Dancing with the Mob: A Dark Mafia Romance Two-Book Collection Read online

  After nodding to the parroted versions of orders I’d already left with him, we made our way into the security room. For want of a better word, I just called it that. Drawing room, that’s what it was in this eighteenth-century mansion, but it just didn’t quite sound right, and definitely not for the head of Don Leone’s security operations.

  We had doubled our guards, recalling men from other posts and bringing in some more from out-of-state operations. If the Bernardi’s were going to retaliate, it would be hard and fast. I had the armored vehicles on standby, and the AA guns had already been mounted on the roof. Over the top? No. The Bernardi’s also traded in weapons, another line of business Don Leone had moved away from when he quit the narc operations side of things. I only hoped we had enough ‘over the top,’ when, and if the time came.

  The main benefit of the old place was that it served as a natural fortress. The position in the landscape made it a target, but we’d see anything coming miles before it was within range. My biggest concern was increasing firepower and protection at our numerous warehouses and other holdings. We had a small army, but all of our assets were more than we could protect all at once.

  I’d always adopted the ancient Japanese motto of warfare, anyway. I’d let the enemy come to me. I was in no rush to attack or to be attacked, but I also knew to be prepared for anything.

  Mia.

  “I’ll need a briefing with Mia Leone’s head of security, stat.” Cricket noises. Open mouths. Somebody’s stomach made a gurgling sound.

  “Are you deaf? I’ll need a briefing with their security tea--”

  “Ah, that’s a negative, Mr. Slade. House rules. I thought Mr. Leone would have...?”

  My bewildered annoyance showed. This prick, Brown. He had three seconds to explain, or I was going to break his jaw. I think he knew it, too.

  “It’s a family thing… erm… a deal she made with her father years ago. Before you…” He stammered quickly. Instantly, I got the picture.

  “Fine.” I said coolly, calming down, much to everyone’s relief. “Brown? Give me your keys. White will need his car back. I’ll be in a meeting with the head of Mia Leone’s security team if anybody needs me.”

  Four

  Mia

  The emery board worked its way over the tip of my nail, sending tiny micro flashes, and tingles at the memory of myself in the back of the limo. Thinking about Jack. I was getting seriously worked up remembering it, and I was actually wet. Sodden at the mere thought of it.

  “You need a break, Ms. Leone?” Lotti asked. She was great. She could read minds, I swear.

  “Maybe just for a minute, I think I need to take a bathroom break.” I noticed the quavering of my own voice as I spoke, I was so freaking horny it hurt. All from having my nails rubbed? No, it was the memory of the memory of Jack. A mouthful.

  Dammit Jack! Where will this all end?

  Lotti, one of my favorite makeup and nail techs, was my personal, go-to gal for nails. She was great at what she did, but it was her that I liked spending the hour or two with. Anyone could do nails, but Lotti was a fucking saint.

  She had flawless skin, and naturally perfect teeth. Her hair looked like our catalog models, after they’d been retouched. If she had’ve been a size 6, women would’ve hated her. But being what they call plus-sized now, I guessed she was safe.

  I liked her because of who she was, not how she looked, or rather, didn’t look. She was always so happy, sincere. I knew she hurt like anybody else, but she always put me first. And not because I was her boss, but because that was her way. She genuinely liked people, and cared about the people she liked.

  I could feel my own wetness; I was itching to get at myself again, but halfway through a manicure? Lotti. Did she just shoot me a wink as I went into my private bathroom? Hmm.

  I leaned against the heavy, leather-lined door as soon as it was closed. I had torn my skirt up on one side in one quick movement, just while my other hand went straight down the front of my lace panties, circling my clit within seconds. I’d made sure that Lotti did my right hand, my trigger hand, first. I bit down on my lip, stifling a cry. I wanted to scream, to get down on the heated tile floor and bend over on all fours and have Jack thrust his huge cock straight up me, from behind.

  I increased the pressure on my nub, I was so hot. I caught a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. I was hot. I would fuck me, I supposed. I closed my eyes, thinking of Jack, his steel blue eyes, his stubbled jaw that looked like it was carved from granite. His shoulders.

