NICOA few days earlierJohn wasn’t kidding. That blast knocked the shit out of me, also, burned off my clothes. I guess I should have moved further away before I pressed the button. Then I heard Sanda scream, and it took all of my willpower to stop the wolf from rushing back to comfort her.Our mate was in anguish, and he fought me with everything he had to go there. She was crying, screaming my name. I dug my nails into the earth and clamped my jaw shut not to cry out. The wolf turned his back on me in disgust.We’ll go back when it’s dark, hide in the stables. I tried to placate him, but he huffed and turned away. My blood turned to ice when I heard the men screaming for Darina to stop. Oh, no! She ran towards the burning wreck! That was when the wolf took over. There was nothing holding him back. He rushed towards the blaze, but the heat was too much. Whining he backpedaled.But then Sanda came, and I heard her say that no one could survive that. I reigned the wolf in hard. Patie
“Can everyone just calm the hell down!” I glared at Zane and Sanda. My grip on Darina tightened as I held her around her waist with her back to me, hiding my erection. She didn’t struggle but leaned back against me ever so slightly. “I get it, you are mad at me. I fucked up. Maybe.”That earned me a snort from Sanda and Zane’s eyebrows raised a few inches. He stood with his arms folded across his broad chest and I knew from the look in his eyes he was considering breaking a few bones.“But as soon as the dust settles and we’re all back at Romania, we can go on with our lives. Just like you wanted. No more humans trying to get us killed or wanting to use our pups for lab rats. No more Mafia. Okay?” By the gods! What more did they want from me?Sanda came towards me. “Idiot.” Her hands on her hips, she glared at me, “You should have trusted us.”“Sanda’s right.” Darina wriggled her way out of my grasp. “That’s not how you treat us, your mates. We don’t keep secrets from you.” She went t
DARINAWhat was taking so long? “I can’t stand it anymore. They should have been here already, Sanda. Something’s wrong.” I was in panic mode, pacing around the living room.“Slow down, my love. Nico won’t let himself get caught. You’re making yourself ill.” Sanda smiled serenely back at me, lounging on the couch.“I don’t know how you can just sit there so calmly. We should have gone with Zane.”“Darina,” Mama came into the living room with Daciana on her hip. “Is Lycas with you, because I can’t find him.” Daciana held onto Mama’s neck with her little fist in her mouth, giggling at us.That boy would be the death of me. “I left him in the playpen together with his sister, Mama.” He must have transformed again. I sighed. Using the mind link, I sent out messages to the pack to help find my small wolf cub. “I have a mind to spank his little behind.” I said, storming to the front door.“Boys will be boys.” Sanda laughed. “He’ll turn up when he’s hungry.”“Someone lost a pup?” Nico filled
The atmosphere in the living room was tense as seconds ticked by waiting for Nico’s reply. His arm around my waist tightened and trying to calm him, I stroked his broad back, feeling the muscles contract under my palm.But then he spoke. “Zane, Mariana, I don’t want my children to grow up not knowing where they came from. I want them to know their grandparents.”I blew out a deep breath I never knew I held in. Nico looked at me and back at them. “All these years knowing what hell we’ve suffered at the hands of Constantin and yet you did nothing. It’s hard to wrap my head around it, knowing that I am your son.” The lines around his mouth deepened while he looked at Mariana.“I didn’t know everything, Nico. You know he never allowed us to visit.” Mariana stepped away from Zane who went to sit down with Anthony by his side. Anthony put a comforting hand on Zane’s thigh and Zane covered his hand with his own.Mariana reached for Nico. He made no move to go forward. “I never wanted to give
DARINAI have to finish this project, but I can’t concentrate on it. I slapped my books closed and fell on my bed. Downstairs I heard my parents moving about. Daddy has been so restless of late, more than usual. I knew my parents were involved in some shady business. Not exactly sure what it was, but I’ve heard him mention a name, Necolai Lupei.They were so secretive about everything, trying to keep their dealings away from me. They’ve always been so protective of me. I love my parents, but I’m a grown woman now. I, Darina Vulpe am twenty-one and still being treated like a child. In a way I suppose it’s my own fault, I could have moved out long ago, but I liked living with them. It was convenient. I could study when I wanted to, have my privacy, not worry about expenses and meals. My mother was a wonderful cook. So, I guess I was spoilt, being the only child had its advantages. Besides, my parents weren’t poor. The only problems was, how did they obtain their wealth. I’ve never worr
NecolaiScreaming, pleading, it did nothing for me. I had no sympathy. Listening to those men finding religion while my Capo worked them over made me chuckle. I stubbed out my cigarette and rolled up the sleeves of shirt. Time to get to work. They don’t call me the Red Wolf for no reason. Blood will flow. Those fuckers dared to muscle in on my turf. They will pay the price.I am Don Necolai Rosu Lupei, one of the most feared Mafia Bosses in London. My gang The Romanesco owns this part of the city. I don’t tolerate competition, especially not from scum like these human traffickers. I am going to bathe in their blood.Last night we raided their little organization and freed seven underaged girls and two teenage boys. Those kids were lucky nothing bad had happened to them yet. My men made sure they were returned safely to their families.I walked into the room where my Capo Salvatore aka The Switchblade was ‘handling’ the prisoners. He liked to work alone. I respected that. He was a big
“So, you will do anything to save your miserable life? Give me anything I ask for?” I drawled, relaxing on the couch.Alexi was no on his hands and knees, face almost into the carpet.“Name it and it is yours.” He was sobbing.“Daddy?”My head whipped around to the sound of that melodious voice; my senses hit with a scent so intoxicating I felt drunk with it. Sweet like cherry wine and hibiscus flowers. My wolf howled in my head. I couldn’t believe it. Mate!The girl ran past Ricci, stopping short in front of Alexi. Breathtakingly beautiful. I sat frozen, staring at her. She bent down on her knees next to her father, her blonde hair cascading across her shoulders. “Daddy, what happened? Who are these men?” She looked up at me her grey eyes clashing with mine. It was like being hit by lightning.Sal grabbed her and I snarled at him. “Leave her.” I stood up. Nobody touches what is mine.“Who the fuck are you?” she barked at me.Her mother got past Ricci and rushed towards her family.
DARINAI screamed until my voice was hoarse, not that it helped me. The beast that put me in this… cell, for want of another word, didn’t even bat an eye. He just threw me in. Was he going to sell me for the money my father owed him? Or worse? Trying to see beyond the bars, I pressed my face against them. What I noticed did nothing to ease my mind. It seemed like a torture chamber. What kind of monster was this man?There was a small cot close to the wall of the cell and I sat down heavily on it. I dropped my head into my hands. What was I supposed to do? How do I escape this place? There were guards all around, armed guards. My emotions ranged from anger to rage to fear.That man – Nico? He was so scary, intimidating. But at the same time… there was something about him. I can’t even name it. I felt drawn to him somehow. I know it sounds crazy right? I mean he was a bad man.My parents were involved in shady business that much was clear to me. They never spoke to me about it, but I wa