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1. Leo
2. Leo
3. Alia
4. Alia
5. Leo
6. Alia
7. Leo
8. Leo
9. Alia
10. Leo
11. Leo
12. Alia
13. Leo
14. Alia
15. Leo
16. Alia
17. Leo
18. Alia
19. Alia
20. Leo
21. Alia
22. Leo
23. Epilogue- 4 months later
24. Epilogue- 10 years later
About the Author
Also by Matilda Martel
CONTENTS
LEO
I W ASN’T EXPECTING to take over so soon. My old man was a giant. The King ofManhattan. Beloved by his allies and untouchable to his enemies. We thought we’d never lose him. So, we never saw it coming.
No one suspected he was sick. Always fearful of showing weakness, he kept it to himself until it was too late. In the end, all he wanted to do was return to Sicily and live the rest of his days in the tiny town where his mother was born.
That was a year ago. I’ve been head of the Moretti family ever since. That’s a huge deal. I’m responsible for everyone in my world. Not just the people who bear my name. And I’m in charge of making sure everything we built doesn’t end with me.
This isn’t what I wanted. This is what I was born to do, and I know nothing else.
There’s no sense sugar coating my life. I’m immersed in violence and immorality. I walk through the underbelly of society. I work with the worst kind of people who would like nothing more than to cut me down and steal my empire.
But I won’t let that happen. I’ll stay on top. I’ll protect what’s mine and I won’t sacrifice the most important things in life.
Today, I cement my alliance to two Brooklyn families. This is monumental. I was born in Brooklyn and we still control the neighborhoods just across the bridge. But most of it is run by Russian Bratva and the Mexican cartel. This move is unprecedented and will have lasting consequences. Itreadthisgroundlightly.
I’ve considered every possible scenario and taken every precaution. Everyone has something to lose and plenty to gain. Our motives are more than business. For the first time, I’ve allowed my personal life to seep into my work. It’s more than seeped, it’s flooded. This deal will not only bring allies, it’ll bring me her.
AndIcan’t live without her.
She would be the crown jewel of any man’s collection, but I don’t want to put her behind glass. I want her by my side, in my bed, riding my cock every fucking night. Because that’s exactly where she belongs.
“Look at her, Lorenzo. She’s magnificent.” I watch the object of my purest and filthiest desires march across the dance floor leading a young man by the tie.
She’s an incurable flirt. Alia de Alba knows she’s a beautiful woman. Her confidence and vanity are unmistakable. Beauty like hers demands attention and she’s had mine since the moment I first laid eyes on those dark eyes and full cherry lips.
This is my woman. No doubt about it.
Perched high in the VIP lounge, I watch her like a hawk surveying its prey. She knows how much I love to watch her and she loves to put on a show. Her hips sway with the beat of the music and my eyes fall out of my head watching that sweet round ass showcased in tight jeans. Each cheek is an apple taunting me for a taste.
As she approaches the center, she pirouettes on her stilettos and rolls her body in an obscene gesture that she will never do again outside of our bedroom. I give a long hard look at my bodyguard, Vito, and he reads my mind. That kid she’s with needs to go.
No one dances that close to my woman.
“She’s beautiful, Leo. But Yuri tells me Alex won’t budge. He suspects he’s got other plans for her.” Lorenzo takes a sip of champagne and then pushes it away.
“Why are we here? We should prepare for both to play hardball. Now is not the time to indulge in your obsession.” He sits on the couch across from me and shakes his head with distaste.
This isn’t our scene. We outgrew this years ago. But one of the three men who follow her tipped me off. This is the perfect opportunity to ogle my beautiful girl before I make my final offer. Watching her puts things in perspective.
“Alex has plans? What plans? Alia is mine. If he had plans why did he offer her to Yuri? Unless they want a war, they’ll give me what I want.” My patience is running thin. I make my demands and let my brother digest my words. Everyone wants something. Something precious. We can leave this meeting very happy men, or we can leave as enemies.
“And what if he says no? Alex wants this alliance, but there’s something holding him back. And I don’t think it has anything to do with his sister’s well being.” Lorenzo snaps his fingers to bring my attention back to him. I can’t make myself stop watching her. She’s already replaced the kid with some other handsy bastard. Looks like Vito’s got his work cut out for him.
“Leo, you’re my brother. You know I love you and I mean no disrespect, but why chase after a girl who doesn’t want you. Alex tells me she’s in love with Yuri Ivanov.” He means no disrespect but wields a dagger into my heart.
there. I need to be the one to keep her safe. Every mile we tread widens the emptiness inside me. This can’t go on. Each day my need grows and pushes me towards the edge of insanity.
