Trouble

She turned around smiling and before I could stop myself I had her in my arms and captured her mouth with my own. I took her by surprise, she had no choice but to give in to my tongue’s exploration. My right hand at the back of her head held her in place while my left hand rested on her rounded bottom. Our bodies were molded together. The taste of her was intoxicating, I could get drunk on her kisses.

I came back to my senses when her hands pushed at my shoulders. Her hand collided with the side of my face.

“You sick bastard!” With all her strength she pushed me away from her, turned to run, but her feet slipped on the hay, and she fell at my feet. I watched her scrambling to her feet and as she got up to run, I caught her around the waist, lifting her off her feet effortlessly.

“Let me go, asshole!” she screamed, her arms flailing and kicking with her long legs.

I was angry that she slapped me. No one had dared that before. I threw her into one of the empty stables. She landed on a haybale with a grunt.

“Let me make one thing clear, fatita. I own you. If I want to turn you over and fuck you right here, there’s nothing you can do about it.” I snarled at her. “I wouldn’t want to hurt you, but you lift your hand to me again, you will pay for it. Am I clear?”

I saw the heat go out of her eyes. She was scared, but still she glared at me defiantly. She wasn’t giving up without a fight. I never lose.

“Do you understand, Darina?” I asked, my voice low. “You are my slave to do with as I please.”

“You can’t do this.” She didn’t sound so sure of herself though.

“There you are.” Maria’s voice made me turn around.

What the hell did she want now?

“What?” I barked at her.

Maria was more than just my maid, she fancied herself my girl. I don’t know what gave that idea. Just because I’ve slept with her once or twice didn’t mean we were a thing. I gave her what she wanted, and we had a mutual understanding of what I needed.

“Sal was looking for you.” She said, looking over at Darina. “Your little whore not giving it up to you, Nico?” Her eyes moved to my crotch where my erection bulged uncomfortably. She smiled smugly at me, running her tongue over her lower lip.

“Take her back to her room.” I snapped. I was not in the mood for her crap. Especially not now I have found my mate. I wouldn’t want anyone other than Darina. Even if she didn’t want me. My wolf howled bitterly at the back of my mind. He was pissed off and so was I.

***

“What do you want, Sal?” I needed a damn cold shower.

“Whoa! Why so angry?” Sal asked, frowning. He took his blade out of its sheath to clean his nails. “Do I need to discipline somebody?”

“Do I look like I need help?” I snarled back at him, feeling my wolf rising to the surface. It was wrong to take out my frustration on Sal, but he could take it. “Maria said you were looking for me.”

“Yeah, there was some kind of trouble at the club.” He said, putting the knife away.

I frowned. Why am I hearing this now for the first time? I have a nightclub, The Bad Moon, it brings in good cash, but it was also one of my distribution places for our smuggling operation.

“What kind of trouble? When?” I fished out my cell phone from my jeans and speed dialed my manager, Tony. Answering service. I started walking towards my car. Ricci had just finished polishing it to a mirror finish.

“Last night. The bobby’s raided the place. Some kind of tipoff they got.” Sal informed me. “They didn’t get anything though. Tony said the shipment left about an hour before they got there.”

“Shit!” I breathed a sigh of relief. “So then why the fuck didn’t he call me last night?” The shipment of illegal cigarettes bound for Africa was bringing in a cool three million pounds.

“He got beaten up by a gang of youngsters. He only called me from hospital now. They said something about sending you a message.” Sal sneered, “This sounds like retaliation for those two thugs you iced.”

“The Snake Man?” I frowned I didn’t think so. “No, if it were him, he would have killed Tony. Sending the cops a tipoff… Maybe. If they’d gotten their hands on that shipment, they would have closed us down and arrested all of us.”

“Yeah, could be. Then Tony must’ve gotten himself mixed up in some other shit.” Sal scratched his neck.  I could see he was itching to use his blade again. Always hungry for blood.

“Let’s pay him a visit, shall we.” I smirked at Sal. Ricci had already started the engine.

***

Tony looked like shit. Whoever worked him over did a good job. Three broken ribs, his face was a bruised broken mess. At least he was alive.

“Who did this, Tony? Did you talk to the coppers?” I asked. Whoever did this was going to pay for it with their miserable lives.

Tony’s breath wheezed and whistled through his broken nose. “There were three of them, Boss. They said I must tell you; you are getting too big for your boots. Watch your back. That was the message.” He coughed and spat out a gob of bloody phlegm.

“The coppers came to take my statement. I didn’t tell them much, yeah. Nothing they can do anyway.” He winced as he tried to sit up.

“Good man. I’ll get extra security at the club. You get well, don’t worry about the club. I’ll sort it.” I shook his hand.

“Yeah, Bro. We’ll get them.” Sal nodded. He glanced at me, and knowing Sal like I do, he’ll get right on it.

We left Tony at the hospital and went to the club to check it out.

The club was situated on the outskirts of London. Originally an old warehouse that I turned into a club. The place was packed on weekends especially. Tonight would be no different since it was Saturday. But for now, the place was deserted being only midday. My employees were busy cleaning up before the usual party people arrive.

“At least they didn’t trash the place like before.” I told Sal, walking through the club to assess any damages done by the police.

Sal just huffed. He wasn’t overly fond of the cops being in the pen for two years prior for assault and battery. That was where he got his scar. I met Sal at a bar, he had just gotten out and he was mean and ready for a fight. Some assholes were baiting him, and he made short work of them. I asked him to come work for me as my Capo and he agreed. It was only after a year that I revealed to him what I was – a werewolf. He accepted it as if it was nothing and he kept my secret.

“Do you want me to keep an eye on things here for you, Nico?” Sal asked.

“No, it’s fine. You go see what you can find out who’s behind this.” I had already made up my mind to come to the club. Maybe I’ll take Darina with.

***

Back at the mansion I went up to Darina’s room. I unlocked her door with my palmprint. She lay on her bed, her back to me. Was she crying? She didn’t hear me come in.

I touched her shoulder. She gasped and rolled away from my touch. There was a red welt on her cheek and her eyes were puffy from crying. What the hell…

“Who touched you?” I will rip them apart.

“Leave me alone.” She wiped her face with the back of her hands, angrily glaring at me.

I sat down on the bed. My wolf growled and scratched at the surface. Someone dared lay their hands on my mate. I reached for her, but she pulled away. The growl left my lips before I could stop it. Darina touched her throat as if she wanted to protect herself.

“Did…did you just growl at me?” she asked, her voice thin.

Damn it. I hated the way she stared at me like I would hurt her. “Come here.” I tried to not make it sound like a demand, but it still came out that way.

She shook her head.

“Please?” I asked, holding my hand out to her.

She moved closer to me. I took her hand and pulled her onto my lap. She sat as stiff as a board. But at least she didn’t resist me. I rested my head against hers.

“Who hurt you? Tell me.” I inhaled her scent to calm myself down. “And don’t you dare lie to me.”

“Maria.” She said and I closed my eyes. I was afraid of this.