The Mafia Don's Sweet Temptation

TALIA

Ugh.

I cringed internally at the feeling of sand-like texture in my mouth. It wasn't a very pleasant experience and I tried to make my limbs move, my eyelids open, but it was much too difficult. My mind wavered between the realms of sleep and reality and I let out a sigh, turning my head to get more comfortable on the bed.

The sounds of a clock ticking drew me in and it echoed all around my head. Time was non-existent, but slowly questions arose in my mind.

Why did my nostrils hurt so much, like I'd just inhaled a bowl of peppers?

What was that scent?

How did I get back home? I couldn't remember for the life of me what had gone on the night before.

"Wake up doll. I don't like being kept waiting."

The sound of that unfamiliar deep male voice hit me. Then, my eyes flew open.

Wincing at the blooming headache, I slowly sat up on the bed, trying to get my limbs to cooperate. It was shaky but I managed it.

The sight that met me was a strange one.

Looking around me, I noticed the blue walls of the room. Black and gold curtains framed windows through which sunlight would stream in to my left, were it daytime. But it was night, and the vibes became even more eerie when I noticed the ticking sound didn't come from any clock I could see, but instead from a man's foot tapping on the ground.

"What the..." I trailed off, realizing I wasn't back in my apartment, or in my boyfriend John's penthouse. "Where am I?"

"You're in my home, doll. Eyes up. Look at me," he ordered, and I found I couldn't disobey.

When I met his eyes, I could see coldness in them. Unfortunately for me, he was deadly handsome, and set my heart beating fast.

That wasn't the only thing I noticed and I let out a gasp of recognition.

It was him. The one who came in with his men guns blazing at the agency.

The memories flashed through my head, memories I had thought- had HOPED were just a dream.

That night, I had arrived from my job escorting an old man who had become a regular of mine to the opera of all places. Still wearing an expensive evening gown which I had to rent, I went to my boss Ludovic's office to collect my nightly pay, preparing myself mentally for his shenanigans when he unfailingly tried to get me to sleep with him.

Being an escort wasn't what I wanted in life, but I had grown up poor. I had few opportunities in life, and when I couldn't get a call back from the numerous temp agencies I applied to at 17, I turned to this work to get ahead in life.

Before I could knock on Ludovic's door that night though, something happened.

The escort agency was suddenly under siege as screams and gunshots filled the air. Before I knew what was happening-

A hand gripped my chin and forced my head up, and I was pulled back into reality as the firmness of the hand didn't leave me alone. I was left staring into the most beautiful yet dangerous eyes I had ever seen.

"I believe I told you to look at me, doll. Don't test my patience," he hissed and I swallowed, trying to find courage to speak, to tell him anything. But I couldn't.

My tongue leaden in my mouth, I felt his hand stroke my cheek.

"Do you know who I am?" He asked in a much calmer voice, and I shook my head in response. "Let's just say I'm one of those men you don't fuck around with, doll. Lorenzo Gallieni."

My heart skipped. I'd heard of that name but only in stories. There was NO one who didn't know of Lorenzo or the Gallieni Mafia in this part of the world. This city was HIS, and he was the Don to steer clear of, one of the most feared with even the police and military in his pockets.

What did someone like him want with someone like me? I was nothing, just a mere escort trying to live.

"You see," Lorenzo continued, still stroking my cheek as I trembled. "Your boss, Ludovic's been owing me quite a sum. Five hundred thousand dollars, to be exact. And he has failed for five fucking months to pay me back. Now I'm sure you know where you come in."

My body broke out in hives. The Gallieni Mafia weren't one to take prisoners. What did my stupid boss' debts have to do with ME? Why did I have to be involved in this?

"N-No," my eyes were watery and I sniffed as my voice broke. "Please, I don't know anything about this. Please just let me go-"

His thumb covered my lip and I couldn't finish the sentence. His hands were still so gentle, yet his eyes were so cold that it left me shivering.

"Your boss has asked me to take whatever I fucking want to clear his debts. So I have chosen. And he was glad to give you to me, among other things."

No.

My eyes widened and tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't believe my ears.

Suddenly Lorenzo released my cheek and retracted his hand, standing to his feet. Then, without warning, he tossed something at me, and I flinched when it landed on the mattress, right beside me.

It was a dress, I could see the spaghetti straps and lace trim, it's silky sheen drawing my eyes to take it in.

"Get dressed," he ordered. Only then did I find it in me to speak.

"I have nothing to do with this. I can't be involved. I'm not the one owing you money. Ludovic-"

"Ludovic is dead."

Those words were delivered with gravel to his voice. The pit at the bottom of my stomach became heavier with terror filling my veins.

"And you will be careful to not end up the same way, doll. Get dressed, or I will make you."

...

TALIA

I was silent throughout the car ride. The dress I wore was very short and the breeze from the open window made me shiver. Despite the cups of the dress, I could feel my nipples harden, and goosebumps run up and down my legs.

In all this, I was terrified. Terrified of dying, of being taken to who knows where, of turning to my side and seeing Lorenzo Gallieni.

He had been silent all this time, and I was glad for it. At the very least, he wasn't going to kill me...

