King’s Temptation by Piper Stone

Chapter 14

Dimitri

Darkness.

The sun was bright in the sky yet all I could feel was darkness and shadows enshrouding the area. Fifteen minutes had passed, maybe more. I purposely remained standing almost two hundred yards from Angelique. She needed as much time to get the hell away as possible if necessary.

I couldn’t get images of her out of my mind. I couldn’t stand what had happened.

Another five minutes passed as I paced back and forth, the gun firmly planted in both hands. I was angry as well as anxious, finding it difficult to focus given the amount of building rage. When I finally heard a crunch of tires on what limited gravel remained on the road, I immediately turned in her direction, waving her away.

While she reacted instantly, the look she gave me burned straight into my soul.

Be safe, my love.

The words remained in the front of my mind as I shifted behind a group of trees. As the first three vehicles flew into the area, jerking to a stop, I didn’t need instinct to know we’d been ambushed. “Go,” I said in a deep voice, hoping she heard me.

Then I moved in front of the three trucks as other vehicles came to a screeching halt. I held the two weapons, pointing them at a forty-degree angle toward the windshields. The standoff was ridiculous, but there was no other way to try to buy her some time to get away.

Several of the doors opened, soldiers dumping out. They seemed curious about the large blond man who dared to confront them with no fear.

One of the men glanced at the others, holding up his hand then moving closer. Obviously, he was one of Azzurri’s Capos. He swaggered forward, even holding up both his hands.

“We don’t want any trouble, Russian. We’re only here for the girl. I know she’s with you,” he stated, his southern accent pissing me off. The fact the fucker dared to smile was enough for me to pull the trigger.

“You’re not going to find her. And you will never take her.” I knew my response amused the bastard at first. I even heard other soldiers laughing in the background. I swung my weapon toward one, cocking the hammer.

“Whoa. Don’t do anything stupid,” the first brute said, daring to walk closer.

As some of the other soldiers started to flank both sides, I issued a single warning shot, barely missing one of the assholes.

They wouldn’t get a second.

The first soldier sniffed, staring into the line of trees. “While I admire your loyalty to the King fuckers, that’s not going to do any good. Where the hell are they? They left you here to care for the woman who now belongs to this family.”

“You are not family. You’re nothing but thugs pretending to be human.” My answer amused him for a second time, although I could tell by his eyes that he was running out of patience.

Well, so was I.

This was nothing more than a standoff. If Angelique had followed my directions, even with her injury, she’d already gotten a good head start, but she needed more time.

Play the game.

Hissing, I gave him a hard look before continuing. “She doesn’t belong to you. The King family will never allow your sick fuck of a boss to have her. I suggest you run away and let him know.”

“I heard you Russians were crazy as fuck, but now I know you’re just a stupid breed like a motherfucking dog.” He lifted his weapon and for a few seconds, there was no sound.

No wind.

No movement of the trees.

No breathing.

Until I fired, the shot hitting him right between the eyes. I had two seconds of surprise, able to get off three additional rounds, my aim perfect. Then I dropped and rolled, firing off another few rounds, the popping sound echoing in the trees.

Then all hell broke loose.

There were additional sounds of screeching tires as well as deep roars, gunfire blasting through the morning air. Pain burst into my system, but I kept going, keeping my concentration as I popped off round after round.

More figures appeared, none of them hesitating before picking off Azzurri’s men, one by one the soldiers dropping.

The cavalry had arrived.

Panting, everything remained in slow motion as I scanned the area, able to catch sight of Vincenzo, as well as an asshole ready to pop a bullet into the back of his brain. I raced forward, unleashing the fury that had been building, no longer caring about the amount of violence I’d been forced to use.

Vincenzo jerked in my direction, offering his signature smile, then continued fighting. The stench of blood was everywhere. I moved away, taking gasping breaths. It was almost over.

A roll of vibrations suddenly swept through me, my beast clawing its way to the surface.

Then I heard two distinct sounds.

Dax growling as he raced in my direction, lunging toward me.

And a cocking of a hammer.

As well as Angelique’s scream.

“No!”

Pop! Pop!

* * *

“The freedom of the soul-bird death cannot take away.” — Sri Chinmoy

Angelique

Love.

I’d heard his words.

I’d felt them.

