His Rebel: Mafia Made Book 5 Read online

  His Rebel

  Mafia Made Book5

  E.M. Shue

  Text Copyright ©2022 E.M. Shue

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design by KL Donn of Alluring Write Production

  Editing by Nadine Winningham of The Editing Maven

  Formatting by Mountain Rose Press

  Photographer: Lindee Robinson

  Models: Kent & Victoria

  www.authoremshue.com

  [email protected]

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Blurb

  Introduction

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 2

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by E.M. Shue

  Blurb

  From Award-Winning Author E.M. Shue comes another Dark Mafia Romance written in USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn’s Mafia Made Series. His Rebel is book 5 in the Mafia Made Series.

  Dante was born mafia. But won’t live it. Until McKenna.

  Dante Lupo walked away from the mafia before it could take over his life just as it did other members of his family. As a contract killer he’s still deadly, but that all changes when he has one day with McKenna.

  He’ll kill to protect her.

  McKenna Johansen wakes up with no memories and on the verge of wanting to fight everyone around her, except the man standing over her saying she is his. Saying they will marry. But before she ties the knot, she needs to uncover her elusive past. She needs to know who she is.

  She’ll rebel against him.

  When a rival family sets its sights on ending McKenna’s bloodline, Dante will rejoin the family and utilize its protection for his soon-to-be wife.

  This is a dark mafia romance with aspects of graphic violence. Proceed with caution.

  Introduction

  Welcome to the USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn’s Mafia Made World, featuring E.M. Shue with 3 of her own books in the Mafia Made Series. You can find complete details of the series here: MAFIA MADE WORLD. While the books are interconnected, each book in the series can be read as a complete standalone story.

  For all those girls out there that need to find their ‘reason’ to rebel and fight. It’s inside you, just take a look and you’ll find it.

  “I rebel; therefore I exist.”

  Albert Camus

  Prologue

  Dante

  I stand in the closet watching as the man orders a package to be delivered. My stomach revolts knowing what the package will be used for, and I wonder how he’s survived this long. How no one else has come after him. Not only is his situational awareness awful, but he hasn’t even noticed I shuffled through the files on the desk. The slats of the closet obstruct my view slightly, but I’m still able to observe him writing the information down regarding his delivery. I’ll need that later.

  I’m taking this fucker down before he can hurt anyone else.

  The sorry son of a bitch thinks he’s safe here in Spain, away from his posh American home and family. He thinks no one knows what a perverted asshole he is because he does it in another country.

  I slip from the closet as soon as he punches the disconnect button on his mobile. Just like always, my heart rate slows and the blood pumping through my veins warms in anticipation. My breathing calms. Sliding my hand along the back of my belt, I pull the blade from the scabbard. It’s like an extension of my hand. The flat black finish prevents it from shining in any light. I spin it in my hand and step behind my mark.

  When he finally realizes I’m there, it’s too late for him. I thrust the knife between his ribs in the perfect spot. I give it a slight angle so it cuts through all the ventricles of his heart. He won’t be hurting the package being delivered.

  I push him away as I pull the blade free. From my years of experience, I know he’s dead before he hits the floor. I lean over him and wipe the blade on his trousers before returning it to its scabbard. With sick fascination, I watch the blood seep from his body and pool onto the hardwood floor. He’s facedown, so I don’t have to look at his sightless eyes. Sometimes I like to watch as the life leaves their bodies.

  I look at the desk and the notes he took. The details make me want to throw up, but I keep it down and finish what needs to be done. Returning to the closet, I retrieve my rifle and head to the front of the cottage, where I wait. The target had made sure he was far from the city and other cottages, away from any witnesses, to do as he pleased. But all it did was leave himself open for me to kill him.

  Normally, I would be paid for this hit, but I decided to take care of him pro bono after watching him on the dark web for a couple of months. I want to rid this planet of these sick fuckers. It’s because of men like him that the most important person in my world was taken from me. I’m sure my baby sister was sold to a man just like him. I’ve never been able to find her or the man who purchased her, but every pervert I kill is that man in my eyes. They’ll all die by my blade for their sick ways. Nothing can save them from their fate.

  A knock sounds on the door, and I glance at my watch. The package has arrived right on time. I respond in perfect Spanish to leave it on the stoop. That should be a clue I’m not the pissant American who bought it. My accent and tone make it sound like I’m a local, not a foreigner. I wait two seconds after I hear him leave the porch, counting off in my head, before I open the door with my gun raised. The bullet leaves the silenced barrel, dropping him with a single shot to the back of the neck, right in the sweet spot. All messages from the brain to the body cease, and he too is dead before he hits the ground. The driver’s eyes widen and he takes off. But he wasn’t prepared for me. I shoot out both back tires, and the paneled van skids to a stop. The driver scurries from his seat with a gun raised, but he’s dead before he can take aim at me.

