Dangerous: A Dark Mafia Romance Read online

  Dangerous

  By

  Piper Stone

  Copyright © 2019 by Stormy Night Publications and Piper Stone

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

  www.StormyNightPublications.com

  Stone, Piper

  Dangerous

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  Image by iStock/D-Keine

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  More Stormy Night Books by Piper Stone

  Piper Stone Links

  Chapter One

  Blade

  I’m a bad, bad man. Or so everyone tells me. They also insinuate that I have no conscience, able to perform the most horrific deeds without blinking. Yeah, I’ve killed a couple of people while doing my job, all enemy targets, men who attempted to crush the lifestyle I’d grown accustomed to and the man responsible for providing such a glorious fucking life.

  Wealth, women, and wine.

  All the finer things in life. At least that’s what I’d been indoctrinated into all those years ago. I’d been a stupid kid then, vulnerable to all three and I’d partaken in scandalous acts, enjoying the hell out of myself.

  Until recently.

  Why? Living the lie had finally taken a toll. I’d paid my debt long ago, but there’d been no release from my prison of choice. I hated what I’d become, nothing more than a hired gun. My reputation was bigger than my acts, but in Miami and around dangerous men, reputation was everything. Was I a cold-blooded killer? In my heart, the answer was no, but I allowed everyone to think that way in order to stay alive.

  “Mi amigo, you’ve finally arrived.” Opening his arms wide, he waited until I moved closer, giving the traditional Sanchez hug, one hand gripped in a firm handshake.

  Only there was nothing traditional about the man or his organization. Diego Sanchez was ruthless, powerful, wealthy, and sought after by both men and women alike. His hold over Miami, as well as the surrounding areas, was legendary.

  The bloodbaths following his reign of terror—notorious.

  His hold over me? Forever. That part of the payback hadn’t been thoroughly explained. Then again, I’d reacted on emotion. A stupid kid believing he could save his family.

  “Sorry to be late, Diego. I had some business to attend to.” My business had been to clean up after the man himself, a particularly violent night of passion. Perhaps I’d grown weary of being a glorified babysitter as well, but I’d continue to play the part. After all, I appreciated breathing.

  As I leaned in, his whisper was direct and clear, his command without question.

  “Tomorrow I will need your assistance, mi amigo. Casablanca Casino.”

  I didn’t need any further instructions or even an address. I’d been through this before, many times. I was Diego’s bodyguard as well as his confidant. I was also his assassin. His affinity for gambling was well known, and in my opinion far too much so. Diego had an increasing number of enemies, men hungering to be in his position. Any weakness was a deadly opening to overthrow the empire built from the blood and sweat of others. My boss considered himself a kingpin, a man of honor. Stomaching the concept was becoming increasingly more difficult.

  “Of course, El Hefe.” I was the only one allowed to use the term and I did so sparingly, but tonight was a celebration of sorts and I knew he’d be in excellent spirits.

  Letting me go, Diego burst into laughter, slapping me on the back. “You always amuse me, Erik. I appreciate that more than you know. Grab a drink, maybe two. I’ve made certain there are menu items especially for you. I think you’ll find them particularly tasty.”

  Menu items. He talked about the party girls he accumulated as if he was preparing for a feast. Granted, there would an orgy later, bodies intertwined, more pussies and cocks than I cared to see at one time. I glanced around the room, surveying the various members of the Sanchez ‘family,’ as well as the guests, recognizing a creative mixture of celebrities as well as corporate moguls. For a usual private affair, Diego had certainly opened up the invitation list.

  The reason why I was curious about.

  Being indoctrinated into the family or Borgata, as some of the New Yorker members liked to call the organization, wasn’t for the faint of heart. I didn’t need a sixth sense to know that within the hour, several of the esteemed guests would need more than a shot of alcohol to soothe their stomachs.

  “I’ll do just that. Thank you.” As I moved through the room, several of the women undressed me with their eyes. I could have any of them I wanted by simply wagging my finger. Yeah, I was some bigshot all right. Almost no one called me by my given name of Erik Chenault any longer. I’d been coined Blade after six months for my expertise in weaponry of a certain kind. Well, that and the fact I’d body slammed a freaking moron attempting to gut the El Hefe, the jagged edge of the blade leaving a permanent scar on the right side of my face.

  I’d grown used to the nickname as well as my unscrupulous reputation. The name served me well, especially during the occasional turf wars. Fortunately, Miami had been quiet as of late, leaving me with more relaxation time on my hands. However, my red flags were always on high alert. Quiet usually meant another faction was waiting in the wing, preparing for a turf war. I weaved my way through the expansive beachfront home in search of one of the bars. Tonight, my thirst required quenching. I loathed the official activities, the pomp and circumstance. As I moved outside, the light breeze floated a nostril full of sea air in my direction.

  I loved the beach and the ocean. Any strip of white sand along any shore and I was a happy man. However, what brought me to Miami in the first place had nothing to do with living the high life. I’d been on a mission to save a soul, and not my own. Had I been successful? In truth, I had no idea. One thing I did know. I was ready to get the hell out. I had a single choice, but in doing so, I’d be hunted for the rest of my life. At this point, I couldn’t risk doing a damn thing. Yeah, I was frustrated as fuck, angry most of the time, including tonight.

