Pretty Sinner: A Dark Mafia Romance (The Oligarchs Book 3)

by B. B. Hamel

  “Penny—”

  I hung up. I threw the phone onto the couch and sank onto the chair that overlooked the city.

  I was leaving my family behind. And for what? A future with Kaspar?

  What would I be with him?

  I couldn’t picture myself as a proper Oligarch wife. Not like my mother, all serious and conservative and restrained. I didn’t want any of that.

  I suspected Kaspar didn’t, either.

  What would I be then? His lover, his mistress?

  Or something altogether different?

  I could forge my own path.

  Maybe I’d marry him—and maybe I wouldn’t.

  I could decide, and he’d accept whatever I chose.

  Because above all else, that man loved me.

  He obsessed about me, from my head to my toes. Every square inch.

  Unlike anyone else in my life.

  Kaspar Baskin. My nightmare. My monster.

  I was rapidly falling, and I’d never pick myself up again.

  30

  Kaspar

  Present Day

  The Chicago suburbs

  Maeve was holed up in a dingy strip club twenty minutes outside of the city.

  It was almost comical. The place was called Cupid’s Mistake and the signs were covered in small, fat cherubs with heart-tipped arrows notched in their little bows. My men surrounded the building but kept their distance. Michaels stood outside of my car with a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, watching the front from a parking lot across the street.

  “No movement inside since we got here,” he said, sounding tired. I’d have to pay him double for this. “But they can’t stay in there forever.”

  “Do you have a team prepared to breach?”

  “Absolutely. Might be better that way.”

  “Are you in contact with Redmond’s team?”

  He grunted but didn’t sound happy. “They’re around.”

  “That’s not exactly reassuring.”

  “They’re not exactly helpful.”

  I slapped his back and nodded. “Keep up the good work. I’ll deal with Redmond and his men.”

  He went back to watching through the binoculars.

  Penny poked her head out of an armored SUV in a spot across the lot. I went over to her, slightly annoyed she was showing her face. I made her swear that she’d stay inside the car no matter what happened. At least then I knew she’d be safe if bullets started flying. The driver had strict orders to get her away from here at all costs. No matter what.

  “I thought we discussed this,” I said, glowering at her.

  She smiled sweetly. “You discussed. I made noncommittal noises.”

  “Penny. Please stay in the car.”

  “I’m in the car. The window’s down, is all.”

  I rolled my eyes and leaned against the door. She gazed out at the club and squinted into the early morning sun.

  “How long have you been waiting out here?” she asked, her tone gentle, worried.

  “Twelve hours.”

  “That’s a long time. Your men must be exhausted.”

  “They’re dealing with it. And I’m going to pay them all fat bonuses.”

  She grinned at me. “I thought they weren’t motivated by money.”

  “Oh, they are, you just aren’t worth nearly what I pay them.”

  She laughed and pretended to be hurt. I leaned in the car and kissed her.

  “What are you going to do about Redmond?” she asked as I pulled back out and shaded my eyes. There was movement nearby. Some of my men getting into a closer position. I held my breath, expecting the crack of gunfire, but nothing happened.

  “I haven’t decided yet. One thing at a time.” I wanted to climb into the car and pull her into my lap, but I had work to do. I had to make sure Redmond’s men wouldn’t get in the way when the time came to attack.

  As my mind drifted over the tasks necessary to prepare for a full-on breach, some cars rolled down the street nearby. It was a big procession of black vehicles, all of them SUVs, and I guess half were armored based on the sluggish way they handled. My men went on high alert and I snapped at Penny to roll up her window.

  For once, she obeyed.

  I sprinted to Michaels, gun out. His jaw was tensed and he held an AR-15 in firing position, tracking the SUVs as they stopped and parked in the middle of the street, blocking his view of the strip club.

  “Alpha team, eyes on the target?” Michaels said into his comms.

  His radio chirped. “Alpha leader, eyes on Cupid. No movement. What the fuck’s with those cars? Over.”

