HIS TO TAKE
Sam Crescent
Copyright © 2018
Chapter One
“Are you ready for this?” Vincent asked.
“It’s not every day you sell your soul, but I guess the Valenti family is worth it,” Ronnie said.
Daniel Solano stared at his friends, who were both smirking at him. They thought it was funny that he was heading toward the home of the woman he’d been contracted to marry. He didn’t even want to marry, but according to his father, at thirty years old, it was his duty to marry and start producing heirs. He thought it was a load of bullshit, but then at thirty his father had married his mother.
The men were allowed time to sow their wild oats, and to get all the fucking out of their system. Most of the men had a mistress, and that was more than fine. Running the mafia was a dangerous business. Wives and children were meant to be protected while mistresses were always collateral.
“Who are you supposed to be marrying again?” Ronnie asked. He held the file on the Valenti family. Daniel imagined all families had files on each other. It was a way of keeping track of everyone, and also finding any loose ends that might need cleaning up.
“Louisa.”
“Ah, the one that loves to shop,” Vincent said.
Daniel had seen plenty of pictures of his future wife. She didn’t exactly thrill him, not in the least. In fact, she looked as shallow as any woman could be.
“She’s awful for the pocket, but she’ll do fine to look the part,” he said. He had no interest in her. In fact, her pictures didn’t even inspire a hard-on. She wasn’t his type. Everything about her screamed fake, and he was done with fake. In their world, fake got you killed, but then, so did being real.
Rubbing at his temple, he finished getting dressed while his friends continued to read out all of the problems with the Valenti family. If they weren’t one of the wealthiest and deadliest families in the world, he wouldn’t be having to go to this damn Thanksgiving dinner. As it was, his father didn’t give him much of a choice, and seeing as the Solanos didn’t have any daughters, they couldn’t make a match with the Valenti sons.
Louisa was the oldest daughter but not the oldest child.
The drive over to the house wasn’t exactly appealing to him. His father was going over and over about his duty and how he’d had his time to play the reckless boy, but that stopped now.
Daniel didn’t see what the problem was. He’d not sired any bastards while he’d been “playing around” as his father called it.
Alfie Valenti, along with his wife, were there to greet them. It wasn’t always customary to have Thanksgiving with other families, but, seeing as this weekend would also be the engagement announcement, plans had changed.
Climbing out of the car, Daniel shook Alfie’s hand, and then his wife’s. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Louisa in the house. She was leaning up against one of the soldiers, running her hands over his chest.
Well, that would have to stop. He wouldn’t run the risk of having any heir that wouldn’t belong to him.
Daniel had been aware of her affair with one of her guards and was surprised that her father hadn’t put an end to that some time ago.
“It’s good for you to be here, Frank,” Alfie said, looking at Daniel’s father. The two older men embraced.
Once they were inside, Louisa looked on her best behavior, but he saw through the façade, and he wasn’t happy.
“Daniel, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Louisa,” Alfie said.
“It’s nice to finally meet the man I’m supposed to be marrying,” Louisa said.
Her mother cursed her and warned her to be quiet.
He took her hand, giving it a polite shake. “Charmed.”
Louisa gave him a dazzling smile. Daniel couldn’t help but look toward the guard she was screwing. The look wasn’t lost on Louisa, and her smile slipped a little bit.
He was no fool, and there was no way he’d ever allow anyone to treat him like one.
“Something smells delicious,” he said, looking toward Mrs. Valenti, who beamed at him.
“That would be Mary. She’s cooking Natalie’s favorite.”
Daniel looked toward Alfie, who chuckled. “My youngest daughter. She’s due to arrive any second now. It’s just like her to be a little late. I swear, she’ll be late to her own funeral.”
“You shouldn’t let her leave by herself,” his wife said.
A look passed between the couple and she let it go, stepping away.
Louisa laughed, taking his arm. “Don’t mind them. They’re always arguing about Natalie.”
He had information on Natalie. She was the youngest daughter to Alfie Valenti, and the one that also seemed to be the most mysterious.
“She’s not here?”
“She will be. Dad tends to let her roam free, and seeing as there’s no war now, it’s not like he has to keep her indoors, so he likes to give her some freedom.” They entered the kitchen. “Mary, I’d like you to meet Daniel Solano. My fiancé.”
He saw a large woman with ruby red cheeks and a pleasant smile. “Hello, Miss Louisa.”
Mary shook his hand.
“Dinner smells delicious.”
“Thank you, sir. Any sign of Natalie?” Mary asked, turning her attention to Louisa.
“Not yet.”
“Blast. I should have known not to trust that girl to stop by and get me butter,” Mary said.
Daniel frowned as he watched Mary head back to the stove and begin muttering something about butter being the key to a happy life.
“My sister spent a lot of time with Mary growing up. Mom didn’t want much to do with her. So, our wedding, I was thinking we could go with a traditional white, but I’d love gold. I want gold leaf available as well.” She began to prattle on about the wedding, and he wasn’t really listening to her.
