Broken Beginnings: A Dark Stalker Mafia Romance Read online

  “Claire… My name is Claire,” I introduce myself.

  “Nice to meet you, Claire.” He holds out his hand like he wants me to shake it.

  I look at it for a moment before deciding to close the distance between us and put my hand in his. That’s when our size difference really hits me. My hand looks so small and dainty as I place it in his ginormous one. For a second, I think he is going to crush my bones, but when his grip closes around mine, it’s gentle and soft.

  As soon as I let go, I take a step back, feeling like I need to put some space between us. I take a seat on the edge of his patio and watch him take a sip of his beer.

  “Where did you live before you moved here?” I ask curiously.

  “A lot of different places. I moved from one foster family to the next until I aged out. Now I work and got my own place,” he explains.

  “What do you do for work?”

  “Something different every day. Odd jobs, I guess.” His answer is vague.

  “What happened to your parents? Why were you in foster care?”

  He chuckles. “First, you don’t talk at all, and now you come at me with all these questions.”

  “Sorry.” My cheeks heat. “You don’t have to answer.”

  “Nah, it’s fine. I never met my dad, and my mom died when I was little. Car accident.”

  “I’m sorry your mom died. Mine left when I was eight.” On my eighth birthday, to be exact, but I don’t mention that part. “It’s my fault she left.”

  “I don’t believe that, for a second. Why would you think it was your fault?”

  Because my dad tells me it is all the time.

  I shrug. “I just know.”

  He looks off into the distance and takes another drink of his beer. Usually, when my father drinks, I’m tense and stay hidden in my room until the morning. I’m not scared of this man, even though I know I should be.

  “Well, you’re wrong. You’re just a kid; if your mom’s gone, it’s because she chose to leave. Not because you did anything.”

  All I can do is shake my head and look away. “Maybe, but that’s not what my dad says.”

  “Your dad’s stupid,” he growls, and I jump, startled by the sound that comes from his mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he adds.

  “It’s okay.” My voice comes out squeaky.

  Turning the conversation around, he asks, “What do you do for fun?” I cock my head to the side and stare at him. If there was anyone I could’ve pictured as prince charming, it would be him. I feel safe with him, protected.

  “Usually, I just read or sit outside. That’s when I’m not at school. I’m usually pretty bored, though, especially when my dad is at work.”

  “Does he work a lot?” Lucca asks.

  I nod. “Yeah, but when he isn’t at work, he’s sleeping or drinking so…” I realize I’ve said too much and press my lips together to stop myself from saying anything more.

  Lucca’s features darken, and he leans in, his eyes zeroing in on my face, making me feel like I’m being inspected. “If you need anything, butterfly, you can come to me. I will help you. Day or night.”

  Maybe my life would be different if I had never talked to him, or maybe I would be worse off. I wipe at the stray tears that fall from my eyes and trail down my cheeks.

  Why does he continue to do this?

  I’m no longer his responsibility.

  No longer his problem, and still, he protects me.

  I have to prove to him I don’t need him anymore. I have to make him go away. There’s no other option.

  4

  Lucca

  My heart slams against my ribcage like it’s trying to escape as I pull up to the cabin where Markus has been hiding out. I’m not sure what to expect inside. I can only hope that he doesn’t realize anything is off.

  Fuck! Not in a million years did I think it would ever come to this. The Moretti family has been the only family I’ve known. I don’t want to cross them, and not only because I know I will die if they ever find out. No, my loyalties are genuine. I don’t want anything to happen to Julian and Elena. Just like I want nothing to happen to Markus or any of the guys, but I have no choice. I can’t let Claire down.

  For the last few days, I’ve been feeding my mystery blackmailer information. So far, it’s petty stuff, but I know it’s not going to stay like that for long. He is simply testing me now. Seeing how far I will go and how far I will take it to protect Claire.

  I’ve briefly played with the idea of asking Julian for help, but he already helped me once, and now that he has Elena, he will not risk any weakness. I have to deal with this myself. I have to take out this threat, and I need to do it fast. Let’s just hope Markus is going to help me with this.

  I get out of the car and walk up to the cabin. I don’t even have to knock. As soon as my foot touches the first step leading up to the door, the door swings open.

  “Hey,” I greet.

  “Come in.” Markus nods and gestures for me to come in.

  Stepping into the living room, my eyes land almost immediately on the blonde woman standing a few feet away.

  “Lucca, this is Fallon. Fallon, this is Lucca,” Markus introduces us with a grunt.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Fallon replies meekly. She is clearly nervous, maybe even scared. Like the bastard I am, her fear excites me.

  I wonder what Markus has been doing to her. After all, he bought her at an auction, an auction she certainly didn’t attend willingly. He has been keeping her here, locked away from the world, at his mercy.

  Letting my gaze drift over her body, I take in every curve. She is beautiful, and I wouldn’t mind keeping her locked up for myself.

  Her stare turns from fear to terror as she catches me sizing her up with interest.

  “Fallon was just going to start the sides for dinner,” Markus hisses through his teeth, his eyes shooting daggers at Fallon before giving me the same death stare.