  I’m a monster and can kill easily.

  I finally look down at the package; it’s a small boy. According to the notes, he’s eight and has no family. His eyes flare wide in fear as he takes me in. Only my dark eyes shining back at him are visible, the rest is hidden behind the balaclava.

  While I don’t leave any witnesses alive, I still keep my identity secret. I can’t let it get out what I look like. My reputation is enough to elicit fear, but if people knew who I really was, then it wouldn’t just be fear but horror.

  I sling my rifle over my back and press a finger to my covered lips to shush the child. Then, I hold up my palms to show him I’m not going to hurt him. Whatever they drugged him with kicks in and his eyes fall closed. Squatting down, I check his pulse to make sure he’s still alive. I’ll have to monitor him further until I get him to a safe location.

  I get to work cleaning up the mess I left behind. When I pull away from the remote cottage an hour later, i
t’s burning and the van next to it is fully engulfed in flames. The fire will be so hot that the bodies will barely be distinguishable. The boy is in the back seat of my black rental car as I drive us to the nearby small airport I set up for my extraction. I need to get him out of Spain.

  There is only one place I trust to leave him.

  The plane flies us to Catania. My friends, the Morellos, are benefactors of an orphanage there, so I know it’s a safe place. He’ll be able to grow up and maybe find a family who will adopt him.

  “Another one?” the caretaker says with anger in her voice after I rap on the heavy door.

  “Aye. Here is some money to help.” I hand her the notes, and one of her assistants takes the boy from me. He is still unconscious even though it’s been over three hours since I’ve rescued him. “The medications should be wearing off soon.” I hand her the paper I took from the cottage with his name and information.

  “Take care, young man,” the old woman says, her voice full of emotion. “May God be with you.”

  “Save your prayers for him.” I nod toward the child. “God forsook me a long time ago.”

  I return to my rental car, deciding to find a hotel for the night. I’m not sure where I’m going to go next. A moment later my cell goes off in my pocket. I fish it out and glance at the text.

  Unknown Number: Time to come home. She’s dead.

  I pull over as a jolt of adrenaline bursts through my system. I’m normally calm and don’t react to much. But this right here is the best news I’ve had in a long time. The bitch who allowed my sister to be sold, who pushed her away, is finally dead. I wish it were my hand and blade that ended her, but she was untouchable. My father had made me swear to him the day I walked away from the family I wouldn’t touch her.

  Chapter One

  McKenna

  I look at myself in the mirror and, as usual, the woman looking back at me doesn’t look like me anymore. For so long I was someone else.

  I was defined by my job. Defined by what the people who raised me told me I was.

  They weren’t my family. They owned me. Property is all I was to them. On my eighteenth birthday, I gained my freedom. They asked me if I wanted to stay on. They offered to pay me a meager wage and in exchange I would attend university with my ward, their daughter. I refused and instead took the clothes on my back and made my way into London, where I got a job and saved my money.

  I just so happened to fall into this current job as the third stewardess on an exclusive yacht. I lied on my CV to get the job, but I was told I could make good money. And now here I am, dressed up to go out to a club with the other members of the staff. I’ve declined to go out all season, but tonight is our last night and I want to celebrate. I’ve secured another position on a private yacht in the Caribbean until the next season starts. I love that I get to travel with this job. Finally seeing the world I was denied for so long.

  All the years of being a maid to a daft cow taught me to serve. I can barely read, but I know how to properly set a table and serve tea. I know how to make a bed finer than those here on this yacht.

  Again, I look at the girl in the mirror. No longer do I have pale blond hair. Instead, lilac locks to my mid back shine back at me. Kara, one of the stewardesses, helped me flat iron my normal waves until they were stick straight and smooth. I wore my hair up most of the season because of the color. They almost didn’t hire me because of it, but they couldn’t turn down my training. The training is all real, but not from the places they think.

  Tonight I’m wearing a light blue wrap dress Kara let me borrow. It has a flower print and ties at my left hip. The bell style sleeves cup just over my elbow. The front of the dress enhances my cleavage, putting my B cups on display. My cream-colored espadrille heels tie around my ankles and complete the look. They were a major purchase for me after our previous trip. All the money I make goes into a savings account so I can get a real education. So one day I can learn to read the books I fake reading.

  All my life I’ve felt like I am two people—the one I show the world and the one I dream about. In my dreams I live in a villa not far from here.

