Ruthless Prince by Piper Stone

Chapter 7

Stefano

Sleep.

It had evaded me for years, but on this night, the relaxation was next to impossible. I remained angry although I’d fucked Alexandra like some wild animal. The time in the club had been incredible, but I’d been well aware I was taking a significant risk. I loathed the fact that my actions in another country were being watched. If I’d had my way, I would have put a bullet between O’Sullivan’s eyes within days of my father’s brutal murder.

Even the carnal moment with Alexandra hadn’t soothed the rage that continued to build. As I thought about her, I realized that precautions would need to be taken every step of the way. The woman was far too astute, searching for any way out, even though our electricity refused to be denied. While our connection was stronger than I’d wanted, there was no chance I could trust her. She would make another attempt to get away before we left the country. I was certain of it.

I flexed my hand, my fingers still tingling from spanking her in the vehicle. I’d been shocked how distraught I’d been at the thought of losing her. Why should she matter to me on any level other than securing a lovely possession? I chuckled as I fisted my hand; the truth was difficult for a man like me.

She wasn’t just my possession. There was an odd but solid kindred spirit we shared, pain from the past molding us into similar creatures. Goddamn, I wanted the woman all to myself.

“What’s on your mind, boss?” Cassis asked from behind me.

I’d remained at the window peering out at the ocean for almost thirty minutes. There was nothing left of my bourbon but watered-down liquid, the ice cubes continuing to melt from the heat of my hand. “An attempted hit will be made before we leave in the morning.”

“That’s something you anticipated.”

He made a statement rather than asking me a question. The man knew me far too well. We’d worked together for years, his father serving in various ranks with my father from the time I could remember. Cassis had been groomed to step into his father’s place, only his level of brutality and the love for my family had given him a respected position earlier than most. I trusted him.

With my life.

It had been tested on several occasions, the man taking a bullet for me twice, and a countless number of knife attacks. “Yes.”

Cassis walked closer. “You hope it will happen.”

Chuckling, I turned to face him, giving him a slight nod before walking to the bar. “Have a drink with me, Cassis. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”

He said nothing as he walked closer and even in the dim light of the single lamp several feet away, I was easily able to tell he was heavily armed. I didn’t need to give him pointers on his job. He was formidable in his own right, never faltering no matter the circumstances. I also didn’t need to ask what he preferred in his choice of liquor. The man was hardcore in everything he enjoyed, including women. I’d heard stories of his sadistic behavior. There wasn’t a single woman on the planet who could possibly enjoy his sexual appetite.

However, I was even more savage in my desires, something my bride to be would soon learn. As I handed him the same drink I was having, a sly smile crossed his face.

“You were hoping to take a shot at O’Sullivan. Weren’t you?”

I took a swig of my drink before answering. “It’s crossed my mind more than once. I’m losing enjoyment in playing games, Cassis. We have far too much business to pay attention to.”

While we’d make certain deals with the return of the alliance Matteo had insisted on, several members of various mafia syndicates coming together for a summit of power every six months, I refused to trust the coalition on any terms. There was far too much testosterone and hunger for power to believe peace would be maintained for long. There were rumblings of a scumbag family from Russian trying to muscle into France, their sights set on Italy.

I refused to allow that to happen.

Still, the next meeting was only days away, which left a bad taste in my mouth.

“You’ll get your chance, boss. I have no doubt.”

Cassis seemed so certain, his words striking a chord. “Yes, I believe I will. Is the pilot on standby?”

“Of course. Fueled and ready to go when you give the word.”

“Good. I don’t want anything to hinder us when we leave.”

“Do you mind if I ask why you’re waiting? Not to question you, boss, but you have the prize you came for.”

I licked a few drops of bourbon from the rim of the glass. Cassis was just being concerned as usual. “You’re right. I certainly have the prize, but I want to ensure the good senator’s loyalty. If he refuses, he’ll need to be punished.”

“I’ll be happy to take care of that for you.” He grinned, the pleasant look only highlighting his broken face from the years of brutal battles. He would never regain the limited good looks he’d had as a young man, but he didn’t seem to care. The man was loyal without question, something I valued more than anything.

“I know you would, Cassis. We need to maintain order.”

“Whatever you say, boss. Should I leave you alone?”

“No. I enjoy the company.” I’d realized months if not years before that I was a lonely man, hating the constant battles that never seemed to end. Maybe some of the things Alexandra had insisted she’d learned about me were true. It didn’t matter even if they were. I was the Underboss of the Benedetti Empire. I had requirements that precluded any choices I hungered to make.

