Stolen Whispers (Orchestrated Corruption #5)

Chapter 1

Emmeline

New Orleans

A dazzling city where evil was just a game played in the darkness, as enchanting as it was disturbing. Witches and goblins, ghosts and ghouls. Vampires who controlled the night. All providing a vibrant and eclectic cluster of spirits. All nestled in the same location.

For me, the intoxicating city was a playground, a wealth of spiritual affirmation. A learning ground for black magic, a skill handed down by my grandmother. Yet my gift was generations old, played out often in the form of gris-gris.

I’d been called a witch, a voodoo princess, even a succubus. I had to admit that I’d found the classification of my abilities and my passionate verve annoying in the beginning. Now I adored the sentiments and barbs tossed my way.

There were those who feared me, partially for what they assumed were my voodoo abilities. Most didn’t understand my true power. It wasn’t shoving sharp sticks into homemade dolls. I’d grown out of that phase of my abilities as a mere child.

The true fear of God experienced unilaterally by men was when discovering my surname.

Prince.

Those new to New Orleans might think royalty of some kind.

You could certainly place my family and our entire history in that category.

We went back generations, our heritage Cajun French.

The real reason men were suddenly shy or disappeared after meeting me was based on their knowledge of what my family was capable of.

In their minds, namely my brothers.

Alexander, Sinclair, Montgomery, and Jaxon.

All four were very intelligent, highly trained in weaponry and explosives, savvy businessmen given our family’s wealth was in the billions, and they were all extremely handsome.

Their words, not mine. They were also extraordinarily dangerous, Alexander the Don of a mafia regime, the syndicate powerful and ruthless.

Some would call them bloodthirsty, even though the women who’d captured their hearts had tempered them significantly.

Given their protectiveness of me, what few suitors I’d had in my life had all but disappeared within days if not hours of learning of their existence. That had certainly put a dent in my sex life.

Enough so, I’d threatened my brothers recently to leave me the hell alone and stop having their goons follow me.

Alexander had just smiled, issuing a single word.

No.

I understood the need for protection. After all, my father had been murdered enjoying lunch with a man considered a family enemy.

Alexander had been framed for murder of the firstborn son of a rival syndicate.

Montgomery had almost bled out on a darkened street, forced to sequester and heal in Vermont where he’d been hunted by some badass Russians.

All four brothers had been shot at, chased, lied to, and betrayed.

I understood their intense concern for my safety. We lived in a dangerous world.

But why did I need little more than Neanderthals following me around like lap dogs?

Besides, few people truly understood what I was capable of.

And my extreme power wasn’t all about tossing a few spells their way.

Yes, I did enjoy creating a simple gris-gris when someone pissed me off.

Making the recipient unable to speak or suddenly find themselves covered in hives was really kid’s play.

Little did they know underneath my Prada sweaters and dresses was a highly skilled assassin herself.

My father had been extremely chauvinistic, but he’d ensured his only daughter knew how to shoot guns and use knives of various sizes.

Which was why he’d gifted me a Beretta and a Japanese dagger he’d commissioned from an artist and friend of his in Tokyo.

That had been my sweet sixteenth birthday present.

Along with a sports car from my brothers.

Yes, I’d grown up in the lap of luxury, but I didn’t consider myself spoiled. I’d fought for everything I’d earned and my place in a world where men generally ruled.

“Mmm… You know how to pick the places, girlfriend.” My best friend’s haughty comment was followed by a laugh. Kylie was my height, which meant she could keep up with my long strides as we walked down the cobblestone street toward our destination.

She studied the signage that was just ahead while tourists and locals crowded the streets. We were days from Halloween, obviously my favorite time of year. In New Orleans, Halloween was when the spirits truly enjoyed time spent with the living.

“Not my choice, but I do appreciate the nod to the morbidity of the dating ritual.” The Witch’s Brew was attached to the Haunted Sanctuary, the store a favorite of both locals and tourists, especially given the ability to purchase cutesy little voodoo dolls.

The bar itself was festive, but certainly not what I’d call a five-star joint.

That was fine for my purposes tonight. I glanced over my shoulder, scanning the crowd.

After the horrible morning I’d had, I needed a drink. I hated to admit that I did, but it was true. My mind could barely process the information, but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry and hadn’t.

No. I wasn’t going to wallow in self-pity. Time to move on with my life and just make different choices.

“I think you lost those handsome guards of yours,” she said, laughing softly. I’d prepped her on losing the goons before we’d left, a plan that I’d known would work.

While I usually attempted to ignore the bodyguards, I refused to have them report back to the family Don that the baby sister had gone to a speed dating event. I would never hear the end of it and even if I had success, the poor guy would be put through the wringer.

Literally.

The background check would be extensive and if for any reason he didn’t pass, there was always a good chance he wouldn’t see the light of day ever again. That was a lot to take in.

“Good. This is our night and I can’t believe you talked me into this.” We reached the entrance and I groaned, rubbing my hands down my dress.

“You look fabulous, darling.” She winked before opening the door.

I’d been kidding about wearing Prada. Yes, I owned designer clothes, but I preferred wearing jeans or little summer dresses I’d picked up at TJ Maxx. The dress had been a present from my other bestie, Anastasia, a former roommate who’d hooked up with my brother Jaxon.

Yep. They were madly in love.