  “Oh, yeah.” Fallon’s voice is shaky, but she tries her best to act normal. “I’ll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me.”

  I watch her scurry away before turning to Markus. I raise my eyebrows at him, wondering what he is waiting for. I am here for a reason, after all.

  “Not yet,” he growls under his breath. “Let’s go outside so I can tell you the whole plan.”

  He grabs a plate of steaks from the table and heads out the side door where I assume the grill will be.

  “What are we waiting for?” I ask. I don’t want to rush him, but I really don’t want to stay long either.

  “We’ll eat first, then we’ll do it.”

  “Got it.” Steaks first, interrogation later.

  This will be fun.

  “Fallon,” Markus’ deep voice booms through the room, “come here.”

  Fallon drops the dish back into the water and dries her hands quickly.

  She turns around and heads toward us. When she sees us both standing in the living room, her steps falter. I can see fear and dread in her eyes, both valid emotions at the moment. She will not like what we have planned.

  Her gaze ping pongs between Markus and me, and I’m positive she is thinking about running. Not that she would have any chance of getting away. She must realize it, too, since she is not making a move.

  “Come. Here,” Markus orders, sterner this time. “Stand in front of me.”

  With shaking legs, she follows his command and stops right in front of him. I move behind her, sandwiching her between us with nowhere to go.

  She twists her head to look at me, but Markus grabs her by the chin with two fingers and pulls her back.

  “Eyes on me, Fallon.” His voice is smoke wisping through the air.

  “What are you doing?” Fallon asks, her voice small and unsure.

  “We’re going to play a game. I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer them truthfully. Each time I think you’re lying, Lucca is going to take one item of clothing of
f your body. If you are naked by the end of the game, you lose, and you don’t want to be the loser in this game. Do you understand?”

  She doesn’t answer, does not move, probably petrified with fear. If I didn’t know she is hiding something, I might actually feel bad for the girl.

  “I’m going to take that as a yes,” Markus says. He doesn’t even skip a beat and jumps right into things.

  “First question. Did you know the guy with the camera?”

  “No.” She shakes her head. Markus inspects her for a moment, his eyes narrowing.

  “I believe you,” he finally says. “So, you didn’t know him. Fine. Next question. Do you know who sent him?”

  “No.”

  Even I notice how her shoulders twitch. She is lying. Markus saw it too. He shakes his head, as if disappointed.

  “Do you want to reconsider that answer?” Markus warns, giving her one last chance.

  She stays silent.

  Markus looks past her and to me. We’re both so much taller than her, we can easily lock eyes over her head. He gives me the signal, and I grab the hem of Fallon’s shirt to pull it up. She automatically raises her arms, letting me take it off, but I don’t miss how her arms are trembling with fear.

  I drop it on the floor next to us, leaving her in a pair of leggings and bra. Goosebumps spread across her body, and I’m sure it’s not only because of the chill in the room.

  “Next question. Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “No.” She shakes her head, strands of blonde hair flying around her head.

  “Were you really going to call your parents from my office?”

  “Yes.” That lie falls from her lips a little easier, but Markus still sees right through her.

  Shaking his head again, he motions to me again. I make quick work of undoing her bra. I push the straps slowly off her arms and let it fall to the floor carelessly.

  “Were you sent to the auction by someone?”

  “No.”

  Another small shake of Markus’s head, and I push my fingers into the waistband of her leggings. I pull them down her toned legs, leaving her in nothing but a pair of thin panties.

  “Did someone send you to get to me?” Markus’s voice is nothing more than a growl now. He is angry. Really fucking angry. I didn’t think he would go through with this at first, but seeing him now, I think he just might.

  “No.” She shakes her head before lowering it slightly. She knows what’s coming, she knows she is lying, the question is why?

  I dip my fingers into the sides of her panties and pull them down so roughly, I make her gasp. Her knees are shaking, she looks so weak, and I think she might scramble to the floor soon.

  “Get on your knees,” Markus orders, just as I hear him undoing his pants.

  My cock twitches in my jeans as I take in Fallon’s naked body. I wonder if he is really going to share her with me. I certainly wouldn’t mind.

  I put my hands on her shoulders and push her down gently. She is so scared, I figured she would go easily, but instead of obeying and getting down on her knees, she shrugs away from my hold and lunges herself at Markus. Wrapping her slender arms around his torso, she buries her face into his chest.

  “I’m sorry. Please, don’t do this. I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she begs, repeating herself over and over again.

  For the longest time, Markus doesn’t move. He simply looks at me with conflict in his eyes. This girl has him wrapped around her little finger, and I’m not sure if I should laugh about this or simply be worried.

  A moment later, Markus wraps his arms around her small quivering body, engulfing her completely while pulling her closer into his chest.

  “Go upstairs to the bedroom and wait there for me. Don’t do anything else. Don’t fucking touch anything else. Go straight to the bedroom and wait on the bed. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” she blurts out, nodding her head furiously.

  She doesn’t bother picking up her clothes. She simply untangles herself from Markus and runs up the stairs without another glance back.

  “Wipe that fucking smirk off your fucking face.”