Exhaling, I returned to the window, uncertain what I was seeking other than a certain level of peace. We both remained quiet, but it was good to know Cassis had my back. My thoughts drifted to Alexandra once again, my cock aching just as it had done the entire night. I did enjoy her continued defiance, her brazen attitude that I’d only seen in American women. She was strong, resilient in a world where women were often still considered less than men.

What I didn’t understand was the oddity of her relationship with her father. The fact that he hadn’t been up in arms at my decision to take her meant the man was either hiding a terrible secret or he had no ability to care for anyone but himself. That made me loathe the fucker even more. How could you not love such a beautiful creature such as Alexandra with all your heart? She was precious, like all women were.

I shifted in order to relieve the pinching sensations, my anger increasing. I wanted nothing more than to snap the senator’s neck with my bare hands. Maybe I would get the luxury one day.

But first, I would make him suffer as I knew in my gut that he’d made his own daughter do.

The clipped ring of Cassis’ phone raised a red flag. It was almost four in the morning. For anyone to be calling this late meant there was a significant issue.

“Yeah?” Cassis answered.

I turned around to face him. Almost immediately, he tensed.

“What the fuck do you mean?” He shot his head in my direction, his chest heaving as his breathing grew heavier. “Okay. Are you certain about this? If you’re lying to me, I will hunt you down.”

Hissing, I moved to the coffee table, slamming the glass on the surface.

“Fine. I need anything else that you hear. Do you understand me?” Cassis growled. He’d made his own connections in every country we did business in, strong-arming low-level players in various mafia organizations into becoming informants. Every one of them knew better than to cross the Benedetti family.

When he ended the call, he placed his glass next to mine, immediately yanking his weapon from his holster. “We got problems.”

“O’Sullivan?”

“Yeah. It would appear you were identified at the club. Several assassins have already been deployed for the hit. They’re in the area. We need to get you out of here.”

While my rage reached a boiling point, there was no time to waste on worrying who the motherfucker was who’d betrayed me. “Get the SUV ready. Call the pilot. We’re leaving in five minutes.” I yanked my weapon into my hand, checking the ammunition before heading to the drawer where I’d placed several additional clips. There was more firepower in the vehicle, but that wouldn’t matter if the fuckers brought several assholes to cut me down. The damn glass wasn’t bulletproof in the rented SUV.

I shoved the weapon behind my back, the ammunition in my pockets. “Whatever happens, we are getting to the airport.”

“Don’t worry, boss. I was prepared for something like this to happen.”

I raced out of the room, flying up the stairs. While the alarm would give a shrill indication as soon as the perimeter had been breached, that would mean our time was almost up. I only prayed we had time to get the hell out of the house. I shoved open the door to the bedroom with enough force Alexandra woke, jerking up with a single scream.

“Get out of bed. Now. We need to leave.” I turned on the light, checking the room then grabbing her suitcase.

“What’s happening?” she pleaded, remaining exactly where she was.

I dropped the case, taking long strides to the bed and yanking her out by both arms. “Listen to me. We’ve been compromised. There are men coming to kill us. You need to get dressed.”

“What about my things?”

“Forget them. I’ll buy you everything you need. Hurry.”

Alexandra finally reacted, jerking away from me and rushing toward the bathroom. My heart thudded against my chest, my hatred for this game and the men who’d caused it increasing with every second. If the scumbag O’Sullivan really thought he was going to exterminate me like some bug, the bastard was wrong.

I had to give the woman credit. Within two minutes, she flew out of the bathroom, grabbing boots from her suitcase and struggling into them. She’d pulled her hair into a ponytail, the expression on her face as she stood and faced me one that I would never forget.

She’d just come to terms with the fact that danger would always be present and that she needed to react at a moment’s notice. There was something else that shouldn’t bother me in the least, but it did, shoving a knife into my heart.

The woman hated me with everything she had inside of her.

Hissing, I yanked her arm, pulling her down the hallway. Before we reached the landing, the alarm went off.

“What is that?” she asked, fear making her voice shake.

“They’re here.” We made it to the foyer seconds later. I jerked her again, towering over her. “You are going to keep low and do exactly as I say. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.”

“When I shove you into the SUV, stay on the floor. Do not under any circumstances try and sit up.”

She nodded several times, her face pinched.

I pulled the weapon into my hands, taking several deep breaths before opening the door. Both Cassis and Donato immediately rushed to the door, covering us, weapons in their hands. The back passenger door was opened, the SUV idling.