  I could smell my own heat rising, the pounding in my ears was matched by my heaving chest. I had to slip off my heels so I didn’t fall over. I was still grabbing my skirt up and opening it to one side. I slid down to the floor, opening my legs slowly with my knees up.

  Why should I care? I’m fucking Mia Leone! If I want to go fuck myself halfway through anything, then I’ll do it. I had to focus though; intruding thoughts of guilt were pushing Jack out of the picture.

  Come back, Jack, let’s get a look at that huge cock of yours… Oh my! It IS a big one, isn’t it? Oh Jesus!

  I’d barely wrapped my small hand around Jack’s huge, thick, hot dick as it pulsed against my palm, when I felt myself coming so hard, I couldn’t help but cry out. Jack’s thick cock pumped ropes of hot come, pumping in time to the pulsing pressure I’d put on myself as we both reached our shuddering climax. Mine for real, and his… well, I had a feeling that his time was coming soon.

  It took a few minutes for me to clean myself up, and get myself looking presentable again. I was just about to go out the bathroom door, when I realized that I actually did have to pee.

  Jesus, Jack, I’ll never get anything done at this rate!

  Lotti was exactly where I’d left her, rearranging her nail gear and humming to herself, then smiling at me as I sat back down, opposite her. I’d freshened up with a good perfume, hoping to mask the sins I’d just committed, but it probably only advertised the fact. Sex mixed with thousand-dollar perfume was a one of a kind smell.

  “Better?” Lotti cooed, with a wistful smile, taking my hand back into hers and starting over.

  I was still trembling, my pulse was up; but if Lotti knew, she didn’t say a word. I reserved a special place in my next fantasy. Maybe Lotti could watch me and Jack? Maybe she could do my nails as he fucked me from behind?

  Focus, Mia! Only one hand to go!

  Mark appeared around the door of my office. If he’d knocked, I hadn’t heard him. He looked at me quizzically. “Everything alright, Ms. Leone?”

  My plastic smile was resurrected, serving its purpose, dutifully. It did the trick.

  “Ahem, well, I’m heading down to the press conference now… did you… are you…?” He was motioning behind him. I think he had expected me to go. Maybe I said I would, who knows? I was feeling particularly skull-fucked right at that moment, and it was the last thing on my mind.

  “I hope it goes well, Mark. Thank you!” I watched him back out, then joined Lotti’s humming in my mind.

  The phone pulsed, security’s direct line. Turns out the police had invited themselves to set up camp out the front of the building, for my own protection, as well as dealing with the growing throngs of media that had gathered on the ground floor.

  Funny thing about being in a mob family, everybody, even the law knew what was going on; yet, they did nothing to stop it. On the contrary, they actively sought to protect us, to stop us from killing each other in public, I supposed. It was of no real interest to me, though. My own security consisted of handpicked professionals, provided for and trained by one of our biggest clients, whom I trusted implicitly.

  There had been a wardrobe malfunction at his only daughter’s wedding, on an island that was just off the Omani coast. He’d called someone here, and I took care of it personally, flying out on a jet with a new dress, arriving minutes before the big moment. No one was any wiser. His gift to me had been a core team of his own personal commandos, who had recruit
ed and trained my own security team from then on. I love my papa, I do. But mob goons just don’t really compare to secret service types. Plus, they all look so much nicer in the suits I designed. Something about the body shape of men from that part of the world. Mmm...

  No sooner had I hung up when it pulsed again. This time, my heart skipped a beat. My mouth went a little dry, metallic tasting for a second.

  It was Jack.

  I took both my hands back from Lotti, who was used to working with people while they were working, and she just smiled. My first instinct was to snatch the phone up straight away, just to hear his voice again. God it felt good, it gave me a quiver from my belly, right down to my pussy, just to see his name on the display. I had to calm down. So, cool and calm, I picked up the receiver after nearly letting it ring out.

  “Mia, there’s not a lot of time to explain. Please don’t interrupt. Is there a chopper on the roof, can you get to it?”

