Change 3

Kane

My jaw clenches as I watch the stunning brunette slip out from behind the bar. Alex doesn’t intend to come and see me willingly, he’s planning something. I’m not going to sit here and wait to find out what. I’ve encountered idiots like Cavino, trying to run at the last minute—it never ends well.

As I stand from my stool to follow the bartender, it’s impossible not to admire her. The way that girl held my gaze, as if she didn’t know who the fuck I was, turned me on.

My balls are tingling for release, as my eyes travel the length of her body. I get a good view of her tight black dress that hugs her curves, particularly that perfect ass. Not to mention, the high-heels she’s wearing which make her hips sway deliciously.

All the signs point to that fact that Alex is running, and this girl is probably important to him, so he’s summoned her. She stops at the top of stairwell and gazes back at me. Her eyes wide as they lock with mine.

She won’t be harmed unless she stands in my way. I clench my fists at the thought of hurting such a beautiful creature. It wouldn’t sit well with me at all. My men remain close as I open the door, drawing my gun from beneath my jacket.

I glance back at Jaz who has also drawn his gun. “No shooting unless I say so, but I’ve got a feeling Cavino is trying to run.”

Jaz nods as does Karl, and I start to make my way down the steps into the basement. The pumping bass becomes muffled the lower we go, and a flood of adrenaline pulses through my veins.

It’s always the same anytime I get ready to kill or fight. All the adrenaline and blood racing through my veins has me on edge, ready to lose control the moment I get my hands on Cavino.

The darkness of the basement swallows us, but there is a light up ahead signaling our destination. It’s no doubt his den. I’m not sure how much security Alex has, but I’m pretty sure none of his men would be stupid enough to stand against me, unless they want to be murdered by the rest of my family.

There’s no sign of the brunette. She must have already gone through the door ahead. I can’t understand why she has captured my attention so fast. My heart rate spikes, partly because of what I’m about to do, and partly because I want to see her again.

I stop outside the door, attempting to make out what’s being said on the other side. The voices are too muffled, and it sounds like a man and woman arguing.

I give my two men a nod, and then I burst into the room. My gun pointed at the first person I clock eyes on, which is the bartender. Her eyes go wide and she holds her hands in the air, shaking a little. Alex is stood beside her, and I move my gun to him, narrowing my eyes.

The moment I enter, he shrieks like a damn coward and turns whiter than a sheet. “Mr. Romano, to what do I owe this pleasure?” he stammers, looking down at the ground.

“Cut the crap, Alex.” I step closer. “You know exactly why I’m here.” My eyes flick to the bags of cash stacked by the door. “Going somewhere?”

He shakes his head. “O-Of course not.”

The girl from the bar backs away toward the wall, keeping her eyes on me. I give Jaz a nod for him to go and keep her back, clenching my jaw as he grips her shoulder and pulls her against him. I can’t understand why another man touching her makes me angry, but I’m thankful she’s staying back and out of the way.

“Where is our money, Cavino?” I step closer, keeping my gun aimed at his head. “You’ve missed your payments two months in a row.”

The sniveling coward falls to his knees and shakes his head. “I’m sorry business has—”

“Has been booming, if tonight is an example to go by.” My eyes flick to the stack of cash. “And, the bags full of cash you were planning to take off with.”

Alex shakes his head. “I wasn’t going anywhere, I assure you.”

I take a few steps forward so my feet are in front of Cavino, bending over him. My hand tightens around his neck, and I force him to look at me. “There’s no use lying, as I’m here for blood.” I shake my head slowly. “No one takes advantage of the Romano family and lives.”

He begins to splutter, as I tighten my grip on his throat. “Please, I’ll give you whatever you want,” he spits.

I let go of his throat, and he gasps for breath. As I turn, I allow my gaze to meet the beautiful brunette’s bright blue eyes. She’s a little shaken, but she doesn’t look too concerned by the fact I’m going to kill her boss. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a total asshole toward her.

Cavino is back on his knees. “Take her if you like her. She’s my step- daughter, and I’d give her to you as an apology.”

Step-daughter.

What man would give his step-daughter to the mafia?

My eyes instinctively rake over her body, taking in those tight curves again. Her breasts are accentuated perfectly in her tight black dress with plunging neckline, giving me a teasing view of her cleavage. It makes my cock stir to life.

What is it with this woman? I can’t seem to control myself around her.

There’s a deep, dark side of me that wants to tell Cavino yes. I want to own this beautiful woman. It’s been a long time since a girl has wound me up the way she is. I return my gaze to her eyes, but she’s not looking at me.

Her eyes are narrowed at Alex and a deep hatred burns within them. It looks like she doesn't care too much for her step-dad, the man I’ve been sent here to shakedown, or kill. Rick left me to make the call. I thought I already had decided the moment I stepped into this club. I was sure I’d kill him.

The thing is, his offer is intriguing. Something primal stirs within me at the thought of owning her. Normally, I’m opposed to people owning women. She’s not a possession, although it happens a lot in our line of work.

The thought of taking her back to my place and fucking her senseless makes my cock throb and thicken in my pants, again. It’s so wrong because I’m pretty sure I’m old enough to be her Daddy.

I clear my throat, realizing I’ve been staring at the girl so long she’s turned bright red. It makes her even more tempting, as I wonder how far her blush spreads. I wonder if she’d like being dominated by me in the bedroom. I may be a criminal, but I don’t fuck women who don’t want it. They need to beg me for it—that’s how I like it.

The thought of her begging me makes my already hard cock, harder. I clench my fists and spin toward Alex. His eyes are as wide as saucers as he sees the expression on my face. It’s probably half-lust and half-rage. This guy doesn’t have the right to give away his step-daughter, but I’m considering it.

“I’m happy to give her to you as well as all the money I owe you, with interest.” Alex is shaking like a leaf now. “Please, I’ll do anything.”

My mind and body are fighting a war right now. Brutal Kane Romano doesn’t back down from his intentions, ever. My intention was to kill him.

So why the hell am I considering letting this coward live to claim her? I step closer to him, towering over his cowering frame. To be honest, I could probably kill him and take her. However, that would make me look like a monster in her eyes, and for some reason I care about how she perceives me. “How old is she?”

He worries his bottom lip with his teeth. “She is eighteen years old.”

My cock jumps at that, which is so fucked up. It is as bad as I feared. This woman—no girl—is less than half my forty-four years. It’s so wrong that I want her, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing I’ve ever done. Maybe she’d like calling me Daddy while I tied her to my bed and gave her a good spanking.

Fuck.

That perverted thought makes my balls ache for release. I’m not normally into younger women, they’re immature and can’t handle my tastes. Jasmine Cavino gets my pulse racing faster than it has in years, and I haven’t said more than two words to her—yet.

I’m used to women calling me Daddy, Sir, Master—it’s a common occurrence in the Dom and Sub roles. For some reason, it feels more perverted though because of the age difference.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I turn toward her, and it takes all my restraint not to grab her and kiss those perfect, plump lips right here and now. I want to taste just how sweet she is. She’s a damn goddess, more beautiful than any woman I’ve ever set eyes on.

Her mouth is open, and her wide-eyed gaze darts between me and her jackass of a step-dad. It’s as if what he is suggesting has only just sunk in. As if she’s only now realized her step-dad wants to give her over to the most brutal mafia family in North America.

I’ll be honest, she doesn’t look as thrilled as I feel by the prospect.