Held Firm: A Dark Mafia Romance by Maggie Carpenter – Extended Preview

Closing his eyes, Nick allowed himself a moment to relish Bianca’s salacious attention, but just as he was about stop her, she slid her hand into his trunks, wrapped her fingers around his cock, and began to stroke.

“Bianca, this isn’t the time,” he said firmly, gripping her wrist and holding it still. “We need to stay focused.”

“I am focused,” she retorted with a sassy grin. “Let’s finish what we started on the couch.”

“That was for—”

“Nick, it may have been for Matt’s benefit, but you can’t deny what I’m holding is real,” she said softly, giving his member a gentle squeeze. “You want me as much as I want you.”

“Probably true, but I have to get back upstairs. I need to hear what’s going on next door.”

“Next door?” she repeated as she abruptly lifted her hand away. “How can you do that?”

“I have equipment that can listen through walls, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess I’m a bit distracted.”

“Well, I’m deadly serious. We’ll hear everything they say and the equipment will record it all, but I prefer to listen live,” he said firmly, stepping back and picking up her suitcase.

“That’s amazing, will you show me? I have to listen too.”

“Of course you do,” he replied, willing his cock to settle as they moved through the house and started up the stairs. “I’ve taken the room at the far end of the hall. It has the best view of the street. The road may be closed, but people can still get here over the canyon just like we did. There are two others. You can take your pick.”

“Um, you don’t want to share a room?”

“I would love it, but you won’t get any sleep if you’re with me. I’ll be in and out of bed all night checking to see if anything is happening next door, then listening to whatever was recorded when I did close my eyes.”

“Why can’t you wait until morning?”

“People often do their scheming in the middle of the night. I may hear something that needs immediate action,” he replied, walking into a guest room that offered a view of the beach. Setting her bag on the bed, he moved to the window and closed the drapes. “Be careful when you’re in here. We don’t want Matt or Tony to see anything that could cause the slightest doubt about us.”

“Then we should make sure they see us together in the master bedroom.”

“We will,” he said with a smile, then moving closer, he took her hands and lowered his voice. “Bianca, I can sense you’re still worried. You don’t need to be.”

“Can you blame me?”

His stiffened cock had finally relaxed, but as she curled her fingers around his, he felt it stirring back to life.

“You’re safe, things are under control, and this will be over soon,” he continued, doing his best to ignore the intense desire to throw her on the bed and rip the expensive clothes off her gorgeous body.

“You don’t know that for sure,” she murmured. “Anything could happen.”

“Hey, this isn’t my first rodeo. It won’t be long before you’re home with your family, and those two goons will be in a cell. But right now I have a date with my very expensive machine. Do you want to join me?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“You can watch and listen, but don’t touch anything.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” she quipped, shooting him a wink.

Her sassy retort fueled his desire.

“You can be such a brat,” he muttered, roughly gripping her elbow and striding from the room.

He knew they’d end up between the sheets together. It was inevitable, but besides his intense attraction, there was a practical side to having sex with the mobster’s daughter. It would make her more manageable. She needed a firm hand and he’d be happy to oblige.

“This room is quite a bit bigger,” she remarked as they entered, “but looking down at the beach will be amazing.”

“I love zoning out on the ocean,” he said as he released her. “I spend as much time at my cottage as I can.”

“I’m sure you do,” she said, moving across to the window. “I see what you mean about looking down on the street. Hey, Nick, there are some guys clearing away the mess.”

“That’s odd,” he muttered, striding quickly across to join her.

“Why? After that storm I’m sure there are people dealing with the debris everywhere.”

“But it takes a while to find an available crew after a major storm, and that street is private. It’s maintained by the homeowners. I wasn’t notified there’d been a cleanup happening, and I would have been the moment the arrangements had been made.”

“Shit,” she hissed under her breath, then looked up at him with worried eyes. “Who do you think they are?”

He had an idea, but not sure how she’d take the news, he didn’t respond.

“Nick, don’t do that,” she said brusquely. “You’re holding back. Tell me what you’re thinking!”

“Number one, don’t take that tone with me,” he scolded, frowning down at her. “Number two, if I think it’s in your best interests not to give you certain information, I won’t, and number three, don’t forget who calls the shots around here.”

“Jeez, you don’t have to get your boxers in a twist,” she shot back. “You can’t blame me for wanting to know.”

“Again with the you can’t blame me,” he said sternly. “Yeah, I can. It’s time you learned to control that demanding nature of yours and hold your tongue.”

The moment the words left his lips, the image of her on her knees pleasuring his cock flashed through his mind.

“Next time you speak to me like that you’re going to get your ass spanked. Are we clear?” he said with a flinty glare, trying to push the salacious image out of his mind.

“I’m sorry, Nick,” she said softly, her voice instantly changing. “I’m just anxious, and I’ll try to do better.”

Though the line sounded like something she’d said a thousand times, and he thought her woeful expression was contrived, he put his arms around her and pulled her against him.

“I know this situation is difficult and you’re scared, but you have to keep it together,” he said solemnly. “Being impatient and demanding won’t help. Most of all, you have to trust me. I know about this stuff.”

“I realize that, and I do trust you. You’ve been amazing. You are amazing.”

“I am good at my job. I’m known as a fixer, and I’m one of the highest paid in the business.”

