JAYCE BECKETT There are only two ways to catch a criminal: you either offer yourself as a bait to catch them, or wait until they get bored of playing hide and seek and surrender themselves. However, experience shows that the former is more likely, while the latter is unlikely to happen. Not even in a million years.As I crouched in the dimly lit alley, my heart clenched in my chest, and my lungs constricted, making every breath a struggle. The fuzzy dizziness that clouded my brain threatened to overwhelm me, leaving my fingers numb and unresponsive. But I gritted my teeth, fighting to maintain focus. My gun remained poised, my back straight, and my feet planted firmly on the ground.Suddenly, I detected light footsteps behind me. I swiftly turned, gun at the ready, my finger hovering over the trigger. My training kicked in, and I assessed the potential threat. But as I locked eyes with the figure emerging from the shadows, I lowered my gun, relief washing over me. It was Agent Col
JAYCE BECKETT "Agent Beckett, bring down Renato Marino and his family, and you'll receive a substantial bonus, one that will more than cover your nephew's medical expenses. This is a high-profile case, and success will not only be a significant feather in your cap, but also a game-changer for your career. So, what will it be?"I let out a deep grunt as the chief's words echoed in my mind. It had been over two days since I met with the chief in his office, and even after I turned down the offer, I couldn't help but think about it over and over again. The truth was, going undercover had never been my problem, and the fact that it was the Marino family I would be taking down made it more than enough reason for me to accept the offer. I hated that family with every fibre of my being, plus the benefits and bonus I would receive after the mission was enticing.The Marino family was like a ghost story told to camp kids when it came to feds. They were an old crime family that ran New York,
JAYCE BECKETT My laptop was open, with a third can of energy drink sitting next to me, and I bounced my leg up and down. I scoured every known file in the system. After eight hours on my day off, I wasn't any closer to gaining enough information about my target. Obtaining personal information about those criminals wasn't easy. I needed every bit of knowledge I could gather about the Marino family, especially Renato Marino, who was my main target. Last night, after Curtis was discharged from the hospital, I had gone back to the chief and told him I was in on the mission. The chief had grinned at me, as if he had known I would come back.I was desperate for money, and the chief knew it. I fucking hated that he could predict me, but what else could I possibly do when my only nephew was dying? The doctor had advised me to make a deposit for Curtis's kidney transplant because his condition had worsened. If I checked my savings, the only thing they could possibly afford was a new pair o
RENATO MARINOI can be as sweet as honey, but I can also be deadly venom. It all depends on which side of me you choose to cross. Unlike my brother or my nephews, I don't have a strong taste for bloodshed unless it's absolutely necessary to protect what's mine, or to return the favor to those who dare to fuck with me.My blood rushed, and pinpricks danced along my forearms to my fingers, which gripped my hammer tightly. My feet remained planted on the floor, and the calmness surrounding me gave me a chance to think about this fucking mess I had to deal with on a fine morning like this.Only two questions had been running through my head since last night. How could anyone be foolish enough to think of crossing me? And why would anyone voluntarily walk into their own demise? I simply couldn't understand it.Agitation and annoyance coursed through me as my eyes fixed intently on the bastard who was hung upside down from the ceiling, blood dripping from various parts of his body. I wa
JAYCE BECKETT When I woke up to find myself lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room, the first question that popped into my head was whether I had been caught. As I looked out the window to survey my surroundings, I realized I was in a place that bore a striking resemblance to Renato Marino's villa, just like the one that had been shown to us in the conference room during our investigation into the Marino family's crime case. It was clear that Renato Marino had brought me here, to his home.However, one thing that left me perplexed was the fact that he had treated my bullet wound. But why? Criminals like him didn't typically treat their victims with such care. It would have made more sense if I had awoken to find myself tied to a lab table, perhaps with my arms missing or my toes chopped off.Did Renato Marino not know who I was? Did he feel indebted to me because I had gotten shot on his behalf? And what about him? Had he really escaped unscathed, or had the damn druggie actually k
JAYCE BECKETT "Here's the membership card," Salvio said, handing me a sleek black card with a subtle chip embedded in it. "Be at the clubhouse before 10 pm." Salvio, the guy Renato Marino had tasked with dropping me off at Adam's Bar, gave me a serious look, as if emphasizing the importance of the card."Thank you," I said hastily, shoving the card into my pocket as if eager to rid myself of it. "I'll be at the club." Salvio's gaze lingered on me in the rearview mirror, his eyes seeming to bore into my soul for what felt like an eternity. His silence was unnerving, and I could feel my anxiety spiking as I slowly reached for the door button, ready to make a hasty exit from his car.Just as my finger hovered over the button, Salvio's voice cut through the movement, making me stop."I still don't understand why the boss is giving you a chance," he said, his tone low and resentment, "but let me make one thing clear: if you have any ulterior motives, I'll kill you before the boss even g