  “Hey, hey. There you are! The party has officially started.”

  The boisterous call could be heard over the raucous laughter as well as the island music. I slanted my gaze in my buddy’s direction, finally cracking a smile. Breaker Wallace had come up through the ranks at the same time I had, and in the same brutal manner. He was perhaps the only person I felt I could trust—to some degree.

  “Had some shit to deal with,” I said under my breath as I nodded to the bartender. The young man already knew what I liked. Diego made certain every member of his staff was well versed in preferences. If they didn’t learn, they ended up floating up on some unknown beach.

  “You always have to deal with some kind of crap. Shit, man. You have more patience than I do.” Breaker nursed his drink, his eyes scanning the exterior perimeter, always on duty. There were armed guards everywhere, but we certainly co
uldn’t be too careful.

  “Yeah, well, it pays the bills.” I tossed a hundred dollar bill in the kid’s direction, no doubt making his night. When Breaker guided me around the side of the lagoon-style pool, I knew something was up. “Spill it.”

  “Word on the street is that there’s going to be an attempt made on Diego.”

  “When?” My keen senses caught bits of several conversations from the closest guests, my eyes roaming like a hunter.

  “Sometime this week. That’s all we got in the way of information.”

  I nodded as a loud noise drew both our attention. The yelps and passionate moans were already exaggerated, and it was only a little after eight. Going to be a long ass night. “I’ll keep an eye out. You know he won’t change his itinerary.”

  “Naw, I know. Just warning you,” Breaker said then took a gulp, allowing the ice to rattle in his glass. “Hey, new club on the strip. What you say we go later?”

  I wasn’t into the bar scene, but tonight? Yeah, I craved some company. “Why the hell not?”

  “Fucking fantastic. About damn time.” His laugh was genuine.

  The vantage point was a good one, allowing us to see the entire back of the house as well as the beachfront leading up to Diego’s house. If any goons were stupid enough to make an attempt to infiltrate the compound tonight, they’d have to get through some heavy firepower. I turned my attention to the ocean, concentrating on the sound of the waves. I found some solace in the rolling swells, even if I felt dead inside. Within a few minutes, the exterior lights flashed, forcing a sigh.

  “Hey, we’re being summoned,” Breaker chortled. “This should be good. Damn recruit is wet behind the ears, no clue what he’s getting himself into.”

  “Weren’t we all that way? Once.” I snorted and swirled my drink, watching as certain guests headed for the main room inside. Everyone knew their place. The party girls, dancers, and other ‘sex toys’ would wait, preparing themselves for the real party to begin. I rubbed my forehead before following behind Breaker. I’d seen my share of this shit during my tenure. Breaking in a new recruit meant testing his resolve, as well as his pain threshold. Instead of being numb, I’d grown more incensed.

  “Yeah, you’re right, but either the recruits are getting younger or we’re getting old, my man.” Breaker punched me on the arm.

  I hadn’t hit thirty yet but there were very few patches of skin on my body devoid of a scar. The business was brutal, barbaric. “Speak for yourself, jerkoff. Let’s go. Craving pussy tonight.” How many times had I spoken the same words? They’d become expected of me. No one knew I was a one-woman man, longing for a solid relationship. Maybe I was just dreaming. There was no such thing as a happy every after, not for a man like me.

  “Fuck, me too. More than one, man.” He rubbed his crotch and gave me a sly grin.

  Sighing, I turned away. I could stand in the back of the room, easily able to see over the crowd. At six foot five, I towered over the majority of people, especially Diego. His diminutive size had garnered him the nickname of Napoleon, a punishable offense in Diego’s eyes. The chatter continued, the drinks flowing, guests completely at ease. Only the rather ominous-looking bench complete with thick iron shackles gave any indication of the event they’d all been invited to watch. I darted a glance at the rolling fire, the wood-burning, walk-in–style fireplace custom built using Diego’s specifications. A quick shiver ran down my spine. Things had certainly changed since the day I was welcomed into the family.

  When Diego appeared out of the shadows, the entire room moved to complete silence. He stood with his hands behind his back, an unassuming man with a convincing smile. Few comprehended that he was a true monster.

  But I knew.

  He’d removed his jacket. Now standing in only a crisp white shirt and black linen pants, he appeared almost nonchalant, as if hosting a barbecue. Well, in a sense he was.

  “Friends and family members, welcome to my humble abode,” Diego said, his smile increasing. He moved toward several of the closest women, taking each one by the arm. His formal greeting? A kiss on the mouth. A brush of his hand in all the inappropriate places. Women were nothing more than possessions to him. When he was done fondling the guests, he slowly began to roll up his sleeves. I started to get antsy, especially since the dumb kid who’d agreed to this bullshit stood in an entranceway leading to what Diego called a place of peace. What Diego couldn’t say in front of his conservative friends was that he was the proud owner of a torture chamber. I’d been there twice, once for specialized discipline. I’d vowed never again.