  “Stay where you are. Don’t move.” He changed the frequency. “Bravo, swing to cover those cars. Relay order to Omega. Tell Delta to remain on Cupid.”

  “Roger that.” His radio clicked off.

  I leaned against the truck next to Michaels.

  “What are you thinking?” I asked him softly.

  “Might be Maeve trying to make a break for it. Not a bad idea, cutting our forces in half like this.” There were other soldiers all over the parking lot getting into position. “But I doubt she has enough soldiers inside the club to do much.”

  The front door of the lead car opened and a single man stepped out. I relaxed my posture and slowly stood, tucking my pistol back into its holster.

  “Tell your men to hold fire. I don’t think this is what you think.” I stepped forward, out of cover.

  “Sir,” Michaels snapped. “You’re exposed.”

  I approached Darren through the grass.

  He held up a hand and met me halfway.

  He looked good. Healthy. He’d gained some muscle. His hair had a new, messy style. His green eyes twinkled.

  Married life agreed with him.

  “I was wondering when you’d show up,” I said, stopping a few paces away. I kept my hands visible, but near my holster.

  He did the same.

  “Penny almost talked me out of it, but I couldn’t resist.”

  “So that’s why she wanted a phone. I almost thought she’d try to escape.”

  His face twisted. “I don’t know what you did to my sister—”

  “I did nothing to her.” Which wasn’t strictly true. I’d done some things, but he didn’t need details.

  “Why are you doing this?” Darren shook his head, tense and on edge. “Penny says Maeve tried to kill her.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “You wouldn’t have believed it. I proved myself to Penny. What could I have possibly done to change your mind? From your perspective, I’m a chaotic psychopath that enjoys strangling college girls for fun.”

  He grimaced and looked away. So I wasn’t far off from the truth. “You still should’ve tried.”

  “Well, here we are. Are going to believe me and your sister? Or are you going to play the good Oligarch and try to stop this?” I moved closer, rage rolling off me in waves. Fuck this guy and fuck what he wanted. Darren was too late. He couldn’t show up at the last second and insert himself into my business—not when I was so close.

  He met my eye with a dangerous edge in his smile. “I haven’t decided.”

  “Where’s your little friend, Roman? I assume he’s nearby. Probably flanking my men as we speak.”

  “More or less. You should’ve said something, Kaspar. We could’ve come together on this. You know I want to protect my family.”

  “I also know you want to avoid a full-scale war.”

  “You don’t?”

  “I want revenge for what Maeve did to your sister. That woman is dangerous. Once she’s gone, I’ll deal with the fallout.”

  Darren studied me. His was all business now. I took some breaths to temper my rage but it hardened me and made the world clear. I could reach him in two steps and have my gun out in three. I could blow his head off and end him right now, send his family into chaos.

  Penny would never forgive me. Murdering Alice to save
her life was one thing, but killing her brother for being in my way was another.

  I wouldn’t do anything that might upset her.

  “I’m sorry, Kaspar. This has to stop here. Let’s go inside and find Maeve. We can talk and—”

  “There’s no more talking. If you won’t stand aside, I will move you.”

  He didn’t back down. His hand drifted to his belt. The bastard was going to draw on me.

  I’d kill him first. Or shoot him in the kneecap. Disable him, but spare his worthless life. Penny would be angry, but she could get over that.

  Bastard. I hated this. I wanted Maeve more than anything in the world and Darren was standing in my way. He had no clue what was going on here.

  “Stop it, both of you.”

  I looked over, surprised. Darren seemed just as shocked.

  Penny strode over, looking annoyed.

  “Get back in the car,” I barked.

  She ignored me. “What are you doing here?”

  “I told you, if I heard Kaspar was going to move in, I’d show up. I stayed away as long as I could.”

  She grunted in annoyance. Something loosened inside of me.

  She’d called him for me. She’d tried to talk him into staying on the sidelines.

  God damn, the girl really cared.

