The Mafia Contract Series

I had to get away for my own sanity. Why did I kiss her like a desperate lover? I am so mad at myself because that wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m determined to keep sentiment away from this arrangement and yet as soon as we were declared husband and wife, and she stared at me through those beautiful blue eyes, something shattered inside me. She looked so afraid and was looking to me for assurances.

When I heard her soft, lilting voice as she whispered her vows, it drove an interest straight to my throbbing cock. I try to tell myself it’s because I haven’t gotten laid in weeks, but things have been a little intense and it’s been the last thing on my mind. Now I have a wife and it angers me how desirable she is because I wanted to remain indifferent around her. Cold, callous and a bastard, but I can’t be that around her, not after what I witnessed at her parent’s home. Not the abuse she has lived with that struck a chord deep inside. It surprised me to be protective, angry even, and I don’t want that. I don’t want to feel anything because feelings get you in a heap of trouble that I could do without.

Then I gave into my urge and seized a kiss from her tempting lips. They were like two plump cushions that begged to be sucked, and I tried so desperately to resist the urge to bite down hard just to enjoy the soft flesh between my teeth. I hate that my bride is tempting me, and I am already regretting laying down the terms of our arrangement so soon. The trouble is, I don’t have sex with any woman twice for a reason. I don’t want to form attachments because when you live as mafia, attachments make you weak and get you killed.

As soon as we entered my home, I walked away for my own self-preservation. I need to create distance and just put the emotion down to the occasion and nothing more.

As Roberto falls into step beside me, he growls, “What now, sir?”

“I need a fucking drink, that’s what, and some peace and quiet to work out my next step.”

“Of course, sir, you know where you’ll find me.”

I nod and head to my den, where I slam the door with a resounding thud. As I pace the Persian rug, I inhale the aroma of polished sandalwood, cigars and whiskey. My personal retreat where I can regroup, and it has never been needed as much as now because one kiss has unraveled me.

As I sink into the chestnut leather chair by the huge fireplace, I put my head in my hands. I always knew today would be difficult, but I never expected this. A slow burn of desire that gradually increased every minute I spent with Jasmine Rossi. I thought I was immune to this and had it all worked out. Perhaps it was the way she bravely faced her father after having displeased him. Maybe it was the way she bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling and balled her fists to contain her anger.

I’m guessing it was the vulnerability of a woman who looks as if she could break apart with just a tap and yet went through with her parent’s plan, regardless of how shit scared she was.

Then, as I heard her soft voice pledge her life to me, it created a protective instinct to flare inside.

I wasn’t prepared for that. To be responsible for a life I just bargained in a business deal.

Sighing, I reach for the decanter and pour myself a glass of whiskey and stare into the empty grate and ponder my position. Leaning back, I swirl the liquid in the glass and hate the way my thoughts are already turning to her. Wondering what she’s doing now, is she happy with her room? Is she sad, fearful and wishes she was anywhere else? I hate the thought that Mrs. Bourne will see more of her than me, and yet this is what I wanted. What I want. It must be this way, for all our sakes.

Feeling irritated, I slam the glass down and head to my desk and fire up my computer. Work will distract my mind; it always does when you’re building an empire. As I scroll through my messages, one stands out like a red flag before me.

Massimo Delauren and Winter Delauren congratulate you on your marriage. We hope you enjoy a long and happy life together and, failing that, the years you do enjoy are monumental ones.

The rage starts building inside as I understand the message loud and clear. He’s baiting me, reminding me he holds all the cards and is more powerful than I am. Massimo’s empire could crush mine to dust and still not touch his vast resources. He has my sister locked in a weird marriage, and yet she seems happy about that.

Thinking back on what Baron told me before he called in the favor and we delivered Lauren Berkley to him, I wonder what to do about it. What it even means for Winter, but I can’t ignore the heads up. Massimo is gay and prefers the company of young boys rather than the usual whores we get to enjoy. Does Winter know? What about their own relationship? Do they have an intimate one, or is it all show like mine will be?

I sense that something is wrong. Baron discovered that our history teacher at Rockwell Academy had a side-line in delivering young boys to Massimo’s mansion nearby. The fact she was the one instrumental in delivering my own sister to him tells me we overlooked her involvement in all this.

She made out it was an ambush that Winter had planned. Apparently not, according to Baron.

Perhaps I need to rekindle my involvement with my corrupt teacher and this time I won’t be so believing.

Now I have my distraction from my fair wife, I prepare to find my history teacher and drag the answers I seek from her lying lips.

With a sigh, I reach for the phone and call Roberto, saying brusquely, “Arrange an overnight trip to Rockwell Springs. We leave within the hour.”

As soon as I hang up, I call Burton my trusty butler. “I need an overnight bag in one hour.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Once again, I cut the call and take a deep breath. This is what I need. Something to distract me from my new obsession. Distance will create disinterest, and I’m even considering fucking Miss Hastings one last time to erase the yearning I have for my delectable new wife. Yes, Miss. Hastings was always a good, willing fuck, which is obviously what I need right now. After all, I made it perfectly clear there was nothing between us and she knows the score. A man has needs and my current one is to fuck Jasmine Rossi from my mind once and for all, so I can revert to business and bring my sister home.