“I’m sure you are, and I still can’t believe how lucky I am,” she muttered, shifting in his arms to stare up at him. “So, uh, who do you think those men are clearing the road? Please, will you tell me?”

“It’s just a theory, but your father has limitless resources. It’s possible you’ve been tracked to this area, and those men picking up branches and litter are actually here looking for you.”

“Oh, my gosh, I would never have thought of that, but you’re right. My dad has contacts everywhere. Nick, they can’t find me,” she sputtered, panic in her voice. “I’m worried he has a traitor inside his inner circle. If I’m found, whoever it is will get wind of it.”

“Hey, relax, I’m only speculating, and even if I’m right, they’re looking for a long-haired brunette. You’re a short-haired blonde.”

“Of course,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to lose it, except if your theory is right and they are working for Dad, they might recognize Matteus and Tony.”

“That crossed my mind too,” Nick murmured thoughtfully, “but I suspect the dynamic duo won’t want to be seen by anyone and will stay out of sight. Speaking of which, I have to hear what they’ve been saying, then I’ll go outside and meet these alleged street cleaners.”

“Why don’t I listen while you go? I’ll make note of anything that might be important. “

“That’s not a bad idea,” Nick remarked, thinking the simple task might help her feel more in control.

“Is that a yes?” she said excitedly.

“That’s a yes,” he replied with a nod, “but remember what I said, don’t touch anything.”

“Awesome, and I won’t, I promise,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. “You’re the best, Nick,” she said happily, then suddenly pressed her lips against his in a fervent kiss, and slipped her tongue between his teeth.

Though a part of him wanted to pull back, her unbridled passion sent his cock once again stiffening to life. Moving his arm around her waist, he jerked her against him, and crushing her mouth as he walked her backwards, he tumbled on the bed. Quickly straddling her body, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head.

“Nick…” she panted breathlessly, her eyes shining up at him, then abruptly frowned. “What’s wrong? You look angry.”

“What did I tell you? I’m in charge. I call the shots.”

“But—”

“The only butt I care about is yours and it’s about to get spanked,” he growled, effortlessly rolling her on her stomach and jerking her hips up.

“Nick, please, I—”

Before she could finish, he landed a volley of hard slaps, swiftly moving his flattened palm from cheek to cheek.

“I told you what we needed to do, and you flagrantly ignored me. One way or another you’ll learn to do as you’re told,” he said sternly, pausing to reach under her belly to unzip her slacks and yank them down to her knees.

He stared at the black lace, French-cut panties for only a second before grabbing the waistband and tugging them into her crack. Continuing to exact his discipline, he delivered several hard stinging smacks, moving the punishment to her sit spot.

“Stop, please, it hurts!” she wailed, staring at him over her shoulder as she moved her hand back in a vain effort to protect herself.

“You bet your red ass it hurts,” he snapped, continuing to spank her without pause. “Are you going to listen from now on?”

“Yes, yes, I will, I swear.”

“You probably do whatever you want back in Vegas, but it won’t be like that with me. Are we clear?” he demanded, slowing the smacks but delivering them with more force.

“Yes, please, Nick, please, I get it, I do.”

Taking a breath, he studied her punished behind, then placed both hands on her hot fleshy cheeks and squeezed.

“If there’s a next time, it will be twice as long and twice as hard. Understood?”

“Ow, oh, yes, understood. I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Don’t move,” he ordered, sliding off the bed, then picked up a pillow and placed it in front of her. “Put your head on that. I’m going down to speak to those workers. When I come back I expect to find you just like you are. Your red ass in the air, and your red face on that white pillow. Take the time to think about who I am and what I expect. If you can’t do things my way, I’ll call in a couple of my men to guard you and operate from another location.”

“No, no, I’m sorry. Please don’t.”

“Like I said, think about it.”

As he started for the door, he heard a mournful moan and a sniffle. He did feel sorry for her, but he needed to maintain total control in their dire circumstances. As he trotted down the stairs, he hoped she’d surrender to her fears and cry. She was wound as tight as a violin string, and for whatever reason, she hadn’t shed a tear since he’d whisked her to safety.

Reaching the door off the kitchen Matteus had used to gain entry, Nick noticed a slide bolt at the top. Relieved he wouldn’t have to find another way to make it secure, he stepped outside and he strode to the street. The cleaning crew had almost reached the end of the road and was near his cottage. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he called Brad.

“Hey, Nick, what’s up?”

“The group cleaning the road, I don’t think they’re for real. Take them out some coffee or something. Get them talking. See if you pick anything up.”

“Will do.”

Ending the call, and annoyed he’d missed the chance to speak with the workers himself, he moved back inside and bolted the door behind him. As he moved through the house and up the stairs, a grim smile crossed his face. His tirade when he’d found the bug would have shocked Matt, and listening to his reaction was sure to be entertaining, but reaching the bedroom, he paused his step.

He’d only been gone a couple of minutes. Not expecting him back so soon, it was possible Bianca had moved to find a more comfortable position, planning to get back on her knees when she heard him return. But peering around the door, he found her as he’d left her.

The erotic sight tempted him.

He’d listen to whatever his equipment had recorded, then he’d ravage her until she was screaming with pleasure into the pillow.