RUTHLESS KING

10 SHE'S MINE

Luca – Present Day
I barrel into the old pawn shop, my heart pounding out a manic rhythm.
When Tony texted me a few minutes ago, I’d had my driver cut across three
lanes of traffic to race back down here. Isabella Esposito’s daughter is here?
I couldn’t fucking believe it.
I hadn’t heard that name in nearly a decade, and just like that the past
surged to the surface. I eat up the small space between the front door and
the back room where Tony handles business and nearly tear the door off its
hinges. I force myself to stop, to inhale a deep breath. I’m not little Luca
Valentino anymore. I’m the fucking C.E.O. of King Industries. Pausing at
the metal door, I draw in a deep breath and force the frenzied beats of my
heart to subside.
I slip on a cool mask and wrap my fingers around the handle. I count to
ten before jerking it open. The handle nearly comes off, despite my best
efforts. Fury rages through my veins as my gaze lands on the brunette
cuffed to a chair in front of Tony’s desk.
The girl at the subway.
The waitress at Nonna Maria’s. “Uncuff her now, Mario. Sei un vero stronzo.” Fucking idiot. “From
now on, I’m the only one who touches her.” My tone is lethal, barely
constrained fury flooding my system. My boys know better than to question
me ever, but this time, Mario’s so fast he’s nothing but a blur. The handcuffs
clatter to the floor, and the young woman hisses out a curse between
clenched teeth.
From the shadowed entry, my gaze locks on the heart-shaped face, the
full pink lips, those piercing blue eyes. Which look like they’re about to
murder me. Can it really be her? Dio, last time I saw her we were only kids.
Well, hell, I thought I was a big deal, but I wasn’t shit back then. She was
the whore Bo had been fucking around with? It couldn’t be.
Stella M. was Stella McKenzie and Stella Esposito. How could I have
missed it? She must have gone by both names at school.
“He signed the contract, capo.” Tony holds out a thick stack of pages. I
immediately recognize my lawyer’s signature. That pezzo di merda sold his
own daughter to be free of twenty-five thousand dollars in debt? I couldn’t
wrap my head around it. This was exactly why I never wanted to have
children. People were too fucking selfish.
My fingers close around the contract, but my gaze remains glued to
hers. Stella. If I’d known it was her in the subway, I would’ve ripped Bo’s
head off with my bare hands. That darkness bubbles up, and my fingers
clench into tight fists. She continues to glare at me, not a hint of recognition
flaring within those bottomless blue orbs.
Had I changed that much in ten years?
Or maybe she’d erased everything from that terrible day at the cemetery
up until the bloodied chaos of the dark alley. My hand moves to my chest,
unbidden, my palm pressing against those numbers inked across my heart.
The day I’d lost my best friend.
“I’m not some piece of meat you can ogle, bastardo,” she spits, jerking
me from my dark musings. “A person can’t be bought or sold, so whatever the fuck my asshole dad just signed can’t be legal.”
A tiny smirk pulls at my lips. She was always feisty.
My lawyer is the devil in a Prada suit. If he’d laid out the contract, it
was legit and airtight. “Let’s call it an arrangement then.” I step out of the
shadows, and her mouth curves into a perfect O. Again, my cock throbs at
the sight. Only this time, I want to fucking slap myself because this is
Stella. This is my dead best friend’s kid sister. And for the next thirty days
she belongs to me.
“You?” she squeals.
For a second, I’m relieved she’s finally recognized me. It’ll be easier
this way. Maybe she’ll be more amenable to the idea—
“The guy that left me a fifty-dollar tip at Nonna Maria’s?”
A scowl flips the corners of my lips.
“And the guy who sav—”
I cut Tony off with a sharp wave. “Yes,” I answer. “I must say I’m
surprised to see you here too.”
“Are you the guy in charge?” She puts on a smile and bats her dark
lashes. “I know my dad owes the Kings money, but I swear I’ll pay it. I just
need a little time, that’s all.”
“Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” Mario cuts in.
“Zitto!” I hiss at the idiot. I need a second to process this. A minute ago,
she was just a mystery girl I could use to get revenge on that idiot Bo, but
now … Now, she is Stella, and she is so much more. An image from the
past floats to the forefront of my mind. A ten-year-old girl broken, sobbing,
on her brother’s shoulder with a wooden casket looming behind her petite
form.
