Capturing Ava: A mafia stalker romance (Shadows Of Desire Book 1), page 1
Capturing Ava
Shadows Of Desire: BOOK ONE
Calia Quinn
CQ DARK ROMANCE
Copyright © [2023] by [Calia Quinn]
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [calia@caliaquinn.com].
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover by [Artscandare bookcover design]
[2023]
Contents
1. Preface
2. Part One
3. 1
4. 2
5. 3
6. 4
7. 5
8. 6
9. 7
10. 8
11. 9
12. 10
13. 11
14. 12
15. 13
16. 14
17. 15
18. 16
19. 17
20. 18
21. 19
22. 20
23. 21
24. 22
25. 23
26. 24
27. 25
28. EPILOGUE
29. Chapter 29
About the Author
Preface
Capturing Ava is a work of fiction and follows Ava and Chase, the two main characters. When I started writing this piece, I put it together from fantasy, things that existed only in my head and while this is still a work of fiction, this book seemed to meld into my reality.
Coming towards the end of this book, much like the characters in this book, my life started falling to pieces so much so that this book almost didn’t make it to being published.
Every emotion from the main female character in this book is an emotion I felt while writing this book. I think on some level I wrote her that way because in some respects she is me.
At the time of publishing this piece, I felt lost and hopeless and my only salvation was I could write something to see me through the dark parts of what had become to seem like hopelessness.
Ava was the light to his dark and I think that in the dark light must shine through so we can make it to the other side. Darkness also brings with it lessons and growth and even though we can’t see it while it is happening.
Sometimes, maybe sometimes, we need to sit alone in the dark to appreciate the light.
Calia xoxo
Part One
I have a perfect life.
A life that most would kill for.
I worked hard for this,
Little did I know the girl who used to hunt,
would be the one getting hunted.
~ Ava
1
THE JOB
THE GHOST
The photograph in my hands causes a crease to form at my brow. I knew this girl. She had betrayed me a long time ago, and I had just let her get away. It was akin to poetic justice. Her life was in the palm of my hands. I clench the photograph in my hand. And I was going to crush it.
Ava Valentina.
Even the thought of her name leaves a foul taste in my mouth. Although I had let her go, the memory of that pesky little vixen lingered in my mind for ten years. Then, chance came knocking when someone recognized her in my town.
She should have stayed out of sight, because now she is within my reach.
Escaping won’t be so easy for her this time.
Karma was on its way, bringing with it everything little Ava deserved.
I have a clear view of Ava in her kitchen from the woodland trees. She was making this too easy for me. The picturesque dwelling she had chosen had given me the perfect spot to watch her.
I had thought it would have been much harder, but she was making this too easy. I glance at her face, still as stunning as before, but what was I hoping for? Wasn’t that what had caught my attention in the beginning?
The flowing of her long golden hair accompanies each movement her body makes. She throws back another beer and laughs with her guests. The sway of her hips ignites an unwarranted desire within me.
Everything about Ava drew you in. Her scent. Her smile. When she smiled, her dimples would create a striking contrast against her creamy complexion. Not one of those fake smiles, but a genuine one that lights up your face and makes your eyes dance. Speaking of her eyes, goddamn, she had the most majestic, iciest blue eyes I’d ever seen. So much depth, so many secrets.
The thought of those captivating eyes and tempting mouth causes my jaw to clench. She disappears into the night, taking my bank balance with her. She not only drained my balls that night, but also drained my account.
I was in for a shock when I woke up the next morning and discovered she had disappeared. The image of her body etched itself into my mind. I didn’t know how she got under my skin, but she did.
That night, I wasn’t even supposed to be out. I always enjoyed a drink and a good fuck after a kill.
“Now, how did you ever think you could escape me?” I taunt tonight’s unwilling victim.
Victor Rossi, a bastard by nature. Finding him was a breeze, but seeing what he was up to, well, that just made my blood boil. Victor was notorious for trafficking women, women. This girl, who couldn’t have been over fourteen, was at this terrible den when I got there.
It filled the air with the stench of blood, sweat, and sex. I would have embraced the scent, one of my three favorite things in life. However, when I see her bruised and bloody body on the floor, I am filled with nothing but repulsion.
He waves his cock above her motionless body, swaying his hips as he sprays piss over her slight frame. Anger flows through me like madness through the disturbed.
As he enjoys his moment of bliss, he remains oblivious to my silent approach from behind. I feel his body tense up as my hand grips the back of his neck. “I knew you were a bastard, Rossi, but kids?” Against his neck, I let out a fierce snarl.
He remains silent. Fortunately, I would prefer not to have to remove his tongue earlier than intended. The sounds of torture and death would create a melodic serenade.
“Now, what will we do with you?” I mock.