  The family I had worked for told me I was purchased from a church in Rome. They were told I was from near Venice and my name was McKenna. I don’t know if that was my name from birth or something else, but I am McKenna now and will be for the rest of my life. That’s why when I learned our yacht was docking here in Venice, I told the captain I was going to get off here, ending my employment tomorrow before they set off back to Ravenna where the super yacht is based.

  “Come on, Keni, let’s get our drink on.” Kara laughs as she steps out of the head, thus ending my trance of staring at myself. “You look amazing. I can’t believe that body was hidden underneath your uniform all season.” I never wore a swimsuit like the other members of the staff would on our days off. I would wear denim cutoff shorts and a tank top. I could barely afford those, and I hate to spend money on myself. At least, until I get my schooling done.

  I hated growing up not going to school or learning like the girl I cared for. The family wouldn’t allow me out of the house because they were afraid someone would find out about me. When I quit and left, they moved back to America somewhere I wouldn’t know. I can never go back to them, not that I would ever want to.

  “Okay, let’s go.” I laugh at her as I follow her out the door and into the passageway between all the cabins in the crew quarters. She’s about four inches taller than my five-foot-five height. She’s also curvy with larger breasts than me. I can’t stop comparing myself to others. I’ve never been confident in my looks. All of that is a product of my upbringing and of my charge telling me how ugly I was. Kara has bright red hair I’m pretty sure is dyed, but it works with her ivory complexion.

  “Hey, McKenna, you look beautiful. Are you finally going out with us?” a deep voice with an American accent says, and I turn to look at Cody. He’s the bosun on the ship and has been asking me out since the very first day I started. I usually ignore him and just keep working, but because I’m going out with the group tonight, I don’t want it to be awkward.

  “Yeah, Kara finally broke me down.” My chuckle sounds forced, but I turn back and keep moving.

  The crew, all seven of us, make our way off the boat to the dock, where we walk down the boardwalk to the city. The night lights of Venice shine all around us. I’m excited to start exploring the area tomorrow and can’t wait.

  We end up having dinner at a small street restaurant, and I try not to cringe when we get the bill. I dig into my savings meant for other things. I can’t let these people see the chink in my armor that is money. At the club, I drink water out of a bottle and dance a bit with Kara, but I don’t flirt with any of the guys. I feel like eyes are watching me, and I’m completely uncomfortable in this environment. I’ve never clubbed before. This is a first for me.

  The lights are flashing around the dark environment, and again I feel exposed, eyes watching me. Kara is dancing with me on the small dance floor. Bodies gyrate and grind around me. Hands touch me and I hold the cringe in, the need to move and get away from them. I force away the memories they bring and grab Kara’s hand.

  “I’m going to get something to drink.” I tip my head toward the bar. She nods at me as she dances with a random guy she picked up.

  A hand wraps around my hip before I make it to the bar. I pull back and stare into Cody’s mud brown eyes. He hands me a glass.

  “Thank you.” I take it but don’t sip. I don’t trust people giving me drinks I didn’t see opened. Another product of my past I choose to hide and forget. A moment in time I trusted the wrong person and bore the ramifications. Most girls would find Cody handsome with his long brown hair that hangs in his face. He likes to go without a T-shirt every chance he can to show off his cut abs, but he’s not very big. He’s smaller than other men I’ve seen. There’s something, however, that keeps telling me not to trust him. I’ve learned to listen to that voice.

/>   “Got you a drink. Come sit with me.” His hand lands on my back as he guides me toward the seating area our group claimed. I know Kara has been interested in him and they’ve hooked up, but I have no interest. I doubt I’ll ever want to be with anyone after everything from my past.

  I withhold the urge to move away from Cody as again I feel eyes boring into me. This time I turn to look and can’t find anyone who sticks out. There are so many people here and they are watching everyone around them. I look toward the bar, and that’s when I see him. The large man with a scruffy beard in a black suit is watching me. From across the electrified club, I can feel his eyes on me as if they are a caress across my skin. Everywhere he looks at me goose flesh pops up. A shiver overcomes me, and I take a deep breath as I take him in more. He’s so big that I know he’ll dwarf Cody. He’s not only tall but wide. The suit must be custom made. His stare is piercing, demanding I look at him.

  “Hey, did you hear me?” Cody’s voice breaks through the staring contest. I turn to look at him.

  “I’m sorry. What?” I can still feel the eyes of the stranger on me.

  “I asked what your plans were after your vacation. I won’t be on boats anymore. I’m tired of being a rich man’s slave. I have something else lined up and can’t wait to get it started.” Cody sprawls onto the sofa, his arms landing on the back of it. I move to the adjacent chair and sit, setting the glass he gave me down. I look out and watch as Kara whispers something to the guy she’s dancing with. She points in our direction and then moves toward us. I look over her shoulder to see the man still watching me.