Ineedmy Alia.
I’ve never been a patient man. I don’t consider it a flaw. It is what it is, and I am who I am. I’m used to getting what I want and rarely need to make demands. People fall in line because my name is Leo Moretti. Because I’m Antonio Moretti’s son and the blood in my veins is enough to make people fear the consequences of disappointing me.
She’s the exception. Alia has no fear. Every time I see her, she grows bolder. She knows she has me wrapped around her finger and loves flaunting it. The more I follow her, the more audacious she becomes. I’d walk away, but this feels bigger than anything I’ve ever felt. I’ve placed my family in a vulnerable position because I know she’s the one.
As we sit in silence on our way to Brighton Beach, Lorenzo finally asks the question that’s been on the tip of his tongue since he arranged this meeting. “How far are we going?”
“All the way. This is my future wife. The mother of my children. We leave nothing to chance. We don’t leave the meeting without Alex’s agreement. Doyou understand?”
He nods. “Understood.”
LEO
IGOR IVANOV, Yuri’s sovietnik and right hand man runs a jittery hand through his short hair and grumbles through shots of vodka. He grimaces, shifts his glance to Yuri, then faces me. “Alex isn’t coming. He told Yuri earlier today that he plans to wed Alia to Felix Ayala. I know you know who he is. He just took over the cartel operating out of Upper Manhattan and New Jersey. He’s spent the last year secretly whittling away Alex’s territory in Brooklyn. Alia doesn’t know. He doesn’t want to do it, but Ayala has threatened to take everything if he doesn’t. He wants Alia yesterday.”
My heart plummets as he shoots me a look of remorse and calmly sits. Igor needs something from me. Something he’s suddenly had to resign himself from never getting. His heartbreak is written all over his face. “And your sister?” I glance at Yuri, who appears too furious to do anything but pace.
“They eloped. She’s pregnant with his baby and he didn’t want to take the chance that I’d renege on our arrangement. I’ve severed my business relationship with him and he accepts it. My sister is cut off. I can’t be too mad at her. She’s eighteen and pregnant. She did what she had to do, but our mother has disowned her. At least, for now.” He takes a deep breath and lights a cigar. “He seems to fear Ayala more than you.”
“This is ridiculous. Alia won’t agree. If she runs to her brother and he hauls her away on the spot, I could lose her forever.” I know they want to keep this alliance, but they’re not helping. We’re associates, not friends. Our relationship is transactional. I give, I get. They give, they gets.
In Manhattan, I can squeeze everyone dry until they comply to my wishes, but this is Brooklyn. Yuri’s bratva rules Little Odessa. On these streets, my power is merely ceremonial.
Yuri calmly cuts in. “We never told Alex you want his sister. He offered that information when he withdrew his offer to me. Your name never came up. I already told him I didn’t want her, so he won’t expect anyone to rescue her. There won’t be a rush to haul her away. She’s completely dependent on him for money. He controls all her assets. He knows she can’t run and he won’t expect anyone to go against him to help her.”
Igor looks to me. “Are you certain you want to go through with this?”
My eye twitches as fury consumes my senses. “Stop asking me that. You know my feelings. But what the fuck are you two offering me? In this scenario, it feels like I’m doing all the work.”
“You’ll need us when the cartel wants her back. Your capos might rule lower Manhattan, but you’re weak in Brooklyn. You know it. We know it. No one in Brooklyn fucks with my men. Not Alex. Not even Ayala.” Yuri hands me another drink as he patronizes me.
I gnash my teeth and growl with frustration. “You’ll hear from me tomorrow. When I have Alia we’ll discuss your needs. Not one second before.”
He gives Igor a side glance and they nod in unison. “Fine. We’ll reconvene in twenty-four hours. Get it done as soon as possible and make sure Igor’s wife gets on a plane to New York. And whatever you do, don’t tell her about Igor’s life in the mob. That’s for him to
reveal.” His gaze meets mine as he signals his butler to open the door.
Furious and panicked, I walk with Lorenzo to the car and text Vito. I want to know where she is.
Weget this done tomorrow.
ALIA
“MA’AM, do you have another form of payment?” The barista hands me my favorite card, the one with double airline miles, and holds my coffee hostage. Without missing a beat, I apologize and hand her another. It must be a glitch. She runs it through and gives me a sympathetic glance. Declined. Ducking my head to hide my hot cheeks, I hand her my last card and pray it goes through.