Looking around him, Daniel felt … rage. A burning rage that he was marrying this false little bitch, and that he was about to put his name to her, and not only that, he’d have to stick his dick inside her. Just the thought was repellent. He’d do his duty though. It’s all he ever really knew.
He knew what the family name required of him. His training to take over from his father had started when he was just a boy. When you were in the mafia, you didn’t get the chance to have a childhood. The girls that were born rarely got one either. They were used as pawns in all of the old men’s games.
Daniel watched the guard he’d seen Louisa with, and knew the bastard wanted to hurt him right now for even touching her or being near her. That soldier needed to learn his place. He was about to pull Louisa into his arms and give the man a real show when the sound of the door slamming open made him go for his gun.
“I’m so sorry I’m so late,” a woman said, shouting to be heard. “It’s so cold out there. I’m surprised I didn’t freeze to death.” She then made a noise, and he looked toward Louisa, who rolled her eyes.
“I sometimes wonder if she does that to annoy Mother.”
Glancing past her shoulder, he saw the warmth in Mary’s face as the woman in question entered the kitchen.
“You’re late!” Mary said, suddenly looking stern.
“I know. I know, Mommy.” The woman moved up to Mary and hugged her tight. “I got you goodies though.”
He figured this woman was Natalie, and then he really looked at her. Louisa and all the women he’d seen in the household were dressed to impress. Expensive evening gowns, makeup so thick it was impossible to really see their faces, and their hair didn’t look out of place at all.
This woman though, wore a pair of jeans and a large black and white checkered top. Her brown hair was bound at her neck in a loop, with several strands falling out. She looked like she’d just gotten out of bed, apart from how bright her gaze was. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Mary.
“It’s time you showed up,” Louisa said, drawing the woman’s gaze.
Finally, the woman looked up.
Daniel wasn’t sure what happened to him, but the moment her eyes were on him, something fucking changed. Everything seemed to freeze up, and he couldn’t look anywhere else but at her. He’d never been a lover of curves, but just looking at her, his mouth watered. She was all rounded hips, big tits, and full thighs that a man wanted to get lost in. She was on the plumper side, much bigger than Louisa, but that didn’t make her any less sexy. In fact, Daniel couldn’t recall seeing a sexier woman.
“I was getting stuff, Louisa. Wow, have you decided to be like Mom now?” Natalie asked.
At the mention of Mom, the sparkle died just a little. Not only that, Mary was fussing around her, and she’d called the cook “Mommy.”
He was so fucking confused.
Louisa grabbed his arm. “Natalie, honey, I want you to meet my fiancé, Daniel Solano.”
Natalie looked between them, and she smiled. He had a feeling there was not a lot of love between the two sisters.
****
If Natalie could have gotten out of coming home for Thanksgiving, she would have. In fact, she’d planned to be very busy, and was about to find a job when Mary called her and begged her to come. The moment Mary begged, she came running. Out of everyone in the Valenti household, apart from her father, Mary was the only person who liked her.
Her father had called her and told her about the impending engagement that would be announced.
She wasn’t an idiot. Her family was part of the mafia, so she had no doubt that somewhere along the way this was a contract that was made in the dead of night to help bring peace.
Not that she had a problem with peace.
Natalie hated to be part of the mafia. The less she had to do with the family, the better. She’d even gone so far as to strike a deal with her father so she’d never be dragged into this life. From a young age, she’d been next to Mary in the kitchen. She knew more about serving the family than being part of it.
Looking at Louisa’s dress, then down at her own attire, she saw the difference there. Still, she’d sit at the table like her father would demand, and have to deal with their ridicule. Even her brothers would join in, and that was going to be embarrassing.
“Hello,” she said, smiling at the man destined to be Louisa’s husband. In her thoughts she wished him good luck, but that was pretty much it.
He stepped forward and held his hand out for her to take. She rarely touched anyone else, and her father always warned her about accepting handshakes.
Her father was simply paranoid.
Stepping around the counter, she placed her hand within his, and was shocked by how small her hand looked in comparison to his. She took a deep breath and offered him a smile.
“Congratulations on your impending marriage. I’m sure you’ll have many happy years together.”
He didn’t say anything.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ben was having a hard time controlling his expressions. He looked ready to murder the man.
Alfie Valenti chose that moment to enter the kitchen, and all negativity left her as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. Where her mother couldn’t stand her, and had even tried to kill her, her father adored her. She knew that she’d become a constant problem between her parents. Even though her mother tried to kill her, there was no way her father could punish her without their being repercussions, as her mother came from a powerful family too. It became an internal family problem, one her father always tried to deal with, but it didn’t matter. Natalie avoided her mother all the time and did everything to take care of herself.
She’d spent a lot more time around him than any of her other siblings had, which angered them. It’s not like he had a choice though. When he caught his wife ignoring her in the bath as a baby, then another incident, Alfie had given her to Mary, and in doing so, he’d kept an eye on her.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said.
“Nonsense. Better late than never.”
Over his shoulder, she caught sight of her mother glaring at her, and she didn’t say a word.