He loved me.

My prince.

Please don’t let him die. Please.

I’d never been a good Catholic girl, no matter how much my mother had tried when I was younger. I’d never been able to stand getting dressed up to go to church, forced to sit without squirming for what seemed like forever.

Then my mother stopped caring after Bella was killed, forsaking the church as she pulled into her shell. While I still had the first beautiful cross that she’d ever given me, I hadn’t worn the lovely piece in years. I wasn’t even certain where it was any longer.

Now all I could do was pray that I hadn’t been forsaken.

“Do not touch them!” My scream was nearly drowned out by the continuing pepper of gunfire, but I didn’t care about the possibility of getting hurt or worse. The moment my beloved German Shepherd lunged toward Dimitri, dragging him down to the ground as bullets sprayed in close proximity, I reacted, racing toward them.

I tumbled over their bodies, praying like I’d never done before that they were alive. They were the only two creatures that had the ability to heal my soul, Dimitri someone I couldn’t do without.

“It’s okay, Angel. Let me see. Come on,” Vincenzo encouraged, trying to pull me away.

“Don’t you dare touch them.” I heard the sounds of the family soldiers in their attempt to end the violence, their scattered cries and grunts filtering into my brain. I frantically felt for heartbeats, gently rolling Dax’s limp body away from Dimitri’s.

Vincenzo remained by my side, crowding closer in some effort to keep me safe. I was a woman with a purpose, refusing to care about anything else. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I pressed my hand to Dimitri’s face, trying to control my emotions, but it was no use. I sobbed almost uncontrollably as I shifted my attention to Dax. His breathing was labored and as I darted my eyes down to his paws, the sight of blood brought a wail to my lips. My beautiful baby had taken a bullet for the man I loved.

“It’s going to be all right. Mommy dog is here. I’m going to take care of you. You’re going to be just fine.” I rubbed his furry face, my hand shaking.

“Angelique, let me take a look. Okay?” Vincenzo pleaded as he squeezed my arm.

While I could no longer hear the sound of gunfire, the exploding noise remained in my ears, the horrible sight something I would never forget. “Just leave me alone.” I pushed him aside, returning my attention to Dimitri. At least he was breathing. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” I repeated the words over and over again.

“All right. Just stay right here. Everything is going to be all right,” Vincenzo said gruffly, squeezing my arm once again before rising to his feet.

As if I was going anywhere.

I continued to rub Dimitri’s face with one hand, keeping my other on the scruff of Dax’s neck. It was important that both of them knew I was right here and that I wasn’t going anywhere. I closed my eyes, humming some ridiculous tune, my heart racing. They had to be all right. If not, I would hunt Antonio down and kill him myself. I didn’t care what I had to do or any rule I was forced to break.

“Interesting… song.”

Gasping, I peered down at Dimitri, unable to stop the tears. “You’re alive.”

“You didn’t obey me.”

The gruff sound of his voice made me laugh. “You knew I wouldn’t.”

When he struggled to move to a sitting position, I pressed my hand against his chest. “You’re injured.”

“It’s been worse.” He took several deep breaths, hissing when he noticed Dax. “He took a bullet for me.”

“I… I don’t think he’s going to make it.” Another round of sobs left my mouth as anger continued to swell.

“Like hell he won’t.” He took several strangled breaths, hissing as he struggled to get to his feet.

“Don’t.”

Dimitri smiled, although his gorgeous blue eyes reflected his continuing rage as well as the pain coursing through his body. “Where the fuck are they?”

Vincenzo shifted closer, snarling as he helped Dimitri to his feet. “What the fuck were you doing?”

“My job.” He scanned the area, immediately grabbing his weapons from the ground, shoving both into his waistband. “Are they dead?”

“Yeah, they’re gone.” Vincenzo shifted his gaze in my direction. “You took a chance.”

“One I had to take. I need a car. Now,” Dimitri barked at my brother with no regard to authority or his position. “They need medical attention. You’re not going to stop me.”

Vincenzo nodded, yanking out a set of keys. “I was the last one in. Take my car. I’ll have two soldiers following you to make certain you aren’t fucked with.”

Dimitri exhaled as he shoved the keys into his pocket. “This isn’t over. You know that.”