Now she’s a full-grown woman, a gorgeous one. I focus on those
blazing irises, and my cock throbs with need. Madonna mia, what is it
about this girl that has me as horny as a teenager back when we first met?
“I’m sorry,” I force out. “A deal’s been made, and if anything, I’m a man of my word. You’ll remain as my guest for a month and if the money is paid as
promised, you’ll be free to go.”
Those luscious lips curl into a snarl as a slew of curses erupt from that
pretty little mouth. “So I’m your prisoner, basically?” she growls.
“My penthouse has been called many things but never a prison.”
Tony’s jaw drops. I catch the overly dramatic gesture from the corner of
my eye.
“I’m going to be staying with you?” she screeches.
“Mmm, yes. For the next month, you’re mine, princess.” This little
unfortunate predicament could be the answer to my dating dilemma. If
Stella decides to cooperate. “Come with me.”
Defiant, brilliant blue irises glare up at me. “Vaffanculo.”
“Please,” I amend.
Mario pales, a fine sheen of sweat coating his upper lip.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” She plants her ass in the chair and
crosses her arms over her chest.
“Stella…,” I growl.
Her dark brows lift, and for a second, a hint of recognition streaks
across her pinched expression. And then it’s gone. “You think you scare me,
capo? You think a little growl is going to make me come running? I’ve
dealt with assholes like you my whole life. If you want me to come like a
good little hostage, you took the wrong girl.”
“Fine,” I grit out.
“I got this, capo.” Tony steps toward her, but I slap my arm across his
chest before he moves an inch.
“I said no one touches her. She’s mine to deal with, only mine.”
“I’m not fucking yours, you male chauvinistic pig,” she spits. “I’m a
person, and I don’t belong to anyone, least of all you.”
This woman will be the death of me. I march over to the chair and glare down at her. It’s a terrifying look
I’ve mastered over the years. One that would have even Tony pissing his
pants. Stella doesn’t even flinch.
Loosing a frustrated breath, I wrap my arms around her middle and toss
her over my shoulder. An explosion of Italian curses bursts from her lips as
her surprisingly strong fists pummel my back. She kicks and squirms, and
damn, she’s a feisty little thing. Again, my damned cock twitches as visions
of handcuffs and silk sheets flood my mind.
I carry her out the back with Mario and Tony trailing behind me.
Neither says a word, but I know what they’re thinking. I’ve fucking lost my
mind taking this wildcat home with me. But they have no idea….
Mickey’s waiting in the black town car in the back alley. He peers over
his sunglasses as I approach, and the hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his
lip.
“Don’t,” I snarl.
“I didn’t say nothing, capo.”
I crouch down to get into the car, but Stella’s arms are flailing, derailing
my efforts. I don’t want to break her arms, but I’m about a second from
losing my shit.
“You need help?” Tony pops his head up beside me.
“No,” I grit out. “I’ll see you back at the office tomorrow.”
“Let go of me, you coglione! Figlio di puttana!” Stella screams. She
kicks and lands a booted foot in my crotch.
“Porca miseria!” I roar and cup my balls with one hand while clenching
my arm around the devil woman. “Get in now, Stella, or I swear to God….”
She punches my back with both fists and continues wailing. Releasing
my wounded family jewels, instinct takes over. I slap her on the ass. Hard.
The crack reverberates across the suddenly silent air, and Stella
immediately goes still. I’m not sure who’s more surprised: her or me. But I
only stop to dwell on it for a second, before shoving her into the car. She lands on all fours on the soft leather, then whips her head back and
glares up at me. “Never touch me again.”
And damn, if it isn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I swear the next time I spank you it’ll be because
you begged for it.” I press my lips into a tight line the moment the words
are out. Fuck, this is Vinny’s little sister. What the hell’s wrong with me?
Not to mention, I am not the type of man who touches women without
their permission. I don’t apologize either. I’ve done my fair share of
spanking but only with full consent. Hell, full enjoyment. I crawl onto the
bench across from her and reach for my briefcase. I have two meetings this
evening that I’ll have to cancel. It’s clear my new houseguest will require
my full attention tonight.
Merda, what did I get myself into?