The Sweetest Sin (Twisted Fates Book 1)

  The Sweetest Sin

  Twisted Fates

  Daniella Kunz

  Copyright © 2020 Daniella Kunz

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

  First paperback edition: September 2020

  Cover design by: Ashlee Drage

  Prologue

  The day my mother died, a piece of me did too. My childhood essence, the part of me that needed to feel loved and cared for, began to fade. I fiend for the affection and kindness I was no longer given, as my father would lash out at me, continually blaming me for her death, even though I knew he was the one who took her life. It wasn’t long until I let go of the childhood fantasy of being nurtured and became defiant against my father. I no longer respected him. I fought him every chance I got within reason and holding on to self-preservation. Though I despised him, I didn’t have a death wish.

  I knew the only thing keeping him from killing me too, was knowing I was an asset to him. Knowing he could use me as a pawn, sell me off to whomever he needed to get something in return. I always knew one day I would be given to some man of my father’s choosing, not having a choice in the matter.

  What I didn’t know or come to expect was that that man would be the notorious Capo of the New York Familia. A man driven by darkness and rage to match the devil, as the rumors of him were whispered around my father's men. He made enemies in his wake wherever he went, and killed with no remorse.

  I never gave him a second thought, never cared to feed into the rumors of a man who would play no part in my life. He was someone who shouldn’t even know of my existence, let alone be in Los Angeles. An enemy territory that was clear across the country from him, but he did.

  What brought him here? My father...and he was out to settle a debt. Unfortunately for me, I became the bargaining chip.

  1

  LILIANA

  I sat at the water's edge listening to the waves’ crash as they rushed onto the shore. Feeling the cold water and fine grains of sand licking at my toes before it ebbs away, back into the ocean. A breeze rolls off the water surrounding me with its salty mist as I take a deep breath, inhaling in all the faint scents from the ocean. I have been coming here more and more lately, my only reprieve and chance to breathe. To feel relief from the constant suffocating grip of my father, of this world we are a part of.

  Digging my toes into the grainy, wet sand, I begin to feel calm as if my nerves are being washed away with each retreating wave. Closing my eyes, I am drawn back to my childhood. Remembering the night I felt my life was about to shift, even at the young age of ten.

  Sneaking downstairs, still too awake to go to sleep, I wanted to gaze out at the stars in the sky. It would always calm me and help me tire when I couldn’t sleep. The window inside the sitting room by my father's office had the best view, and rarely no one ever used it. Not at this time of night, especially. As I quietly pass down to the hallway, my attention is drawn to the light streaming from under the door in my father's office. My body stills as I hold my breath, not having realized he was still awake. I am about to turn around and scurry up to my room, afraid of getting caught and of the punishment to follow when I stop short as I hear my mother's voice. Her soft docile voice is raised as she is arguing with my father, and the sound is strange to my ears. I have never heard mother be anything but obedient to my father, let alone raise her voice.

  Curiosity pulls my feet forward, drawn to my mother's odd behavior as I strain to hear past the walls for the cause of this abnormality. As I get closer, or as close as I dare, I start to make out parts of their conversation flowing under the door. "You cannot do this, are you mad, why would you be dealing with the New York Familia behind Dante's back!"

  "I am the head of this family, and I will do what needs to be done. I turn a blind eye a few times that they need to pass shipments through our area, that is all. I refuse to sit and be a useless pawn and get shit on anymore. Soon I will rise in the ranks. Be a name to fear, a name of respect."

  "You will get us killed for your disloyalty, every one of us, your daughter, me, is that what you want! I will not play a part in these schemes while you lead us to slaughter." The echo of flesh hitting flesh bounces off the walls to my ears followed by my mother's sharp gasp.

  "You will do as you are told!" I stood there frozen and numb, unsure how to process what was going on or what any of this meant. Hearing footsteps shuffling over the carpet towards the door is what finally thaws me from my place. The fear of getting caught forces my legs as I flee, trying to be silent as my feet fly down the hall, rounding the corner. Knowing I wouldn't make it upstairs before being seen, I dive behind the pillar in the main entrance room by the stairway.

  As my mother came out of the hall, I could make out tears glistening in her eyes from the kitchen light as she made her way to the stairway. When she got to the first step, she grabbed the rail and sighed a sorrowful noise as her body hunched forward, looking as if she was now carrying an enormous weight. After a moment or two of not moving, she made her way upstairs to her room.

  I didn't move until I heard the audible click as the door close to her bedroom. I darted out of hiding and up the stairs taking two at a time. Reaching the top, I tiptoe to my room and quietly closed the door.

  I stayed up that night, pondering what was said between them and their argument. A feeling of unease at their words settled deep in my belly. Something nagging inside me knew this would affect my life, though I didn’t understand how. After hours of restlessness, my mind began to shut down and slowly drift away, as the look I had seen in my mother's eyes haunted my dreams like a foreboding recollection of my future.

  I am startled back out of my memories when the breeze picks up, rustling the leaves behind me, causing me to spin and look around. Even though no one else alive knows of my cove, it still causes me to be cautious.