“No, it’s not. But we will finish it,” Vincenzo stated. “Devon, Brennan, make certain there are no soldiers hiding in the woods as Dimitri leaves. Follow him and do not under any circumstances allow anything to happen.”

“Yes, boss.”

After exhaling, Vincenzo offered a smile, shifting his gaze in my direction. There were so many things I knew my brother wanted to say but now wasn’t the time and we both knew it. But I could feel his concern by nothing more than the look in his eyes. “Just keep my sister safe.”

The words were ones Cristiano had said more than once. Maybe for the first time I believed them.

When Dimitri reached down, picking me up into his arms, I shook my head several times. “You can’t do this.”

“I can and I will.”

“Then take Dax first.”

Dimitri’s lip curled. “Don’t worry. Your pup is coming with us.”

I’d never believed in heroes before. Maybe I’d been jaded my entire life, too accustomed to death. But as the hulking gorgeous man walked down the tree-laden path, walking over fallen soldiers, the moment seemed surreal, as if I was standing outside watching a movie. Sadly, this was my life, the one I’d been born into. There was no turning back, no ability to choose another family.

But this man was definitely a hero.

He made it to my brother’s car without incident, carefully placing me into the passenger seat. I grabbed his arm, digging my fingers into his skin. “Please save Dax.”

Dimitri’s eyes penetrated mine, his soulful stare full of emotion, but he issued no words. He closed the door, scanning both sides of the car before walking away.

I’d never been forced to witness anything of this nature before. Dimitri had been right. My father and brothers had done everything in their power to protect me, but not just from harm. They didn’t want me forced to witness what was merely a part of their lives. I couldn’t think straight, refused to gaze at the carnage.

I closed my eyes, my head pounding. Then I furiously wiped away the tears. I refused to break down. Not now. Not ever.

Only seconds later, Dimitri appeared, carrying Dax as he’d carried me. With tender loving care. My pup’s head hung low, no sign of the joyous dog that I’d known since the day I’d brought him home. I ached inside, uncertain if I could survive his death.

There was such gentleness in the way Dimitri eased Dax into the backseat, pressing his hand against the pup’s muzzle before jumping into the driver’s seat. After starting the engine, he took a few seconds to glance in my direction.

There was no need for words.

What had occurred between us was our little secret in a world of darkness.

When I offered a smile a few seconds later, he nodded.

What had begun years before had just ended and this time for good.

He would always be my protector, a man who would shadow me until the end of time.

But we would never be lovers again and certainly not anything else.

As I leaned back into the seat, keeping my hand as close to Dax as possible, I realized my heart was breaking but there was also the kind of joy that no one would ever be able to take away. He loved me.

My Russian prince.

And there would never be anyone else for me.

* * *

Dimitri

I’d shoved aside as many of the memories regarding my mother as possible. She’d loved me but hadn’t found the resolve to fight the man she’d married. I’d never really known if they loved each other. There were no romantic moments, rarely even laughter given how difficult their lives had been. While they’d both tried to provide for our little family as best they could, in doing so they’d forsaken themselves.

A passage my mother used to say to me had filtered into my mind the day in the forest. She’d told me that angels watched over us when we slept, talking with our souls. I’d never known if that meant they were attempting to protect us or to try to instill good behavior.

What I knew now was that an angel was watching out for me, only she was entirely human. That kept the ache in my heart, the pain much more intense than the injuries I’d received.

The group of us stood in Sylvester King’s house, the aging Don appearing anxious as he held court to his sons and various Capos. A plan was in the works, the final details of Antonio’s demise on the horizon.

However, the man was still going to die by my hands.

“How is Angelique?” Sylvester asked before the meeting began.

Cristiano darted a glance in my direction before answering. “She’s fine. A few cuts and bruises along with a sprained ankle. She’s resting comfortably, bitching about not being able to return to her house.”

“And her dog?” the patriarch barked.

“Dax’s condition isn’t so certain. He took two bullets, one of which came dangerously close to his heart.”

I shifted from one foot to the other, loathing reliving what had happened barely twenty-four hours before. I’d heard Angelique’s scream as well as a few of the words she’d cried after racing to my side. The rebellious woman needed a hard spanking for ignoring my command. A slight smile crossed my face. She could always make me smile.

