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

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

"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

I took hold of the card, examining the printed information before swiftly tucking it into my pocket. "I'm not going to completely hide, Dominick. I can't do that for the sake of the organization. I'm going to have the guys spread the word on the street that I'm taking over as the head of the family." He let out a whistle. "Are you sure about that?" "It's something I need to do for the family," I replied, turning to face my father and managing to conjure a genuine smile. I had always yearned for his approval, and now I had the opportunity. I would avenge the brutal attack. "In that case, maybe I'll stick around a little longer. Hell, I might even check into the Waldorf. It's a prime location to observe the action," Dominick said, a contagious grin spreading across his face. "You know what? I think that's a great idea. The people in this town need to realize that I'm here to stay. In fact, I'm just getting started." He snorted and patted my arm. "I like your style, Kelan. I really d

John Paul appeared lost in thought for a moment before sharing his advice, which solidified my resolve. "You are your father's son. The fire within you is rare. You'll do what's necessary, even if it means getting your hands dirty. Sometimes, it's the only way. Your enemies will strike back soon, and their methods will be more brutal than you can imagine. As for legitimizing the business, if anyone can do it, it's you." His smirk fueled my determination, although doubts lingered. Perhaps I was foolish to believe I could accomplish such a feat. "There's one thing you should consider: forgiving your father. It may help you break free from the chains that bind you." "Not a chance." The chains were a constant burden, weighing me down for years. But forgiveness wasn't an option. My father had made his choices and faced the consequences. He coughed, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. "You need to see a doctor." Waving me off, he took a few deep breaths. "This place is my sanctuar