“I’m sorry. It’s declined. Do you have cash on you?” She whispers as her eyes pan to the line of irate customers waiting behind me.
Who carries cash?
I shake my head and nervously shove my wallet back in my purse. “No, I’m sorry. This has never happened before.”
Someone desperate for caffeine shouts for me to move. A lady with a crying toddler calls me a tramp. If I wasn’t so mortified, I’d knock her on her ass. Flustered and furious, tears well as I slink away. “Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
The awkward grin plastered on her lips suddenly disappears. She’s spooked. Behind me, the hostile line goes quiet. Everyone’s piped down and rediscovered their manners.
“Just take it. It’s on the house.” She smiles and hands me my latte, but her eyes stay glued to the guest behind me.
“Thank you very much. That’s kind of you.” A silky masculine voice floats over my head and startlrd me still. Then two giant hands land on my shoulders and gently ease me out of the way.
It’s Leo Moretti. Not again.
I squirm away from his grasp and straighten my sweater. “You have some nerve, Leonardo Moretti. You’re behind this aren’t you? All my credit cards are dead. What did you do? Why are you following me now? Didn’t you promise you’d stop?”
He smirks. “I never promised shit. You asked but never waited for my reply. Which would have been no. I want my answer, doll.”
Floored by this intrusion, I dart out of the crowded coffee house and stomp away. Clutching my latte and spewing profanities under my breath, I give him his answer. “Oh, really? Well you have my answer, too. The answer’s no. No way. No chance. I’ll never marry you. We had two dates, Leo. Let itgo.”
The sound of his laughter makes my blood boil. He thinks he’s so slick. I’ve seen him with tons of women over the years. Why am I the only one being hounded and bullied? Any one of those babes would jump at the chance to be Mrs. Moretti. “I’ll never let it go, doll. You and I both know I’m the only man who can ever make you happy.”
I skid to a halt, stunned by his conceited mouth. “Happy? Is your name Yuri Ivanov? He’s the only one I want, and if you don’t stop meddling you’re going to ruin everything!” I walk faster, but his long legs catch up quickly.
Snatching my arm, he tugs me close to his warm body and whispers, “I never want to hear you speak his name again. Yuri’s an idiot. No man in his right mind would keep you waiting. You’re a wonder of nature, doll.”
I pull away and stop to consider his words. Wonder of nature? No one’s ever called me that before. If I didn’t hate him so much, I
ALIA
“WHAT DID YOU SAY?” My mind freezes and the world comes to a crashing halt as my older brother gives me the news I’ve been clamoring for all week.
But this isn’t news. This is ajoke. Anightmare.
I shake my head and reach behind me to pull a chair closer. My legs feel like rubber. “Please, Alex. This isn’t funny. Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I married Maya this morning. We did it without Yuri’s permission. It cost me his friendship but we had no choice. Maya’s expecting. You should be happy for me.” Alex takes his lucky Zippo out of his coat pocket and lights a cigarette. He takes a long drag, stops to savor the buzz then blows smoke away from my face.
My lips tighten with anger and my brow creases so hard my vision’s obscured. “That’s not the part I’m talking about and you know it!”
“You heard right the first time. Why would I kid about something so serious? This is no laughing matter.” He reluctantly extinguishes his cigarette and sighs. His new girlfriend, wife, whatever she is, doesn’t like him smoking. Three weeks and the great Alejandro de Alba folds like a cheap suit.
“That’s not what we agreed on, Alex! You know how I feel about Felix Ayala.” Gripped with rage, I spit out every word.
“You get everything, and I get nothing. Less than nothing. I want what you promised me. I said Yuri. I want Yuri Ivanov. You can’t swap out men like some creepy bait and switch.” I jump out of my chair, give it a good kick and send it flying behind me. “I wont’t marry him. He’s insane. He’ll kill me.”
He chuckles at my pain. “Calm the hell down. He saved your life. He won’t kill you.”
“Saved my life?!” I screech.
He’s not listening to a wordIsay.
“You double-crossed me. I only want Yuri. He’s the only reason I agreed to help you.” With my hands on my hips and a scowl on my face I stare my bully brother down. He doesn’t know what he’s asking. He doesn’t know what happened.
He reaches for his cigarettes and remembers he just threw them away. He looks frustrated but determined. With a hint of remorse, he gazes up and utters five words that shatter my heart, ego and soul all at once. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Yuri doesn’t want you.”
My jaw drops. “What? What the hell does that mean?” I know what it means but I can’t believe it.
