Page 4 of Isle of Seduction

Alana Moretti.

The Morettis are legend across the Mediterranean Sea for their revolutionary drug, the Y. It’s as powerful as MDMA or cocaine, without any addictive side-effects or the death rate.

My self-righteous cousin fell for a mafia heiress. I burst out laughing at the irony, cackling to myself as tears line my eyes. I have to take a deep breath to stop myself, my abs sore from laughing so much.

She does have sisters, but the oldest, Angèle, is already married and the two youngest, Lisa and Marie, are only nineteen. I might be an asshole, but I’m not a creep. At thirty-three, I won’t marry a college kid to further my agenda.

Another woman’s name comes up, one I heard a lot about, though not under that name.

Giulia Moretti. Status: unmarried.

Fucking perfect.

I connect the call again. “You’ll have to come to me. I’ll send the coordinates. In the meantime, send me all you got.”

Today’s as good as any to save a mafia heiress and get married.

TWO

I LIKE THEM FEISTY

It’s early morning when I get the notification that Pierce is on his way. And he’s not alone. My cousin brings me exactly what I need, or rather who I need, without me having to ask for it.

Brilliant!

Another person I wasn’t expecting joined Pierce and Giulia on their rescue mission.

Igor Petrov. Dark short cropped hair, and a build that could be scary to anyone, he and his brother Misha look so alike, it’s striking.

I take a moment to observe their behaviours through the cameras located throughout my house as they come in. They all look tired and I don’t only imagine the lack of sleep and the pain they feel at having someone so close to them missing. I know it in my bones. I’ve been there.

I zoom in on Pierce who has a single-minded focus and follows Marco, one of my men, into the living room. Nothing matters but the information he came here for. He looks like he hasn’t changed clothes since his girlfriend got abducted.

When I focus on Giulia, I unconsciously get closer to the screen, already gravitating around her orbit like a moon to its sun.

She’s a stunning woman. Dressed in what looks like a man’s shirt over a thin cami paired with tight jeans that hug her ample hips and thighs, her red hair billows around an expressive face dusted with freckles.

She’s my ticket to the Council. A born and bred mafia princess used to the dangers of this life, so I won’t have to mask who I am and what I do. I’d say today is my lucky day.

I log off and walk to greet them, my boots echoing on the mahogany hardwood floor. When I enter the living room where the morning sun seeps through in tentative beams, my eyes zero in on her.

Lush curves for days, a pouty mouth turned downward in displeasure, and long fiery hair reflecting sunlight. The cameras weren’t precise enough. The freckles on her face make out constellations across her cheeks, neck and chest. How long would it take me to map them out?

And those eyes. They’re the brightest green and remind me of the peaceful forest surrounding my property. If it weren’t for the dark circles under them and the glint of pain, I could easily forget why she’s here. Forget she has a purpose other than just existing to be admired.

I imperceptibly shake myself out of the trance I’m in. She’s not the first beautiful woman I see, and she’s just an accessory to my ambitions. There’s no need to feel star-struck.

Determination and a fucking temper shine through her narrowed eyes. I suppose she has every right to be mad, since I’m kind of withholding information about her cousin. Am I the asshole for wanting her to fight me for it?

I bet she fights dirty.

And I’d like it.

I muster the ability to turn away from the vibrant woman who’s captured my attention and address my cousin. I barely disguise the disdain in my voice.

“Pierce, I didn’t know you were coming with back-up. I would have made an effort.”

I absolutely would have not.