Page 11 of Stolen Bride

Suddenly we’re crowded by a hulking man who I have to crane my neck back to look up at and has to be almost as wide as I am tall. He looks down at us and says, “Boss wants you two up in VIP now.”

“The ladies are with me,” says the guy who bought our drinks, sliding his arm around my waist.

“Get the fuck lost, or should I tell Mr. Valentino we have a problem, Ernesto?” the beefy man snarls.

“No problem, Rocco.” He throws his hands up. “See you around, beautiful.” He winks at me, grabbing my ass, and I gasp, wanting to swat his hand away, but Rocco pushes him first.

“That wasn’t wise, Ernesto.” The threat in Rocco’s voice reminds me of my stepfather’s men.

“Just showing my girl a good time.” I don’t even know this dude, and I’m not interested in the least. Why is it that the first guy to hit on me is a sleazeball?

“Where’s Gracie?” I ask, trying to defuse the situation. Besides, we lost Gracie the second we came into the club. Since she’s the owner’s sister, I’m sure she’s safe, but I’m still curious.

“She’s already up there,” he grumbles.

“VIP?” Camille asks, looking annoyed as hell.

“Yes,” Rocco answers.

“He’s trying to keep an eye on us. Let’s bounce,” Camille tosses out, tugging me.

“I don’t think that would be wise, little trouble,” he growls, giving her a look that instantly gets her to behave. He leads us upstairs to a private lounge before calling the server, who brings us some drinks. Rocco slides closer to me with his large thighs touching mine, giving me an unsettling feeling. I think the alcohol is getting to me, and my head is spinning along with the club lights.

Then, out of nowhere, the air in the lavish space changes. I glance up and see a tall man in an all-black suit. He’s not nearly as broad as the brute next to us, but there’s a natural danger to his presence. His stare meets mine with his dark gray eyes that are almost the color of steel, and a deep shiver washes over me. I know that I’ve become his prey.

Immediately I duck my head as my heart slams against my ribs. There’s nowhere to run as he stands at the only exit. I’m at his mercy, and for some reason, I know he’s not one to grant it.

Chapter Five

Damiano

They say I’m fucking crazy, and they may be right, but he has it coming. “Clean up this mess,” I order my men, pointing to the dead body on my office floor. The bastard shouldn’t have crossed me and then dared me. It’s like begging for a hole in the head. He’s lucky I didn’t drag out his death, which I regret now since it went too quickly.

I step into my bathroom, quickly cleaning myself up. Fuck, I got some blood on my suit. It’s why I always wear black. It makes the stains a little less noticeable.

My phone hasn’t stopped ringing in my pocket, which pisses me off. It’s my security at the front door, so I know it must be important enough to interrupt me. “Boss, your sister’s here tonight.” A rush of violence fills me up. Someone’s going to end up killed tonight. Well, someone else.

Son of a bitch. I ought to ban her ass, but then she’d sneak off to another club.

Grace tried that shit once, and luckily Gabriele caught her before she made it there or I’d have had to hunt her down and kill a bunch of other fuckers who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. She’s too young to be in any club, grinding up on men with nothing but screwing on their minds.

I’m not one to mess with, and my sister is off-limits to everyone. I’ll rip a bastard’s balls off and feed them to him before I gut the fucker and show them to him one last time as he dies. Last month already tried my patience, and now she’s here again.

“I want eyes on her,” I warn him.

“She’s not alone.” The words come out of his mouth with a nervous stammer becausedon’t kill the messengeris a warning I need often. My blood boils instantly because I’m not aware of any friends other than that one bitch I told her to stay away from.

Taking a calming breath, I say, “Please tell me it’s not that dumb bitch.” It’s suddenly like everyone wants to defy me. That shit isn’t going to fly.

“It is, but she’s got someone else too.”

“It better not be some man.” My sister wouldn’t be foolish enough to bring some asshole here to die a painful death because that’s exactly what would happen. She’s only nineteen, and although she hangs out with a little whore, she’s a good girl. They met at school, and my sister thought she could be an excellent influence on her. I warned her about hanging out with that lousy cunt. It’s something we’re going to discuss very soon.

“No, it’s another chick, but this one is hot as hell and damn, a bit shy, but she’s here apparently having a bachelorette party.” What the hell is an eighteen-year-old doing having a bachelorette party unless her friend has an older friend or relative?

“Thanks. I’ll deal with them,” I tell him because I want this shit cleared up and the trouble sent home immediately.

I radio my security, Rocco, on the floor and have him bring the girls to my lounge area. Normally I’d host clients there on occasion, but tonight was private business that got a little ugly. There was no way I could host anyone up here without the risk of them seeing or hearing anything messy.