... was he?

I thought of the life I had before this. My boyfriend John, who I had met one night after my long work hours. If he were here he would make me feel safe, he would protect me and take me away from here, right? He was the only man who saw me for me, instead of an object to be used and leered at.

Tears welled up in my eyes again and I tried to wipe them superstitiously so Lorenzo wouldn't see, but it was too late.

"That's enough."

His growl made me flinch, and I felt a hand at my arm, forcing me to turn and look at him.

His cologne filled my nostrils and I was left speechless once again as he regarded me with a stern warning look.

"No more tears, doll. I hate the sight of women crying. It infuriates me."

"Maybe you shouldn't have taken me then," I tried to be brave once more. My trembling voice didn't help one bit. "Maybe you should let me go."

"Or maybe," I gasped when his hand tightened over my arm. "You should keep your fucking mouth shut. You won't need to speak where you're going."

"Where am I going?" I asked him, but he didn't answer. "Please at least tell me. It's not like I'm going to escape or something."

"I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut doll instead of running it so fucking much. Wouldn't want to scar that pretty face of yours."

That offhand comment made me deflate.

"Talia."

"What the fuck's a Talia?" He sounded unamused and frustrated at me.

"My name," I softly replied. "It's Talia."

He went silent and I looked away. Another strong breeze made its way through the window and I shivered.

I felt shifting beside me and a deep chuckle.

"Thought you were used to such nights with your line of work, but it seems I was wrong." His low timbre was silky smooth and I flushed. I hated how attractive he sounded, smelt, and looked... I should've been more upset by all this.

"I'm not a common hooker," I responded without thinking. "I'm an escort."

"Hmm. And what's the difference? They take you out to dinner first?" His voice taunted me, reminding me of how I was looked down on all my life. First for being poor, then for being an escort. I could never win.

"I don't sleep with my clients..." I trailed off.

"Liar," he scoffed.

"It's true," I insisted.

"And I'm the fucking king of England."

"With that attitude you could be."

Before I knew it, I was pinned against the leather car seat and his body bore down on me. I tried to scream but seeing the gaze in his eyes told me it would be a very bad idea. His right hand caressed my thigh, and I felt tingles running up and down my spine. It was hard to look away from his eyes, as intense as they were.

Damn it.

A whimper left my throat unwittingly as his hand dipped between my thighs and hiked the skirt of the already shirt minidress even higher.

"Please," I begged, unsure of what exactly I was begging for. Something was in the air, I could feel it between us. I knew I couldn't give in to it. But he was making it so damn difficult.

"Please, please, please," he chuckled, and amusement flashed in his eyes. "You are quite the show, aren't you Talia?"

Hearing my name spoken through his lips sent me spiraling internally. I gulped; I shouldn't feel this way towards my abductor. I had to focus on living so he wouldn't kill me.

But suddenly, the car stopped.

"We're here," he announced and then, just like that, the moment was over.

Within seconds I was forced out of the car in a flurry, and a thick black cloth was placed over my eyes before I properly took in my location.

"Walk."

It was another man's voice, thick and warning, and I felt something push me forward. What other choice did I have but to do as they wanted.

I could hear noises around me, but nothing definite. I remembered the steps I descended down, the feeling of a strong hand guiding me, of Lorenzo's cologne filling my nostrils.

Then, I heard loud pumping music that belonged in a club surrounding me, and the bass vibrated up and down my legs.

Some more movement later and I was forced to stop, silent and waiting.

"Don."

"Giovanni," Lorenzo spoke then, and his voice was strong above the din.

The black cloth was removed from my head then in a flash, and I winced as my vision slowly started to focus.

"This is your new dancer, Talia."

I turned my head to glance at Lorenzo who wasn't looking at me. The other man looked me up and down, and he turned to Lorenzo, speaking something in Italian.

Lorenzo replied in Italian as well and I took the time to gaze around the room I was in. It reminded me of a club, with the strobe lights, music and patrons seated having their drinks of choice.

What stood out to me were the dancers, weaving their bodies artfully to the music on various platforms around the club. Some danced with poles, some topless, but all in various forms of undress.

A tug at my hand forced me to look back at the men who were done discussing. Lorenzo presented his hand, on which I saw a crested ring. Giovanni knelt down and kissed the ring and my jaw went slack with the shock reminder that I was now involved with the Gallieni Mafia, whether I liked it or not.

"Chelsea," Giovanni raised his voice and a blonde woman wearing a blue sequin bikini top and tiny short shorts strolled up to him, bowing to Lorenzo, her breasts nearly spilling out of the cups.

"Yes manager?" Chelsea's voice was flirty, and upbeat like she was on the beach instead of a darkened bar.

"Take Talia to her room. She will be with us for a while. Oh, and get her some uniforms. Work starts immediately," Gio ordered.

I tried to look at Lorenzo but his face was turned away from me and suddenly it dawned on me. I was trapped. I had nowhere else to go.

I couldn't find it within me to struggle instead followed Chelsea with my head bowed down.

That was what began my new life: a life as Lorenzo's captive in an underground club I couldn't escape.

...