“Don’t let her leave,” I interjected.

Cristiano lifted an eyebrow, a slight smile curling on his face. “I have no intentions.”

“I’m damn sorry to hear about the pup. That will break her heart if she loses him.” Sylvester walked to the window of his office, puffing away on his cigar. “We have a crisis and I don’t mind telling you that I’m pissed. We can’t let this bullshit go on with Antonio.”

“At least he lost a significant number of his soldiers,” Michael stated.

“Including the bastards who tried to hijack the various shipments coming in,” Vincenzo added. “They thought they were clever. Stupid pricks.”

“So the ports are safe?” Sylvester asked without turning around.

“Safe enough. Antonio needs time to recruit. He won’t make a move until he does.” Cristiano moved toward his father. “But that doesn’t mean we can wait to finish this.”

Sylvester snorted. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

“How did the asshole find out where we were staying?” I asked, still seething from the entire experience.

“He strong-armed one of county employees, forcing them to search for every King property on the records as well as the names of our Capos, yours included, Dimitri,” Sylvester answered. “After that, it was only a matter of time before he narrowed it down.”

The news only boosted the need to shut him down.

Lucian shifted in his seat. “We need to strike now.”

“Would you believe that the bastard is holed up in Giancarlo’s mansion, at least according to word on the street,” Dante added. “What a motherfucker.”

“He has his brother killed then takes his entire life. I’ve heard he’s fucking Giancarlo’s girlfriend as well,” Lucian snickered.

“I told you before the entire family was nothing but a group of pigs,” Sylvester said quietly.

“Maybe so, but Antonio is a dangerous man because he doesn’t care what happens to his people or any innocent lives,” I added.

Cristiano nodded several times. “Dimitri is right. He’s biding his time, but I assure you that he will strike again. Next time he’ll make certain he doesn’t miss.”

“Cris has a point,” Dante muttered.

The five brothers were almost never in agreement, their methods of operation entirely different from their father’s methods and each other’s. However, there wasn’t a member of the King organization who didn’t know that Antonio wouldn’t stop until he achieved what he wanted.

There was no loyalty to honor or tradition. The minute he’d had his brother killed, he’d stepped over a line that he could never recross.

“What do you think we should do, Dimitri?” In an uncharacteristic move, Sylvester turned in my direction, cocking his head as he studied me. Whether it made anyone else in the room uncomfortable, I honestly didn’t give a shit.

“He needs to pay for what he’s done. There is no other way to keep the peace on the streets or the respect of the people following the King’s rules.” My answer was simple and succinct. There was no need for debate.

Sylvester took another puff of his cigar, inching closer to the ashtray on his desk. After tapping the thick smoke several times, he took a deep breath before speaking. “I agree with Dimitri’s assessment. We take him quickly, but he needs to fully understand that by violating the terms of the agreement his brother made with Cristiano, his death won’t come without pain. How many soldiers does he have by his side at this moment?”

Cristiano shrugged. “A dozen or so, maybe less. We’ve also heard that several of them were loyal to Giancarlo, not Antonio, and have walked away.”

Dante laughed. “The bastard is getting what he deserves.”

“Yes, he is,” Lucian added. “Maybe then we’ll have peace.”

There wasn’t a person in the room who didn’t laugh at the comment.

“So we have a plan,” Cristiano stated after a few seconds.

“We do. Make certain it’s handled as only a member of the King family would do.” Sylvester grinned, enjoying the moment.

“Come on. Let’s arrange the timing.” Lucian motioned toward the door, a smile on his face.

“I need to take a couple minutes with Dimitri,” Sylvester stated as he returned to his perch at the window.

Cristiano lifted a single eyebrow as he walked in my direction, the others glaring at me. It had been several years since I’d spent time with Sylvester. I’d once thought of him as a surrogate father. I wasn’t certain what to think any longer and I hated myself because of it.

As the others left the room, I remained where I was, uncertain of what to expect.

He didn’t turn around for a full minute but when he did, his expression was one of concern as well as something I couldn’t read. After taking another puff, he walked closer, purposely blowing out the smoke before addressing me. “You saved my daughter’s life on more than one occasion.”

“I was doing my job, sir.”

