Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

It also seemed the old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder was absolutely true. Watching Sienna with her lovers made Mariah long for the men who had turned her down two years ago, and who remained on her mind. It was so bad that she compared every man she met to them. But it had been so long since she’d seen them. She had changed so much. They’d probably changed, too.

Well, they all seemed to underestimate Mariah’s abilities, or how fate could step in to help complete a plan. No one would ever know what she was really up to out here. She felt that slight tinge of guilt. Every time L.T., Axel, Quentin, or Deacon called her to check in, she pretended to be oblivious to what was happening at home and completely self-absorbed. Little did they know that coming to Italy, meeting Sienna and her men, would bring Mariah closer to capturing Michael’s killer and solving a series of unsolved murders.

She swallowed hard. Despite her attempts the last two years to get those men out of her head, just one phone call or a mere sound of one of their voices, and it was like time stood still. She tried to bury her feelings for them. A youthful obsession still simmered deep within her heart. But by now, surely the four sexy Marines had a woman of their own to share. Just as Sienna had her men.

Mariah had a new obsession. Revenge, and she was getting closer and closer to achieving her goal. Although Eduardo DeLacruz’s identity was still a mystery, his presence at certain events was obtainable information for the right price and the right people.

Mariah looked in the mirror and adjusted the bodice of her dress. She wore her platinum blonde hair up in a fancy style, and the low-cut dress showed off the cleavage of her breasts. Her arms were very toned, and her belly tight and firm. She had continued her training and workout routines, and thanks to Gustavo, Sienna’s lovers’ cousin, who had a crush on Mariah and was her personal trainer, she felt up for anything that could be thrown at her.

Sienna’s lovers, Marco, Giano, and Salvatore, were all involved in numerous types of businesses. Some were legit and others were most definitely not. What had intrigued Mariah most was a yearly event that took place in Dallas every Halloween. Sienna had tried to get Mariah to go the last two years, but she hadn’t quite wanted to attend. It was a grand masquerade. But not just any type of masquerade. There were rules to follow and activities to engage in for those with a lust for mystery and sexual fantasy.

Mariah had longed for a ménage with her favorite four retired Marines. She feared if and when they found out what she had been up to. In the back of her mind she remembered her brother’s words of distrust for even close friends. Although he hadn’t been specific, she took him very seriously. The circumstances of his death reiterated the seriousness.

So she kept her conversations with the men short. She was always on the go and always working to better her career as well as her savings account. Because of that, and her stupid fantasy of one day having the four Marines as lovers, she held on to her virginity, although not a soul would know. She was good at seduction and charm. But she was getting tired of waiting on a fantasy that would never come true. The masquerade could be just the right thing to get L.T., Axel, Quentin, and Deacon out of her system for good. She would need a rest by then anyway. If her plan to sabotage Eduardo DeLacruz’s financial accounts was a success, wearing a mask for a week-long event on a private estate would be a good thing.

The masquerade would provide the opportunity for her to explore her sexuality and give her virginity to someone capable of satisfying her physically, even if not emotionally. She had waited, held out long enough. She was ready. As soon as Sienna had explained that every person must constantly wear a mask, even during sexual encounters, so that identities remained anonymous and secretive, Mariah was intrigued. She still hadn’t made her decision yet, but in a week’s time she would have to.

Mariah quickly grabbed her purse and headed out of her private room and wing in the estate.

The party this evening was going to be taking place down the road at another wealthy businessman’s estate. She wasn’t sure of his name, but Sienna insisted that Mariah come along and mix and mingle with more business people in the same field as her, which was finance. Mariah had learned a lot in Europe, including the exchange of international investments and monetary collaborations between financially unstable businesses. She was gaining quite the reputation in the field and had been offered numerous jobs in some big-name companies both in Italy and in the United States. Her decision would be made after her visit to Texas. She figured if L.T. and the crew remained the same and her uncle continued to lie to her about how he kept having so-called “accidents,” then she would have no reason to stay there. She would seek and fulfill her revenge, and then continue a lifelong career with money and a future without the need for love or anything even close to allowing her heart to be broken.

“There you are. You look stunning. I love that dress. You’re gorgeous,” Sienna stated as she clutched her arm and held her close. Sienna’s men made similar comments.

“Gustavo will be there. He wants you to meet a very good friend of his,” Marco told her, as he stared at her, looking her body over and making her feel a bit on display. She knew that they loved Sienna, but these men were also involved with things Sienna promised never to discuss. It made Mariah nervous, but she knew she was safe here and leaving for the states soon enough. Their connections brought her into the financial circles the enemy was part of.

“Well, let’s head there now. Manchenso expects punctuality,” Giano told them as he reached his hand out for Sienna to take. Her long red hair flowed down the open back of her black dress, and the long, low-cut V in the front of her dress dared her breasts to emerge through the open gap. But somehow they remained in place.

Salvatore offered his arm to escort Mariah, and she looped her arm through and walked along with the men. Tonight was going to be a wonderful and enjoyable evening. A bonus was Manchenso Gullato. If things went well, she would have more insight into Eduardo’s operations, and perhaps an invite to one of the man’s very private, secluded, and secured events. Yes, a lot was riding on tonight’s social event. As she got into the stretch limo, accompanied by Sienna, her lovers, and their own security team, she couldn’t help but think about L.T. and the men.

Why can’t I get them out of my head? They’ll never see me as anything but Michael’s little sister. They probably wouldn’t even notice me if they entered a room filled with beautiful women. Maybe once I identify and destroy Michael’s murderer, they’ll realize that I’m not a naive woman from the country.

Chapter 2

“Please. Please don’t kill me. I promise to stop the investigation. I swear,” Jeb Langcaster cried out as one of Eduardo DeLacruz’s men held a gun to his head. They had roughed him up good. His arm was broken, his ribs probably were, too, and he had no idea where the hell he was. Jeb had been continuing the investigation of his nephew’s murder on his own, after the police department had labeled him a criminal, not a hero. Thank God, Mariah was still living in Italy. If Eduardo and his men found out about her, they could hurt her, too. Another young detective had gone missing and had come up dead two weeks ago. He, too, was identified as engaging in criminal activity with organized crime or illegal drug smuggling. The evidence against him was circumstantial, but his reputation was ruined. Something fishy was definitely going on.

The strike to his face made him cry out again. Jeb fell to the cold, wet concrete as the man above him persecuted him further.

“You need to mind your fucking business, old man. You need to stay clear of things that don’t involve you.”

“I will. I swear. Please, just don’t kill me.”

The man bent down so that he could look Jeb in the eyes as he gripped his hair and lifted Jeb’s face upward.

“You listen real good. You can’t do a damn thing without us knowing about it. If you continue to try and identify people who want to remain hidden, we’ll take your niece.”

Jeb felt the instant

fear grip his belly.

“What niece?” he quickly recovered. The man gave a small smirk.

“The gorgeous little blonde who was at his funeral two years ago. She ought to be all grown up by now. Had that really sexy body and platinum blonde hair. The boss was smitten with her immediately.”

Jeb jumped toward the man to grab his throat, the fear and anger getting the better of him. The thug was faster. He manipulated Jeb’s arms and his body and then pressed the barrel of his gun against Jeb’s cheekbone. He felt as if the man was going to break his face.

“Remember this. Remember what I told you. Stop the snooping around, or she’s going to suffer the consequences.”

Jeb saw flashes of his beautiful niece, Mariah, being taken from him, right before the barrel of the gun collided with his temple.