Within seconds, I was able to shove her inside, but not without hearing the sound of gunfire.

“Get in, boss,” Cassis barked, shoving me hard.

I slammed the door, cursing under my breath. The fuckers who’d been sent were good. They were able to breach the surroundings without any issue. Before Cassis was able to jump into the passenger seat, a spray of bullets whizzed over the top of the SUV.

“Go. Go. Go!” Cassis yelled, instructing Donato to drive.

Tires screeched as Donato gunned the engine. Another series of shots pinged against the hood, the majority ricocheting off the hard steel, but I knew at least two had penetrated the hood.

Goddamn it. What the fuck had I been thinking?

Donato flew around the curved driveway, pressing his heavy foot down on the accelerator. Within seconds he shot out of the driveway, all four tires leaving the pavement before slamming down on the street.

“Oh!” Alexandra yelped, but she hadn’t budged. Good girl. Maybe she could learn to follow the rules.

“Get us to the goddamn airport,” I snapped, glancing out every window.

“Hold on, boss. We got company.”

Donato’s warning drew my attention. There were two men standing in the middle of the freaking road. What the hell did they think they were doing? As they raised their weapons, popping off several rounds, Donato refused to stop barreling down the road, slamming into both men at eighty miles per hour. While the impact was significant, the SUV was heavy enough Donato was able to control the wheel, only skidding a few feet across the road.

However, one of the bullets had penetrated the windshield.

“Are you hurt?” I demanded, pressing my hand on Alexandra’s back.

She lifted her head by a few inches. “No. Oh, God. Are there more of them?”

I didn’t have to answer her question. Headlights flashed into the rear window. More fuckers were following us. “Lose them!”

“I’m trying, boss.” There was a change in Donato’s tone of voice.

“Cassis. Was he hit?” I roared.

Cassis reacted instantly, sliding closer to Donato. “Fuck. Yeah, boss. Can you still drive?”

“I’m fine,” Donato huffed. “The fuckers aren’t going to take us.” With that, he accelerated again, rolling down the road at an excessive speed. I knew the man could drive, but given the direct hit, I was fearful he would lose control. That couldn’t happen.

As the vehicle behind us moved closer, Donato made avoidance maneuvers, swerving back and forth as the bullets continued to fly.

“Jesus Christ,” Cassis moaned. “We have ten miles to go.”

I took a deep breath as I pressed my hand on Alexandra’s back. “Don’t move.”

The second I pressed the button for the automatic window, Cassis hissed.

“What the fuck are you doing, boss?”

“What’s necessary.” I crawled onto the seat, leaning out the window. I’d done this too many times before to count. The wind given the speed was horrific, but I was determined to keep them from following us. After Donato rounded a corner, I got off several shots, far too many of them missing. When at least two shattered the front windshield, I snarled.

Seconds later, the asshole driving swerved the car to the side, finally losing control. I waited until the vehicle slammed into a tree, the force tumbling the huge piece of steel into the air. A smirk crossed my face as the car skidded across the road on its roof, finally bursting into flames.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” Cassis yelped.

I scanned the area before getting back inside, immediately pressing the lever for the window. “Get us to the damn airport.”

Donato’s breathing was ragged. I could tell as he looked into the rearview mirror that he was fading, but his grip on the steering wheel was firm. I heard the soft moans Alexandra was issuing and finally gathered her into my arms, pulling her against my chest. “We’re okay. Everything is going to be fine.”

“How can you do this? How can you live this life?” She smashed her fist against me, jerking up her head and staring me in the eyes. “I can’t do this. Just kill me. Please.”

I’d never been so affected by simple words. As I brushed hair from her eyes, I realized that I’d given her a solemn promise to keep her protected and alive.

And I’d almost failed.

That was unacceptable.

The next several minutes were tense, but as we neared the airport, my gut told me we weren’t finished with issues. Donato rolled through the gates of the private strip, his wheezing indicating there’d been a direct hit to his chest.

“Come on, Donato. You can do it,” Cassis said, half under his breath.

As Donato started weaving, his body starting to slump forward, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “You did good, soldier. You saved my life.”

“Anything… for… the… family,” he managed, finally jerking the SUV to a stop several lengths in front of the plane. “Go. Just go.”

As I threw open the door, jumping outside, I heard the roar of at least one engine. The fuckers weren’t going to stop. “Come on. Get out!” I dragged Alexandra to the pavement, pushing her toward Cassis who’d already raced around the front of the SUV. “Take her to the plane.”