  I stifled a chuckle, even though a wave of panic was shooting through me. Lotti looked up; I had to be queen bee. I had to maintain control. “Yes, I have a helicopter on standby 24/7. Choppers are something lifeguards have, aren’t they?” It was my turn to return Lotti’s wink.

  “I can’t explain it all over the phone, plus there really isn’t time. Just trust me, Mia. You need to get in that cho-- helicopter, and get to your father’s estate, right now.” His voice was restrained, but urgent. Commanding. I felt a thrill rush over me again. I sensed real danger, but the greatest feeling was having Jack’s voice commanding me. I felt ready for round two of my finger sandwich, but I also knew instinctively to follow his orders.

  “Ummm, Mr. Slade,” I began. I couldn’t just be steamrolled without a show of authority of some sort. “I appreciate your concern, but, as I’m sure you are aware; I have my own security. My own men who look after things here. This isn’t your place to--” Jack’s voice lowered, he spoke to me like I really wanted to hear him, like he needed me, like he wanted me. Like he cared for me.

  “Mia. Please, I need you to do this. For me? I’ll explain later.” The memory of his touch, the excitement of his electricity mixed with mine, including the shuddering climaxes I had discovered simply by thinking about him. I knew I would obey him, but I needed him to work a little harder for me than that.

  Lotti was already packing up her things; I didn’t try to stop her. If anything, I wanted this kind of talk with Jack to go on a bit longer, preferably in private, anyway.

  “Thank you, Mr. Slade. I will take your recommendations into consideration. I’ll talk to my own security team before I make travel plans.”

  “Mia! No, I--” I hung up the phone, I was trembling again. Lotti was halfway to the door.

  “I’ll call you Lotti, soon, to do the other half.”

  She turned back and smiled. “At least you have one free hand now.” And she winked again. God, I loved her. I think Lotti just got a raise.

  As soon as the door was closed, the phone pulsed again. It was Jack. Nope, sorry Jack. Gonna make you sweat for me.

  I muted the line he was calling in on, and buzzed the helipad office on the roof. They were on call 24/7, and I was about to test that out for the first time in a long time.

  “We’ll see you in two minutes, Ms. Leone.” Prompt, professional and courteous. I guess you get what you pay for.

  I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the lift. I wanted Jack to sweat, but I wasn’t stupid. If he wanted me out of the building right away, that was good enough for me.

  As the doors opened, the gust of wind threw me back a little. The huge, custom helicopter was whining, ready for takeoff; its huge silent rotors were pulsing the air with a current that made me walk toward it. I was leaning forward slightly. I couldn’t see the usual faces, but my eyes were watering from the wind up there anyway. I stepped up into the vast, leather-lined suite that was the passenger area, and felt the door close automatically behind me with a loud click as it locked and pressurized the whole cabin.

  I took my place in one of the large custom seats, looking for the buckle, readying myself for the trip upward, skyward. My eyes suddenly caught something dark moving from underneath the seat in front of me. I stood up, looking over the top of the seat to see.

  It was the pilot, and his head was opened. My heart began racing. A thick mat of dark crept out from an even darker space where his hair should have been. I was pushed back into my seat, with the helicopter suddenly lifting off the roof of the building.

  Welcome aboard, Ms. Leone, this is your captain speaking… we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for flying Bernardi airlines…

  Five

  Jack

  “Jack! Mr. Slade, I mean...” It was Brown, he’d put himself between me and the door. I cocked my brow. “I’m sorry, Mr. Slade! The security team at Mia Bella is off limits. That’s the rule set down by Don Leone himself, you know that.” I gave points to Brown for being honorable, but it wasn’t the time or place to argue over whose jurisdiction Mia’s safety was under right now. I knew she was in danger, I could feel it. I had to go to her.

  I unclenched everything, took a deep breath, and addressed Brown, and the rest of the security team in the room. “Thank you, Mr. Brown. You raise a valid point, one which I’d back you up on in a heartbeat if any other man were to suggest what I’m about to do. Except, these are extraordinary circumstances we are about to face. The Bernardi’s have just lost one of theirs; we need to be on high alert. I need...” I broke off, the thought of Mia on her own, and the danger I sensed. It was too much for me to even contemplate.

