Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

I scrubbed my hands down my face. “And?”

“I had connections with the US through my time as a soldier. I was met by a contractor who sold guns to the military. I took guns from those I killed and washed them through customs and sold them back to US soldiers.”

Everything began to click into place. “You shipped them to Charleston.”

Daniello nodded. “As long as I was giving the boss a part of the profit, I was becoming an earner, and it gave me an excuse to come to the States, to be with you. But I know now who made it impossible.”

“Rocco.”

Daniello paced. “Rocco remained home while I was away and had befriended the new boss. He has tried in every way to get into the family, but he saw this as his chance and accompanied me. I had to honor his wish because of their friendship. It was my biggest mistake.”

“He sabotaged you.”

He gave me a sharp nod. “And he told of my involvement with you.”

“I could have shot him last night,” I pointed out dryly. “I should have.”

Daniello shook his head. “He is a made man, a captain now.”

“The boss let him into the family?”

Daniello nodded. “It is still my place to take.”

Realization struck as I looked over at him. “No.”

> “I do not have a choice. I have struggled with this, but they have found my weakness, a way to force my allegiance.”

“Me.”

Daniello’s lips twitched. “You, pig head.”

I ignored his attempt at a joke and remembered his words to me the night before. He asked me if I knew what’d I done by coming to Italy, and at that moment, I knew. We were each other’s downfall.

My whole body filled with dread. “You’ll be trapped in a living hell.”

Daniello leaned in, now eye level with me. “You are worth it. Every minute, every second with you has been worth it.”

Emotion bubbled up, threatening to spill over. “There’s got to be another way.”

“There is no other way.” He pulled me from the chair. “I am a killer, Taylor. This life is not so far from the one I have been living. I fool myself that I am a better man. But that is not the truth.”

I gripped him to me and searched his eyes. “You are a better man.” He leaned in close. “I won’t let you do this.”

“You do not have a say.”

I ripped my arms away. “Tell me this isn’t real! Who is the boss? Can we not reason with him?”

“Good morning.” Donato stood to the side of the table in a manicured suit with a massive cake in his hands, his eyes drifting between us. “I apologize, Bella. Have I interrupted you?”

Daniello tensed as I turned to look up at him. Contempt, anger, and resentment twisted his beautiful features. I drew my brows together as I looked at the older man. Donato chuckled at Daniello’s visible response to his intrusion then set down the cake and winked at me. “She is one beautiful woman, Daniello.”

Daniello’s jaw ticked as he glared at his great uncle, and a shock wave hit me. I stood, mouth gaping, as I followed his eyes to Donato. “You?”

“I have already agreed to pledge myself to this family!” Daniello said as he pushed me behind him protectively.

“I am aware.” He studied me with amusement. “You, Bella, have become my greatest ally. I am in your debt.”

“No,” Daniello snapped before he looked over his shoulder at me with solemn eyes. “This is not your mistake.”