“What about Donato?” she bellowed.

I yanked open the driver’s door, pressing my fingers against his neck. “He’s gone.”

“Leave him!” Cassis yelled as he attempted to pull her away from me.

“No! Don’t you dare leave him. If you consider him a part of your family then you will make certain he has a proper burial!” she demanded.

I took a few seconds, staring into her eyes. “Then get on that plane, Alexandra. Do not make me tell you twice.”

She responded instantly, racing toward the steps that had already been dropped to the ground.

“Get him in the plane,” I instructed, immediately moving closer to the gate. I had no doubt Cassis would follow my orders. As the vehicle came into view, I planted my feet several inches apart, my weapon planted in both hands.

Then I fired without hesitation.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

The volley of bullets hit the mark, the vehicle suddenly veering off toward another section of fence. I had no doubt in my mind that there would be more of them coming. As I took off running, my mind reeled from the events of the early morning hours.

O’Sullivan had drawn a line in the sand. It was time to begin destroying his regime.

* * *

I glanced toward Donato’s body. Even though Cassis had managed to find a blanket in order to cover him, I remained unsettled, my anger unlike anything I’d experienced before. I’d lost one of my own, something that had never happened. I refused to allow this act of revenge to go without punishment.

While we’d been able to take off without another incident, I knew there would be more horrific events to come. The roar of the engine did little to calm my emotions. I’d watched Donato grow from a scrawny kid to a hulking mass of a man. No one knew that I’d never wanted him to become a soldier, his high level of intelligence lending itself to becoming a doctor or lawyer. He’d insisted, doing everything in his power to walk by my side.

And I’d allowed him to die because of my desire to end O’Sullivan’s life. I would never forgive myself. Hissing, I unfastened my seatbelt, jerking up and moving toward the bar. At this point, I definitely needed a damn drink.

Cassis joined me seconds later, tossing a look over his shoulder in Alexandra’s direction. “She’s not doing well.”

“She’ll get used to it.”

“I don’t think she will, boss.”

I continued preparing a Bloody Mary, cognizant of the time. What the hell did I care if I had a drink at six in the morning? After finishing the drink, I glanced in her direction. She’d said nothing after being taken on the plane but given the way her hands were clenching the armrests, I knew easily just how distraught she remained. “I’ll take care of her. Just make certain there are no further issues for the flight.”

“You got it, boss.”

I made a second drink, realizing we both needed something to calm our nerves. As I approached, she stiffened, although she didn’t bother looking in my direction.

“Take this. It’ll make you feel better.”

“Nothing is going to make me feel any better, Stefano. Are you insane? I just watched a man die and you act as if you don’t give a shit about him. You were going to leave him there. What did you think those fucking animals would do to him?” As she snapped her head in my direction, the venom in her eyes was entirely different than I’d seen before.

Even more resilient.

“Take it.”

She shook her head, laughing bitterly but did as I asked. As her hand wrapped around the glass, our fingers touched. No longer was there any surprise about the level of electricity flowing through us. However, she shuddered, yanking her hand away with enough force that liquid spewed from the glass, trickling down her shirt. She didn’t seem to care, merely pulling the glass closer as she turned away from me.

I eased into the seat next to her, leaning forward as I tried to figure out what to say. “Donato grew up on my father’s estate as did so many families. My father was a decent man, even though you would consider him nothing but a tyrant. He adored everything about the estate from the vineyards to the restaurant he planned for years before building. What he loved the most was being able to provide a decent life for as many employees as possible.” I laughed bitterly as several memories rushed into my mind. I hadn’t thought about the number of families living on the property for a long time.

“I’m certain he received a medal for his efforts.”

The fact she was pushing my buttons should piss me off, but I couldn’t blame her for her reaction to everything that had happened. No one should have to go through what she did, even the intended bride of one of the sons of the Benedetti family.

“He was well loved, Alexandra. I understand you find that difficult to believe. You only know what you read in the newspapers or the glorified bullshit on television, but our family has always been different.”

She took a sip of her drink, her hand shaking as she brought the glass to her lips.

“Donato was a kid who never should have become a soldier. That’s something I regret.”

“Then why did you let him?” she retorted as she shifted her head in order to glare at me.

“Because my father believed that anyone who wanted to work for the family should be allowed. Yes, Donato gave his life in order to save mine and no, it won’t be easy to tell his mama and papa what happened. But he knew what could happen before he accepted the position.”

“That doesn’t make it right, Stefano. Maybe you’ve fully accepted that your life is full of violence, but that’s never been mine.”

