CAPTURED INNOCENCE

  PIPER STONE

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Books of the Tainted Regime Series

  Books of the Ruthless Empire Series

  Books of the Carnal Sins Series

  Books of the Kings of Corruption Series

  Books of the Sinners and Saints Series

  Books of the Benedetti Empire Series

  Books of the Merciless Kings Series

  Books of the Mafia Masters Series

  Books of the Edge of Darkness Series

  Books of the Dark Overture Series

  Books of the Club Darkness Series

  More Mafia and Billionaire Romances by Piper Stone

  Books of the Missoula Bad Boys Series

  Books of the Montana Bad Boys Series

  Books of the Eagle Force Series

  Books of the Dangerous Business Series

  Books of the Alpha Dynasty Series

  Books of the Alpha Beasts Series

  More Stormy Night Books by Piper Stone

  About Piper Stone

  Copyright © 2023 by Stormy Night Publications and Piper Stone

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

  www.StormyNightPublications.com

  Stone, Piper

  Captured Innocence

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

  PROLOGUE

  Weakness: A person or thing that one is unable to resist or likes excessively.

  —Oxford Languages

  “There was a moment when I laid eyes on you that everything changed. Where your innocence had collided with breathtaking beauty, rendering me incapable of thinking about anything else but you. Wanting you. Craving you. Needing you. And after that day, the need to possess you became intolerable. Some might call my desire a weakness but I knew the difference. You will be my greatest strength. And one day, I will own you.”

  —Mattia DeLuca

  CHAPTER 1

  Sophia

  I was fourteen when I met Mattia, the first time I’d also witnessed him killing a man, but it wasn’t the last. On my eighteenth birthday, he saved my life, slaughtering the assassin in cold blood. And both times, I was told he was my enemy, born into a merciless family. Perhaps that’s why for my nineteenth birthday, I decided to go behind my father’s back, indulging in my greatest fantasy, providing a gift that could only be shared once.

  My virtue.

  With the man I intended on marrying…

  “You’re weak, Sophia. You believe in love, the greatest vulnerability of all. That weakness will eventually kill you.”

  They were some of the kindest words my father had said to me just before shipping me away to little more than a convent in Paris disguised as a wealthy boarding school for the upper echelon of society. I’d learned within hours of arriving that sexuality was considered a sin. Instead of turning into an obedient girl, both fearing and ignoring my natural urges, I’d embraced them, nurturing my needs with other methods than boys.

  I’d become determined to prove my ruthless father wrong, but I’d also listened and observed, refusing to remain a protected, pampered princess. Entering college had allowed me additional opportunities to build my repertoire of skills. It had helped build my self-confidence as well. That’s why I was prepared to enter a club when the nagging voice inside of me told me I shouldn’t.

  But I didn’t like following good girl rules.

  Still. I had my sights set on lassoing my own Prince Charming, just like my beautiful sister had wished for me. I knew exactly who I wanted, a man so powerful and sensual that I could barely breathe when thinking about the passionate man. Or maybe I should call him the devil in Gucci clothing.

  The thought brought a smile to my face and flutters into my stomach. I took a deep breath and gazed at the indulgent golden sign, the name printed in bold lettering in vivid crimson.

  Like blood to honor the man who owned the infamous club.

  Notorious.

  The name suited the sinfully decadent club located in the heart of Rome. The building was ten stories tall complete with a conference center on the first floor, the second taken up with a commercial kitchen and a series of office suites, then several floors of various dazzling clubs housed on every other floor, each one meant for different ages. There was also a rooftop bar and private lounge that I’d heard through rumors catered to fulfilling every kinky desire.

  The wicked and wild location suited me perfectly, the need to break out of my shell stronger than it had ever been.

  “Look at this crowd,” my best friend Celeste murmured from beside me. “I feel underdressed.”

  “You’re beautiful. Stop worrying.”

  The entire city street was alive with activity, people dressed to the nines in continuation of a fabulous weekend celebrating life. I took a deep breath, holding in the scents of a city I’d missed for so long, finally breathing out then allowing a smile to cross my face. It was far enough away from my father’s estate that I had no worries I’d be found. In fact, it was in what my papa considered to be enemy territory. I grinned from the thought. The good girl was certainly testing her naughty side.

  “Now, you do realize who owns this place, don’t you?” Celeste asked as soon as we stepped onto the sidewalk leading to the hottest club in Rome.