LORENZO

The man screamed, a delightful sound to me. I smirked as the sound of bones crunching filled my ears, and I pressed my boot down even harder on his hand.

"Please! DON PLEASE!!"

Please.

Always with that damn word.

I always saw begging as a sign of weakness, and it infuriated me to have my traitor of a henchman say that word to me. As if saying please fucking solved anything.

"Where's my money, Fabian? I will not ask again. You KNOW how I operate, you maggot," I calmly intoned, my words punctuated with another stomp of his hands. His bones were all broken by now, maybe except his skull and spine.

He could hardly move and his moans came out garbled as I gave him a kick to the stomach.

"Please... please..." the man whispered, shaking from head to toe as he bled out.

'Please,' Talia's voice was loud in my head.

I stilled, my mind drawn to the memories of two nights ago.

That girl.

Talia.

I hadn't expected her to be so intriguing or to distract me so much. It had been two days since I had handed her over to Gio and went on my way. I had already instructed Gio to take care of her, and I trusted his word that he would.

But why did I want to check for myself? Women weren't ever a problem to me before.

That girl...

My lips curled up in a smirk.

I couldn't tell if I wanted to fuck her, or kill her.

Or both.

"Lorenzo."

Matteo's voice came up behind me and I heard his footsteps approach. Without turning around I held my right hand out and was handed a handkerchief, which I used to wipe my hands that had some streaks of blood on it.

"Damn it, you really did a fucking number on him," Matteo, my second in command aka my best friend, whistled. "You should have left the interrogations to me. You're too tense, Don."

I could tell where this conversation was heading: soon he would suggest I step aside and let him handle everything to do with captives, and to focus on the other parts of running the mafia. Matteo knew me well just as I knew him. We had been friends since we were 10, after all.

"Spare me the theatrics, Matteo." I tossed the handkerchief to him which he caught effortlessly. "And you can handle the rest of it. I have better things to do."

His eyes followed me, and I knew he was gaping at how easily he could convince me to not kill our captives. I loathed taking Matteo's advice but sometimes it was needed. Like now. Now, I had something to distract me, and I was willing to let him have his way.

I quickly got back to my bedroom and jumped into the shower, letting the scalding water and soap wash away the scent of blood from my body.

Within an hour I was dressed and headed to Dark Eden, my underground club where exclusive VIP clients were serviced by men and women under my employ.

The club was not very full, I observed as soon as I walked through one of the many entrances hidden in the basement of a nondescript wine shop.

I noticed Giovanni's office door closed and knew he likely was balls deep inside one of his favorite girls in the club, Chelsea Manning - who used to work as a lifeguard in Florida. I cared not for his relationship with one of my girls, as long as that girl wasn't Talia.

Where WAS she?

Ignoring the bows and greetings as I walked deeper into the club, I continued to search for the girl that was so intriguing she distracted me from my favorite task of making traitors suffer.

"Let me go!" I heard a scream to my right and instantly I recognized the voice.

"Come on girl. You don't have to act so innocent," the man I recognized as a VIP client leered at Talia who leaned away from him. I took in the scene in a split second: his arms wound tightly around her waist with one hand teasing at the lace strap of her thong, her struggling against him.

I saw red.

And I acted.

Seconds later, Talia was in my arms, and the man on the floor.

"Fuck! What the hell man?!" The client yelled, clutching his bloody nose and on his knees. He tried to get up but a gesture from me had two men beside him, pressing down on his shoulder and forcing him back to his knees.

"Don!" My ears perked up at the sound of Gio rushing from his office. He appeared flustered, and with good reason.

I leveled a glare at him and he bowed, looking ashamed.

"I believe I made myself clear that night, Giovanni. Talia is not to be touched," I stated. "And yet this scum decided to do just that. What do you think I should do to him?"

Giovanni looked like a deer in headlights. The client paled.

"B-But, I didn't know." The man insisted, grunting in pain as he was held down. He looked terrified once he realized who I was. I knew that my reputation precedes me. Lorenzo Gallieni, the Don with over a hundred kills to his name. Among my many accomplishments, I had shown no mercy in taking over this city.

And I would show none in dealing with this one.

"L-Lorenzo," Talia was shivering in my arms, trembling from fear. It irked me that she did that, yet I couldn't find it within myself to hate her for it. I despised weakness normally, but she was different.

"Take him out. I'll deal with him myself," I ordered the two men who obeyed instantly. Everyone in the club watched as the man screamed for help, none lifting a finger to do so.

"Carry on," I told the rest of the patrons and staff who looked at me with varying expressions of nervousness, fear and respect.

The order echoed in the air and they all looked away in response, pretending like I hadn't just done what I did.

I let out a long sigh and moved to sit down exactly where that client had, taking a good look at Talia for the first time.

She wore a lacy black lingerie set, and I could see the dark areola of her breasts peeking through the skimpy lace. Her body did look enticing and my lust stirred.

I suppose fucking her wasn't out of the option, I thought.

Spreading my legs, I leaned back on the chair and motioned to her.

"Go on then," I ordered.

"W-what do you want?" She looked wide eyed at me.

"Serve me. Show me how well you dance, Talia."