Unspoken Obsession (Casino King #4)

Book One Unspoken Secrets ~ A Dark Forbidden Mafia Romance

My entire life, I yearned for a man I thought was forbidden... a ruthless Mafia Don,

Dangerously handsome and immensely powerful.

I grew up in the mansion of the ruthless Alegro Crime Family,

Inevitably drawn to Lorenzo—the magnetic heir who commanded it all.

Employed at his lavish casino,

Temptation confronted me daily.

Despite my mother's deception about our shared bloodline,

Desire for Lorenzo burned within me.

His slightest touch triggered tremors,

Awakening forbidden needs I dared not speak of.

Yet he claimed my innocence in one glorious night.

Years of repressed longing shattered, crumbling into ecstasy in his arms.

But Lorenzo's father dictated a different fate--

A marriage orchestrated to reinforce mafia supremacy.

Defying his father ignited vengeful rage.

And I was seized as a pawn, torn apart from my defiant lover.

Will Lorenzo save me from his father’s wrath, or will loving him be the death of me?

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Want a Sneak Peek? Here’s Chapter One ~ Lorenzo

We are driving in stiff convoy around the cash-in-transit van. From the outside, you would never say it had three panels of bulletproof protection, and you would never assume that the driver and passenger were armed with heavy weaponry. This is how they always travel though. They have one of the most important jobs in my business, and I only give this job to men who can handle themselves. The van looks ordinary; it could just be any delivery van.

Except it isn't. This morning it is carrying an exceptional amount of cash. I don't usually follow the delivery of cash, but with the amount being moved today I wanted to be on the drive with the protection team. My black SUV is less conspicuous, a monstrous car with silver detailing. I tap my fingers against the steering wheel, aware of everything going on around me.

The radio blurts with static and then the driver's voice comes through into my SUV.

"Sir, the red pickup, three cars behind us," Bennie says calmly.

"I've noticed. Stay on track."

I've already sent Marcus to the back, his rifle locked on the pick-up truck.

Marcus is my right-hand man. He has been with me for many years. I trust him with my life - and my money.

"He is coming round," Marcus shouts.

"And the other grey sedan?" I ask, pulling into the second lane to block them.

"Going left."

"Watch them both."

Gunfire erupts as a third vehicle spins out of a side street in front of the cash-in-transit van. Men are hanging out of the windows, firing towards the van and us. Bennie slows but doesn't veer off course or react in any other way.

"These fucking amateurs," I yell, pressing my foot against the accelerator.

Marcus chuckles, lowering his window and leaning out of my SUV, not bothered by the speed I am driving or the bullets already flying. He takes aim for the driver of the grey sedan and pierces a bullet straight through the windshield into his chest. The car swerves and smacks into a streetlight.

I hear the loud snaps as bullets thud against my car door, just inches from me. I don't flinch; it would take a tank to get into this car. Around me, civilian cars swerve away and slam on brakes, getting out of the line of fire.

I accelerate, aiming straight for the third vehicle. My bull bar slams into the side of the small car, sending him spinning out of the way. The path in front of Bennie's van is now clear.

I grab the radio. "Keep going, Bennie. Luca, Franco, stay with him."

I pull my SUV to a stop in the center of the road. Marcus and I climb out. I shake my head wondering why someone thought it was a good idea to try and heist my cash with this airhead team. I've seen such a fuck of an attempt before. They clearly have no idea what they are doing or who they are dealing with. I stand to the side with my arms folded across my chest. Marcus stands in the middle of the road as the red truck aims for him. Two shots puncture the tires and the car shudders to a stop against the pavement after the driver loses control.

The driver gets out, his hands up in the air. His face is strained and lined with fear. "Please, I was just doing my job, please…" he drops to his knees and places his hands behind his head in defeat.

Marcus chuckles again and relaxes his stance.

I stride over to the driver. "Who are you working for?" I snarl. The driver refuses to make eye contact.

"Please - I have a family." His whimpering voice and desperate plea do nothing for me.

"Who are you working for? Don't make me ask you a third time."

"Alec Grendel." He quivers.

Marcus saunters over to stare down at the man kneeling on the road. He glances up at both of us, his eyes darting from Marcus to myself.

"He didn't even put up a fight. Clearly, he doesn't know the meaning of loyalty."

I grin. "Not worth a thing then, is he?"

I fire a single shot which explodes through his skull. His body slumps to the ground. Blood begins to spill across the road, oozing from his face.

I slide my Beretta back into the holster at my side. Everything around me has gone quiet.

"Marcus, check the other cars. I'll radio Bennie, and make sure they are on track."

"Lorenzo, you have a little something over there." Marcus gestures towards my suit jacket.

"For fuck's sake." I glance down at the blood splattered across my shoulder. Glistening against the black fabric. I shake the jacket from my shoulders and slide my arms out, tossing it into the back of my SUV.

I hear three shots. Marcus is cleaning up the remaining survivors in the other cars. No one lives. A clear message to Alec. And to anyone who dares to take a job with him.

Marcus climbs into the passenger side, and the car door slams shut behind him.

"I think we are going to have to pay Alec a visit soon."

