Heated Redemption (Enduring Vendettas #1)

Chapter 1 | Michael

Michael

There are some memories that live in your mind for an eternity, and the night I met her was seared in my brain like no other.

The warm summer breeze filled my nose as I gazed at her, the woman who looked so lost, leaning upon the railing above the East River.

She wore a black dress that hugged her curves, and I flexed my fist at my side, dying to know how her luscious backside would feel cupped in my palm. I’d never experienced such a visceral reaction to a woman, and blinked rapidly, wondering if she was a vision I’d conjured in my mind.

Stepping closer, I noticed her raven-black hair blowing in the breeze as it wrestled free of the tight bun above her nape. The soft skin there seemed to call to me, and resisting the urge to approach her was as futile as attempting to cease breathing.

Her forearms rested on the railing, her thin fingers twining together in what seemed like an anxious twirl. My dress shoes were quiet upon the dock as I slid beside her.

She gasped, her almond-shaped eyes widening as her dark honey-colored irises snapped to mine.

“Excuse me,” she said, her velvet voice tinged with annoyance. “I came outside to get some privacy. There are plenty of other places you can stand along the dock.”

My eyes roved over her face, noting her austere nose and lips so full, I could already imagine them wrapped around every inch of my body...

“My apologies, stella,” I murmured. “I was drawn to the beautiful woman looking so serious at what’s supposed to be a festive celebration.”

“Pfft,” she huffed, shaking her head. “There’s nothing festive about these gatherings. They’re all filled with talk of business and...” she hesitated, “pain.”

My eyes narrowed as I gently slid my fingers over her forearm, reveling in the small bumps that rose underneath. “Did someone hurt you, stella? If so, I will murder them for you.”

A breathy laugh escaped her throat, and her lips curved, transforming her face into the most beautiful one I’d ever seen. Air froze in my lungs as I awaited her reply.

“Not tonight, but possibly soon.”

“Who—?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “And you can dispense with the endearment. It won’t work. I’m already taken.”

“Okay, stella,” I said, loving the angry flare in her eyes as I defied her directive. “But the endearment is apt. There are many women in that ballroom, but you are the only one who shines brighter than every star in the sky.”

Her eyebrow arched as she turned slightly to face me. “I don’t know a lot of Italian, but I do know that ‘stella’ means star. I guess that’s better than ‘princess’ or ‘baby.’”

Leaning forward, my body heated at her quick inhale. I loomed over her, considering that I was several inches taller, and I enjoyed the fact she had to tilt her head back to look at me.

“Mia, I’ll call you whatever you want if you let me.”

Her nostrils flared before she swallowed, her throat bobbing in the moonlight.

“Like I said, I’m already promised to someone else.”

“You don’t sound happy about it.”

Sighing, she faced the railing and gazed down at the water.

“I’m not. I’m only nineteen, and by the end of next week, I’ll be married to a man who’s thirty years older than me and barely sees me as human.

My entire life will consist of being his possession.

” Her lower lip trembled as she fought off tears. “I already hate him.”

Realization washed over me as my brain fit the puzzle together. “You’re Bianca Santoro.”

She nodded, the movement stiff, and I had the sudden longing to wrap my arms around her and soothe her. Strange, since I’d never considered myself a particularly soothing soul, but the ache to comfort her burned in my heart as it pounded from her nearness.

“Your marriage to Victor Rossi will solidify the union between two very powerful families on the East Coast. I understand why your father made the arrangement.”

Scoffing, she smoothed a hand over her dark hair.

“Yes, he traded me like cattle to appease Victor after some of his shipments were busted. If I had any courage, I’d defy him.

” Sighing, she shook her head. “But I have no idea how to do that...” Glancing up at me, she arched a sardonic brow.

“And if I did, he’d most likely kill me. ”

I pursed my lips in silent acknowledgement.

Bianca’s father, Dominic Santoro, controlled the Port Authority contracts and import businesses along the East Coast. Conversely, Victor Rossi dominated arms trafficking and shipping routes.

The marriage would merge their operations and create a near-monopoly on both smuggling and legal front businesses.

Unfortunately, several recent drug imports into Victor’s ports had resulted in police stings—and millions of dollars of losses.

Combining their forces would allow them to appear stronger and weed out the rats.

And that was where my family came in. The Carusos had built their legacy on offering security and protection for the families.

My father was known as the “muscle”—the man who could be trusted to protect shipments and cargo.

As he’d aged, other security options had emerged, but with much less stellar results.

I felt a certain responsibility for this.

At my mother’s direction, I’d attended college in Pennsylvania before spending two years in Italy with my grandmother and the rest of my family there.

Now, at twenty-four, I’d faced a choice: take over my father’s business or leave the mafia behind and become the doctor or attorney my mother wanted me to be.