  My mother had taken me here after that night. Told me it was our special place and to not bring anyone with me, to go here when I needed to feel safe, and I did, all the time. I would disappear for hours on end, anything to get away from my insufferable father. Ever since mom had died, he has been harder on me, treating me as if I was no longer his daughter but a possession. An annoying asset that caused anger at just the sight.. His temper has been off the charts lately, getting worse and worse as time goes on. He would never fully abuse me but would leave bruises from a tight grip on my arm or back of my neck.

  Yesterday though, my smart mouth and attitude had gotten the best of him and I apparently, as he had lashed out, slapping me across the face, splitting my lip open in the process. Now today, I am rewarded with a lip that is now very swollen and bruised. I reach up to tenderly touch the edge of my mouth and wince.

  Great. I think to myself. I am supposed to have lunch with Gianna tomorrow. Saying she had some exciting gossip that she couldn't relay over the phone to me, and I'm itching to hear what she has to say. Spending time with Gianna is a chance to get away from this hell at home.

  Not ready to return quite yet, I lie down in the warm sand and close my eyes feeling the sun absorb into me as the breeze dances over my skin. Feeling relaxed and calm, I slowly nod off.

  "Liliana!" I am awakened to a distant bellowing of my name. It takes me a moment to gather my senses and remember where I am.

  "Oh shit!" I
curse aloud, realizing I fell asleep and clearly lost track of time.

  "LILIANA!" My name is shouted again, and I wince. It's my father, and he is not happy. I jump up and head towards the rocks. There hidden in plain sight is a slit big enough to shimmy through, but you wouldn't know it was there just by looking at the sheet of rock. I press through and duck down to avoid hitting my head. Inside the wall is dark and damp, making me a bit claustrophobic. Emerging from the wall I walk behind another large rock as I peek out behind to see if anyone is around. Relieved at seeing no one nearby I stepped out into the opening.

  Glancing around again I realize my father must have gone back inside to look or to reprimand his men for not knowing where I was. I roll my eyes and step past my hiding place. Quickly walking behind the treeline to the garden, I hear my name bellowed again, "Liliana! That fucking girl."

  Wincing I call out. "Yes father?" Knowing full well what kind of shit storm is about to hit me. I brace myself mentally and physically for what is to come. My father rounds the garden entrance and visibly stomps my way. Reminding me of an overgrown toddler upset over not getting his way. I can see his face is pinched and bright red even from here.

  "Where the fuck where you?" He bellows before he is even in front of me.

  "I was out back in the garden and had fallen asleep on one of the benches in the gazebo and didn't hear you calling, I am sorry father." I lie, adding that last bit in hopes I don't get rewarded with another split lip. He narrows his eyes and looks at me. I worry about having not brushed myself off enough from the sand, but I dare not look down and see.

  He glances behind me briefly and I watch as his eyes and expression suddenly shift. I'm thrown off by how much his expression has morphed into an unrealistic mask. His unkind eyes promising punishment turn to that of something softer though still not quite gentle. I'm startled by the whiplash but before I can decipher what caused this instant change I hear it, a man calling out to my father. His voice sounds bored though I pick up on something dangerous underlying his tone.

  "Antonio what kind of game are you playing at? I don’t have all day and all you are doing is wasting my time." My father's eyes darken and I see his lip twitch slightly, a tale sign he is irritated with whoever this man is, but he holds his tongue from a reprieve. “Or perhaps I should just kill you now for your insolence. Save us both the time and the trouble.”

  2

  LILIANA

  My eyes widen as he draws a gun from his waistline inside his jacket, aiming it at my father just behind me. Making good on his threat he has just pronounced.

  My body freezes, terrified of being in the middle of this crossfire, at being caught between my father and this man. My mind races as I stand there unable to move. The chances of him missing me and only hitting my father with a bullet are very slim. I don’t realize my body is trembling until I feel my father grab a hold of my wrist, not out of fear or comfort but in order to pull me in front of him to block his body should he need to.

  Oh my gosh...my father is going to use me as a shield. I am going to die because of him, just like my mother had! My mind screams out in silence. Soon my breath is the only thing I hear as it comes in and out in ragged draws, as everything within my vision blurs until I can only see and focus on the tip of the barrel pointed directly at me and my father. I feel a bead of sweat roll down my spine as my panic rises.

  Hearing my father shift behind me, he moves closer to me slightly. "I am so sorry for the delay Nicoli, my daughter was spending time in the gardens and clearly lost track of time. I assure you I would not play any games with you. Now why don’t you put down the gun and come see her and what she can offer for yourself." The man's eyes narrow at my father before slicing his piercing gaze onto me. He looks momentarily startled as he straightens, drawing his brows at me. He seems as confused as I am by his sudden shift of behavior. Shaking his head in a quick jerk as if trying to force away his thoughts, he hardens his gaze once again. We all stand silently, waiting for something to happen.

