Prologue

PROLOGUE

Elio - Eight Years Ago

L ife is fucking awesome. I drive my Porsche, bought with my own money I earned working in the family business, through the streets of Chicago to pick up Piper for our date. Tonight is a special night. The first night of the rest of our lives.

I grin as I remember the day Piper Sanderson walked into my English class at Ashwood Prep last year. She was quiet, unassuming, and not at all impressed with me or anyone else. It rubbed my friends the wrong way, but something about her had me wanting to know what made her tick. It wasn't just that she was pretty because she clearly didn't work as hard in that area as other girls did. Her long blonde hair was always up in a ponytail or braid. She didn't wear makeup as far as I could tell. She didn't try to make changes to her uniform to make her tits or ass stand out. Yet, she was the prettiest girl there. At least I thought so. But more than that, she was her own person.

"You should go out with me," I'd said to her with bravado. I was following her up the hall toward her locker.

She arched a brow. "I can't imagine why."

My friends snickered. I didn't love it, but I wasn't one to give up. "I'm Elio D'Amato."

"I know."

"So go out with me."

She stopped, her deep blue eyes looking at me with wariness. "Or what? You'll kill me?"

So she knew my family. Most girls found my family reputation exciting. A few were afraid of me.

"Does my family's business bother you?"

She snorted and continued to her locker. "All businesses are corrupt, organized or not."

That intrigued me. "You think so?"

"I know so. They all lie, cheat, steal, commit fraud, and take advantage of people. The only difference is the so-called legit businesses don't murder so many people."

I laughed. I liked this girl. "So go out with me."

She shook her head. "So far, I haven't found anything interesting about you."

I grin. "I'm Elio D'Amato."

She stops again. "You're rich?"

"Yep."

"Powerful?"

"Of course." I ruled the school.

"That's it?"

My cocky grin faltered. What else was there?

"I mean, you take away your family's money and power, what's left?" Her gaze scraped over me again, and I felt like a fraud. It wasn't a good feeling. I think anyone else would have told her to fuck off. But deep down, I wanted her to see me. The real Elio.

"Go out with me and you'll see."

She didn't agree to a date then, but within a week, she'd given in.

We've been together ever since.

We still have a few months before we graduate from high school, and then we need to get through college, but I have no doubt that Piper and I will be together forever. I once overheard my father express concern about my "infatuation" with Piper, but my mother assured him that once I went to college, I'd sow my oats. Oh, how wrong they are. Piper is it for me, and I plan to let her know that tonight.

I pull up in front of her home. It's modest. The only reason Piper can attend Ashwood Prep is a scholarship. Someday, when she's my wife, she'll live in the lap of luxury.

She exits her house so I don't come up to the door. Her parents don't love me. I suppose they're afraid of me and my family.

I open the car door, giving her a kiss before she gets in.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask, remembering she hadn't been feeling well at school that morning.

"Yep. Must have been something I ate."

I'm psyched. It would suck if she canceled. I drive us to town to one of the buildings my father owns. The roof has a terrace that overlooks Lake Michigan. It's still cool out for spring, but I've arranged heaters along with all the lights and other décor.

"What have you planned?" she asks as we ride the elevator up.

"It's a surprise."

She shakes her head in amusement. "You look very pleased with yourself."

"I am. Hopefully, you'll be pleased too." I pull her into my arms. "Perhaps we can both be pleased." My dick hardens at the thought, and I'm sure to let her feel it. We've only started having sex within the last month. Before that, there was kissing and touching. I'd finger her and she'd rub my cock or suck it. But it wasn't until last month that I was able to sink my dick inside her. It was fucking fantastic.

Her cheeks flush. "That's all you think about."

"I'm a horny teenager."

The elevator opens and we step out onto the terrace. I've arranged for dinner and privacy in this rooftop paradise.

"Elio," she breathes, her blue eyes shining as she takes in the lights and flowers and a table set for two. "You did all this? It's so beautiful."

I drink in the sight of her. She feels so important to me. Like breathing. It's scary sometimes. "Only the best for you."

Once dinner is served, we're left alone and no one will bother us. It's a perk of being Antonio D'Amato's son. No one would dare upset him or his family.

Dinner is filled with laughter and conversation, sometimes about deep stuff and sometimes about nothing at all. When we finish eating, I guide her to a double chaise lounge. We sit, nestled together.

"I have something for you." My heart rate is going a million miles a minute from nerves. I don't normally get nervous, but I'm damn near shaking.

"Oh? It's not my birthday."

I pull out the blue sapphire ring.

She gasps. "Elio?"

"I know we're young and still have college and stuff, but we'll always be together. This is a promise of that."

Her eyes fill with awe. I love it when she looks at me like I'm a superhero. "A promise ring?"

I nod. "Will you wear it?"

"Of course."

I slip it on. "Never take it off, okay? You're mine now."

She gives me her signature smirk and head shake that tells me she thinks I'm being a sexist, macho guy. "I am my own?—"

"You're mine. And I'm yours."

She shrugs, apparently okay with that. I kiss her then. I don't wait too long before I slide my hand under the skirt of her dress.

"Elio… we're outside. Anyone can come."

It's always a surprise to me when she's modest. She's usually so outspoken.

"No one will bother us. I've made sure of it. Only God can watch, and I'm sure he's okay with it. After all, he made us into sexual beings."

She laughs. "You have an answer for everything."

I unzip her dress. "It's romantic. You like romantic, don't you?" I pull the bodice of her dress down and rub my palm over her bra-covered nipple. It's hard and I want to suck it.