“Please, please let me free.” He begs, begging me? Like a little lost boy.
I couldn’t believe that the once feared member of New York’s most notorious gang now appeared as a pathetic miscreant. The drool hung from his mouth while fear pierced his black eyes. He was unmissable, like staring into the abyss, devoid of soul.
My intention was to have fun before doing the world a favour.
“Please, please let me go.” He begs once more.
“Why would I do that?” I smirk, “when we are having so much fun.”
“Let me go, you crazy bastard.” He spits at me.
“Ah, that’s more like it.” I crack my knuckles after I throw him to the ground. “My mother used to tell me to never play with my food, but you know what?” He shakes his head as he scrambles on his hands and knees trying to move away from me. “It’s more fun when your food thinks it can get away.”
He scrambles to get on his feet and begins running.
The chase was on.
“Run, food, run.” I scream as I stroll in the same direction he’s just ran in.
This was the part I relished. Adrenaline pulsed in my veins. He accepted his fate, yet a glimmer of hope remained that he could escape. Be the first to outwit me.
I walk at a steady pace, my ears tuned to any signs of life. The thrill of the hunt fills me as I detect the vermin I’m about to eliminate. That he could outsmart me brought a chuckle to my throat.
Entering a room devoid of light, filled with death and decay. The only thing audible is the rhythmic tapping of my shoes on the concrete floor.
I’m close.
So close.
It filled the air with the noxious smell of vermin.
I am enveloped by the sound of his raspy breath.
I pause at the exact spot where I suspect something concealed him while closing in on the breathing. Looking around, I pause. “Guess the bastard outsmarted me,” I sigh. Listening to the ragged breathing slow to relief.
I wait.
I can detect the sound of his feet scuffling across the concrete floor. The only question was whether the little piggy would come out or if I would need to bring him out.
Once more, I wait. Although I’m a patient person, the anticipation drives me insane. Oh, so sweet would be the reward for ending his life! Despite the scuffing of his feet, he does not make a move to reappear. Kicking and squealing it is, I think with a smile.
Reaching down, my hand rests on the back of his neck and I hear the slow gasp of surprise. “You lose, little piggy.” While pulling his body across the floor and staring down at him with disgust. “Rossi, I must confess, I’m disappointed.”
“Listen—.” His eyes are pleading with me. Oh, he wants to make a deal. This should be interesting.
“Go ahead.”
He looks surprised.
“Sure, why not?” I smile. “You explain to me why I should
let you go and maybe I will be generous and let you live today,” I smirk.
“You know who I work for, right?” Oh, and disappointment hits me again. I lacked a fucking better nature, which he failed to realize. Idiot.
“I do.” I smile, “You also should know by now that I don’t care who you work for.”
“Nikoli will rip you to pieces.” He screams.
I smile. “I’m looking forward to seeing that.” My foot stamps hard against his ribs and the cracking of his bones is like music to my ears. “Come on, Rossi, you know your little posse doesn’t scare me.”
“No,” He wheezes through the pain that I imagine is attacking his body. “well that’s very idiotic. Nikoli will—.” Once more my boot crashes down, this time connecting with his face. Blood seeps from the side of his snarling mouth. “Nikoli will—.” My fist connects with his head, his head moves to the side and he lies motionless, just like that fucking girl he had defiled.
It wasn’t a difficult feat to fasten his body to the chains. Gripping the thick links, I exert force to pull. Witnessing his body soar to great heights. Only his head slumps as I fasten the chain around the bollards. The crazy bastard wasn’t going anywhere.
As I hold a bucket of freezing water, I grin while launching the icy contents at his head. His head lifts and his icy gaze meets mine, accompanied by a loud gasp. “Welcome back, Princess,” I smirk.
He assesses his surroundings as his head moves across the room, a look of confusion appearing on his face. “Why am I up here?” He screams. “Let me down.”
A smile pinches through my mouth. “Well, you looked uncomfortable slumped on the ground. I’m nothing if I’m not accommodating. Wouldn’t want your boss to think I didn’t give you the five-star service, now would I?”
“You’ll hang for this.” He grits at me.
“I’m not the one hanging.” I wink. “Our time together is almost over. It has been fun and I will always remember you as my little screamer.” I pinch his cheek and watch as he whips his head away from my touch.
The sight of the wood gathered beneath his feet brings a smirk to my lips. The silver lighter in my pocket brushed against my hand. In one motion, I fling it into the air and then catch it. “Did you know the best way to get rid of a virus?” He looks at me with a crease forming on his brow. “No? I have discovered that the best way to eradicate a virus is through burning. And you Rossi are a virus,” I smirk.
Above the roaring fire, his feet sway. Smoke from the flames is already in the air. “Let me down.” He screams.