RENATO MARINO No matter how hard I tried to think about it, I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact I'd let that boy off freely.But why? I should have taken him out the moment Chocolate confirmed he was a fed. Why was I courting disaster, inviting a future problem into my life? That guy was clearly digging for information about me, so why did I roll out the red carpet and welcome him into my home?Why did I extend an invitation to the clubhouse, of all places? It was a reckless move, and I knew it. The old adage "keep your enemies close" only applied to internal threats, not external ones. There was no way I could keep a fed in my inner circle without it ending in bloodshed.A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about the possibilities. What if I'd underestimated him? What if, in the game of cat and mouse, he'd turned the tables and played me instead? The thought sent a wave of paranoia crashing over me. Had I just made a fatal mistake?"Renato, you're getting soft," I m
JAYCE BECKETT The silence between Curtis and me was deafening. Ever since I returned, he hadn't uttered a single word to me, and having Cole hovering around us only added to my discomfort. Cole's curious glares made me squirm, and I'd tried everything to get him to leave, but he refused to budge. It was clear he wouldn't leave until I confessed where I'd been.Curtis's fork stabbed into his spaghetti with a force that made me wince. His lips pouted, and he listlessly pushed his leftover food around his plate. I gently nudged him, hoping to break the ice, but instead, Curtis's glare cut through me like a knife. Hurting deeper than the bullet wound."Are you still mad at me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, as I cast a nervous glance at Cole, who stood a few feet away, pretending not to eavesdrop.Curtis's response was a little too loud, a little too sharp. "No." The word hung in the air, a blatant lie. God, he was furious with me.I sighed, my shoulders sagging in defeat. I
JAYCE BECKETT A throbbing sensation consumed me at first, but as I began to register my surroundings, I became aware of a cool cloth on my forehead, the gentle softness of sheets beneath me, and the warmth of a blanket covering me. I slowly forced my eyes open to see that I was in my room.The last thing I remembered was rushing home after a frantic exit from Renato's Villa, feeling like my life was falling apart. I'd walked into my living room to find Cole hunched over his laptop, typing away furiously as he told me something about applying for a marriage license. But I'd been too overwhelmed to respond, and the next thing I knew, I was slumping to the floor, blacking out completely. Cole must have carried me to my room."That fucker." I groaned, rubbing my eyes.BEEP.BEEP.The jarring sound of my alarm blaring ripped through the air, prompting a harsh grunt from me. I lifted my hand, first removing the damp cloth from my forehead, and then reaching for the annoying alarm on the
RENATO MARINO Lying around and healing? Not exactly my style. I'd rather get to work on the task that slimy Sasha had dumped on me. The clock was ticking – the new Don would be chosen soon, and I needed to move quickly.I slipped out of bed and padded silently around the guest room. I'd held onto the hope that Jayce would still be here when I woke up, but he was long gone. "That bastard," I muttered, wincing as I clutched my side. The guest room was spotless, and I couldn't help but notice the tidiness. The cleaner wouldn't have arrived this early, and Chocolate usually avoided morning visits to spare me the embarrassment of being seen naked. That left only one person – Jayce. "So, he cleaned up before ditching an injured guy? Classy move," I said with a mix of annoyance and sarcasm.If I'd known he'd bail as soon as he realized I was playing him, I wouldn't have said his name. And honestly, I wasn't even trying to play him in the first place.What I saw wasn't a lie. At first, a
JAYCE BECKETT I was still desperately trying to dull the throbbing pain in my butt, but it seemed like an impossible task.Every twitch, every shift, every beat of my heart sent a fresh of agony through my butt. I can't remember how long this had been going on for. Whoever Aspen was, he was one strong bastard! I didn't think I could keep going, but each time, that bastard would groan and grunt, grumbling how Aspen was so strong enough to take him in for two days straight without stopping.Somehow, I was starting to doubt if Renato was only trying to convince himself that I was Aspen. Or maybe he already knew who I was and was doing this to punish me for impersonating his lover.I was literally dying. I hadn't exactly seen where people died from having too much sex but I was convinced I was going to become the first victim.I could feel Renato trembling against me, and just when I thought he had finally reached his limit and was going to cum, he pulled out of me. Making my eyes widen
