They probably think they can make it to the exit in time, but they don’t want to risk a stampede.

  The silver revolver shines in the overhead light and through the psychedelic stained glass windows of the church. It feels good in my hand. The appeal of holding onto it is a novel concept but one I’m resisting for obvious reasons. Accidents happen in the heat of the moment.

  My temper is legendary. It’s the reason why I have Leo to keep me from doing something stupid. He’s a voice of reason when everything around me is on fire. Of course, my dependence on him is a weakness, but I need somebody to tell me the unvarnished truth.

  There are consequences to my actions. It’s called the butterfly effect for a reason.

  The music plays, and I’m suddenly aware of everything around me.

  I hand back the gun, much to the relief of the congregation.

  The colors come alive, and I’ve become hyper-focused. I’m waiting with bated breath to see the wedding gown. It’s going to make everybody in attendance stand up and take notice. The design is Italian – the place of my roots, and I take pride in my heritage.

  I become angry when I see her for the first time wearing something highly inappropriate. It’s not the dress I chose for her. It doesn’t convey a virginal quality with a long train trailing behind her. It’s blood-red off the shoulders, with the hemline a little too short for my liking. I’m stunned that she’s done this, but at the same time, I’m amused by her defiance and watch her progress until she’s standing right in front of me.

  I lean forward and whisper closely in her ear. “I know what you are trying to do, and it’s not going to work. I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of making a scene in public. It will only give you what you want. You are going to pay for this in ways that you can’t even imagine. I hope it was worth it?”

  The grin of self-serving arrogance vanishes before my eyes. She really thought that I was going to resort to angry theatrics.

  Her mother sits in the front row, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief with my monogram stenciled in the linen fabric.

  Her father, Peter, has his arms crossed and stares daggers in my direction.

  “We are gathered here today….” The priest trails off while I hungrily look at Valeria’s cleavage. I’m begging for a wardrobe malfunction. “If anybody has just cause…?”

  Valeria

  It’s my first trip down the aisle, and it’s not what I’m expecting. The wardrobe change came about when my father showed up seconds before the ceremony. It didn’t take much to convince me to snub my nose at Diavolo’s authority. The red dress is my father’s way of getting his pound of flesh without confronting Caspian.

  Everybody is looking at me, and I feel completely energized, but that feeling doesn’t last very long. Caspian’s words sting. It’s easy to see he’s not pleased by my disobedience. It’s not like he’s going to put me over his knee and spank me in front of everybody attending the ceremony. The idea intrigues me, and my body craves his touch more than I’m willing to admit.

  I’m listening to the priest, and I nod along politely while feeling the heat of sexual arousal between my legs. My panties are soaking wet. The powe
r Caspian exudes is simply irresistible. He only has to say the word, and I’ll willingly succumb to a moment of passion under the sheets. That’s my body talking when my head is screaming at me to run in the opposite direction.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” Father O’Connell says.

  The lace veil is lifted over my head, releasing a pungent aroma of perfume captured within. He inhales deeply, his chest expanding. His hand, strong and dominant, is delicately touching my cheek, and I feel a sense of anticipation that’s hard to ignore.

  “This kiss will signify the tone of this marriage. I am in charge in this family. You’re simply a token piece of eye candy and a business decision. Don’t ever forget that, and we won’t have a problem,” he whispers hotly into my ear.

  My legs quiver, and my body feel electrified. The kiss is coming - that much is obvious.

  His lips touch me for the first time, and I lose all sense of self for a moment during the exchange. He forcefully injects his tongue into my mouth, tickling the top of my palate. It sends signals directly to my crotch. Sinking into the embrace is easy as his fingers glide down my spine until he’s grabbing my cheeks with both hands.

  This is either ignorance or bliss, but I can’t decide which.

  I’m barely able to stand with my legs feeling like jelly. The dress is short enough to give those watching from afar a brief peek underneath, courtesy of his hands pulling the fabric up high. He wants me to be exposed.

  I secretly love the attention, but there’s no way I’m going to let him know that.

  The kiss continues until I’m bent over at the waist, guided by his hand on my back. It’s a callous example of his dominance. There is not much I can do, but I can fight fire with fire. He’s not the only one that can take matters into his own hands.

  I prove to be up to the challenge when I grab his hair. He’s a little surprised by my forcefulness when his eyes widen in shock and confusion for a split second. It’s not easy to contain the inferno of lust inside me, but I don’t want to give him the wrong idea.

  He pulls back with a chorus of applause. His mouth has my lipstick all over it, and he licks his lips against the lingering taste of strawberry.

  It’s his favorite flavor. He wants me to play by the rules, but I’m going to break every one of them. He can try to put me in a box, but I won’t go in without a fight.

  “This is for them. The honeymoon is for me. I can’t wait to tear this dress from your milky skin. I bet you’re soaking wet for me. You don’t have to say the words. I wouldn’t believe anything you say when I can easily see how excited you are,” he whispers.

  His eyes lower to my nipples as though he can see through my dress. It makes me a little self-conscious but also excites me in a way I’m not expecting.