  My exhale must have been exaggerated given the few nasty looks I received. A sneer curled on my lip. Fuck the rest of the people. Let them enjoy the damn show.

  Diego motioned for the men holding the kid’s arms to enter the room. While there was no hesitation, I could see the look of terror in the kid’s eyes. At least he’d been warned what he was about to face. After this? The kid was set, with a job paying well over what anyone at the age of nineteen could make doing something legitimate. If he lasted five years in the family without fucking it up, he’d earn his way to owning a condo, perhaps even on the beach.

  It might be similar to the one I’d been gifted years before: floor-to-ceiling glass, sweeping views of the ocean, a chef’s kitchen, and all leather furniture.

  The thought left a bad taste in my mouth. I polished off the drink as Diego went on about honor and respect, how his entire world had been built by men like Michael Sheffield. I hadn’t heard the kid’s name up until now and had only met him once. He wouldn’t last a year before running home to Mommy’s skirts, hiding for the rest of his life. But one day, he would be found. There was no leaving the family, at least if you wanted to live.

  Michael was led toward Diego, his eyes moving back and forth in rapid succession. Even from where I stood, I could see the beads of sweat already rolling down the sides of the kid’s face.

  “As you know, loyalty is more important in my family than anything else.” Diego casually said the words as he walked closer to the fire, his hand wrapping around a thick piece of iron, placing the already heated end on a special metal holder.

  A few gasps could be heard coming from the guests.

  Breaker gave me a look and wiped his forehead, a slight tic appearing in the corner of his mouth. At least my friend didn’t like this crap any more than I did. I shifted back and forth from foot to foot, growing more antsy. Only when Michael’s shirt was stripped away did the nonfamily guests seem to understand what they were about to witness.

  Michael was going to be branded. This wasn’t a small nodule, perhaps a letter of Diego’s name. The dragon was ornate as well as large, the wound taking weeks to fully heal. I took several deep breaths, clenching my hand around my crystal tumbler, trying to keep my shit together. Diego always laughed about the ceremony, claiming this separated the men from the boys.

  As Michael was tied down, several female guests began voicing their objection, strangled whispers echoing in the room. If Diego was annoyed, he certainly didn’t show it, merely giving the command to shackle Michael down. Within a few minutes, the iron was red hot. As Diego slipped into thick gloves, whistling some fucking show tune, Michael began to struggle in his bindings. I could hear the crackle and popping coming from the fire, burning a blistering hole into my mind.

  I admit, not the best timing, but I’d had enough. My thudding footsteps pissed off one of the bosses. Tony was from the old school, primitive ways that he’d tried to get Diego to adapt to.

  “Get your ass back here, Blade.” Tony’s hand wrapped around my arm, jerking.

  I reacted on instinct and within a split second, my hand was around the asshole’s throat, Tony’s body slammed up against the wall with enough force that the area around us shook.

  There were squeals from the women, several from the male guests, and even the sounds of guns being cocked. This kind of shit wasn’t supposed to happen. I dug my fingers into Tony’s skin, c
utting off his air supply. I’d lifted him three feet into the air with ease, the adrenaline kicking my ass. Yeah, I was pissed off and ready to pick a fight. This would no doubt amuse Diego even more.

  “Let him go, Blade,” Breaker encouraged.

  I snarled my answer.

  When the barrel of a gun was placed at my temple, only then did I hear Diego’s voice.

  “Don’t fuck with Blade, for Christ’s sake. He can do any damn thing he pleases in my house.” Diego clapped his hands twice, forcing the break in the ceremony to end. The guns disappeared, as if they’d never happened.

  “Come on, let the dude go,” Breaker whispered in a husky tone as he flanked my side. “You and me. Let’s grab some air.”

  Issuing a slight growl, I finally allowed Tony to slip to the floor. I took long strides, heading outside and away from the pool, Breaker following me. I’d never made a scene before, never drew much attention to myself, but tonight just frosted my ass. I sensed by the sounds that the wretched ceremony was about to being. Maybe I was just through with everything, the lies and the games. This wasn’t me and never had been. I’d always been good at pretending, but I was exhausted and worn thin.

  “Damn. Don’t blame you in there, but I don’t have to tell you that Diego can’t let that shit go. You know that. Your ass might be on the same damn block tomorrow night.”

  “Then I’ll fuckin’ kill him.” My words were spit out with no thought, but I was serious. I wasn’t going through that shit again. Ever.

  Breaker paced back and forth, his hands on his hips. “Tell you what. Why don’t we get out of here, go to that bar I mentioned? I think you need a break.”

  I glanced back at the house, half expecting to see one of the other bosses storming outside to find me. There was no one. Thank God for that. “Yeah, a good idea.”

  Chapter Two

  Crystal

  “Hey, sweet thang, how about another beer?”

  Wiping sweat from my brow, I issued a badass glare at the man sitting on the other side of the bar. Mark was a jerkoff, the kind of prick I wanted to pick a fight with, even if he outweighed me by a solid hundred pounds. He and his buddies were also considered dangerous. Tonight, I didn’t care. I was tired and cranky.