Held Firm: A Dark Mafia Romance, page 12
“You should get one of those,” she remarked as she shimmied down in the seat. “It looks great, and I can see you on a horse.”
“You actually might one of these days. I’m just as much a country boy as I am a city slicker,” he replied as he rolled out of the garage and sped off down the private street. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You just saw someone get shot, then stared at his dead body.”
“I didn’t actually see it, and as I said, a quick death was too good for that monster, but can we talk about something else? Did you pick up more clothes? I hope your guy doesn’t leave any of mine behind.”
“Not a chance, he’s a pro, and yeah, I got a few things, but mostly I needed to clear out some bits and pieces,” he replied vaguely. “The police might decide to look around my house. Everything I own is legal, but finding it would raise eyebrows, especially with a body on the shore at my doorstep.”
“But you’ll be at the house in the canyon. They couldn’t find you there, could they?”
“It would take them a while, but I don’t want to be on their radar, period. I have a love/hate relationship with the LAPD,” he remarked as they turned onto the coast road.
“Ah, I understand.”
He grinned. “I’m sure you do, but tell me more about Big Mike.”
“Can I stop hiding now?”
“Yep.”
“I’m not sure it was Big Mike,” she said as she straightened up. “He just sort of looked like him.”
“So… a random stranger built like a Mack truck just randomly wandered onto a private beach with a gun in his pocket, then spotted a man standing by the water and decided to shoot him?”
“I guess not,” she replied sheepishly.
“You may not remember this, but when Roland refused to give Matteus his pills, Matteus stammered the name Mike. Watching Roland taunt Matt then let him die would be excruciating to watch for anyone, but if Mike and Matt were friends—”
“Now that you mention it, I do remember that moment,” she said, interrupting him. “No wonder you’re a private detective.”
“Because I can add two and two?” he quipped, shooting her a wink.
“Among other things,” she replied, winking back. “Anyway, physically, he did look like Big Mike, but I kept thinking about Mike’s long hair. It’s his trademark. He must have piled it up under that baseball cap.”
“Now you understand why giving you a new hairstyle and going blonde fooled Roland, but tell me what you know about Mike.”
“Just that he worked for my dad for a while before joining that bastard.”
“What did he do for your father?”
“Debt collection, but I only know that because I heard Alfredo talk about how effective Mike was. All he had to do was walk in the door.”
“I can understand why,” Nick remarked. “If someone built like him asked me for money, I’d stick my hand in my pocket in a heartbeat. I’m surprised he’s not a pro-wrestler.”
“I seem to remember hearing he was before he was married.”
“He’s married?”
“He is, with three kids, and it can’t be easy. He always seems to be around. I guess he needs the money.”
“What else?”
“Let me think. I don’t know if this matters, but whenever he was at the compound he always made it a point to smile and wave at me.”
“Did you ever speak to him?”
“Sometimes, and he was always extremely polite and nice.”
“Bianca, you’re Lorenzo’s daughter, of course he was always extremely polite and nice.”
“I guess, but I had the feeling it was sincere. I think he genuinely likes me.”
“Interesting…” Nick muttered with a frown as he started up the steep slope into the canyon.
“Does it matter? I barely know the guy.”
“He shot Roland and he’s on the loose, so yeah, any information matters.”
A cold chill suddenly shivered through her body, sending goosebumps popping across her skin.
“Bianca, are you cold?”
“I am, a bit.” She watched him turn on the heat, then lift his phone from the center console. “Who are you calling?”
“Cindy,” he replied. “She needs to call the Marshalls and tell them I left early this morning because a bunch of questionable guys moved in next door. The story has to be consistent with everyone in case questions are asked.”
“You think the police will know you were there?”
“They’ll find out the cottage is in my name, and they’ll reach out to all the homeowners to see if anyone saw or heard anything, so yeah, they’ll find out.”
“Shit. Now I’m starting to worry.”
“I’m not worried about the police knocking on my door, I’m preparing in case they do. Once the ducks are all lined up, I can focus on other things.”
As he placed the call and began giving his instructions, Bianca stared out at the magnificent view. The calm ocean sparkling in the bright sunlight seemed to offer infinite serenity, making the drama in which she found herself incongruous.
“Bianca, do you know Mike’s last name?” Nick asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Uh, no, sorry.”
“Cindy, she doesn’t have it, but I’ll find out and I’ll let you know. That’s it for the moment. I’ll speak to you later.”
As the SUV turned into the winding canyon road and the ocean fell behind her, Bianca let out a heavy sigh.
“Hey, this will work out,” Nick said, softening his voice and reaching for her hand.
“I know it will, but only because of you,” she murmured as he wrapped his fingers around hers. “You’re like Superman. I can’t imagine what might have happened if you hadn’t been on the beach that day.”
“Fate has been good to both of us,” he said, squeezing her hand.
“Both of us? How do you mean?”
“Do I have to spell it out?”
“Yes, you do, right now.”
“You’re so demanding.”
“Only sometimes,” she said with a grin. “Tell me.”
