My hands tremble and I hold the bouquet tighter. I love my wedding dress. It has a sweetheart neckline, with an A-line silhouette and it's covered in expensive lace. The gown hugs my baby bump and my curves before flaring out at the top of my thighs. My eyes focus straight ahead. Vince is waiting for me. His hair is styled neatly and he’s clean-shaven. His suit is perfectly fitted to his muscular form, and emphasizes his broad shoulders. His eyes travel down my body with lust, and I find myself walking faster. I have to really work to slow my walking to match the pace of the bridal chorus.
Everyone’s here. Even my mother came. She’s in the back, and I’m not sure if she’ll speak to me, but it’s a start.
I take a step up the stairs and feel my heart swell with happiness. It overrides my nerves and I take another, to stand with him in the center of the room in front of everyone.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” Vince says, as I turn and pass the bouquet to Clara. I feel my cheeks heat with a blush. Behind Clara, Becca’s holding her little girl. I insisted she still stand up here as my bridesmaid, even if Cloe was being a little Velcro baby. My heart swells and tears prick at my eyes.
I can’t wait for the vows, or any of the readings. I’m so overwhelmed with emotion.
“I love you, Vince.” I lean forward and give him a quick peck on the lips.
Vince smirks at my impatience. His hand wraps around the back of my head and the other around my waist and he pulls me in for a kiss. A real fucking kiss. My lips mold to his and my body bows under his touch. The cheers and catcalls from the members of the church make me wanna pull away, but I know better.
“Alright, alright, you two,” the priest says, and Vince finally loosens his grip on me. I know my cheeks are bright red and I’m slightly embarrassed, but Vince takes my chin between his thumb and his forefinger and makes me look him in the eyes. I’m lost in his look of pure devotion.
“I love you too, Elle,” he whispers, and plants another kiss on my lips before taking my hand in his. My heart beats louder in my chest. There’s not a doubt in my mind. I know he loves me. And I love him.
The End.
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Rough Touch
Synopsis
From USA Today bestselling author Willow Winters comes a HOT mafia, standalone romance.
I thought I was safe.
I still remember smoothing my dress and putting on my earrings the day it all happened.
The day my family was murdered and I was taken.
The chain around my neck won’t ever leave me, but I won’t stop fighting.
I’ll have my revenge at any cost so long as I can remember the girl I used to be.
But I didn’t expect Kane. A man of power and fear, yet he shows me kindness.
Kindness I desperately need.
Kindness that will break me.
Prologue
Ava
Kane
I was the mafia princess. I thought I was safe.
I was the muscle and moneymaker. I was supposed to be untouchable.
I still remember smoothing my dress and putting on my earrings the day it all happened.
I remember wiping the blood off my face and feeling the heat of the fire the night it all went down.
I pull at the chain around my neck and hate what I’ve become.
I wrap my knuckles with tape before laying hit after hit, hating what I have to do.
They’re all dead. Now I have no one.
They’re all dead. Now I have no one.
I feel so alone, but I won’t stop fighting.
I feel so alone, but I won’t stop fighting.
They want me to be scared of them, so I’ll play the part. I can use that to my advantage.
They’re terrified of me, and that’s good. I’m going to need that fear to survive this.
The plane descends and lands with a loud thump that shakes the cargo hold, but I keep the sick feelings at bay. I hope that bastard’s here.
I hear the plane land and I know it’s almost time. I hope it’s him this time and not just another shipment.
He’s the reason I’m shackled and beaten. Used and degraded. I won’t stop fighting to breathe until I have my revenge.
He’s my chance at redemption and a new life. I’m not gonna lay down and die; I’m making a name for myself.
They keep saying I’m a good girl.
They think I’m a bad boy.
None of them really know who I am.
None of them really know who I am.
They can keep calling me a good girl though, right up until the moment I slit their throats.
Kane
My fist slams against the bag. I see my uncle’s face. I throw a right hook. Next, a left jab. Over and over I slam my fists into the leather until my muscles scream with pain. And then I push myself harder. I feel my knuckles crack under the weight of my hits. The sound of my fists making contact with the heavy bag doesn’t do anything to relieve this tension, though. I want to hear the crunch of his jaw. Fucking rat. That coward destroyed my family, and ruined my life. And I can’t do shit about it. I can’t turn back time.
I hit the bag again and again, trying to get this weight that’s crushing my chest to leave me. I hear my father’s voice, the screech of the tires. The gunshots. I grab the bag and slow my racing heart. A deep breath fills my lungs, but it only serves to fuel my anger further. They hunted us all down because of my fucking coward uncle. And I can’t do shit to change any of that.
“Kane!” Marco shouts; his voice echoes in the empty room. I hear the door swing shut and his boots smack against the concrete floor of the warehouse. I wipe the sweat off my face.
I needed to get out some aggression, but I have to be presentable for the meet, so I grab the towel on the pile of boxes next to me and wipe down quickly. I hear Marco walk toward me as I pick up my shirt and slip it on. I button it up, concentrating on keeping my anger at bay. Aggression would not be good right now. Not when I’m on my own, completely outnumbered, and about to meet the new boss of the Marzano Cartel.
Abram Petrov. He's become notorious for taking over the industry quickly, and with lethal force. Recently he's acquired the lead cartel in Mexico as well as heavy hitters in France and Russia, where he’s from. He’s a new force that’s not scared to play dirty, and now he’s on my doorstep.
“I’m ready!” I yell over my shoulder, and stalk toward him. Time to meet the new famila, or Bratva as the Russian fucks keep calling it. Or whatever the fuck he calls his crew. I have to try to earn a position with a mob that’s willing to take in the nephew of a rat. I swallow thickly. I’ve been waiting for a few weeks for this meet-up, staying in the warehouse and lying low with a target on my back. This place used to be a safe house for my family. Now it’s my bargaining chip to get the attention of Petrov.