After much consideration, I’d chosen to take on the mantle of my father’s responsibilities.

I felt an intense connection with my roots—perhaps due to my years in Italy—but I knew in my bones that my destiny was to take over for my father when he passed, which sadly, would be sooner rather than later.

Carusos were fiercely loyal, and I felt compelled to support everyone who’d worked for my father over the years and carry on his traditions.

Moreover, I was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the way Victor Rossi was running his business.

Drug trafficking was one thing, but there had been an increase in human trafficking—mostly teenage girls—and I wanted no part of that.

If I assumed my father’s mantle, I could set clear guidelines: if Victor wanted my protection and security, he’d have to follow my rules.

Perhaps a bit cocky for a twenty-four-year-old taking over a dwindling empire, but I’d never lacked in confidence.

..or arrogance. It was something I could admit.

If arrogance was my worst flaw, I’d take that over someone who had no moral compass any day.

“I’ll take your silence as affirmation,” Bianca said, her tone terse as she pulled me back into the conversation.

“Yes,” I said softly, genuinely sad at her predicament. “Your father would most likely kill you for dissenting. I’m sorry, mia. Truly, I am.”

Her nostrils flared as she stared over the dark water. “So am I. I had so many dreams. I wanted to go to college...”

“You can still go to college if you marry Victor—”

She echoed a harsh laugh. “I’m meant to bear him a son who can take over the business one day. That’s my sole purpose now.”

My lips turned down at the thought of Victor Rosssi touching this gorgeous creature anywhere on her silken skin. Anger burned deep in my gut at the unfairness of the situation.

“What if I could help you?”

Her head jerked toward me and her eyes grew wide. “How?”

I rubbed the back of my neck, wondering where the words had come from. Hell, I honestly had no idea. I just felt an intense need to protect this woman who had no other option than to marry a decrepit man thirty years her senior.

“My grandmother lives in a remote village in Italy,” I said, my eyes narrowing as I contemplated. “Perhaps she could hide you—”

“It won’t work. My father will find me. Victor will find me. He’s a proud man and our engagement is public. If I disappear, he won’t stop searching until he sees my dead body.”

Our gazes fell, both knowing she spoke the truth.

“What if I married you?”

Her eyebrows lifted as she gaped at me. “What?”

“Michael Caruso,” I said, extending my hand to her as the corner of my lips curved. “Excuse my ineptitude at proposing. This is the first time I’ve ever done it.”

Her eyes darted between my hand and my face. “You can’t be serious.”

My smile deepened as the idea took root. In fact, I’d never been more serious in my life, which was strange considering I’d met this woman five minutes ago.

“I assure you, stella, I’m deadly serious. When is the ceremony with Victor? I can arrange for you to meet me at a secret location and have a priest there. If you marry me, you can’t marry Victor. I’m no lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”

Sputtering, she shook her head quickly, as if she was clearing her brain of cobwebs. “It will never work. The Carusos have no power anymore. Victor would kill us both.”

“Ouch,” I said, covering my heart. “My father has done his best as his health declined, but we’re...rebuilding. I’m taking over his business. In a few years, I’ll build it back stronger than it’s ever been.”

A grimace crossed her features. “Your arrogance and ambition are as off-putting as Victor’s. Are there any men left who just want to have a family and a house and a dog?”

“Is that what you want?”

Releasing a breath, her lips fluttered. “I just want to live in a world where I don’t have to worry about murder and drugs and business marriage arrangements. I want to be normal.”

Sliding my hand over her wrist, I tenderly squeezed. “Mia, the only child of Dominic Santoro will never be normal. I’m sorry. It’s the way of our world.”

Lifting her chin, she stared at the water, a stern expression on her face. “I’m supposed to marry Victor on Saturday. Even if you wanted to save me, there’s not enough time.”

“I’m not sure marrying you myself would save you,” I murmured. “I’ve got plans for the next several years, and they don’t include a wife. Once I rebuild my father’s empire, then I’ll settle down and find a nice woman who can give me a son.”

Scoffing, she pushed back from the railing and shook her head. “Men. All of you are pigs who see women as breeding mares.” Straightening her spine, she stared at me with hatred in her eyes. “Fuck. You.” The words exited through clenched teeth before she pivoted and stormed away.

Releasing a heavy breath, I ran my hand through my hair, wishing I hadn’t upset her. I was a man with plans—was that such a crime? Plans that didn’t include a dark-haired, feisty goddess who set my body on fire and inspired a protective streak I’d never felt before.

I lingered for several more minutes on the dock, wondering how I could save her...

Eventually resigning myself to the fact it might be impossible.

Anger welled deep in my chest at the unfairness of her situation, and I returned to the party, already understanding that my gorgeous Bianca had somehow burrowed deep under my skin...

But I didn’t have the foresight to comprehend how deeply she would become embedded in my soul...