JAYCE BECKETT I was still desperately trying to dull the throbbing pain in my butt, but it seemed like an impossible task.Every twitch, every shift, every beat of my heart sent a fresh of agony through my butt. I can't remember how long this had been going on for. Whoever Aspen was, he was one strong bastard! I didn't think I could keep going, but each time, that bastard would groan and grunt, grumbling how Aspen was so strong enough to take him in for two days straight without stopping.Somehow, I was starting to doubt if Renato was only trying to convince himself that I was Aspen. Or maybe he already knew who I was and was doing this to punish me for impersonating his lover.I was literally dying. I hadn't exactly seen where people died from having too much sex but I was convinced I was going to become the first victim.I could feel Renato trembling against me, and just when I thought he had finally reached his limit and was going to cum, he pulled out of me. Making my eyes widen
JAYCE BECKETT “Are you ready for me? Because I need you badly, baby.” Renato murmured, giving my hole one last lick before coming up for breath.We had long moved from the table to the bed, and I must admit this bed was a little small for the two of us.But that made it even more thrilling. I loved the way Renato pressed against me like there was no other space for him but to invade my space.I removed my two fingers from my hole and tucked my hands behind my knees to keep me raised and folded in half, ass lifted in offering. I hadn't exactly loved the idea when Rebato asked me to fuck my hole while he suck my ass. But the moment my two big fingers slipped past the first ring and Renato's tongue followed, I felt like I had been stuffed full inside.“Fuck me. Now. And don’t stop,” I paused to breathe, staring at him with my teary eyes. “even if I beg you to, don't stop.”Renato lowered over me, the width of his body keeping me open, allowing my hands to roam free. He gripped the wide
JAYCE BECKETT It took nothing at all. No effort for Renato to say, “Baby. You are my heart.” I knew I shouldn't feel hurt, but it stung to realize Renato thought he was standing here with someone named Aspen, not me. I was the one pretending to be the person his heart longed for, yet the truth made everything feel hollow and bitter. The thought of Renato touching me, kissing me, wanting me, but seeing someone else's face in his mind and whispering another name made my stomach turn. It was a twisted, toxic dynamic, and yet, I couldn't help but crave it anyway. The disconnect between reality and his perception made my feelings for him even more complicated, tangled in a web of desire and resentment.I couldn't quite put my finger on what I was feeling inside. It wasn't like I had romantic feelings for Renato or wanted a relationship with him. We didn't share any meaningful connection that would warrant this level of emotional investment. Yet, hearing him bare his heart to someone
JAYCE BECKETT "What?" I choked on a laugh, staring incredulously at him. Was it really the medication that was causing him to act this way, or was Renato just messing with me? The look on his face was so sincere, so full of longing, that I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that head of his. I searched his eyes for any sign of joking or teasing, but all I saw was a deep, almost desperate yearning. It was unnerving, to say the least."I'm serious. Otherwise, I'm not taking that thing." He shrugged, a faint, almost-wry smile playing on the corner of his mouth. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but it softened the intensity of his gaze, making me wonder what was really going on behind that mask of seriousness."Fine," I breathed out, shaking my head at the absurdity of arguing with someone who was clearly not at their best. "It's my fault for waiting around. I should have just left you and gone home." I turned to grab the pills from the table, but before I could even
JAYCE BECKETT I rolled my eyes. Renato was different than I expected him to be when he was asleep and defenceless. There was a gentle, cute side that I never would have expected. If Renato was any other man, he would be perfect for me."What the fuck am I saying?" I chuckled, shaking my head as I watched him sleep. Chocolate came in here about three hours ago, telling me to prepare myself and I still didn't know what that meant.She said that was the doctor's words and she was the one who asked her to give me that package."I don't get it," I sighed, brushing a strand of his silver turned red hair off his face. "Do you seem to have strong sexual urge whenever you're sick? Everyone is acting weird."I made to stand up, to go check my phone for time because it seemed to be about time Renato take his pills.The doctor said to feed him the pills every two hours, and I must admit, it was damn hard to feed a sleeping man. "I can't believe I fed you medicine through my mouth." I chuckled
RENATO MARINO "Let him go!" Gianna screamed, her voice piercing the air as she writhed in agony on the floor. "I beg of you, just let him go! I'll never do it again, I swear! So please, let go of him. Don't kill him."I stood frozen, my hands wrapped tightly around my brother's throat, his eyes wide with fear. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his skin was deathly pale. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks – I was literally choking the life out of him. My grip seemed to be tightening of its own accord, and my brother's eyes began to bulge, his face turning a sickly shade of purple.I hated this, I hated hurting my brother, but he had crossed a line. He had used our sister for his petty revenge, despite my explicit warnings. After Father's death, we'd lost everything to his enemies. Once they'd stopped chasing us, I had thought it was time to lay low, live quietly, and never show our faces again.But my brother was consumed by vengeance. He wanted to avenge Fat