  “I knew you wouldn’t go through with it.” I grin.

  “Shut up and get out of here.” He points to the door.

  “Do you want me to do it? While you’re gone, I mean.” I barely get the words out before Markus pounces on me. His hands wrap around my throat, and he growls into my face like a feral animal.

  “Don’t even fucking think about touching her again. This was a one-time thing.”

  I laugh and shove him away. “You told me to, stupid.”

  “I know!” he roars.

  “How would you feel about me offering to take care of Claire?”

  My body stiffens, and I wipe every trace of a smile from my face. “Don’t even talk like that. It’s completely different, and you fucking know it.”

  The only reason he even knows about Claire is because I had to ask him to check on her when Mike suddenly stopped contacting me. He doesn’t know much about her or my relationship with her, but he knows enough to keep his mouth shut about it.

  “Sure, it is. Now get out. I have things to take care of.” He opens the front door, ready to shove me out.

  “Whoa, I didn’t drive out here just to help you.”

  “I remember. I was hoping you would forget to bring up whatever it was you wanted to talk about.”

  “You’re an asshole.” I shake my head.

  “What do you need to tell me or better yet, ask me?” Markus grips onto the wooden door like he is about to take a chunk out of it.

  “Your brother, Felix. Are you still in contact with him?” I ask carefully.

  “Yes,” he replies, a bit annoyed sounding.

  “Could you give me his number? I need help with something, and your brother is the man for hacking and tracking down people.”

  “First, he’s not cheap. Two, if Julian finds out you’re working with him—”

  “He won’t. This is none of Julian’s business, and it doesn’t affect the family in any way. This is for me and me alone.”

  “I don’t want to be dragged into this mess, so keep my name out of it. I’ll text you his number, and only because I feel bad for you.”

  “You won’t be. Thanks, fucker. If you need anything, let me know.”

  “We’re not friends,” Markus growls.

  I can’t withhold a snicker. “Sure, we aren’t, asshole.”

  Markus slams the door shut behind me, and I get back into the car feeling lighter. With Felix’s help, I’ll find whoever is behind this quickly. And then I’m going to put an end to this once and for all.

  5

  Claire

  “I can do the dishes,” I offer after we finish eating.

  “I’ve got it, honey,” Tracy, my adoptive mom, waves me away. “Why don’t you finish your homework, and I’ll clean the kitchen.”

  “Do you need help with that project you were talking about earlier?” Steven, my adoptive dad, asks rather loudly. They are always considerate of my hearing, speaking louder when I’m not looking at them.

  Turning to face him, I smile. “Oh, no. I’m already done with it, actually. I have some reading to do, but other than that, I’m finished with assignments for the week.”

  “That’s great, no wonder you’re a straight-A student. Always ahead.” Tracy smiles. “Maybe tomorrow after school we can do something fun? Get mani-pedis together? Go shopping at the mall? We could take Hope with us,” she offers, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

  “Sure, that sounds fun.” I grin.

  When I first came to live with Tracy and Steven, I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard so many horror stories about kids in the system. I figured I would be miserable here until I turned eighteen. My expectations were low, which made finding out how truly amazing they were even more special.

  They could never have children of their own, so they were happy to take me in. Tracy quit her job as an
accountant so she could take care of my every need. Steven is a car salesman at the local dealership. I don’t know their situation with money, but he must sell a lot of cars because they never seem to worry about funds.

  If I just mention my need for new clothes, Tracy takes me shopping the next day. If I simply hint at wanting anything, it’s mine within the week, which is why I normally keep everything to myself. I’m eternally thankful for all they’ve done for me, how they took me into their home to care for me, which is exactly why I don’t want them to have to spend all their money on me. They’ve done enough.

  “I’ll head upstairs then to—”

  I’m interrupted by a knock at the door. All three of us look between each other, asking without words if one of us knows who could be at the door. I don’t have a lot of friends, and if it was Hope, she wouldn’t knock, she’d just come in.

  “I’ll get it,” Steven finally says.

  It’s not that late, only seven, but normally no one comes by. Curious, I peek around the corner to the front door. Steven opens the door, and right away, a large figure moves inside the house.

  “Oh, hey… I didn’t expect you to come by.” Steven steps to the side, and Lucca’s face comes into view. My blood runs cold, and it’s not only because Lucca is here.

  The way Steven opened the door and allowed him to walk inside… like he has been here before. There is a familiarity between them, as if they talk regularly. I can tell just by their body language, something I’ve become very good at reading over the years.

  I don’t know why I didn’t piece it together before.

  “Evening,” Lucca greets, his hands shoved into the pockets of his leather jacket that’s molded to his body like a second skin. His presence makes the room feel small.

  A gasp builds in my throat, but I swallow it down. All I can do is stare. Absorbing every inch of the man before my eyes. It’s like I’m looking at a different person. I never remember him being like this. He’s huge, taller, and his body is filled out. Broad shoulders and a tapered waist give him the lean but athletic look. His amber eyes are very much the same, reminding me of a time when things were different. The contours of his face are angular, with sharp edges that could cut you with a single turn of his head.