  “I haven’t been away that long, girl.”

  “I wasn’t certain. Would you look at the gorgeous men? Whew. But if your father finds out, he’ll be pissed.”

  “That matters to me why?” I purred as I headed toward the set of velvet ropes keeping the four hundred or so wannabe guests from getting inside. Of course I knew who owned Notorious, one of the hottest bachelors in Italy, his wealth, arrogance, and good looks making him entirely too sexy, and he knew it.

  Mattia DeLuca was everything a girl could wish for but nothing she should entertain given his penchant for violence and his refusal to commit to anyone.

  Yet as gorgeous as he was, his dark, thick curls accenting his strong jawline and intense dark eyes, he was a reprehensible man, considered a family enemy. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t mind fucking with his mind or teasing him if given the opportunity. My poor daddy would have a cow given my sinful decision, but I was finished with playing the innocent, hapless girl who couldn’t handle herself.

  I’d selected Mattia for a very special reason, my decision capable of rocking all of Italy. I hadn’t set out to do that until recently, the day my father had told me in no uncertain terms that I would be married off to the highest bidder on my twenty-first birthday. That had been the last straw, my plan set in motion.

  “Because Mattia DeLuca is a dangerous man. He doesn’t like people who break the rules,” Celeste insisted.

  “Aww. Poor baby.” I pouted my lips. “He will bend to my will.”

  “Excuse me? I thought you two didn’t know each other.”

  I shrugged and continued walking. “We’ve run into each other before.” The last time he’d issued a proclamation after saving my life. It was time I tested his resolve.

  “God, you’ve changed so much since leaving for Paris.”

  I faked a yawn and threw her a look. “All for the better. By the way, don’t forget to come early tomorrow for my glorious birthday party. I won’t be able to tolerate Lucia fawning all over me if she is able to fly in from the States.” While I adored my older sister, she also thought of me as a child, the birthday party planned in my honor another indication my family refused to believe I was all grown up. I had a terrible feeling my father was laying the groundwork for his promise to marry me off. The thought was disgusting and I’d disappear before allowing that to happen.

  I thought about Lucia and sighed, missing her more than I cared to admit. How long had it been since we’d been allowed to spend any time together? She had a new life in the United States, enjoying being free from the tethers of our family and its wretched traditions.

  Sadly, my gut told me that my father was prepared to parade me around to suitors at the great party as well. He prescribed to the old Italian customs, including arranged marriages. My mother certainly knew that better than most, her hatred of our father evident for my entire life.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the worl
d. Then I get to flirt with that sexy brother of yours.”

  Exhaling, I stopped short, turning to face her. “You don’t want to have anything to do with Enzo. Okay?”

  “Why?”

  I hated to tell her that my brother was just like my father, maybe worse, truly an evil human being. “Because you have a normal, loving family. You deserve to find a nice boy who will treat you with respect.”

  She narrowed her eyes then burst into laughter, believing I was kidding. “Party pooper. You can’t have all the fun.”

  “I assure you that there will be plenty of dangerously stunning men there.” If I knew my father, he was using the event as an unscrupulous business opportunity as well, padding his already hefty bank accounts. “Now, come on. We’re wasting the night away.” Without a doubt, I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t help myself. I’d been stuck in a convent-like atmosphere for far too long.

  Did I know what I was doing? Probably not.

  As soon as we walked closer, the two beefy bouncers leered at us like we were fresh meat.

  “Good God. Look at the two of them. Suddenly, I have a bad feeling about this. I don’t think they’re going to allow us to get in. You either need to know somebody or be somebody.”

  “Stop worrying,” I told her as I strutted toward the entrance to the club. “We’ll get in.” I held out a golden card, which I’d stolen from a cute but boring young man in Paris. That’s the moment I’d allowed myself to consider acting on an adventure.

  She took a deep breath. “You are such a bad influence.”

  “That’s why you love me.” We continued to walk closer, the excitement building.

  “How did you get away from the burly security guards who follow you everywhere?”

  I gave her a look and batted my eyelashes. “You’d be surprised what showing off your boobs can do.”

  “What?” She stared at me in horror.

  “Not my finest hour but both of them looked the other way as long as I promised to keep them out of trouble.”

  Celeste sighed. “Maybe I need to try your tactics once in a while.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Still, we’re only nineteen. The drinking age is twenty-one,” Celeste said as she fell in beside me. She’d been my best friend since grade school and even though I’d been forced to go to boarding school in France the day I turned eleven, we’d remained close. However, she was still the meek girl, while living alone for so many years had given me a boldness that I used to my benefit every chance I got. She was only now coming out of her shell. I’d smashed mine.