Using the chains, I bring him down towards the flames, positioning his feet above the fire. His screams cut through the air. “Like I said, I’m accommodating.”
“No, no, no.” He screams, “It’s hot. It’s boiling.”
“Is it?” I cock a brow. “I can’t feel anything.”
“It’s hot. Please, please make it stop.” He screams with tears in his eyes. “Let me down.” He screams once more.
“As you wish,” I smirk, once again pulling him down onto the flames and dipping his feet into the flames. His screams resonate as the flames consume him. “You wanted to come down and down you will come.”
Lowering his body, I hear his screams. Nowhere in the world will you hear a sound like this. It’s as if they always sense the impending end, and his body becomes engulfed in flames, resulting in the scorching of his charred skin. My lips curl into a smile. Today, I’ve contributed to the world.
The only way to eradicate a virus is through burning, and I hear its agonizing screams as death nears its repulsive form. I would expel the virus, leaving only charcoal and ash in his body.
The cleanup crew would handle the remaining tasks. You could smell the stench of his charred flesh, and it was a delicacy I would give to him. Thumbing a text to the clean-up crew:
Clean up on aisle three
I placed my phone back in my pocket and sighed. There was only one last task remaining. Despite the joy of burning that prick, this always reminded me of my humanity. It fractured the remnants of my heart within my hollow chest.
The only sound that echoed through the damp and desolate warehouse as I walked back was the pounding of my feet and my breathing. My heart raced. Hurting someone never matched the intensity I felt during the last step. Taking a life was easy, but this was pure agony.
She shows no sign of movement, standing right in front of her. It was not possible for her to have survived an attack like that. When Gage asked me why I returned to them after killing their abuser, my response was straightforward: wouldn’t you want to know what happened to your child if they vanished without a trace? I felt it was my duty to bring their babies home and say a last goodbye.
I can’t help but grimace as I kneel next to her motionless body. What makes men attracted to something so innocent? Disgusting. My lips release a sigh. “Poor thing. How did you end up here?” I mutter. Looking down, her complexion was ghastly pale and her hair was raven black and matted. So innocent. So young. Such a waste.
Feeling her neck, her skin is clammy and cold, but then I widen my eyes. “Well, aren’t you a little fighter?” I smile. I couldn’t believe it. She was still alive. Warmth flooded my body as my mouth opened, replacing the pain.
I lift her weak body and cover her with my jacket, preserving her dignity. As they rush her through the doors on the bed, I feel relief after dropping her off at the hospital. “Sir, do you want your coat back?” The nurse asks.
“No, let her keep it.” I smile.
“Wait, what is your—.”
I could sense that she was about to inquire about my name. They always asked that, but I had already vanished into the shadows, observing her confusion at my sudden disappearance. It wasn’t always like this. They would go home in a box, but today brought a happy ending to an awful day.
I need a drink. I reckon I had deserved that much, or at least I believe so, as I walk down the lit street and step into my cherished sleazy bar.
“Welcome home,” I mutter as I walk through the doors of the BLACK DIAMOND.
2
MEETING AVA
THE GHOST
TEN YEARS AGO
My body was coursing with adrenaline after the last job. Even as he took his last breath, the screams continued to echo in my ear. It was as if music filled my ears, but the excitement only arose when their breath halted and there was only silence around me.
A clean shirt and a few Jack Daniels later, I’m feeling more relaxed. The echoing music surrounds me, but I pay no attention. The blood-lust following the last kill has only just dispersed. Even the erotic dancers on stage cannot hold my attention.
I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. BLACK DIAMOND was a notorious hang-out for the dregs of society. Those doors wouldn’t catch the attention of any high-class individuals. Mobsters, thieves, crooks, murderers. If you were on the wrong side of life, this was the go-to spot. Despite its deceptive appearance. From an insider’s point of view, this appeared to be the epitome of style.
It felt like a tiny demon, luring you into a false sense of safety, gripping you with its claws, and tempting you to indulge in your deepest, darkest wishes. My desires peaked as she glided across the room, like an angel I can’t look away from. Was I drooling? I run my hand across my face, searching for drool, but breathe a sigh of relief when I find it’s dry.
Her legs come my way, her enticing hips swaying, tempting me like a seductive seductress. She didn’t even notice me, but she caught my attention, which hasn’t been easy. I can’t help but feel desire curling inside me when I see her move. Her presence compelled me to pause, shrouded in her spell. Her hair, a vibrant golden hue like the sun, flows down her body in waves, making her irresistible the closer she gets.
“Mind if I join you? Her enchanting voice seduces my senses. Not only was she angelic in appearance, but she also had an angelic voice. I just nod and watch as she moves her perfect ass onto the seat next to me. “Not much of a talker?” She smiles.
“Depends on the conversation.” Her plump pink lips press together as if she’s deep in thought.