  “Go home, Darren. This isn’t your fight.”

  He glared at his sister. “You don’t get to give me orders, Pen. I’m the head of the Servant family. I get to—”

  “I’m not one of your little underlings.” She was fierce, her rage burning bright.

  She’d never been so beautiful before. She stalked forward, hands balled into fists, and I thought she might punch her brother in the face.

  I’d let it happen.

  “I didn’t say you were.” He was equally angry.

  “Then stop treating me like you can order me to do whatever you want. I’m sick of Darren the Oligarch. I’m talking to Darren my brother, and I want you to go the hell home.”

  He opened his mouth then snapped it shut, jaw working. “You were serious. Kaspar really did save your life.”

  She let out a frustrated laugh. “You didn’t believe me.”

  “I was skeptical. Can you blame me? You call out of nowhere and make these convenient claims.”

  “None of this is convenient.” She raged still and came closer. “You think I wanted any of this? You’ve treated me like a puppy dog, like I’m not housebroken yet. All of you ignore me like I’m not worth the time. Even after Livvie died, do you remember asking if I was okay?”

  “Nobody was okay after that.” He voice was cold and dead.

  “I asked you. I asked Erin. I asked everyone, because I’m Penny and that’s what I do. But nobody cared to ask me. You still look at me like I’m the little sister, but I’m tired of it. I’m free of you now, Darren. So please, get the hell away and let Kaspar do his job.”

  Darren glanced at me then back at her. “No. We’ll talk about this later.”

  “I’m going to marry him.”

  The words left her mouth like a cannon shot.

  My jaw dropped and my world went still.

  Marry me. She was going to marry me.

  It was real. She’d really do it.

  Excitement and joy blossomed in my chest. I felt like I was being born all over again. The world was brand new, and it all centered around her.

  My Penny. My gorgeous future wife.

  Darren stepped back. “You’re not.”

  “I am. He loves me, and I love him too. I’m going to marry him, Darren. I’m done with the Servant family. So please, get back in the car and drive before you get hurt.”

  He gaped then looked at me. “You did this.”

  “Darren,” Penny said, warning.

  Before Darren could speak, gunshots cracked the air.

  I grabbed Penny and flung her to the ground, covering her with my body.

  31

  Penny

  Present Day

  The Chicago suburbs

  The gunshots broke the tense standoff. Kaspar grabbed me, threw me down, and wrapped his arms around me, acting like a human shield.

  Michaels shouted from the cars. “It’s Maeve. They’re making a break for it.”

  “Are you okay?” Kaspar asked.

  “I’m fine. Although you’re crushing me a little bit.” He was hugging me so hard I thought a rib might pop out.

  “Sorry.” He relaxed slightly. “You’re really going to marry me?”

  “Yes, but we can talk about this later.”

  “I love you, Penny.”

  “I know you do. Seriously, though. Maeve? My brother?”

  He grunted, kissed me, and stood, pulling me up with him. Darren stood at his car, staring at the strip club.

  Kaspar hesitated, unsure what to do, before dragging me to Darren’s line of SUVs. We crouched next to him behind the hood and peered out at the parking lot.

  Kaspar’s men were moving in. Another squad came from the opposite side, probably Redmond’s soldiers. Darren let out a frustrated growl as men poured out of the strip club, shooting in all directions. They were getting mowed down by Kaspar’s boys.

  “This shouldn’t be happening,” Darren said. “Why wouldn’t she stay in there? Let us come to her?”

  “She thinks you’re on my side now,” Kaspar said, watching the slaughter.

  He was right, I realized in a flash. I laughed, unable to help myself. “Maeve’s supposed to be the queen of spies, right? But her spies are all gone. She’s blind.”

  “Blind and panicking,” Kaspar agreed, looking at me like I was love incarnate. “She saw Darren pull up, watched our conversation, and figured we were on the same side.”

  “Should’ve gotten a better lip reader then,” Darren grumbled.