An old married couple.

Something else to annoy me. All four brothers had lived by a different code, able to find their forever loves. Me? Once kissed, twice shy.

As soon as we walked in, I almost backed out.

Maybe because the concept of a blind date was bad enough.

Meeting a bunch of men and only being able to chat with them for two or three minutes seemed ridiculous.

Making some crazy decision to dare go on a date with one would be one of the most reckless things I’d done.

However, what choice did a girl have? I hadn’t had in sex in so long, I would be terrified my pussy was sewn shut if not for my handy dandy passion purple vibrator. Yet I wasn’t one of those women who said, “Who needs men when you have sex toys.”

I hungered for everything about a handsome, very muscular hunk from the interactions that led to intelligent conversations to spending time in restaurants and on the dance floor.

Oh, who was I kidding? I craved his touch, his lips, and his dick, and not necessarily in that order. And his scent. There was nothing quite such a turn-on as a man’s aftershave.

“Big crowd,” she said as we headed for the check-in.

An area inside the multi-room bar had been sectioned off for the event.

One decent aspect about meeting a guy this way was that the meet and greet was based on first names only.

Maybe I wouldn’t be considered so intimidating.

Unfortunately, I was a little bit overdressed, already receiving lust-filled looks from men and daggers in the eyes of a few women.

“You’re going to have fun,” Kylie assured me while we waited in line while whipping out her credit card. “Besides, it’s my treat for your upcoming birthday, Halloween baby.”

I made a face and studied the men hanging around with drinks in their hands. The gift had been insisted on by my bestie. Perhaps the most creative birthday present to date.

There was paperwork to fill out, including contact information. I added as little as possible, including being daring and using my mother’s maiden name. Maybe that would help. At least it would only be provided if a match was made.

“There are some dudes in here,” I murmured.

She popped me on the arm. “And some hotties too. Get with the program. You’re the one who’s always complaining about never having a boyfriend.”

“Here you go, ladies. That will be two hundred and fifty apiece,” the girl said as she motioned toward nametags and pens.

“Steep,” I said under my breath while scribbling Emme on the sticky badge.

Kylie rolled her eyes. She also had plenty of money, but hers was entirely earned from making six figures as a fashion influencer.

“When the first bell is rung, you’ll select a seat and have a couple minutes before another bell.

At that point, the dating will begin. You’ll have four minutes to get to know each other so think of some questions ahead of time.

Trust me. The time goes by quickly. Here are your scorecards.

After every date, just go ahead and fill out either yes for being interested or no.

At the end, if you and one or more of the potential dates select each other, you’ll be given an opportunity to talk further.

If not, there’s always next time. Here are your two drink tickets. Enjoy the evening.”

Drink tickets. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been forced to use them. I smacked the nametag on my chest, almost wishing I’d chosen a pseudonym.

We headed straight for the bar. I’d definitely need a drink or two to get through the evening.

“What would you ladies like?”

His deep voice immediately attracted Kylie. “You’ll do,” she purred.

“Sadly, I’m already taken. But if I weren’t…” He held up his hand, highlighting his wedding ring.

“Damn,” she muttered. “All the good ones are taken, including your brothers. Red wine. As in a double for both of us.”

He laughed. “Coming right up for such beautiful ladies.”

I gave her one of my stern looks that used to get me in trouble in school. “My brothers. Are you kidding me? They’re dominating, domineering, arrogant, and refuse to take no for an answer.”

“And what’s so wrong with that?”

“Ugh. I need that drink. Fast.” Fortunately, it came just in the nick of time before I snatched one from another guest. I wasn’t a wallflower by any means, but I had been taught to be extremely observant, which had likely saved my bacon more than a few times.

The Prince family certainly had its share of enemies, and from all across the world.

Thankfully, all had been quiet for a few months, which had allowed our incredible Bourbon Street businesses to grow. All under my careful watch.

I took a sip of wine as I studied the group of men. Most were nicely dressed and wearing expensive watches. “You were right. There are some hotties here. They appear as if they know how to use a fork and knife too.”

She rolled her eyes again. “You are so hard on men.”

“I have every reason to be.”

“So you know, the reason the expense is so high is that people here are serious about dating, not just curious about what speed dating is. You’re looking at doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers. Bankers. High quality men.”

A deep sigh left my throat. “You mean boring.”

“What would you prefer, a pirate? Or how about a trained assassin?”

“At least they know how to fuck.”

Kylie choked on her drink. “No wonder you’re single. What you’re looking for are carbon copies of your brothers.”

“Eww. Gross. I’m a little kinky but not into incest.”

She shook her head. “You know what I mean. You’re searching for the tall, dark, and dangerous type that exists only in the movies or in your criminal world.”

“My criminal world.”

My bestie knew all the sordid details about my life, including how the family had made the majority of money over the years. One reason we were friends was that she never judged.

“Close your eyes and you tell me what you see.”

When I did, an image flashed in front of my eyes and I groaned. “Fine. I like the dangerous types.”

“See. I know you too well.”

What she didn’t know was that the man I’d been crushing on for years, the one I’d flirted with was the one man I couldn’t have. Even if his balls were blue, if he touched me, they’d be chopped off.

Even I wouldn’t want to do that to a guy.

Unless he pissed me off.

Then I’d handle the dirty deed all by myself.