  “So what? Our IDs are perfection.” And they were. I had an incredible source in Paris that had provided me with the finest quality pieces of identification I’d ever seen. Besides, there wasn’t a single person in the city who’d dare challenge let alone deny entrance to the daughter of Roberto Lazarro. They knew what would happen, the wrath my father would bring down on them.

  I pushed in front of the crowd to the two bouncers guarding the door. Then I gave them the sweetest smile possible.

  One of them started to tell me to get back in line before glancing down at the revealing dress I was wearing, a little something in scarlet I’d picked up before leaving Paris. It highlighted every curve perfectly, the length barely covering my butt while providing a lasting look at my long legs in four-inch stilettos.

  When I handed him my fake ID, he barely glanced at the particulars other than my name. Then a smirk crossed his face. There was no one here that would do the math. It simply wasn’t important.

  “No can do, miss. Move along.”

  His tone was gruff and he was stupid enough to try to push me aside.

  I jumped in front of him, tilting my head as I threw out the gold card. “I don’t think you want to deny anything to the daughter of Roberto Lazarro. Do you?”

  The hulking mass of a man lifted his eyebrow, a cold, calculating smirk crossing his face. The other bouncer walked over, grabbing the invitation from Mr. Hulking Mass Number One’s hand, giving me a hard onceover. “Let her in.”

  Although he sneered given his disapproval, he did what he was told, not even pestering Celeste for her ID before motioning us in.

  “Dentro ci sono uomini cattivi che desidereranno mangiare delle belle ragazzine.” There are bad men inside who’d desire to eat pretty little girls.

  I threw my head over my shoulder after hearing his comment. “Then I guess it’s good I’m a crack shot, isn’t it?” I used English although I could have chosen French or Spanish, Turkish or Russian. If he had any clue what I’d said to him, it wasn’t apparent, the bastard grinning lewdly as he opened the door.

  In return, I flicked him the bird then pounced inside, acting as if I owned the place.

  “Wow. That was impressive,” Celeste said as she giggled. “Did you see the one guy’s face? I think he wanted to eat you alive.”

  “He’s just hired muscle. He knew better than to touch me.” I had a feeling my arrival had been noted, which was exactly what I wanted.

  “God, this place is gorgeous and insane. Look how crowded it is,” Celeste said, clinging to my arm as if terrified I’d leave her.

  Men of all sizes and shapes scanned us like we were prime grade-A beef as I pushed our way through the crowd. I was searching for one thing: Mattia. To that end, I made certain I preened in front of several cameras. If he was working, he’d be told I was here. I was certain of it. After a few seconds, I glanced at the balcony, the prime real estate exactly what I was looking for.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  As soon as I pointed, she followed my gaze. “To where all the pretty people play.”

  “You are such a bad girl. Did I ever tell you that?”

  That’s exactly what I planned on being if only for a single night. I’d concocted the plan on my eighteenth birthday, the party held at my father’s favorite restaurant. Mattia had been there with his entire family, celebrating something special as well.

  I’d watched him as he’d watched me, careful not to allow anyone to see our interest in the other. The images of what happened that night tickled the back of my mind just as it had dozens of times before.

  As the hand was snapped over my mouth, preventing me from screaming, shock tore through me. I was quickly dragged from the corridor, the assailant quickly leaving through the rear door of the restaurant. That’s when my fight or flight kicked in and I struggled, managing to kick the powerful man in the shins.

  But he was too strong for me, jerking me toward an oncoming vehicle. When the driver skidded to a stop, the door pitched open, I did everything I could to get away, biting the asshole’s hand.

  My high-pitched scream was short lived, the horrible man knocking me to the ground.

  “You bitch!”

  The words were spouted in English, but I knew the language. Dazed, the wind knocked out of me, I tried to scramble away but he was too fast, wrapping his hand around my arm and jerking me off the cracked pavement.

  Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Four rapid shots were fired and I was dropped. Then I watched in horror and glee as the man who’d tried to abduct me fell to the ground, pitching face first. Seconds later, the driver slumped to the steering wheel, the car rolling into the brick wall of the building next door.

  When a figure approached, I tried to scream but nothing came out. Then a larger than life man dropped beside me, immediately cupping my face.