  More gunfire cracked out. Kaspar’s men pushed forward and I had to tear my gaze away. Too much blood, too many dead. Kaspar raised a radio to his lips and began making orders: breach the building, sweep inside, find Maeve. Bring her out alive.

  It didn’t take long after that. The initial attack was wiped out in minutes. Kaspar’s men flooded inside, followed by Redmond’s. A few tense minutes of crackling static from the radio was followed by joyous shouts.

  Darren was pale. I didn’t feel bad for him.

  Maeve was dragged out, her hands bound behind her back. Some of her top lieutenants were with her.

  Kaspar stepped out of cover and walked to the parking lot.

  I followed him.

  “Penny,” Darren called. “Wait, it might not be safe.”

  I didn’t care. Darren could sit and screw.

  I caught up with Kaspar and slipped my hand into his. He looked at me and smiled. “You should’ve stayed in the car,” he said.

  “You needed my help.”

  “I had it covered.”

  “You were going to kill each other.”

  “I was going to wound him badly. But not kill him. I figured you wouldn’t be happy if I killed your brother.”

  “My hero.”

  He grinned and squeezed my hand.

  Maeve was a mess. She was kicked to her knees by Redmond. He’d been a part of the group that breached the building. He wore body armor and a wide, cocky grin.

  “Look what I found,” he called out. “Pretty Maeve.”

  Maeve kept her chin up. Even exhausted, she had dignity. She wore simple clothing, a pair of slacks, a rumpled white button-down, with not a speck of makeup. She seemed old and worn.

  Kaspar stopped in front of her, took out his gun, and shot the woman to her left. She was young and pretty. She crumpled to the ground.

  Maeve flinched but stared at Kaspar defiantly, her lieutenant’s blood splattered on her face.

  “What do you have to say?” Kaspar asked.

  “Nothing,” Maeve said. “There’s nothing to say. Get it over with. Don’t draw this out.”

  Kaspar crouched down in front of her, head tilted. “The queen o
f information doesn’t want to talk at the end. I find it hard to believe. What do you have locked inside that head of yours, Maeve?”

  “More rotten truth than you want to know.”

  “You’re probably right. I have only one question.” He took a breath and let it out. “Why Penny?”

  “She was convenient.” She didn’t glance in my direction. “Is that all? Penny’s nothing. She happened to be attending Blackwoods. You’re still thinking about that, even all these years later? You messed up my plans back then, Kaspar, and I never really forgave you.”

  “No, and I never forgave you, either.” He stood and loomed over her.

  My hands tingled. Darren stood a few feet behind me. I looked back at him.

  He didn’t smile. He looked like he’d been kicked in the throat.

  Kaspar looked at Redmond. “Would you mind if I did the honors?”

  Redmond shrugged. “Go ahead. I’ve got enough blood on me today.” The Oligarch moved away from the group as Kaspar held the gun out and pressed it against Maeve’s head.

  “I always liked you,” Kaspar said quietly.

  “And I always thought you were a psychotic monster. I suppose that’s life.”

  He pulled the trigger. Maeve’s head snapped back, and she was no more.

  Redmond’s soldiers killed the remainder of Maeve’s lieutenants. Blood coated the blacktop as Kaspar returned to me, tucking his pistol away.

  “I didn’t know,” Darren said.

  “We both told you.” I shook my head and turned my back on him. “Like I said, go home, Darren. You aren’t needed here.”

  For once in his life, Darren listened. He returned to the cars, and his caravan pulled out. I had to imagine Roman was slinking away after him somewhere in the shadows.

  Kaspar held my hands and kissed me.

  “Was it everything you hoped?” I asked when he pulled away. His soldiers milled about, clearing the club, making sure all of Maeve’s people were finished.

  “It was and more. Darren hearing her confession in the end was perfection.” He kissed me again. “But hearing you say you wanted to marry me? That was heaven.”

  “I meant it.”

  “Are you sure?” His eyes blazed. “You know what it’ll mean.”