  After a moment he lowers his gun slightly, no longer aiming it at me, though not putting it away either. I release a deep breath, not realizing I had been holding it since he drew the gun. Seeing the fraction of a waiver in the man's disposition, I feel my father's hands on my back as he gives me a hard shove in Nicoli's direction. I stumble over my feet before regaining my balance, quickly looking back up. Still shaking slightly from the adrenaline pumping through my small frame, he makes his way to me. He closes the distance between us in only a few strides as he stops a foot away, looking down upon me. Not daring to look up at his face I focus my gaze onto the ground at his feet. I can feel his eyes grazing over me as he inspects me like a piece of cattle at an auction.

  My forehead scrunches up as I wonder who the hell this man is and what my father had done to him. My curiosity gives me a little strength as I finally lift my head to get a look at his face. Looking up, I draw in a sharp breath. I am drawn to his icy grey eyes. They are harsh and cruel but I can see pain hidden within them, making me wonder who this man is even more. Looking over his face I can see the predatory expression he holds as he looks over me. Images of little red riding hood and her wolf flood my mind as I watch him.

  Meeting my gaze, his holds mine captive as I am startled by the swirling emotions inside of me. Neither of us let up as we continue to stare at each other. Both seemingly confused by this reaction we have before he regains his composure and his eyes become shielded once again. They roam over me as he returns to inspecting me, and I mean every inch of me, from my long red hair to my bare thighs, down to my painted nails in flip flops. I shift uncomfortably under his unrelenting scrutiny.

  While his eyes are looking me over I take a quick moment to inspect him back. I look down from his face to see his perfectly held posture. He holds himself with an authority and power that makes my knees tremble under my weight. There is something about this man, some effect he has on me that I can’t begin to understand. I finally take notice of his attire, as he is wearing a suit. A very nice suit. Only instead of the classic black and white look, his is all black. Everything about this man emits a predator like essence, his body oozes power and promises of violence. Nicoli? Why does that sound familiar?

  I'm startled as realization suddenly hits me, slamming me with fear once again. I have heard of this man. I have heard rumors of him among my father's men, though I have never seen him before nor would I have been able to recognize his face. He is referred to as Diavolo as he is as merciless as the devil to anyone who dares to cross him. To suffer an eternity in hell would be better than being punished by this man for your transgressions against him. He is always known to wear an all black suit, both to instill fear in his enemies and not stain all his clothes with the blood of those that he kills.

  At least that is what the rumors about him say. Not that he needs any help with instilling fear, his expression alone is stone hard with his piercing silver eyes boring into you, like a bullet heading your way. Now knowing who he is makes my blood run cold causing me to shiver regardless of the high temperature today.

  He is the upcoming Capo of the New York Familia. Why the hell is he in our home here in Los Angeles? The New York Familia are enemies with the Cosa Nostra. What has my father done to gain the attention of this man? Looking back up to his face I see a menacing smirk pulling on the corner of his lip as he can see that realization has settled upon mine. With the corner of his lip upturned in a carnal way he grabs at my wrist jerking my arm upward as he forces me to spin around. Irritation flares up inside of me, pushing through some of the fear I was shrouded by, and I have to stop myself from jerking my hand away from his grasp.

  His eyes feel as if he is caressing my curves as I am spun back to face him. Thinking he is almost done with his crude violation, his eyes make one last pass as they move back up my body. That is until he gets back up to my face and finally notices my swollen lip. He reaches out grasping my jaw with a vice like grip between his large hand and h
auls me forward. I am startled by the action as I stumble into him, flush against his strong hardened body.

  "What the fuck is this Antonio." He sneers. With my face still in his grasp I cannot see my father's reaction.

  I hear him stuttering for an excuse. "She tripped and fell on the stairway. That stupid girl is so clumsy." He says as he lets out a breathy laugh. Trying to misdirect Nicoli’s sudden rage off of him. Nicoli glares at my father as he looks back down at my lip. He slightly releases his hard grip on my jaw but doesn't drop his hand.

  "Liliana, is that what happened?" His voice comes out honeyed and low but I know it is just a ruse. I turn my eyes down, not daring to meet his gaze.

  "Yes it is." I manage to get out in an apprehensive voice. I don't dare tell this man the truth, afraid of what he will do to us both if he knew, not wanting to anger him further.

  He already threatened to kill us once, and if he didn’t my father would surely punish me for speaking out against him. He reaches out towards my lip and my muscles tense, waiting to feel the pain as it is still very tender and sore, but it doesn't come. Instead he gently runs his thumb around my cut before lightly trailing it across my bottom lip slowly. I suck in a breath, surprised by the gentle action. I can still feel his eyes burning my skin as he looks down at me, clearly not believing my lie. Finally as he lets me go I take an immediate step back putting a much needed distance between us.

  "Well," he says as he straightens his jacket. I notice his gun is no longer in his hand. Not aware of when he had put it away. "I'm glad that is all it is. Because I would hate to have to kill someone for laying a hand on something that belongs to me. And Antonio?" he pauses to look over at my father, "be sure to let everyone know if anyone so much as lays a finger on her I will cut their hand off. Not to mention what might happen to you if something should happen to her again." The threat he passes along doesn’t go unnoticed.