“Are you so certain?” I asked, immediately realizing I’d struck a nerve.

She shifted in her seat, narrowing her eyes. “What are you trying to get at? That my father is as much of a bastard as you are? That he enjoys killing people? I won’t accept that. My father has never put a bullet in anyone in his entire life.”

I took a deep breath, holding in the nasty comments. “I’m not talking about your father. Something happened in your life that nearly destroyed you. Whatever that was, you can’t get over it. If I had to guess, it was violent and bloody, a moment in time that remains pictured in the forefront of your mind.”

Alexandra pulled as far away as possible, glaring at me as her mouth twisted. “God, I hate you more than I thought was possible.”

“Hate me. I’m perfectly fine with that. However, I look after my own. Donato will receive the funeral he deserves, and his family will be given compensation for their loss.”

Snorting, she shook her head several times. “As if that matters to them. Blood means more than money, except to a horrible, abusive family like the Benedettis.”

“Do you really believe your father is any better than mine? Do you honestly think he hasn’t performed or allowed atrocities to occur? Don’t kid yourself, Alexandra. Your father is an evil man who had no problem selling you off to a man he feared.”

“You’re… a horrible… fucking person. My father isn’t the poster child of a Hallmark movie, but he loved me.”

“Are you so certain of that?”

“Yes!”

I took another deep breath before swirling my glass. Suddenly, the liquor didn’t seem palatable. After placing the glass on the table in front of us, I yanked out my phone, my instinct telling me that Senator Starling had come through with his requirements. After a few seconds of searching, I realized I was right. As I scrolled down the second page of the New York Times, I had to admit that I was impressed with the article that had been written about our upcoming nuptials.

“Do you want to know the truth, Alexandra?”

“Stop. Using. My. Fucking. Name.”

“Answer me.”

“Fine. Whatever truth you need to show me, do it. There is nothing you can do to hurt me any more than you’ve already done.” She tilted her head in another act of defiance, lifting her glass as some kind of salute.

While the last thing I wanted to do was to cause her any additional pain, I realized there was no other way to help her understand what she was facing. I hesitated a few seconds, contemplating the horrible deed I was about to do. No one had ever accused me of being a decent man on any level. In fact, I’d taken pride in becoming the bastard of the family, acting as if nothing and no one would ever matter to me.

Sadly, Donato’s death had left a hollow place in my heart.

Providing proof that her father was working with some dangerous and brutal men was likely to crush me.

But it was necessary.

“You need to see this.”

She hesitated, taking a full gulp of her drink before slamming her glass onto the table. When she took my phone into her hand, she had a smirk on her face.

I turned away briefly, giving her what limited privacy I could for her to be able to read the article. Seconds later, I finally turned my head in her direction. Her eyes were full of tears, her entire face twisted from the horror of what she’d been forced to accept. As her hand continued to shake, she scrolled the article again, finally allowing my phone to slip from her fingers.

After pulling it away, I realized I had no idea what to say to her.

“Why?” she whispered after a full minute.

“Because he was required to do so in order to continue his life.”

“My God. He never loved me. Did he? What the hell does it matter to you? You have the perfect family.”

I wasn’t certain whether or not she actually wanted me to answer the question. “I’m certain he does in his own way, and no one has a perfect life.” The pain was as to be expected, but she wasn’t nearly as destroyed as someone else might have been. She wasn’t acting either. She’d expected her father to behave this way. What the hell had the man done to her before?

“But money means more to him. All his fucking girlfriends. All his powerful friends who kept him away from my dance recitals and school plays. He didn’t even attend my high school graduation, although he made it a television event to be at the one when I graduated from college. I just don’t…” She sucked in her breath as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Fuck him. Fine. Just fine.”

“I’m sorry, Alexandra. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“You made him do this,” she struggled to say, although there was no conviction in her tone.

“No, I offered him an opportunity in order to save your life.” I could feel her heated gaze pinned on me, her disbelief at the entire situation keeping me on edge, unable to let go of the anger I harbored.

“You wanted to kill me. Of course you did. The great Stefano Benedetti will never care about anyone but himself. Then I guess the tradeoff is fucking fantastic sex. Right? As long as I keep fulfilling your carnal needs, then you’re going to keep me alive. Guess what, Stefano? I don’t give a shit whether I live or die. I will make you a promise. I will find a way out of your claws if that means taking my own life.”

Her words were hard and cold.

And I knew she meant them.

What a fucking life I’d been born into.