“Because I’m very glad I met you. There, are you happy now?”
“Yes.”
“You’re welcome,” he added sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes, then laughed.
“You’ll be laughing on a hot backside when we get to the house.”
“Spanking!” she exclaimed. “Is that all you think about?”
“No, just spanking you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
But his remark had sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach, and her face was burning red.
Nick had continued checking his rearview mirror to make sure they weren’t being followed. Though confident he had no tail, he was still concerned about Bianca. Regardless of her upbringing, hearing Matt’s death then witnessing the grisly scene at the beach would be rough on anyone.
As they passed the dark gray sedan parked on the grass verge, though it was illegal to park there, he assumed someone had broken down and had been forced to abandon the vehicle. Arriving at the house a few minutes later, the moment they stepped inside, Bianca hurried away to take a shower.
Locking the front door and turning off the alarm, he strode into the guest room, dropped his phone on the nightstand and quickly stripped. With his cock stiffening, he stepped into the bathroom and eyed the hazy outline of Bianca’s body through the steamed-up glass. Not wanting to startle her, he gently opened the door, only to find her leaning against the wall with her fingers between her legs.
“What took you so long?” she asked seductively. “I thought you’d never get here.”
Wordlessly moving up to her and grabbing her wrists, he pinned them above her head and moved his lips to her ear.
“You are…” he growled, but his voice trailed off as he pressed his lips against her neck and hungrily devoured her skin.
“I’m what?” she whispered, then let out a long, low moan. “Fuck, I love it when you turn into a vampire.”
Holding her wrists together with one hand, he moved the other to her pussy and shoved a finger up her channel. Savoring her gasps and moans, he began thrusting it in and out, occasionally stopping to rub her clit as he sucked on her neck, continuing the tantalizing tease until she wriggled urgently and cried out his name.
“Leave your arms where they are,” he said firmly.
“Okay.”
“Say ‘yes, Sir.’”
“Ooh, yes, Sir.”
With his finger persisting in its salacious massage against her sensitive nub, he released her wrists, grabbed a breast, lowered his head, and wrapped his lips around the nipple.
“That feels amazing,” she groaned as he hungrily drew the cherry tip into his mouth. “Please, Nick, don’t stop.”
Abruptly straightening up and lifting his hand from her pussy, he swiftly turned her to face the wall, then blasted his hand against her wet backside in a volley of stinging slaps.
“Ow, oh, Nick, what are you—?”
“I told you to call me Sir,” he scolded, cutting her off. “You want a lot of things and you’re used to getting them, but not with me, Bianca.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, shit, that hurts,” she wailed, gyrating her hips from side to side trying to avoid the sharp smacks.
“Put your hands flat on the wall and arch your back,” he ordered, then slapped the inside of her thighs. “Legs open.”
As she let out another cry and quickly shuffled her feet apart, he took hold of his rigid shaft, placed it against her soaked pussy, and plunged into her warmth. With the hot water splashing over them, he gripped her hips and pumped with vigor.
When they’d played in the ocean, her wet, naked body had sent his cock surging to life. He’d wanted to find a sheltered spot on the beach and devour her. Now her demanding attitude had sparked his dominant soul, and his carnal desires went beyond sex. She was the daughter of a mob boss, a quintessential Mafia princess. She needed to be taken in hand, controlled and tamed.
Pent-up energy flowed through his veins, and though he wanted to tease her mercilessly, her panting and groaning was fueling his hot need. As he gazed down at her scarlet backside, and watched his rod ram in and out of her sex, he could feel his climax looming.
“Sir, Sir,” she suddenly gasped. “I’m there…”
Tightening his grasp on her hips while she writhed and wailed through her orgasm, he managed to slow his pace and hold himself at bay. But the moment she let out her final cry and slumped against the wall, he hastily pulled himself out and urgently stroked his swollen shaft. Groaning through his spasms, he spewed his hot essence over her red, punished cheeks until the last convulsion finally waned. With his heart pounding, he let out a heavy breath, leaned against the tile next to her, and brought her into his arms.
“Wow,” she finally murmured, lifting her head and staring up at him. “You take no prisoners.”
“Is that a compliment or a complaint?”
“I’ll let you wonder about that,” she said softly, then moving her arms around his neck, she added, “but I’ll tell you this much, you’re not like any man I’ve ever met.”
Lowering his lips on hers and closing his eyes, he languidly kissed her, relishing her full lips and the feel of her yielding body against his. Endless moments later, he turned off the faucets, took her hand, and led her from the stall. Picking up a towel and placing it around her shoulders, he grabbed another and gave himself a quick wipe, then wrapped it around his waist.
“Dry off,” he murmured, pecking her on the cheek. “I need to see if I have any messages.”
Moving into the bedroom and lifting his phone from the nightstand, he found a text with a phone number from an unknown caller. He nodded. His father had reached Lorenzo Albertini, but there was also a missed call from Brad, and an urgent voicemail from John.
“Now what’s happened?” Nick muttered under his breath as he touched John’s name on the screen.