“Ah, Daniel, this is my youngest daughter here,” Alfie said.
“We’ve been introduced. It’s a pleasure, Natalie.”
The way he said her name confused her. She looked toward Louisa, who normally liked to take a moment to tease her, but her gaze was on Ben. Wow, this was like a nightmare waiting to happen, and why she normally avoided everything.
“How long until dinner?” Alfie asked.
“Another hour, sir.”
“Good, good. We’re going to take drinks in the living room,” Alfie said.
“I’ll bring them out.” Natalie spoke up, wanting to avoid being in the room for too long.
“You’re not the servant here,” Alfie said.
“I like bringing drinks. You know that.”
He shook his head, and she watched each of them go. When she was sure no one could hear her, she stepped up to Ben. “You need to get your head together.”
Ben glared at her. “I don’t have to take orders from a baby.”
“I’d listen to her, young man,” Mary said. “They catch wind of what’s going on between you and Louisa, and you’re dead. Just another in a long line of Louisa’s lovers.”
Natalie stared at him. He had that “boy next door” look, but he didn’t interest her. Ben never had. “You’re not the first guy she’s taken under her wing, and given the little victim speech, Ben. She’ll get you killed when she bores of you.”
“She loves me.”
“I’m sure she does, but even so, be careful.” Natalie stepped away and made her way toward the drinks, and began to pour.
Mary moved up behind her, taking her shoulders. “Don’t cry, my sweet.”
“They hate me. Why did I have to come here?”
“The Solanos are powerful men, Natalie. I’m sure your father will deal with what they need, and then you can go back to living your life.”
She glanced down at her attire and sighed. Her life was … complicated.
At the tender age of ten, she’d already figured out what her father did, what the name Valenti meant, and she’d gone out of her way to break away from the family that didn’t want her. Apart from her father, everyone else hated her.
She often wondered if she was adopted, or if she was really her father’s mistress’s baby. It didn’t really matter at all. Baby or not. Her mother couldn’t stand her, and no one was about to tell her the truth.
“I’m sorry I was late.”
“I’m getting used to it.” Mary kissed her cheek, and Natalie collected the last of the glasses. Once outside the door to the main sitting room, she looked at the guard there, Phillip. He had a young wife and three beautiful children.
“You want to go in there?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I want to leave.”
He chuckled. “You’ll do fine.”
“And then cry near the pool later on; I know the drill.”
“You’ve got more strength than you realize.”
“I’ve been told kindness is a weakness.”
“It’s not. Don’t let anyone else get you down.” He did something no soldier was supposed to do, and patted her arm.
She took another deep breath. “Wish me luck.”
“Break a leg.”
Natalie smiled, biting her lip to contain her laughter. She didn’t like that show of support. Break a leg? It made no sense. Why would she even want to break a leg, or something like that?
Shaking her head, she entered the room, and all gazes turned toward her.
“I come bearing offerings from the kitchen,” Natalie said.
Words rarely failed her, but she found a big smile, and a chatty girl tended to make a lot of people leave her alone.
She put the tray on the table and took the scotch toward her father. It was the expensive sort, and he only ever liked it for family gatherings.
He took the glass and pulled her in for a hug. “How are you doing?”
Natalie turned to face the room. Her brothers and sister were all glaring at her. Their father was always openly affectionate with her, and it always drove them crazy. They’d been taught to be seen and not heard.
“I’m doing good. I’ve applied for three colleges so far, and I’m hoping to hear back any day now.”
She’d taken a gap year from high school, and then another year as she had to start applying for scholarships. In this room, people knew her as Natalie Valenti, daughter to one of the most powerful men in the country.
To the outside world, she was Natalie Carmichael, struggling student, with no one. This was the price she had to pay in order to get out from being part of the family. Even now, at twenty years old, she could see the disappointment on his face when she’d begged him four years ago for a free life. A life away from being a man’s wife, and a tool. She’d used his love against him.
It was the only time she’d been mean.
“If you loved me, Dad, you’d let me do this.”
Against all the odds, he’d agreed. She couldn’t have the Valenti money. Her way had to be made without any help from him. She’d live with Mary, and he’d have a guard, just in case. For the most part, Natalie Valenti ceased to exist as she’d never been in the public eye, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a paper trail. She was aware of the risk that she took every single day to be her own person. Her father had promised that only people who did some serious digging would find her. To the outside world, she was Mary’s daughter, but there was only so much that he could do.
Their agreement was still a sore subject with him though.
“You’ll get in,” he said.
She smiled up at him. “You must be proud.”
Taking her glass, she lifted it in the air. “To Louisa and Daniel, on your engagement.”
“It’s not final yet,” he said.
She turned her gaze to Daniel. From the moment she’d entered the room, he hadn’t taken his eyes away from her, and she kept trying to ignore it.
“Yes, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Alfie said. “To peace, to the Solanos, and to the Valentis. Let’s hope we can make an agreement that is mutually satisfactory.”
She saw the humor in Daniel’s eyes, and she didn’t like it.