  I think Brown saw it in my eyes. He stood aside. “We’ll be awaiting further instructions, Mr. Slade,” he said, standing to attention with the rest of them in the room.

  I felt it at once. They had my respect, and I was feeling it right there and then. It felt good.

  “…But I’m coming with you,” Brown said, matter-of-factly. “We can’t leave anyone on their own. Those were your orders, sir.”

  I sighed bitterly. “Well, let’s be quick about it. The rest of you, I want all eyes open; and double the watch on Mr. Leone.”

  There was a resounding “Yes, sir!” from the group. It was almost like old times. Almost.

  “Oh!” I said, turning to Brown on the way out. “We’ll need to take Dr. Cartwright with us. I think he needs a break. Some time at the Lakehouse should do him wonders.”

  It wasn’t hard to find him; he was fooling with that nurse in the room adjacent to Don Leone’s. He saw me coming at him, tried to run, but met Brown on the other side of the room, coming through the other door.

  I took the cigar from my suit pocket that I had kept from before, stuffing it into the doctor’s mouth, with a good portion of it going down his throat. Brown held him as I pushed it further down, watching him gag and retch on the obviously-breaking, brown and tan flakes, a thousand dollar smoke, ruined.

  “Time for a smoke break, doctor!” My fist was a five-pointed sleeping pill with nil repeats for the good doctor. Brown carried him like the giant baby he was. We threw him into the trunk of Brown’s car and I stepped on the gas, aching to get to Mia. I needed to know she was safe.

  About halfway to the Mia Bella building, I had the craziest feeling that just wouldn’t quit. It made me feel sick inside.

  Mia. Shit! I’m too late; she’s in so much danger. It’s all my fault!

  I punched the steering wheel, swerving through traffic as I stepped on the gas. “Take it easy, boss, we’re getting there. Let’s try to make sure we get there in one piece!” My dark look easily silenced Brown, and he looked out the window, clutching the passenger handle above the window as we continued to snake through the highway traffic.

  “I’m gonna have to call her, at least to let her know we’re on our way,” I said to Brown out loud, voicing my own doubts to myself and him as well. Maybe I was overreacting here? What evidence is there that she’s actually in any danger, Slade? I’d got her in her office, but she’
d brushed me off, even after I practically begged her to get out of there. Brown had looked at me, then the little light went on his eyes. So... The boss has a hard-on for the boss’s daughter, huh? I could nearly hear his thoughts, as if my intuition was heightened.

  I didn’t care what anybody thought, my gut was never wrong, and I had survived to walk, while a dozen other guys had stepped on mines, or walked right to their own deaths. I trusted my instincts, and Mia was in serious trouble.

  When she didn’t pick up the second time, I shifted it up a gear and we were at risk of collision before we even got there. I vowed then and there, that if we ever made it there in one piece, I’d never let Mia out of my sight again. The pain I felt at the thought of anything happening to her was just too much. I’d never felt this way about anybody before; and I feared I’d come to the realization too late.

  We were slowed somewhat, by the city traffic, but I knew plenty of alleys and a few sidewalks that got us to the building in record time. Brown was now green, but that would never work. We already had two Green’s on the staff. One Green and one Greene, as if the difference made it any easier.

  Cartwright was thumping the trunk from the inside. I skidded down into the private garage under the building, and began pulling up at an elevator. Enjoyably, I administered the doctor another sleeping tablet, right before Brown and I tried for the lift.

  It wasn’t working.

  We raced to a stairwell door. Locked. “Something’s rotten, Mr. Slade,” muttered Brown as we both looked at each other for a new idea.

  “We’ll just have to go in through the front door, C’mon!” We both raced up the ramp of the parking lot, toward the main entrance.

  The whole ground floor, spilling out onto the sidewalk was filled with people. And cops. So many cops, I think they outnumbered the people, who looked like journalists. All jostling and shouting, but not really moving anywhere, just blocking the entrance.