She sighs and settles into me, giving herself over to me. "Yes."

I'm impatient. My hands are everywhere. On her tits. Squeezing her ass. Fingering her pussy. She takes a turn, stroking my cock, but I need to fuck her.

"Get on top, Piper." I tug her until she's straddling my thighs. We haven't done it like this yet. I love the position. Her tits are right there. I can bury my face in them while she rides me.

With her hands on my shoulders, she lowers over me. The most excellent sensations electrify my dick. She rocks and slowly starts to ride me. I stick my tongue out, licking then sucking her nipples.

"More," I growl as need coils in my balls. "Faster, baby." My hands grip her hips and urge her on.

She's breathing hard. Her head is back, her long hair cascading around her like she's a goddess. Her tits bounce in front of me. Yep, life is fucking awesome.

"Elio… I'm… Oh…" Her pussy squeezes my cock, hard.

"Fuck yeah…" My orgasm rocks through me, my hips bucking under her as pleasure radiates to every cell in my body.

Afterward, we lie under the stars and talk about our future. My father is adamant that successful Dons are smart in business and in understanding people, so I'll be studying business and psychology. I can see my life so clearly. I'll be more successful than my father. I'll have Piper as my queen. Yes, life is fucking awesome.

Later, I drop Piper at her house. She blows me a kiss from her bedroom window and I finally drive home. The next morning, I wake up late and shuffle down for breakfast. I find my father at the door, my mother fussing with his tie.

"What's going on?" I ask. My father doesn't have usual work hours, but Saturday is usually his golf day. He doesn't golf in a Brioni suit so something must be up in the business.

He looks at me, his lips pursed in that way that tells me he's irritated by me. "I?—"

"He's going to clean up a mess," my mother interrupts him, patting him on the chest.

I frown, wondering again what's up and if it has to do with me. If so, why is my mother intervening? My parents can be assholes sometimes. They never pull a punch when it comes to me.

My father sniffs. "I want you with Joey today."

"I was going to?—"

"I said, with Joey." My father's voice booms.

Fucker. But I nod and can't wait until I'm the one in charge. My father leaves, and my mother stares at me for a moment with that same disappointment my father has.

"What'd I do?"

"Nothing. Get dressed." She leaves me alone wondering what the fuck is going on.

I shrug and head back up to my room. I shower and dress in a suit thinking I'll be working as a bagman today since that's what Joey does. It feels a bit like a demotion. I was a bagman for my father starting at fourteen. The last few years, I've been more on the business side with my father, learning the ropes.

I message Piper to let her know I'll be busy today. Bummer. I was hoping to see her again.

I get home that evening and try to contact Piper, but she's not answering. I'm thinking about driving over to her house when my mother insists that the family eat together tonight. That normally happens during holidays. Today is not a holiday.

So I have dinner with my parents, my brother, Lazaro, and sister, Lana. Lazaro was suspended from school again. I swear my little brother has a screw loose somewhere. He's a bit feral, which can be good or bad for the future of my father's business.

Lana is grilling my father on business shit. She's bound and determined to be a significant part of the business, which is no easy feat considering the Mafia holds archaic views of women.

After dinner, my mother insists that us three kids spend time together. We all roll our eyes but make our way to the home theater to watch a movie. By the time it's done, it's too late for me to go over to Piper's. She hasn't responded to any of my texts. A part of me is pissed. Another part of me is worried. Is she mad at me? I rack my brain, trying to think of anything I might have done to upset her, but I come up empty. Our dinner on Friday night had been perfect—the promise ring and the way she melted into my arms.

On Sunday, my father puts me to work again. I want to sneak away to see Piper, but Joey is watching me like a hawk. I don't have any authority to tell him to go fuck off, so I do my duty. I'll see Piper at school Monday and find out what's going on.

Monday morning, I pull my Porsche in front of Piper's home ready to pick her up for school. The house is dark, which is unusual. I knock on the door. No answer.

I look through the window. The room is bare. What the fuck? Where are Piper and her family? Confusion and dread wash over me as I retreat back to my car, my eyes scanning the street for any clue as to what might have happened.

There's no one to ask. I get in my car and drive to school. I'll see her there and find out what the fuck is going on.

I pull into the school parking lot, my eyes already scanning for Piper. I don't see her. Not on the way to homeroom. Not in English.

After English, I head to the office. "Mrs. Sawyer, have you seen Piper?"

The secretary glances up from her computer, her brows drawn together. "She didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" I feel like I'm on a precipice and about to fall.

"Her family moved."

"What? Moved where?"

"I can't believe she didn't tell you. I know you're close?—"

"Where?" I demand.

"England. Her father got an inheritance or something."

What the fuck? Surely, I'm having a nightmare. This doesn't make sense. Why didn't she tell me they were moving? Why did she take my ring if she knew she was leaving?

I leave the office, my mind reeling. I'd had everything. My life was plotted out, planned to perfection. And now it was all blown apart.

I sulk for days, weeks even, until my father threatens to kick my ass.

"You'll end up dead if you let a woman turn you into a pussy, Elio," he says. "Get your fucking head straight. Once you do, I've got work for you."

It's another day before I realize he's right. I'm a pussy for wallowing. I become laser focused on business. By the time I head to college, I'm already my father's right-hand man and trusted advisor. By his side, I learn everything I need to know. I follow my father's lead, growing more powerful the more merciless I become. There's no room for sentiment or love. I've outgrown those childish ideas. The only things that matter are money and power.