"Agreed." I press the button to the right of my steering wheel.

The engine growls to life, and I accelerate to catch up with the cash-in-transit convoy. We aren't far from the delivery site. I'll follow along for the rest of the way to make sure no other clowns show up.

Marcus leans back in his seat. "I'm fucking hungry. I left in such a hurry this morning that I didn't have time to eat." He sulks.

"You can grab something when we get back; this isn't going to take long."

"I've got a date tonight. That hot brunette from the bar. The one who started a few weeks ago."

I throw him a sideways glance. "Are you going to get another fired after you get bored with her and decide you don't want to see her around anymore?"

The corner of his mouth curves up into a grin. "She didn't get fired. She quit. She made her own choices."

"I have a feeling you made her job miserable and gave her no choice. Leave the waitresses alone, Marcus."

"This one is different. She could be the one."

I snort. "I am pretty sure you said that about the last three."

"One of them is actually going to be the one." He laughs. "Besides, you don't even date. You can't comment."

My thoughts drift towards Valentina. No, I don't date -- because my attention is fully occupied by someone I am forbidden to interact with. My overbearing father laid down rules against us even spending time together. I get it. He already told me she is some distant relative of mine. She is a well-kept secret, a mark of shame on his reputation. He doesn't like the idea of a low-level cleaner being in any way related to our family. He thinks it taints our bloodline. He keeps her close to keep her under control. She has worked in our mansion since she was fifteen, and now also works at the casino.

Of course, I know, it can never be, but fuck, you don't always get to choose who your heart locks on to. I wonder how distant of a relative she is. My father was never specific. He always gets so annoyed when I mention her. A second cousin? Third? I have no idea. She looks nothing like me. There is no resemblance whatsoever.

We arrive back at the casino just after lunch. I head straight to my office to grab a clean jacket and a fresh shirt. I toss my blood-stained clothes into the corner of the office. Standing topless, I glance at the mirror. Tattoos are etched across my chest, up to my neck, tracing dark patterns over my skin.

I pull my fresh shirt on, followed by the jacket. It is the perfect fit, custom-made by a designer I had flown in to handle my entire wardrobe. I check the full-length mirror on the inside of the cupboard door in my office. Not a thing out of place. I run my fingers through the golden-brown crop of hair framing my face and then make my way to the casino floor. La Fossa Dei Leoni is the biggest casino in the city. I started it for the family. We were making too much money, not that there is such a thing, and needed a way to launder it. The last few years of running this place have allowed us to triple our turnover and stay under the radar. Of course, we still have to pay off certain people to turn a blind eye to events like this morning, but it is all part of the game.

"Rocco." I walk over to the main floor manager for our daily check-in. "All good?"

"Lorenzo, I heard you had an eventful morning?"

"Not too exciting, just some idiots who made a weak attempt."

"Well, it is all good here. Last night we had a bit of an issue with a card counter. He won't be back. We sent him home with his finger in an envelope."

"Nice of you to give it back to him. You must have been feeling generous."

Rocco laughs.

"Gianni was looking for you this morning. I saw him at the poker tables earlier."

"Thanks. I'll head over there now."

Gianni looks pissed off. But then again Gianni always looks pissed off.

"I heard you were looking for me?"

He turns towards me with his brow knotted in frustration.

"That fucking bachelor party. You should see what they did to the hotel room." He snaps.

"Worse than the group last year?"

"No, but what the fuck. These people are disgusting."

"Just bill them. Don't let it get to you. It's just part of running this place."

He huffs loudly.

I squeeze his shoulder. "You are going to give yourself a heart attack, man."

"Ye, ye. Listen, that isn't why I was looking for you. That card counter last night. It was Grusso's cousin. He is pissed off."

"And?"

"Thought you might want to know." He shrugs.

"Grusso should know better. I doubt we will hear an actual complaint. If he does want to complain, let him come directly to me."

These small-time rival families have no idea how the bigger families operate. They let their egos trick them into thinking they have a say in anything at all, but at the end of the day, they know their place. I know I won't hear from Grusso.

I turn to walk away. I have to finish up my rounds. Gianni calls to me. "Lorenzo, are you at the event tomorrow night? We have some big clients coming in."

"I'll be there." I carry on walking away; I have one more person to check in with before I can head up to my favorite part of the day.

Antonio oversees the restaurants in the casino. He confirms that everything is running smoothly, and he doesn't need anything from me. This is great news; it means I can get up to the hotel suites sooner than expected. The cleaning staff should be finishing up their afternoon rounds, and I have a specific someone who I can't wait to see.

I glance at my watch, the highly polished gold strap catching the casino lights.

One o'clock. Perfect. I turn towards the elevators and press to be taken to the forty-second floor.

I check my reflection in the mirror panels on the inside walls. I feel a grin spreading across my face as my heart rate increases with anticipation.

The elevator doors slide open, and I step into the hallway. Hotel room doors line both sides of the passage.

I glance to the left and spot Valentina immediately. Her long dark hair was braided down her back and the neat, black and white maid's uniform hugged her tight figure. A smile spreads across my lips. I remind myself to conceal it as I walk towards her.