“Nick, thank God,” John exclaimed. “We were getting worried.”
“Everything’s fine, what’s up?”
“It’s Matteus. He’s gone.”
“Roland must have changed his mind and ordered his body removed before he came looking for me.”
“That’s what we thought, and we didn’t see it because we were in the garage. The thing is, do you still want Brad to report Roland’s body to the police and give them the same story?”
“That’s a very good question. Is there any word about the rockslide?”
“The road is still blocked.”
“That’s good news; hold tight, I’ll get right back to you.”
CHAPTER 17
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Nick stared at his phone. He was supposed to call Lorenzo at six o’clock, but he couldn’t wait.
“Nick?”
Lifting his eyes and seeing Bianca moving toward him, he couldn’t help but smile. Her short blonde hair had become a mass of curls framing her angelic face and highlighting her bright green eyes. Lowering his gaze to the towel wrapped around her body and tucked in at her chest, he wanted to jerk it off, throw her naked body on the bed, and devour her all over again, but taking his time and teasing her into oblivion.
“I couldn’t help hearing what you said,” she continued, sitting next to him. “Roland had Matteus taken away?”
“So it would seem.”
“But how? Jimmy will still be driving to Malibu over the canyons to meet Roland in Malibu somewhere, and he sent Jack and Mark back to Vegas with Tony. Big Mike sure as hell wouldn’t have helped him. Let’s face it, Roland couldn’t have moved Matt by himself.”
“How can you remember all those details?”
“Uh, actually, I remember almost everything. I have a photographic memory. That’s why school was so easy for me.”
“I’d like to hear more about that sometime, but I have to make an urgent call.”
“What about Matteus? Do you have any ideas?”
“I suspect Jimmy was ordered back, and he and Roland moved Matt before Roland came down the beach looking for me.”
“So… where’s Jimmy now? Did he take Matt’s body somewhere? And why? He wouldn’t be able to move him alone either.”
“Bianca, I’m asking myself all those questions, and several more, but I can’t talk about this right now,” Nick said firmly, rising to his feet. “I must make this call. It can’t wait.”
“Sorry, it’s such a puzzle, and my brain gets hooked on puzzles. I’ll find something to wear in the closet until John arrives with our things, then I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Coffee sounds great, and John will be able to give us more details about what he saw when he found Matteus was gone. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out to the car.”
“So I can’t hear you?” she asked with a grin.
He didn’t answer her, but grinned back, then hurried from the room and strode down the hall. She’d been right. He didn’t trust her. Even if he closed himself off in a room, she could stand at the door and try to listen.
Stepping outside, he paused his step to take a breath and collect his thoughts. The air was fresh and clear, the silver lining a storm always left in its wake. Though mystery continued to surround him, important elements were starting to fall into place. Stepping up to the car and climbing into the passenger seat, he called the number Lorenzo Albertini had texted him, praying the infamous mob boss would answer.
Though he’d tried to lose himself in his work, Lorenzo had realized it was pointless, and he wanted to be with his wife. Placing the burner phone in his pocket, he left orders not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency, then hurried through the house, up the stairs, and down the wide hall to his private suite. He found Ariana sitting on the window seat staring down at the backyard just as he had done from the living room earlier.
“Happy memories,” he remarked, walking across to join her.
“They are,” she mumbled, “and God willing, one of these days we’ll make more with our grandchildren, but why are you here? Is there news?”
“No news, but this is where I should be, with you. I know Bianca is safe, but my heart is still racing,” he said, sitting next to her. “I need you, and I’m sure you need me too.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Bianca was out of our sight for five minutes, and look what happened.”
“There were many times she was out of our sight for much longer than five minutes.”
“True, and how often did she leave without us even knowing? I can’t bear to—”
But the phone in his pocket rang, startling him and cutting her off.
“That’s strange,” he muttered, lifting it out as she moved her arms away. “This wasn’t supposed to ring until six o’clock.”
“Could it be someone else?”
“No, this is a new phone. Nick Vincelli is the only one with the number,” he replied hastily as he accepted the call. “Hello?”
“Mr. Albertini, I apologize for getting in touch earlier than planned. You don’t have to worry, Bianca is absolutely fine.”
“Nicholas, it’s been a long time, and thank you for saying that right off the bat. Hold on a moment,” Lorenzo said, then smiled at his wife. “Bianca’s fine, it’s about something else.”
“Thank God,” she said with a relieved sigh.
“I’m back, Nicholas. What’s the problem?”
“I’m calling about a man named Roland. I believe he’s one of your security men, and you sent him to Los Angeles to look for Bianca?”
“Roland Gregory, yes, you’re correct. What about him?”
“I’m sorry to tell you, sir, but he’s been shot and killed by one of his soldiers, a man named Big Mike.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m afraid so, sir.”
“Alfredo has been trying to reach Roland for a while,” Lorenzo muttered, trying to maintain his composure in front of his wife. “No wonder he wasn’t answering the calls. Where is he, and how do you know this?”