“Don’t make me repeat it. You know what it means.” Alex’s words echo in the distance. He’s right next to me but I feel a million miles away.
This is outrageous.
I love him. He must know I love him. This has never happened to me. Not love me?Boys and men have tried to get me to fall in love with them ever since I sprouted these boobs at fifteen. But no
My heart sinks. He really means it. “Are you seriously going to force me to marry someone I don’t love? Someone who terrifies me.”
He leans into his chair and crosses his legs, lifting one ankle to his knee. “I’m truly sorry. You know Ayala won’t hurt you. He says he’s crazy about you. If you don’t cooperate, your decision will have lasting repercussions to the success and safety of this organization. People will die.”
“I don’t care about your damn business, Alex. You’re asking me to forfeit my happiness, my safety and possibly my life to further your criminal activities. It’s bullshit and you know it.” I seethe as my mind spins to come up with a solution. Something. Anything but running to Leo.
He sighs. “I won’t need to hand you over. He’ll come for you on his own. I cancelled your credit cards this morning in case you caught wind. I’ve frozen your bank account. In twenty-four hours, you’re out on the street.”
He paces as he threatens me. “If you say no, you’ll have nothing but the clothes on your back. I’ll make sure no one takes you in. And in the end, Felix will find you.”
I gasp. “You wouldn’t dare! You promised Daddy you’d protect me.” “It’s your choice.” He narrows his eyes and holds my gaze.
“That’s not a choice! I either submit to a loveless marriage or you leave me broke and homeless? Daddy would kill you if he were still alive!” I jump to my feet and lunge at him.
He’s quick. Tooquick. Mid-air, I watch him hop to the side and I land face down on the floor. “You can’t do this.” I whimper.
He glares down at my crumpled body. “Dad would have done the same thing and you know it. I’m sorry, Alia. I tried my best to keep you out of it. But if you don’t marry him, we’ll lose everything and
LEO
“SO, HOW DID IT GO?” I stare dumbfounded at my brother’s tousled hair and torn lapels. His stunned expression says much more than any words could possibly convey.
With shattered nerves, his trembling hand spills whiskey as he tries to pour it into a tall glass. “Look at me, Leo. How do you think it went? You send me on your fucking errand. You threaten death on anyone who uses excessive force. And yet you want us to haul a crazy woman all the way from Brooklyn. My car is trashed. Vito’s face looks like he got into a fight with a feral cat and Marco’s brandnew leather jacket was ripped to shreds. She thought they were Felix’s men until she calmed down and recognized me. But she still fought us all the way down the stairs.”
I take his glass and finish pouring him a drink. “Did anyone give you any trouble?”
His brows crease with confusion. “Other than the woman you plan to marry?” He takes a gulp and wipes his mouth.
“No one was there. Alex called back her bodyguards. He’s left her to the wolves. But you were right about your suspicions. She had two bags packed and an itinerary to Paris in her purse.” He sighs and hands me the neatly folded printout he snagged from her bag.
“How the hell did she get the money to buy a ticket to France? She said Alex cancelled all her credit cards.” I pace the room and catch sight of two grown men in the corner licking their wounds. While Vito pats his bloody face with a wet cloth, Marco silently mourns the death of his Fonzi-style leather jacket. He ordered it months ago. He fucking loved it, but there’s no saving it now.
“Vito, get to a doctor, please. You look like hell. And take the rest of the day off.” He runs off before I finish my sentence.
“Marco, sorry about your jacket. Pick out a new one on me. Get the upgrade.” I nod and wave him off.
“And where is she now?” I scratch my head and try to figure out my next move. She thought she’d escape to Europe. Why? She knows I’d find her. If not me, him.
Why take that chance?
He shakes his head, falls into the sofa and lands on his back. He deserves a break, but I’m sending him on another errand tonight. Hopefully, much less violent. “She’s in your room. Cuffed. Knocked out.”
“What? What do you mean knocked out?” I question his methods. “No harm doesn’t include drugging her.”
“Fuck, Leo. It’s just chloroform. She was screaming her ass off. If we hauled her out into the street like that, cops would have swarmed. We left her cuffed in your room to keep her from hurting herself. Or fucking up your room.”
I take a deep breath and clench the glass in my fist. He’s right, but I don’t need to add fuel to her fire. I’ve seen her temper.
“Sirs?” Sofia, my housekeeper, clears her throat and waits by the door.
“Is our guest awake?” I call her closer and kick my brother’s dangling shoe as I pass him by.
