"Damn, buddy. Los Angeles is doing wonders for your tan," Miguel playfully teased as he entered the room, moving with a swagger. "Well, that's part of the job description," I replied absentmindedly. "You're definitely not your father," Lorenzo remarked, heading straight for the bar. "Damn, would you look at those curves." He made some adjustments while leering out the window. I rubbed my temples, tolerating Lorenzo's presence despite finding him somewhat distasteful. "Hands off, she's off-limits." "Same old Victor. Or should we start calling you boss now?" Lorenzo sneered. "That's enough, Lorenzo," Dominick reprimanded. "We're here for a reason. Any word of a war brewing?" "Only from my sources," I said with wavering confidence. I knew what was expected of me. "How's your father holding up?" Miguel inquired. "It's touch and go." "Who the hell is responsible for this mess? It's all over the news. We might as well help you settle in and take care of this bastard while we're at i
Dominick approached, walking closer. "She's scheduled to marry Ernesto Satori in two days. It seems to be an arranged marriage, and it came together quite quickly. The union will bring significant wealth, and the connections are almost as valuable as the money." "As I've said, the man is nothing but a despicable individual," Aleksei growled. "Damn. That's perfect," Lorenzo muttered quietly. "What the hell?" My anger transformed into rage, and spots appeared before my eyes. Everything, even the movie, had been a setup. If I had been closer to my father, I might have detected this scheme months ago. "If that's the case, they can easily dismantle my father's control over California and the entire West Coast." "Exactly," Dominick said, smiling. He moved even closer. "You need to take action regarding this." "What can I possibly do at this stage?" I already knew the answer, understanding exactly where Dominick's twisted mind was leading. "You can stop the marriage and make a firm stan
MADELINE Caught. Abducted. The concept had never crossed my mind until now. Although my father had been an exceptional instructor, teaching me various forms of combat, he had never truly explained the harsh reality of falling into the clutches of a predator. And Victor Racini was undeniably a sinister, intimidating, and unpredictable predator. He was also an actor, having abandoned his upbringing for a more glamorous existence. The irony of him being the one to abduct me left me with countless questions. What was his motive? My guess was that he aimed to thwart the West Coast takeover attempt. I was nothing more than a pawn. However, he was engaged in a perilous and intricate game. I had overheard enough gossip about the recent nightclub murders just a few miles from my apartment. His father's men had been slain, gunned down in the streets. His father, presumed dead, had been shot. Perhaps this was merely an act of revenge. How deeply involved was my father in all of this? My fat
Suppressing a whimper, I held my breath as he roughly touched me. In an instant, I recoiled against the wall as his hand grazed my intimate area. At the same time, the file slipped out from my dress, tumbling to the ground. The second man's amusement vanished as he circled the first brute, examining the fallen file. "Interesting. The boss won't be pleased." "What a pity," I muttered through clenched teeth. The second brute shoved me forward. My fists clenched. Another careless mistake. It wouldn't be repeated. Facing an elaborate staircase, I descended deliberately, despite Victor's probable indifference. Whatever his motives were, I was merely a fraction of them. The soldiers followed behind me, gesturing to the left when I reached the bottom step. With my head held high, I approached, though my stomach churned persistently. The room was vast and lavishly furnished, defying my expectations of a movie star's taste. Glimpses through the windows revealed meticulously manicured sur
My response clearly failed to satisfy him. "Instead of starting with a pleasant dinner and engaging conversation, I will proceed with your punishment right away," he declared. Abruptly pulling away, he snatched the glass from my hand and swiftly returned the file to his pocket. Gripping my arm tightly, he forcefully led me out of the room and down a hallway, eventually bringing us to a spacious and beautiful kitchen. The stainless steel appliances gleamed under the single light above the stove, and the expansive granite counters added to the elegance of the space. "What do you intend to do?" His grip remained firm, his fingers digging into my skin. "Remove your dress," he commanded, while stepping back slightly, towering over me. He lowered his head, bringing his lips dangerously close to mine. I could almost hear the ragged rhythm of his heartbeat, pounding in his chest. The electric intensity I had previously felt surged to new heights, igniting a wave of intense heat between my
I despise you. I despise you deeply! I held back my tears, biting my tongue to prevent any sign of vulnerability. He wouldn't witness me shedding a single tear. No, that wasn't going to happen. "I'm going to administer thirty lashes, Madeline. That should make it clear to you that I mean what I say. I will protect you in this house, but you will not attempt to harm or kill me or my men. If you do, there won't be a second chance." I knew he wasn't making an empty threat. It wasn't a mere warning, but a genuine promise. "Yes, sir," I forced the words through gritted teeth, closing my eyes as he patted both of my buttocks. The sound of the belt swishing through the air felt like an eternity, as if by some miracle, time had frozen. I felt light-headed, refusing to breathe or think. When the thick strap struck the center of my behind, I didn't react at all. There was no pain. Not even a tingling sensation. I shifted my hips, finally taking a deep breath. The second swishing sound wasn
"Very tight. Just as all well-behaved individuals should be. And I believe you don't want me to leave you alone. In fact, I think you desire me to push you to your limits. Perhaps engaging in sexual activities with you daily and claiming every orifice as mine will satisfy you. Or maybe I need to go even further, taking you to extreme measures." He continued to apply pressure, taking his time. The pain was excruciating, biting, and dreadful, and... suddenly, a moment of pleasure overwhelmed me, both blissful and incapacitating. I let out a groan, expelling every bit of air from my lungs. He thrust forcefully and rapidly after a few seconds. "Such a good girl. I suspect you crave pain, don't you? You yearn for a man to fulfill all those urges that awaken in the middle of the night." Curse him! My thoughts were in disarray, my mind unable to make sense of it all. No matter how many times I tried to scream that he was a monster, a dazzling surge of electricity continued to course throug
"You were a bit harsh on him, don't you think?" Dominick's voice brought an unexpected sense of comfort. While we would never be close friends, he understood the challenges I faced more than most. "Perhaps. Lately, I've been questioning everything. I thought you would have returned to New York." Dominick moved closer, acknowledging Carlo with a respectful nod before wincing as he glanced through the glass. "I had a feeling you might need some assistance. The word on the street isn't favorable, my friend." He spoke softly, choosing his words carefully as hospital staff passed by in the long hallway. "I suppose we'll see. What have you heard?" He cast a cautious look over his shoulder before guiding me into my father's room. The sound of the machines filled the air, creating a rumble in my chest and a hiss in my throat. At least we had some privacy here. As a gesture of reverence, Dominick approached my father's bed and made the sign of the cross in the customary Catholic manner. I