He studied me intently, as if the man was actually trying to figure out if I was lying to him. He’d never made me feel uncomfortable before, at least not to this degree. Even when I’d been nothing but a raw, angry, and vicious man he’d literally taken in without meeting me, he’d almost always offered compassion and support. Today, I wasn’t so certain.

“I think you and I both know it’s more than that.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling more uncomfortable than I had in one hell of a long time. “I’m not certain what you’re insinuating.”

He chuckled, grabbing the ashtray and moving to one of the leather chairs in his office, sitting down. After placing the crystal ashtray on the table, he sat back, commanding the room as he’d always done. “You’ve grown a lot, son, since you’ve been with our family. You’ve saved countless lives, including my own. I’ve watched your progression from being nothing but raw muscle to becoming a highly respected Capo. You’ve done well for yourself.”

“And I’ve enjoyed being in your employ.”

“I think we can cut through the bullshit, Dimitri. That’s another thing I’ve always valued about you. You’ve always told me the truth, no matter how blunt the application. You know how much I hate assholes who prefer to play games.”

I was finally able to smile. “Yes, sir. That much I know very well.”

“You’ve been like a son to me, risking your own life in order to protect me and the members of my family. I don’t forget that kind of loyalty.”

There was no way of knowing what he was getting at.

“To that end, you’ve always known there are rules for my household as well as my organization. Is that correct?” he asked almost casually, but the hair stood up on the back of my neck.

I knew exactly where this was going.

“Yes, sir. You’ve been very clear about that.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear there weren’t any misunderstandings. That being said, I want to make certain you hear me correctly. You broke a cardinal rule, one of the few that were set in stone.”

When I didn’t say anything, he cocked his head.

“Come now, Dimitri. You’ve never been much of a talker, but I’m surprised you aren’t defending your actions.”

“I have nothing to defend, Mr. King. I’m well aware I broke a rule and I’m prepared to face the consequences.”

“I expected you would say that.”

Goddamn it. If the man was going to put a bullet in my head, I wished he would go ahead and put me out of my misery.

He continued to study me as if I was nothing more than an animal. “You’re in love with my daughter. There’s no reason to deny it. I’ve seen the two of you together. You can’t take your damn eyes off each other.” Huffing, he took another puff of the cigar before easing it into the ashtray. “My daughter is one hell of a handful. I’ll tell you that much. For anyone to be able to tame her, it would take one hell of a man. I wasn’t able to do it, and neither were her brothers. But you, on the other hand. You’ve changed her.”

“I’m not certain what to say. I care about Angelique.”

“Bullshit, son. You have love written all over your freaking face. What you did in order to protect her was heroic as fuck. It was also stupid as shit. By all rights you should be dead. Hell, you should have been dead long before this. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a freaking cat with nine lives.” He snorted as he laughed, obviously pleased with himself. “Well, I’m digressing. That’s not the point of my conversation with you.”

“No, it’s not. I disobeyed the family honor.”

He cocked his head, a huge smile crossing his face. “That’s what you really believe. Isn’t it?”

“As you said, you were very clear from the beginning. You brought me into your home, gave me a place to live and money, a job, and hope for the future and I betrayed you.”

When he moved to a standing position, I lifted my head, prepared for whatever he was about to dish out. He walked toward me slowly then offered his hand. I stared at it for several seconds before shaking. His grip was surprisingly firm. The man hadn’t lost a thing in his years of holding the family together, making certain that his enemies were put in their place. He’d protected his family as well, almost dying in the process.

“I just wanted to say that bringing you into my home was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” Sylvester said as he gripped my shoulder with the other hand. “You are and will always be like a son to me. I want to thank you for protecting my angel. She’s very special to all of us, a bright shining star to the darkness that I brought into my home.”

“I agree, sir. She’s… amazing.”

He searched my eyes with his, keeping the smile on his face. “Yes, you do love her with all your heart. You and I have a lot to talk about, son. I suggest you pour us both a drink, and don’t tell me what time it is or that it’s bad for my health. I’ve reached a point in my life that I couldn’t give a shit about what anyone says, including my doctor. And don’t you dare go telling my lovely wife what I just said. I definitely don’t want to get on her bad side right now.”

When he pulled away, he winked, which was completely uncharacteristic for him. I gave him a nod of respect, finally able to accept that I’d found a home.