  I love how his pants fill out. He can’t keep the snake in its cage, and I can see it’s slithered down the left side of his leg. Guys always say it has a mind of its own. Seeing it up close and personal is proof positive.

  My mouth waters, and I feel a thirst that can only be quenched by what’s behind the zipper of his pants. But, to give in that easily is going to send the wrong message. He needs to know where I stand, and the best way to convey it is in a public forum.

  I slap him hard enough to leave a mark. He takes it without showing any emotion.

  Grabbing my wrists, he places my hand on his chest. “This is what you do to me. I’ve been with my fair share of women, but you are in a league of your own. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but we will find out sooner than later. The one thing painfully clear is the punishment is going to have to fit the crime.”

  He drags me down the aisle, and nobody dares make eye contact. The guards are positioned, and they immediately block the path out to the hallway when we cross through to the other side. He stops and speaks quietly with Leo before returning to where I’m standing.

  “What are you going to do…hit me? Is that what you want the guests to see?” I ask.

  “I’m never going to leave a mark where they can see it,” Caspian says smugly while showing all of his teeth.

  We walk across the street to the restaurant reserved for the reception. We barely make it through the door when I find myself in the women’s bathroom with him standing behind me. My head is spinning, but I know that being with him excites every part of me.

  Chapter Four

  Caspian

  She doesn’t look afraid, but anyone in her position would be begging for mercy. The strength it takes to defy me is somewhat disconcerting. She loves to test and challenge me to see how far she can push before I push back.

  “What’s with the dress? That not what we chose. Something tells me that you’re not going to play nicely with others unless I do something about your attitude. I can’t have you undermining me in front of my peers,” I say.

  Just standing behind her makes me yearn to see that orgasmic look of pure pleasure in the mirror.

  “I thought you would be pleased. This is the very same dress my mother wore on her wedding day. She didn’t wear white. I didn’t see any reason why I should either. Let’s call this a way to make everybody happy. You have everyone fooled. I’m the only one not under your thumb, and it bothers you. Something gets stuck in your throat whenever you see me standing defiantly, never backing down from a fight,” Valeria says.

  I have her in a compromising position pinned against the counter. My raging excitement presses between the warm folds of her buns, with only a thin piece of fabric standing in my way. Her red dress mocks me until I feel an overwhelming need to rip it from her body.

  I’ve become a wild bull, completely concentrating on the curve of her spine. There’s a need inside to discipline her. Words don’t seem to sway her, but maybe a physical display of my dominance will give her something to think about.

  “You didn’t do this to please me, and we both know it. Don’t even think you can live up to my lofty expectations. My mother was a force of nature. She was constantly screaming at my father, but he deserved every bit of her tirade.” I reveal a little bit of my childhood without going into detail.

  “She sounds like a good woman. What makes you think that she would be okay with the way you’re treating me? She’s probably rolling around in her grave, shaking her head and wondering where she went wrong,” Valeria adds.

  “You’re dangerously close to getting on my last nerve, and I’d be very careful about what comes out of your mouth next. That’s not a warning but a promise I intend to keep,” I say between clenched teeth.

  “Did I say something wrong? A strong man like you should be able to take criticism. I’m not afraid to tell you the truth, unlike everybody else around you. Midnight is delusional. She thinks you’re this honorable man, but she doesn’t know half of what you do. She might suspect, but I bet you don’t discuss business around her,” Valeria says.

  “I’m going to say this one last time, and then I don’t want to hear another word about it. What I feel for my family is none of your business. You don’t have any right to talk about her. Midnight is stronger than both of us. She refuses to see anything about me that might cloud her judgment. So keep your mouth shut about my business when you’re around her,” I warn with my hands on her shoulders.

  “You can’t…you can’t intimidate me,” she stammers.

  “I think you might be protesting a little too much. The guests will be here shortly, but we still have time to get this marriage off on the right foot. You must know by now nothing escapes my knowledge. There are people everywhere watching and listening on my behalf. I get daily reports of dissension among the ranks. I think you like a man with a firm hand, and I’m going to prove it,” I say.

  “I don’t know where you get that impression. Nobody touches me without my permission. It’s amazing how few men know what a woman wants. They think they have the power, but it’s merely an illusion. A woman will always hold a man’s balls in her purse out of sight and out of mind. Why
you think you are any different is beyond me,” Valeria smiles defiantly.

  “I thought this was going to be fun, and I was right. Those people attending the ceremony have no idea what’s in store for them when the dust settles on this union. I have big plans to go international. There’ll be some that oppose me, but they will learn quickly to get on board. Blood will be spilled. That’s unavoidable in this business. You should know that better than anybody. It’s not like your father’s hands are clean. I could tell you some stories,” I say.

  “I didn’t want to hear them from him, and I certainly don’t want to hear them from you. Some things are better left unsaid. Maybe that’s something you should consider before you open your mouth to tell stories that are not yours to tell,” Valeria replies.

  “This attitude is fucking hot. Do you know what would be even hotter?” I ask. The question hangs in the air waiting for her response.